"Aaron?" the petite woman with the curly blond hair called out excitedly as the team walked into the terminal of the private airfield the FBI used for its planes. "Aaron – Is it really you?"
"Jessica!" Hotch rushed over to envelop her in a hug. "You have no idea how good it is to see you!" The two of them clung to each other as the woman began sobbing.
"And Jack," Hotch turned his attention to the teenage boy standing next to his sister-in-law. "Buddy, you have no idea how much I have missed you!" He grabbed the young man in a bear hug as tears filled his eyes.
"I missed you too, Dad," Jack replied, also blinking back tears. "I have missed you so much!"
"Look at you – You've grown so tall!" Hotch stepped back to survey his son. "I would still recognize you anywhere – But you are so tall!"
"Oh Dad," Jack groaned embarrassed. "It's been three years. What was I supposed to do?" He grinned crookedly.
"I suppose it is inevitable," Hotch grinned back.
"And now, Jack, I have someone I want you to meet." He beckoned for Lynn and Jacob to join them. "Jack, I would like you to meet Lynn and Jacob. Lynn and I are married and Jacob is her son, your new stepbrother." He smiled expectantly at his son.
"WHAT?" Jack gasped. "Dad, you didn't! And she's pregnant, too! That's not what is supposed to happen – How could you!" He angrily turned and bolted out the door of the terminal and into the parking lot.
Hotch stared confusedly at Jessica. "I thought I asked you to tell him," he said despairingly.
"I thought you might want to handle that yourself," Jessica replied snidely. "Seeing as how you are his father and all."
"Jessica?" Hotch questioned. "What - ?"
However, Jessica had already turned and was also walking out into the parking lot.
"Jack – Jessica?" Hotch stuttered, stunned. He hesitated a moment and then hurried to follow both of them out of the building. However, when he got to the parking lot all he could do was stand and stare as a black luxury car pulled out onto the road.
"Let's calm down and take this easy," Rossi had followed Hotch outside. He put his hand on Hotch's shoulder and began to gently guide his friend back into the terminal. "You have to remember, Aaron, this has been a shock for everyone involved – Give him a chance to process it."
"But I asked Jessica - ," Hotch stuttered. "I specifically asked her."
"Let's everyone go on to the hotel," Garcia suggested. "You can get things sorted out once you are settled into your room there."
"Good idea," JJ seconded. "Once you are settled in you can call or go over to their place and talk."
"Aaron?" Lynn questioned hesitantly. "Is there a problem?"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Hotch replied thoughtfully. "Not if I have anything to say."