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Lacy here. Ok, short of hammering myself over the head, know how I can shut my brain off at night? Cause, as much as I love coming up with story ideas, really getting annoyed here. Here's your next snapshot. Have fun.

Disclaimer: I'll claim sleep! Please!

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Jack pushed himself up in his cot as Bethany's soft whimpers woke him up. He waited a few minutes to see if his father or Emily would come but after realizing Bethany might not be loud enough for them to hear, Jack climbed out of his bed and went over to the crib. He reached his hand through the bars and stroked Bethany's little arm.

"Shh Annie, it's ok." Jack whispered.

Seeing Bethany wasn't going to calm down through words alone, Jack bit his lip and moved to do the only thing he knew would help. Grabbing his stool so he could reach, Jack lowered the side of the crib the same way he'd watched Emily do it. Then, remembering everything he was taught, Jack lifted Bethany up and against his shoulder, like how he carried Henry, only being a lot more careful since Bethany was smaller. Carefully stepping off the stool, Jack rocked Bethany the way he'd seen his daddy and Emily do. Much to Jack's relief, Bethany started to calm down.

Jack smiled. "Good girl Annie."

Seeing Bethany start to fall asleep, Jack laid her down on his cot. Then, being really careful, he climbed in next to her. Pulling his blanket up, Jack tucked it all around his sister before laying down. Putting one arm under his head, he carefully laid the other over Bethany's middle and pulled her close so she was tucked against him. Kissing Bethany's head, Jack rested his own against her temple.

"Night Annie." Jack whispered.

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Hotch rubbed his eyes as he walked down the hall to the nursery. Bethany had been better for almost a week now but Jack refused to go back to his own room. Hotch and Emily had tried everything but figured he'd go when he was ready. Walking into the nursery, Hotch stopped and quickly backed out. He went back to his and Emily's room, returning to the nursery minutes later with his camera and Emily. Emily smiled brightly as Hotch snapped a few shots. Jack and Bethany were still in the same position, only difference was Bethany's face was turned in towards Jack's chest.

"She must have woken him up." Emily said. "But not been loud enough for us to hear."

Hotch chuckled. "That girl needs to learn to cry louder."

Emily elbowed him. "If you just jinxed us Aaron, you'll be getting up every time she does cry louder."

Hotch accepted his fate, knowing he'd walked into it. Seeing Jack start to wake, the two moved into the room and over to the cot. They watched Jack open his eyes and immediately look for Bethany. Seeing she was still there, he smiled. Then he finally took in his father and Emily.

"Hi Daddy, hi Emmy." Jack said, keeping his voice low.

"Hey Buddy," Hotch said. "how come Bethany is in your bed and not her crib?"

Jack looked back at his sister. "Cause she woke up but not enough for you to hear so I helded her and rocked her like I seeded you and Emmy do and she fell asleep. But I thought she might wake again so I kepted her close."

Emily ran her hand through Jack's hair. "That was a very good idea Jack. You did a good job."

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So cute! This idea actually came to me because I did the same thing with Twitch when she was about four months old. So let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.

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