Chapter Text
A few weeks had passed since that first morning at the BAU, and in that time, your relationship with Emily had deepened significantly. You had both kept a low profile, navigating the complexities of your feelings while maintaining professionalism at work. But now, the thought of sharing your relationship with the team filled you with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
It was a crisp Friday evening, and the aroma of Rossi’s famous Italian cooking wafted through the air as you arrived at his house for the weekly family dinner. The familiar warmth of friendship enveloped you as you entered, greeted by the sounds of laughter and chatter.
“Hey, you made it!” Penelope exclaimed, bouncing over to give you a hug. “I was worried you two would bail on us!”
“Never,” Emily replied, her hand brushing against yours, a small smile playing on her lips.
You shared a look, silently communicating your resolve. Tonight was the night.
As everyone gathered around the dining table, the mood was lively and relaxed. Rossi’s culinary skills were on full display, and the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation filled the space. You could see how everyone was comfortable with each other, and it felt like the perfect environment to share your news.
Once everyone settled in, Rossi raised his glass. “Alright, everyone! A toast! To family, to friendship, and to another week of tackling the darkness together.”
Everyone raised their glasses, echoing Rossi’s sentiments. You glanced at Emily, who looked determined and calm. After the toast, she turned to you, her eyes encouraging you to take the lead.
You cleared your throat, feeling the attention of your friends on you. “Um, everyone?” you began, your heart racing slightly. “Emily and I have something we want to share.”
The room quieted, and all eyes turned toward you and Emily. You felt a wave of warmth from her as she took your hand in hers, giving you the confidence to continue.
“We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, I mean outside of work” you said, your voice steady despite the flutter in your stomach. “And it’s become something really special.”
The room erupted into excited chatter almost immediately. JJ’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth forming a perfect “O.” “Oh my God, really?” she exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine joy.
Derek leaned forward in his chair, practically bouncing with excitement. “Finally! We were starting to think you two were playing hard to get!” His voice was playful, but you could see the sincerity in his smile.
Penelope didn’t wait for anyone else; she launched herself out of her chair and wrapped her arms around both you and Emily, pulling you into a tight embrace. “This is the best news ever!” she squealed, her excitement infectious.
Spencer beamed, adjusting his glasses as he added, “I’m really happy for you both! This is great!” His enthusiasm was sincere, matching the rest of the team’s reactions.
Hotch, who typically wore a serious expression, surprised everyone with a genuine smile, a rare occurrence that made the atmosphere even more celebratory. “I’m glad to see you both so happy,” he said, his voice steady but warm.
“Definitely,” Tara chimed in, raising her glass high. “To love and happiness!”
Rossi nodded, a proud smile gracing his features as he clinked his glass against everyone else’s.
You could feel the tension melt away as the room erupted in cheers and congratulations. Emily’s grip on your hand tightened, and you looked over at her, relief flooding through you.
“Thank you, everyone,” Emily said, her voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and joy. “We wanted to share this part of our lives with you because you all mean so much to us.”
As the dinner continued with laughter and playful banter, the atmosphere was electric with celebration. Penelope kept stealing glances at you both, her excitement bubbling over as she beamed with happiness for you.
Later in the evening, as the group chatted animatedly about the case you’d just finished, you felt Emily lean in closer, her breath warm against your ear. “You know,” she whispered, her voice low and soft, “I’m so proud of you. You make my heart race, sweetheart.”. A shiver of delight ran down your spine at the pet name, and you turned slightly to meet her gaze, your cheeks flushing. “You’re not so bad yourself, gorgeous,” you replied, unable to suppress a smile. Emily chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “Just wait until we get home. I have some more sweet words planned for you,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. You felt a rush of warmth and affection, knowing that your relationship was solidifying into something beautiful and lasting. With Emily by your side and surrounded by your team, you couldn’t help but feel that everything was falling perfectly into place.
As the night wore on and the last of the dishes were cleared away, you both exchanged soft smiles, the anticipation of what was to come hanging in the air between you.
Once the two of you were back in Emily’s car, the silence felt charged with excitement. The soft hum of the engine and the low glow of the dashboard lights created an intimate atmosphere. You could feel the familiar flutter in your stomach as you glanced over at Emily, who was focused on the road ahead but occasionally shot you small, affectionate smiles.
When you arrived at her apartment, Emily reached for your hand as you walked inside. The moment the door clicked shut behind you, you felt a shift in the atmosphere—a sense of privacy that wrapped around you both like a cozy blanket. Emily turned to face you, her expression softening as she stepped closer.
“Tonight was perfect,” she said, her voice low and sincere. “I’m so glad we shared it with everyone.”
You nodded, feeling your heart swell at the thought of your relationship being accepted so openly. “Me too. It feels… freeing,” you replied, stepping closer to her.
Emily reached out, brushing her fingers along your jawline, her touch sending sparks through you. “You know, I’ve been thinking about this moment all night,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
With that, the distance between you closed completely. Emily leaned in, capturing your lips with hers in a sweet, lingering kiss. It was soft and warm, filled with the promise of everything you had built together. You melted into her, savoring the taste of her lips and the way she held you close, as if she never wanted to let you go. As the kiss deepened, you felt a rush of desire, an undeniable connection that fueled the fire within you. Emily’s hands found your waist, pulling you closer as she deepened the kiss, her breath warm against your skin.
Breaking the kiss, Emily rested her forehead against yours, her dark eyes searching yours. “Now we're official to the world, my sweet girl” she asked, her voice filled with genuine care and a slight smile.
You smiled softly, cupping her face in your hands. “You're the only thing I ever wanted, my love” you whispered, feeling your heart swell.
With that reassurance, Emily’s lips found yours once more, and the kiss ignited a warmth that spread through you. As she pulled away, her gaze softened with affection, she led you toward the couch, where the world outside faded away.
You sank into the cushions, and Emily joined you, wrapping her arms around you. The two of you found a rhythm, exploring each other’s mouths and bodies as if trying to memorize every contour and curve. Each kiss was filled with a sense of urgency and longing, yet it also held a sweetness that felt sacred.
In that moment, surrounded by the soft glow of the apartment, the outside world ceased to exist. It was just you and Emily, lost in each other’s embrace, allowing your connection to deepen even more and flourish.