Moving Forward

Part 58

Jennifer Jareau's POV

It has been now an hour that we're back on the road. I told the kids to sleep, but they don't want to, so Derek installed them 'Finding Nemo'. I decide to call Emily to see if she's feeling better.

"Hi, Hotch. I was wondering if Emily's feeling better."

"Um... She doesn't seem to."

"We could do an exchange. I mean, Spence goes with you and I pick Emily."

"If you want to."

"Anyway, I need to pull over somewhere because I need to change my bandage and take my pills."

"We could pull over at a gas station. I need some gas."

"Okay, we'll do that. There's a gas station in a few miles."

"Get it."

We drive a few miles, then we arrive at the gas station. Hotch, Derek, and Chris fill up the gas tank. I get in the store and I buy juice for the kids, water bottles, vegetable chips and Gatorade for Emily. I pay and I put everything in the car, except for a few boxes of juices that I give to the others for Oliver, Zoe, and Lacey. Then I open Emily's door. She's pale and sweating a lot. I help her to get up. We start to walk to my car, but Emily overbalances.

"It's okay. I got you."

We arrive at my car and I help her to sit. Then I close the door.

"Jennifer, we should change your bandage," Spence declares.

"Yeah, of course," I agree.

I sit in the car and Spence arrives with the first aid kit. He puts some gloves on and starts taking off my bandage. He does it quickly as I ask him every time. I bite my lips not to scream, but my eyes fill up with tears. But the worst part is yet to come... He takes some alcohol and pours some on a sterile pad. He gently rubs it on my wound. I wince.

"I know it hurts, but it's almost finished, Sweetheart."

Tears are flowing down my cheeks. He then takes the medicinal cream and applies it on my wound before putting back a new bandage. Spence gently passes his hand over my cheeks to wipe my tears away.

"It's over, Sweetie."

Then he lays a little kiss on my lips.

"I love you, Jennifer."

"I love you too, Spencer."

We stare at each other. After, Spence gives me my pills.

"You have to take those," he smiles.

I smile back and I swallow the pills with the help of some water.

"I think they are all waiting for us," I laugh.

He makes me sign that he understood and he walks to Aaron's car. We are back on the road. I look at Emily and I touch her forehead; she's scalding.

"Derek, could you put a blanket on the kids? I'm gonna turn on the air conditioner."

I wait for Derek to put the blanket on them and I turn on the air conditioner and I open Emily's window.

"Emily. I want you to drink some Gatorade, okay?"

She takes the bottle and takes a tiny sip.

"Really? You need more than that."

She takes a bigger sip which I think isn't enough, but I won't tell her.

"Emily. How're you feeling?"

"Nauseous... Everything is spinning so fast..."

"Okay. I'll lower your seat. And I want you to get some sleep."

I lower her seat and she closes her eyes. If Emily isn't feeling better soon, we might be obligated to cancel our vacations.