…
Four Years Later
…
Emily was expecting a dark and silent house when she got home, ten at night no less, but no. She walked into the house she and Hotch bought six years ago, when they began dating, and saw, in their living room with the whole back wall a huge glass window, their four kids were on the couch, two awake, two sleeping. From what she could see. She set her briefcase down on the kitchen counter and looked at the movie playing on the TV that hung above the fireplace. Home Alone.
Before Emily could say anything or walk to the living room, she felt one arm around her waist and one hand covering her eyes. She gasped, but immediately relaxed when there was a familiar kiss on her neck. She turned in the man's arms and kissed him lightly. "Well that's an odd hello."
Hotch laughed lightly and kissed her again. "Well we are an odd family."
She smiled enthusiastically, but then, as fast as it came, it was gone. She stepped out of his arms and folded hers across her chest. "Why are the kids up?"
"They're not all up," Hotch defended himself lamely.
"Two are, and one of those is a four year old boy, Aaron."
"Which boy?"
Emily looked over at the couch to see two heads facing the opposite way. They were talking and laughing. One was obviously Jack. When she heard the younger one laugh, she smiled and turned back to her husband.
"Owen."
"And you know, how?"
"His laugh is different from Hayden and Patrick's."
Emily and Hotch slowly walked over to the couch. Emily kneeled down by the armrest where Patrick's head lay. Hayden was laying in front of him, but her head on his chest. Owen and Jack both looked at her and smiled.
"Hey mom."
"Hi mommy!"
Emily smiled at both boys, then turned her smile into a frown. "Both of you, upstairs. Owen bedtime was two hours ago, and Jack, you should know better."
Owen quickly jumped up and ran up the steps to his room. Jack frowned. "My bedtime is in twenty minutes."
Emily frowned at his wise guy comment. "Your homework finished?"
"Yes."
"In every subject?"
"Yes."
"Your room clean?"
"Better than before."
"Finish it, and get into bed."
"Why?" Jack's pout made her heart ache, but she held her ground.
"You have a math test tomorrow."
"So?"
"So, you sleep, you eat a good breakfast and take your hot chocolate to school to keep you pumped up and ready. Alright?"
Jack sadly nodded and stood up. Emily stood up with him and pulled him into a hug. Jack was upset about being told to go to bed, but he hugged her back, tight.
"I love you buddy."
"I love you too mom."
Emily smiled, kissed his head and smacked his butt, pushing him towards the steps. "Hey!"
"Go to bed."
"Love you too."
When she heard Jack's bedroom door close, she turned to Hotch, a smile on his face. She quickly smirked at him and pointed to the two left on the couch. "You pick up Hayden, I'll get Patrick."
They picked both kids up, them deadweight in their arms, and carried them up the steps. Emily took Patrick into his room he shared with Owen, and kissed them both on the head. After tucking Owen in tight, she turned off the light and left the door slightly ajar.
She made her way to Hayden's room and stood in the doorway, watching Hotch tuck her in. She smiled and passed her bedroom door, the bathroom door, and knocked on Jack's. "Honey, can I come in?"
She heard a yes and she opened the door. Jack was sitting on his bed, legs crossed and head facing the window. She sat down next to him and looked out the window.
"I know you miss her sweetie, and I'm sorry I can't bring her back."
A tear ran down Jack's face and he shook his head. "I do miss her, but not for being a mother. Just for her giving me food and water when I needed it."
Emily turned to Jack and tilted her head. "What are you talking about, honey?"
Jack wiped a tear from his eye and looked at Emily. "Mom, she used to… she, um… well she hit me."
Emily's face immediately was shocked and full of anger, making Jack hold her arms and squeeze lightly. "I'm ok, mom. It wasn't a lot, but it wasn't seldom."
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"You're right though. I do miss her, not a lot, but kind of. You're a lot different than her."
"In a good way right?"
Jack nodded and smiled. "Oh yeah, much better way."
Emily smiled and pulled Jack into a hug. She felt him hiccup against her shoulder and she kissed his head. "I love you Jack."
He sniffled and kissed his mother's cheek. "I love you too mom."
Five minutes later, Jack was fast asleep under his covers and Emily walked downstairs. She saw Hotch sitting on the couch, and she joined him.
"I still want to know why the kids were up."
Hotch put his arm around Emily's shoulders and she snuggled into his chest. "They wanted to watch a movie."
"So?"
"Well I wasn't going to say no."
"And why not? They're going to be tired when they wake up now Aaron."
"I didn't want to get there hopes up, let them watch half the movie, then turn it off and tell them to watch the rest tomorrow."
Emily sighed against his chest and kissed his cheek. "You sure are an odd man Aaron Hotchner."
He tilted her head towards his and kissed her soundly. Before she knew it, Emily was laying on her back with Hotch above her, her suit jacket and shoes already shed. Hotch's lips explored the warm skin of her neck and her fingers were tangled in his hair.
"You know, we both have to get up pretty early, " Emily said between moans. Hotch's head came up from her neck and kissed her lips tenderly. "All I heard was pretty," he mumbled against her lips. "And that, my dear Emily, you are."
