A/N: Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews! You all keep me motivated to do my best with this story!
Let Me Give You A Hand
Chapter 9
Dave was the first one to wake up the next morning. He felt happy and content and more relaxed than he had been in years, all thanks to Aaron and Jack. If anybody had told him not so long ago that he'd have a chance at a happily ever after with his best friend and his son, he'd have laughed in their faces.
But right now, it seemed as if they were well on the road to that. He felt Aaron's hand in his and turned his head to see Jack lying on top of his father and Aaron wearing a gentle smile. Whatever he was dreaming about, it definitely had to be something good. Aaron looked years younger in his sleep.
Never letting go of Aaron's hand, Dave closed his eyes again and let his mind wander to what they would be doing over the weekend.
Not much later, he felt Aaron stir beside him. Opening his eyes, he immediately found Aaron's, which, while still heavy with sleep, were shining happily.
"Good morning," he whispered softly, pulling up Aaron's hand against his lips to press a gentle kiss on it.
"Morning," Aaron replied sleepily.
He tried not to make any abrupt movements, because he didn't want to wake Jack yet, but the five-year-old began to feel quite heavy on him, plus, he felt the urgent need to use the bathroom. He let go of Dave's hand, who then bent over to greet him with a proper good-morning kiss.
"Bathroom," Aaron quickly pressed out before Dave could engage them in a deeper make-out session.
Dave understood.
Sitting up, he carefully lifted Jack off of his dad so Aaron could get up.
"Thanks," Aaron whispered and disappeared through the bathroom door.
Jack unconsciously turned and snuggled against Dave, who let him use his chest as a pillow. Wrapping his arms around the boy, he felt a sudden overwhelming gratefulness that both Jack and Aaron were safe and sound within his reach. He realized with a disturbing clarity that he wouldn't know what to do or how to go on if anything ever happened to either of them, and he silently prayed that he didn't have to find out anytime soon, or ever.
When Aaron came back from the bathroom, his heart began to speed up at the sight he was greeted with. His son Jack, lying contently sleeping in Dave's arms, was a picture he knew he'd want to wake up to every morning. Being with Dave meant being safe and Aaron felt himself drawn to him even more – if that was actually possible – when he saw how willingly Dave had accepted Jack.
Sure, it hadn't been a secret that Dave and Jack had always gotten along. Out of all his aunts and uncles from the BAU, Dave was Jack's favorite. It would certainly be a great change in the boy's life, however, to have Dave there permanently, and seeing how readily Jack took to Dave was a great relief for Aaron. He knew that his son would always come first and that he'd always do what was best for Jack, but he didn't want to give up Dave either.
So far, it didn't seem like he had anything to worry about.
Aaron climbed back into the bed with Jack and Dave and pulled the covers back over all of them.
"You want me to hold him again?" He asked Dave quietly.
"Nah, I'm fine," Dave smiled.
"I'll make sure he'll sleep in his bed tonight."
"It's okay, Aaron. I don't mind," Dave assured him.
He wanted to add something but then Jack began to wake up as well.
He felt safe, but the slightly different scent that made it up his nose irritated him a bit.
"Daddy?"
"I'm here, buddy," Aaron sat up and stroked Jack's back.
Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Jack remembered where he was.
"Uncle Dave!" He exclaimed and sat up abruptly. "Are you ready to play soccer?"
"Oompf," was all Dave got out when Jack excitedly climbed on top of him and accidentally hit him in the groin.
"Easy, Jack!" Aaron scolded gently, trying to pull Jack back to him.
"Why don't we have breakfast first, okay?" Dave suggested, grinning widely.
"Can you make pancakes with blueberries and Mickey Mouse faces?" Jack wanted to know.
Dave's slightly dumbfounded expression coaxed an amused chuckle from Aaron.
"I guess I can try," Dave replied with a wink. "You and your dad can help me with it, okay?"
"Yay!" Jack called out.
"Okay, buddy, but first, you're gonna go back to your room and get dressed. And don't forget the bathroom. We'll see you downstairs in a few minutes."
Aaron lifted him out of the bed and Jack darted out of the room.
As soon as he was gone, Dave pulled Aaron down for a deep kiss.
"We should get dressed, too," Aaron murmured against his lips after a few moments. "If we're not down in five minutes he'll come back looking."
They reluctantly broke their kiss and got up as well.
"We should talk to Jack over breakfast," Dave said while they were getting dressed.
Aaron nodded, but it was clear that he was quite a bit nervous about it.
"Relax, Aaron. He'll understand."
A/N²: Please don't forget to nominate all of your favorite stories for the ~*~ Profiler's Choice 2011 Fanfic Awards for the Criminal Minds Community ~*~ The nomination ballot and the rules are posted on Chit Chat on Author's Corner forum. (This serves also as a reminder to myself to complete my own ballot... will get to that sometime this week).
