A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I know everyone is curious about why they broke up but all I can tell you is there is a very vague hint at it in chapter 5 but other than that you'll just have to wait a few more chapters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Six: Birthday

October 2012 (Present Time)

Morgan paced the hallway. "Emily hurry up" he said to the closed door. "We're gonna to be late."

"I'm sorry really, but I can't find anything to wear." She yelled out.

"Didn't you and JJ just go shopping for something?" he asked impatiently. He remembered clearly the two women talking about it the other day.

"Yes but you have to understand I'm growing like no other. Every other day I get bigger." she moaned.

He laughed quietly. The baby bump was a little more pronounced but she was nowhere near big. "Em, it really doesn't matter what you wear. Go in sweats and a tee shirt."

The door opened quickly. "Derek, I'm not going to my birthday dinner in pajamas. Here zip this." She walked out in a nice red dress and black sensible heels.

Zipping her up, he smiled. "You look nice. Now let's go."

It was tradition to go to dinner on any of the team's birthdays. Although, Emily wanted to forget this one she was excited to spend time away from the office and any talk of the horrors they see every day.

As Emily and Morgan walked into the restaurant she noticed the only chairs open where both next to Hotch. She inwardly groaned. Over the past few weeks she had successfully avoided her unit chief. She stuck to Morgan like glue on cases and in the office she made sure to give JJ her paperwork when the blonde went to give Hotch hers. She only spoke to him about the case and even when she saw Jack it was hello goodbye that's it. And she liked it that way. She was able to think about herself and not him.

"Birthday girl sit by me!" Garcia pointed to the chair between herself and Hotch.

Emily smiled and took the seat while Morgan took the one on the other side of Hotch. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked.

"Nope. They just got us the table." Dave said.

Emily smirked at Morgan. "See we weren't late."

"Whatever Princess." He shot back.

Dinner proceeded on and it wasn't as bad as Emily thought it would be. She easily found conversation on Garcia's side of the table and wasn't forced to talk to the man next to her. Every so often though she would feel him move and she could feel his body heat. Every which way she turned her senses were assaulted by him. Her hand ached to reach out and touch him like she use to but she resisted. This is why she stayed away from him she reminded herself. Anytime she got near him her body wouldn't listen to her mind.

February 2012 (Flashback)

Emily slowly nodded to Hotch who was looking at her questionably. As he gathered everyone's attention she bit her lip. She hoped everyone would take this in stride and be happy for the new couple but if not she was at least happy they couldn't make a big scene in a crowded restaurant.

"I have a few announcements. First thanks for coming tonight on such short notice but I have something important I want you all to know. I hope it's not a huge surprise because I don't think we have been as subtle as we think but Emily and I are dating. We both know the policies on inter-office dating but we are going to work hard on keeping it out of the office." He stopped as Morgan put a hand up.

"Sorry to interrupt but sorry guys we kind of figured it out." He smiled at Emily.

She chuckled as everyone agreed with him. "Well then pay for your own food and we will see you on Monday." She quipped.

"Oh hey wait I didn't know." Reid said innocently.

"Ok so we pay for Reid's." she smiled smugly at Hotch.

"We are happy for you guys. It was about time." Dave interjected.

"What does that mean?" Hotch frowned.

"Come on Aaron, you have been divorced for nearly five years." Dave said patting his friend on the back.

"So what?" he said.

"Honey he's just saying that's too long." Emily comforted but silently agreed with Dave. Five years was too long.

"And you missy!" Garcia pointed at Emily.

"What about me?" Hotch grinned as Emily took her turn to be ridiculed.

"You haven't been on a date in forever!" JJ said. "I even told you to go out with Mick but no you had to go out and get a cat instead."

"Hey that's not fair. I love Sergio. Besides how do you know I didn't date in Paris?" she smiled cheekily.

Hotch frowned. "Did you?"

"No but that's not the point. I have dated I just choose not to talk about it."

"Sure you have Princess." Morgan rolled his eyes as everyone laughed.

Hotch smiled at Emily as she let out a breath. She was glad they were good with it because even if they weren't she wasn't going to change it.

October 2012 (Present Time)

Emily remembered how Hotch reached under the table and took her hand that night. The feeling she got from that small touch was more than she ever felt with another man. And now she desperately wanted that again but she would just have to find it elsewhere because Hotch was off limits.

"So did you get the amnio results back?" Reid asked from across the table pulling everyone's attention to Emily.

She smiled shyly trying to take her mind off the thoughts she was having and onto something else. "Yes I did."

"And?" JJ insisted.

"The baby is perfectly healthy and there isn't anything to worry about." She knew what they were really after but she wanted them to beg. It was just fun that way.

"Come on gumdrop, tell us!" Garcia took her hand.

"Okay I will tell you the sex but I'm keeping the name to myself." Emily smiled.

"You already have a name?" JJ asked. "I didn't pick Henry's till I was in the hospital."

"Well I found out two days ago what the baby is so I spent some time thinking about it. I have a first name but not a middle name yet."

"Enough stalling, tell us!" Dave said smiling.

"My baby is a girl." She smiled proudly. She was secretly thrilled she was having a girl. If it was a boy she would be just as proud but to have the mother daughter bond that she so desperately wanted as a young girl was something else entirely.

"A girl! I get to buy pink!" Garcia clapped. "Not that I don't like buying for my favorite god son but pink!" she smiled at JJ.

"I know. It will be nice to have you buy for someone other than my son though. He has too much as it is." JJ smiled. "I'm so happy for you Em." The others whole heartedly agreed.

"Thanks guys. Garcia you are not allowed to go crazy! I mean it." She knew what JJ's spare bedroom looked like. Garcia had a tendency to buy, buy, and buy.

"But Em, all we have are boys. This is going to be so nice." The blonde moaned.

"What does your mother think?" Dave asked changing the subject.

"I kind of keep putting it off. I mean the last time I saw her…"

"We were together?" Hotch knew that was the last time. It was the moment he completely and utterly fell in love with Emily Prentiss.

Late February 2012 (Flashback)

Hotch watched with wide eyes as Elizabeth Prentiss paced back and forth. Emily just spilled the beans about them dating and the Ambassador hadn't spoken yet. He looked to his right and tried to smile at the brunette next to him but in all honesty he was scared to death.

"Mother" Emily said finally.

"Don't you dare Mother me. Have you thought about this Emily?" the Ambassador stopped pacing.

"Of course I have." She rolled her eyes. Hotch grinned slightly.

"What about you reputation? You chose this career to separate your reputation from me but now you are sleeping with your boss! How is this any different? What are people going to think?"

"First I don't care what people think. Second I didn't choose this to get away from you but to do what I love. I love my job and I'm good at it. And I know us dating is going to put pressure on the team but we can handle it. I love him and I don't care what others think about my reputation. I don't care what the Ambassador thinks either, all I want to know is what my mom thinks. This is the first time in I don't know how long, I have actually wanted you to get to know the person I'm with. I want you to know the man I love." She stopped panting slightly with tears in her eyes.

The room was silent for a moment and Hotch really wanted to just grab Emily and leave. But he stayed blinking a few times to push his own tears away. That was the first time she said those words. And in that moment he knew he wanted to say them back. Pulling on her hand he stood up. He opened his mouth to say it but she cut him off.

"I know that came out wrong and you don't have to so it back."

Smirking at her he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear "I love you too."

October 2012 (Present Time)

"Yeah" she replied snapping him back as their eyes met. Hotch quickly cleared his throat as Emily diverted her gaze.

"But I haven't told her about the baby." She looked back at Dave.

"You need to. I'm sure she will be thrilled." He replied.

"Maybe" she shrugged.

As dinner passed and everyone was getting ready to leave Hotch took Emily's hand under the table. "Congratulations Emily, I'm happy for you ya know?" Hotch said quietly so the group wouldn't hear. He looked into her eyes and knew she felt it too. The undeniable connection they have always amazed him and even now when they were barely able to speak to one another he could feel it.

"Thanks Hotch." she smiled back but reminded herself to leave it at that.