A/N: So sorry about the wait! Life took a few turns but I'm getting back on track so here is the next chapter. I hope your all still with me and enjoying the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Ten: The Talk

January 2013 (Present time)

Emily looked up from her desk to Hotch's office. All week she debated going up there and giving him a piece of her mind but then she thought about what Morgan told her a week ago and her anger turned to something else. She wasn't sure what exactly but some part of her sympathized with Hotch. He didn't handle things well at all and for that she was pissed and completely broken hearted but she questioned whether or not she could forgive him for that.

And on the other hand Morgan said it best, she did the same when she left the team to go after Doyle alone. He was trying to protect her. Emily knew Hotch loved her but could that love be enough to heal the hurt caused by his words and actions she wasn't so sure.

Making up her mind Emily tossed her pen aside and stood from her desk. Running her hand through her hair and calming her nerves she took to the stairs and right into his office. "Got a minute?" she asked softly at the open doorway.

Hotch looked up and nodded. The look on Emily's face told him this was not going to a nice conversation that they had been pretending to have over the past few weeks. "Come on in." he gestured to the chair and watched her take the seat.

"How's Jack?" Emily asked wiping her damp palms on her dress pants and mentally rolled her eyes at herself. Wimp, just get it out already!

"Good" Hotch smiled slightly.

"That's good." she smiled back. "I know this isn't the right place for this and I'm sorry for that but I have been sitting down there debating whether or not to come up here and I just need to get this out. So just listen." She said so fast she had to stop to inhale.

Hotch sat back and readied himself for the anger and hurt the brunette was about to unleash on him. Nodding at her he knew he deserved everything she was about to say.

"I don't understand and I'm not sure I ever will but I need you to understand how much you hurt me. Hotch you broke me so completely that I'm not sure how to put myself together again. Out of nowhere you break up with me and tell me you don't want me." She stood and stated pacing the small office. "Then not but a few weeks later you start dating someone else and now you're telling me that you did all this to protect me. I just don't understand! You could have just stopped at dumping me but no you had to parade your dating life in front of me. Why in the world would you do that? Do you even care about my feelings at all?" she stared into his eyes unwavering. "You're an ass and I came in here thinking I could be calm and collected but I'm sorry I can't. I'm so mad at you and I don't know if I can forgive you. You hurt me so much but…" she stopped feeling the baby kicking inside her.

Hotch looked on in awe as her face morphed into a bright smile. He felt his face lighten too. With his heart racing his hope was building that she would somehow let him back into her life. "But?" he said with a raised brow.

"Maybe it was a blessing. If you hadn't done this I wouldn't have her." Emily rested her hand on her stomach. "I thought when we were together that I could be happy without being a mother but I was wrong. I want her more than anything and I know this is harsh but if I have to lose you to have her I think I'm okay with that." She probably could have worded it better but it all made sense. Being a mother was something she wanted more than anything but with Hotch she settled for being a stepmother to Jack, which wasn't a bad thing and she still wanted that but a baby of her own was her dream and Hotch couldn't give that to her.

Hotch's face fell and his mind went blank. His whole world was falling apart and he couldn't stop it and to top it off he started it. "I-I don't know what to say."

Emily took in his frown and some of her felt bad for that but after her rant she felt lighter and somewhat happier. Her eyes dropped to her unborn child and she smiled. "That's okay." She looked back to him. "I know you're sorry and that's all I need. I'm tired of going over and over this and right now I just want to enjoy what I do have so if your good then let's just put this behind us and focus on just working and living our own lives." Life without him would be hard but she could do it. The past eight months were a testament to her strength and will.

Nodding in answer was all he could do. He didn't want to live his own life. Hotch wanted her in his life but he couldn't ask for that, not after what he put her through.

Emily smiled and headed out the door. "Goodnight Hotch."

"Night" he whispered as she disappeared. Running his hands over his face he sighed and closed his eyes. "The ring was yours." He said into the empty office as he roughly pushed the files on his desk to the floor.

-CM-CM-

Opening the door quietly Hotch made his way over to his sleeping son's bed and placed a kiss to his forehead. Watching Jack sleep after a long day seemed to be the only thing to settle him these days. It seemed to him Jack was the only good thing left in his life that could make him happy and he took full advantage of that.

Making himself comfortable in the chair beside the bed Hotch thought about what Emily said to him earlier and even though it crushed him he knew she was right. Parents sacrifice many things for their children and if he was being honest he would leave any woman for his son. And for Emily to say that she would give him up for her baby was only natural. She would be an amazing mother, selfless and gentle. Jack took to her in no time at all and she was great with him.

March 2012 (Flashback)

Hotch helped Jack into his seat and softly shut the car door. Settling into his own seat Hotch turned around and smiled at Jack. "So buddy what did you think of Miss Emily?"

Jack looked up from his toy cars in his lap and shrugged "She's nice."

Expecting a little more Hotch asked "Is she nice enough to hang out with us sometimes?"

"I guess so as long as you take care of her and she doesn't get hurt." The boy said in a serious tone.

Hotch tried to hide his chuckle "I will Jack. Do you think we should ask her to come with us next weekend t ride the rollercoaster's?"

"Yeah, she said she liked those! That would be so cool dad! Can we call her?"

"Sure when we get home." Hotch patted the boy's knee then turned around and started the car.

"After the rollercoaster's we can go for ice cream and then maybe she can come to my soccer game. Dad does Emily like soccer? If not I can play something else." Jack rambled on.

"Jack, I'm sure Emily would love to go to your soccer game. You don't have to change sports because of her." Hotch rolled his eyes and shook his head at his son. The kid was just too cute.

January 2013 (Present Time)

Hotch remembered the phone call to Emily when they got home that day from the park. He couldn't get a word in as Jack talked to Emily for almost half an hour straight about all the things they were going to do. Then told Emily goodbye and hung up like his father didn't need to talk at all.

Moving a few strands of dirty blonde hair Hotch kissed Jack's head and left the room. Even if Emily was ready to move on without him he wasn't going to give up on them. Not only did he need her but Jack did too and like she implied parents would do just about anything for their kids. And so would he. He just had to figure out how.

A/N: Sorry it's shorter than the normal chapters but I didn't want to clog it down with more and take away from Emily and Hotch conversation.