Thank you to anyone who has actually taken the time to read this. I hope if you have that you've enjoyed so far. I would love to know what you think, feel, want, predict or anything in between. If not though, I just thank you for reading all the same and hope you enjoy.
I'll see you on the other side!
The Case Of :
"Tragedy Repeats To The Day"
Part Two
As she always had, JJ wakes just as the world it's self was emerging from its darkness. The blonde's body was heavy from a long drive the night before and long work week. Even with the Friday being an extension of the weekend, the week had still taken its toll. Deep down though, the blonde agent knew the real culprit of her heaviness was the date that would be upon them in two days' time.
'It's not today though, JJ. Today is Friday, you and Emily are off work and you're visiting your mother to help her through Sunday. Sunday is the day you can allow yourself to be sad, to grieve and cry but not today.' JJ internally instructs herself, very structured with how she dealt with the grief of losing Roslyn. She had been that way since it happened, she'd had to be. It was the only way that eleven year old little girl was able to survive.
Suddenly something hits the blonde mother's consciousness like a sledgehammer. Blonde, wavy locks fall across her face as she bolts upright in bed. Emily's tight grip around her waist was the only thing keeping her from vaulting off the mattress completely.
"Callie!" JJ gasps aloud, one hand resting over her now thudding heart.
As her wife's lips separate to speak no louder than a whisper, Emily is also woken wide awake. The fact JJ had said their youngest daughter's name, adding to the raven haired woman's subconscious knowing she had to be awake.
"What? What's wrong with Callie?" Emily asks rapidly, forcing her eyes to remain open despite how exhausted she still was.
When it came to her wife or kids, Emily was ready at the spur of a moment to jump into action. After each girl was born, JJ would find her wife sat up just watching the newborn as she slept. Every now and then she'd reach a hand out, lay it against the baby's chest and check their daughter was still breathing. The blonde mother had been similar after Savannah but after Callie, calmed a little from knowing what to expect. Emily however had been no different, in her concern or her dedication in making sure the girls were safe.
JJ's hands lift to pull back dishevelled hair from her own face as she turns to the raven beauty beside her. Seeing that she had spurred such panic to fill chocolate brown eyes, JJ's chest twinges with guilt.
"She's missing, Em." JJ answers, regretting her word choice instantaneously as Emily stops breathing and her already snow white skin, pales before her eyes.
"No, no honey. I mean, she's missing from her usual spot with us, in bed. Normally, she's climbing all over us to wake up by now." The blonde quickly clarifies, tanned hands reaching to grip her wife's shoulders firmly and keep her in bed.
Emily's concern filled eyes begin to drain, a mix of tiredness and disbelief. As the sudden rush of adrenaline from fear and panic disburses, Emily's body and mind become overcome with her heavy exhaustion.
"Well, love. She's probably actually sleeping in for once after our late night road trip. Somehow she stayed awake longer than Savvy on the drive, by a lot." Emily reasons, tempering her slight frustration at the early morning heart attack her wife had induced.
Knowing her wife had a point but was also trying to settle this conversation as fast as possible in order to go back to sleep, JJ gives in. Nodding in silent agreement to her wife's answer, JJ uses her hands holding Emily's shoulders to nudge the woman back down against the warm mattress.
Emily wanted to resist, it was bizarre that their daughter, who seemed to run on four hours sleep and a sugar rush, was yet to jump on them to wake them up. The older woman's body had other ideas though, already she could feel the warm comfort of sleep overcoming her.
Toned, bronzed limbs detangle from the mess of sheets, covers and Emily's possessive hands. Shaking her head with a warm chuckle leaving her lungs, JJ brushes dark locks out of Emily's eyes for her.
"We… we should check on her, Jayje. Just .. give me a couple of seconds." Emily weakly insists, even while desperate to sleep, the safety of her family came first.
Luckily, JJ knew this was coming. The younger woman quickly tightens her grip on Emily and puts a stop to her change of heart. Gripping the covers with one hand, JJ brings them up over her wife's body. The house had a chill to it so early in the morning, especially at this time of year.
"Close those pretty eyes, Em. Sleep. I'll go check on the girls and get breakfast started." JJ warmly instructs, relieved when her wife's lips upturn into a drained but accepting smile.
Slipping on one of the warmer sweaters she'd packed, it was actually Emily's, JJ then pulls on her pyjama bottoms. While sleeping the blonde never wore them but at this time of year and especially in this house she thinks it's her best bet for this morning.
"Love you, Jayje." Emily quietly murmurs, sensing JJ was about to leave the room.
Turning at the door, JJ smiles wide at her lover's sweet comment. She returns the sentiment in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb her wife returning back to sleep.
Pulling down the oversized arms of the sweater over her hands, trying to rewarm her body, JJ walks across the hall to what had once been her sister's bedroom. As the creek of a floorboard beneath her feet echoes through the otherwise quiet home, JJ is struck with a million memories of it doing the same thing. Both her and Roslyn had learnt to avoid said floorboard during their late night trips to one another's rooms.
Just like they had left it the night before, the girls' room door was ajar. It was a wider gap though, so JJ is able to slip herself between the doorjamb and door and peek inside. It was still early and if Emily was correct and for once their youngest was actually sleeping in, the blonde mother didn't want to risk disturbing that.
Gentle snores fill the quiet room and JJ's blue eyes quickly find the source. Laid on her back, legs and arms spread out wide, hands in loose fists above her head, Savannah was soundly sleeping. By the looks of it, the four year old hadn't moved an inch since she'd been put to bed.
Knowing she wouldn't wake Savannah, JJ ventures fully into the room. Much like she had just done with her wife, the blonde brings the covers back up to drape across Savannah's sleeping form. As she suspected it would be, the side next to the sleeping four year old was empty. Ruffled sheets and a dip in the pillow the only sign Callie had been there at all.
'Alright, so she isn't sleeping in. Oh, please don't say she's gone and woken up my mom.' JJ internally prays that her maternal instincts were wrong this time.
A delicate stroke across Savannah's forehead with long fingers, brings a smile to the four year olds cupid bow lips. Bending down a little closer, JJ presses a gentle kiss to her daughter's cheek before leaving her to continue her sleep. The thought that Savannah was mirroring what Emily was doing across the hall only makes the agent smile wider.
It isn't until JJ makes it half way down the rickety old staircase that she hears the rumbling of other people being awake. The noise was hushed and coming from the kitchen. A frown forms across the blonde mother's forehead as she creeps into position just outside of the kitchen doorway.
"Gammy, you's swilly." Callie firmly announces, her little head nodding in full agreement.
The two year old still had a head full of bed hair. Unlike her sister, Callie had inherited some of Emily's natural curls. They were often unruly first thing or if the proper care wasn't taken after washing the girl's hair.
"Oh, I am huh? And just why would that be, miss Callie?" Sandy inquires with intrigue and a smirk tugging at her thin lips. Although just for a split second, something in Sandy worries she may have been caught out.
'She's two, just two. Don't be so paranoid, Sandy.' The grandmother internally instructs herself. The bottle had been tucked in to its hiding place before her grandchild could have gotten a glance at it.
The older woman had her youngest grandchild sat on the counter top in front of her. They were in the process of making breakfast, which if it were down to Callie would consist solely of pancakes. Sandy had a hand either side of Callie's body, somewhat entrapping the wriggly toddler just encase.
Outside the kitchen, JJ holds her arms across her chest as she leans against the wall. Years of being an FBI agent meant she could keep hidden expertly. With a gentle lean her blue eyes are just about able to get a glimpse of her mother and baby. The scene makes JJ's heart flutter, before Roslyn had died, JJ could recall both of them enjoying this very activity with their mother.
Seemingly seriously considering her answer, Callie's head tilts to one side. The girl's puppy dog eyes, still a little glazed over from sleep, watch her 'Gammy' closely. The toddler hums with her index finger on her right hand being brought up to her pouting lips.
"Cause you's keep eating the choco- choco chips. They need go in bowl." Callie defends her statement with conviction. Little eyebrows raise up high on her face and she looks towards the open bag of chocolate chips beside them to punctuate her point.
Callie had always been advanced for her age, never more so than verbally. She was two, just two and yet she could argue and win against adults, easily. David Rossi, the grandfatherly figure in Savannah and Callie's lives due to his relationship with both Emily and JJ, believed whole heartedly she would become a lawyer in the years to come.
A tight grin passes across JJ's face as she watches her mother from the door way. Slowly, a frail hand lifts and grabs some more chocolate chips from the packet. Of course, the toddler watches with great interest, beginning to giggle as Sandy offers the girl a few.
"You are right, Callie. I am silly but they're so yummy. I tell you what, how about you have a few too and the rest we put in to the mix?" Sandy negotiates in a conspiratory whisper that makes her granddaughter's face light up. At the same time her paranoia slips away and relief floods her fluttering heart. She really was going to have to be more careful with her guests here.
Quickly, Callie nods in full agreement to this idea. Little chubby hands clap together before she dramatically opens her mouth and allows her Gammy to feed said chocolate chips to her. The two year old was nothing if not dramatic. She got it from Emily, obviously.
Deciding to make her presence known, JJ gives a loud cough to warn she was approaching. Sandy and Callie each give a little jolt of surprise at the noise and rush to hide the evidence of their crime.
"Morning, mom. Morning Callie-bug. I'm sorry, did she wake you up? Normally she comes in to me and Em when she wakes up and I'm normally already half-awake anyway." JJ apologises, using every ounce of strength she has to remain neutral.
With puffed out, chubby cheeks, Callie frantically tries to bat away some of her bed hairs from her face. The second she had heard the cough, the toddler had panicked and just gobbled up every chocolate chip her Gammy had been feeding to her.
"Morning, Jenny." Sandy replies calmly, dumping the remaining chocolate chips into the batter. Eyes that had once shone so brightly, check the hiding spot of hers was guarded fully by her body, just encase.
'She called me 'Jenny', she hasn't done that in years. No one but her and Roz have ever called me that. I almost forgot it was an option.' JJ's inner voice comments in pleasant surprise at her mom's name choice.
Looking up, Sandy's jaw goes slack as see notices Callie's predicament. Reaching out, bony fingers brush any unwanted brunette hair from her granddaughter's eyes. She receives a look of gratitude from Callie in response as she's unable to speak due to chipmunking a handful of chocolate chips.
"It was no bother, I was already awake. I heard her getting out of bed and thought you and Emily deserved a few more minutes sleep. We decided to make breakfast for everyone, didn't we?" The grandmother continues, her voice wavering where she nearly breaks out into laughter.
Callie has both her arms crossed over her chest, eyes wide and cheeks still puffed out. The chocolate was rapidly melting within her mouth and tasted amazing, she was desperate to fully enjoy it. Of course she knew better though and just glances from JJ to Sandy rapidly.
Nodding in understanding, JJ steps closer to her youngest who is trying her utmost to play it cool. The girl's beloved blanket and Octopus were sat safely on the kitchen chair, free from any chance of getting dirty. Callie's chubby cheeks were starting to redden as apparently she was also holding her breath.
"Are you having fun helping, Gammy? It looks like you're doing a fantastic job. Are… are you okay, baby? You are awfully quiet." The blonde mother asks, unable to help but tease her little one. She was just so adorable.
With a frantic nod of her head, Callie lifts both hands and shrugs her shoulders. A little hum leaves her full mouth, ensuring she was indeed both enjoying herself and fine.
JJ's blue eyes give Sandy a side glance, the older woman was subtly shaking her head with closed eyes and a grin as she stands in the corner of the room. If she tried to speak again she would completely fall apart, so instead she takes a step back.
Little huffs leave Callie's nose as JJ leans in closer, clearly inspecting the two year old closely. It only takes a second pause and suddenly, it's all too much. A loud gasp fills the kitchen, Callie dramatically swallows and then takes in a few deep breaths for good measure.
"I sworry, Gammy. They too yummy." Callie apologises for her failure to keep the evidence hidden.
With her full focus turning to her blonde mother, the toddler goes to use the back of her hand to wipe at her now chocolate stained little mouth. JJ's reflexes are thankfully quicker and she interferes with a gentle grab of her daughter's wrist. As if reading her mind, Sandy is holding out a paper towel and JJ quicky uses it to wipe at Callie's face.
Callie squirms at the attempt to clean her up and remove the delicious chocolate from her lips. Pulling her head as far back as she can, she is unable to escape the dreaded paper towel.
"So, you and Gammy were eating the chocolate chips huh?" JJ asks knowingly, refusing to let Callie get away from being cleaned up. God, the two year old had some hidden strength that was for sure.
Sighing loudly in defeat, the brunette toddler looks to her feet solemnly but nods in reply. Slowly, Callie gives a pout before lifting her head enough to make eye contact with JJ, now the paper towel was discarded.
"Yes, mommy. Am I in troubles?" Callie questions in apprehension, she was only two but she was far from oblivious.
As her mommy stands up straight, one hand on her hip and the other leaning on the counter beside Callie's right side, the girl gulps. Blue eyes narrow as if she is contemplating her options before a wide grin appears across JJ's face.
"Of course not, baby. You're making pancakes, eating some of the chocolate chips is like the law. Although, next time, try not to eat them all at the same time." JJ answers with a chuckle, her right hand cupping Callie's cheek delicately.
The relief spreads through the toddler like a wave, she brings a hand to forehead and wipes away the imaginary sweat from her brow. Breathing out a loud sigh of relief, the brown eyed girl claps in elation.
"Oh, thankies goodness, mommy." Callie breathlessly declares, happily accepting JJ now lifting her into her arms for a good morning cuddle and kiss to her cheek.
"No all at once, next time." She adds, her head nodding in agreement to the arrangement.
JJ's presses her forehead against her daughter's temple as she easily holds her high up on her side. Toddler hands, press into the mother's chest as she turns to kiss JJ's lips lovingly. The kiss is quickly returned and JJ sits down at the kitchen table, holding Callie on her lap sideways.
"She is a fantastic little helper. I've got the coffee brewing too, you must be exhausted after the late night drive last night." Sandy surmises, brushing her hand delicately across JJ's back as she passes to begin to cook the pancakes at the stove.
Callie sits, leaning in to JJ's chest. Her little legs barely make it over the side of her mommy's lap where she is still so young and small. She reaches for her purple octopus and tie dye blanket, quickly yanking them onto her lap.
"Thank you, mom. I'm fine though, Callie takes after me, I always wake with the sun. Isn't that right Callie-bug? You and mommy are early risers. Emily and Savannah though, I think they'll be out for a little while longer yet." JJ enthusiastically replies, tickling at Callie's sides as she mentions the toddler.
Arms shoot up high and a yell of agreement to being the same as her mommy, echoes in the kitchen right away. Callie then shifts so she can sit with a leg either side of JJ's hips and face her head on. Happily accepting the position change, the blonde mother wraps both arms around her daughter's body and interlaces her fingers at the small of her back.
"She takes after you in a lot more ways than being a morning person, Jenny." Sandy states kindly, her blue eyes so distant the night before looking more glassy and warm this morning.
'It's like she's actively trying to make me cry. What in the world has happened to my mom?' JJ inwardly questions the behaviour of the older blonde before her.
Unfortunately, for the reunited family, it's only a few hours later when both JJ and Emily's phones ringing brings nothing good their way. Even though still so young, the second little ears hear the shrill noise, their bodies visibly deflate. This was anything but the first time this had happened and they each knew, exactly what it meant.
Noticing the look of guilt wash over both her daughter and daughter-in-law's faces, Sandy is quick to make a distraction. The pouts of her grandchildren's lips were enough to make her willingly walk through fire to remove. The older woman quickly insists she needs helpers in the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Crystal blue eyes give the grandmother a look of pure gratitude as both JJ and Emily scramble to another room to take the calls. Each of their chests were tight with apprehension, they knew what was coming.
"Prentiss?" Emily sharply answers her phone, brown eyes contrasting with softness and shared guilt as she locks eyes with JJ stood beside her.
"Jareau?" Jennifer says at the same time, her tone more deflated than angry in comparison to her wife's.
Both women still went by just their maiden names when at work, it was easier seeing as they worked for the same department. Also Jareau-Prentiss could be a mouthful, something Savannah had found out since starting Kindergarten a couple of months previously.
Instantly, Emily's jaw tightens as she listens to her and JJ's boss on the other end of the call. Hotch wasn't stupid, he knew if anyone else called, Emily would flat out refuse. To be fair this was supposed to be both her and JJ's personal time off but serial killers, rapists and psychopaths have no respect for such things.
JJ was more resigned to their fate but no less devastated. For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, the blonde actually felt like she was making some sort of re connection with her mother. Now, both her and Emily were being dragged in to work. Yes, it was a part of their job but especially with the girls in the middle it didn't feel at all right.
"I am so super sorry, Jellybean. I know how important this holiday weekend is to you. I tried to convince boss man you and cat-woman weren't needed but alas, he insisted. On a scale of one to duck and cover, how pissed is your equally amazing other half?" Penelope's sweet voice questions, the genuine sincerity so clear in every word she spoke.
Just like Hotch knew he was the best person to break the news to Emily, Penelope was the person for the job of telling JJ. They'd been best friends ever since meeting on the slightly younger blonde's first day working with the BAU as their Media Laison. Penelope had been one of the first people to introduce herself and with such a bright personality and equally bright wardrobe, she made an impression to say the least.
"Oh, you know Em. I think I might have to get her some sort of guard for her teeth before she snaps them in half." JJ retorts, somewhat jokingly although her wife's jaw was incredibly tense.
Neither woman is happy about the situation but also know there isn't much that can be done to change it either. Arrangements are made quickly and calls ended, leaving both JJ and Emily with aching hearts and hung heads.
'How am I supposed to tell my mother we need to load the girls back up and head home? We were supposed to be here for the whole weekend but more importantly for Roslyn's anniversary, that was the entire point of this visit.' JJ's internal voice questions with still simmering annoyance at this predicament.
Just as the impossible task was starting to sink it's full weight on to the blonde agent's heart, Emily slips her arm around JJ's toned waist. The slightly smaller of the two women does nothing to resist such comfort and wraps her arms securely around Emily's neck in response. The warmth of Emily's other hand being placed to her opposite hip was enough to bring JJ some comfort, even if just for a few seconds.
"I will deal with telling the girls and getting them packed up to leave, okay? You talk to your mom, take as long as you need, love." Emily insists with nothing but tenderness and support.
JJ's body melts against Emily's, their foreheads gently leaning together as they each soak up the extra needed strength from the other.
"You have no idea how incredible you are, Em. Thank you." JJ quietly replies, needing desperately for her wife to know how appreciated she was.
Under any other circumstances, Emily would have an answer but not today, not right now. Instead, the dark haired beauty just grips her wife's waist a little firmer with strong hands and sways them both into a gentle rocking motion. Emily's plump lips place a chaste but lingering kiss to JJ's, knowing whatever needed to be said would be through this special connection.
Reluctantly, the blonde agent tugs away from her comfort and heads into the kitchen to gather Sandy's attention and let her know what is going on. Emily watches with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Unable to resist though, she does give her wife's ample backside a firm slap. Only of course to aid her in going the right direction.
The little jolt that rushes through JJ's body is priceless, as is the accompanying look of both frustration and arousal that the younger woman shoots over her shoulder in response. Emily of course just gives a nod towards the kitchen and wink of one of her seductive eyes.
'May as well try and give her something to smile about. Ugh, when I get my hands on this unsub I swear to god…' Emily mentally rants out her rage at the fact her wife's trip had been so rudely interrupted.
"You and mommy got to go to work?" Savannah's young voice accuses more than asks as she suddenly stands in front of her raven haired mother.
Standing in the kitchen with her back to Callie, who is sat at the kitchen table, Sandy takes in a few breaths. It wasn't exactly hard to figure out what was about to happen and what those calls meant. Still, the older woman feels whatever strength she'd gained by her family's company had given her, slipping away rapidly.
"What would you like in your sandwich, Callie?" Sandy asks blindly behind her to the two year old. Her shaking hands let the mousy blonde know she needs to calm herself back down and there was only one way to do that.
"P&J, pwease!" Callie chirps her reply, little fingers fiddling with one of her Octopus's tentacles as she slides it back and forth on the table in front of her.
The grandmother didn't need for Callie to clarify, she knew what P&J meant. Both Roslyn and JJ had the same habit of leaving out the 'B' when they were young too. Unfortunately, at this time it was less comforting and more of a stab directly to her grieving heart.
Discreetly, Sandy grabs the bread from the bread bin, peanut butter from the cabinet as well as the jelly. It had been far too long since she'd been asked to make said sandwich. With her head down, Sandy's shaking right hand hesitates over the knob of the drawer directly in front of her waist. A quick glance over her shoulder assures Callie is distracted. This was her chance and despite knowing she shouldn't, Sandy does.
The liquid burns on its way down, lately that was more of a pleasant sensation that it should be. The sting reminded Sandy that she was still breathing but also that the numbness would soon consume her enough to carry on. Quickly, bony fingers fumble to re-screw the lid and slip the now half empty bottle back into its hiding place.
'You can't carry on like this, Sandy.' The grandmother informs herself with a far more responsible side of her conscience than was actually driving her actions.
Back in the rarely used dining room, Emily feels like she is being stared down by a sniper. Savannah was the eldest of the two girls and with that came a natural protective streak but not just for her baby sister but everyone she loves. Emily knew this trait was something the girl had inherited from both herself and JJ but in this moment, Savannah was all Emily.
The tall four year old was not pleased, not at all. Chocolate brown orbs were narrowed and her jaw, much like Emily's a few minutes earlier was tense. Although Savannah wasn't always as loud as her little sister, she was no shrinking violet. More like JJ perhaps, she held her anger inwardly and reacted less on pure impulse but no less passion.
For a moment, Emily is stumped. Her mouth opens and shuts repeatedly with no sound as her mind rushes to come up with a satisfactory answer. The determined little girl in front of her had both hands on her hips, a sure fire way of letting her mama know she wasn't best pleased.
'Oh, this is worse than torture. Savvy has always been the worrier. I can see the cogs turning in her little head, all the possibilities swirling around. How long will we be gone for? Will she and Callie have to go home and be looked after by their babysitter? Will her mommies be in danger? That's perhaps the worse one, it's a relatively new concern too. Before a few weeks ago when JJ got hurt by that unsub, I think Savannah saw us as invincible.' Emily's inner voice surmises with increasing guilt choking at her heart.
"Yes, baby. I'm so sorry but Uncle Hotch and the team need our help to catch a bad guy." Emily finally answers, only confirming what the four year old had already guessed.
"Oh, another bad guy?" Savannah asks with a heavy sigh leaving young lungs.
Her daughter's question catches Emily a little off guard, still she nods in confirmation that Savannah was correct. Unfortunately, the supply of bad guys to catch never seemed to lessen, no matter many they caught.
Although only four years old, Savannah was very aware just how important her mommies were and what they did. She was incredibly proud of them both, thought of them as superheroes, just like the ones her uncle Spencer read to her about.
'I still miss them when they leave though and get scared. I don't want them to get hurt.' The little girl comments silently within her own mind. She was a deep thinker, took everything very much to heart, far too much for someone so young.
"Well, um okay then. You'll be safe though, right mama? You won't get hurt and won't let mommy get hurt?" Savannah asks, desperate for the reassurance her little heart needed to be okay with this change in the plan.
The hurt that is lodged in her eldest daughter's voice is enough to make Emily nearly crash to her knees and beg for forgiveness. As much as both herself and JJ loved their jobs, leaving their girls was easily the hardest part. Callie was still young enough where she believed them when they would say they'd be back quickly but Savannah had caught on to that trick. Unfortunately she had also realised even superheroes sometimes come back with boo-boos.
Since the day she had found out she was going to be a parent, Emily had promised she wouldn't ever lie to her children. At least not about anything important or that when the truth came out could cause real damage. Suddenly though she felt cornered between wanting to keep Savannah's innocence intact and not giving her false security for it only to be dashed.
Sinking down to her knees in front of her eldest, Emily reaches up and brushes some dark brown locks behind the girl's shoulder. Savannah had been growing her hair out ever since she had a say in the matter, which was around two and a half. Already, the locks, darker in shade than Callie's, were well past her shoulders. They were something Savannah took great pride in, always excited for JJ or Emily to try out a new hair style on her. To her surprise this was actually a skill Emily excelled at.
'I've always been good with my hands.' Was Emily's reasoning, the dirty smirk across her lips having brought a blush to JJ's bronzed cheeks when she'd first said it one Saturday afternoon.
'Yeah, well you will have to remind me just how good once the girls are asleep.' Had been JJ's response, which had triggered a very enjoyable night for both FBI agents to say the least.
"Savannah-Banana, Mama promises you she will always do everything in her power to make sure Mommy, you and Callie are always safe. I'll do anything you can think of to make sure of it, anything. I'll stand on my head, I'll fight a grizzly bear, I'll even dance in my underwear." Emily playfully answers, although she meant it. There wasn't a thing she wouldn't do to keep her family safe.
A big grin spreads across Savannah's plump lips, one hand batting Emily's arm at her antics. Still, there was something lingering behind her brown eyes that makes her mama's stomach lurch. The older the girls were getting, the harder it was getting to take away their upset, worries and pains. That did not sit well with Emily at all, in fact it made her sick.
Savannah's warm little hands reach out and rest against Emily's high, strong cheekbones, gathering the woman's full attention. Like she didn't have that to begin with but even still. The mini brunette leans in close tipping on the balls of her toes until their noses are practically touching. It had been something Emily had done with both girls since they were born to ensure they were fully listening to her and paying attention.
'Oh great, now she's using my own tricks against me. This can't be legal right?' Emily inwardly panics, looking directly into her daughter's eyes and seeing her seriousness.
"I know that Mama, we all do. But you have to keep you safe too, okay? I love you too, Mama and I don't want to see you get boo-boos." Savannah states clearly, at four years old already able to see how her Mama had a habit of putting herself and wellbeing last.
Feeling as though she's just been sucker punched by her daughter, Emily bites back the rising tears in her eyes. Savannah had such a big, kind and thoughtful heart, it never failed to remind Emily of JJ. Also the way the four year old could completely see through her was another worrying example of the blonde mother's similarity with their eldest.
Emily uses her hands to hold Savannah's hips, lightly nudging her back down flat on her feet. Their eyes are strongly connected though, Savannah's doing a great job at making her mama's chest constrict.
"Mama will look after herself as well, sweetie. I've got to don't I, huh? Mama needs to be healthy and strong so she can come back and play tickle monster with you and Callie-bug." Emily reasons, hoping her voice keeps light and her eyes don't betray her.
'She's four years old, she does not need to be worrying about me or Jayje getting hurt.' Emily's inner voice demands as if this was somehow new information for the mama.
Chocolate brown eyes that gave any puppy a run for their money, narrow slightly at Emily's. Savannah wasn't fully sold but she trusted her mama completely, so her word was good enough. Finally, she breaks into a wide smile and wraps both arms around the agent's neck.
"You will hurry back, right Mama? Please." Savannah pleads, finally coming to terms with her mothers having to leave for work.
Wrapping both of her arms around her daughter's body, Emily answers by standing up straight and spinning the dark brunette around a few times. Kisses are placed to both of Savannah's cheeks before she leans back enough to again make eye contact with the four year old. The way her daughters or JJ looked at Emily was always enough to remind her just how blessed she was.
Emily had grown up with no real idea of family or what it should be. She was a show child, someone to be pranced about at dinner parties where the elite all brag and blow smoke up one another's asses. Both of Emily's parents were ambassadors, her mother becoming one as a first and only career choice. Emily's father fell into the role after a highly, decorated military career. They each came from privilege and money to a sickening degree as well. Status, appearance and reputation were everything to them.
To say Emily had grown up lonely was a tragic understatement. Yes, she'd lived in many different countries, seen parts of the world most only dream of. Emily had met presidents, kings and queens and some of the richest people on the planet. Her childhood was filled with galas, dinner parties, auctions and political rallies and events. Hundreds of thousands of people entered her life with a shake of a small hand or a curtsey from her in their direction. Still, Emily had always felt and known when it came down to it, she was alone.
Emily's parents' time was precious and unless she got the best grades, perfect test results or special recognition in what she was doing, she was not worth their time. Nannies, butlers, assistants and bodyguards brought the young Prentiss up and in turn had taught her things, perspectives and beliefs she never would have experienced otherwise. It was those people who made Emily the woman she was today, those people that taught her family has very little to do with DNA and instead, everything to do with love.
Now, here she was with her own family. It still often blew her mind because for so long growing up, Emily had believed it to be nothing more than a fantasy. Thankfully, the BAU team and JJ more specifically came into her life. And although not always easily done, taught her to trust and believe. They in some ways forced their way in before she learnt how to let them but either way, they got there.
Standing in the kitchen with Sandy, JJ can see the realisation of the situation drain what little colour had begun to appear on her mother's face. A tight knot of guilt had formed within the pit of the blonde's stomach and the look in her mother's eyes was not helping.
'I suggested this whole weekend to help mom get through this anniversary. Not even twenty four hours in and here I am ripping it all away from her. Well done, JJ.' JJ inwardly berates herself unable to help but buckle under the blame she feels.
The older of the two blondes was stood, cutting the crusts off the sandwich she had just made for Callie. The two year old was happily distracted for now, sat at the round kitchen table with 'Doc Oct'.
"I understand, Jenny. You and Emily do very important work and if you are needed, you're needed." Sandy acquiesces, a thought lingering on the tip of her tongue at the same time however.
Sandy's youngest daughter may have only been a profiler for not quite two years but she was good at her job. JJ can quickly tell her mother is holding something back and blue eyes narrow in on the older woman in front of her. Intrigue lifts one perfectly sculpted eyebrow as JJ's rippling arms cross over her chest loosely. She knew better than to push with words, so instead just remains quiet and patient.
"I just can't help but feel awful for the girls. It's not a short drive and now they have to be piled back into the car again, so soon. What if, they stayed here with me? You and Emily can go and meet the team at the local airfield instead of driving all the way back home to meet at the BAU. The girls can rest up and enjoy the rest of the weekend." Sandy carefully suggests, trying not to oversell her position if at all possible.
The grandmother didn't like to appear desperate but the truth is, that is exactly what she is. This weekend was going to be hard enough but having her grandchildren and remaining daughter around her was like a healing blessing. The thought of losing them before Sunday even comes was one blow too many for her fragile heart.
As her mother's words hang in the air, JJ can feel her brain taking a few extra seconds to fully absorb their meaning. Of course, the grandmother did have a good point and the thought of shuffling the girls right back into the car for another four or five hours, did not seem fair or enticing.
"Mom, that's a lovely idea but me and Em, we don't know how long we'll be gone for. This case it's…" JJ begins, for a split second checking that Callie wasn't listening. She was two and had a habit of eavesdropping and was scarily talented at it.
Thankfully, Sandy had distracted the girl with her PB&J sandwich, most of which was now finding it's place around Callie's mouth. JJ has to resist the urge to clean her child's face, knowing there was little to no point until she was finished.
Turning back to the older version of herself, JJ can tell how much this means to Sandy. It brings an ache back to JJ's chest as she tries to figure out the best way to respond without making things worse.
"Jenny, I would just really love to spend some more time with the girls. Having you all here it's helped so much and I want to help out you and Emily, too. Please, let me do this? If you and Emily aren't back by let's say lunchtime Sunday, I can drive your car and the girls back for you. I'll stay with them at yours until you return and then I can grab a flight back after." Sandy suggests, clearly having thought this out in more detail than her daughter would have guessed.
It was a hell of an ask in some ways but it also wasn't exactly crazy or out of the realm of acceptable. Savannah and Callie are her granddaughters and they wouldn't fare well with another long car drive so soon after arriving. Also, it meant the team could pick up both Emily and JJ on the way instead of having to hang around and wait for them to get back to the Quantico.
After some discussion with Emily and of course making sure both girls were comfortable and happy with the plan, JJ agrees and Sandy beams brighter than her daughter had seen in literal decades.
For JJ and Emily the rest of the day consisted of them buried in case files, reading up on the latest unsub they needed to stop. They hit the ground running after another body had been found while they were in flight. As it often does, the rest of the day becomes a whirlwind of information, theories, gruesome sights and even worse possibilities yet to happen.
By the time Hotch decides they all need to try and rest for a few hours, Emily and JJ both are anxious to call and check in with Sandy. Apart from a few short hour bursts over spaced out visits, this was the first time the grandmother would be babysitting. They trusted her implicitly of course, otherwise they never would have left the girls with her. At the same time though, knowing that Sunday was looming and all the emotions it would conjure up, they wanted to keep an extra eye.
"Hi mommies! Miss yous." Callie bellows the very second the image of her mothers huddled together on the motel room bed fills her Gammy's phone screen.
The two year old was currently sharing Sandy's lap with Savannah, both girls all bathed and ready for bed. Sandy looked tired but it was a different kind of tired compared to what JJ and Emily had been greeted with not quite twenty four hours before.
Emily was holding the phone with one hand, resting it slightly on her raised knees as she rests against the headboard. JJ, curled beside her, leans in the second she sees their daughters staring back at her. A tanned hand reaches for the phone as if she'd be able to stroke their little faces if she tried hard enough.
"We miss you too, little one. Have you had a good time with Gammy today? You must be so tired, it's got to be getting late there." JJ replies, once she swallows the mom guilt that always hit her in these moments.
Sandy's smile seems to tell the story, she presses a kiss to Callie's temple as the two year old quickly nods her head. Despite the girl's enthusiasm at speaking with her mothers, the younger girl's eyelids were growing heavy.
"So much good times, Mommy. I no tired, no tired." Callie quickly refutes the idea of her needing sleep. Did they not know her?
Both mothers bite back smirks at their youngest's insistence but know better than to argue. Callie would only become more stubborn and force herself to stay awake out of spite otherwise.
"Well, we are glad you're having a good time. Have they behaved, Gammy?" Emily questions, deciding to avoid the topic of sleep for a little while longer.
As Sandy assures her wife that the girls have been nothing but good for her, JJ can't help but watch Savannah with rising suspicion. Granted, the eldest of their two daughters wasn't always the loudest but even for her she seemed withdrawn. The four year old was smiling at the screen but she seemed troubled.
'Perhaps she is just missing us and worrying. Em said she made her promise we'd come home safe and sound. Oh, my poor baby.' JJ's inner voice offers up an explanation but the woman's heart isn't sure it fully buys it.
Big brown eyes seem to be trying to communicate through the device and hundreds of miles between them. It brings an uneasiness to JJ's chest and causes her to grip at Emily's forearm, out of sight of the camera. No, something wasn't right.
"What about you, Savvy? Are you having a nice time with Gammy? You know me and mama are okay, right? We're safe and just about to head to bed and get some sleep. We miss you, honey." JJ blurts out, interrupting Callie retelling Emily about her underwater adventure in the bath.
Savannah freezes for a moment, her body curling into its self as she realises all eyes are suddenly on her. Gently, Sandy bounces both girls on her lap and gives the four year old a tender squeeze around her tummy with her spare hand. It brings a smile to Savannah's lips once more and seems to spur her into action.
"Yes, mommy. We have had a good day, fun. I'm happy you and mama are safe. I… I … I just miss you, that's all." Savannah answers, clearly not wanting to get herself too upset but admitting she was missing her parents.
"Savannah-Banana, it's alright to miss us, sweet girl. We miss you too, you and Callie and Gammy, so much. Hopefully, tomorrow we'll wrap this case up and be heading straight back to you." Emily insists, never one to stand knowing one of her girls was hurting, in any way.
Hearing her granddaughter's admission, Sandy's features soften in sympathy. Gently, she brushes some dark locks from Savannah's forehead and tugs her a little closer into her. Callie's hand reaches across and grips her big sister's tightly. Lifting both hands up, the two year old places a kiss to the back of Savannah's hand lovingly.
'Oh god, our girls are the cutest humans to ever live. It's not even close.' Emily realises silently to herself, her heart aching deeply from pride, angst and love for her daughters.
"I think it's been a long but wonderful day but it might be time for some sleep. Everything will feel so much better after some rest. And like mama said, her and mommy might be back sooner than we think. But to do that, we've got to let them go and get some sleep so they're ready tomorrow to go and do their job the best they can." Sandy explains, trying to be as delicate with her wording as possible considering the situation.
Quickly, Savannah nods in agreement to her grandmother's suggestion. She takes in a brave breath before blowing a kiss to the screen and then another, one for each of her mothers. The four year old still looked like something was bothering her but she also looked exhausted and who could blame her for that?
As her grip around Emily's forearm increases slightly, JJ paints a smile across her face. Both her and Emily say goodnight to their daughters and wish them nothing but the sweetest dreams before sharing declarations of their love and finally ending the call.
A silence covers the two agents for a moment, each absorbing the call and trying to settle their emotions a little. Being away from the girls was always difficult but tonight it seemed extra raw. Perhaps due to their trip being interrupted, leaving them with Sandy or the impending anniversary that was hovering like a dark cloud.
Wordlessly, JJ tugs at Emily and brings the dark haired beauty into her arms. She may not be able to currently hold her children but she could hold the best part of them, Emily. For her part, Emily is quick to accept the embrace and sinks deeply within her wife's hold. Their breathing begins to synchronize as their bodies effortlessly meld together as they lie on the bed.
Emily lays her cheek against JJ's chest, happily listening to the rhythm of her heart. It calmed the older woman and always had. She could easily feel the tension within her wife but as she always did, knew how to handle it. Instead of poking and prodding, Emily just waits. Her left hand trails up the toned body of the woman beneath her, gently slipping underneath the fabric of her tight work shirt so she can touch warm skin. Fingertips trail up and down the well-toned muscles, back and forth in a gentle pattern.
"Do you think we did the right thing? Leaving the girls with my mom, I mean? So close to Roslyn's anniversary and with it being the twenty fifth year this year, I don't know. Maybe we made a mistake, Em." JJ begins to ramble out of slight panic. Normally, trying to rattle the blonde was like getting blood from a stone but this wasn't normal circumstances.
As instinctively as Emily wants to quickly interrupt and ease her lover's concerns, she bites back and just allows JJ to let it out. Clearly, the blonde had been stewing on these questions for the past twenty minutes since their call with the girls and Sandy ended.
JJ lets out one long breath, calmed by how Emily just curls herself around JJ more tightly. The weight of her wife's body pressed against hers, the feel of her rising and falling chest, slight tickle of Emily's breath against her neck all help settle the blonde agent back down.
"I don't think we made a mistake, Jayje. She's your mom and she loves the girls. I know we weren't there long but she transformed around them while we were." Emily reasons, her voice calm and steady.
Delicately, Emily's hand that is still underneath JJ's shirt, removes its self and travels up to cup the blonde's cheek instead. Big brown eyes rise too and meet with concerned blue ones slightly above her. A strong thumb strokes like a feather across JJ's cheek and brings a half smile to pink lips.
"I understand why you're worried, my love. Sunday is going to be a hard day, for your mother and you. I truly believe, like you did when you first suggested this trip, being around the girls will help though." The older woman assures, hoping to remind JJ that her initial instincts had been correct.
"Can I ask what's brought on your worries, was it Savvy?" Emily questions carefully, just wanting to try and understand a little more how JJ was feeling and thinking.
Suddenly, JJ felt as if she was being irrational. Her eyes downcast but Emily's hand intercepts and nudges those beautiful sapphire eyes back to looking into her brown counterparts. The dark haired woman was always so tender and thoughtful with her touches and they never fail to bring a warmth to JJ's heart and body.
"Yes, you saw her, Em. She looked… lost. I know she worries for us and that kills me. I don't know though, something just didn't seem right." JJ reasons logically, knowing Emily won't judge her for anything she says.
Emily gives a gentle nod of agreement. Savannah did seem extra quiet but that could be her new found unease whenever Emily and JJ were away. Still, this was bothering JJ, so she is only too happy to talk it through.
"I just have this feeling I can't describe. Anxious energy maybe because I know the anniversary is so near. I don't know, I'm probably just being irrational. I'm sorry." JJ sheepishly surmises, trying to figure out just why suddenly she felt the way she did.
Quickly, Emily is lifting her head from her wife's chest and shaking it in disagreement. The older woman shifts so she's kneels between JJ's spread legs and cups both sides of her face sweetly. Leaning forward, dark hair falls across blonde and foreheads touch together gently.
"Don't ever be sorry for how you feel, love. It probably is a mix of emotions. Having to leave the girls so suddenly, Savannah being anxious about us getting hurt, your mom and your own grief about Roslyn's anniversary. It's a lot. I tell you what, we'll call in the morning, first thing and try and talk to the girls alone somehow. If you still don't feel comfortable we will think of a new plan, alright?" Emily expertly suggests, the back of her fingers on her right hand stroking down JJ's cheek as their eyes stay strongly connected.
Slowly but no less sincerely, a smile breaks across the younger woman's face. The tension in her body seeping away little by little the more Emily speaks.
'What would I do without her?' JJ questions internally as Emily changes their position on the bed.
JJ was now on her side facing Emily, their legs intertwined and strong arms belonging to the older woman cocooning JJ close to her chest. Tucking her head into the crook of Emily's neck and shoulder, as if it had been made just for her, JJ grins. The familiar scent of Emily's expensive perfume fills her nostrils and ignites a million different memories of smelling it throughout their years together.
"You would be absolutely fine, for the record. But, you won't have to ever worry about it, love. I am going nowhere." Emily tenderly answers her wife's hidden question, smirking with pride as JJ realises she had literally read her mind.
"You are lucky I love you." JJ counters playfully, her voice muffled as she ducks her chin down so she can snuggle herself into Emily's ample chest.
"Oh, believe me, Jayje. I am beyond aware of that fact." Emily agrees sweetly, hands locked together around her wife's body and her chin resting delicately on top of JJ's head.
And we reach the end of another part of this 'case'. What will happen now Sandy is left alone with the girls and the anniversary date being so close?
Until next time stay safe, happy and well ;;'x