The next few weeks were hectic for Hotch and his family; however, when his paternity leave ended and he had to return to work, he was confident that everything was running smoothly. Lilly was on a schedule and growing rapidly, Lynn had passed her GED exam and, despite Jessica's protests, Jack was a frequent visitor to the house. Jacob and Lynn (accompanied by Lilly) were again riding the city bus three days a week to his classes at the university where Lynn had resumed her research.
Hotch, meanwhile, had officially been reassigned to the BAU and immediately several teams had begun vying for his services. When offered a choice, he decided on the team headed by Matt Simmons.
"I remember you from when you were on Jack Garrett's team," he told the young man. "Jack is a good agent and an excellent mentor. I'm sure we will work well together."
His talk with Jessica, however, had not gone as well.
"Jessica, you know how much I appreciate what you did for Jack while I was gone," Hotch had begun. "But I am back now, and things have changed.You need to realize that."
"So, you are just going to tear him away from me?" Jessica had demanded. "Take him away from the stable homelife that I have provided for him for the past three years? Is that what you want to do?"
"No," Hotch had responded. "I just want him to be able to spend time with his family without feeling guilty about it,".
"His family?" Jessica had repeated mockingly. "You mean that half-witted child and her son that you brought back with you?And now that baby she birthed?"
"My wife's name is Lynn and she is currently working with university arranging for her admission to their engineering program," Hotch had heatedly replied. "She has already tested out of several beginning level courses and will probably be getting additional class credits for the work she has done with Professor Chastain. And, as for her son, Jacob, as you are fully aware he is enrolled in a class for exceptional children at the university."
"You are being played for a fool, Aaron Hotchner," Jessica had retorted. "Mark my words, the minute that hussy gets settled at the university, she's going to run off with another man.Your 'friend' David Rossi is already sniffing around her – And as for Dr. Reid - "
"I trust my wife," Hotch had immediately interrupted. "Much more than I trust you, Jessica. Now, as you know, there are still several issues that I could take you to court over. Is that what you want?"
They had ended up spending several uncomfortable hours with the Hotchner family lawyer laying out new ground rules that not only increased the amount of time Jack would be spending with Hotch and his family but also increased the rate at which Jessica would be returning funds to Jack's college account.
"I don't know why you don't just take Jack away from her," Rossi commented when he heard about the latest fracas. "He is your son."
"I know, but I just don't have the heart to do it," Hotch sighed. "He's all she has and Jack is so attached to her."
"You're a good man, Aaron Hotchner," Rossi said thoughtfully. "Maybe too good."