A/N: Still working our way through. The next chapter is half written so hopefully will post tomorrow. I expect two to three after that next chapter and then a multi-part epilogue. Please review! First two reviewers get to discuss a scene they would like to see included.
I don't own Criminal Minds
"Oh, Tabby." Penelope was surprised to see the brunette in her new house that Friday afternoon. She and Aaron had decided to take her computer equipment over themselves today since they didn't trust the movers with it… even if it was Tabby's sister's girlfriend's cousin and her company. They owed the newest pseudo sister of the family a lot for all her work organizing their move from her hospital bed all week.
It had been pretty amazing watching the woman work. She had completed her part of a special project that she enlisted Reid's help with finishing, called movers and had boxes delivered to both apartments and even got bubble wrap and moving tape with them. She did this all while exchanging veiled innuendo with Rossi and fixing brownies in the easy bake oven that Derek had brought her. She giggled at the memory of her best friend explaining that Tabby has baked every day since her father died since it was their last activity together and so he decided to bring the easy bake oven he had originally bought for his niece back to the hospital that night… engagement ring inside. It was her favorite proposal to witness ever, and the engagement cupcakes baked courtesy of the 100watt bulb in the appliance were still sweet on her tongue four days later.
"Hey Penny, honey bun." Since spending three nights in the hospital with Rossi, all of Tabby's nicknames have come out as food stuffs. "I convinced Derek to let me help with the bathroom."
Sure enough, Penelope noticed Tabby clad in frumpy jeans, a fitted t-shirt and an apron with the Home Depot logo on it. "You're really into this aren't you?"
Derek smiled as he passed them in the hall, large tool box in hand. "Hey Baby Girl. Yeah, Tabby loves this stuff. She insisted, under threat of cooking for me, to let her come." He smiled through his wince at Tabby's pinch at his side. "Hey, you insulted yourself with making that threat."
She cocked her head but conceded. "True. But you didn't have to share it." She turned to Aaron as he came in through the front door. "I think Derek needs help carrying the toilet in. We already put down the new flooring and tore down that horrible wall paper. I painted it and then did Jack's room."
Penelope was shocked. "You know, for a girl who got her head shot out last week you are certainly agile." Even if Tabby was admittedly still pale and weak enough to need a wheel chair half the time, she was working up a storm on her 'master plan' for all of them. Penelope wasn't sure what that entailed or where it was supposed to lead them other than a guarantee that none would be reassigned geographically but might be reassigned to different positions in the BAU or elsewhere. Tabby had pretty much locked down the details and she knew from a long talk with Aaron that Tabby had the most to lose.
There was a time, before twins and an engagement came into the equation, where Tabby's position alone would have let her simply hand down a proclamation to protect them. But with her relationship with Derek things get muddled. She would be accused of favoritism and perhaps lose all the progress of her hard work before she even got to make a change for the better. She was treading lightly and Reid's special project with her was supposed to help change that. She just wished she was let in on the details.
"You already did it?" Penelope was so surprised. From her hospital bed Jack cuddled with his newest auntie and picked out the colors of his new room as well as his new bed and Tabby insisted that she and Derek would buy it for them as a housewarming present.
"Yeah." Derek moaned. "This one got me up at five thirty all jazzed about going to Home Depot which opened in half an hour." He poked Tabby's side playfully and she swatted at him with a large grin on her face.
In mock offense she defended herself. "Hey, you knew since our first full date that Home Depot is my favorite place on earth." She turned to look at Aaron and Penelope who were watching them with clear amusement. "Derek lets me knock some walls down with him some weekends and do electrical which he taught me." They had quite an accident the first time but laughed it off. She loved learning from him and vice versa. "You know my dad was a carpenter? I used to help him fix roofs when I was just a little girl."
"Aww sweetie." Penelope knew all about how Tabby's father died in that car accident. She hated hearing the small break in the brunette's happiness at remembering her father. It was obvious she never got over seeing her father die in front of her eyes."Wanna help me with these boxes of my equipement for the office and I'll check out the room?"
Tabby nodded and followed her friend up the stairs as Aaron went out to the garage to help Derek bring the new toilet in.
"Thank you for all of this." Hotch felt uncomfortable having such a big favor done for him. "I'll be happy to pay for your work, just let me—"
Derek cut him off with a sharp glare. "Baby Girl is closer than a sister Hotch. Which makes you a brother… I do this because I want to."
Aaron nodded with a smile. "That's an unexpected benefit of the bride I picked." He grunted under the weight of the new toilet, wondering how Derek had gotten the last one out by himself before he realized he must have put an add in craigslist or something as free and the other people removed it for him.
"Well, while we are on the subject…" Derek had to stop as he navigated a corner and Hotch could feel his blood rise to his face in worry that Derek might be about to warn him but that's not what came out. "I always wondered. What's Baby Girl like in bed?"
Had Hotch been drinking anything it would have been spit out all over his friend's face in shock. He could see Morgan getting a great deal of amusement from that fact so he calmed himself to continue. "Incredible? A vixen? Honestly, she's mind blowing." He paused to look up the banister and make sure the girls weren't listening. He could hear feminine chatter about crown molding and rolled his eyes. "You ask because she's not like Haley and Beth I assume."
Derek also took a good look around him to check for the ladies as they put down the toilet in it's spot in the half bath. "Well, yeah. I mean personality and otherwise she's not exactly who we would put you with."
Hotch nodded, understanding. "One, I have a diverse taste in women. Like, like Tabby with Rossi." He gave a nice chuckle watching Derek's knuckles lighten in a clenched fist at the reminder that Rossi had once had a fling with her. "But at the end of the day you are her ideal and Penelope is mine. I always loved Pen's curves and you know how she brightens my life."
Derek and Hotch each had a brief moment as they remembered not to lean against the wet walls of the bathroom to think of how odd a conversation this was for them. They weren't best buddies but now with Penelope and Hotch together that was sure to change. Where Penelope goes so does Derek and so does Hotch. They were going to be closer now, just as Derek knew he and Rossi would be closer because of the friendship between Rossi and Tabby. And JJ and Reid, well they are both the couple everyone just wants surround with happiness all day and night. For years they were both so important to everyone and together… perfect.
"So, how's the packing coming?" Derek set to work putting the plumping in place and directing Hotch on what tools he needed from his box.
Aaron was glad for the break in their silence. "Good. I never realized how much extra time getting out at five o'clock gives a person. We got the boxes Tabby had delivered last night and just about everything at my house that is coming is packed other than Jack's things. Pen's needs more work."
Derek reached out for his last wrench to secure the toilet to the floor. "Well, other than changing out this light fixture the bathroom is all set. If you give me a hand Tabby and I could come give you guys a hand."
Hotch was glad for the help because really Jack's things were quite numerous and he was pretty sure there was no way they would finish by tonight. The overall moving plan (itinerary that Tabby and JJ created) dictated that Saturday was reserved for the movers to take furniture and boxes from the two apartments to the new house in the morning. JJ and Reid would unpack the bedroom stuff. Emily and Rossi would unpack the kitchen and dining room, Morgan would do the heavy lifting while Tabby would deal with the utility vendors to turn on the new Cable service and what not. He and Penelope would be unpacking more personal things and organizing their closet. That would be much easier considering that Rossi had given them the number of his closet specialist and the contractor had come out earlier in the week and built them something just for their needs.
The plan was that by the end of Saturday night all the moving should be done and that left Sunday as a left over day to work and for everyone to simply relax. Monday was going to be difficult for everyone, the reality of Reid's inquiry setting in and the first likely day they would experience their home visit, though it could happen at any time.
Penelope bounded down the stairs and popped her head into the bathroom. "O-M-G! You guys, this looks incredible!" She ran her hands over the new vanity top Derek had put in and took a good look around the neutral downstairs bath. While she loves crazy and bold colors she also has an appreciation for what makes other's comfortable. And while usually shades of white can be so bland, the bright white's and shiny chrome of this bathroom had its own elements of the bold while still looking as neutral and at home as Aaron would prefer. "Honey you need to see our office."
Aaron let her tug him upstairs with Derek giggling as he followed them. When they got to the office she had him cover his eyes and open them when she brought him into the room. "Ok, now!"
He was surprised with a double desk which wrapped around on three sides each, filing cabinets on his side and shelves for Penelope's equipment on the other. "Who, did you guys?" he was stunned at the deep purple paint color, just sophisticated enough for him and bold enough for his lady love.
Derek shook his head. "No, we painted it yesterday after you gave us the key and Rossi and Emily bought the furniture while JJ and Reid did the rest of the decorating." In fact, Emily and Rossi paid for set up as well and everyone pitched in on the JJ/Reid plan of putting up pictures on each desk and some JJ selected plants as well as Reid's design for a handy divider. Derek demonstrated it. "See this? Pull this tab here and the accordion will pop in right here." He pulled it out and sure enough, desk to ceiling the room was divided better than a cubical. "Reid's genius at work."
Penelope giggled and pointed out a drawer on her side. "See! I have a fun drawer and even better." She ran to Hotch's desk and pulled out one of his. "You have a serious drawer." She giggled, pulling out a calculator, a planner and some other practical items. "They know us so well."
Tabby giggled watching their excitement. She was surprised to see just how close everyone was, how little fight anyone gave on doing something nice for the sake of being nice when it came to this group. There was something about them that even if she wasn't now part of it she would want to protect, and she hoped desperately that their faith in her would do them right.
"Thank you guys so much." He remembered yet again he was going to have to give them thank you gifts. "Did you see Jack's room yet?" He wasn't allowed to see the color choices his son had made yet and he wondered just what all that whispering in Tabby's ear had turned his new room into.
Penelope hadn't so she led the way and they both gasped when they got in there. "You painted last night?" Hotch wondered, everything was dry and the bed was already set up.
"Yeah. I told you I don't sleep much." She had a great time with Derek doing home improvement stuff. Even if he got overprotective about her head injury and what not she was allowed to paint. And he was a whole lot less protective when they finally made love on this very floor… a detail they both agreed afterwards should never be leaked.
The room was just as Jack said he wanted. Thick navy and baby blue strips ran vertical along the walls with the ceiling continuing the pattern. It was such a boys room but awfully cool, three dimensional almost. Derek was glad to see his Baby Girl so happy. He had spent a lot of time working on this and he'd do it again just to see some of that tension she's been carrying for days start to evaporate. "Emily and JJ made the wall hangings. I didn't know Jack was a red sox fan like you Hotch."
Hotch smiled looking at the framed red Ellsbury jersey, Jack's favorite player. "Get used to being idolized Morgan, that's fatherhood."
Tabby loved that proud look on Morgan's face but clapped her hands. "Alright!" she looked to the three. "Reid is working on his special project for me but JJ and Emily will be available after work. Rossi has an errand to run for tomorrow and then he will be here too. So I say that Derek, you go help Penelope with packing up her apartment, and since I don't have a ton of energy left I will help Aaron and we'll meet back up with everyone for dinner to reassess. How's that work?" She was a bit nervous they would wonder why she is going with Aaron. Truthfully, she needs to talk to the SSA.
After a second of hesitation Hotch agreed it made sense and kissed Penelope goodbye as she climbed into Derek's truck then took Tabby in his own.
-Criminal Minds-
They drove in silence for a few minutes before he turned to her. "Thank you so much for all your work. I doubt that we could have done this so soon. As it is Penelope has been beyond stressed."
Tabby nodded. "I heard from Reid that she's been a little off with you at work. She didn't hug you or anything on your first day back."
He sighed. "That was because we had a fight Tuesday night. After we left you guys at the hospital and Emily had been showing her latest sonogram photos Penelope seemed pretty depressed then all hell broke loose."
Tabby's brow furrowed of its own accord in her concern. "Do you want to talk about it? I know it might be weird with my position but you know…"
Hotch understood why she brought that up. "You're examining all of us aren't you?" She nodded with a guilty expression so he continued. "It's alright. I assume it's for our benefit."
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Honestly, yes. Really, I try to do my whole job that way but then you get an Erin Strauss and you get a little mean spirited. But, anyhow tell me about the fight."
"Honestly it sort of came from nowhere. We went through the KFC drive through for dinner and when we got home I innocently complained that we should buy real food for the house since its basically all gone from going to Rossi's. She took it as me saying she isn't a responsible wife and mother and went on a long tangent on how she is trying her hardest and the whole world is conspiring against her while everyone else we know is getting exactly what they want." He cringed remembering her pulling her hairclips out and throwing them into the trash forcefully because they weren't 'acceptable motherly attire' and he helplessly had to watch her mutter under her breath to the master bedroom where she locked him out.
"She ignored me the entire night and only spoke to Jack at the breakfast table. I was so mad until I realized she still cared enough to lay out my suit and clothes for the day. She even correctly remembered my tie rotation."
"You have a tie rotation?" Why would anyone plan those things?
"Anyhow." Aaron forced them back on topic. "It took me the whole day to get her to finally speak to me. Or rather, it took Emily driving Rossi over to our house when she brought him home from the hospital so that he could talk to her. Really, he's become so much closer to her than before after helping her and JJ talk about the Carver thing." He still cringes to think about that case. He came so close to losing both of them.
"But you did talk? Did she say why she reacted that way?" She knew why, and so did he. They had psychology training though. It's hard to recognize the root of your own feelings.
Aaron nodded. "She had a pretty snarky attitude but she explained it as that she is envious. Every person in our family other than her is a biological parent now. And while Jack is her son in every way emotional he still is subject to some differences, like being taken away. She's his mother, yet she isn't. And that hurts more than she can bear."
Tabby rubbed her face in her hands. "I wish there was more I could do on that front. I gave JJ permission, which I shouldn't have, to contact some of the higher ups in the Department of children and Families. She told me that so long as they close this case they can prevent others from opening in the future for the same reason. It's atrocious that they have been able to pull this twice."
Hotch sighed deeply, relieved. "I can't begin thanking all of you enough for that. If we get through this, which I have to believe we will or otherwise I am leaving the bureau, it's good to know we won't have to go through it again." He gave her a sideways glance at a stop light. "You read people, relationships." It was a statement but there was an implied question.
"What would you like me to do?"
"Well, Penelope has mentioned inviting Jack's grandparents for Easter. Do you think that's wise?" He was entirely unsure. It would be nice, really nice. His brother was coming, everyone had already agreed to spend it there as well.
"I think that's a great idea. With everyone around and on a holiday they are a lot less likely to make a stink and the weather will be nice, hopefully. It makes people more amendable to getting past their confrontation. Is Jessica coming?"
Hotch nodded. "Yeah, her ex husband has the kids for the weekend though. I guess she met a new guy the day after Morgan charmed her butt off. He's good at that isn't he?" He thought it was pretty funny that his former sister in law got such an ego boost she actually went and faced the guy at her work she had a crush on for weeks but never talked to.
Tabby blushed. "Can't tell you how glad I am he and Penelope were never like that."
Hotch snorted. "That I can entirely relate to."
-Criminal Minds—
JJ picked Jack up at school and headed to Hotch's with Henry in tow. Reid was busy and Emily went to PG's to sort through all of the stuff that needed to stay and go. So she was left with two boys singing Hakuna Mattata at the top of their lungs as they sipped their juice boxes. This is exactly why she loves being a mom. Children are such happy creatures.
She and the boys helped Aaron and Tabby pack the rest of Jack's things before everyone met back there for a dinner of Rossi-made ravioli, salad and garlic bread.
"So, Jack. Has Amelia kissed you anymore?" Derek teased, loving the sweet blush rise on his cheeks.
Jack pouted not wanting to answer but he knew he had to. "Yes. A lot." He decided pride was the way to go. "She likes me."
Tabby giggled at the conversation when Penelope caught her eye. "So cute."
Penelope agreed. "I can't wait to have her and her brother over to play at the new house. Looks like the bad weather is behind us."
Emily broke into the conversation then. "It is. But I was wondering, you know. Easter is very early this year. You're only going to be in the new house for two full weeks. Are you sure you don't want it at our house?"
Rossi had been listening nearby and his heart swelled at hearing that. "Our house?"
Emily bit her lip. "I assume we can't fit both of us and the baby in my condo." She wasn't ready to say more yet, but she knew her intention to marry him.
"Plus, I already did a thing." He eyed her, hoping she wouldn't be mad. Tabby isn't the only one to conduct a life from their hospital bed. "I sorta hired a decorator for the nursery. She's going to meet with us next month." He flinched away from her wondering if she would hit or hug. She hugged and it turned into a sloppy kiss right at the dinner table.
"That's how Amelia kissed me yesterday at recess." Jack poked fun. Uncle Morgan was cool in his opinion, he wasn't worried like his parents were that he had a girlfriend. He only told uncle Morgan that… he knew it wasn't like adults. But he had a girlfriend nonetheless and he made her a paper flower in art class and everything. Henry was good for advice on that stuff.
Morgan chuckled and gave him a high five across the table which Hotch rolled his eyes at. Secretly it was so nice to see his son growing up even if he wanted to keep him little forever. He knew he couldn't and he swore he would be around as much as he could for all of his family. Again, he wondered if he should step away from the BAU or the FBI in general and then stopped those thoughts. He can't really consider it until he knows more about Tabby's intentions and what the social worker has to say.
"How's Pumkin's apartment coming along?" Rossi asked as he came back into the room with dessert… tiramisu of course.
Emily smiled broadly. "Well team PG is amazing and we happened to get all of the packing done."
Derek smiled too… sure, they ended up hiring a few of the neighborhood teenagers that Penelope knew and trusted to help but they were going to win the unspoken race of packing the two apartments. He and Emily were very competitive and with PG in the mix… they had to win. "How's it here? It looks good."
Hotch took his turn to smile. "One wouldn't think it but Tabby and JJ are quite efficient packing things. I swear the two must read one another's mind." It was freaky watching the two women work. One would pick and item and wrap the other box and catalog it all without any discussion. His function on the assembly line was 'keep or toss' and supplying boxes fast enough as they filled them. "Only things we have left are the dishes we are eating on."
Reid stretched his arms over his head and yawned. "Thank god because I'm exhausted."
Derek looked at him with a quirked eyebrow. "Pretty boy, you haven't lifted a finger all day."
"Actually honey," Tabby put a hand on his shoulder while pouring out some coffee for Spence. "I've been working him pretty hard the last two days. Which, by the way Spencer, excellent work. While not directly related to this work I think you should know that you've been selected for a pay grade promotion."
JJ looked at him in awe. "What? A whole grade?" The FBI and all other United States government agencies run their pay on a scaled system. A step is a small increase, a couple thousand at most. A grade is large and usually only happens with a big promotion. JJ knew the scale well. Reid was going to increase by about $15,000 a year.
Reid's smile grew percitibly. "Maybe we should buy a house-house. I know I own my apartment building but Henry deserves to run around in a yard and we could let Will take the house in your divorce in exchange for his giving up control of Henry's college fund."
"I have a college fund!" Henry cheered and danced with Jack. "I'm going to be a scientist!"
Jack pouted. "I thought you were going to be my Rossi?"
Everyone chuckled. Jack loved his Uncle Rossi as his father's right hand man. "I will, I just want to do it as a scientist."
The rest of the night was filled with such sweet banter and soon everyone retired to their homes for a deep sleep. Tomorrow would be a big day.
-Criminal Minds—
Penelope was pretty sure she was going insane. The movers were fantastic. The movers got everything where it needed to go without anything breaking and ahead of schedule. But her future husband? She could wring his neck as they hung up their clothing in their closet. He was too damn particular.
"Would you just pick a side already!" She loved this hunky man but goddammit he's spent fourteen, yes she timed it, fourteen minutes sizing up the best place to hang his suit jackets in the new closet. They had built that into the plan with the contractor but he was second guessing everything.
"You know." He was losing his focus the more angry she got. "You are beautiful when you're mad. And since we haven't had sex since Monday I am pretty much five seconds from taking you right here."
Penelope could feel herself melt at the knees. "Damn you. This is why I walk away when really mad, you would just seduce me out of it." And as she said it she was standing on her tip toes to kiss him.
He leaned into it and then ran away from her to lock the Master bedroom door. He knew JJ and Reid had unpacked their photos for them and that's all they had to do in there but he wasn't taking any chances. "Get your butt on that rug." He pointed to the middle of their walk in. It was the size of a small bedroom and he was just a little eager to see how much the plush carpeting in here would muffle their love making. The bed was out, it would squeak and they would have to make it again. Shower and tub were out since you know, they would get wet. And the pink sofa was nice but he had plans for that tonight.
"Always so bossy boss man." She chided half hearedly, lowering herself as he instructed and stripping off her top and bra.
He was on top of her a moment later, his clothes already shucked and kissing down her neck as he unbuttoned the entrance of her jeans. He hadn't ever see her in jeans before. Of course they were black with rhinestones but the newness of it had him semi hard all morning. "You do things to me I can't describe."
She was purring, as close to the cat like action as a human ever got. "I—Oh!" His tongue just found her most sensitive spot. She wanted to close her eyes and enjoy it but then she looked back down her body and the sight of him between her legs looking at her for her reaction was all too much. She wanted to continue but she needed him too badly and tackled him back.
"I'm not playing around Aaron." She mewed into his ear, loving the panting effect she had on him. With no warning she hoisted herself over his lap and dropped right down sighing aloud as he joined with her.
"Oh God" he moaned. The few times she took control he loved it. While he was used to being dominant in bed this was a nice change of pace. "You're so beautiful. I can't believe I deserve you." He mumbled into the space between her breasts as he buried himself between them.
"You- god!" she arched her back as Aaron started grinding his hips up into her in circles. "Pp-please. More"
He flipped them, positioning her legs on his shoulders and leaning between them so close her knees where against her chest. He took a long and steady pace within her. He could feel her softeness, her wet heat, every little wiggle of her bottom urging him on. But his eyes, they were focused entirely on hers. That incredibly light behind them, that spirit he hadn't seen all week back and into her heart.
He was getting so close and he could tell she was almost there herself by her cries and her moans. He loved seeing her in the throes of passion and it was his luck, his strange change in luck that he got any opportunity for it, never mind a life time. "Pen, god. You—Oh!" Her orgasm had tripped his and they both puddled into one another's arms just kissing for several minutes until they finally decided to get back to their work.
Penelope snickered as they redressed and she watched her fiancé still struggle to find a place for his suits. "I am really going to have to figure out what to do with you but you just keep distracting me!"
Without looking back at her he let a smirk rise. "Trust me sweetheart, I could distract you like that for days."
-Criminal Minds—
Jack was so in love with his new room that he and Henry slept in the bunk beds that night and woke up on Sunday morning in the fully moved into house to the smell of Penelope cooking bacon.
"Mommy!" Jack rushed into the kitchen. "My new room is super awesomely cool. Right Henry?"
Henry nodded in full agreement, his eyes lighting up when he took in the breakfast in front of him. "I never had a sleep over before." He felt like such a grown up kid hanging out with Jack. Jack was older, he knew lots of things and he was fun. They snuck out of the room last night and Jack showed him how to take just enough from each of the ice cream containers that were opened from last night's dessert to not get caught. They washed the bowls and spoons and put them away too, which Henry wouldn't think of. He was so cool.
"Your mom and dad will be here soon with a change of clothes for you and we will all hang out. Sound fun?" She loved her new kitchen. They replaced the refrigerator and stove over the week, the Sear's delivery men doing all the heavy work. She was so thankful for her fiancés financial discipline. Between them they still had a sizeable savings. Enough for a wedding, honeymoon and more. Not a lot of people can say that when they just bought a house. This place was a great deal.
"Where's daddy? Is he catching a bad guy?" Jack was used to waking up and his dad not being there but usually he was at aunt Jessica's house.
Penelope sat with the boys, putting another slice of bacon on Henry's plate. The boy scarfed down food like his father and didn't gain a pound. Same crazy metabolism. "Nope. He left me a note saying he and Uncle Rossi went to the store before I woke up. That was an hour ago, I don't know what's taking so long." She was a bit worried. Aaron was the in and out type of man except for when it was a big purchase. With Rossi there, who knows what he was going to buy. They had an agreement though. If they hadn't already discussed something and it was over $200 they wouldn't purchase without the other one from their common account. They each had separate spending money.
"Hey sweet heart." Hotch came in through the garage and kissed her cheek. Rossi came shortly behind him.
"Hey my hunky hubby." She greeted him with a kiss in turn and motioned for the men to sit as she stood to get them plates. "I made extra bacon Dave. Can you stay?"
He nodded. "Emily will be here in an hour I think." He accepted the plate of eggs, bacon and pancakes eagerly. "Thank you pumpkin. Shopping for Aaron really works up an appetite."
"What did you get that took so long?" She was sure it was one of the many, many things they were still gathering for the house.
Hotch finished chewing his bite. "Got a new grill. Then we picked up some groceries. Thought we could barbeque today since for some reason my delightful future wife had a very large collection of lawn furniture even though she's lived in the same lawnless apartment for six years."
She knew he would make fun of that. "I had been hoping to move. Our jobs don't really give us time when we don't have so much… vacation time."
He snickered. "Well, its lucky for us you did. Now we can reward our friends for everything today. I think we could all use a break."
"Oh you mean a break from worrying about life, getting shot and being in and out of hospitals? Yup, I think I can agree with that."
Aaron and Penelope left Rossi to play with the boys, helping them put away toys in the room as they did it. They both peaked in at one point enjoying the site of Rossi so hands on with the boys. "He's going to be a great dad."
Hotch nodded. "Yeah, I think that's a plus of being an older father. You have so much more patience. He's never going to get angry or anything at his kids. Do you know he spent half an hour picking out a carseat for the baby? He installed the darn thing when we left the store."
Penelope chuckled, not wanting to wait until everyone got there to make fun of that. She didn't have long to wait though, little by little everyone came over with at least a dish in hand each.
Hotch took them into the already almost full refrigerator while he finished prepping the meat for the grill with Pen's help. "Apparently the 'BBQ at the Hotchners' memo got around quickly."
Her heart soared at the mention of 'The Hotchner's'. This was her place, with him. It was theirs, together. "Nothing is ever a secret in this family. Tabby told me she got a text assigning her to bring pie for pi-day, you know, because it's the fourteenth. And Emily was assigned a three bean salad."
Hotch stopped for a second and looked at her. "I should have known their efficiency at the work place would filter into their social lives shouldn't I?"
She giggled, "Yeah." The doorbell rang just then so she wiped her hands on her apron and she walked towards the front door, expecting Jessica.
"Hey!" her face fell. She didn't recognize this woman, and she was carrying a clip board and file. She went through a few possibilities but she knew what this was, she was just terrified of it. They weren't ready.
"Hello. Are you Ms. Garcia?" The brown haired, middle aged woman in the red pantsuit asked cautiously.
Penelope had to gulp down her trepidation. It was only the feeling of the warmth that must be Aaron as his hand fell on her shoulder that let her answer. "I- I am."
"And I am her fiancé Aaron Hotchner." He knew what this was too but hoped for anything but that. He wasn't ready yet and neither was she. They couldn't look this abstract knowledge of the case in the face just yet. He wanted more precious time with their son before this became more real. And he wasn't going to get it.
"My name is Caroline Hingly. I am the social worker running the open case concerning Jack Hotchner. I am here for your home visit."
They both managed to keep a polite smile on their faces but internally each was more terrified than ever when faced with an unsub. Carver Hanson and Tucker Napoli were nothing compared to this.