The first day of school brought countless emotions throughout the day for all involved. Emily and JJ dropped the kids off and then watched the clock like hawks until it was time for pickup—so much so they almost unintentionally forgot to feed Brooks and Brynley lunch. Thank goodness both sets of grandparents were there because otherwise the twins would have been very bored. Unlike their mothers, they had no patience to stare at the clock all day waiting for their siblings to get out of school. But Emily and JJ didn't want their littlest babies to be anywhere else either because the day was already hard enough.
River was also a nervous wreck watching not only the clock but the home phone just in case school called saying Hudson and Emerson needed to be picked up early for some reason. She had never been away from them this long before and didn't know what to do with herself seeing as Brooks and Brynley were occupied with their grandparents meaning she didn't have anyone to take care of besides herself.
The three of them pictured many different scenarios when dropping the kids off this morning, none of them involved Hudson and Emerson only needing a hug from each adult before running off holding hands and excited to start kindergarten though. Lily, who absolutely loves preschool, even shed a few tears at drop off but not the twins. It was as if they knew school would be another safe place for them where they could meet friends their own age and play all day long.
When it was finally time for school pickup the adults said a see you soon to the grandparents and then rushed off to get Lily who was beyond excited to have one on one time with her mommies and River on the drive from preschool to Brookwood. They left the twins home with their grandparents knowing pickup wouldn't take that long and instead of the carpool lane, Emily parked the car and the four of them got out to wait for the kids on the grass where Lily could run around.
Emily's heart swelled listening to her little bug tell them about her first day—it was fair to say the mothers already knew they made the right decision by keeping Lily in preschool one more year because the tiny peanut was talking a mile a minute about how much fun she and Lyla had together.
"When my bwovers an sissys comin' mommy?" Lily asked as she wrapped her arms impossibly tight around her mother's neck.
"Any minute, bug. Are you so excited to see them?" Emily asked.
"Mhm, me weally weally eh-sited mommy. Dey probawee havid a dood day wike me be'tause me haf Wywa dare. We pwayed da hole time but me miss dem too be'tause dey doe here im-stead me pee-kay."
"Yeah, you're right bug. But that's okay, right? You had so much fun with Lyla and I'm sure your siblings had so much fun with their friends too."
"Yeah, it otay," Lily agreed, nodding her head as she spoke. Emily kissed her temple and then the four of them heard the bell signaling the end of the school day and Lily's body started vibrating with excitement.
Before school Emily and JJ made sure the twins knew they'd be waiting right in this exact spot for them so neither would get nervous—it definitely made Emerson feel better knowing her mommies wouldn't forget her while she was in school, Hudson was just too excited for his first day to process anything else though. Their teacher Ms. Katie promised the Prentiss mothers she'd walk the twins out to their special spot at the end of the day as she knew their history. The school loved the Prentiss family so much, not just because they were the biggest donors, but because they were such an incredible bunch.
The four big kids knew to meet at their spot under the tree after school and have since their own first days; usually they'd come out together or in twos as the school is split into sections to keep the littles, middles and bigs in designated areas. Somehow though, the Prentiss children always found one another on the way out and came running hand in hand which was the cutest.
River breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ms. Katie walk out holding Hudson and Emerson's hands and when they spotted their mothers, the twins took off jumping into Emily and JJ's arms being mindful of Lily who was also so excited to give them a hug of her own. They were waving pieces of construction paper around with pictures they drew and could not be more excited to tell Emily, JJ, River and Lily all about them. River also knelt on the grass and opened her arms for a hug; she was all smiles hearing the twins talking over one another about how much fun they had.
Emily silently thanked Ms. Katie for not only bringing them out after school but for taking such great care of her babies on their first day. The teacher smiled and stood watching the scene unfold for a few minutes before excusing herself while the mothers and River attempted to soak in every word Hudson and Emerson were saying. Gosh they were freakin' cute.
Oakley and Oliver were next followed by Amelia and Clarke who were quick to pick up their little siblings and spin them around as they squealed. "Did you and Emerson have so much fun, little dude?" Clarke asked Hudson who was now situated on her hip.
"The mostest ever! You were wite, Cwalke. It so much fun hewe, we pwayed and colwered and goed ou-side to pway on the swide and we haf a weally nice wady that wets us paimt wif my fing-ahs, see?" Hudson exclaimed while talking a mile a minute and holding up his finger painting to show his big sister.
"Oh my goodness dude, that's so pretty. I bet moms are gonna hang it up right away when we get home. Do you think so?"
"I do-ed one too, Cwalke!" Emerson added, holding up her painting as well; she wanted her picture on the board at home just like her brothers.
"Wow, look at all the different colored paints. It's so pretty Emerson, I think you're a better artist than me!" Clarke said with a smile.
"Fank you!" Emerson responded, leaning into JJ and enjoying the comfort of being in her mothers' arms.
Emily and JJ shared a smile then stood up with a child in each arm, JJ holding Emerson and Oakley, Emily holding Lily and Hudson as River gathered up their backpacks then off they went...almost. To anyone else it looked like a bit of a circus but to them, it was just a normal Prentiss day full of chaos and beautiful children.
Hotch and Hayley were also at school pickup and walked over to them with huge smiles of their own, their arms weren't quite as full though. That being said, Hayley had a lifechanging announcement she was planning on making this weekend when the team gathered at the Prentiss estate for a back-to-school party. It's fair to say their hands would be getting fuller in no time.
"Umple Arin an Auntie Hawley here!" Lily exclaimed.
"Hi Miss Lily, did you have a good day at preschool?" Hayley asked, giving her niece a kiss on the temple and then kissing the rest of them while listening to Lily talk about her day.
"Uncle Aaron, me and Jack have gym and cooking together…isn't that the coolest?" Oliver asked with a smile and wide eyes. He was absolutely obsessed with his uncle Aaron, Derek, Dave and Julian who they spent the most amount of time with as opposed to his uncle's back in PA. Oliver loved his mothers and aunts more than anything but there was something special about the men in his life too because they offered a different perspective on life and gave him the best role models to look up to.
"Mrs. Reynolds said we getta make cookies too dad. And we each getta make twelve so we can take em' home!" Jack continued. He wasn't as certain about the class as Oliver was but his cousin made it sound like so much fun; he nearly begged his parents to sign him up. They were honestly very happy about the class as their nieces really enjoyed to help Emily and JJ cook and each were hoping this would not only prove to Jack helping in the kitchen wasn't boring, but would teach him lifelong skills.
"No way, 12 cookies each? You better make sure to save me some," Hotch said. It wasn't often he was able to pick the kids up from school but because of the integrity case, he's been home all summer. This was a very exciting day for Hotch, the last time he dropped his son off at school and picked him up, Jack was in kindergarten.
"Hmm, we'll think about it," Jack said with a laugh.
The families spoke for a bit longer while the littles ran around and then they went their separate ways. Brookwood always started each school year on a Thursday meaning, the kids only had two days before a weekend. The school preferred it that way to get the kids and teachers acclimated with the start of the year—it's fair to say having two days of school before a long weekend made the beginning of the school year go smoothly for everyone. Monday was always a free day written off as teacher conferences and open to the parents if they wanted to advocate a change in schedule for their children. Luckily the Prentiss and Hotcher families didn't need to make any changes though.
This was a big year for the Prentiss family, not only because it was the start of Emerson and Hudson's school career but because this was the last year Emily would have kids home with her. Next year the twins would be starting preschool and Lily would be at Brookwood with her older siblings. This was also the start of high school for their first child as well—Clarke would be the first Prentiss in the West wing which was a big deal.
Judging by the smiles on her baby's faces, Emily knew to expect big things this year and was very excited.
The children wasted no time telling the grandparents all about their days while eating a snack giving the mothers a chance to take the kids one by one to check in. Emily and JJ already spoke with Lily on the way to Brookwood, not to mention, she was only in pre-k so there wasn't much to say. Following their youngest to oldest order, Emerson was next—they wanted to speak with the twins separately because this was a huge step for them and while the mothers planned to keep in the same classes throughout their school career, it was important each of their thoughts and feelings were heard.
"How come we in here?" Emerson asked, kicking her little feet up and down showing her mommies just how tiny she was as she sat on the couch across from them.
"Mommy and I wanted to talk to you about your day, sweetie," JJ answered, leaning forward in her chair and swiping her thumb across the corner of Emerson's mouth where there was a bit of chocolate from her cookie left over. "Can you tell us all about school, cutie? Did you have so much fun, what else did you get to do besides fingerpainting?" JJ prompted as they had already hung up the artwork on the kitchen arts and crafts board.
"Momma and I talk to your siblings on their first day every year, baby girl," Emily added, hoping to settle the nerves on their daughter's face. It was evident Emerson didn't know what to expect and may have thought she was in trouble even though that was the furthest thing from the truth.
"Oh, otay. Yeah, I fink I can do it!" Emerson said, and the mothers smiled. "We haf the mostest fun the whole time! I getted to paint, I getted to pway wif Huddy and uh-fer fwriemds wike umm, well, her name Wexie. I fink her gonna be my bestest fwiend be'tause her weally nice wike me! We goed ou-side to pway and they haf a weally big swide. It weally big, wike more then the one we haf!" Emerson exclaimed with wide eyes as she waved her arms around in the air to signify the magnitude of the slide.
"Woah, that seems like a super big slide, huh?" Emily asked, and Emerson nodded fervently. "I'm really happy to hear about your new friend, Lexie. I think—"
"And her weally love pimk too, mommy! Her just wike me, isn't it so cool?" Emerson interrupted.
"No way! Do you think she loves pink as much as you do?"
"Probabee not," Emerson concluded. JJ couldn't help herself, after hearing Emerson's answer she stood up and scooped the little girl up then twirled her around as the little one squealed.
"I'm so happy you had such a great day, sweetie," JJ said as she sat down and put Emerson in her lap. "I think it's because you chose the prettiest outfit to wear on your first day, what do you think?" JJ asked as she straightened out Emerson's dress.
"Yeah. It match Lily and a wittle bit Oakwee too," Emerson answered. Lily and Emerson wore matching dresses even though they headed off to different schools and Oakley's shirt was the same pattern as her sister's dresses. They were too cute. "Can I go pway now pwease?"
Emily and JJ smiled at her innocent question then nodded and sent her on her way. After she ran out, JJ looked at Emily and asked, "Do we think this little Lexie is going to be another Lyla?"
"Fingers crossed! I sure hope she has a few siblings though," Emily said with a laugh. They often felt a bit bad for Lyla's parents because when they brought their daughter over for playdates it was always a very loud, chaotic day. Lyla always enjoyed coming over though because she got to play with her best friend and the big kids which was something she didn't experience at her own house as she was an only child.
While Emily was walking into the office with Hudson from the playroom, she was forced to detour when he asked, "Can I pwease haf more snack mommy?"
"Of course you can, baby. How about we talk in the kitchen with momma so you don't make a mess in the office?"
"What mess?" Hudson asked with a giggle, quickly trying to wipe his mouth of the evidence on his face.
Emily laughed and lifted him up so he could sit on the countertop. The kids got the biggest kick out of sitting up there, it was like a little treat to them for some reason. JJ met them in the kitchen and they asked him the same questions as his twin.
"I getta go back ta-marrow' right?" Hudson asked before answering the other questions. Once he saw his mother's nod, he rambled on a mile a minute about how much fun he had. "…and I pwayed wif Emmie and we meeted weally nice fwiemds. I fink I weally want to pway wif Ee-fin at my house be'tause him gonna weally wike it here. You fink him can come pway here?"
"I think we can set up a playdate for the two of you, buddy," JJ answered.
"And Emmie can pway wif Wexie then we can all pway to'geder too!"
"That would be so much fun," Emily said. "Does Ethan have any brothers or sisters?"
"Mhm, but him not haf a twim wike me. And I haf wots of bwovers and sissys but him not haf as many."
"I don't think anyone has as many," Emily said, half-jokingly.
The mothers continued their little interviews and loved every minute of it. The kids had nothing but love for school which melted their hearts. Clarke was the last one left and after Emily and JJ made sure the others were good to go outside with River and the grandparents, they pulled her aside.
"Last but certainly not least, how was your day sweets?" JJ asked.
"Really good," Clarke answered, then looked down and away as if she was upset.
"Clarke, honey what is it?" Emily asked once she captured the girls' attention.
"It's nothing," Clarke said. Emily tilted her daughters chin up towards her then Clarke tried her answer again. "Its just, umm, Claire and Hannah are thinking about trying out for cheer and…I probably wouldn't even make the team…plus, I have dance and I don't know if practice would make it too hard for you to get us all after school and to our activities…it's okay," Clarke answered while doing a terrible job of talking herself out of wanting to tryout.
"Clarke, if cheer is something you want to do then sign-up sweet girl. You let us worry about the schedules and getting everybody home, okay?" Emily said, tucking a stray piece of hair behind Clarke's ear.
"Really?"
"Of course. You know mom and I only want what you want, and if that's cheer, it's cheer. Plus, we both know I can help you with a great high-pony," JJ said with a laugh as she turned her head to the side showing Clarke her own ponytail.
"The only hair style you can successfully pull off," Clarke commented.
"Hey now!" JJ teased, gently shoving Clarke towards Emily who wrapped her arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"Looks like we're trading in your leotards for pom-poms this year," Emily said.
"We don't even know if I'll make the team, mom," Clarke said with an eyeroll while blushing.
"You're a Prentiss, of course you will."
"You realize that's not how this works, right?" Clarke questioned even though she knew the answer.
"Are you sure? Maybe if I snap my fingers or if mom stands on her head that would do the trick?" Emily teased.
"Mom! You do know I'm in high school now, right?" Clarke said with a faint blush. She knew her mom was just teasing and because she has so many younger siblings, this was normal for them. Even when Clarke knew she should be embarrassed by her moms she really wasn't because she had dreamt of times like this. That being said, she often gave them crap for pretending to embarrass her. "I would totally like to see mom stand on her head though," Clarke laughed.
"Is that so?" JJ asked. "Well, I highly doubt I can do that anymore," she laughed.
"Or ever…" Clarke retorted.
Just to prove her daughter wrong JJ stood up, put her hands flat on the floor and carefully threw her legs over her body. Clarke and Emily watched on as JJ's legs hit the wall and burst out laughing when they came crashing back down. "Go ask grandma, she'll tell you! I used to stand on my head all the time," JJ said as her wife and daughter continued laughing at her failed attempt.
"Whatever you say, mom!"
Come Saturday the entire family was back at the Prentiss home—it was almost as if summer had yet to end because the music was blasting, the kids were running around in the backyard, the men were grilling, and the women were once again laughing about gosh knows what. Friday was another great day for all the children which made the adults very happy, especially because Hudson and Emerson were absolutely loving school. River was feeling a bit of déjà vu taking care of Brooks and Brynley during the day, it wasn't close to what she experienced taking care of Hudson and Emerson when they were two for numerous reasons but similar in a way. She really loved seeing the similarities between the two sets of twins, it was something really special to her.
Speaking of really special, Hayley and Aaron had some big news to share with the family. When everybody were about finished eating the couple captured the attention of all and then asked Jack and Harper to come stand with them so they could share the news.
On the count of three Jack announced, "Mommy is having two babies!"
The family burst into excitement at the news, it was absolutely unreal. Gerald was quick to his feet running over to his son then said, "Nice work son!"
Hayley laughed at his comment and then smiled when Gerald kissed her cheek. Jack and Oliver began talking a mile a minute about the news with one another—Aaron and Hayley thought long and hard before telling him the news because they knew Jack would want to tell Oliver right away. It was such a big secret to keep from his best friend and cousin.
"There's gonna be three sets of twins now!" Amelia said, half in shock, half in excitement.
"Wike me and Emmie!" Hudson said with a gasp. "And wike Bwooks and Bwnwee too. Are they gonna be a boy and dirl wike all us too?" he asked his aunt while pointing to himself, Emerson and the littlest twins.
"We aren't sure yet, Hudson. It could be two boys, two girls, or it could be just like you and Emerson: one of each," Hayley answered.
"Woah," Hudson said. He was only five after all and the only set of twins in his kindergarten class so the thought of two boys or two girls was very exciting to him.
"I'm so happy for you," Emily said, kissing Hotch's cheek while wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Welcome to the world of twins, bro."
"This is your fault you know," he commented.
"Is that so?" she asked. Hotch signaled all the children now running around as they were finished eating then looked back at his sister expectantly. "You do realize we adopted one set and the other I had absolutely nothing to do with biologically, right?" Emily joked.
"While that may be true pumpkin, twins actually run in our family. Your great grandmother was a twin," Gerald told the family.
"So this is because of you?" Hotch asked his father with a laugh.
"No son, it's because of you," Gerald teased.
"When do you find out what the gender is?" Clarke asked, now sitting closer to her aunt and uncle seeing as her siblings and cousins were no longer at their seats.
"Three weeks, honey," Hayley answered.
"I kinda hope they are the same gender because we already have identical and fraternal twins in the family. I wanna see the similarities and differences in twins that are either boys or girls you know?" Clarke said.
"I do, sweetie. Any hopes one way or the other?" Hayley questioned, running her fingers through Clarke's curls.
"Hmm, not really. I mean, we have a lot of girls already so maybe boys? But more girls would be fun too. What do you hope for, Uncle Aaron? You and Jack could be really outnumbered if it's two girls because there's already seven girls in the family and only four boys," Clarke said with a little laugh.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Clarke and the girl leaned into her while they waited for Aaron's answer. She couldn't believe they were going to have thirteen grandchildren. Since their big trip when they learned Aaron and Emily were siblings, Elizabeth fell more in love with her husband and their children each day. She'd never try and replace Hotch's mother but over recent years she's tried to make up for lost time with her daughter and absolutely loved JJ, Hayley and Aaron as well. In the last few months, Elizabeth and Gerald have spent more and more time with the Hotchner family and she had to admit, it was very special seeing her husband with his son. Elizabeth knew if Gerald had known about Aaron, he would have been brought up with Emily which would have been great for them both.
"As long as they are healthy, I'd be happy either way," Hotch answered truthfully. And it was true, he wanted their surprise babies to be healthy—it was such a shock when Hayley told him she was pregnant and then when they found out it was twins, he was completely blown away.
Gerald smiled at his son with pride. He may not have been there to help raise his son but my gosh did he turn out to be one of the best men he's ever known anyways. Gerald felt beyond blessed, he had the most incredible wife, the most amazing children and most precious grandchildren.
Life was so beautiful.