Hey everyone.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I planned on it, but I was tired and didn't have the best Friday. I'm pretty busy today as well, but I had to finish this chapter and post it because I felt like I needed to. So please enjoy this chapter, the next one will be the last chapter. (that is unless a bunch of people want to to keep going-I guess we'll see huh?)

Please review!

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

~Albert Einstein

- - - - -

It never ceased to amaze Hotch what coincidences he managed to encounter when he least expected them.

Friday had been uneventful, much to the team's happiness. They had been run pretty ragged of late and they all enjoyed a moment where they could put their feet up and breathe easy, though paper work wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Considering the alternative, the team swallowed their less than enthusiastic responses and did the paper work grudgingly. Hotch had been the only one who showed no true dislike of the task at hand. Then again sometimes it felt like he preferred the paper work to the field work. No one could blame him though.

Hotch was getting better at leaving at a decent time since Haley died. He didn't have to be forced out of his office by Emily's reprimanding glares nor by Dave's logical reasoning. Hotch looked forward to the end of the day because every moment he was away from Jack was like a knife in his still beating heart. Thankfully, when there was time, one of his teammates (mainly Emily and Garcia) would pick Jack up from daycare and keep him close by until Hotch was ready to take him home. No one outside of his team said anything if they saw Jack in the office. There was nothing to say. Hotch had expected some sort of repercussions for using Quantico for a day care, but surprisingly, none had appeared. Far be if from Hotch to mess with something that apparently wasn't a really issue, at least when his son was concerned.

Jack hadn't been ready to leave Emily and Reid when Hotch had told him it was time to go. Jack even went as far as to pull out his puppy dog pout that, if Emily hadn't saved him, would've been Hotch's downfall.

"Your Daddy's right sweetie, it's time for you both to go home." Emily said, slightly sad to see them go so soon. Reid nodded his head glumly, sad to lose such an intense listener. Reid loved telling Jack random statistics and surprisingly Jack loved hearing them. Jack was actually an avid learner, much to Reid's delight.

Jack turned to Emily and let her wrap her arms around him tightly. Emily kissed his head lightly and Jack caught Emily off guard by timidly kissing her cheek. Emily felt her eyes moisten and she had to look down quickly and blink away her tears caused by his affectionate gesture. Hotch reached out and touched Emily's shoulder, forgetting about Reid for a moment. Jack had buried his face in Emily's shoulder when she looked up at Hotch, teary eyed and smiling. Hotch saw the light glow in her face and let a warm smile overtake is normal unexpressive countenance.

Jack reluctantly let Emily go. "Bye Emmy," he said pouting slightly. Emily laughed and stroked his face gently. "Bye Jack. I'll see you soon, I promise." Emily said looking at Hotch for clearance. Hotch nodded, still smiling, and guided Jack out of the office.

Jack turned suddenly and waved to Reid. "Bye Reid, next time will you tell me more facts?" Jack said regaining his playful streak as he addressed the genius.

Reid laughed easily and nodded enthusiastically. "You bet Jack." Reid said chucking as Jack's eyes lit up and Hotch smiled at him. Hotch had been smiling a lot more lately and the entire team hadn't failed to notice it.

As father and son left Reid looked over and noted the tender look in Emily's eyes and remembered the conversation between Dave and JJ he had heard a few days back. Looks like they were onto something.

"You sure are doing a great job with them Emily." Reid said turning to the paper work on his desk that he had neglected once Emily had returned to the office with Jack in tow. Emily looked at Reid, warmth radiating in her eyes. Reid couldn't help but realize that warmth had become more prominent since Haley's untimely death. He also noticed the subtle changes in the behavior between Emily and Hotch. Reid was happy for them; if anyone deserved a bit of happiness it was Hotch and Emily.

Reid shook his head and smiled as Emily quirked her head in confusion.

Hotch had given them the weekend off so the rest team didn't waste any time clearing out of there. Many had weekend plans involving girls' night out, a movie night in, a quiet get away to a cabin, a park visit or two and apparently an eventful grocery store trip.

Saturday afternoon, Hotch was letting Jack lead the way through the store when, out of nowhere, he recognized a familiar scent. Hotch didn't even have time to warn her before Jack pounced upon the figure a few feet away.

"Emmy!" Jack exclaimed as Emily stumbled forward into the vegetable patch. Turning around quickly, Emily swooped the little boy into her arms and laughed as he giggled incessantly. Hotch stared in wonder at the woman in front of him. True, he had been thinking about her a few minutes previous, but he certainly hadn't expected to see her until Monday morning. Though she had to eat, so it made sense for her to be at a grocery store. Plus it wasn't too far from her apartment either.

Hotch approached them, still amazed at the apparent coincidence they had created. Emily looked at Hotch and smiled. He could see the surprise in her eyes as well.

"Well, this is a surprise." Emily said as Jack made a place for himself on her hip. Hotch nodded, not trusting his voice.

To be honest, Hotch had been debating about whether or not to invite Emily to the park after they took the groceries home. Jack always seemed a little more happy when Emily, Hotch and him were together. They had become a small family within their big one. That thought excited and frightened Hotch at the same time. Emily had become such an influential and essential part in both his son's life and his. Hotch was grateful for her in a way he couldn't express in words. That and he wasn't very good at expressing his feelings in words anyway.

Emily saw that Hotch was deep in thought and turned her attention back to the little boy in her arms who was talking very quickly about something. Picking up her basket, Emily turned to Hotch.

"Since we're here, we might as well shop together." Emily said seeing a reaction take place deep in Hotch's eyes as she said this. It was a domestic ordeal if Emily was being honest with herself, and she loved it. Anytime she got to spend with the Hotchner men was a gift. They had wormed their way into her heart and it didn't look like they'd be letting go any time soon. Not that Emily was complaining of course. She looked forwards to seeing Hotch and Jack every day. Sometimes is was almost like a familiar ritual. Emily would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy picking Jack up from daycare.

One child even asked her once if she was Jack's mommy. Emily almost cried right there. Once Jack had run into Emily's arms she had told the young girl that she was Jack's friend Emmy. Satisfied with this answer, the little girl, Alice, told Jack bye and ran off to join the other kids.

Part of Emily, deep down, wished that she was that important to Jack. She loved the little boy; she knew that without a doubt. She was not his mother though; no matter how much she wished she was. Emily felt like it was an affront to Haley's memory so she was perfectly content to simply be in Jack's life: And Hotch's as well.

Hotch walked beside Emily as they finished their shopping trip together. They talked of casual things and Hotch saw the smiles other couples were offering them. It was obvious everyone in the store thought they were a family. That didn't bother Hotch at all, nor Emily. Emily smiled shy at Hotch who felt his eyes soften and returned her smile warmly. It was turning out to be a very nice Saturday.

Jack was ecstatic that they had run into Emmy while shopping. He loved being with her because she was very nice to him. Jack knew she wasn't his Mommy; his Mommy was in heaven. Emmy had taken over that role without noticing it though and Jack was fully supportive of her presence in his life. Jack knew his Daddy like Emmy too because he was always smiling at her, and touching her. Jack hoped Emmy would come to the park with them so he and Daddy could have fun together. Emmy always made Daddy happy which made Jack even happier.

They reached the check out and Emily emptied her basket on the conveyer belt. Before she could put the divider in between her items and Hotch's he took it from her hand and shook it. "I'll pay," he said in a manner than told her not to disagree. Slightly shocked, Emily nodded and helped Hotch empty his shopping cart. The cashier smiled at them as Emily pulled the cart through towards the bagging end. Hotch watched as Jack whispered something into Emily's ears and already had a feeling what his son was telling her. Emily met Hotch's eyes and laughed as Jack's breath tickled her neck. Hotch knew then that he and Jack would be entertaining a guest at the park later on.

After Emily had put everything in the car and Hotch had paid, the cashier handed Hotch his receipt. "You have a beautiful family," she said smiling at Emily and Jack. Hotch looked at them then back to the cashier.

"I sure do, thank you. Have a nice day." Hotch said taking the receipt. Putting a hand on Emily's lower back, he guided them out of the store out into the parking lot. Once they reached his car, Emily bucked Jack into his car seat as Hotch packed the groceries in the back. He made sure not to pack Emily's things. Emily kissed Jack's head softly and ruffled his hair before shutting his door. Hotch closed the trunk and turned to face Emily who had already grabbed the cart to take it to her car.

"What time?" Emily asked and Hotch had to chuckle. He had been spot on with his prediction; Jack had asked Emily to come to the park. "One o'clock sound good?" Hotch asked knowing full well he could tell her 'in thirty minutes' and she'd been there in twenty five. Emily smiled.

"Sounds perfect, I'll see you there." Emily said and after briefly touching his arm, she walked off towards the back of the lot to where her car was. Feeling better than he had in a while, Hotch got in the car and tried to hide his smile from Jack's obvious anxious countenance. She hadn't given Jack an answer which Hotch thought was quite amusing.

"She'll be there." Hotch said and laughed as Jack cried out in happiness. Hotch couldn't help but wish he would run into Emily at the grocery store more often.

- - - - - - -

It seemed to take them no time whatsoever to meet each other at the park.

Jack of course, launched himself at Emily and she actually managed to fall over this time. Hotch rushed to her side and saw Jack back away, afraid that he had hurt her. Emily sat up and smiled at the little boy.

"You're getting very strong Jack. Just like your Daddy." Emily said pulling the little boy to the ground with her. Hotch felt his heart jump at her statement and watched as she began tickling his son. Jack's laughter filled Emily and Hotch's heart with joy and Hotch fell to his knees beside Emily and partook in the tickling of Jack. It was a perfect moment in time where they truly felt like a real family. Hotch laughed as Jack turned upon Emily and began tickling her. Emily's laughter sent chills up Hotch's spine and he decided he'd help his son since at any moment she could over power him.

Emily had almost lost it once Hotch began helping his son. This was how it should be Emily thought as she wiggled around on the ground. Finding that she needed to breathe, Emily gasped out. "Stop, stop Jack! I give. I give! Aaron, ah, stop!" Hotch felt a thrill as Emily said his first name. She had only called him Aaron once or twice since she had known him, and Hotch found himself wanting her to say it again.

Emily looked up and saw the look in his eyes. She hadn't meant to say his first name, but seeing how he wasn't upset about it, Emily decided that in instances like these it was okay. Jack and Hotch had stopped tickling her and Jack tired to help Emily to her feet. Needless to say, he wasn't that strong yet. Hotch got up and offered Emily a hand and she took it, thankful to be able to breathe again. Emily didn't let go of Hotch's hand and together they walked towards the playground, wondering what the little shift in things meant.

The day at the park passed swiftly and soon it was time for them to go home. Emily had a date with Garcia and JJ, so she txted them to let them know she was gonna be on her way in a few. Emily walked the boys to their car and watched Hotch buckle Jack in this time. Before he closed his door, Emily leaned in and kissed Jack on the cheek and told him she had a great time and couldn't wait to do it again. Jack smiled wide and said his goodbye to her.

Emily shut his door and turned to face Hotch who was staring intensely at her. The moment she had said his name they knew something had changed yet again between them. Neither of them minded either.

"I really had a great time today. We should do it again." Emily said honestly feeling her heart hammering in her chest. Hotch smiled, "We should," he agreed.

Emily's phone vibrated, breaking the spell both were under. Clearing their throats, Emily and Hotch smiled at each other. It wasn't awkward though it was a promising smile.

"Bye Aaron." Emily said then, meeting his eyes before acting, Emily swallowed that little bit of fear in her throat and leaned up to kiss Hotch on his cheek. She lingered a little longer than she would normally, but she couldn't move much due to the fact Hotch had laid his hands on her hips lightly. Smiling Emily looked down and Hotch let her step away. Baby steps. "Bye Emily." Hotch said feeling his cheek tingle from where her lips had been seconds ago.

Emily smiled and turned to leave to join Garcia and JJ though she knew her mind would be millions of miles away. Jack had seen the whole thing and was giggling as quietly as he could. Hotch stood there watching her go and felt a smile bloom on his lips.

Thank God for small coincidences.

Is not a kiss the very autograph of love?
~Henry Finck

Awww, so cute! I get a kick out of each chapter of this story I write. I love writing Emily, Hotch and Jack stuff because it's just too cute. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Peace out.