A/N: I'm thinking this might just be the final chapter. Let me know what you think and if I should continue post-promotion, maybe throw a pregnancy in there… Reviews. Please. Ok. Oh and this takes place about a year after the wedding.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.

Hotch sat on the edge of the pool watching as Emily jumped in. He smiled at Jack's wide eyes at the size of the splash that his mom made. JJ was busy re-lotioning Adam while Henry sat on Will's shoulders. Emma was being pulled around in an inflatable boat by Morgan. Reid sat up on the deck with Rossi, playing chess. Rossi had been thrown through a living room window by an un-sub earlier that week so everyone, except for Garcia and Kevin who were celebrating their anniversary, had packed up their things for a weekend at Hotch's family's beach-house in Ocean City. Since the beaches were closed because of storms just off the coast the group had decided to stay at the house and swim in the pool.

It was nearing five and Emily hopped out of the pool. She walked over to Hotch who handed her a towel. "Thanks honey. I'm gonna head up into the house and get started on dinner. Are you right with the kids?" she asked. Hotch smiled and nodded. Emily tipped her head and frowned. She sat on the seat behind Hotch and started rubbing his shoulders. "You ok babe? You seem a bit tense…" she asked. Hotch shook his head. "I'm fine sweetheart," he assured her. Emily frowned and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Remember when we first got together, we promised that we'd be honest… all the time… no matter what?" she said. Hotch nodded. "I remember. But really… I'm fine. I'm just tired," he answered. He didn't snap but his tone told her he wasn't fine but not to push. Emily nodded and stood up. "Alright. Well… I guess I'll go make dinner," she said, walking away. She glanced back and frowned when she saw Hotch rubbing his hands over his face.

After dinner and the kids had all gone to bed almost everyone was sitting in the lounge. Reid and Morgan were playing chess in the corner of the room and JJ and Will had already gone to bed, exhausted after swimming and play most of the day. Emily yawned. "I think I'm gonna have an early night," she said, standing from the couch. The guys all said goodnight and returned to their game. She kissed Hotch's cheek. "I'll be up soon," he whispered to her. She nodded and walked out of the lounge.

Rossi, who was sitting in the armchair near Hotch, turned to his friend and shook his head. "Not now Dave," Hotch warned. Rossi shook his head and leaned forward. "I don't care if you wanna hear this or not Aaron, but you're gonna end up sleeping on the couch if you're not careful," he said quietly. Hotch shook his head. "I… if I go up and tell her what's going on, I'm gonna be sleeping on the couch anyway," he said. Rossi frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked. Hotch sighed. "I can't talk about this here," Hotch whispered. Rossi nodded and stood up, "C'mon old man. Let's go check on the towels." Hotch smiled and stood up, following his friend down to the basement where the washers and dryers were.

"Ok, what's this about?" Rossi asked when he closed the basement door. Hotch started to fold the towels and started. "I got offered Section Chief," he said quietly. Rossi's jaw dropped before he grinned. "Aaron, that's incredible!" Rossi cried out. Hotch smiled and nodded before frowning. "I don't understand. What's the problem? Emily would be thrilled," Rossi asked. Hotch shook his head. "Dave, we've only ever worked together. What if it doesn't keep working when I'm off the team? I'm terrified that, with all the time she'd spend on cases, we wouldn't see each other and we'd lose what we have now," Hotch explained, the anxiety apparent on his face.

Rossi shook his head and held up his hands. "Aaron, that's not going to happen. Emily loves you. She's committed to you. And you guys are more in tune with each other than anyone else I know. Trust me when I say that you will not lose her," Rossi argued, "At least, not if you actually go and talk to her. Don't you guys have some deal about secrets?" Hotch smiled and nodded. Rossi nodded. "Then it's set. All you have to do is talk to your wife. I'm sure she'll be as excited about this as you are," Rossi assured his friend. They finished folding the towels and talked about who Hotch was going to promote to Unit Chief and how they'd go about finding a new team member. When they were finished they walked back upstairs. Rossi went back to the lounge to finish his book and Hotch went upstairs to talk to Emily.

Emily was sitting in bed, reading, when Hotch came in. She looked up and smiled. "You're still up," Hotch said, relieved. Emily nodded. "Yeah, I realized that I never have time to get any reading done so… making the most of it," she said, holding up her copy of "Cat's Cradle." Hotch smiled. "Sweetheart," he started as he walked over to the bed, "do you wanna go for a walk down on the beach?" he asked. Emily smiled and nodded. She didn't say anything as she climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of shorts, and grabbed her cell.

When they reached the sand, Hotch took a deep breath. "Sweetheart," he started, "We need to talk." Emily breathed a sigh of relief and stopped. "Oh, thank God! I was hoping you'd talk to me. I hate it when I know there's something bothering you but you're too stubborn to talk!" she cried out. Hotch smiled and nodded. "I know. And I always feel better after talking to you but… there's always that little voice in my head that persuades me not to," he said as he walked next to her. Emily reached over and picked up his hand. "Honey, you need to stop listening to that voice. It's a bad voice. Whatever it is that you need to tell me, then do. I can't promise that I won't get mad or sad or whatever emotion is necessary at the time, but I can promise that I'll listen and try and help you figure out whatever problem you have," she assured him. Hotch leant over to kiss her cheek. "I know that sweetheart. And that's what I'm doing now," he said. Emily nodded and smiled. "Sorry. I just… I was worried is all," she explained. Hotch nodded and looked at their hands. "So what is it?" she asked. Hotch took a deep breath.

"I had a meeting with Strauss and Levinson when we got back from New Mexico. Strauss is being moved to another department and… and they offered me the position of Section Chief," Hotch said, trying to say it as quickly as possible. He watched Emily's face to gauge a reaction. "Honey that's awesome!" Emily cried out, turning to wrap her arms around Hotch's neck. He put his hands on her lower back and sighed. "You think this is good?" he asked. Emily frowned and stood back, her hands on his shoulders. "You don't?" she asked. Hotch shrugged and looked at the ground as he went through the reasonings he'd already explained to Dave earlier. Emily smiled and touched Hotch's cheek gently.

"Honey, you worry too much," she said quietly. Hotch huffed and looked back up at her. She looked genuinely happy, not worried at all what this change might do to them. "I believe that you and I will get through anything. We made it through my leaving, we made it through Peter, we made it through a hell of a lot in this past year alone. So… am I sad about not seeing you as often? Yes. But am I worried that that will cause us to drift apart? Not at all. I love you Aaron Hotchner. And I'm your wife. And whatever you decide, I'll support you," she said strongly. Hotch leant down and captured her lips with his. When he pulled back he leant his forehead on hers and smiled. "I love you too Em," he whispered.

As they were standing there a massive wave broke just off-shore and the water crept up, splashing over their legs and up to their thighs. Emily squealed at the cold and Hotch burst out laughing. He picked her up and ran further into the water, throwing the two of them into the cold. Emily burst through the surface and squealed. "You rat-bastard!" she called out, "I was all showered!" She ran her hands through the water and splashed him and he laughed. They stood in the water, completely drenched, and looked at each other, laughing. "You look like a drowned rat Emily," Hotch teased. Emily splashed him. "You don't look too much better Section Chief Hotchner," she replied. He pulled her towards him and kissed her passionately. "Let's go home and shower Mrs. Hotchner," he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Emily smiled and nodded.

When they reached the house they snuck up the stairs and made their way to their room. Just as they were opening their door, Hotch spun Emily around and kissed her passionately. "What are you two doing? You're soaked," JJ said, standing in the hall with her arms crossed. Emily bit her lip and looked at Hotch. "We just went for a quick walk on the beach and… got wet," Hotch explained. JJ shrugged her shoulders. "Eh. I don't really care. Just… go get dry before you catch a cold," she bossed. Hotch nodded and Emily saluted sarcastically. Hotch grabbed her hand and pulled her through the door. "Night Jayje," Emily called out as Hotch shut the door.

After he'd closed the door Hotch reached over and pulled Emily's top up and over her head. He ran one hand down her waist as he pulled her towards the bathroom with the other. She bit her lip again as she let him pull her along. When they reached the bathroom door she started unbuttoning his shirt and pulled the soaked material from his body. They threw the shirts in the corner of the bathroom and turned back to each other and smiled. Hotch unbuttoned her shorts while Emily unzipped his fly. They wriggled out of their pants and Hotch unclipped her bra while he leant forward to kiss her. He threw her bra in their pile of wet clothes and pulled her close to him.

Emily reached behind her to pull the shower curtain back and Hotch reached around to turn on the water. He stepped into the tub and she followed. They sat in the tub, kissing passionately, as the water began to fill. Emily reached up with one hand to get the bubbles and squirted some lavender-scented soap into the bath. As they ran the bath, their mouths never parted. Hotch ran his hands over her body and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Hotch pulled back and grinned. "This bath thing isn't really gonna work for that," he said. Emily bit her lip and smiled. "Alright. Let's just warm up and relax then," she said, turning around, "But when we're clean and dried, Kong is coming back out to play." Hotch chuckled and nodded. "Alright honey. Anything you say." They sat back in the water and just enjoyed being able to relax. Hotch washed Emily's hair then they switched and Emily washed his. She gave him a quick massage, with her legs wrapped around his waist. And they talked about his promotion.

After about an hour in the water Emily stood up. Hotch smiled and stood up, pulling the plug. He hopped out first and held out his hand to help her. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his shoulders, then grabbed his own. When they were dry Emily threw her towel over the railing and he did the same. She moved closer to him and pressed her lips against his. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him. He carried her to the bed and gently lay her down. He held himself over her and brushed back her damp hair. "You are so beautiful," he whispered. Emily rolled her eyes. "You say that all the time," she said, running her fingers through his hair. Hotch smiled. "Well it's true all the time," he replied. Emily started to blush and Hotch chuckled. "You're not embarrassed are you Agent Prentiss?" he asked. Emily wouldn't meet him in the eye and Hotch smiled, leaning down to press a kiss on her neck.

He ran his hands down the length of her body, starting from her face and ending at her toes. He ran his finger over the bottom of her foot and smiled when she giggled. He kissed the top of her foot, then her shin, her knee, lower thigh. Emily giggled with each kiss and Hotch looked up to see her lying down with her hands covering her face. "Should I stop?" he teased. Emily looked up and bit her lip, shaking her head. Hotch grinned and kissed her knee again. "Sorry, lost my place," he joked. Emily smiled and lay back as he kissed her thigh again, slowly moving his way up until he reached her hip. He gently pulled her legs apart and moved between them as he kissed up her stomach, paying special attention to her belly button.

Emily looked up at the ceiling and whispered his name. He smiled as he made love to her and when it was over, he rolled over on his back and sighed. He kissed her cheek as he pulled her into his arms, their naked bodies molding together. He reached down and pulled up the sheets. "I love you Emily Hotchner," he whispered. "I love you Aaron Hotchner," she whispered back.

THE END

A/N: I really hate to see this story end but I think it'd be ruined if I just kept it going. In saying that, if enough people want me to keep the story going I can probably start a sequel. But I'm hoping that I can keep "What if I waited," as my uber-long story. Anywho, let me know your thoughts either way.