The line to the grotto was huge, with many parents with crying children hoisted on their shoulders or in their arms. Thankfully Jack had taken this moment to be quiet, his eyes wide with the prospect of meeting Santa. Aaron remembered when he was a child going to a grotto such as this. Of course it was a publicity stunt for his dad, but at the time he had loved it, always being tongue tied when it came to actually meeting Santa, something he bet no one on his team would believe.

Sharing a smile with Spencer, Aaron watched as Jack started chatting animatedly with a girl in front of them about what they wanted from Santa.

"I feel a little silly standing here," mumbled Spencer, looking at the long line of children and weary parents.

"You have as much of a right to be here as them, Spencer," replied Aaron, brushing his hand over Spencer's cheek, and trying not to grin when the younger man leaned into the touch.

"I know, but the idea of going in there and telling a guy dressed up as an imaginary figure what I want for Christmas seems silly," whispered Spencer, well aware of their young audience.

"Sometimes pretending is nice," said Aaron, remembering how he had kept up to Santa façade a long time after he had found out it was his parents and not St Nick.

When it was their turn, an elf showed them inside, her face clearly showing she had better things to do than this. Her eyebrows did raise slightly at Spencer, and Aaron moved slightly closer to him. Seeing this, her face fell slightly, presenting them Santa with less exuberance than Aaron would have expected.

Santa was sat on an almost throne-like chair, a sack of presents next to him, and depictions of reindeers and elves on the walls. It was small, and Aaron could easily see the hinges that connected the walls, but when he saw Jack's face it was transformed into a mask of amazement. Glancing at Spencer, he saw his lover's full attention was on the little boy, the gentleness that he had seen at the Nativity in his eyes, and he thought the smile that now appeared on his face was totally justifiable.

"Have you been a good little boy this year?" asked Santa, when Jack was comfy on his knee, gazing at the bearded man with suspicion, but most of all joy.

"Yes, I have," said Jack boldly, and Aaron tried not to see too much of himself in the response.

"Good, I see you are on my list," Santa pretended to look at a scroll tucked in one of his pockets, "Now, for being so good, tell me what you want for Christmas and I'll see what I can do."

"I want daddy to be home more!" replied Jack, after a few seconds of deep concentration. Now it was all the more harder for him to keep the smile on his face, and Spencer, seeing this, squeezed his hand, the little comfort doing nothing to ease the block of ice that had settled in his stomach.

Jack wanted him home more. He had asked Santa for this, and now he hoped it would be true.

He would be disappointed regardless of what he got.

Leaving the grotto candy canes in hand, Aaron felt Jack tug his hand.

"Spensa wants to talk to me, we'll be five minutes," Jack's face was serious, and watching the two leave, Aaron sat on one of the many benches that littered the mall, trying to focus on the good points of today. Jack had met Santa, Spencer had a new Christmas experience, and... he had learnt he had to be a better father. He should have done something about that already, maybe it would have saved his marriage... No, his marriage wasn't salvageable, but it would have given Jack more memories of him, and vice versa. Even now, with him only seeing Jack when Haley permitted, he had to cancelled more times than he would have liked.

Watching Spencer and Jack return, he plastered a smile on his face. It was going to be a long ride home.

Lying in bed that night, he felt Spencer snuggle up to him, and returned the embrace clumsily. Normally now they just fell asleep, that's why when Spencer's soft voice pierced through his sleepy haze, he was catapulted right back into consciousness and then some.

"You know he never meant that you are a bad parent, you are one of the best I know, he just wants to know you better."

And then Aaron had an idea.

Day 3: Success

A/N: Thank you for the feedback! Sadly this is something I did only a few weeks ago... with no small child as an excuse, however, I had never seen Santa before, and so it seemed likely that Spencer wouldn't have either, add Jack and he has a reason to go... unlike me - the looks were cringy to say the least. Jack's wish, whilst sad seems reasonable, here Haley and Hotch have just been sepparated a year, and the show shows that he wasn't really around much before that since he was too dedicated to his job. However, don't worry, happier chapters ahead, and I'll have them up soon, with the family down, it's hard to find time :/

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Criminal Minds *sigh*

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistake contained within this chapter.

Please review!