A Missed Opportunity

awkward holiday party

JJ's POV
"Ready?" I heard Emily say from the door. I nodded and joined her in the hall. "Are you okay?" She asked looking at my eyes. "Yeah. Just want to get this over." I said.

I lied. I wasn't ready. I was about to come out to my extended family. Sure my parents took it well, but who knows. I love them. I am petrified.

We joined my parents in the kitchen as my dad grabbed the car keys. I grabbed my keys as well I wanted to be able to leave separately if needed. We waved goodbye and got in my moms small car.

I grabbed Emily's hand and held on tight. "Jay. What's bothering you? We have to talk." Emily asked as we drove through Main Street. I pulled over to the side and parked.

"What if they don't accept me? I love them so much. But what if this is the last time I talk to them Em?" I said tears forming in my eyes. She unbuckled and pulled me into a hug.

"You don't have to say anything. We can lie all night and let them find out another time. I don't want you to be uncomfortable all night." She said kissing my cheek. She pulled away and wiped my tears. "If you want I will fight them for you." I laughed at the thought of Emily beating up my family. "What do you want to do?"

"Let's tell them. If they don't accept me, then they can go fuck themselves." Emily laughed. "That's my girl." She said and we started driving again.

We walked through the door to my aunts house. "Jenny!" They all yelled. Fuck. Why couldn't Will come up with a better nickname. My mom saw Emily's face and hushed everyone. "I have an announcement. Jenny will no longer be a nickname used by any of you. She isn't a little girl and she should be treated as such. If you use Jenny, I will personally scold you." She said to the whole family.

They reluctantly agreed and went back to their tasks. She walked over and pulled me into a hug. "I'm sorry babygirl. I forgot to tell them." I laughed. "It's alright. Everyone knows not to mess with you." I said, thinking back to the time my mom had yelled at my teacher for making my cover my shoulders in school.

I led Emily around giving her a tour of the family and the house. My 'niece' ran and jumped into my arms.

"Emily, this is Scarlett. She's 16. She is my cousins daughter." I said introducing the two. "Yup." The girl said. "Helen is my mom and Anne is my grandma. My mom, dad, brother and I live here with her." Emily laughed. We talked with Scarlett for a little while before my aunt called out for us. Dinner was ready.

Emily's POV
We sat at the table next to Sandy and Anne. I talked with Anne for a little bit. I wanted to see if I could profile her. Be prepared for her reaction.

After cleaning the dishes JJ, Sandy and I sat with Scarlett on the couch. "What shows do you like Scarlett?" JJ asked her. "I like Grey's Anatomy. I love Arizona. But Grandma says she's going to hell." My jaw dropped. "What do you mean she's going to hell?" I asked looking at JJ.

"Because she is dating a girl. My grandma says that's a sin." Scarlett said, looking down. "But I hope not." She added as tears started to fall down her face.

"Scarlett, don't you ever think that if you love a certain gender you will go to hell. I don't know your situation but if you ever want to talk you can always call me." JJ said squeezing the girls hand. I grabbed her other hand. "Me too. JJ can give you my number. If you ever need to have someone listen you have two people just a call away." I added. "Four people. Harry and I will always have an open house to you if you need it. Just drive over anytime." Sandy said.

The little Jareau smiled and pulled JJ into a tight hug. "Thank you." She whispered before heading to the bathroom to fix her mascara.

"Wow." JJ said squeezing my hand. "Thanks Em." "You know I love you right Jay? You're my Cheetobreath." I said kissing her hand. "And you're my Blackbird." She said.

The rest of the family joined us in the living room. Helen, her husband, Scarlett, Scarlett's brother, JJ and I sat on the ground, allowing Sandy, Harry, Anne and her husband Gary to sit on the couch. Other aunts, uncles and cousins stood around the room.

"I need to tell you something." JJ started. "I've been in a relationship for almost the past two years." People were smiling. "When can we meet him Jen?" Helen asked.

"You already have met her." She said grabbing my hand. I snuck glances around the room to see reactions. It seemed all eyes were in us and Anne.

"It's a phase. Before you know it Jennifer will be back to normal and this girl will be gone." Anne said glaring at me. "It's not. I love Emily. She's been there for me through everything." JJ said starting to stand up. She was glaring at her aunt.

"You can't love her. She's a woman."

"I do love her. More than anything. She was there for me when I got shot." JJ said as people gasped. "When we were kidnapped, she protected me. When I was laying in the bathtub waiting to die she found me. I would be dead if it wasn't for Emily. I love her." JJ added, now standing with Anne.

I looked at Sandy. Her knuckles were white from squeezing Harry's hand. "Can't you accept me?" JJ added in a whisper. It broke my heart. I looked at Scarlett who had tears in her eyes. Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes. Somebody had to stand up with her.

"No. I can't accept a sinner in my house." Anne said as Sandy and Harry stood up. JJ crumpled down into my arms as Sandy left to talk with Anne in another room. We couldn't hear them, but they were yelling.

Nobody moved. The room was silent apart from JJ's crying. Finally someone tapped her on her shoulder. "I love you aunty Jay." Scarlett said pulling her into a hug. Soon Helen followed along with some other family members.

"I am so sorry Jennifer. But she's my mom. I don't know what to do." Helen said into JJ's shoulder. "It's okay. Just don't lose contact. And take care of that one." She said pointing at Scarlett. Harry helped us to our feet and we got our shoes and coats.

"JJ is my wonderful, talented, beautiful daughter. She is not broken because of this. And Emily is not a bad influence. She loves my little girl and has done more to protect her than I ever could. Don't talk to us Anne." Sandy said before leaving the bedroom. She joined us in putting on shoes before Anne spit out one last thing.

"Roslyn would be disappointed."