j u l e s .
I jump up out of bed, startling Derek out of his sleep, "What the hell!?" He exclaims, his body trembling a bit.
I giggle, "Sorry!" I exclaim, sitting back down on the bed, beside him.
Derek chuckles, shaking his head, "Are you okay?" He asks, placing his hand on my forehead as he checks my temperature.
I giggle, swatting his hand away, "You're the one who's not okay. It's Christmas Eve! You should be more excited!" I exclaim, beaming.
He shakes his head, chuckling at my ridiculousness, "You have so much Christmas spirit, yet, we haven't even had the time to put up our tree yet.." He states.
I shake my head, "Nonsense. We have the day off today. Therefore, we are getting a Christmas Tree today." I state firmly.
Derek chuckles and nods, "Okay." He states, his tone going firm and serious.
I glance at him, "Okay?" I ask.
He glances towards me, his eyes meeting mine, "We'll get the tree today. Your wish is my command." He states.
I smile softly, "Yay! We have to pick out the most perfect tree!" I exclaim in excitement.
Derek chuckles again, "You're like a five year old on Christmas Morning. How many of those gingerbread cookies and candy canes did you have?" He asks in a low tone.
"None." I lie, trying to hide my smile.
Derek glances at me, giving me a firm look. He's clearly not buying that.
I let out a defeated sigh, "Okay fine. I had like eight of them. Each. In the last hour." I ramble.
Derek chuckles, shaking his head, "I'm cutting you off for the rest of the day." He states, swatting the boxes away from me.
I gasp, "But-" I begin.
Derek shakes his head, "Nope. No more."
I groan, crossing my arms like a little kid.
Derek chuckles, buttoning up his shirt, "So what are we doing tonight?" He asks in a low tone.
I giggle, "What do you mean?" I ask.
Derek shrugs his shoulder, "We always do something on Christmas Eve. What are we doing tonight?" He asks.
I giggle again, shaking my head, "We so do not do something every Christmas Eve." I state.
Derek nods, hopping onto the bed, "Yes, we do. Here, take a look." He states, pulling out his phone.
I scoot over closer to him as he opens an album, labeled Jules.
I look up at him, "You have an album of a bunch of photos of me...of us?" I ask.
He nods, "Yeah. It helps me find my favorite photos easily." He smiles softly, searching up dates as he shows me photos of the last two Christmases we've had together.
My eyes water of happiness, "Why am I just now knowing this?" I ask, giggling.
Derek chuckles, "Jules, I love spending holidays with you...especially Christmas. You're always such a good spirit to be around, especially for the holidays. That's what I love about you." He states.
I smile softly, "I love you." I giggle, kissing him softly on the lips as his hands cup my cheeks.
"I love you." He whispers, getting up off the bed.
"Where are you going?" I ask in a low tone.
"Going to get a tree. You coming?" He asks.
I giggle softly, "Always." I state, as he helps me off the bed, spinning me around.
He walks into Darnell's room, helping him get dressed as I get ready.
•••
I giggle as we climb out of the car, "The workers are going to think we're insane for buying a Christmas Tree this late." I state.
He smiles softly, "They shouldn't care. I want to spend Christmas with my family and we need the tree to make it special." He states.
I giggle, helping Darnell climb out of the car.
Derek grabs one of Darnell's hands as I grab the other, guiding him around the maze of tall trees.
Derek shakes his head, "How do we even know the tree is going to fit?" He asks.
I giggle, "What do you mean?" I ask, blushing as I bite my bottom lip playfully.
He shakes his head, "We don't know how tall the room is. How do we know the tree won't burst right through the roof?" He asks.
I giggle breathlessly, "Then we'll repair the roof." I state, shrugging my shoulders.
Derek gasps, "Repair the roof!? And why would we spend that much money!?" He asks, clutching his chest playfully.
I giggle, grasping snow off the ground. I bunch it up into a ball, threatening to throw it at Derek.
He chuckles, "Woman! I swear-" He begins.
I grin playfully, chucking the snowball at Derek as he shrieks, grabbing snow of the ground.
I squeal, trying not to slip as I hide on the other side of the tree.
I squeal as Derek grabs my wrist, spinning me around rapidly, "Derek! I swear to God if you throw that snowball at me!" I exclaim.
A cocky grin spreads on his face as he tosses the snowball in his hand before chucking it at me.
I gasp, wiping the snow out of my braids.
Derek chuckles as I help Darnell bunch up snow into a ball.
I giggle softly, "C'mon buddy. Throw it at your dad." I whisper, gesturing Darnell towards Derek.
Darnell smiles, tossing it at Derek, "Ooo boy, you gon' get it!" He exclaims, tickling Darnell as he tosses him over his shoulder.
Darnell screams as I giggle softly, smiling at the sight of both of my boys.
I bite my bottom lip as Derek grasps my arm, pulling me closer, my body warming up at his touch. I smile softly, looking up at him.
•••
I climb out of the car, helping Darnell out as well. I turn to Derek as another car pulls up behind ours.
"Who's that?" I ask, looking over at him.
Derek chuckles, "I needed help and backup so I can get this tree inside." He states.
I giggle as Hotch and Emily get out of the car, followed by Spence and a brown-haired girl.
"Hey guys!" Derek exclaims, grinning.
I smile softly, approaching Spence, "Hey Spence! It's so good to see you!" I state, turning to the girl standing beside him.
She smiles softly, "Hi. I'm Lexie. Lexie Grey."
I smile, "I remember! You were at the wedding!" I state, smiling softly as Derek comes up from behind me, kissing my cheek.
Lexie nods as she places out her hand, shaking Derek's hand firmly.
Derek nods slightly, "Hey there. I'm Derek Morgan. You are..." He begins.
"Lexie." She states.
Derek nods, "Lexie! That's right! Reid told me about you at the wedding. Sorry we didn't talk much that night. I was busy with-"
"Being a groom?" Lexie asks, giggling softly.
Spence chuckles, nodding, "Derek is always busy... especially when it comes to Jules." He states.
I giggle, "Is Pretty Boy feeling jealous?" I ask in a mocking tone.
Reid chuckles as Derek wraps his arm around him, walking inside as Hotch joins them as they walk towards the car, struggling to get the tree down. Emily walks over to Lexie and I, helping me get Darnell inside.
•••
I gesture Emily and Lexie to the couches in the living room, grabbing out drinks.
Spence comes inside as I look up at him in confusion, "Why aren't you out there helping them?" I ask curiously.
He chuckles, playfully shrugging his shoulders, "Derek sent me inside because I wasn't helping enough apparently and I wouldn't stop shivering from the cold." He states.
I giggle, "It's not your fault it's cold in Virginia during the winter time." I state.
Spence chuckles, pulling Lexie closer to him on the couch, "I know! That's exactly what I told Derek!" He exclaims, grabbing a bottle of beer.
There's a sudden knock on the door as I get up to open it. Suddenly, the door swings open, Penelope squealing as she walks inside, followed by JJ and Will.
"Hey Penny." I state, taking her coat and tossing it in the closet as she wraps her arms around me, giving me a tight hug.
She smiles brightly as she releases me from the hug, "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I brought some gifts for you, Derek, and Darnell. Where would you like me to put them?" She asks, looking around.
I giggle lightly, "Our tree isn't up yet so you can place it anywhere." I state, shrugging my shoulders.
Garcia nods, placing the gifts next to the fireplace. I smile softly at the sight of all of our friends hanging out. Derek, Hotch, and Rossi walk into the house, carrying the tree.
"Need any help?" Spence asks, chuckling lightly at the sight of their struggle while he takes a sip of his beer.
Derek shoots him a glare, "Shut up." He groans.
Spence shrugs his shoulders, "Hey, hey, hey. If I remember correctly, you're the one who sent me inside. I could have been helping you right now...had you not sent me inside."
Derek shakes his head, ignoring Spence, as they put down the tree, setting it up properly.
I smile softly, getting up off the couch as I grab a bottle of cold beer, bringing it to Derek.
"Thank You Love." He states in a low tone, kissing underneath my jaw.
I smile softly, nodding. We both smile as we talk to our friends.
"I'll be right back, I'm gonna go to the garage and get the ornaments." I state, getting up off the ground.
"You need help with that?" Derek asks, looking up at me, his eyes longing.
I shake my head, biting my lip playfully, "I can do it. You stay here, entertain our guests and don't leave them unattended." I state.
Derek nods, turning back to the group.
Spence chuckles, "You have separation anxiety. Every time Jules has to go somewhere, you always ask if you can come alone." I overhear him state.
I overhear Derek scoff, "Shut up, pretty boy. You have mommy issues." He states.
I gasp, "Woah." I mumble to myself, giggling softly as I walk away, heading to the garage.
•••
I come back to the sight of Darnell, Jack, Michael, and Henry running around. Rossi and Morgan are sitting at the bar, drinking. Hotch and Emily are cozied up with each other, listening to JJ and Will. Garcia is embarrassing Spence by showing Lexie his baby pictures.
Will looks down at his watch, mumbling something in JJ's ear as she nods, both of them getting off the couch and approaching me.
"Hey guys! What's up?" I ask in a cheery tone.
They smile softly, "We're gonna head home now. Thank you so much for having us!" JJ states as I nod.
"Thank you for coming." Derek announces, coming up from behind me, wrapping his arms around me.
I smile softly, following them to show them out. Derek gives Michael and Henry high fives as Penelope approaches us.
She smiles brightly, "I have to go with them since they're my ride, but thank you guys so much for today. I had a blast. I love you both! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, once again!" He states in a cheery tone, hugging us both individually, kissing us both on the cheeks.
I smile softly as Spence approaches us slowly, his arm around Lexie, "We'll see you guys after the holidays. Merry Christmas."
I smile and nod as Spence gives Morgan a tight hug. I hug Lexie lightly, smiling and waving as they exit.
As we walk back into the living room, Emily and Hotch are having an inaudible conversation with Jack as he smiles and nods.
Derek kisses my cheek, "Hey, I have to go upstairs real quick. I'll be right back." He states as I nod.
I walk over to the bar, grabbing a non-alcoholic drink, sitting beside Rossi.
Rossi chuckles, "Y'know out of all the years I've known you... I've never once seen you grab a non-alcoholic drink." He states.
I giggle softly as he continues, "Except for when you were pregnant with Darnell." He states.
I nod, blushing softly as his jaw drops, "No way! Are you pregnant again?" He exclaims.
I shush him, "Sh! Derek doesn't know yet! I plan on telling him tomorrow." I state as Rossi nods, quieting down.
"Congratulazioni!" He says in a whispered tone, giving me a tight hug.
"Grazie Zio Rossi." I state in Italian, the words meaning thank you Uncle Rossi.
I know Rossi isn't my uncle by blood, but Jack and I have called him that since we were kids, so it kinda just stuck around.
He stands up, "I'm happy for you, but I really should be getting home." He states.
I stand up with him, "Are you sure you should be driving?" I ask in a low tone.
He nods, "Did you forget that I'm rich Ragazzino?" He asks as I giggle.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I ask.
Rossi shakes his head, chuckling, "I have a driver who drives my car for me and I work for the FBI so I'm not stupid enough to drink and drive." He states.
I giggle and nod, "That's a solid point you have there Zio." I state, smiling softly.
He nods, smiling softly as Derek comes down the stairs.
"Heading home?" Derek asks Rossi.
Rossi nods, "I'll see you guys soon. Happy Holidays." He states.
"Happy Holidays." I state, giving him a hug, before showing him out the door.
As I walk back to the living room, Emily and Derek are exchanging their goodbyes as Hotch approaches me.
"Hey Kiddo." He states.
"Hey Dad." I state, giggling softly.
He smiles softly, "Emily moved in so we're spending the holidays together with Jack. We have to go wrap some more gifts for Jack so we have to go." He states.
I nod, "You could've just said that in the group over there, so what's up?" I ask.
Hotch chuckles, "The non-alcoholic drinks?"
"I- Dad, listen..." I begin.
He shakes his head, "Hey! There's no need to explain yourself. You both are married so obviously you're going to have more kids. I mean- I know you're pregnant, Rossi and I figured it out earlier in the night. Just... make sure you tell him. I don't need him punching Luke across the face again." He states, placing his hands in his pockets.
I giggle softly, nodding, "I'm telling him in the morning." I state, smiling softly.
He nods, "Good." He pauses, "That's it. I'll see tomorrow for Christmas dinner?" He asks.
I nod, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Dad."
Hotch gives me a hug, "Merry Christmas, Kiddo. I love you." He states.
"Merry Christmas, Dad." I state as Derek, Emily, and Jack walk towards us.
"Ready to go?" Emily asks as Hotch picks up Jack.
Hotch nods as we head towards the front door, showing them out.
"Bye, Dad. Bye, Em." I state, kneeling down besides Jack, "Bye, Buddy. I'll see you soon."
Jack nods, "Bye, Sissy." He states.
I smile softly, giving him a small kiss on the cheek before getting back up.
I wish I spent more time with Jack. He needs me more than ever, especially since mom died.
I giggle softly as Derek groans, hopping onto the couch, "Come. Come here." He whines.
I giggle, laying beside him on the couch, cuddling close to him.
He smiles softly, looking at me, "So what'd you get me for Christmas?" He asks.
I jolt up, hitting him with a pillow, "I can't tell you! It's a surprise!" I squeal.
Derek shakes his head, "You hate surprises."
I nod, "Surprises have grown on me." I state, kissing him on the lips softly before climbing off the couch, opening the box of ornaments.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
I giggle, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm decorating the tree!" I state.
Derek chuckles, climbing off the couch, grabbing Darnell.
We spend hours decorating the tree and living room. We hang up stockings by the chimney, lighting up wood in the fireplace. Derek puts Darnell on his shoulders, helping him put the star on top of the tree.
I giggle light-heartedly, taking pictures of the two of them together. Derek pulls me in closer, kissing me softly as he takes pictures of us together.
Things are finally feeling better for me. Holidays are getting easier without my mom.
•••
--time lapse: christmas morning--
Our room door bursts open, Darnell hopping onto Derek and I's bed, jumping up and down in excitement.
"Good Morning Bud." Derek states.
Darnell smiles in excitement, "Get up! It's time for present opening! C'mon!" He exclaims, pulling us both out of bed and downstairs.
I put up my hair as I slide on my slippers, sitting next to the chimney.
We spend all morning, taking turns opening presents. The last present left to open is Derek's from me. I hand it to him anxiously.
"What is this?" He asks, smiling softly.
I blush, "Just open it." I state, anxiously fidgeting with my charm bracelet.
Derek chuckles and nods, opening the box.
He pulls out a shirt, "Daddy's Girl?" He asks, turning towards me.
I nod, pulling the pregnancy test and ultrasound pictures out of my purse.
Derek's jaw drops as he goes silent, his eyes watering.
"We're having another baby!?" He asks, his voice shaky.
I bite my lip, nodding, "We're having a baby."
Within milliseconds, Derek grasps me into his arms, lifting me up and spinning around in excitement.
Derek turns to Darnell as he sets me back down on the couch, "You hear that Darnell? You're having a baby sister!" He states as I smile softly, giggling breathlessly.
Derek turns back to me, "I love you."
"I love you." I mumble back, kissing him softly as he chuckles.
"We're having another kid." He mumbles against my cheeks, cupping his hands on my cheeks.
I'm so glad I chose this man to spend the rest of my life with...
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author's note:
hi my fine furry friends! this is the last chapter of once we met... minus the epilogue that i'm posting in a few. i hope you all enjoyed this chapter. i want to thank you all so much for all the love and support. when i first started writing this fanfic, i never knew i was going to blow up. i am so beyond thankful for each and every single one of you. you all mean the absolute world to me. i love you all so so so much from the bottom of my heart! <3
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