Hotch came out of the twin's room from fixing something they needed before school started on Monday and stopped as he reached the stairs. He could see Mark let some guy into the house, a man who cause his wife to stop walking as soon as she saw him. Hotch's anger grew as he saw the flirtation grin form on Emily's lips and as the younger brunette moved closer to her as soon as Mark left the room. Hotch balled his fists as the man pulled her close and cupped her cheek, his anger flared as they shared a long kiss.
What the hell was she doing? Making out with some man at her own son's birthday party, wearing little to nothing for him?!
Hotch tried to listen to their conversation but they were whispering to each other in a loving way, which was making him sick.
"Are you staying longer?"
He heard Emily ask and he couldn't help but think how many times this man had stayed here, stayed with her. Were they having sex? In his bed with his fucking kids down the hall?
Hotch shook his head and started down the stairs unknown to the couple near him. He came down just in time to hear the last of their conversation.
"What kind of baby steps?"
Hotch could see that look on her face, looks he used to get from her.
"Oh yes please Ms. Emily Prentiss!"
Hotch was quick to push Emily away from him before they could start kissing again, he balled his fist and punched the guy square in the jaw and watched as he fell to the ground.
"Aaron!" Emily screamed, as she was quick to try and grab Hotch's arm when it rounded to hit Darren again.
Hotch flung his arm free and was able to get on top of the other man, his fist coming down to hit him again.
Emily watched as Darren started hitting back, she ran to the back door and out to the yard, knowing that even with all her training, getting an angry Hotch off of someone was a job for Derek. She pulled Sean away from his mother and Derek by the shirt, "He's attacking Darren." She whispered to them.
Both men plus David rushed inside and tried to pull the two apart. Morgan and David held back Hotch as he was ready to go for a round two, Sean was able to get in the middle and held onto Darren.
"Hotch man, enough!"
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Darren yelled trying to get around Sean.
"You son of a bitch, you'll regret laying a finger on my wife!"
"Oh, so you're the ex-husband huh? From what she told me; it was you who ended everything."
Hotch glared, "You stay away from her and my kids!"
Darren laughed, "I will see Emily as much as I please, you are no longer her husband."
Hotch growled and fought against the hold the two men had on him, "Listen you British half-wit! I can end you in a single call, I want you out of her life!"
Darren patted Sean on the arm as he fixed his black dress shirt and tie, "You and what army? Emily isn't some object you can or will ever control again, she deserves a gentleman who can keep it in his pants."
Darren saw Hotch struggling again against Derek and Dave, he shook his head and walked over to Emily who looked like she was about to cry, "Come on sweetheart, he isn't worth it anymore."
Darren pulled her close to him and off to the right, into her study, as soon as he closed the door the dam broke and the younger woman sobbed into his shirt.
"I'm so sorry Darren, I should have warned you that he was here, I should have known he would catch us together."
"Oh baby, please don't cry. You didn't have to tell me anything, I can handle myself. I'm sorry, for what I said."
Emily shook her head as he pulled her tear-filled eyes up to look at his light green ones, "I know you were angry; you don't have to apologize to me for that. I just feel lost, I don't know how to handle him anymore, not after..."
Darren rubbed his thumb under her eyes, "After what hon?"
Emily looked down, ashamed to meet his eyes.
"Don't do that. Don't shut down Em, if something happened, I won't be mad," He pulled her face up and back to looking at him, "I like you Emily, I like you so much that I want to work all of this out just for you. We aren't dating right now; I don't even know what we are doing but I want to help you through all of this."
Emily took a deep breath, "He tried to sleep with me earlier today and I almost let him."
Darren took a breath, "What made you stop?"
"His new girlfriend is here at the p.."
"His what?!" Darren backed up from Emily and reached for the handle, only stopping when Emily put her hand on his and pushed him against the door instead.
"Darren please," she sobbed, "He kissed me a few times and undid my top but I stopped it before anything else could happen, I don't want you mad at me for this."
Darren hugged her tight, "I'm not mad at you baby, I'm angry with him. I am not leaving your side at all until he leaves, and maybe not even then, the boys will just have to deal with a woman being at our night out."
Emily laughed and then continued to as Darren joined her, "Thank you for not getting mad."
He grinned and flip them, he pushed Emily into the door and kissed her. Emily relaxed against the door and pulled him close, she let Darren drag her right leg up and around his waist. Her hands ran up his back as she broke the kiss to breath, "Darren.."
"I know, not yet." He rested his forehead against hers and smiled, "Really soon though, I hope."
Emily nodded, "Sonner then you might think if you kiss me like that again."
Darren laughed, "In that case.."
~~~~~
Morgan and Dave walked Hotch outside and over to get a drink, the older man didn't even greet Beth as she said Hi, instead he grabbed a beer and walked to the large oak tree off to the side of the yard, it was down a few stairs and about 12 to 15 feet away. There was a bench underneath that he had built for Emily when she was pregnant with Amber, their names were painted on the back side of the bench along with their birthdates and every time a new Hotchner was born, he would write down their name and date too. He sat down with his head in hands as Derek and Dave sat in front of him in chairs they brought down.
"I really need to win her back."
Morgan rolled his eyes, "You know what Hotch, enough. We're all sick of it, I know you're hurting in all this too but you left! You're the one who walked away and left her and the kids,"
Dave patted Derek's arm, "No! I'm sorry but he needs to know that he fucked up! Hotch, you slept with someone else, you are dating someone else who is here at your son's birthday party and you're the one who is upset that Emily is moving on?"
Derek got up fast from his seat and shook his head, "You need to get over yourself, you caused all of this and broke up your family. I can no longer sit behind you and keep my mouth shut! You walk around the office like a lost puppy but you know what? It's your fault that everything happened! It's your fault that Emily came to me sobbing because you admitted your wrong doings, it's your fault that she left the team, your fault that she divorced you and it's your goddamn fault your oldest kids don't want anything to do with you!"
The dark man pointed to the party, "Today is not about you or your regrets, this is about being a family and you can't even do that right without playing the martyr! I hope Emily choses Darren, he's been here more then you have and would never hurt her like you did!"
With that Derek stormed off and went to find Penelope to calm his nerves.
Hotch didn't say anything, just took what Morgan had said to heart and watched him storm off. He turned to Dave, in which the older man just shrugged. "He's right Hotch and although I would never tell you that, we are all sick of your pity party and it really is pity you search for. I love you both but you need to stop hurting her. You need to leave her be and let her be happy for once since you messed up."
Dave to, got up and left back to the party, he only hoped that Aaron would start thinking right and soon.
A little while later, Hotch went back to the party himself, accepting the hug that Beth gave him.
"Are you ok?"
Hotch nodded, "It just feels so strange to be here with everyone, I'm sorry for having left you for so long."
"It's ok, we can leave if you want to?"
Hotch nodded, "I think we should, maybe after the cake."
It was as if certain people had heard him and not five minutes later did James come out of the house with the cake. The young man lit all the candles as everyone gathered around the table, Hotch tried to calm his nerves as Emily and Darren walked out of the house. Darren looked at Hotch and wrapped his arm around Emily's waist, not caring about what people thought anymore. The man held onto her and Sean came over with Jack on his shoulders, he flipped the youngest Hotchner into his seat and Morgan cleared his throat as he started the chorus of singing.
Hotch watched the 30 second scene unfold before him; it was as if Jack had forgotten he was even there. The little boy smiled wide as Emily crouched down next to him and sang along with the other adults, Jack giggled as she tickled his side and he saw Darren behind her. Jack grabbed the other man's hand and pulled him to his other side. With Darren on his right side and Emily on his left, Hotch felt his heart break at the picture-perfect family they made. It looked like Darren had taken his place as the father, he looked like he fit in perfectly next to them.
Hotch felt a tear fall down his face but he was quick to whip it from his eye and put on his stern mask, he didn't know that Beth had seen the whole thing and she wondered if the handsome man next to Jack was Emily's new boyfriend, and could see how hurt hers got when the other man took his place.
Jack blew out his candles as everyone cheers and popped party poppers, he hugged his mom tight and let her pick him up, "Happy birthday my baby boy."
Jack smiled and held onto her, "Can I has a piece of cake mommy?"
Emily nodded, "Of course baby, you can have a big piece today."
Jack squeal and kicked his feet, "Down please."
Emily let Jack down and he ran over to Darren, "D! Will you have some cake with me?"
Darren smiled at the nickname, Jack couldn't quick say Darren, it came out as Darrn every time, which made the English made laugh.
"Well Mr. Jack, I think that can be arranged only if I can get a piece too?"
Jack shrugged, "You'd have to ask mommy."
Darren chuckled, "Then we should do it together." He said and looked up to Emily who was thanking the girls for starting to set the table and grab plates and forks for the cake.
"Mommy?"
Emily smiled down at Jack, the little boy was standing in front of Darren, who was crouched behind him and his arm around the little boy. Jack's hands were resting on Darren's arm and he looked to be in thought.
"Yes baby?"
"Can D has a piece of cake to?" Jack then patted Darren's arm and both boys gave her their best puppy dog eyes, their lips even puckered out slightly.
Emily had to hold back her laughter, "Yes of course, now come pick out your pieces."
~~~~~
The party was coming to an end, most the kids had already left after getting cake and Jack was doing a super job at handing out the party favors he made for the day. It was already 4:30pm and Hotch thought that now was a good idea to leave. He walked over to Jack and gave his son a hug, "Happy Birthday buddy, I'll pick you up next Friday ok?"
Jack looked a little sad, saying goodbye to his dad. "Bye daddy, when are you coming back?"
"Next week."
"No daddy, when are you coming back home."
Hotch looked down, "I hope soon buddy, really soon."
Jack gave him another hug and shyly waved goodbye to Beth, Hotch made his way to the twins and said his goodbyes.
He calmly walked over to Emily, who was standing on the side talking with Derek and Sean.
"I don't want my son coming home smelling of beer and full of glitter." Emily said smacking Sean's arm.
Sean laughed, "I would never let James come home smelling of beer!"
Emily laughed and slapped him again, "Sean!"
The three laughed and Emily let her face fall as Hotch got closer to her, "Are you leaving?"
Hotch nodded to his ex-wife's question, "Yes, thank you for inviting us and I'll be back Friday to pick up Jack for our weekend."
Emily nodded, she let Sean and Derek shake Hotch's hand and say goodbye to Beth, "I'll walk you out"
Emily lead the couple into the house and to the door. Hotch looked into the living room and saw Darren playing video games against James and Mark.
"Oh, I'm coming for you Mark." The British man joked and he was shooting his 'gun' at some guy in blue on the screen. Emily walked in, "James your father is leaving."
James nodded as he continued to play the game, "Bye Aaron."
"James." Emily said in a stern voice.
James quickly got up and walked over to his father, he shook his hand, "Bye Aaron." He said again with more sarcasm.
"Goodbye James." Hotch said not caring right now how he had talked to him, the older man just wanted to leave.
Emily walked them to the door, Hotch opened it and gave Beth the keys, "I'll be right there."
Hotch turned around and looked at Emily, "I'm sorry for beating up your boyfriend Em, I didn't mean to do that."
Emily folded her arms, "Thank you for saying that Aaron"
Hotch looked down, "I didn't know that you were seeing someone or I.."
Emily rolled her eyes, "Or you wouldn't have what? Tried to sleep with me today, offered to win me back or beat Darren up?"
"Beaten him up."
Emily froze, she thought he would have said something else.
"I don't take back what I said to you in the study today Emily, I really want us to try and get back to what we had."
"Aaron.."
"No. Don't 'Aaron' me, I know I messed up and that the relationship we once had will never be back 100%, but I'll take whatever percentage you will give me. I want to try and start courting you again, I want to take you on a date, I want to try to have you be mine one last time for the rest of your life. We were meant to be together for forever, this mess was never written in the cards but I am willing to do anything to get you back."
Emily looked down, "Drive safe Aaron, I'll see you next Friday."
Hotch sighed and turned back to the car as the door closed, he needed to do something and fast to get her back.
~~~~~
Emily stood making tea later that night, the girls were still here as well as Anna and they were talking amongst themselves as she was set to boil the water. The boys had left early, maybe 6 or 7pm, to grab dinner before starting their boy's night out. Emily made sure that they all knew where the spare key was outside on the porch and had them all write down her address just in case they were too drunk to tell the cab driver. Darren had made sure they cabbed over to the restaurant before hitting the bars, that way, no one had to worry about leaving their car overnight somewhere.
"So, we got the drinks out of the way, Jack and Henry are out for the night, so what are we girls doing? We can play a game; I have one in mind already!" Penelope cheered.
"Oh no, last time we played one of your games, I ended up letting it slip that Dave and I have done it on the Jet." Erin grinned while shaking her head.
JJ laughed, "She's right and the time before that, you called me out on having dated Reid for 2 weeks."
Emily laughed, "I still can't believe you never told me that."
Penelope made a face, "Oh shush, my games aren't that bad."
"Right and you somehow getting out of me which position is my favorite, wasn't so bad." Anna grinned.
Emily laughed, "Something I did not need to know about my mother in law, PG"
Garcia rolled her eyes as she was no longer amused, "You guys suck. Fine pick some boring game."
The girls laughed again, Erin grinned as she looked at JJ before speaking, "I know a great game in that case."
"Which is?" Garcia grumbled out.
"It's called what in the world is going on with our very own Wonder Woman and a British Hal Jordan?"
The girls feasted their eyes on Emily, "Nothing is going on."
"Right, so the rumors of Dave, Sean and Derek needing to pull Hotch off of Darren at the party today are false?"
Ann looked over at Emily, "What happen?"
JJ grinned, "Nothing other than Hotch catching Darren and Emily in a passionate lip lock and of course your son didn't appreciate it too much, nearly broke that man's nose."
Emily sighed, "We were very close but we weren't kissing, I leaned in to do so but Aaron pulled me away and decked Darren."
The girls could see that she was getting sad and annoyed by the memory.
"I just don't understand him anymore, first he brings this new girl to my house, tries to get me naked and then hits my boyfriend as if I was the one cheating."
Erin's ears perked up, "Boyfriend?"
Emily stopped talking, "What?"
JJ bit her lip, "You just called Darren your boyfriend."
Emily shook her head, "No I didn't"
Garcia grinned, "Oh honey you so want Hal to be your new squeeze."
Emily rolled her eyes, "I just don't feel ready to date someone."
"But sex is ok?" Erin raised a brow looking at her, Emily's eyes widened.
"You guys have had sex and didn't tell us?" Garcia gasped, her hand going to her heart to mimic being hurt.
Emily shook her head, "No we haven't, we've messed around a little but have never had sex, Erin is just hoping I say yes." She said, glaring at the older blonde.
Erin shrugged, "A girl can hope, who knows, tonight might be the night."
Emily groaned and turned back to the tea kettle, "Well I'm sure as hell not telling you big mouths if that's the case."
~~~~~~
Emily was in bed unable to sleep, the girls had watched a few movies together, made margarita's and tried to wait for the boys but when it got to be 1am, they all retired to the guest rooms. They first made up the living room with blow up mattresses and extra pillows and blankets for the boys, Emily was more than certain they wouldn't be able to make it up the stairs, let alone to the right guest rooms down the hall. It was nearly 3:30 in the morning and Emily finally heard them all come in. She got up from her bed and opened the door. She walked to the railing and watched as Will and Morgan stumbled while holding up James, who was too drunk to walk right, they were all laughing and trying to 'shush' each other but found the act hilarious. Darren was closing and locking the door, he didn't seem to be very drunk at all maybe at the least buzzed. Sean was holding up Mark with Dave's help trying to place the boy on the couch with little success. Emily smiled and waiting until they were all in the living room and falling sleep on their own accord. Emily descended down the stairs, she had waited for at least James and Mark to fall asleep because she was in a dark red teddy. It was her normal sleep wear but still to inappropriate for her son and her daughter's boyfriend to see. Morgan and Sean had the giggles as they tucked themselves into bed, Dave was telling the two to stop as he took the other couch and Will was already passed out along with James and Mark. Emily walked over to where Darren was standing, his back was turned to her and he was laughing at the two other men trying to put themselves to bed. Emily wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her head on his shoulders.
"mmmm baby, those knuckle heads didn't wake you, did they?"
"I was already up,"
Morgan and Sean were starting to quiet down and lull to sleep, unaware that Emily was in the room.
Darren shook his head at the two and turned around, he let a gasp escape his lips at her outfit.
Emily looked into his eyes, "Are you coming to bed?"
Darren nodded and let Emily pull him by the hand and up the stairs. She let him follow her into the room and closed and locked the door.
Darren gulped as she took off his shirt, "Emily, are you sure you want this?"
She nodded, "I'm ready for it, I want you to make me yours."
Darren grinned and kissed her lips, he picked her up with little effort and let her wrap her legs around him. Emily was nervous, she had only been with one man for most of her life and had only wanted to be with him.
She hadn't had sex in close to 2 years and she didn't know if she would be able to do much. She was glad that Darren was so understanding and willing to move at her pace but she also knew that he had waited for this night for months.
Emily took a deep breath as he placed her on the bed, she watched as he stood over her and took off his pants, leaving his briefs on. He moved between her legs and laid on top of her, "We'll take this as slow as you want my love."
Emily nodded and gave him another kiss; she may have been nervous but she was excited to finally have him.
