New case fic! This story, as shown in this first chapter, while IS about Hotch/Prentiss, touches on individuals with Down syndrome, as well as their families. I'm no expert on Down syndrome, but my cousin has it, and I love her to bits and could never imagine NOT loving her. I'm sorry if there are any inaccuracies regarding Down syndrome, there is absolutely no disrespect intended and I welcome any corrections or feedback whatsoever. Enjoy. :)
Emily Prentiss chewed her lip as she stood outside of her supervisor's office, hand half raised to knock on his door. Letting out a soft sigh, she rapped on the door three times and was greeted by an absent-minded 'come in'.
Slipping through the crack of the door, she raised her brow as she was greeted by the sight of Aaron Hotchner with his nose buried in a case file. She rolled her eyes and made her way behind the stoic man, kneading his stiff shoulders gently. "Aaron, you were supposed to meet me 15 minutes ago."
Hotch groaned a little at her comforting touch, leaning back to better allow her access to his broad shoulders. "Damn, I forgot. I'm sorry Emily; I was just reviewing our last case." He directed a small smile towards his subordinate, and most recently, his lover. "Tell you what, after we've gone to see your cousin, we'll make a quick stop at the ice cream parlor your love so much, to make up for my tardiness. Deal?"
He laughed when an almost frenzied look entered the brunette agent's eyes at the mention of ice cream. In the four months they had been dating, Hotch learned about Emily's sweet tooth, especially her love for chocolate. How she managed to maintain her slim figure was beyond him.
Emily grinned and dropped a quick kiss on his cheek before grabbing his hand and pulling him up. "Come on! Grab your coat; I want to make sure they still have the flavor I want." Leaving Hotch's office, the duo was relieved to see that the bullpen was empty, seeing as no one knew they were together. Yet. Although Emily was sure Dave knew; was there anything the veteran didn't know?
It was a Monday afternoon, just after 5pm and everyone had taken advantage of the fact that there had been no case the entire day to skedaddle and blow off some steam. Emily shuddered, details of their previous case flashing into her mind. Images of the slaughtered men and women would haunt the team's mind for time to come; no amount of compartmentalizing would ever make it better.
She was brought out of her reverie when her lover shook her arm concernedly, the question clear in his brown eyes. She hadn't realized that at some point during her musings, they had reached Hotch's SUV. "You all right? You looked like you drifted off somewhere." Emily shrugged and leaned closer against him, reveling in his warmth as they made their way to the car. "Just thinking about the last case. I wonder how the victims' families will cope."
He frowned, catching her smaller hand in his, "You do know we couldn't have done any more to save the earlier victims don't you? They were as good as dead the moment the unsub caught them." She squeezed his hand a little as she grimaced, "I know, I just wished we didn't have to be the ones to tell the families that their children or spouses or parents were gone. I wish we could have given them some good news."
Hotch, never one for words, just gathered her close for a moment as he kissed her dark head before letting go. The entire journey was silent, save for the soft blaring of the radio playing some mid-tempo country song. Emily smiled, curling her fingers within Hotch's rougher ones, her smile growing when her lover rewarded her with a rare dimpled grin.
They finally reached their destination, the Down Syndrome Clinic just in the DC area which was operated by the Children's National Medical Center. They were greeted by Gertha, one of the staff who knew Emily from her frequent visits to the center. The older woman greeted the brunette with a warm hug and the latter was amused when Hotch was pulled into a firm hug by the kindly woman, his face contorted in a mixture of slight horror and amusement. "Ms. Prentiss, it's great to see you again. Leigh's inside and her mother's just been by to see her. They're both waiting for you, come in."
Emily was slightly apprehensive about Hotch's first meeting with her cousin. Leigh Daniels, her cousin from her father's side of the family, suffered from Down syndrome. Emily had known the 6 year old ever since the child was born, and Aunt Grace, her mother was about the only family from both sides that she actually got along with. After moving back to America with her father and due to her father's frequent absences, she had stayed with Grace Daniels (nee Prentiss) for the majority of her teenage years.
Leigh was a beautiful child with chin-length chestnut hair and the most piercing blue eyes that were set slightly further apart than average. Like most individuals suffering from Down syndrome, she had a rather flat nasal bridge and a pink tongue that protruded from her mouth at times. Emily thought she had never seen any child more heartbreakingly beautiful and she knew, as she saw her aunt Grace embrace her only daughter, that Leigh was her angel and Grace would never, ever regret having her.
Emily smiled as her aunt caught sight of her and led Leigh over to where she and Hotch were standing. After kissing her aunt on the cheek, she bent down to hug her fragile cousin, painfully aware of the thin body that failed to fully absorb the nutrients she needed to grow. "Hey Leigh, how's my favourite cousin today?"
The younger child, one of the more unfortunate ones inflicted with Down syndrome whose speech was severely impeded, emitted a happy sound at the sight of the older woman even as she flailed her arms around excitedly. Emily swallowed thickly as she rubbed the child's back soothingly and Hotch looked on tenderly as the woman he loved whispered comforting nothings into her cousin's ears.
Finally disentangling herself from Leigh, Emily stood with her hand still within Leigh's surprisingly strong grip. She smiled, "Aaron, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Leigh. Leigh, baby, this is a very, very good friend of mine. Can you shake his hand sweetheart?" Gently leading Leigh's bony hand towards Hotch, Emily's heart melted when the stoic man bent down to the child's eye level and enveloped her small hand within his.
Hotch regarded the child before him seriously, a twinkle in his eyes. He shook her hand softly, gratified when he felt her hand squeeze his with strength that belied her size. "Hello Leigh, it's very lovely to meet you. Emily's told me so much about you, and I want you to know just how brave you are." He brushed the child's hair back from her face, surprised at the piercing clarity in her eyes as he realized what a bright mind lay behind the fragile body. "Your mother must be so proud of you."
Grace, tears pooling in her eyes, leaned closer towards her niece. "He's a very sweet man, Emily. How long have you been dating?" The younger woman blushed, "Aunt Grace, can't this wait till later?" Grace snorted, "Emily, darling, Lord knows how long I've been waiting for a man good enough for you to sweep you of your feet. I just want to know if he's good to you."
The two women studied the man and child interacting silently and Emily smiled at how, even with a child he's just met, Hotch's fatherly insticnts seemed to take over. She thought of Jack, waiting at home for him, of the wonderful times the trio had spent together, as a family. She replied her aunt softly, "He's more than good to me Aunt, he loves me and I couldn't ask for a better man to love."
Gertha, who had earlier disappeared to her office, materialized just beside Grace, her face somber. "Grace, the hospital's called. They said there's a spot open for the surgery by the end of the week." Emily started; surgery? Touching her aunt's elbow, her brow furrowed in concern. "Aunt Grace, what surgery? What's wrong with Leigh?"
Hotch, having overheard the conversation, smoothed Leigh's hair back once more before standing up, making sure not to let go of the child. "Is everything all right?"
Grace bit her lip, clearly hesitant to divulge her secret. "Gertha, do you mind taking Leigh to the playroom? I need to speak with my niece for a moment." The caretaker, clearly sensing the sudden tension, nodded and shot a sympathetic smile towards Leigh's mother even as she gently but firmly pried the child's hand away from Hotch's, "Come now pet, let's leave the grown-ups to talk."
The trio remained silent, and Hotch moved closer towards his love, hand placed on the small of her back to give her support. He wasn't sure he liked her aunt's hesitation; in his experience it never bode well.
Emily, growing impatient, repeated her question though she was careful to keep her voice even. Her agitation and sudden fear wouldn't help her aunt. "Aunt Grace, what's going on?"
The older woman sighed, taking her niece's hand in hers. "Emily, sweetheart, the doctors found out that there's a hole in the wall of Leigh's heart, and she needs to undergo surgery to close the hole."
The brunette agent was floored, and she subconsciously sought out the comfort of the man beside her, who enveloped her within his strong frame. "What? When did you find out? I thought the doctors said she was all right!" Hotch rubbed her back comfortingly, worry for Leigh clear on his furrowed brows.
Grace winced and reached out for her niece, "Emily, please. You know I'd never hide these things from you, but I didn't want to worry you necessarily. The doctors called me last week after Leigh's checkup to let me know there was a moderate sized hole in her heart; they didn't even know whether surgery was needed just then."
Emily gripped Grace's weathered hands, wondering at the new lines on her aunt's face. She seemed to have aged overnight. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled; I was just so worried and I-" She took a deep breath and Hotch kissed her temple, "Breathe, Emily, breathe."
Shooting a grateful look towards him, she hugged her aunt, "Does Daddy know about this?" Sebastian Prentiss loved his niece and Emily knew her father would be worried too if he knew. Grace nodded, "I just told him last night; he insisted on footing the medical bill, the stubborn man." Shaking her head, she smiled at the brunette who rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised he didn't call me to let me know. You know how much he dotes on Leigh, he won't take no for an answer Aunt. So Leigh'll be undergoing surgery this weekend?"
"Yes, hopefully it won't be a risky operation, and the doctors are fairly sure she'll be fine." Emily nodded, fears slightly assuaged. Lord only knew just how special Leigh was; to her mother and to everyone. "Do you need me to be there?"
Grace smiled and patted her hand maternally, "Only if you're available on that day dear. Although, you being there would be a great comfort if I didn't have to sit in the waiting room by myself. Your father said he'd try to stop by if he was back home by then, I think he said something about Uzbekistan?"
Hotch's phone rang then, and he excused himself to answer it. Emily bit her lip when she caught sight of the caller ID. As much as she loved Jennifer Jareau, phone calls from her weren't always good news. A touch on her elbow brought her back to reality and she turned to see her aunt smiling. "Work?"
Emily shrugged, "I'm not sure. I'll do my best to be there but I can't make any promises. Let me know when she's scheduled?" Grace nodded, "I'll call you as soon as I find out." Hotch returned then, face grim. His lover frowned, "What's wrong? Do we have to leave?"
He shook his head, hand slipping around her waist, "No, we have a case, but it's local. We'll head up to the state police department tomorrow." She leaned into him, cuddling closer into his firm chest, the both of them forgetting the presence of Grace.
Said woman just smiled at the obvious affection the two had for each other. She was glad her niece had found someone who loved her as much as this man did. Clearing her throat, she laughed a little as the duo startled and for all their age, looked like children who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Ignoring the blush spreading like wildfire on Emily's pale cheeks, she patted her niece's hands once more, "As lovely as it was chatting with the two of you, I have to get Leigh home. I'll call you once I have the information Emily."
Emily gave her aunt a last hug and a kiss on her cheek. "It was great seeing you Aunt Grace. Say goodbye to Leigh for me will you?" Hotch shook the older woman's hand, "It was lovely meeting you ma'am." Grace burst out in laughter and kissed his cheek, "Oh look at you, don't ma'am me, Mr. Hotchner. Call me Grace, and it was a pleasure." He grinned, dimples making their appearance. "Only if you call me Aaron, Grace."
The two agents left the center and headed back to the car. Emily turned to Hotch, a wide smile on her face. "Step on it Hotchner, I'm going to get me some ice cream!" The man rolled his eyes and started the car, "Yes oh great Mistress. Your wish is my command."
A resounding 'ow!' sounded throughout the car, "Watch it Mister. Let's see what Jack has to say when you go home without his, and mine, favorite flavor." She laughed at the pout on his face, "That's a low blow Prentiss, bringing my son into this." Emily smirked and sneaked a kiss, "Oh, you know I love you Aaron, I just happen to crave my ice cream more right now."
Hotch smiled and squeezed her hand, speeding off to the ice cream parlor. "One chocolate ice cream, coming right up."
A.N: My cousin had a hole in her heart when she was around the same age; I understand that these are often found at a younger age, and she did undergo corrective surgery as well. The character of Leigh Daniels and her condition is very much based on her; her courage and intelligence is very much real. I've often thought that those Down syndrome are as intelligent as we are, and I hope I conveyed the fact all right. Again, correct me on any inconsistencies or incorrect information! Cheers! Reviews are absolutely lovely and would totally make my day. :)