Chapter One:

I had been engaged to Jack Hotchner for six months. Wedding planning had taken over our lives. We had secured a date for the spring following our engagement. That gave us ten months to plan a wedding. With four months to go, things were getting a bit hectic. I wanted to get married in a church, even though Dad had offered the use of the back garden. I compromised and asked if we could have the reception in the garden. Our lives at the moment were filled with dress fittings and suit fittings, cake tastings and flower approving. All while trying to raise a two-year-old. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it. Mom, Dad and Hotch were being amazing, offering to have Heidi whenever we needed and have her overnight if needs be.

With four months to go, Dad and I were busy making arrangements for Nonna and Anthea to come over for the wedding. Having finally met my nonna when I was seventeen, I was determined to have her at my wedding. She was now nearing ninety, but still as strong and determined as ever. Nonna was going to fly out three months before the wedding and Anthea, unable to get that long off work, was flying out the week before the wedding. Both would be staying at Dad's and I couldn't wait to have Nonna out here and for her to meet her great-granddaughter.

Heading over to Mom and Dad's after work one day to pick up my daughter, I was curious to know what was happening with Nonna. I let myself in and was almost bowled over by Heidi.

"Mommy, mommy, come and see what I've done with Nana and Grandpa!" she pulled me by my hand and, laughing, I followed her into the kitchen. The table was covered in an old sheet and the paints were out on the table. On the sheet were four big pieces of paper with the words:

WELCOME TO AMERICA, NONNA

written on them. I smiled.

"Did you make these?" I asked.

"I coloured them in and put the sparkles on!" she said, proudly.

"Well, it's amazing and I'm sure Nonna will love them too!"

"I can't wait to meet her!"

"She can't wait to meet you either!" I said.

"Is that my daughter I can hear?" came Dad's voice.

"Hi Dad!" I said as he came into the room.

"Ah, admiring the work of the next Piccasso I see!" he smiled.

"Yeah, its awesome!" I replied, smiling at Heidi. "When's Nonna getting here?"

"Her flight gets in tomorrow afternoon. You guys wanna come pick her up with me?" Dad asked.

I beamed from ear to ear, "Thought you would never ask!" I looked at Heidi, "What say you baby girl? You want to go meet Nonna at the airport with Grandpa?"

"Yes please, Mommy!" She grinned, "Can I take Mudgie?"

I laughed, "I don't think we can take the dog baby. He'll have to stay here with Nana."

"Ok Mommy." She sighed.

I drove myself and Heidi up to Dad's house the next morning. Jack had left early to do some reports so that he could be home when Nonna got here. Jack was nervous about meeting Dad's mom. She knew about him. I had eventually told her about Jack while we were staying over there on vacation during the whole Scratch incident. She was keen to meet him and we had been planning on going to Italy the year we graduated college, but Jack's training at the Bureau and being pregnant with Heidi interrupted our plans. So now the first time they were going to meet was with four months until the wedding and a two-year-old great-granddaughter.

I let Heidi run some steam off in the backyard while I talked with Mom about my dress fitting later in the week. Only Mom and Ashley had been allowed to see any part of my dress. Ashley was my maid of honour which was the only reason she had been allowed. Garcia and JJ had protested loudly at this but had accepted and were looking forward to being surprised. The final colour and pattern for the bridesmaid dresses had arrived and I was talking with mum to see if she could help organize a time when everyone could get together to do a fitting. Mom was loving this somewhat more than me. Amber had shut her out when it came to her wedding. She was allowed to be there because she was her Mom, but other than that, Amber had acted like Mom didn't exist. Dave had gone with her and I'm glad he had done otherwise Mom would've been on her own. I was spending more time at Mom and Dads than I had done since coming home from uni and I was loving it. Most of the time, I came without Heidi, leaving her with Aaron, which he was loving. Don't get me wrong, I missed my baby girl all the time, but I knew she was safe, and I knew that it was easier to plan a wedding without her.

"Am I allowed to come in?" Dad's voice called from the garden. He had been keeping Heidi entertained while I talked with Mom.

I tidied away the dress designs and put the folder back in my bag. "All clear!" I called.

"Thanks!" said Dad, "Heidi's been making me play Tangled and there's only so much 'I've Got a Dream' I can take!"

I laughed, "Sorry Dad, it's her new obsession. Jack bought Disney Plus the other week and it's all we've been watching!"

"How's wedding central going?"

I smiled, "We're getting there. Thanks for letting us have the party here!"

"Anytime." He smiled, "You know I'm happy to do anything for you, bambina!"

"I know, Dad, I know."

"When are you going to pick Nonna up?" asked Mom, heading over to the sink to rinse out her coffee cup.

"In a minute. That's why I came in. I came to make sure you weren't too busy. We need to get moving."

"Cool, let me run to the loo and put my sneakers on and I'm all good."

"Okay, I'll get Heidi and.. your car or mine?" he asked

"Mine, if that's okay? All Heidi's things are in there and her car seat so it make sense."

"Sure thing." And he headed back into the garden.

"Drive safe, Jess. I'll see you when you get home."

I gave Mom a hug. "Love you!"

"Love you more!"

An hour later, I was pulling into the parking lot at Dulles International Airport. Heidi had fallen asleep on the drive up and so while Dad went into check on Nonna's flight status, I stayed in the car with Heidi. This may sound creepy, but I loved watching my daughter sleep. She was so cute. She had her head rolled back against the car seat and her mouth open slightly. She was also snoring slightly. I turned back to face the entrance of the airport and watched for Dad coming back. I rolled down the window and let in some fresh air. The change in the temperature and climate always had me feeling nauseous. That was one of the reasons why I offered to drive. I didn't want to get travel sick and have everyone jumping to the wrong conclusions!

Heidi stirred in her sleep and I turned back to see her open her eyes.

"Hey, baby girl. Did you have a quick nap?" I smiled

She nodded and rubbed her eyes, "Did I miss Nonna?" she asked, concerned.

"Nope. Grandpa's just gone to see if her flight has been delayed or if it's getting in on time."

She smiled, "Can I have a snack? I'm hungry!"

I shook my head, smiling. "You and your stomach! You are definitely your grandfather's granddaughter!" I rolled the window up, grabbed my bag and got out of the car.

"Hey!" called Dad, "Mom's flight was delayed leaving Rome, so she's another hour out!"

"Okay, we can chill here. Your granddaughter is hungry anyway." I said.

Dad laughed, "Well there's a Starbucks just inside the entrance so I suggest we head there and you can inform me some more on this wedding I seem to be paying for but know nothing about!"

We got Heidi out the car, locked it and headed for the entrance. Heidi held my hand but when she saw all the space inside the arrivals, she ran off in front of me.

"Heidi! Slow down!" I called, running after her. The last thing I wanted to do was lose my daughter in an international airport.

"Come on Mommy!" she called, laughing.

"Heidi Hotchner, come back here!" I called, "This isn't funny!" and then suddenly my vision went black and I lost my balance.

"Mommy!"

"Jessica!" I heard Heidi and Dad call and I felt Dad's arms under me. I blinked and shook my head. My vision was blurry but was slowly coming back.

"Mommy?" asked Heidi and she held my hand.

"I'm okay, baby." I said trying to stand up. I held onto Dad's arm and we walked over to the nearest chair. Someone from the airport staff had come over and handed me a bottle of water.

"What happened Jess?" asked Dad kneeling down in front of me as Heidi climbed on my knee and held me tight.

"Dunno. Just went dizzy. Think my blood pressure must be down. I've not eaten properly today."

Dad looked at me concerned. "You sure?" he asked

I smiled at him, "I'm sure. I just need a bacon roll or something. And coffee!"

Dad looked at me like he didn't want to believe me but I stared him down and eventually he consented to walk over to Starbucks.

"You know there are easier ways to stop your child from running off!" He grinned. I swatted him on the arm and ordered some food. I got Heidi a fruit bowl and chocolate cookie and I got myself a sandwich, fruit bowl and a slice of cake.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Heidi asked, as I took a sip of my latte.

I nodded, "Yes baby, I'm okay. My head went funny for a moment. You know like when you're on the merry-go-round at the park and you go too fast?"

She nodded, "I don't like that feeling!"

"Well, it was like that, but only for a minute and it was because Mommy had forgotten to eat today as she has been busy and excited about Nonna coming over." I explained.

"Silly Mommy!" said Dad, smiling.

"Yes, silly Mommy!" said Heidi, copying her grandpa. "You have to eat!"

"I know. And Mommy promises not to forget to eat again!" and I tapped her on the nose.

We say and chatted for a while before hearing Nonna's flight being called on the tannoy. We stood up and headed over to the arrivals area.

"Where's Nonna? I can't see her!" said Heidi, jumping up and down. I picked her up, but lets be honest, that didn't help much.

"We needed Daddy!" huffed Heidi.

I couldn't help but agree.

"I think I see her kiddo!" said Dad, pointing over the crowd. The people in front moved and I saw my Nonna. She was walking with the aid of an airport worker and another was pulling her suitcases.

"Mama!" said Dad, walking over and greeting her.

"David!" she smiled. "Never again did I think I would be in America again, but è la vita." She looked around, "Jessie, look at you. Sei più bella che mai. Motherhood suits you my dear!"

I blushed, "Salve Nonna!" I said, smiling, "How was the flight?"

"Eh, once the plane took off, all was good. These Americans think they know everything, but they do not know that I am in a rush to see my granddaughter and her wedding!"

"Jack and I are honored that you would fly out for our wedding." I said, squeezing her hand.

Heidi tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Can I say hi to Nonna?"

I smiled and laughed, "Nonna, this is your great-granddaughter Heidi Hotchner!"

"Salve, Heidi. It is very nice to be meeting you. You make an old woman very happy."

"I'm very excited to meet you too!" Heidi grinned, "It's much better than on the phone!"

"Where is Jack? Is he too scared to meet his Nonna?" she asked, looking round.

I smiled, "No, Nonna, Jack had to work this morning, but he will be back at the house with Mom."

"Good. And my other granddaughter?"

"Joy, Kai, Shawn and Bria are coming out the week of the wedding, like Anthea." Dad explained.

"Come on, Nonna, you can sit next to me." I put Heidi down so that I could help with the suitcases. Dad took his mother's arm, thanking the member of staff and we headed back to the car.

"Mom, do you want to sit in the front?" asked Dad, "I don't mind riding in the back?"

"Hush David, I'll have no such thing. I will ride next to my great-granddaughter and anyway, I will probably fall asleep. This way, I will offend no one!"

Dad looked at me and I shrugged. "Are you okay to be driving?" asked Dad

I rolled my eyes, "I'll be fine Dad!" and got in the car.

Back at the house, Mom came out to meet us and help with the luggage. She whispered in my ear, "What's this I hear about you fainting?"

I rolled my eyes and glared at Dad, "What?" he replied.

I whispered back at Mom, "I didn't faint. I had a dizzy spell. I'll talk about it later!"

Mom gave me a look and said no more.

I helped carry Nonna's bags into the house and Jack took them upstairs after giving me a hug and a kiss. Heidi came in, holding onto Nonna's hand and as soon as she sat down in a chair, she was climbing up onto her knee. I took my phone out and took a photo. Tears came in my eyes and I left to go to the kitchen. Jack came and found me.

"You okay?" he asked, putting his arm round my shoulder.

I nodded, "Sorry, got emotional seeing H up on Nonna's knee."

Jack smiled, "I know. Come on, let's go." He said and I followed him back into the living room.