"To be prepared is half the victory." – Miguel de Cervantes

"OH MY HEAVENS!" I say excitedly, my jaw dropping at the sight of her when she opens the door. "Just look at you!"

"Hello to you too, Pen," Emily says with an arched brow, clearly amused by my reaction.

"Do not belittle my excitement about this!"

Emily lets out a noise that is half chuckle and half scoff before shaking her head and gesturing for me to enter.

"Shouldn't you be sitting down or something?" I say in concern as she closes the door behind me.

"I'm not on bedrest, Pen. And contrary to popular belief around here, I'm fully capable of answering the door," she answers drily.

"You're eight months pregnant, Em."

"Shit. Is that what happened? And here I thought I'd just gone crazy at an all-you-can-eat buffet."

"Your sass does not impress me, Ms. Prentiss," I say as I try to stare at her with an unimpressed glare, but ultimately can't help the grin from spreading. "You're glowing!"

"You say that every time you see me," she says with a laugh.

"And it's true every single time!"

Emily just shakes her head and begins walking – or should I say waddling…because as much as she tries to deny it, she waddles now (though I can't say I blame her since she's gotten seriously big) – back toward the couches in the den.

"So…how are you feeling?" I ask as I follow her.

"Huge," she answers with a groan.

"Oh, shush. You look great," I chide, watching as she lowers herself onto the couch.

"Well, thanks, but I still feel huge."

"All right, but other than that how are you?" I press, as I join her on the couch.

She shrugs. "I can't believe I have weeks of this left," she answers honestly. "It feels like these babies should have been born ages ago."

It's me who chuckles this time. "They still doing their salsa dancing routine in there?" I ask. Derek had been telling JJ and I just yesterday how the twins had been super active the last couple weeks, leading to a very grumpy Emily.

"I honestly don't understand how they still have room to do it, but yes."

"Right now?"

"Pretty much all the time, these days."

"Aw, can I cop a feel?" I ask.

Emily bursts into a fit of laughter at this. "Sure," she manages between laughs.

I reach over and place a hand on her belly, shocked when I immediately feel one of the babies kicking. "Holy cow, you weren't kidding," I say when I realize the intensity of the kicking. "How weird does that feel?"

She shrugs again. "You get used to it somewhat after a while, but it's pretty weird to think about the fact that a person inside of me is doing that."

"Well, people technically," I correct with a grin.

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't remind me."

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you're not excited to have two little munchkins in a matter of weeks."

"I am equal parts excited and terrified," she admits.

I open my mouth to respond but am interrupted by the doorbell. "That's probably JJ," she says as she leans forward to get up. I immediately hold out a hand to block her progress.

"I'll get it, E. You stay there and keep your feet up."

"I'm not on bedrest!" she calls out as I make my way to the door.

"You are while I'm around," I call over my shoulder before opening the door. "Hey, Jayje. Come on in."

"Hey," JJ says with a smile as she makes her way into the house. I close the door behind her and head back to my spot on the couch next to Emily.

"Hey, Em," JJ says as she collapses in the chair across from the couch and drops her purse on the floor in front of her.

"Hey, Jayje."

"Wow, you sure there's only two in there?" JJ says with an amused grin when she finally looks at Emily.

"Jayje, don't even joke about that," Emily says with wide eyes. "The thought alone…" she trails off. "Two is already more than enough, thank you."

JJ lets out a laugh. "So where's Derek today?"

"Walking Campbell. The poor dog was bouncing off the walls with all his pent up energy, so Derek took him for a long walk to hopefully tire him out a bit."

"Been awhile since he got some exercise?" JJ asks.

"Too long," Emily admits with a grimace as she rubs her stomach – no doubt trying to calm the still active babies. "I can't walk fast enough or far enough anymore for him to burn off any energy, and since you guys had those back to back cases, it's been at least 3 weeks since he had a good, long walk."

"You okay?" JJ asks in concern, noting Emily's grimace as she shifts around in her seat.

"Oh my god, you're in labour, aren't you!?" I say quickly.

"What?" Emily says, her brow furrowed in confusion. "No, no. These two are just choosing to target my ribs now for their workout is all."

"I don't miss that," JJ says as she leans back in her chair. "Henry was terrible for that around 7 months. I seriously thought I was gonna end up with a bruised rib because of him."

"It would not surprise me if I already have one," Emily remarks drily. "I cannot wait to have my own body back."

JJ and I each arch an eyebrow doubtfully. "Really?" I say, JJ echoing my sentiment at the same time.

Emily laughs lightly. "Well…" she hedges, "like I said earlier, I'm equal parts excited and terrified about it all."

"That sounds about right," JJ replies with a nod, clearly remembering the weeks and days leading up to Henry's birth. "Don't worry though – it's all worth it in the end."

"So everyone keeps telling me."

"How excited is Derek?" I ask, already knowing the answer. JJ and I ask for daily updates on Emily and the twins even though we chat with her almost every day, and I always find myself smiling at his genuine excitement. He can't wait to be a Daddy. I've never seen him so happy before, and it warms my heart that he found his happy ending.

"Is there a level of excitement above absolutely ecstatic?" she quips with a smile. Even I can tell she's excited by how excited he is.

"I'd expect nothing less from him," I say confidently.

"Mm," JJ agrees with a nod. "Definitely."

"Is he super nervous?" I ask, a little curious. He and I talk almost every day, mostly about the impending arrival of the twins, but he always dodges my questions about his nervousness. Guess his alpha male routine doesn't allow for admitting weakness.

Emily shrugs. "He's probably nervous," she concedes, "but I couldn't tell you exactly how nervous he is."

I narrow my eyes momentarily at her reply. It's not an answer. Though, I can't say I was entirely expecting a fully honest answer to my question – she is still Emily Prentiss after all. She may have grown significantly over the last few years in terms of being more open and not hiding her emotions so much, but she's still a very private person.

"How's it been with him gone for 3 straight weeks?" JJ asks sympathetically.

"It was a very long three weeks," Emily admits. "The house felt pretty empty."

"If it's any consolation, he was miserable being away from you so long. And he was absolutely paranoid that you were going to go into labour while he was stuck in Seattle," JJ explains. "I'm pretty sure Hotch was this close to giving him a quick talking to because his head was definitely not in the game."

Emily shakes her head with a light laugh. "Poor guy. And here I was just enjoying some downtime."

I join in her light laughter. I know she's downplaying how much she missed him. Three weeks is a long time for couples to be apart. It must be an eternity for couples expecting their first kids.

"Did you find out what you're having?" I ask, letting the general feeling of anxiety over their separation drop. "Or are you two still keeping us all in suspense and keeping it a surprise?"

"Still keeping it a surprise."

"But why?!" I groan. "I have all these ideas for a Morgan-Prentiss baby boy, versus for a Morgan-Prentiss baby girl."

Emily chuckles. "It is twins…it could be one of each."

"Is that a hint?" I ask quickly, eyeing her facial expression in hopes of getting a clue.

"It couldn't be even if I wanted it to be – I don't even know."

"You sure you didn't sneak a peek at your last appointment?"

"Very sure. Derek and I are going to great lengths to make sure we don't find out, actually."

"But why?! Think of the clothes, Em!"

"That's probably why," JJ says with a shake of her head. "I think you single-handedly kept toy stores and children's clothing stores alive and well in the lead up to Henry's birth."

"And the first few months after," Emily points out. "Come to think of it, really ever since she found out you were pregnant, Jayje."

"I can't help it that I want to spoil my mini crime fighters!" I protest. "The stuff is so cute and adorable, I just feel compelled to buy it for them to match their infinite cuteness, and I-"

"We get it," Em interrupts, holding up a hand to quiet me. "You like to shop, and baby stuff is cute. Trust me, I know that all too well. The other day I was folding all the little onesies and outfits we have, and I realized how much of it I bought," she admits with a guilty look.

JJ grins. "Nesting much?"

"You so do not get to judge me, Miss I-Have-To-Clean-The-Ceiling-Fans-For-The-Third-Time-In-A-Week."

JJ's cheeks tinge red in embarrassment at Emily's comment and I find myself intrigued. "The ceiling fans, Jayje?"

"They were dusty," she defends, as though it's not a totally strange thing to do.

"Three times in a week, Jayje," Emily teases. "Three times!"

"Okay, this is so not fair. I don't have any ammo on you," she says, reaching for her phone in her purse.

"Don't you dare," Emily warns, her eyes widening.

JJ just grins as she begins tapping out a message to Derek. But before she can even finish the message, the man in question steps through the front door with a very tired looking Campbell dragging behind him, tongue hanging out of his mouth.

"Ladies," he says with a nod, pulling Campbell into the house. The dog takes just a few steps after Derek removes the leash from his collar before collapsing. Derek shakes his head and chuckles lightly. "How's everyone?"

"Fine, just fine, my Chocolate Adonis," I croon, smiling when he drops onto the couch on the other side of Emily.

"We were just talking about you, actually," JJ says with a grin.

"Jayje," Emily groans. "Please."

"Oh? What about me?" he asks as he swings an arm up and over Emily's shoulders before pressing a quick kiss to her temple. It's even a little bit sickening to me how sweet the two of them are together.

"We were just wondering what kind of crazy nesting Em has been doing."

"Don't you dare say a word," Emily warns her husband, locking her gaze with his.

"Sorry ladies," Derek apologizes and Emily visibly relaxes. "I'm sworn to secrecy when it comes to Emily cleaning out the fridge at 2 in the morning and reorganizing the shelves in the nursery shortly after."

"Aha!" JJ says triumphantly. "I knew it!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Emily says, shooting a dirty look to both JJ and her husband before hitting him in the ribs.

"Ow! Jeez, woman. Take it easy or you're gonna lose your source of foot and back rubs."

"I think it's sweet," I interject. "You're making sure everything's ready for the babies."

"Thank you," Emily says gratefully. "Oh," she says breathily in surprise.

"What?" Derek asks immediately, sitting forward and looking at her in alarm. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Emily shakes her head. "Nothing, they're just moving around a lot."

"Still?" I say in surprise.

Emily nods in response, rubbing her side where I can see a protrusion of a hand, or maybe a foot, or maybe an elbow? I watch as Derek places his hand gently overtop and then the sweetest smile graces his face.

"How long have they been like that?" he asks.

"Today? For a couple hours now."

He watches intently as the small bulge moves around a bit before it disappears. I watch as he rubs where the protrusion had been before he pokes her stomach.

"Ugh," Emily groans, "please don't encourage them."

"I can't help it, Em. It's just so amazing," he replies with a guilty grin as he puts his hand back down to feel the retaliatory kicks and movement. "Wow. That's crazy," he says, his gaze fixed on his hand. I'm nearly overwhelmed by the amount of wonder and love in his eyes. It almost feels like JJ and I are interrupting a very private moment.

"You're telling me. Trust me – it feels even weirder on the inside."

Derek lets out a deep belly laugh at her words. "Enjoy it while you can, Em. I have a feeling you're going to miss it once they're here."

"He's right," JJ says, an almost longing tone in her voice. "You totally will. I mean, I love having Henry here, and it's amazing to be able to be his mother, but I miss that feeling of being pregnant."

"You know, you and Will could totally fix that," I point out. "Henry would absolutely love a little brother or sister."

JJ and Emily share a look at my words, and I feel my brows furrow when I can't quite figure out what the look is all about.

"We're happy with how things right now, Garcia," JJ answers. "Maybe some time in the future, but not now."

"You're no fun, you know that?" I pout.

JJ laughs. "I think the two junior Morgans will keep you more than busy with your shopping for the next little while. You'll survive."

"I suppose. But I won't forget that you didn't say no to more kids."

JJ groans and holds her head in her hands. "What have I done?"

Emily and Derek both laugh and I find myself grinning widely. "What about you two? More kids on the horizon?"

"Baby Girl, these kids aren't even here yet," Derek answers. "Let's see how your bank account is doing after these two get here, and then we can reassess."

So...were Derek and Emily just as sickeningly sweet as Garcia described? Was Garcia's enthusiasm adorable? Did you enjoy Emily teasing JJ? Let me know.