Hi everyone sorry for the little delay, hope people are still interested, let me know what you think!
Thanks to T.G for being awesome even when you're extremly busy.
Jack sat forward, moving his seat belt as he shuffled towards the driver's seat, innocently he broke the silence to ask a question that all the passengers had kept to themselves for the last ten minutes, "Dad? Are we lost?"
The silver sedan was parked at the side of a deserted road. Rows of trees aligned both sides of the dry county road however as the sun was settling and the rolling grey clouds were predicting that the pleasant weather the small family had be fortunate to have, was going soon going to change. The first droplet of water on the windscreen was evidence that the weather ahead may not be as settled as they had been used too.
"We're not lost bud, especially as we have no idea about where we're going to go" Hotch pulled his gaze off the map that he'd been so focused on for the last ten minutes to see JJ roll her eyes at his little amused dig. After all it had been his adoring girlfriend that had suggested that they'd just drive and not plan ahead. They had left Hanover in New Hampshire early in the morning and had already stopped at Manchester and Portsmouth before heading north once more to find somewhere to stay for the night. It had been a tedious day of stopping and starting and Henry had already succumbed to the land of nod not long before Hotch had pulled the car over.
"We're having an adventure" JJ turned in her seat to face Jack but was stopped in her explanation as Aaron scoffed placing the map back into the car door. "Well I think you can still have an adventure when you make a hotel reservation"
"That's not how it works" The relaxed blonde feebly slapped his arm and Jack smirked while he watched his parents playfully mock each other. The ten year old sat back as his dad turned the engine back on to once again set off on their not so little journey. Henry sleepily opened his eyes at the movement of the sedan to see Jack smirking to himself.
"Whatcha laughing at Jack-Jack?" The curious six years old asked while rubbing his eyes awake.
Jack turned to the younger boy, "We're lost again." Henry rolled his eyes, similarly to the way JJ does in sarcasm. The boys in the back seat continued to talk in whispers while JJ's hand found its way to Hotch's thigh. Both adults listened intensely to their sons conversations as the rain was getting heavier and the light was deteriorating, the young boy's interest had turned to raindrop races on the window.
It had been nearly three weeks ago when the small family had reunited in Pennsylvania. Although Jack was happy to see his dad was smiling once more he was surprisingly not too enthused with having JJ back. It was as if the younger Hotchner had been subconsciously mad at the returning blonde for leaving, he wouldn't really address JJ by name and kept giving her the Hotchner glare. However after a five hour car ride to East Alleghany, JJ had managed to convince Jack that she was sorry, that she loved him and that she was here to stay. Then when he got to see Henry again all was forgiven. The two boys considered each other as brothers and while Jack was extremely protective of Henry, Henry would have no bad word said about his older sibling. Jack adored his little brother, even when he was being a little kid, and the mutual protectiveness cemented their friendship.
Jack took a lot after his father, he was reserved and serious but when JJ managed to break through his hardened exterior, he'd become relaxed and playful. While Henry had a lot of JJ's traits, such as her looks and mannerisms, he too was beginning to take after Jack and his favourite role model, Aaron Hotchner. Henry had also perfected the Hotchner glare and JJ often announced that she would be outnumbered with testosterone fuelled males as the boys grew. Yet Aaron was the caring, loving, mature and a present father, one JJ had always wanted for her son and although Jack wasn't her biological son, she loved him as though he was and silently the Pennsylvanian wished and hoped he felt the same about her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Hotch lovingly turned his focus to the distant woman sitting next to him whose hand had ventured farther up his leg. "I was just thinking how lucky I am and how amazing you are."
"Don't you forget it" They both smirked. The last three weeks had been exactly what they needed. It had been a difficult three months for both of them and the family road trip had allowed the couple to reconnect.
"So where, my gorgeous and amazing boyfriend, are we heading?"
"There's a B&B next to a golf course just outside of Portland. It's not far from here, sound good?"
"Sounds great" JJ beamed up at the man she loved "Sound good boys?"
Henry decided to answer with an unrelated statement, "I'm hungry"
"Me too" Jack agreed as did JJ, "Me three"
"Okay" Hotch nodded in amusement "can you three wait until we get to the B&B?"
"I don't know, I feel like I'm fading away" JJ placed the back of her hand onto her forehead, pretending to feel faint which got her a laugh from all of her favourite boys. After twenty five minutes of driving down the deserted road, the car finally pulled into the B&B's half full car park.
"Why don't you take the boys into the diner over there and I'll get us a room." Hotch pointed over to the diner at the other side of the road. "Are you sure? You want me to order you something?"
Hotch smiled at her concern, "You know what I like"
JJ leant over giving him a sound kiss on the lips, before ushering the boys out of the car and under the umbrella, over to the quaint diner. After ordering the food and as the drinks were being brought over to the table, the profiler joined his family at the booth near the window. Jack and Henry were sat next to each other opposite JJ, colouring in the kiddies menu. Hotch took his place next to his girlfriend and the family sat enjoying being together in such a relaxing environment.
Not long after the main meals were finished both of the boys tried to stifle yawns, their parents taking it as a signal to reside back to the room where Hotch had left their bags. Jack took hold of JJ's hand chatting incomprehensibly as they walked over the road back into the B&B while Hotch carried a sleepy Henry.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah Henry"
Through a yawn, Henry looked at his 'dad' with his big but sleepy blue eyes, "Can we play now?"
"Why don't you get some sleep first and we'll play tomorrow, promise" Hotch smiled back at the little boy in his arms. Henry nodded and closed his tired eyes. JJ and Hotch met in knowing eye contact, they were feeling like a proper family again and there was something else. They were happy.