Henry couldn't believe his eyes when he reached the NICU. The tiny infant in the incubator took his breath away.

"I take it you're the daddy?" came a soft female voice. Turning, Henry caught sight of the nurse standing next to him.

"Yeah, how's she doing?" Henry asked.

"She's a fighter. We've got her on oxygen and she's in the incubator because she needs to be kept warm, but she's doing well for being born premature. Would you like to get closer?"

"Uh, I guess," Henry said shakily.

"Then if you'll follow me," the nurse instructed as she lea the young man to his daughter's incubator.

"She looks so tiny and fragile," Henry exclaimed.

"She is, but preemies are more resilient then we give them cred it for," the nurse assured.

"So she should be just fine" the worried father checked.

"Yes she should. Would you like to touch her?"

"Can I? I don't want to hurt her.

"Nonsense, you won't hurt her. It will do her good to feel her daddy's touch," the nurse explained. Nodding, Henry held out his hand and waited for instructions. The nurse guided his hand through the sides of the incubator and smiled when he touched his daughter's tiny hand. As if she realized who was touching her hand, the newborn grasped his pinky finger with her hand.

"I think she recognizes you," the nurse whispered. Smiling Henry nodded. He still couldn't believe he had a daughter, but he'd fallen in love with her at first sight.

"Where is Christi at now?" he wondered. He knew he'd have a lot of groveling to do to get back into her good graces, but he was bound and determined to do whatever it took to make that happen.

"She's in the post-partum area. Let me look at the computer and I'll tell you which room," the nurse offered, walking away from the tiny girl and heading for the computer on the other side of the room. After tapping a few keys, she spoke. "She's in room 119. If you take this hall all the way to the end, turn right, and then it's the second door on the left."

"Thank you, I'll be back later. I'm sure her mom will be as well," Henry said as he turned and exited the NICU preparing to do battle with the love of his life. XXXX

Everyone had left accept for Hotch. He told Christi he would stay with her. She smiled when she recalled how Dylan had reacted to learning he was now a big brother.

"What's that smile for, huh?" Hotch asked.

"I was just remembering how Dylan reacted to the news he's now a big brother," Christi answered.

"Yeah, he seemed to take it well," her father agreed.

"Yeah, he did," she said, remembering the moment. XXXX

"Mommy! Are you okay?" Dylan cried as he ran into the room, Lucy and the girls behind him..

"Where's Jack?" Christi asked. He'd been with her until his wife and the kids got there.

"He's going to your place to get clothes and such for you," Lucy answered.

"Why are you in here, Mommy?" Dylan questioned. Christi looked around ad the team. They were all still there. JJ had walked back in announcing that Henry was on his way. Part of her was angry that JJ had gone against her wishes and called him, but part of her was glad that she'd done so. Whether she wanted to admit it, but she needed him. For that matter, so did Dylan and their daughter.

"Well, when Mommy was at school today my stomach started hurting really bad. You remember how it was hurting this morning at breakfast?" she asked.

"Yeah," the little boy replied.

"Well, it got worse and they brought me here to make me better. Turns out, Mommy was pregnant. I had a baby. You're a big brother, sweetheart." Dylan's eyes widened and his mouth opened.

"I'm a big brother?" he repeated.

"Yep, you have a baby sister," Hotch answered.

"Wow, can I see her, please?" Dylan requested.

"Yeah, sure you can. She's in a special part of the hospital for babies who are born early like her. She's what they call a premature baby. She'll have to stay here for a little while before you and your mommy can bring her home," Derek explained.

"Oh, okay, but can I see her now?" Dylan asked impatiently.

"Yes, you can, come on, kiddo. I'll take you," Derek offered. Hotch had seen their newest granddaughter earlier. Now Derek wanted a turn.

"Thanks, Papa," Christi said.

"You're welcome, Christi, we'll be back in a bit. Our get some rest," he said as he took Dylan's hand and walked from the room. The others decided to leave and let her rest. Half an hour, Jack stopped by with clothes, and left with Dylan and Derek once Christi assured them she'd be fine with just Hotch staying with her. XXXX

A knock on the door made her look up.

"Come in," she called out. The door opened and Henry poked his head around it. Christi's breath caught and she stared at him.

"Hi, Henry," she breathed.

"Hi, Christi, I just saw our daughter. She's perfect," he said a slight note of awe in his voice.

"Yeah, she is, isn't she?" the exhausted mother agreed. Noticing the awkwardness between the two young adults, Hotch stood up.

"Here, Henry, why don't you take my chair. I need to use the bathroom and stretch my legs," the unit chief offered.

"Thanks, Uncle Aaron," Henry said sinking into the empty seat.

"You're welcome," Hotch said giving Christi's hand a pat before exiting the room leaving the two of them to work out their problems. XXXX

"I can't believe we have a little girl. I didn't even know you were pregnant," Henry began.

"Neither did I," Christi whispered.

"So what happened anyway?" he asked. Christi told the story of how her day had gone.

"That's how we got here," she concluded.

"Wow, what a crazy day, huh?" Henry commented. Christi nodded and stared intently at him.

"Why are you here? Oh, and don't give me that line about seeing the baby."

"Yes, I am here to see the baby, but also to see and talk to you. I love you Chris, and my mom made me realize a couple of things. I kept taking corps assignments because it was easy. I didn't mean to neglect you and Dylan. I guess his illness scared me and I ran. I'm sorry and shouldn't have done it. What can I do to make it up to you? I gave my notice; I'm quitting the corps immediately." Christi stared at him hopefully. She wanted to believe him, but it was hard.

"Prove it," she demanded. Nodding, Henry pulled papers from his pocket and handed them to her. She quickly. A hopeful smile crossed her face when she realized he was telling the truth.

"This is a start. You have to promise me you won't go back. Do you promise, Henry?" she asked. "Only promise if you mean it," she said.

"I promise, I'm done. I shouldn't have ran in the first place and I'm sorry. I want to be here for you, Dylan, and our daughter from now on. What can I do to convince you of this?" he wondered.

"I tell you what. You can move back into the apartment, but you'll sleep on the couch for at least the first couple of weeks if not a month. You have to regain my trust and prove you won't leave. Can you do that?"

"Ye, I'll do anything I need to do in order to be with you and my family. Speaking of our family we need to name our daughter. Do you have any ideas?"

"Hmm, how about Bethany?" Christi suggested.

"No, I don't like that. How about Danielle?" Henry threw back. Cristi shook her head.

"Elizabeth?" she suggested.

"I like that for a middle name," Henry replied. "How about Samantha? Samantha Elizabeth Jareau-Hotchner?" Henry offered.

"I like that, but I want to change one thing," Christi said.

"What's that?" Henry asked.

"I want both kids to have your last name," she said.

"I like that, but only if you will o." As he was speaking, Henry got down on one knee. "Christina Lynn Hotchner, will you marry me?" he asked. As he was speaking he pulled out a box and opened it, revealing the ring. It was a beautiful princess-cut three stone diamond ring with pink sapphires accenting it.

"Oh, Henry, it's beautiful. Yes, I will marry you," Christi cried, tears streaming down her face. Happily she held out her hand and let Henry slip the ring on it.

"Now, does this prove that I'm staying for good and want to commit myself to you and our children?" he breathed against her lips as he kissed her.

"Yes it does," she said returning the kiss.

"So does this mean I don't have to sleep on the couch?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes it does," she replied staring at her left ring finger in total shock. She'd finally gotten what she wanted, Henry Jareau had proposed to her.

TBC?

A/n, here's a link to the ring. I'll put one in the profile as well. Just take out the spaces.

http :/ www dot zales dot com / product/ index dot jsp?productId= 4413204