Author's note: I hate it when life gets in the way. I started writing this then got sidetracked then wrote the rest of it TWO DAYS PAST THE DEADLINE! Grumble grumble grumble. Anyway, please read and review. PLEASE.
Hotch sat on his bed and placed his head in his hands. He had had a rough day with Jack today. They went to McDonald's for lunch. Jack ordered a Happy Meal and ate all his McNuggets (because "I wanna be big and strong like you Daddy."). No problem.
But when they were driving home, a light changed unexpectedly, causing Hotch to slam on the brakes. The car snapped forward, spilling Jack's soda and fries all over the car. The older Hotchner managed to channel all his anger into an exasperated sigh. But the younger Hotchner, being all of six years old, could not, and screamed an explicative.
"Jack, where did you learn that word?" Hotch asked, even though he had a pretty good idea.
Jack muttered something that sounded like "A friend" despite the fact that both of them knew he heard it from Hotch.
"Okay, buddy, I don't want you to use that word ever again, alright?"
"M'kay, Daddy."
The light turned green. The ride home was completely silent. When they arrived home, Jack went up to his room while Hotch spent two hours cleaning the car (orange soda makes quite a stain).
Jack stayed in his room until dinner, something he only did when he believed he was in really big trouble. Dinner was just as silent as the ride home, and it ended with Jack returning to his room.
Now it was approaching eight. Almost Jack's bedtime. Hotch wondered about his son sometimes. After all, he had learned swear words from him without Hotch noticing. What else had he learned? Had he learned to be a stern leader? Had he learned to hide his emotions behind a mask? Had he learned to put his job before family, only to realize his mistake when it was too late?
A small voice broke Hotch's train of thought. It was coming from Jack's room.
"Hi God. It's me, Jack. I know you've got lots to do up there, so I'll be quick."
Hotch went over to Jack's doorway. The door was almost closed except for a crack. Hotch leaned toward the crack and listened to his son pray.
"I was bad today God. I said a bad word and I made Daddy mad. I don't like it when Daddy's mad. Could you tell him I'm sorry? I just wanna be like him, 'cause he always knows what to do and he always catches the bad guys. Everybody likes Daddy. Him and his team are the coolest ever. I wanna be as cool as them when I grow up. Oh, I also wanna be as strong as Mr. Derek and as smart as Mr. Spencer and as nice as Mr. David and Miss Penelope and Mrs. JJ. But please make Daddy's boss nicer. And say hi to Miss Emily and Mommy for me. Tell Mommy I love her and that I miss her. But not too much 'cause I know I'm gonna see her again someday. Amen."
Bedsprings creaked as Jack got into bed. Hotch stepped away from the door, amazed. Most adults couldn't pray like that, let alone a six year old. Where could he have-?
Hotch smiled with renewed confidence in his parenting skills.
He had taught his son something good.