Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Twenty Two: Home

Late March 2013 (Present Time)

It was the day. The day Emily wished for since seeing Lily the very first time. It was the day Lily got off the ventilator. It wasn't her first step or her first word but getting off the vent was a day closer to getting home. The proud mother would take that over her first step any day of the week and twice on Sunday. The doctors had been slowly weaning Lily off the ventilator for the past few days and now she was successfully breathing on her own.

Walking into the NICU that morning was better than every other morning. She passed by other parents with a smile but all her attention was on the small little girl with a pink hat on. Her nerves were there but mostly she was just thrilled to hold Lily without the machine. "Good morning sweet girl." She cooed as blue eyes stared back at her. "You ready for today? Mommy is."

"I think she is too." Lily's doctor said coming up behind Emily. "Everything looks good. Let's get this off her. Now be prepared for a very upset baby."

Emily nodded stepping back as Hotch strolled in and took his place at her side. "She's taking it off." She whispered to him as a few nurses help the doctor. Soon a small cry was heard and Emily's eyes flooded with tears. Most were from happiness just to hear her baby and some were because Lily was upset. "Is she okay?" she asked looking over the doctor's shoulder.

"She's perfect. Come hold her Mommy." The woman answered.

Emily stepped up and peered in the bed. Lily lay on her back tears leaking down her eyes and her small fists waving in the air as another cry filled the room. "Oh baby, it's okay. Mommy's here." she told her baby picking her up and holding her close. Rocking from side to side she made her way to the rocking chair and sat down bringing Lily to her chest. That was the infant's favorite position.

"We are going to monitor her closely but if all is good tomorrow you can try nursing." Dr. Holder said finishing up her chart.

"That sounds perfect." Emily smiled down at her baby who was slowly falling asleep.

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Walking into her apartment Emily had to admit it was getting easier leaving the hospital. She didn't understand why but it was. Did it make her a bad mother she wasn't sure but now that Lily was no longer under strict monitoring she felt if she left everything was going to be fine. She didn't stay gone long but a few hours for a shower and a good meal gave her the energy she needed to be there for her baby.

She made her way to the kitchen with Hotch close behind locking up the door. "What are you hungry for?" she asked looking over her nearly empty cabinets.

"Why don't you go rest for a while and I will make us up something." He nuzzled at her exposed neck. A toll was taking over both of them but neither complained. Emily felt guilty Hotch was in the same boat as her but even if she told him to go home he wouldn't. He was as attached to Lily as she was.

"Okay but not too long." She agreed giving him a kiss then making her way to her bedroom but a light from the nursery caught her eye.

Pushing open the door her breath caught in her throat. The walls were painted pale green with a wall border with colorful flowers. The crib sat against the far wall with a pink canopy draping just right and a dresser and changing table sat across from the crib and a rocking chair in the corner. Small stuffed animals and picture frames littered the room but on the wall above the dresser hung the photo Hotch took the first day Emily held Lily. Both were asleep but it was beautiful. Emily's eyes misted as she reached up to touch the picture.

Hotch followed as Emily went into the room. He stayed silent letting her take it all in. the picture she touched he had JJ put up. They took tons of pictures but that one was the most beautiful of his girls. Emily didn't even know he took it but by the look on her face she figured it out.

"Aaron" she breathed out after feeling his presence at the door. "How? You…I mean it's…"

"I didn't do much. Garcia and JJ had it under control so I let them go at it. But I think it turned out pretty good." he smiled taking her hand in his.

"It's beautiful." She leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder. "I can't wait until she's home." she admitted freely.

"That it is." He agreed but his eyes weren't on the room but on the picture on the wall.

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Early April 2013 (Present Time)

"How are we doing this morning?" Dr. Holder asked walking over to Lily's station.

"Wonderful. Huh baby girl?" Emily smiled as Lily nursed happily. It was hard at first for Lily to start nursing but after a few tries and some coaching for Emily the baby went at it like a pro and Emily relished in the bonding time. To see her baby happy and healthy send warmth to her heart.

"How old is Miss Lily today?" the doctor asked arching an eye brow.

"Uh… twenty two days." Emily was thoroughly confused. Why didn't her doctor know how old she was?

"Well I think twenty two days is just too long for her to be here." she grinned looking at her chart.

As Emily took in her words a smile graced her face. "Really? She can go home?"

"Emily she is doing great. She's gained weight and is taking to nursing very well. Take her home." the red head said. "She just has to pass the car seat test and she can go."

The brunette laughed in joy. Finally she got to take her baby home. Hours later Emily watched as Hotch strapped Lily and her car seat in the back of his SUV. "Careful" she raised a hand to her mouth.

Hotch sighed. "Em, I do have a kid. I've done this before. Lily is fine." But as he said that he couldn't think that Jack hadn't been in an infant car seat in years and now he just had a booster seat.

"I know but she's just so small and you're moving it around a lot." Her nerves were all over the place since the doctor said to take the baby home. She figured all mothers go through it but she couldn't stop worrying over every little thing that could happen while they were on the way to her apartment.

After Hotch secured the seat he took Emily's face in his hands. "Sweetheart, calm down. Lily is fine. Let's go home."

Emily sat in the back with Lily while Hotch drove but really he was just following his back seat driver. He rolled his eyes as she told him to slow down once again but instead of saying anything to her he did as she said.

Getting Lily into the apartment went a little smoother than the car ride but Emily was still a wreck. She outweighed the chances of getting stuck in the elevator to the jostling of the baby in the stairs or falling down them. When they reached the door she happily told Lily about her new home and went on to give a tour of the apartment while Hotch put away the boxes from the hospital full of toys and clothes.

Walking into Emily's bedroom he stopped in his tracks. Emily swayed back and forth with Lily wrapped in her arms. A beautiful sight but what caught his attention was Emily singing softly. Admittedly she wasn't a great singer but as she sang to his baby it was the most beautiful song ever heard.

"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine."

Pulling Hotch from her singing his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out and seeing Rossi's name he ignored the call and put his phone away.

"Little one when you play
Don't you mind what you say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The chance to hold you.

From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me

Cute as can be, baby of mine"

As the song ended he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around them both. "I love you" he whispered.

Emily turned into him and kissed his cheek "I love you too."

A/N: So I had the hardest time picking a lullaby for Emily to sing so I asked my two year old what 'nite-nite' song was her favorite and she picked 'Baby Mine' from Dumbo. But I think it works.