The morning sun streamed in the window, and Aaron stretched as he woke up, relishing the warmth on his skin. Glancing down, he smiled to see that Erin was curled up against him, her back to his chest, her head pillowed on her hands. Unable to resist, he bent down and kissed her cheek tenderly, wondering if she would wake up or continue sleeping.
She blinked her eyes open as she came to wakefulness, and instantly, she found him, giving him a tender, open, smile. "Good morning, Aaron," she whispered before he lowered his lips to kiss her sweetly.
"Good morning. Would you like to shower first, or can we do that after we eat?"
She giggled as her stomach growled lowly. "I guess you know what I'm hungry for," she said, reaching up to caress her cheek. "Do you mind if we eat first?"
"No, that's perfectly fine. Let's get some clothes first, though." Erin nodded and slipped out of bed to pad over to their dresser. Tugging out a pair of pants and shirt, she tossed them to him before taking out a long skirt and peasant blouse for herself. "Would you mind doing something for me, Erin?"
She looked up at him as she hooked her bra, the open look on her face suddenly shuttering. "What, darling?"
"Would you not wear any panties beneath your skirt? We're on vacation, after all, and we're allowed to be a little freer." She shook her head a little, but the sweet smile that crossed her lips told him that she didn't really mind as she tugged the skirt on, smoothing it down her thighs before pulling the blouse over her head.
"Does this look all right, Aaron?" she asked, tugging the blouse down off one shoulder to reveal her bra strap. All he could do was nod and swallow hard, desire pooling in his belly. Somehow, he managed to get out of bed and pull on his clothes, but his eyes remained on Erin, their smiles growing secretive the longer they stared at each other.
A loud banging on the bedroom door caused Erin to start, and she scurried over to his side, letting Aaron wrap his arm around her waist. "Yes?" he called out, watching the door swing open quickly.
"Dad! Your phone is ringing off the hook! Miss Penelope's name is on the display, so I figured it was sort of important." Jack thrust the device at him before running back out the door. Turning his head, he kissed Erin's temple before tapping Penelope's name in his call log.
"Boss Man! I am so sorry to bother you on your vacation, but this couldn't wait. We're in deep donkey dung, and I've been trying to deflect the worst of the rumors."
He tightened his arm around Erin, and she turned against him, her breasts flattening against his side as she rested her head on his chest. "What is going on, Garcia?" he asked, his hand tugging absently on the ends of Erin's hair.
"I think that Rossi let it slip that you may be seeing our hard ass boss, since Director Shepperd stormed in here to ask me about your vacation time, and where the two of you were. I didn't tell him anything, of course, since you two need to be protected, but I figured that a head's up would be good."
He took a deep breath before looking down at Erin. "Yes, that's going to be an issue, isn't it? Do you have the Director's number handy?"
"I can text it to you, Aaron. Seriously, I will do anything to keep the two of you safe, you both deserve to find happiness in this world of ours. Don't tell Erin that, though. I don't think that she'd believe me just yet."
"I have the feeling that she would trust you more than you know. All right, send the information, and we'll deal with it from this end. Thank you for being a friend to both of us, Garcia."
"Aw, anything for you, Boss Man. And I'm calling dibs on being the maid of honor."
He chuckled at that, shaking his head before kissing Erin once more. "I'll run that by her, Garcia. Have a good day."
"You, too!" she chirped out before disconnecting the call. Moments later, he heard the notification of getting a new text, and he pulled the screen away to see the message from his technical analyst.
"What is it, Aaron?" Erin murmured as she rubbed her cheek against his shirt.
"The Director knows about us. Rossi must have let something slip, and he went nosing around to Garcia. I should probably take care of this before it gets out of hand. Would you mind dealing with Derek from now on?"
She pulled away a little to look into his eyes. "Why would I have to deal with him?" she murmured, her brow knitting with confusion.
"Because I would rather step down and let him lead the team than lose you as our Section Chief. And I think that Penelope would probably hurt me if I let that happen, too. She's taken a shining to you, and once you're a part of her cobbled together family, you'll never be allowed to leave." Erin gave him a tender smile, and a small part of him knew that he would have to watch out for that friendship, as there would be no stopping them, ever, once they got started. "So, now I have to call Director Shepperd, and tell him…"
"Tell him what, Aaron?"
"That I have finally managed to move on and fill this hole in my heart. That you have managed to complete me in a way that I never expected, and I don't ever want to be separated from you." The words seemed to just pour from his mouth until Erin was crying, and he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and letting her cry into his chest. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she replied before lifting her lips for a kiss. He was happy to oblige her, and then she was sashaying over to the door. "I'll start breakfast with Jack, and you can join us when everything is squared away."
"That sounds perfect," he replied absently and they exchanged another smile before she disappeared out into the hall. Taking a deep breath, he went over to the bed and slumped down on it, staring at his phone. He knew that he would have to call the Director soon, and yet he still wanted to put it off.
Finally, though, he touched the number that Penelope had texted to him before lifting the phone to his ear. It only took two rings before the man in question was answering and he took another deep breath as he listened to the gravely "Hello?"
"Director Shepperd, this is Aaron Hotchner. I heard from Ms. Garcia that you wished to speak with me?"
"Ah, yes. I seem to have heard a rather distressing rumor, about a certain SAC and his Section Chief. About how they're on vacation in upstate New York at the moment, in flagrant disobedience of the frat rules. I do hope that none of that is true."
He was fishing, Aaron knew that for certain, and he let out a long breath as he weighed out his options. "And if it were true?"
"Then we might need to do some serious talking when they return from said vacation. Though, it would have to come after I talked to a certain technical analyst who seems to think that making my life miserable is the right way to make certain that the status quo stays the same."
"I am more than willing to step down and let Agent Morgan lead the team from now on."
"And I would prefer that you continue to lead Alpha. Is this a serious relationship?"
"Yes. I cannot see myself without her in my life. She has managed to sneak up and fit herself into my life, and she's great with Jack. Again, I stress that I am willing to step down, if need be."
There was a long pause, and Aaron wondered what Director Shepperd's answer would be. "I'm going to be counting on you to keep things discreet while at work. You cannot act like a couple while you're in the building. And if I hear about even the slightest bit of impropriety in the office, both of you are gone. Do I make myself clear?"
It was more generous than Aaron had been expecting, and he nodded a little before giving his answer. "I am more than certain that we can make that arrangement work. Thank you for being so understanding."
"It's the least I can do for you, Agent Hotchner, after everything that you've been through. Enjoy the rest of your vacation."
"We will. Thank you again," he said before hanging up, trying hard not to let a silly grin cover his face as he stood up and made his way down to the kitchen, eager to have breakfast with his family.