champagne problems x jemily/hotchniss

twelve

i'm sad my spring break is almost over, i feel like it came and went in a flash but at least i got to update daily😗

also i forgot to mention i put a q&a link on my tiktok in case anyone wants to leave me a little something, i'd love it🤍

happy readings and stay safe besties! -salem🤍

TW: swearing, acts of violence against women
word count: 3733

•

JJ: "She wasn't exactly sure when it happened. Or even when it started. All she knew for sure was that right here and now, she was falling hard and she could only pray that he was feeling the same way." Nicholas Sparks.

Emily walked into the bullpen with two bags in her hands along with her usual workload. Penelope, coming from her lair, saw her walk in and raised an eyebrow. She watched in the doorway as Emily dropped her personal bags at her desk then made her way up the stairs and towards Hotch's office. She knocked twice before entering.

"Yeah, let me call you back," Hotch said and hung up the phone. Hotch looked back at Emily and stood up. "What's this?"

"I didn't get the chance to get you breakfast last week. So, I figured I'd bring it to you," Emily said and smiled as Hotch grabbed the bags for her. "Jack told me your favorites from the diner. He said that, and I quote, 'daddy likes blueberry pancakes with lots of whip cream and eggs.'"

Hotch laughed as he set the bags down. Emily shut the door behind her. He pulled her in a hug, the two settling in the other's arms. Penelope's eyebrows raised. She could swear as they pulled away, Hotch looked down. Emily settled into the seat across from Hotch with a smile. For herself, she got a favorite of hers and Declan's, waffles with strawberries on top.

"I appreciate it, Em. But I could have been perfectly fine with a coffee and a slice of banana bread," Hotch said and sat down across from her. "But thank you. I don't normally get the chance to eat breakfast. So this is a good start to my day."

"You're welcome," Emily said with a smile as the two grabbed their respective food. Penelope walked in cautiously to the bullpen, lurking in the shadows to get a closer look at Hotch and Prentiss. Emily chuckled as Hotch got whip cream on his fingers. The man was squinting his eyes at Emily. Penelope smiled softly. Emily looked happy as she sat across from Hotch.

Penelope admits she has never seen the man smile as wide as he was right now. It warmed her heart.

The rest of the team walked in and stopped in their tracks as they saw Emily and Hotch. Penelope holding a finger over her mouth and beckoned them to come towards her. They all took two steps before Penelope stopped them and gestured for them to move slower. They finally made it to the railing by the stairs as they peaked their heads over and seeing the two there laughing.

JJ forced a smile. Emily looked happy. JJ had done her fair share of trying to ignore Emily's love life since their situation had played out. She had convinced herself that if Emily had gone with Clara, she would be happy for her. But this, this hurt. Hotch had encouraged JJ and Emily to be together. Why was he suddenly changing his mind?

The blonde woman didn't say anything else as she turned and made her way to her office. She shut the door behind her and sighed. Seven billion people in the world, and Emily chose the person who oversees their entire work unit to mingle with?

The blonde woman took a moment to collect herself and sat down at her desk. She shut her eyes and sighed.

As long as she's happy, that's all that matters.

JJ shook off the thoughts and dove into reviewing cases for the team. The lingering thought of Emily smiling so widely was like a ghost haunting her memories.