To See You Again Chapter 11
Note: After re-reading it last night and I did some minor revision.
"What a lovely face, such a lovely face. I've never felt this way, it just feels like home. With the lights down low, we'll take it slow. And send the fools away. And I'll always love you more than yesterday…"
Michael Aaron's 1st birthday party started on time. JJ and Emily decorated the house with Avengers party theme. Penelope took care of the party favors.
Emily's Mom is taking care of the birthday boy, who was taking a nap while her Dad is out in the back helping Aaron and Derek set up the slides.
Spencer is setting up his magic table. Spencer volunteered to entertain the children with his magic tricks. They did not hire a clown because Penelope is creeped out by them..
Since Penelope did face painting at Henry's birthday party, she volunteered to do for Michael Aaron's party. .
They rented a mid-sized jumper.
Aaron and the boys, Jack and Henry were both wearing their Iron Mask costumes, one red and the other one black, which Emily bought for the two boys, with a matching masks, and Dylan was wearing his Thor t-shirt, greeted the guests while Emily was upstairs changing the birthday boy. He had taken a long nap earlier and after, Emily fed him and gave him bath. He is wearing carpenter pants and No Added Sugar "Little Brother" t-shirt. He looked so adorable.
Emily then took Michael Aaron downstairs to join the party.
Aaron and Michael invited some of the neighbors they had met when they moved in the neighborhood. They also invited some of Jack's friends and their parents at school. They also asked Declan to invite some of his soccer friends, if he wanted to. Declan said he wanted to spend time and look after the little ones just in case the adults were busy talking with each other.
They hired a caterer to serve tacos while both Emily's dad and Dave grilled hot dogs and burgers. They also hired an ice cream man and cotton candy lady.
Michael squealed and clapped as he watched both Jack and Declan inside the jumper.
He then started to call Aaron and was squirming to free himself from Emily, "Dada, Dada" and then pointed to both Jack, Henry and Declan.
"Aaron, I think he wants to join the big boys. Do you mind taking him?"
"Alright, birthday boy, let's go play with your big brothers."
After three hours and with the party winding down, Emily called Aaron, who was still holding Michael Aaron and asked Penelope to gather all the kids so they can sing "Happy Birthday."
The team and other guests gathered around the table and sang "Happy Birthday." There was Aaron holding Michael Aaron, with his left arm, on his right is Emily, standing next to him, in front of Emily was Jack, and next to Emily, is Declan. Emily had her left around Jack's neck and her right arm around Declan. The cake was decorated with Avengers action figures on top. As they sang "Happy Birthday", Michael Aaron, kept clapping his hands. The little boy was overjoyed with so many people.
As the team, sang and looked on, they smiled at the sight in front of them. Aaron, Emily and the three boys truly looked like a family. In a way, they are. None dared ask what is going on with them. As long as they are happy, that is all they really care about.
After the other guests left, the team and Emily's parents stayed behind to help clean up.
The ladies cleaned up the kitchen while the men cleaned the back yard and the grill.
After they finished cleaning, they all went to the living room where the gifts were laid out.
They called the kids so Michael Aaron could start opening his gifts.
Jack and Henry helped the birthday boy opened his gifts while Dylan took the gift wrappers and put them in a garbage bag.
Will, Aaron and Derek drank beer while they watched the kids open the presents.
JJ, Penelope and Emily's mom were drinking wine and eating tiramisu that Emily's mom special ordered.
Dave and Emily's dad were drinking whiskey.
And Spencer and Kevin were playing cards.
By the time Michael was done opening the last of his gifts, he was tired. His head was falling to the side, and both Henry and Jack, look like they were also about to pass out.
So they decided to call it a night.
They said their goodbyes. JJ reminded Emily about their lunch and shopping day tomorrow.
After the team and Emily's parents left, Aaron put the remaining dishes in the dishwasher while Emily, took Michael Aaron to her room and put him in his crib to sleep and Declan carried Jack to their bedroom.
After the dishes were done, Aaron put all of Michael Aaron's gifts in a spare room. He then checked on Jack and Declan, who were both asleep and snoring, Aaron knocked lightly on Emily's bedroom, making sure that it was light enough as to not wake the little one up.
"Hey, come in."
"You tired?"
"Yeah, a little but I won't be able to sleep right away. The boys had fun didn't they?"
"Yes, they did. I can't believe the little one is 1 year old. I know I said this earlier, but it just went by so fast."
"It makes me feel old."
"I think the three boys keep us on our toes. I thought that having three boys would be tiring, but it actually isn't."
"Well, Dylan is a big help. He is old enough to look after both Michael Aaron and Jack, he gives in whatever Michael Aaron wants because as he repeatedly says "he is a BIG brother!"
"You know, it's weird but at the same time, it feels right."
"I know what you mean. Em…"
"Can I tell you something, Aaron?"
"Anything, Em."
"You know earlier this morning, when I said I felt guilty about moving on."
"Yeah, I remember."
"I think I have always known the reason I was feeling guilty. It wasn't so much as because I was moving on, the guilt that I was feeling was that I think, that it has always been you. I was hoping that after the Doyle episode, or even before, how we had gotten close, that somehow, we will get there. But it didn't happen. Then Mick came along, you had Beth. I wanted to start living my life. Eventually, I fell for Mick. He was not hard to love. He really loved me and I loved him."
"And I have always loved, Emily. I can still recall the first time I saw you. It was at one of your Mom's parties, and your Dad was supposed to introduce me to you that night. You were already going to Yale and I was engaged to Haley. Your dad said he wanted me to meet you because he was so proud of you. I saw you that night but I never got the chance to meet you. Then we meet again this time at the BAU. I was married with a child. The divorce happened. Then Foyet taunted me that eventually led to Haley's death and then Doyle. Beth came along. I don't even know how to explain it. I was scared about what I felt for you. I was overthinking and I was a coward."
"You weren't the only one, Aaron. I don't have the best track record when it comes to relationships. I was scared too at that time. I could of made the first move but I didn't. It's funny because it took us so many years, two decades to realize that what we were looking for have always been in front of us. But we were always so scared to take the first step. I'd like to believe that the road we took, with all the detours along with it, it made us really see how strong our feelings are for each other. That what we have now, nothing can ever come between us. I mean, if we had met that night when I was 18 and we went for it, I don't think you and I will still be together. I was so young, still finding my way in this world. As rough as those roads were, I can't imagine doing things differently because I cannot imagine life without Declan, Jack and Michael Aaron."
Aaron took her hand and kissed.
"You know some lessons are hard to swallow but these experiences have made us who are today. And I love you so much. And just like you, I cannot imagine not having these three boys. It's so weird because we are doing things backwards. We are living together but we had never even gone out on a date. We have slept on the same bed but I have never even kissed you."
"How about we start now?"
Emily leaned in closer and kissed Aaron. It was soft at first. Both are feeling the softness of each other's lips. Aaron sucked Emily's bottom lip and then her upper lip. The kissing slowly became more urgent, until it was now their tongues that were dueling. They continued to kiss until they needed air. They stopped and looked into each other eyes. They both know what they want. They know the wait won't be too long. They waited long enough. But tonight, they were exhausted. And if their first night was to happen, they wanted it to be special. They wanted it to be just the two of them. When they can spend all night long in each other's arms making love,
"Goodnight, Emily. I love you."
"I love you, too Aaron."
Reviews are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
.