A Missed Opportunity

a cooking lesson

Emily's POV
I got back to Virginia late at night. I didn't want to make JJ drive at night so I just called a cab. When I walked into our bedroom there were two blondes sprawled across to mattress.

As soon as I saw them I took a picture, this was something I won't want to forget. I made some space for myself in between them and plopped on the bed.

"Hey. Your home." JJ smiled as she looked over. I gave her a light kiss on the nose. "Yes. Now go back to sleep." She smiled and rolled back over.

Charlotte and I had been talking more and more. Declan has had some conversations with her too. I convinced JJ to let her move in for a year.

She seemed off. Like as if something was wrong. Maybe it was it the new section chief Cruz or something. She always seemed scared when he was around.

I've tried to talk to her about it but she would just brush it off.

Today's the day. I'm taking Declan to pick up Charlotte at the airport. We think it is a good idea, letting the pair meet.

"You ready to meet your sister?" I asked sitting in the parked car. "I think so." He said bouncing his leg. I found it sweet they wanted a relationship.

Together we stood outside of baggage claim waiting. I looked through the crowd and saw the mini version of me. Dark brown hair, brown eyes and my stupid ass nose. Damn poor kid. She has my nose.

Her head turned and she saw Declan. The next thing I knew she ran towards her brother and hugged him. He hugged her back and it was the most adorable I have ever seen.

The whole car ride was the two chatting in the back seat. It was literally so sweet. Neither of the two got a normal childhood so them now have a sibling felt good.

JJ opened the door when we got back home. Declan brought Charlotte in first and I followed with her bags.

"Charlotte this is my wife Jennifer. But you can call her JJ. And Declan can show you to your room. We can decorate when you want." I said setting her backpack down.

While the two kids went to her room I joined JJ on the couch. Wanting some physical contact, I pulled her on top of me and played with her hair.

"It feels like we've done this so many times before." She chuckled. "Cause we have. We are like a foster home. New kid every couple months." I replied back.

I think I fell asleep because all of a sudden JJ was making something in the kitchen. I peeked over the couch arm and saw Charlotte sitting on the counter watching the blonde cook.

"You have to be careful not to burn the onions. My coworker Rossi taught us that. We once had a cooking lesson when our friend messed up his recipe by adding tofu." JJ told the brunette sitting on the counter.

"Don't forget the parsley." Charlotte interjected.

"I think Rossi would love you." My blonde replied. I think Rossi would have a field day when he finds out I took in a chef.

I wandered in and it smelled amazing. "Well good morning my darling." JJ taunted when she saw me. "Yeah yeah. When is it ready because I'm starving."

She handed me a plate and yelled for Declan. I helped Charlotte of the counter and set the table. "Well good morning." Declan said walking into the dining room.

"Wha- I was asleep for like two hours." I defended. Everyone laughed so I rolled my eyes.

"So Charlotte, what do you want to do for school? We could do in person or online and have you come to the office with us. If you go in school Declan would give you a ride." JJ started the conversation.

"Normally I go in school so I'll do that. And you can call me like Charlie or Char or something. Charlotte is just so proper." She laughed.

We finished our meal and started to set up her room. She had a lot of photo prints. She says that they go on her wall. They were all of different casts. She had the Grey's Anatomy cast, the MCU cast, the Star Wars cast, the Harry Potter cast and so many more.

"There's at least 100 prints. Over the years I just got more and more." She said when I started to look through them. I held one up of Jessica Capshaw.

"Hey Jay, we'd be cute together. Might have some competition." I taunted at her. She looked through and grabbed one of Hayley Atwell. "So do you Mrs Prentiss-Jareau."

Together Declan and I made a wall of prints while JJ helped Charlie organize her closet. It took about an hour but we did it. At about 11 I sent the kids to bed, Charlie had a meeting with the school principal to see where she would be placed.

When we got to the office the next week JJ seemed off. She basically ran to talk with Cruz. I sat at my desk but kept looking over through her office doors. She looked over, saw me and closed the blinds. That's kinda suspicious but I won't do anything.

As soon as they came out I ran to talk to her. "What was that about?" I asked. She shrugged. "Nothing. Do you want to go to lunch today?" I agreed and went back to my work.

12 came around quickly and together we walked to a cafe.

JJ's POV
I have to do it. If I don't something could happen to her. I can't let that happen. After talking to Mateo I knew she was suspicious. Maybe not of the two of us, but of me.

"So why'd you ask about lunch? I mean I love getting food but this feels different. Are you okay?" Emily questioned. I just wanted to scream the truth.

That the person that caused Strauss to die is back in Virginia. He knows who I am and I assume he has people near us right now.

"I have to tell you something Emily." I started. The look in her eye killed me. There was a feeling of fear and sadness. Fuck. I can't do this.

"I don't love you anymore Emily." I finished. I said it kinda loud. Her face showed everything I thought it would. Sadness, hate, fear, anger.

"What the fuck do you mean? You don't love me." She repeated. All I could do is nod.

"You couldn't have figured it out before we took in two kids. Jennifer what the hell? We are married and now you say you don't love me? Why?" She spit out.

"I don't know Emily. There is someone else. I am in love with someone else." She looked confused so I kept going. "It's Mateo Cruz. We had a fling when you were in Paris. I know about what happened in Paris but I felt things for him I didn't feel for you." Her mouth hung open and she got up to leave.

"Don't come home." She spat out before leaving. All I could do is sit at the table. I paid for our drinks and a tip before leaving. I slowly walked back to the office hoping she wouldn't be there. The elevator doors opened and I took the long way to get to my office.

Penelope was sitting in my desk chair when I got there, blinds still closed from before. "What is wrong with you Jareau? You are lying to yourself darling. I know you still love her."

I shook my head trying to get her off the subject. "Penelope, everything I said was true. I don't love her anymore." She stood up and got mad.

"Jennifer that is a fucking lie." She never dropped the f-bomb. She stormed over to the window and pulled the blinds open. "You love that girl more than anything. I see it in you. She loves you Jennifer and it is killing her every second you act like this. I know you don't have feelings for Cruz." Her voice started to raise.

"Garcia stop!" I yelled. "Drop it. Nothing you or anyone else says is going to make me change my mind. Now get out of my office Penelope." I lectured. It sounded mean. God. Fucking shit. I didn't know it was going to sound that mean.

I opened the door for Penelope before closing the blinds. Emily and I made eye contact before she looked at her desk.

Alone in my office I slid down the door and fell into a ball. I spent at least two hours before moving. All I could do was crawl to my chair.

It took forever for 6 to roll around. Somehow I managed to leave and get outside before my phone rang. I attempted to answer it but there was a cloth over my mouth.

At least I can stop feeling like shit for a little bit. Let's hope Declan remembers what I told him.