September 6th

"Oakie-bear, are you excited for your first day of preschool tomorrow?" she nodded, snuggling into JJ's arms even further. "What should we have for breakfast tomorrow to celebrate your first day?"

"Crepes!"

JJ smiled at Emily, "You've spoiled them too much this summer with crepes twice a week, they've gotten used to it."

Emily shrugged her shoulders, "I think that sounds like the perfect breakfast; but right now it's time to get snuggled up in bed. Did you pick a story?" she nodded and handed the book to Emily.

"Ready momma?" JJ nodded and opened the book. They had at least four copies of this book, even though the two women had it memorized, "Once there was a baby star. She lived up near the sun; and every night at bedtime, that baby star wanted to have fun."

"She would shine and shine, and fall and shoot and twinkle oh-so bright. And she said, 'Mommy, I'll run away if you make me say goodnight.' And then her mommy kissed her sparkly nose and said—" JJ continued.

"No matter where you go, no matter where you are, no matter how big you grow, and even if you stray far. I'll love you forever, 'cause you'll always be my baby star," both women said in unison.

"I love you mommy. I love you momma."

"We love you too little bear," Emily kissed her on the head, then JJ. They turned on the nightlight, then left to go downstairs.

"I wonder how many more years we'll have of that book," JJ asked.

"Considering Lily is only two, I'm going to go out on a limb and say at least another four? Maybe five." They both laughed.

"I'm going to go change then we can get Amelia to bed," JJ said, kissing Emily's lips.

Downstairs, Amelia was sitting in the living room watching the Disney Channel—or so Emily thought. When she walked closer to the couch, she saw Amelia wasn't paying the least bit of attention to the tv. "Hey sweetie, what are you watching?"

"Umm," the girl said, looking at the tv only to find it was a commercial, "I don't really know. I wasn't paying attention."

"Is everything okay? Are you nervous for your first day?"

"No. Well, I guess a little bit, but that's not it. I was thinking about—" Amelia stared off back into the abyss.

Emily scooted closer to the girl, taking one of her hands, "Sweetie, whatever it is, you can tell me."

"Is JJ upset with me?"

Emily was taken back by the question, "Why would she be upset with you?"

"You know how you're here like all the time and she's not?" Emily nodded, "I see you a lot more than her and calling you mommy kinda just happened. I'm around Lily and Oakley all the time and they say it, and you're always there when I have nightmares and its just, I don't know how to explain it. I never call her momma and I think that upsets her." Emily was about to speak but Amelia kept going, "I don't mean to upset her, I just—it didn't feel right yet. Would it be okay if I started to?"

"Amelia honey, look at me," when Amelia's eyes met Emily's she continued, "Jen is not the least bit upset with you. She understands things like that take time. I know she'd love it if you started now, but it's completely up to you. It needs to feel right to you sweet girl."

"Thanks mommy, I love you," Amelia said, wrapping her arms around Emily who immediately pulled the girl into her lap.

"Let's get you into bed. I'm making crepes for breakfast tomorrow per Oakley's request, is there anything special you'd like?"

"Chocolate milk and whipped cream?"

"You got it," Emily stood, causing Amelia to wrap her legs around Emily's waist and her little arms around her mother's neck.

"Where's momma?" Amelia asked as Emily got to the top of the stairs. When JJ heard it, she wanted to cry.

"I'm right here, honey. I laid out some pjs for you; mommy and I are going to go check on your sisters then be back to tuck you in."

"Em, she called me momma," JJ said, wrapping her arms around Emily's waist.

"I know, Jen. I'll tell you about the conversation we just had after she's asleep."

Emily was about to knock on Amelia's door to see if she was ready for bed when the door swung open, "Hey, did you brush your teeth?" Amelia nodded. "What did you want to read tonight?"

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?" Amelia asked.

"Sure sweetie, let's get you tucked into bed."

After reading two chapters to Amelia, the two women kissed her goodnight. On the way out they were stopped by a small voice, "I love you mommy, love you momma."

JJ choked up and Emily responded, "We love you too, Amelia. Sweet dreams." As the women walked into their bedroom, JJ all but threw herself in Emily's arms.

"I'm so happy," JJ said, then captured Emily's lips.

"Me too, Jen. Me too. What do you say, care to have some fun with me, momma?" Emily smirked and JJ nodded feeling a sudden rush down her body.

The two made love to each other for much longer than intended then drifted off into dreamland, both hopeful for their girls first day of school.

The next morning the alarm went off much sooner than the two women would have liked. Emily had always been a morning person, but her wife was the opposite.

"Come on, Jen. We have to get up and get our girls ready for their first day of school." She shook her a little as she spoke but JJ made no sign of moving. Considering Emily had already made coffee and brought a cup upstairs for her wife, she decided to change tactics. Placing one hand on JJ's shoulder and the other on her waist, she rolled her; soon, JJ was wrapped up in the blankets like a mummy and teetering on the edge of the bed. With one final push, JJ hit the floor with a thud.

"OW!" The blonde opened her eyes to assess the damage, but realized there wasn't any because she was rolled in the bedding; realizing she couldn't move being wound so tightly, JJ started to yell at her wife, "Dammit Em! Get me out of this. Help me untangle these blankets so I can kill you!"

"Tempting offer Jen, but I'm going to have to say no."

"Emily Elizabeth Prentiss, get me out!"

She smiled at her wife, "I think it would be much more fun to have the girls help you, don't you?"

JJ scowled, "You wouldn't!"

Emily went to wake up the girls and soon enough their bedroom was filled with the sounds of giggles and squeals.

After a delicious breakfast, everyone piled into the car; "Okay my babies, are you ready for your first day?" Emily said, looking in the rearview mirror.

"YAY! Pway with new friends mommy! I can't wait," Oakley said, clapping her hands.

Amelia was quiet, her mother's knew she was nervous but didn't realize just how much until they pulled into the parking lot of the school. JJ got out of the car to hug and kiss Amelia wishing her a happy first day before getting back in to stay with the littles. Emily held out her hand which Amelia instantly took, "I'm scared mommy."

"I know you are baby," Emily said, kneeling in front of her. "It's okay to be nervous. I know it can be hard being somewhere where you don't know anyone, but you'll get to know the other kids. You'll have friends before you know it, sweetie. You're going to have much more fun meeting girls your age than staying home with your little sisters. We've already met your primary teacher Ms. Jones, the nurse Ms. Bueno, and you know my friend Mark as well. They all know if you need anything to call me right away. Let's just give it a try, okay?" Amelia nodded and sunk into her mother's embrace.

"You're going to have an amazing day. I love you so much."

"I love you too mommy."

And just like that, Amelia was successfully dropped off. Oakley was another story however. They expected a few tears or for her to have a little bit of trouble saying goodbye; what they didn't expect was for their daughter to burst into full on hysterics and attach herself to Emily's leg, not letting go.

JJ tried to help however, she also didn't want to scare Lily knowing she'd be going to the same preschool next year if a spot opened up. "Oakley, you need to calm down baby," Emily said, trying to soothe her daughter as she continued to scream.

Finally Oakley let Emily pick her up; she bounced her lightly, rubbing small circles on her back. "Deep breaths, in and out. There we go baby, there we go. You're going to have so much fun here. You get to play with all these fun toys, and meet new friends, remember what we talked about?" Oakley nodded against Emily's chest. "How about I read a quick story then you can go play with your friends?"

Two stories later, Emily was leaving the preschool meeting her wife and daughter in the car. "Wow, I did not expect that. This is why we're starting Lily in preschool next year, well, hopefully."

JJ frowned, knowing the emotional toll both drop-offs took on her wife, "I'm sorry, babe. I wish I could have done more. We should have planned this better."

"There wasn't anything we could do, Jen. They started on the same day—I'm just happy you took the day off, I definitely couldn't have done that by myself."

"I'll tell Hotch I'm going to be a little late this week and we'll do drop-offs together. By then, hopefully they will both handle things a little better."

"Hotch is on paternity leave, Jen. You may want to tell Rossi," she winked. "Let's just pray you don't get a case."

"I will make sure of it. Unless something urgent comes across my desk, I'll be there every morning. My girls need me," JJ smiled, seeing the relief in Emily's eyes.

"Jen, what do you think about getting Amelia a phone?"

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't see her today at drop-off. She was terrified and when I mentioned the fact her teacher can call me anytime, it didn't ease much of the worry. I want her to be able to send a text if she needs to, call if she needs reassurance. Waiting for a teacher who is dealing with a class of 18 kids may not get to one of us in time. We will put our numbers, the team, Mel and Hayley. No matter what, she'll always have someone. I just think—I would feel safer—I know" Emily was cut off by JJ's lips on hers.

"I agree," JJ said, kissing Emily again. JJ's phone rang, "Why don't you go get Lily while I answer this, then let's go get her a phone, babe."

Emily couldn't help but smile as JJ answered the phone and she walked into the playroom to go get Lily, but her mood suddenly changed. Peeking through the doorway, she saw Lily curled up with her blankie while holding Oakley's doll. "Lily bug, what are you doing?"

"Mommy," she said, as tears started to cover her cheeks.

Emily ran over and scooped her daughter up, "Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Ookeee and Wia!" Lily screamed, as her mother tried to soothe her.

"Oh bug, you miss your sisters, don't you?" after a small nod from Lily, Emily decided to keep going, "Baby sissy's are at school, they will be home later and you can play with them."

"NOOO, mommy. Me pay now!"

"I know you want to play with them now, bug. But they need to go to school so they can learn. And guess what? Hopefully soon we'll get you into preschool too."

It took a while for Lily to calm down, Emily soon realized she had fallen asleep in her arms. JJ walked into the playroom to see what was taking so long and saw what melted her heart, "Em, baby?" she whispered. "Is she okay?"

"She's upset the girls are at school and can't play with her, she misses them both. Poor bug was screaming out their names, I'm surprised you didn't hear her. Wait, who was on the phone?"

JJ frowned, "I went upstairs to change my shoes, so no I didn't hear her, I'm sorry. My mom was calling to see how drop-offs went. She said my brothers and I were the same way, but it only lasted a few days which made me feel a little better. My dad said it'll get easier."

"I hope it gets easier, today has been rough. Then seeing this one so upset, I have a feeling we're in for a bumpy ride the next few weeks," Emily said, leaning down to kiss Lily's head. She looked back up at JJ, "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing. Just wondering how the girls are doing at school," JJ lied.

"Jen," she said as a warning.

"When I was in the office, I pulled out one of Lily's baby books while on the phone. I was looking at it while my mom and dad rambled on and on about watching us grow up and how amazing it is to see all these 'firsts' for your children. It's dumb—I just—seeing the pictures of you pregnant, then in the hospital after she was born, all those firsts—sometimes I wish I was there you know? I forget that you two had this whole life without me and I hate that I missed out on so many things because she's such an important part of my life. And now we have two babies in school, next year we will have three. What has happened? I feel like it was just yesterday when you were nervously leading me up to your house terrified to tell me you had a baby. Now we have three? What is happening? Where is the time going? How ma—" Emily had stood up while JJ was ranting and successfully made her stop by kissing her.

"Jen, you need to take a breath. I know Lily is an important part of your life, you're an important part of her life too; to all our girls. I wish more than anything I could have shared my pregnancy with you by my side, but we can't turn back the clock. You've practically been in Lily's life for the entire two years; yeah, you missed some of the 'firsts' in her life, so what? She will never not remember having you in her life: ever. We do have three little girls now and guess what? Today was a big day in all our lives. Today was a first nobody can ever take from you."

By this time, JJ was a blubbering mess, "How do you always know what to say?"

Emily shrugged her shoulders, "Because if there's one thing I know in this world, it's you. I know the way that beautiful mind works, Jen. Now come on, we have some shopping to do. I want to not only get Amelia her phone but get all the girls a little something for their first day."

"I'm not sure there is a better mother out there than you, babe." JJ kissed Emily again, before picking Lily up off the couch. "She really did tire herself out by crying, didn't she?" Emily nodded, "Our poor bug."

"We came here for an iPhone, how come we're leaving with two new laptops, a new desktop, and an iPad?" JJ asked, annoyed with her wife for once again for spending too much money.

"Amelia is going to need to access to the internet for school at some point and I don't see why she always needs to be in the office to use the desktop, so the iPad can be used in her room—the new laptops are for us. I'm always on the computer for work and I can't stand how slow they are. It's time for an upgrade." After seeing the look on JJ's face she continued, "Don't worry I already had the guy in there set up parental controls on the iPad. It will be just like the phone, restrictions and rules."

JJ rolled her eyes, "I really want to be mad at you, but I can't. I know you're doing this out of love. Plus, you're right—you're the one working from home so I can't argue."

After a very expensive trip to the mall the trio headed home; they had lunch, put Lily down for a nap, switched out their laptops and desktop, both get some work done, then decided to sit down on the couch and wait. Big mistake. "How much longer until we can go get our babies?"

"Since the last time you asked five minutes ago?" Emily said sarcastically, "I know I'm excited too. I really hope they are doing okay, they were both so sad this morning. I'm sure Oakley is doing well, I'm more concerned about Amelia. I hope she's making some new friends."

"I never thought it would be possible to miss them more than I do right now. I mean, going away for work I miss them, but even more now and I'm home."

"I know, Jen. How about we go wake Lily and head over to Oakley's school to see if we can peek in?"

"I think that's the best idea you've had all day, Mrs. Prentiss."

"Oh, I'm full of good ideas Mrs. Prentiss!"

Once Lily was told they were going to see her sisters she couldn't contain her excitement. They all got out of the car making their way to Oakley's classroom planning on peeking in, but Lily had other ideas, "OOKEEEEEEE!" she screamed, causing all the little kids and her teacher to stare at the trio.

"Momma! Mommy!" Oakley said, running over to them. She jumped into Emily's arms wrapping her little arms around her mother's neck. "I missed you."

"We missed you too baby, did you have fun?" asked Emily.

"Mhm, I meeted friends and pwayed with them and we singed songs and we—"

"Wow, baby girl, take a breath. Mommy and I want to hear all about it, but you need to slow down."

Oakley's teacher walked over to all of them, "Hi, I'm so sorry we interrupted, my wife and I were trying to peek in but our youngest has really missed her sister," JJ said, putting on her best liaison voice.

"It's no problem at all, I'm Ally Jacobs," the teacher said, holding out her hand for JJ to shake.

"Oh where are my manors, I'm Jennifer Prentiss and this is my wife Emily Prentiss and our daughter Lily."

Ally laughed, "Yes, Emily and I met earlier. She informed me you were in the car with this little cutie earlier," she said rubbing her hand down Lily's arm.

"It's nice to see you again, Ally. How did everything go after we left?" Emily asked.

"It took a little while to get accumulated, but that's very common. Once settled, Oakley did exceedingly well. I know you mentioned earlier being nervous about starting her at the age of 4 however, half my class this year is 4 and they are just beginning as well."

"That's such a relief; I couldn't bear the thought of separating from her any sooner with all she's gone through already," Emily said, relieved.

"Considering what she's endured so young in life, I think it was for the best."

"Momma can we go home?"

"One minute baby, mommy is talking." Emily said, looking at Oakley who was in her arms. "Thank you so much, Ally. Is it okay if we take her a little early today?"

"Absolutely, you're not even the first parents to grab their children so you're good to go! I'll see you tomorrow Oakley," she said, waving.

"See Em, we could have come earlier!" JJ said, scowling at her wife causing Ally to laugh, "Thank you again, Ally. We'll see you tomorrow."

As they pulled up to Amelia's school, the girls were starting to get antsy. Lily wanted to play with her sister and Oakley didn't want to be strapped into her car seat.

JJ and Emily got them out of the car and brought the girls over to the little patch of grass in the front of the school to let them run around. The second Oakley saw Amelia she took off running, Lily hot on her heels. Fearful her children were running off, Emily immediately took off after them until she stopped and smiled at the interaction. Luckily, JJ had captured most of it on camera. It being Lily and Oakley running up to Amelia and screaming 'sissy, sissy, sissy' then holding onto her. Emily eventually intervened, scooping Lily up and hugging Amelia herself.

"Hey sweet girl, how was your first day?"

"Umm, good," she lied, which Emily spotted right away. Knowing Amelia wouldn't want to talk about it right outside the school while all the other kids ran out, she let it go.

JJ walked over to her family smiling, "Hey baby," JJ could see the look in her wife's eyes and knew not to ask how things went. After hugging JJ, they all headed to the car. "How about some first day ice cream?"

The three girls cheered, which took Emily by surprise because she knew something was off with Amelia.

Amelia, Lily and Oakley were all playing, JJ was cooking the girls favorite box mac and cheese that they rarely got to have for dinner and Emily decided it would be a good time to talk to her oldest.

"Amelia, sweetie. Can you come here for a minute?"

They both sat down in the living room and Emily pulled her into her lap, "How was school, baby? For real."

"It—umm—it was, please don't be mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you? What happened my sweet girl," Emily said, pulling Amelia a little closer.

"They were mean to me," Amelia said, starting to cry. She buried her face in Emily's shoulder.

"Who was mean to you, baby?"

"These girls said—they," she sniffed, choking up even more, "these girls said I was too little to be in 4th grade. I told them I'm 9 but they didn't believe me because I'm too small." Emily's heart was breaking, she continued rubbing small circles on her back letting her finish, "The girls told two boys too and they teased me and pushed me. I tried to give it a try like you said I really did, please believe me please—"

"Oh my sweet girl, I believe you. Shh, shh, I've got you baby. We need to take some deep breaths, okay? Can you do that?" Amelia nodded, "There we go baby. I'm so sorry this happened," inside Emily was fuming, how dare anyone mess with her daughter, but she wasn't going to let Amelia see her upset, "Did your teacher see what happened? Why didn't you have your teacher call me or momma baby, we would have picked you up."

"Ya, she tried to make the girls be nice but it didn't work. She talked to the boy who dropped a book on my foot, he said it was an accident even though it wasn't. The boys pushed me in the hall though. I just thought if I called you—I thought you'd be mad because I wasn't trying," Amelia said, tightening her grip on Emily.

Amelia filled Emily in on everything that happened her first day and Emily was left speechless. She was furious! The first day of school and her little girl was not only bullied and harassed, but also had hands put on her. All the while, terrified Emily would be upset with her.

"Amelia, I could never be upset with you, especially with something like this. There's no excuse for their actions. You can always call me no matter what. I don't know why they were being so mean, and I'm so sorry you had to deal with them. You're my little girl and nobody messes with my children. I'm going to have a long chat with your teacher and my friend Mark."

"No! Mommy you can't. Mommy no, they will—"

"They will not do anything ever again, baby. Those four kids won't be a problem for you anymore. Brookwood has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. They won't be able to be mean to you again, I promise."

"I don't want them to get in trouble because of me mommy. It's all my fault."

"Look at me sweet girl, you did nothing wrong. They were wrong. No child of mine is going to be afraid of school because some assh—mean kids can't seem to learn a damn thing about respect."

"Mommy that's a bad word," Amelia said, genuinely smiling at Emily.

"I'm sorry baby, you're right. It is a bad word, but sometimes it's okay to say them," she winked. Emily wiped the remaining tears off Amelia's face just in time for JJ to walk in; she paused in the doorway knowing Emily would fill her in later but was instantly heartbroken. Emily started to tickle Amelia causing her to laugh, which made JJ feel a little better.

"Hey, why wasn't I invited to the tickle party?" she said, sitting down on the couch next to them both and joining in.

"Mommy! Momma! Mommy! Momma!" Amelia screamed while laughing hysterically.

"We love you sweet girl," Emily kissed her forehead.

"Can you go tell your sisters dinner is ready?" JJ asked.

"Okay momma."

"Everything okay?" JJ asked, seeing the anger and sadness in Emily's eyes.

"No," she answered honestly, "But mark my words this will be fixed." Emily kissed JJ, "I'll tell you later, I promise. Let's go feed our girls."

"Hello?" the headmaster said into his phone.

"Mark, it's Emily Prentiss."

"Emily, how are you?"

"Not great. I apologize for calling you on the first day of school at," she looked at the clock squinting, "7pm, but we need to have a serious conversation."

"It's no problem at all, Emily. What's going on?" Mark knew Emily wouldn't be calling if it was something small, so he walked into his home office taking a seat.

"It seems as if four of your students have crossed a line I will not tolerate." Mark was going to interject but continued to listen. "Amelia came home from school completely terrified. She was not only bullied by two of the girls all day long, she was involved in three separate physical altercations as well. I'm sure you can understand how disappointed I am right now. Ms. Jones asked the girls multiple times to stop bullying my daughter and they continued to anyways. Amelia was pushed twice by one of the boys and had a textbook dropped on her foot by another. I know for a fact Ms. Jones is not knew to your school, nor was anything more was done to stop my child from suffering; this is unacceptable."

"Emily, I am so sorry. This is not how I run my school, I hope you know that. We have a zero-tolerance for bullying and physical violence, both causes for expulsion. Do you happen to know who the students are?"

"I do, I've documented everything Amelia told me including where everything happened, what was said, and who the students are. I'm going to be straight forward with you Mark—I'm livid. I will not send my daughter somewhere she doesn't feel safe which is why if these four students aren't expelled, I will push further. My child shouldn't have to leave due to others' behaviors no matter how much their parents pay, because I'm paying tuition too."

"I agree with you, Emily. Again, I am so sorry. If you can email me everything you've documented, I'll contact all the parents tomorrow and arrange a meeting. They'll be first thing in the morning and until the sit down happens with all parents involved, their children will be asked to stay home."

"I will send you the information now. Thank you, Mark."

"You're welcome, Emily. Again, I'm sorry."

After getting the girls to sleep, Emily knew what was coming. She was drained from the day between drop-offs, Lily being upset her sisters were at school, Amelia explaining her first day and talking to Mark. However, she also knew her wife needed to know what was going on.

"Babe, what's wrong with our baby girl?"

"Today didn't go well at all." Emily started to choke up, tears already covering her cheeks.

"Em, baby what is it?" JJ asked.

"She was bullied, Jen. Two girls picked on her all day long for her size, the fact she has two mothers, that her sisters are so much younger than her, because that makes sense," she said, rolling her eyes, "and to make it worse two of the boys put their hands on our girl. Our sweet, sweet—"

"Excuse me? Are you fucking serious?" Emily nodded. "Oh hell no! They aren't going to see the light of day ever again. Those parents are going to hear the wrath of mama bear and they are NOT going to like it! Wait until I get my hands on those little stupid fucking kids, I swear to god I'll—"

"Jen please. I already called Mark to tell him everything then sent him an email documenting the names of the kids, what happened, and where. Mark told me the parents will be called in the morning and their kids will be asked to leave until we can all meet together. We will get to voice our concerns, but he already told me they won't be allowed back nor will their deposit be refunded. I can take care of our children, Jen."

"Babe, I know you can. I wasn't saying you couldn't I just—okay it did sound like that and I'm sorry. Sometimes I feel like because your home with the kids all day you don't need me."

"Of course I need you, the kids need you. I'm sorry you feel that way, but there are some things I handle myself because you're at work. It doesn't mean I don't need you. Amelia was so upset I couldn't put her through explaining everything again and I knew she was struggling while playing with the girls. I had to talk to her, I had to—" Emily was cut off by JJ's lips on her.

"I know, Em. Thank you for protecting our daughters, for handling things when I'm not here, for everything you do. I know you're much calmer than I am, and I would have lost it like I am now. I love you," JJ captured her wife's lips again, her hand finding it's way up Emily's shirt. "I love you so much. Let me show you how much, baby."

JJ quickly stripped Emily and herself, wasting no time showing Emily how much she loved her.

"That's how much I love you, baby."