The Birthday continues... –
Kate woke up early the next morning, her body curled up beside her mom's as she watched her mother's eyes slowly begin to open, a smile crept across her face as Emily leant over and started to rub her nose against Kate's. The two of them lay together for a couple of minutes, silence enveloping the room before Kate sighed and pushed herself up in the bed.
"I've got to go pee!"
"Well go then!"
Emily laughed as she pushed Kate out of the bed and watched the now 10 year old run towards the bathroom. Emily swung her legs out of the bed and started to walk downstairs, heading straight to the kitchen and putting a pot of coffee on. It didn't take long for Kate to wander downstairs and she climbed up onto the bar stool next to her mom, reaching for the container of breakfast cereal as Emily passed her a bowl and the milk.
"Orange juice?"
"Yes please."
Emily grinned at her daughter as she poured the drink before she grabbed the container of Cheerios and poured them into her bowl as the two of them tucked into their food with Kate having picked up Emily's habit of eagerly devouring food as soon as it was placed in front of her.
"So what is happening today?"
Kate cleared her mouth as she tried to capture the last of the cereal on her spoon, looking at her mom who was cradling her over-sized mug of strong coffee.
"Well Aunt Pen is coming round this morning to show you some things on the laptop then we are all going to Uncle Derek's for lunch and finally but not least, Uncle Dave has invited to Little Creek for tea."
"Wow that sounds cool, this has been the best birthday since my parents died mom, I can't thank you and the team enough."
Emily sighed as she reached across and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Kate's ear.
"I'm glad munchkin, I want the two of us to put the bad memories behind us, and we're just going to have good ones from now on!"
Kate nodded as she lifted the bowl up and brought it up to her mouth, pouring the last few drops of milk down her throat before she jumped off the stool and ran upstairs to get ready for the day ahead.
Emily grinned widely as she opened the door and let Garcia in, the colourful analyst touched her friend briefly on the arm before she headed straight over to where Kate was sitting on the couch.
"Ah my favourite niece!"
"Hello Aunt Pen!"
Garcia quickly threw her arms around Kate, an action which was immediately reciprocated by the young girl as Emily walked over to them with the laptop tucked under her arm.
"Well my little sweet pea, if I am not mistaken I still have to shower you with birthday gifts!"
Emily sat down on the floor and placed the laptop on the coffee table, a smile wide on her face as she watched Garcia take a hold of Kate's hands.
"So sweetie, my gift to you doesn't come gift wrapped but it is some custom built software for your laptop that will come into its own when Emily and you are apart. Now Emily your phone please!"
"Of course PG here you go!"
Emily slid her Iphone across the couch and watched Garcia quickly pick it up before she let go of Kate's hands and reached across for the laptop as well.
"So Kate I've written some software so that you and Emily can keep in contact whilst she is away on cases, you can type messages to each other, phone one another and video conference each other through Emily's phone and your laptop!"
"That's great Aunt Pen, thank you!"
Emily laughed as she watched Kate throw her arms around Garcia's neck and hug her tightly.
"It's always nice to be able to speak to mom when she is away but this means that I can get in contact with her at any time and then we can see each other too!"
"I guess it will make being away from you a little bit easier."
Kate nodded as Emily spoke but she was far too engrossed in the demonstration of the program that Garcia was in the middle of to respond.
"Come on you two we're going to be late, and you know that I'm going to blame you for this Pen!"
"Oh calm down Emily, you know that Derek can't be angry at me or Kate!"
Emily shook her head as Garcia passed Kate her jacket and finally they left the condo and down to the garage for the trip to Morgan's house. The journey passed quickly as Garcia plugged her Ipod into the car and laughed as Kate started singing along. As Emily slowed the car down all three females started to giggle as they spotted Morgan waving at them.
"Oh my I forgot how good my chocolate god looks in shorts!"
Garcia's voice squealed in delight as she took in Morgan sitting in tight fitting shorts and t-shirt on top of his mountain bike with a similar smaller version resting against his leg.
"Is that...?"
Kate waited impatiently as Emily stopped the car and turned to nod at her daughter, giving her the go ahead to get out, which she eagerly did, sprinting over to where Morgan was waiting.
"Happy birthday my little angel!"
"Thanks Uncle Derek, is that for me?"
"Oh yes! I know that Emily's place hasn't really got room for a bike, but thought that you could keep it here and we could go out for some adventures!"
"That sounds great! Mom?"
Kate looked over at Emily who just smiled at her.
"Go on, just make sure you wear your safety helmet and no racing!"
"Ok mom!"
Kate quickly unhooked the helmet and adjusted the straps so that it fitted snugly before she followed Morgan as he slowly peddled away, leaving Garcia and Emily sitting on the front lawn with Clooney laying in between them.
Kate's eyes quickly shut as Emily drove away, the tiredness from the last two days catching up with the young girl. Kate had spent over an hour on her bike with Morgan and Emily was pleased that the two of them were bonding and slowly Kate was beginning to trust the male members of the team and was willing to spend time alone with them. Garcia had decided to stay at Derek's, under the guise of fixing a computer problem but Emily knew that it was just an excuse to see Derek in his shorts for a little longer. It was going to take a while for them to drive out to Dave's and Emily knew that it wouldn't do Kate any harm whatsoever to sleep and she was thankful that Dave had planned a quiet evening for the three of them.
"Come on munchkin, we're here."
Emily reached over and gently squeezed Kate's arm as the security lights around the cabin lit up and announced their arrival.
"Hmmm?"
"We're at Uncle Dave's."
"Oh."
Kate reached up and rubbed her eyes as Emily got out of the car and stretched out her arms as they spotted Dave walking out to greet them.
"I'm afraid someone's a little bit tired!"
Emily grinned as Kate sleepily walked around the car and up towards Dave who ruffled her hair.
"That's ok, I really didn't expect anything else! Come on in everything is ready."
Dave took a hold of Kate's hand as Emily followed behind them into the cabin and they headed into the large lounge.
"Wow this is some place you have here Uncle Dave!"
Kate's mouth dropped open slightly as she saw the large flat screen television and well stocked bookcases adorning the other walls.
"I like it! So do you want to open your present first or eat?"
Dave grinned cheekily as Emily sat down on the leather armchair and watched Kate raise an eyebrow.
"Ok that was a silly question, here you go sweetie, happy birthday!"
Kate gratefully accepted the envelope from Dave and quickly opened it, a smile broad across her face as her eyes opened wide and looked at first her mom, who nodded, and then Dave.
"Disneyland?"
"Have you been?"
"No!"
"Well you and Emily both deserve a holiday and I've cleared it with Hotch for the time off too!"
"Thank you Uncle Dave!"
"Yes thanks Dave."
Emily smiled as she watched Dave sit down on the leather couch with Kate sitting down next to him.
"Well we've got homemade pizza and a selection of Disney films to watch, I thought that after the excitement of the last two days a nice quiet evening in would be ideal!"
Kate nodded as she curled up her legs and got comfortable whilst Dave flicked on the television.
Emily carefully laid Kate into her bed, her eyes flickered slightly but didn't open as Emily pulled the comforter over her daughter, she bent over and kissed the top of her forehead.
"Night mom."
"Night munchkin, sorry I didn't mean to wake you."
"Thank you for this weekend, I have had so much fun."
"I'm glad Kate, remember what I said earlier? Only good memories from now on."
Kate slowly nodded her head as Emily perched on the edge of the bed.
"Will you read to me?"
"Of course munchkin."
Emily laid down on the bed as Kate reached over and passed her the book, both of them comfortable and happy in their newly formed family.
Fin.
A/N – so that is finally it, real life caught up with me this past week and made it really difficult to find the time and inspiration to write but I wanted to finish the story on a happy note. Many, many thanks to everyone who has reviewed and alerted this story.