"You told her WHAT?" JJ nearly screams in shock.

Emily smiles. "I said what I needed to say to ease my mind, Jen. Truth is, I don't think anyone is going to pay for this. I think this was just…to close it out completely."

"Damn, sweetheart, just when I think I couldn't love you more. But just so you know, Garcia nearly paid," JJ tells her.

Emily frowns. "Pen? What? Why?"

JJ tells her about the one strange question that was asked. All of them thought it weird that no one else was pushed on the Doyle/Reynolds situation. It has them all wondering why Garcia was quizzed about the ghost files.

"It could be someone wants to see how much has come to light. I'm sure there is plenty in those documents no one would ever want to end up in a file or report somewhere. They probably figure if anyone knows what's in there, Garcia does," Emily theorizes.

JJ nods. "Probably. But as far as we're all concerned, it's closed, done and finished."

Emily pulls her wife into a one-armed hug. "There is only one thing that bothers me about all this."

"What's that?"

"Because of this damn case I can't pull you into a proper hug." She kisses the tip of JJ's nose.

JJ smiles. "Funny, that's one of the things pissing me off, too."

"One of the things? What else is on your mind?"

"Clyde Easter. We never did find him. Do you think he's…dead?"

Emily sighs. "Do I think Clyde is dead? Sort of. My guess is he's living a new life under a new name."

"Will he ever contact you again?"

Emily smiles. "Not if he's smart. You'll shoot him."

"Damn right I will. And that has nothing to do with pregnancy hormones."

"I know, Mrs. Prentiss. And if he's smart he'll know that, too."

"Mommy! Read me this!"

JJ turns as Henry runs into the kitchen holding up a copy of Curious George. "Hey! He was one of my favorites growing up. Did you get this at the library today?"

He nods. "Si. Story time lady read it."

"And you want me to read it again?" JJ asks as she squats down beside him.

"Si. You do fun voices like Mama."

JJ looks at her wife. "You've already read it, too, haven't you."

"Oh, yeah."

"How soon is dinner?"

"You can probably get through page 5 or 6."

"Okay." She stands. "Let's go read a little bit before dinner. We can finish it for bedtime, okay?"

"Si, Mommy. Come now!" He takes her hand and leads her from the kitchen.

Emily smiles and puts JJ's briefcase on the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. Francesca had made her famous baked ziti and fresh garlic bread. Emily is sure she can get it all out to the table.

Yep, still stubborn.

She carries the plates over and puts them in their places. She then gets silverware for her and JJ. Next she grabs the bowls for Henry and Rocky as well as their utensils. Rocky still wasn't completely switched to using them but she at least held one while using her other hand to eat. It was a start.

When the timer goes off, she gets the bread out and onto the counter then turns back to the oven. As she stares at the casserole dish she flashes back to her conversation with Francesca and blushes with shame.

"Emily, I can stay and help."

"You've done a lot today, Francesca. I can take over."

"But, cara, you have only one hand and- -"

"And nothing. I've done things with a hurt arm before. I can handle it. Really," she says with irritation. "I'm not helpless."

"I didn't say you were helpless, cara. Just that you will need two hands to- -"

"No I won't! Stop coddling me! I'll be fine!" Emily shouts.

Francesca stares at her a moment then gives a curt nod. "As you wish, cara. See you tomorrow."

Francesca turns and walks stiffly out of the kitchen. Emily kicks herself for being so rude but knows she can apologize tomorrow.

"They just have to stop babying me," Emily pouts to herself.

But now, staring at the large casserole dish, she knows she was a real jerk. She sighs and walks down to the playroom.

"Um, Jen? I can't get the ziti out with one arm," she admits.

JJ nods. "Okay, no problem." She looks at Henry. "We can finish this later, okay? How about you and Rocky go wash your hands with Mama while I get dinner out of the oven."

"Kay, Mommy. C'mon Rock!"

The two children walk out. Emily is still reeling from her guilt and doesn't even notice that Henry says Rock instead of Wok. But JJ notices.

"Hey! Did you hear that, Em? He said Rock with an r!"

Emily frowns. "He did? Damn it. No, I missed it because I…never mind. See you at the table." She leaves to go help with the wash up.

JJ just nods, knowing she'll need to pry a bit later to find out what has her wife in such a bad mood all of the sudden. She pats Alaska on the head.

"What was that about, Ska?"

Alaska just tilts his head to the side as if he too is confused. JJ goes into the kitchen to get the ziti out and pour drinks for everyone. Despite her bad mood, Emily does seem to have a nice dinner with her family.

As they are cleaning up dinner, JJ looks at her wife. "So, what is going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

Emily sighs. "I was an ass." She tells JJ about her attitude with Francesca. "I need to go apologize."

JJ winces. "Yep, you do. She'll understand, Em. And I know how hard this injury is on you. Probably worse than anything because it's your dominant hand. Just know when we offer you help it's because we love you, not because we're coddling you."

Emily nods. "I know that in my heart. But my head can be pretty damn stubborn sometimes."

JJ steps to her and gives her a kiss. "I know that, too. But I still love you, stubbornness and all."

Emily smiles. "Good. Because if you were to leave me right now I'd be so totally screwed."

JJ laughs. "True. Go on and see Francesca. I can finish up in here."

Emily nods and starts down to the activity room to the door leading up to Francesca's home. As she passes the playroom, Henry calls to her.

"Play build, Mama!"

Emily smiles and leans against the doorframe. "In a little bit, Henry. I have to go speak to Aunt Franny. I was kind of bad to her earlier."

"Mama bad?" he confirms.

Emily nods. "Mama bad."

Henry shakes his head and sighs. "Time out, Mama. No playing."

Emily nods. "I know. Let me go see Aunt Franny and then I can come back here when my time out is done, okay?"

"Kay, Mama. 'Member…no playing!" he reminds her, wagging his finger.

Emily grins. "I'll remember. Promise."

Emily makes her way up the stairs to Francesca's apartment. She takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. After a few minutes it is opened. Francesca's face is unreadable, making Emily feel even worse.

"Uh, hi."

"Hello, Emily."

Emily sighs. "You were trying to tell me I'd need two hands to get the casserole dish out and I was being stubborn and a jerk and just downright a shit. I am so sorry, Francesca. I am frustrated by this damn brace and so determined not to look weak I took it out on you. That's not an excuse it's just what happened. All that matters is I was an ass, you didn't deserve that, and I am so very sorry."

Francesca's face softens. "Come in, cara."

Emily nods and follows Francesca into the living room. They both sit down on the couch.

"Cara, you do know if we are offering help it's out of love, right?"

"I know that. But when my stubbornness is acting up I tend to ignore the obvious. Why the heck you all put up with me I'll never know."

Francesca chuckles. "It goes back to that whole love thing, Emily. You have a long way to go, it is best you learn now to accept help."

"I know." Emily sighs and drops her head to the back of the couch. "I know and yet I also know this won't be the last time I act like a jerk. How sad is that?"

Francesca chuckles. "Not sad, just honest with yourself. But you are also growing as a person, Emily. Do I think you'll act out again? Yes. But will you act out as much or as often as in the past? No." She pats Emily on the leg. "You reached out for help this case, cara, in a way you never have before. And if you can ask for help in such a desperate situation I believe you can ask for help the next time a casserole has to come out of the oven."

Emily laughs. "Uh, yeah, hadn't thought of it that way. You know, if Jen has to go away on a case I'll need help overnight."

"I know, cara."

"I mean with more than the kids. I…I can't get this contraption on and off myself. You'll be a nanny to three."

"I can handle it, cara. Promise."

"What about when the twins come? Would you like an extra hand? Maybe just during the day or when we're on a case?"

Francesca slowly nods. "I will not turn it down, cara, but that is up to you and Jennifer."

"We've already talked about it and wanted to talk with you. Things just keep coming up. We'd want you to be the main interviewer since you'll be working so closely with the person."

Francesca nods. "I appreciate that, Emily. As we get past the holidays and the due date approaches we can discuss it some more."

"Definitely. So, um, is my time out over? Henry wants me to build with him."

Francesca chuckles and gives Emily a kiss on the cheek. "Time out over. But next time I may turn you over my knee."

Emily grins. "Next time I'll deserve it and accept it." They stand. Emily pulls the nanny into a hug. "Grazie, Francesca. Ti amo."

"Ti amo, cara."

As Emily reenters the main house she hears two children crying. She sighs.

"Dios mio," she mumbles and makes her way to the playroom.

When she walks in she sees both Henry and Rocky in their time out chairs and JJ cleaning up the room. She raises an eyebrow.

"Dare I ask?"

"Rock bite!" Henry screams.

Rocky starts to babble towards him. JJ spins around.

"ENOUGH!"

Both children get quiet and start to pout. Emily looks at her wife. JJ stands, hands on her hips and looking angry.

"Rocky was told to leave his blocks alone and decided to kick over one of his buildings. Henry threw a block at her, hence the red mark on her forehead. And so then Rocky bit him."

"Oh, good grief," Emily mutters. "So time out and no story before bed?"

"Yep."

"No! Rocky bad twice!" Henry insists.

"Young man, you would have smacked her if I hadn't grabbed your arm. And remember, no talking in time out or punishment will extend to tomorrow night," JJ tells him.

Henry crosses his arms, slumps down and proceeds to pout even more. Emily says nothing more just starts to help JJ clean up the playroom. When they are away from the two kids Emily grins at her wife.

"We're going to need 2 more time out chairs. Good thing there are 4 corners in the room."

JJ chuckles. "Right. You don't think…we should have waited a bit, do you?"

"No, honey, I don't. Truth is, the twins will probably share a special bond and despite tonight, Henry and Rocky already do. Everything will be fine."

"Good."

"And I took the time to mention an assistant nanny to Francesca. She thinks it's a good idea and said she'd be glad to be part of the interview process."

"Great. Now we just need to think about a vehicle. Maybe an RV?"

Emily laughs. "Good thought. We've got some time for that. I think first we need to think nursery. And even then we have some time."

"True."

"I sorry, Rock," Henry whispers…loudly.

The women glance over their shoulders and see Henry staring at Rocky. The little girl waves to him, obviously apologizing, too. The ladies look back at each other and grin.

"Were you like that with Mark and Amy?"

"Probably. We could terrorize each other but we always loved each other. I hope I can teach our kids the same thing."

"Me, too. I had a pretty good relationship with my imaginary sibling but I doubt that will help me with real live siblings."

JJ laughs. "Brilliant deduction there, Agent Prentiss. Come on, let's get Tyson and Holyfield to bed."

Emily laughs and joins her wife in getting the kids upstairs and ready for bed. And though neither got a story that night they both got a lullaby.