The brunette's eyes never left the sleeping baby that lay against her chest, her dark head of hair masked by the black of her shirt. Slowly, the tips of her fingers ran down the baby's soft cheek. "Gracie," she whispered, willing her tears to stay at bay as the four month old snuggled deeper into her chest. "You look just like your daddy, don't you?"
They had gotten home hours ago, the team surprising them at Emily's front door with bags of toys and clothes for the new member of their tiny family. After letting Garcia take the baby from her and dress her up in one of her new outfits, Morgan had led the new mother up to what had been her guest room. The team had put together a crib for Grace and a mobile hung from the ceiling, the off white walls perfect for Garcia to paint something interesting for the new baby.
It had amazed Emily so much that for only a few moments out of her arms, she had already ached to have Grace back in her arms. She put on a smile, watching as the beautiful baby girl was passed from new family member to new family member, Grace's big eyes opening wide to take in each new face she saw. After a while, Emily was fighting to get the four month old back in her arms, in a love hate relationship with the feelings she already had for the beautiful little girl she was supposed to take care of.
How was she supposed to be a mother to a daughter who wasn't even hers? She couldn't breastfeed her, she couldn't bond with her the way a real mother would be able to.
What if the state didn't even let her keep custody?
Emily let her lips thin out into a straight line as she reached out, brushing her hand over the baby's soft head. Her hair was finer than anything she had ever touched, and her skin so soft. "I bet your mommy was a pretty girl," the agent said quietly.
Grace made a soft snore, her small lips parting to drool on the material of Emily's shirt.
"That's going to be happening a lot, isn't it?" Using her shirt, she gently wiped the drool from the beautiful little girl's chin, watching as Grace's lips closed. "At least I'll have a lot of clothing. Just try not to ruin the expensive stuff, ok?" she joked.
Looking over to the man who had become her savior, Emily smiled. "Gracie," she whispered, "I'm going to mess up. A lot. But you see right over there?" She pointed to the sleeping Unit Chief on her couch, fully knowing the baby was asleep and wasn't listening to a word she spoke. "He's going to be there for you too. All of us, ok? So when I mess up, they're going to be right there to help you."
The four month old's eyes slowly peeled themselves open.
"Look at you," the agent holding her smiled. She was hoping the baby wouldn't notice the fear in her eyes. Letting Grace's hand clench at the skin of her chest, Emily sat herself up. "Do you want to try and sleep up in your new room?"
"Do you think she can understand you?"
Emily looked over to her friend. "Hey," her voice whispered as she stood. "Did I wake you?"
Hotch let himself sit up before shaking his head. "Why'd you let me sleep?"
"You can use it," the younger brunette said sternly. Eyes softening on the man who had helped her from falling apart, Emily gave a small smile. "You've done a lot in the past few days."
"You too." Standing, Hotch watched as his heartbroken friend cradled the baby against her breasts. "You went from agent to mother in minutes."
Emily bit into her lip to stop her smile. "I could be both."
His eyes locked onto those of the brunette before him, and he couldn't help but feel something warm start to knot up his stomach. He had been friends with Emily for years, known her for over two decades, and never had he seen her so beautiful. "Let me help with her."
Holding the gurgling baby closer to her, Emily shook her head. "No, go home." She walked up to the older man and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You have a full day with Jack tomorrow."
"Are you going to be ok with her?"
Emily knew what he really wanted to ask. Do you think you can be alone with her? Peeking down to the little girl starting to fuss in her arms, the FBI agent tried for a smile. "I have to learn," she nodded. Leading him to the door, Emily took Grace's small hand in hers. "Say by to Hotch, Gracie."
Hotch bent his knees to be eye level with the baby in his friend's arms. "Goodnight Gracie," he grinned, letting her take his finger and put it in her mouth.
"He's not a chew toy," the woman laughed, wiping the spit from the baby's chin.
"Take care of your new mommy for me, ok?"
Emily's eyes immediately filled with tears. Grace wasn't hers, she knew nothing about the beautiful little girl she was holding other than the fact that she was her best friend's baby girl. "Tell Jack I say hi," she husked, closing the door behind her friend before meeting the eyes of the four month old. "Do you mind if I sleep next to your crib? Huh?"
Grace's eyes started to flutter as her head fell back against the brunette's chest.
"I won't leave you," she whispered once they were upstairs, and Emily laid the baby down in her new crib. Taking a few of the blankets and burping cloths her friends had gotten for Grace and making a pillow for herself on the ground. "I'm right here, ok?" She stuck her hand through the crib's bars once she was lying on her side, and she brushed her fingers over the dimples Grace had gotten from her father. "I'm staying right here."