A heartfelt thanks to everyone who nominated my stories for the Profilers Choice Awards! As cheesy as it may sound, I really am flattered and honoured to have been nominated. There are some wonderful stories and very talented authors, so it's nice to share their company a bit. So again, thank you! And do be sure to have a read through the nominated stories and vote!

Happy reading =)

"Every baby needs a lap." – Henry Robin

I hear a gentle knock at the door and smile gratefully at Will as he goes to answer it since I'm a little preoccupied at the moment.

"Emily, hey," Will says in greeting. I can hear the smile in his voice and I find my own smile spreading. It's just another reminder of how well he's integrated into our little family, and it makes me so incredibly happy.

"Hey, Will. Congratulations!" I hear Emily say softly.

"Thanks. You've got good timing – the little one's awake, so no need to whisper."

"Ah, okay," she says. "So Penelope tells me she's drop dead gorgeous."

"Yeah," he says, and I can tell he's grinning widely from ear to ear. "Looks just like her momma. Good thing too, I think I'd make a pretty ugly girl," he jokes and I hear Emily laugh lightly in response.

"Come on in though. I know JJ's been anxious to see you."

"I feel bad I couldn't make it to the hospital to visit you guys. I wanted to, but with Derek away at that conference and our regular babysitter on vacation, I-"

"Don't worry about it," Will says. "You're here now. But I know you're not here to see me. Go on in, JJ's in the den."

"Thanks, Will. Go get some sleep, you look exhausted."

"Sounds about right. I think I actually might close my eyes for a little while. Thanks for stopping by, Emily."

"Of course," she says before I hear the stairs creak as Will makes his way upstairs to our room.

"Hey, Em," I say as she enters the room, carrying a large bag.

"Hey, Jayje. Congratulations," she says softly as she sits down beside me.

"Thanks," I reply with a smile.

"Oh wow. She's beautiful," Emily says as she peers down at the bundle in my arms. "She looks just like you."

"You think?" I consider her words as I tilt my head as I scan my daughter's features for what must be the millionth time in the last few days. I guess there might be a little bit of a resemblance…

"Definitely. The nose, the eyes, the lips – all you. Lucky girl."

"Do you want to hold her?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Even with two kids of her own, she still always looks genuinely enthralled when offered the chance to hold a baby.

"Okay," she agrees easily, putting the bag she'd brought in on the ground and holding out her arms. Gently I transfer over the bundle into her arms and watch as Emily cradles my daughter carefully, her expression shifting to one of awe and genuine happiness.

"What's her name?" Emily asks as she tenderly strokes a tiny outstretched palm, a warm smile spreading when the tiny fingers grip her larger one tightly.

"Alyson Rose La Montagne," I answer. "Rose, after Will's mom, and in a way after my sister."

"Alyson Rose," she repeats. "It suits her."

I chuckle lightly. "We thought so."

"Have you given her a nickname yet? I'm pretty sure I started calling Matthew and Tegan by their nicknames mere hours after we named them."

"Yeah, sometimes," I admit. "Alyson just shortens so easily to Aly…"

Emily laughs gently. "I'll give you that."

"Listen, Em…" I begin, but am interrupted almost immediately.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it to the hospital, Jayje. I honestly wanted to, I just-"

"Em, don't worry about it," I say, interrupting her this time. "I know Derek's still away, and you were in a bit of a pinch with the twins."

"Well, yeah, but I still feel bad."

"Don't."

"But-"

"No buts. You're here now, and that's what counts."

"If you say so," she says unsurely.

"I do," I say firmly.

"Oh, there's an envelope in that bag for this little one."

"An envelope?" I echo as I lean over to dig through the bag.

"Yeah. And the bag's for Henry. I didn't want him to feel left out, since I bet almost everything coming into the house is for this little princess."

"He's going to be ecstatic, Em. He was whining about that earlier today to Will, actually."

"Good. I hope he likes it."

"It's from his Auntie Em, he'll adore it no matter what it is. But…do I dare ask what it is?" I ask as I tear open the envelope and pull out a slip of paper.

"It's not a drum kit, I promise," she says teasingly.

I shake my head at her comment as I scan the paper. My eyes grow wide as I realize she's done it again.

"Em, this is too much."

"No, it's not," she says firmly.

"Em, you've got your own kids to-"

"Don't worry about it, JJ. This is something I wanted to do."

I let out a heavy sigh as I realize my friend's stubbornness has reared its ugly head once more. I'm not going to win this argument. "Thank you," I say sincerely. "Really, Em. Thank you."

"Don't mention it," she says before dropping her gaze back to Alyson. "Oh! Wow, those eyes…" she says as Alyson's eyes open.

"I know. I'm hoping they stay that way."

"They're so…"

"Bright?"

"I was going to say clear."

I nod in agreement with her description. Those crystal clear, bright, blue eyes are a striking feature to say the least. They'd taken my breath away the first time I saw them.

"Listen, Em," I say after a few moments of silence. "Will and I…we'd like you to be Aly's godmother."

I watch as Emily's head turns quickly to face me, her eyes wide with surprise. I have no idea why she's surprised. She's one of my best friends, and has done more for my family than anyone I know. There isn't anyone I would rather have as a role model for my daughter.

"Me?" she finally manages to say, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah," I say with a nod. "Without you, she wouldn't be here, Will wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't be here. You're the strongest person I've ever met, and you have so much compassion for others. I can't think of a better person to have as a role model for my daughter."

"I- Wow, Jayje. I'd be honoured."

"Good. I was worried I'd have to work a little harder to convince you."

Emily flashes a grin. "Having kids has made me go soft, hasn't it?"

I laugh and nod. "Definitely."

"Damn."

"I have a feeling by the time Matthew and Tegan are teenagers you'll have gotten your edge back."

"Here's hoping. If they are even a little bit like I was during my teenage years…" she trails off and winces before finishing her sentence, "Derek and I are screwed."

"Ah, yes. Emily Prentiss, wild child. I'd almost forgotten."

"And you're entrusting me with being your daughter's godmother? Jayje, I thought you were smarter than that," she says teasingly, a wide grin spreading on her face.

"I'll take my chances. Besides, every girl needs a partner in crime against their mother, don't they?"

Emily laughs again. "I guess so."

I smile as I watch her interact with Alyson. A few years ago this was a scene I wouldn't have put money on ever happening. Between everything I'd gone through in the Middle East, and everything Emily had gone through with Doyle, it just didn't seem like a peaceful, family-oriented kind of direction was in the cards for either of us. And yet here we are.

"You okay, Jayje?" Emily asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

Her gaze narrows as she eyes me critically, her expression showing her doubt.

"I am," I insist. "I was just thinking that a few years ago I never would have guessed we'd be here, you with two kids and married to Derek of all people, and me with a daughter."

"After all those years of chasing down the killers and horrible people of the world, I think we've more than earned some peace and quiet, don't you?"

"Yeah," I agree readily. "Definitely."

"Good. Now enough about that. Where's Henry?"

"Over at a friend's house for a little bit."

"Ah, well you'll have to tell the little handsome devil hello from me."

"I will. He'll probably want to call you later after he opens his present."

"I look forward to his call," Emily says with a smile. "I can't get over how quiet she is."

"Yeah, she's a pretty easy baby so far."

"Except for those hours of labour, right?"

"Actually, they weren't that bad."

"Lucky," she grouses, no doubt remembering her long, painful hours of labour with the twins. On top of having bigger than average babies, she'd also been blessed with a long 23 hours of labour.

"Don't forget I was in labour with Henry for 15 hours," I point out. Her only response is a pointed glare, and I can't help but laugh. "It was worth it in the end, wasn't it, Em?"

Emily rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to Alyson. "God, I miss the clean baby smell."

"I know, right? It's so…"

"Yeah," she agrees. It's true. There's just something about the smell of a freshly bathed and freshly changed baby.

"How are Tegan and Matthew, anyway? I haven't seen them in ages thanks to this little one forcing me to practically hibernate."

"Oh, they're good. Causing me all sorts of havoc, as is their usual."

"Still toddling around?"

"Running around, actually."

"The children of Emily Prentiss and Derek Morgan running before they can walk? Why does that not surprise me?" I say teasingly, shooting her a grin.

"Very funny," she says with a roll of her eyes. "Oh, here. I think someone wants her mom," she finishes, as Alyson begins to fuss, little whimpers escaping her. I reach over and take my daughter back into my arms.

"Yeah, it's about time for dinner, round number…I don't even know," I say with a laugh.

"Ah, yes. I'll get out of your way."

"You don't have to go, Em."

"No, it's okay. I'll leave you with the little one. I should get back to the house anyway. The twins are a handful and my mom's not as energetic as she was when I was a kid."

"All right. Em, thank you again. Don't be a stranger."

"I wouldn't dream of it. I have to impart all my wisdom to my goddaughter after all!"

"Yes, yes you do."

"Oh, who's her godfather? If you don't mind me asking that is."

I feel a grin spread on my face. "Your husband."

Her eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yes," I say with a laugh.

"Poor Alyson. You didn't even give her a chance, Jayje."

My laughter grows louder. "You two… What have Will and I done?"

So...amused by the thought of Emily and Derek corrupting poor Alyson? Like JJ and Will's decision on who to make her godparents? Did you catch my reference to little Alyson in a previous chapter? :) Let me know...