"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

I know JJ knows when his birthday is in Machismo but just consider that a dream… It never happened.

In the space of three years, JJ and Hotch had slept together, produced a little girl, Lydia, begun dating and married. They opened up to each other like they had never opened up to anyone before. JJ thought she knew everything there was to know about him except one little detail… JJ had no idea when his birthday was.

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On a stormy night, she, Hotch, Lydia, Jack and Henry had finished dinner and the proud parents had tucked their children into the bed in the master bedroom, promising to be up as soon as the dishes were done. Truth be told, the dishes had been washed and put away, but JJ and Hotch just needed to be alone.

She picked up the mail from that day and looked through. She found one addressed to her and opened it. It was a belated birthday card from her friendly cousin.

Hotch kissed the top of her head. She turned her head to him. "When's your birthday?" she asked.

Hotch laughed. "Only now you realize that every year I get you a birthday present and you don't even acknowledge mine?" he questioned.

"We- I'm sorry, I just, I-"

"I'm kidding…"

"Well, when?"

"Guess…" he challenged.

"Aaron, come on…"

"Not a chance…"

"Tell me…" She climbed on top of him. He just laughed and stood with her in his arms. "Come on, mama… Us grown ups have three small responsibilities taking up our bed."

JJ laughed and decided that if Hotch wasn't going to tell her, she'd have to find out some other way.

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Three weeks later Emily, Garcia, Morgan, Reid and JJ were all sitting in the break-room. Hotch and Gideon walked in. Hotch walked over to JJ who was standing by the coffee machine and subtly took her hand as he made himself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, Hotch…" Morgan spoke, "Mind if we head out early tonight? Garcia's got this movie that we all really want to see…"

"Sure…" Hotch replied, confused.

"Ooo, that sounds like fun… mind if I join you?" Gideon asked.

"No," Garcia replied.

"Take care of some paper work for me?" he asked Hotch.

"Um… ok…"

"Speaking of paperwork, I have a load to do…" She quickly kissed Hotch. "See you later…"

She walked away with a satisfied smile on her face.

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"Mama, mama, mama... Papa's home!" Lydia said excitedly as she bounded into the brightly decorated living room where JJ was standing, talking to Hailey, Jessica, Emily and Garcia, who was holding Henry. The boys were over on the couch with Jack.

"Ok… Run outside and get Papa, but remember, baby, he can't know anyone else is here…"

The little girl nodded and marched outside. When she saw her father, she started into a run. "PAPA!" she yelled.

Hotch smiled and scooped her up when she was close enough. "How's my best girl?"

"Missed you, papa…"

"I missed you too, hunny…" He gave her kiss on the cheek and carried her into the house. "You, me, mommy, Jack and Henry are gonna watch a movie tonight, what d'ya think?"

Lydia's eyes widened, but Hotch didn't notice.

The second they walked into the living room, Hotch was ambushed by his friends and family. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" everyone shouted.

Hotch laughed, shocked at seeing the group who were supposed to be at Garcia's, his ex wife and sister in law, and his wife and kids. His family.

JJ walked up to him as he placed Lydia on the ground. He took her in his arms. "Surprise," she said as she kissed him. She smiled.

"How did you find out?" he asked.

"It's really not a smart idea to have me being friends with your ex-wife if you don't want me to know find anything out…" She walked over to a desk and pulled a wrapped present out. She held it out for Hotch. "Happy Birthday." She stood on her tiptoes and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too…" he whispered back.

Gideon walked up to them. "You don't have to do that paperwork… until morning…" He winked at the two and walked away.

It was late when everyone left that night. Gideon was first, then Hailey, Jessica and Jack, Reid and Emily and, finally, Morgan and Garcia, with Henry and Lydia, leaving JJ and Hotch alone.

Hotch finished the dishes and joined JJ in the bedroom, sipping a glass of wine. He fell down next to her. "Ugh… I'm getting old."

"You're not getting that old." Hotch looked at her. "Well, if you are getting old, then we're gonna have to stop some of the stuff we usually do for fun… Just in case you can't keep up…" she said, looking into his eyes and brushing hairs out of his face.

"I can keep up…" he sulked.

"Prove it," she challenged.

"Gladly…" Hotch said, letting out a playful growl and pulling JJ on top of him