Chapter 37, September

For several days Hotch had been acting weird. Kahlan wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew something was bothering him. When the boys wanted to walk up to Jack's house and get one of his games, Hotch seemed almost irked. He had never had a problem doing anything with the boys before, and she knew he wouldn't let them walk alone; but it bothered her that he seemed to be getting upset at the time they were spending going between the houses. When she asked him about it, he denied it. When she had asked him what was wrong, he always said it was nothing. She had even caught him in a lie the week before about having to work late. Rossi had called the house for him, so she knew he wasn't working. She felt like things had gone so far in their relationship, but it had just stalled, and she was worried about him getting bored with it. Just the day before at breakfast, Jack had slipped and called her 'mom', and Hotch almost choked on his coffee. She thought that maybe Hotch couldn't handle his son thinking of her as a mom. When she was going to ask him about it, he jumped up and said he had to leave for work.

She knew she'd have to set him down and make him talk to her, but they couldn't that night. Everyone was getting together at the bar to celebrate Rossi's birthday, and she knew Rossi was looking forward to them being there. She would just have to wait until the next night. Her sister had come and got the boys, so she focused on getting ready. When Hotch got home, he texted her and told her he would be down to pick her up as soon as he was ready. She was waiting patiently at her table when she saw Hotch pull into her driveway.

She went out and got in and they drove to the bar in silence. She noticed he kept glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, but he wouldn't look at her directly. He looked like he was getting sick. He was paler than usual and he had sweat beaded on his forehead. What the hell is wrong with you? They pulled up to the bar and he jumped out and opened her door for her with a smile. She returned the smile and put her hand in his and they walked into the bar together.

Everyone else was already there and having a good time. "Well, it's about time you two get here," Dave told them with a smile.

Kahlan hugged Dave. "Happy birthday," she told him as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Hotch hugged him and wished him a happy birthday, too. Rossi thanked them and gave them the drinks he had already ordered.

Everyone was having a good time. Morgan pulled Garcia and JJ out on the dance floor. Reid and Blake were discussing something. Rossi and Will were also in a conversation, so Kahlan found herself beside Hotch. He took a long drink of his scotch and put the glass down. He grabbed her hand and looked her in the eyes. "I can't do this anymore," he told her quietly.

"What?" she asked him in a shaky voice.

"This back and forth thing that we've seemed to have gotten so comfortable in. I can't do it anymore."

Is he breaking up with me? Now? In public, and in front of his team? "We can discuss this privately at home later," she told him in an icy tone. Morgan and the girls returned to the table. Morgan shot Hotch a look as it was clear they'd overheard.

"But I want to discuss this now," Hotch told as he stood up and squared his shoulders. Everyone at the table had stopped talking and was looking at them.

"Why would you want to end a good thing?" she asked as she shot a look at Garcia who had teared up.

"But I don't want just good," he told her as he stepped away from the table. Kahlan could tell by the looks on most of the faces around her, that they were just as shocked as she was. Kahlan stood up straighter and squared her shoulders, about ready to tell Hotch off when he suddenly knelt down on one knee. She froze. "I don't want just good; I want great. And for this to be great, I want you to be a mother for my son, I want to be a father for your son, and I want us all in one house as a family. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you have already made me." She noticed he was tearing up. Garcia had her hands pressed together like in prayer. "Kahlan Hunter, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" he asked as he took a ring box out of his pocket. Kahlan stood there in shock. She stared at the man she had fallen in love with, and her heart started racing and her breathing quickened. "And don't worry about the boys. I've already gotten their approval," he added quickly, clearly not liking her silence.

"Aaron Hotchner, you are an amazing man," she said through tears. "Yes! I would love to be your wife."

He slipped the ring on her finger and everyone clapped and hollered, including most of the strangers in the bar who had stopped to watch the scene.

She pulled him up and they kissed passionately to more clapping and hollering. When she finally pulled away from him, she noticed Rossi smiling smugly. Of course Dave knew! The teamed gathered around them and gave hugs, kisses, and clasped hands to congratulate them. Rossi ordered a bottle of champagne. Once they all had a glass full, Rossi raised his glass. "They say nobody's perfect. While that may be true, I've never seen two people who couldn't be more perfectly fit for each other than these two wonderful people right here. Here's to a wonderful life for you and your family."

"Here, here!" they all yelled and clinked their glasses.

Hotch pulled Kahlan into a hug. "I'm going to kill you, you know that, right?" she whispered into his ear. He laughed. "How did you ever pull this off without me finding out?"

"I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. When Jack called you 'mom' yesterday, I thought I was busted for sure."

"When did you ask the boys?"

"I asked Wyatt about a month ago." She raised her eyebrows in shock. "Then I asked Jack about a week after Wyatt."

"So you've been thinking about asking me to marry you for over a month?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Actually, I thought about it immediately after Wyatt called me 'dad' that day. I figured if he could see me like that then we definitely had to be doing the right thing." She shook her head. "But I didn't actually decide to do it for about a week after that. Then I was trying to figure out the right time and place, and when the team decided two weeks ago that we'd all get together for Dave's birthday I knew I wanted to do it tonight. Then I was worried about your ring being ready. It finally came in last week. I was getting so nervous, though, I actually thought I was going to throw up before we left," he confessed with a grin and leaned down to give her another kiss.

"So no more trying to figure out whose house we'll do whatever in?"

"I want you and Wyatt to move in with me and Jack. I don't want two inches to come between us, let alone two houses."

"Your house? Why can't you and Jack move in with me and Wyatt?" she asked, teasing him.

"Our house is bigger," he smiled. "But we'll keep your bed. It's more comfortable than mine," he told her with a devilish grin. She laughed at him.

Rossi came up and put one arm around each of them. "So when is this happening?"

Hotch looked at Kahlan, apparently it was going to be her decision. "I don't know. Soon, but it's hard to plan things with your all's job."

"You pick a day, and I'll make sure we're on stand down," Rossi told her seriously. Kahlan knew if anyone could, it was Rossi. "What kind of ceremony do you want?"

"Nothing too big or too fancy. As long as it includes all of you and my family, it will be perfect," she told him with a smile. "And of course, you have to walk me down the aisle." Rossi stared at her, shocked. He knew her father was gone, but he would have never have thought she'd want him to do that. "Even though you were just in the Marines and not in the Army, I don't think Dad would mind."

He smiled widely, but his eyes filled with tears. "Anything for you, Kiddo," he told her and then gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked away before anyone else saw him in his emotional state.

Hotch looked at her with raised brows, but smiled and drew her into a hug. "Could you be any more perfect?"

They spent the rest of the night celebrating and looking forward spending the rest of their lives together.