Reid is getting Henry settled in his booster seat when he hears the tell-tale clicking of heels behind him. He turns and his jaw falls open. JJ wears a black sheath that comes to just above her knees. Her heels accentuate her muscular legs. The short sleeves show her strong arms. Her hair is swept back and held fast with a gold clip. The locks that hang below it have been slightly curled for a wavy effect. She wears the diamond necklace and earrings Emily had given her to go with the diamond tennis bracelet. On her other wrist she wears a beautiful but understated Rolex. Her make-up brings out her eyes. She is a knock-out!
"JJ…you look…wow," he says, a smile on his face.
She grins. "Thanks, Spence. So, will I remind Emily why she married me?"
He chuckles. "If she doesn't remember she's irrevocably brain damaged."
JJ laughs. "Good to know."
"Mommy pretty!" Henry hollers.
JJ walks over and gives him a kiss. "Thanks, Little Man. Now, are you going to be good for Uncle Spencer and help with Rocky?"
Henry nods. "Si, Mama. Henry help. Henry good."
She kisses him again. "Good boy. I love you."
"Love Mommy."
She turns to Rocky. "And are you going to be a good girl?"
Rocky laughs and claps. "Ma!"
"I'll take that as a yes," she says, giving the little one a kiss.
As she stands up, she hears footsteps descending from the upper level of the house. She and Reid turn to see Emily step into the kitchen. JJ feels a stirring in her stomach that only her wife can bring. Emily is having a similar experience as she sees the beautiful blonde.
"Emily…wow…" Reid says.
Emily's dress also comes to just above her knee. She has allowed her hair to maintain its natural wave and it hangs loosely on one side. The other side is clipped back with a beautiful diamond and gold clip JJ had given her for Christmas. Her heels make her long legs look even longer, their toned muscles giving her a look of power. She wears earrings JJ had picked out for her, a diamond bracelet and a watch that matches JJ's. She walks over and takes JJ's hand.
"You look beautiful, baby."
"So do you, Emily." JJ walks over to the counter and picks up a velvet box. "For the love of my life."
JJ had told her wife not to wear a necklace. Emily opens the box and inhales sharply.
"Oh, Jennifer…it's beautiful!"
The delicate gold chain is an intricately woven design reminiscent of a Celtic knot. The pendant that hangs from it contains a rare black opal. JJ removes the necklace from the box and Emily immediately turns so her wife can place it around her neck.
"I chose an opal since it is the October birth stone," JJ tells her.
Emily smiles and turns around. "So it's the birth of our life together."
JJ nods. "Exactly."
They share a kiss. "I love it, Jennifer. And I love you, too."
"Mama Love!"
Emily chuckles and turns to the table. "Yes, I love Henry, too."
"Love Mama!"
As Emily moves to the table to say goodnight to her children there is a knock at the door. Reid goes to answer it and admits the chauffeur into the foyer. Emily kisses Henry's cheek.
"Be a good boy tonight, okay? Help Uncle Spencer with Rocky, okay?"
Henry rolls his eyes. "Henry telled Mommy he help."
Emily laughs. "Yep, you are your mother's son." She kisses him again. "I love you, Henry. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"'Kay, Mama."
She turns and kisses Rocky. "Be good, sweet girl. I love you."
"Mama!" Rocky smiles and claps.
JJ had taken the time to get a last word in with Reid. "If it's an emergency, call us. Otherwise, we'll see you in the morning. If you get in a real bind Morgan said you can give him a call as he got dumped again."
Reid grins. "I know. He's coming over later after, and I quote, 'final diaper changes are done.'"
JJ laughs. "Yep, that sounds like Morgan. Thanks again for this, Spence."
"Any time, Jayje. You all have fun," he gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Emily and JJ get their light wraps and clutches. Emily smiles at her wife. "Ready, Mrs. Prentiss?"
"When you are, Mrs. Prentiss."
The two women follow the chauffer out to the car. As they go down the street, Emily can't help but grin at the envious look on Suzanne Peltier's face. JJ sees and slaps her wife playfully.
"Be nice, Mrs. Prentiss."
"I'll try."
JJ sits forward and removes the champagne from the built in ice bucket. As requested, it is already open for them. She pours out a glass for her wife and then herself. After setting the bottle back, she turns to her wife and offers up her glass.
"To us. May we never forget the love we share and may we never take for granted the nights like these that strengthen our love."
Emily clinks their glasses together. "I second both of those emotions."
They sip at their champagne as JJ cuddles up against her wife for the ride up to DC. As they get into town, Emily starts to watch the streets. It doesn't take her long to realize where they are going.
"Jen…are we going to L'Ambassadeur?"
JJ smiles and gives her wife a kiss. "Yes, baby. We haven't been there since we moved south. I know you miss it."
"I do! Francois will be so surprised to see us after so long!"
JJ grins. "Baby, there is a three month waiting list to get in. Who the heck do you think got us a table?"
Emily grins and kisses her wife's temple. "Yep, the conversion to 'Prentiss' is complete."
JJ smiles proudly. Yes, she had enjoyed playing with the scary AmEx Black while planning this weekend. But the power she had felt when she called the exclusive restaurant and asked for a table under the name Prentiss was very intoxicating. The snooty voice on the other end of the line had changed to pleasant and welcoming. And when the owner and master chef had come on the line, promising a special meal just for his old friend Emily, JJ had to admit she really enjoyed the attention. Turns out, she really is a Prentiss after all.
"Yes, baby, it is. And I am so very, very proud to be your wife."
The two share another kiss just before they arrive at the restaurant. They take a moment to touch up their make-up before getting out and going in. The maître d sees them enter and moves from behind his podium right to them.
"Ah, Agent and Mrs. Prentiss!" he gushes. "It is so good to see you! Please, right this way."
He leads them himself to a table that Francois had designated as theirs. It has a nice view of the Potomac and the rest of the dining area but also affords them some privacy. As they sit down the man bows to them.
"Francois wishes me to tell you to trust him. He has your whole menu planned out. He has also picked out the perfect wines to go with your meal unless there are any reasons you cannot drink."
JJ smiles. "Tell him thank you. We can't wait to see what he has in store for us."
The man bows again. "Very good, Mrs. Prentiss. Your first course will be out momentarily." He turns and gestures to a waiter approaching with two drinks. "Your first aperitif. Enjoy your meal."
He walks away as the drinks are placed in front of them. The waiter smiles. "My name is Braden. If you need anything please just signal."
"Thank you, Braden," Emily says as he leaves to fetch their first course.
Emily lifts her drink glass and the women toast each other again. The raspberry and champagne concoction is delightful. They have just finished it when an appetizer of escargot arrives. JJ can't help but grin.
"Can you imagine what Henry would say about this?"
Emily laughs. "I think he might remember some of the bad words we've finally broken him of saying."
JJ laughs in agreement.
For the next 2 and a half hours they are treated to a 7 course gourmet masterpiece. As Emily swallows the last bite of her Tarte Cachee Au Chocolat, a hot chocolate mousse with hazelnut marshmallow and Bailey's Irish crème, she moans in happiness. JJ echoes her as she finishes her Saveurs Bretonnes, an apple Breton cake, crispy crepe and cider sorbet.
"I think I gained 20 pounds," JJ says.
Emily smiles. "Well, if we are still going dancing you can work some of it off."
JJ rolls her eyes. "If I can move I can. I am so full I am glad I have something planned before we get to the club."
Emily raises an eyebrow. "Oh? What?"
JJ just winks. "You'll see."
The women glance up as Francois approaches the table. They both stand and give him a hug.
"Francois, you have outdone yourself this time," JJ tells him.
He smiles. "For my two favorite ladies, I have only done just enough. I am but a man and can only serve such goddesses as a mortal might."
Emily rolls her eyes. "You always were full of you know what."
He grins and winks at her. Emily takes his hand.
"Merci, Francois. Le dîner était merveilleux, mon ami." *
He kisses the back of her hand. "Vous êtes bienvenu, Emily. S'il vous plait, revenez bientôt." He turns to JJ and also kisses her hand. "It was wonderful to see you again, Jennifer. Please, come back soon."**
"We will try, Francois. Thank you again for everything."
He bows to the women once more and goes back to the kitchen. Braden comes over and deftly slides the bill onto the table as he lifts up JJ's empty dessert plate. She is impressed by how smooth he is. She slips her card into the bill book and he picks it up as he clears Emily's plate. Yep, the guy is good.
"Is there anything else I can get you tonight, Agent and Mrs. Prentiss?"
JJ shakes her head. "No thank you, Braden. You have done a wonderful job tonight."
He bows his head. "Thank you, ma'am."
When she gets the bill book back she leaves him a very generous tip. As they are leaving, JJ shakes the maitre d's hand, slipping him a $100.
"Thank you for everything. We had a wonderful time."
He bows to her. "Our pleasure, Mrs. Prentiss. Please come again soon."
They are nearly out the door to their waiting limo when a voice reaches their ears.
"Emily Prentiss! Is that you?"
Emily turns, trying to suppress a groan. "Senator Cullen. So good to see you again, sir," she says diplomatically, nearly making JJ laugh out loud.
"You, too. It's been too long. How are your parents?"
"They are good, sir. They are in London now. Father is concentrating on the family businesses in support of mother's posting."
"Excellent! Well, have a good evening."
"You, too, sir."
When they get in the car, JJ looks at Emily. "Uh, did I turn invisible?"
Emily laughs. "Yes, you did. He's extreme right wing. Had wouldn't acknowledge you even if you were donating to him. I'm actually surprised he even said anything to me."
"I get the feeling he wanted exactly what you gave him: what your father is up to."
Emily nods. "You are probably right. So, enough about him: where to next, my love?"
"Just a drive down the Mall and along the Potomac. Then," she gives her wife a kiss, "we go dancing."
Emily pulls JJ close. "Sounds perfect, baby."
Just after 10:30 Emily and JJ walk into a very private club in downtown DC. A member's only clientele of politicians and diplomats means what happens in the club stays in the club. And gay and lesbian couples can be open without the risk of being splashed across the gossip pages.
As they find a table to call their own, Emily smiles and takes JJ's hand. "This has been a wonderful night so far, Jennifer. Thank you for seeing how much we needed it."
JJ smiles. "I love you, Emily. And I just wanted to remind us that adult time is just as needed as family time. It's easy to forget that between the kids and the job."
"Sadly, that is too true."
The waiter comes over and JJ orders them a bottle of champagne. Emily can't help but grin.
"More champagne. Between the bottle in the limo, this one and the drinks at dinner I feel like you may be trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me."
JJ laughs. "Like I have to get you drunk to get you naked."
They share a kiss. As it ends they turn to see a woman standing a discreet distance away, staring at them. Emily frowns, knowing she doesn't recognize the handsome, butch woman. JJ inhales sharply.
"Lisa."
The woman smiles and steps closer. "Hi, JJ. I thought that was you."
JJ stands and gives the woman a hug. "Hi. It's been, what, 5 years?"
Lisa nods. "About that."
JJ turns to Emily. "Emily, this is Lisa. We dated a while ago. She's with the Attorney General's Office. Lisa, this is my wife Emily Prentiss."
Lisa smiles and shakes Emily's hand. "Actually, I'm in private practice now."
Emily quickly does some math in her head and realizes this was probably the lawyer JJ had been dating when Emily first joined the BAU. Emily smiles to herself; she had assumed it was a man because she had assumed JJ was straight.
"That's great!" JJ says. "Still International law?"
"Yes, specializing in businesses with companies here and in Europe."
"That's great! We really ought to set up a time to have dinner or something," JJ says, subtly implying that she wished for the reunion to end.
Lisa nods. "I'd like that. Maybe we can double date for dinner and a movie sometime."
"That would be good. You're looking really good, Lisa."
"So are you, JJ." She looks at Emily and nods. "Good to meet you."
"And you," Emily agrees. JJ sits back down beside her wife. Once they are alone again, Emily looks at JJ. "She's quite handsome."
"Yeah, she is. Did you see the flicker in her eye?"
"When you said wife? Yeah, I saw it. And I was good. I didn't give her my 'eat your heart out' smile."
JJ laughs. "You're terrible, Mrs. Prentiss."
Emily shrugs. "But you love me anyway." She stands and extends her hand to JJ. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Prentiss?"
JJ takes it and stands. "Of course you can."
The two women go out to the dance floor. The club orchestra is playing a soft, slow jazz piece; romantic and sensual all in one. Emily takes a deep breath, reacquainting herself with the smell that means love to her. JJ lays her head on Emily's shoulder, loving the safety and warmth her wife's embrace offers her. They stay out for 3 songs before retreating back to their table.
As they sit down, their waiter materializes out of nowhere and refills their glasses for them. They drink and dance and talk until well after 1 a.m. As they polish off their second bottle of champagne, Emily kisses JJ's hand.
"One more dance?"
JJ nods. "Perfect."
As they sway to the music, JJ smiles. For an entire evening they had talked of friends, family, childhood vacations, future dreams; everything except the horrors of their job. It is wonderful and very, very needed. As the song ends, JJ looks up into her wife's dark eyes.
"I love you so much, Emily."
Emily gives her a kiss. "I love you, too, Jennifer. Now and always."
JJ kisses her again. "Ahora y para siempre, Emily."
They gather their things and go out to their waiting limo for the ride back to Chateau Prentiss. It had been everything they had dreamed of and more.
Translation per Babylon Translator:
* Thank you. Dinner was wonderful, my friend.
** You are welcome. Please, come back soon.
