(Criminal Minds) - How Soon Is Now? - Chapter Nine (Part One)
It would have been a lie to say she wasn’t nervous. Because she was. Actually, Emily tried to think back on when she had felt just this nervous. Butterflies fluttered around her stomach so quickly that she honestly didn’t know what to do with herself. Her brain wouldn’t let her be and she had been a rather un-coordinated jangled mess all morning.
Yesterday hadn’t been too bad. These thoughts hadn’t been invading her head yesterday. After she had left JJ’s house, after a rather crushing kiss goodbye, the profiler had driven around for a while, happy to just enjoy that relaxed type of feeling you got when something good was happening. When you knew something special was happening. As corny as it sounded, she had been in her own little bubble up on cloud nine.
Even her parents hadn’t quite managed to burst that bubble. Deciding that she couldn’t dodge the insistent requests for a visit any longer, and also getting sick of the snarky voicemails that Ambassador Prentiss kept leaving for her about it, Emily had decided to throw herself at the mercy of her politician parents.
She had gone home, showered and changed, grabbed a quick snack in the form of a bagel and hit the road again. Just happily to turn the radio up in her car, window down, sleeves up, sunglasses on. She even sang along. Arriving at the estate, she had smiled and offered the staff she saw a greeting, walking into the entrance hall without preamble.
It turned out that she had picked a day that her parents had some friends over for a late lunch, which was an unusual relief. At least she had other people to chat to for a while, not giving them chance to interrogate her or scrutinise her right off the bat. Actually, they were rather…nice.
After some light conversations, and some debates on foreign and home affairs, after the guests had done asking her about her job, they had made their leave, abandoning her to her fate. So it had been a pleasant surprised that the conversations had put her parents in a rather pleasant mood, and the conversation between the three of them had been rather polite. She had just smiled at them, that quiet mysterious twinkle in her eyes telling them that she knew something they didn’t know as she had sipped on some tea, when they had asked if she was seeing anybody yet.
This wasn’t for them yet. This was still hers, still JJ’s. And it was about to be a little bigger. Causing the butterflies in her stomach and her almost bambi like co-ordination. She wondered how an experienced, collected and capable FBI Agent, a profiler no less, could be so nervous about meeting one little girl.
Amelia was just a kid, right? But she knew it wasn’t true. She knew how important this was. To her, to JJ. She knew that she desperately wanted things to work out well, for Amelia to like her. But she also knew that she was stepping in on the five year olds territory. She was the stranger stepping into their life; one where previously she’d had her Mother all to herself.
Kids smelt fear, didn’t they?
Emily gulped, hands still gripping her steering wheel, even though she had been parked for at least a few minutes now. Her eyes drifted over to JJ’s house, and she took in the features of it slowly. Just looking at her house, knowing this was where she called home; it made her feel warm inside.
Suddenly since she had been dating the blonde, the house wasn’t just a house any more. Because she knew it was hers, she could see traits of JJ all over it. When did she turn into a sap?
Pulling herself together, Emily exited the car. The pre lunchtime sun was shining down gloriously, bathing everything and everyone in its warm rays. The air was full of the sounds of suburbia. The sound of families, dogs, kids…the sound of life.
The thing that she had been trying to protect since she had started at the Academy. This is what she fought so hard for. There had been times when she thought she would get to experience it too, only to come so close but so far. But now, she felt like she had a true shot at it, and she wasn’t going to let that go.
Due to the warmth of the day already, Emily decided to forgo her jacket, deciding to leave it where it was, haphazardly strewn on the passenger seat of her car. As she walked around to the pavement, she pressed the lock on her keys and heard the familiar beep of her car, telling her that it was now locked and alarmed.
Due to her being her, she made a quick scan of the immediate area, noticing that on the lawn of the house next door but one to JJ’s, a woman around or a smidgen older than herself hovered there, looking her way. She was too clouded with thought to make a real thought of it though, assuming that it was because she was a relatively unfamiliar face to a street like this.
She knocked on JJ’s front door, suddenly looking down and brushing away imaginary lint from her shirt. Should she have worn this? Should she have worn something else? Would jeans and her green elbow sleeved shirt be okay? Was it too casual…too low? There was no going back now though. She heard the sound of the lock being turned on the door, and a split second later it opened. And then suddenly she forgot the knot inside her stomach.
‘’Hey baby!’’
JJ greeted her cheerily, making Emily smile widely, possibly with a goofy glint in her eyes at the term of affection. She didn’t really think about it when she stepped inside, letting JJ wrap her arms around her neck and pull her into a deliciously hungry kiss.
She could tell, and she very much liked, how much the blonde wanted her, how much she’d missed her. Her hands automatically moved to find skin, slipping across JJ’s sides, not actually needing to search for skin because she already found it available there, given that JJ’s shirt had ridden up ever so slightly as she’d lifted up her arms. Her skin was soft and warm, just like it was etched into her memory.
Emily had definitely come to find that she rather liked being pinned up against walls by a certain blonde. Previously, she had done all the pinning people up movements, but there was just something about JJ that let her stand down from her need to be the most controlling one, gladly leaving herself to the blonde’s mercy.
‘’Hey yourself.’’
Emily finally managed to drawl, quite breathlessly, as they pulled apart a mere couple of inches dew to oxygen issues. She let that lop sided smirk move onto her lips again, even as JJ placed another kiss on her, though lighter than the last.
‘’You are right on time Agent Prentiss, as usual. I’ve been thinking about you.’’
JJ smirked, radiant eyes glowing impossibly more so than usual. The slumber that she had fallen into last night had been deep and restful, with good dreams to boot, leaving her energetic and light when she had woken up.
Or rather, been woken up by the little ball of sunshine that was usually Amelia in the mornings. Alert and fresh, awake to start another day. Excited that it was Sunday.
She had listened to her daughter tell her about her dream about a dog and a pony, which JJ artfully avoided the hint of wanting one of each, as she had cut up some fruit for them both and poured out some juice. It was always a light breakfast type snack in the morning, considering they usually had a brunch later.
And as JJ had been about to mention Emily again, Amelia had asked about her of her own accord. It relieved JJ that Amelia was still seemingly amiable to the whole idea, and that it seemed to settle well.
‘’I’ve been thinking about you too. I erm…I thought about calling yesterday but I backed out. Thought maybe I shouldn’t.’’
It had been so tempting, and it had taken an inordinate amount of will power, and a rather lengthy run to stop herself. Emily didn’t want to crowd JJ when she was with Amelia. Not when she was having the discussion she had with her yesterday. She didn’t want to come across as pushy. And she didn’t want to encroach on JJ’s time with her daughter.
‘’You could have, Em. Things went okay though. I talked to Amelia, I told her what we are and what it means. She’s curious. A little worried maybe, but mostly curious and okay about it.’’
‘’Worried?’’
JJ took in a breath, nodding slightly as she bit her bottom lip for a second.
‘’She told me that she remembered Renee. I had no idea; she must have a memory like Reid’s or something! But she erm…she asked me if you would hurt me like Renee did, because I cried a lot when she left. I tried to keep it from her I did…but…’’
Emily nodded, understanding JJ’s words as she put two of her fingers under the blonde’s chin to get her to look up again after she bowed her head. Obviously she was upset of the notion that she hadn’t been able to shield that from her daughter, like it was something to protect her from. To keep Amelia from seeing her Mother like that, or giving her a reason to worry.
‘’Hey, JJ, kids just know, okay? You didn’t do anything wrong.’’
She reassured, brushing blonde strands out the way of an emotional face. Her parents had had constant difficulties through their marriage. Probably still did. Emily had always known when they were fighting, whether they bothered to try and cover it up or not. Whether she heard them fighting or not.
It was never talked about. That wasn’t the Prentiss way. But it had been the elephant in the room. They thought she didn’t know, but children were always underestimated in their perceptiveness. And for a little girl such as Amelia, who was obviously so adoring of her Mom, there would have been no way to get it by her.
‘’I’m…not so sure. We’ll see, I guess. But anyway, we talked a little about you and she told me that she wanted me to be happy. She’s been asking about you this morning too. So, I think that’s a pretty good sign, don’t you?’’
Emily smiled, nodding slowly.
‘’Yeah, I think that’s a pretty good sign.’’
Even though she still had butterflies in her stomach, Emily didn’t feel that pang of anxiety quite as much now that she was stood in front of JJ. Who she trusted, who would be right there.
Looking at her now, so stunning and heartening as she was, so excited with her eyes and smile shining with the prospect of what was to come. The same prospect that she felt.
This was it. This was a hugely defining moment, and it excited her more than scared her now. Because again, all she kept seeing when she looked at JJ was future. And Amelia was part of that future too. And somehow, that just didn’t seem frightening at all.
‘’I didn’t know if I should bring anything, but I erm…I got this little art set…I dunno the pictures on the walls just suggested that…but I left it in the car.’’
Evidently though, that realisation didn’t stop her ramblings. Emily rolled her eyes at herself, tutting at her own inarticulate manner before taking in a steadying breath. She dropped her eyes toward the floor as she did, clearing her throat before looking back up, slightly more encouraged when she saw JJ’s smirk. Not a teasing one, but one that told her that she thought she was being sweet. An adorable geek, if Emily remembered correctly from their third date.
‘’You didn’t, but it’s sweet that you did, thank you. How about we have something to eat first, let her get used to you being here?’’
Emily nodded slowly, completely at the mercy of JJ’s advice on this one. She licked her lips slowly as she felt a small lump work its way into her throat. Still not feeling quite as bad as she had outside, but still having the twinges of nerves and worry.
‘’It’ll be okay, Em. Just be yourself.’’
JJ encouraged with a smile, leaning in to place a gentle, momentary kiss on Emily’s lips before taking her hand. She turned, leading the older woman through the hallway and through into the kitchen.
Emily looked around, quickly taking in things that stood out. The morning paper was open on the breakfast island, a cup of coffee still sitting next to it. That’s where JJ had been.
On the table at the other side, there was a glass of half drunken juice, obviously where Amelia had abandoned it until she wanted it again. The little stereo in the corner was on, letting a medium sound of funky beats that was obviously one of JJ’s trip hop type bands she liked.
The large glass patio door between the kitchen and the back garden was pulled open, letting the air of the morning come in, and revealing the sound of playing children that she had heard outside in. And one voice was a lot closer than the others. JJ let go of Emily’s hand as they got by the island, and walked over to the door.
‘’Amelia? Sweetheart I need you to come inside please. Emily is here.’’
JJ turned her head toward Emily, still offering her an encouraging smile. She wasn’t expecting to be slammed into by her over zealous daughter, which made her grunt and stagger a little by the force.
Amelia kept her arms wrapped around her, hiding behind her as she peeked out a little bit. JJ tried to move around, tried to turn to look behind her, but it was rather difficult when Amelia moved with her.
‘’Baby, stop hiding behind me, I can’t move! You going to come out?’’
Amelia shook her head, still looking over and up at Emily as she peeked out from behind her Mother, little hands still gripping onto her jeans. She didn’t seem to be upset; actually she was smiling just a little bit. In that adorable shy way.
‘’Okay, then why don’t you say hello? Show her I’ve actually been raising you with manners!’’
JJ quipped, rolling her eyes slightly as she let out a laughing sigh.
‘’Hi Emily.’’
Emily smiled at the shy yet sweet greeting, moving to crouch down but not move forward. She didn’t want to flood the kid. If she felt like she needed to stay behind JJ for a while, that was okay.
‘’Hello Amelia, it’s nice to see you again.’’
Those little sparkling blue eyes got a little clearer as Amelia shuffled out an inch, un-bashfully looking her up and down, as though trying to figure something out. She looked up at JJ for a moment, receiving a loving smile as she did, and then looked back at Emily again.
‘’You like my Mommy.’’
Emily nodded.
‘’Yeah I do. A lot.’’
‘’Does you love Mommy?’’
Emily’s eyes flicked up toward JJ for a moment, a small smirk crossing her lips as brown eyes glowed a little, before she looked back at Amelia again.
‘’I’m starting to, yeah. She’s very special.’’
Amelia looked at her again, as if weighing up Emily’s answers in her head. Once again, she shuffled out a little bit, still holding onto JJ but enough to be seen almost properly. She still looked at Emily as JJ put a hand on the back of her head gently, stroking through some of her hair.
‘’Mommy said you can hear waves in shells!’’
JJ had to choke back a little laughter at the complete subject change, and also went a little red that Amelia had chosen that in particular to strike up what passed as a decent conversation in five year old eyes. Because it was one of those things that you told your kids, but aside from that it had no real place.
‘’Seashells, honey.’’
The blonde interjected, making Amelia nod vigorously. Emily smiled, obviously already charmed by the little girl.
‘’In the big ones, sure you can yeah.’’
The profiler agreed without missing a beat. Amelia grinned, stepping out a little more, only holding onto JJ with one arm now, which was still wrapped around her leg.
‘’I like the beach.’’
‘’Me too.’’
‘’Do umm…do you like horses?’’
‘’I love horses, yes. I erm…I have one actually.’’
Emily made a distinct effort not to look at JJ right then!
‘’Really?’’
‘’Yep. You can meet him, if you want. He’s very nice.’’
‘’What’s his name?’’
‘’Wicket.’’
That time, Emily did look up toward JJ slowly as the blonde pretended to clear her throat, but a very distinct ‘geek’ could be heard through it. She grinned widely, obviously proud of herself, and Emily noted to herself to firstly get her own back later, and secondly ask JJ just how exactly she knew where the name was from!
‘’Mommy’s name is really Jennifer…and umm…and she pick-ted mine…Amelia Her…Herm…’’
Emily had to lean her face on her hand slightly, so that she could smile into her palm, not wanting to distract Amelia’s mission on trying to pronounce her name. The clear focus on her face reminded her of when JJ was focusing on something too, it was adorable. She glanced upward again, finding that JJ was looking down at her daughter with just as much amusement.
‘’Hermione. Yeah, we haven’t mastered that one just yet!’’
She said playfully, looking back over at Emily as Amelia squeaked.
‘’Ya. What your Mommy call you?’’
‘’Me? Just Emily, actually. But you know, you and I? We pretty much have the same name.’’
Amelia looked at Emily as though she had grown a second head, which only made the brunette smirk even more.
‘’Do not!’’
‘’The sound of it is different, sure. But Amelia is a form of Emily.’’
‘’It is?’’
The little girl squeaked, compelled to believe Emily for some reason.
‘’It is?’’
Echoed JJ, frowning slightly as she squeaked in an almost disbelieving surprise. Emily nodded, clearing her throat slightly. JJ snickered a little, chuckling lightly as she rolled her eyes.
‘’Good job I didn’t pick Emily then, ‘cos that would’ve been weird!’’
She muttered, though the mutter got caught by Emily who looked at her with a trace of alarm in her eyes. She was right though, it would have been weird. Still, her little geeky bit of information had made Amelia step forward just a little bit. Her eyes still reflected her curiosity and a little of her hesitancy, but Emily could tell that she was warming to her a little bit too. That was good.
‘’Does you wanna see my wendy house?’’
Amelia asked eventually, pointing toward the open door. Emily looked at JJ, who’s smile told her she had hit upon a good thing, then nodded enthusiastically.
‘’I’d love to.’’
Amelia grinned, finally letting go of JJ to move forward. She took Emily’s hand, and began to pull her outside, chattering random pieces of information as she did. As Emily was practically dragged past JJ, the blonde gave her a little wave goodbye, still with that look and smile that spoke volumes. Emily thought this may end up being a rather great day.
Yesterday hadn’t been too bad. These thoughts hadn’t been invading her head yesterday. After she had left JJ’s house, after a rather crushing kiss goodbye, the profiler had driven around for a while, happy to just enjoy that relaxed type of feeling you got when something good was happening. When you knew something special was happening. As corny as it sounded, she had been in her own little bubble up on cloud nine.
Even her parents hadn’t quite managed to burst that bubble. Deciding that she couldn’t dodge the insistent requests for a visit any longer, and also getting sick of the snarky voicemails that Ambassador Prentiss kept leaving for her about it, Emily had decided to throw herself at the mercy of her politician parents.
She had gone home, showered and changed, grabbed a quick snack in the form of a bagel and hit the road again. Just happily to turn the radio up in her car, window down, sleeves up, sunglasses on. She even sang along. Arriving at the estate, she had smiled and offered the staff she saw a greeting, walking into the entrance hall without preamble.
It turned out that she had picked a day that her parents had some friends over for a late lunch, which was an unusual relief. At least she had other people to chat to for a while, not giving them chance to interrogate her or scrutinise her right off the bat. Actually, they were rather…nice.
After some light conversations, and some debates on foreign and home affairs, after the guests had done asking her about her job, they had made their leave, abandoning her to her fate. So it had been a pleasant surprised that the conversations had put her parents in a rather pleasant mood, and the conversation between the three of them had been rather polite. She had just smiled at them, that quiet mysterious twinkle in her eyes telling them that she knew something they didn’t know as she had sipped on some tea, when they had asked if she was seeing anybody yet.
This wasn’t for them yet. This was still hers, still JJ’s. And it was about to be a little bigger. Causing the butterflies in her stomach and her almost bambi like co-ordination. She wondered how an experienced, collected and capable FBI Agent, a profiler no less, could be so nervous about meeting one little girl.
Amelia was just a kid, right? But she knew it wasn’t true. She knew how important this was. To her, to JJ. She knew that she desperately wanted things to work out well, for Amelia to like her. But she also knew that she was stepping in on the five year olds territory. She was the stranger stepping into their life; one where previously she’d had her Mother all to herself.
Kids smelt fear, didn’t they?
Emily gulped, hands still gripping her steering wheel, even though she had been parked for at least a few minutes now. Her eyes drifted over to JJ’s house, and she took in the features of it slowly. Just looking at her house, knowing this was where she called home; it made her feel warm inside.
Suddenly since she had been dating the blonde, the house wasn’t just a house any more. Because she knew it was hers, she could see traits of JJ all over it. When did she turn into a sap?
Pulling herself together, Emily exited the car. The pre lunchtime sun was shining down gloriously, bathing everything and everyone in its warm rays. The air was full of the sounds of suburbia. The sound of families, dogs, kids…the sound of life.
The thing that she had been trying to protect since she had started at the Academy. This is what she fought so hard for. There had been times when she thought she would get to experience it too, only to come so close but so far. But now, she felt like she had a true shot at it, and she wasn’t going to let that go.
Due to the warmth of the day already, Emily decided to forgo her jacket, deciding to leave it where it was, haphazardly strewn on the passenger seat of her car. As she walked around to the pavement, she pressed the lock on her keys and heard the familiar beep of her car, telling her that it was now locked and alarmed.
Due to her being her, she made a quick scan of the immediate area, noticing that on the lawn of the house next door but one to JJ’s, a woman around or a smidgen older than herself hovered there, looking her way. She was too clouded with thought to make a real thought of it though, assuming that it was because she was a relatively unfamiliar face to a street like this.
She knocked on JJ’s front door, suddenly looking down and brushing away imaginary lint from her shirt. Should she have worn this? Should she have worn something else? Would jeans and her green elbow sleeved shirt be okay? Was it too casual…too low? There was no going back now though. She heard the sound of the lock being turned on the door, and a split second later it opened. And then suddenly she forgot the knot inside her stomach.
‘’Hey baby!’’
JJ greeted her cheerily, making Emily smile widely, possibly with a goofy glint in her eyes at the term of affection. She didn’t really think about it when she stepped inside, letting JJ wrap her arms around her neck and pull her into a deliciously hungry kiss.
She could tell, and she very much liked, how much the blonde wanted her, how much she’d missed her. Her hands automatically moved to find skin, slipping across JJ’s sides, not actually needing to search for skin because she already found it available there, given that JJ’s shirt had ridden up ever so slightly as she’d lifted up her arms. Her skin was soft and warm, just like it was etched into her memory.
Emily had definitely come to find that she rather liked being pinned up against walls by a certain blonde. Previously, she had done all the pinning people up movements, but there was just something about JJ that let her stand down from her need to be the most controlling one, gladly leaving herself to the blonde’s mercy.
‘’Hey yourself.’’
Emily finally managed to drawl, quite breathlessly, as they pulled apart a mere couple of inches dew to oxygen issues. She let that lop sided smirk move onto her lips again, even as JJ placed another kiss on her, though lighter than the last.
‘’You are right on time Agent Prentiss, as usual. I’ve been thinking about you.’’
JJ smirked, radiant eyes glowing impossibly more so than usual. The slumber that she had fallen into last night had been deep and restful, with good dreams to boot, leaving her energetic and light when she had woken up.
Or rather, been woken up by the little ball of sunshine that was usually Amelia in the mornings. Alert and fresh, awake to start another day. Excited that it was Sunday.
She had listened to her daughter tell her about her dream about a dog and a pony, which JJ artfully avoided the hint of wanting one of each, as she had cut up some fruit for them both and poured out some juice. It was always a light breakfast type snack in the morning, considering they usually had a brunch later.
And as JJ had been about to mention Emily again, Amelia had asked about her of her own accord. It relieved JJ that Amelia was still seemingly amiable to the whole idea, and that it seemed to settle well.
‘’I’ve been thinking about you too. I erm…I thought about calling yesterday but I backed out. Thought maybe I shouldn’t.’’
It had been so tempting, and it had taken an inordinate amount of will power, and a rather lengthy run to stop herself. Emily didn’t want to crowd JJ when she was with Amelia. Not when she was having the discussion she had with her yesterday. She didn’t want to come across as pushy. And she didn’t want to encroach on JJ’s time with her daughter.
‘’You could have, Em. Things went okay though. I talked to Amelia, I told her what we are and what it means. She’s curious. A little worried maybe, but mostly curious and okay about it.’’
‘’Worried?’’
JJ took in a breath, nodding slightly as she bit her bottom lip for a second.
‘’She told me that she remembered Renee. I had no idea; she must have a memory like Reid’s or something! But she erm…she asked me if you would hurt me like Renee did, because I cried a lot when she left. I tried to keep it from her I did…but…’’
Emily nodded, understanding JJ’s words as she put two of her fingers under the blonde’s chin to get her to look up again after she bowed her head. Obviously she was upset of the notion that she hadn’t been able to shield that from her daughter, like it was something to protect her from. To keep Amelia from seeing her Mother like that, or giving her a reason to worry.
‘’Hey, JJ, kids just know, okay? You didn’t do anything wrong.’’
She reassured, brushing blonde strands out the way of an emotional face. Her parents had had constant difficulties through their marriage. Probably still did. Emily had always known when they were fighting, whether they bothered to try and cover it up or not. Whether she heard them fighting or not.
It was never talked about. That wasn’t the Prentiss way. But it had been the elephant in the room. They thought she didn’t know, but children were always underestimated in their perceptiveness. And for a little girl such as Amelia, who was obviously so adoring of her Mom, there would have been no way to get it by her.
‘’I’m…not so sure. We’ll see, I guess. But anyway, we talked a little about you and she told me that she wanted me to be happy. She’s been asking about you this morning too. So, I think that’s a pretty good sign, don’t you?’’
Emily smiled, nodding slowly.
‘’Yeah, I think that’s a pretty good sign.’’
Even though she still had butterflies in her stomach, Emily didn’t feel that pang of anxiety quite as much now that she was stood in front of JJ. Who she trusted, who would be right there.
Looking at her now, so stunning and heartening as she was, so excited with her eyes and smile shining with the prospect of what was to come. The same prospect that she felt.
This was it. This was a hugely defining moment, and it excited her more than scared her now. Because again, all she kept seeing when she looked at JJ was future. And Amelia was part of that future too. And somehow, that just didn’t seem frightening at all.
‘’I didn’t know if I should bring anything, but I erm…I got this little art set…I dunno the pictures on the walls just suggested that…but I left it in the car.’’
Evidently though, that realisation didn’t stop her ramblings. Emily rolled her eyes at herself, tutting at her own inarticulate manner before taking in a steadying breath. She dropped her eyes toward the floor as she did, clearing her throat before looking back up, slightly more encouraged when she saw JJ’s smirk. Not a teasing one, but one that told her that she thought she was being sweet. An adorable geek, if Emily remembered correctly from their third date.
‘’You didn’t, but it’s sweet that you did, thank you. How about we have something to eat first, let her get used to you being here?’’
Emily nodded slowly, completely at the mercy of JJ’s advice on this one. She licked her lips slowly as she felt a small lump work its way into her throat. Still not feeling quite as bad as she had outside, but still having the twinges of nerves and worry.
‘’It’ll be okay, Em. Just be yourself.’’
JJ encouraged with a smile, leaning in to place a gentle, momentary kiss on Emily’s lips before taking her hand. She turned, leading the older woman through the hallway and through into the kitchen.
Emily looked around, quickly taking in things that stood out. The morning paper was open on the breakfast island, a cup of coffee still sitting next to it. That’s where JJ had been.
On the table at the other side, there was a glass of half drunken juice, obviously where Amelia had abandoned it until she wanted it again. The little stereo in the corner was on, letting a medium sound of funky beats that was obviously one of JJ’s trip hop type bands she liked.
The large glass patio door between the kitchen and the back garden was pulled open, letting the air of the morning come in, and revealing the sound of playing children that she had heard outside in. And one voice was a lot closer than the others. JJ let go of Emily’s hand as they got by the island, and walked over to the door.
‘’Amelia? Sweetheart I need you to come inside please. Emily is here.’’
JJ turned her head toward Emily, still offering her an encouraging smile. She wasn’t expecting to be slammed into by her over zealous daughter, which made her grunt and stagger a little by the force.
Amelia kept her arms wrapped around her, hiding behind her as she peeked out a little bit. JJ tried to move around, tried to turn to look behind her, but it was rather difficult when Amelia moved with her.
‘’Baby, stop hiding behind me, I can’t move! You going to come out?’’
Amelia shook her head, still looking over and up at Emily as she peeked out from behind her Mother, little hands still gripping onto her jeans. She didn’t seem to be upset; actually she was smiling just a little bit. In that adorable shy way.
‘’Okay, then why don’t you say hello? Show her I’ve actually been raising you with manners!’’
JJ quipped, rolling her eyes slightly as she let out a laughing sigh.
‘’Hi Emily.’’
Emily smiled at the shy yet sweet greeting, moving to crouch down but not move forward. She didn’t want to flood the kid. If she felt like she needed to stay behind JJ for a while, that was okay.
‘’Hello Amelia, it’s nice to see you again.’’
Those little sparkling blue eyes got a little clearer as Amelia shuffled out an inch, un-bashfully looking her up and down, as though trying to figure something out. She looked up at JJ for a moment, receiving a loving smile as she did, and then looked back at Emily again.
‘’You like my Mommy.’’
Emily nodded.
‘’Yeah I do. A lot.’’
‘’Does you love Mommy?’’
Emily’s eyes flicked up toward JJ for a moment, a small smirk crossing her lips as brown eyes glowed a little, before she looked back at Amelia again.
‘’I’m starting to, yeah. She’s very special.’’
Amelia looked at her again, as if weighing up Emily’s answers in her head. Once again, she shuffled out a little bit, still holding onto JJ but enough to be seen almost properly. She still looked at Emily as JJ put a hand on the back of her head gently, stroking through some of her hair.
‘’Mommy said you can hear waves in shells!’’
JJ had to choke back a little laughter at the complete subject change, and also went a little red that Amelia had chosen that in particular to strike up what passed as a decent conversation in five year old eyes. Because it was one of those things that you told your kids, but aside from that it had no real place.
‘’Seashells, honey.’’
The blonde interjected, making Amelia nod vigorously. Emily smiled, obviously already charmed by the little girl.
‘’In the big ones, sure you can yeah.’’
The profiler agreed without missing a beat. Amelia grinned, stepping out a little more, only holding onto JJ with one arm now, which was still wrapped around her leg.
‘’I like the beach.’’
‘’Me too.’’
‘’Do umm…do you like horses?’’
‘’I love horses, yes. I erm…I have one actually.’’
Emily made a distinct effort not to look at JJ right then!
‘’Really?’’
‘’Yep. You can meet him, if you want. He’s very nice.’’
‘’What’s his name?’’
‘’Wicket.’’
That time, Emily did look up toward JJ slowly as the blonde pretended to clear her throat, but a very distinct ‘geek’ could be heard through it. She grinned widely, obviously proud of herself, and Emily noted to herself to firstly get her own back later, and secondly ask JJ just how exactly she knew where the name was from!
‘’Mommy’s name is really Jennifer…and umm…and she pick-ted mine…Amelia Her…Herm…’’
Emily had to lean her face on her hand slightly, so that she could smile into her palm, not wanting to distract Amelia’s mission on trying to pronounce her name. The clear focus on her face reminded her of when JJ was focusing on something too, it was adorable. She glanced upward again, finding that JJ was looking down at her daughter with just as much amusement.
‘’Hermione. Yeah, we haven’t mastered that one just yet!’’
She said playfully, looking back over at Emily as Amelia squeaked.
‘’Ya. What your Mommy call you?’’
‘’Me? Just Emily, actually. But you know, you and I? We pretty much have the same name.’’
Amelia looked at Emily as though she had grown a second head, which only made the brunette smirk even more.
‘’Do not!’’
‘’The sound of it is different, sure. But Amelia is a form of Emily.’’
‘’It is?’’
The little girl squeaked, compelled to believe Emily for some reason.
‘’It is?’’
Echoed JJ, frowning slightly as she squeaked in an almost disbelieving surprise. Emily nodded, clearing her throat slightly. JJ snickered a little, chuckling lightly as she rolled her eyes.
‘’Good job I didn’t pick Emily then, ‘cos that would’ve been weird!’’
She muttered, though the mutter got caught by Emily who looked at her with a trace of alarm in her eyes. She was right though, it would have been weird. Still, her little geeky bit of information had made Amelia step forward just a little bit. Her eyes still reflected her curiosity and a little of her hesitancy, but Emily could tell that she was warming to her a little bit too. That was good.
‘’Does you wanna see my wendy house?’’
Amelia asked eventually, pointing toward the open door. Emily looked at JJ, who’s smile told her she had hit upon a good thing, then nodded enthusiastically.
‘’I’d love to.’’
Amelia grinned, finally letting go of JJ to move forward. She took Emily’s hand, and began to pull her outside, chattering random pieces of information as she did. As Emily was practically dragged past JJ, the blonde gave her a little wave goodbye, still with that look and smile that spoke volumes. Emily thought this may end up being a rather great day.