Chapter 21

"Well, listen to that heart beat," the doctor observed as he did the ultrasound. Denise just laid down there, smiling. Hotch held her hand.

"Tell me. Is it healthy? Is is a boy or a girl?" Hotch was asking a million questions.

"Slow down, Aaron," Denise laughed.

"Yeah, listen to your wife. Slow down Agent Hotchner. I can't say the sex for sure. I know it's healthy and—oh! Oh"

"What is it, Doctor?" Denise asked.

"There's two heart beats instead of one."

"Are you saying-" Hotch started.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hotchner. You are having twins," the doctor smiled.

"Twins?" Denise stuttered. She couldn't believe it!

Hotch looked shell shocked.

"Aaron? Are you alright?" Denise asked concerned.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm alright. Just shocked that's all."

"Looks like we need to buy two cribs instead of one," Denise squeezed her husband's hand.

"Jack and Anna are gonna have two siblings," Hotch mused. If he was overjoyed when he found out Denise was pregnant, this was nothing compared to the sheer excitement he felt right now. He was ecstatic. Twins he thought twins.

"I can't believe it!" Denise exclaimed, "double the love, the fun."

"And double the diapers," Hotch retorted, although he laughed.

"Insert Reid's statistic on twins..." Denise began.

The doctor left the couple alone. They held each others' hands and walked out with the ultrasound.

"Jack, Anna, we're home!" Hotch called out.

"Daddy!" the kids ran and hugged him.

"Where's Jessica?" Denise asked.

"Right here," Jessica said, coming out of the bathroom, "how was the appointment?"

"It went well," Denise said cheerfully, "there's something we have to tell you."

"Mama, is this about the baby?" Anna asked running up to her and hugging her stomach.

"Yes, dear, it's about the baby," Denise answered.

"So, we got the ultrasound and it turns out we're having twins!" Hotch exclaimed.

"What's that?" Anna asked.

"Two babies at the same time. Don't you know anything?" Jack asked.

"Jack..." Hotch warned.

"Sorry."

"I'm thrilled for you!" Jessica said, "Of course I will be there to help with anything."

"We appreciate that, Jessica," Denise said. Jessica left to give the family some alone time.

"So there are two babies inside of mama instead of one?" Anna asked. Anna ran over to tap her mother's stomach.

"Anna, be careful," Hotch gently chided. He gently took her hand away from Denise's stomach.

"Oh, Aaron, it's alright," Denise retorted, "I'm not fragile. And yes, Anna, there are two babies inside of me," she said looking at her daughter.

"Wow!" Anna yelled.

"I'm gonna have two big brothers?" Jack asked. He was just as thrilled.

"Or sisters," Denise said, "We're gonna need your help to watch over them. Both you and Anna."

"Oh yes! I can do that!" Jack exclaimed, "I can be a superhero just like my daddy!" Hotch laughed.

"Mama, how did they get inside you?" Anna asked.

"Er...what do you mean?" Denise asked back. Geez. Of all times, now was the time for the dreaded question. She looked to the always in control Aaron Hotchner for guidance. His face turned as red as a tomato.

"Yeah, I've been wondering that, too," Jack said, "I mean how are they made? They obviously don't appear there."

"Tell you what," Denise said, "you guys be good and when the babies come, I'll tell you then. Does that sound like a deal?"

"Deal!" both kids said together. They ran off into the basement to play.

"Well, I wasn't prepared for that one," Hotch said scratching his head.

"Neither was I. We have..inquisitive children."

"Well, I am a profiler," Hotch defended. Denise laughed.

"You know, you don't always have to treat me like I'm broken," Denise said, "I'm not a china doll."

"I know, but you're my china doll," Hotch said, kissing her on the lips, "and I'm gonna be taking care of you. So get used to it." He waved a finger in her face.

"Okay, Mr. FBI Agent. Whatever you say."

The pregnancy wasn't always smooth sailing. But Aaron Hotchner was there for Denise every step of the way. Every time she had morning sickness, Hotch held her hair back. Every mood swing, Hotch took it in stride. When she cried for no reason at all, he held her in his arms. When she yelled and ranted about the silliest thing, Hotch just let it slide. When she gained 30 pounds and thought she was ugly, Hotch reminded her that she was very beautiful and would kiss her all over. She would always come to and they would cuddle up together, thinking of baby names and such.

Nine months later, Denise and Hotch were curled up watching Dharma and Greg.

"You know, he kinda looks like you," Denise observed, pointing to Greg, the male lead.

"Really, cause I don't see it."

"You don't? Oh! Oh!" Denise exclaimed in pain. She looked. There was water everywhere.

"Oh GOD!" she exclaimed.

"Denise!" Hotch exclaimed, propping her up, "you're in labor! Come on."

Hotch called Jessica and Jessica came to sit with Jack and Anna.

"Your mama's gonna have the babies," she explained to the kids.

Hotch helped Denise get into the car. She was crying and yelping. It made Hotch sad. He hated to see her hurt. But he knew that in several hours, two beautiful twins would be entering the world. He didn't care about the speed limit. He drove as fast as he could to the nearest hospital.

"FBI!" he barked slamming his credentials on the receptionist's desk, "my wife's in labor!" He hated to abuse his authority, but what choice did he have? They wheeled Denise into a room and Hotch stood by her.

"You abused your authority, Agent Hotchner?!" Denise laughed.

"For you, anything my dear." Ring Ring. That was Rossi.

"Yeah, Dave, Denise is in labor right now."

"I'm on my way. I'm calling the rest of the team."

"UGGHH!" Denise exclaimed, holding onto Hotch for dear life.

"Just one more push and you're almost there. Give it all you got!" the doctor exclaimed.

"UGGGH!" Denise yelled. One baby came out. It was a girl.

"Now, push harder—harder than ever! The other one's coming."

"I don't know if I can do this," Denise panted out.

"You can do it," Hotch reassured her, "just keep grabbing on to my hand."

"UGGGH! AHHHH!" Denise yelled. Out came another baby—a boy.

"You did it!" Hotch exclaimed, "you had our babies!" Denise was exhausted. She laid down on the bed.

In the recovery room, Hotch handed Denise the girl. He held on to the boy.

"One boy, one girl," Hotch said, tears welling up in his eye, "my babies!"

Jack and Anna came up and they got to hold the babies!

"I have four beautiful kids!" Denise choked out. She couldn't hold in the tears anymore.

"What more could I ask for?" she asked.

"Surprise!" the team cheered. They all crowded around the couple. Denise held the boy this time and Hotch held the girl.

"How was it?" JJ asked.

"Tiring."

"Have you thought of any names?" Hotch asked.

"For the girl, I was thinking Clarissa," Denise mused, "does that sound alright?"

"It sounds pretty, my darling," Hotch kissed her, "Jack, would you like to pick her middle name?"

"Sure. I think we should call her Clarissa Haley. After my other mommy who's in heaven. So we don't forget her." That did it. The team, plus Hotch and Denise bawled.

"Clarissa Haley Hotchner. I like that," sniffed Denise.

"The boy?" she asked.

"I was thinking James Michael Hotchner," Hotch said.

"Oh, Aaron! That's beautiful!"

"Now, who's gonna be the godparents?" Rossi asked.

"Well, Denise and I talked about it and think that you and JJ should be the godparents."

"Aww..." JJ trailed off. JJ and Rossi held Clarissa and James. Clarissa and James were handed around to the rest of the team. They finally ended up in the arms of Denise and Hotch. In a couple of days, Denise, Clarissa, and James would go home. The family of four had now become a family of six.