"She's overwhelmed, you know." It was early evening and all of Hotch's belongings had finally been moved into the house when Rossi pulled him aside for a man-to-man talk.
"Who – Lynn?" Hotch was thinking about everything that still needed doing.
"Of course Lynn," Rossi snapped. "Who else would I be talking about?"
"Sorry, Dave," Hotch quickly apologized. "It's just that there is so much to do and my mind is elsewhere. What about Lynn?"
"She's overwhelmed," Rossi repeated. "With a new life and a baby on the way and now a house. It's too much all at once for someone who in many ways isn't much more than a kid. You need to slow down and back off on some of this Aaron. She's not at the breaking point yet, but I have a feeling it's not far off."
What are you talking about - She hasn't said anything to me," Hotch replied.
"She wouldn't," Rossi pointed out. "She's trying so hard to please you she wouldn't even consider complaining. But, think about it, Aaron. She is what – About 23 years old? She has no idea how to take care of a house like this and only a rudimentary idea of how to cook. She can't drive a car and has never been on a city bus. And, I would be willing to bet that she has never been in a grocery store. And then, to top it all off, you are planning on going back to the BAU where you will be out of town most of the time leaving her with two young children to deal with, plus Jack."
"How do you think she feels?" He glared at Hotch.
"I keep forgetting," Hotch admitted shamefacedly. "It's just that she always seems to be so in control. I know that Garcia has been working with her on the midwife issue and that Lisette has offered to help her learn to cook, but other than that – " he looked helplessly at Rossi.
"Okay," Rossi relented. "Tell you what – I'll have a talk with my housekeeper (who is actually a second cousin, three times removed) about coming over here to spend a day with Lynn. She can show her how to operate the various appliances and how to keep a household like this running. Now, I assume you will be undergoing various evaluations and training sessions for the next several weeks?"
"Yes," Hotch replied. "My return to the FBI is still under consideration and, even if it is approved, there is still the question of exactly where I will be assigned. Regardless of what the final decision is, I will still be undergoing several psych evaluations and Morgan has me enrolled in his hand-to-hand combat class."
"So, you won't be going anywhere anytime soon," Rossi summarized. "And, when the baby is born you will have paternity leave coming. That gives you some time at home with her. You are going to have to figure out how to make the most of it."
"You're right about that," Hotch agreed. "But there is so much that needs to be covered and I honestly don't know where to start."
"Maybe I can help with some of that," Rossi offered. "I suspect that you are planning on spending tomorrow bringing your things over from the hotel suite and emptying out some of the boxes. You have enough leftovers to feed yourselves as well as anyone who stops by. So, what about if Monday morning I stop by, pick up Lynn and Jacob, and take them grocery shopping? I can walk them through the store and give them an idea of how that works. Is that okay with you?"
"That would be a big help," Hotch admitted. "I am scheduled for my first psych evaluation Monday morning and I have no idea how long that is going to take. And, the midwife Lynn and Garcia decided on is stopping by in the afternoon to examine Lynn. I was planning on being home in time to meet her."
"Good," Rossi said. "Just make sure Lynn doesn't overdo it tomorrow and I'll see her Monday morning."
He turned to go and then turned back. "And, Aaron, how long has it been since you told her you love her?"
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"So, it looks like you got yourself - and her - a fancy new house," was Jessica's observation the next afternoon as she stood by the curb waiting for Jack.
"It's not new and it's not particularly fancy and you do know you don't have to stand out here waiting for Jack don't you?" Hotch replied.
"I'll stay where I am comfortable," Jessica retorted. "I know where I belong."
"Jessica, you are being ridiculous," Hotch insisted. "You are welcome in our home at any time. You don't have to wait outside."
"I have absolutely no interest in barging in on you and your new family," Jessica stated. "I'm just here to pick up my nephew."
"Hey Aunt Jessica," Jack greeted his aunt as he came out the front door, carrying his duffle bag and his backpack. "You should see my new room!"
"Your room is with me at our condo," Jessica immediately corrected him.
"But I have all my old furniture back," Jack explained excitedly. "The stuff that dad and I picked out when we moved into the apartment."
"Cheap junk," Jessica sniffed dismissively. "The pieces I bought you are all heirloom quality and built to last. Now, get in the car. I need to get you home."
"See you on Friday," Hotch told his son as he pulled the car door open. "You can finish setting up your room then."
"Your temporary room," Jessica insisted. "You won't be staying here for long."