Emily woke up that Wednesday morning and smiled as she noticed Isabella's tight grip on her shirt. She soothed the girl's hair and just stayed like that for a while. She was so happy her baby was home again.
She checked the clock and it was already 10 so she decided to wake the child up.

"Hey. Bellie. Wake up mom amour" Emily sang soothing the girl's hair. Isabella moved a little and opened her eyes.
"Hi" Emily said.

Listening to that word Bella hugged her mother tight. She felt like it had been a dream that she was back home but she was wrong. It was real.

"Good morning" Emily said.

"Morning mommy" Bella said letting go of the hug, her eyes were full of tears.

"Let's have breakfast?" Emily asked and Bella nodded with a smile fighting her tears. She was so happy to be home.

They headed down and Emily made toasts with Nutella. They ate and then decided to go back to Emily's bed and watch some tv. They laid next to each other and watched 'Doctor who' till about 1pm. Emily decided they should eat lunch so they made spaghetti together, which turned the kitchen into a crazy mess as they had fun and played around while cooking. It was sweet moments like that that always made Emily see that she was doing a good job with the girl.
They ate lunch, cleaned the kitchen and then sat in the living room to watch a movie.
20 minutes into it Bella fell asleep. Emily let her sleep and just sat there watching tv and working on some paperwork.

Around 4 Bella woke up.
The girl opened her eyes and smiled as she noticed her mom was staring at her. Emily smiled back. Bella got out of the couch she was laying at and sat on Emily's lap.

"Did you have a good nap?" Emily asked.

"Yeah" Bella said. "And what did you do?"

"Just watched tv and finished some paperwork" Emily said.

"When are you going back to work?" Bella asked.

"next week" Emily said.

"Are you going on a case?" Bella asked a bit scared.

"Maybe. But you'll be okay with Aunt Penny" Emily said.

"But what if those girls say things at school?" Bella asked a little upset.

"How about if Garcia picked you up earlier? And then on the next day you stay regular hours?" Emily suggested. "And if they say anything you can call her or me" she added.

"Okay" Bella said not looking very happy.
"Anything she'll pick me up?" Bella asked.

"Yes" Emily said smiling and hugged the girl.

"Well... Let's not talk about school, okay? I wanna see all the pictures from New York" Emily said excited.

"It's on my phone" Bella said getting out of Emily's lap and running to the stairs.
Emily turned the tv off and followed the girl.
They sat on Isabella's bed and looked at the pictures while the girl went on and on about everything they did. Then Bella showed Emily all the things Derek and Penelope bought for her.

"Wow they really spoiled you" Emily smiled.

"I didn't ask for anything. I swear" Bella said and Emily laughed.

They just talked for a long time.
Around 7, they ate leftover spaghetti and Bella asked if they could go get ice cream.

"Ice cream shop or supermarket?" Emily asked smiling.

"supermarket" Bella said. "Can we buy toppings too?" Bella asked excited.

"We sure can" Emily smiled. "Let's change." She said. They were still wearing pajamas so they changed their clothes and headed out. They went to Walmart and bought chocolate, vanilla and mint ice cream and also a bunch of different things to put in it. When they got home they ate and had a great time. Emily was just so so so happy, she couldn't stop smiling.

"Mommy, why are you smiling so much?" Bella asked laughing.

"I'm happy you're home" Emily said honestly.

"I'm happy too" Bella said with a smile.

They finished eating, took a shower and headed to Emily's bed. Emily put a movie on and laid next to the girl.
It didn't take long for Bella to sleep.
Emily stayed awake watching a movie.
Around midnight Bella sat on the bed and struggled to catch a breath. She was so scared. She had a horrible dream. Emily touched the child's arm and Bella jumped unsure who it was but when she saw it was her mom she just jumped in her arms and hugged her.

"It's okay baby. Just breathe. It's alright." Emily said rubbing circles on the young girl's back. Bella calmed down and was really embarrassed about the situation. Emily let the child lay on her chest and kept running her fingers through the girl's hair. Bella ended up crying herself to sleep that night and Emily felt horrible for the girl. She knew that with everything Bella had gone through since John passed away it was likely nightmares would show up from time to time. She was ready for them. But every time it happened it just broke her heart.
She laid the girl down on the bed but kept hugging her. Bella moved a little.

"Shuuuuuuuu it's okay. I'm here" Emily whispered tightening the hug.

The girl looked peaceful now and Emily smiled. She knew Bella would be okay.

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They didn't do much on Thursday.
They watched tv all morning on Emily's bed and after school Chloe and Gavin stopped by so Emily took them to the pool. While the kids were playing in the pool Emily called Penelope and talked about Isabella's birthday on Saturday.

"Are we going to have a party? Or just go out? Or a picnic maybe? Or a-" Penelope asked talking really fast and excited.

"Garcia calm down" Emily laughed.

"Sorry I'm just excited" Penelope said.

"I know" Emily smiled. "Look I was thinking maybe we could do something at the park"

"her park?" Penelope asked referring to the park with the bench that faced the lake.

"Yeah. She loves that place" Emily said. "We could invite her friends and the team and have a barbecue and cake"

"Yeah! I think she'll love that" Penelope said excited.

"I want it to be a surprise though" Emily said.

"Yes! I looooove surprise parties" Penelope said.

"Alright. So tomorrow why don't you come here with JJ and we can organize it all?" Emily suggested.

"Okay okay" Garcia said super happy. "I'll let J know!"

"Alright then I'll see you tomorrow" Emily said.

"See ya soon sugarplum. Oh and send kisses to my minion" Penelope said.

"I will. Bye" Emily said and hung up.

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They stayed in the pool till 6 and then they showered, watched a movie and had dinner. Emily just loved seeing her girl have fun with her friends. Later at night both kids went home and Bella sat on the couch with Emily to watch a tv show.

"Did you have fun today?" Emily asked as she wrapped Bella in a hug.

"Yeah" Bella said. "We should go to the pool more mom" she smiled and Emily laughed.

"We should" Emily said. "Lay here on my lap" Emily said and Bella laid her head on her mother's lap.

"Mom, did you talk to Jeremy after the judge said I could stay with you?" Bella asked.

"Yes. But why are you asking me this?" Emily asked.

"Nothing" Bella said avoiding eye contact.

"Hey hey Bells" Emily said and Bella looked at her.

"It's just that he must be upset" Bella said.

"He was a little" Emily said and Bella looked serious. "He wanted to talk to you... But I thought it wasn't a good idea" Emily said.

"You thought it right." Bella said serious. "I hate him" she said.

"Bella" Emily said feeling bad. "Look honey, I know what he did was bad but he's your brother and I know your dad wouldn't want you to hate him" Emily said. Even though Jeremy hurt both of them she understood he was scared and did what he believe was best.

"But he wanted to take me away from you. Dad wouldn't want him to do that either." Bella said as her eyes filled with tears.

They both stayed silent for a while and then Bella asked "can you love someone and hate them at the same time?"

"I'm sure you can" Emily said letting a little smile appear on her face. She hated what Jeremy did but she wanted them to get along. For John. She needed them to.

Emily soothed the girl's hair and it wasn't long till Bella was out.
She finished watching an episode of Masterchef and carried the sleeping girl upstairs. She placed Bella on her bed and laid next to the child who stayed asleep the entire time. She was tired from playing in the pool.
Emily covered Bella up and held her hand. It wasn't long till she slept too.

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(Friday)

Bella woke up that morning and smiled seeing Emily staring at her.

"Bonjour" Emily said.

"Bonjour" Bella said.

"Did you sleep well?" Emily asked.

"Oui" Bella said. "Pouvons- nous porter un toast avec Nutella à nouveau?" (Can we have Toasts with Nutella again?) Bella asked in french.

"Of course we can" Emily said smiling and hugged the girl. "Let's go" she said and they headed downstairs.

A little while after they had finished eating the buzzer rang. It was Penelope. Emily buzzed her in and like a flash she was at the door.

"Hi" Emily said excited as she noticed Penelope wasn't alone. JJ and Henry were there too.

"Bella look who's here!" Emily said smiling and Bella walked to the door.

"Henry!" The girl said when she saw him and the little boy ran to her arms.

"Hi Bella" Henry said and melted everyone's heart. "You read to me?" He asked and Bella smiled.

"Sure" she said happily. "Can we go upstairs?" She asked Emily.

"Won't you say hi to them first?" Emily laughed.

"Oh. Hi" Bella said smiling and went to hug JJ and Penelope.

"Go play in your room and we'll be down here" Emily said and the kids went upstairs.

"Aww I just love seeing her happy face" Penelope said and the women smiled.

"So what are the plans for tomorrow?" JJ asked.

They went to sit in the dining room and talked about what Emily had in mind. She said she wanted something small and really just have her closest friends and the team. Penelope suggested the decor and said Derek insisted on buying the ice cream cake. They called everyone to let them know the party would be at 1:30 at the picnic area of the park, where they had tables. They made sure to tell everyone it was a surprise. JJ went to Hilary's apartment and explained it all to her and Chloe was very excited. When JJ got back she found Penelope in the kitchen cooking lunch and Emily sitting at the island as Penelope explained what she was doing. They finished everything and sat in the living room to talk. Suddenly Bella walked in.

"Mom, I'm hungry" she said.

"Go get Henry while we set the table, bunny" Penelope yelled from the kitchen. Bella laughed and walked back upstairs.

They sat to eat lunch and when everyone finished Henry said "she not sad anymore mommy"

Everyone smiled and Bella looked a little embarrassed.

"She's not baby" JJ said smiling.

"Can we have ice cream?" Bella said.

"She's not sad at all" Penelope said and everyone laughed.

They ate ice cream and then sat to watch a movie. Once the movie ended JJ and Penelope headed home. Henry cried because he didn't want to leave but JJ promised him another play date soon.

"Do you want to go to the pool now?" Emily asked Bella as they walked back to the living room.

"Only if you go in too" Bella said.

"Okay. Let's go change" Emily smiled and Bella took her hand and they went upstairs. They put swimsuits on and headed to the pool. They had an amazing time and Emily couldn't help but smile at her daughter having fun and just being a normal kid. She didn't have to worry about anything else other than just being a kid.
They stayed there for a long time. Emily wanted to go back to the apartment but Bella insisted on staying longer so Emily gave in. She sat at a table and let the girl play in the pool. Suddenly Derek Morgan called her.

"Hey, I'm at the mall right now and I just wanted to check Bella's clothing size" He said. Emily smiled and told him.

"well, did you have time to buy her something? 'cause I can babysit if you want" he said and Emily laughed.

"I'm still not sure what I want to get her" Emily said. "I was thinking maybe take her and Chloe to New York as I promised" She said.

"Why don't you take them to Disney? I think nothing can top that" Morgan suggested.

"Oh yeah, she'd love that for sure" Emily said.

"Call Hotch and ask for a couple days off and take her down to Florida. It's sunny and happy, She deserves it" He said.

"you know what?! I will." Emily said. She loved the idea. Bella always wanted to go, she knew the girl would really like the present.

"alright" Derek said happy.

"don't mention it to her, I want to surprise her" Emily said.

"Don't worry mama" He said.

They talked a bit more and hung up. Emily started noticing Bella was getting tired so she suggested to go back to shower and then maybe stop at a book store. Of course Bella was thrilled so they went back to the apartment. Emily got ready really fast and sat in the living room and called Hilary, she talked about the trip and Hilary let Chloe go, Emily insisted on paying for it. She had a big smile as she hung up the phone. She just knew Isabella would go nuts about it. She sat there waiting for the girl when it hit her. Why not take Gavin too. He was such a good kid and his mother seemed to trust Emily. So Emily called Colette and was really excited when the woman said yes. She knew she would spend a lot of money taking all three kids but she just couldn't wait to see Isabella's face when she found out.

It wasn't long till Bella walked downstairs all ready to go, so they headed out.

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As Emily walked around the store Penelope called.

"Hey. I'm at the mall. Do you want to meet up for dinner. The minion could use some fresh air" Penelope said.

"We're actually at the book store" Emily smiled.

"Oh so come meet me after." Penelope said.

Emily agreed to meet her at McDonald's and walked to tell Bella. They paid for the books and headed to meet Penelope. They started eating and after a while Emily asked Penelope if she could watch Bella for a while so she could get a new suit for work. She asked making a face to Penelope as if she had another thing planed.

"Mom you have tons of suits" Bella said.

"I know but I saw one the other day that I liked but they didn't have my size so I'm just going to check now" Emily lied.

"You didn't even finish your food" Bella said.

"I'm not really hungry. I'll be right back" Emily said and walked out.

Bella stayed at the food court with Penelope while Emily bought the girl some birthday presents, including the plane tickets to Orlando. She clearly was spoiling the child a little but after everything that happened and also with the fact that Bella was a really great kid she just knew the girl deserved it. She took all the bags to the car and headed back to the food court.

"Why did you take so long?" Bella asked looking sleepy. "And you didn't even buy anything?" She asked confused.

"They didn't have my size" Emily said.

"So you tried the entire store on?" Bella asked and the women laughed.

"Come on let's go home" Emily smiled and Bella stood up and took her hand. Emily thanked Penelope and they headed home.

Bella fell asleep in the car and Emily felt bad for waking her up. They went inside and Bella went straight to bed, she didn't even change.
Emily tucked her in and said she would go to bed soon. She took the presents to the apartment and wrapped it all and hid them in the back of her closet.
She went to the kitchen to get some water and decided to call Jeremy.

"Hello?" Jeremy answered.

"It's Emily"

"Hi. Is she okay?" He asked.

"Yeah she's perfect. It's just that we're having a little birthday party at the park tomorrow and I thought maybe you should stop by" Emily said.

"She wants to see me?" He asked.

"No, she hasn't talked about seeing you but you're her brother and this is her first birthday without John and I really don't want this to be without you too" Emily said honestly.

"okay" he said. Emily gave him the details and hung up. Then she changed and went to bed.

She wasn't very sure if that was a good idea but she just knew that John wouldn't want his children to grow apart and she knew that Bella loved her brother, even though she was mad at him at the time, and she had the right to be.