AN: Don't own Criminal Minds, sadly. Would love reviews! Thanks!
Chapter 12: Just Staying
"I can't believe you haven't even been living here a year. I feel like I've known you forever." Jess told Ashley as Sophia and Jack enjoyed their sprinkler in the summer sun.
"I can't believe you're getting married." Ashley raised her eyebrows comically and handed Jess a glass of iced tea.
"It's kind of crazy," Jess agreed.
"So what's Aaron going to do with Jack after you get married?" Ashley asked.
"I thought I'd just keep watching him; he's my nephew and I love him," Jess said taken aback.
"I know that, Jess," Ashley responded. "I was just asking because I thought you said Matt got a new job in Baltimore."
"He did," Jess said looking around sheepishly.
"And you expected that poor newlywed man to drive that far every day," Ashley asked astonished. Jessica threw a napkin at her. "I'm serious, Jess, don't put your life on hold."
"When Haley died, I told Aaron I would be there for them," Jess whispered.
"I'll do it," Ashley said, Jess looked at her confused. "I'll take care of Jack when Aaron is out of town."
"You have a kid and a job," Jess said exasperatedly.
"You're gonna have a new husband and you have a job too, plus, exactly I have a kid I know how to handle children," Ashley mocked Jess's tone.
"I couldn't ask you to do that," Jess sighed.
"Yeah, you could, but we'd have to convince Aaron."
"Guess, I'm staying in Woodbridge," Jess laughed.
"Jess, Aaron wants you to be happy. Let me talk to him." Ashley appealed.
"Alright, Miss Pushy," Jess laughed.
"That's exactly how I'm gonna convince Aaron, so be grateful," Ashley snorted.
When Ashley and Sophia arrived at Aaron and Jack's for a barbeque, Ashley confronted Aaron.
"Did you know Matt got a new job in Baltimore?" Ashley asked innocently.
"Yes," Aaron acknowledged as he took the meat out of the marinade.
"Don't you think that's kind of far to drive every day for a newlywed, wouldn't it be better if he and Jess lived near Baltimore?"
"Ashley, what is this about?" He turned looking at the younger woman exasperatedly.
"I think you should let Jess move and I'll watch Jack." Ashley rushed.
"I do not want to mess with Jack's routine."
"How about we consult Jack, the three of us, together?"
"I would rather he have a familiar routine."
"Is this about Jack, Aaron? Or is this about you?"
"We'll talk to him together."
"Great, Jess'll be so happy."
Later that evening, they sat down with Jack. Of course, much to Aaron's chagrin, Jack was excited to get to spend so much time with Ashley and Sophia.
Their trial run started three days later when Aaron got called away. Aaron and Jess had left Ashley extensive notes, when Ashley saw them she shook her head and laughed. Ashley had set up the guest bedroom to be more conducive to Jack's needs. She wanted him to be as comfortable as possible. It seemed to her that he was, but she couldn't help checking on him throughout the night. Before she fell asleep, the phone rang.
"Hi, Aaron?"
"How are you, Ashley?"
"Well, thanks, and yourself?"
"I'm fine. How's Jack doing?" His voice was anxiety ridden.
"He's great, passed out in his bed."
"And you don't mind?"
"No, Jack's great."
"Good," he said sounding distracted.
"Get back to work, Aaron, so you can get home." She joked and his laugh surprised her.
"Be safe, Aaron."
"I'll try."
"You better," that gained her another laugh.
"Good-bye, Miss Barton," he said, amusement in his tone.
"Bye, Agent Hotchner," she hung up and looked at the phone with a smile on her face.
Aaron arrived back in Quantico four days later and well after Jack's bedtime, but he drove to Ashley's townhouse anyways. She answered her door in a pair of preposterous pajamas. She let him in with a smile.
"He's asleep," she issued as a greeting.
"I hoped he would be," he replied.
"Do you want to go wake him?"
"Yeah, I want to go home." he said sort of shamefacedly.
"Don't be embarrassed for loving your son, Aaron, but I'd feel better if you two stayed the night. I'll make breakfast in the morning. Jack and Fi were super excited about Waffle Sunday."
"Ashley, I can't ask that," Aaron sighed.
"Why do people keep confusing my offers with non-asked questions?" Ashley sighed exasperatedly.
"Well, if you insist." He exhaled noisily, "Plus, who would want to miss Waffle Sunday?"
"Exactly," she said. He returned to his car to grab his go bag.
The next morning the house was in full swing when Aaron returned from his jog. Sophia and Jack were setting the table and Ashley was frying bacon on the stove.
"Dad," Jack shouted when he stood in the doorway.
"Hi, look at you two being helpful," Aaron appraised.
"If they want waffles," Ashley joked. "Go wash your hands, kiddos."
"I haven't had a homemade breakfast, not made by me, in months," Aaron sighed.
"Well it's your lucky day," Ashley laughed.
"Mm, yeah, it is."
"So, Agent Hotchner would you like anything in your waffle? Chocolate chips? Pecans? Blueberries?"
"Would you think it childish if I requested chocolate chips?"
"Chocolate chips, it is," she responded smiling and throwing a chip at him. He caught it and popped it in his mouth.
When the children came back into the kitchen and climbed into their chairs, they began rambling to Aaron about the last few days. They told him about how they went to the park and played lava monster, how they saw the new Disney movie, and how they made a fort out of the family room furniture. Aaron went to help Ashley, but she shooed him back to the table telling him if he wanted to help her he could do the dishes. Ashley brought over plates of stacked waffles and bacon.
"Whose waffle is which?" Aaron asked speculatively.
"Chocolate chip waffles all around," Ashley commented winking at him. He laughed in return.
Breakfast went well and Aaron felt comfortable in the cozy townhouse. He did the dishes and then he and Jack got dressed. Jack ran downstairs and joined Sophia in the backyard. Aaron sighed because he knew it would be difficult to extract Jack and not at all fair.
"Jack, buddy, it's time to go." Aaron sighed heavily.
"But Dad, Fi and I were gonna play with Clooney until Mr. Derek came to get him."
"Jack, we should head home," Aaron said.
"No," Jack protested again, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Jackster, your dad wants to go home, bud, but we'll see you real soon. Fi will see you at camp tomorrow," Ashley coaxed as she crouched down to talk to him.
"But I wanna play," Jack started.
"Me too," Sophia added standing shoulder to shoulder with Jack.
This scene played itself out during every departure. It was heart wrenching for Aaron to watch Jack be pulled from this semblance of a happy family. When the four of them would sit down for a meal or spend time just watching cartoons, Aaron could understand the appeal of just staying.