"I'll meet you halfway."
"No!" Emily said firmly, crossing her arms and shaking her head vehemently. "Absolutely not!"
JJ, aggravated, threw up her hands. "Why not? It's only for the weekend!"
Emily had talked to her mother the previous week, shortly after buying the engagement ring, about her desire to propose to JJ in the near future and how she had no plans to ask her to sign a prenup, which Elizabeth had been less than enthusiastic about, to put it mildly. JJ had no clue about the conversation or Emily's plans, but twenty minutes ago, Elizabeth had called JJ to invite them—Henry included—to stay the weekend with her at the McLean property while she was in the area. JJ figured she had gotten the call instead of Emily because Emily and Elizabeth were still fighting and she took it as a sign that Elizabeth wanted to make amends to not just Emily, but by inviting Henry; JJ as well.
"That's the problem!" Emily declared. "It's a whole weekend! She's cleared her schedule, which means she'll be there the whole time! I am not going to subject Henry to my Mother for three days!"
"Oh come on, Em, she's not that bad." JJ nodded in helpless acknowledgement of the truth at the incredulous look Emily shot her. "Okay, so she isn't the most maternal person in the world," she conceded. "But she's making an effort here! I know you're still pissed, but she's really trying and I promise you don't have to be mad on my behalf."
Emily dramatically flung herself into the armchair by the bed and scowled. JJ got up from the end of the bed where she'd been sitting and went around the end of it to stand in front of Emily, hands on her hips.
"How about a compromise?" JJ suggested diplomatically.
"I'm listening." Emily replied crabbily, still frowning.
JJ sighed and lowered herself into Emily's lap, the brunette's malcontented expression didn't change, but she put her arms around JJ's waist to steady her. JJ draped an arm over Emily's shoulder and with her other hand; she gently stroked the skin on Emily's forehead with her fingertips, trying to uncrease her expression. With the hand she had behind Emily's head, she tugged lightly on some of hair, which caused Emily to tilt her head up and JJ kissed her lingeringly. She smiled, satisfied, when Emily's features smoothed out.
"Okay," JJ proposed now that Emily was in a bit of a better mood. "How about this. We'll go over on Friday and stay until Saturday. On Saturday, if you still want to leave, we can."
"What if I want to leave before that?" Emily grumbled petulantly.
JJ shook her head and smiled cheekily. "I guess you could always use the safeword?" she laughed when Emily looked horrified.
"I am not associating that with Mother. Ever." She insisted fiercely. "In fact, now we're fighting just because you suggested it."
JJ chuckled impishly. "Work with me here, Emily."
Emily tilted her head to lean against the back of the chair and closed her eyes like she didn't want to be saying what she was about to say. "I'll meet you halfway. We'll go Friday; bags packed, and at least have dinner and socialize. If she's being horrible, we leave after and save our weekend. If she's not, we'll stay until Saturday."
"That's not exactly 'halfway' but I'll take it."