A/N: Part 3 of 5. More Christmas fun. With tree decorating and everything. I have a feeling I must've been in the "Christmas" mood when I wrote this so it must've been written late last year. Please read and review.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.
Chapter 3: Kids love Christmas
Emily sat in the window seat, watching the snow fall. She couldn't explain her love for Christmas time, or the weather that came with it. She turned from the window when she felt Reid stand next to her. "Thanks for dragging them out here. They really needed the time away from home," he said. Emily looked at Reid and smiled. She reached over and patted his shoulder. "I couldn't very well leave them at home alone while the rest of us were here celebrating together. It's too special for that," she said, "Besides. Hotch had said that Hayley's family was boycotting Christmas and going to Florida for the holidays. So they would essentially be at home, alone, at Christmas." He smiled.
"Emly!" Jack cried out, "Look at the tree! It's almost done!" Emily and Reid turned to face the handiwork of JJ, Will, Henry, Dave, Charlie and Jack. They smiled when they saw the fresh Christmas tree covered in tinsel, ornaments, and lights. Emily walked over to where Hotch was sitting on the arm of the lounge. Jack ran over and she scooped him up. She held him on her hip and he nestled into her neck. Charlie walked over and put her arm around Emily's shoulder. Dave switched off the large light in the room and Morgan knelt beside the tree, and turned on the Christmas lights.
The room was filled with an assortment of colours, gently sparkling against the dark backdrop of the tree. The room smelt of a strange yet warm combination of pine, hot chocolate, and peppermint. Hotch looked around at his family. Will and JJ sat on the floor with Henry, still captivated by the lights. Rossi sat in his armchair. Morgan had his arm around Garcia and kissed the top of her head, and Reid sat on the floor. Hotch looked at Jack, in Emily's arms. Emily had her other arm around Charlie and they were looking at the tree. Jack threw himself at Charlie and hugged her tight. Hotch put his hand on Emily's waist and pulled her body close to his. Emily looked into Hotch's eyes and smiled. "Merry Christmas," she whispered. He pulled her closer and gently met her lips with his. "Merry Christmas," he whispered back. "Merry Christmas!" Jack cried out. Emily and Hotch looked at him and grinned.
"I think Jack just got his Christmas wish," Morgan said to Garcia, tapping Rossi's shoulder and pointing at the four. The others turned and saw Hotch and Emily looking at each other, smiles filling the room. Hotch reached up and tucked a stray hair behind Emily's ear and she leant forward and kissed him again. "Daddy's kissing Emly," Jack whispered. Charlie chuckled and nodded at him. Emily and Hotch looked over at them and smiled.
"He asleep?" Emily asked when Hotch returned to the lounge room. He nodded and smiled. "Do you wanna go for a walk?" he asked her, putting his arm around her waist. Emily smiled and nodded. They both knew they had a lot to talk about. Emily patted Charlie's shoulder and squatted behind the couch. "We're just gonna go for a walk. We shouldn't be too long," she whispered. Charlie nodded and smiled. "Good luck," she whispered back. Emily smiled and stood again.
Hotch helped Emily into her coat and opened the back door. They walked down to the path leading to the lake. They stayed silent for awhile, the peace and quiet of the night being the perfect backdrop for this kind of conversation. Hotch looked over at Emily and smiled. Even rugged up in a winter coat she was still beautiful, her dark hair, pale skin, and red lips. He reached over and took her hand in his. She smiled at him. "So are we gonna talk?" she asked. Hotch smiled and nodded. "Sure. Well, I … uh. I don't know if this is too soon, or if it's right but," Hotch paused and stopped on the path. Emily stopped next to him and turned to face him. "Emily. I love you. I've been thinking about this for a long time and… I love you," he repeated. Emily frowned. "Uh. Wow," she responded, not knowing what to say. What have I done? Hotch thought to himself I've gone and told her and she doesn't feel the same way. Emily stood in silence for awhile. "Hotch. I uh…" she paused. Hotch shook his head. "It's alright. You don't need to say it if you don't feel it. I just… I needed to tell you," he explained. Emily shook her head. "It's not that I don't. I do. It's just that if I told you, then it would make this, us, a real thing. And if it's real then it leaves me open to all kinds of pain. I've had enough hurt in my life and I know that if I gave you the chance you could break my heart," she explained. Hotch reached up and smiled. "Emily, I would never hurt you. Never. I couldn't live with myself if I did. And I realize I'm not perfect but I feel like it's at least possible with you around," he explained. Emily reached up and gently touched his face. "Hotch. I do. I love you," she said. Hotch smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. As he leant down, their lips met. Emily couldn't help the smile that grew as they kissed. She ran her fingers through his hair and wrapped her arms around his neck.
When they finally pulled away they both took a deep breath. "So. How do we do this? I mean, does one of us have to leave the team? Or do we keep it away from the Bureau? And, of course, now the team knows. They saw it… So how do we do this?" she asked. Hotch smiled. "I say, no one leaves. Our team works the way it is now. We're both experts at compartmentalizing. And yes, the team knows. But I think we can trust them not to say anything at work and to help us stay in line. And I think, most importantly, we need to help ease the kids into it," Hotch explained. Emily nodded. "Absolutely. But it's not really like we really need to worry about Charlie. She's been around since Johnny. But Jack, we should be careful. I mean, it hasn't been that long," she said. Hotch nodded. They continued down the path towards the lake and continued their conversation.
By the time they'd returned it was late. Most of the others had gone to bed, leaving Dave alone in the lounge, having a nightcap and reading. He looked up from his book when he heard the back door close. "Hey Dave," Emily said cheerily as they walked through the door. "How was your walk?" he asked. Hotch smiled and nodded. "I think I might call it a night. Leave you two to talk," Emily said. "Night Dave," she said, kissing his cheek. "Night Emily," he replied, patting her shoulder. "I guess I'll see you in the morning hey?" she whispered to Hotch. He smiled and nodded. "Goodnight Emily," he replied, kissing her quickly. He watched her walk upstairs then turned to Dave to face the music.
Hotch walked over and sat on the lounge. The two men sat in silence for a moment before Dave looked at Hotch and smiled. Hotch chuckled, feeling Dave's eyes on him. "So. You wanna explain?" he asked. Hotch nodded. "We're gonna give it a try," he replied. Dave paused and looked at the fire. "Thank God," he replied. Hotch smiled and looked at his friend. "Just a quick word of advice," Dave started. Hotch nodded and Dave continued, "You screw this up and you've got the entire team to deal with," he said seriously. Hotch nodded. "I know Dave," he replied. Dave shook his head. "I'm serious Aaron. You've got a chance at something incredible here. And Emily loves you. You hurt her and you won't have a friend left at the FBI," he repeated. Hotch paused, "Dave. I won't hurt her. I… I love her," he explained. Dave looked up, and smiled. "Alright. What's say we call it a night? Big day of skating and snowball fights tomorrow I'm sure," he said.