It's Christmas Eve and everyone in the Jareau/Hotchner clan has made it safe and sound and in one piece. Here is one of two quick bridge chapters before heading into Christmas.

Mary, Did You Know?

Hotch looked up from the tangle of Christmas tree lights and took in the scene before him. Jack was finishing up his chain while Henry furiously scribbled on pictures of Christmas bells and stars. On the recliner, with her feet propped up, JJ was crocheting something he couldn't make heads or tails of, but he figured it was something for the boys. The less attention he drew to her task, the fewer questions she would have to ward off.

It had been twenty four hours since things had culminated to the point of implosion. But they had survived - albeit not without wounds. And though they were still fresh, the scabs were starting to form. With any luck, and a much needed miracle, they would be nothing but scars of a battle won.

The boys were getting along better than he could have imagined. Whatever had transpired in JJ's room while he was giving Henry a bath, must have been beyond miraculous. He knew that Jack had wanted to talk to JJ, and he had given his blessing. He wasn't sure what he was expecting to happen, but no one had emerged from the room crying, so it must have gone pretty well.

He had dried Henry off , slipped his Toy Story pajamas on, and went to deliver him to JJ. Opening the door to the bedroom, he was surprised to see JJ and Jack cuddled up on the King sized bed, fast asleep.

"Where do I sleep?" Henry had asked as he looked at his mommy sleeping with another little boy not him.

Hotch hesitated. He was tempted to pick Jack up and move him to the other room, but he couldn't bring himself to disturb the moment.

"Let's see if there is enough room for all of us," he offered. Walking to the bed, he leaned down and touched JJ's shoulder. "Jayje?"

"Hmmm?" she mumbled in her sleep.

"Can Henry and I get in, too?" he asked.

"Sure," she replied thickly and tried to move over.

"Don't move. Come on, Henry. Be careful and don't wake Jack." Placing the small child beside Jack, Hotch got in beside him and pulled up the covers. "Are you warm enough?" he asked to no one in particular.

"Yes," Henry answered as his eyes fluttered closed. It had been a long exciting day, and he knew Santa was on his way. And that was his last thought before fading off into dreamland. His light snoring matching that of the other two occupants.

Hotch had lain awake for a long time watching the three people he cared most about in the world: Jack, Henry, and JJ. He had never given much thought to where everyone fit until that afternoon. Jack had finally pushed everyone to the limit, but who knew bringing home a tree would have sparked the flame to ignite the dynamite?

He had been chastised numerous times by Haley and he had learned to tune her out. He meant no disrespect to the woman who had given him Jack, but she had punished him for everything wrong with their marriage. And it got to the point that he shut everything out. He had to in order to survive. Then life happened, and he was suddenly a single parent trying to raise a child.

He had never planned on raising Jack alone - much less developing a relationship with a co-worker. He thought he was above that. That was Dave's scene, not his. But he had fallen into bed with JJ, and for the first time in his life he was able to let go of his inhibitions. Nothing was out of ordinary when it came to their sex life. She had brought him back to life.

And he had found himself falling in love with her. But there was still that nagging voice in the back of his mind that warned him that everyone he loved was taken away: Kate and Haley. He had been helpless to save them. Now he was standing in front of JJ and so close he could touch heaven with both hands. But did he dare? Could the third time really be the charm?

He needed time to think it over. But he was trying to figure out Jack and his mood swings, and now JJ was demanding that he give her an answer. So, he told her what was in his heart at the moment. He didn't want to get married again, and he wasn't looking forward to more children. But not for the reasons most people would assume. It had everything and nothing to do with Haley.

He couldn't tell JJ what she wanted to hear - which came as no surprise to either of them - and she had walked out of his life. But unlike Haley, she had said those three little words before leaving him.

How many nights had he laid awake thinking about their last conversation? How many times had he reached for the phone but stopped right before dialing, chastising himself for giving in? How many times had he driven past her brownstone and noticed the lights were on? If only he had had the courage to walk up and knock on her door, where would they be right now?

Those thoughts continued to go thru his mind as his hands mindlessly went through the motions of untangling the lights.

"Hotch?" JJ's soft voice cut through his reverie.

Shaking his head, he looked up from the lights. "I'm sorry?"

"I asked if you wanted anything to drink." She pushed herself forward.

Hotch stood up. "Stay there," he ordered. "Boys, do you want to come and help me?"

"Are we going to put the lights on?" Henry asked, as he threw down his crayons.

"As soon as we get a snack." Hotch placed the lights on the dining room table.

Eagerly the boys rushed to help, while JJ stayed where she was. She didn't mind. The past couple of days had been nearly traumatic, and she relished in the peace and quiet. All the stress hadn't been good for the baby, though she doubted swinging an axe had helped things.

Leaning forward, she rubbed the small of her back and groaned. Thirteen more days before the baby arrived, but she wondered if maybe that might be pushing things. Shifting her weight, she tried to find a comfortable spot before picking up her crocheting. The baby might wait, but Christmas wasn't, and she needed to get this one last project done.

"Here, Mommy," Henry announced as he thrust a mug toward her.

"What's this?" she asked as she set the yarn aside.

"Hot cocoa. I put extra shallows in for you."

JJ spied the mug overflowing with white marshmallows. "Thank you, Henry."

"Did I do good?"

She ruffled his hair. "Yes, you did." She sipped cautiously. "Where is Jack?"

"He's helping Uncle Aaron make something to eat. I don't know what," he shrugged. "Can I keep colouring?"

"Go ahead."

JJ continued to sip the liquid and watch Henry colour. Her free hand fluttered to her belly. Henry was everything she could have wanted in a little boy and she never imagined ever wanting another. But soon there would be.

A few minutes later, Jack and Hotch emerged from the kitchen with a plate full of sandwiches. Placing one on a small plate, Hotch handed JJ the meal.

"Here," he offered.

"Thanks."

"How do you feel?" Concern was in his eyes.

"I think I overdid it yesterday," she joked and took a bite. "Hmmm, this is good."

"Jack made it."

"You make good sandwiches," she complimented.

"Really?" Jack's eyes brightened.

"Yes." She spied the tray. "Are those cookies?" Hotch nodded and handed her a couple. "Thanks."

"Hopefully, we will get this tree decorated before Santa gets here." He devoured his sandwich and turned back to the string of lights. With renewed energy, he managed to get them untangled. Walking over to the tree, he started to hang them.

"Okay," Hotch asked, "who wants to put the star on top?"

"Me!" Henry shouted.

"Jack?"

"Henry can do it because it's his tree," Jack suggested.

"Are you sure?" JJ asked.

"Yeah. It's no problem."

"That's my good boy." JJ set down her project and opened her arms to welcome Jack in for a hug. Together they watched Hotch lift Henry up to set the star.

Clapping his hands enthusiastically, Henry turned to Hotch. "Turn it on! Turn it on!" Setting him down, Hotch plug the star into the extension.

"Jack? Do you want to turn the lights on?" he asked his son. Nodding, Jack rushed over to take the switch. "Henry, could you turn off the switch for the overhead lights?" He waited for Henry to do as he was asked. "Okay. Jack, go ahead."

The little boy clicked the switch to turn on the tree. A chorus of ooo's and ah's filled the room as the lights burst bright, then flickered in and out of sync.

"That's pretty!" Henry breathed.

"Wow! Dad! That's awesome!" Thrill over, Jack focused back on the chain. "Come on, Henry; let's finish our stuff." The two boys turned back to their projects.

One hour and one gigantic mess later, Jack's chain hung carefully on the tree. Not quite long enough to wrap around the evergreen, Hotch had arranged it so the chain was displayed in the front with the hint that it went around the back too.

Having found the decorations in the back corner of the closet, Hotch had taken the hooks off a dozen bulbs to be used to hang Henry's paper decorations. Now the tree was complete. And though it wasn't perfect, it was beautiful and unique. And Hotch wouldn't have it any other way.

As the fire crackled in the fireplace and the lights twinkled happily, JJ sat in the recliner finishing up her project. Soft Christmas music filled the room.

"How are the boys?" JJ asked, as she tied off the yarn and weaved in the ends.

Hotch looked over at Jack and Henry who were fast asleep on the couch. "I guess they didn't have what it took to wait for Santa," he chuckled.

"Poor guys." She set the yarn and hook in the basket beside her chair.

"What did you make?"

"A present for the boys. Something they will never forget." She held up the stockings. "What do you think?"

Hotch took them from her. "You made these?" Turning them around in his hands, he tried figure out how one misshapen piece of metal and a ball of yarn had created the most beautiful stockings he had ever seen.

'I know it isn't much, but I figure the boys can have them for a few years."

"JJ, you're amazing."

She chuckled and pushed the chair forward. Her bladder was screaming for relief, and it was time to get the blood circulating in her limbs.

"I'm not amazing; just creative. I would say that you three did the amazing job." She nodded toward the tree. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Good or bad?" Hotch asked dryly.

She watched his face. "It's unique." Stretching, she winced. That wasn't a feel good hurt.

"What's wrong?"

JJ waved him off. "It's nothing. Can you do me a favour?"

"Name it."

"There are some presents in the back of my jeep. Could you get them?"

"I'll put the boys to bed first."

She nodded. "Sure."

"JJ?"

"Yes, Aaron?"

"When I get back, I think we need to talk."

She considered his request. Leaning back to lessen the pressure on her spine, JJ watched his expression. "A talk would be great," she agreed and went up the stairs to the bathroom.

Gathering Jack, Hotch proceeded to put the boys to bed and get the presents ready before he made the bold move of laying his life, emotions, and heart on the line. There was no turning back. And he wanted to make sure he did it right this time.