A/N: The big night. Please read and review.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds. This is just for funsies.
Emily opened her door to find the entire team standing there. She'd told them to be there at 5:30 and sure enough… she checked her watch… right on time. "Hey! You're all here! Come in, please," she said, stepping back into the front hall. One by one they walked in. Emily was so happy to have her friends, her family, there with her. She had spent the past two months trying to figure out what she was going to do, but she'd finally come to a decision. And after a long talk with her current unit chief, as well as an even longer talk with Strauss, Emily was sure she was making the right decision, for her and Emma. In two months, their lives would change.
Towards the back of the group Emily spotted Hotch. She was so pleased he'd decided to come out, though Emily was certain there was a huge amount of persuasion needed from the others to achieve this result. Nonetheless, she was more than happy he was there. As they filed through the door, Emily led them through to the open plan kitchen, lounge room, dining room area. "So where's Peter?" Morgan asked casually. Emily froze in her spot, before making up a lie. "Uh, he's on a trip," she answered vaguely before moving on. JJ pat her friend's back and Emily smiled at her.
"Uh, make yourselves at home. Dinner won't be ready for awhile," she said. The guys all walked over to the lounge room and sat down. "Can I get anyone a drink?" she asked, "I have beer, wine, scotch etc. Or soda. Or juice. Or water," she said. The guys all nodded and Morgan stood to help her. "Where's the little girl? I was hoping to see her again before we left," he said as Emily started to put together the drinks. Emily smiled and patted his back. "She went down for a nap about ninety minutes ago so I was gonna get her soon," Emily assured him, "Believe me, she misses her Uncle Morgan as much as you miss her." Morgan huffed and took over two beers for Reid and Hotch, and a scotch for Rossi. Emily soon followed with a glass of wine for JJ, a beer for Morgan, and a beer for herself.
When she sat down, on the lounge next to JJ, she looked around at the others chatting. JJ reached over and pat her knee. "It's good to have you guys here. I miss you," Emily said. JJ smiled. "It's good to be here… and we miss you too," she replied. After they'd been chatting for about ten minutes Hotch stood. "Uh, you said there's a bathroom upstairs?" he asked. Emily nodded and stood. "I'll show you where. I should check on Emma," she said. Hotch nodded and followed her towards the stairs.
As they walked up the stairs Hotch looked at the walls, noticing the photos Emily had carefully placed on there. Photos of she and Emma, of the various team-members visits, and of her parents' visits. "Your home is beautiful, Emily" Hotch said. Emily smiled and thanked him. "You should've seen it before we moved in. It was horrible. Plaid everywhere!" Hotch chuckled. She pointed to the door just down the hall. "That's the bathroom," she said. Hotch nodded and smiled. "See you downstairs I guess," he said. Emily nodded and watched him walk away, sighing before she turned to go into Emma's room.
"Oh, you're awake are you sweetheart?" Emily said quietly as she picked up her little girl. Emma sat up and held her arms out to her mom. Emily smiled as she picked her up. "How about we get you changed and then you can come and visit with all your aunts and uncles?" she whispered in her daughter's ear, holding her tight to her chest. She lay her on the change table and quickly changed her, dressing her in the small FBI onesie that JJ and Garcia had sent for her first birthday. "This will make your Aunties very, very happy," Emily said as she cooed to her daughter.
Hotch hadn't taken long in the bathroom and was walking down the hall when he heard Emily talking to Emma. He paused in the hallway before quietly walking towards the room. He didn't really care about getting caught watching them, he just wanted a moment alone with Emily. He leant in the doorway as she gently dressed her daughter then picked her up and held her close. Just as she turned around she jumped when she saw Hotch standing in the door. Emma giggled, making Hotch's mouth twitch.
"Geez, way to scare a lady!" she cried out in a harsh whisper. Hotch frowned and shook his head. "Sorry," he said, "This is just a side of you I've never seen before," he said, his eyes beginning to water, wondering what could've been if he'd told her how he felt two years ago. Emily took a deep breath. "Do you want to hold her?" Emily asked, holding Emma out. Hotch paused, before it was too late. Emily passed her daughter over, her heart warming at the sight of Hotch holding her little girl. Emily and Hotch both laughed as Emma ran her tiny fingers over Hotch's dimples. Emily looked at Hotch and smiled. "She likes you," she said quietly. "How do you know that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. Emily smiled as brushed Emma's hair behind her ear. "I just do… I'm her mom," she said. Hotch smiled and nodded. "It's good to see you smile Hotch. It's been awhile," she said. Hotch looked at her and their eyes locked for a few moments.
"Emily! The oven's beeping!" Reid called out from the bottom of the stairs, shocking Hotch and Emily from their moment. "Be there in a second!" Emily called out, her eyes still holding Hotch's. Hotch passed Emma back to her mom and as their hands brushed Emily felt a tingle. "Uh, Hotch, wait. I have something I want to talk to you about," she said. Hotch turned and raised his eyebrows, putting his hands in his pockets.
Emily took a deep breath. "I wanted you to know before the others. I… uh… I've spoken to my unit chief and to Strauss, and I know you haven't filled my spot yet, even after two years," she paused for a moment, waiting to see if Hotch knew where she was going with this. But the confused expression told her he didn't so she continued. "I've requested a transfer. Back to the BAU," she said quickly. Hotch's jaw dropped and for a moment, just the briefest moment, Emily could swear a look of joy mixed with relief, spread across his face. "It'll take me a couple of months to pass on my current cases and pack us both up, but… Before I make it official, I just want to know if I have your blessing. I don't want to come back if you don't want or need me there," she said, looking at the floor. Hotch took a deep breath and tried to make sure his voice would come out in a regular tone. But all hopes were lost when he finally said it.
"Of course Emily. I… of course you're welcome back," he said. Emily looked up, raised her eyebrows and grinned. "Really? I mean, I know it's been a couple of years so maybe a refresher course or two would be good but… really?" she asked. Hotch cleared his throat and tried to return to the stoic man, "Really. If it's ok with the Bureau," he started, "It's ok with me." Emily smiled and, without thinking, launched herself at him, embracing him in a hug. Hotch couldn't help but hug her back, turning his head and smelling her shampoo. He put one arm around Emily's waist and the other around Emma's back. For a moment he forgot what he had lost. But then he remembered and he pulled back and stepped away from her. "What about Peter?" Emily frowned and looked at her daughter, gently brushing her short curls behind her ears. "I promise I'll explain it all but for now, let's just go back downstairs."
When they walked through the archway into the lounge room, the team's faces lit up at seeing Emma. "Hey! There's Uncle Derek's little angel!" Morgan said as he jumped up from his chair. Emily smiled as Uncle Derek took her fourteen month old from her. "Little angel hey? Why don't you come and spend some time with the 'little angel' when she's cranky and see how you feel then?" Emily teased. She turned to find Reid and JJ in the kitchen, pulling the food out of the oven. She hurried over. "You guys didn't need to do that. Thanks," Emily said, moving around the counter. Reid smiled. "Well, we know you. Oven timers mean nothing so if we hadn't intervened we would've ended up eating pizza while your burned roast pork sat in the trash," he teased. Emily playfully smacked his arm. "Ok, let's get this stuff outside huh smartass?" she said, lifting the tray of vegetables. "Dinner's ready guys. I set up the table on the deck," she said. The others smiled and followed her out to the back deck where they had the view of the Bay Bridge.
Morgan sat Emma in her high chair, between JJ and Emily's seats, then took his seat between Garcia and Reid. Emily set her daughter up with her plate of food before serving herself. After everyone had served up their food, but before they began to eat, Emily stood up, clinking her beer bottle with a knife. "Guys, before we all start eating, I just wanted to say a few things. First, thank you so much for coming here for dinner. I didn't realize how much I missed everyone on the team, seeing everyone all together like this. You guys are my family and, in light of recent events, I have only just realized what I gave up two years ago," she said, looking directly at Hotch. He looked surprised by her admission and a smile crept across his face. Emily cleared her throat before she continued. "Secondly, I want to let you know that in a couple of months I'll be back in DC… For good," she said. The second announcement was met with cheers of joy. JJ jumped out of her seat immediately to hug her friend.
After they'd finished their food, Emily looked over at Emma sleeping. She'd made the trip around the table and had fallen asleep in Hotch's lap. Emily smiled and stood up. "She should go back to bed. Do you want me to take her?" Emily asked. Hotch shook his head. "It's alright. I don't wanna wake her up. I'll take her up," he said. Emily nodded and smiled. "I'll come up with you," she said. Hotch smiled and stood up, holding Emma close to his chest. "We'll start clearing up," JJ said to Emily as she and Hotch walked through the back door. Emily just smiled and nodded.
They quietly made their way up the stairs and Emily led Hotch to Emma's room. "Just put her straight in bed. She's slept in crazier outfits than a onesie," Emily said quietly. Hotch smiled and gently placed the sleeping girl in her cot. He stood back and watched as Emily leant over the cot, pulled the blanket up over her daughter, and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight sweet girl," she whispered. Hotch smiled and Emily stood up, turning on the musical night light in the corner. She turned and followed Hotch out of the room, gently closing the door.
As they made their way to the top of the stairs, Emily reached out and grabbed Hotch's shoulder. He turned and Emily pulled him tight in a hug. He smiled and relaxed as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thanks for letting me come back," she whispered in his ear. "Thanks for wanting to," he whispered back. When they pulled back they paused for a second, holding each other. Hotch stepped back and turned to walk back downstairs. Emily stayed still, knowing she had to tell him.
"He left," she said quickly and quietly. Hotch paused on the step, not turning around, not trusting what he'd just heard. Emily took a deep breath. "He left. Just over three months ago," she elaborated. This time Hotch turned to face her, confusion written all over his face. "Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked. Emily could feel the tears starting to build so she knew she had to get it out quickly. "I was embarrassed. After our fight at Christmas and everything, I thought you'd think I was a fool, to give up my life, my job, my family, in DC to come here only to have my husband leave me," Emily paused as Hotch moved back up to the landing, "I couldn't have you, of all people, thinking I was a fool."
Hotch took the remaining steps until he was standing close to her. He reached up and wiped away the tears that had escaped. She looked at the ground. "Hotch. You mean so much to me. Your opinion means so much to me," she explained. Hotch tried to meet her gaze but she continued to look at the floor. "Emily," he said, gently lifting her chin to meet her in the eyes, "Emily, I could never think you were a fool. I think you're incredible. You're beautiful and intelligent and witty and compassionate and anyone would be glad to have you in their life," he said, "I'm glad to have you in my life. And your husband is the fool if he doesn't realize that," Hotch finished. "Ex-husband," she quietly corrected him. Hotch raised his eyebrows. "He sent the papers to me about a week after he left. Post-mark said Indianapolis." Hotch frowned. "I'm sorry Emily. I'm sorry you had to go through this," he said, pulling her into another hug. "We should probably get back downstairs," Hotch said into her hair. Emily huffed and nodded. "Alright," she said, "But a little later I need to talk to you about something else," he said. Emily frowned and nodded, "sure," she replied.
Even with everything that had happened, Hotch knew his feelings were still there. And now that he was being given a second chance, he wasn't going to waste it. Hotch looked at Emily walking in front of him and smiled. No, he definitely wasn't going to waste the opportunity to tell her how much she meant to him, what he felt for her… that he loved her. And now that she was coming back… who knew? Maybe they could finally make something of it.
It was getting late and the team was starting to get tired. JJ had fallen asleep on Reid's shoulder and Morgan's eyes were starting to flitter. "Well, we should probably get the kids back to the hotel before this lovely dinner turns into a sleepover," Rossi said, nodding at the others. Hotch nodded. "Uh, I need to talk a few things over with Emily. Why don't you guys take the cars and I'll catch a cab back," he said. Rossi shook his head and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket. "I think we can squeeze the five of us in the car. You just drive the other one back when you're done," he said, patting his friend's shoulder. Hotch nodded and waited in the kitchen as Emily and the others walked to the front door. She hugged each of them, assuring them she'd catch up with them soon enough. When they were gone Emily closed the door and turned back to the kitchen.