Chapter 7: Daddy's Day
"Do good work today," Hotch sent off the rest of his team as it was his day to stay at the house with Spencer. "Good luck with the kid!" Rossi hollered back as they all gathered into their cars and headed to the BAU. He laughed to himself, he most certainly needed luck because Spencer was a handful. He loved him to death but he was a trouble magnet. "Daddy!" Spencer cheered, running down the stairs to greet his father. "Well, good morning buddy. That's a bedhead if I've ever seen one," Hotch laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. Spencer giggled, pulling on his dad's leg. "C'mon daddy, I wanna go watch my cartoons!" the boy said with a yawn. "We can watch cartoons after breakfast, bud. I promise," his dad smiled down at him. "Nooooo I wanted cartoons right now," Spencer whined, falling to the floor and sticking out a pouty lip. "Spencer, do we need to start the day with a timeout?" Hotch warned. The toddler continued pouting and stomping the ground. "Alright, timeout it is," Hotch declared, picking the boy up. "No, no, no! I will be good, I promise!" Spencer begged. "You're sure you can be a good boy and eat your breakfast?" his dad asked with eyebrows raised. The toddler nodded quickly. "Good. I'll make you some eggs and bacon."
After the pair finished up their food, Spencer cuddled into his daddy's arms as he sat on the couch. "Cartoons now, please?" Spencer asked, giving his dad his best puppy dog eyes. "You got it, kiddo. Thank you for saying please," Hotch praised his son with a kiss on the head before turning on the TV. The sleepy boy laid his head on Hotchner's chest and sucked his thumb while watching adventures play out on the TV screen. "Daddy, can we go play with Henry?" he asked after his show ended. "That would be fun. I can ask JJ, okay?" Hotch replied.
"Good news, Spencer! JJ said that we could go see Henry today! He's at home with Will," Hotch explained after getting off the phone with his team member. "Yayy! Let's go!" Spencer declared and ran toward the door. "Woah, slow down there. We've gotta get you dressed, first!" Hotchner giggled, lifting his son into his arms and tickling his tummy. Spencer erupted into giggles. His dad carried him upstairs and into the room they shared. He sat Spencer on his racecar bed and began picking out his outfit. After getting him dressed, he sent him into the bathroom to brush his teeth and comb put his curly hair so that he could get dressed himself. As he zipped up his pants, he heard a loud crash in the bathroom and a wailing Spencer. He raced into the bathroom to find his son crying on the floor, toothpaste splattered on the ground. "Oh no buddy! What happened?" he soothed, bringing the boy close to his chest. "I was trying to stand on the toilet and I fell down!" Spencer sobbed. "It's okay buddy. I've gotcha. Though, you should know better than to be climbing on the toilet. Things like that are dangerous and lead to you getting hurt, like this," he lectured gently, making sure the boy understood but not losing his comforting attitude. "I know daddy, I'm sorry," the toddler sniffled. "Good, if I ever catch you doing something dangerous like that again, you will get a spanking. Understand?" his father warned, setting him on his feet. Spencer nodded, staring down at his shoes. "Spencer, look at me when I'm talking to you. I asked if you understand," Hotch reprimanded. Spencer looked up, teary eyed from his fall along with his lecture. "Yes, daddy." "Good, now give me a hug and let's get going to your playdate. I know Henry is excited to see you. JJ said that he has lots of new toys to play with," Hotch smiled down at his son.
Not long after, the duo pulled up to Will and JJ's house. "Spencer!" Henry called out, excitedly, running out into the street to greet his friend. "Henry! Do not run into the road like that!" Will chased after him, swatting his bottom hard once he caught his son. "I'm sorry, daddy," Henry apologized, walking with his dad back toward the sidewalk. "Hi, Henry!" Hotch greeted, stepping out of the car. "Let me get Spencer out of his carseat and you two can go play in the backyard," he continued. Henry smiled up at his Uncle. Once Spencer was out of the car, he and Henry raced to the backyard. "Geez, those boys are sure a handful, " Will laughed, shaking his head. "You're telling me. I found Spencer sprawled out on the bathroom floor just before we got here. He was trying to stand on the toilet. For what reason? I have absolutely no idea," Hotch agreed with his friend. Will and Hotchner continued telling ridiculous stories of their sons as they made their way into the backyard.
"Zoom!" Henry called out, giggling as he chased after Spencer. "Watch this, my airplane has shooters!" Spencer declared, pointing his fingers like guns. The toddlers played for hours as their dads talked on the patio. All was going well until the two boys couldn't seem to agree on who's turn it was on the tree swing. They argued and argued until suddenly they were pushing each other and trying to climb onto the swing. "Stop! It's my turn!" Henry yelled, pulling the swing from Spencer's grip. "No, it's my turn!" Spencer yelled back, pulling it back toward himself. "Boy's, that's enough!" Will called out. The toddlers turned around to see both of their dads marching toward them. "Now you got us in trouble! Stupid head!" Spencer stuck out his tongue and pushed his friend. "No, you did!" Henry countered, pushing Spencer right back. The boys continued to push and argue until suddenly they were both hoisted off the ground. "Henry, you know better than that…" Will began lecturing as he marched his son to his bedroom. "Spencer Reid. That behavior is unacceptable. I can not believe you would act that way," Hotch reprimanded. "It wasn't my fault! He started it!" Spencer pouted in anger. "I don't want to hear it. Neither of you should be pushing each other. You are getting a spanking," Hotch barked, marching his son to the car. "No, daddy! Please! I will be good, I promise!" Spencer cried, trying to loosen his fathers grip. His dad ignored him as he sat in the backseat of his car, draping Spencer over his legs. "I had better never see that kind of behavior again. Or you can bet your sore bottom that you will have no more playdates," he lectured. Hotch quickly began spanking the boy's bottom. Spencer cried and tried to squirm away but his dad's grip was too tight. Hotch gave his son 25 hard smacks on the rear before allowing him to get up. Spencer was a bawling mess. "Daddy , that hurt!" he cried. "Good. Are you sorry for acting that way or do I need to keep spanking?" Hotch asked his son, sternly. "I'm sorry! I promise!" Spencer cried. "Okay. You are forgiven. I love you, Spencer," the team leader soothed, holding the boy close to his chest. Spencer sniffled, "I love you too. Is Henry getting spanks?"
"Most likely, but I'm not sure. Let's go inside and see if he and Will are back outside yet. I expect you to apologize to both of them," Hotch explained, gaining a nod in response from his sniffling son. They walked around to the back of the house in search of Will and Henry. "There y'all are! Henry has something he wants to say," Will said, when he saw them. "I'm sorry for being mean," Henry apologized. "It's okay. We forgive you," Hotch assured his nephew. "I'm sorry, too," Spencer said. The toddlers hugged and were soon back to their fun. "Now, you boys come inside and play while we make lunch," Will declared. "And be nice to each other! Spencer, don't forget our talk," Hotch added. Spencer's face turned red and he rubbed his sore bottom before chasing his friend upstairs to his room. Will and Hotch made their way into the kitchen to get sandwiches ready for their boys.