Chapter Text
Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss had a great life these days.
She had been with Quantico’s Behavioral Analysis Unit for six months. And... Once all the hiccups and whatnot had been hammered out, she had begun to soar. Greatly.
One of her favorite parts about her job was that she made the best friends she had ever loved in her life. Aaron Hotchner, Derek Morgan, David Rossi, Penelope Garcia, Spencer Reid, and Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau. Each had special places in her heart. But that was another story.
Emily loved them. And her life. She wouldn't change it. For anything at all. Ever.
That being said...
Emily had a fact about herself she'd been keeping at the back of her mind as she'd gotten older. And the only person who knew? JJ. Now there was a woman who could keep things quiet.
Owing to her mother being a famous ambassador, Emily had grown up all over the world. She also treasured the experience. At least until the Prentisses landed in Rome. Emily experienced her own personal tipping point. And she even became a wild child.
But fooling around with a local boy whose name she’d never learned, or even saw again, Emiliana Magdalene Salome Prentiss had gotten pregnant at fifteen years of age.
Neither of her parents were initially thrilled. But they had lovinging helped her through the experience. And without question. Right down to supporting her choice to give her child up. Emily had briefly considered abortion upon discovering her pregnancy, but backed out. So that left one last choice. Adoption.
Aurora Hope was born late at night on February fourteenth in Rome. Emily held her daughter, kissed her, and vowed to find her again one day. No matter how long it took.
Then ‘one day’ eventually turned to the longest quarter century of Emily’s life.
She thought about her daughter all the time. But because her adoption records and her birth records were completely sealed. So Emily learned to live with understanding that Aurora could be any place in the world. Perhaps even married with children.
Emily would really do anything to see Aurora even just one more time.
But little did she know of what the universe had in store for her.
PRESENT DAY
2006
As of late, the Behavioral Analysis Unit on the sixth floor at the FBI’s building in Quantico had noticed that Spencer had been behaving out of sorts. And no one could figure out why. It was mystifying.
Then there was last Tuesday.
A worker from the building mailroom delivered a package to Spencer. It was lucky she’d found him when she had because everyone was getting ready to leave for the night. The interaction took a tad longer than usual because the package required signing for. But Spencer still hastily hid it in his messenger bag. Every answer to his friends’ innocent questions about what he’d received were met with an even hastier farewell. Odd.
His behavior even took an uptick after that.
Instead of constantly burning the midnight oil, Spencer could be seen leaving at decent hours… like there was a bigger picture he hadn’t informed them of. Whatsoever.
Curiosity at its limit, Penelope one day chose a very quiet end of the day tide-change to take matters into her own hands.
And she began by cornering Emily.
"Okay," the dark-haired woman was protesting as she stood in the doorway of Penelope's lair. "But why me? And why now? It's almost time to go home!"
Penelope gave one tremendous eye roll. "Short version? You're the one he's the squirreliest around, and he's shut everyone else down already. Even me."
"So according to your logic," now Emily was beginning to capitulate. "Spencer is going to spill because it's me."
"Gold star for you." Penelope physically turned her friend around and gave her a gentle push. "Best wishes!"
Exasperated but curious, Emily gave her friend a mock bow before setting out to look for Spencer. This didn't take too long because he'd had his nose buried in a book. And... subsequently... the man had almost smacked right into her.
"Woah. Might want to keep your eyes on the trail, cowboy." Emily caught Spencer. "What are you reading?"
The interaction happened so fast that Spencer grew flustered when he realized which of his friends was before him now. "Emily, hi! I... Uh, sorry about that. My bad."
Emily put her hands on her hips. "You still haven't answered my question, friend."
Spencer put on an act of poorly-feigned innocence. "Question? What question?"
Exasperation furthering, Emily plucked Spencer's book from his hands and examined it for herself. But she jumped when she recognized the topic.
Stowing the book in his messenger bag from him, Emily remarked, “That is a book on child psychology!”
"Keep it down!" he hissed swiftly. "So I like to read. That a crime?"
"Of course not. But child psychology?” Emily said. “That is more than a little outside your usual wheelhouse."
Words failed Spencer because he knew Emily was not wrong. "I... Uh..."
Emily rolled her eyes. "That's it, buddy! You and I are overdue for a talk!"
Spencer sputtered, "But..."
However, Emily was already dragging him to the closest empty room. JJ’s office.
After depositing Spencer unceremoniously on the couch, Emily stood in front of Spencer with crossed arms as she said, “Hey. Start talking. Now.”
“Okay. I've been keeping it quiet because I'm just not ready to share yet, but I guess my hand has been forced.” Spencer shrugged. “I have a girlfriend now."
Emily softened at once, responding, "That's wonderful!"
Still hesitant, Spencer said, “Thanks.”
“Hey. I totally understand not wanting to share something so major. And I apologize for forcing your hand." Emily said gently. "But you should at least sound pleased! How long have you been with her?"
"Nearly four months." answered Spencer. "I am so in love with her. Uh... Is it alright if I ask you something personal, Emily?"
“Okay.” she said. “What is it?”
Gathering up all the courage he could, Spencer asked her, “Did you have a baby girl twenty-five years ago in the capital of Italy?”
All at once, Emily felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her. Then came the rest of a fast set of emotions.
Quickening heart rate, pure surprise, even a touch of nausea. Just like on the day she and JJ had learned they were to be parents. Nothing about the relationship they were in was traditional. Including the means of how they’d both ended up in the family way. At the same time. Emily still came back to reality fast. She was experiencing a torrent of emotions she couldn’t begin to name. Let alone process.
But she finally squeaked, “Are you telling me that you found my Aurora?”
Standing up just in time to catch Emily when she stumbled, Spencer answered, “Yes.”
Emily asked, “How is she?”
“Aurora is perfect, Emily. One hundred percent.” Spencer told her kindly. “I love her so much.”
Shifting her gaze to Spencer, Emily asked him, “Does my daughter know?”
“Yes.” answered Spencer again. “Plus? I know that she feels the same way about me.”
Now experiencing extreme relief, Emily melted into Spencer’s hug as she said, “Thank you for telling me all this.”
Meanwhile…
JJ’s head was in the clouds.
For no reason in particular, she’d been thinking about Aurora. Nearly all day. She was just as curious about Aurora as Emily was. The only reason JJ knew about her was because Emily confided in her about different secretts. JJ in turn did the same. It also made sense. Both women were in a committed relationship.
Emily and JJ were also so sure about things that they were also tackling some life milestones in life in an unconventional fashion. Because life had called, JJ had elected to undergo the IVF process. And so she had already been in the middle of it by the time Emily had first fallen out of the sky.
What surprised JJ was that Emily was elated about her journey, JJ was even more surprised when Emily volunteered to also do the same. Now the little one would have a playmate.
Still… Then came Colorado Springs. Only last week.
JJ had been in a funk because she hadn’t been sure if the IVF efforts had taken at all. She also knew that Emily was in the window to start wondering the same thing about herself. There just hadn’t been time to double-check once she’d started suspecting before the team had to fly to the other side of the country for a case.
But near the end of a slower day, JJ still made a semi-early exit from the police precinct where the team was posted for the case. And she purchased a box of pregnancy tests from the closest drug store. She and Emily would take the plunge that day.
The plans to use them were shelved when she returned to the hotel room.
JJ had not at all forgotten that she was sharing a room with Emily. But what she really hadn’t expected was to find Emily curled up on their bed, sobbing. She had somehow made it back to the hotel before she had.
And JJ still understood. The case had involved the death of a young mother. Something so heinous would get to anyone. JJ had only felt startled because she’d never seen Emily cry before. And so she comforted her other half to the best of her ability.
For her loyalty, Emily told JJ about Aurora's existence. But she swore her to secrecy on the matter. JJ promised.
Everything became brighter when the couples’ pregnancy tests did come out as positive an hour later. The couple also officially took their bond to the “We’re it for each other for life,” part of things after that.
JJ also just wanted to find Aurora because she felt curious about the woman. And because Emily was her mother.
In the present…
JJ just felt confused. She had only been away from her office for a few minutes. The last thing she expected was anyone to be there. Much less two people she cared about.
Taking in the sight of Emily pulling herself together, JJ said, “What’s going on?”
But Emily sat on the couch as she processed that she’d have to tell JJ the news. It took her out of her head. Almost. Emily came back to it when she felt JJ sit beside her and rub her back gently. She always made her feel safe.
At last, Emily told JJ, “Spencer said he found Aurora.”
“Oh, my God…” JJ murmured.
Looking back to Spencer, Emily said, “How…?”
Spencer answered, “Rory lives a few blocks from the Hotchners in Capitol Hill. But I met her in a coffee shop.”
Emily asked, “How’d you first notice my daughter?”
Quite easily recollecting the memory, Spencer said, “We were sharing a table. Things just happened for it to go that way. Her half was covered in materials for a research paper. But she’d taken a break.”
“What was she doing?” JJ wanted to know.
“Reading Dante’s Inferno,” said Spencer. “In Italian.”
“What?” Emily blurted. “My baby is bilingual?”
“Actually,” Spencer said coyly. “I can tell you that she’s multilingual.”
JJ swooped in before the others could get entirely off-track. “Spence. Who made the first move?”
Spencer answered, “She did.”
JJ and Emily said blankly, “What?”
“I promise both of you that that’s what happened.” Spencer told them. “She saw that I was reading I, Robot by Asimov. And she became excited. The rest has been history.”
JJ remarked, “Incredible.”
“Spencer,” Emily interjected. “How did you connect the dots to begin with? Is my daughter a dead-ringer for me?”
“Just about. Things are still undeniable, though. Including some of her mannerisms.” now Spencer produced a small picture from his wallet. "Check it out. This is Aurora."
Tears fell down Emily’s face all over again as she looked at the photograph.
Aurora did bear a sharp resemblance to her. The shape of her face, distinctly similar features, even the same dark hair. As for the rest… Aurora had inherited her father’s naturally-tan complexion. Emily also wondered if she was tall. She noticed that Aurora was dressed formally for the picture. Even that she sported a pair of turquoise-colored eyeglasses. But everything about Aurora gave off the vibe of someone worth getting to know.
Seeing how emotional Emily had become, Spencer told his friend, “Please keep the picture for your own wallet. I insist.”
“Okay. Thank you, Spencer. I will. Please tell her where it is.” Emily handed the picture to JJ as she asked. “Can you tell us what Aurora does for a living?”
Proud, Spencer answered, “She is a local kindergarten teacher. And she cherishes every moment.”
“Wow.” Emily said in awe. “That’s amazing.”
JJ handed the photo to Emily and watched her put it away. “I agree.”
“Does…” Emily cleared her throat. “Please tell me: does Aurora know she was adopted? I can take it.”
“Yes. Her parents are very open on the matter.” answered Spencer. “They’re both splendid people.”
Lifting one eyebrow, Emily asked, “What do they think of you?”
Keeping his cool, Spencer answered, “Aurora’s folks treat me like a son.”
“If that’s that,” JJ remarked, “Then do they know that you love Aurora?”
Spencer said without missing a beat, “I promise that they do.”
JJ pressed, “What about your mother?”
“I have written to her about Aurora plenty.” responded Spencer. “They know about each other. But something like a visit won’t really be able to happen until spring at the earliest.”
“Okay.” feeling satisfied, JJ changed tracks. “Then is your other half a mom? Spence… I definitely spotted you reading a book on child psychology earlier…”
“Aurora has a daughter called Magdalene,” said Spencer. “But she really is Aurora’s copy.”
Lighting up, Emily asked, “What is the little one like?”
Spencer answered, “Magda is very smart. And she loves it when we read to her.”
Now feeling awash in yet more emotion, Emily said, “Please tell me that you have a picture of my granddaughter.”
Spencer handed Emily another picture from his wallet. “Here. This is precious Magdalene.”
Emily’s heart swelled for the umpteenth time. Now she was holding an image of her granddaughter.
This round-faced child with her tan skin, big brown eyes, long brown hair, and megawatt grin, looked like a living copy of Aurora. Emily also noticed that Magdalene was wearing a preschool uniform for a local program in The District. Even a pair of kid-friendly flexible glasses. Her finishing touch was a nasal feeding tube. On balance, Emily decided she would ask about it another day.
“She’s just so beautiful.” Emily told Spencer as she handed JJ the picture. “By the way? I will also have you know that Magdalene is one of my two middle names.”
“Woah.” Spencer said in surprise. “Really?”
“Mhm.” confirmed Emily. “I have a very formal name. Unless you go digging in my confidential files, which we know that you won’t, then you’ll come to learn my name. Eventually.”
“Okay.” said Spencer. “I can totally handle that.”
“Cool.” Emily approved. “You said that Magda loves books?”
“Yep.” Spencer took the picture back from JJ and put it away when she held it back out. “Her father is not in the picture. Magda literally never met him. And honestly? I don’t think it’s ever occurred to her to ask about him.”
Emily said seriously, “I will remember that.”
JJ added, “As will I. Do you have anything else to add?”
Bashful, Spencer told them, “Uh… Magda calls me daddy.”
“Awww.” JJ and Emily said together.
“But I absolutely do love her like that. And she knows.” continued Spencer. “So I don’t mind when she calls me daddy. At all.”
“Nice answer. But if you ever break my granddaughter's heart, or her mother's," Emily said in a sudden semi-warning tone. "I will kick your ass."
"And I'll help." JJ tacked on.
Quickly catching their drift, Spencer said, “Hey. I promise that neither of you have anything to worry about because I love Aurora and Magdalene too much to even dream of doing that. Those two are the whole world to me."
Emily replied, “Thank you for telling us even that.”
“Yes.” JJ agreed.
“Spencer,” Emily said as a new thought came to her. “Tell the truth. Okay? Do you have any idea if Aurora would want to meet me?"
“Yes. Aurora absolutely would. But I’d have to explain things to her first.” Spencer told Emily. “I’m sure you understand.”
Emily nodded. "I do. And I can wait a little bit longer."
"Excellent." Spencer checked the time on his watch. “Actually... I'm about to head over to see them, since it's Friday. I'll be hanging out with my family until Monday morning. Who knows? Aurora might even call you."
"I hope so." Emily said. "But please remind Aurora that she shouldn't feel obligated to agree to anything."
"I will." Spencer said before looking from him to JJ and back again as he gathered his things up. "Will you two promise to not tell anyone about this until Monday? At least?"
JJ and Emily said, “We promise we will.”
Spencer answered, “Thank you.”
Emily raked her nails across her lower middle in an effort to quell her nerves. “And Spencer?”
He said, “Yes?”
“Thank you.” Emily threw her arms around him in a hug. “I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me.”
Spencer hugged her in return, a surprising move for someone who had never been into that kind of thing. “You are very welcome . ”
A few minutes later, after collecting his jacket and scarf off his desk, Spencer was in his car and on the way to Aurora's house. Tonight? It would be the most interesting Friday night of his life.