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BITTERSWEET
:: lx. | perfect on paper

Vanessa groaned as she aggressively laid on the bed, "But I want to get out of here!"

Cole popped her head out the bathroom, "Doctor says to rest and mama says to enforce it." As another groan slipped from Vanessa's mouth, there was a knock at the door, "Oh and your boss is coming over."

Vanessa sat up and just gave her daughter an a little too late for that look. As she got up, there was another knock on the door. She quickly made her way and opened the door to her room.

"Oh, good. I was afraid you might be sleeping." Florence walked in, passing Vanessa.

The mother shut the door and turned in Florence's direction, "Not to be rude —— what are you doing here?"

"Checking on you." Florence sat on one of the chairs that was in the room, "You've been gone for awhile which is understandable, but i just wanted to see how you're doing."

Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed, "Taking it day by day and waiting for the doctor to give me the all clear. How's work at the center?"

"Same as you left but there's more to my visit." Florence admitted, "It's about officer LaMontagne."

"Will? What about him?"

"I hope it doesn't weird you out or anything, but him and I've been talking for sometime. I really like him, you know." She continued, "Would that be ok with you if me and him went out, like a date?"

"I have no problem with it." Vanessa shrugged, "He's not my baby daddy. But you would be ok with this? Because Will's a whole package."

Florence nodded, "I know. I thought a lot about this. Once we're more involved, I obviously have to get to know Jennifer and Henry. I'm aware Cole comes with that territory too."

Cole once again stuck her head out the bathroom, "I do?"

The two women looked back towards the bathroom and Florence continued, "Yes. He talks about you quite a lot. Almost like you're one of his."

Cole just smiled as she retreated back into the bathroom.

Vanessa saw that smile never leave Florence's face as she talked about him. She was really into Mr. LaMontagne Jr.

"I hope you have fun whenever that date is." Vanessa stood up.

"It's tonight." Florence stood up as well, making her way to the door, "He just needs to speak with Jennifer first. So, crossing my fingers." Florence opened the door and looked back at Vanessa, "Hope to see you at the center soon, i miss you. I'll be back tomorrow to give you the details."

Florence left and Cole then left out the bathroom. She was all dressed up for the day. She was wearing a big black baggy shirt over her long sleeve shirt with blue jeans, and converse with her hair half up.

"And where are you off to?" Vanessa saw her daughter slowly making her way towards the door.

"To get lunch. Be back. Text me what you want."

"I don't remember you having a job." Vanessa was back to sitting on the bed.

"Mama, gave me the money." Cole stood near the door.

Vanessa couldn't help but smile, hearing Cole call jj her mama. It made the young mom very happy.

Vanessa nodded, "Be safe."

So Cole left out and began her way to lunch which she ended up choosing was Thai food. Right there in that moment as she walked the sidewalk, she realized this was the first time ever where she could tell someone if they asked that she was happy.

She was in a relationship with her best friend, had the bestest friends, having the biggest family. She couldn't see life ever going a totally different way. Sure, she would always miss her dad but all he ever brought was misery to her life.

• • •

Will was at the BAU. He was trying to get the nerve to go in and talk to Jennifer. He's never been so nervous and such when it comes to talking to jj, but for this certain topic he was a little. He knew he wasn't obligated to mention anything to her, but if florence was the woman that he would be bringing around Henry then, out of respect, it's best if Jennifer knew.

After letting out a deep sigh, he finally got the courage to walk through the glass doors and just as he thought, Jennifer was at her desk. That was a clear sign there was no case and this was the biggest opportunity he could ever get right then.

He walked up to her and sat on the edge of her desk.

Jennifer was quite surprised by his visit, "Hey. What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping we could discuss something." He whispered, "Preferably in private."

Jj nodded and stood up. She led him to the empty conference room and closed the door behind them. Also since Spencer was known as a good lip reader, she also closed the blinds.

"So what's been going on?" She turned towards her ex fiancé.

"Well —— " He began to walk around the room, "I've kind of been seeing someone. We haven't gone out officially, but we would text and whatnot. I like her a lot and if she's going to be around Henry eventually . . I thought you should know."

"It's not official and I'm guessing it's been a few months? So, you're already thinking about introducing her to Henry?"

"I know it's really early to bring that up, but for the future." He sat on the sofa in the room, "I just really like her. And I haven't felt this way in awhile. I don't want to lose this feeling."

Jennifer nodded, "And I don't want you too. I just don't want you to rush into anything. If this goes sideways a lot of people will get hurt."

"I know, Jennifer." Will stood up, "But just like how you took a chance with Vanessa, im taking a chance with Florence."

"And I'll support you. So if you want to introduce her to Henry, then that's fine with me." Jj agreed.

However, she now had her own little mission. As soon as he said florence, she immediately connected the dots. The only Florence she's heard of was Vanessa's boss and that was the source. She had to make sure everything was legit and if florence felt the same way as will because Jennifer does not want to see him get hurt.

Not again.

After what she did, she didn't think they would be able to move forward as Henry's parents and as friends but that's where they are now. But for awhile before they got to that stage, their relationship was staggered. But he found a way to be understanding and forgiving.

So after their conversation, Jennifer called her lunch break and immediately headed to the service center where Florence works. She had to know her true intentions —— as a mother, friend, and maybe FBI agent.

• • •

After arriving at the service center, Jennifer walked in headstrong. She asked around of Florence's whereabouts and each time was told the same thing, "Florence will be back shortly. She's on her lunch break."

With that in mind, Jennifer was seated waiting in her office. As she waited, she looked through pictures on her phone of the team, family, just letting time pass by a bit quicker.

Not only a half hour later did florence walk into her officer and was quite surprised of seeing Jennifer sitting there. She was definitely not expecting her at all and her only conclusion for Jennifer's appearance could probably be that Will talked to her.

"Agent —- " Florence walked behind her desk, "What brings you by?"

Jennifer stayed seated, "I'm sure you already know."

With a brief sigh as florence sat down in her spinning chair, she then scooted in and leaned forward a bit, her forearms resting on her desk, "I'm not looking for a maybe, he's a yes. Which is why it took us time to build up to our first date. I had to make sure what I was getting into with him would stick and so did he."

Jennifer nodded understandingly, "I don't want to see him get hurt."

Florence gestured to her to come closer. Jj does and leans on the desk. Florence opens her hands and jj placed her hands in florence's.

Florence held them, "I never make promises unless I know I can keep them. With Will, I can. I'll never hurt him, but that doesn't mean we won't have our hardships. I'm all in. I want to be apart of this little family if you'll have me."

Jj smiled, "Of course. Thank you." She pulled back, leaning back in the chair, "Vanessa was right. You are one of the good people."

Florence casually smiled with a slight shrug, "I try."

After that sweet, kind confrontation, florence showed jj the exit. As jj began back to her car which wasn't parked that far, she started thinking and replaying everything florence and Will both told her. They didn't have to tell her, but she knew that deep down it was only a matter of time before they shared their i love yous. Early or not it was clear to that's where they were heading and a bit fast.

With that in mind, jj just approached her car and pulled out her phone to call Hotch. She told him that she was going to take the rest of the day off for personal reasons. Just as she hung up, her eyes drifted in front of her.

It was a jewelry store. 

She really hoped Vanessa was going to like whatever ring she bought her.

a/n:
will and Florence are
worming their way
into my heart && idk
what to do lol