A/N: Thanks for all the reviews for the previous chapter. This chapter jumps 3 days and Emily gets out of the hospital on the day of Hayley's funeral. This chapter may be short.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
Hotch hadn't left Emily's side while she was in the hospital besides to go home to shower and change. He was happy that Emily was getting out of the hospital today. He was going to need all her love and support on this day. Even though he was happy today was overshadowed with sadness. Today was the day that he would watch Hayley get put into the ground.
"Aaron are you alright?" Emily asked as she finished getting her shirt on.
Hotch looked over at Emily and gave her a slight smile. "I'm fine Sweetheart. Are you sure you're okay enough to leave the hospital?"
Emily nodded her head as she walked over and kissed Hotch on the cheek. "Will you quit worrying about me? I'm fine Aaron. Yes, I'm in a bit of pain but I'll manage. Don't worry about me Aaron. I'll be fine. Let's go get your son and then get to the funeral home."
Hotch sighed and pulled Emily to his side and wrapped his arm around her waist with his palm spanning her stomach. "How is our little one doing this morning?"
Emily chuckled and said "He or she made me sick this morning but other than that I think he or she is great. The Nurse listened to the heartbeat this morning and the baby was doing good. I still can't believe we're going to be parents."
Hotch bent his head and kissed Emily tenderly. "Emily I could have lost you and our baby. How can you not blame me for what you went through?"
Emily stared at Hotch in shock. "Aaron it was never your fault. Have you been blaming yourself this whole time?"
Hotch bent his head and sighed. "But it is my fault Emily. If I wouldn't have done and said what I did you wouldn't have left like you did and this wouldn't have happened."
Emily huffed in exasperation. "Aaron look at me. What happened to me is in no way your fault. I killed the guy who did this to me. I shouldn't have left that day like I did. I know you didn't mean what you said or did but I chose to take it personally anyways. I knew that you were hurting. I don't blame you so you need to stop blaming you. I love you Aaron and nothing will change that."
Hotch smiled and leaned forward to kiss Emily. "I love you too Emily and I'm happy we are having a child together."
Emily smiled and wrapped her arms around Hotch. They already had her discharge papers so they could leave. JJ had brought Emily something suitable to wear today last night. She stepped back from Hotch and went into the bathroom and checked her appearance once more. Once she was sure she looked presentable she walked out of the bathroom and back to Hotch.
"Alright honey let's go. The sooner we get there the sooner we can leave." Emily murmured.
Hotch nodded and held his hand out and Emily put hers into his. He closed his fingers around her hand and lightly squeezed it as they walked out of the hospital room and then the hospital. He guided her to his car and helped her in before going over and getting into the driver's seat. Fifteen minutes later he pulled to a stop in front of Jessica's house.
"Do you want to come in with me or stay in the car? I shouldn't be long." Hotch said.
Emily looked at him as she said "I would like to go in with you if that's alright. If not I can stay in the car."
Hotch jumped out of the car and went around and opened Emily's door. "I'd like for you to go in with me. I just wanted to give you the choice."
Emily stepped down out of the car carefully and held onto Hotch's hand as they walked up the walkway to Jessica's front door. Before they even got there the door opened and Jessica came out to them with a sad smile on her face.
"I'm happy to see that you're alright Emily. And I understand that congratulations are in order." Jessica said as she gave Emily a gentle hug.
Emily returned the hug. "Thank you Jessica. I'm sorry that you have to go through this today."
Jessica nodded and said "I'll get through it and so will Aaron and Jack especially since they have you. I loved my sister but we hadn't been close in quite a while. She accused me of taking Aaron's side after I found out that she was cheating on him."
Emily shook her head and squeezed Jessica's shoulder. "I'm here if you ever need me too Jessica. You're part of Aaron's family which makes you family to me. Do you want to ride with us?"
Jessica shook her head. "No thank you but thanks for the offer. Jack is inside and ready. I will see you guys at the funeral home."
Hotch and Emily nodded and followed Jessica up to the house.
Once they were in the house Jack came running up to them and said "Daddy! Miss Em'ly!"
Hotch caught Jack before he barreled into Emily and lifted him up and handed him to Emily who said "Hi little man. You look handsome today."
Jack giggled and said "You look pwetty Miss Em'ly. Are you going with Daddy and me to send Mommy off to Heaven?"
Emily nodded and kissed Jack on the head. "Yes, little man I am."
Jack nodded and reached towards Hotch. Hotch took him from Emily and kissed his cheek.
"Buddy are you ready to go?" Hotch asked.
Jack nodded solemly. "Yes, Daddy I am. I'm glad that Miss Em'ly is going with us and glad that she is okay."
Hotch smiled. "So am I buddy so am I."
Hotch kissed Jessica on the cheek and said "We will see you in a few minutes Jess."
Jessica nodded and hugged Hotch, Jack and then Emily. "Yes you guys will."
Hotch led the way out to the car with Jack in his arms. Once he had Jack buckled up into his seat he made sure that Emily was in the car securely and then went around and got in the driver's seat. After he started the car and pulled out he took one hand off of the wheel and put it on Emily's leg. He needed her touch right now. It grounded him.
Hotch pulled up to the funeral home twenty minutes later. He got out and got Jack out and then helped Emily out and then they made their way inside. He was glad to see that the team was already there. He knew he was going to need their support as well as Emily's. He also knew that Emily was going to need their support. Hotch sat down in the front row of seats and when Emily went to sit behind him he grabbed her hand stopping her and indicated he wanted her next to him. Emily nodded and sat down next to him.
Jack seeing his Miss Em'ly sitting beside Daddy got down off of his Daddy's lap and stood in front of Miss Em'ly with his arms raised. He smiled when Emily picked him up and sat him on her lap. Soon the funeral home started to fill up with people. Jessica showed up and sat down on the other side of Hotch. She was happy to see that Emily was sitting with him also.
A half an hour later the pastor started the small service. When it was asked Hotch stood up and gave the eulogy and then sat back down beside Emily with tears in his eyes. He wasn't crying because he was still in love with Hayley. He was crying because even though he was no longer in love with her he did love her.
Once the service was finished inside the funeral home it was time to head to the cemetery. Once there with Emily holding Jack Hotch wrapped his arm around Emily's waist bringing her to his side completely. After the funeral was over at the cemetery and people started to leave Hotch took a step towards Hayley's grave.
"I'm sorry Hayley. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry I couldn't love you like you wanted me too. I promise I will teach our son how to love. I promise that he will know love. Keep an eye on our son Hayley and if you can find it in your heart to forgive me for not loving you like I should keep an eye on Emily's and my child. I'm sorry Hayley so sorry. I think you would like Emily. She is nice, sweet, caring, loving, and she puts everyone else first and herself last." Hotch whispered to Hayley's grave before walking away to go to the woman he loved and his son and unborn child.
"Are you alright Aaron?" Emily asked taking in his tear filled eyes.
Hotch smiled at Emily. "I will be Sweetheart I will be. I just had to talk to Hayley for a minute."
Emily nodded. "Well the team is meeting us at my apartment. I gave my key to Dave."
Hotch nodded and then kissed Emily on the temple before guiding her and Jack to the car. Soon they were all buckled in and heading to Emily's house. As soon as they were at Emily's apartment Hotch got out of the car and once again got Jack out and then helped Emily.
Dave was watching for them out the lobby door so he quickly strode out and took Jack from Hotch's arms. "I got him Aaron. How are you holding up?"
Hotch looked at Dave and gave a slight smile. "I'm fine Dave. I'm sorry that it took us a little bit to get here. I had to say some words to Hayley privately."
Dave nodded as he led the way into the apartment building. "I can understand that Aaron. If you need to talk you know where to find me."
Hotch nodded. "Thanks Dave."
Soon they were at Emily's apartment and walking in. Jack squirmed so Dave set him down and watched with a smile as Jack headed straight to Spencer. Hotch wrapped his arms around Emily's waist and spanned her stomach with his hands as she leaned back into him. He took in all of his family talking to one another. He smiled a real smile and let it stay on his face for longer than a few seconds.
