So my last week of vacation of the year has begun and I spent my day writing! This chapter is a little short but, it's really the lead into my next story, which I'm really excited to start.

One guest had requested a little Emily/JJ date time, so I tried to throw some in. It's a little short, but it wasn't in my original plan so I hope that it's okay!

I also just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone has been reading! You guys are truly amazing and I love you all!

With that being said, I would like you to try and remember that I love you when you get to the end of this chapter. Because trust me the next story is going to be a big one!

Thanks so much for reading! -J

Chapter 11

After Alex's birthday time seemed to pass quickly, as Alex sailed through finals and summer break began. The teen was off her crutches in just over a week, and was grateful to be back on two feet so she could spend her summer playing soccer in the local recreational league.

For JJ time had passed too quickly, the blonde torn between wanting to stay home with Henry and wanting to return to work. But since she needed to rip the band-aid off at some point, JJ had returned to the BAU at the beginning of July, deciding to work from the office for a few weeks before she began traveling with the team again. JJ's return to work meant Jessie had moved into the house, taking care of Henry while Emily and JJ were at work and doing her best to bond with Alex, who was enjoying getting to know her new nanny.

"We haven't done this in a while," JJ said one Friday night as she sat across from Emily at dinner in the fancy restaurant the brunette had picked out. "This is really nice."

"It's very nice," Emily smiled, reaching across the table and taking the blonde's hand in hers. "It's not very often we get a whole night together just you and me, completely uninterrupted," she said. "I've missed this."

"So have I," JJ agreed. "And I would just like to point out that I haven't called to check on Henry since this afternoon," she said, sounding rather proud of herself. "I believe that's a record for me."

"I'm very proud," Emily laughed. "You've been doing very well."

"Well Jessie makes it easy," JJ smiled. "That woman is a Godsend. She's amazing with Henry and even Alex loves her. I don't think we could have asked for a better nanny."

"I couldn't agree more," Emily nodded. "Does this mean that you'll be okay getting back to traveling with us soon? Because even though we all completely understand your wanting to stay back we do miss having you with us. I mean you're an incredibly valuable asset to the team."

"You're only saying that because you all are sick of dealing with the press," JJ rolled her eyes as Emily tried to look innocent. "But to answer your question, yes," she said. "I actually talked to Hotch earlier today and we decided to give it another week and then I will go back to fulfilling all of my duties," she explained. "It won't be easy, but I'll get through it."

"Of course you will," Emily said, squeezing the blonde's hand. "And I will be by your side the whole time."

"Thank you," JJ smiled. "Alright enough work talk. Tonight is supposed to be about us. So what else do you want to do tonight? Because I was thinking we could catch a movie. Or maybe go for a walk or something. We've got as long as we want. Jessie said she'll be fine without us."

"And you're okay with that?" Emily asked with a laugh.

"I've got to get used to it at some point," JJ replied. "I mean it helps that we're close by if we need to get home," she laughed. "But I want to be able to spend as much time with my future wife as I can tonight."

"I like the sound of that," Emily grinned. "I can't believe the wedding is getting so close. I cannot wait to be your wife," she said, rubbing circles on the back of the blonde's hand. "Plus Alex's adoption Monday afternoon. Are you excited?"

"You have no idea," JJ replied, a huge smile on her face. "I swear to God if you guys get called away I will completely lose it. I mean I know it really doesn't change much between me and Lex, but I'm just so ready to be her mom; officially. Does that sound lame?"

"Not at all," Emily quickly assured her. "I think it's incredibly sweet actually," she smiled. "Alex and I are pretty lucky to have you, you know that?"

"Well Henry and I are lucky too," JJ replied. "I mean we get you and Alex in our lives. I don't think we could be any luckier."

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It seemed odd, but Alex felt nervous all day on Monday as she spent the day at home with Spencer, counting down the hours until her mothers picked her up and took her to the courthouse to have her adoption finalized. The teen had thought of JJ as her mother for long, that it seemed strange to be so excited about being adopted, but for some reason Alex was still beyond thrilled; anxious for the moment when JJ officially adopted her as her daughter.

JJ and Emily had picked the younger brunette up at 3:30pm on the dot, the pair having had worked through their lunches so they could get as much done as possible in order to leave early. Alex had been excited when they had got there, but remained quiet throughout the entire drive to the courthouse; Emily trying to make small talk as JJ sat in the front passenger seat looking just as nervous as Alex.

It had been a rather simple process, Emily standing back with a smile as all the forms were signed, laughing as both JJ and Alex burst into tears as soon as it was done and they were officially mother and daughter. Hugs were shared as the trio thanked the judge before heading home; the car ride home a much more chatty affair.

"You know I think this calls for pizza," JJ said when they pulled into the driveway of their house. "I mean this is a big day. And big days deserve pizza."

"I agree," Alex said, coming around the car to walk with the blonde, who immediately wrapped an arm around her.

"Whatever you two want," Emily laughed, unable to suppress a smile at the sight of the pair with their arms around each other; both obviously happy by the events of the afternoon. "You should call Spencer over as well," she suggested, opening the front door and leading the other two into the house. "Jessie we're home," she called. "Jessie?"

"SURPRISE!" Came the shout of reply as the BAU, along with Alex's friends and Jessie and Henry came around the corner from the dining room, the boys carrying a sign saying "Congratulations JJ and Alex".

"What is all this?" JJ asked with a laugh, as Garcia hurried over and threw her arms around her and Alex.

"Aw come on you didn't think we'd let you go adopt our little Princess and not throw you guys a party did you?' Garcia replied, squeezing them both tightly. "We're just so happy for you guys and your adorable little family."

"Thanks Garcia," Alex laughed as the blonde finally let them go and she was able to go and greet her friends.

"You guys really didn't have to do all this," JJ said. "Did you know about this?" She asked turning towards Emily.

"I had no idea," Emily replied with a shrug.

"Actually Penelope planned it with me," Jessie said. "We thought it was cause for a celebration," she said. "Food is on the way with Agent Rossi and there may also be cake."

"Bonus!" Alex replied as she returned to JJ's side, taking her hand in hers.

"Alright I say we get this party started," Morgan announced. "I will serve the drinks while we wait for the food to get here," he said. "And I don't know about anyone else, but I could use a quick swim."

"I'll help Morgan," Hotch said, as Alex's friends decided to get changed into their bathing suits.

"Lex you coming?" Zoey asked.

"I'll be there in a minute," Alex replied. "Mum, could I talk to you for a minute?" She asked, turning towards the blonde, whose hand she was still holding. "Alone?"

"Of course," JJ nodded, allowing Alex to lead her towards the game room, closing the door behind them. "What's up?"

"I just…I wanted to say thank you," Alex said, biting her lip. "I know I don't have to, but today…today means a lot to me."

"It means a lot to me too honey," JJ smiled, unable to stop the tears that immediately filled her eyes. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Alex replied, before wrapping her arms around the blonde. "I'm glad you're my mum," she grinned.

"Me too," JJ replied with a sniff. "So much," she said, leaning forward and kissing the teen's head, before both wiped away their tears and returned to the family room.

"Everything okay?" Emily asked, putting her arm around JJ as Alex made her way upstairs to change.

"Everything's fine," JJ smiled. "Never better."

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It was the end of the week, the team having just finished with a local case, when Spencer showed up at the front door looking rather anxious.

"Hey Spencer," Emily greeted, opening up the door as she held Henry in her arms. "Alex is out back with Jen kicking the ball around. You can go on back."

"Actually I was hoping I could talk to you," Spencer replied, flattening the sundress she was wearing nervously.

"Of course," Emily nodded. "Come on in," she said, pulling the door wider.

"Do you think maybe we could talk somewhere else?" Spencer asked, looking past the older brunette. "Maybe go for a walk?"

"Sure sweetie," Emily was quick to agree, recognizing the look of desperation on the teen's face. "Let me just see if Jessie will take Henry. Just give me a minute," she said, searching for the nanny and letting her know where she was going before returning to Spencer who stood waiting on the front porch. "Let's go kiddo," she said leading the teen down the driveway and towards the street, figuring they would simply walk the neighbourhood while they talked. "What's going on honey?"

"I just…you said if I ever needed to talk about my parents I could come to you," Spencer began, as Emily nodded that she remembered. "I'm just having a really hard time with everything…everything that I'm keeping from them," she explained. "All of this stuff with Alex is amazing, and I'm so happy but…it's like I'm living two lives."

"I've been there," Emily nodded sympathetically. "I did the same thing when I was younger. First when I found out I was pregnant with Alex, and then again when I was finally honest about my sexuality."

"You said your parents were a lot like mine back then," Spencer said. "So how did you do it? How did you tell them? Because right now the thought of telling my parents that I'm dating a girl makes me feel sick. I mean…I don't know how to talk to them about….anything," she continued. "They're so obsessed with work and being perfect and I just can't see how this will fit their plans for my life."

"Spencer you know there's nothing wrong with the way you feel about Alex right?" Emily asked.

"Of course I do," Spencer replied. "I just don't think my parents will see it that way."

"Parents are hard sometimes," Emily nodded. "Especially parents like ours," she added. "They want so badly for our lives to be a certain way that they forget that we may have other dreams; other desires. They don't consider the fact that our hopes for our lives may be even a little different from theirs," she continued. "To be honest Spencer when I told my parents I was gay, I was older than you are, and I had already had a baby," she explained. "At that point I had decided that if my parents couldn't accept me for who I was, then I didn't need them in my life. But you're only 15."

"So you don't think I should tell them?" Spencer asked in confusion.

"No that's not what I'm saying at all," Emily shook her head. "I think it's great that you figured out what you want at such a young age….that you've found happiness already," she said. "I think that the only thing you can really do if you want to be honest with your parents is just sit them down and tell them. I know that sounds scary, but ultimately they're your parents and they love you. They may have a difficult time at first, but they'll always love you."

"But what if…what if they don't? What if they hate me?" Spencer asked, her eyes big, worried and filled with unshed tears.

"Aw sweetie, they could never hate you," Emily assured her, putting her arm around the teen. "You know my parents and I had a pretty big falling out after I told them the truth, but look at me and my mom now," she said. "She didn't understand, but she learned to accept me for who I am. And now she's completely embraced me and my family, which means she never stopped loving me; even when we weren't talking."

Nodding Spencer bit her lip thoughtfully, considering this silently. "Spencer you don't have to tell your parents until you're ready," Emily said, realizing the teen wasn't going to talk. "But I promise you, that no matter what happens when you do tell them, that I will be here for you," she said, hugging Spencer to her side. "Jennifer and I love you and we will be here for anything you need. Always. You got it?"

"Yeah," Spencer nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I got it."

"Good," Emily smiled, keeping her arm around her daughter's girlfriend. "Now come on. You're coming over for dinner," she said, turning them back in the direction of the house.

"Thanks," Spencer said, leaning her head on Emily's shoulder as they walked, wrapping her arm around the taller woman's waist.

"Anytime kid," Emily replied, turning her head and placing a kiss on the teen's forehead. "Anytime."

Walking down the street, with their arms wrapped around each other, both now talking and laughing together, neither brunette saw the man across the street watching them carefully. Neither felt eyes on them as they headed home or noticed when the man watching them finally turned away.

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Spencer had stayed over Sunday night, sleeping in the guest room while Alex slept in her room as per the rules for the new couple. The girls had stayed up late that night, watching movies together, and whispering to each other until they could no longer keep their eyes open. The taller of the two brunettes had wanted to spend her day with her girlfriend and her little brother, but was forced to leave shortly after Emily and JJ the next morning as she was due at the library where she was volunteering with the children's programs; something her mother had insisted would look good when she applied to college.

Saying her goodbyes to Alex, Spencer headed down the driveway, needing to stop at her own house to grab her bicycle before she left since both her parents had already left for work. Just as the teen reached the bottom of the driveway though a dog ran by, Spencer stopping in surprise as the large golden retriever jumped up on her excitedly as a man called out, waving his arms with a leash in his hand.

Since the dog had obviously belonged to him, Spencer had taken hold of its collar so it couldn't get away again, waiting as the man walked up.

"Thanks so much," the man said as he approached. "He ran out the front door as I was grabbing the paper. We're new to the neighbourhood."

"Oh it's no problem," Spencer replied with a smile, as she handed over the dog and the man immediately connected the leash. "And welcome to the neighbourhood," she said politely, checking her watch as she realized she really needed to leave. "Sorry I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to be going."

"Oh of course, no problem," the man replied. "Thanks again," he said, waving until the teen turned away before pulling out a knife and pressing it against her back. "Scream and I will put this right through your back. Understand?" He said, his friendly persona completely dropped as he felt the brunette stiffen in fear. "That's a good girl," he said. "Now you're going to act normal and head for that van straight ahead. And you're not going to try anything."

Terrified, Spencer simply followed the man's orders, shaking nervously as she prayed for someone in the neighbourhood to notice them, but seeing no one around.

"Tell me, do you know who I am?" The man asked when they reached the car. "Did your mother warn you about me?" He asked, much to Spencer's confusion, unsure of what her mother had to do with this man. "I mean she must have. I was the one who shot her after all."

"I-Isaac Parrilla," Spencer gulped realizing why the man had looked so familiar and understanding that he thought she was Alex. "You're Isaac Parrilla," she repeated.

"Very good," the man nodded, opening up the back of the van before shoving the teen inside, double checking that no one was watching. "Your mother is about to learn a very important lesson. It's time for Emily Prentiss to feel what it's like to have her daughter taken away from her," he sneered.

With no idea how to escape, tears immediately filled Spencer's eyes, the terrifying grin of Isaac Parrilla the last thing she saw before everything went dark.

To Be Continued…

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I know! I'm sorry! But I promise that I will start the next story as soon as possible! I just had to do it!

Until the next one my friends! Thanks so much for reading! -J