A/N: See 2nd A/N
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.
Emily woke up the next morning to Emma's cries for her. "Coming sweetie," she called out as she stood from the couch and rolled her neck. She jogged up the stairs to find Emma standing in her crib, tears streaming down her face. "Aww sweetheart, come here," Emily said, pulling her daughter tight to her chest. Emma's crying ceased and she snuggled into her mom's chest. "Let's get you some breakfast and then we'll clean you up," Emily whispered. She carried Emma downstairs and picked up the nappy bag. "Now. I'm sure we've still got some fruit in here," she said. She quickly fed Emma then carried her back upstairs for a bath.
She rocked Emma on her hip as she filled the bath. Just as she was rinsing off Emma's hair, Emily heard the doorbell. Crap, she thought to herself, Hotch. She lifted Emma out of the bath and wrapped her in a towel, then ran down the stairs. "Coming!" she called out. As she was walking downstairs she realized she was still in her jeans and tee from the day before. She shrugged her shoulders. He's seen me covered in blood. This is nothing, she thought to herself.
Emily opened the door and grinned. Hotch was standing in the hall, holding Jack. "Hi," she said excitedly, "Sorry, I'm a mess. I forgot to set an alarm so we're only just getting the bath done," she explained. Hotch smiled and shook his head. "It's fine. I'm just so glad you're here!" he said. Emily smiled and stepped back into the apartment. As they stepped through the door Emily smiled at Jack. "Hey buddy, do you remember Emily?" Hotch asked. Jack smiled and nodded. "Hello Miss Emly." Emily smiled and leant forward to kiss his cheek. "Hello Mr. Jack. This is my little girl Emma," she said, nodding to her daughter. Jack waved at her. "Hello Emma," he said. Emily grinned at Hotch. So far so good, she thought.
"Come on. Make yourselves at home. I'm just gonna go dress the little one," Emily said. Hotch nodded and smiled. "Take your time. Why don't you go have a shower and we'll fix breakfast up for you," he said. Emily reached out and squeezed his hand. "Alright. I'll be back down soon," she said. Emily quickly dressed Emma and, just as she was about to turn to walk out the door, she saw Hotch standing in the hallway. "Uh, I was just going to offer to take her while you showered," he said. Emily smiled and nodded, passing Emma to him. "Thanks. I usually just sit her in her crib," Emily said. Hotch held Emma in his arms and Emily felt her heart flood with emotions. She stood on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He brushed his fingers in her hair and smiled. "Ok. I need to shower," she said quietly. Hotch chuckled and nodded. "See you downstairs," he said, turning to watch her walk down the hall.
Ten minutes later Emily walked back down the stairs dressed in a navy tank and cargo shorts. She stopped at the bottom step and leant on the banister, watching the three of them in the kitchen. Hotch held Emma on his hip while he stood in front of the stove. Jack, now seven, was sitting on the counter, old enough to know not to touch the cook top. Emily smiled when Jack reached up with a piece of strawberry to give to Emma.
Emily made her way over to the kitchen and put her hand on Hotch's shoulder. He turned and smiled at her. "Feel better?" he asked. Emily nodded and smiled. "Much," she replied, ruffling Jack's hair. "Who wants to watch some cartoons?" Emily said, picking Jack up. He nodded and threw his hand in the air. "I do!" he cried out. Emily laughed and put him on the ground. "Here. I'll set them up," she said, holding her hands out for Emma. She carried Emma over and put her in her crib. Jack sat on the floor in front of the TV and Emily switched on the Saturday morning cartoons. When the kids were settled she went back to the kitchen.
Hotch turned to watch her come back into the kitchen. He didn't know where they were going, but by the way that their kids had been getting along, and the way that Emily was looking at him now, he definitely knew it had to be good. Hotch moved around to serve up the eggs and bacon onto the plates. He made a small plate for Jack and two bigger ones for Emily and himself. "Breakfast is served," he said. Emily smiled and picked up the two big plates. "Alright. I've got mine. You and Jack are sharing I assume?" she joked. Hotch chuckled and picked up Jack's plate, following her into the dining room. "Jack, buddy. Breakfast time," Hotch called out. Jack jumped up and bounced over to the table. He hopped up onto the chair and smiled at Emily.
After breakfast was devoured Emily packed up the plates and carried them into the kitchen. Hotch set Jack in front of the TV again before he joined Emily in the kitchen. She was stacking the dishes in the washer and turned when he carried the glasses in. He put them into the washer then leant on the bench while Emily closed it.
When she stood up again she looked over at him and he held out his hand. She took it with a smile and he pulled her into a tight hug. They stood there for a few minutes, just enjoying being near each other. Emily was the first to speak. "So now that we've had breakfast, what do we do?" she asked. She pulled away to face him. "Well… it depends," he said dryly. Emily's brow furrowed. "Do you mean should we start unpacking your gear? Or are you talking long-term?" he asked. Emily smiled.
"Well… I suppose both need to be considered but… for now I just meant the long-term," she said. Hotch leant down and kissed her gently. She sighed and when he pulled back he leant his forehead against hers. Hotch knew what he wanted to tell her but he was afraid she wasn't quite there yet. "Well… in the long-term… I…" Hotch paused and Emily pulled back so she could look in his eyes. Hotch rolled his eyes. There was no way that he was going to make the same mistakes that he made with Hayley. That meant no secrets, no lies, nothing but honesty. He took a deep breath.
"Emily. I love you. I've loved you for so long. I just… I was afraid. But I don't want to lose any more time. I don't want to miss out on anything more because I'm scared. I want to be with you. I want to be your partner, take care of our kids, raise them with you. I want to come home with you at the end of the day, hold you in my arms while we sleep, and wake up with you in the morning." Hotch paused, noticing the wide-eyed look Emily was giving him but he shook his head. "Now I know that this may seem like so much right now, and I understand that you and Peter… it's only a recent thing. But… I can't afford to lose you again," he said.
Emily was shocked. She was scared, petrified really. And not because she thought he was moving too fast or asking to much of her. No… she was scared because he was verbalizing what she already felt. So instead of telling him she leant forward and kissed him. Hotch wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body flush against his.
Eventually the need for air tugged at their lungs and Emily pulled back. "In case you didn't get that… that was me agreeing," she said, a smile on her lips. Hotch raised his eyebrows. "Oh… I got it," he joked. Emily looked up into his eyes. "Why don't we take it a day at a time? We'll agree that we're both in this for the long haul, but no pressure. And…" she said, pointing her finger in his face… "Taking it slow." She looked down and bit her lip as she looked back up at him. "So that friend of yours," she pointed down, "Is going to have to take a sabbatical." Hotch swallowed hard and nodded. "Ok. I agree. We will take things as slow as you need," he said.
"What about the office?" he asked, "With you coming back, I'm going to be your supervisor again." Emily nodded. "True. But if I've learnt anything from this time, it's that this…" she gestured between them, "You and me and the kids. This is what matters most. We can play it by ear. Be Aaron and Emily here and Hotch and Prentiss there. And, if there comes a time, I'll think about switching units."
Hotch nodded. "Alright. But if that time comes, we'll both think about it. Because this team needs you Em. If I leave, Morgan can step up. He's done it before," Hotch said. Emily shook her head and put her hands to his face. "If that time comes, I will leave. As much as I would love you with me 24/7, I know that this team means so much to you. I would never ask you to give it up," she said. Hotch looked in her eyes and saw she was being honest. He put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her tight. "I love you Emily."
A/N: Ok, so now they've set the pace for their growing relationship. And given that Emily had already met/bonded with Jack and same for Aaron and Emma I thought it would be alright to bring the kids into it from the start. Especially since they're on even footing, each having one kid.
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