Chapter 2
Four months into their relationship, JJ thought it would finally be the right time to tell Henry and Micheal about her and Elle. Micheal was probably too young to understand but she wanted them to know now that Elle had moved closer and would be spending more time with them.
Their relationship was going really well and they tried to talk on the phone at least once a day unless they both had busy cases they were working on. Over the past few months, JJ had also built a strong connection with Alya and they often texted multiple times during the week.
Elle's phone screen lit up, it was JJ calling, she had taken the week off work to visit her girlfriend but she was on a case in California and wouldn’t be back at least until tomorrow or the next day so that resulted in Elle staying in bed, she had things to do but she was lacking motivation.
She answered the call placing it on the bedside table, “Hi baby,” she mumbled sleepily.
“Hi babe, are you in bed?” JJ checked her watch to work out the time there.
“Yeah, I’m not feeling it today i miss you.”
“I miss you too but I called to tell you we are now getting on the jet so I’ll be back by tomorrow. Also, I was thinking about telling the boys.”
“I’ll be there as soon as you’re back. Are you sure you’re ready to tell them?” Elle didn’t want her to feel pressured.
“More than ready. Do you think it’s something we should do together?” JJ asked.
“I'd like more than anything to do it together but you’re their mother, how you tell them is your decision.”
“I’ll wait until we are together, maybe we could tell them over dinner tomorrow? Do you think you will get there before then?”
“Mhm, I took the whole week off work,” Elle smiled more when she was on the phone to JJ, hearing her voice made her so much happier.
“You did? I thought it was just a couple of days?” JJ said surprised.
“Surprise! It wasn’t all for you though sorry honey, I’m going through some procrastination and motivation issues right now too taking a break will help me.”
“Oh baby, I’m sorry I wish I could help with that. What about Alya and school? Is she staying home on her own?” JJ asked rather worried.
“I spoke with her teachers she’s already ahead of all her classes, AP classes included so as long as she gets the work done she can do it from yours, or Spencer’s.”
“Oh great! AP too? Wow,” JJ laughed.
Elle hummed, “Someone took her father’s genius gene.”
“Honey you sound off, are you sure you want to come?” The blonde tone was laced with concern and Elle could tell.
“Of course, I’m fine, I just miss you and I wish I was doing some work right now but I’m really stuck with it, I need some kind of lawyer breakthrough and I’m hoping it will happen when I’m back with you,” Elle explained.
“I wish I could kiss you through the phone.”
“Me too, that would give me motivation,” Elle laughed.
“I’ll give you so many kisses when I see you,” JJ paused and Elle could faintly hear another voice in the background saying they needed to board the plane, “I’ve got to go.”
“I heard,” Elle frowned, “Stay safe my love, I’ll be packing after I pick Alya up. I love you, so much,” Elle said into the phone.
“I love you more baby,” JJ blew a kiss into the phone speaker before she ended the call.
The call from JJ had given the brunette enough energy to get out of bed and re-pack things she had taken out of her suitcase when her trip to see JJ was delayed.
She went into her daughter’s room to make sure she had almost everything packed up so they could finish anything tonight and leave tomorrow morning.
——————
JJ boarded the plane after hanging up the phone with Elle a smile still playing on her lips.
“Elle?” Spencer asked when they were sat down.
“Yeah, she was telling me how good Alya is doing at school,” JJ smiled.
“I know my smart girl is doing so well,” Spencer beamed talking about his daughter. He really did love her so much.
“How are you and Elle doing?” Derek asked turning to JJ.
“Really well, We are telling Henry and Micheal about us tomorrow,” JJ smiled widely.
“How do you think they will take it? They are only young,” Emily joined into the conversation.
“They love Elle, they either won’t understand or they’ll be really happy I would think but I’m not nervous about it.”
“Well, I hope it goes well,” Emily smiles.
——————
“Mom, are you okay?” Alya asked Elle when she zoned out for the 5th time while driving nearly missing the red light.
“Yeah sorry honey,” Elle braked firmly.
“That’s the fifth time mom, pull over if you’re distracted.”
“It’s just a case I’m thinking about, let’s talk instead. Is there anyone at school you’re interested in?” Elle teased now focusing on the road.
“Ew no, Dad told me how many germs you contract just by shaking someone’s hand, imagine that figure if you hug or kiss someone,” Alya scrunched her nose.
Elle laughed, “Well that’s one way to do it.”
“Do what?” Alya turned her head to look at her mom tilting her head.
“To make sure you don’t date until you’re about… 30 I think we agreed on,” Elle smiled.
“Fine by me,” She shrugged, “How much further?”
“About twenty minutes.”
“Are you happy that you’re going to be back with JJ?”
“The happiest I love the weeks I can spend with her,” Elle’s dimples showed with her smile.
“What do you do?”
“We spend time with you, Henry and Micheal as a family, watch movies, take naps, talk about work, help the boys with homework, cuddle, make dinner together,” Elle shrugged.
“I wish they lived with us so you could always be this happy mama,” Alya frowned a little.
“What do you mean? I’m more than happy with just you and me baby.”
“You miss working for the FBI, you miss the people there too. You miss JJ when she isn’t around your eyes lose the happy sparkle of love, You feel bad about the time I’m not spending with Dad and something is bothering you so much with a case at work that you’ve fallen into a depressive state the last few days,” Alya listed one thing after another not stopping at her mom's jaw-dropping halfway through her statement.
Elle looked at her rather impressed, “I guess this is what I get for giving you two sets of profiler genes,” she paused, “I’m not ready to talk about work with you, the case is personal to me and it’s something I’m not ready to tell my daughter. You’re right I miss all the things you told me I miss but leaving the FBI was my fault I have to deal with those consequences plus I don’t want to leave you alone countless times a month you need a stable parent and I’ve built up this law firm I can’t just abandon it for something that wouldn’t work out.”
“Mama.. did something happen to you?” Alya asked concerned.
“I’m fine baby it was a long time ago,” Elle pulled up outside Spencer’s, “Let me know when you want to stay at Jay’s we will set your room up.”
“Okay Mommy, I love you,” Alya leaned over the console to hug her.
“I love you too baby have fun with your dad,” Elle kissed her daughter’s head just before she got out of the car.
——————
Elle unlocked the front door of JJ’s house, it was only 6:45 am so she knew both her girlfriend and her sons would be asleep in bed, she couldn’t wait to get up the stairs to surprise her girlfriend in bed with the bouquet of pink tulips, they weren’t her girlfriends favourite but they were a close second.
Elle left her suitcase in the hallway not wanting to bang around trying to get it upstairs the last thing she wanted was to wake the boys up when they had to be up soon for school. She crept up the stairs flowers in hand, walked to the end of the corridor and slowly pushed the bedroom door open but her girlfriend was already awake.
“Babe, what are you doing awake?” Elle pouted.
“I sensed you, get into bed, I’ve missed you,” JJ created a space for Elle. When the older woman wasn’t there she slept in the middle of the bed so it didn’t feel like she was missing her beside her.
“Where should I put the flowers?” Elle asked.
JJ rubbed her eyes to take a better look, “Aw babe I didn’t notice that thank you, I love you. Just leave them on the side they will be fine without water for an hour.”
“I love you too Jay,” Elle said putting the flowers on the side and getting into bed with her.
JJ immediately snuggled up to her, “Alya messaged me.”
“Saying?”
“To distract you from whatever you’ve been thinking about,” JJ ran her thumb across Elle’s bottom lip.
“I wish you could but I don’t think you can,” Elle sighed.
“Then tell me about it so it isn’t consuming your brain,” JJ ran her fingers all over Elle she wanted to touch her everywhere.
Elle's eyes closed, “In college, I was sexually assaulted… um by a guy I was friends with, turns out I wasn’t the only person he did it to, one of the girls he choked to death. It was an accident but at least that gave him a longer prison sentence he probably wouldn’t have gotten that long for sexual assault. He is being re-tried for the murder and his case was sent to me to be his defence attorney.”
“Baby open your eyes, you’re okay I’m here,” JJ rubbed her hand up and down her back, “You’re obviously not taking his case no way but I’m sorry he did that to you I really am,” JJ frowned.
A tear fell from Elles's eye, “Alya keeps asking questions but I don’t want her to know, I wasn’t strong that night, I don’t want her to think I’m weak. What if I don’t take the case and he gets out, I don’t want him out he deserves to be there forever.”
“I know baby I’m sorry,” JJ kissed her forehead, “I’ll see if I can sort it, try and get some sleep.”
Elle fell asleep quickly wrapped in JJ’s arms.
After school, the boys had swimming club which gave Elle just enough time to start dinner, every time she stayed over she liked to cook for them and since they were telling the boys about their relationship tonight she thought it would be the perfect night to surprise them.
When they arrived home the boys ran into the kitchen with JJ following not far behind.
“Mmm, what are you cooking?” JJ asked standing behind Elle wrapping an arm around her waist without the boys seeing.
“Lasagna, I was going to make a Cuban dish my mom made sometimes but I felt Italian would be better for the boys,” Elle said stroking the top of JJ’s hand.
“Hm, you’re probably right about that but I’d love for you to make the dish sometime.”
“Mom how long till dinner!” Henry asked standing on the kitchen chair.
“Henry get down from there you’ll hurt yourself. Not long.”
“Elle, what making?” Micheal asked hugging the side of her leg.
“I’m making dinner for you and your brother,” Elle stroked Michael’s hair.
Micheal loved Elle, every time she was over he was attached to her side, he would beg her to play dinosaurs and watch movies and read him bedtime stories.
The four of them ate dinner together and just as Henry was about to get up and go back to his bedroom JJ stopped him.
“I have something I want to tell you, boys,” she started.
“What is it, mommy?” Micheal asked.
“So you both know Elle comes here as often as she can and when she does she stays for the week, it’s because we have been seeing each other,” JJ said.
“We’ve been seeing her too silly mommy,” Henry added.
“Right, I mean Elle and I are dating, we love each other,” JJ tried to explain it simply.
“Elle, is mommy too?” Micheal asked.
“Not exactly, Elle is mommy’s girlfriend.”
“I love Elle but we have a daddy I love daddy too,” Henry said with a frown.
“I love daddy, I’ll always love him but he isn’t here anymore Henry, He will always be your daddy that will never change and everyone will always love him but I love Elle too.”
“And you love mommy?” Henry asked Elle.
“Yes, I love her a lot.”
“Can Lya be my sister?” He asked.
“I suppose,” Elle laughs.
“Kay I’m fine with it,” Henry smiles.
“What about you Micheal?” JJ asked to include the young boy even though he was most likely confused.
“Elle can move in!” Micheal said enthusiastically nodding his head.
“That will do,” JJ laughed and Elle joined her.
——————
2 years later
Elle and Alya moved in with JJ and the boys around the time of the women’s first anniversary and they had gotten engaged a few months ago on their 2nd anniversary together.
The family had grown a lot closer since moving in together often on days off JJ spent time with Alya and Elle spent time with the boys or they spent time all together. Elle still ran the law firm in DC but she only went to the office a maximum of two days a week she enjoyed working at home a lot more especially since one day a week she was able to join JJ at work and help out.
JJ had kissed Elle goodbye and whispered to her that she loved her at 4 am that morning, Elle had heard and responded but when she woke up without JJ by her side she always panicked a little however in her space today was Micheal, if he heard JJ leaving for work he would often join Elle in bed so she wouldn’t feel lonely.
When Micheal saw Elle open her eyes he placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek, “Hi mama.”
Elle kissed the blonde waves on the top of his head, “Morning baby.”
“Breakfast time? Dinosaur pancakes?” He gave her puppy dog eyes.
Elle nodded, “Yeah I’ll make them, Can you see if your brother is awake please?” She looked over at the clock as Micheal scrambled out of the bed.
The brunette wrapped a robe around herself before going to her daughter’s room. She knocked softly on the door, “Lya are you up?”
Alya opened the door, “Yeah mama,” she spun around to draw her mom’s attention to show that she was already dressed and had her hair done.
“Pretty honey. Are you getting the bus?”
“No, Dad is picking me up he said I can drive to school,” Alya gave her a toothy grin, ever since she got her learner's permit last month she had been begging both of her parents to let her drive. JJ and Elle had both taken her out a few times separately but if she wanted to drive to school Spencer had to take her.
“He’s not at work?” Elle asked confused.
“No, why?”
Elle shrugged, “Jay left at like 4:30 this morning I assumed there was a case out of town.”
“Do you want me to look at her location?”
“No, I trust her if we didn’t trust each other it wouldn’t be a good relationship.”
“You can want to know where she is and still trust her mom,” Alya pulled out her phone and clicked the app, “Says she’s in the fields, did she go for a run?”
Elle looked at the time on her phone, “She left 3 hours ago.”
“Try calling her?” Alya suggested.
“Can you come downstairs and call while I make the boys pancakes?” Elle asked.
“Yeah, Dad will be here in about 15 by the way,” She read the notification from her phone.
Elle nodded and handed her phone to Alya while they went downstairs together. The teenager called JJ’s number but it had no answer.
Elle bit her lip anxiously as she cracked one of the eggs into the frying pan, “That’s weird, try again.”
Alya called it again but it went to voicemail.
“Okay, um try on your phone.”
Alya did as her mom said and called JJ’s number on her phone, the call rang once before going to voicemail, “Voicemail again, maybe she doesn’t have service.”
“When is your dad going to be here?” Elle said playing with the engagement ring on her finger.
Alya looked at the map to track how far he was, “8 minutes.”
“Okay,” Elle flipped the pancakes but Alya could see she was shaking.
“What’s wrong Mom?”
“Nothing, just worried I’m sure everything is fine though,” She placed the pancakes on two separate plates, “Could you take these to your brothers they can eat upstairs, help Micheal get dressed if he isn’t already.”
“You normally help him, are you really that worried?” Alya frowned.
“Yes I’m that worried, my fiancée left the house at 4 in the morning, her phone is showing up in the fields and she isn’t answering it. She’s an FBI agent it’s a dangerous job.”
“Okay, I’ll help Henry and Micheal, dad is just around the corner,” she said before she went upstairs.
Spencer was about to knock on the door when Elle opened it, “Woah hi, how did you know I was here?” He tried to read the expression on her face it seemed like panic, “What happened?”
“Alya was tracking you, I’m worried about JJ,” Elle let him through the door.
“Why where is she?” Spencer raised an eyebrow.
Elle explained to him everything that happened that morning leaving out no details.
“She didn’t mention going anywhere last night?” Spencer asked sitting down on the sofa and patting the space next to him.
“No, nothing. We watched an episode of some crime documentary and then went to sleep about an hour and a half after that finished.”
“What were you doing in the time before going to bed and finishing the episode?”
“Spence..”
“Oh! Yeah okay sorry. I’m going to take Henry and Micheal to school I want you to call Penelope she might be able to track her better,” Spencer hugged her.
“Okay, don’t tell them anything.”
“Did anyone else see her this morning?” Spencer asked when he remembered he hadn’t asked.
“Micheal maybe? He came into the bedroom not long after she left.”
Spencer nodded, “Call Garcia.”
——————
When Spencer left with the kids Elle sat back down on the sofa and dialled Penelope’s number. She put her head in her hands while it rang.
“Elle! What can I do for you, sweetheart?” Garcia answered in her usual joyous tone.
“Spence told me to call, JJ is missing? Alya tracked her but her phone was showing as being in a field, I don’t know, is there something you could do, please,” Elle said her voice cracking.
“Oh my god, Elle! Yes, I’m tracking right now 1 second.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. JJ’s location last pinged near the car park next to the field where she finishes her runs and it was there for twenty minutes, her cellphone was turned off almost an hour ago, I’m sorry pumpkin.”
“She’s hurt.. or worse, I’m going to be sick.”
“What did your baby daddy say?”
“Just to call you.”
“I can inform the team, wait maybe it’s to do with the stalker unsub he sent her flowers?”
“Excuse me, when did this happen?” Elle asked confused.
“A few weeks ago, Um I’m going to go and try tracking JJ again. I’ll call if I find anything,” Penelope hung up the phone.
Elle sat curled up in a ball waiting for Penelope to call back or Spencer to come back. It was now past 9 am.
Spencer had dropped by once to tell her that JJ’s car wasn’t in the parking lot where she was last tracked anymore.
10 minutes later a car pulled into the driveway and the front door opened.
“Spence?” Elle called out.
“No it’s me, babe,” JJ answered.
Elle got up from the sofa and walked toward the door, “Jennifer Jareau,” Elle scolded but took her into a tight hug.
“What happened?” JJ asked confused.
“I was so worried, your phone was switched off in the middle of the woods, you weren’t answering calls, you left at 4 am, and Penelope was tracing your phone too,” Elle hugged her tighter.
“Oh babe, I’m so so sorry, I wanted to surprise you. I didn’t mean to worry you… or my co-workers apparently.”
“Also you have a stalker?” Elle raised an eyebrow.
JJ sighed, “I didn’t want you to know.”
“Why not?” Elle frowned.
“The unsub is already stalking the entire team i didn’t want to expose you to it as well.”
“Are you safe? Are the kids safe?” Elle asked the worried look returning to her face.
“I think so,” JJ replied biting her lip.
“You think so? That’s not exactly good enough JJ, our children could be in danger.”
“We didn’t profile him to harm anyone if that helps.”
“No not really that doesn’t really help me,” Elle crossed her arms.
“Can we just forget this so I can show you your surprise, I think you’ll love it.”
Elle sighed, “Fine but when the kids come home we need to talk to them about this.”
“Yes, I agree,” JJ said while nodding, “It’s outside, come to the car.”
Elle followed JJ outside and closed her eyes when JJ asked. The brunette opened her eyes when she felt JJ put something in her arms.
“A kitten?” Elle gasped stroking the top of its head, “Why?” She asked looking up at her.
“I know you’ve always wanted one and it’s the third anniversary of our first date,” JJ smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind Elle’s ear, “You’re so beautiful I love you.”
“I love you too, I’m still mad but I love you so much. Thank you,” Elle left a small kiss on JJ’s lips.
“I think I deserve more than that,” The blonde woman smirked.
“Give me a minute I don’t want to squish my kitten,” Elle continued petting the kitten's head.
“Come inside, put the kitten down and kiss me,” JJ placed a hand on Elle’s waist.
The pair went indoors and Elle placed the kitten down on the living room floor before pulling JJ onto the sofa with her, immediately attaching her lips to hers.
“I love you,” Elle said when they broke apart for a minute.
“Isn’t there still a search party out for me babe?” JJ giggled.
“Oh yes! I need to call Spence, get off me,” Elle tapped JJ’s ass.
“Hey you pulled me on top of you,” JJ reached into Elle’s pocket pulling out her phone, “And I’m not moving it’s not every day I get to be in this position.”
“Because you’re my pillow princess,” Elle kissed JJ’s cheek a few times as the phone rang.
“Hey, I’m not-“ JJ was cut off by Elle shushing her just before she spoke into the phone.
“Yeah I’m all good Spence, JJ is home she was being really stupid and switched her phone off so I couldn’t track her location while she got me a present… JJ stop!” Elle screeched as JJ rested her fingers on the sides of Elle’s waist tickling her a little bit more each time she spoke.
Spencer cleared his throat, “Thanks for um telling me I should probably leave you both alone. Have fun,” Spencer paused, “Not that you are having fun I just- Have fun um together.. not like that unless you want to you know-“
“Spencer it’s fine,” Elle giggled, “We will have fun.”
Spencer stuttered a little bit before just deciding to hang up.
“You’re so evil that poor man,” JJ said.
“I'm evil? You’re evil when did you turn into the tickle monster?” Elle stuck her tongue out.
JJ shook her head and kissed Elle, “Got any plans today?”
“Mhm I’m making you the best dinner you’ve ever had,” Elle kissed her neck.
“And until then?” JJ moaned softly at the contact.
“Nothing apart from playing with that adorable kitten.”
“Bedroom?” JJ asked with a smiley smirk.
“After dinner?” Elle said.
“If we do it now we have a child-free house you can be loud,” JJ giggled.
“I can be loud? Honey that’s all you.”
“Come on,” JJ sat up and pulled on Elle’s arm.
——————
JJ went into the office in the afternoon which left Elle more than enough time to make a romantic dinner for her fiancée and collect the kids from school.
She ran into the store to get a few things for dinner before driving to the boy's school. She usually went through the drop-off and pick-up drive-through because Henry was at the age where he did not want his mama walking him in or picking him up but Micheal loved having Elle come into the school so today she decided she would.
When she walked into the playground she could see Micheal in a line of his classmates coming out of class.
The little boy jumped up and down waving at her and she gave him a small wave back waiting for him to be allowed over.
As she was waiting one of the moms she knew came and stood beside her, she was the mom of one of Michael’s friends but quite frankly Elle didn’t like her she had been weird about Elle collecting the boys from the school claiming it was their mother's job and not someone she had hired which offended her that she would speak of JJ that way and assume she was just some baby sitter and when Micheal had ran towards her calling her mama the woman’s skin paled every time but the first time she looked like she was close to vomiting which promoted Elle to state the obvious that JJ was her partner.
“How are you?” Elle asked faking a smile but not turning to look at her.
“Oh I’m fine, the usual you know husbands always arguing about work,” Sarah replied.
“Well no I wouldn’t know husbands,” Elle tried not to roll her eyes.
“Right, lesbian mhm. How are you, Elle?”
“Awesome.”
“Oh, really how come?” Sarah looked her up and down, “You’re dressed nicely? A new date?”
Elle shook her head, “Obviously not since I’m engaged. It’s mine and JJ’s first date anniversary she bought us a kitten.”
“That’s something you celebrate?”
“Yes Sarah, that’s something we celebrate.”
“Do all of your kind like cats I see that a lot online?”
Elle opened her mouth but no words came out as she looked at the woman rather shocked before shaking her head and just not responding, she walked toward the teacher so she could be closer to Micheal as he was next in line.
Micheal ran over to Elle wrapping his small arms around her as much as possible, “Mama! My teacher wants to talk to you!”
“Are you in trouble Mister?” Elle lifted him up and rested him on her hip.
“No mama I’m really good. Do you think Lya will help with my maths homework?”
“Oh, I’m sure she will you know that’s her favourite subject, let’s go talk to your teacher yeah?”
“Yeah!” Micheal said as Elle walked toward the teacher with the blonde boy still perched on her hip.
The teacher turned to them both with a big smile on her face, “Elle, hi.”
“Hi, was there something wrong Micheal said you wanted to talk to me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing bad I promise, I thought we could just catch up and I could give Michael’s sick form from today?”
“I don’t have much time for a catch-up today but why does he have a sick form? What happened?” Elle asked concerned looking over Michael’s face and could usually tell if he was ill.
“Another boy tripped him up on the playground, an accident of course, Micheal had an ice pack on his knee for a while.”
Elle stroked a hand over his hair, “Oh you’re a brave boy aren’t you baby? What happened?”
“Samual put his foot out and I tripped when I ran, he said I’m too smart because I read books,” Micheal pouted.
Elle turned back to the teacher, “That doesn’t sound like an accident to me.”
“Micheal and I spoke with Samual and he said it was an accident.”
“Micheal won’t be going near Samual I don’t want my child hurt again.”
“I’ll have to call Jennifer as she is his legal parent if that is going to happen,” The teacher avoided eye contact with her.
“That’s fine, I’ll speak with JJ at dinner but on Michael’s school forms I am listed as a legal parent so I’m not sure why it would be an issue,” Elle said before walking away, “Are you okay baby?”
Micheal nodded and snuggled his face in the crook of her neck, “Love you, mama.”
“I love you more, are you tired?”
“Mhm,” Micheal played with the neckline of her top as if it were his blanket.
——————
JJ arrived home at 7:30 pm, she gently threw her keys onto the table in the hallway, “Honey?” she called out but with no reply, she followed the smell of food to the kitchen where she spotted her fiancée.
“Hi baby,” Elle answered turning to look at the blonde, she wanted to catch her reaction to the room too.
“You did all of this while I was out?” JJ gasped at the fairy lights, candles and flowers covering their dining room.
“Mhm I didn’t want it to be tacky, it is a little but I tried. I’m making some of your favourite foods and the kids are with Maeve and Spence,” Elle said kissing JJ’s pink lips.
“You’re perfect I’d marry you right now if I could.”
“We could go to the courthouse,” Elle suggested again, she had suggested it many times but she knew JJ wanted a wedding with all of her friends and family there.
“Hm wouldn’t you like that,” JJ laughed, “I’m getting changed quickly. Thank you for this.”
Once she was back down the food was on the table, her seat already pulled out for her to sit down, a glass of wine on the table and soft classic music playing in the background.
The women ate talking about the kids, their wedding, school and upcoming vacations. Just as they finished Elle took JJ’s hand in hers and brought it to her lips kissing it, “Thank you for loving me.”