A/N: This chapter is supposed to push things forward a bit. And I was reading through it and thought I'd throw a nice little moment for Jack and Emily in there. Please read and review. I love to read them and if you want me to add anything or think I could improve the story at all, please add that in your reviews. I'll take it all into account with the coming chapters.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds. Or the brand "Tupperware"
Emily had taken a month off after she and Emma had moved to DC. During that time she got herself situated, sorting out Emma's daycare and nanny issues, meeting up with her parents, and spending time with Hotch and Jack. They had spent a lot of time together, just the four of them, going to the park and the circus, and Emily was starting to see the lighter side to Hotch. The domestic side of Hotch.
They had spent a lot of time discussing how things were going to work at the office, how they were going to deal with their relationship and whether or not to tell the team. They decided to wait a couple of months to tell the team, six cases at least. By then they would hopefully have six months under their belts. Emily knew they would find it tough not to touch each other or say "I love you" but she also knew how important it was for the others to have her back.
It was the Saturday before Emily was due to return to the BAU. Hotch was sitting in the lounge room, playing with the kids, while Emily got started on dinner. She had the music on in the kitchen, turned down low. She smiled when she heard her daughter's giggles and her heart warmed when she heard Hotch's laughter. Two years ago was a very different time, and she had rarely heard that laugh. Now, after three months of being a couple, one month after her return to DC, and she'd heard that laughter more than she had her first three years on the team. It made her happy to know that their fast-forming family was the reason for his laughter.
She'd just finished cutting the tomatoes when she felt a tug on her shorts. She looked down to see Jack. "Hey buddy, what's going on?" she asked. Jack pointed to the ingredients on the bench. "Emly can I help you make dinner?" he asked. Emily smiled and nodded, picking up the slight seven-year-old and placing him on the bench. "Ok, why don't you toss the salad?" she asked. She pulled out a large Tupperware container and pointed to the chopping board. "Just throw all of the ingredients in the bowl, put on the lid, and shake," she said, shaking her hips, evoking laughter from young Jack. He did as she'd said, muttering the instructions under his breath while he did it. He put the lid on and waited patiently while Emily checked it was on properly. Then he picked up the container and shook it a little. "Like this?" he asked. Emily chuckled. "No," she said, lifting him from the bench and placing him on her hip. "Like this!" she said, bouncing them both around and shaking the container in the process. Jack giggled and threw his head back. "I love you Emly," he gasped through the laughter. Emily stopped bouncing and stared at the little boy. He loved her? He loved her. Well that made sense, the four of them spent practically every spare moment together. They were becoming a real family. Emma and Jack were getting along so well... and Emily and Hotch... enough said. She placed the Tupperware on the bench and hugged Jack tight. "I love you too buddy," she said quietly, smiling when he wrapped his skinny arms around her neck.
"What are you two doing in there?" Hotch called out from the lounge room, unwittingly breaking their moment. Emily pulled back and placed Jack on the bench. "Just making dinner," she said, smiling at Jack and tapping the tip of his nose. Jack smiled back and pulled off the lid and gasped. "Cool! It's all shaked Emly!" he cried out. Emily laughed and ruffled his hair. "You did a great job," she remarked. "What's next?" he asked excitedly. Emily furrowed her brow, then clicked her fingers. "The burgers," she said, rushing to the fridge and pulling out the plate of mince. She figured Jack would love this part, squishing the meat between his fingers. It was kind of gross and he was a boy. As she walked him over to the sink to wash his hands, she smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. He loved her.
"Are you ready for this?" Hotch asked her over the phone. He was just walking into the office and Emily had just said goodbye to Emma for the first time in four months. Her baby girl had said "Bye Mama," and Emily had held her tight before handing her over to Hannah, her nanny. "Uh… I suppose. Man… this is harder than when I left her behind when she was even younger!" Emily cried out as she walked to the elevator. "It'll get easier. I promise," he assured her, "Just one step at a time sweetheart." Emily nodded. "I know. Now… you need to stop calling me that or you're likely to get caught out," she teased. "Ok. I'll see you soon," he smiled, before they hung up.
"Ok Hannah. Thanks for the call. I'll be home tomorrow morning. Thanks," Emily said, before she hung up. She was sitting in her hotel room. She'd been back for six weeks when the team got the call for a case in Brooklyn, New York. It was their fifth case and Emily was finding it tough to deal with the separation. They'd been gone for two nights and Emily knew Emma would find it tough. Hannah had assured her that she was fine, that she was eating and sleeping and enjoying her new daycare. But even the assurances from the older woman weren't making Emily feel any better. She put her phone on the nightstand and switched off the light, letting the glow from the TV illuminate the room.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep she heard a knock at the door. She stood and opened the door to find Hotch standing in the hallway. He was holding a packet of chocolate cookies and two coffee cups. "Cocoa?" he asked, holding up the tray of drinks. Emily bit her lip and nodded. While she and Hotch were adamant that they wouldn't cross the boundaries during cases, the down-time that the team had before flying home was more casual. So she wasn't surprised with his late-night visit. But since the team still didn't know, they had to be a little inconspicuous with their visits.
Hotch put the food and drinks on the table before he turned to face her. She had tears in her eyes and he knew she was trying not to cry. "Oh honey, it's alright. I promise, it'll get easier," he said, pulling her tight. Emily put her head on his chest and felt the sobs begin. "I just hate not seeing her. She's my baby," Emily sobbed through the tears. Hotch kissed the top of her head. "It's alright. I know she's your baby but just think how much sweeter it'll be to see her tomorrow," he said. Emily looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah. You're right," she said. He held her for a few moments, enjoying the chance to touch her and whisper in her ear. "How bout some cocoa then we'll sit up in bed and watch the discovery channel," he suggested. Emily smiled and nodded him. She kissed him quickly, not wanting it to get out of hand. He grabbed the food and she hopped onto the bed.
When the jet landed the following morning Emily grabbed her stuff and ran down the steps onto the tarmac. The others walked briskly to the cars where Emily was waiting. "Ok… seriously guys. Are you trying to force me to take out my gun to hurry y'all along?" she asked. They quickened their pace and hopped into the cars. "Man, it's like a nature documentary with her," Morgan teased, "the mother bear scouts potential threats, quickly drawing out her claws and teeth to scare them into submission." Hotch glared at him as he turned over the ignition. "Morgan, you have kids then see how you feel," he said sternly. Morgan smiled and nodded. "Sorry Hotch. Just teasing," he said. Hotch nodded.
That afternoon, Emily left just as the clock hit five. She was anxious to get home and see her daughter. This was the longest they'd been apart since Emma was born and Emily was definitely feeling withdrawal. She quickly drove home, trying hard not to drive over the speed limit (too much) and raced up the hall to the apartment. When she opened the door she squealed with delight. Emma saw her mom coming through the front door and toddled down as quickly as her little legs could take her. Emily dropped her go-bag and briefcase on the floor and ran to pick up her daughter. She held her tight and kissed the top of her head.
Hannah left just after Emily arrived home. Emily sat on the couch and cuddled with her daughter as she watched "Angelina ballerina." When Emma fell asleep, Emily chose not to put her to bed straight away, and let her sleep on her chest. She picked up her phone and hit the speed dial.
Hotch was sitting on his couch, going over some case notes while Jack watched "Teenage mutant ninja turtles." His cell started ringing and he reached over to pick it up, smiling when he saw the caller ID. "How is it?" he asked. Emily smiled on the other end and whispered, "Perfect." Hotch chuckled. "I told you," he replied, standing to walk into the other room.
"Did she miss you?" he asked rhetorically. Emily huffed on the other end. "Uh… yeah… I think so," she answered. Hotch chuckled. "So how about the four of us go out for dinner tomorrow night?" Emily smiled and nodded, though he couldn't see. "Sounds like a plan. But for now," she paused, brushing the dark curls from her little girl's face, "I should get the princess to bed. I'll see you in the morning honey," she said. "See you in the morning. I love you," he said, grinning like he did every other time he told her. Emily grinned. "I love you too." They hung up and Emily stood to carry her baby girl upstairs to bed. She placed her in her crib, turned on the musical night light, pulled her blanket up to her chest, and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight sweet girl," she whispered before she left the room and closed the door.
They were just returning from a case in Miami. Hotch was sitting across from Emily and was periodically looking over his case notes at her. She looked up and frowned. "I know," she said quietly. He nodded and smiled. "So…" he pushed. Emily rolled her eyes and put down her book. "Alright. Come over tonight and we'll talk about it," she said before picking up her book again.
Hotch smiled. He knew it was silly but he felt guilty keeping this from the team. He knew that they would have the team's support but he needed to know that he and Emily weren't alone. He needed to know that they would back them up. He leant forward and put his hand under the table, rubbing it over her thigh. She smiled, not raising her eyes from the pages in front of her, and reached down to hold his hand.
A/N: So my goal for this chapter was to move them forward a few months. I think enough authors have successfully done the stories where they find themselves making mistakes in the field/office so I decided not to write the same stuff. I hope it works.
Please read and review.