Author's Note: I had sworn off doing anything but JJ/Hotch, but I thought I would be nice and do some advertising for the Profiler's Choice Awards. Info at the bottom.
Chaotic
"They're like vultures out there," David Rossi grunted, looking through the kitchen door of the restaurant that he and his partner had bought last year upon his retirement.
Aaron Hotchner glanced up from the counter where he was putting candles on a birthday cake. "I suppose it is a bit chaotic."
Rossi snorted. "That's one way of putting it. Who in their right mind would allow Penelope Garcia to plan a kid's birthday party?"
"Well, if I remember correctly," Hotch replied, the edges of his lips just barely turned upwards, "you were not in your right mind when you agreed to it. In fact, I believe you were about seven sheets to the wind."
"And you didn't stop me!" Rossi accused, thrusting a finger at Hotch.
Rolling his eyes, Hotch put the candles down and turned towards the older man. "I seem to recall that I did try to stop you, repeatedly. JJ, Reid, and Morgan also tried to stop you, but you insisted that Penelope was the right person for the job."
Rossi grumbled, "Oh, sure, blame the drunk guy."
"I don't blame you." Hotch stepped behind him. He pulled Rossi against his front, laying his chin on Rossi's shoulder. "Yes, it's chaotic. Yes, it's going to be a big mess. Yes, once the mothers heard what we were doing, they all insisted on helping. But take a look out there."
"I'm looking," Rossi sighed.
Hotch pointed to a little girl in the middle of the dance floor wearing a birthday crown and pink and blue tutu. Her dark curls bounced in rhythm to the music that she was dancing to and her brown eyes sparkled with joy. "Our girl is having the time of her life. Her sixth birthday will be absolutely unforgettable. And while her auntie Penny might have planned it, what she'll remember is that her papa and her daddy made it happen."
Rossi sighed again, but this time blissfully. "You're right. She's having an amazing time."
"Exactly." Hotch stood up and released him, kissing his neck. "Now, why don't you go have a dance with our princess before I bring out the cake?"
"I have a better idea," Rossi informed him, grabbing Hotch's hand. "Why don't we both go dance with our princess and make Penelope bring out the cake?"
Hotch grinned as Rossi dragged him from the kitchen. "Sounds like a fantastic idea!"
END
A/N2: The 2015 Profiler's Choice Awards are on! Calling all CM readers and Authors! Join us for the final round in our annual Profiler's Choice CM Awards; help us choose the best of the best Criminal Minds fanfiction and let your voice be heard. Check out the final ballot and rules at the Profilers Choice Awards 2015 Forum. All rules and information can be found there. Voting ends February 29 2016. forum/Profilers-Choice-Awards-2015/184590/
