"I'm sorry to spring this on you, but what with the trauma of Irene's birth, Penelope wants to have her christened right away. Will you two be her godparents?"
Aaron looked at Erin, who was wearing a shocked smile on her face. She nodded slowly, and then said, "I would love to be her godmother."
"And I would be more than willing to be her godfather. Thank you for this honor, Dave." He shook hands with the other man and ten sat back down next to Erin. "So, when's the christening?"
"Sunday at ten in the morning. The ceremony will be at Our Lady of Consolation."
"We'll see you there," Erin said softly as Dave stood and left the office. "Did you hear the good news about Ashley?" Aaron shook his head. "They brought her out of the coma yesterday, and her vitals are picking up strength. Her doctor said she'd be awake today."
"Is she going to be okay?"
"Physically, yes. It's the mental aspect they're worrying about. Remember, she's been in that coma for five weeks now. Is she going to be the same person as before? Most likely not."
"She's not coming back to the BAU, is she?"
"No. She'll finish up her studies at the Academy, if she wants, and then she'll be assigned somewhere relatively safe here at Quantico. I heard chatter about a space being made for her in white collar crimes." She looked up at him. "Are you ready to head home? My bag's in the trunk already."
"Sounds good to me. I'll go pick up Jack and you can let yourself in."
"All right." She leaned over and kissed him before standing up and leaving her office, her purse on her shoulder.
Aaron flipped the lights off and smiled at Carri. "Have a good weekend."
"You as well, Agent Hotchner."
He rode on the elevator, knowing she'd taken the stairs. Erin had gained a tiny bit of weight in the last few weeks, and was trying to work it off. He'd sworn to her that he hadn't noticed the three extra pounds, and honestly, he hadn't, but she'd sworn her clothes were fitting oddly, especially her bras.
Shaking his head, he stepped off the elevator and went to his car. Emily was leaning against it, a pensive look on her face. "Can I help you, Emily?"
She looked at him, and for the first time since she'd returned, he saw sorrow cloud her eyes. "I feel like I've lost so much in eight months' time. Everyone is holding me at arm's length, even Derek. I know it's only been fourteen days, but I thought everything would be easier than it is."
"They buried you, Emily, moved on from the grief of losing you. It's natural they'd be wary after your sudden return."
"But I missed them!"
"Of course you did. That does not negate their feelings, though. Do you want to have supper with us tonight?"
She looked at him a long time. "Us as in Jack and you? Or us as in Jack, Strauss, and you?"
"The latter. We're in this for the long haul, Em, and while I know it's hard to see, she's the other half of my heart now. Please, come, get to know us."
Finally, she nodded. "I'll meet you at your apartment."
Aaron felt a ghost of a smile flicker across his face. "We'll see you there." She went over to her own car and took off while he got in and made a quick call to Erin. "Hi, Rin."
"Aaron? Is something wrong?"
"No, sorry to alarm you. We're going to have a guest for supper. Our prodigal daughter can't seem to find her way."
"She's only been home for two weeks. Did she expect this to be instantaneous?"
"I kind of think she did. I don't think she'll come in until I get there with Jack. She's still not too certain of you."
"Give her time, I'm still a cipher to her. I'll see you all in a little while?"
"Yes." He put the phone in his cup holder and drove to Jessica's house. Jack was out the door before he could park the car, a huge smile on his face as he clambered into the vehicle. "Daddy! Aunt Penny let me see Irene today! She set up the webcam and we talked for ten minutes. Irene is so cute, Daddy. When are you and Momma, I mean Miss Erin, going to have a baby?"
He took a deep breath as he waited for Jack to get settled in his car seat. "We haven't talked about that, kiddo. All of her kids are grown, since she started earlier than your mom and I did. It gets harder to have a child the older you get."
"She's not that old, Daddy. I want a little sister, exactly like Irene."
"We'll have to see, Jack." Aaron began the drive home. "Miss Emily's joining us for supper tonight."
"Miss Emily? Awesome! I'm glad she got back from her trip safely."
Aaron smiled at his son in the rearview mirror. "I am, too. But, she doesn't know Miss Erin like you and I do, so you have to show her how nice Miss Erin is, okay?"
"That'll be easy. Can I call Miss Erin Momma? I love her so much, and she treats me like I was hers. Would Mommy mind if I did?"
"I think she'd be happy there's someone taking care of you like she did. And yes, you may call her Momma, if you wish. I'm sure she'd love that." When his said nothing in response, he looked back at him once more. "Jack?"
"I'm just praying for a baby sister. God answered one of my prayers; maybe He'll answer this one, too."
"Keep praying, buddy." He pulled into the parking lot of their apartment complex and parked next to Erin. "All right, let's head on up."
Jack took hold of his hand and tripped along at his side as they made their way to the apartment. "Miss Emily!" he shouted, letting go of Aaron's hand to run into her open arms.
"Hey Jack! How are you?"
"Good. How come you didn't go inside yet? I'm sure Momma would be glad to see you, too. We all missed you." He hugged her tightly and Aaron saw Emily's face drop in shock.
"I wanted to see you first, buddy." Emily stood and went up to the door, knocking slightly. After a few moments, Erin opened the door, a streak of flour across her face. "Good evening, Erin."
"Emily. I'm so glad you could make it this evening. Please, come in." She stepped back from the doorway, motioning them in. Aaron brought up the rear and kissed his lover as he closed the door with his foot. "Aaron, I hope you don't mind chicken pot pie. It was the only thing I could make quickly for the four of us." She yawned slightly as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Early night tonight?"
"I'm afraid so. But that means we can get up early in the morning. "She grinned at him as the buzzer went off. "If you'll excuse me, that's our supper."
Erin moved into the kitchen and he watched her go, a stupid grin on his face. "You have it bad for her, huh?" Emily asked as she sidled closer to him.
"Yeah, I guess I do. So, what do you think?"
"She seems different, much happier than the last time I saw her. But what about her husband?"
"He killed himself a few months ago."
"Oh, god, Hotch, that's awful. I can see why she'd change." Emily sighed. "So, where are we eating?"
"In the kitchen," he replied, showing her the way.
Emily left shortly after supper, having thawed a little towards Erin. Jack put the dishes in the washer while they went into the living. Aaron sat down on the sofa, and Erin curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest.
"Aaron?"
"Yes, Rin?"
"I've been thinking, and I want to take our relationship to the next level. I miss you when you're home and I'm in my home, sleeping alone. Will you and Jack come live with me? I know it's selfish, to ask you to move, but I have more room, and Jack would have a yard to play in."
He was quiet for a few moments, absently stroking her collarbone. Erin dug her hand into the fabric of his shirt, her breath catching in her throat. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Jack's wanted you with us permanently since Christmas. But we could go with you, too."
She relaxed her hold on his shirt and reached up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Aaron. I can't believe I'm ready to take this step." Erin snuggled her face into his shoulder and he ran his hand down her arm to cup her breast.
"I think I know where that mystery weight went to, Rin. Your breast feels heavier, fuller, to me. Are you eating hops behind my back?" he gently teased.
"No, Hotch. Is it really that noticeable?"
"Honey, no, it's just that they do feel fuller to me. Otherwise, you remain unchanged to me. Still amazingly beautiful." He gently pushed her back so he could look into her eyes. "Still the best thing that's happened to me in the last year."
She reached out and cupped his face, her eyes sparkling with tears. "Aaron, never stop telling me that. I believe I'm changing, for the better." Erin leaned in and kissed him, only for them to be interrupted by childish giggles. "Hello, Jack."
"Hi, Momma. All the dishes are in the washer now." He joined them on the sofa, pushing his way between them to sit close to his father.
"Jack, you know that question you've asked me quite a bit lately?"
"Which one? About my baby sister or about Momma staying with us forever?"
"The last one, Jackson."
"Is Momma going to stay with us forever?"
"Sort of. We'll be moving in with her."
Jack grinned up at him. "That means there'll be more room for my sister! This is so perfect!" He kissed Erin's cheek and then hugged his father. "This is the most perfect day!"
"Well then, end the night on a high note. You've chores in the morning." Aaron prodded him off the couch and Jack ran to his room.
"A baby? Aaron, I don't know if I can have a child still." She touched her stomach and looked at him.
"We could always adopt. But that will come later. First will be getting used to living together." He kissed her forehead and held out his hand to her. Erin clasped it and together they stood.
Erin crawled into bed, not bothering to take off her clothes, and she was asleep before he'd turned around., Smiling gently, he went to her side and carefully undressed her, trying not to wake her up. Once she was down to her panties, he stripped down to his boxers and crawled in next to her. As he spooned his body close to hers, he felt her melt into him. "Together, always," he whispered in her ear before closing his eyes and letting sleep claim his tired mind.