A/N: ONE review since my last post?! (Thanks, Alicia) Come on guys! Reviews are wanted! Otherwise, it is hard to stay motivated!

PLEASE NOTE RATING HAS INCREASED.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Jake's Series #10

"Babe, if Garcia wants to decorate you should just let her. You're lucky she didn't start to the day after Thanksgiving."

"I can't!" I insist. "And it's not just me, you know. Strauss wouldn't allow it either."

"Then limit her to the BAU conference room only," JJ counters. She raises an eyebrow at me and smirks. "Though I'm sure she'd love to decorate your office, Morgan said she already decked out his."

"My office? Absolutely not," I tell her and shake my head. I feel her pinch my arm through my coat. We're walking to Jake's and while it is cold, I have JJ tucked into my side which makes me feel warm inside and out.

"Aw don't you want to spread some Christmas cheer? You don't want people to think you are the Grinch, do you?" she jokes. I think.

"JJ I have Jack's gingerbread house on my desk and Henry's paper plate Santa thing hanging up. I have Christmas cheer."

I try to come off as serious but I can't remove the smile on my face. I remember Jack bringing home his disastrous gingerbread concoction and insisting I display it on my desk. When JJ stopped by the BAU with Henry last week the little boy saw it and told her he needed to make something for my office too.

"You know, Morgan noticed that Henry's name was signed on the Santa."

JJ turns her head and I see her eyes sparkle at the mention of her son. "And?"

"And nothing. He just gave me a cocky, knowing look since he knows something the others don't."

She laughs at me and squeezes my arm. "Do you expect anything less from him?"

"No." I pause and think about when we revealed our relationship to Morgan a week ago. It was nice, but I'm nervous about telling anyone else just yet. "JJ, are you okay with how we're doing things?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know I'm hesitant about telling everyone. I just…I don't know how to." I wait as she thinks my words over.

"Aaron, it isn't as if I expect you to stand in the bullpen and make an announcement," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I know. But when you come by it takes a lot of effort not to." I stop and take hold of her chin with my fingers and turn her to face me. "Because I want to tell them, I'm just not sure how."

JJ is looking up at me with nothing but understanding which unsettles me. I don't deserve such patience from her. I shove my hands into my coat pocket and look squarely into her eyes. She adjusts her purse on her shoulder and raises her empty hand, laying it on my chest. She lightly taps her gloved fingers against it, coincidently matching my heartbeat.

"You've never been one to disclose your personal life, Aaron." She shrugs. "I'm the same way. Look at the relationship I had with Will; I didn't tell any of you about it for a long time." JJ gives me a shy smile and takes a breath before continuing. "It isn't as if you're denying our relationship, you're just not talking about it, which is fine."

I look down at her hand that now lies unmoving against the lapel of my wool coat. "I suppose I'm over thinking things. But I know how happy you were when we told Morgan and—"

"And we only told Morgan because we were outside of work somewhere together. Granted, you didn't have to kiss me and reveal anything, but it felt right to you at the time and I understand that."

First I nod, agreeing with her logic but it turns into a negative shake of my head. "But it isn't only my call, JJ. You have a say too."

"I'm not worried about that. I'm ready whenever you are."

I squeeze both of her hands as a type of 'thank you' before I ease her back into my side and begin to walk again.

"So we tell them when it is the right time, no matter when that is?"

"Yes. Just go with the flow."

"Sounds good." I hug her a little tighter and kiss her hair on the side of her head. "But right time or not, I'm not going to be the one to tell Garcia."

At the mention of her vivacious friend JJ throws back her head and giggles. When she lower it she gives me a wistful look, complete with a smirk. "Oh Aaron, just let her do the BAU room. Come on, it is only a week before Christmas. The decorations won't be there long," she half begs me and I wonder if Garcia sent her on this pseudo mission.

"Okay!" I give in. I lean into her and tickle her side and place my mouth close to her ear. "But I'm not doing it for Garcia I'm doing it for myself since you'll never let me hear the end of it if I don't." She laughs and swats my hands away.

"Smart man!"

"I try," I say to her, matching her smile. I open the door to Jake's and we are instantly greeted with warmth. JJ and I stomp our snow covered shoes on the welcome mat and begin to unbutton our coats.

"Merry Christmas you two!" We look up and see Abby wave at us from the bar where she's talking to Matt. She has on a Santa hat and dare I say it, jingle bell earrings.

"Merry Christmas, Abby," JJ greets. She turns to me and tugs on my tie. "Now that's Christmas cheer," she says as we walk to our booth. I roll my eyes while JJ sets her shopping bag and purse down.

"You and Christmas," I mutter as I help her out of her coat.

"Aaron, admit it, you got excited when we took the boys to see Santa yesterday!" she challenges me. She grins and turns to Abby who hands her a candy cane. "Thanks, Abby."

I sit down and am handed a candy cane for myself. "Thanks, Abby. Excited for Christmas?"

"You betcha!" She points upwards with a big grin. "I even got the boss man to play nothing but Christmas music! And I did all the decorations, thank you very much!"

At the moniker "boss man" I glare at JJ. "Everyone is turning into Garcia!"

JJ laughs at me and offers Abby an explanation. "She's a coworker of Aaron's. She wants to decorate the office and is always humming Christmas carols."

Abby puts her hands on her hips. "Well I like her! She sounds exceptionally smart!"

JJ raises her eyebrows as she motions to Abby. "See?"

"I said 'okay'! She can do the BAU room, but I'm putting a stop on her changing our desk phone ringtones to 'Jingle Bell Rock'!" I put up my hand and point at the two women letting them know not to debate the issue.

JJ smiles and reaches for the menus tucked behind the napkin holder on the table. "We're going to do lunch, Abby. And can I have one of those fabulous hot chocolates you make?"

"Sure thing! And you, fine Sir?"

"A water is fine, thanks."

"Very good, see ya in a flash," she says and wisps away. I swear I see a little skip in her step. I smile and shake my head at her enthusiasm before scanning the menu.

Abby returns and takes our food order when JJ bgins to open her candy cane. "You are going to spoil your lunch."

She sticks out her tongue which elicits a breathy chuckle from me. I watch as her tongue begins to work round and round the cane and I feel a twitch of arousal. Flashes of our last time in bed together race through my mind and I can feel a slow smile growing on my face.

JJ stops licking and sucking and narrows her eyes. "You have a dirty mind, Hotchner."

I snicker and she sets the candy on her napkin. "I just like thinking about all the amazing, clever things you can do with that tongue of yours," I say quietly. She gapes at my boldness and I smirk.

It is very rare that I can take her off guard and I've learned to relish these moments.

She grins and leans forward. My eyes go straight to her chest which is something I really need to stop doing in public. I close my eyes, exasperated with my lack of control. But it was a mistake to do so because almost instantly I see flashes of JJ in my bed, under me, with an expression of bliss on her perfect features. I kiss her neck and move a hand to grip her hip before I grab one of her legs and move it higher up around me. We're moving in perfect synchronization and I'm in absolute heaven.

"Yours isn't too bad either," JJ says.

"What?" I blink and squeak out, coming out of my daydream.

I know she knows exactly what I was thinking about.

"Your tongue." Her words come out hot and seductive and absolutely blow my mind.

I decide it is time to change the subject or I am going to drag her out of here so we can have our way with each other. I clear my throat and JJ sits back up with a mischievous smile. She knows what she does to me and she is showing no mercy.

"You finish your Christmas shopping?" she asks me, her face feigning innocence.

I take a deep breath and force my body to clam down before answering. I have to regain control. I audibly swallow and prepare to answer her. "No, of course not. Year-end paperwork is killing me."

"That doesn't sound good," she sympathizes. "Strauss on your back?"

"As always," I sigh. "I'm beginning to think that I shouldn't have gone with you and the boys yesterday," I guiltily admit. I peek over to JJ and wince once I see her face.

"No, Aaron. You needed to come. It wouldn't have been the same without you," she insists.

I level my eyes with hers and nod. "I would have hated to miss it." I smile at her so she knows I'm sincere. It really was a priceless moment; Jack and Henry get along wonderfully but not when they share Santa's lap. The two of them kept talking over the other and I doubt the man in red understood a word of it.

"But I'm going to hate the late nights I have to pull these few days before Christmas," I grumble. I lift my water to take a sip, cringing at the unpleasant thought.

This Christmas is going to be special, especially with JJ and Henry around, and I plan on soaking up every minute of it. Somehow.

JJ gives me a shy smile. "Well I got one of your presents today before meeting you and maybe it'll cheer you up?" she suggests. I'm about to answer her but she cuts me off. "That and I can't wait until Christmas morning to give it to you! That's so far away," she pouts.

Dear Joseph and Mary she pouts and her lips are perfect. I clearly am still not in an appropriate mindset because all I can think about are those lips all over my body.

"JJ you're being a tease," I scold and I wonder when it was that I started thinking about sex with JJ 24/7. It really was ridiculous. Teenager ridiculous.

"Am not!"

I quirk an eyebrow and glare at her which earns me a sultry chuckle. She suddenly stops at something she sees in my eyes. Something I'm sure resembles fiery desire.

"Oh," she gasps. Maybe now she realizes her true power over me. "Okay, okay I'll stop. We don't want you taking me on this very table do we?" she taunts.

I smile. "There's an idea…" I say with mockery.

She giggles and holds her hands up in surrender. "Okay, in all seriousness, I'm done. I promise. But only because I really want you to open your gift now rather than later!"

I shake my head in disbelief. I stop playing with my straw wrapper and clasp my hands. "Did you know that patience is a virtue?"

JJ rolls her beautiful eyes at me. "Whatever!" she groans as she grabs the shopping bag and hands it over to me. "Open up!"

She is nearly bouncing with excitement so I have no choice but to comply. I lay the paper bag flat on the table and grab a tissue wrapped box. I unfold the paper and it is packaging for a picture frame.

"Open it up all the way," JJ instructs me. I give her a smile and do as I'm told.

The frame is bound in bubble wrap which I immediately uncover. I turn it over and my heart catches. It holds a picture of me and the boys from when the three of us, along with JJ, went to fly a kite in the park a few months ago. In it, the boys are sharing the plastic spool while I am standing behind them, leaning down to their level, tugging at the string to make sure the kite is catching the wind properly. We each have a big smiles on our faces.

It is perfect.

"JJ…" I'm so full of emotion that I can barely speak. "I absolutely love it. It's perfect." I move my thumb over it in admiration.

"I think so too." We share a gaze and grin at each other.

I glance back down at the framed photograph and am captivated by it. We look like a family. A father and his two sons.

"This is going on my desk in my office first thing in the morning," I tell JJ. I look up at her with all the sincerity in the world. She knows I reserve my desk for pictures of family only and her smile grows wider. I see a hint of wetness in her eyes so I get up and lean across the table where she meets me for a quick kiss. Before we sit back down I whisper my thanks.

"You're the best, Baby. Thank you."

And I know I love her.

"You're welcome."