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In response to the Fanfic Challenge Round Six – Christmas Gift Fic Exchange for the Chit Chat on the Author's Corner.

Assigned pairing is: Hotch/Emily
Assigned Christmas song & prompts are: Silent Night; mince pie, candles, red tinsel

Disclaimer: Don't own it…

Thanks to Tzlvr2001 and Shadow375 (aka my little sister)… who put up with me…and my grammatical mistakes…

You can also thank Tzlover2001 for the title… Very fitting…

This story is a gift for MRYTALE2-5. Merry Christmas I hope you enjoy this little piece.

The Best Christmas Ever
Chapter One

"Come in." Hotch didn't even look up from the file on his desk. He couldn't afford to waste a minute. There was just too much to do what with Christmas being tomorrow and Jack's school play just hours away. It was Christmas Eve day and he'd hoped to spend the entire day with his son. It was just like Strauss to demand the paperwork be done upon their return, holiday weekend or not.

"Dad!" Jack ran into the room followed by his aunt Jessica.

"Hey buddy, I missed you. What are you doing here?" He immediately closed the file he was working on.

"I missed you too!" Jack jumped into his father's lap. Hotch looked over at Jessica.

"I'm sorry Aaron. I have an errand I need to run, and if I take him with me, he'll miss his school play. I hope it's okay I brought him here. I spoke to Penelope earlier and she said she'd watch him until you got back." Jessica felt terrible. She knew Aaron tried to keep Jack as far away from everything having to do with his work. Before Hotch could respond Jack spoke up.

"Dad where's Emmy? I wanna see her." He got off his father's lap.

How was it his son immediately gravitated towards Emily anytime she was in the vicinity? "Um…I don't know buddy I think she's at her desk, if not in the break room."

"Can I go say hi?" Jack was already back stepping towards the door. He was trying very hard to keep from running out of the office to find his Emmy. With a nod from his dad he spun around and rushed out of the office.

"He really likes her," Jessica commented, a knowing smile on her face. "Like father like son." She stared straight into his eyes.

Hotch immediately looked away. He'd been caught. And not just by anyone. Oh no, he'd been caught by his deceased ex-wife's sister. How was he going to explain himself? Opening his mouth he quickly shut it. He had no idea where or how to begin.

"Aaron it's okay." She smiled and was relieved when he relaxed slightly. "We both know you loved Haley, it's been three years. She'd want you to move on. To be happy again." Hotch nodded. He was simply lost for words. He hadn't expected to be having this conversation anytime soon with anyone let alone with Jessica. "Well, don't forget the play is at seven tonight, I already have his costume set out. I already explained to Jack that I couldn't make it, but you guys are invited over tomorrow night for Christmas dinner. You're more than welcome to bring a guest." He knew she meant Emily and was thankful she didn't actually say it out loud.

"Thanks Jessica. I know I don't say this enough but you've been a great friend." He stood and hugged her walking with her to his office door.

"You deserve to be happy Aaron and so does she." With that Jessica left the office without a glance back.

Hotch sat at his desk once again staring at the file, only this time he couldn't focus. Feelings within him had been woken and he wasn't sure he'd be able to put them to rest as he had before. If he was honest with himself he wasn't sure he wanted to.

Jack ran down the ramp leading into the bullpen looking for Emily. When he didn't spot her at her desk he went for the second place his father had told him she'd be. He heard her voice before he saw her. Her tone told him that it was not a good idea to interrupt so instead of letting her know he was there he stood silently in the doorway.

Emily stood in the break room phone in one hand the creamer for her coffee in the other. She was trying very hard to keep her composure as she spoke to her mother but she knew she was failing miserably.

"Mother I told you I can't make it tonight I'm still at work." She knew she could have lied and told her she was on a case but her mother would have found out one way or another and Emily was not in the mood to deal with that conversation.

"Oh come on mother we both know the reason you want me there and it's not for us to be a family during the holidays." Emily held her breath. She knew she'd said the wrong thing the minute it left her mouth.

"Fine mother, I'll be there but please this one time can you honor my wish and not try and set me up with every bachelor at the party?" She already knew the answer to that question.

"No, I don't want to settle down with any of them and start a family. I have a family already."

"I have to go. I'll see you tonight at five." She hung up before her mother had a chance to respond. She groaned this was going to be a long day. Sometimes she really hated the holidays.

"EMMY!" Jack shot out like he'd just found her. Emily couldn't help the warm feeling that took over her as the boy hugged her.

"Hey big guy what are you doing here?"

"Aunt Jess had to drop me off. She was busy. Emmy I would like it if you came to my play tonight for school it starts at seven."

Emily wished she could make it. If only she'd known this before she told her mother she'd be at her annual Christmas function. "I can't promise I'll be there Jack. I promise to try very hard to make it. Let me talk to your dad first."

"Ok Emmy." He hugged her and quickly ran to find his father.