Once the kids were in bed for the night, Emily and JJ went into Clarke's room to give her one last gift. "You already gave me so much," the girl said nervously. "What about everyone else?"
"This is just for you, sweet girl," Emily said, running her fingers through Clarke's curls.
In the last two weeks Clarke had no longer felt overwhelmed with the prospect of doing her hair each morning because Emily was happy to do it, styling it however she wanted every morning. After her shower each night, Emily said it was perfectly fine to let her hair air dry stating she'd style it the following morning, or she'd put it in French braids for the night and redo it in the morning.
"But…" Clarke didn't really know where she was going with it and paused.
"Go ahead honey, open it," JJ prompted.
Clarke opened the box and found an envelope inside; the only reason Emily had wrapped it at all was because JJ said all presents deserved fun wrapping paper. Clarke took the paperwork out of the envelope and gasped when she saw the bold font at the top: Certificate of Adoption.
"You're keeping me?"
It was an unfamiliar concept to grasp, being wanted. Her life wasn't like the kids in school, it wasn't like Amelia or Oliver's either. The three had opened up a bit with one another, Amelia and Clarke even more so as Oliver never had that scary male figure in his life the way they did. Amelia also experienced trauma Clarke didn't as she wasn't sexually abused.
Emily had spoken with the girls a few times, Amelia many, many nights however, when Clarke was brought into the home the conversations sparked again. Emily knew because of the work she had done with abused children that their responses often varied, she could tell her two oldest felt and handled things very similarly though.
Clarke was quick to say Amelia's abuse was far worse however, even Amelia beat Emily to the punch when she said all abuse wasn't okay. Emily was very proud of the work Amelia did in therapy, as well as the work she did with Emily herself. Amelia found it easier to talk with Emily about the abuse she endured and because Emily was trained, they let the therapist go.
Amelia was also quick to tell Clarke that Emily and JJ would always do everything in their power to protect all of them. She smiled relaying how they'd never ever hurt them because they weren't built that way.
Clarke still couldn't really fathom the fact they were going to keep their promise to her…until seeing these papers.
"You're just as much our daughter as Amelia, Oakley, Lily and Brynley, and as much our child as Oliver and Brooks," JJ said with a gentle smile. By the time she realized her use of the word daughter, it was too late, so she altered course when referring to her sons as Oliver and Brooks obviously weren't daughters.
"We will always love and protect you just as much as your little siblings who are sleeping soundly down the hall. I know you were thrown into this crazy place we call home and gaining not just one or two but six siblings, all younger, is a huge shock to what you're used to, but you'll never have to doubt our love for you sweet girl. You'll always have it, forever," Emily smiled.
Emily was just about to wipe the tears from Clarke's cheeks when the girl collapsed into her arms, wrapping her own around Emily's waist. JJ leaned forward and rubbed Clarke's back and kissed the back of her head. "We love you, Clarke."
"I love you too," Clarke cried. She couldn't remember the last time she said those three words and meant it. Her father wasn't one to say I love you and when Clarke realized that her dad wasn't like the others, she stopped saying it because it didn't mean anything to her.
She truly loved the two women comforting her though and the kids they called her siblings. They all tell Clarke that they loved her before bed each night, she just couldn't bring herself to say it yet. Amelia and Oliver told her it was okay because they understood it took some time. Oliver loved all the attention he received right away from everyone, but it took Amelia a bit longer to get accustomed.
Maybe tomorrow night, Clarke thought to herself while Emily and JJ continued to comfort her. Because she knew it to be true, she did feel so much love towards her new siblings and her new moms.
"Thank you," Clarke whispered.
"There's nothing to thank us for, honey," Emily said as JJ didn't hear what she had said. "We love you so much and only ask for one thing in return."
Clarke sat up and wiped her tears so she could give Emily her full attention. Part of her felt extremely nervous assuming it was all too good to be true, actually, if she was being honest most of her felt that way. "Be a kid," Emily said with a smile.
"Wait, what?" Clarke said, feeling like she must have misheard the woman.
"You've spent so much of your life feeling so much stress, unable to enjoy your childhood because you couldn't, it wasn't allowed. All we want is for you to feel safe, loved, protected, and enjoy your childhood sweet girl. Let us worry about everything else for you."
Clarke pinched her hand to make sure she wasn't dreaming as more tears streamed down her cheeks. Emily and JJ were everything and more that she hoped for in a mom, something she had dreamt about her entire life.
"What do you think?" JJ asked.
Clarke nodded and fell against JJ this time enjoying how they instinctively wrapped their arms around her all the time, whether it was randomly why eating breakfast, numerous times during the day just because, or at night before tucking her in. They even read chapters of her book each night to her which was wild because nobody had done that for her before.
Emily and JJ knew that she could easily read to herself just like Amelia and Oliver could, however, they loved reading with the kids each night and would continue for as long as they allowed it. Clarke fought sleep each night because she relished hearing them read to her while cuddling up in bed on either side of her.
The mothers saw it happen and started their nighttime routine early a few times so they could spend more time reading with Clarke. JJ also read to Clarke and whoever else snuggled with her in the morning while Emily started their routine with the rest of the kids who anxiously wanted breakfast.
They read a few chapters of Clarke's book again tonight knowing she could sleep in tomorrow, then tiptoed out of her room once she was asleep. The mothers had picked up some schoolwork for her to do the last two weeks knowing it would be best for her to start at Brookwood after winter break. She was excited for the fresh start, even starting a few months late felt fine to her because this was something that would be good for her.
"Goodnight sweet girl, sleep well."
"Uh-uh, Brynley Grace no ma'am. We don't hit," Emily said, shaking her head at the tiny blonde.
"Brooks took her toy, mommy," Oliver spoke up.
"Thanks buddy, we still don't hit though, right?"
"No ma'am," Oliver smiled.
Emily ran her fingers through his shaggy hair and smiled at him, she had found the kids often mocked her by saying no sir or ma'am when the twins did something wrong the same way she did when telling them no. It was very adorable to the mother.
"Brynley, no!" Emily said once again, scooping the little girl into her arms. "Are you ready for a nap little miss?"
"Nap time?" JJ asked, stepping into the playroom. "I can put them down, babe."
"It's okay honey, spend some time with the kids," Emily answered with a smile. She was always with the kids whereas JJ went to work each day and wasn't always home on the weekends. Even when a case was local, she oftentimes arrived home just in time for pjs and bed if they weren't already sleeping.
Due to Christmas being a few days ago, she was still home and loved spending time with the kids. Emily took the twins upstairs and JJ sat down on the playroom floor with the littles and Oliver. Amelia and Clarke ran in about ten minutes later asking JJ if they could go swimming to which, she agreed when the other three became just as excited.
To avoid the possible disruption, Emily had multiple swimsuits for all the kids in the pool house. The kids were quick to run off leaving JJ with the littles who tried their best to keep up with their older siblings. It always caused JJ to smile seeing them act like big kids and want to do everything they did, no matter how much harder it was for them.
When Emily made her way back downstairs with the baby monitor in hand, she found the house to be empty. "Well, where did the rest of my family go?" she asked the empty room.
Before Emily could investigate, she heard the doorbell ring and made her way to answer it. "Hi everyone," she smiled, seeing a trio at the door.
"Auntie Emily, can Oliver play with me?" Jack asked.
"Sweetie, that's not how we greet people, right?" Hayley reminded him.
"Sorry mommy. Hi Auntie Emily, can Oliver play with me?" Jack said, trying again.
Emily smiled at the boy and accepted the little girl who was reaching for her from Hayley's arms. "I'm sure he'd love that, buddy. Maybe you can help me find everyone first."
They were now all inside the home, Harper was playing with Emily's hair the same way the twins do while Jack looked around from his spot. "Are they playin' hide and seek?" Jack asked.
"I'm sorry, we should have called first," Hayley apologized.
If anything, over the last three years the women had only become closer; Hayley came over at least twice a week with Harper while the kids were in school so Harper and the twins could play because even though she was 3 and the twins were one and a half, they enjoyed each other's company.
"Nonsense, we love having you over. I just put the twins down for their nap and when I came downstairs, everyone was gone. I have a feeling they're either in the game room or swimming."
Jack gasped and ran off once he had the go ahead from his mom and aunt, he went to see if they were downstairs first while secretly hoping his cousins were swimming so he could too. While Oliver loved having so many sisters and one brother, Brooks was much younger which made Jack and Harrison so fun to have around. Jack too loved having his cousin and friend so close and always begged his mom if they could go to Auntie Emily and JJ's house.
"We're the best of friends," Hayley said which caused Emily to turn around with Harper in her arms to face the woman as she spoke.
"We are," Emily said cautiously.
"And I've seen you add nieces and nephews to my bunch—" she said, referring to the Prentiss children.
"You have."
"I still don't know how you and JJ do it. I mean, look at my little ones," Hayley said, signaling Harper and Jack.
"What are you getting at Hayley?"
"Look at her, she's so content with you. I mean, it's like I just disappear when we arrive at your house."
"I love this little munchkin and Jack," Emily said, kissing the top of Harper's head.
"And I love my nieces and nephews just as much. What I'm trying to say is, why do you always have so much energy with seven children and I'm exhausted with just two?" Hayley asked with a yawn.
Jack was the easiest baby in the world, Harper really tested her though and she found no matter how much she slept, she was still beyond tired each day. "JJ does the same job as Aaron and somehow you always look like a million bucks."
Emily laughed. She and Hayley always had conversations like this one, sometimes it felt like all they did was talk about their children and spouses, but it was their favorite thing in the world.
"Oh trust me, I drink coffee all day to keep me going with these crazy kids. I love it though; I thrive in the chaos."
"Mommy, did you bring my bathing suit?" Jack asked, running back up the stairs out of breath after finding the game room empty.
"I have one for you in the pool house, buddy," Emily said. "Auntie JJ is down there, she can help you. Tell her your mommy and I will be right there, okay?"
"Okay Auntie, thanks!" And with that, Jack ran off again.
"Here little miss, go see mommy," Emily said, handing Harper over to Hayley. "I'm going to bring some juice boxes and snacks down for the kids, they're going to need them. Where's Hotch today?"
"Oh who knows," Hayley said with a laugh causing the brunette to turn around and look at the woman. "I'm kidding, Emily. I said I'd call him if you were home."
"And what would happen if we weren't," Emily asked, curious as to what her answer would be considering she took the children with her.
"We would have…"
"Yeah, you don't have an answer for that one do you," Emily laughed. "Call your husband, Hayley. Invite him over here."
"Are you sure?"
"Hayley, they only have so many days off. Tell him to bring a bathing suit and get over here so he can spend some time with his kids."
"Thanks Em."
Their being friends changed everything for Hayley. She felt so isolated at first because of the job her husband did, relating to others was difficult for her. Emily understood the job more than anyone because not only did she once do the job, but her wife was also an agent just like Hotch. Hayley loved JJ just as much as Emily, she's just spent much more time with the brunette.
Also, when she was kidnapped with Emily and the girls, Emily protected Hayley as if she was truly family. To Emily, Hayley was just as much family as JJ and their kids were. Emily would always protect her family and friends with her life.
"Jack!" Oliver screamed seeing his cousin.
JJ turned her head hearing Oliver yell and saw the boy, smiling to herself assuming Hayley would also be here. "Hi buddy, where's your mom and sister?"
"Auntie Emily said they'd be right down," Jack said. "Do you know where my bathing suit is?"
"In the pool house, come on I'll show you," Oliver said as he got out of the pool.
"Momma, frow me in da air," Lily squealed, swimming back over to her mom.
"Me next, me next!" Oakley screamed once she saw JJ toss her sister.
JJ now understood the private swim lessons and was very thankful for them as watching five children in the pool wasn't easy. The twins had already started their lessons as well, something Harper also came to.
"Hi Auntie Hayley," Amelia waved seeing her mom and aunt walk in.
"Hi honey, how are you?"
"Good. Is Harper going to come swimming too? I can help watch her."
"Uncle Aaron is bringing her swimsuit sweetie, when he gets here though I'm sure she'd love to swim with you. Wouldn't you?" Hayley asked, smiling at Harper who squealed, nodding her head with a happy yes.
"I think I have one of Harper's suits here, Hayley," Emily said as she put down the tray of drinks. "Let me go check."
"Your wife," Hayley said to JJ.
"I know, always prepared," JJ said with a smile.
"Daddy's coming?" Jack asked his mom, now changed into his swim trunks.
"He is honey."
"Yes, he can throw us really high, Ollie!" Jack said to his cousin.
"What's up, baby?" Emily asked when Clarke got out of the pool and sat next to her.
Clarke shrugged and snuggled into her when Emily wrapped the towel around her. "Don't you want to play with your siblings?"
Clarke smiled at Harper and Emily watched the interaction. Harper loved Amelia and took to Clarke just as much when they came over a few times in the last two weeks and on Christmas. "Wet me doe, mommy," Harper said, trying to get out of Hayley's lap.
When she reached for Clarke, Hayley handed her little spitfire over after shaking off the possibility of Harper's clothes getting wet. Clarke was worried whereas Hayley didn't mind. Not only was Clarke wrapped in a towel, but they had plenty of clothes that the little one could wear, not to mention Emily could easily throw them in the dryer.
"Hi Harper," Clarke said with a smile.
As an only child for 13 years, being thrown into a house of siblings was a lot for her, but she really loved it. The little ones loved to cuddle and fought for her attention. Amelia and Oliver were fun to spend time with because they didn't get easily distracted the way the littles did, but Clarke loved to play with the little ones too.
About twenty minutes later when Emily saw the notification on her phone, she told Hayley who went upstairs to let Aaron in. Emily wanted to stay dry because of the twins, but also to be the go between with all the kids. She knew Lily would be next for a nap and with all the playing they'd done today, she wouldn't be shocked if Oakley took a nap too.
While Lily still took naps, Oakley didn't unless sick, overtired, or if she got up early that morning. If she was up early on a weekend, she often fell asleep from playing so much. Sometimes Emily found herself still surprised by the fact Lily was already in school, even Oakley for that matter. It felt like just yesterday she was telling JJ she had a baby.
"I did not see today going this way," Hayley said to Emily later that evening while making dinner.
"No, why not?" Emily asked.
"I figured the kids would play for a bit, then we'd leave. I wasn't planning on taking away from a family day," Hayley said.
"You're our family too, Hayley. Listen to the amount of laughter coming from the playroom right now, Hotch and Jen are enjoying this time together. We'd be cooking dinner anyways, right?"
JJ and Hotch loved spending so much time with their children. While Hotch found it easier to spend time with his kids as there were only two of them, JJ did a great job getting quality time with her seven. She and Hotch had made another schedule amendment and took Wednesday's off; Strauss wasn't a fan of Hotch wanting Wednesdays off too however, once Emily put a call in to her, she let him have it.
JJ took one of the kids out of school and had a whacky Wednesday with them the same way the grandparents did on the Saturday's. Hotch wondered why he never thought of doing that, but started when JJ did, enjoying the alone time he and Jack were able to spend with one another. When Harper started school he would do the same thing with her however, Jack was growing up so quickly and he loved the extra time with him.
"Yeah," Hayley nodded. Emily was right, they would be the ones cooking while Aaron and JJ played with the kids anyways. "Thank you, Em."
"It's easier to have you four over," Emily said, understanding the meaning behind the thank you. It was much easier for people to come over rather than Emily putting seven kids in the car. Plus, with the ability her littles had to completely destroy a place within seconds, Emily would prefer her home have the mess.
"Can we help?" Amelia said, running into the kitchen with Clarke.
"Sure babies, we'd love your help," Emily said with a smile. She loved how much her three oldest enjoyed being in the kitchen. Emily enjoyed cooking, baking, and sampling new food for her restaurants, a love her kids shared as well.
Emily opened a second restaurant after leaving the FBI, something Jen, Hayley and Garcia loved helping her with. Hayley helped the most because a lot of the planning and tasting was done at the Prentiss home during the traditional workday.
"I wish I could get Jack to love helping the way you girls do," Hayley commented.
"Maybe he'll like it one day, Auntie Hayley," Amelia said. "Oliver likes baking more than cooking but he likes to help too."
"I like learning how to make new things," Clarke chimed in. Her dad never made much which meant she attempted to cook however, it never really went as planned for her. "These recipes are easier to follow," she added, pointing to the kid's cookbooks they had in the kitchen.
"Yeah, and mommy lets us make stuff almost by ourselves if we use them," Amelia agreed. Emily knew the big kids were very careful, however, to avoid injuries she didn't like them to use the oven or stove by themselves. "I'm sure mommy will let you take one home for Jack, right?"
"Absolutely baby girl, how about you and Clarke help Auntie Hayley pick a few."
"Jack likes pasta most," Amelia said, deep in thought as to which cookbook would be best to share.
"What about this one," Clarke said. She had taken the time to look over them all on the second day she was here because she wondered if they could help teach her how to make certain things. Emily was quick to tell Clarke she could help her learn how to cook each night and it became one of her favorite parts of the day.
"Yeah, that one's perfect," Amelia smiled. "Now we should do a desert one too, or maybe breakfast?"
"Jack and Harper love the crepes your mom makes," Hayley said.
"Yeah, they're the best. Do you make them eat a mommy sized scoop of fruit too?" Amelia asked.
"Of course, it's the only way, right?" Hayley said with a wink. It was one of the best tricks to get their children to eat a healthy portion of fruit. Luckily for the children, they never caught on to the mothers' ways.
"Does Jack like French toast, because we made this recipe a few days ago. It was really good," Clarke asked, pointing at the recipe.
"He loves it. Let's take a look," Hayley said, walking over to the girl to read the recipe. "Mmm, looks yummy. I'm sure Jack and Harper would enjoy this."
"I was really surprised at the fruit on top, I didn't think it would be good, but it was," Clarke added.
Emily smiled seeing Clarke come out of her shell. Cooking seemed to spark something in the girl and Emily found it opened her up, telling the mother about some of her favorite things. The mother loved learning more about her oldest daughter, she too was an amazing girl who needed love and attention to thrive.