Derek and Emily boarded the flight to Chicago with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Emily stared out of the window, her fingers intertwined with Derek's. Her mind raced with questions: How would Fran and his sisters react? Would they accept her as family? Sensing her unease, Derek leaned in and whispered, "Hey, they're going to love you. You're already family to me."
Fran's home was just as Derek had described it to Emily: warm, inviting, and filled with mementos of a life steeped in love and resilience. A gallery of family photos lined the walls, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen. Fran opened the door before they could knock, her face lighting up the moment she saw her son.
"Derek!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace. Fran's smile widened when her eyes landed on Emily. "Emily, it's so good to see you again!" Her hug was just as warm, and Emily felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Derek's sisters, Sarah and Desiree, soon joined them in the living room, their energy filling the house with laughter and chatter. Sarah playfully nudged Derek. "So, what's the occasion? You don't just fly in without a reason."
Emily and Derek exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Derek cleared his throat. "We have some news," he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. He looked at Emily, who gave him a reassuring nod. "Emily and I are having a baby."
The room fell silent for a brief moment before erupting into cheers and congratulations. Fran's eyes filled with tears as she pulled Emily into another hug. "Oh, sweetheart, that's wonderful news! You're going to make an amazing mother." Sarah and Desiree surrounded them, peppering the couple with questions about names, due dates, and nursery plans.
Later that evening, as the celebration wound down, Fran pulled Derek into the kitchen. The hum of conversation faded into the background as they stood by the counter. Fran studied her son with a thoughtful expression.
"I always knew you'd make a great father someday," she began, her voice soft but firm. "But it's more than just being a father, Derek. It's about being a partner too."
Derek nodded, his expression serious. "I know, Mom. Emily's been through so much, and I want to give her the life she deserves. She's my world."
Fran smiled, reaching out to touch his arm. "I can see that. And she loves you. But love isn't just the big gestures; it's in the small, everyday things. Supporting each other, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."
She opened a small jewelry box and handed him a simple but elegant engagement ring. "This was your father's gift to me when he proposed. I have a feeling you'll want it soon." Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, "Emily's a special woman, Derek. Don't let her go."
Derek's throat tightened as he took the ring, his fingers brushing against the cool metal. "Thank you, Mom. I won't," he promised, his voice thick with emotion. "And thank you for believing in me."
Fran pulled him into a hug, her voice warm with affection. "I always have, Derek. And I always will."
Returning to Virginia, the mood shifted. Emily knew telling her parents would be more complicated. Her relationship with her mother, Elizabeth, had always been fraught with tension, and the circumstances surrounding her fake death had only added to the strain. Her father, Joseph Prentiss, though more understanding, was equally protective. A businessman who came from old money, Joseph had always wanted the best for his daughter.
Emily's call to her mother was brief and formal. Elizabeth's tone betrayed her surprise at hearing from her daughter, and her skepticism was evident when Emily requested a meeting. True to form, Elizabeth immediately contacted Hotch for more information.
When Elizabeth reached out to Hotch, her tone was calm but clipped. "Agent Hotchner, Emily called. She wants to meet with us. Can you confirm she's truly safe now?"
Hotch's voice was steady as he replied, "Ambassador Prentiss, I can conform that she's safe from Ian Doyle and his people. The team worked tirelessly to ensure Doyle was captured. SSA Derek Morgan, in particular, worked round the clock to bring him down. He never gave up on finding justice for Emily. As you know, only a handful of people know about Emily being alive, but SSA Morgan did not stop until we found Doyle and bringh is operations down."
Elizabeth paused, processing his words. "Agent Derek Morgan," she murmured. "He's the one who found her?"
"Yes, ma'am." Hotch confirmed. "He was relentless. He did not even know that she's alive, but her death oly fueled his desire to bring justice to her death. He's a very dedicated man. I think you'll see that when you meet him."
On the night of the dinner, the atmosphere in the Prentiss home was heavy with unspoken words. The dining room, adorned with elegant tableware and flickering candles, felt more like a stage set for a confrontation than a family meal. Elizabeth's sharp gaze swept over Derek and Emily as they entered.
Her father greeted them with a warm handshake and a quick hug for Emily. "It's good to see you, sweetheart," he said, his voice genuine. Turning to Derek, his expression shifted slightly, assessing. "Welcome, Derek. We're glad to have you here."
The meal began with polite conversation, but the underlying tension was palpable. Derek, ever the charmer, made an effort to engage Elizabeth, who responded with clipped but polite answers. Emily could feel her mother's eyes on her, scrutinizing every move.
After dinner, Ambassador Prentiss suggested Derek join him in the study for a private conversation. Derek's jaw tightened, but he nodded, rising from his seat. Emily and Elizabeth remained at the table, their silence speaking volumes.
In the study, Emily's father wasted no time. "Derek, I'll be direct. Emily means the world to me, and after everything she's been through, I need to know your intentions. What are your plans for the future?"
Derek met his gaze without hesitation. "Sir, I love Emily more than anything. I'm committed to her and our child. I plan to marry her and build a life together. I'll do everything in my power to make her happy and keep her safe."
Her father's stern expression softened slightly, and he leaned back in his chair. "Good answer," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You seem like a good man, Derek. But know this: if you ever hurt her, you'll answer to me."
Derek chuckled lightly, sensing the protective undertone masked by humor. "Understood, sir. And I wouldn't expect anything less."
Back in the dining room, Emily and Elizabeth sat in a charged silence. Emily's hands fidgeted in her lap, but she refused to break eye contact with her mother. Finally, Elizabeth spoke. "Hotch told me everything. About Paris, Doyle, and Derek's role in keeping you safe." Her voice faltered, and Emily's breath caught as she saw tears welling in her mother's eyes.
Elizabeth's gaze was sharp as she began, her tone cool. "Emily, I've never understood why you chose such a dangerous career. All those risks, the constant danger, and then Doyle…" She paused, her voice tightening. "Do you have any idea what it was like for us? Knowing you were in hiding, pretending you were dead? Your father and I didn't even go to your funeral because we knew the truth, but that didn't make it easier."
Emily's back stiffened, her voice defensive. "I didn't choose this career to worry you. I chose it because I wanted to make a difference. I've dedicated my life to helping people and—"
Elizabeth raised a hand, cutting her off gently but firmly. "Emily, stop. I'm not blaming you. I'm trying to tell you that while we struggled with your choices, we also respected them. Your father and I may not have agreed with the path you took, but we've always been proud of you." Her voice softened, and Emily's breath hitched as she saw emotion brimming in her mother's eyes.
"You've faced dangers most people can't even imagine, and you've come out stronger. I thought I'd lost you, Emily," Elizabeth admitted, her voice trembling. "Pretending you were gone, hearing about your funeral… it was unbearable. And now you're here, alive, and starting a family. It's more than I could have hoped for. And we're proud of you—proud of everything you've accomplished, even if it scared us. You've faced dangers most people can't even imagine, and you've come out stronger."
Emily's breath hitched as she saw the raw emotion in her mother's eyes. "I just... I didn't want to disappoint you," she whispered.
Elizabeth reached across the table, taking her daughter's hand. "Disappoint me? Emily, you've done the opposite. You've shown strength and courage beyond anything I could have expected. And now, you're giving us something even more precious—a grandchild."
Tears streamed down Emily's face as she stood and embraced her mother. For the first time in years, the distance between them seemed to fade, replaced by a newfound understanding and love.
When Derek and Emily left that evening, they did so with lighter hearts. Both families—though different in many ways—had given their blessings. With renewed strength and the bonds of love, Derek and Emily felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.