A/N: Okay, this story is for monkeywand as part of the Christmas Gift Fic Exchange on Chit Chat on Author's Corner Forum. The prompts were to use the following: Bryan Adam's Last Christmas song, fairy lights, cinnamon cookies, and ice skating. I got 3 in this chapter, but the last one will be in the next chapter. I hope this is what you were looking for monkeywand! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-TCE-
Emily Prentiss heaved a sigh of relief as she pulled the last suitcase from the trunk of her black Range Rover and slammed the door shut. A little help with the luggage would have been nice. But as she looked around at the freshly fallen and pristinely white snow, she was suddenly grateful for the brief moment alone. A typical suburban neighborhood quietly surrounded her on all sides as she lifted her gaze to the large, two story brick house in front of her. The welcoming house, so much different from the large and empty mansions she had grown up in, terrified her. So deciding to delay her entrance a few more minutes, the brunette sat on top of the Swiss suitcase and leaned against the back of the SUV.
Lost in her thoughts, Emily was startled when she felt a soft hand placed lightly on her shoulder. "Goodness JJ, you startled me," she responded with her hand still clutching at her fluttering heart as she looked up at the blonde woman beside her.
"I just came to help you with the luggage," replied the blonde as she took notice of Emily's speech pattern. It was much more sophisticated and articulate than normal. The brunette was speaking to JJ as if she was speaking to her mother, the Ambassador. As she made eye contact with the light brown eyes of the woman, she saw the walls back in place that had long since been knocked down by the blonde. Fearing the worst, JJ knelt down in front of the brunette and asked, "What's wrong Em? You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Talk to me. Let me in."
Swallowing unsteadily and clenching her jaw for a moment before responding, Emily looked off into the distance. She knew if she kept eye contact with JJ's clear blue eyes, she wouldn't be able to lie. So reverting to her compartmentalized demeanor, she responded in a steady, but emotionless voice. "Nothing's wrong. I was just getting some fresh air before I headed back inside."
Reaching up and pulling Emily's chin so that the brunette was forced to make eye contact with her, JJ said, "Don't you dare lie to me Emily Prentiss. I can read you like a book. Tell me the real reason you're sitting out here, in the freezing cold, with no coat on."
Knowing she had been caught, Emily, with her head still held firmly in place by JJ, lowered her eyes as she whispered, "I'm nervous." She knew she wouldn't have been able to keep up the appearance of her old, closed off self for long.
Hearing the emotion in those two words, JJ shifted slightly so she could look into Emily's light brown eyes again. "What are you nervous about? You've met my family before and you've celebrated Christmas with them before."
"But not as your girlfriend! Don't you see, JJ? This is completely different. I'm no longer the best friend just tagging along awkwardly because her family is spread across the globe. Now I'm the significant other of the baby of the family. This changes everything," Emily argued as she rose from her spot on the suitcase and paced back and forth behind her SUV. Stopping as she gazed into JJ's blue eyes again, she whispered, "It completely changes everything."
"Sweetheart, it changes nothing. You know my family adores you. They even had a bet on how long it would take us to get together before we even realized our feelings for one another," JJ said as she rose from her crouched position and stood in front of Emily. Reaching out to grab both of the brunette's cold hands in her own, she laced their fingers together. Moving her eyes from their interlocked hands to the panicked eyes of her lover, JJ lifted to her toes and placed a gentle and comforting kiss on Emily's blue lips. "Just think of this as a normal visit. Don't add the pressure of the holiday to it." JJ gave the unmoving brunette another calming kiss. "Come on, let's go inside. I'm freezing," JJ urged as she grabbed the handle of the suitcase with one hand and dragged a still reluctant Emily with her other.
When the couple entered the warm house, hand in hand, the delicious scent of cinnamon wafted over them. Not ten seconds later Emily heard her name being called as she looked down to see a small head of blonde hair catapulting itself into her waiting arms. "Emmie! I'm so happy you are finally here! I missed you so much! Gwandma is baking cinnamon cookies and she let me help her just like when you make double chocolate chip pancakes and you let me mix. I did a weal gweat job, she told me so!" Henry exclaimed ninety miles a minute as he clung tightly to Emily's neck. After a few seconds of silence, he finally asked, "Will you come help too? We have lots more to make!"
Wrapping her strong arms around the boy's back, Emily took a moment to just appreciate Henry. JJ and Henry had flown up earlier in the week because Emily had been required to attend a social event with her mother. So she had opted to drive up and meet them. The three of them would drive back together after the New Year. She had already greeted JJ when she had brought the first batch of luggage in, but Henry had been elbow deep in dough so she had snuck back out to get the rest of the suitcases JJ had made her bring. Breathing in a deep breath of cinnamon laced clothing, Emily pulled back and placed a soft kiss to his forehead before responding, "I'll be right there Champ. You get everything ready, okay? I've got to put this suitcase in my room."
"Okay Emmie! But huwwy because the ofers are going to make them all before you come back down," Henry exclaimed.
Putting the exuberant child on the ground, Emily watched as he took off running toward the large kitchen. "Hey, no running inside the house mister!" Emily called out instinctively. She saw Henry slow down to a brisk walk as he disappeared around the corner.
JJ smiled as she looked up to Emily and said, "You're so good with him, it amazes me sometimes."
The brunette didn't respond but simply smiled as she placed a tender kiss to JJ's temple. "Well, are you going to show me to my room?"
JJ nodded as she led Emily up the wooden stairs to the right of the entrance. Although Emily had been in the house before and had spent Christmas with the Jareau's before, she had never been upstairs. Both visits to the old brick home, where JJ had grown up, had been brief and formal. This was the first time she had ventured further than the living room and kitchen. So when JJ opened the first door on the left, Emily wasn't quite sure what she had been expecting. But she wasn't prepared for what greeted her.
The room looked as though it hadn't been changed for fifteen years. It looked like it still belonged to an eighteen year old girl. There were soccer trophies and plaques hanging around the room. A bulletin board of pictures, movie ticket stubs, and other teenage paraphernalia was hanging above a desk set in front of two large windows looking out into the back yard. The queen size bed sat pressed against the far wall with a blue and green polka dot bed spread covering it. When her eyes finally scanned everything and had reached back to the blonde still holding her hand, there was a genuine, if not slightly strained, smile on her face. She was still uncharacteristically apprehensive about this stay, but to see a part of JJ's history laid out in front of her strangely comforted her. Finally finding her voice, Emily said, "I get to stay in your old room?"
"Actually, we get to stay in my old room," JJ replied almost seductively as she shut the door. With a sultry look in her darkening blue eyes, JJ fully faced Emily and said, "Henry is staying in the living room with his cousins. Jason and Julie are staying in their old rooms with their spouses. It's only logical for you and me to stay in here." Taking a step toward the brunette, JJ pushed her body flush against Emily's and rose up to passionately kiss the brunette, moaning into the contact.
Having gone almost a week without touching, or even seeing JJ, Emily was almost lost to her desire. But her previous inhibitions came back through when JJ moved to her neck and Emily glanced around at her surroundings. Half-heartedly trying to push the aggressive blonde away, Emily eventually managed to say, "JJ, what are you doing?"
Her response was muffled by her continuous kissing of Emily's smooth neck and collarbone, "Isn't it obvious?"
Barely able to contain the moan rising in her throat as JJ reached her sensitive spot just below her ear, Emily ground out in a voice scratchy and heavy with desire, "But we're in your parent's house."
"And?"
Closing her eyes as she angled her head to give JJ better access, Emily knew she was quickly losing her battle with logic, "And Henry's waiting on…Oh God…Jennifer." Battle lost.
JJ smirked to herself as she walked the two of them to her bed. She knew she had won the moment Emily called her Jennifer. It was something the brunette only did when she was completely lost to her passion. So sitting Emily on the side of the bed, the blonde made quick work of the brunette's red sweater, pulling the garment off and leaving Emily heaving unsteady breaths in nothing but a black bra and black slacks. JJ allowed her eyes to rake over the toned body of her lover before she raised her blue eyes to meet her brown counterparts. Whispering in a husky voice, "God I missed you," JJ leaned forward and captured Emily's full lips in another passionate kiss.
Emily's mind was clouded with lust for JJ. If she had been thinking straight, she would have stopped the blonde and made them both go downstairs to visit with the family. But having been without JJ's kisses and touches for almost a week had made Emily's resolve weak. She needed the interaction just as much, if not more, than the blonde. So as JJ leaned in to unhook her bra, she reached up to quickly unbutton the blonde's light blue shirt.
Just as Emily succeeded in pushing the shirt off of JJ's shoulders, the door to her bedroom flew open, "Hey, Jenny, have you seen the…OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!"
Hearing the door slam shut again, JJ quickly jumped back from Emily, grabbed her shirt from the floor and screamed, "What happened to knocking, Jason?"
"What happened to locking the door, Jenny?" Jason retorted as he stood chuckling outside the bedroom door.
"I can hear you laughing! Go away," JJ grumbled as she finished buttoning her shirt again. The mood had effectively been killed.
"Okay, but have you seen the fairy lights? Mom wants to hang them tonight but I can't find them anywhere."
"No! I don't know where they are. Now go away!" JJ fumed as she turned back to face Emily. The brunette was lying back on the bed with a soccer pillow covering her face. JJ picked up the discarded red sweater from the ground and walked over to hand it to her girlfriend. When she reached the woman, she saw that her entire body had an unusual red tint to it. Pulling the pillow from the brunette's face, JJ smiled as she saw a deep red blush, almost the same shade as the woman's sweater, mostly covering Emily's cheeks. Handing the sweater to Emily, JJ said, "Come on Em, let's go downstairs."
"Are you kidding me? I can't go down there now. Not after that! God, I haven't even been here an hour and I've already done something wrong," Emily ranted as she tugged her sweater over her head. Standing up to be a few inches taller than JJ, she looked down into clear blue eyes and said, "What if your parents hate me now?"
JJ couldn't help herself as she let out a quick bark of laughter. Now Emily was just being ridiculously paranoid, "Em, Honey, they aren't going to hate you. Everyone will definitely rag on us now, but no one will hate you. It's going to be fine," JJ finished as she stretched up to chastely kiss Emily before she turned to head out of the room. When she reached the door, she faced Emily and said, "Are you going to just stand there all night?"
Snapping out of her waking nightmare of the Jareau's kicking her out, Emily stiffly walked to meet JJ. She relaxed immediately as she felt the blondes' small hand close around her own. As long as JJ was with her, she could handle anything the Jareau family could throw at her. So with the briefest of smiles and a curt nod, Emily signaled she was ready.
As the duo entered the kitchen to sounds of music and laughter, Emily relaxed even further. This is the atmosphere she had missed growing up. She had no family memories or family bonding. No family time at all really. She just had elegant dinners aimed at furthering her mother's political career. So as Emily gazed upon Henry making cinnamon cookies with Lisa Jareau and his cousins while the adults talked with Richard Jareau around the large table, she allowed a true smile to stretch across her face.
Looking up into the content face of her lover, JJ whispered discreetly, "See? Everything is going to be fine," before moving away from the brunette's side to go kiss Henry exaggeratedly all over his face.
When Lisa noticed her youngest daughter playful attack Henry, she lifted her eyes to meet Emily's hesitant gaze. Having spoken with JJ about Emily's insecurities around families especially around holidays, Lisa quickly made her way over to the brunette and wrapped the tall woman into a loving embrace. "I'm so glad you're finally here Emily dear. Now it truly feels like Christmas can begin!" the woman finished as pulled back and rubbed her hands a few, quick times up and down Emily's arms. "Now, I think Henry mentioned you were going to help with the cookies, but I'm not sure we have the room with all the kids in here. You're more than welcome to grab a glass of wine and go visit with the adults," Lisa winked as she turned to return to the hoard of children at the counter working on the cinnamon cookies.
Emily was grateful that Lisa had given her an out from having to help with the baking. Normally she enjoyed the task, but today her mind was too focused on staying sane, so she would have only done more harm than good. So going over to the counter to grab a wine glass, Emily made her way over to join JJ, who had already sat down next to her father. Taking the only available seat at the table, Emily was forced to sit between JJ and Jason. Deciding to disregard the incident from earlier altogether, Emily ignored JJ's older brother and faced Richard.
Before Emily could say a word in greeting, the father spoke up, "I'm glad you've finally arrived Emily. Henry and Jenny, most Jenny, have been sulking around the house for the past few days. Now maybe they'll get into the Christmas spirit," he finished with a quick Jareau wink and a grand smile wrinkling his face as it grew.
Emily's heart warmed as she heard that JJ had been sad without her. As she looked over, she saw the blonde woman hide her face in her hands as a deep blush crept up into her porcelain skin. Turning to face Richard again, Emily said, "I'm terribly sorry. I would have loved to be here sooner, but I had to take care of a few matters with my mother."
"Now, she's the Ambassador, right?" Richard clarified. He knew exactly who Emily's mother was. Everyone knew Emily's mother was the wealthy heiress to the Prentiss fortune and was a ruthless Ambassador to boot.
"Yes sir. She was in Washington to meet with the Portugal Prime Minister. That's the country she is currently stationed. I had to be present as the dutiful daughter, much to my distain," Emily finished as she felt JJ's hand slip onto her thigh. The touch was only meant as a comforting gesture for both women. Emily was quick to reach over and laced their fingers together.
"Well regardless, I'm certainly glad you're here now. Maybe Lisa will allow us to hang the damn fairy lights now," Richard mumbled as he turned to talk to JJ's sister Julie, and her husband Matt.
Seeing his opportunity to strike, Jason leaned in and whispered in Emily's ear, "I'm glad to see Jenny's bed is finally getting some action. Lord knows it didn't during high school," he chuckled as he leaned back in his chair.
Hearing the exchange and watching Emily's face turn an unnatural shade of red, JJ reached over and slapped her brother on the back of the head, "Shut up, Jason! I don't want to have to kick your ass in front of your kids."
"Yeah right! Like you could take me, Squirt!" Jason retaliated as he flicked JJ on the arm.
Seeing Emily's head buried in her crossed arms and feeling her heart going out to the unsuspecting woman, Jason's wife reached over and slapped him on the head in the same place JJ had, "Hey! What was that for Liz?" Jason exclaimed as he rubbed his head.
Giving her husband a good long stare, Liz finally responded, "Leave them alone, otherwise your bed won't be seeing any action either." Seeing her husband blanch at the threat, Liz finally turned toward the couple he was just tormenting. When Emily finally lifted her head to make eye contact with her, Liz continued, "You'll have to excuse him. Jason has an insatiable desire to pick on JJ seeing as she's his only younger sister. Unfortunately that throws you into the mix now as well."
Emily simply nodded in appreciation before she turned back to face JJ. Glad to have at least one ally other than JJ and Henry for the holiday, Emily offered her lover a weak smile. Maybe this would all work out.
JJ smiled as she reached over and took Emily's hand back in her own. Leaning over, she placed a quick kiss to the brunette's still redden cheek and offered a supportive smile of her own. Little did Emily know that this was just the beginning. Liz wouldn't always be around to rein Jason in. And when Julie was finally brought up to speed on the previous incident, she would be just as bad, if not worse, than Jason. But JJ wasn't about to tell Emily that. So instead, she pulled the brunette up from the table and guided her toward the kitchen counter. It would be best, at least for the moment, to focus on the children.
When they reached the small group of five kids and one adult, JJ sat on the stool at the bar while Emily stood behind her. The taller woman reached out and wrapped her arms around the blonde's small waist, both content with the soothing contact. They both watched as Lisa helped the kids use the cookie cutters to make different Christmas shapes while they all danced and sang along to the low music coming from the stereo.
When Brian Adams' 'Last Christmas' began playing through the speakers, Lisa Jareau immediately hollered, "Richard! Get in here! It's my favorite song!"
A few seconds later, just as the words to the song began, Richard Jareau walked into the kitchen area and swept Lisa up into a close embrace as the two began to dance. The adults smiled on as they watched the two older adults dance around the kitchen, just like every year. The children all squealed in excitement and screamed "GROSS!" at the top of their lungs as their grandparents went in for a kiss. As the song reached the chorus, Emily watched in amusement as Henry joined in singing, "Last Chwistmas, I gave you my hea't, but the vewy next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me fwom tears, I'll give it to someone special."
Emily leaned down and whispered into JJ's ear, "Why exactly is this your mother's favorite song? It's not exactly romantic or anything."
JJ laughed slightly as she leaned back into the brunette's strong embrace. "Bryan Adams is her 'get out of jail free card.' Anything he sings is her favorite song ever."
"Oh, I see," Emily responded as she rested her cheek against the top of JJ's head. She gazed at the scene in front of her with a new appreciation for the word 'family.' She had never had a cheerful time with her family. Ever. It was always about them moving to the next country or eating with the dignitaries or sitting in silence together. So to see JJ's family, so close and loving, was a new experience for her. Emily's heart warmed to think that she was now a part of this. Just thinking about it, Emily squeezed JJ a little tighter and whispered, "Eu te amo muito, Jennifer Jareau."
Turning her head to the side, JJ peered into Emily's deep brown eyes. She loved when Emily spoke to her in Portuguese, especially to say 'I love you.' It was rare to hear the brunette even utter those words, but to hear it now, in front of her whole family, JJ smiled a broad and excited smile. "I love you too Emily Prentiss." She reached up to place a sweet and long kiss on the brunette's lips. After a moment, JJ finally pulled back, "More than I ever thought possible."
Emily sighed in contentment as she turned back to the dancing scene in front of her. She had all she had ever dreamed of in the kitchen of this house. The woman of her dreams was sitting in her arms. Henry was singing along happily to the music. She was surrounded by all the love she had never received growing up. She would make these few weeks with the Jareau's work, despite her nervous apprehension. If nothing else but for the simple fact that she truly did feel like this is where she belonged.
-TCE-
After a long night of baking cookies, eating pizza, and visiting with the family, everyone eventually retired to their respective rooms. The five children where already fast asleep in the living room downstairs as the adults made their way upstairs. Just before Emily shut the door to JJ's old room, Jason stuck his head in, "Hey, I don't want to hear any ruckus from you two tonight. I wouldn't want to have to send Julie in here." With a quick wink, the man was out the door before JJ could throw her pillow at him.
Walking over to a frozen Emily, JJ cupped her face and pulled the distant brown eyes to her own blue ones, "I'm sorry Sweetheart. He's just kidding around with you. If anything, it should make you feel good. It means he likes you. I'd be more worried if he was ignoring you honestly."
The reassuring helped ease Emily's fears, but not her embarrassment, "It doesn't change the fact that he walked in on us almost having sex. In your parent's house. On your bed from high school. Damn you and your irresistible body," Emily mumbled as JJ covered her mouth with her own.
"That's not what you were saying at the time," JJ mumbled as she placed another long kiss to Emily's lips.
Before the kiss got out of control again, Emily pulled back and looked down in apology at the blonde before her. "Let's get ready for bed," was all she said as she moved over to her sole piece of luggage. Living abroad for so long had taught her how to pack light. JJ, on the other hand, had 3 large suitcases, not including Henry's 2 smaller ones.
Understanding Emily's hesitancy to continue what was started this afternoon, JJ silently agreed as she changed into her pajamas. After completing their nightly routine, both women climbed into bed around 11:30pm. With Emily's back to the wall, she reached over and pulled JJ to her front. It still amazed her at how perfectly their bodies fit together. With JJ's back pressed tightly to her chest, Emily reached around and placed her hand to JJ's flat stomach. This was her favorite way to fall asleep. Knowing the motion soothed the blonde, Emily tucked her hand under JJ's tank top and began to rub soothing circles on the soft skin.
Lying there, thinking about the day, Emily began to chuckle. Before long, she was almost doubled over in laughter. "What's so funny?" JJ inquired as she continued to lay with her back pressed against the heaving chest of her girlfriend.
"Nothing. It's just something Jason said. So your bed didn't see a lot of action?" Emily wheezed out in between breathes.
JJ huffed as she attempted to scoot away from Emily. But being that there wasn't much room, she didn't go far, "As a matter of fact, no. I knew I was gay in high school, but I wasn't out. And even if I was, I would have been the only one. East Allegheny is a small place, even though we're close to Pittsburgh. Trust me, my bed still wouldn't have seen any action," the blonde finished in a pout.
"Oh, come on Baby. I'm just messing with you. I think it's adorable," Emily finished as she pulled JJ back into her arms and placed a soft kiss on her exposed shoulder.
"You know, most women would be glad their girlfriend stayed a virgin for so long. Less to be jealous about. But you're laughing at me. That leads me to wonder when exactly you lost your virginity," JJ finished as she waited for an answer. Not hearing one, she ventured, "Well? I'm waiting."
Swallowing hard and realizing how this quickly turned around against her, Emily started, "I just want you to remember that I grew up overseas. Things are a lot different in Europe. Some things are a lot more…accept."
"Stop making excuses and just tell me Emily."
"Fifteen. I was fifteen," Emily said as she waited for JJ to blow up. For as calm as the blonde usually was, her jealousy tended to get the better of her.
"Fifteen? Emily Prentiss! That is ridiculous! Well, it's a good thing this girl lives across seas. That's all I'm going to say about that," JJ finished as she sulked. She knew Emily was experienced, it was evident from the amazing things she did to her during making love, but she hadn't expected that bit of information.
Deciding that now would be a good time to change the subject, Emily asked, "So what are the plans for tomorrow?"
Sensing what Emily was doing but choosing not to fight her on it, JJ replied, "Well, it's Christmas Eve. Usually Mom and Dad take the kids to do whatever they want which leaves the day for the adults to exchange gifts with each other and to do whatever last minute preparations are needed. Christmas day is all about the kids. Usually we wrap presents and just hang out, but I've already wrapped all of our gifts. So tomorrow I want to take you to my favorite place from when I was growing up," JJ finished as she snuggled back deeper into Emily's arms. Her eyes were growing heavy. She hadn't had a good night sleep since the last night she had slept in Emily's arms.
Hearing the exhaustion slowly overtaking JJ's voice and feeling the tension leaving the blonde's body, she knew the woman was about to fall asleep. So she whispered softly, "Whatever you want to do, meu amor." After she heard the soft sound of JJ's breathing even out, Emily gently extracted herself from the blonde's tight hold.
Slowly making her way over to her one suitcase, Emily lifted a few layers of clothes to reveal a little blue box with Tiffany & Co. scrawled across the top in elegant script. Opening the box, Emily gazed down at the solitary, three carat, princess cut diamond engagement ring nestled gently in the velvet folds. The silver band caught the faint moonlight streaming in from the window as Emily just sat and stared at the ring. This was the real reason she had been late getting to East Allegheny. She had to fly to New York to pick up the special ordered ring.
This was also the real reason she had been a nervous wreck all day. As she gently put the box back in its place, Emily climbed back into bed and wrapped her arms around JJ once more. The blonde turned in her sleep as she placed her head on Emily's shoulder and threw her arm over Emily's stomach. The brunette lay awake for a while, just gliding her fingers through her lover's hair. Tomorrow, she could be lying in this same bed, but with her fiancé. Tomorrow, she planned on changing everything.
-TCE-
A/N: I'm really excited about this story! It won't be as long as my other one, but it's nice to write a fluffy story for the Holidays. So what did you think? Any suggestions or requests?
A/N: For those of you who read my other story, Intensely Fierce, don't worry! I'll be updating that one soon : )