"To the mall? Callie, we just jumped out of an airplane, you really want to go shopping? " Hotch asked, worried.
" I'm fine, Aaron. I really am. I´ve taken enough Vicodin to see blue elephants, I´m almost painless", Callie lied. She could feel from day-to-day, how life she almost left. Wasn´t so much left on her Bucket List. A Harley ride, Hotch wanted to take care of this and a dance at a wedding. She was quite sure, Jess and Dave would do her that favor. And then what? Callie had come up with something special for Jack. Part IV of Ferdinand the Rabbit was supposed to be published as an audio book, like the others, but Callie decided, this time it would be only one single specimen, Callie was reading it in for Jack, at the Moment. That was how she wanted him, to remember her. Callie, who was reading part IV only for him.
Callie didn´t know, how she could it make easier for Hotch. To leave him, was the most terrible thing, she thought. It was so important, he found someone to love again. Callie was afraid, he´d stay alone for the rest of his life. Hotch had so much love to give, that couldn´t be wasted, not under any circumstances.
"We're here, honey. Still sure about shopping?" Hotch pulled Callie from her considerations.
"Of course. I´m just buying one dress, Aaron. And maybe some matching shoes."
Hotch had to laugh, " I understand that is going to be a shopping spree. " Hotch helped Callie out of the car and linked arms with her. Arm in arm they walked slowly through the mall, Hotch was allowed to carry the bags. They bought a few new things for Jack and Callie talked Hotch into a new outfit, but Callie had to drag him out of the suit department. Finally, they agreed on a khaki - colored pants with a matching shirt. Callie nodded, satisfied, and Hotch kept the new things right on. Only Callie hadn´t found what she was looking for.
"Callie, look," Hotch said suddenly. He stood in front of a bridal shop and pointed at a short halter-neck dress that was embroidered with delicate yellow daisies. Hotch found it perfect for Callie.
" It's beautiful , Aaron, but only the bride wears white at a wedding. "
"I still would love to see you in it , Callie . "
Hotch kissed her tenderly.
The saleswoman at the store had spotted the couple through the shop window.
"Interested in our daisy dream? It´s a single copy, Miss. What do you wear? A 4, I guess. Would fit like a glove. Why don´t you try it on?" Mona Smith invited Hotch and Callie into the store. "Actually, the groom should not see the bride in her wedding dress," Mona smiled.
"We´re not afraid of that disaster stuff, we already got one," Hotch said flatly.
"No Aaron, don´t ," Callie whispered softly, placing her hand on his arm.
"I would love to try it on.""
"Good decision, Miss. By the way, I´m Mona." informed the employee and pulled the dress out of the shop window. A strange couple, she thought. There wasn´t exuberant joy, like she was used to, there was some kind of grief and sadness. Mona decided, this was the saddest bride and groom she had ever seen.
"The original bride has changed her mind on very short notice. We had many interested lady's, but honestly, I think the dress has been waiting for you. " Mona went with Callie in the changing area.
As Callie a few minutes later reappeared in front of Hotch, he could not say anything at first. Mona endowed Callie also with the matching shoes, her hair was decorated with a small wreath.
"Oh God, Callie. You look so beautiful, love." Hotch pulled Callie close, he found it so incredibly hard to keep composure, Hotch was about to cry, the pain was almost overpowering.
"We'll take it , Mona. " Hotch said softly. None other than Callie would ever wear this dress. Nobody. Never.
oOo
Dave held Jess firmly embraced. "I almost lost hope, Jessy. " Dave said and kissed her. Jess patted Rossi's chest.
" Aaron was appealing to my conscience. He's right, Dave. I have been so stupid, Aaron wants to live with Callie so much and I just wanted to throw away my life with you. I love you, David. For so long and we should get married as soon as possible, I want Callie as my bridesmaid, Dave. "
"That 's what I thought, Jess ," Rossi said with a small smile. He could hardly believe that she was finally with him. When they split up, Rossi´s world almost crushed. As much as he understood why Jess refused his request, as much he wanted to shake her, to make clear, what she was about to give up. His thoughts wandered to Hotch and Callie. Hotch was like a drowning man, clinging to every scrap of happiness and time they could spend together. Dave wasn´t sure, whether it was really such a good idea, to exemplify him something he could not have?
oOo
"No, Aaron, I can´t," Callie sobbed softly, "it wouldn´t make any sense, love. Only more pain. "
They sat on Callie's roof, in the beach chair , Aaron's favorite place. Hotch had put his arms around her.
" I don´t care whether it makes sense or not, Callie. The moment I saw you in that dress, it was quite clear to me. I want you to be my wife, Callie. I know, I´m not buying any time with this, but it does make a difference for me. In here." Hotch put Callie´s hand on his chest, she felt Hotch´s heartbeat. Regularly and strong.
"I jumped out of the damn airplane with you, you owe me something, Cal." Hotch said with a tiny smile.
"Oh, Aaron. I wish I had met you sooner. Where have you been? "
Hotch sighed, "I don´t know, if I would have been ready for you. I dunno know if I even had seen you. I was so busy and tangled up in my grief, I barely remember the last 2 years. Jess is the best example for this. "
Callie looked seriously at Hotch. "I want to be your wife , Aaron. But I want you to promise me something. "
"You don´t want me to stay alone? " Hotch asked and Callie nodded.
"I want you to fall in love again, Aaron. Let your heart speak, don´t close all up again. I want you to live, find yourself someone new. Jack needs a Mum and you need someone who loves you. I know, she´s out there. Waiting just for you. Have a couple of kid´s with her. Jack needs siblings and you are such a great father. And if you don´t want to go back to your job, don´t do it. Your pictures are good, Hotch. With a bit more background knowledge and practice you can make something of it , try yourself out , Aaron. Promise me. "
"I promise, Callie ," Aaron said softly and kissed her.
You'd find Saturday too precipitously? " Callie asked and Hotch had to laugh.
"Saturday is just right. "
oOo
In the afternoon Hotch drove to school to pick Jack up. He looked forward to the wedding, it was like a statement, we do not give up. He parked the car and walked towards the entrance. On the bench on the lawn sat an elderly lady who was very pale and exhausted.
"Ma'am ? Are you all right ? "Hotch asked, she looked vaguely familiar to him, he thought he might have seen her before on a parents' evening.
"It would be nice if everything was fine, young man. "
Hotch just smiled, "Thank you for calling me 'young man ', but 50 is just around the corner."
He sat down beside her. " Waiting for someone?" he wanted to know.
"For my granddaughter, Rebecca . She is six. "
"I think she's Jack´s classmate. I'm Aaron Hotchner, Jack's father. "
The woman smiled, "Jack, such a good and caring boy. He shares his lunch with Becca, when she is sad. And she often is. I'm Abby Jensen. "
"How is Becca 's father, if I may ask? "
Abby looked surprised, "You know about it?"
Hotch nodded, " Jack told me, Becca 's Dad has to go away and Becca can´t ...I just know, how that feels." Hotch hesitated.
Abby put her hand on his. "It's only bad for us who remain, Mr. Hotchner. You know, I was always afraid of losing my son in the war, he is a fighter pilot. But to lose him this way is much worse. "
Abby Jensen blew her nose, determined. " Rebecca must not see me like this. " she said.
"There is this new climbing crag in Arlington. My fiancée and I wanted to check it out with Jack tomorrow. We can take Becca along. Jack would be happy and maybe Becca get´s a bit distracted. What do you think?" Hotch offered spontaneously.
Abby smiled, "that´s so kind of you, Mr. Hotchner. We´ll ask her."
"It´s Hotch or Aaron, Mrs. Jensen. Please."
"Abby."
The school bell rang and a flood of screaming and laughing children poured out of the school building. Jack and Becca came together, Jack had taken his girlfriend 's hand .
" Daddy!"
Jack jumped a little, it was great, his Daddy wasn´t hunting baddies and picked him up from school everyday. But Jack was missing Callie today.
"Hello buddy," Hotch said, and hugged him. " And that's probably Becca? " he asked.
Jack nodded, "Yes Daddy. And this is Becca 's grandma. "
Hotch smiled, "we already met. I asked your grandma, Becca. Have you ever been to a climbing crag? Wanna come along with Jack, Callie and me? It will be fun, Becca. I promise."
" Oh please, Becca! " Jack rejoiced and Becca looked to her grandma.
"You can go, Rebecca. Your Dad wouldn´t mind if you had some fun. " Grandma Jensen said.
"I would like to," Becca whispered and gave Hotch a tiny smile.
Hotch smiled back, well then. A start.
oOo
"Where is Callie? I miss her, Daddy why didn´t she pick me up, too? " Jack asked in the car.
"Callie is tired, Jack. She has to rest a bit. We did so much today, I´m gonna tell you everything, when we´re at home, ok?"
"I don´t want Callie to go away, like Becca 's Dad. " Jack said suddenly. "I know, you told me, Callie has to go, Daddy. But why can´t the good Lord look for another angel? He already has Mummy. Callie has to stay with us." Jack began to cry and Hotch pulled to the side of the road and stopped.
" I don´t want Callie to leave, too Jack. Like Becca and Granny Abby don´t want Becca´s Dad to leave. " Hotch wiped his son´s tears away. " But we do not decide that, Jack. Dear Lord will have his reasons why he wants to have Callie and Becca 's Dad in heaven. " Reasons I 'll never understand, Hotch thought bitterly. He hugged his son tight and stroked his hair. "You´re better now, Jack? "
Jack snorted. " When I grow up, I want to become a doctor, Daddy. Then no one will have to be an angel. " he said firmly.