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Chapter Twenty: Jack and Decorating
72 hours after Lily was born Emily was finally released from the hospital. But getting released and leaving were two very different things. Her doctor told her to go home and get some rest then come back to visit Lily but Emily had other plans.
Morgan helped pack up all her belongings and stored them away in his car while Emily took the elevator to Lily's floor. Walking up to the door she quickly washed her hands and dawned a hospital gown then made her way to her daughter's station. "Morning Molly." Emily smiled at the mother of the baby next to Lily. "How's Sam?"
"Doing great, going home today." Molly smiled back rocking her son in her arms. Since Lily was born Emily had met the other parents to the four other infants in the NICU they were very supportive which Emily needed.
"That's great." Emily said just a bit jealously sliding through her lips.
Frowning slightly at the empty bed Emily looked behind the curtain and smiled. Hotch was lying back in the chair with a small bundle on his bare chest, both were fast asleep. She didn't realize how much she missed seeing Hotch like that. Calm and content he didn't have any worries while he slept. Looking closer Emily noticed Lily's hand firmly holding one of his fingers and tried to contain her light giggle but it was enough to wake Hotch.
"Hey" he mumbled opening his sleepy eyes.
"Hey, sorry to wake you up. How long have you two been out?" she asked bending down to lightly kiss Lily's head. The wonderful baby smell filled her senses as she gave her baby a longing look. It had been a few hours since she last saw Lily and in her book it was a few hours too long.
"Umm…an hour or so." He answered shaking out the cob webs in his sleep deprived head. "Why are you here? Didn't Dr. Roberts send you home and Morgan was going to take you." He raised an eye brow.
Emily shook off his stare "Whatever. I'm not leaving until she does. End of story." She told him sternly.
Hotch rolled his eyes but dropped the conversation so instead he carefully stood up with Lily held close to his chest and let Emily take his chair. She quickly sat and took her baby from him.
"Hello sweet girl. Have you been good?" she rubbed her infant's back gently.
"She got a few test earlier and Julie said she would let us know when they get the results." Hotch told her. The nurses were great in keeping Emily and himself informed even though half the time they had no clue what the nurses were talking about.
"Maybe this vent can come off soon." She said playing with Lily's tiny fingers.
"Not yet." Dr. Holder walked in catching Emily's last comment. "She's still struggling but she is still clear of all infections so that is so good news." She said checking over the chart and then moved to Lily. "Come here baby girl, let's get you checked out." She gently lifted Lily from Emily's arms much to the mother's sour look.
"Have you talked to Jack today?" Emily asked as she and Hotch followed the doctor out to Lily's incubator. Soon after Hotch arrived back he told his son he was at the hospital with Emily. Jack immediately wanted to go see them but Hotch wanted to wait and see if there would be any other complications with the baby.
"Yeah, he said he made Lily a sign for her station. Jessica is bringing him up here after school so I can see him." he said with a smile. He loved being with Lily and Emily but he missed his son desperately.
"Aaron I'm released now so why don't you go home tonight with him. I know you miss him and now you don't have to be here all the time." Emily told him.
Hotch shook his head "I'm not going home. If Lily is here then so am I."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Fine" she huffed moving past him and to her daughter. "How you doing Lily?" she said giving Lily a loving smile.
"Well Mommy she seems to be doing good. I thought she would have been breathing over the vent by now but I guess she just wants to take her time." The doctor said moving so Emily could get to her. "We tested for respiratory infections but she's all clear. And her jaundice levels are way down. The lights did great for her." Over the night Lily was placed under a blue light that helped her body eliminate bilirubin which is the cause of jaundice. Hotch had stayed at her side the whole time even though she was sleeping.
"Did you hear that big girl? You are doing so good." Emily cooed at the baby.
-CM-CM-
Hotch watched from the hospital entrance as Jessica pulled her car into the parking lot and parked. Seconds later Jack stepped out of the back seat and took the offered hand of his aunt. The sight of his son warmed his heart and made a bright smile tug at his lips.
"Daddy!" Jack yelled running to him pulling his aunt right along. When he got close enough Jack dropped Jessica's hand and flew at his father with his poster for Lily in his hands.
Hotch laughed catching him and holding on tight. "I missed you so much buddy." He told the boy.
"Missed you too dad." Jack smiled pulling back to look at Hotch. "Daddy we brought your clothes." He pointed to Jessica with a duffle in her hands.
"Hey Jess, thanks for bringing him up here and for the clothes. I just haven't had time to go home yet." he told the blonde as she reached them.
"Not a problem. How's Emily?" she asked walking at his side into the hospital. Hotch was surprised how well the two women got along while he was dating Emily.
"She's good. Got released today but won't actually leave the place." He sighed.
"Did you expect her to? I know I wouldn't." Jessica told him passing him the duffle and taking Jack from him as they stopped by the restroom door.
"I guess not. Hey buddy I'm going to go change real fast then we can go show Emily and Lily your poster."
After a fresh change of clothes he led them to a window that showed most of the NICU. Lily's bed was at the end of the row so Jack got a good view of her. "Wow daddy, she is really small." his eyes went wide.
"Yep, she is. And that tube in her mouth helps her breath. Hopefully she can get it out soon." Hotch said waving for Emily to come out. She was sitting at Lily's side reading one of the books Garcia had brought for Lily. The doctors said reading and talking to the babies help sooth them so Emily and Hotch both took to reading stories to her.
"Daddy does it hurt her? Tell them to take it out if it hurts. Maybe Lily doesn't like needles, I don't." Jack told his father in his serious Hotchner tone.
"It doesn't hurt Jack. All the things on her are helping her grow and get healthy so she can go home." Hotch explained. "Look who is right there." He changed the subject hoping his son wouldn't be too upset about the machines attached to Lily.
Emily quickly left the Lily's side and was met by Jack's waiting arms. "Emily!" he smiled as she bent down to kiss him.
"Hey Jack, how are you sweetie?" she asked brushing his hair from his face.
"I'm fine. I brought this for Lily. Can you give it to here?" he held up a white poster board with Lily's name in purple and pictures of him and his dad and Emily and even a few of the team glued to it. Glitter littered the poster but it made Emily's eyes mist.
"That is so sweet of you. She is going to love it." She pulled him into a hug. "Thank you" she kissed his cheek. "Hey Jess" she looked up wiping her face.
"She's beautiful Emily." The blonde told her looking at the infant through the window.
"Thanks." She smiled.
They spent the next few minutes talking about Lily but eventually Jack steered the conversation to his school and friends. Emily and Hotch were both thankful to have a few minutes with the happy boy. Constantly talking about medical problems and what to do if something happens they happily forgot their problems and focused on Jack indulging in his silly jokes and games.
By the time Jessica and Jack needed to leave Hotch's smile had disappeared and his frown took residence on his face. Emily immediately noticed "Hey why don't you go have dinner with Jack?" she encouraged. She really wanted him to have so time with the boy and it was a nice way of getting him some down time away from the NICU.
"Yeah Daddy, come with us!" Jack clapped.
Hotch shot Emily a glare but ultimately caved. "Okay buddy. Do you want me to get you anything while I'm out?" he asked the brunette that was smiling ear to ear.
"Nope, just have fun."
-CM-CM-
Morgan growled again throwing the screw driver down and tossing his hands in the air. "I hate cribs!" he yelled. "I'm never having kids."
Garcia laughed at the man and turned to JJ."So are you sure she won't mind us putting together the room? She got really upset about the baby shower thing."
"I already talked to Hotch and he said it needed to be done. Don't worry Garcia." JJ calmed the blonde and put the finishing touches on the changing table. "There done."
"JJ, I really don't understand this." Reid said walking into the room with wall border sticking to his hands.
Both women busted out laughing at the genius as Morgan got up to help. "Here kid, this side goes on the wall not your body." He said hiding his smile and pointing with emphasis.
"I know that Morgan." Reid rolled his eyes and went back into the nursery ignoring the laughs of his colleagues.
"JJ, you are going to have to fix that crib yourself. If I so much as look at it again I might just break it and go buy one that is already put together." Morgan sat on the couch and grabbed a slice of pizza.
"You boys are useless." JJ groaned taking Morgan's seat at the crib. After twenty minutes or so she had the crib together and a very smug smile to go with it. "So…" she winked at the dark man as he muttered some choice words.
"Border is up and everything is in its place." Dave said coming into the living room. "Nice work guys." He said looking over the crib.
"Thanks Rossi." JJ kept her satisfied smile on her face as Morgan and Garcia started cleaning up.
"Rossi" Dave laughed answering his ringing phone watching JJ give Morgan hell.
"Hey Dave I need you to do me a favor. It's for Emily." Hotch said.
A/N: Hmmm, what is Hotch up to? Reviewer Kim I just wanted to let you know I totally agree and their time is definitely coming. And thank you everyone for reviewing. Ya'll are great!