Stand In The Rain

Twenty Two

Balfour-Lee Oswald Foxworth was related to JJ because he was actually Sandy Jareau's ever-so-slightly younger twin brother. He ran the family textile business with their other brother and his grown sons. He'd always had a soft spot for children, and JJ had plenty of stories from her childhood to back that up.

As for his wife, Sarahjane, she was one of the kindest people JJ had ever known, and as for her occupation, she was the principal of the local high school and loved it, having been in academics for her entire adult life. So kindly was the woman that, back when JJ had been considering joining the FBI and everyone around her was telling her that it was a bad idea, Sarahjane invited JJ to come down to Alabama for a change of scenery, even suggesting that she come down by train, to make an adventure out of it. JJ took the trip (especially when Sarahjane paid for all of the expenses), and by the end, JJ was very happy because her aunt had encouraged her to not give up on chasing her dream. When it came time for JJ's graduation from the FBI Academy, Sarahjane was there, cheering very loudly.

In short, JJ loved her aunt and uncle very much. Talking to them about their only child's last days was going to be tough.

"Jenny? Balfour and Sarahjane are here."

Captain Ryder was on the threshold of the conference room that she'd cleared for JJ to use for her interview. The Foxworths were with her.

"Thank you." JJ told her kindly.

Ryder left, closing the door behind her and JJ beckoned to her uncle and aunt, expressing her condolences about Tinsley again before giving them a hug. They were thankful and hugged her back; they'd never had any daughters of their own, but JJ was as good as one to them, so they'd always treated her like their own.

The couple noticed her baby belly right away when they sat on the love-seat across from the armchair that JJ was occupying; now that JJ was in the 'safe zone,' she was no longer hiding her expectant condition from the world and her clothes were more form-fitting.

"You're pregnant, Jenny?" Sarahjane asked.

"Uh-huh." JJ felt very proud as she framed the shape of her middle for them to see. "I've never been so happy."

"How far along are you?"

"Thirteen weeks with twins."

They congratulated her and then Balfour-Lee nodded towards his niece's cast. "What happened to your arm?"

"The babies' father is what happened to my arm, but it's all water under the bridge now because it was a really bad relationship, and he's dead now. The only good thing he ever did was give me babies to mother."

"So things are better now, it sounds like?"

JJ nodded again, smiling at his concern. "Oh, yes. I have a beautiful girlfriend, who is also pregnant, and I love her very much. If she doesn't beat me to the punch, I'm going to ask her to marry me in a few months."

JJ's good news brought a little bit more joy to the Foxworths in this bleak time, but for the sake of why they were gathered in the first place, JJ steered the conversation in a more useful direction. At least it was going to be easy because except for herself, her mother, and her brother, the rest of their Alabama family was local and saw each other all the time.

"Is there anything either of you can tell me about the last time you saw Tinsley?"

JJ's elders thought about it for a minute, and then Balfour-Lee said, "He was about to retire early."