"If we keep avoiding each other they are going to know something is up," Emily said while focusing on pouring herself another drink.
"If you could mentally put some of my clothes back on that might help," Hotch replied smoothly while dipping a carrot into the ranch on his plate.
"You know how I feel about those jeans," Emily flicked her eyes down to his ass and quickly back to the snacks on the table. Casual Hotch was her favorite version of him, besides Naked Hotch. "You can't expect me not to stare at your ass when you wear those." They played this game often at events. Finding the perfect balance of space and contact so no one would suspect there was something more going on.
"Oh, like you were playing fair when you picked out that top," he quietly huffed. It was taking every ounce of his self control to keep his eyes off her.
"What? Red is a festive color!" Emily looked down at her blouse with surprise on her face. It was an off the shoulder silk wrap. It, combined with an amazing strapless push up bra, showed off her creamy skin and deep cleavage. She knew what red on her did to him. Red combined with her ample chest would do him in. Add in a little harmless flirting with Morgan and Emily was guaranteed a great night once she got him home.
"And having that much cleavage is required to get in the holiday spirit," the sarcasm was dripping from his mouth. "You almost gave Reid a heart attack when you leaned over him earlier. And I swear Garcia is one drink away from burying her face in your chest." Garcia's proclivity for affection when intoxicated was not limited to Morgan, or even the male members of her team.
"Where's Jack this evening?" she asked suddenly using her normal volume and trying to hide her smirk as they walked back towards the living room.
"Did junior g-man get taken away by elves for being naughty?" Garcia asked with a giggle. Earlier in the evening Reid rambled on about various Christmas traditions after Rossi mentioned the Feast of Seven fishes that inspired the spread he had prepared for the night. Apparently in the Netherlands 'Black Pete' can steal you away for being naughty. It was an idea that left Garcia in giggles and hiccups.
"He's with Jessica and his grandparents. They always have a big family Christmas. He and I celebrated earlier today before they left."
Emily leaned against a pillar as Hotch told them about his day with Jack. They feasted on cookies and did nothing but watch movies with a short break to play in the snow. She loved watching him talk about his son. His whole face would light up and his dimples ever stopped showing. Dad Hotch was very sexy. Every version of Hotch was tempting to Emily but Dad Hotch was just below Casual and Taking Down an UnSub versions.
"Oh look! Bossman and Em are under the mistletoe!" Garcia whispered to Morgan and Reid.
"Mistletoe?" Reid asked with confusion across his face. "This is a family event, why would we want to kiss each other?"
"Yeah, Baby Girl you don't need an excuse to get some of this loving," Morgan grinned before placing a peck on Garcia's cheek.
"It's tradition," Garcia said simply to Reid before she turned back to the archway where the two brunettes where standing and called, "Kiss! Kiss!"
Hotch immediately sent the group his best glare. Even though they were off duty he liked to keep some professional distance between him and the team. He didn't like to get too attached so it wouldn't cloud his judgment in the field. With everything in the aftermath of Emily's return he was trying to be more open with them, be a part of the family, show them that they can trust him again.
"Come on Aaron, loosen up a little. A friendly little kiss won't hurt anyone," Rossi called from the couch.
Hotch thought maybe if they kept it to a short peck it wouldn't be unprofessional but would still be in the holiday spirit. It would be out of his normal comfort zone, showing public displays of affection towards random people. At home, behind the safety of their locked doors, he and Emily were always exchanging loving touches. They had yet to chance a public outing or anything more than an under the table knee squeeze when with the team.
While Hotch was waging an internal war over whether or not he should kiss the woman in front of him, Emily tried to play it cool. Most of the time it wasn't a problem to be in close proximity to him and keep her hands, and lips, to herself. Tonight, however, too many things were working against her. Being apart for over a week, the edible way he looked in the jeans with the sleeves of his sweater pushed up, the wine buzzing in her veins and the image of him delighting his son and being adorably domestic were all driving her hormones crazy.
"Well Prentiss, we can't leave our audience waiting." He turned to face her again with a dramatic sigh. Cheek or lips, cheek or lips was running through his head. The temptation to deepen the kiss would be too great if he went for the lips. And considering he never touched his agents, especially the female ones, lips would be too much of a stretch, even if it is Christmas.
"No, sir. That's just bad form." To the rest of the team the 'sir' would sound formal and uncomfortable but she knew it would rile Hotch up even more. Emily tugged on her top, feigning self-consciousness. She also made sure to shoot Garcia a look of uncertainty.
Slowly Hotch leaned in and placed his hands on her upper arms for balance. His thumbs were rubbing against her bare shoulders. Even that innocent touch was sending sparks through her body. Emily hoped her hitching breath would be read as nervousness instead of the intense desire she was feeling. Finally his lips brushed against her cheek.
"Emily, it's your turn," Hotch whispered in her ear when she froze at his touch.
"Right," she mumbled back opening her eyes and quickly made contact with the stubble on his normally smooth cheek. Emily pulled back then made a beeline for the alcohol on the counter.
"That's all?" Garcia's voice rang out over the other groans of disappointment. "Could you have made that seem any more painful?" Garcia cried quietly coming up Emily's side.
"I've seen you get closer to unsubs than that," Morgan added with a chuckle.
"It's Hotch," Emily responded as if that explained everything.
"Yeah, it is Hotch! So why is that the only action we got to see?" Garcia ignored the glare Emily sent her and just gave her a knowing look.
"Time for gifts!" Rossi called, drawing everyone's attention to the living room. Emily sent up a silent hallelujah for the distraction.
"YAY presents! What did the little man get you for Christmas this year?" Garcia asked Hotch as she settled on the floor in front of his space on the couch.
"A book and a tie. The same thing he gets me every year." He gave a small grin. It sounds a little lame but he loves that his six year old tries to pick out things he likes. He knows that Daddy needs ties and that books are important. Hotch loves seeing the smile light up Jack's face when he gets praise for doing a good job. Jack could give him socks and Hotch would be happy about it.
"And what did he get?"
"Captain America gear and some soccer stuff. Oh and books. Haley made that a rule: one toy, something to enjoy together and at least one book. Didn't matter if it was Christmas or his birthday." Hotch faded out and was staring above Garcia's shoulder at the tree to his left.
"Well, isn't that the sweetest," Garcia mumbled wiping at her eyes. While she was distracted, Emily squeezed Hotch's shoulder in quiet support as she walked behind the couch to get a spot on the loveseat.
They had agreed on a not-so-secret Santa. Mostly because none of them could hide it from the other's very well. Everyone was always too excited about finding the perfect thing that the inter-team profiling had gotten out of hand in years past. Once everyone was settled, Garcia and her Santa hat passed out the presents to everyone.
"Ok, who had JJ again?" Garcia asked. JJ, along with Will and Henry, had left for her mothers in Pennsylvania the night before.
"I did," Rossi called. "She and Will get to enjoy a night on the town of their choice and not worry about the sitter."
"Nice! Who did she have?" Morgan asked.
Hotch lifted a perfectly wrapped present slightly. "That would be me." He took a moment to read the note with a grin on his face before removing the snowflake wrapping paper. He immediately started flipping through the book on training for triathlons. A gift card for a local bike shop slipped from behind the cover. "I had mentioned months ago that I missed all the biking a used to do," he commented casually still reading the pages.
"My turn, my turn," Garcia chanted as she pulled tissue paper out of her gift bag. Two headbands with flowers, a set of butterfly hair pins, a cat barrette, and a package of gold gems followed. She oohed and aaahed as each one hit the floor.
"There should be one more thing," Hotch directed. Garcia fished around in the bag until she found the gift card to her neighborhood coffee shop. "Jack picked out the accessories."
"Tell mini Hotch thank you. I love them." She smiled at Hotch then turned to Reid. "Ok, Boy Wonder, prepared to be amazed."
In his three boxes from Garcia Reid found a purple knit scarf, three sets of crazy socks featuring Dr Who and a new comic. Reid gave Morgan a Chicago neighborhood map and a Bears pennant for his new apartment. Emily received copies of Catch-22 and Between the Acts from Morgan and gave Rossi tickets to a Knicks game.
Before anyone could move to pick up the wrapping paper Garcia set gift bag in front of Hotch.
"Garcia, I already got the cookies you left on my desk with the promise to watch Jack. I don't need anything else."
"It's not for you, Sir," Garcia waved her had like he was missing the most obvious things in the world.
Hotch fixed her with a stern glare. "Between you and Dave, you're going to spoil him."
"Yes, because all the sweets and toys you buy him when he goes places are good for him," Rossi quipped. He rubbed his hands together then stood. "Ok, time for clean up. After that everyone is welcome to join me for midnight mass then stay the night for my French toast."
"Are you staying the night?" Emily asked as they were loading the dishwasher after dinner.
"Mmm….I spend enough time with these people." Hotch looked around the kitchen making sure the others were busy wrapping up the leftovers then took a small step closer to Emily. "You could come over tonight," he mumbled trying not to move his lips.
"Tempting. But I was thinking of going to Mass." She paused at the raised eyebrow her gave her. After Doyle, hiding, and coming back she was trying to find herself again. A part of that was rediscovering spirituality and God. "Well, and I want to try this famous French toast I've heard so much about."
"I'm slightly offended that you think Dave's French toast is going to give you more pleasure than I can," Hotch growled in her ear, causing desire to send a shiver through Emily.
Emily took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders trying to gain her composure. After all their earlier teasing, his breath in her ear was the last thing she needed. She tried to chuckle lightly, ignoring the heat pooling in her stomach.
"Well I'll also have the lovely Penelope Garcia to snuggle with." Once Hotch got his facial expression back under control, Emily added, "I'll come over after breakfast to give you your present," with a mischievous wink, placing the last of the stemware in the rack. "Okay, time to go get ready."
Hotch watched as Emily sauntered away. He couldn't wait until morning. He only put up with the games and the teasing because they both knew that the payoff later would be explosive. After all her tricks he needed her. And he needed her now. Hotch made sure the others were distracted before slipping upstairs.
"I'm almost done in here PG," Emily called when she heard the footsteps coming towards the door of the bathroom attached to the room they were sharing for the night. She was leaning close to the mirror fixing her eye shadow when she felt the arms wrap around her waist. Immediately she was pulled against Hotch's solid body and felt his mouth on her neck. "Is that a present in your pocket or are you happy to see me?"
"Both," he breathed out before nipping on her ear. One hand pulled her hip closer to his while the other hand pulled a small box out of his front pocket and set it on the counter. "You can have it after I'm done with you." With that he spun her around, bringing her into a searing kiss.
"You know the others will be waiting for me," she said as she tilted her head and arched her back to give him better access.
"Then it's a good thing you're wearing a dress." He wasted no time in hiking up the hem of the black dress Emily changed into and lifting her on the counter.
"Really? Here?" she asked while her fingers worked his buckle and zipper. She wasn't surprised that he was eager to get to it. She had been sticking her chest in his face all night. It was the fact that he wanted to get frisky with everyone close by.
The only answer Hotch gave her was making her see stars.
"Merry Christmas Emily," he whispered, sliding the box over to Emily when they finally got the use of their faculties back and righted all their clothing.
"What's this?"
"I figured since I got my present early you should get yours too," he said softly as he captured her lips again.
"We said no presents, Hotch," Emily pushed him away playfully.
"You said no presents," he corrected with a kiss to the forehead. "Did you forget while you were gone that I don't listen to that? Open the box."
Emily slowly lifted lid of the silver box. She removed the batting to find a circular gold pendant. The light glinted off the hammered surface as she picked it up to examine it. Hotch took it from her hand and fastened around her neck.
"Do you like it?" He asked quietly with his eyes locked on hers in the mirror.
"It's beautiful," she whispered holding back the tears in her eyes while she fingered the chain. He always surprised her with his thoughtfulness. Hotch picked out a beautiful piece. It was twenty four carat gold, of that she was sure. Emily always liked simple, high quality pieces; nothing too fussy or delicate that she had to worry about what she was wearing in the field.
"You're beautiful." He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as he continued to murmur in her ear. "So beautiful, inside and out. You amaze me with your strength and compassion. I am thankful everyday that you are in my life."
"If you don't stop with the sweet talk, I'm going to take your clothes off again." Emily stepped out of his embrace and turned to face him.
"And that's a bad thing?" He quirked an eyebrow at her and made a move to pull her close again.
"It is if you don't want them to know about us," she scoffed as she wiped a lipstick smudge off his jaw. "Come on lover boy, let's go. We can finish this tomorrow." Emily walked through the bedroom and into the hallway, leaving Hotch to trail after her.
"Where'd you disappear off too?" Morgan asked has Hotch walked back into the living room.
"Saying good night to Jack. I had to convince him that the sooner he went to sleep the sooner he would get presents." It wasn't a lie. He did call Jack after his quick coupling with Emily.
"Are you joining us at Mass?" Morgan followed up. Hotch looked up to find five sets of eyes looking at him expectantly.
"I'm going to head home."
"It's Christmas. No one should be alone on Christmas!" Garcia cried.
"Sorry, my bed is calling my name." He wished Emily was in it with him but getting some uninterrupted sleep would be a good consolation prize. Besides, Hotch doesn't do church or religion in any form. He had gotten lucky with Haley and her family; they weren't religious either so he never had to worry about being forced into holiday services.
"I'm sure there is a pile of paperwork on the night stand to keep him company," Rossi smirked at him with a pat on Garcia's back.
"At least come by for breakfast. Everyone was going to hang around here for the day. Nothing big, just eating, talking, maybe some games."
Kevin was spending his holidays in New York with his family so Garcia was alone. Both Reid and Morgan preferred to save time off for extended trips to see their mothers. Rossi and Emily didn't really have anyone to see as they weren't close with their families. Without any major plans, they ended up being the ones on call over the holidays.
"I think he's afraid my French toast will show up his pancakes."
"Is that a challenge? It sounds like a challenge," Morgan said looking between the two older men. Emily had to keep her face straight. She knew how good Hotch's pancakes are but she preferred is omelets. The man had a way with eggs that rivaled her childhood chef.
"Ok, I will come back for breakfast," Hotch had a wide grin. "But I need to get some sleep. Jack wore me out this morning." Again, not a complete lie. He and Jack had a busy morning playing outside, eating cookies and watching movies. He wanted some time alone with Emily but he could settle for time with the ones that became his family. After all, it was Christmas.