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Home of David Rossi | 2025

Mother’s Day week this year was a BAU family affair and you were grateful for it. The BAU team, their respective partners, and children had gathered that Thursday evening before the weekend holiday to celebrate.

Hosted by none other than David Rossi who insisted his expansive home and backyard be put to use. He’d even offered to keep your girls through to Saturday to give you and Emily much needed alone time. Both of you took him up on the offer knowing he was one of the few you and your wife entrusted your four daughters with.

Currently you were headed towards the kitchen with two wine glasses in hand, one for you, one for Emily, on a mission for refills. The sound of your youngest twin daughters crying laughter echoing into the halls from the outside deck. The two of them engage in a playful round of “tag” with JJ and Will’s son, Henry, but mainly end up with them being swung around in circles much to their delight when caught. The teen boy living up to his rank as a helpful big brother by entertaining your tiniest batch of gremlins. 

Your second eldest daughter, just two months from turning 10 (but you dare not think of it too much or risk crying), was playing an intense game of UNO. Her opponents being Micheal, JJ and Will’s youngest. Hank, Derek and Savannah’s boy. 

And Spencer Reid of course.

The corner in which the four sat was unnaturally quiet as they all sat assessing one other as each card was placed in the center. 

The rest of the adult party sat around the blazing bonfire in two clusters. Derek, Will, Luke, and Tyler in a heated debate over American football sport teams you didn’t even want to begin to understand. Then Savannah, JJ, Penelope, Tara, Rebecca, and Emily huddled around your eldest as she swiped through images on her phone of her newly designed figure skating dresses. Or to showcase a video taken early during her figure skating practice Emily attended with her.

Elizabeth “Eliza” Prentiss, commonly referred to as “Birdie” by friends and family, was the growing image of your wife. Despite no shared DNA between the two, a fact that often shocked many, it was clear to any passerby that Emily was her mother through and through. 

The moment you had introduced them to one another, when Eliza was just a few days from seven years old and at first shy and hesitant to this new person in her life, your daughter blossomed. 

From her cheeky yet equally serious personality traits, the way she’d shake her hair from her face, the wide dimpled smile below impulsively chopped bangs, preferences in style, and the insistent chase for adrenaline highs (this one you knew Emily would deny but you both knew the truth) you also at times wondered if the girl came from your body or hers. 

You recall sitting with them just moments before, being the only one not looking at the phone screen (already having seen them and allowing your daughter time to share with her aunts alongside Emily) and marveling at the resemblance between them. 

Eliza sat in between all the women with Emily sat to her left side on the outdoor sofa. An arm around her in a side embrace while she peered down at the most recent photo or video. Each of their faces set next to one another in wide proud smiles. Eliza for her hard work in the rink and Emily simply for her daughter's joy. 

At one point she’d caught your eye, a knowing look in hers as she held your gaze. Mouthing a silent “thank you” before breaking eye contact to press a quick peck to Eliza’s head. 

Eliza had flown the nest from home over a year ago now to start her college education…several states away. It had been a painful adjustment for the both of you as her parents, especially considering the violent history in both your lives but never did either of you want it to hold her back to accommodate that trauma. The overprotective agents within you are both learning to build a new kind of trust in your daughter within a world that held so much hurt and violence you equally feared could touch her while so far away. 

Her sisters also missed her terribly between visits that took place every three or so months. Learning to live day to day without one piece of your family despite the daily texts, calls, and/or video chats had taken its toll on them as well.

These past few months Emily has not gotten the chance to visit in person with your daughter due to her job as Section Chief keeping her away for the Sicarius case. 

For almost five months they had not seen one another and you just couldn’t stand it anymore than they could. Watching the months pass the intense cases and politics taking its toll on Emily you knew she needed something to pull her back from drowning herself any further. That’s why you’d secretly planned and paid for your eldest girl to fly back home for the week as a surprise for Emily. 

The best part being her team helping you along the way. 

Emily did not like surprises but this mission was all hands on deck to deliver the ultimate one for the American Mother’s Day week. The two of you decided early on in the days of starting to grow your family together that you would celebrate the UK day of Mother’s Day for you and the American one for her.

 Tara and Rebecca had offered to drive you to the airport to pick her up. Insisting it was their auntly duties and they also selfishly wanted to welcome her home. 

Penelope and JJ were tasked with getting Emily to the office under the guise of debriefing over information for a “new case”. While Rossi and the boys got his house ready for the evening party that would take place later that week while doubling on babysitting duty of the other children. 

Tara and Rebecca led the two of you through the building getting you through security with a guest badge attached to each of your shirts. Eliza’s hand grasped in yours you couldn’t help noticing the slight skip in her steps. 

“Excitied Birdie girl?” you smiled softly as the two of you waited outside the doors of the bull pen while Tara and Rebecca went to check Emily was stowed away in her office. You had sent a text message to her earlier to say you’d be bringing Indian food for your weekly shared lunch at her office, which you currently had a takeaway bag of gripped in your other hand. 

“Totally! Mom’s gonna freak and I can’t wait to see her too! It was so hard not to say anything last night when we talked on the phone and she could totally tell something was off, thanks for marrying a profiler mum, I’ve never been able to keep a secret from her ever…well not for long anyway.” she laughed as she bounced on her heels in anticipation. 

“Plus that food smells sooooo good I’m gonna waste away before we even get to the surprise.” Sighing dramatically she swung your joined hands back and forth causing you to shake your head fondly. 

Before you could reply Tara came rounding the corner, “Alright she’s been commandeered into her office, blinds closed, she won’t even see you coming so you can go ahead you two.” Clearly basking in the opportunity to be a part of surprising her boss who rarely was caught off guard. 

She held the glass door open for the both of you, sending you off with a small grin and wink. As the two of you weaved quietly amongst the desks you passed JJ leaning against hers, giving you both a silent wave, Eliza delivering an equally excited one back.

Just as you began your ascent up the small steps to her door did Penelope, who stood in the doorway, turn around making her face turn into a beaming smile. “Wifey’s here Chief see ya!”

She quickly ran off squeezing Eliza in a quick hug before scurrying down the steps. You let go of Eliza’s hand as you quickly stepped inside before she could meet you at the door. Finding her sat at her desk, black blazer and rounded neckline of her top showcasing the silver chain around her neck. Grey hair fanned out around her face with glasses at her nose you had to tamp down the distracting thoughts coming to mind at the mere look of her. 

“Delivery for one Mrs. Emily Prentiss…but I’m afraid I can’t give it to you until I’ve had payment.” you spoke coyly dangling the bag in front of her desk the two of you knowing fully well she paid for the meal like she always does. 

She locked eyes onto yours with a small smile gracing her lips, sliding her glasses off, “Now that definitely won't do, let me take care of that immediately.”

The thunk of her heeled boots could be heard against the carpeted floor as she rounded her desk, revealing tailored pants. Meeting you where you stood with the both of you reaching for the other at the same time. Arms circling her waist and hands pulling your face to hers for a soft kiss. 

Taking the moment to appreciate the softness now settling into her face as she pulled back with a smile she’s delivered so many times your way but never fails to make you swoon, you decide to take pity on your daughter waiting around the corner. 

“That will do but I think we're actually missing something for this lunch date…”

Sculpted eyebrows pinching in curiosity as she looks down at you, titling her head to the side ever so slightly as her hands move to rub up and down your arms still linked around her, “Missing what?”

“Missing me! Hi mom, mind if I join you two for lunch my stomach has been growling for the past 20 minutes!” Eliza jumped from around the corner, arms open wide, smile plastered wide, and bangs brushing against her brows with the movement. 

You feel Emily jump slightly in your arms as her head whips to the side, from your view you see her eyes widen and mouth drop open in a gasp before whipping back to you in clear shock. 

“Surprise my love.” you say relishing in the look of utter emotional overload that begins to take over her face. Watching on as you see her struggle to hold back sudden tears. 

“It was mum’s idea, it's been so hard to keep it a secret!” Eliza exclaimed as she scuttled forward, arms still open waiting for her longed for hug. 

She didn’t have to wait too long, you let Emily go, allowing her to quickly turn and drag your daughter into her arms. Squeezing her tight with her nose buried into her hair, eyes closing against the building tears. 

“My little baby bird, I’m so happy to see you. Missed you so so so much.” she croaked out before moving to place multiple rapid kisses over her face making Eliza giggle with glee like when she was little. 

The three of you had settled in her office for the next hour. Emily and Eliza huddled together the entire time, each happy to be back in the other's presence that the identical smiles rarely left their faces. A fond and warm memory you knew that would stick for all of you. 

Dave caught the dopey smile on your face as you rounded into the kitchen setting glasses on the dark marbled counter top. He stood at the counter finishing up final touches to the meal he insisted no one would assist him in.  

“Margherita pizzas are out, mind grabbing the salad from the fridge and I can refill those for you?”, he said whilst reaching for the glasses. 

“Of course.” 

You gladly passed them along as you made way for the fridge, “Eliza is going to be ecstatic. I didn't tell her what you were making and I know she’s been missing meals from Uncle Dave.”, you teased whilst bringing out the large bowl of arugula and shaved parmesan alongside two other bowls. 

One with a caesar salad and the other a caprese, because of course there must be multiple options with an array of people. 

“Oh I had an inkling she and Emily have always been a fan of Chef Rossi meals although have never picked up how to make any of my dishes during group lessons.” Dave smirked fondly as he poured the crisp sauvignon blanc into each of your glasses. 

“Terrible cooks the both of them yet endless appetites with nearly the same tastebuds I swear.” you laugh in agreement. 

There’s a pause of comfortable silence as you arrange the salad bowls alongside the stacks of plates and silverware when Dave speaks again, “It’s good to see the two of them together again. Emily is always softer whether she admits it or not when all your girls are home and Eliza well…I didn’t think that girl could look anymore like her but…I can’t help but think of Emily in those early days at the BAU when Eliza comes around.”

Something deep in your chest warms at the look on his face as he sets the wine bottle aside. 

A soft hum escapes you, “A few years ago I caught her in the bathroom with our kitchen scissors about to hack her hair off but thankfully was able to assist her myself she was insistent she look like Emily.’ ‘Turns out Penelope had supplied her with some images of her earlier days at the BAU and she was determined to replicate her look. I simply could not refuse.”

“Well mission accomplished,” he began whilst whipping down the counter, “the other day when I came to the office and saw Eliza turn the corner of Emily’s office I was struck by a wave of deja vu and thought to myself, ‘There’s Emily.” 

In a silly utterly comedic turn of events your daughter comes walking into the kitchen, face erupting in a smile when she discovers the two of you in conversation. Then her dark eyes settle on the food.

Gasping out, “Oh my gosh is that pizza the kind I think it is?!” 

Rossi made eye contact with you across the counter as you both shared silently the same joyful thought. 

“Yes it is uccello.” Dave waved her over as he headed to the fridge, “Let me just toss the salads and I will allow for you to call everyone in to begin dinner.”

“I’m so excited I’ve been drooling thinking about your food since I boarded the plane.” she lamented with all the drama an emerging young adult could possess. A large large abundance that is.

Dave only chuckled as he opened the fridge doors, reaching in to grab the dressings before suddenly pausing, “Eliza Prentiss.. is this a bag of Olive Garden breadsticks in my kitchen?” Dave pronounced with disdain as he pulled it from behind a bowl of produce.

The person placing it there clearly knew what would happen if said breadsticks in a paper bag with the obvious label was found. Hiding your smirk behind a sip of wine you leaned back to enjoy the show. 

Your daughter had the decency to look semi guilty but her expression of being caught quickly morphed into something charmingly and distinctly Emily.

Crossing her arms, head tilted to the side she pursed her lips in a small smile. 

“Don’t Eliza me Uncle Dave, I was skating for hours before this and needed a snack ya know?” her cheeky grin widened to showcase sparkling jewelry. 

“No. I don’t know and yet you desecrate my kitchen with this microwavable slop. You’ve wounded me child. I expected better.” As he shook his head in mock disappointment it was clear this banter was all play. 

Nevertheless he tossed the bag towards her over the counter and it slid into her grabbing hands. 

“I suppose sharing who got them for me won't help me then? My crimes were not committed alone.” sighing as she clutched the bag to her chest. Cradling it like a baby with wide brown eyes that shined with mischief.

Then as if on perfect cue: your wife comes strolling into the kitchen.

Comedic timing another trait she and your daughter seem to share. 

Clearly she was in search of her second glass of wine you promised she made way towards you. Taking the now filled glass from your reach with a kiss to your cheek, all smiles for you. 

That is….before the breadsticks were detected. 

“Ooo hand the bag over kiddo, mother needs her bread.” Emily made a beeline for the bag holding her hand out in a grabby motion similar to the one Eliza made towards the bag earlier. 

Rossi and you both look on in fond amusement as you witness them split a breadstick as a team whilst eyeballing all the food. Twin smiles shining. Emily’s in the way that makes your heart stutter at the sheer look of happiness she gets when completely at ease around her family. Eliza’s a duplicate to hers for the same reasons.

It’s clear Rossi is having similar thoughts by the way he completely lets go of the humorous (but still fully serious) banter instead to look on at the mother daughter duo. 

His eyes warm and a reluctant smirk at the corners of his mouth he turns to you to murmur quietly, “There’s our Emily’s.”