Chapter Nine

"We're going to the zoo, we're going to the zoo." Jack cheers as they drive to the opposite end of Washington DC than they live on.
"We sure are buddy. What animals do you want to see first?" Hotch asks while they hunt for a parking spot after arriving at the zoo.
"The giraffes!" he begins, "Beth, what do you want to see?" he asks his father's girlfriend.
"I don't know, it's your day, you get to choose." she says as she turns around and smiles at him.
"Jack, do you remember when mommy would bring you here? What was her favorite animal?" Hotch asks, referring to his son's deceased mother.
"Mommy liked the elephants, and the pandas." Jack says
"Let's go find those giraffes for you, Jack. What's your favorite animal?" Beth asks him, trying to change the subject.
"I like the elephants, like mommy. And I like the turtle and snakes like daddy. What's your favorite?" he asks.
"I like the penguins, but there's not very many here." she replies.
"I don't like birds, they scare me. And they're too loud!" Jack says.
"They are very loud! Do you like lions?" Beth asks.
"I do, daddy do like them! They look like Beth's cat, except more fuzzy." Jack laughs
"They do look like Luna and Peaches. But I think I like the tigers better than the lions. What do you think?" Hotch asks his son
"They're cool too, can I go play on the park?" Jack asks.
"Sure, be careful. Beth and I will be sitting right here so if you need anything." Hotch tells him as he and Beth sit down and Jack runs to the playground.
"So his mom used to bring him here?" Beth asks.
"Um, yea. Haley thought that Jack needed to know his animals early on, and we started bringing him here together when I was home. I want to bring the baby here too, so she can see what Jack saw." Hotch replies.
"I do to. Have we thought of her name yet? We only have five left to choose from. And it's only a couple of weeks until she's born. I'd like to have a name before this afternoon, if we can decide on one." Beth says as she looks over at Jack. "I wonder if she'll be anything like Jack is?" she continues.
"Only time will tell that. And sure, let's talk about the remaining names. What do we still have? Avery Quinn, Summer Kate, Zoe Irene, Faith Elizabeth, and Tara Louise. I like Avery best, or maybe Zoe. What do you think?" Hotch asks.
"I like Summer and Avery, Zoe is pretty though." Beth says.
"So we both like Avery. Are you an Avery little girl? I think it's a perfect name. Fit for our little angel that is." Hotch says as he places a hand on her stomach.
"Then let's name our princess Avery, Avery Quinn Hotchner, I love it!" Beth says as she lays her hand on top of his.
"Let's get Jack and continue walking around, the party is supposed to start in about an hour." Hotch says as he looks at his watch.
"Sounds great, where are we going for it?" Beth asks
"I believe we agreed on just down the street from here, so we can stay for another 45 minutes or so. Jack, come on buddy." Hotch answers before calling for his son.
"Ok, then let's go wander around for a bit and then we can go."
"Daddy, can we go see the pandas? Mommy always let me look." Jack asks.
"Sure kiddo, let's go find those pandas for you." Hotch answers as he takes Jack's hand.
"Is this the first time he's been here since she died?" Beth whispers to Hotch so as not to attract Jack's attention.
"Yea, I couldn't bear to come back here after, but he wanted to come." Hotch answers.
After another 40 minutes of walking around the zoo, it's time for them to leave for the party that is being held with their friends. They drive to the restaurant down the street and walk in and see everyone in the corner.
"Hi Beth and Hotch. And hey there Jack." JJ says as her son runs up to say hi to Jack.
"Hi everyone, it's good to see you all again." Beth says as she takes a seat at the table.
"How to you feel, Beth. And how is girly girl doing?" Garcia comes over to join the party.
"I feel great, for being 8 months pregnant. And the little girl finally has a name. We've been narrowing it down for weeks, but finally decided for good today." Beth says as she begins to smile.
"Oh, I want to know her name!" Prentiss says as she and Morgan walk in.
"Really? We picked out a name just a few weeks ago too!" JJ says
"Oh what are you naming your little girl?" Beth asks, "We're naming our princess Avery, Avery Quinn." she tells them all.
"That's beautiful!" Prentiss says.
"I love it!" Garcia replies.
"It suits her perfectly, Will and I decided to name baby number two Ava. Ava Christine." JJ says.
"I'm hungry, so let's get this baby shower stuff started." Morgan says as he eyes the cake.
"You are such a man." Prentiss laughs.
"Typical!" Garcia giggles.
The team, which has become more of a family every day they've known each other, enjoys baby shower games with each other. They then begin to open gifts, and finally get to the part that all the guys actually care about, the cake.
"What kind is it?" Beth asks since she wasn't the one who ordered the cake.
"The right half is chocolate, and the left is white cake." Prentiss begins, "And all the leftovers are just for you three! Have fun with that." She laughs.
"Guess we'll be having cake for dinner for a few weeks." Beth plays along.
"Jack, Henry. Do you boys want some cake? JJ calls as she starts to cut the cake.
"Yea! Can I have chocolate mommy." Henry asks.
"Sure, here is a piece." JJ says, handing him a plate. "What kind do you want Jack?" she asks.
"Can I have chocolate please." he asks.
"Here's a piece." JJ hands him a piece.
"Thank you Aunt JJ." he says as he goes to sit with Henry.
"He's such a polite little boy." JJ says to Hotch.
"Haley and Jessica did a great job of teaching him manners." Hotch says with obvious guilt in his voice.
"You can't change what happened, but you can show him what love is and always show him the happy side of you. It's what Haley wanted." Prentiss says.
"It is. Well, I think we better be heading home. Beth is looking exhausted." Hotch says as he begins to pack up the presents.
"I'm fine if you want to stay for a bit." Beth says.
"No, you matter more. Let's get home so we can put all of this away. Jack come on." Hotch tells her.
"Can I please stay with Aunt JJ for a bit?" Jack asks
"Did you ask Aunt JJ?" Hotch tells him what he needs to do.
"Aunt JJ, may I please stay with you and play with Henry?" Jack asks.
"That's fine Jack, we've got to finish cleaning up, but then we'll go over to the house and you can play." JJ tells him.
"Ok, thank you! Daddy, can I go?" Jack asks, knowing he has to ask before he can go.
"Yes buddy, that's fine." He says as he helps Beth stand up. "I'll talk to Aunt JJ about what time to pick you up, so I'll see you in a few hours." he tells her.
"Bye, daddy." Jack says as he hugs his dad.
"That was a great party." Beth says as they walk to the car.
"It was great, I think we got a lot of what we need." Hotch replies. "I'm tired, do you feel ok?" he asks
"I feel fine, let's just get home and get a few hours of sleep." she says