A Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Part 2

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I truly appreciate your words. So here is the next chapter. As requested it is happy and festive. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas (oops I forgot before)

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"Do you want a hand?" Hotch couldn't help but smile at the overloaded JJ, and the bouncy tot, beside her, standing on his doorstep.

"No, I'm fine, whatever gave you the impression I may be struggling?" JJ didn't mean to be sarcastic, but she couldn't help it. As they both giggled, the pile of boxes and bags she was carrying toppled to the floor.

"Oh dear," Henry giggled, attempting to pick up JJ's old 'go bag', that landed near his feet.

"Oh dear, indeed," Hotch laughed, "Here, let me carry the bag. You take this one in for Mommy and pop it under the tree." Hotch passed Henry a small parcel. He raced inside.

"I hope none of this was breakable," Hotch couldn't stop smiling, partly due to the sight of everything on his door step, and partly due to the fact that he was finally going to get some time with JJ, all to himself.

"There's more in the car," JJ stifled another giggle.

"Really, are you moving in?"

"One step at a time," JJ flushed crimson and turned to get the last bag from her car.

. . . . . . . . .

"I think that's them settled, but there is no guarantee," Hotch called through to JJ as he returned downstairs. "Henry is in with Jack, they insisted on sharing," holding his hands up as JJ rolled her eyes at him. "It was not my idea. Jack really likes Henry."

"I know, the feeling is mutual, trust me."

JJ had brought though a glass of wine each, adult time. Putting them onto the coffee table, she busied herself picking up toys.

"You can leave that; the mess tomorrow will be a lot worse."

"It will be done in a minute," if JJ was honest, she was avoiding sitting and talking to Hotch.

Relenting and sitting at the opposite end of the couch to Hotch, she suddenly forgot everything she had planned to say.

"Shall we get their Santa gifts ready?" JJ needed distraction. Hotch nodded, sensing her nervousness. This was something he wasn't use to seeing in JJ, she was the dictionary definition of calm and collected.

"I took the liberty of hiding Henry's in the guest room, when I dropped the food round in the week."

They gathered up the gifts and returned to the living room.

Hotch cleared his throat. "This may sound weird but Haley always put an apple and an orange in Jack's Santa sack. She told him that if he was naughty, Santa would keep crossing presents off his list, until all that was left was an apple and an orange."

"Have you a spare apple and orange?" JJ was happy to share the Hotchner tradition, plus anything that might help to blackmail Henry another year was worth a try.

"It's interesting how different families have their own little traditions," Hotch was miles away, as he put various shaped packages into Jack's sack. "Little things that make Christmas, Christmas, for that person."

JJ smiled. Christmas was a time for reminiscing. Something that she thought was a very dangerous thing to do right now.

"You still miss Haley, a lot?" She knew it was a stupid question, but Hotch had never really spoken about it. Not to her anyway.

Hotch shrugged. He considered his usual response of changing the subject, but somehow it felt right to talk to JJ.

"I'd got use to life without her and Jack before she died. I didn't like it, but I'd accepted it," he paused. "It's hard having Jack here but no Haley. We were a family." His eyes misted as he spoke.

JJ reached across. She wanted to kiss him, but it seemed inappropriate. So she offered a hug instead.

Hotch accepted the closeness. He appreciated the sentiment. "How about you? How are you feeling now?"

JJ faltered. She hadn't wanted to talk about Will, yet she knew it was inevitable. She could feel the tears welling. She didn't want to cry.

"It's definitely over between us. No going back."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for hurting Will, but I couldn't carry on just for Henry's sake. He's young. He doesn't understand, but it's for the best. The longer I spent looking back," she paused, gaining her composure. "Will came to live with me because I was pregnant. He wanted to be Daddy to his baby. I was grateful; I knew I couldn't do it alone. But looking back, I never loved him. I liked him, sure, but not loved." JJ thought she sounded a complete bitch, but she had never meant to lead Will on. At the time everyone thought they were in love, herself included. "I hurt him Hotch. Will loved me and I've hurt him. I didn't mean to," now the tears flowed, for JJ the worse part of the whole situation was that she had hurt Will.

Hotch pulled JJ into a tight hug. He finally loosened his hold enough to wipe her tears. JJ looked into Hotch's eyes. She gulped, a feeling of de ja vous swept over her. She gulped. Time seemed to freeze as nothing happened.

"I told Will I was spending Christmas with you."

"How was he about that?"

"He wanted to know if there was anything going on between us."

"What did you tell him?" Hotch gently pushed back a strand of hair, tucking it behind her ear.

"The truth; that I don't know," JJ held her breath again.

Hotch leant forward, resting his head against hers. She closed her eyes, wishing him to kiss her. She wanted him to make everything better.

"So we're still not a 'no' then," Hotch whispered.

JJ shrugged, and then mentally kicked herself.

Hotch lifted her chin. He kissed her softly. "Does that help you make up your mind?"

JJ nodded, shifting herself closer. She wrapped her hand around Hotch's neck and pulled him towards her for another kiss.

"Am I assuming that you have made your mind up?" Hotch questioned quietly.

JJ nodded, biting her lip nervously. Hotch smiled and kissed her on the forehead. Taking her hand he led her silently to his bedroom.

Pulling her close, he kissed her again; deeply and more passionately this time. JJ responded eagerly, attempting to unbutton his shirt. Her fingers trembled and fumbled. Suddenly she felt Hotch's hand on hers', confidently helping her, as his other hand meet skin under her sweater. She hitched at the touch, a slight intake of breath, as he caught her off guard.

JJ traced her fingers up his now exposed chest, as Hotch kissed her. She slowly removed his shirt, running her hands over his tight shoulders and down his back. Hotch lifted her sweater, willing she let it slide over her head. The feeling, as bare skin touching bare skin was electric.

Hotch's mind was racing; he had wanted this moment for nearly two months. Tugging JJ as close as possible, he rained kisses down neck and across her shoulders, slipping her blue bra strap down. JJ moaned softly, encouraging him more.

Dropping onto the bed, JJ rolled on top of Hotch. She frantically covered him in kisses.

Hotch, put his hands on her waist and slid her up his body. JJ leaned over him, kissing him full on the lips, her tongue exploring, while her hands were busy undoing his jeans.

Hotch spun her over on to her back. Removing her jeans, as well as his own. JJ gasped her appreciation. So he continued to tease. Confidently removing her last item of clothing. JJ fingers dug into the bed, as her back arched. Hotch run his hand up her side and covered her clenched fist.

She relaxed a little at the touch. Biting her lip in a vain attempt to stay as quiet as possible. She could feel the immense warmth growing inside her, she run her fingers through Hotch's hair.

Hotch relished the effect he was having. He moved himself up her body, slowly he begun to make love to her. JJ wrapped her legs around him, lifting her body up to met his. They feel into the perfect rhythm. The feel of JJ's perfectly manicured nails digging into his back made Hotch feel alive.

Falling into a sweaty but satisfied heap, Hotch and JJ kissed again.

"I think my mind is fully made up," she whispered in his ear.

Hotch raised an eyebrow. "I'm glad I was that persuasive," he chuckled, pulling the covers over them, as they snuggled in each others' arms to sleep.

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JJ turned as she woke; looking at the clock, it was 3am. She cuddled back into Hotch's arms, enjoying the safe feeling. This might not have been quite how she intended things to happen this Christmas, but she had no regrets. She knew they had made the right decision. However there was one more thing she was determined to do. Silently and carefully she wriggled her way out of Hotch's arms. Grouping around on the floor, she found Hotch's shirt and slipped it on. JJ tiptoed all the way to the door, as she eased the door open, she froze.

"Where do you think you're going?" Hotch murmured.

JJ stumbled back towards the bed and sat on the edge. "I'm going to the spare room. I think this might be a bit too much of a surprise for the boys in the morning." She leant down and kissed Hotch on the forehead, then left.

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Author's note: OK so originally I was going to end with this chapter, but the story has caught me. Therefore I will try and get the next chapter(s) up between Christmas and New Year.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas.

GG