A/N: Thank you very much everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I actually don't remember if I had replied back to everyone, since it's been a while that I've updated. I'm sorry for the long wait, but I was having a major writer's block with this story especially. I partly blame the hot weather, though, I really know why I like winter better than summer...

Anyway, here's Chapter 46, and with a little bit of ass kicking I might also finish 47 tonight :).

Chapter 46

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Hotch was quite surprised when he returned from the breakroom with a cup of freshly brewed coffee to find Morgan coming out of Dave's office, smirking and winking at Reid, who was still standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"What did he say?" Spencer asked immediately, cursing himself for not following Morgan into Rossi's office. He wanted to know what was going on, too!

Raising a questioning eyebrow, Hotch stopped right in front of his door and became just as curious as Reid looked, when he heard Morgan's answer.

"Not much. But what he didn't say was telling enough." His grin grew even bigger as he added: "He and JJ obviously spend a very busy weekend together, if you know what I mean."

Hotch smiled to himself and proceeded into his office, closing the door behind him. So they finally managed to pull their heads out of their asses and got together! He couldn't deny the relief he felt for his friends, although it was mixed with a bit of concern. Knowing David's habits left him thinking, hoping that his protectiveness would not have a negative effect on them working together, now that he was officially allowed to be protective. Remembering the last year and the conditions Dave and JJ had worked with, however, his demur lessened a little. Nevertheless, he made a mental note to remind both of them to maintain the professional behavior they had exhibited before. And he would definitely leave it for Dave to deal with Erin Strauss when she heard of two agents on the same team being in a relationship.

Strauss had already been quite a pain in the ass when the news of baby Hannah had reached her, but for some strange reason the fact that both JJ and Dave had confirmed that they were not involved anymore, but simply taking care of their daughter together had her back down for the time being. Hotch was pretty sure that Strauss would try to pull one of them from the team now, but knowing Rossi, her tries would most likely be in vain.

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The day passed fairly quickly for the team. They didn't have a new case that demanded for them to leave town, and especially Dave and JJ were really glad about that, wanting to spend some more time together as a family before their work temporarily separated them from their children again. They were both done with their consults and paperwork for the day shortly after five, and decided to pick up their children from Dave's mother together, taking this as an opportunity to tell her the good news.

Walking up the short way to Gracia Rossi's front door about half an hour later, Dave realized that he couldn't be happier. He knew how much both of the children meant to his mother, how much JJ had come to mean to her, and how much she wanted both of them to be happy together, and part of his own happiness was to see his mother contended. He was finally getting things right, and he just hoped that he would never have to see any disappointment in his mother's eyes again.

He'd rather view the happiness that mirrored on her face when she opened the door for the rest of his life. He could see she was a bit surprised at first to find both of them at her doorstep to get their children, as it was usually only either him or JJ who picked them up, whoever was out of the office first, but they didn't even have to tell her what was going on. The big smiles on their faces couldn't hide the change in their relationship.

Once inside, she gave both of them big hugs and kisses, and decided for them to stay for dinner so that they can inform her of all the details.

They had a great time over dinner, as Dave and JJ recounted the events from the past weekend, especially having a great laugh when JJ told about Garcia's wake up call from Saturday morning. A few times, however, JJ felt her guilty conscience about having kept Dave waiting for so long coming back. While she had made up with him, and he had assured her that it was all forgiven now, JJ knew she also owed his mother an apology. The older woman had constantly been there to take care of the children and support them, never pushing JJ to make a decision, but JJ had always felt that Mrs. Rossi was more than just a bit sad over everything.

She took the opportunity to talk to her after dinner, when she helped Gracia bring the dishes back into the kitchen, having left Dave to take the children into the den.

"I'm so sorry about everything," JJ began once they were alone.

"What are you talking about, Jennifer?" Gracia asked surprised.

"I never realized how much I hurt David with my behavior. That was never my intention and I'm truly sorry about it," JJ explained softly.

"Have a seat, Jennifer," Dave's mother said, pulling out one of the kitchen chairs for JJ. They sat down, and Gracia took JJ's hand.

"I don't thinke that any of it was your fault. You can't help how you're feeling, Jennifer. You were just protecting yourself, which is understandable after all you've been through with my son," she tried to soothe JJ.

"Maybe. But after everything he did to make it up to me, he didn't deserve such a treatment. I'm not sure if I wasn't actually more afraid of my own feelings for him than of getting hurt again. I know it was hard for you having to watch your son suffer like that," the younger woman went on.

"My son is a grown man-" Gracia started, but JJ interrupted her.

"Yes, but doesn't a mother always worry about her child? We'll always be protective of our children, no matter how old they are." JJ smiled gently at her and continued. "I never intended to give any of you so much grief, and I am deeply sorry about that."

Gracia smiled back at her. If she hadn't already known before that JJ was the right woman for her Davey, now she would have been absolutely sure that there couldn't be anyone better for him.

"I know that, Jennifer. I knew from the moment we talked in your office how much you love my son, and I knew it was only a matter of time until the both of you realized that you belong together. I couldn't be happier now, and for me that's all that matters. And honestly, with my son's past in mind, I don't think I would have reacted differently."

"Thank you, Gracia." JJ felt relieved that she wasn't resentful.

"No, I have to thank you, Jennifer. You're making my son happy, and you've given me the two most wonderful grandchildren. I had already given up on both of these things." She reached over to stroke JJ's cheek. "And when are you finally remembering to call me Mama?"