Author's Notes: Special thanks to AndreeaRaducan, CeeCee333, Kimd33, RubyDragonJewel, mummacass, BAUMember, CSIflea, Guest, cmapocalypse (thank you! I adore writing the kids), natexserenafan, Lalina92, Ju Fonseca, jenny crum, IniTiniNini, hotchfan1, Flames101, Christiangirl, Guest, and Guest for the reviews! We hit over 700! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Chapter Thirty-Eight
After a long night of sleep as his mind whirled with the lost opportunities of earlier, Hotch awoke to the smell of bacon and the sound of laughter from the kitchen. He rolled to his side, directly into a patch of sun. Squinting, he realized that it was nearly nine already. He couldn't remember the last time that he had slept that late when not in the hospital.
Wanting to join the rest of his family as soon as possible, Hotch hopped out of bed. He stumbled through his morning routine. Tossing on khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt, he made his way to the kitchen.
"Good morning," Hotch said, kissing the tops of Jack and Henry's heads.
"Morning," they replied.
"Good," JJ turned from the stove. "Whoa! You're wearing shorts? You've got some nice legs there, handsome."
Hotch ducked his head to cover his blush. "They're just legs."
She wiggled her eyebrows at him. "There's nothing 'just' about those legs. I can't wait to see those in the pool."
"Ew, JJ!" Jack exclaimed, finally catching on to what she was referring to.
"Sorry, buddy," JJ apologized, though her eyes flashed amusement. "I was just having some fun with your dad. I like this laid back look that he has going on."
Jack tilted his head as he studied his dad. "I do, too. Wait until we get to the pool, Henry. My dad is the best thrower ever!"
Hotch sat down at the breakfast bar with the boys. "Do you guys want to go to the beach today or just hang out at the pool?"
"Go to the beach," Henry told him, definitely. Jack nodded in agreement. "Can we surf?"
"The waves aren't really big enough for surfing, but Jack can show you how to skim the water," Hotch explained.
JJ cringed as she doled out eggs on everyone's plates. "How dangerous is that?"
Picking up his fork, Hotch shook his head. "Jack's been doing it since he was Henry's age. We'll make sure that he's safe."
She leaned across the breakfast bar so that she was right in his face. "I am trusting you with my youngest son. Do not let me down."
"Ye- yes, ma'am," Hotch stuttered. He sighed when he caught the little boy tone of his voice. He stared directly into her eyes. "Don't worry. I'll keep Henry safe."
"O-" JJ shivered at his intensity. "Okay."
Mentally, he clapped with glee. He began to eat with gusto. "So, beach?"
An hour and a half later, they stood at the edge of the sand, looking in awe at the ocean. The beach was sparsely populated. Hotch led them to the middle of the beach, spreading out the blanket while JJ set up the large umbrella. She lathered sunscreen on herself and the boys, momentarily considering offering to do Hotch's back before realizing that he probably wouldn't take his shirt off so he could hide the scars on his back.
"Let's go play in the ocean before we attempt to use the skimboards," Hotch suggested.
"I'm going to set a timer on the phone to put on more sunscreen," JJ informed them. She stood, taking off her shorts and tank top to reveal a deep blue tankini.
Hotch turned as she spoke, but continued to walk backwards towards the ocean. His jaw dropped when he saw her and he tripped over his own feet, falling to the sand on his butt. The boys pointed and laughed.
"Hotch, are you okay?" JJ cried, running to him. She fell to her knees, checking him over for injuries.
"I'm fine," he assured her, embarrassment flooding his face. He refused to look directly at her. "I guess I wasn't watching where I was going."
Shooting him a look of disbelief, she nonetheless let him up with further comment. JJ turned to the hush the boys instead, threatening them with returning to the house if they didn't listen to Hotch. She declined the invitation to go into the ocean with the rest of them, claiming she was tired.
JJ settled into one of the beach chairs that they brought, making sure to keep it under the shade. She snapped a few pictures of Hotch and the boys before pulling out a book. Quickly becoming lost in the love story of the dashing heroine and her plucky sidekick who adored her, she was unaware that she had garnered the attention of a male neighbor.
At the edge of the ocean, however, Hotch had zeroed in on that very fact. Keeping one eye on the boys frolicking in the edge of the water, he kept the other on JJ and the tall, blond man watching her. He stiffened when the man finally gained the courage to walk over to her. Stone-faced, Hotch stared as the man flirted with JJ, showing off his tan. Hotch was unable to tell from that far away what JJ's reaction was, however.
"Hey, Dad?" Jack asked, forcing Hotch's gaze away from JJ. "Why is that guy talking to JJ?"
"I'm… sure he's just being friendly," Hotch replied, attempting to keep his voice light.
Jack humphed. "Well, I don't like it."
Chuckling, Hotch turned fully to him. "And just what are you going to do about it?"
"I'll show you." Jack marched up the sand to the umbrella. He forced his way between JJ and the man, flinging his arms around his mother. "Mommy! Daddy says that we can't go get ice cream later because I pushed Henry. But I didn't push, Henry, I swear! It was the wave that knocked him down." Jack fluttered his eyelashes at her. "You believe me, don't you, Mommy?"
"I-"
"Is this your son?" the man questioned, his voice suddenly distant.
JJ shook her head as she tried to refocus her attention to the man. "Y-yes. He is. My oldest."
The man's eyes bugged out. "How many kids do you have?"
Frowning, she responded, "Currently, I have two. Why?"
"Uh, you just look really good for having two kids," the man backtracked. He tossed a glance backwards. "So, anyway, it looks like my friend needs me. It was nice to meet you, JJ."
"You, too, Greg." JJ watched, amused, as he hurried away. She returned to Jack who was wearing a smirk on his face. "Want to tell me what that was all about?"
Jack scrunched up his nose. "Not really." He grimaced when she raised her eyebrow. "Okay, okay. Dad couldn't keep his eyes off of you while that guy was talking to you and it was making him sad."
JJ bite her bottom lip. "It was?"
"Yeah. I don't think he likes it when you talk to other guys." Jack shrugged before standing. "Will you come play in the ocean with us now?"
"Sure." JJ followed him back to the water, slightly dazed as she processed what Jack's words implied. She stopped in front Hotch, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.
Hotch tilted his head, questioning. "What was that for?"
She bumped her shoulder "Nothing. I'm just happy to be here with you and the boys."