Work Text:
“Can I press the button?”
JJ crouches in front of her daughter, brushing away a lock of wispy black hair and straightening the round glasses that sit askew on her face before booping her nose. “Yes, you can, baby.”
“Not a baby!” Iris quips, twirling around and rising to her tippy toes to reach the button to call the elevator down. The arrow lights up and a faint hum reaches JJ’s ears.
JJ straightens up with a muted groan as her knees pop, and tugs at her blouse. “Okay, big girl.”
“I’m not a big girl.” There’s a frown on Iris’s face when she looks up at JJ.
“What are you then?” JJ humours.
Iris thinks on that for a second. The elevator doors ding open and they wait for everyone to get off before JJ guides Iris inside with a soft push. She points out the floor they need to go to, and swipes her badge for access whilst Iris presses the right number.
“I’m a human,” Iris finally states when the doors slide shut and the elevator rises. She moves close to the mirrored back wall, pulling silly faces at herself. “But you should just say Iris.”
JJ hums in confirmation, unable to help the smile that pulls at her lips. She’d say she is surprised at the headstrong little girl they are managing to raise, but considering who her moms are, that would be a lie. At the very least both her and Emily have plenty of experience handling someone with that particular personality trait.
Iris sticks her tongue out, staring at her reflection, and JJ is just in time to tug her back before Iris can act on the impulse brewing in that kid’s brain of hers that decides tasting the world is a great way to get to know it. JJ prefers to keep the spread of germs to a minimum, thanks very much.
The elevator stops a floor early for a few other employees, and Iris quickly flocks to JJ’s side, clinging to her leg, big brown eyes staring up at the strangers. The relief that hits when the doors open to the familiar sight of the BAU is palpable, and JJ offers her hand to Iris as they step out onto the shiny floors.
Iris’s black boots thump lightly with every step she takes – boots just like her moms have, she will tell anyone who compliments her on them – and her messy black pigtails swing back and forth, hitting her shoulders. When they reach the glass doors, JJ pushes them open and leads iris through, the little hand slipping from hers as some confidence returns now that Iris is on familiar grounds. They both look around the rowdy bullpen, craning their necks. Iris catches a glimpse before JJ does, and she is off, weaving her way through people and desks until she can break out into a run.
“Mama!”
Emily turns around just in time to catch Iris as she jumps at her. She hoists Iris up into her arms, swaying from side to side as Iris winds her lanky limbs around Emily’s neck and waist. “Iris!”
JJ follows behind just seconds later, smiling at the sight in front of her. “Hi, Em.”
They kiss across Iris’s shoulder, and JJ can taste Emily’s smile at Iris’s profession of disgust.
When they pull apart, Emily raises a brow and looks at their girl in her arms. “What, am I not allowed to kiss Mommy?” Emily tickles Iris’s side, eliciting a bout of giggles.
“No!” Iris hiccups. Emily doesn’t relent until she amends to, “Yes, okay!”
“Thank you, missy,” Emily says.
“But only if I’m not looking,” Iris adds when she’s caught her breath.
Emily gives JJ a look as if to say, this is totally your fault, Miss Former Media Liaison. JJ just rolls her eyes in response. Iris ignores the exchange altogether in favour of telling Emily all about her morning with Mommy, recounting their visit to the park and how she’d climbed up to the big kid slide all by herself. Halfway through her story, she decides she wants to be back on her own feet, and wiggles around in Emily’s arms until she sets Iris back on the ground.
“Look who we’ve got here!”
Iris pauses in her rambled explanation of the friend she’d made in the park’s sandpit to spin around. Her eyes are narrowed behind her glasses, but she soon smiles when she sees who it is. “Hi!”
Morgan offers his fist and Iris bumps hers against his. “Ouch!” Morgan shakes out his hand with an exaggerated hiss. “You’ve got some power in those muscles of yours. Have you been training a lot lately?”
Iris proudly presents her biceps, prompting Morgan to poke them with a single finger and impressed look as she clenches her hands into fists with a focused look. “I know, I’m very strong.”
JJ glances at Emily and her heart warms at the soft, loving look displayed so openly on Emily’s face as she watches their daughter. JJ can relate. It still catches her off guard sometimes, the intensity of her love for this little human.
“And I did yoga with Mommy in the morning,” Iris continues. “Which is also good for your body. Do you do yoga?”
Morgan shakes his head. “I don’t, but from what I’m hearing from you, I should probably give it a try.”
Iris agrees and Morgan continues their light-hearted exchange until his name sounds from across the bullpen and he says his goodbyes, heading over to the stairs to the walkway. From the doorway of his office, Hotch briefly catches JJ’s eye and greets her with a nod, before giving Iris a small smile and wave. Iris shyly waves back and wraps her arms around Emily’s leg with a giggle.
“How has work been so far?” JJ asks, pushing aside a few files and leaning back against Emily’s desk. Emily grimaces and JJ hums. “Ah, one of those?”
“It’s going to take a while,” Emily says, mindful of the little ears listening along to their conversation. “The only ‘good’ thing about it, is that we’re working on our home turf, which has certain advantages.” She settles a hand atop Iris’s head and Iris looks up at her. “We’re all a lot more comfortable and knowledgeable on many fronts.”
“Though no one is as knowing as me!”
JJ turns around and smiles. “Hi, Pen.”
Penelope bustles up to their little gathering in a flurry of colours and sweet perfume, greeting JJ with a kiss to the cheek and offering a hug to Iris. Iris gladly takes the opportunity to be loved on by her favourite aunt before grabbing Penelope’s hand and inspecting the shiny rings adorning it today, her glasses sliding down her nose. In a sign of patience only reserved for the littles in her life, Penelope watches in silence until Iris asks her a question about the jewellery that she takes the time to answer in detail. “Now, cupcake, I thought I could steal you from your moms for a bit to show you the new additions to my lair? I’ve got a few very cute new friends that were gifted to me.”
Iris thinks it over with a tilt of her head and nods in agreement. Penelope’s office is without doubt her favourite place to be in and explore here in the FBI building, so JJ isn’t surprised that Penelope’s offer is tempting enough.
“Be back in a jiffy!” Penelope announces, taking Iris’s hand in her own. JJ mouths her thanks, knowing this will give her and Emily the chance they need to talk a few things through. Penelope simply smiles, leading Iris out of the bullpen.
Little ears out of reach, Emily turns to JJ with a sigh, taking her hands in her own. JJ represses the urge to pull Emily close and melt fully into the contact. Though she’d seen Emily this morning before they’d been called about the active case, there is a part of her that only allows itself to settle once Emily is back at her side.
“How are you doing,” JJ asks softly.
“It’s a brutal one,” Emily admits. Some of her composure slips, and JJ catches a glimpse of the exhaustion underneath. Emily’s eyes cast down briefly and she takes a measured breath before meeting JJ’s gaze again. “But I’m better now that you guys are here.”
JJ squeezes Emily’s hands. “Ready to go home?” It is time to switch duties: JJ is taking over at work, whilst Emily returns home with Iris.
Emily nods. “I’ll stay available to consult via phone if necessary. It’s likely that the case will run into tomorrow as well, so I should stay in the know either way.” Whereas today’s case had snuck up on them, and they hadn’t been able to fix childcare for Iris, tomorrow she’ll be back at daycare and both Emily and JJ will be available to work at the same time.
“I’ll text if anything major happens,” JJ promises. “I don’t know when I’ll be home, but I know it’ll be a long day for everyone. If the case runs on, Hotch will want everyone to catch a good night’s sleep.”
“If you don’t make it home in time for Iris’s bedtime, we’ll see if we can facetime for a bit,” Emily says. She takes another deep breath before sliding her hands from JJ’s and walking around her desk to gather her bag.
It’s not always easy, balancing work and their private life as a family unit, but they try their hardest to make it work. It helps that it’s totally worth it.
“Thank you.” JJ watches Emily tidy up the files and her gaze lingers on the framed picture of the two of them cozied up in the hospital bed with tiny baby Iris cuddled up in their arms. No matter how often she sees the photo, it never fails to make her smile. She lifts her eyes to Emily. “Did you have lunch yet?”
Emily makes a noise which could be either yeah or nah, which JJ interprets to mean not really.
“Iris had an early lunch along with me, but there are leftovers in the fridge,” JJ says. “Pasta.”
“I love you,” Emily says reverently in lieu of a response, eliciting laughter from JJ. “I’m dead serious, Agent Jareau. Now I really can’t wait to get home.”
“It’s almost like I know you, Agent Prentiss.” JJ raises a brow. “Hurry up and get that bag packed before someone finds a way to keep you here all afternoon.”
That spurs Emily to zip up her bag and transfer the paper files onto JJ’s pile a few desks over. She grabs her coat from the back of her chair. “I’ve added my notes, but let me know if you need extra information. Penelope or Morgan will be available to catch you up further if necessary.”
As if summoned by her name, Penelope appears through the glass doors. JJ is briefly concerned when she doesn’t find Iris at Penelope’s side, but that is quickly soothed when familiar giggles sound and Spencer ducks a little to walk into the bullpen with Iris perched atop his shoulders. Her hands are wrapped around his forehead, almost sliding down to cover his eyes until he taps her leg and reminds her that he needs to be able to see.
“Hi JJ,” Spencer greets.
“Hey, Spence,” JJ smiles. Her eyes flicker up. “It seems like you found something of ours.”
“What? This?” Spencer feigns ignorance, craning his head to catch a glimpse of Iris. “I was just coming by to say hi, but she demanded a ride back here instead.”
“No!” Iris protests. “I asked nice and you said yes.” She plays with Spencer’s hair, petting his head. For a man who is not a fan of germs, he is quite lenient when it comes to his goddaughter.
“Okay, okay,” Spencer acquiesces. “Are you ready to get down?” In a fluent motion bends and lifts Iris off his shoulders, like he’s done many times before.
Iris wobbles for a second, but soon regains her balance. She instantly clocks Emily’s coat and looks at her moms in question.
JJ crouches down to her level. “Do you remember what I told you earlier? We got to spend the morning together, and now you’re going home with Mama whilst Mommy needs to do some work.”
Iris nods, a small pout pulling at her lips. Though JJ knows the slight sadness will quickly be forgotten, the expression still tugs at her heartstrings. “Will you be back at night?”
“I’ll sleep at home tonight,” JJ confirms. “I might not make it on time for your bedtime, though.”
“Can you call me then?”
“I’ll try my best to make it happen,” JJ promises. She opens her arms and Iris hops close for a hug. JJ closes her eyes, imprinting the feeling of her daughter in her arms on her soul. During some cases, a memory like this one is the thing that keeps her going. She presses a kiss to the top of Iris’s head.
Iris wiggles out of the embrace just enough to be able to brush their noses together in a show of affection. “I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you too,” JJ says. “Be good for Mama, yes?” She rises to her feet and gives Emily a quick kiss whilst Iris wanders to Emily’s side, grabbing her hand and swinging their connected hands back and forth.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Emily tells JJ. “Love you.”
“Love you,” JJ echoes. She gives them a little wave. “Bye, bye.”
Iris waves back before Emily shoulders her bag and leads her away. JJ exhales heavily, heading over to her desk and plopping down in her chair. She looks up from the pile of casefiles to watch the retreating figures of her wife and daughter, her heart full.
How lucky is she?