"She's
beautiful Em," Penelope said with tears in her eyes. It was a
fifteen hour labour, Pen and Aaron were in the delivery room with
her,
"Margaret Jennifer Hotchner,"
"Really?" Pen asked
looking up at them as she held the baby in her arms,
"Yeah, it
seemed only fitting to name her after her Aunt's who will spoil her
rotten." Aaron answered as he kissed his wife.
Needless to say, being the latest addition to their growing brood MJ was welcomed with not only open but doting arms. Jayden took to his new friend quickly and were fast friends. A couple of weeks after Emily and MJ were sent home Pen and Derek hosted a barbecue in their honour, and to also announce their news. Aaron and Emily had asked for both couples to be MJ's godparents, which is what JJ and Reid had done with Hayden, Derek and Penelope had also discussed to do. It was important to all of them that their families remained intertwined and close, should anything happen to any of them, they wanted the other to raise their children.
"To
Em, for giving birth to one of the cutest kids in the world, to Hotch
for holding her hand as she did," the crowd laughed as Derek held
his glass up to Hotch,
"to Jack who's the most awesome big
brother," Penelope slipped in as she tickled the little boy in her
arms who giggled appreciatively as Derek continued,
"and to Baby
Margaret Jennifer Hotchner, for being the latest addition to the BAU
family. You are welcomed with open and loving arms. To the
Hotchners." They all raised their glasses in honour of their
family.
"Oh and lastly, to my beautiful wife, for being
everything I could ever hope or dream of. I feel so incredibly
blessed to have you in my life, as my best friend, as my wife and now
the mother of our child." Derek said looking right into Penelope's
eyes as though they were alone in the backyard. Jaws dropped, the
women squealed, and an eruption of excitement had arms enveloping
both of them. Penelope laughed as both of her best friends had thrown
their arms around her tightly, depositing their children to their
respective husbands along the way. They were ecstatic to say the
least.
"Aunt
Pen, will you still love me when you have your own Baby?" Jack
asked with all seriousness as the excitement died down. His easy
transition to MJ was in large part due to Penelope who's role in
his life had never been stronger. He knew that his Daddy and Emily
loved him, they told him all the time, that there was enough love for
him and for MJ in their hearts, but Aunt Pen was special. Emily's
heart crumbled along with Pen's as she turned the little boy that
sat on her lap around.
"Of course I will buddy. You and Jayden
are going to be my little baby's big brothers. I expect you're
going to take care of him or her the way you do MJ and Jayden." The
look on his face said he wasn't altogether convinced,
"You
listen to me Jack Hotchner, no matter how many babies I have, or how
many more Emmy and Jenny have, you'll always be my best friend
okay. You have a special place in my heart, always!" she promised
brushing his hair away from his forehead. Jack seemed to be placated
and wrapped his arms around Penelope's neck as she hugged him.
Aaron mouthed a thank you in her direction.
"Your
son sure knows how to pull the punches Hotch." Pen teased as he
joined her on the porch swing.
"That he does. I wanted to say
thank you, not only for what you said, but for making it easy for him
to transition with MJ. It would have been a lot harder if it wasn't
for you. Hayley tells me he is not at all impressed with having to
share her with Dana."
"Technically Dana isn't really his
sister, and she's bigger than he is so he feels threatened. He's
a good kid and you and Em are great parents. Whatever part I played
in helping, well that's just what you do for family."
"You're
going to be an amazing Mom Penelope Morgan." Aaron said draping an
arm across her shoulders.
"Aww thanks Hotch." She replied with
a grin resting her head on his shoulder.
