Beyond Education [Jemily]

All In The Family

Later that day - 3:15 PM
— Emily's POV
We pulled up in front of JJ's house and I just barely stopped the car before JJ opened up the door and jumped out. She ran up the steps of the porch and knocked while I walked at a much more leisurely pace behind her. I panted once I caught up, "You couldn't wait for me?"

"I'm too excited!"

A girl about our age opened up the door and exclaimed, "Jennyyyy!"

JJ squealed and wrapped her in a hug, "Chrissyyyyy!" I awkwardly stood next to them with my hands in my pockets, waiting to be properly introduced. They finally let go of each other and JJ motioned to me, "This is my girlfriend Emily. Em, this is my cousin Chrissy."

I outstretched my hand, "Good to meet you, Chrissy."

"Nice try, Emily, but we hug in this family." She giggled and stepped toward me, catching me in a warm hug. I had a feeling there would be many more where that came from. Chrissy led us inside so I could meet everyone else. JJ had a surprisingly big family, and these were just the ones that would be staying at the house with us. I met her Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rita, along with their kids Cameron and Gary. Chrissy introduced me to her parents, JJ's Uncle Hank and Aunt Julie, and her siblings, JJ's cousins Nicholas, Parker, and Reese. Reese was 4 years old and clearly super attached to me. I could already tell she'd be my third leg during this trip.

Once I was done with that round of relatives, I smiled and asked JJ, "Where's your mom?"

She grabbed my hand and started walking, "Probably in the kitchen where she always is." Sure enough we saw JJ's mom as soon as we crossed the threshold into their huge southern kitchen. "Hi mommy!" JJ bounced over to her and snake her arms around her waist.

"Oh hi, Jen Jen!" JJ refused to let go of her tight grip, causing her mom to roll her eyes and insist, "Jen, please, I'm trying to take these out of the oven!" Freedom was granted.

I cleared my throat from behind them, "Uh, hi there, Mrs. Jareau."

Her head spun around and she gasped, "Oh, honey! Sweetie, I'm so sorry! I've just been so busy with the baking and the cooking and the gifts and ugh! Hi, there pumpkin." She smiled softly and threw her oven mits aside so she could waddle over and give me a hug. "How you doing, Emily? You okay?" Her southern accent was oddly comforting to me, despite the fact that I grew up around foreigners and  diplomats.

"Yeah I'm-I'm all right."

"Well that's peachy. Has Jenny been a dear and introduced you to everyone here?"

Jennifer took a bite of a biscuit and mumbled, "Mmhmm."

Her mom put her hands on her hips and scolded, "Jennifer, put that down! I just took those out, they're for tomorrow morning!" JJ made a face and reluctantly put down the buttery treat. Her mom sighed and explained, "Now there's only so many people I can fit in this house so you'll have to meet everyone else tomorrow. My brother, Mark, is coming over for dinner with his family."

"So Kevin is your brother and also Hank and Mark, too?"

"Yes. Don't get me started on how hard it must have been growing up in a house with three brothers. Jennifer is so lucky she has a sister." JJ cleared her throat and somberly put her head down, deep in thought. Her mom blushed and quietly corrected herself, "Had. She um, she had a sister... Anyway, let's not damper the Christmas spirit, girls! It's a joyous holiday and we're gonna have some fun! Isn't that right, Jenny?" Jennifer's mouth curled into a half-smile and she nodded. I beckoned her over to me, hugging her tightly for some comfort. Her mom swooned and let out a happy exhale, "I just love you two to pieces. Are you sure it's gonna be all right for you both to share JJ's room? It can be a little cramped in there."

Jennifer smiled, "It's no problem, mom. Can I bring Emily up to show her around?"

"Of course, dear. You want me to tell Uncle Hank to help you with your bags?" She winked at me, "I know my Jennifer likes to pack heavy, right?"

I chuckled, "She certainly does, ma'am. I've got everything but the kitchen sink in the back of my car right now."

"In that case, I'll go get Hank. Excuse me." JJ's mom scurried out to the living room to find some recruits for our luggage. In the meantime, JJ took my hand and led the way upstairs to her room. It was everything I ever imagined it to be. Very JJ-esque. She had a full bed in the center of the room, with a white nightstand on each side. A cream-colored dresser sat across from the bed with a small TV centered on it. At the foot of her bed there was a small bench, which was home to several stuffed animals and decorative pillows. Her walls were off-white, outlined with pink LED lights, and tacked up with various posters. Honorable mentions are Tobin Heath, Taylor Swift, and Charlie's Angels. But I know she just liked that last one because of Kristen Stewart.

I chuckled and sat on the edge of her bed, "Some room."

"Whatcha think?"

"I think... that you're very predictable."

She giggled, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that this is a very Jennifer Jareau room. It's also pretty similar to your dorm."

"Yeah I could see that." She climbed onto her bed and laid back against the pillows, "It'll be nice to have a big bed again."

I turned around and hovered over her, "Agreed." I leaned down and caught her in a kiss. Her hands slid up to my shoulders, pulling me down against her even more. A knock on the door interrupted us. I got up to go answer it and was met by Reese's adorable little face.

"Hi, Emmy."

"Hey, Reese, what's going on?"

She shuffled her feet together and asked, "Um, my daddy towd me to come up hewe a-a-a-and tell you he has yer bags a-a-a-and also I-I-I wanna know if yous wanted to pway wif me?" I heard JJ giggling behind us, hoping I'd say yes. How could I not?

"Sure, Reese, but I gotta go get the bags from your dad first okay?"

"O-Otay can I come wif you?" She held her arms up to me and started jumping up and down, insinuating that I should pick her up. Of course, I obliged. I flung Reese over my shoulder as she erupted into a cluster of giggles and we headed downstairs to get the luggage Hank brought in. Being around this much family was actually comfortable to me, and I could definitely tell I was welcomed here like one of their own.