Chapter One

Author's Note: This is a follow on to Spotwatch & I'm gonna make it a multi-chapter. If you haven't read that one it's only short so it won't take long. It shouldn't take much to figure out what's going on though. Any reviews would be greatly appreciated as they would help put me right if I'm writing rubbish! If you think my stories are rubbish & don't tell me, then just expect more rubbish :) If you let me know though I can do something about it.

Anyway, enough babbling! I don't own Criminal Minds.

Aaron Hotchner eased quietly out of bed so as not to disturb Emily. He'd woken before his alarm & therefore managed to avoid waking his wife. They'd enjoyed a lovely weekend together as a family following her return from the case she was on with the team. And now Monday morning had rolled around & Hotch now reluctantly got ready for work.

As he made his way into the kitchen as quietly as he could, he realised he couldn't remember the last time the apartment had been so quiet! Usually Lilly was an early riser, but the weekend of wanting to spend as much time as she could with her mom had worn her out. The little girl loved both of her parents dearly, & when one or both had been away she would be extremely clingy on their return. She was now recovered from her chickenpox & therefore would be able to go to daycare. Jack would be going to school so Emily & Hotch would be able to go to work without having to worry about the children.

As Hotch poured the coffee he heard footsteps walking up behind him. He turned to see a heavy eyed Emily making her way towards him. "Hey Sweetie," he said gently, "Sorry if I woke you." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I need to get up anyway." she replied as she leant into him & wrapped her arms around him.

"How you feeling?" he asked as he stroked her back.

"Ugh, that coffee's strong!" she said as she clamped her hand over her nose & mouth. Hotch reached behind to pull the pot out of the way. "Sorry Honey," he said "I forgot! Why don't you go get dressed & I'll sort this out. Want me to fix you some breakfast?"

Looking paler than before she shook her head, "Think I'll just grab some fruit or something on the way out. Thanks though." She flashed a weak smile & headed back down the hall to get ready.

Hotch carried on pottering about the kitchen fixing some breakfast that wouldn't turn his wife's stomach at the smell. It wasn't easy! The cinnamon on his cereal she'd found too strong yesterday, and cooking something was completely out of the question. He settled on Emily's idea of fruit &, since it was just first thing that she was queasy, he would get something more substantial later in the morning.

Emily emerged about twenty minutes later looking brighter than before. "Hey, I'm gonna go wake the kids & start getting them ready." Hotch flashed her a smile before she wondered down the hall into Jack's room.

She crouched next to his bed & stroked his hair as she said gently, "Hey Buddy, time to wake up Sweetie." To Emily's surprise Jack turned toward her & put his arms out for a hug. She gratefully accepted the hug & as she pulled away she placed a kiss on his forehead. "You ok Jack?" she asked with concern as she noticed his upset features. Jack usually struggled to get up in the mornings & was definitely not one for wanting a hug as soon as he woke, he normally liked his space for the first few moments after waking. This coupled with the upset look on his face had Emily worried. Jack pulled her in for another hug. "I had a bad dream!" Emily squeezed him tighter, "Oh baby I'm sorry! Wanna talk about it?" Jack pulled back from the hug & looked at Emily with tears in his eyes, "You went away & we didn't know where you were. You won't really leave us will you Emmy?" These words brought tears to her own eyes, she bit her lip to try & stop them spilling. She took Jack's hand & gave him the most loving look she could, "Jack I'm not going anywhere! I love you so much, I would never leave you. You mean so much to me! I can't imagine my life without you in it, I wouldn't want to! It was just a dream baby. Come here, give me another one of those hugs!" He reached up for another hug but this time a grin had started to creep over his little face at her words. He squeezed her tight & said "I love you Emmy!" She kissed him on the cheek & said "I love you too Buddy!"

Just as they pulled away from the hug, excited footsteps ran towards the room & in ran Lilly. The three year old demanded the attention of all in the room as she dived onto Jack's bed & pulled her big brother into a hug. "Lilly! Get off me!" Lilly looked dejected as Jack pushed her off him. She looked towards her mom & said "But I only giving Jack-Jack a hug!" Emily sat on the edge of the bed & said to the little girl, "Maybe Jack-Jack might appreciate it more if it was a gentle hug & if you asked first. What do you say?" Lilly's expression changed into a happier one as she looked towards Jack & said, "Jack-Jack, can I have a hug?" Jack looked up at Emily as if to say 'Do I have to?' Emily nodded & Jack reluctantly held open his arms for a hug. A delighted Lilly returned the hug & then turned to her mom and swung her arms around her neck. "Oh my goodness!" Emily said playfully, "That was a doozy! I think Daddy might want a hug just like that one. Why don't you go find him." With that Lilly toddled off in search of her father, once again leaving Jack & Emily alone. "Hey Buddy, you ok now?" Jack nodded his head in response & flashed a smile towards Emily. She smiled back & said "Good! Just remember I love you ok. Now go get ready for school."

After dropping the kids off at school & daycare, the adults made their way to work. Hotch drove carefully keeping in mind Emily's still delicate stomach. Hotch threw a quick glance towards his wife & grabbed her hand fixing his eyes back to the road, "You ok Sweetie?" he asked. She smiled & said "Yeah, just tired. And I was wondering..." She said somewhat hesitantly, "...Can we keep this to ourselves for a while?" she asked as she dropped a hand to her stomach. Hotch sent another smile her way & replied softly, "Definitely! I love that for now it's just ours." He placed his free hand on top of hers that was resting on her belly & said, "I was going to ask you the same. The kids will be so excited when we tell them, we need to make the most of the peace while we can. At home and at work!"

The rest of the journey they spent fingers interlaced just enjoying the silence between them. They knew it wouldn't last long, so any moments like this they really made the most of.