But to love is to hurt. (Criminal Minds)

Guppy

A/N: My twist on a classic everyone is asking for.

It was a bright summer's day Declan was now fourteen and home from boarding school the family was gathered in the living room. Declan was staring out the back door at the clear blue, calm pool. JJ stared at Declan, cocking her head to the side asking "Do you want to swim today?"

"Can we?"

"Of course man! We own the pool we can swim whenever we want!"

Declan quickly stood up running up the stairs to put on his trunks. JJ laughed before turning to Grace who was engrossed in a book she was reading. She just stared at the little girl. Grace was a carbon copy of JJ in almost every way but she had mannerisms that were staggeringly equal to Emilys. She had inherited both of her mother's attitudes, one often outweighing the other on any given day. However, when she read you would think Emily was sitting there reading. It was something both the mother loved. JJ asked, "Gracie girl do you want to learn how to swim?"

She put down her book and that JJ attitude came bulldozing forward she lifted one eyebrow saying as confidently as a four-year-old can "I know how to swim."

JJ challenged her daughter's glare asking "Is that so?"

At this point, Emily had put her book down and was watching trying to contain the laughter building in her as her four-year-old daughter challenged her 36-year-old wife. Grace said, "I'll prove it." Before standing triumphantly storming up the stairs.

JJ looked over at her wife, utterly surprised saying "Can you believe your daughter?"

"My daughter! Ha! You might have well been standing in front of a mirror."

"Oh, you hush it! Are you going to come swim with us?"

"Yeah I promised Declan I'd whip his ass in water basketball."

"You and I both know he's got you beat."

"Well yeah but he doesn't need to know that."

JJ stood up walking over helping Emily up. Emily pulled JJ into a kiss before whispering "Wear the black suit."

They all quickly got changed and Declan and JJ both dove into the deep end as Emily and Grace both walked cautiously down the steps. Grace's floaties were on but she still waited to get off the step that had her at waist deep until her Mama told her it was okay. Emily held out her hands and Grace grabbed onto them letting Emily tow her through the water. JJ came up saying to Grace "Okay missy let's test those flippers of yours." JJ unclipped the floaties keeping her arms under Grace so she could keep her afloat if needed. Much to JJ and Emily's surprise Grace was swimming and swimming well. Grace flipped over onto her back and JJ was ready to save her but her daughter just kept swimming. JJ looked up at her wife for answers but Emily was just as shocked. Declan came up saying "What? You didn't know she could swim?"

JJ and Emily both said "No!"

Declan nodded saying "When you guys are away and Aunt Pen stays with us we are always in the pool. We have both been teaching Grace. Uh, I thought she told you." Grace swam over to Declan who put her on his hip. She whispered in his ear and he nodded before saying "If I get in trouble you are taking the blame."

She quickly nodded and Declan held her up asking "You ready?"

JJs heart went to the pit of her stomach and Emily nearly had a heart attack as Declan threw Grace high into the air. Grace sunk into the water far too long for JJ and Emily's comfort before popping back up swimming over to Declan. Declan picked her up when Emily yelled "Stop! Never again!"

Grace whined "Mama-"

Emily said sternly "Roslyn Grace. Do not test me right now."

Grace muttered a gentle "Yes ma'am."

"What the hell-"

"Emily! Declan take your sister inside please."

Declan nodded, bowing his head climbing out of the pool.

JJ turned to her wife saying "Care to explain to me what that was?"

Emily looked over at her wife "Like hell you don't know."

"Whoa! Hey. We agreed not to curse in front of the kids. Why are you getting agitated with me?"

"How are you not more pissed?" Emily asked in disbelief.

JJ said "Oh I am mad! But the other things I'm feeling are far outweighing my anger."

Emily asked, "And what feelings are those?"

JJ walked forward grabbing her wife's hips. Gently saying "Did you not see them?"

Emily let out an annoyed huff "Yeah I saw them. I saw my teenage boy throw my daughter into the water giving me a heart attack."

JJ looked at her wife and she knew she had to speak to her gently. Anything else would escalate the conversation. "Our teenage son taught our little girl how to swim. We weren't there to teach her and so he stepped up and taught her. He took care of her. He found a way to play with her and I'm sure if she was ever in any trouble he would do the same thing you do."

"And what's that?" Emily asked more calmly

"Be the hero."

Emily pulled JJ into a tight hug. When they pulled away JJ kissed her wife before saying "I was just as terrified as you. But I also know our children are freaks of nature who just can't get hurt."

Emily laughed at her wife saying "They are hard-headed just like their Mother."

JJ rolled her eyes before saying "I do believe there is a fourteen-year-old boy inside who is terrified he's about to get yelled at. Now you go apologize to him then come back outside and get your ass handed to you in water basketball.

Emily kissed her wife saying "Yes ma'am before walking out of the pool."

JJ smiled to herself wishing she could freeze the feeling inside of her forever. Absolute and total love, pride and contentment.