Archive of Our Own

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Dating Jennifer has been, to say the least, chaotic.

You two had met a few years ago in Colorado, due to a case the BAU was working on. A kidnapping case. You worked as a detective after 4 years of patrol for the Denver Police Department, and you had met the team in the beginning of January. They had stayed in Denver for a whole week looking for 3-year-old Amanda Miller who had been taken from the comfort of her home in the middle of the night. At the end, the simple kidnapping was actually part of a whole bigger operation, a network, that had begun to be dismantled (yes, "begun", because it was rare to fully dismantle a network like this where nobody could be trusted and every single wall had ears).

From the beginning, you had been totally captivated with JJ. She was this blue-eyed, blonde woman with soft features and a sweet voice who had interviewed and reassured the Miller family several times during those seven days of hell. The way she had spoken to them, the way she had gently showed them pictures to see if they recognized anything – it was just so damn captivating.

Once the case was closed, you had been told to call the team whenever was needed, and you certainly did two more times over the years. The days you shared with the BAU team (and specifically JJ) had brought you and her closer, while the relationship with the team was merely professional (and you knew nothing about them). And then, right on cue, you had been offered a position in Metro PD, yes, D.C. You moved in eagerly, (sometimes hesitantly because the thought of leaving your friends behind wasn't light) and adjusting to a new neighbourhood, town and job had been easier than you'd expected.

That meant, basically, you could see JJ more often. You two had grown closer over the time you spent with each other, and you couldn't be more grateful to have her as a "close friend". That title didn't last for long, though. You had gotten sick of hiding your growing feelings for JJ and had blurted out that you liked liked her, just like that, in the middle of dinner. JJ's reaction was not what you had expected to see when you imagined yourself telling her how you felt, she didn't distance herself from you, she didn't start ignoring you – instead, she had simply smiled, that warm smile she always saved for families of victims on hard cases, and told you she knew. She knew. You still wonder if you had been that obvious or if it was just her profiling skills, either way, she seemed okay with it.

Not too long after that, JJ had confessed to you in the middle of a case, of course. You had gotten shot on the shoulder, the bullet had gone in and out, nothing serious, but JJ? JJ had freaked out completely. She had ranted for about ten minutes on how you had been reckless, hadn't thought about it properly, and then she had let a "I care about you, I love you. Don't do this again." slip.

You've been together for the past few months after that.

And you had to be honest... nothing, not even your job and the things you've seen (and still do) every day, is scarier than meeting Henry. Henry is JJ's 4-year-old son, an equally blond and sweet-looking Jareau. The kid looked exactly like JJ's kid would – if that makes any sense. JJ had suggested it three days ago, and there wasn't one single night you hadn't thought about it. It felt worse than going to a job interview, because honestly... kids are smart when they want to be... and JJ's kid? He'd be more than smart, you were sure he'd be able to analyse every single word you said, every movement you made. He was her kid after all.

You were in your apartment getting ready to go to JJ's. She had told you she'd pick you up at 7:30pm, the right time to have dinner with both JJ and Henry, because the latter had to be in bed a lot sooner than the two of you. You weren't wearing anything special, really, just a pair of flared jeans you knew JJ liked and a long-sleeved shirt. You didn't want to look unapproachable to Henry, even though the kid couldn't care less. Right when you were finishing getting some stuff in your bag, just in case Henry didn't mind a "sleepover with Mommy's friend", the doorbell rang – JJ.

You gathered all of your stuff.

Phone.

Bag.

Coat.

Anything else?

Your toothbrush!

Okay, now you had everything...

You opened the door and were immediately met with the sight of JJ, hair styled in soft waves, the ones you always complimented. She gave you a warm smile and took the bag from you.

"Hey." JJ greeted as she leaned in to kiss your lips. Brief, because you two had a place to be.

"Hey, you." You replied instantly. "Is Henry at Will's?" You asked, because you knew JJ wouldn't leave Henry at home by himself.

Will and JJ had divorced before Henry was born, Will hadn't wanted to give up his job in New Orleans and JJ had wanted to stay here, it was where her family was – the BAU. After Henry was born, though, Will had moved to D.C to be closer to them. He hadn't tried to get together with JJ again, he had respected the decision they had made a few years ago. You've worked with Will before, but you hadn't known he was the Will, he also quit two years after you'd joined the homicides division, you'd heard from JJ he had opened a restaurant, but he hadn't told her why he'd done that.

"Yes, today is Will's day. He told me he'd drop Henry off at my place around 8:00pm." JJ answered while you locked your front door. You two walked towards her car and while you got in, JJ put your things in the trunk. The drive to JJ's place has been silent so far, not the kind you felt the need to fill with words. It was just you and JJ, and you didn't need more than each other's presence. Apart from the silence, rock music played lowly in the car, you knew JJ loved rock, so that wasn't surprising. Though the music was distracting, it wasn't enough to keep you out of your head. Your thoughts were louder than whatever song was playing right now, and they kept getting louder and louder, suffocating you, it felt like you were drowning, and then you spoke.

"What if he doesn't like me?"

JJ glanced at you like you had grown another head, and then her eyes went back to the road.

"I'll be honest, it takes him a while to warm up to new people..." A pause, then... "But I'm sure he'll love you, babe. He knows when Mommy likes someone and when she doesn't. He'll know I like you, and he'll like you too."

You looked out the window, watching as the trees passed by. JJ's words meant something you couldn't explain with words. They sounded so simple, but right what you had needed. It relaxed you, if only a small bit. You didn't answer, you didn't have to, JJ knew she had said the right thing, she always knew.

Some minutes passed, and before you knew it, you were inside JJ's place, setting the table, her table, while she cooked something in the kitchen, she refused to tell you what it was – typical of JJ. 

Once you finished, you met JJ in the kitchen. She was still cooking, blonde locks pulled up in a ponytail while she stirred something inside the boiling pot. You walked over to her and wrapped your arms around your waist, chin resting against her bare shoulder – because JJ's white T-shirt was loose and one of the sleeves had slipped off, leaving her right shoulder bare. She had paired it nicely with a pair of black leggings, the ones you absolutely loved, and some baby-blue fuzzy socks, a gift from her mom – last Christmas.

"Why do you tease me like that?" You mumbled against her tan skin, lips brushing against it.

JJ laughed softly, eyes still on the pot. "What do you mean?"

You narrowed your eyes playfully, even though she couldn't see it, and replied quickly. "Those clothes, Jennifer. Look at yourself."

JJ's breath hitched slightly, but she kept stirring the pot – she couldn't get distracted.

"Stop that." JJ hadn't meant that.

"You look so nice," You mumbled before kissing her bare skin. "God, look at what Will lost..." You added and kissed the skin below her ear.

JJ stopped stirring the pot and turned her head, eyes glaring at you like you had committed a crime. "Babe..." She said, not exactly pleading but not warning either.

"Yeah?" You smiled at her, feigning innocence, but JJ knew better. Your hand settled on her stomach now, pressing gently while you kissed the shell of her ear – it always made her shiver.

"Babe." She uttered again, definitely pleading this time. You knew her weak spots, every single one of them. You knew kissing the tip of her nose made her blush, you knew squeezing her butt made her squeak and glare at you, you also knew pressing your palm against her stomach got her wet instantly.

You kept her there, between the counter and your body, she wasn't complaining.

"Shhh... it's okay." You reassured JJ, and then you turned her around in your arms. Her eyes were dark with need, cheeks flushed and soft lips parted – she's so beautiful. You kissed her, softly but firmly, just how she liked it. Her tongue met yours in her own mouth and she made a sound, a soft purr that actually resembled that of a cat. Her hands gripped the fabric of your shirt tightly while you slipped one leg between hers – JJ also liked foreplay.

But before you could get any further, someone knocked on the door. Twice. JJ pulled away and rushed towards the front door, leaving you alone in the kitchen. You heard Will's voice first, and then a soft and excited "Mommy!" – that was Henry. Your heart jumped in your rib cage, hands shook ever so slightly. This was it, you couldn't back down, he was here, and you were going to meet him.

A few seconds later, you heard JJ lock the front door and also a soft giggle, probably Henry being picked up by his mom. And then, before you had the chance to train some phrases to make sure it wouldn't be a weird interaction, JJ entered the kitchen, Henry in her arms. He quickly buried his head into JJ's neck, probably shy about meeting someone new. JJ reassured him with a kiss to the crown of his head, and the sight itself made you want to be here more often, just so you could watch them interact over and over again.

"He's a bit shy." JJ said as she gave you a small smile, just like the one she'd given Henry. "Henry, this is Y/N. She's Mommy's... friend." Friend? Really, JJ?

You couldn't hide your disappointment from showing when you heard her call you her "friend", but you could understand her reasoning. Henry was young, JJ probably didn't want to confuse him.

"She also works with me... not always – Just sometimes." JJ added. "Do you want to say hi, honey?" She gave him a little pat on the back, encouraging him but not forcing.

Henry shyly looked up from his mother's neck and uttered some words hesitantly. "You also fight the bad guys?" The sentence made you smile, it was so innocent and sweet, so typical of a 4-year-old.

With a chuckle, you replied. "Uh... yeah, I do." JJ nodded in approval, looking down at Henry once again.

"Do you want to show Y/N your dinosaurs? She loves dinosaurs." JJ suggested. You weren't a big fan of dinosaurs, not really, but you understood JJ wanted to make Henry more comfortable.

He practically jumped out of his mom's hold and onto the floor, and then, unexpectedly, he grabbed your hand and dragged you towards the hallway. You heard JJ laugh before you were pulled inside his room, its walls were painted in a soft, dark green colour, and the bed had matching duvets. The room also looked oddly organized, especially because it was the room of a 4-year-old boy. Henry sat you down on his bed and searched in his drawers for the dinosaur collection, he seemed so excited to show you something that mattered so much to him, it made your heart feel fuller than ever.

"You're fine as long as you know each species of the dinosaurs he has over there." JJ spoke from the door frame, which she had leaned against.

You chuckled once you felt the weight of his toys on your lap, they were so many, but the excited gleam in his eyes made it impossible to complain.

Some hours passed, Henry had explained every unique feature each dinosaur had eagerly, and had proceeded to imitate their sounds in the cutest way possible.

Now, you were at the dining table in JJ's living room, seating across from Henry and JJ and picking at your plate, not because you didn't enjoy the food but because you were still nervous, somehow.

"Mommy, does Y/N have a boyfriend?" You heard Henry ask innocently, and you almost choked on your own spit. 

JJ's cheeks turned pink in response, like she wasn't expecting him to ask that. Then, in a soft tone, she answered.

"No, buddy. Y/N doesn't have a boyfriend."

Henry let out a disappointed "aw", as if he was expecting you to have one. Only if he knew...

"Henry, can Mommy be honest with you?" JJ started hesitantly, Henry nodded. "Look, I... I like Y/N. A lot." He was about to interrupt, but JJ continued. "She's very nice and pretty, you know? And you know what people do when they find other people pretty and nice, right? They date, just like I used to with Daddy, remember?" 

Henry's expression changed, like he knew something they didn't, and then he nodded.

"Are you going to date Y/N?" He asked gently, you choked on your wine this time.

"I... love Y/N, Henry. Do you understand what it means?" JJ replied honestly, Henry nodded again and glanced at you.

"You date my Mommy?" He asked you, crossing his little arms to make himself appear more "tough", he was a little protective of his Mommy.

It took you a while to reply, you thought about hiding, or maybe lying, but you had hid for most of your life, and now, for once, you didn't have to anymore.

"Yes, Henry. Your Mommy and I are dating. We love each other very much, you see? But never forget your Mama loves you too, okay? And that will never change, no matter who she loves as well.

Henry seemed happy with the answer, ad he turned to JJ and nodded, as if to say "She's approved." JJ laughed with tears in her eyes, because she couldn't keep herself from getting emotional.

Later in bed, after answering some curious questions from Henry and watching loud cartoons, you and JJ lied together, hand in hand, face to face. She kept smiling at you, you were sure her cheeks hurt.

"Baby, stop smiling so much, you're gonna get wrinkles." You told her teasingly, poking her side before pulling her closer by the waist.

"I'm just... I can't believe he just... accepted it so well. It's like he just wants me to be happy, you know? I'm proud of him." JJ answered, throwing one leg over yours and supporting her upper body with her elbow. 

You smiled and let your thumb caress her thigh through the fabric of her leggings. "As you should, Jenn... And of course he wants you happy, he's smart, he knows when you're happier than usual."

JJ smiled back and place her hand on your bicep, squeezing gently just because she could. "I meant it, you know. I love you. A lot."

That made you pull JJ impossibly closer, and then, you spoke in a soft voice you only reserved for her. 

"I love you too, Jennifer. You have no idea." 

JJ chuckled. "Oh, trust me... I do." Then she leaned in, squeezed your arm again and pressed a firm kiss to your lips. She lingered for a few extra seconds and then pulled away, cheeks and nose reddened subtly, but you were close enough to see clearly. 

You kissed her back, not exactly the same way but certainly with the same passion. You let your hand wander slightly, now pressing against the warm skin of her hip. Damn her and that damn shirt that, of course, had ridden up. JJ stopped you before you could get any further. 

"I'm feeling soft, tonight." She mumbled, you knew what it meant.

"We'll take it slow... let me show you how much I love you. Truly." And with that, you kissed her again. Everything felt like too much, but not in an overwhelming way, no, it just made you feel full, like something you've needed for a while finally arrived.

In the morning, you woke up to JJ's warm body next to yours, breath steady and slow, present.

The moment didn't last longer, though. As you were about to cuddle further with JJ, the door of the bedroom opened, and you heard the sound of small feet thumping softly against the hardwood floor. Henry.

He didn't seem confused at the sigh of you in his Mom's bed, you had told him it was a sleepover anyway... He climbed up the bed and threw himself dramatically onto the mattress.

"Good morning, kiddo." You mumbled gently with a soft smile. This was family, this was what you had wanted for a long while, too long.

Henry giggled as he crawled closer to you and JJ's sleeping form. He threw himself onto his Mom's body and hugged her with all of his limbs while squeezing her shirt to wake her up , that made JJ grumble, but you could see the small curve of her lips.

"Hey, Henry? Do you think tickling Mommy could wake her up faster?" You suggested playfully, Henry agreed without thinking twice. He started ticking JJ's sides while giggling uncontrollably, and you helped him with that, sometimes ticking her in some places only you were allowed to (don't worry, just her feet).

"Stop that..." You two heard JJ complain, but you didn't stop, because you knew she didn't want either of you to do so.

And, finally, this felt just perfect, not how you had imagined your life to be at this point, but you certainly weren't complaining.

With JJ, Henry, and also the damn dinosaur collection, your life and heart felt fuller than ever, and that was all you needed right now. No monsters, no victims, just you and your little family, and maybe a cat if you and Henry manage to convince JJ.

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