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Although they’ve been dating for almost three months, JJ and Emily had never slept together, in the literal sense. Having sex was one thing, but both women craved the intimacy of sharing their most vulnerable moments together, sleeping and waking in the same bed.
At first, they tried to take things slow, insisting they go back to their own homes at night. Then, they had three back-to-back cases, and when they finally got back, JJ had had Henry at her house. She didn’t want to introduce Emily as her girlfriend to him yet, until they were sure of themselves. Emily of course respected this, and was willing to oblige her girlfriend’s request. So when they got back from a particularly difficult case on one of Will’s weeks, they jumped at the opportunity not to go home alone.
Their evening was nearly perfect, movies, stories, and eating out (take that how you will, they did both). A warm bath saw them curled together, snug in the calm bubble they created. They were almost able to forget the terrible week they’d had. After the bath, both women made their way into Emily’s bedroom, silently agreeing JJ would stay.
They didn’t bother changing into pajamas, so they climbed under the cotton sheets naked, shuddering at the sudden warmth of the many blankets on Emily’s bed. Wordlessly, the two drifted together bare skin brushing. Emily noticed JJ tossing and turning, seemingly unable to get comfortable, Emily worried about if JJ was really ready for this step in their relationship.
“Hey,” she whispered, garnering another toss from JJ, to lock their eyes.
“Hey,” JJ replied, just as soft.
“If you’re not ready for this, you don’t have to stay,” Emily encouraged. She didn’t want to admit it, but she’d been looking forward to sharing a bed with the blonde for the long time. She’d actually been hoping JJ was more of a cuddled like her, but she’d was just happy to be with JJ.
JJ bit her lip in thought. Of course, she did want to stay with Emily. When she was with Will, he’d slept stiffly next to her, and she’d dealt with it, but she was always more of a snuggly sleeper. It actually became a point of tension between the parents, and yet another contributing factor to their eventual split. Being with Emily now, JJ’d hoped she could be pressed against the brunette all night, but perhaps not.
Figuring ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ (Emily could leave her, of course, as that stupid little voice in the back of her mind tried to persuade her), JJ answered Emily’s question honestly.
“If- if it’s ok with you, Em, I- I’ve always been more of a, well, touchy sleeper,” JJ prompted.
Emily’s heart exploded with joy, and she just shone a large toothy grin and pulled in her girlfriend for a deep kiss. When they finally pulled away, breathless with swollen lips, Emily’s cleared her voice and spoke.
“Me too.”
With one final chaste peck, the women made haste of closing the space between them. Emily laid back in confusion when JJ positioned her flat onto her back (Emily’s favorite sleeping position, though she could never admit it). JJ then climbed onto the brunette, stomachs and chests aligned, arms and legs wrapping around pale skin, much in the same way a koala may cling to a tree.
The pair stayed there that night, and slept better than they ever had before. After that night, neither of them slept alone in a bed again, never feeling quite right without the other.
They got married two years into the relationship, and had two more kids in the span of five years, Maggie and Nolan. Emily retired from the BAU first, and after five years was followed by her wife. They retired to Emily’s grandfather’s cabin in the French Alps, both eternally grateful for their French fluidity, citizenship (Emily was born in France and JJ’s father was French), and their French last name. Emily died at the age of 94, and JJ followed only a few months later. They were loved by all of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other various (usually BAU affiliated) family members.
Fin