Hey everyone!

So, I'm finally beginning the 3rd story in my Family Dynamics arc. This is the sequel to Days Go By and it's based on a true even that just happened in my life today! I was really excited to be able to turn my life experience into a story that will help Emily and Hotch in the future.

I do not own Criminal Minds (and I might not ever) but I do own the personal experience Emily undergoes in this chapter and that makes me smile. Today was a good day.

Please enjoy and review!

Every child comes with the message that

God is not yet discouraged of man.

~Rabindranath Tagore

Emily stood in line patiently as she waited for Aaron to return from his little impulse trip towards the shelves behind them that left her alone with socks and a food processor/mixer in her arms.

It had been on a whim that Emily realized she wanted a food processor so she could make quiche. Once she realized that she could also fine a food processor with a blender attachment, Aaron fully agreed (for he had an affinity for smoothies-who knew) and together they drove over to the nearest Bed Bath & Beyond. Jack was still with Jessica because Emily's startling conclusion that they didn't have a food processor took place during work so they decided to make a quick stop to grab the kitchen aid and fixings before picking Jack up.

Emily was a little disappointed that they had been unable to fine a nice fleece blanket, but her new boot socks made up for her initial let down. She wished Aaron would come back though, she felt weird standing in line by herself.

Emily laughed internally when a pair of little boys and an older man came to stand with the woman in front of her. The man took the box from his wife, Emily assumed, and smiled at the kind gesture of reliving her of a heavy burden. They made a cute family Emily mused.

The little boys' light hair reminded her of sunshine and they were a very playful duo.

Emily smiled at the youngest boy who turned around to face her. His blue eyes were like the deep ocean and he didn't hesitate as he walked over to her. Emily tried to hide her surprise when he stood right next to her and smiled as he looked up at her. Emily felt a smile bloom on her lips as she spoke in a soft child-like voice to the little blue-eyed boy.

She was careful not to let him hit his head on the box she held in both hands. The little boy moved behind Emily and shocked her again when he began to push her lightly towards his family as if she belonged with them. Just then Hotch approached and mentioned something about how he didn't see anything worth impulse buying. Sometimes the man had a problem.

The little boy continued to push Emily towards his mom and dad when she handed Hotch the box, not wanting to lose her balance just in case the other little boy started to nudge Emily as well. Hotch looked on in amusement and wondered how Jack would've responded to the little boy's insistent pushing of Emily's legs. The boy's parents turned and smiled at their son, seeing that Emily and Hotch were no threat to their sons. The other little boy came over to his brother and began to play around Emily.

"Well aren't you sweet." Emily said to the youngest blue-eyed boy once he stopped pushing her for a moment. It didn't take him long to start urging her forward once more though. He was determined. He giggled and gurgled as Hotch mentioned to the parents how they had a little boy back home.

Emily's heart jumped as he said that 'they' had a little boy, as in him and Emily. True, they were living together and true, Jack adored Emily. It was just odd to hear him make it sound like Jack was theirs. It made her heart thump pleasantly. Emily subconsciously patted the little boys' heads and ruffled their hair affectionately like she would with Jack.

The boy turned away from Emily and the line moved forward. It was quiet for a moment until Emily turned to face Aaron and saw her new friend standing by the candy. He began pulling the candy off the selves and Emily made a move to stop him. The older boy went over to his brother and pulled him away and their mother told "Owen" to stop. It was hard for Emily to figure out which one she was talking to considering they both were doing something.

Hotch watched Emily interact with the two boys and felt something stir inside of him. Emily had always been great with children and he wasn't surprised to see that rule still applied while outside of the job. She'd make a great mother one day. Hotch was quickly transported to a hospital room where he envisioned a tired, yet awake, Emily cuddling a small dark haired bundle in her arms. Hotch snapped out of his vision when the small cries of the younger boy broke through his daydream.

Emily acted upon natural instinct and went to his side. He had fallen when his older brother had knocked him down. Emily scooped the little fussing boy into her arms and he quieted immediately upon contact. She turned to face his mother.

"How old is he?" Emily asked not thinking to ask his name for she was content to believe it was Owen. "Just under 2 years old," his mother replied going on to mention he was around 21 months old. Emily smiled and put him back on the ground when he began to wiggle.

Once more he tried to push Emily towards the front where his mom and dad had moved up to pay for their items. The mom scooped Owen up into her arms as Hotch placed their items on the counter to be checked out. Emily stared at the little boy and let his blue eyes sooth any aches in her heart. They were mind melding as Emily cleverly said earlier to Hotch who laughed.

The mom said her goodbyes which Emily and Hotch readily returned and Emily waved bye-bye to the little boy with blue eyes.

- - - - -

Hotch unlocked the door and let Emily take care of the alarm as Jack raced into his room to play with his toys he had forgotten to bring with him to his aunt Jessica's. Once Emily disarmed the alarm system she went to the kitchen and laid the grocery bags on the counter, her thoughts not far from the blue-eyed boy whom she'd call Owen regardless if that was his name or his older brother who was probably only three. Hotch came up behind Emily and after he relieved himself of his grocery bags, he wrapped his arms around Emily's waist and kissed her neck gently.

"Where are you?" he asked softly knowing she wasn't fully there in their kitchen. Hotch still got an intense thrill when he thought of any room in his apartment as 'theirs.' He loved living with Emily and never got tired of waking up next to her.

Emily laughed as she raised her arms behind her to tangle her fingers in Hotch's hair. "I'm just thinking about that boy today in the store." Emily replied letting herself sink into Hotch's steady frame. After a long day at work he felt like home and Emily relished in the physical contact they shared. She'd never tire of touching him.

Hotch had guessed correctly and wondered if interacting with that little boy had made her long for a child of her own, besides Jack. He wouldn't lie: The idea of a mini Emily or a mini self running around the house playing with Jack made his heart soar. They'd have Emily's smarts and his determination, which would make them one hell of a kid. A baby with Emily seemed magical and maybe, just maybe they'd be able to talk about it later. Hotch still had something in mind for Emily before she bore his child though.

Hotch kissed Emily's cheek and together they set out to put the groceries away and make diner before Jack came in and complained about being hungry. Sometime Emily thought his stomach was a bottomless pit. She bet he got that from his dad who couldn't seem to get enough of her cooking after a hard workweek.

They worked quickly, but were unable to work fast enough for Jack's liking.

"Emmy, I'm hungry." Jack said coming up from behind Emily and Hotch who shared a knowing smile with each other.

"I'm making diner sweetie." Emily replied turning to face the little boy who reminded her a little of the two she saw earlier. Jack walked in and Emily automatically opened her arms and picked him up and let him rest on her hip. She let him stir the pasta she was making because she knew there was no way he was going to eat the quiche that was in the oven. He may be a little more advance than others his age, but she wasn't sure that applied to his taste buds.

Hotch couldn't help but watch as Emily and Jack talked about his day. She was a natural and he knew that deep down she wanted a second chance to have a child: On her terms, their terms. Emily looked over and saw the tender look in Hotch's eyes and smiled. He always enjoyed watching her be with his son, something Emily enjoyed being able to do. There was nowhere else Emily would rather be than with Aaron and Jack Hotchner.

- - - - -

Emily quietly crept out of Jack's room and made her way down the hall to her and Hotch's room. Jack had been out like a light after she tucked him in. Apparently he and Aunt Jessica had managed to have more fun that originally thought.

Hotch was in bed catching up on a bit of light reading when Emily entered their room. Living together had become second nature to them and they both found they liked that simple fact. Part of Emily believed they had been cohabitating for longer than a few weeks due to the notion that majority of her toiletries and clothing hadn't undergone the moving experience. It amused her to find some of her best clothing was stowed in his closet long before he had sprung the moving in idea on her. Some things, Emily figured, you couldn't fight. Aaron Hotchner and his adorable son were just two of them.

Emily hopped into bed: Already changed into her SWAT T-shirt she happened to lift from Hotch and her purple flannel pajama pants. Hotch grinned, flashing his infamous dimples, before putting his book on the bedside table. Emily watched as Hotch turned off the lamp next to him and she cuddled next to him.

She snuggled deep into his warm body as he wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled her towards him to where she was half on his chest. Emily breathed in his unique scent which she'd bottle for her own use only and fell asleep dreaming of running feet and blue-eyes babies happy to believe one day she'd be able to give Hotch the best gift of all; a new life.

Children make you want to start life over.

~Muhammad Ali

Oh happy day! I had so much fun writing this chapter. I did go to BB&B with my mom to get a food processor for the quiche she wanted to make (i also got socks). The little boy with blue eyes and his family were really there and he did push me towards his mom and dad. I wrote a blog about my day's events on Tumblr (username sweetambiguity) and I thought it would make a great Emily/Hotch chapter to set them up for a baby maybe? That depends on if you readers & reviewers are very good though. *laugh*

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I haven't the slightest idea when I'll update. I'm winging it.

Peace out-oh, and I hope you all had a fantastic new years eve. Here's to a great 2010!