1. October 12, 1970

Elizabeth Prentiss was in pain.

Good pain, she thought.

With the arrival of her baby just around the corner, Elizabeth felt a swell of anticipation and joy. It didn't matter to her that her husband had chosen to be absent during this significant moment; she was ready to embrace motherhood fully and completely. This child would be her own, a precious little life bringing unconditional love and companionship. For the first time, Elizabeth envisioned a uniquely her family—no one could come between her and the bond she would share with her baby. It was a dream that had long eluded her, but now it was finally within reach, igniting a sense of hope and belonging that she had yearned for.

"One more push, Ambassador Prentiss."

And she should have heard it.

"What's going on? Why isn't she crying?" Elizabeth asked; it was clearly a girl who wasn't crying.

The two minutes felt like an eternity, stretching in agonizing slow motion. Every second was filled with a mix of anxiety and anticipation as she lay there, heart racing, waiting for the sound that would signal everything was alright. Then, finally, she heard it—a weak but unmistakable cry piercing through the tension in the room. Her heart soared with relief and joy. Without hesitation, she pushed herself up, her gaze fixed on the tiny being she had carried for so long. The world faded away as she reached out, pulling her baby girl into her arms, and the warmth and weight of her child brought a flood of emotions—love, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of connection. At that moment, all the waiting and worry vanished, leaving only the sweet sound of her daughter's cries and the feel of her soft, newly-formed life against her chest.

"Hi, baby girl. That was scary, wasn't it?"

Elizabeth refuses to have Emily in the bassinet, which is how Alexander finds his wife and daughter. Emily is lying on top of Elizabeth's chest.

"Honey?" Alexander called out.

Elizabeth turned her head and offered a reassuring smile at Alexander, her eyes sparkling with warmth and gentle mischief. The dim light of the hospital room cast soft shadows around them, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and fragile. Alexander, understanding the gravity of the situation and fully aware that he was in the doghouse, hesitated momentarily before climbing onto the small hospital bed beside her. He shifted slightly to find a comfortable position, aware of the tense emotions in the air.

"What's her name?" he asked softly, trying to bridge the gap and earn back some of her trust. His tone was earnest, laced with curiosity and a hint of remorse, as he sought to connect with her in this vulnerable moment.

"Emily Elizabeth Prentiss, my baby girl."

2. November 30, 1985

Elizabeth knew what Emily had done two weekends ago. Emily thinks Elizabeth doesn't know, but Matthew needs the money to get Emily what she needs. Elizabeth sits quietly in her study, wondering where she went wrong and failed Emily.

Her baby girl that she wanted, as her husband thought Emily would slow them down in their jobs. Elizabeth thought Emily could tell her anything and that Elizabeth would do anything for Emily.

Elizabeth could see Emily struggling with the loss of the baby. So, Elizabeth did what she thought Emily would want and got them out of Italy.

Elizabeth sat in the chair with her book in hand when she felt Emily sitting beside her on the plane. Emily randomly grabbed hold of Elizabeth's arm and fell asleep, which Elizabeth now knew was the first time since Emily had her abortion.

3. October 12, 2007 - After In Name and Blood

Elizabeth was happy to be able to be with Emily for her birthday before she left for Jordan. She knocked on the door. Elizabeth waited and waited until she got enough and used her key.

Elizabeth walked into Emily's apartment and saw her go back.

Thank God, she is going back to the BAU, Elizabeth thought.

Elizabeth knew that Emily was only happy in her job when she joined the BAU.

Elizabeth enters Emily's bedroom and sees her daughter has a bandaid on her forehead.

Elizabeth is now worried. Why wasn't she informed that Emily was attacked? She always got informed if Emily was hurt.

"Baby girl?" Elizabeth whispered.

Emily stirred awake to her mother gently stroking her forehead.

"Mama?" Emily whispered.

"Yes, Baby?"

"It's hurts."

"What?"

"My head," Emily said, pressing her face into her mother's hand.

Elizabeth heard Emily groaning when Elizabeth moved into the ensuite to get Emily pain meds and water.

Elizabeth gave Emily both the water and pain meds and then got into bed, holding her onto her chest.

"You know, baby girl. This wasn't how I planned to celebrate your 37 birthday. And do I get to know how you got this?" Elizabeth asked as she gently touched the bandaid.

"He was using his seven-year-old son to get women to go home with him, and he killed them. I went in to get proof, and he hit me in the head with a piece of wood. I was told it was a head injury, and it was bleeding."

Elizabeth smiled, remembering another little boy Emily told her she had saved.

"Well, I guess there is one more thing to say," Elizabeth tells her.

"What, Mama?"

"Joyeux anniversaire bébé fille!" Elizabeth said, kissing her on the head.

(Happy Birthday Baby girl)

"Thanks, Mama," Emily said sleepily.

Emily heard the last bit of what her mother said, "Je t'aime tellement petit bijou."

(I love you so much, little gem)

4. October 12, 2008 - After Minimal Loss

Erin Strauss watches Elizabeth pace up and down the tarmac, waiting for the BAU's jet to reach.

It hasn't been the most pleasant 36 hours since the Separatarian Sect/The Liberty Ranch hostage crisis. It was the best hostage crisis outcome they had in years.

However, Strauss had the pleasure of calming down Emily's mother, who was, to say the least, upset that her daughter was one of the hostages. Will LaMontagne Jr was with them, along with Haley and Jack Hotchner, in case something happened to Hotch and JJ while trying to get Reid and Emily out.

But now, after hearing her daughter was manhandled, dragged by the hair, assaulted, bleeding, restrained, locked in a room. Elizabeth Prentiss was beyond reasoning as she needed to see Emily for herself.

So, on her daughter's 38 birthday, Erin watches Elizabeth pace.

"She does know Emily is alright," Haley pointed out.

Erin wondered how Hotch had put up with his ex-wife as long as he did because this wasn't the first time Haley had used this time to put Emily down, as Haley kept saying they must be together.

"As a mother, when your child is in pain, you are in pain. Emily was hurt; therefore, Elizabeth was hurt." Erin said.

The jet finally touched down, and as soon as the door opened, Emily was first out and rushed toward her mother.

The team—Strauss, Haley, Will, and little Jack—watches as Elizabeth checks Emily thoroughly while holding Emily's face in her hands.

They also heard Emily said in French, "Maman, je vais bien, promis, maman. Ce n'est pas comme la dernière fois, je le promets."

(Mama, I'm fine, I promise, Mama. It's not like last time, I promise)

They watch as Emily wipes Elizabeth's eyes.

"I swear to God, Emily Elizabeth. You will be the death of me." Elizabeth tells her.

5. December 16, 2009 - Retaliation

"Prentiss, because of protocol, your mother was called," Morgan tells her.

"You're not unit chief anymore! Do you know what you just did?" Emily asked him as JJ closed the door of the room they were using in the PD.

"She's your mother, and you have a concussion."

"My mother is in the Middle East helping with peace treaties, and you told her I was run off the road during a close case!" Emily started as she heard her phone ring.

Looking down, she saw it was her mother, "I swear to God, if something happens to my mother because you decided that you know best... I don't think I will forgive you."

"Mom? No, no, this has nothing to do with you..." Emily said as she walked out of the room.

"Emily, how bad?"

"It was a car accident, head injury, meaning I have a mild concussion. But I am fine, and they cleared me up for work."

Emily hears her mother's let out a breath.

"Mama?"

"I honestly don't know if I can handle any more of these calls, baby girl. I worry about the day if I get a call about your death."

Emily shook her head and stared at JJ and Hotch, who were watching her.

"I promise, Mama, that I will be more careful, and I promise you that I will outlive you."

1 March 30, 2011 - Day of Emily's funeral

"Multiple GSWs to vest, restrained to a chair, branded, attacked, thrown about, impaled, handcuffed," Aaron told her.

" I am so sorry about your loss," JJ told her.

"She didn't make it off the table..." Clyde told her.

Emily Elizabeth Prentiss

October 12, 1970 - March 18, 2011

Daughter, Agent

Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity

Elizabeth sat on the cold, wet dew grass. It should give her comfort that Emily is with her husband now. And that she gave her life protecting an innocent child.

But she wanted her child. Her baby girl whom she fought so hard to have. Pray and beg God to let her take her first breath almost 41 years ago.

Was it less than five months ago when she sang Happy Birthday to her as she held on to Jack?

Was it less than three months ago when she brought presents for Jack and Aaron, who spent Christmas with the Prentiss women?

Was it less than two weeks when she got a random phone call from Emily, the day before her death, just her saying how much she loved her?

"Oh, my baby girl!" Elizabeth cried.

Elizabeth didn't look up, but she would have seen a ghost.

"I love you, Mama," Emily whispered as she watched her mother cry over her grave.