Hi again! Just wanted to thank everyone for their continued and amazing support/patience! I know I don't update as regularly as some of you would like but life always seems to get in the way. Between school, job hunting, finally getting a job, and starting training I honestly haven't had a whole lot of writing time. So I am VERY sorry for this delay!

***After this chapter, there's only ONE more! I can't believe it, but I DO have a sequel planned. (I also hope it doesn't take me SO long to get the last one up, yikes!) I don't know when I will post it, but once this story is over be on the lookout for that if you want. I can't believe it's been over a year since I first posted this story. It's not perfect and I know there are errors and stuff, but I am so proud of it and I am so thrilled so many of you wanted to come on this journey with me!

XxxxxX

The next day passed slowly for the three of them. Hotch's doctor assured them that everything was looking great, but she wanted to be cautious in getting Hotch up and moving, so she kept him on bed rest for one more day. As soon as Jack had woken up that morning, he insisted on going to the hospital. Emily felt much the same way, so after quickly getting dressed and stopping for a rather unhealthy donut breakfast, they went back to the hospital and immediately to Hotch's room where they found him waiting for them. He greeted them happily, almost too happily for someone holed up in a hospital bed for yet another day.

Jack was content to sit on Hotch's bed and watch TV for a little while, Emily taking her spot in the chair next to the bed. She felt her heart swell when Hotch reached over to take her hand in his. Though she wished they were all at home, she had to admit this wasn't a bad way to spend her morning.

After three episodes of Spongebob, Emily could tell that Jack was getting a little restless. She knew he wouldn't mention being bored, because that was just the kind of kid Jack was. Emily remembered seeing a park nearby, and she decided to maybe coax Jack to come out with her so he wouldn't be stuck inside a hospital room all day.

"Hey, Jack, why don't you come with me to get some lunch? We can stop by a store and pick up some different board games or something, too." Emily suggested. They had borrowed a couple from another room the previous night, but Emily thought they could use some form of entertainment besides the television.

"I can stay here." Jack offered.

"I'll be okay, buddy. You should go with Emily. But only if you guys promise to bring me back something cool." Hotch encouraged, sensing Emily's intentions even though she hadn't voiced them.

Jack reluctantly agreed, slowly rising from his place next to Hotch on the uncomfortable hospital bed.

"We'll be back soon." Emily promised, mostly for Jack's benefit as she gently guided him towards the door. Jack sent Hotch a small wave and followed Emily down the hall and to the elevator. They were quiet until they were out of the building and walking to the rental car.

"Emily?" Jack asked as he climbed into the backseat of the car.

"Hmm?" She replied, turning from her place in the driver's seat to look at him.

"When can Dad come home?" Jack asked innocently.

Emily bit her lip, knowing Jack wouldn't like the answer.

"Well, I'm not sure, buddy." She told him honestly. "It could be a couple of weeks, but as soon as he's able he'll be home."

"Are we staying here the whole time?" Jack wondered.

Emily wasn't sure, she hadn't thought that far in advance. She was sure that if Hotch was able to walk alright tomorrow, he could come home and continue his physical therapy and healing from home. But she hadn't honestly considered what she and Jack would do if Hotch had to stay much longer. Jack had school and she was starting her new job soon.

"I don't know, Jack." She said softly. "We'll worry about that tomorrow, okay? Let's just enjoy being with him today and tomorrow and see what happens." Jack nodded and smiled weakly.

Determined to lift Jack's spirits, she started the car and headed to a diner just a few miles away.

XxxxX

"What kind of games should we get? Maybe some cards?" Emily asked as she and Jack walked through the aisle of the store with board games, card games, and the like. They'd had a simple lunch and now they'd found a Wal-Mart to get some things to keep them all occupied.

Jack thought for a moment. "Hm. Will you teach me poker?" He asked, grinning up at Emily.

"Did you turn 18 already?" Emily laughed as she ruffled his sandy hair.

Jack sighed dramatically. "Okay, we'll play boring card games." He said, tossing a pack of playing cards into the basket Emily was carrying. Jack picked up a few other board games and placed them in the basket.

"Anything else?" Emily asked.

Jack shook his head. "Can we sneak Dad another milkshake?" He asked.

Emily smiled. "Sure, he'll like that. How about you and I stop for ice cream and go for a walk in the park we drove by on the way here? Then we'll take these games and a milkshake to your dad." She suggested. She knew getting out in the fresh air would lift Jack's spirits.

"Okay." Jack agreed with a smile. They bought the things Jack had picked out and loaded it up in the car.

Just a few minutes later, they had each gotten a cone of ice cream and had found the little park. They walked slowly down the sidewalk that surrounded the grassy area, not really talking but enjoying the comfortable silence.

"Emily?" Jack asked softly. Emily stopped walking and focused all her attention on him, knowing that tone of voice meant Jack had something serious to say.

"What is it?" She asked him.

"I'm glad you live with us now." Jack said.

Emily smiled and ruffled Jack's hair. "I am too."

"D'ya think you and Dad will get married?" Emily nearly dropped her ice cream on the ground.

"Um…I don't know, buddy." Emily said. They hadn't really talked about it.

"You should, then you can be my mom. Like for real." Jack said quietly.

"Oh, honey. Look," Emily said, making sure Jack met her eyes. "We haven't talked about that yet, so I don't know what's going to happen. But you're not going to lose me, kiddo. You're stuck with me. Forever." She added dramatically, causing Jack to laugh.

"I know, it's just…all my friends have married parents." Jack added. Emily put an arm around Jack and hugged her to him, her ice cream melting in her other hand.

"I know, it's hard. But you know what? Just because they're married doesn't make them any more of a family than we are. I love you, and I love your dad, and that's all that matters to me." Emily said seriously, feeling Jack nod against her.

"I love you, too." Jack replied, looking up at her and flashing her a smile that made him look just like Hotch.

"What do you say we finish these and go get your dad a milkshake and go and see him? I'm sure he misses us." Emily said, hoping that what she'd said to the boy had helped.

"Okay! Then we can play more games!" Jack said excitedly.

"Anything you want, Jack." Emily smiled as he ran a few steps ahead of her, his anxiousness long forgotten and his excitement level rising.

XxxxxX

They got back to Hotch's hotel room half an hour later, Jack carrying a vanilla milkshake behind his back.

"Hey, Dad!" Jack greeted his father as he ran up to the bed and pulled the milkshake into view. "Look what we got you!"

Hotch smiled and took the drink. "Thank you. Did you guys have fun?" Hotch asked as he took a sip. Jack nodded and started giving Hotch the play by play of the afternoon. Emily took a seat in the chair on the other side of the bed, smiling at Jack's enthusiasm.

"And then Emily said that even though you and her aren't married we're still a family and I'm stuck with her." Jack ended the story. Emily could feel her cheeks reddening, hoping Hotch wouldn't think she'd overstepped.

"Married?" Hotch asked, his eyes widening.

"Jack asked me if we were going to get married!" Emily cut in quickly. "And I told him that I didn't know about that."

"Yeah, and then I said I wanted her to be my mom, and that my friends have married parents." Jack supplied, sensing he maybe should've left that part out of the story.

"And then I told him that just because they're married doesn't make them more real than us. And that I love you, and that I love Jack and that's all that matters to make a family." Emily bit her lip. "Was that okay?"

Hotch smiled, setting his drink on his bedside table and propping himself up more on the pillows.

"Of course it's okay, Emily. Jack's seen you as a mother figure for a long time now. You've been there to help him with homework and go to his soccer games; you've taken care of him when he was sick, you've watched countless movies with him, and you love him. Since Haley can't do those things for him anymore, I wouldn't want anyone else to but you." Hotch said seriously. Emily felt tears threatening to spill over, but she wouldn't let them.

"And I mean…we could get married. You know, if you wanted." Hotch continued.

Emily laughed, and the tears fell. "Are you trying to propose to me, Aaron?" She teased. "'Cause I gotta say, this isn't the most practical of places."

"Come here," Hotch motioned. Emily moved from the plastic chair and carefully maneuvered herself onto the bed as best she could. She was on one side of Hotch and Jack was on the other. "You don't have to say yes, and it doesn't have to be any time soon, and if you want a ring, the second I'm out of here I'll go and buy you one. But…I guess…I'm proposing to propose at a later date." Hotch said. Emily laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing him in. He should've smelled like hospital and antiseptic, but she could still smell that familiar Hotch smell. It made her feel safe and warm and loved.

"Only you would make a proposal before a proposal." Emily said quietly, smiling even as she reached up to wipe at her eyes. "But I'm saying yes. Someday, you can propose to me and I'll say yes and we'll get married. How's that sound?" Emily glanced up, feeling him pull her just a bit closer.

"I think it's great!" Jack said happily.

"I do, too." Hotch agreed. He bent down slowly and his lips found Emily's. It was quick but it was passionate and memorable, even through Jack's playful "Ew!" that rang through the room. The three of them stayed on the bed together, none of them wanting to end the moment. Emily wasn't sure how long they lay like that, not saying anything, just enjoying each other's presence.

XxxX

The next morning, Hotch's doctor came in bright and early. Emily and Jack spent the night at the hotel again, but neither of them got much sleep. Emily was nervous, and she was sure Hotch was too, but they were both trying to keep it at bay for Jack's sake. It was finally time to see if Hotch's injury was going to hinder his ability to walk. Emily suggested taking Jack out of the room, but Hotch wanted them to stay.

Jack sat on Emily's lap in the chair they'd pulled to the corner of the room. He seemed anxious and Emily really wished she'd at least taken him down the hall until they knew for sure.

"What if he can't walk again? Who's gonna play soccer with me?" The boy asked, turning away and hiding his face in Emily's shirt.

"Hey, don't think like that. It's gonna be okay, we're a family, remember? And no matter what happens, we'll stay a family. Okay?" Jack nodded.

Emily held her breath as the doctor helped to stand Hotch up. He was a little shaky as to be expected, but he was standing.

"Jack, sweetie, look!" Emily said as she gently pulled him away from her. He looked over to see Hotch standing by his bed, gripping onto the doctor and to the rails on the bed, but smiling.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Jack asked the doctor. The woman nodded and said that in time, Hotch would be back to normal. It would take several months, maybe even a year. But he was going to be just fine. He was doing so well, in fact, that they approved to transfer him back to DC. They could go home.

Jack jumped from Emily's lap and ran over to Hotch, but he was careful to hug the man gently and carefully so as to not throw him off balance. The doctor helped get Hotch back into bed and started explaining the treatment plan. Lots of physical therapy, lots of pain, but an eventual positive outcome.

As the doctor talked, Emily glanced over to Hotch. He smiled at her and she knew that no matter what life threw at them, they'd always have each other. Nothing could tear them apart anymore. No unsub, no distance, no Alzheimer's, and no accident could keep them from being together. They'd made it through so much.

Emily focused in on the doctor again, but she could swear she heard her mother's voice somewhere in the back of her mind telling her: I told you so.