A month passed with five cases closed. We just wrapped up another one in Nebraska, and now we were home in time for Hotch's birthday tomorrow. We did have work tomorrow, so I knew he would want to spend his birthday evening with Jack.
That meant that I would celebrate with him tonight; we landed too late to pick Jack up tonight anyway.

I picked up a pizza on my way to his place and knocked quietly. "Hey." He smiled when he opened the door and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Happy birthday eve," I sat down on the couch with him, "The time limited our take-out options, so I hope that pizza is okay."

He put a movie on with a low volume, "Not that I don't appreciate it, but why are we celebrating tonight?"

"Because I figured tomorrow night you'll just want to be with Jack."

"I want to be with Jack and you."

"Okay, then I'll come tomorrow too, but I'm giving you your gifts tonight." I got up and went to my go bag. I got out the small box and the bottle of scotch and took them back, handing them to him, "Rossi said that scotch will be like nothing you've ever tasted before."

"I'm sure it'll taste rich," He joked. He took the box and looked at me after opening it, "A Versace watch. How much did you spend on this, exactly?"

"How much did you spend on my necklace?" I challenged.

"Not two grand…" He gave me a disapproving look, "Thank you, it's great…you just didn't need to spend so much money, sweetheart."

"It wasn't two grand." I said quietly. It was three, but he didn't need to know that.

We finished the pizza and he settled back into the couch, pulling me with him. I lay against him for a while before his hands started to roam around my torso, up to my breasts. He played with them for a short while before I sat up and moved to straddle him. I kissed him hard and deep.
The movie forgotten, we got lost in making out on the couch.

He lifted me up and made his way to his bedroom slowly, still kissing me. He lay me on the bed and the kiss broke. He stared into my eyes for a few seconds before whispering, "I love you so much, Emily."

I pulled him on top of me and kissed him again, "I love you." I spoke between kisses. I rolled us over so I was on top, and I began to undress him slowly. The few times he went to remove my shirt, I hit his hands away.
After he was naked on the bed, I got up and stripped for him, slow and teasing. He groaned a few times and began to stroke himself.
When I climbed back over him, he ran his fingers tenderly down the side of my face, and his thumb lingered to pull my bottom lip down softly. I took his finger into my mouth and sucked. He groaned again. I smirked and kissed my way down his body. I took him into my mouth and he bucked his hips as soon as my lips closed around him. I hummed to let him know I didn't mind, and I set to work.

After some minutes passed, he was pulling me by my hair to get me to release him, "Em, sweetheart, if you don't stop I'm going to come, and I want to be inside you when I do."

I let him go reluctantly and moved up. I went to settle above him, but he pulled my thighs to get me to keep moving up to straddle his head. I threw my head back with a moan when his tongue met my clit. After my first orgasm, I moved back down and sunk onto him immediately. He groaned loudly. I leant forward to kiss him, tasting myself on his tongue and lips.
I moved his hands to my hips so he could set his desired pace. I was on top no longer than five minutes before he flipped us like I knew he would eventually; he was the most in control when he was on top, and he needed that control.

Afterwards, he lay half on top of me, his head nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I ran my fingers through his hair, and his periodic sighs let me know that he liked it.
"Emily?" He questioned quietly; his voice muffled by my neck.

"Hmm?"

"Move in with me?"
I was shocked by the question. I had expected it eventually, but not yet. We had been together just over two years; was that long enough for us to live together? We wouldn't have our own space anymore for when arguments occurred, not that we had many. I would be around Jack every day; they wouldn't get a day at home together without my presence.
"Sweetheart?" He called out softly, now half sitting up and looking at me with concern.

I had been quiet too long. "Sorry…I just was taken off guard with the question."

"So you don't want to, then?"

"It's not that…it's little things that make me hesitate."

"Like?" He raised his eyebrows. I relayed my thoughts onto him and he wore a small, amused smile, "Let me make one thing clear, Emily. You are and always will be a permanent part of Jack's life.
"You've been making great progress over the past few months, and I think we're ready for this." He looked at me for a second before his eyes widened, "Emily, I'm so sorry! I didn't put a condom on…"

I smiled and pressed a kiss to his lips, "I know. I know that you hated using them and I knew that I would eventually need to get over it. I figured your birthday is a good a time as any."

He smiled, "So, do you want to think about moving in, or—"

"I'll move in." I nodded.

He wanted to start the moving in process over the weekend following his birthday, however we had to postpone due to a case in Port Angeles, Washington.
Two days following that case, we were called to Fargo, North Dakota for a textbook family annihilator, and now we were home again, on the second day of our four-day stand down period.

JJ and Garcia called for a girl's night tonight.
When Hotch came home from taking Jack to the cinema, I waited for him to put his things away and relax before I sat on the couch beside him, "Do you mind if I go out with JJ and Garcia tonight?" He sighed but didn't speak. "…So you do mind?"

"I don't want to be one of those partners who makes you feel like you can't have or see your friends."

"But?" I tilted my head.

"But we are very busy, and we don't often get a day off, let alone four. I was hoping that we would have you moved in by Monday."

I looked at Jack colouring in at the dining table, "I agree with you; it would be nice to get it all done…but how much moving will we get through with Jack?" I looked back at him, "Please don't tell me he's going to Jessica's. No, Aaron. You don't get enough time with him as it is, and I know that eats away at you. Once I'm moved in, you won't get any alone time with him at all. Keep him here, spend these days off with him. I'll go to my apartment; I'll pack everything up and bring it all over myself."

"No."

"Yes." He sighed and looked at Jack over his shoulder.

"Stay for dinner at least?"

I smiled and leant forwards to kiss him. "Okay."

He got up and started getting ingredients out for a beef stir fry. I went to help, but he told me to sit back down. I went and sat with Jack. I coloured in with him for a while, then we played with his dinosaurs until dinner was ready.

"I'll see you in a few days." I stood and started to gather my things. I went over and kissed Jack's hair, "See you later buddy." I went to the door and Hotch followed, opening it for me. "I love you."

"I love you too." He kissed me and glanced at Jack before squeezing my arse. I jumped and he laughed to himself.

I texted the girls on my way down to my car, saying I needed to pack but I could host girl's night in at my place if they wanted to help. They both accepted and said they'd bring wine and snacks over asap.
I stopped by the mall on my way home and got some empty boxes. I wasn't sure how many I'd need, but this would do for tonight at least.

When I got home, I cleaned up a bit and emptied the dish washer, and then they arrived. I let them in; JJ poured out three glasses of wine while Garcia and I prepared a charcuterie board for us.
I put on some music, and we began packing my things into boxes.

After the entire downstairs was packed up, bar the things I would need over the next few days – a few dishes, the TV, stereo, etc – we sat down on the couch together with fresh glasses of wine. We were onto the third bottle now.

"Where are you putting all your furniture?" JJ asked.

"Storage unit."

"…Why keep it?" Garcia raised her eyebrows.

"My stuff is expensive, and some of the pieces are one of a kind. I'm keeping it, because I hope we won't live in that apartment forever. Maybe we'll get a new apartment or buy a house one day, and then we'll use my furniture instead of Hotch's…because I like mine better."

"Right," JJ nodded, "So…tell us about your sex life lately." It always ended up here, us sharing the dirty details of our sex lives with each other.

"We had sex without a condom for his birthday. I was terrified but I did it. My therapist was so proud of me when I told her last week."

"You seem to be happier lately. I'm glad the therapy is helping you move forward." JJ smiled at me. I just nodded, and we both looked to Garcia as she began a story of her last sexual encounter with Kevin.

I zoned out as she continued on and thought about what JJ said. You seem to be happier lately. Was I happier? Was I moving on? A part of me felt like it was wrong to move on after losing a baby. But thinking about the baby itself didn't make me want to burst into tears anymore. It was sad, but I was okay. I didn't have dreams about Hotch holding a baby, I didn't think he resented me for it anymore. After all, he did ask me to move in.

Moving in. That was only a step away from being engaged, and then married. That meant we were officially addressing that we would be together for the rest of our lives.
My mind wondered back to what he said last year when I asked about kids - I have always wanted Jack to have a sibling.
Did I need to talk to him about this before moving in? He knew that I didn't want to risk it again; maybe he had come to terms with the fact that he wouldn't get another child.

I pushed the thoughts away. It was girls' night and I didn't need to make myself uncertain or depressed with JJ and Garcia here.
I'd bring up what JJ said to my therapist next week and see where that takes me.

The girls stayed until about midnight before Kevin arrived to drive them both home.
I packed up some of my bedroom with one more glass of wine before I went to bed.