Love Unexpected

9. Facing the family 🖤

Narrator's POV

"SURPRISE!" The Prentiss family along with Hotch and Jack were greeted by the team as they entered Emily's apartment for the first time since she and her daughter were admitted into the emergency room almost four weeks ago. Though Aubrey had been released days after her kidnapping Emily had an extended stay due to complications from surgery and the teenager refused to be separated from her mother

"Welcome home gumdrop" Garcia was first to pull Emily into a hug after having not seen her in weeks. The ambassador had requested that the team give Emily's kids time to adjust to their new family dynamic before introducing them to new people who would be a part of their lives, and understandably the team respected her wishes with the exception of Hotch and JJ who'd already met and connected with both kids

"Careful" Hotch warned as Garcia hugged Emily a little too tight

"I'm sorry, are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

"I'm alright, just a little sore" Emily assured her "You guys didn't have to do all this" She looked around seeing all the balloons and a bright welcome home banner along with enough takeout to feed a football team

"We wanted to" Said Reid "We didn't get a chance to meet your kids officially, but we wanted them to have a proper welcome home"

"That's very kind" Said Aubrey "I speak for myself and my brother when I say it is a profound pleasure to finally meet the illustrious BAU" She politely greeted the group "Mom's told us great things about you all" She added

"Wish we could say the same kid" Morgan thought out loud

"Guys, why don't you go wash up for dinner?" Hotch suggested, not wanting them overhearing what would undoubtedly be an argument over secrets kept "Give your mom and the team time to catch up" He explained

"I think I'd like to be present for this conversation" Said Aubrey 

"Darling" Elizabeth warned

"Mom shouldn't have to defend her choices" She argued "I understand that you're all upset you found out about me the way that you did and rightfully so, but you should know that she's always intended to introduce me to her work family. She loves you all so much, and she trusts you all with her life"

"But not with yours?" Asked Morgan

"Can you blame her? She had to earn your trust. Did you expect her to freely trust you with the safety of her only child?" Aubrey argued "Trust is earned agent Morgan."

"Oh, so we haven't earned your mom's trust?" He questioned "Every day for the past two and a half years we've put our lives on the line for her and with her"

"I never said she didn't trust you. Long before my mother met you she and my nona made a deal that she'd help raise me as long as mom kept me far away from the dangers that come with her job." Aubrey explained "Nona never wanted me anywhere near the FBI, so meeting you was out of the question but still she wanted to introduce me to her work family because she loves you all. I don't understand how you doubt that" (*Nona means grandma in Italian*)

"She kept the biggest part of her life a secret" Said Garica "We all know that Emily loves us, we love her just as much but a part of all of us feels like we don't really know the real Emily Prentiss"

"Nothing's changed aside from the fact that I'm a mom" Said Emily "I'm still the same person I always was, and again I'm so sorry you had to find out about Aubrey the way you did"

"That's okay" Reid chimed in "We get to know her and Declan now. I think as long as there are no major secrets between us we'll be okay"

"There actually is something else I need to tell you guys" She confessed, looking to Hotch who gave her a nod of approval before she continued