Never Together Nor Apart

[Chapter 86]

Emily's POV:

"Emily, can you come over and help me and the kids get to the BAU?" JJ asks over the phone.

"Of course, I'll be right over. Is everything okay?" I ask worried.

"Well, Spence wanted me to come and bring the kids. He didn't say why, but he sounded determined and a little nervous," she masks her own anxiety.

"I'm already getting Lana ready to go," I report.

"Lana?" I hear her chuckle.

"What? Not a good nickname?" I ask embarrassed.

"No, no. It's great Em," JJ laughs.

I smile as I put Lana in the backseat, strapping her in securely.

I hang up the phone at get to JJ and Reid's. I pray nothing had happened to anyone one on team, the ominous feeling eats away at my stomach.

*time skip*

When I get to the house JJ has both the kids packed up. I place Alana back in her car seat and add both Noah's and Lily's to the back of the car. JJ slides up front and buckles next to me.

"So did he tell you what's wrong? Nobody's hurt right?" I ask.

"I hope not. He didn't really explain anything. He just wanted you, me, and the kids to be there," she replies.

*time skip*

I grab Alana and her diaper bag while JJ takes Noah. Garcia meets us to grab Lily along with Noah and Lily's shared bag. We go upstairs to see they hadn't yet arrived.

"Penelope why did he want us to be here?" JJ asks while in the elevator.

"I don't know. He just called to make sure I knew you were coming," she answers.

I study her, she seemed more bubbly than usual. She definitely knows what's going on. We enter Garcia's lair, placing both Lily and Lana on the floor to play with some blocks while JJ rocks Noah. Once he finally goes back to sleep, JJ places him in the carrier for him to lay down. Finally, I hear the ding of the elevator, letting us know they had arrived. We begin to get up, but Garcia stops us.

"Give them a minute first," She advises.

"Okay, what's going on?" JJ questions.

"Trust me, just wait. You'll know soon enough," Garcia smiles.

We wait a moment before Garcia gives us the go. She takes Noah while I scoop up the two girls. JJ quickly exits the room, wanting to eagerly know what's happening. I see lights strung up, with white streamers. The lights are dimmed while candles are light. JJ seems not to notice them as she rushes to hug Reid.

"God, I was so worried," she hugs him tightly.

In return, he pulls her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"I know this isn't the best place or time really, but I have to do it now. I can't wait anymore and we have everyone and everything right here that we need to do it," Reid states once he pulls away.

I stand there semi- sure of what he's hinting at. I watch as he lowers to one knee, the motion clears any doubt from my mind.

"Jennifer, I know this is not what you had in mind when you first met me in this room. You quickly became my best friend and the love I had for you was unexplained. I was grateful that night we went to the bar because otherwise I never would have dated you or had our beautiful children. As soon as you had Lily, I wanted to propose, but that was postponed once we found out we were expecting again. I love you more than I know how to express or put into words, so I'm asking, will you marry me?" He looks incredibly nervous, almost scared of her answer.

JJ stands there, tears pooled in her eyes.

"I— oh my god, Spence!" She leans in to kiss him, forgetting to answer the question.

"JJ, you have to answer," Garcia whispers.

"Oh, oh my god I'm sorry. Yes!" She lets him place the ring on her finger, leaning in to kiss him again.

Morgan comes up behind him and pats him roughly on the shoulder.

"And I thought you would never ask her," he smirks.

Garcia and I make our way over to inspect her ring. It's a a beautiful square shaped diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. I look at the band to see it sparkling as well.

"JJ, it's beautiful. Congratulations," I hug her.

"Now we get to plan for the wedding!" Garcia exclaims.

"I just can't believe it. I just.." she trails off.

Garcia and I laugh at her reaction. I notice Rossi walking over in the corner of my eye.

"Congratulazioni, sono cosí emozionato," he kisses her cheek.
(Congratulations, I'm so excited)

Unsure of what he had said, JJ leans in to give him a hug.

"Oh god, I must look a mess," she realizes when she pulls away.

"No, you look like an amazing mom," I assure her.

"They can definitely be a handful at times," she sighs.

"Oh, I can't imagine! Just Lana alone is able to drive me insane, but I love her and I wouldn't trade her for the world," I confess.

"Congratulations JJ," both Alex and Kate state.

"Thank you," She smiles.

They each give her a quick hug before leaving the bullpen for home.

"You thinking about going back yet?" JJ motions towards Kate.

"I want to, but I think Aaron's scared. I mean of course I'm scared to," I answer.

"The first time I left Lily I was a nervous wreck. It was definitely hard, but I was definitely ready to be back. I know you've been through a lot the past months though," she squeezes my shoulder.

"Your not wrong," I sigh.

I search for the kids, quickly finding them where we had set them down earlier. Aaron and Reid had found their way over there. I watch as they talk to each other while keeping an eye on the three little ones. I can't help but admire how cute they all look, especially with Aaron smiling.

"You two found good ones," Garcia whispers from behind us.

I notice her using her phone to take pictures. I remind myself to ask for them later. I turn my attention back to watching, shifting my view to only Aaron.

"Mhm," I nod in content.

I think this was really cute and off-set the last chapter where is was more depressing and scary.

1087 words