Emily and Hotch had decided to keep their news to themselves for awhile and it had been four weeks since. They didn't tell anyone but the other team-members could sense something had shifted that weekend. They had just returned from a case in Houston and were relaxing with a dinner at Rossi's house. Emily was sitting on the grass on the hill watching the boys tossing a football. Emma and Adam were having fun rolling around on the ground near where the girls were sitting. Emily laughed as an exhausted Hotch chased Jack up the hill. "Getting old hey Agent Hotchner?" Garcia teased. Hotch stopped in front of the girls and shook his head. "Jack needs to go to the bathroom," he said. He pat Emily's shoulder on the way past.
A few minutes later Hotch and Jack returned. Jack continued running down the hill, back to where the other guys were still playing. Hotch collapsed on the grass next to Emily and she chuckled. As she wrapped her arm around his shoulders he smiled. Emma saw Hotch and grinned, slowly making her way back up the hill towards them. When she reached them she climbed on Hotch's chest. "Daddy," she sighed. Hotch looked up at Emily and grinned. She couldn't help the look of shock on her face. Emily looked at JJ who was equally shocked. Hotch sat up and gave Emma a peck on the nose. Emily reached over and brushed her daughter's hair behind her ears. Emily ran her fingers through Hotch's hair and sighed.
After everyone had eaten JJ, Will, Hotch, and Emily put the kids to bed. They were all staying overnight, given the drive back to DC, and they quietly made their way inside. Emily lay Emma in her crib and kissed her goodnight. Hotch was tucking Jack into the single bed. After they'd kissed the kids goodnight, they swapped. Hotch leant over the crib and kissed Emma's forehead. "Goodnight angel," he whispered. Emily had kissed Jack goodnight and was walking over to Hotch. She stood still and watched him tuck Emma's teddy under her blanket. She bit her lip and smiled. Hotch turned and saw her watching. "You say a word of this to the guys…" his voice trailed off and Emily suppressed the smile, shaking her head. "I would never Agent Hotchner," she teased. Hotch wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her out the door.
When they got back out to the deck, Emily shivered. Hotch grabbed his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. It was the start of October and was hitting the early sixties most nights. As it was, tonight was rather cool. Emily sat down in her seat and waited for Hotch to sit down before she put her hand on his thigh. The others were chatting and Emily sighed. Hotch looked over at her and frowned. "What is it?" he asked. Emily smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing. It's… family," she said quietly. Hotch smiled and nodded. "Do you wanna…?" his voice trailed off and Emily smiled and nodded. She leant over to JJ who had just returned and Hotch leant over to Rossi. At the same time they whispered, "We're engaged. Pass it on." They waited as the message made it's way around the circle, from JJ to Will, from Rossi to Morgan, from Will to Reid, from Reid to Kevin, and watched the reaction of their friends. Garcia waited for Morgan to whisper in her ear and her face lit up when she got it.
Garcia squealed and jumped out of her seat to hug the happy couple. Emily laughed and pulled the ring out of her jeans pocket. Hotch chuckled and shook hands with Rossi. After everyone returned to their seats Rossi raised his glass to toast them. They were talking for awhile before Emily stood. "Hey girls, let's go for a walk," she said.
Garcia and JJ jumped up and followed Emily up the stairs and into the house. She led them into the den and they lit a fire. "So, when did this happen?" JJ asked. Emily smiled. "Uh, four weeks ago," she replied. The girls weren't surprised with Hotch and Emily's secrecy anymore. "I wanted to talk to you alone because I want to ask you something," Emily started. JJ smiled at Garcia. "I was an only child so I never had any siblings to fight with or bond with. But knowing you girls, spending time with you, you are my sisters. And I want you to be my bridesmaids," Emily said. She looked up at her friends who were grinning and nodding. "Of course Em," JJ replied. The girls spent some time talking about dates and dresses and shoes before the guys joined them in the den.
It was getting late and everyone was exhausted. Hotch held his hand out for Emily and pulled her off the couch. "Let's go to bed," he whispered in her ear. She smiled and nodded. "Alright guys. We'll see you in the morning," Emily said, yawning as she spoke. Hotch put his hands on her shoulders and guided her towards the stairs as everyone said goodnight.
"C'mon Prentiss," Hotch teased, patting her butt as she walked up the stairs in front of him. Emily turned and scowled. "What have I said about calling me Prentiss off duty," she scolded. Hotch rolled his eyes as they reached the landing. "I don't understand why you can call me Hotch whenever, but I can't call you Prentiss unless we're talking shop," he complained. Emily rolled her eyes. "Because, Hotch is a nickname. I don't usually call you Agent Hotchner off the clock… well unless it's for fun reasons," she explained. Hotch couldn't help the grin that grew on his face.
"See… you don't dislike being called Hotch off the clock," she said, pointing her finger in his face. Hotch smiled and pulled her tight to his chest. "I…" he kissed her lips then stood up straight and shook his head, "Don't really know or care where this argument is going." Emily cracked up laughing, "Ok, let's get you to bed old man," she teased. Hotch held up his hand. "There! That! I don't like it when you call me old man. I'm not old. I'm still only 48!" he cried out. Emily smiled and nodded. "Alright honey. You're right. You're not old. You're a spring chicken. Geez I'm basically a cougar," she said, taking off her pants and tossing them on the ground. Hotch rolled his eyes as he took off his pants. "Now you're just being silly," he teased. He climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around Emily's waist. They lay in silence for a moment before Hotch raised the topic that had been worrying him for a couple of weeks.
"Do you think we could go looking at houses soon? Neither of our apartments are really big enough for all four of us," he whispered. Emily smiled and squeezed his arm. "Sounds great," she replied, "Are you asking me to move in with you Aaron?" she teased. Hotch huffed. "Well I had assumed that you'd pick up on that when I asked you to marry me, but if you need a clarification…" he teased. Emily chuckled. "No clarification needed honey. But if you want me to move in… the house is gonna need a big bath." Hotch kissed her neck and smiled. "If that's all you're asking for, then I think I can swing that."