"Are you certain that you don't want to come with us, Jenny?"
She looked up from her magazine, giving Erin a small smile. "No, you need to spend time with Kacey alone. It's important that we strengthen our bonds with our children on our own, and together. This just happens to be an alone time. But I won't say no to a kiss before you two head out."
Erin chuckled a little as she bent over JJ and pressed her lips gently against hers. "I hope that you enjoy a quiet day, then. What time is Aaron dropping Henry off?"
"He's spending the night, actually. Jack's wanted a sleepover for a while, and this seemed as good a time as any. After all, the next few weekends will be busy with her play." Erin nodded before kissing her once more. "Now go, I'm just waiting for Penelope to drop in after Jack finishes his game."
"You're letting Aaron handle to boys alone?"
"Oh, I didn't tell you! No, he's going up to Rossi's cabin after the game, and they're having Man Time." Erin giggled at the way she said that, and JJ answered with her own giggle. "That's how PG described it to me. So, we're going to do a little shopping and a little gardening, and when you get home with Kacey, we're going to do a home spa night."
"That sounds like heaven," Erin said as she stood. "She's staying the night, then?"
"If that's okay with you. It seems that she's become accustomed to others in the house, now that she's living with Hotch and Jack, and thinks she might get a little lonely being alone."
"I know that loneliness. It filled my heart until you invited me here. But now those days are over." Erin pressed her fingers to her lips before placing them against JJ's and then left the room.
"Bye, Jenny! See you in a few hours!" Kacey called out, and JJ grinned as she settled back on the sofa. It was so quiet without anyone else there, and she found that she missed the sounds of a full house around her. Letting out a small sigh, she picked up her tablet and chose a video to watch as she read through a few case files for Monday. Somehow, she managed to get into a groove, as the next thing she knew, their doorbell was ringing. Setting aside what she was working on, JJ stood up and cracked her back before making her way to the front door and letting Garcia in.
"Sorry it took me a little longer than expected. Jack suddenly remembered that he wanted to take his book along with him, and I had to run home and grab it before coming over here. Are we alone?"
"Yeah, Kacey wanted to spend some time with Erin before the big rush of final rehearsals for her play. You are coming, yes?"
"We have it on the calendar, yes. Though I really hope that an unsub doesn't fuck with that plan. You know that they don't care that we have lives."
"Too true. So, are we taking my car or yours to head out?"
Garcia dangled her keys in front of JJ's face before smiling. "It's a beautiful day, and I have a convertible. Was there ever really a question?"
JJ shook her head as she stepped into the kitchen to grab her purse and phone. "Just let me pull my hair back," she said after she'd locked the door before following Garcia over to her car. After tossing her purse and phone onto the seat, JJ pulled a hair tie off her wrist and fashioned a quick ponytail before climbing in and fastening her belt.
"All right, now that we're underway, tell me everything! How much easier have things been since you don't have to worry about Victor and Rachel any longer? Erin seems so much more relaxed at work, and it's been great to see when you're out in the field."
JJ shrugged happily as she pushed her sunglasses up her nose. "It has been absolutely lovely. I didn't realise how much weight we were carrying on our shoulders until everything felt so light. And we are definitely feeling it in the bedroom."
Penelope let out a giggle at that, and again JJ shrugged, feeling her cheeks burn with a blush. "I wish that I could ask you for more details, but…I also don't want to look at her differently when we're alone in the office. I just have to ask this, though. Are her lips as delicious as they look?"
"Even more so," she answered quickly, glancing over at Penelope. "Our first kiss was so sweet, and then it led to this beautiful relationship. We're so lucky, you know. You have Hotch, I have Erin, and our lives are that much more complete."
Penelope nodded as she pulled into the parking lot of the mall. "Isn't it so odd that in the space of a year, really, we've found a lasting love? But it's the best odd."
"Yeah," she said absently as she blinked a little, looking away from Penelope. The sunlight had caught her ring and flashed a beam into her eyes that even her sunglasses couldn't really block. As they parked, she turned her head back to Penelope as she put two and two together. "Let me see that left hand of yours."
"Oh. You noticed." Penelope chuckled nervously as she held out her left hand. On her ring finger was a lovely diamond solitaire, and JJ felt tears prickle her eyes. "He proposed when we got home from Kacey's celebration evening. I couldn't say anything other than yes. Do you think Erin's going to pop the question any time soon?"
"I don't know," she answered as they went inside. "I think she might be content with things the way they are, because of how Victor treated her. So I might be the one to ask."
"And when you want to go shopping for a ring, let me know. I'd like to help you."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now, we're going to get things for our spa night, yes?"
"Yes! I was thinking that we could get a few things at Sephora, and then head to Macy's or Target to pick up the rest before heading home and getting everything set up. Erin won't mind that we're taking over her space, will she?"
"No, she's been a lot more open with people, more so now that Blake is being kind."
"We could invite her over, too. If you think that would be a good thing. I just want Erin to feel comfortable, after all. This is about getting her and Kacey to relax. It's too bad that she's the only girl, you know?"
"Yeah. And let me text Blake a second." JJ pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to the other woman, inviting her to their spa night. "I really should invite Emily, too, since I don't want her to feel left out, but I don't think that she'll come. She's not the biggest fan of Erin, still, and I don't know how to bridge that gap."
"It has to be natural," Penelope said, and JJ nodded. "I mean, you worked a minor miracle in getting Alex and Erin to reunite, but you can't always expect such outcomes."
JJ nodded as she stared at her phone. "Fuck it, I'm going to invite her anyway. That way, when I hear back from both women, I can tell Erin how many we're expecting tonight."
Penelope gave her a small grin as they went along, and JJ hurriedly tapped out an invitation to Emily as they entered Sephora, and then she slipped her phone back into her purse before they started to pick out things for the evening ahead. Her phone buzzed a few times as they started to pick out face masks, and she pulled it out, smiling at the display. "Well?"
"They're both a yes. So that means we're going to have six at the house this evening. Let me text Erin to let her know, and then I am yours for the rest of the day. I was thinking we could get really fun colours for us and Kacey, and classier colours for Emily, Blake, and Erin."
Penelope shook her head. "No! This is a fun weekend, so we all get fun colours."
She giggled a little as she shook her head. "I don't think Erin will go for that, but if you can get her to wear purple or green, I will buy you coffee for the next month."
"Challenge accepted! Now, let's pick out a few more masks here and then we can head over to Ulta for nail polish. They'll have a bigger selection." JJ nodded and began to help Penelope pick out all the things that they could need that evening.
After they'd finished their purchases, Penelope brought them over to their favourite diner, and after they'd placed their orders, JJ smiled as she relaxed in the seat. "This has been fun. I really needed aa day like today. And I'm hoping that Erin and Kacey are having just as good a time."
"You miss her."
"I do not!"
Penelope laughed as she shook her head. "You do! It is okay to be a little clingy after all that you just went through, and it is thoroughly adorable to know that you can be twitterpated! I had grown accustomed to seeing you dimming your sparkle to be with Will, but I thought that you were happy with him, so I didn't say anything. But when I look at you and Erin together? I'm reminded of how you radiate joy when you're in love. Seriously, you need to keep her in your life, as I do not want you to lose that sparkle!"
She shrugged a little before picking up her soda and taking a sip. "Well, you need to stay with Hotch, because the way you two make each other happy is a wonderful thing to see, too."
Penelope nodded as their food arrived, and as they tucked into their meals, Penelope kept looking between her and her food. "What?" she finally asked, wondering if she had gotten something on her face.
"Sorry, I'm just thinking about how lucky we are. And how lovely Erin is. I don't know, ever since she came into your life, there's been this change in her, and I really want to get to know her better. I really think that I love her." JJ ticked an eyebrow upwards, and Penelope shook her head frantically as she shoved a few fries in her mouth. "Not like that! I would never move in on your territory, Jayje. It's just that she is so easy to love now that she's more open. She's part of the group, now. Well, except for Emily. But that will come with time, I believe. And then, we'll all be a happy family."
"I love your optimism."
"I have to have something to chase away the ick of the cases that we solve every week. Do you think that Erin likes me? I really like her, and want to just be her friend."
"You are! After everything you've done for us, she knows that you mean the best for us. Hopefully tonight will show you that. Speaking of spa night, you did bring your pyjamas, right?"
"Of course! And I even made sure they were slumber party appropriate. I doubt anyone else wants to see me in the slinky little teddy Aaron bought me."
JJ nodded as she took a bite of her sandwich. "Yeah, that would be a little…weird. Erin and I have our matching pyjamas from Christmas, so we won't be showing any skin. Once Blake and Emily leave, we can make popcorn and watch movies until we fall asleep. I think that we should all fit on the sofa bed, though it might be a little tight."
"Ah, you three can take that, I can curl up on that gorgeous settee of yours."
She grinned at that comment. "You could always get one like that for your place."
"I might! Aaron's been talking about letting me redecorate a few rooms, after all."
Their conversation moved on to other things, and she tried to pay attention, even as her thoughts kept drifting back to Erin. "You know what, I think there's still time. Let's find her the perfect ring. I know her ring size."
"Really?" Penelope asked, and she nodded. "Yes! Let's get you that ring!"
After finishing their meal and paying, Penelope fairly yanked her back out to the car and hurriedly drove to the closest jeweler. "This might be a little out of my price range," she tried to protest, but Penelope just shook her head. "What?"
"She deserves elegant and classy. This is one of the best jeweler's in the city. You'll find something here and somehow make it work on your budget. I mean, you have Will's life insurance, after all."
JJ nodded as they got out of the car and went inside. "We're not looking at diamonds, though. She's not a diamond woman. I was thinking rubies. Opals would be nice, but they're too soft for an engagement ring. Maybe sapphires?"
"No, I think you're right to think rubies. The red of true love, and all."
JJ nodded at being validated, and then they started to look at the displays. "May I help you ladies?" the clerk asked and JJ smiled at him.
"I'm looking for an engagement ring, and I don't want a diamond. My partner is more suited to something different. I was thinking rubies, but maybe sapphires?"
The clerk nodded and guided them over to a case filled with ruby jewelry, and JJ gazed down into it. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a heart shaped gem surrounded by smaller diamonds and rubies, a small gasp leaving her lips. "You look for two seconds and you've already found a ring? I wish I could be that decisive!"
She looked over at Garcia and gave her a small shrug. "When you know, you know. And I know that Erin will love this ring, and since it's not large and showy, she can wear it at work without having to worry about it being the topic of office gossip. I mean, no one noticed the ring I bought her for Christmas, after we lost little Erin. So, this should be the same. Only us three will know the importance of it." JJ smiled before turning her attention to the clerk. "I'll need this in a size 6.5, please."
The man nodded and opened the case before pulling out the ring JJ had pointed out. "And you are aware that this ring costs $8500?"
"Yes," she answered, hoping she sounded confident in her response. He nodded, and she let out a long breath the moment he had disappeared.
"You didn't look at the cost before he pulled it out," Garcia whispered, and she nodded. "That's almost as much as a regular diamond ring!"
"But Erin's worth it. And like I said, I have Will's life insurance money. Between the two of us, that was always extra money, since we have our jobs, and are assured good pensions for when we retire. And Henry will get money until he turns eighteen. If you can't splurge on the person you love, who else can you splurge on? And the ring can pass on to Kacey, if she likes it."
"You do have a good point there. But did you bring your checkbook? I don't think your bank will authorise a debit that large on your card without forewarning."
"I didn't even think about that. Crap. I wonder if the clerk will know how to proceed?"
The man came out with a ring box and the other ring, putting the loose ring away in the case before looking at them. "What do you think I can help you with?"
"My friend reminded me that my bank might not authorize such a large transaction without preapproval. Does your business accept personal checks?"
He nodded, and JJ sighed with relief as she pulled out her checkbook and they began to finalise all the details. After she had signed the check and shown her ID, JJ accepted the bag containing her ring. "Now, if the band isn't the right size, you can bring it back and have it adjusted, free of charge, within the next ninety days. I've included a care pamphlet, along with cleaning solution and cleaning clothes. Thank you for shopping with us today, Ms. Jareau."
She nodded and left with Penelope. A quick glance at the clock told her that they were cutting it fine, and she whipped out her phone and hurriedly ordered Chinese for everyone, hoping that everyone would get to their house by the time she and Garcia arrived. "So, that's food squared away. Now, we just have to beat Erin and Kacey home so that we can get the dining room set up for the spa, and the kitchen set up for food."
"Say no more, my sweet lovebird! We are going to make certain that this is the most relaxing night of our lives." Penelope winked at her before pressing her foot on the gas pedal a little heavier, picking up the speed in order to get them home quickly. Once they turned into the drive, she pouted a little to see that Erin was already in the garage. "They must have found everything they were looking for."
"Must have," she murmured as they stepped out of the car. "At least now we'll have some help bringing in all the bags!" Penelope nodded as she popped the trunk. Erin must have known that they would want help, as she stepped out onto the stoop and gave them a happy smile.
"You're back later than I thought! Alex called to say that she's only about ten minutes away."
"Well, we got distracted. Could you and Kacey help us bring in the bags so that we can get ready for the evening ahead?" Erin nodded as she turned back and called out for Kacey. Soon, their daughter appeared and JJ grinned as she held out some of the bags that they'd acquired that day. "There are a lot of these, we may have gone a little overboard. But then, Penelope is good at that, and it's easy to give in to her."
"I've heard that," Erin said as she passed the bags on to Kacey before taking a few of her own. Between them, they soon had everything inside, and JJ had Kacey help Garcia in the dining room while she brought Erin into the kitchen. "So, you separated me from the others."
"Yes, I wanted a moment with you before the others join us. I need a few kisses." Erin laughed as she closed her arms around JJ's waist and pressed her lips to JJ's in a short, sweet, kiss. "That doesn't count."
"Oh, my darling, it does. Because we do not have enough time to entertain naughty thoughts or deeds until tomorrow evening. When Alex called to give her ETA, I asked if she was going to spend the night, too, since Penny mentioned that she was, and agreed. We have to be good hosts, Jenny."
"Well, I get the pleasure of bringing you pleasure first, then, tomorrow night. All right?" Erin nodded and waggled her eyebrows a little before grabbing hold of JJ's ponytail and tugged her closer once more before capturing her lips in a fierce kiss.
"That will have to tide us over until later, sweet Jenny. Now, let's get this kitchen ready for our guests." JJ nodded, wondering what she was looking forward to more – their time with friends and family, or the next evening together.