You guys are amazing! The more reviews I get, the more I am inspired to write more to this story. Thanks!
*I don't own Criminal Minds…I wish I wrote for them, or acted on the show, because if I did, Garcia and Morgan would DEFINITELY be married by now and Kara would be an actual character on the show…but alas, CBS owns it and I'm only a fan.*
The BAU team and their families laughed as they watch Derek serenade Penelope with a love song at the Karaoke machine in Hotch's home. It had been two days since the couple had gotten engaged and in the midst of their planning, a lightheartedness had come upon the group. Everyone was enjoying life and experiencing love. Kara shook her head when the song ended and everyone turned to her to sing.
"No!" she laughed. Resisting the tugs from everyone, she finally gave in when Jack looked at her and said, "Pweeze Miss Kawa?" How in the world could she resist that sweet face? Nodding her head she finally walked up to the Karaoke machine where Derek stood holding out the microphone to her as if it were the Holy Grail.
"What shall I sing for you all?" Kara asked.
"As the bride-to-be, can I make a request?" Penelope asked as Derek came to stand beside her chair.
"Sure Pen," Kara replied.
"How about, 'White Christmas' in honor of the Christmas season?" Pen suggested as the room erupted with applause.
"That's right! Christmas is in just a few weeks," Elle Greenaway, a former BAU agent, who was now a rape counselor, remarked before giggling as Reid kissed her neck.
"Yep! Now, Kara if you please," Penelope said as Derek sat beside her and pulled her into his lap.
Smiling at Penelope and Derek, Kara allowed her eyes to sweep the room and take in the couples in the room. Emily had flown in her DS Jacob Roberts and the two were sitting on the floor, Emily right in front of him, leaning against his chest. JJ and Will were sitting on a couch, Henry in JJ's arms and Will's arm around her. They truly made a beautiful couple. Kara's eyes found Rossi as he stood against the wall next to Lauren, his "friend" from the bar, then looking at Hotch, Kara's gaze softened as she saw Jack climb up in his father's lap. Opening her mouth, her soft, sweet voice washed over the group.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear, sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I'll write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.
Finishing the song, Kara smiled when she saw that everyone had closed their eyes as she sang, everyone except Hotch, his eyes were glued to her face. As the last notes drifted from her lips, Kara sighed. She was truly happy. The day before Penelope had gone with her to the doctor's office where her pregnancy had been confirmed, the doctor had even given her some surprising news. She was ten weeks pregnant, which meant that the first week that she and Hotch had spent together in Chicago was when she'd gotten pregnant. She was extremely happy and felt so honored that she was pregnant from Aaron Hotch. She still hadn't told him, although she was certain that he knew something was up, last night when they were making love every time he grabbed, touched, or licked her breasts she'd gasped, more from pain than pleasure. She'd just told him that they were growing and he'd laughed and asked her if they still did that at her age. She'd merely smiled and said yes.
As the room exploded with praise and applause Kara smiled. Shouts of "Encore" and "Another!" caused her to smile.
"What else shall I sing?" she asked, her voice husky as usual.
"Sing another Christmas song!" JJ said.
Smiling, Kara nodded. Grabbing a chair, she sat and then looking at Jack she held out her arms to him. Jack raced to her and pulling him up in her lap, Kara sighed as she felt him cuddle her. "Aaww, my precious boy," she said before looking at Hotch whose gaze had softened as he looked at the two of them together.
Kara smiled at Derek and asked him to join her. Laughing delightedly when the group groaned in agony at Derek singing again.
"He's great at the melody. Besides, it's our favorite song to sing," Kara said looking up at Derek and smiling when he realized what song they were about to sing. "In honor of the Christmas season, Derek and I will be singing 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. It was a song that our dads used to sing together around the holidays when they were kids," Kara paused then and looked up at Derek. He was still smiling down at her, an easy smile, not one that was strained as it usually was upon the mention of his father. Realizing that he'd finally grown past the hurt of losing his father, Kara sighed happily. Then turning back to the group, she winked at Penelope and opened her mouth to sing, knowing that Derek would pick up the melody and that the harmony that they created when they sang would be beautiful and cause the group great pleasure.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on your troubles
Will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on your troubles
Will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Lord allows
Hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Lord allows
Till then
We'll have to muddle through somehow
Have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
As she and Derek finished the song, she watched as everyone wiped away tears.
"That was so beautiful. The Morgans have amazed us again," JJ said as she sniffled into the handkerchief that Will handed her.
"Again!" Jack said from where he sat in Kara's lap. The adults in the room laughed.
"Okay, snooker doodle, one more and then you've got to get to bed," Kara said smiling.
"Well gang, what song shall I sing? Shall I stick with the Christmas theme?" Kara asked.
"I don't know about you guys, but I could listen to Kara sing Christmas songs all year long," Emily said laughing.
"I agree," Hotch whispered.
"Well then," Kara said. "Derek, you can sit down now. I'll sing 'Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire' since it's time for Jack to go to bed."
"No! No bed, want to stay up with you!" Jack protested, clutching Kara tightly.
"Aww, my sweetheart, I will be here in the morning I promise, now listen to the song," Kara said. Kissing the top of Jack's head, Kara began singing.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows
A turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loading lots of toys and goodies
On his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeers really know
How to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.
When Kara finished singing, she looked down at Jack who was fast asleep in her arms. Smiling widely at Hotch, Kara stood up carefully and adjusted Jack in her arms. She walked with him to his bedroom and placed him in his bed, tucking him in. Turning after kissing him on his forehead and whispering "goodnight," Kara found herself enveloped in Hotch's arms and kissed deeply. She gave as good as she got and moments later when they separated, Kara sighed. Looking into Hotch's eyes she questioned, "What was that for?"
"That was for being so amazing," Hotch answered.
"Aaww, Aaron. I'm not amazing-" Kara began, trying to deny his statement.
"You don't realize how amazing you are, which only makes you more so. But trust me, you are truly, truly amazing and I have no idea what I did to deserve to have you in my life, but I am truly grateful," Hotch interrupted Kara before kissing her on her nose and then taking her hand walked with her out into the hallway. Pulling Jack's bedroom door up, but not closing it all the way, the couple walked back into the living room where everyone was grabbing their coats, preparing to leave.
"Aaww, are you guys leaving?" Kara asked as Hotch stepped behind her and pulled her into his embrace.
"Yeah, Henry's asleep and we've gotta get some sleep. We figured that we'd go Christmas shopping tomorrow," JJ explained as pulled her coat on and then accepted Henry back into her arms, thanking Will when he pulled her blonde hair from under her coat's collar.
"And Jacob and I are going to be having breakfast with my mother tomorrow. Which means we need all the sleep we can get tonight," Emily said laughing as Jacob helped her into her jacket.
"You know we could stay all night, but Lauren's gotta catch a flight in the morning," Rossi explained as he buttoned up his jacket.
"Yeah, Elle and I are taking the train into the city. She's going to make me see a show on Broadway," Reid said, his voice sounding pained. The BAU team laughed at his expression when Elle nudged his ribs.
"Yeah, Pen and I want to spend some time together before you two go shopping tomorrow," Derek stated as he put on his gloves. Walking over to Kara, he kissed her on her cheek. "See you in the morning cuz," he said fondly.
"Yeah, bye D," Kara said.
Kara and Hotch watched as the group left, sighing in exhaustion when the door shut behind Derek and Penelope. Turning towards the living room, Kara squared her shoulders.
Chuckling, Hotch asked, "What are you about to do young lady?"
Thrusting her hands on her hips Kara turned to Hotch with a mock glare, "Young lady?" Scoffing, she flounced off in the direction of the table where glasses of egg nog and plates of food lay. Kara squealed when she felt Hotch scoop her up in his arms and spinning with her, he lay down on the couch, with her sprawled out on top of him, her red flare dress spread out over them. Laughing the two of them lay there resting for a while. With her head resting on Hotch's chest, Kara admitted, "Aaron, I'm so happy here with you."
"I'm so happy with you also," Hotch said, one hand playing with her hair, the other resting on her back.
Lifting her head, Kara kissed Hotch's chin, smiling back when he smiled at her. Laying her head back down on his chest, Kara listened to Hotch's heartbeat, surprised to find that his heartbeat was in sync with hers. With that knowledge prevalent in her mind, she fell asleep.
Aaron Hotch knew the moment that Kara had fallen asleep. Sighing happily, he squeezed her a little tighter in his arms. She was the best thing to happen to him in a long time. He loved her so much that it took his breath away. Knowing how she'd react if he proposed to her, he'd held off, but as his right hand went underneath the sofa cushion, his fingers grazed the ring box there that held the 3.5-carat diamond engagement ring. He could wait until she was ready. He'd wait until she was more certain of his love, of their love, and their future. And the moment that he felt that she could see a forever with him and Jack, he'd propose to her. As an image of Kara surrounded by his children filled his head, Hotch drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Kara tied up her knee-length black boots and laughed at Jack who was racing around the living room chanting "Santa!" at the top of his lungs. While she and Penelope were going shopping, Hotch and Derek were taking Jack to go and meet Santa. Smiling at Hotch who'd just walked into the room, Kara stood up, smoothing down her green velour, turtleneck, long-sleeved knee-length dress. Hearing Garcia's horn, she walked over to Jack and gave him a hug, promising him that she'd see him in a few hours. Standing up, she put her arms in the calf length black peacoat that Hotch held open for her. As she turned to him to button up the coat, she accepted his kiss wholeheartedly.
"Have fun," he whispered, his eyes moving lovingly over her face.
"I will," she whispered back. Kissing him one last time she walked out the door and got in Penelope's car as they headed to the mall to shop.
Four Hours Later
Penelope and Kara were almost finished with their shopping. Almost. They'd gotten all of their Christmas shopping done, bought some items for Derek and Penelope's wedding that had been set for eight months from that day. Even making three trips to Penelope's car to drop off their purchases, although they still had armfuls of purchases. They'd stopped for a moment to eat, Kara having only thrown up once that day. When they'd finished their meal, Kara had turned to Penelope and made a startling suggestion.
"Let's go shopping for baby stuff," she'd said, her eyes twinkling happily.
"Oh Kara! Does this mean you're going to tell Hotch?" Penelope questioned.
"Just as soon as we get home. I'm going to have the stuff delivered to the house and when he asks me what's going on then I'll show him the sonogram pictures," Kara acknowledged.
"He's going to be so excited! Think about it triplets! How amazed is he going to be?" Penelope exclaimed.
Kara laughed happily. When they'd gone to have Kara's pregnancy confirmed, the doctor had done a sonogram and told a very shocked Kara that he'd heard three distinctive heartbeats. She knew that she wouldn't be able to hide the pregnancy for long, the doctor telling her that she'd start really showing very soon, so Kara knew that she'd have to tell Hotch soon.
"Pretty amazed, I'd say," Kara stated, "I'm still shocked myself. I can't believe I'm pregnant at all, much less with three babies."
"They are going to be gorgeous babies too," Penelope giggled as the two friends and future relatives walked into Babies 'R Us. After another two hours of shopping in that store, followed by two more hours in other baby stores in the area, the two women were exhausted.
"Eight hours of shopping Pen?" Kara laughed as they sipped hot chocolate in the food court.
"Hey! Shopping is like having a full-time job," Penelope teased as she bit into her biscotti.
Kara shook her head and looked down at her final receipt. She couldn't remember the last time that she'd spent so much money at one time.
"I'm glad that Derek got me into the real estate business," she stated, looking up at Penelope.
"Yeah, he was telling me about that last night. He also said that he'd opened up a money market account for you when you were a kid," Penelope smiled.
"Ugh! Yeah. Growing up I felt like I had two dads. My dad wasn't too business or street savvy, but because of him I appreciate the arts, fine culture, and great cuisine. Derek made me smart about the practical, everyday side of life. You know money, men, and life," Kara replied, remembering her childhood fondly.
"You guys are really close, huh?" Penelope questioned, her eyebrows raised.
Laughing happily, Kara answered, "Super close. I'm closer to him than anyone else in my life, and he's just as close to me…I mean except for you of course," grinning, Kara finished.
"And Hotch," Penelope said cheekily.
Kara laughed happily, a smile still on her face as she answered her ringing telephone.
"Morgan," she said, a grin still evident in her voice. Hearing JJ's voice, Kara's brow lowered. "How soon? Okay, let me drop off my bags and I'll meet you all in the BAU office," she finished, hanging up the phone.
Looking at Penelope, Kara shook her head sadly. "Five women, raped and killed in Polk County, Florida. Latest body was found in Auburndale. We've gotta go." Standing quickly the two women knew that the lighthearted conversation from moments before was gone. All thoughts of childhood, babies, and even the wedding of Penelope and Derek that the two women had been planning all day, were gone. They had another case to work on, the women in Central Florida needed their help, and that took precedence.
One Hour Later
After being debriefed by JJ, the team grabbed their ready bags and prepared to leave. Opening her desk drawer, Kara grabbed the crackers and ginger ale that she'd hidden there, plus the chocolate covered pickles that Penelope had made for her after Kara had told her that she'd been craving them. Sticking the food items in her bad, Kara stood up and walked out, catching up with Penelope who stood waiting for her in the hallway, her bags slung over her arms.
"Are you still going to tell him?" Penelope asked as the two women walked towards the elevator.
"Not now, not under these circumstances. This is too grim. I don't want him to find out about our children that way. We had to rush to find someone to watch Jack while we were gone, I had to ask a neighbor to accept the deliveries for us…it's just a bad time Pen, I'll tell him when we get back," Kara said not noticing that Derek was in the elevator waiting for her and Penelope. Looking up she saw Derek and gasped.
"You're pregnant?" Derek asked aghast, "Hotch doesn't know? Why didn't you tell him Apple Head? How far along are you?" he fired off the questions nonstop, stopping only when Penelope put her hand up to cover his mouth.
"Derek! Don't say anything! Please! I'll tell him when the case is over, but I don't want the announcement of my pregnancy to be overshadowed by the deaths of these women," Kara begged.
Narrowing his eyes, Derek nodded.
"Now to answer your questions, yes I am, no he doesn't, I was planning to tell him today but the case came up, I'm ten weeks, and even though you didn't ask, I'm having triplets," Kara answered Derek's questions just as rapidly as he'd asked them.
Penelope and Kara laughed as Derek's eyes widened with the last bit of information.
"I know, shocking right?" Kara said amused. When the elevator doors opened and they walked out the doors toward the awaiting jet, Kara turned towards Derek and admonished, "You promised, Derek, you can't say anything. Remember? I'll be careful. I promise, but I want to tell Aaron, as soon as the case is over, I'll tell him, I promise," she waited until he nodded before she continued walking. She ignored the sense of dread that crept down her spine that told her that she should have told Aaron as soon as she got on the plane, she'd tell Aaron as soon as the case was over.
Author's Note: Yes, it's true! Kara's pregnant with triplets! How unbelievable is that?! And even though it's the Christmas season, we know that UnSubs don't care about that. But I did throw in some Classic Christmas songs for you guys, hey even the BAU team needs the opportunity to be happy, unwind and enjoy some free time. The "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" song is Judy Garland's version. "Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire" is Nat King Cole's version, and "White Christmas" is Bing Crosby's version. Those are three songs that I sing for family and friends all the time.
More to come! Keep the reviews coming, I look forward to them!!
