The Prentisss' and Hotchner's' conned Morgan and Spencer into babysitting the kids while they went out for dinner. It was parent's night out and a chance to show Morgan that being a full time mom isn't as easy as he constantly told Emily it was.
"So, any news?" Hayley asked, looking at JJ and Emily.
"We have one more home check, but things look good. She should be officially ours in three months. Her social worker said there's no reason a judge wouldn't see in our favor," JJ said, shaking in excitement.
"I'm happy for you both," Hotch said, smiling.
"Oh my goodness, that's amazing! I know she hasn't been with you that long, but I've already gotten attached and so has Jack!" Hayley said, matching JJ's excitement. Her happiness died down quickly and turned into a little frown, "Any more episodes?"
"Episodes?" Hotch asked, not understanding what his wife was talking about.
Emily also frowned, "You know how she was abused in the foster home before she came to us?" Hotch nodded, "There was one morning she helped Lily out of her crib, and when asked she denied it; we told her we weren't upset with her but not to do it again because it isn't safe for either of them, then she started hyperventilating and screaming 'don't pinch'. To get her to calm down I've had to physically hold her while in a lavender bath for a good 15 minutes. It's happened a few other times, but she's getting better."
JJ continued, "It's completely heartbreaking and it's worse for me because when it happens, she screams for Emily; there's been an extra comfort with Emily since day one, which I can't understand because I spent time with her first while Emily gave her social worker a tour of our house."
Hotch frowned knowing he has had the same experience with Jack, but he assumed it was because Hayley's his mother and he's always at work. "JJ, I understand how that feels. Jack always runs to Hayley, even during the weekends when I'm spending all day with him."
"Thanks, Hotch. I just, I don't know—I thought with her being so young and us both being female—"
"Jen, she trusts you completely. After every episode she always lets you comfort her."
"I guess you're right," JJ said, her head falling on Emily's shoulder. "Sorry, this is supposed to be our night off, so, what's up with you guys?"
"Don't be sorry, JJ. A parent's night out tackles ups and downs, just ask your wife how our almost daily coffee dates are," Hayley winked. "Hmm, what's up with us, Aaron?" It was evident Hayley was leading to something, causing Hotch to smile again.
"I think you should share our news," he said.
"Oh my god, are you guys pregnant?" JJ blurted.
"Not yet, but we've decided to try for number two," Hayley said, causing Hotch to blush.
"That's amazing, I'm so happy for you," Emily said, "Jack will be incredible with a baby brother or sister. He loves Lily, and now Oakley too."
After a relaxing night, they pulled into the driveway and went inside to see if the kids were asleep. With no noise radiating through the house, the four wandered around looking for Derek and Spencer. They found them in the living room, both asleep in a sitting position, and both curiously, with wet spots on their shirts.
The two women smiled and looked at the Hotchner's, "Derek is notorious for underestimating bath time, I'll put all my money on the fact that's why they are soaked." Everyone laughed then Emily shook Derek awake while JJ woke Spencer. When they were both awake, Emily noticed the glance Morgan wore. Playing dumb, she asked, "What happened to you guys?"
Spencer looked at her, "Bath time."
Everyone laughed, barring Derek and Spencer.
"Full time mommy doesn't seem so easy now does it?" Emily mocked an already pissed off Morgan.
"You're lucky I love you all," he mumbled, not meeting anyone's eyes.
After everyone left, JJ decided she wanted to end date night with a twist. So while Emily was locking up, she ran upstairs to their bedroom to 'change'. What she was really doing would drive her wife crazy. Emily walked into their bedroom to see JJ still dressed.
"I thought you were getting ready for bed?" Emily asked.
"I was getting ready for something," JJ smirked, walking over to Emily. She spun her so Emily's back was against JJ's front.
Emily moaned feeling the bulge in her jeans. She quickly spun around, pushing JJ up against the wall and eagerly tugged JJ's tight jeans down her thighs. She reached into the waistband to grasp the dildo before pulling the briefs down. Above her, JJ was breathing hard, chest heaving as she stared down at her wife.
"What do you want?" Emily asked, leaning forward. Her pink tongue swiped against her lips, and she swallowed. "Tell me, Jennifer."
"I want-" JJ groaned. She could already feel how wet she was—two hours later they collapsed down on the bed and kissed tenderly for a few more minutes.
"Goodnight, babe."
"Goodnight, Jennifer."
The next day Emily was sitting with Hayley in the playroom watching the girls play while Jack was at kindergarten. "Aaron told me you and JJ were hosting team dinner again tomorrow, was that your idea?"
Emily rolled her eyes, "This is actually the first I'm hearing about it. We just went out to dinner last night with you guys, how did he already know?"
Hayley hid her face in her hands, "I'm so sorry, Em. He told me while we were getting ready for dinner last night, I assumed you knew."
"I know now," Emily laughed. "I hope no one expects anything fancy because I can tell you now, it won't be."
"Honestly, I think everyone just wants to be at this house," Hayley said, an apologetic look on her face, "I mean, how could you not want to be here?"
The elder Prentiss's showed up early, Gerald to help his daughter in the kitchen, Elizabeth to keep the children company while they cooked because JJ wasn't home from work yet. "Where are my grandbabies?" she yelled, walking into her daughter's house.
"Gwandma Wiz! Come pway with us!" Oakley squealed, running into her arms, Lily not far behind, "Gamma wook, dis ipstick so pwetty, see?" Lily held out some colored chapstick and tried to put it on Elizabeth.
"Oh Lily dear, you put it on yourself. Grandma doesn't want any," Liz said, standing up so Lily didn't get chapstick all over her. "Emily dear?"
Emily poked her head out, "Yes mother?"
"Why does my grandbaby have an entire set of chapstick?"
"Mother it's harmless," she rolled her eyes, "Daddy, can you go help her? Just let Lily put a little chapstick on your lips and she will be content."
"Sure thing, pumpkin," Gerald said, walking into the playroom. "Lily honey, grandpa wants some lipstick." Elizabeth stared at him, jaw slacked, eyes open wide.
Shortly after, JJ walked into the house. She kissed Emily and followed the sound of giggles soaring through. What she saw made her smile even more, Gerald was dressed as a 'pretty princess', Liz laughing at his expense.
The party was now flowing easily, Tara was the last to arrive. "You guys were not joking! This is some house," Tara said, handing over a bottle of wine to Emily and JJ.
JJ winked, "It's alright I guess. We're so glad you could make it."
Tara returned the hug and JJ pulled her in, "Thank you for inviting me!"
The blonde led the new member into the house making sure she had a drink in hand before letting her mingle. Later, JJ laughed as she saw Emily wobbling while she tried to make her way through the VR world of their 'new toy'. Everyone else sat around laughing. JJ joined in the watching when something in the game jumped into the brunette's view, scaring her; she screamed and fell back onto Tara. JJ was almost crying as Emily ripped the headset off and tried to scramble off a stunned Tara. Derek helped her to her feet, but realized Tara was laughing with the rest of the group.
They had all been drinking that night and not just a few drinks, more like a few too many drinks. Rossi intended to catch a ride home with a cab, leaving the rest of the team to find a room in the Prentiss home. Reid was so exhausted he was half asleep on the couch in the game room where the adults had been after the kids were asleep. Hotch and Hayley took the guestroom that had been deemed 'hers' due to her watching Lily before Emily left the BAU. They had put Jack on a blow-up mattress in Oakley's room for the night, the two seemed to be very excited by that idea.
Derek and Penelope shared a room even though they didn't need to, leaving Tara to choose between a bedroom on the first or second floor. They all wondered if they should wake Reid and bring him to a bedroom but decided against it. The couch was big enough for the entire team, so it would be fine for him one night. JJ and Emily said goodnight to their guests before heading to their bedroom.
At 7:30 the next morning, the doorbell rang shrilly and repeatedly. JJ groaned and tried to cover her ears with her pillow, "Whoever it is, shut em' up or I'll shoot them. Either way, is fine by me."
Emily threw the blanket back, not as effected by their alcohol consumption last night, "I'll get it."
Emily prodded down the stairs while the bell still rang. She threw the door open angrily, "What?" she snapped at a smiling Rossi. He laughed, Emily's irritation bubbling, "I don't know why you're laughing. If you wake my kids, you'll be taking them for the day. And I'll bet anything Hotch will say the same thing about Jack."
Rossi's smile faded for a minute, "I brought breakfast," he said hesitantly.
Emily noticed the takeout bags and at least three boxes of doughnuts. She smiled and stepped aside, "You're forgiven."
As Rossi and Emily drank their coffee and ate some breakfast, they heard two loud kids pitter pattering down the stairs and a cry on the baby monitor. "That's our cue, you're in charge of the two about to storm in here, I'm going to grab Lily."
Soon after, more of the guests filtered into the kitchen and dining room. They talked, they laughed, and had family time. JJ was the last to come downstairs, her hair was all over the place and she wore a frown. She spoke no words before she got aspirin and coffee. Sitting silently, she watched the interactions around her as she waited for the pounding in her head and ominous gurgling in her stomach to go away.
Oakley came bounding around the corner, "Momma!" JJ flinched at the volume, "Come pway with us."
JJ ran a hand down her brunette locks, "I will baby, but right now, uncle Morgan will come play."
Derek put his coffee down, "Excuse me blondie?" he started to say, before being cut off by a happy toddler pouncing around him. JJ smirked before winking at him.
That week was full of excitement. JJ and Emily started the process of adopting Oakley, it seemed as though a check in over the phone a few weeks after their initial check was good enough for Sophia. Because of this, they started planning for Oakley's upcoming birthday in June, giving her multiple options for party ideas.
Lily and Oakley became the best of friends, always smiling and laughing together. Oakley's episodes seemed to have gone away completely, but both parents were prepared if another one happened. Life was going well for the family; life was good.
Emily was thriving in the family business, planning to take the girls on as many trips as possible through the summer. She had gotten Oakley into a great pre-school starting that coming September, so she was planning around that. So far, she had to meet with merchants and small companies in France, Spain, and Italy. She was exploring new revenues for the company, but today was just a calm day with family.
JJ and Emily were cuddled in the playroom, a cartoon playing on the TV while the kids played with their toys before the upcoming gala her mother was throwing. They had both agreed to attend the gala due to the Prentiss's paying for their entire wedding, and tonight happened to be the night.
Neither woman was too excited about the gala, but they had promised to attend. Elizabeth told them to come over and get the girls and themselves ready in one of their guestrooms knowing both Lily and Oakley would be falling asleep before the gala ended and their mothers would want them to feel comfortable with their surroundings.
"Emily dear, I thought you'd want to see the invitation we sent out to everyone attending the gala tonight," Elizabeth said, handing over the piece of cardstock.
Emily rolled her eyes and focused her attention back on the girls, JJ took the card from Elizabeth, before following her wife and girls into the guestroom.
Prentiss Pride Gala: Celebrating our daughter and her beautiful wife— after that line, JJ gasped.
"Babe, look," JJ said, handing the invitation over to her wife.
Emily started to tear up a bit, "Jen, I can't believe she did this."
Just then her dad knocked on the door, "Girls, you decent?" When receiving a reply, he opened the door. "Emmy, let me take my granddaughters while you and Jennifer get dressed."
"Daddy, did you know this is what mother had planned?" she asked, handing over the invitation.
"I helped her plan it, pumpkin. Come here my beautiful babies, grandpa has a special treat for you," he said, bending down to accept the baby Prentiss's into his arms.
"Not too much sugar, daddy," Emily scolded, as he smiled back at her.
JJ and Elizabeth sat at their assigned table with the girls while Emily and Gerald went to get a drink and chat. As they were deep in conversation, Emily paused when she heard, "Oh my gosh, Emily Prentiss as I live and breathe. How are you? God I've missed you!"
Emily turned to see her ex girlfriend, Jessica Carlton. She hugged Emily, hands running down her sides, causing Emily to take a step back. "You must be Gerald, I'm so excited to meet you. I've heard so much about you," Jessica said.
Gerald furrowed his brows; nobody calls him Gerald unless he knows them. He didn't like her already. Sensing his body language change, she spoke again, "I'm Jessica Carlton. Emmy and I dated a while back," she turned to Emily, "I was hoping to see you here. I've been waiting for you to come back to the states so we could pick up where we left off," she winked.
"It's my mother's gala, why wouldn't I be here?" Emily sniped.
Gerald could see his daughter's mood changing, the rage in her eyes, "I'm going to bring your mother a drink." At that, he walked back over to their table.
Emily was boiling and from across the room, JJ could see it. She also became jealous of this woman who was blatantly flirting with her wife. JJ was going to walk over when she saw Gerald, "Jennifer, give her a minute I'm sure she will be right over."
Jessica looked at Emily and rubbed her hand down her arm, "Oh yeah, I know. But you missed a lot of your mother's galas while you were away although, seeing as she's now accepted you being gay—"
"What do you want, Jessica?"
"I told you, Emmy. I want you back," Jessica said, batting her eyes.
Emily laughed, truly laughed. "You're funny—" she started to say as JJ walked over. She couldn't handle it anymore. Seeing her wife laughing as this woman was all over her, wasn't okay: jealousy got the best of her.
"What's so funny, babe?" JJ said, wrapping her arms around Emily's waist.
"Excuse me Barbie, you're interrupting an important conversation."
JJ could feel Emily tense, "Em, baby, who is this?"
"She was just leaving," Emily said.
Jessica stared at JJ, "I'm Jessica Carlton, Emmy's girlfriend."
It was time for JJ to laugh, "Nice try sweetie, 'Emmy' is my wife." JJ held up her hand flashing her ring, "Come on, babe. The kids need us."
"Ha-ha, Barbie. Emmy never wanted to get married and never wanted to have kids, run along."
JJ was getting fed up and snapped. "Listen here you no good tramp because I'm only going to say this once. Just because she didn't buy a ring for you doesn't mean she never wanted to get married. We are happily married and have two beautiful children together. Looks like this Barbie got the girl, now if you'll excuse us, it's past our children's bedtime." JJ said, leading Emily towards their table.
"Jen, I'm so—"
"Stop babe, she's crazy. No need to apologize. But I'm not about to sit around and watch someone flirt with what's mine," JJ winked, kissing Emily passionately, "Let's go get our children. They are almost asleep in your parents' arms."
"I love you," Emily said, planting another kiss on JJ before they got to their table. "You're hot when you're pissed off."
Across the room, Jessica was seething. She stole what should be mine! I'm supposed to be married to Emily, those should be MY children! Not hers. Look at them, they are clearly Emily's, they don't look anything like that dumb blonde. She thinks she can steal my life, just wait until she sees what I have planned. No more perfect family for her.
April 10th
"Jen, come on! We can't be late," Emily screamed from the bottom of the stairs, Lily and Oakley in tow.
"I'm coming! Is everyone rea—oh. Look at how beautiful you girls look," JJ said, as she walked down the stairs seeing the girls in matching dresses. They had the same dress, Lily's blue to match her eyes, Oakley's green to match hers.
Derek was waiting outside the courtroom pacing, wearing his Sunday best, when he saw his friends burst into the quiet hallway. "Where were you? Get in there!"
The group walked in, and Derek sat on a bench next to rest of the BAU family, the elder Prentiss's and elder Jareau's. The Prentiss family hurriedly made their way to the front.
"All rise," the bailiff commanded.
The judge went to his seat then said, "You may be seated."
"Adoption hearing for Oakley Smith," the bailiff noted.
"Let me just start by saying congratulations on making it this far. I've read the notes Ms. Byrne," he nodded to the social working sitting with the family lawyer, "has made regarding this case. 'I have never felt more confident in a case than I do recommending Oakley's placement than I do with the Prentiss family'" he quoted from his notes. "This is a high praise in our work. Have you filled out all proper paperwork?"
Emily stood with Lily propped on her hip, "Yes your honor. We have followed the letter of the law to the last T, including a petition for a name change for her." JJ was always in awe of how poised her wife could be when it really counted.
"May I ask why you've chosen Oakley Rayne Prentiss as her new moniker?" He asked, a soft smile gracing his features, "It's a beautiful name."
"My wife's late sisters middle name was Rayne, and Oakley didn't have a middle name so we thought it would be a perfect fit." Emily said, looking to smile at JJ who sat with Oakley in her lap.
"I agree. Oakley?" he said, getting her attention. When she looked up at him, he smiled, "Would you like Emily and Jennifer to be your mommies forever?"
Oakley quirked her head and frowned slightly, "I thought dey already are? I call them momma and mommy just wike my sister," she said with a sassy attitude.
The room burst into laughter, "Alright then. I see no reason to deny your claim. I'm going to approve both the name and the adoption, Mrs. Prentisss'. Cases like this are ones we all hope for. I personally thank you for being the kind, loving people you are. Enjoy the new addition," he smiled before stamping the documents.
The room burst into hoots and hollers, the judge gave the rowdy bunch of agents a stern look, "Agents, I know this is not the circumstance you usually deal with in a courtroom, but please, this is still an official proceeding," he scolded, smiling.
"Yes sir," Hotch answered for the group.
The family stood in the front of the room for a picture with the judge, Emily holding Lily, JJ held Oakley. Sophia congratulated them and they all headed to the Prentiss residence for a celebratory party.
Little did any of them know, there was someone watching them as they all walked out of the courthouse. The kids aren't even hers yet? Figures. They probably just got married, perfect time for me to snatch them away from her. Stupid blonde won't even know what hit her.
A week later, Emily and Hayley took the girls to the aquarium while Jack was in school. As they were walking through the dark parking garage back to the car, Hayley got a phone call from her sister causing her to pause right in front of the car.
~Is that Hayley Brooks? What the hell is she doing with my family? How does she even know my Emily? Another dumb blonde I hate! Now's my chance. This will be fun. She deserves to pay for what she did to me in college and it makes it all the better, I can hurt her and get my family back!~
Emily got Oakley buckled in, then took Lily from Hayley, buckling her in while she spoke on the phone. Emily got into the car herself, turning on the car so the AC could run for the girls then she heard knocking on the passenger side window. Fully expecting it to be Hayley wanting her to unlock the doors, Emily hit the button without looking up. The next thing she knew, the backseat door was being opened.
Emily turned around to see Hayley crying, with a gun to her head. Knowing both her children were in the car, she panicked. "Em, I'm so sorry! She snuck up behind me and—" WHACK!
The offender smacked Hayley across the face causing the blonde to slump over onto the floor of the backseat. "Hayley!" Emily yelled, then looked at the offender, "What the hell do you want?" Wait, did Hayley say she?
Both girls burst into tears and Hayley immediately snapped into action, hoping she'd be able to stop the offender by scooting herself into the backseat and closing the door locking her out. Little did she know, this wouldn't work.
The offender climbed into the front seat before Emily could successfully lock the doors again. "Shut up and drive. I'll tell you where to go!" the female voice said, while pointing the gun into the backseat towards her children.
Emily was normally great under pressure, hell she was the best, but her girls were screaming for her, Hayley was disoriented and she knew better than to mess with an unsub going through a psychotic break. She was scared because the muffled voice coming through the ski mask seemed familiar, but even more scared because she wanted to keep her babies safe, and Hayley.
Emily snuck a look at her captor, but couldn't see much, "Who are you?" she asked as they drove through the parking garage.
The woman removed her ski mask as they drove under an overhead light and looked at Emily, "Surprise Emmy."
"Jessica?" Emily shuttered.
She smirked as she watched the terror settle in on Emily's face, "That's right, baby. I told you I wanted you back, I've come to take my family. Hayley is just an added bonus. If you want your children to live, you'll take every turn I tell you to." Jessica said, still pointing her gun into the back at her babies.
Emily knew she couldn't crash the car because her girls were in the car, and she couldn't fight while steering so she decided to follow the directions. She would fight when Jessica tried to get them out and into wherever she was taking them. Luckily for her, Hayley was starting to come around more and more so she helped soothe the girls.
Hayley recognized the women too, is that, Jessica? Oh my god, she took us because of me. This is all my fault; Emily and JJ will never forgive me. Hayley thought to herself.
Emily pulled into the driveway of some house she assumed to be Jessica's and when she was about to put the car in park, Jessica said, "No! In the garage, Emmy!"
Emily followed her 'orders' but before she could turn and fight Jessica she heard Lily scream, "MOMMY!" In that brief moment of weakness, Jessica was able to get the upper hand and knock Emily out. Both girls started screaming again.
Hayley was about to protest when she saw Jessica inject Emily with a syringe. Jessica looked back towards Hayley, "If you want to live, you'll get the children out of the car."
Seeing as Emily was unconscious, she knew had to protect Lily and Oakley. So she complied, unbuckling them both and picking them up trying while trying to soothe them in the process. As she stepped out of the car, the gun was pointed in the middle of her back leading her and the girls into the house and down the stairs into the basement. There were two beds set up, a bathroom, bottles of water, and snacks. I promise to do everything I can to keep your kids safe, Emily. I promise, Hayley thought to herself, as they were locked into the room from the outside.
Emily blinked, still feeling drowsy, while listening for her girls. When she couldn't hear them, she turned and found Jessica staring at her, "What have you done with my kids, Jessica?" she sneered.
"Oh don't worry honey, they are safe and sound with the blonde bitch," Jessica said, running her fingers through Emily's hair. As much as Emily wanted to fight, she knew she couldn't, she must have drugged me.
Jessica pulled her out of the car and she fell to the ground banging her head on the concrete of the garage. Jessica grunted and rolled her eyes, annoyed that Emily couldn't compose herself and walk. She leaned down to pick Emily up and brought her into an adult playroom she had set up. She stripped Emily of her clothes and tied her to the bed, "Wake up baby, it's time to make up for lost time."
Back at the office they were having a boring day catching up on paperwork. Hotch walked out of his office and walked over to JJ's desk, "JJ, can you call Emily?" he said, while he tried Hayley's cell again.
"Sure, what's going on Hotch?"
"Jack's school called and told me Hayley wasn't there for pick up. She's always twenty minutes early; I know she was going to the aquarium with Emily and the girls today, but I can't imagine her being this late," Hotch said, visibly stressed. "I've called the house and her cell phone twice now and she isn't picking up."
JJ called Emily however, her phone went right to voicemail too then she called the house and it went to their voicemail as well. Now JJ was getting stressed, "Emily's phone went straight to voicemail, she'd never turn her phone off—"
As both Hotch and JJ panicked, Morgan spoke up, "Pretty boy, go have Garcia trace Em and Hayley's phones, Hotch, I'm going to the school to pick up Jack. Text me the address."
He nodded. Not knowing what the hell was going on, he just texted the address and stood frozen. On his way out the door, Morgan called Rossi to fill him in on what happened in the bullpen. Reid came back with Garcia and her laptop in tow, while Rossi led both Hotch and JJ to the conference room.
"I don't understand, who would know both Hayley and Emily?" Rossi asked.
"Maybe a mom friend or someone they met while taking the kids out?" Garcia suggested. Just then, her laptop gave her some answers, "Oh, I've got them! I picked up both phones at the aquarium and then—that's weird."
"What is it Garcia?"
"Hayley's lost signal at Fifth and Broadway, and Emily's got a block further before it dropped too."
"Check the GPS in Emily's car."
"Oh boy wonder, you read my mind, I was—" her face fell, "it's been turned off."
JJ and Hotch both thought the worst, was this about them? What case had they worked last? Who would want to harm their families? Who would want to get to them? All those questions were flowing through their minds when Jack came running in, Morgan following.
"Daddy! Uncle Morgan let me turn on the sirens!" Hotch smiled briefly, then picked him up, hugging him tight. At least Jack is still safe. Now, where's my wife?
Hotch looked at Jack, "Buddy, uncle Morgan is going to go get you a snack while I finish up some work okay?" he nodded.
When the door had closed, Garcia had pulled up the security footage in the parking garage of the aquarium. She hit play and all of them watched a hooded unsub hold a gun to Hayley's head, smack her in the face, and get into the front seat with Emily. JJ gasped when she saw the unsub point a gun towards her children. Garcia followed the car through the parking garage and paused it when the unsub removed the ski mask.
When she blew up the image, both Hotch's and JJ's eyes went wide…
"Jessica."