Aaron trudged into the bullpen, his right arm in a sling. The case had gone well, up until the end when he'd managed to get winged by an over-eager rookie cop's bullet. Penelope was going to read him the riot act the moment she laid eyes on him, he just knew it.

"Aaron!" He looked up to see her come out of his office, her eyes widening as she took in the sling. His wife jogged carefully down the stairs, holding her stomach, and went over to him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Honey, what happened?"

"Oh, Mama, you should have seen it. He was staring down the unsub, waiting for him to make his move, when this trigger happy kid cop shoots his gun, winging Hotch. It gave me time to tackle the unsub and bring him into custody. We made sure Hotch was okay. You'd kill us if he got seriously hurt."

"You're right there, Hot Stuff." Penelope took his bag from his hand and slung it over her shoulder. "If you got the father of my children killed, you might as well never come home." Aaron smiled, wondering who would catch on first.

Together, they entered his office, and she sat heavily on his sofa, letting her tears fall. "Penny-love." He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"It's the hormones, Aaron. I know you're fine. How soon can you get out of here, though? We need to talk."

He felt his heart clench a little at her words. "Is everything all right?"

"With our baby, yes. I just have something important to tell you and it can't be done here."

His brow furrowed as he looked at Penelope's concerned face. "We can go right now. I'll just let Jessica know she has to pick up Jack from daycare tonight." He smiled at her, relieved to see her smile back. He held out his hand and helped her up. "Do you want to go out for supper?"

"Oh, could we stop at Blue Water Grill? I've been craving their artichoke dip all day."

He nodded and led her out into the bullpen. The team was gathered around Morgan's desk, talking animatedly. They managed to sneak by them and made it onto the elevator before anyone noticed. Penelope waved at Rossi as the door closed, a warm smile on her lips. "So, when do we find out what we're having?" Aaron asked as he fiddled with the sling.

"At our next appointment, probably. I'm about fourteen weeks along now, so by next month's appointment, I'll be seventeen weeks. If they cooperate, we should find out. Do you want a boy or a girl?"

"I'd love to say it didn't matter as long as they're healthy, but my heart is kind of set on a girl who's just as lovely as her mother."

"Aw, honey, I love you too." She leaned up and kissed his cheek quickly before the doors opened and let more people on. Once on the ground floor, they walked hand in hand to the car and he set his stuff in the back while she got in the driver's seat. "Tell me about Iowa. I know it's bothering you."

"I think it's going to bother Rossi more. Any case involving kids is rough, but this, this level of violence was…oh god, Penny, I just want to wrap our children in bubbles and keep them safe. I know why that rookie wanted to shoot him, I did, too. But we cannot take justice into our hands. Reid was holding Rossi back so he wouldn't do anything foolish. Those sweet, innocent, lambs just slaughtered for nothing." He blinked hard and saw his wife swipe at her eyes.

"I asked Erin if you guys could stay home for the next few weeks and conduct interviews and other mundane tasks here. She agreed with me. I hope you don't mind me doing that, but I need to keep my doves sane."

He touched her arm lightly and she glanced at him. "We'll need this time to heal. Thank you, Penny."

"Anything for you, Boss Man." She pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and they walked in together. The hostess took one look at the ID badge still clipped to Penelope's blouse and seated them quickly. "I'll have to wear this more often," Penelope said as she pulled it off and stuck it in her bag.

They looked over the menu and Aaron soon decided on what he wanted to eat. "We're going to start with the artichoke dip, please, and I'll have a coffee. Penny?"

"Oh, sorry, I'll have a lemonade." Sighing, she set aside the menu and stared at him. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he replied slowly, looking at her oddly.

"Good. So, I'm going to be out of the office next Monday."

"Where are you going?"

"Dr. Newhall's."

"I thought you said everything is okay with our baby."

"It is. I'm going with Erin to her first appointment."

Aaron stared at Penelope, trying to comprehend her words. "Dr. Newhall is a high risk obstetrician."

"I'm glad you remember that, honey."

"Are you trying to tell me Erin's pregnant? Who's the father?"

Penelope looked into her lemonade. "She's about ten weeks along, honey. Who do you think the father is?"

"That was when we moved in together. Are you trying to tell me Morgan is her baby daddy?"

Penelope dipped a chip in the artichoke dip and stuffed it in her mouth as she nodded. Aaron waited for her to swallow, feeling his heart sink lower the longer she continued to chew. "Maybe."

Aaron felt the blood drain from his face as he sipped at his coffee. "And when is she planning on telling him?"

"Sometime after the twenty second. Erin wants to be completely certain she's pregnant. She doesn't want him to feel like he's trapped or something like that. If she had her druthers, she'd not even tell him. But a kid has to know their father."

"This is going to hit the team hard."

"I know. But you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially David until she tells Derek. The only reason I was able to tell you is the fact I can't lie to you."

"I see." His food came and she continued to pick at the artichoke dip while he ate. "Did they take precautions?" he asked suddenly, unable to get his mind off the news.

"Honey, when you're forty-eight, you don't think in terms like pregnancy any longer. Erin told me she thought those days were over."

"Oh." He looked up, feeling eyes on him and saw Dave and Erin. "Look who's here."

Penelope turned in her seat and then grinned, waving Erin over. "Hi, Ernie. Are you here on a date, too?"

"Kind of. Hello, Aaron."

"Erin. How are you feeling?"

"Better today. I hope your injury isn't giving you too much trouble. I heard the officer was suspend for a week, pending an investigation."

"I asked for him not to be punished."

"It was mandatory while they look into what happened. Well, I should get going before some young hussy steals my date away. I'll see you tomorrow, Penny."

Penelope reached up and touched Erin's arm. "Call me with all the details first thing tomorrow." Erin blushed and then bent and hugged Penelope, whispering something in her ear. "Oh, Sugar, don't tease me so."

Erin swatted his wife's arm, giggling slightly. He watched her walk off, joining David at a secluded booth. "Seriously, the two of you creep me out when you do that. I'm not used to her joking around like that."

"Sorry, Aaron. It's just really hard to be professional when I'm away from the office. You don't find my banter with Morgan creepy." A hard edge crept into her voice that he knew he had to diffuse.

"That's because I expect it out of him. I don't expect it from her, yet." He smiled as the waitress refilled his coffee. "So, did you come up with any prospective houses?"

"A few. There's one I really have my heart set on."

"How close is it to Erin?"

"Aaron Hotchner, I'm shocked! Four blocks down the street." She looked up at him from her plate. "And it's in a really great school district, with a huge backyard for our kids to play in. It's perfect, honey, and it'd be closer to work, too."

"Let me guess, you've already put a bid in."

"You know me too well, Aaron. Three seventy five, which was their asking price. It's been on the market for two and a half years, so we should get the house. Don't worry, I have ten percent for a down payment in my bank account. We just need to stop by the bank tomorrow and get the financing and all that squared away."

Aaron felt his smile grow as he looked at her. "I am so lucky to have you in my life, Penny."

"Luck has nothing to do with this, Aaron. We were meant to be with each other at this time." She pushed her plate away from her and gazed into his eyes. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. Are you ready to go home?"

"Yes." He signaled their waitress and settled the bill, then helped Penelope up. They waved to Erin and Dave as they left. Despite the heat, Penelope cuddled close to him, shivering slightly. "We have to pick Jack up, too, Aaron. Do you think he'd object if we sent him to bed a little early?"

"I certainly hope not, love." They got in the car and she drove to Jessica's, letting the car idle as she went to the door. Aaron smiled as he watched his son hug Penelope tightly, putting his hand in hers.

"Daddy! You're home! Can we watch a movie tonight?"

"No, tonight's going to be an early one for all of us. I'm not feeling all the best, Jackers."

"Okay." Aaron heard the pout in his son's voice and felt a twinge of guilt over not spending time with him.

"We could watch an episode of Phineas and Ferb before you go to bed." Penelope had picked up on the pout as well, and looked over at Aaron, smiling sheepishly. "Would that be all right?"

"Yes, that would be fine." Aaron reached out and patted her shoulder. She grinned widely and drove a little more quickly home. Jack grabbed Aaron's briefcase as he clambered out of the car, not waiting for them. "Penny, would you mind carrying my bag in? I'll go after Jack."

"No problem, honey."

Aaron jogged after his son. "Hey, Jackson! Wait up!" He caught up with him and clapped his hand on his shoulder. "I've told you before not to take off without one of us. You're only six, I don't want to lose you." He hugged Jack tightly to him.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to scare you." Jack placed his hand in his father's and together they went to the porch of their building, waiting for Penelope. Jack took her hand as well, forcing them to walk oddly up to the apartment.

Aaron and Penelope sat on the couch while Jack ran through the DVR queue for a particular episode. When he'd found it, he snuggled between them, resting his head on Penelope's stomach. Halfway through the episode, Jack fell asleep and Penelope giggled slightly. "What?"

"How are we going to get him to his room? I can't lift anything over fifteen pounds, and your arm is in that sling."

"One night on the couch won't hurt him. He only has a few more days of summer vacation left, he might as well enjoy them." Aaron stood up and helped Penelope get Jack settled on the couch before leading her to their bedroom.

"My heart skips a beat every time you come home injured." Penelope leaned forward and kissed him sweetly. "He needs his father."

"He?"

"I just have a feeling we're having a boy." Aaron wrapped his good arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I know you want a girl, and I'd love one, too. But as long as the baby is healthy, I'll be happy with them."

Aaron nodded before kissing her neck. "I'm sorry to have worried you. I didn't know what would be better, calling and telling you about the injury, or showing up with my arm in the sling. It's only a flesh wound, after all."

"That's what the Black Knight said, too." Penelope turned in his arms and kissed him. She brought his hand up to cover her stomach, smiling slightly. "I didn't realize my breasts would grow so much, Aaron. I'm up another cup size already."

"That was the first thing to change with Haley, too. Her stomach just seemed to pop one day. You seem to be rounding everywhere, and I love it." He kissed her cheek tenderly and then made short work of the buttons running down the front of her dress.

"Don't stop, Aaron," she said breathlessly as he ran his knuckles along her breasts, arching into his touch. Aaron raised his eyebrow as he looked at her, pushing the dress off her hips. "Tease me, and I'll think twice about…oh, all right, right there."

He bit her collarbone slightly and moved down, her body writhing beneath his touch. "All talk and no action, Penny?" She pulled him down to her breasts, not letting go of his hair until he drew a stiff peak into his mouth.

"I want you to be all action, no talk, Boss Man." He obliged her by nipping at her breast, causing her to gasp in pained pleasure. He found he couldn't wait any longer and wriggled out of his pants, entering her willing body. They set a fast, furious pace and soon he was close to climaxing. Aaron reached around and flicked her clit with his thumb, bringing her over the edge with him.

Aaron collapsed on top of her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Was that better?"

"Much, my love." She kissed him before she snuggled into him, tracing his scars with her fingers. "Are you in pain ever?"

"What brought this up?"

"I was thinking about Foyet, and all he stole from us. He was in such constant pain. Are you, too? Is that part of his bloody legacy?"

"Some days are worse than others. And since I've been with you, my pain has lessened. Penelope?"

"Yes, Aaron?"

"We're not going to spank our children." He tightened his grip on her with one arm as he ran his fingers through her silky hair. "I couldn't do that to Jack and I won't do that to our children together."

"Okay, but can I ask why?"

"Of course, you're my wife, you need to know this." He took a deep breath before kissing her forehead lightly. "My mom had a temper, coupled with a long fuse. Sean was forever pushing her buttons, and I tried to protect him as best I could."

He took hold of Penelope's hands and brought them around to his back, running them up and down, over his scars. "I always wondered, but never asked. Oh, my love, you could never hurt our children. You're too tender with Jack."

"But after Foyet, I no longer trust myself. There's a blot on my soul, Penny-love."

"We'll erase that blot together with God's help." She kissed his hands before bringing them back down to her stomach. "I love you, Aaron Hotchner, scars and blots and all."

Aaron heard her yawn and squeezed her waist lightly. "I love you too, Penelope Hotchner, scars and all."

He woke up early the next morning and sat up to watch her sleep. She looked so lovely and peaceful, free from the stress of their job. Sliding out of bed, he threw on a robe and pulled out clothes for the day. Going over to the bathroom, he stepped in the shower and let the water wake him up fully.

Penelope was still sleeping when he'd dressed, so he crept into the kitchen and quickly made up breakfast for them. As the bread was toasting, he poured juice into two glasses and dug out the serving tray from the cupboard beneath the counter.

Putting their food on two plates, he set everything on the tray and then carefully carried the tray into the bedroom. "Good morning, Penny-love," he said as he took a seat on the bed.

She blinked open her eyes and smiled at him. "Good morning, Aaron. Do I smell breakfast?"

"Brought to you in bed." She sat up, pulling the sheet to cover her breasts. "It's just toast and eggs."

"But it's such a romantic gesture, honey." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. He smiled slightly and fitted the tray over their legs. "Now remember, we have to use our lunch hour to meet with the bank today. The realtor said I should dress normal."

"Fashionistas don't dress normal, usually. Do you want me to pick something out for you while you shower?"

She nodded as she finished her eggs. "That would be great." Penelope slipped out of bed and stretched. He felt himself react to the sight of her and growled lowly. Penelope giggled as she sashayed over to the door, grabbing her robe off the hook and putting it on. "If you wanted that this morning, you should never have made me breakfast."

Winking at him, she left the room and he got up, piling their plates on the tray. Then he went over to their closet and flipped through her dresses. She'd kept his favorite dress, and he hoped it would fit her still. Bringing the outfit over to the bathroom, he set it on the counter before going across the hall to Jack's room.

"It's time to wake up, Jack. Aunt Jessica will be here in a few minutes, okay?"

His son sat and Aaron saw he was still wearing last night's clothes. "Daddy, I woke up and you and Mom were gone. Were you tired, too?"

"Sort of, Jack. We're going to talk with a man today about buying a house. How would you like it if we were to live closer to Aunt Erin?"

"Really, Daddy? That would be awesome!" Jack hugged his father. "Will she look after me like Aunt Jessica does?"

"No, buddy, she still works with Mom and me. Did Mom tell you Aunt Erin's good news?" Jack shook his head. "She's going to have a baby, just like Mom. Her baby is due in March."

"Can I help with her baby, too?"

"I'm sure she'd like that. Come on, let's go get breakfast for you." Jack climbed out of bed and took off for the kitchen. Aaron picked up the tray from their bed and put the dishes in the washer. "Do you want cereal or eggs and toast?"

"Cereal, please." Aaron poured him a bowl of Apple Jacks and put extra milk on. For some unfathomable reason, his son loved soggy cereal and Aaron supposed there could be worse things for him to eat. "Are you going away on a case soon?"

"Not that I know of. Aunt Erin is letting us stay home for a while. Why?"

"I want you to be home for my first day of school. If you go on a case now, you'll be back by then. I'm going to be in first grade, Daddy."

"I know, Jack. I'm going to do my best to be home for that, but if I'm not, would it be okay if just Mom took you?"

"I suppose." Jack dug into his cereal as the buzzer rang. Aaron went over to the door and looked out the peephole to see Jessica's smiling face.

"Hi, Jessie."

"Good morning, Aaron. So, you're moving."

"Yeah, we need a bigger place now, what with the baby coming. Has Penelope shown you where the house is?"

"We went house hunting together, actually. The house she picked is perfect. And it has a garage apartment so I can spend the night when both of you have to go out on a case."

"My wife thinks of everything."

"That she does, sweetheart. But we have to get going so we're not late to work." Penelope put her hand on his arm. "Hi, Jessica. It's good to see you this morning. We're closing on the house today!"

Jessica stepped into the apartment and quickly hugged Penelope. "Wonderful! I'll see you tonight?"

Penelope nodded and Aaron led her out to their car. As she buckled her belt, he reached out and touched her hand. "Thank you, Penny."

"For what, Aaron?"

"You've been so nice to Jessica, including her in this change. She's been part of Jack's life for so long."

"She's really sweet and has welcomed me into the family. I could never think of tearing her away from Jack. They need each other."

"I think that's why I love you, Penelope. You're always so quick to find the good in people. I'm so blessed to have you in my life."

Penelope blushed and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "You're too sweet, Aaron." Sighing, she sat back in the seat. "Do you mind if we keep the apartment an extra month and move things over little by little? I do not feel up to a big move all at once so soon after my last one."

Aaron looked at her in concern. "Are you sure everything is okay? You're not feeling poorly, are you?" Haley's problems ran through his mind, the struggle to hold on to a pregnancy to term. "Because I'm sure Erin would let you work from home so you could keep your feet up."

"Honey, I'm fine, really. I just want to make the move as smooth as possible. I didn't mean to worry you."

He slid his hand off the steering wheel and reached out for hers. "I just want to keep you and the baby as safe as possible. I'll apologize right now for being a helicopter husband."

Penelope squeezed his hand tightly. "I wouldn't want you any other way."