AN/So, to catch you up, Hotch and JJ are getting married, but are headed back to JJ's parents. Also, see the first chapter for any disclaimers
Hotch smiled as he left the woman to his side to collect her to her thoughts. Looking at her sideways, he began to profile her, using what he had long ago memorized in her file to help him fill in the details. JJ was a gifted soccer player that used an athletic scholarship to help her go to college and graduate with a double major in Criminal Justice and Public Relations from Pittsburg. She had been the top of her class in the Academy and her success with the bureau proved that she was gifted in PR. Oldest daughter of Matthew and Amy Jareau, she had two older brothers.
She didn't talk about her family much, nor did she request a lot of personal time. Of course she spent most major holidays in Pennsylvania, so her relationship with her family probably wasn't strained. The way she could hold her own with police officers and the press showed that she was resolved enough not to back down easily. He knew she liked football, but she didn't cheer for any Pennsylvania teams, so it was likely some form of rebellion against what was popular in her area. She likely was close to one or more of her older brothers, and was definitely more of a 'daddy's girl.' She worked hard, harder than most people would assume she had to—likely because her father was a blue collar worker that emphasized the value of hard work.
At first glance, many people would assume that Jennifer Jareau was soft and nurturing and kind. This was likely the influence of her mother, a woman who was also likely respected for being kind. JJ had a natural ability to relate to victims, especially young women. He would never ask her about it, but she probably knew or was close to someone who had been a victim of a violent crime. Her nurturing side was likely enhanced by her little sister.
The rest of the plane ride was mostly silent, and honestly too short in JJ's opinion. They quickly gathered their things and Hotch loaded up the rental car and opened the door for her. JJ was in no mood to talk, and was somewhat grateful for Hotch's profession so she could avoid talking right now. She was on an emotional rollercoaster, and had barely had time to process things. The pregnancy hormones weren't helping, as she was constantly vomiting and moody.
Looking out the window at the passing scenery, JJ's mind was reeling with all of the emotions that she hadn't had time to process. She was pregnant! She was marrying Hotch! One day she goes from being a single working woman, and now in order to keep her job she was marrying a man she had been attracted to for years—it was all just a little too much to handle. She felt as though her current situation was much more like a dream than reality, and had to keep reminding herself that this was real.
They arrived quickly at her parent's home. Hotch smiled at the white picket fence and daisies that lined the driveway. There was a large oak tree at the side of the house with a rope swing, and the yard was quite large with a vegetable garden in the backyard that was visible from in front of the house. He turned to JJ who was intently studying her hands.
"Are you ready?" He asked softly. This had to be hard on the younger woman, but as always, she straightened her back and nodded definitely.
Before she could move to exit the rental car, Hotch had moved around to open the door for her. Unbeknownst to the couple, JJs mother had seen them drive up and were intently studying the couple from behind the curtains in the front room. "Matthew!" She called quickly. "Jennifer is here! With a man!"
Matthew Jareau slowly put down the novel he was reading and looked at his wife through his spectacles. "Well, she's probably going to be coming in a minute, so maybe we should wait for her to knock on the door before we start prying into her dating life." He said with a grin
"Oh! Here they come! Act natural!" She said as she darted to the kitchen and her husband chuckled. The doorbell sounded and Matt Jareau moved to answer the front door.
"Daddy!" JJ smiled as she saw her father in the open doorway.
"There's my princess!" Hotch stepped sideways to allow her dad to hug his daughter.
Hotch couldn't help but grin at the interaction between father and daughter. Matt Jareau was a tall slender man who had obviously spent years working physical labor. He had short silver hair and light blue eyes. The resemblance between father and daughter was unmistakable.
"Where's mom? I know she was spying on us through the window, did she run back to the kitchen?" JJ asked her father smiling as the trio moved inside the house.
"Oh, Jennifer, what a surprise! We had no idea you were coming!" Her mother said as she stepped around the corner. Amy Jareau was a short, pleasant looking woman with dark hair lined with streaks of grey and brown eyes. She moved quickly to her daughter and after giving her a quick hug looked her over.
"Are you eating well? You look too skinny to me. It was that Will boy! Wasn't it? I knew he was bad news from the start." Amy said without taking a pause. "You know, Jennifer, you always tend to date these losers." She turned to Hotch. "Ever since Jonathan Davis in high school broke her heart, she always goes for men that are beneath her. Like that Steven, do you remember him? Ooo, if I ever get my hands on him…."
"Mom, stop it!." JJ said warningly, this was not the time to be filling Hotch in on her romantic history. Truth be told, every time JJ brought a guy home to meet her parents, it had always ended badly. That was why she tried to keep her love life, and work life, separate from her family.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I forget my manners. Hi, I'm Amy Jareau, and this is my husband Matthew. You must be"— she left his name hanging so that he could introduce himself.
"Aaron Hotchner, JJ and I work together and I would like to speak to you, sir, if you don't mind." Hotch said to JJ's dad as JJ's mom's eyes widened.
"Please call me Matt." JJ's dad stuck out his hand and Hotch shook it firmly.
"Why don't we go outside and chat, the girls can make up something for us to eat for lunch." Matt Jareau said to the group. The pair exited out the front door as JJ and her mother moved to the kitchen.
Outside, the men moved around to the side of the house that sported a covered patio and porch swing. "Sir, I know you don't know a lot about me, but I am asking for permission to marry your daughter." Hotch said quickly.
Matt looked up at him, "I expected as much, I saw the ring on her finger. Let me ask you something. Why haven't I heard more about you?"
Hotch looked at him guiltily, I might as well just tell him everything, Hotch thought.
"I got divorced a few months ago. I've always liked your daughter, but I was married, so nothing could come of it." Matt nodded and remained quiet, which Hotch took as a signal to continue. "About a month and a half ago, the divorce was final, and your daughter and I…well…we…" He began to stammer feeling unusually bashful. How exactly was he supposed to tell a father that he impregnated this man's daughter?
"I'm assuming you don't want to marry her just because you slept with her once." Matt Jareau said quietly.
"JJ and I are expecting a child. We want your blessing, but I would like to marry her here. Tomorrow." Hotch said after a moment of silence.
Matt looked deeply at Hotch. He could see the way the younger man looked at his daughter. Even though this man seemed stoic, he seemed to genuinely care for the welfare of his little girl.
"I assume that you won't encourage JJ to change her job? Heaven knows that her mother has tried, and JJ loves that job."
"That's part of the reason we're doing this. If we get married, she can keep everything that is important to her," Hotch said quietly
"I will give you my blessings on two conditions. One, you treat this like a real marriage. You protect my baby girl, and if you hurt her so help me I will kill you with my bare hands. Do I make myself clear?" Hotch nodded and attempted not to smile.
"The second condition?" Hotch asked the older man
"Don't you dare tell her mother she's pregnant until at least a month after you're married." Matt said smiling.
Back inside, the women had finished making lunch and were busy making a peach cobbler. JJ and her mother were sporting matching aprons. JJ was busy slicing and peeling the peaches, while her mother was making the topping. The kitchen was small, but clean. All of the cabinets were immaculately organized, and if not for the cooking that was going on at the moment, it would have been spotless.
"Now is this Aaron Hotchner the one that's your boss? The one that you've always thought was charming and attractive? The one that was married with a little boy, whose wife cheated on him?" Amy asked knowingly.
"Yes mom."
"And he is the reason that there is a beautiful ring on a prominent finger?" Amy asked excitedly
"Yeah." JJ responded shyly, "We're getting married!" she informed her mother, attempting to sound enthusiastic.
"Ooo! There is so much to plan! When's the date? Where would you like it to be? We can make it such a big extravaganza! Oh, Jennifer, I'm so excited!" Amy squealed and began to rant.
"Mom, actually that's why we're here. We want to get married tomorrow. Spontaneously?" JJ interrupted unsurely.
Her mom paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating the news. "HOW ROMANTIC!" She finally said. "Now, if you're getting married tomorrow, you need to call your brothers, and Jessica. NO WAIT! You and Aaron had better go shopping for a dress and—I don't know that he needs a suit, because the one he was wearing was very nice" JJ smiled as her mother continued "NO! You and Aaron can't go shopping together. I will call your brothers and sister. Jessica and I will meet you at that nice little shop on Baker's Street. You go!" She finished as the men walked back in the door.
Matt Jareau moved over to his daughter quickly and gave her a hug. "I know everything. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations, princess" he whispered into her ear.
The rest of that day and the next passed quickly. Hotch and JJ left to purchase much needed clothing. "Well, that wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected." Hotch broke the silence as they left the Jareau family home.
JJ laughed. "Yeah, the worst is yet to come, you still haven't met my brothers."
"I have negotiated with some of the worst sociopaths in history, I think I can handle the Jareau men." He said winningly.
They drove to the main street of the town, lined with small boutiques that seemed to exemplify the small town. Walking up and down the street, Hotch was amazed at the different collection of small stores that lined the main road. Everything from clothing stores, to coin collecting stores, with a diner here and there.
A loud shrieking from behind startled the two seasoned FBI agents. While Hotch's hand flew to the holstered gun at his hip, JJ turned and was quickly attacked by a small woman with chocolate hair. "JESSIE!" JJ squealed as she wrapped her sister in a hug.
"Hotc--erm, Aaron, this is my sister Jessie. Jessie, this is Aaron Hotchner, my fiancé." JJ introduced after pulling apart from the younger woman. If JJ resembled her father, this woman was a carbon copy of their mother. Dark eyes and chocolate brown hair with tanner skin than her older sister, there was still quite a bit of family resemblance.
Matt and Amy Jareau quickly joined the group outside one of the many small shops and the women quickly made plans to utilize their afternoon shopping. Matt Jareau quickly took Hotch aside and whispered, "I'm here to save you. Maybe if we don't make any sudden movements, they won't notice we're leaving."
Matt and Hotch were only feet away in their escape when Jessie called to them, "Dad, where're you taking him. As future husband, I think he should come."
Suppressing a groan the men were about to rejoin the women when Amy Jareau surprised the entire group by saying, "No, why don't you men go home. Matthew, leave the keys and you can introduce Aaron to the boys. We'll be home in time to make dinner." The women screamed and practically pranced into the store while the men rushed to the car, hoping to get away before the girls could change their minds.
In Hotch's mind dealing with terrorists would be more fun than dealing with a gaggle of women searching for wedding dresses, so returning to the Jareau home was a welcome opportunity. The 'boys' as Amy had called them quickly congregated at their family home, and to Hotch's dismay, each one could easily be mistaken for a locomotive train or a brick wall. Both men were large of stature and extremely muscular and well built. Suddenly, Hotch envisioned a wrestling match with the oldest brother Charlie and Morgan. Morgan would have broken like a stick. Hotch was not one to be intimidated by others, but he knew for sure he did not want to get on the bad side of these men.
Turning on ESPN, the men sat around the TV drinking beer and discussing football statistics. Laughing, Hotch quickly impressed the Jareau men, although JJ's brothers had each individually taken Hotch aside to threaten him if he ever turned out like most of the other men JJ dated. Already smelling a roast in the oven, Hotch assumed that in the short time that JJ and he had left and the time the women met them downtown the Jareau matriarch had already prepared a lavish meal.
Looking around the table, one may have thought that a Thanksgiving meal was being shared between families. The JJ's older brothers, Charlie and Drew, had both brought their families over to their childhood home to meet their new 'uncle.' The kids were seated at a small table in the front room, with the adults seated around a large dining room table. Dinner had been delicious, and the group were now attempting to share all of JJ's most embarassing moments with Hotch.
JJ, for her part, had attempted in vain to distract and redirect her family's conversation flow countless times. But, as gifted as JJ was, she was no match for the combined effort of her family. Defeated, she resigned herself to laughing softly in her seat, often covering her face with her hands as the most embarassing stories were shared.
"And do you remember that one time JJ got stuck in the tree?" Charlie asked, her brothers laughing so hard there were tears in their eyes.
"Yeah" Jessie chimed in mockingly, "and she was like 'help me down or when I get down from here you'll eat dirt' and we left her up there for hours!" The group broke into laughter once more as JJ hung her head in mock embarrassment.
"Ok, guys, I'm sure Aaron's heard enough." JJ said, attempting one last time to deflect her brothers' teasing.
"Oh, what about the time Jennifer kissed Brad Soren in the middle of class?" Her mother ignored JJ's plea and continued the game.
After her family tired of JJ's discomfort her siblings one by one left for their homes. JJ's mother insisted that JJ and Hotch not sleep in the same room saying it was 'bad luck' for the new couple. Hotch quickly fell asleep in the guest room decorated with stars and planets while JJ made futile attempts to fall asleep in her childhood bedroom.
The ceremony early the next morning was simple, even with Amy flustering to make sure that everything was perfect. JJ looked elegant in a strapless cream evening gown, with her curled and pulled up. Hotch looked equally handsome in a new suit and red tie. After the ceremony, JJ and Hotch had to quickly say their goodbyes in order to catch their commercial flight back to DC. JJ was noticeably calmer and as the plane quickly made its way to DC the 'newlywed' couple began discussing logistics.
They decided to speak to the director early the next morning. Because it was already late, they decided that they would stay at JJ's apartment for the night since it was closer and he could then easily wash the essentials. She would move into his house after they spoke with the director, with her clothes and essentials and then they'd schedule a day to move the rest of her furniture later.
Emily Prentiss thought this morning would be just like any other Monday morning. She was usually the first or second one into the BAU. Sometimes Hotch or JJ beat her in, and the Director was always there early in the morning, but for her unit, she was usually first or second. She liked it that way, she still felt a little like she didn't fit in with the rest of the team, but every day she felt that less and less.
The women on the team had immediately accepted her. She had a feeling that JJ hadn't really gotten along with the woman she replaced, since JJ had been almost overly welcoming. Garcia was not too far behind. It was really like a club that has to stick together. They were probably her best friends and she knew that although JJ and Garcia were close, the 'dynamic duo' (as Garcia dubbed the pair) was fast becoming a trio.
Emily continued her morning routine, dropping files and her bag at her desk, making her way over to the coffee maker and starting a fresh batch when she suddenly noticed Hotch and JJ in the Director's office with Section Chief Strauss. Hotch was standing back, while JJ seemed to be explaining a long story. Emily's curiosity was piqued. JJ HATED talking to the director, and whenever she had to, Hotch was never around. No one in the BAU liked Strauss, especially JJ who tended to avoid the section chief like the plague. JJ had confided her long-time crush on Hotch, and Emily thought it endearing, especially since in Emily's opinion, they were a beautiful couple. Nevertheless it was odd that all four were together intently discussing something.
"What's going on?" A voice behind her made her jump.
"Morgan! Shhh. What do YOU think is going on?" Emily said gesturing across the bullpen to the director's office.
"Hmm", Morgan said as they watched JJ give the director paperwork and use her "dealing with the press" stance suggesting she was carefully trying to convince him of something.
The director then shook both of their hands, and as Hotch & JJ went to exit his office, a resounding "Congratulations" was heard throughout the office, followed by Section Chief Strauss looking at JJ, Hotch, and the rest of the group with distain. JJ & Hotch quickly made a b-line for their respective offices. I wonder what is going on Emily wondered.
JJ was not in the mood to hear Emily's speculation. Immediately after reaching her desk, she texted Hotch How are we going to tell the team? I didn't even think about that.Just then, JJ heard a knock on her door and looked up to see Garcia & Emily in the doorway, and saw the reply from Hotch, I'll take care of it ok? Responding to his text in the affirmative, she directed her attention to her friends.
"Ok baby cakes…spill. What's up?" Garcia was answered by Emily's sharp intake of breath and finger pointing at the ring now situated on JJ's left hand.
"Shut the door," JJ commanded her two best friends.
The door slammed behind them as they both stared at JJ. "OK, this may sound really complicated. I'm pregnant…Hotch is the father…we got married so we can keep our jobs." She blurted out. "OK, maybe it's a lot less complicated then I thought". She finished with a sigh.
"YOU WHAT?!"Emily and Garcia said in unison.
"I—we just thought"--She was saved from any further explanation by her phone "Agent Jareau…yeah, I've seen the case-file…I'm presenting it to my team this morning and I'll get back to you…ok…ok…thanks." She looked up at her friends, whose gaze hadn't shifted from her while she had been on the phone. "Umm, we've got a new case, briefing in 10."
"WOAH, hold it right there Lovebird," Garcia interjected, "don't think you're getting off that easy. If you are traveling to a case, the next night you are in DC we are getting all the sultry details…coppice?" JJ nodded, and began to gather files and prepare for thebriefing
"Em, can you let everybody know we're briefing on a case in 10?" Emily followed Garcia out of the room, and began to get everybody gathered in the conference room.
AN/ let me know if there's anything you'd like to see happen.