The last week had been one of the busiest in Aaron's life. After informing the Director what was going in, he had stayed home from the two cases that the team had gone on, assisting Penelope with her searches and running things from her office, while running back and forth to the hospital to visit with Erin. Jessica had been an amazing help, watching over things at the house and staying with Erin when he had to be at the BAU.

But finally, her doctor had given her the all clear, and he was watching the clock anxiously for it to reach the time that he had to leave and take her home. "Are you going to hover over her this badly when she's home?"

He looked up from the open file on his desk and gave Penelope a longsuffering look. "I am not hovering, Garcia."

"And I am the queen of England, Boss Man. You have it bad, and it is super adorable. But I have the feeling that Erin doesn't truly appreciate the hummingbird treatment. She's strong and independent, after all!"

"She was also stabbed by an unsub and very nearly lost her life. I think that that affords me the right to at least hover a little."

Penelope giggled as she shook her head. "Let me know how that goes for you, Hotch."

He just frowned in response, closing the file he had tried to finish before pushing away from his desk and standing. Penelope was still shaking her head as she sashayed from the room, and somehow Aaron knew that things would be very interesting from here on out with her, since she was prone to teasing everyone about their relationships. He made his way to the door, turning the lights off as he left. He knew that he wasn't getting anything accomplished here, and it was almost time for Erin to be released from hospital, anyway, so it wouldn't really matter if he was early or not.

Penelope waved to him as he got on the elevator, and Aaron had to fight the urge to scowl darkly at her as the doors closed, knowing that she meant well. It was a long ride down to the parking garage, and then he drove on autopilot to the hospital as he thought about how he could most easily get Erin home without causing her any discomfort as he drove.

Somehow, he found a parking spot right next to Jessica, and he smiled as he went inside and hustled over to the elevators, slipping into the first one that opened and pressing the floor that Erin's room was on. There were a few others in his car, and he gave the little girl who kept glancing at him a small smile before she turned her face into her mother's skirt, giggling a little. "Be good, Mandy," the woman murmured, giving him a long-suffering look. Aaron just nodded as the elevator came to a stop, and he got off.

Making certain to wave to Mandy, Aaron then took off down the hall, making the turns with practiced ease as he navigated to Erin's room. Knocking softly, he opened the door, seeing that Jack was sitting in the corner, playing a game on his tablet, while Jessica and Erin were talking softly. "Aaron!" she exclaimed as she reached out her hand to him. He crossed over and sat down carefully on the edge of the bed, taking hold of Erin's hand gently as he bent to kiss her forehead. "Have you come to take me home, then?"

"I believe that was the plan, darling. We just need to get the all clear from your doctor." She nodded happily before sighing a little as she looked at Jessica. "What?"

"I'm just wondering what my children will say about this cozy new family I've created. We've been talking a little more now, since the divorce made things so strained between us, but I, well, I told them I was coming home today, and that we would all have a meal together. So that they could meet you all properly," she said in a rush, a deep flush staining her still too pale cheeks a bright red.

"That will be fine," he replied quickly, knowing that it was true. "And we'll order in a meal. You like Thai food, yes?" Erin nodded. "Good, that's what we'll get, and we can also hopefully celebrate something else. Something a little spontaneous, seeing as how we both said that we weren't certain that we wanted something a little more permanent. But this scare just…"

"Me, too. And yes, I will. If you're certain that you want this soul scarred woman in your life forever."

"I am more than certain," he replied as he bent down and kissed her once more. Looking over at Jessica, he saw that she was crying silently, a happy smile on her lips as she took a few pictures of them with her phone. "Do not share those on Facebook or Instagram, Jess. I know that Penelope follows you, and she does not need to know this yet. This is for family."

His sister pouted a little as she nodded. "I suppose that will be all right," she finally replied as she took a few more pictures of them and then looked at Jack. "Do you at least have a ring for this spur of the moment proposal?"

He shook his head guiltily, but then Erin was squeezing his hand as she beamed up at him. "There will be time for that later, Jess, and I really do not want another diamond. Let your heart lead you to what you think I'll like."

"All right," he said lowly as he glanced over at Jack, seeing that he was still engrossed in his game. "And at least our news will be news to all of our children." Erin giggled as she scooted closer to him, curling up around his body carefully.

"He's been so good at helping us here, Aaron, that I don't begrudge him playing on that while we're talking boring adult talk." She sighed a little and he began to run his fingers through her hair as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

Ten minutes later, her doctor came in, smiling widely. "Well, I think that it's time to give you an eviction notice," she said with a bright smile. "You have made an amazing recovery, and I know that with your family by your side, you'll continue to along that road. I've already signed your discharge papers, so as soon as I flag down a free porter, you will be wheeled out of here in style."

"Thank you so much, Doctor Abernathy. Your staff here has been so kind and thoughtful." Erin sat up and stretched, giving Aaron a joyous smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight. "We are going home, and I am going to be settled for the rest of my life. I know that life won't always be happy for us, but sometimes there are things better than happiness in this world."

Aaron nodded and looked at Jack and Jessica, knowing that in this room, in this moment, he had everything that he needed to move forward into the future where they had both earned every scar that was on their bodies and souls. It was fascinating to him that things could so rapidly change in a few short months, for the better, and he couldn't wait to see where life would take them next.