Sorting Out the Mess

She was at home playing with her son sadly when the phone rang. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about Aaron and the mess they were in. She really hadn't meant to hurt him. She loved him almost as much as Daniel. She'd never meant to hurt him and yet she had tenfold. All she'd ever thought about was protecting Aaron and Adam but she'd been a coward and betrayed him. She should have told him when she got back to America but at first she'd been angry he'd acted like Paris was nothing and then she became scared and upset by his lack of attention. She'd never been able to find the right moment then time slipped away. She truly had wanted to tell him and they wanted him in Adam's life.

She picked up the phone and her heart jumped in her mouth as she heard what had happened with Hotch. No! No, he couldn't have done that! Why didn't he promise her he wouldn't do anything stupid? Oh god, she'd never meant to cause him so much pain. If he'd only heard her out he would know they wanted him to be in Adam's life. She had to go to him with Adam. They had to talk about this. He had to see they wanted him in Adam's life and make arrangements.

She burst into tears after putting the phone down and Daniel came to her holding Adam. He rushed to her and put his hand on her arm asking, "Emily, what is it? What's happened?"

"Aaron tried to get himself killed," she cried. "He's suicidal. We need to take Adam to him."

He agreed and they were soon off to America and to the hospital. Rossi and Morgan accompanied her to the private room while she held Adam and Daniel's hand. When they reached the outside of the room Daniel turned to her.

"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked.

"I think it would be better if you wait here," she answered placing her hand on his chest. He nodded understanding he probably wasn't the right person for Aaron to see right now. He was Emily's husband and the man their child had been given to.

She knew she had to take Adam with her. He was the common ground they both now shared and hopefully they could sort things out peacefully for their son. Everything was about Adam now.

She looked in taking a deep breath and saw his wrists were restrained and her eyes widened. Why was he on restraints? No-one had warned her it was that bad only that he had been suicidal.

"He's been showing irrational behaviour," the doctor explained. She nodded trying to bite back her tears. She knew it was because he wanted to die. She took another deep breath and went in holding Adam.

He looked up and glared at her asking, "What are you doing here? Come to watch me die? Want to take Jack from me?"

"Aaron, I'm sorry I told Adam from you but you have to understand it was for his protection. When he was born Doyle was at large and we had no idea when he'd be caught so I had to give Adam up so he wouldn't be tracked back to me. You know Doyle was annihilating families. He would have taken great pleasure in killing Adam. I chose Adam's life first. I signed away our rights so he couldn't be tracked back to both of us. When Doyle died it was too late to change it. I thought you would understand I signed our rights away to protect and save Adam's life," she said looking down.

He looked at her with tears in his eyes as it made sense but why hadn't she told him when Doyle died? He probably would have supported her giving up their rights but only if they could get him back somehow. Also he'd' have wanted to screen suitable parents. He was sure Daniel was a capable parent but it didn't mean it hurt any less.

"Why didn't you tell me after Doyle was killed?" he asked trying to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Aaron, I'm sorry I never knew how though I always wanted you in his life," she answered kissing Adam's hair. "I should have told you when I came back to the BAU bit I never knew how and whenever I tried the words failed me. At first I was angry with you for treating Paris like nothing then I realised how irrational it was. After that I got too scared to approach you especially when I couldn't find a moment alone with you. I'm sorry, Aaron, I tried to find the right time but it slipped away. I'm sorry it was two years. I really had meant to tell you, I'm so sorry," she said stroking his hair from his face while he let her seeing how deeply sorry and guilty she really felt. He sighed thinking of how much he'd missed. He should have just spoken about Paris with her but he'd been too much of a coward. He hadn't wanted to remind her of how he slept with her one night and left the country the next with no contact. If only he'd stuck around he could have been there for her and Adam. "No, don't think like that. This was all my fault. I was the one that persuaded you into bed. Doyle was after me. It would have been dangerous if you'd stayed around. Daniel was there for me that's why I gave him to protect. I shouldn't have kept him from you..." she added on the verge of tears. "Aaron, I love you almost as much as I love Daniel..." she saw his face fall and closed her eyes. No! Why now? Why had he fallen for her when she'd fallen out of love with him as he'd never given her any hope? Now she was providing him no hope with her heart when she cared about him so much. She reopened them and said, "We want you in Adam's life. We want Adam to know who you are."

He smiled slightly then got frustrated as all he wanted to do was touch his child's hand but he was in these damn restraints. Emily looked up at the doctor. She knew it was all over and all he wanted was to hold their toddler.

"Can we get these restraints taken off?" she asked. When the doctor looked unsure she placed a hand on his arm and added, "Look all he wants to do is hold our child."

He nodded and Aaron smiled as the restraints were finally taken off. "Daniel's waiting outside," she informed him. "Can he come in? He wants to see you."

He nodded resigned as though he was in love with Emily he had liked Daniel and he was his son's adopted father. It was best they got along especially for Adam. Emily went out to get Daniel leaving Adam with Aaron. She knew they'd be alright together.

When they came back she beamed seeing Adam there holding his father's hand. Tears came to her eyes as she finally saw father and son together. This was what she'd dreamt of while she was pregnant but now she was happily married to Daniel and he had legal rights of Adam.

Daniel crouched down by his son and asked, "Adam?"

"Yes daddy," he answered which made Aaron look down in sadness.

"Do you know who this is?" he asked looking up at Aaron feeling sorry for him while Aaron tried to look elsewhere especially as Adam shook his head. Aaron's chest tightened as he worried what Daniel would say. Was he going to know the truth or was Adam going to be raised calling him Uncle Aaron? "This is Aaron, your birth father..." Aaron turned back and smiled at him. He couldn't believe Daniel had actually told Adam he was his father. "Can you say daddy Aaron?" Aaron felt even more touched that he actually wanted Adam to call him daddy.

"Dada Aa...won," he said then got frustrated and added on the verge of tears, "No. Not wight..." he kept trying his best to say it and concentrating on it very hard but it kept coming out as dada Aawon. His lower lip started quivering and tears filled his eyes as he was frustrated and upset with himself that he couldn't say it properly.

Aaron took his hand and said, "Adam, buddy, its ok. You'll be able to say it in time. For the time being you can call me dada Aawon."

He smiled at him and hugged him kissing his cheek. "I va you," he said.

"I love you too, buddy," he smiled back at him hugging him as close to him as he could without aggravating the gunshot wound. "I love you so much." He had his son at last and his adopted father and his mother wanted him to have access to him. He stroked his son's dark hair happily.

When Emily could see holding Adam was beginning to hurt him due to his wound she took him back and they discussed how they were going to do this. They all agreed not to take Adam away from his friends and the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins he adored and got to see on a frequent basis. Though he was two he found it hard to make friends as he was so shy. Emily and Daniel would stay in London with him. Aaron on the other hand couldn't leave the BAU. He was the BAU and Jack couldn't be taken from Jessica and the friends that had helped him get over Haley's death.

They decided Hotch would call daily and Emily and Daniel would put him down as an emergency contact. They would spend Christmas and Easter in Washington with him and the team while he and Jack would visit London in the summer. Aaron was pretty happy to be able to show his oldest son a foreign city.

Rossi then appeared at the doorway with Jack. Once Jack saw his father he ran to him and hugged him. All he'd been told was he'd been hurt taking down an UnSub. For both of their sakes Rossi had decided to keep it from Jack that his father had been suicidal.

"Look who else is here, buddy," Aaron smiled hugging his son.

The six and a half year old's eyes lit up as he saw Emily and he hugged her while she hugged him back. She really had missed the little boy.

"Do you remember my husband, Daniel?" she asked.

He nodded and held out his hand only to be pulled into a hug by the tall dark Englishman.

"Now buddy, we have a very important person for you to meet," Aaron said as Emily passed him Adam. "This is your brother, Adam."

"My brother?" the boy questioned. He didn't remember hearing anything about a brother before. Where had he come from? Was he going to live with them?

"Yes buddy, your brother. Emily and I saw each other in Paris and made Adam. He was adopted for his safety but now he's in our lives. He lives in London normally and we'll visit each other," Aaron explained.

Jack nodded smiling. "Hey Adam, I'm your big brother, Jack," he said as he ruffled his baby brother's dark hair.

"Dack," Adam smiled opening his arms out for him.

"Or Dack," he smiled hugging him while everyone smiled at how clearly the brothers already loved each other.

Rossi cleared his throat and added, "You are taking the week off when you get out of here and going to London not taking no for an answer."

"But..." Aaron replied.

"Aaron, my friend, you need a holiday and time to get to know Adam. Don't worry about us we'll be fine."

"Thanks Dave," he smiled looking forward to spending more time with his toddler son.