Note From the Author—This year I'm writing a short, holiday themed, one shot for every category I write in, and Criminal Minds makes number six. Enjoy
Disclaimer—I don't own the characters of Criminal Minds, nor do I own the song from which the title comes
The lead up to Aaron and Jack's first Christmas without Hayley could have most often been described as a nightmare. There was so much happiness around them that it sometimes felt like the world had forgotten that she was gone, and they both missed her terribly. Jack still cried out for her every night, and Hotch still woke with a scream dying in his throat most mornings.
The team was doing their best to help, but it was difficult for them to balance work and their personal lives along with consoling the Hotchner men. Emily seemed to be the best at it since she and Aaron had become so close in the last few months, but even so there was only so much that could be done.
Hotch wanted to give Jack the best Christmas possible considering the circumstances, so the decorations went up, gingerbread men were made, and Hayley was missed. There seemed to be a reminder of her in every holiday activity, but he knew that it was important for Jack to have some sense of normalcy and happiness, no matter how hard it sometimes was. Emily was there throughout, a rock for both of them, but it was pretty clear that they needed a lot more. So one day while she was lamenting her desire to do more to the others, Dave came up with an idea. When he brought it up to the team they all loved it, and none of them hesitated to agree.
On Christmas Eve, when Aaron had planned to settle in with Jack for a quiet movie and pray that the night didn't end in tears, he was surprised to hear the doorbell ring. When he opened up the door it was to find Emily standing there with a dish of steaming stew, and the entire team lined up behind her.
"What…?" he questioned quietly.
She smiled. "It was Dave's idea. We didn't want you two to be alone on Christmas."
"So if you'll have us we're here," Dave told him.
There were tears pricking at Hotch's eyes as he took in the sight of his team standing on his doorstep. "What about your Christmases?"
Derek shrugged. "None of us were going out of town; we probably would have ended up together anyway, so we decided to bring the party to you."
"And it is a party," Reid piped up. "Complete with spiked egg nog courtesy of JJ and Will."
He couldn't help but laugh, and with a smile he stepped back to let them in. Jack was ecstatic to see them, and he quickly ran to JJ to see if she would let him hold little Henry. Aaron watched it all with tears in his eyes as Jack smiled and laughed and the people who had come to be his family set up their impromptu Christmas celebration; Garcia and Morgan flirting, JJ sitting with Jack as he held Henry, Will pouring egg nog and Reid and Dave unpacking food.
He didn't realize Emily was next to him until she slipped her hand into his. With a grateful smile he gave her hand a squeeze and turned back to watch his son. As he stood there watching he realized that this Christmas had come with a valuable lesson. Though they may have been weighed down with heartache, there was still a great deal of love to be found in their lives, and plenty to be thankful for.