A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Sorry this one is short!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 25: Happy Birthday
Emily snuck into Gracie's room early and sat next to the sleeping girl. She softly brushed her hair out of her face and sang "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gracie, happy birthday to you!"
Gracie's eyes popped open, smiling at Emily. She waited till Emily finished singing and giggled. "Hi" she beamed.
"Good morning sweetheart. Happy birthday!" Emily kissed her forehead. JJ and Penelope had a day of Gracie pampering planned so Emily decided to get her girl up early and make a nice breakfast for just the two of them. "Pancakes are ready. Hop up and let's eat."
"Okay, if I must." The girl replied pushing back the covers.
"You must!" Emily sang walking out the door.
After breakfast was over Emily cleaned up the kitchen while Gracie ran to her room to get ready for her big day. When Gracie was busy Emily left the dishes and went to her room to get Gracie's gift. Originally she wasn't sure what to get Gracie except the typical seven year old toys you get a girl but after hours of shopping she found the perfect gift. She wrapped it in a small box with a pink bow. Even though Gracie wasn't a girly girl she hoped she would like the gift.
"Gracie can you come out here?" she yelled down the hall. Little feet were heard then Gracie ran and jumped on Emily's bed.
"What's up?" the girl asked still straightening out her new shirt Auntie Penelope bought her for to wear today. In big pink letters it read 'Birthday Girl'. It was more for Auntie Penelope but Gracie liked it.
"I wanted to give you a gift before your auntie's come get you." She handed Gracie the box. "It's something very special and I hope you like it. Open it."
Gracie smiled then carefully ripped the wrapping off. She lifted the lid of the box and saw a small silver heart necklace. A banner ran across the heart and was inscribed with 'I Promise'. Gracie took the necklace out and turned it over. On the back it said 'Emily'.
Emily watched the confusion on the small girl's face. "It says 'I Promise' because I promise to always be here for you no matter what. I promise to take care of you and I promise to love you no matter what." She explained with tears in her eyes.
Gracie smiled "Thank you. I love it. Will you put it on me?" Emily nodded taking the necklace and placing it on the girl.
"You're welcome baby."
"Emily, can I ask you something? I've wanted to ask for a while now but I don't know if I'm allowed." Gracie said climbing into Emily's lap on the bed.
"You can always ask me anything." Emily grinned at the girl's brightened eyes.
"Can I… can I call you mommy?" she asked her. Gracie didn't know if Emily wanted to be called that or if she was even allowed to but she desperately wanted Emily to be her mommy. She just hoped her real mommy wouldn't be mad that she wanted Emily to be her's now.
Emily didn't know what to say. She never thought Gracie would want to call her mommy. Developmentally the girl knew who her mother was and Emily just figured she would always be called by her name. But her heart did skip a beat as soon as the words were out of the girl's mouth. "Ah…I… I don't know. Do you want to?"
"Yes, but only if my real mom won't be mad." Gracie said tentatively.
"Oh, sweetheart. Your Mother won't be mad. She loved you very much and she only wants you to be happy."
"I want you to be my mommy" she whispered softly almost given up.
Emily tilted her chin up to stare at those beautiful blue eyes "I would love for you to call me mommy. I love you Gracie." She kissed her head.
Gracie beamed and threw her arms around Emily hugging her tightly. "I love you too."
-CM-CM-
As soon as Hotch walked up to the park picnic table Jack was promptly taken from him from his blond bubbly technical analyst. He watched Jack take to her immediately and then the two went to the playground where Gracie and some of her friends were already playing. Finding Emily at the table setting up the food, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her exposed neck.
"Hey" she murmured. She loved this side of him. The normal emotional closed off Aaron Hotchner was gone. And in his place was the man she was falling fast for. her pulse picked up when he was near or his name was mentioned. The butterflies fluttered in her stomach just at the sight of him.
"Hey, how has your day been?" he asked her.
"Busy but amazing!" she was so excited to tell him about all the fun the girls had between Gracie's first spa day Penelope had given her and the new name Gracie gave to Emily.
"Really? What happened?" he melted at the smile her lips held. Her smile always made him melt.
"Well Gracie asked me if she could call me mommy."
Hotch was surprised but not completely. He knew this day would come. Gracie and Emily had an extraordinary relationship from the moment they met and even when he was against it he knew Emily would be an amazing mother. "That's great Emily. You are a great mother and Gracie knows that."
"She was so excited when I told her she could. I'm so happy." She leaned into him.
Hotch smiled and wrapped her up. "You deserve to be happy."
"You make me happy too." She whispered in his ear. And if she wasn't facing the other way she would have seen the smile that put the other's to shame grace his lips.
"Speaking of me making you happy, how would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?"
"Really?" she asked excitedly then he nodded. "I would love to!" she kissed him. It was sweet and tender but disrupted by the squeals of the children gathering for the cake.
-CM-CM-
Later that night after the festivities Emily climbed into Gracie's bed for their bedtime story. It was her favorite time of the day, just her and her girl. "Which story?" she held up two of Gracie's favorites.
"That one please." She picked snuggling down into her pillow.
"All right" Emily started reading but by the end Gracie was sound asleep. Emily softly scooted out and turned the lights out. "Goodnight Gracie. I love you." She said walking to the door.
"Night Mommy." The sleeping girl whispered. Emily continued out of the room wiping the tears off her cheeks. She would never get tired of hearing those words.