August 2011

Kids' Ages

Jack Hotchner - 5

Henry LaMontagne - 2

Hotchner Household

"Jack-Jack, come on buddy. It's time to get ready," Emily called down the hallway.

Jack flew out of his room and into the living room clothed in only the shorts he wore to soccer.

Emily's mouth opened as she took in the sight of her stepson. "Jack, where's your jersey?"

"I dunno. I put it in the bathroom after practice," Jack shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's probably in the dryer then. I'll go get it," Emily said. "Oh Aaron, where are you," she mumbled when she caught a glance at the clock. He had been called away to an early morning meeting but he'd promised both his wife and his son that he would be home in time for Jack's first soccer game.

As if by magic, Aaron walked through the door just then.

"Hi, Honey," he greeted his wife, pecking her on the lips.

Jack ran into the hallway, throwing his arms around his dad's legs.

"Uh, Em? Why is our son shirtless?" Aaron asked, scratching his neck.

"His jersey is in the dryer. I was just going to get it but we only have ten minutes and I still need to pack the cooler and Jack needs to put his cleats on. I feel like such a failure."

"You're doing a good job Em," Aaron assured her, rubbing her arms. "I'll go get his jersey, you go pack the cooler, and Jack, you put on your cleats and shin guards. If you're both good, we'll go out for ice cream after the game."

"What if I'm not good," Emily posed with a smirk, now that Jack had left the room.

"Go," Aaron ordered lightly, pointing toward the kitchen. When Emily turned around he smacked her butt.

Five minutes later the cooler was packed with snacks and sandwiches, and Jack was properly dressed in his blue jersey and cleats.

"Hotchner crew load up," Aaron called, standing up from helping Jack tie his shoes. "If my wife lets me speed, we can make it in time to get good seats."

Emily snorted. It didn't really matter if they got good seats or not as Aaron spent the entire time coaching and Emily could see from wherever she sat. Nonetheless, Aaron took every chance he could to speed.

She grabbed the cooler and the clipboard and whistle that Aaron took with him to every game and joined her family in the living room.

"For you, Coach," She said, handing him his things.

Aaron placed the whistle around his neck and blew into it softly so he didn't hurt his wife's ears. "Last call: Hotchner family to the vehicle."

Emily placed a hand on Jack's back, guiding him to the door. "Come on, Jack-Jack, we don't want Dad to take back his offer of ice cream.


Jareau-LaMontagne Household

"Mornin', Ma Chérie," Will whispered into his girlfriend's neck as he cuddled closer to her in their bed. It was cold that morning, the promise of an upcoming fall in the August air. Neither were in a hurry to start the day.

JJ only had a moment to peck Will on the lips before the thunder of little feet was heard outside the room. A pint-sized, blonde cannonball rocketed himself on the bed and landed perfectly on his mother.

"Momma, Momma, up, up."

"I'm up, Bubba," JJ promised her son, sitting up.

"I want pancakes, Momma."

"Ok, Bubs, we'll have pancakes. Why don't you and Daddy go and get all the ingredients and I'll be out there soon."

Pleased with that, Henry got off his mom and climbed on his dad instead. Will pretended to still be asleep. Henry pried open one of his eyes with a sticky finger. Why are toddler's fingers always so sticky, Will wondered.

"Dadddyyyy, wake up! Mommy said we have to go get the 'gredients so she can make pancakes."

"Well then let's go." Will hoisted Henry up and clamored out of bed with him.

"I'll bet she makes blueberry pancakes."

"Nuh-uh. Chocolate chip!" Henry argued.

"I can make both!" JJ called after the boys.

After the boys left the room, JJ gave herself a few minutes to freshen up. When she entered the kitchen of their small apartment, she found her son on the counter surrounded by the ingredients needed to make pancakes. Will was busy filling a sippy cup with milk.

"You pwetty Momma," Henry complimented, catching sight of her.

"You're right, Henry. You're Momma is the most beautiful woman in the whole world," Will agreed, handing his son the sippy cup.

"Well, thank you boys." JJ awarded both of them with kisses. "Now, pancake time. Who's helping."

"Me! Me! Me!" Henry shouted.

"Did you wash your hands?"

Henry nodded enthusiastically.

JJ started pouring in the ingredients so that Henry could mix them. Truthfully, Will was the better cook, having more time to do so, but for some reason, Henry preferred it when she made the pancakes.

A while later, the pancakes were done and the family was seated around their table. JJ had plain pancakes smeared in peanut butter, Will had a stack of blueberry, and Henry had his beloved chocolate chip smothered in syrup.

"Momma can I 'ave a bite of your pancakes?" Henry asked, eyeing her plate.

"No, Bubs, you're allergic to peanut butter, remember?"

"Oh, yeah." A beat later. "I'm full."

JJ sighed. She'd never understand the logic of toddlers. Regarding her son, she said, "Alright, it's bath time for you. Your hair is turning brown from syrup."

"I don' wanna take a bath," Henry whined.

JJ shot Will a look, begging for his help.

"Son, bath. Now. Or no Sesame Street," Will ordered.

Thankfully Henry did not put up any further fight, and climbed out of his seat, dragging his feet to the bathroom. Will got up as well, coming over to kiss JJ on the head. "I got this one, Ma Chérie. You finish your breakfast."

It wasn't long before the sound of splashing water and giggles filled the small apartment. JJ may never understand how her son's mood could change so quickly, but oh well. Such is life with a 2-year-old.


Garcia Household

"I'm not mad at you, Kev! I'm just tired of having this argument again and again." Garcia exclaimed. Currently, she and her boyfriend are locked in yet another argument. They stood on opposite sides of her apartment, both with arms crossed, unwilling to back down. "Derek and I are nothing more than friends. That's all that we'll ever be." Her face softened, she attempted to snuggle her way into her boyfriend's arms but he didn't break. "It's you, I want to build my family with. You're the one I want to have kids with."

"You know I don't want kids," Kevin snapped.

"Kev," Penelope cried quietly.

Kevin backed away. "I gotta go."

He opened the front door to see that none other than Derek Morgan was standing on the other side, getting ready to knock.

"Oh, just perfect," Kevin grumbled, pushing passed Derek and rushing away.

Derek quirked an eyebrow at the man's retreating form. Then he let himself into his best friend's apartment and made his way over to her. "What was that? You alright?" He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine. It's just a stupid fight," Penelope told him, wiping a tear.

"You and Lynch were fighting? What about?"

"You of all things. He thinks you're some big threat or something."

"Babygirl, you and I are nothing more than best friends," Derek reminded her gently. It's not that he didn't love her. It's just that he didn't feel that way for her.

"I know that, Der. Kevin just doesn't see it that way."

"Y'know you don't have to be with him right? No offense but the dude's kinda a tool."

"It's not always bad," Penelope said quietly, not quite believing her own words.

"Hey, what do you say we go out? We'll get your mind off that Lynch guy," Derek suggested.

Penelope began to smile slowly. "Okay, fine, but no bars. I'm not sitting there all alone while you put on your Chocolate Thunder charm and flirt with all of the girls."

Derek groaned. "Babygirl, it's Saturday night. Come on, one drink and then we can do whatever you want."

"You got yourself a deal, Hot Stuff," Penelope grinned.

Later that night, Penelope and Derek walked side-by-side down the street eating ice cream from styrofoam cups.

"Have you forgotten about Kevin yet?" Derek asked.

"Kevin who?" Penelope quipped, smiling at her best friend.

Derek tweaked her nose with a bright smile. "That's my girl."


A few days later, Emily and Hotch were lying in bed. Aaron was almost asleep but Emily was wide awake.

"Hey, Aaron?"

"Hhm."

"I'm pregnant."