A/N: I give credit to Whatif-ifonly for the idea for this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own CM.
JJ inhaled sharply as she felt a small stab of pain in her lower abdomen. Placing her hand over her tiny bump, she closed her eyes, leaned heavily against the dresser, and counted to ten. As soon as she had reached ten, the pain returned, only this time, sharper and longer than before. Wincing, she swallowed thickly, hoping it wasn't anything serious.
Another stab of pain shot through her, causing her to cry out briefly. She fell against the dresser as she heard her mother call out to her. Her eyes widened as she felt something wet between her legs, on the inside of her thigh.
With shaking hands, she pressed the tips of her fingers to the top of the inside of her thigh, feeling the thick wet patch on her jeans. Pulling her hand away, she turned it over, letting a choked sob go when she saw the blood on her fingers.
She screamed as pain tore through her abdomen, her legs giving out underneath her. Quick footsteps were approaching from the front of the house as she doubled over on the floor, gritting her teeth in pain. As her mother entered the room and collapsed to her knees in front of her, JJ lifted her face, her terror not hidden at all in her bright blue eyes. Her face was pale, desperate, and evident of the excruciating twisting pain she was feeling inside. As tears streamed from her desperate eyes, she managed to choke out five words.
"I can't lose this baby!"
After getting JJ to the hospital, Sandy had asked JJ in one of the less painful moments if there was anywhere Henry could go until everything was sorted out. JJ had told her through gritted teeth to call Hotch.
So now Henry was with Hotch, Beth, and Jack, while Sandy sat beside her daughter's bed.
JJ was sleeping, her pale face finally at ease after a long eight hours. She was curled on her side, her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach.
"You're still pregnant," Dr Grayson said warmly, a smile touching his eyes. JJ stared at him incredulously.
"How is that...?" she trailed off.
"What you underwent is something called Vanishing Twin Syndrome. The miscarriage of one embryo, while the other remains viable and healthy," Grayson explained. JJ's eyes widened.
"I was having twins?" she asked, shocked. Grayson nodded.
"However, what happened was your body decided one of the embryos wasn't fit to carry to term. There's no reason, however, to believe that you won't carry the other baby to term"
Reaching up, Sandy gently brushed JJ's hair out of her eyes. The light movement caused JJ to stir, lifting her head slightly as she opened her eyes.
"Mom?" she asked groggily.
"I'm right here, Jen. How are you feeling?" Sandy replied softly.
"I'm ok...a little confused," JJ admitted. Pushing herself up, she sat cross legged in the middle of the bed, one hand resting on her stomach. "I don't know whether to be upset about losing a baby or happy that I still have this one"
Sandy placed her hand over JJ's as she slid up beside her daughter. "The doctor said that was normal, Jen. It's alright to feel that way"
"But at the same time, I'm more upset that I lost one...because it was a part of Will. I just...I want Will," JJ whispered. Sandy put her arms around her, hugging her tightly.
"I know you do, hon. And I wish that he could be here, I really do. I wish I could take away your pain"
JJ looked up at her mother, her blue eyes bright. "Thank you for everything. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you by my side"
Sandy smiled. "You're going to be fine"
Henry, having needed to stay the night at Hotch's, finished brushing his teeth beside Jack, and then went to find Beth. Spying her standing at the kitchen sink, he went over to her and tugged on her sleeve.
"Miss Beth?" he asked sweetly. Beth smiled, kneeling down to be at his height.
"What do you need, sweetie?" she replied.
"Can I have a candle?"
The question took Beth by surprise. "A candle? What for?"
"I need to talk to Daddy," Henry explained softly. His reply gave Hotch a little reminder. Grabbing three candles, he handed one to Beth, before moving through the house to Jack's room.
Beth carefully lit the candle, before taking Henry's hand and leading him outside. "Is it ok out here?" she asked. Henry nodded, reaching for the candle.
Sitting down on the patio steps, Beth pulled Henry into her lap, and kept her hands over his just in case. She listened with tears in her eyes as Henry told his dad about how Mommy had gotten sick and had to go to the hospital, and about all the things he'd done with Jack.
"Night night Daddy. Don't let the bed bugs bite...I yuv you," Henry finished, blowing out the candle. Beth smiled, taking it from his hand.
"Better?" she asked. Henry smiled, nodding, Taking her hand, he followed her as she led him to Jack's room, where Hotch was tucking Jack into bed. Helping Henry up onto the camp stretcher they'd set up for him, she tucked him into his sleeping bag.
"Night boys," the two adults said simultaneously as they left the room.
"Night," the boys chimed together, snuggling under their covers as the door was closed.
Hotch shuffled down the hallway, heading towards the kitchen for a glass of water. As he passed Jack's room, he heard the muffled, but unmistakeable sound of a child crying.
Reaching out, he gently opened the door, allowing light from the hallway to flood in. Seeing that Jack was still fast asleep, he looked over to where Henry was lying. Even in the dim light, he could see the tears running down the little boy's face.
"Hey Henry...what's wrong?" he asked softly, approaching the stretcher.
"I want my Daddy," Henry sniffed.
Leaning down, Hotch easily lifted Henry up, carrying him to the kitchen. Sitting him down at the table, he poured some milk into a mug and put it in the microwave. Running a glass of water, he set that down on the table before retrieving the now warm milk, and handing it to Henry.
"Tank you," Henry said softly, wrapping his little hands around the mug as best he could. He looked up at Hotch, who was sitting directly across from him. Giggling, he copied Hotch's position, folding his arms across each other and putting them on the edge of the table. Hotch shifted positions without realising what Henry was doing, picking up his glass and taking a sip. He cocked an eyebrow as Henry did the same. Grinning, he put the glass down and crossed his arms over his chest.
Henry copied him, giggling as he did.
"Alright Mr LaMontagne, you've got me there," Hotch laughed.
"I not a mister La'tane!" Henry giggled, his long blonde hair falling over his bright blue eyes.
"I think you are. You're a boy, and your last name is LaMontagne," Hotch explained, poking Henry's chest lightly. "That makes you Mr LaMontagne"
Henry laughed. "Ok"
Hotch grinned. Picking up the now empty glass and mug, he carried them over to the sink. Taking Henry's hand, he led the little boy back to the camp stretcher in Jack's room, tucking him in to the sleeping bag.
"Goodnight Henry," he said softly. Henry yawned widely.
"Night...Uncle Aar'n..."
"Daddy, why can't you stay?" Henry asked softly, patting his father's cheek. Will smiled warmly, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead.
"I have to go, but remember, I'm always with you," he said softly. "Give your momma a kiss for me"
Henry's little eyes flew open, trying to focus on the darkness of the room. As he remembered what his daddy had just told him to do, he slid out from beneath the covers, his tiny feet touching the soft carpet.
Padding out of his room and down the hallway to Mommy's room, he slipped inside, approaching the edge of the bed.
Reaching up, he gently pulled on JJ's arm. "Mommy"
JJ groaned, rubbing her eyes as she lifted her head from the pillow. "What?"
Henry beckoned for her to come closer. When she leaned towards him, he stretched up on his toes and kissed her cheek. "From Daddy"
JJ stared at her son for a moment before a smile crossed her face. "Come here buddy," she said softly. Henry climbed up onto the mattress, sliding beneath the covers. Snuggling into the safety of JJ's arms, he drifted off to sleep.
JJ kissed his little forehead, brushing his hair away from his sleeping eyes. "I love you, Henry. Don't ever forget that"