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BITTERSWEET
:: lxi. | lying to my face

After about another month or so, jj, Vanessa, Cole, and Henry were able to move back into their apartment. However, while they waited for the apartment to be back up, it was decided they would move into a house very soon. Also, the city reached out and asked about Vanessa's shot up home.

The city thought they could buy the house from her and demolish it so they could rebuild. The problem is, she doesn't know how to feel about that yet, but she knew she had to talk to jj and Cole about this.

Regardless of all that as of now, Vanessa was back at work and she was thriving. She was told by the doctor to take it slow, but Vanessa is Vanessa. She goes at her own pace.

Three o' clock was just rolling around and Vanessa was packing up. As she was putting her things in her bag, florence had just approached her.

"Hey." The woman smiled, "Would you and jj be open to a double date?"

Vanessa zipped up her bag, "You and Will?"

"Yeah, it could be like a dinner thing. Nothing too fancy."

The burnette swung her bag over her shoulder as she turned around, "I'm down. When?"

A huge smile came across florence's lips, "Tonight."

Vanessa began heading to the exit with Florence following behind, "That's cutting it close, E."

The two were now at the entrance of the building. Vanessa was in the middle of opening the door with florence standing in front of her. The burnette was using her back to open the door, so she could finish up her conversation.

"I know it's last minute, but I really want to do it. So you talk to Jennifer and I'll talk to Will. I'll send you the details later." Florence went in for a hug, "All love. See you tonight."

After the two broke away from the hug, Vanessa went on her way to her car. She wasn't necessarily stressed but wasn't in the mood for anything at that moment either. She wasn't already looking forward to this family meeting because she already knew everyone was going to have different views and those lead to arguments which she just wants a break from for once.

After arriving to her car, she got in and began the journey home.

• • •

"Mom!" Cole walked through the door, "Home!" She shut it behind her, then began to look for Vanessa, "Got your text earlier! I'm free to watch to Henry tonight since you're going out! But like, why do we need a family meeting?!"

The teen walked around and found her mom in her room. Vanessa was staring staring down at something she found in the midst of her and jj's socks. She was going to attend the laundry by folding what was thrown into drawers a couple of days ago, but instead found an engagement ring.

Tears began to form in her eyes. She couldn't believe that jj was planning on proposing. She didn't even know marriage was on her mind. She continued to stare at it with Cole calling out in the background.

"Mom, you ok?"

Not only a second later did Vanessa turn around and Cole saw the small box in her hands.

"Jj's going to propose." Was all Vanessa could say. She was at a loss of words.

Cole got all giddy, "Can I see?" She made her way over and her eyes practically glistened at how shiny the ring was, "Wow."

Vanessa nodded with a smile, "This must've cost a little bit."

"Probably a lot more than that." Cole's eyes were still glued to the ring.

"Yeah . . . " Vanessa trailed off as she closed the box. She stuffed the box back in the drawer and closed it. Vanessa then turned around to Cole and kissed her forehead, "Go do your homework, because Henry's going to need all your attention."

Not only a half and hour later did Vanessa wrap up the laundry and the front door was opening. Jj just walked in. She was on an overnight case, so the team just got back to Virginia. However, earlier, Vanessa did text Jennifer about the double date and the family meeting, so she was caught up.

After entering the apartment, she locked the door. As she began to her bedroom, she knocked on Cole's door signaling she was back then she went into Henry's room. She saw her little boy up and awake, smiling. Jj picked him up and carried him to the rocking chair. She sat down, leaned back against the cushion as Henry was standing on her lap, dancing a bit as she held his arms.

As he continued to do his little dance with a smile on, all of a sudden jj starts feeling vibrations against her back. She plopped Henry down on her lap before reaching behind her and pulling out a pink vibrator.

Jj then stood up, carrying Henry back to the crib. She then left his room and went to go find Vanessa who was still in their shared bedroom.

She held the vibrator up, "Babe, I don't even want to know why this was in Henry's room."

Vanessa turned around at the sound of jj's voice. As soon as she saw the vibrator, she hurried over and planted a kiss on jj's lips as she took the vibrator from her.

The burnette pulled away, tossing the vibrator on the bed, "Did you get my texts?"

"Yeah." Jj sat on the bed, "We have a double date and you want to have a family meeting soon. Do you want to do it now?"

Vanessa stood across from her, leaning against the tv stand, "No. It'll just spoil the date vibes."

Jj nodded as she stood up and made her way over to her girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around Vanessa's waist, "I know it's been months, but have you given more thought about having a baby?"

"I'm going to be realistic for a second. We have no room for another baby right now and we're still trying to get our lives back on track." Vanessa concluded, "I don't even know how Cole would feel about this. Maybe this should be a family discussion?"

Jj just slightly smiled. She was happy that Vanessa was open to discussing this but was worried that her answer would be no. She wants to marry her and whatnot, but if they don't see eye to eye on this baby thing . . . jj doesn't know what's going to happen with them.

Regardless of how much she loves Vanessa, she really wants to have another baby.

• • •

As time moved quickly, it was around that time. It was double date time, Vanessa and jennifer were just about to head out. The two were making their way to the door when jj was reminding cole of the rules.

"Lastly, there's forty dollars on the table and the take out menus are in a drawer in the kitchen. Please look after your brother."

Cole was holding Henry, "I'm a good babysitter. Trust."

Vanessa opened the front door, "Love you both."

And the two were gone. Jj and Vanessa made it to one of their cars and jj drove them to the restaurant. The ride was chill, quiet. Vanessa was so excited to see Will and Florence as a couple and get to know them as one unit. Jj, however, she never thought she would be going on a double date with her ex fiancé —— but who says exes can't be friends?

Once they arrived, jj parked the car and the two got out. They walked hand in hand into the restaurant and after spotting the couple, they headed in that direction. Once they approached the table, Will and Florence stood up, all of them sharing hugs.

After the greetings, they all seated and the waiter came by to take everyone's drink order.

As time progressed, soon their food order was taken and storytelling was going around. How Florence and Will started talking, jj and Vanessa, even the good times Will and jj shared as a couple.

As they continued to wait for their food, Will began sharing another story of him and jj.

"After finding out she was pregnant with Henry, I made a drastic decision." Will continued, "I decided in that split second that I wanted to marry her."

"Really?" Vanessa's tone seemed a bit annoyed but no one caught onto it yet, except Jennifer.

"Yeah." Will nodded, "Actually, after you left because this was the New York case. I popped the question and . . . " Will looked at jj, "And she said yes."

Vanessa cleared her throat as she stood up, "I'm gonna run to the bathroom. Be back."

Florence followed her lead, "Me too."

Once the two were gone from the table, jj practically scolded will.

"You can't do that." She shook her head, "Vanessa didn't know about this and it was going to stay that way. And what about Florence?"

Will rose his hands in defense, "Sorry, I would've thought you told her. I mean, the whole team knows. Florence too. So I don't understand why that had to be a secret?"

Jj leaned back in her chair, "You don't know her like I do."

While the two began sitting in silence at the table, still waiting on their food, Vanessa and Florence were chatting in the woman's bathroom.

"I can't believe she didn't tell me this." Vanessa was finishing washing her hands.

Florence stood next to her, "Maybe she had a good reason."

"Which is?" Vanessa air dried her hands, waiting for a response and when she didn't get one . . . "Exactly." Vanessa then grabbed two paper towels.

"Well, im not Jennifer. I don't know what goes on in her head. The only person who would know is her and that's who you need to ask. Communication is key and if you're angry about this, talk to her."

"She said yes. And you know what that makes me?" Vanessa grabbed the handle with the paper towel, opening the door, "A home wrecker."

She walked out the bathroom with the paper towel and headed back to the table. She was too angry to look back and toss the paper towel in the trash. Once everyone was back at the table, the dinner continued but it was awkward now. No one really spoke and tension grew throughout the night between Jennifer and Vanessa.

Everyone already knew the two were going to argue when they got home and well, will just felt bad.

a/n:
i had to have some drama
in the last act guys . . .