Though I promised not to deviate from my current Christmas story so I could have it and everything in the series posted by Christmas, when ilovetvalot made the plea that she needed a romantic Rossi fic - well, my brain started writing before I even knew the plot! I asked her to pick the prompts and her only reply was "A Rossi to the rescue theme". Okay! I thank Good Housekeeping and Vince Gill and Amy Grant for the idea that led to this two shot. Hope you enjoy!

I don't own Rossi nor JJ. But I do own Elisa.

Dedicated to ilovetvalot

Song prompt: "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Elvis.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Dave Rossi rounded the corner of the street where he lived and drove as fast as he dared, but by the clock on the dash, he was going to be cutting it close. If only he hadn't gotten caught behind that lady in the Wal-Mart who had more stuff in her cart than the law allowed. But he bit his tongue and proceeded thru the check out. Then he had to wait for the line in the parking lot to move forward. It had been a day of waiting. But now he was heading home to put the finishing touches on the holidays for Jen.

Three years of wedded bliss and he swore that each year got better. At first he wanted to question it, but in time he learned to take it for what it was worth. And every morning he woke up beside his wife and looked into her blue eyes, he knew that his life had finally come full circle.

And now they were getting ready to celebrate their fourth Christmas together…just him, Jen, Henry, and Elisa - their baby girl. Okay, scratch that - no Henry this year. It was the odd year and the boy he had come to consider his son was spending the holiday in New Orleans with Will. But he would be home after New Year's and they could open gifts then.

Well, they could open a couple of them early because as far as Jen was concerned, he wasn't supposed to be home for Christmas either. A case in Oregon had taken him out of Virginia a week before. That couldn't be helped, but he had worked with the authorities to catch the UNSUB and he boarded the first plane back to Reagan.

So, he hadn't told Jen that he was on the way, but he hadn't wanted to raise her hopes. Besides, she was going to be mourning Henry's absence and he wanted to lift her spirits.

Pulling up in the driveway, he drove into the garage, threw the car in park and hurried to off load everything. Happy to see his master, Mudgie followed him as he made the trips in and out of the house. His happy barks filled the room as Dave put the tree in the stand and placed it by the window. One hour later the lights were strung and the ornaments hung - albeit haphazardly - and now it was time to make dinner.

From his estimate, Jen would be home in two hours and that gave him just enough time to think of the perfect dish for two. Pulling out the pans, he set about making her favourite.

With dinner on the stove, Dave could concentrate on the living room. Elves couldn't have worked faster as he hung the garland and lit the fire in the fireplace. The scented candles on the mantle added to the ambience and filled the room with spiced apple cider and cinnamon. In the background a variety of Christmas music played.

The sun was setting and the tree was finished. Any moment Jen would be home. Dave hurried upstairs to shower and change.

Jen pulled her car into the driveway. It had been a long couple of days trying to get Henry off to New Orleans for his Christmas visitation with Will. She had been on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop with her ex, but he had remained cordial. He had even had a smile for baby Elisa. Though when he had asked about Dave, she had to remember to breathe before stammering that her husband was doing alright but was in Oregon for the holidays. Graciously, Will had offered her to spend the day with him and Henry.

Politely she had turned him down. She could head back to Virginia and spend the day with Elisa. In time, her men would be back in her arms. But that hadn't stopped the ache in her heart when Henry told her good-bye and this time he hadn't cried. Her baby was growing up.

Well, she had held her tears in and when the baby was put to bed, she was going to open a bottle of wine, call Em and Pen over, and toast to the holidays.

Unfastening the baby from the car seat, she tried to balance the little girl and the huge diaper bag as she searched for her keys.

"Mama Mama Mama," Elisa chanted happily.

"I know honey," Jen replied with an exasperated sigh. "We'll get you fed and changed then you can go to bed. Are you ready for a bath?" She inserted the key in the lock and turned the handle.

In response, Elisa chortled. "Dada."

"We'll call Daddy when we get inside…." Jen's voice trailed off as she walked into the foyer and saw the decorated tree and the fire roaring. The soft strains of Elvis filled the room as he crooned about a town named Bethlehem.

"What in the world…?" She began but was stopped by Mudgie running up to her. He greeted her with a loud bark. "Hi Mudgie! Is Dave home…?"

"Yes, he is," came the low drawl from the dining room. Jen looked up to see Dave leaning against the entrance dressed in a grey sweater and jeans. A crooked smile danced on his lips.

"Dada!" Elisa cried out and would've leapt toward him if Jen hadn't caught her at the last minute. "Dada!" Her arms reached for the love of her life.

Dave walked over to his beleaguered wife. Chucking the baby under the chin, he leaned in and kissed Jen deeply.

"You're home," Jen whispered but her voice quavered. "I thought…"

"I'm home and you're home; that's all that matters. Now give me that baby and go get yourself ready for dinner."

"How? When?"

Dave took Elisa from her. "Don't argue with me. Go get ready. Elisa and I will be waiting. Won't we, precious?"

"Bye bye," Elisa said and waved her little hand.

"Dave…"

"Jen…" He returned with the smile that always made her knees weak and heart race with desire and excitement.

Looking at the pair, she sighed.

"Okay. You win. I'll be down in twenty."

"Take your time. Dinner will wait." Dave watched as Jen climbed the stairs. Then he turned on his heel and carried his daughter to the kitchen to finish dinner.