A/N: Next chapter! I want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed or decided to follow or favorite this story.
Special thanks to misalason, DebbieOz and samcarter1980!
I don't own criminal minds!
It was one day before Christmas Eve and Hotch felt himself going crazy. JJ's happiness seemed to be unstoppable. It was another late night at the office and once again only he and JJ were left. He didn't know if she was staying on purpose or if she was actually working on case files. He just hoped her presence wouldn't keep throwing him off of his work. Since JJ had come over to his apartment two days earlier he couldn't stop watching her. He had suddenly become very conscious with what she wore to work every single day. It drove him crazy.
The door to his office opened and it revealed a beaming JJ. ''Hotch, what are you still doing here?'' she asked as she took a seat on the edge of his desk. She didn't sit down at the other end of the desk. No, she sat down right in front of him.
He needed to swallow deeply before replying to her question. ''I..uh…uh…I'm finishing my last report.'' he stumbled.
A wide grin appeared on her face and she grabbed the files from his grip and closed it. She threw it onto his desk. ''You should get a life, Agent Hotchner!'' she mocked.
''I need to get a life?'' he snapped. ''For god sake's JJ, you've been dancing, running and beaming through these offices for the past two weeks. I think you should get a life. Just be less happy if you have to!''
His sudden outburst took her by surprise but she wasn't going to take it personally. She knew Hotch was a bully. She wasn't going to let him take away her Christmas spirit. ''You're a grumpy old man!'' she joked as she pulled him up from the chair.
''Old?'' He couldn't help but laugh. ''Where are we going?''
She stopped in her tracks, realizing she had no idea where she was actually going. ''Let's watch a Christmas movie!'' she suggested.
''Sure,'' he agreed. ''What did you have in mind?''
She looked at him and she caught the glint of amusement on his face. ''Will is bringing Henry over here. He should be here in ten minutes or so.'' she started. ''Henry is really into Barbie movies, so I bought Barbie in a Christmas Carol.''
''Are you kidding me?'' he laughed out.
''Ahh, come on! He's only four years old. He likes to watch Barbie movies. Who cares?''
''It's really cute, JJ.'' he said, following her into the conference room. ''I'm in.''
He was able to surprise her once again. ''Really?''
''Really!'' he repeated.
The delight on her face was the cutest thing he had ever seen. The next thing he knew, she was flinging her arms around his neck and she pulled him in for a tight hug. His body reacted immediately and took his every ounce of strength to keep himself in control. Their bodies melted together. It was like they were made for one another. In that moment he realized how real his feelings for the younger blonde actually were.
''You're great, Aaron.'' she whispered in his ear before pulling away.
''JJ?'' Will asked as he came up from behind him.
''Hey!'' JJ greeted. ''Where's Henry?''
''Oh, we ran into Penelope in the hallway and he wanted to check out his godmother's office.'' Will explained. ''Hey Hotch.''
''Hi.'' Hotch greeted simply. He had never been a fan of the detective. He didn't know why. He treated JJ good and he had given up a lot for her, but something inside him was always a little jealous of what he had.
''I have to get going.'' Will announced. ''Penelope said she would bring him here.''
''Thanks, Will.'' she said, hugging him quickly.
Hotch felt defeated when he watched JJ hug her ex-fiancé. But the hug seemed innocent which made him feel happier. How can you be so jealous? Well, I know the answer. She's a drop dead gorgeous single woman. His thoughts kept racing as JJ turned her attention back to him.
''You look like you've seen a ghost.''
''I'm just tired.'' he lied, hoping she wasn't catching onto his jealousy.
''I understand.''
''Momma!'' Henry yelled as he freed himself from Penelope's arms. He ran towards his mother and flew into her arms.
''Buddy!'' she exclaimed. ''I missed you!''
JJ turned around to Penelope. ''Thanks, Pen.''
''Your welcome.'' she said quickly. ''But I have to go now. Kevin is waiting for me. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Have a great night!''
After Henry hugged JJ, Hotch got a hug as well. JJ started rearranging the entire conference room to watch the movie. She pushed the round table to the side along with the chairs. She pulled the couch in front of the big screen. ''This looks more like it.''
''Yeah, it does.'' Hotch agreed. ''But who's going to put it all back?''
''You?'' she joked.
''You're funny! I have to give you that.''
Hotch put on the movie and he settled on the couch next to JJ. Henry was sitting on her lap as her head rested against Hotch's shoulder. He put his arm behind her and he realized it was as if they were a real family. Only Jack was missing from the picture, but it already felt pretty damn good to him.
Two hours passed when both JJ and Henry had fallen asleep. Hotch was afraid to move. He didn't want to wake them up. He shifted carefully to be more comfortable and he drifted off before he knew it.
