When Hotch woke up Sunday morning, he could swear every bone in his body ached. He definitely was not used to keeping up with a hormonal, pregnant young woman. After slowly climbing out of bed, he went downstairs where he found Christine in the kitchen, checking on some steaks and chicken breasts that were sitting in a marinade.
"For when Dave and Jack get here," she explained looking up. "I wasn't sure what Jack would like, so I took out both hamburgers and hot dogs as well."
"You still think of everything, don't you?" Hotch asked, amazed.
"I try."
She turned to see him standing close to her wearing his pajama bottoms and a light t-shirt, and caught her breath. When she looked up at him, he smiled and moved even closer to kiss her. As he was hugging her tightly, he suddenly stopped, pulled away, and began grinning. Looking down, he put his hand on her stomach and commented. "That wasn't there last night."
"No," Christine agreed. "From what I can figure out, it suddenly appeared at around four o'clock this morning."
"I think I can safely say you are 'Popping'," Hotch's grin got even bigger. "And, I want to take you out to brunch to celebrate!"
"Aaron, maybe another time," she told him seriously. "Right now, there are some things we really need to discuss before Dave and Jack get here. Also, we need to go to the store to pick up some last minute supplies for the cookout."
"Okay," he reluctantly agreed. "But, next time we are definitely going out! What do you have in mind for breakfast? I'm cooking!"
Silently, Christine took a platter of French toast out of the warming oven and handed it to him. "You are always prepared, aren't you?" he asked as he accepted it and then led the way to the two places she had set at the table.
"What do we need to talk about?" he inquired after they were both seated and served.
"The twins," Christine enunciated. "Assuming you are the father of one or both, we need to talk about arrangements."
"They are my children and they will be staying with me!" The tone of her voice left no room for discussion. "I have no objections to your visiting as often as you like. Just give me at least 10 minutes warning so I can make sure I am decent. Taking them for an extended period of time, however, may be a problem at first because I intend to nurse them. Once things get organized and I get them on a schedule, we'll see what can be arranged."
"That sounds workable," Hotch commented. "Now, about the bills you are currently incurring and any future child support."
"Aaron, I told you, I don't want or need your money!" Christine snapped. "And, I definitely don't expect any child support!"
"But, that's not right," Hotch objected. "You can't be expected to foot all the bills yourself. There are all the costs associated with the doctor and the hospital, and your clothes, and the babies' clothes and equipment, and everything else."
"Aaron, at this point you don't even know if you are a father," Christine reminded him.
"Tell you what," she continued. "If, after the babies are born, you force a DNA test, and it shows that you are a father, you can figure out what you would, under normal circumstances, pay in child support. Then, you can take that amount of money each month and put it into Jack's college fund. That way he'll be all set when the time comes."
"That's not right!" Hotch reiterated.
"That is what will make me happy," Christine told him. "And, you do want me to be happy, don't you?"