I know not everyone is fond of Robin and Val, but hang in there. Everything has its purpose.
Chapter 52: The Awkward Moment When
"Emily still out there?" Hotch asked Robin when returned to his room.
"Uh… No. She went home."
"Without saying bye?" he wondered.
"Yeah. She seemed in a hurry," Robin told him, though it was clear to Hotch that she wasn't being completely truthful.
"Did she say anything?"
"She said she'd talk to you later. I think she wanted to give us some time."
"Sounds like her."
"Sure," Robin said, though she didn't know. She thought it could be true. Emily seemed nice enough from their brief meeting and from what Aaron had told her. She was just angry that Emily was called, and she wasn't.
"She was supposed to get the address of Jack's camp from me. Oh well, I guess I can give it to her tomorrow."
Robin took a deep breath and decided to be the strong woman she was rather than the angry woman who took things out on innocent friends. It wasn't Emily's fault that Aaron didn't call her, and, from the sounds of it, it wasn't Aaron that called Emily either.
"She's going to get Jack?"
"Yes. I'm supposed to take it easy the next few days, and I'm not really supposed to drive while using the pain medication," Hotch explained, readjusting in bed with a wince.
Broken ribs sucked.
"I… I could always pick up Jack with you. Before you say anything, I know what you're thinking. You're not sure that it's time for me to meet Jack. I get it. Really, I do, but for this to move forward, I'd have to meet him at some point. He's not a baby, Aaron."
"You want to meet Jack?"
"I'd love to meet him."
"Well, I think that can be arranged. Jack's old enough to understand dating and that I'm seeing someone."
"Really?"
"Yes. Really. I wasn't keeping him from you. I just wanted you to be ready to meet him."
"I'm ready."
"Great. But not tomorrow."
"Oh," she deflated. "Ok."
"It's not anything against you. I'm just going to have to explain to Jack that I was hurt, and I don't want to do that on top of introducing you two."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"I know that's not what you wanted to hear."
"No. No," she said. "This is exactly what I want to hear. All I want is to be a part of your life, and Jack is the biggest part. I want to get to know your son."
Hotch gingerly moved forward and kissed her. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you," Hotch said.
"Well, that's an easy thing for me to do," Robin told him before carefully moving to lay next to him, her hand moving to his chest where she felt the bandages. "How bad was it really? Could you have died?"
"No," he lied. "It was a small incident. Nothing to worry about."
"Ok…" she said. "Can I see? Where you were hurt, can I see?"
"Later," he told her, "Let's just stay just like this for now."
She nodded and laid a little closer.
"Did I hurt you?" she asked when he recoiled.
"I'm ok." He maneuvered so they were closer and in a more comfortable position. "When do you leave for your trip?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. I can cancel if you need me," she said, though they both knew she couldn't.
"No. Don't. You should go."
"But I'll stay the night."
"I'm ok with that."
"You better be," she teased, snuggling into him more.
For the rest of the afternoon, the couple just laid there, snuggling as they watched a bit of TV.
Emily, meanwhile, headed back to her apartment after she got the brush off from Robin.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, seeing Val knocking on her door.
"Here for you," he answered. "You didn't call."
"I'm just getting back to my place. I was going to call you when I got in."
"You're just leaving Hotch after being with him all day?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes. Is that a problem?"
"No," he said. His tone said otherwise.
This wasn't the first time he showed his discomfort where Hotch was concerned. Before she thought it was more about Nate and her not letting him meet Nate yet. Nate, Jack, and Hotch seemed to come up at the same time often, so she assumed, but maybe she was wrong.
"I'm sorry I hadn't called. I thought you'd still be at work."
"Class ended early. Last one of the session before finals. It was a review day."
"Right. Going to come in?"
"Please," he said, waiting for her to open the door.
Emily did and offered to take some of the bags he was carrying. He went shopping for their dinner.
"What did you get?"
"You will see when it is ready," he said. "Une surprise."
"I guess that means you don't want my help."
"Correct. You are on wine duty."
"My favorite," she told him. "Can you make a little extra?"
"Whatever for?"
"I'd like to bring some up to Hotch and Robin, too, if she's still there. Hotch shouldn't be spending too much time on his feet."
"You want me to cook for your guy friend and his friend?"
"Don't say it like that," Emily grumbled. "My friend was hurt. I care and I want to make sure he's taken care of."
"Maybe too much you care," Val suggested.
"No… Don't make this something it's not. If you're worried about Hotch and me, you don't need to. We've been friends for a long time. If something was going to happen, it would have by now."
"Has something happened before?"
"No," she answered quickly. "No…"
He trusted her enough to take her word at face value. With a heavy voice he asked, "Do you believe your friends would be welcoming to a little company and fresh food?"
"You want to cook dinner for all of us… to share together?"
"I want to make you happy," he said, "Even if it means spending time with strangers and doing things like cooking for them."
"Well, you did say you wanted to meet my friends… I am going to reward you for this you know."
"I'm expecting as much."
She gave him a kiss and a hug. "Get cooking. I'm going to ask Hotch."
She grabbed her phone and sent Hotch a message.
He was still in bed finishing a show with Robin when his phone dinged. His face scrunched as he tried to maneuver for it.
"I'll grab it for you," Robin said reaching over him for the phone. "It's from Emily."
He could almost hear the eye roll.
"What's it say?" he asked.
"She wants to know if you and I would be up for dinner with her and Val tonight. Val's cooking."
"Sounds good," he says before quickly adding, "If you're up for it."
"Sure. Why not?" she said, a new, happier tone in her voice.
"Really?"
"Yes. Sure. Less we have to do, right? Gotta eat."
She passed him the phone and got off the bed.
"Tell her yes. I'm going to freshen up."
"Ok. Great."
He was surprised but happy with her reaction to the offer and quickly sent Emily a response before Robin changed her mind.
An hour and a half later, Emily and Val were at his apartment with hot food and a bottle of wine.
"Come in," Robin greeted as she answered the door, her smile dimming as she saw who was with Emily. "Emily and…"
"Hi Robin, this is Valentin."
"Oh… Ugh, hello Valentin."
Val greeted her with a kiss to each cheek and as much of a hug as he could manage with his hands full.
"Val is fine. Thank you. We bring wine and food."
"Aaron is at the table. Come in. What can I take?"
Emily passed her the bottle and showed Val into the kitchen and dining area. They put the food down and she introduced him to Hotch who was sitting at the dining table.
"Hotch, this is Val. Val, this is Hotch."
When Hotch tried to get up, Val stopped him. "No. It is fine. Don't get up," he said, offering his hand. "It's good to make your acquaintance. Emily speaks of you and your son often. I am happy to finally meet some of her closest friends. I only wish it was under better circumstances. How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing better. Thanks. It's good to meet you, too." Hotch looked to Emily. "Is there anything I can do?"
"You mean other than sit there and try to relax? No. Val and I got this," Emily said.
"And I'll open the wine," Robin said. "Is everyone having a glass?"
"Not me," Hotch said. "Don't want to mix it with the pills."
Emily and Val retreated to the kitchen to plate while Robin pulled the wine opener off the small drink cart. Almost angrily, she finagled the top, popping the cork.
"Everything ok?" Hotch asked her.
"Yes."
"Robin…"
"Everything is fine. I'm happy to spend time with your friends. Let's enjoy ourselves," she said, voice tense and fingers gripping the bottle.
Everything did not seem fine…
She filled three glasses and placed them at the table. She brought the one she poured for herself up to her lips and took a very long sip, draining half the glass before refilling.
"Seriously, Robin. What's wrong?" Hotch asked with concern. "I told you it was ok if you didn't want to do this."
"I wanted to do this…" When she thought Val was a girl. "Why didn't you tell me Val was short for Valentin?"
His eyes narrowed in confusion. "I didn't know that I had to."
"I thought he was a she."
"Did…" Things started to click. "Did you think Emily was gay?"
For about an hour… "I thought Val was a girl. You know, short for Valerie."
"Now that you know he's a him?"
"Well, I know Emily's not gay."
"Were you hoping she was?"
She said nothing.
"Ok, are you disappointed that she's not? I don't understand what's happening here."
"It's nothing. I was mistaken and I'm just embarrassed," she said, still sipping her wine.
"Are you sure that's it?" he probed. "You're ugh… You're really liking that wine."
"It's delicious," she stated. "I'm running to the bathroom to wash my hands. I'll be right back."
Robin placed her empty glass on the table and left the room just as she saw Emily come in with a hand full of plates and silverware.
"Where did Robin go?" Emily asked.
"To wash up."
"Feeling ok? We can leave if you're not up for this," she offered.
"I'm fine, and hungry, so this is great."
"Ok. We just threw everything in the oven to heat up a little more before we eat. What do you want to drink?"
"Water," he said.
"Ice?"
"Please."
"What about for Robin? Does she want anything or is she just having the wine?"
"Water for her too. No ice."
"Coming right up."
Dinner was an interesting affair, and each would give a different account of the situation. Hotch and Emily would say it went well. Conversation flowed freely. Hotch asked about Nate, and Emily explained that she switched days with James. The kids were talked about openly. The four seemed to be enjoying the meal and the company. However, the two others didn't quite see it the same way.
Robin and Valentin felt excluded when the kids were talked about. Both has talked to Emily and Hotch about their respective kids and knew all about them, but not in the same way. All Val and Robin saw were how interconnected the two were and how they knew things about the other's kid that went beyond normal friendship level stuff.
At times, it felt like Hotch and Emily were there talking to each other and the two of them were left on the sidelines playing with their food and drinking their wine. In fact, that was most of the evening for them. There were a few words exchanged as a group, but the conversations generally happened between Emily and Hotch with a few side conversations with the different couples.
As it became later, the partners had enough. The wine was gone, half of it in Robin's stomach, and the food was eaten.
In French, Val told Emily he was tired. He wanted to leave. "It's getting late," he told her. "And I don't wish to be here any longer."
There was a clear tone to his voice that made her feel like she did something wrong.
And then Robin, who was clearly a little drunk, said, "No. No. No. No French. Not fair. We can't understand and isss not fair."
"Robin, it's ok," Hotch tried to calm her. She was getting worked up and he knew it was not about the French.
"We should go," Emily offered. Val had already gotten up and the table had been cleared for a while now. "I'll drop by tomorrow," Emily quietly said as she said goodbye to Hotch.
"Val, it was good to meet you."
"Likewise."
"I'm happy I got to meet you, Robin. Maybe we can do this again sometime," Emily kindly offered.
Robin wanted to laugh at that, instead let out a mumbled snide remark about how she wished Emily was gay and what kind of guy name is Val. Emily didn't read too much into it and just hurried after Val.
"Well, that was interesting," Emily said to Val when they were alone.
"Yes… interesting."
"You have an attitude. Why do you have an attitude?"
"Because I am French," he said. "We all have attitudes."
"Now you're just saying stereotypical things because you have an attitude. What's going on?"
"I don't wish to spend time with these people again," he said.
Emily stopped in her tracks. Had she missed something? What happened that made him dislike Hotch and Robin?
"Wait. Stop. Pourquoi? Qu'est-il arrivé?"
"What happened? Why," he repeated her questions. "Because you would not stop touching him and talking to him. Like I was not there."
"What?" she said, "I was not."
"Yes."
Maybe she was, Emily thought. With Hotch, their conversation and comradery were natural. They were affectionate with each other, but not overly so. It was normal for them to touch or talk. She hadn't realized it was to the point that she was ignoring Val, or at least secluding him in a little bubble that she just checked on from time to time.
"Please stop. Talk to me. Let's go inside and talk."
"What is there to talk about?" he asked.
"I'm sorry." She was in front of him, putting her hands on his arms. "I… I'm not good at this, at relationships, but I'm trying. Please. Come in the apartment and we can talk this out."
"I am angry."
"I know. I… please."
He agreed, but things didn't exactly get better from there, not at first anyway. He told her that he didn't like the way she was "all over him." Emily thought his jealousy was unwarranted but a little sexy. That didn't win her many points but softened the edges a little.
Then Val moved on to how Hotch knew things about Nate and the history with James that she failed to explain to him.
"It was complicated," Emily told Val early on. "James is gay. We have a son together through IVF."
Emily wasn't sure how everything came up in normal conversation, but the sordid details emerged, and Val felt cheated. He felt like he had been lied to.
He had a right to feel that way. Emily gave him the most simplistic version of events early on to avoid the initial awkwardness that conversation would bring. She hadn't intended to let it go this far without explaining things further, but they were having fun and really getting on. It hadn't come up.
That was a cop out, she knew, but it was also truth. She always planned to sit him down and discuss the intricacies of her familial relationships. Truly, she did. She just never had a plan for when. Things were going well…
"It just makes me wonder," he told her as their blow up reached a peak.
Calmly, she asked, "Wonder what?"
"If you want this to work," he said.
"Of course I do."
"Emily, I said to you that I love you. All you said was you too."
Oh, she thought… "I…"
"If you cannot say it, I don't know if you mean it. Perhaps you don't, and we should not be."
"I do," she said. "I… I love you."
She was surprised by how easy the words were to say. She felt like she meant them…
"I love you," she repeated.
He smiled a huge smile and moved closer. "Je t'aime Mon Coeur. I love you too."
That seemed to appease him, thrill him really. It was all he wanted to hear. Suddenly, it was like the rest was forgotten and they got back to the night they had planned.
Things didn't end quite the same way for Hotch, but he did come to a resolution with his girlfriend. Robin lost any filter she may have had while they talked. She was still upset about Emily and Val in a way that he didn't understand at first.
"I don't get it," he said. "I know you said it was embarrassing that you thought he was a woman, but you didn't do anything embarrassing."
"Of course, you don't understand. You're so blind when it comes to her. It would be so much easier to trust that nothing is happening with the two of you if she was gay. How do you not get that?!"
She yelled and he yelled, and they went back and forth for a while. It got to the point where she was crying, and he was trying to comfort her.
"I just want to be a part of your life," she said. "I want to get to know your son and your friends. I don't want to feel like the third wheel with you and Emily again or like I'm living just outside of your world. I want this to work, but I don't want to be shut out."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you feel that way."
"I love you, Aaron. I just want to feel like you love me too."
"I do. I love you too. I want the same things that you do," he promised.
She cried harder. That was the first time he said it back. He loved her. That was what she needed to hear, and it was cemented when she met Jack a few weeks later.
Things were looking up for both couples.
For Emily and Val, they were trying to spend as much time together as possible. He was leaving for France for all the rest of August so he could spend some time with his daughter before the next semester began.
They were lying in bed the night before he was set to leave, savoring their last bit of time together for weeks, when Val gave her a proposal.
"Come with me… even for a week," Val pled. "We can have fun. You can meet Madelaine. You can bring Nate. We can… We can act as a family, start to build a life."
"I would love that," she told him. "But I can't."
"Why?"
"I can't bring Nate. We… Some of the things I told you about happened in France and… I'd like to take him back there at some point, but not to spring my boyfriend and his daughter on him. Plus, that's not how I want to meet your daughter. I want her to want to meet me too."
"She does. We talk about you all the time."
"Really?"
"Oui. She is excited that I am happy, and I would like for you to meet her."
"I… I'd like that too. And I'd like for you to meet Nate after you return."
It was like music to his ears.
"I can try to visit. It's short notice, but maybe after my family trip with my mom and everyone."
"Please try," he said.
She promised that she would try. If she could find time between Nate and all the things happening this summer, she wanted to go.
For Hotch and Robin, things were going well, too.
After Jack came home from camp, Hotch did as promised and introduced Jack and Robin. Jack understood as soon as he met her what and who she was to his father.
"You're dating?" Jack asked.
"Yes."
"Is it serious? That's why you're introducing us, right?"
"Yes Jack," Hotch said. "What do you think?"
"She seemed nice."
"That's it?"
"Well, she was trying very hard to make me like her and I guess it worked. I just want you to be happy, Dad," Jack told him. "With her or anyone."
"Thanks Jack."
Jack was happy his father was happy but didn't know what to make of the relationship yet. She was trying, though, Jack would say that she didn't understand the likes of a 13-year-old boy very well. He saw her once more before they left for their family trip to North Carolina with Emily and Nate.
Both Val and Robin were away when Hotch, Emily, the kids, and the rest of the family headed out on vacation. Neither partner was particularly happy with the situation. They didn't like the relationship between Emily and Hotch, but they had to deal with it and accepted that. That was the only way to make things work.
Emily and Hotch carpooled with Pen and Spencer driving in the car behind them. Elizabeth was already there, undoubtedly ordering a small staff around to prepare for their arrival. The seven-hour drive was filled with laughter, songs, and fun. Spencer gave the kids a walkie-talkie, so they could all be in contact. The boys used it to include them in their fun.
Thankfully, they only had to make two bathroom breaks and a few scheduled stops for lunch and sightseeing. That kept them on schedule to make it by nightfall.
Elizabeth was waiting for them.
"Nana," Nate yelled, running to greet Elizabeth. "We're here."
"Oh, my big man. You've grown a whole foot in the last month," Elizabeth said, wrapping him in a great big hug. "And Jack. Oh my. Look at you. You're not even a boy anymore, you're a teenager."
"Hi Elizabeth," Jack greeted her, giving her a hug as well.
"Hello everyone," Elizabeth said. "How was the ride?"
"It was lovely," Penelope answered. "Thank you for inviting us."
"It's my pleasure, Penelope. Are you guys hungry? I had a light dinner prepared in case you didn't stop for food."
"We can eat," Emily responded. "Boys. Bring your bags up to your room."
"I'll show you the way," Elizabeth told them. "As for the rest of you. Emily, I assume you'll stay in here with me and Nate, but this house and the one right next door," she pointed to the neighboring beach house, equally as big and beautiful as the one they were standing in front of. "are ours, so you have your pick of rooms."
"Come on Spence," Pen said, "We can settle in next door. I can't wait to see what Wonder Boy does on the beach."
"Well, there are microorganisms living in the…"
"Do not finish that sentence Spencer," Emily suggested. "Just try not to over think it. Knowledge is your friend, but don't let it also be your enemy."
"I'm trying," he said.
"Good. Go wander. Pick your rooms, then come meet us for dinner."
They did. Everyone found their rooms. The boys decided to share one like old times and there was room for Henry too if he wanted to do a sleep over with them. Once their things were put away, they all went down to the kitchen to eat.
"These houses are amazing," Penelope said. "I wish I had your money."
The table laughed. Elizabeth simply thanked her and laughed with them.
Dinner was fun. It was like a team dinner with the kids and Elizabeth tagging along. Elizabeth seemed more and more at ease at every gathering. Nate had really softened her up. Now, she was warmer than she had ever been and was engaging with and enjoying spending time with Emily and her family.
Despite the fun, dinner wasn't a long affair. The car ride had them all yawning and ready for an early night. The kids' heads were starting to droop at the table and the parents sent them to bed.
"Say goodnight and get to bed," Emily told Nate. "I left pajamas out on your bed."
He silently nodded. Hotch told Jack to go with him.
Nate got up from the table and gave everyone there a hug and kiss goodnight.
"Nana," he said when he got to her. "Can we make our special breakfast in the morning?"
"Anything you want, Nate. I'm so happy we're going to have this time together. Love you. Sleep well."
"Sleep well, Nana."
"Ugh, I just want to eat him, he's so cute," Pen said once the kids walked out.
"So, my son being cute gives you cannibalistic thoughts?" Emily asked, jokingly.
"With those cheeks, yes."
"Good to know."
From there, they were losing numbers. Spencer and Pen excused themselves to go explore their new digs a little before passing out for the night. Hotch stayed to help clean up before turning in. Then, only Elizabeth and Emily remained.
"How have you been, Emily?" Elizabeth asked.
"I've been well. Nate's doing great. Did he tell you that he learned a new song on the guitar?"
"He didn't. He'll have to play it for me some time."
"He'd love that."
"But I'll hear about Nate from Nate. I was asking about you. What's been going on?"
"I… I've been dating," Emily admitted.
"I suspected."
"What? How?"
"The last few times we've talked have been different. You haven't directly mentioned someone, but you've been getting out more, I know."
"His name is Valentin," Emily said. "He's a professor at Georgetown in a different department. He's from France."
"Oh French lovers… they are…"
"Mom! Do not finish that sentence please."
"Don't be such a prude. You're old enough now that we can have a candid conversation about sex."
"I don't think I'll ever be in a place that I want to hear about your sex life, Mother."
"So you don't want to hear about my summer romance before I met your father with Francois, the French vineyard boy with the most incredible hands."
"Mother! I may have regurgitated my dinner. Just how much wine have you had?"
"Emily, Dear, I could drink you under the table. I'm not drunk."
"This is a side of you that I don't know how to handle. I think I'm going to go to bed before you tell me about my conception."
"Oh, that's a delightful story," Elizabeth said. "Your father and I…"
"Nope. No, no, no, no, no. Night Mom. Love you."
She quickly departed the room leaving a laughing Elizabeth behind and feeling the urge to scrub every part of her body. Ugh… What just happened?
"You ok?" Hotch asked as he left the bathroom and saw her walking toward her bedroom muttering to herself.
"Huh? Yeah. Fine… Disturbed, but fine."
"What happened?"
"My mom tried to talk to me about sex," Emily stated. "I feel like I'm in the twilight zone and in desperate need of a shower."
"Bathroom is all yours," he told her, moving out of the doorway.
"Don't laugh. It's not funny. She told me about her love affair with a farm boy in French wine country and that image is never going to leave my brain."
"Shower. Get some sleep. Hopefully you'll forget about it."
"Unlikely. I'm permanently scarred."
"It'll be ok." He was still laughing. "See you in the morning."
"Night Hotch."
Emily ran into the bathroom truly trying to forget that conversation. It did nothing, but the steamy shower helped her relax. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
The next day was a lazy one. The group explored a little, but mostly spent some time on the beach. They tried to save all the big activities for when JJ and her family arrived.
Elizabeth rented out some water toys for the week, so Emily had fun watching Spencer try to work a jet ski and force himself to enjoy being on the beach. He was not a beach fan. Hotch decided that Spencer was a danger to himself and others and was banned from riding by himself. Hotch, though, didn't ride at all. His ribs were better, but he didn't want to risk an accident.
"One of us need to be on there with you at all times," Hotch told Spencer.
Spencer tried to argue that he was an adult, but when he was tossed into the water from his horrible driving, he agreed to Hotch's rules. He really didn't want to get hurt. He just wanted to have fun. He was trying his best, though his inability to be good at certain things didn't make him like the beach any more than usual.
"You can ride with me, Spencer. We can race Nate and Penelope," Jack said.
That was exactly what happened. After their special breakfast, most of the day was spent in or around the water. Elizabeth prepared a picnic for their lunch and they chowed down. For dinner, she sent the adults away to eat out and spent time with the boys.
Come Monday, after arriving late the night before, JJ and the LaMontagne boys joined in on the fun. They went to Pigsah National Forest and went down the sliding rock and visited Dupont State Recreational Forest. They made the most of their vacation. Henry really loved riding on the real steam train. Each of them had a thing that was tailored to them.
By the end of the vacation, they were all tuckered out. All the fun that was jam packed into the week was as tiring as it was exciting. They dealt with sunburn, bee stings, and general exhaustion, but they wouldn't want the trip to be any different. They were leaving early Sunday morning and had all of Saturday left to enjoy.
Much to Emily's dismay, Elizabeth was off with one of her Southern gentlemen callers. Spencer and Penelope found out there was a comic convention and game expo in the town over and were taking the day to check that out. Emily, wanting to spend some time with the kids and give the married couple some real grown up time, offered to watch Henry and Michael while JJ and Will had a date day.
"Are you sure about this? Michael's a ball of energy."
"I'm sure," Emily said. "I can handle it. Hotch and the boys will help. We're going to have an awesome day. Aren't we Michael?"
"No," the boy said with a giant smile.
"In his language, that means yes," Emily translated. "Michael loves spending time with Auntie Emily, don't you?"
"No," he said again, hugging Emily and leaning into her chest.
"See, he's totally enamored."
"You're lucky I speak fluent Michael. Alright. We're going to go, but I'll keep my phone on if you need me."
"I won't need you. This isn't the first time we're hanging out. I expect you two to have a stress free, romantic day. Seriously. The boys are having a sleepover and I'm going to set up the portable crib in my room. You two don't worry about anything."
"Thank you, Emily," Will said.
"My pleasure. Now go. I'm going to spend my day outnumbered by men and hope I survive it."
They gave her a look.
"That's most of my days," she told them. "We're going to the aquarium. We have everything we need and we're going to have a good day."
"Good day," Michael copied.
"Now he's speaking my language. I'm going to go get him sun screened and in a swimmy diaper. Enjoy yourselves."
Tickling and talking with Michael, Emily walked away to join the other rug rats and Hotch. JJ and Will left for their couple time.
"Ready for the craziness?" Hotch asked when she came back inside.
"Bring it on," she said.
The day was crazy but wonderful. The older three were well behaved and loving all the exhibits at the aquarium. They showed up during feeding time at the seal enclosure and were able to help feed them by throwing fish into the water.
"They're catching it," Henry squealed. "So cool."
Emily made them scrub their hands after, but they all thought it was worth it. They spent a good amount of time there before going to the docks. Emily put life vests on all of them and they went out on paddle boats, Hotch in one with Henry and Nate, Emily in the other with Jack and Michael.
At the end of the day, they all went out for ice cream.
Michael made a mess of himself. When they got back to the house, Emily had half a mind to hose the boys off before letting them inside. There was sand all over them.
"The house is on the beach," Elizabeth told her. She was home from her "date." "Sand is expected. Let them in. Just get them in the shower."
"You heard the woman," Emily addressed the kids. "Shower, change, get ready for bed."
"Do we have to?"
"Yes. It's getting late, but, once your changed into your jammies, we can sit by the firepit and make s'mores. If you promise to brush your teeth after."
"We promise," they cheered.
"Then what are you waiting for? Get cleaned up. I don't want to see any sand on you. And Nate, don't take your shower too hot. You still have a bit of sunburn. Call me before you change, and I'll put some aloe on."
"Ok," he said, taking off with his friends.
"Tired yet?" Hotch asked.
"I'm ok. This little guy needs a bath, though."
"Tubby. Tubby," Michael excitedly chanted.
"Yeah, we're going to get you into the tubby. God he's so cute." Emily squeezed Michael and turned to Hotch. "Can you get the fire going? My mom has a bag with s'mores supplies in the kitchen."
"I can do that. Make fire," he joked in a caveman voice.
"I'll be back in a bit."
Emily, possibly, had more fun than Michael in the tub. She kept her bathing suit on and got in there with him. It was a bigger tub that was like sitting in a kiddy pool. She picked up a few toys for him when they were out and now they were playing with them. Mostly, though, just like at the beach, Michael liked to splash. He liked to make sure that everybody got as wet as he did.
"Ok. Enough splashing. I'm going to wash your hair. I have no idea how you got so much ice cream in it."
"Ice cream?"
"No. You already had ice cream."
"More."
"No more."
He pouted. "No wash."
"Yes. Look, me first," she said, taking the cup of water and pouring it over her head to wet her hair.
"I do. I do it."
"You want to do it? Ok."
She allowed him to pour the cup over her head and then he copied and did it to himself.
"Good job. What a big boy you are."
She managed to get the shampoo in his hair and some in hers, careful to wash the suds without getting any in his eyes.
"You're all clean," she said to Michael. "Time to get out."
"No. We play," he said. "Play."
"Play? But we need to get dressed. Don't you want to put your jammies on and go outside with Auntie Em and the boys?"
He shook his head.
"No? Then I guess you want to go to bed on time tonight."
"No. Outside."
"I thought so."
Emily stood up, letting the water drip from her body before stepping out of the tub and grabbing their towels. She wrapped Michael up like he was wearing a poncho and patted him dry. Once they were dry enough to dress, she put him in a fresh diaper and a onesie before checking on the other boys.
"Hotch did my lotion," Nate told Emily. "Can we go make s'mores now?"
"Yes. Invite Nana to come out and join us."
He nodded and called for Jack and Henry to hurry. He wanted the s'mores.
Elizabeth did join them as they sat on the back patio where the small fire pit was flaming, and the cozy seats surrounded it. They spent an hour out there enjoying the view and the company. Michael was up past his bedtime but didn't want to leave Emily's side. He stayed in her arms the whole evening.
"Time for bed, boys," Hotch finally said. They were all falling asleep.
"I'm going to turn in too," Elizabeth told them. "Goodnight all. See you in the morning."
"Then there were two… and a half," Emily said when the kids and Elizabeth took off.
"I think it's my turn to get ready for bed," Hotch told her.
"And this little man needs to rest. Way past his bedtime."
"I'll put out the fire. Go on inside."
"Don't need help?"
"Nope. I have it covered. Put him to bed and rest."
"Thanks Hotch."
"No problem."
The problem wasn't the cleanup, but Michael was dead set against leaving her side. When she tried to put him in his bed, even after the third attempt while he was passed out already, he just woke up and cried.
"Alright. I get it. No crib for you," she said, grabbing his blanket and heading out on to the balcony.
She made sure he was wrapped up nice and snuggly as they sat on the lounge chair. Emily enjoyed the view. The night sky was beautiful, and the moonlight glistened on the water. The sounds of crashing waves were soothing. She rocked Michael in her arms until he was fast asleep.
"You two look cozy," Hotch said, joining them on the balcony.
"Shh," she whispered, pointing to Michael.
"Sorry." He approached. "I brought a blanket for you."
"Thanks," she said as he placed the blanket on her.
"It's beautiful out here," he said, not looking out at the view.
"Gorgeous," she agreed. "Sit. Join us."
Emily patted the empty space on the side of the lounge for Hotch to fill. He accepted the invitation and slid beside them. Michael laid with his head resting on Emily's chest towards one side of her body while his legs fell over her lap. Using the other hand, she pulled the blanket over to share with Hotch.
"It's comfy out here."
"It is," she said, yawning.
"Kids wiped you out, huh?"
"A little, but they had a lot of fun today, and I'd do it all over again tomorrow."
"Me too," he agreed. "You're good with him," he said, referring to Michael.
"I'm as surprised by that as you are."
"I'm not surprised," he told her. "You're great with Nate and all the boys. Even on cases, you were great with kids."
"Thanks," she said. "I just… I spend the day with Michael like this and I wonder how it would have been. How I would have been with Nate. I didn't know him at this age. I don't know how things would be."
"I think you would have been amazing. You'd have raised him to be just amazing as he is now."
She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Taking care of a kid this age is exhausting. They get into everything, try to go everywhere, and constantly need stimulation, but there's nothing like it. I'm so tired, but I would have done it every day and loved every second if I had the chance."
"I'm sorry you didn't get that chance."
"Maybe it's for the best. I was a mess then. As much as I wish I had been there, I probably would have messed him up more."
"Hey," Hotch said, leaning his head on top her hers, arm around her shoulder. "Don't say that. Nate is a great kid and a lot of that is because of you. You've helped him so much in the short time you've had him."
"It's been a year."
"A good one, I hope."
"An amazing one."
She sighed and looked up at him.
"I've missed this," she said.
"What?"
"Us. Just hanging out. It's been a while."
"Too long," he agreed.
"Let's not wait so long again."
"Ok."
Somehow, their faces grew closer with each word. Their gazes were locked.
"This view really is spectacular."
"Truly."
Who led the action was unclear, but their lips touched, and they reacted, the kiss growing deeper and deeper. Despite the toddler between them, stray hands reached for the other, bodies inched closer… Whoever started it was null and void, because they were equally as guilty now…