When the team gets to the hotel that night, JJ finds her room is adjoining Morgan's. She laughs.
"Didn't I get enough of living with you the last 9 weeks?"
He grins. "Ah, come on…you know you missed me the last few days."
She laughs. "Dream on, big guy. Dream on."
She is not in her room long when he knocks on the door between the rooms. She opens it.
"Yes?" she asks in amusement.
He smiles. "So, Hotch profile you?"
JJ nods. "Yep. Said Rossi was watching you, too." She sighs. "Part of me thinks I should be pissed. But most of me knows I don't blame them and, in all honesty, it feels pretty good that they were that concerned about us."
Morgan nods. "Yeah, I know what you mean. When I realized what was happening I was pretty pissed at first. Then I got it, too." He leans against the door jam. "So how are you doing?"
JJ shrugs. "Okay. It hurts to be away from Henry and Emily this soon but at least I know they're just a quick plane ride away if they need me. That helps a lot." She glances at her watch. "Speaking of which, I need to call Henry before his bedtime. I'll meet you guys downstairs in a bit."
He nods. "Okay. Tell him Uncle Morgan says hi."
She smiles. "I will."
After he leaves, JJ lies down on the bed and calls her house. She frowns when Francesca answers.
"Hi, Francesca. Is Emily still working?"
Francesca laughs. "No. She is giving Alaska a bath. He and Henry found a mud puddle much fun."
JJ laughs. "I can only imagine."
"Si. Henry, would you like to speak to Mommy?"
"NO!"
JJ's heart skips a beat at the angry answer.
Francesca clucks at the little boy. "Henry, come speak with your Mommy. She loves you."
"NO!"
Even through the phone, JJ hears the sound of small feet running away. Tears spring into her eyes. Francesca sighs.
"Cara…he is…he…"
"I heard," JJ says weakly. "Don't really blame him. I just got home and I've left him again. If the situation was reversed I'd be mad, too."
"He loves you, Jennifer. He just doesn't quite understand yet. But he is proud of you and loves you very much. When Emily comes in she will speak with him. He will come around."
"Maybe," JJ whispers. "I, uh, have to meet the team for dinner. I'll…no, just have Emily call me later. Love you."
"Love you, cara."
JJ hangs up, wiping tears from her cheeks. She sends a quick text to Hotch.
"Going to order room service. Henry is mad at me. Need some time alone."
She gets a text back a few minutes later.
"If you need anything, let me know. Jack was upset with me the first time I went away after Hailey died. I understand and I'm here for you."
She sends him a thank you then curls up on the bed with a pillow, tears still rolling down her cheeks.
"He what?" Emily asks in shock.
"He ran away from the phone. He wouldn't speak to her. She's hurt, Emily."
Emily nods. "I believe it. Let me talk to him and then we'll call her."
She makes her way to the playroom and finds Henry stacking blocks. She sits down on the window seat.
"Come here, Champ."
Henry gets up and walks over to her. She pulls him up on her lap. He cuddles into her. She sighs. How do you explain to an 18 month old why his Mommy is gone again so soon? She kisses the top of his head.
"Henry, want to help me call Mommy?"
"NO!"
Emily sighs. This was not going to be easy. "Henry, Mommy has gone to get the bad guys but she will be home in a couple of days. She loves you so much."
"NO!"
She eases up and looks into angry blue eyes. She had seen those eyes before and knows they are stubborn eyes as well. She grins and shakes her head.
"You are so much like her, Henry. You are so full of love and so is she. She doesn't like leaving us. But she does it to protect you and all the other kids out there."
"NO!"
Emily leans her head back. Nope…logic is not going to work with a toddler. Reason is not going to work with a toddler. What would work? What could possibly work? Hmmm….bribery? She looks back down at him.
"Henry, if you talk to Mommy you can have a cookie."
His eyes get wide. "Cookie?"
Emily nods. "Yep. But you have to talk to Mommy and tell her you love her."
His little face breaks into a grin. "Cookie!"
Emily laughs. She is sure every parenting book ever written would say she is handling this ALL wrong. But she knows the pain JJ must be in and that is all that matters. She pulls out her cell phone and hits JJ's number.
"Hi, Em," JJ says dejectedly.
Emily holds the phone out to Henry and nods. "MOMMY! Love Mommy!"
JJ's heart nearly explodes with joy. She sits up in bed. "Hey, Little Man! Oh, Henry, I love you, too."
"Ska stinky, Mommy."
JJ laughs. "I heard. Is he all clean now?"
"Yes. Mama clean."
"Good Mama."
He then starts to babble on. She makes out the words book, Sug (which means Sergio), Fwan, and cookie, in addition to Ska and Mama. Obviously he had a very busy day.
"You had a great day, Henry. I'm so happy for you. I miss you, baby. I miss you so much."
"Miss Mommy. Pwoud! Love Mommy!"
JJ just smiles. "Mommy loves you, too, Henry."
"Bye Mommy. Cookie Mama!"
Emily laughs and takes the phone back. "Hey, Jen. You okay?"
"I'm better now that's for sure. God, Em, thank you for being so good with him. I don't know what you said to him but he was definitely not planning to talk to me tonight."
"It was just a tantrum, baby. He had to work through it."
"You're such a good mother, Em. I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Jen. We all do. Let me get him to bed and I'll call you in a little while. Oh, and Jen?"
"Yeah?"
"Order the Comfort Special. You need to eat."
JJ chuckles. "Oh you think you're so smart. Maybe I've already eaten." There is a long pause as Emily says nothing. "Oh, crap. So you're right, are you happy? I'll order it as soon as we hang up."
Emily grins. "Good. And yes, I'm happy. I have you and Henry in my life. What's not to be happy about?"
"Charmer."
"Always."
"Love you, Em. Talk to you soon."
"Love you, too. Bye, baby."
Emily hangs up and looks at Henry, who stands impatiently. She stands and offers him her hand.
"Come on, Champ, let's get you that cookie."
He grins as he takes her hand. "COOKIE!"
Emily just shakes her head in amusement. Okay, maybe it was wrong…but if JJ's happy how wrong could it be?