A Bridge Over Troubled Water – Part 2

The morning was cold, but sunny. As JJ wrapped a wriggling Henry up, she tried hard to contain the butterflies in her stomach. This was ridiculous. Hotch had been her boss for over five years and she had seen him nearly every day, of those years. Why was today so different? Obviously the thought of seeing him again, after their first kiss, a month ago, had left JJ feeling nervous at spending the day with him.

"No Mommy, I want the red one," Henry's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Your red hat is in the wash, after you threw it in a puddle, yesterday."

"I want the red one," Henry was insistent, feet stamping to make his point clearer.

"I want gets nothing. Now hat on!" JJ wasn't in a patient mood, this morning. Shoving the blue hat firmly down on his head, she was startled by the door bell ringing. Opening the door, she came face to face with Hotch. She beamed involuntarily.

Hotch was glad to see JJ looking so well. He had worried about her, how she was coping. He should have known that there was no need to worry. JJ had an uncanny knack of not only looking after herself, but everyone else around her. "You look great. Are you ready? It's good to see you have wrapped up well, as I thought we could take a trip out to Prince William Forest Park. What do you think? It should tire these two out."

Before JJ could answer, Hotch heard Henry. "No."

Henry appeared from behind his mother. He looked up at Hotch.

"No," he repeated, in case anyone hadn't heard him the first time.

"And there was I thinking the 'terrible twos' would stop when he turned three," JJ rolled her eyes, embarrassed.

Hotch knelt down to Henry's level. "What's up, buddy?"

"I want my red hat and Mommy won't let me."

Hotch looked up at JJ, who repeated the rolling her eyes, while her cheeks begun to flush.

"Henry, I told you it's in the wash. Now please can we go?"

Hotch could hear the desperation creeping into her voice. He scooped Henry up into his arms and whispered something in his ear. Straight away Henry's face changed, the sulky looked morphed into one of joy. Hotch let the wriggling toddler lose and watched him run towards his car.

Picking up their bag and locking the door quickly, before Henry changed his mind, JJ looked at Hotch in a questioning manner.

"What?" he questioned back.

"Please, tell me your secret. I could do with it each morning before work."

"Ah, now that is between Henry and me," Hotch threw over his shoulder, as he headed towards the car.

JJ stood, opened-mouthed, watching him load Henry into the car. He had just prevented complete toddler meltdown and he wasn't going to share the secret! Not fair!

JJ got in the front, next to Hotch, turning she smiled at Jack. "Hey, how's you?"

"Good thanks. Dad said we're heading out to the park. Can I look after Henry in the playground? I'll take good care of him, honest."

"Whoa, steady up. Let's get there first." Hotch turned to face JJ "Told you he was keen to have someone other than me to play with."

"Well I'll settle for you anytime, if you can calm Henry that easily. I have had more fall outs with him in the last week than I can count. What is your secret?"

Hotch's hope lifted at her first comment, she could have him all the time, if she so wished. "Don't forget, I'm a profiler. It's all about getting in their mind. Criminals, toddlers, no difference really," Hotch smiled at JJ confused face.

"Maybe I will take the classes to become a profiler," JJ huffed.

"Are you thinking of returning to the BAU?"

"No, just taming my toddler."

The both chuckled as he started the car.

. . . . . . . . . .

The journey home was a quiet one. Both Jack and Henry were dozing in the back. JJ was busy watching the world go by. She had had a great day. All four of them had got on so well. Too well; but she was a realist. This wasn't what happened day in day out. She knew how daily life could grind you down.

"How about we head back to mine? We can sort these two some pasta, or something, then once they're in bed, I'll get take out. Sound good?"

Hotch's words brought her rapidly back to reality. "I don't know, maybe you could drop Henry and I off at home. Will's coming round tomorrow. Maybe, it would be best." JJ couldn't look up. She knew Hotch's eyes were on the road, but just the thought of the possibility they were on her. Well she couldn't face that.

"Ok," the single word dripped disappointment. Hotch had hoped to have some of JJ's time to himself. Selfish, maybe; but none the less he wanted to talk to her. He couldn't forget that night. He had been the one that insisted she had time to clear her head, but now he was growing impatient. He had no right to be. Yet he wanted to know.

The rest of the journey was silent.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

JJ lifted Henry out of the car. 'I'll call you', she mouthed at Hotch as she made her way into the house. He paused. Hotch wanted to follow, but, instead, got silently back into his car, taking home his awake, but weary son.

Once inside, JJ took Henry straight through to bed. He'd had a great day, without a doubt. Probably, one of the best he'd had, for months. As JJ gently removed his coat, Henry mumbled, "Mommy."

"Yes, honey," she whispered.

His eyes fluttered. "Where's Jack?"

"Gone home," JJ smiled at his question. "Time for bed, sleepy head," with which she finished putting his P.J.s on and kissed him gently on the head. She flicked his nightlight on, but stood at the door, watching him drift back off to sleep. The soft smile on his lips was priceless. It was moments like this that melted away every little niggle they had. Being a mother wasn't easy. It was hard work, the toughest job she'd ever had. To add to that, the perfectionist in her scrutinised everything she did. She was naturally hard on herself. But right now, all of that disappeared, their life was just perfect.

The longer she stood there, the more she thought about today. She had avoided having any form of serious, personal conversation with Hotch. JJ had done this for two reasons. First, she didn't want to have to make a final decision on 'them', just yet. Second, she didn't want anything to stop the perfect day they were having. Turning and shutting the door, she headed towards the kitchen.

Quickly grabbing random ingredients from the fridge, JJ begun to make herself dinner; Hotch's offer of take out suddenly seemed a really good idea. She considered calling for one, but was afraid that she was already on first name terms with most local take outs.

Plonking herself on the couch and looking down at her plate, she suddenly lost her appetite. Placing the plate on the coffee table, she pushed it away and grabbed the remote. Flicking aimlessly through the channels; nothing, what an end to the day!

JJ replayed the day through her mind. Henry and Jack got on so well. Jack was incredibly patient with Henry, his father's son. Hotch was amazing with them both. She loved seeing Hotch like this, away from the stresses and strains of the BAU. Relaxed, he was a different man. She wondered what others who had seen them thought. Had anyone realised they were two friends out with their respective children? Or did people assume they were one happy family?

Drifting asleep on the couch, JJ smiled; a similar smile to her son's. Maybe, they were both having the same happy dreams.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you to everyone who has read so far. Even bigger thanks to those who have reviewed, alerted or added to favourites.

Now I need your help. Do we what a happy festive ending or does JJ go it alone? Let me know what you think and I shall post the most popular ending.