Today's chapter is an emotional one featuring Aubrey and Jessica, but ends on a hopeful note. It's another combination of Challenges 5 & 6. The words are relax, rescue, and bikini.

Jessica woke up feeling tired and nauseated. Sitting up, she recognized a feeling she had been waiting for since her surgery in March. Getting up, she entered her bathroom, and her suspicions were proven correct.

Her period started.

She felt a little sad, but it was expected. Taking care of herself, she got up and examined the small scars on her abdomen near her Caesarean one.

"It's good that they've healed."

"Jess…are you all right?"

Hearing the worry in Aubrey's voice, she opened the door. "I'm fine. I got my period today."

Understanding, he nodded and took her hand. "That's good, right?"

"Yeah, it's good. The doctor said it's the biggest step towards my body going back to normal. Now, let me help you get the kids around so I can jump in the shower and get ready for work."

Aubrey took his wife's hand when she tried to move away. "Jessica, are you really all right?"

Jessica gave a small smile. "Yeah, I am."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Later that morning, Jessica was enjoying a matcha tea smoothie, grateful that this morning's nausea and discomfort had abated. Walking around Gallery Place on her lunch hour, she dreaded going back to the lab. It was a crazy week as Booth's Homicide Unit had them going to a new crime scene every day. She enjoyed the challenge of being acting Director of Forensic Anthropology while Dr. Brennan and Booth were on their family vacation, but she was ready for the weekend to start.

She also hated the fact that she was depressed. She had no reason to be. She was healthy, had a thriving career, and a wonderful life with her amazing husband and family. They helped her through the dark time that was March, April, and May as she recovered from her loss.

No, it was their loss, hers and Aubrey.

He stayed strong for her and was there for her as she slowly stopped blaming herself for what happened. Aubrey told her that she was not to blame and nothing she could have done would have changed things. Her OB/GYN said just like hers, some ectopic pregnancies were asymptomatic until the tube burst. Most of all, the doctor said even with the loss of her left fallopian tube, she was still able to have more children if she and Aubrey wanted to add to their family.

So, in conclusion, she lost a baby because it wasn't medically viable, which resulted in a unilateral salpingectomy, but she was still fertile. So why did finally getting her period upset her so much this morning?

Because…her baby died, and she was finally ready to start moving forward. She was ready for the future. Most of all, she was ready to be with her husband again.

She and Aubrey hadn't been together since then because she was grieving and not ready for the intimacy. However, she still had a life ahead of her…and she missed him.

As she continued to window shop, she realized that she didn't want to go back to work. All that she wanted to do today was relax.

"I should go back to work…but, as Angela reminded me earlier, it's Leave the Office Early Day."

She debated about what to do next before making a decision. "Aubrey is working from home today and all the kids are in day care…maybe I can rescue him away from all the boring FBI SAC stuff. He's been wonderful these last few months and…well, Aubrey and I need some adult time."

Sending an email to Cam and Curly letting them know she was taking off for the day, she checked on the intern on duty and after giving her a to do list, she headed towards the exit. Then she saw a bathing suit on display in one of the shops. Grinning, she walked in the door.

"Shopping is always fun."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Two hours later, a casually dressed Aubrey was working in the den when he heard the door open. Before he could get up, he saw his wife walk in. "Jess, what are you doing home?"

"It's Leave the Office Early Day, so I'm rescuing you from the FBI, Aubrey. I've got some cheese, crostini, and other goodies for a wine picnic."

"Jess, it's 89 degrees out right now—"

Jessica smirked. "I've also got Mr. Leonelli's world famous charcuterie board…plus a couple bottles of our lovely Rosé waiting at the tasting room in Bethesda."

"But the kids—"

"Daisy is picking them up and said she would feed them dinner. She, Lance, and Oliver are having pizza tonight. Come on, we're going on a date. We have some catching up to do, Mr. Aubrey."

Aubrey gave a puzzled look. "Wait, Oliver is hanging out with them again?"

"I don't know what's going on with them, but I'm sure Daisy will give me the tea later. Now, come on, I'm hungry…oh and grab your swim trunks before we go."

"Why?"

Jessica held up a bag. "Do as I say, or I won't wear the new bikini I just bought…it's green and it has a nice view of my butt."

Smiling in anticipation, the agent saved his work, shut down the laptop, and jogged out of the room and up the stairs.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Later that day, a wet Aubrey and Jessica get out of the water and begin drying off. Sneaking a peek at his wife's backside, he smiled. "Jess this was an awesome idea. It's nice of Aaron and Nadia to give us free use of their pool while they're up visiting Niki at VCU."

"Me too. Now, I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Escaping the steamy heat of June, the two walked into the three-season room where they laid out their picnic of cheese, meats, olives, and other sundries. Opening a bottle of wine, Aubrey poured a couple of glasses, and the couple enjoyed their meal.

"So, Jessica, not that I don't love this, but what brought this on? I thought you said you would be swamped all week with covering for Dr. B."

"I was but I got caught up and…" Jessica hesitated for a minute. "…honestly, getting my period threw me for a loop today."

Knowing his wife's emotional state of the last few months, Aubrey treaded gently. "Jessica, you had an ectopic pregnancy that had progressed enough to where you had to have surgery. If you didn't, you would have bled to death."

"I know that now…but, as I was enjoying my lunch hour at the mall, I realized how much I've missed you, James Auburey." Jessica sipped her wine while gently touching her belly. "Plus, I've been hiding these small scars for too long. I've missed being in a bikini."

"I'll always love you in a bikini. As for your abdomen, the only things I see are battle scars, much like the ones on my back."

"You're very sweet." Jessica sipped her wine again. "We've had a tough 2023 so far, Superman and…I miss you, too."

Aubrey took her hand. "Yeah, we have. But as sad as I am we lost the baby, I'm just you're okay. As for the other thing, there's no rush."

"I know there's no rush, but I'm ready to be with you again, James Aubrey. I miss making love with you." Jessica squeezed it back. "However, I first want to enjoy this lovely picnic and swim some more. Then we can go home and renew our acquaintance. Gotta keep practicing for our next Aubrey."

The agent chuckled. "Practice always makes perfect, Jess."