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Chapter Twenty Four: Moving and Leaving

April 2013 (Present Time)

When Hotch left for his meeting with the Director Emily calmly kissed him goodbye and told him not to worry. But after the door closed her fake smile and confident attitude faded and all that was left was her fears. She couldn't shake them but in her heart she knew even if he did have to go back to Afghanistan they would be fine.

She sat on edge the rest of the morning. Jack tried cheering her up which helped some but every few minutes her eyes would linger on her phone or on the front door. Eventually Jack got bored so Jessica picked him up for a few hours at the park. Emily didn't want to take Lily out quite yet. But being alone didn't help her nerves one bit but with Lily asleep on her chest Emily closed her eyes.

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Hotch walked into the apartment quietly so he wouldn't wake Lily but as he came into Emily's bedroom he found both his girls fast asleep with a light snore coming from Emily. He smiled and went to the side of the bed. He stared at her face for a few moments then looked down to Lily. The baby was tightly grasping her mother's shirt in one fist and the other lay across her eyes covering them from any light that might bother her. Not wanting to disturb them he left the room and went to the kitchen for some lunch.

Emily woke from noise in the kitchen. Blinking a few times and gathering her bearings she got up with Lily in her arms and made her way to the nursery and put the infant in her crib. Walking into the kitchen she smiled softly. "Hey"

Hotch turned at the voice "Hey" his smiled. "Sorry if I woke you."

"It's okay. How did your meeting go?" she wrapped her arms around his waist and his went around hers.

"Two to three weeks, I just have to close the investigation and get everything in order." He watched her face and as soon as disappointment crossed it he tightened his grip on her pulling her in closer. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I tried to get out of it but…"

"You can't tell the Director no. I get it. I'm just…" she sighed looking up at him. "I'm just going to miss you. But I'll be fine." She stood on her tippy toes and gave him a soft kiss.

"I'll miss you too. Jack's gonna freak though." He said pulling back and letting his arms drop. "And I need to talk to Jessica to make sure…"

Emily frowned as she interrupted "Why is Jack staying with Jessica?" She knew Jack stayed with his aunt the first time but her and Hotch weren't together then but now they were and she couldn't bear the thought of Jack not being with her and Lily.

"I just didn't know if you would want to tackle Jack and Lily alone for three weeks." He explained. Mentally he slapped his forehead. He should've asked her first but with everything running through his mind he didn't even think about it. Jack is a great kid but he demands a lot and so does Lily.

"No I want him here. Hotch I'm not some idiot. I did live with you and Jack and took care of him without you before." She pulled away from him somewhat pissed that he thought she couldn't handle both kids without him.

"I know you can Em. I wasn't saying that. Lily is still so little and demands a lot and I don't want you to stress yourself out. But if you want to keep Jack too I would love for you to. He would love it too." he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him. "You're a great mother and I know our kids would be fine."

"That's a little better." She rolled her eyes letting him kiss her cheek. She shivered as he trailed down her jaw line to her ear.

He nipped at her earlobe "I love you." he whispered.

Pulling back to get her lips on his she kissed him hungrily getting a low growl from deep within his throat. "You better." She winked at him and left the room to get the crying baby.

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While Hotch worked on bringing some of Jack's thing over from his apartment Emily went about cleaning up her office turning it into Jack's room. It was small but it would do the job for the short time. "Jack can you sneak into Lily's room and see if she's awake?" She asked the boy while moving boxes into the entry way for Hotch to take to storage.

"Yup." He raced off. Jack had been great with Lily. He loved playing with the baby which Emily was very pleased about. Kids his age don't exactly like playing with babies that can't do much of anything but Jack liked helping with her. "She's asleep." He said coming back into the room.

"Thanks buddy." Emily smiled. "Would you like a snack? I think we are all done in here and Daddy should be back soon."

"Can I have a cookie?" his trademark Hotchner dimples made an appearance.

"Sure" Emily grabbed the cookies out of the cabinet and gave him two.

"Thanks." He took a big bite. "Why does Daddy have to go for so long again?" he asked sitting on a stool.

Emily sighed. Even though Hotch talked to Jack about leaving he still didn't understand it much. Hotch warned Emily that the past two times he went Jack acted out and was upset for the first few days but she hoped that if she continued on like Hotch wasn't gone and kept him helping with Lily that Jack wouldn't be too upset. "He came back early this time because of Lily so he has to go back to finish." she ruffled his hair.

"Are you and Daddy going to have more babies?" he asked catching Emily off guard.

Emily's smile faltered and her eyes went wide. "Um… I don't know honey."

"Well if you do I think we need a bigger house. I'm not sharing my room. And Lily doesn't want to either." He stared at Emily with a pointed look.

"Okay, I promise you won't have to share a room." She told him trying hard not to laugh. He was just too cute.

"And Lily too?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"And Lily too." she agreed with a smile as the front door opened and Hotch came in with a box in his arms.

"Hey" he smiled setting down the box and joining them in the kitchen.

"Hi Dad. Emily said when you have more babies Lily and I don't have to share our rooms." Jack told him getting off the stool and digging through the things his father brought for his room.

Hotch looked on amused as Emily blushed lightly and held her hands over her face. He chuckled and ran his hands over her back. "Honey, we just brought home a baby four days ago. You want another one right now?" he jokingly asked. He had some suspicions as to what was going on but to tease her was always fun.

"Aaron" she whined. "That's not how it was said."

"I know. Plus if we have more kids we are going to have to move. My apartment won't even fit the four of us now." He said. He had thought about bringing buying a house to her attention but with him leaving he pushed it off but looking at it now maybe he should.

"Well I thought about buying a house when I was pregnant but ultimately choose not to because it was just me and the baby." She moved to help Jack with the box.

"Do you think we should? I mean your place is big but with two kids and your complex doesn't really have outside space. That's if you want to live with me."

"We have been living together. Why wouldn't I want to?" she laughed. "But I do think it's something to consider. Maybe when you get back we can start looking but I am warning you I'm picky."

"That's fine as long as we get one together." He smiled.

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Three days to pack and spend time with his family didn't seem as long as what he needed but as he rounded the corner with his duffle in tow and saw the sad frown on his son's face he realized no time would ever be long enough.

Hotch set his bag down and picked up the boy. "Jack, you be a good for Emily and mind your manners. I'll call before school every other day and Skype every Wednesday." He and Emily had set a time for calls so they both knew that he would always get to talk to Jack.

"Okay, do I have to go to school? I just don't think I can handle you being gone if I'm at school." Jack hid his smile well but Emily didn't. Sly should have been his middle name.

Emily laughed softly a few feet away with Lily in her arms. "Makes a good point." She shrugged as Hotch glared at her.

"I'm sorry buddy but you have to go to school. Even if I'm not here you still have to go." He told his son setting him down and kissing his forehead. "Em, he goes to school. I don't care if he is cute." He told Emily who looked sympathetically at Jack.

Reaching his gaze she smiled "Yes sir." Peeking around the man she smirked at Jack "Sorry buddy." Jack just shrugged and went to the couch.

"Bye, I love you." Hotch kissed her lips then kissed Lily's head. "Bye Lily, don't grow too much."

"Shower before you come home this time. You were gross last time." Emily scrunched up her face teasingly. "Love you too." she kissed him again.

Hotch chuckled and shook his head opening the door. "Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone. And if you need anything…"

"Call the rich man down stairs." She joked pushing him out. "Aaron we are going to be fine. Go!" with one last kiss he was gone.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming!