Chapter One
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It had been two days since Jessie was born and both she and Emily were finally able to go home. Thankfully they were both doing well and the doctors said that Jessie was a happy healthy baby, despite her scary entry into the world, and that Emily's incision looked great.
"You'll need to take it easy so you don't pull your stitches," Emily's doctor cautioned.
"Don't worry, I will," the new mother promised as she dressed her daughter in an onesie that read Agent in training. It was a gift from Garcia.
"When is her next appointment?" Reid asked as he took the baby and began putting her in the car seat. He was glad JJ had let him practice with some of her nephew and niece's stuffed animals.
"She needs to come back in three weeks. I would suggest you get Jessie into her pediatrician around the same time if not a bit sooner."
"She has an appointment next week," Emily informed.
"Will Emily get her stitches out at the three week appointment?" Reid wondered.
"No, probably not, it will just be to check them and make sure the sight isn't infected. You'll get them out at your six week checkup," she explained.
"Oh, okay, that makes sense," Emily replied. Nodding the doctor wished the couple good luck and headed out of the room.
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"Are we ready to do this?" Reid asked as he stared down at his sleeping daughter.
"Ready or not, she's here, so we don't really have any other choice." Grabbing her bag as well as the diaper bag, Emily made her way over to her boyfriend and daughter and kissed him before rubbing a finger down her newborn's cheek. "Let's go home, Spence."
"Your wish is my command, milady," the genius responded gallantly as he gave a mock bow, ushering Emily out of the room ahead of him.
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"It looks like you've got the car seat thing down pat, Daddy," Emily said with a smile as she watched him place the seat into its base then check to make sure all the straps were properly fastened.
"JJ let me practice with her niece's car seat and both she and Hotch gave me lots of tips. Do you think the rest of the team will be at the house when we arrive?" he questioned as he climbed into the driver's seat.
"I don't know, probably. Knowing Garcia, she's probably got a huge welcome home party planned." Reid nodded in agreement; parties were definitely the colorful tech's specialty. Noticing Emily's indecision, the genius frowned. She had yet to get into the car and was hovering between the back door and the front passenger side door.
"What's the matter, Em?" Spencer asked in concern.
"I want to sit in the backseat with her. Just to make sure she's okay, you know? I mean I know it's not like you are going to drive all reckless, but…" the new mother broke off looking at her hands. Getting out of the car, Spencer headed around the vehicle until he was standing in front of his girlfriend. Reaching out with one hand he tipped her chin up so she was looking at him. She'd lowered it and was fidgeting with her fingernails.
"Hey, it's okay," he soothed.
"I know I'm just being stupid, I'm fine to sit up there with you, it's just my dumb feelings coming up, stupid hormones," she grumbled.
"No, it's not stupid, sure your hormones are still all over the place but that's normal. I'd give you the statistics, but I have a feeling you don't want to hear that right now," he said with a smile. Emily smiled slightly back and chuckled.
"You're right about that, handsome."
"Anyway, wanting to ride in the back with her is completely normal and if you want to, then do it. I know you're just trying to ensure she's safe. It's fine with me, and I completely understand it. Honestly, if I could do it and still drive I would," Reid admitted ruefully. Giving a relieved smile Emily kissed him on the lips before climbing into the backseat and buckling her seatbelt after glancing at Jessie's car seat and noticing that she was still sleeping peacefully. Assured that both his girls were finally settled, Spencer headed back to the driver's seat and climbed in ready to take his family home.
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"Okay, Morgan, you and Hotch hang the welcome home banner. Rossi, you and JJ are in charge of putting all the welcome home presents in a pile. I'm going to finish getting the food together," Garcia instructed as she headed for Reid and Emily's kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am, whatever you say" Hotch said with a salute. Everyone laughed at the banter between their tech and their unit chief.
"Should I put the blankets in the nursery?" JJ asked as she picked up several packages of receiving blankets that were sitting on the couch.
"That sounds like a good idea," Garcia called as she began organizing the massive amount of food she'd made. Maybe she'd gone a bit overboard, but this was the first BAU baby in several years. Jack was now five. Not to mention, Jessie was the first girl BAU baby so she deserved a major celebration even if she wouldn't remember it, Garcia justified.
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"I love the teddy bear theme they did," JJ commented as she walked out of the nursery.
"Yeah, it is really cute; Reid and I had fun putting up the border after we put together the crib and changing table.
"I still can't believe Reid was actually able to put things together," Rossi commented wryly.
"He told me it was a science," Morgan explained.
"Ah, I see," Rossi murmured picking up a pink gift bag with a raddle on it and adding it to the pile.
"When are Aunt Emily, Uncle Spencer and baby Jessie getting here, Daddy?" Jack asked as he looked up from the picture he was coloring.
"I'm sure they'll be here soon, buddy. Are you coloring a picture for the baby?" his father questioned.
"Yep, it's a picture of all of us. Cause you said we're all family and she needs to know who we all are," Jack explained proudly. All the adults smiled at the sweet words from Jack.
"That's exactly right, bambino, we're all family," Rossi agreed.
"They just pulled into the driveway," Garcia announced as she looked out the window. Everyone stood up and gathered around to welcome home the new family.
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"I think we've been invaded," Spencer quipped as he pulled into their driveway and saw all the team's vehicles parked as well.
"Yeah, but it's the best kind of invasion, our friends," Emily replied.
"That it is, my dear, that it is," Spencer agreed as he came over and lifted the car seat from its base. Looking down he saw his daughter's brown eyes looking blearily up at him.
"Hey there, sweet girl. We're home, what do you say we go inside and meet Mommy and Daddy's team, they're all your aunt's and uncles and I know your cousin Jack has been looking forward to seeing you." Seeing Emily trying to grab the diaper bag as well as her overnight bag and trying to get out of the car carefully mindful of her stitches, he quickly intervened.
"Hey, let me get those, sweetheart. You just concentrate on getting out and up to the house. Do you need any help?" he asked tenderly as he held out his free hand to her while trying to juggle everything else in one arm.
"No, I've got it, you've got your hands full," she responded. Just then Rossi came out of the house and headed for the happy couple.
"Go on with Jess, I'll help Emily inside," he said kindly as he held out a hand for her to take so she could ease herself out of the car.
"Thanks, Rossi," Reid said as he headed for the house so everyone could see his beautiful baby girl.
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"Easy does it, bella, just one step at a time," Rossi coaxed as he helped Emily from the car. A hiss of pain escaped her lips before she could stop it. "When's the last time you had any pain meds, kiddo?" he asked in a fatherly tone.
"Um, I'm not sure? Maybe around 6:00 this morning? I'm honestly not sure, though, time is kind of blurring together."
"I imagine it is. It's 11:00 now; did Reid get your prescription filled before you left the hospital?"
"Yeah, the meds are in my bag," she replied.
"Well then, I'd say it's time for you to take a couple of them, wouldn't you?" Rossi gently admonished. Emily sighed in defeat, she didn't like how the meds made her feel, but she didn't like being in pain either.
"Yeah, I guess so," Emily reluctantly admitted.
"Atta girl," Rossi teased with a twinkle in his eyes. Giving her a gentle nudge Rossi smiled as he helped her the rest of the way to the house so she could participate in the welcome home/congratulations party.
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"I still can't believe you want Morgan and I to be godparents," JJ commented in awe as she held the baby while her fiancé looked on with a loving smile. It was obvious to everyone that both JJ and Morgan loved kids. The others were placing bets as to how long after they got married they would have a baby.
"Why wouldn't we have asked you to?" Reid asked in confusion.
"I don't know, I'm just surprised you didn't ask Garcia or Rossi," JJ explained.
"As much as we love both of them, we felt you two would do the best. I know everyone on the team will spoil her rotten and will love her unconditionally, though," Emily answered.
"It's your job to ensure she gets into a good school if something happens to us," Reid instructed. Both couples laughed at his words.
"I know you will do a fantastic job as godparents," Hotch complimented. Both JJ and Morgan looked down in embarrassment.
"Besides, it's my job as grandfather to spoil her rotten and then give her back to mom and dad," Rossi teased.
"Gee thanks a lot, Rossi," Emily snarked.
"You're quite welcome, bella," the Italian man replied cheekily.
"Okay, Jayje, it's my turn to hold our goddaughter," Morgan informed his fiancé holding out his hands.
"Okay, fine, if you insist, Derek," JJ said with a pout. "Here you go, Jess, here's your Uncle Morgan, don't worry, he's not as scary as he looks," JJ said chuckling as she gently placed the baby in Morgan's arms.
"Hey there, baby girl, don't listen to your Aunt JJ, I'm not scary at all," Morgan whispered. He stared transfixed at the little girl, she was a perfect mix of her parents, and he couldn't wait to see what she was going to do in life and who she was going to be.
"So have you two finally set a date?" Garcia asked the engaged couple. Morgan and JJ shared a smile before turning to the rest of the group.
"As a matter of fact, we have," JJ began.
"Well, when is it?" Garcia demanded.
"Yeah, tell us," Emily chimed in.
"December 21, and Rossi has graciously offered the use of his mansion for the ceremony and reception," Morgan informed.
"Any particular reason why you chose December especially since it's so cold?" Garcia wondered.
"I've always dreamed about having a Christmas wedding complete with lightly falling snow," JJ said dreamily.
"Awww," Emily and Garcia exclaimed in unison.
"Then a beautiful amazing Christmas wedding you shall have," the tech declared.
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"Can I hold baby Jessie now, please?" Jack asked from his spot next to his dad. He'd been waiting patiently, but was only able to be patient for so long.
"Sure you can, sweetie. Just make sure to sit all the way back and I'll bring her over," Emily said as she stood up and took a wide-awake Jessie from her Uncle Morgan's arms.
"I'm sitting all the way back. What else do I have to do, Aunt Emily?" the young boy asked eagerly.
"Put your arms like this and I will put her in your arms. Now support her head," she instructed as she settled on his other side and placed her hand under the one Jack was using to support the baby's head.
"She's so little," Jack whispered in awe.
"You were that tiny once, too, buddy," Hotch told him.
"I was?" the little boy asked incredulously.
"Yep, you sure were. Mommy and I were so happy to see you and hold you. You were just as little as Jessie is and you loved being held.
"Was Mommy happy to see me?" Jack wondered. His father nodded.
"She and I were both happy to see you. If you want when we get home we can watch the video of us first getting to meet you when you were born," Hotch suggested. Jack nodded vigorously. Jessie reached out her hand and grabbed on to Jack's finger with all she had.
"She has my finger and she's holding it really tight," giggled the youngster.
"She has a very strong grip," Reid said as he snapped pictures of Jack holding the newest member of the BAU family. He was definitely blessed and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"She's smiling at me, Aunt Emily. I think she really likes me," Jack declared.
"Of course she does, what's not to like about you," Emily argued. Jack beamed as he leant down and kissed the baby on the forehead. Just then the baby began to cry, startling the young boy holding her.
"I think she's hungry or something," Jack said as he stared wide-eyed at Emily.
"She probably is, here, let me take her and I'll go feed her," Emily said as she took the baby then thought about how she was going to get up without aggravating her stitches. Putting down the camera, Reid made his way over and helped ease Emily to her feet, leaning in he kissed her temple before letting her head down the hall to the nursery so she could feed their daughter.
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Settling into the rocking chair, Emily shushed the baby as she got herself situated so she could feed the infant.
"Hush, baby, its okay, give me just a minute then you can eat," Emily said as she lifted the baby and placed her so her mouth was against her breast. Gently she rubbed the nipple over Jessie's rosebud lips. The baby latched on and began suckling greedily. The first time she'd breastfed, Emily had had a lot of trouble, but after she talked to a lactation consultant, and she'd shown her a couple of positions that allowed the baby to feed easier, breastfeeding had been a cake walk ever since. Rocking as she watched the baby nurse, Emily hummed a lullaby she remembered from her childhood.
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The party continued for a few more minutes until everyone realized Emily hadn't returned.
"I wonder if she fell asleep after feeding Jess," Hotch commented.
"Hmm, it's possible, let me go check," Reid suggested. Heading down the hall he smiled as he came to the door to the nursery. In bright pink letter's it said Jessica Reid's room with a teddy bear just above the letters. Aware that his girlfriend might be sleeping, he opened the door as quietly as he could and smiled at what met his eyes. Emily was sitting in the rocking chair having drifted off with Jessie sleeping securely in her arms. Easing back, the genius closed the door and tiptoed back down the hall.
"They're both asleep," he announced.
"Well then we will head out and let them get some well-deserved sleep," Rossi said as he stood and the others followed suit.
"There are several dishes in the freezer for you to heat up for the next few days. JJ and I worked on putting them together," Garcia told the genius as she pulled him in for a hug.
"Thanks everyone, I know Emily will appreciate all you've done just as much as I do. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family as you," Reid complimented. Garcia and JJ blushed while Rossi, Hotch, and Morgan just smiled. "See you in a couple of weeks after my paternity leave is up," Reid said waving as everyone showed themselves out, leaving the house cloaked in silence.