What She Would Do For Him
"Guess what, Aunt Jessica?" Jack asked as he bolted down the stairs, "Daddy's coming home!"
"He is?" Jessica asked.
"Yep," Jack answered, "I just talked to him. They finished up the case early."
"That's...that's great honey," Jessica replied, "I can't wait to see him!"
"Me neither!" Jack exclaimed, running for the front door.
Jessica tried not to let Jack see her cry. For years, she had feelings for Aaron Hotchner. She went to the sink and wiped her face. She didn't know when it started, probbaly after the divorce. She always admired how strong he was—physically and mentally. And he was such a good dad to Jack and so polite to her. And then there was...Foyet. She agreed to help with Jack while Hotch went on cases. Yeah, that didn't help the romantic feelings. Get it together Jessica Brooks she thought to herself. He's your former brother-in-law. He's practically family. Cut it OUT. To hell with it. She imagined what his hands could do to her—and how he could forget the pain he had gone through. She would be the perfect wife. She understood his job better than her own sister! But he would never return her feelings. It would be too weird. She understood that; he saw her as just a good friend. That didn't make it hurt any less, though.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Daddy!" Jack exclaimed, running to him.
"Hey buddy," Hotch greeted, swinging him in his arms.
"Did you get the bad guy?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, we got him."
"Good, 'cause no one beats Daddy."
Jessica managed to pull herself together and walked into the living room.
"That's right," she agreed.
"Hey, Jessica," Hotch greeted, "so how was it?"
"Great. Just great," Jessica answered, "we made sugar cookies for desssert. He ate all his dinner and I helped him with his homework." She smiled.
"Oh, I owe you so much," Hotch said, "thank you so much." He gave her a quick hug. Jessica tried not to react.
"Oh. Anytime," she answered, "I love doing this." What she wanted to say was 'I love you,' but she kept her mouth shut.
"I know Jack loves having his Aunt Jessica around. Which reminds me, Jack has a soccer game tommorow."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Do you think you could make some chocolate chip cookies tommorow?" Hotch asked, "I told Dave that I would help with some paperwork in the morning."
"Sure," Jessica answered, grabbing the keys to her car, "I'll get started on those as soon as I get home."
"Thank you so much. Jack and the kids will love it. We appreciate all that you do for us."
"Aww," Jessica laughed, "thank you. I gotta get to making those cookies. They're not gonna bake themselves," she laughed. Jessica scurried out of that house before she said—or did something she might regret.
Jessica let a single tear fall before starting the engine,thinking There is so much I would do for you Aaron Hotchner. So much. If only you knew.