Bridge Over Troubled Water – Part 2

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to continue with this. I hope you're not disappointed. A special thanks to tbird1965 for her few pointers : )

. . . . . . . . . . .

JJ felt like she had barely shut her eyes, when she was became aware of her bedroom door opening. A smile crept over her lips; the prospect of a secret visit from Hotch. However the soft sobs soon shook her from her dream.

"Henry had a bad dream," Jack whispered, as JJ sat up.

"Come here, Honey," she said sleepily, as she took her son from Jack's protective arms. "Thank you Jack," she smiled at the young boy. Snuggling back into bed with Henry, JJ was aware of Jack hovering by the bedside. Sitting back up, JJ looked in a questioning manner at Jack. "Would you like a cuddle too?"

Jack nodded, climbing into bed with JJ and Henry. The three cuddled under the covers, and swiftly feel asleep.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Hotch was surprised to still be in bed at 8am. He rose and slung on a dark pair of sweat pants and a grey t-shirt.

He made his way downstairs, expecting to find the boys ripping open presents under the tree. The room was eerily silent. He turned, returning to check Jack's room. Had the two boys really had a lay in? They were late to bed last night, but still . . .

Empty. Swinging round on himself, there was only one place left to check. Approaching the spare room Hotch was suddenly apprehensive. He and JJ had shared an immensely intimate moment last night. Yet this morning it felt intrusive to enter her room. Hotch noticed the door was ajar. Looking in he saw JJ asleep, with Henry cuddled up one side of her and Jack snuggled on the other. He smiled at the peaceful, loving sight. If Hotch didn't know better, she could be the mother of both boys.

Back downstairs Hotch busied himself in the kitchen; brewing a pot of coffee, mixing batter for pancakes. Hotch had the radio on and he hummed along to the endless Christmas tunes. He was so involved in his preparations that he hadn't noticed the arrival of the others.

Creeping up slowly, Henry, Jack and JJ grabbed Hotch, shouting "Happy Christmas."

Jumping, and dropping a spoon Hotch turned. The scolding look on his face was quickly replaced by confusion.

"What's the matter?" JJ asked, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.

"I've not got enough hands to hug all three of you."

"Best start with the boys, before they return to demolish the pile of presents they saw on our way down."

Hugging both boys, Hotch said "Pancakes anyone?"

"Presents?" Henry looked hopefully between JJ and Hotch.

JJ ruffled his hair. "One each before breakfast, go and pick one and bring it through, while I help Hotch with breakfast."

The boys didn't need telling twice. JJ went over to Hotch, who was leaning against the worktop, sipping his coffee.

"Turn for my cuddle," she said, moving in closer. Hotch smiled, glad to see there was no sign of regret in her this morning, as he wrapped his free arm round her waist. Placing his coffee cup down on the side, his hand softly brushed the hair from her cheek as he leaned in for a kiss.

Jack and Henry came back. Jack tilted his head to one side, looking at his Dad and JJ, now sharing a hug.

"What's up, Buddy?"

"You and JJ, you're hugging!" a look of disgust on his face.

Hotch moved away from JJ and bent down in front of his son. "Is that a problem?" Hotch didn't want to have this conversation on Christmas day, but he couldn't ignore it.

Jack nodded slowly. "She's a girl," Jack whispered.

Hotch and JJ smiled, able to breathe again. "Thanks mate , but I had noticed. I'm in the FBI you know, we're good at spotting things like that."

"But Dad, a girl!" Jack repeated, as his Dad obviously hadn't taken any notice the first time.

Hotch pulled Jack into a hug. There was a time and a place for explaining this, breakfast Christmas morning wasn't it.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Flopping onto the sofa next to Hotch, JJ sighed, getting both the boys into bed had been a struggle, but it was JJ's turn, and she was determined not to be beaten.

"I take it is OK for me to sit here, being a 'girl'."

Hotch laughed, as he passed JJ a glass of wine. "Jack didn't seem to mind a 'girl' tucking him into bed to night. But then I wouldn't mind either," he winked.

"Really, you do surprise me," JJ paused to sip from her glass. "The boys seemed to really enjoy being together today."

"They get along well."

"Too well sometimes," JJ chuckled remembering their join 'attack' on JJ and Hotch, to gain control of the TV after lunch.

Hotch leaned over to kiss JJ. "I've wanted to do that all day," he said as he pulled tentatively away. "But every time I've got close to you one of the boys has been in range."

"Do you think they'll be OK about us?" JJ questioned.

Hotch smiled, nodding slowly as he moved closer for another kiss. He watched the boys and JJ carefully today. He'd analysed their reactions, scrutinised their interactions. He hadn't meant to, it was purely second nature. Hotch had no doubt that the future Hotchner family was establishing its foundations now. He wanted to keep his promise to Haley, and show Jack what love was. He knew that JJ would help him to keep Haley's memory alive, alongside creating their own new memories. The past can't be changed, but the future was theirs to create. Together.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Sorry it's a short chapter, but real-life has caught up with me. One more chapter to go, then a break for me and JJ/Hotch, as I have a couple of other stories in the pipeline.

Thank you to everyone that has been following, especially those who have reviewed, alerted or added a favourite along the way.