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“Are you really sure, Em?”
Emily laughed at her girlfriend’s question. “Yes baby, we’ll fine here. You and Garcia haven’t hung out in forever. Go have fun.”
JJ smiled, and finished putting on her coat. She gave Henry a hug goodbye, and Emily a quick peck on the lips.
Emily had been looking forward to this day for quite a while. She had everything else planned, but she just didn’t know when. Besides, she still had to ask Henry.
“So, what do you want to do buddy?” Emily asks with a smile.
“Build legos?” Henry says with a coy grin. Legos were the big thing in the 7-year-olds life right now, and he has gotten several sets for Christmas two days before.
“Ok, which one?”
“Dragon Castle,” he replied matter of factly.
For the next two hours, they build legos and played, laughing and having a wonderful time. When Henry was ready for dinner, Emily made quesadillas for the both of them.
“Henry, can I ask you something?” Emily asks at dinner.
“Mhm,” he replies, mouth full of cheesy tortilla.
“I think I want to marry your mommy, is that ok?”
Henry’s face lights up in excitement. He jumps up from his seat and runs over to where Emily is sitting, and jumps into her arms. He squeals in happiness, and gives her a big grin.
“Yes!” Henry affirms. “When are you gonna ask her?”
“I’m not sure. I want to do it soon if I can. I’ve wanted to for a while, but I needed to ask you first.”
“Do it New Year,” Henry says.
“Really?”
“Yeah, like how you kiss on New Years but this time you ask her to marry you,” he insists.
“Ok, Hen, I’ll propose on New Years.
He leans up to her ear, and whispers something in it. She gives him a high five, and the two are ready for their plan to be enacted in a matter of days. Emily didn’t know if she was more excited or nervous.
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*New Year’s Eve 2015*
“C’mon princess, you’ll be fine.”
“Keep telling me that Derek, maybe I’ll believe you one of these times,” Emily’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. She’d been stressing since her conversation with Henry earlier that week. It was just the three of them for New Year’s, no big party like last year, so Emily was calling Derek for moral support.
“I will Prentiss, don’t worry about that. Now go get ‘em tiger!”
“You know it’s only 5, right? I still have like 7 hours before I have to do anything.”
“I know, but I don’t want to hear from you until it happens. Focus on having a good night, whatever the results.”
“Thanks Derek, talk to you later.”
Emily disconnected the phone, and made her way back downstairs. She heard laughter coming from the living room, so she went in to investigate.
The coffee table was spread with all kinds of food, not main dishes, but appetizers. There were mozzarella sticks, samosas, finger pizzas, and so much more. A wide array of DVDs were laid out, and JJ and Henry were trying to figure out which ones to watch first.
“But mommy, Frozen is good,” Henry argued.
JJ groaned. “But Henry,” she started, mimicking his tone, “we’ve watched Frozen five times this week.”
Henry shrugged. “I don’t care.”
JJ laughed, and scooped Henry into her arms. “I suppose we could watch Frozen. What do you say mama?”
“Sounds like a plan!” Emily said cheerfully, making her way over to where her family was sitting.
After watching Frozen, Brave, and Ratatouille, Henry was barely able to keep his eyes open. It was 10:30, so they let him take a nap, promising him they would wake him before midnight.
Instead of watching a movie they’d have to cut off short, JJ decided to introduce Emily to Downton Abbey. Emily didn’t think a show about British Aristocracy would be up her alley, but the first few episodes were captivating, and she agreed to make her way through the series with JJ (who had already seen the whole show, and owned all the DVDs).
Ten minutes before midnight, JJ switched the TV over to the countdown in New York, while Emily offered to wake up Henry. She made her way into his room, and shook his shoulder. He groaned, and rubbed small hands over his sleepy eyes.
“Hey Henry, it’s almost midnight. You know what that means?” Emily spoke softly to him. His eyes shot open and he jumped out of bed. He had to stop himself from yelling, so instead he “whisper shouted”.
“You’re gonna tell mommy you’re getting married!” Emily had to stifle a laugh. The young boy didn’t quite seem to understand that JJ had a choice in the matter.
“I’m going to ask mommy to marry me, that’s right. Are you ready?”
“Mhm!”
“Good.” She handed him a camcorder, and they walked back into the living room at 11:55pm.
“What’s that for?” JJ asked Henry, gesturing to the camera.
Henry shrugged noncommittally, and said he wanted to remember tonight. JJ brushes it off with a smile. He’s done weirder things. Henry began to parade around the living room, talking to the camcorder. JJ pulled Emily into a close embrace.
“Are you ready, my love?” She asked. Emily’s breath hitched. She could feel the ring in her back pocket burning a hole through her pants. They had been together for almost two years, but still JJ made her heart race like a schoolgirl.
“Of course. Midnight means I get to kiss you,” she said with a grin. JJ laughed, and pushed Emily away.
“Perv,” she said, but the smile on her face made it hard to believe her.
“But you love me.”
“Always.”
Emily took JJ’s hand, and the two of them stood like that until 30 seconds before midnight. Henry ran over to the couch, and set up the camcorder, making sure it was recording. He grabbed the remote, ready to mute the TV at the perfect moment.
“3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!” All three of them yelled, in time with the people in Times Square. JJ turned to Emily, and before she had the chance to lean in for a kiss, Emily had dropped down to one knee.
JJ gasped, hands covering her mouth as she saw the light blue velvet box with red trim. Black embroidery on the top spelled out two cursive J’s.
“Jennifer Jareau, I love you with my whole heart and soul,” Emily began, already seeing tears in her girlfriend’s eyes. “I have loved you since I met you, but when I learned you felt the same two years ago, I fell in love with you in a new way I never knew was possible. You make everyone moment of my life better. You have never failed to make me welcome in not only you life, but your son’s life as well. I couldn’t be happier than I am every moment I am with you.I already plan to love you forever, so why don’t we make it official. JJ, will you marry me?”
A stunned silence fills the air. Henry and Emily wait with anticipation as JJ wipes away her tears. She grasps Emily’s free hand, and kneels down next to her.
“I love you, Em. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Emily slides the ring onto JJ’s finger, and they pull each other into a tear soaked hug. Henry dashes over, shouting with glee, and throws himself into the loving embrace. They both laugh, and engulf him.
When they finally break apart, Henry grabs the camera, and starts telling it all about the plans he has for their wedding. JJ laughs, and looks at her fiancé in the eyes.
“Can I have that kiss now?” She asks, a longing look in her blue eyes.
“You don’t have to ask,” Emily answers, leaning in for a deep kiss. They spend a moment like that, before being broken apart by Henry shouting about how gross they are. They laugh, and hug again.
“Well, I guess we should get this stuff all cleaned up before bed.” JJ says regretfully.
“I suppose,” Emily sighs.
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While she was in the bathroom preparing for bed, JJ takes her first real look at her ring. It was comprised of two thin silver bands, held together by a gold woven design inlayed with Citrine (Henry’s birthstone), Emerald, and Rose Quartz. It was intricate, yet somehow subtle. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever laid eyes on.
“Do you like it?” JJ jumped at Emily’s voice. She hadn’t heard the older woman come in.
“I love it. It’s perfect.”
“I’m glad. Henry approved of it.”
“Henry knew?” JJ was perplexed. She’d barely had time to look at the ring herself, let alone show it to her son in full.
“I wanted to ask his permission before I asked you, so I showed it to him when you were out with Garcia.” She looked over at JJ, who suddenly had tears in her eyes. “Hey, what wrong? Did I say something?”
JJ sniffs and laughs, wiping her eyes. “No, well, yes, but not bad. You asked Henry?”
“I wanted to make sure he was ok with me marrying you.”
“Oh, Em, I love you so much.” She pulled her into a kiss, to show her just how deep her love ran.
Emily broke the kiss for only a moment. “I love you too, Jen.”
Sure, they now had to tell their friends, plan a wedding, take time off work, but it was all going to be worth it, to be able to spend the rest of their lives together not only by love, but by law as well.
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