October 9, 2010
The atmosphere at Jack's Stitch costume party was electric, filled with the laughter and playful shrieks of children dashing around in colourful onesies. Rossi stood off to the side, observing the joyful chaos, and couldn't help but smile as he spotted Aaron. He was clad in an adorable Stitch onesie that perfectly matched those worn by his kids, Emily and Jasper, and the birthday boy, Jack. The scene was heartwarming, with the family engaging in spirited play, their outfits adding to the festive mood.
Nearby, Rossi caught sight of JJ, Will, and their son Henry, all decked out in vibrant Scooby-Doo onesies. The trio looked utterly charming, embodying the spirit of the beloved cartoon characters as they eagerly engaged in a scavenger hunt set up by Jack's parents. Meanwhile, his good friend Erin stood out in her Monsters, Inc. onesie, her laughter ringing out as she wrangled her three children, who were equally enthusiastic about their costumes.
As Rossi took in the swirling sea of costumes and laughter, he couldn't shake the weight of reality pressing on his mind. He admired Elizabeth and Emily, who fiercely held it together amidst the festivities. With Emily's father's funeral looming just two weeks away, he marvelled at their strength and resilience, searching for moments of joy even in the face of impending sorrow. It was a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of life, contrasting sharply with the cheerfulness of the party surrounding him.
"What's going on with Jessica?" Penelope asked Rossi if Reid, Derek, and herself had been included in the unfolding drama. Throughout the afternoon, she had observed the Brook family casting disapproving glances at Hotch, Emily, Ambassador Prentiss, Sean, and Mrs. Hotchner since the party had kicked off. The tension in the air was palpable, as the Brook family's hostility was hard to ignore, and Pen couldn't help but wonder what had sparked such ire among them.
Cooper approached them, noticing the frustration evident on their faces. "They're not happy about the situation," he began, glancing around to gauge the mood. "It seems that Hotch has been relying heavily on Lizzie and Will to step in whenever he has to be away, which has put a lot of pressure on them. On top of that, there are concerns about how frequently Hotch and Jack have been spending time at the Prentiss household. It feels like they've practically moved in, and that's stirring up quite a bit of resentment among the others. It's as if their personal lives are being intruded upon, and they struggle to adjust to these changes."
"Sam, how do you know that?" Morgan asked, a look of curiosity flashing across her face. He leaned in slightly, his eyebrows knitted together as he tried to grasp the information Sam had just shared.
"Emily told Clyde, who told Mick, who told Gina, who told Beth, who told me."
"Why didn't they say anything? It has only been, what, two weeks?" Penelope exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration and confusion. She paced back and forth, her brow furrowing as she processed the silence surrounding them.
Sam stood nearby, his gaze fixed intently on Hotch's team, trying to decipher the unspoken tension in the room. Each team member seemed deep in thought, their expressions a mixture of concern and contemplation, leaving Penelope feeling increasingly anxious about the lack of communication.
"Please tell me that you're joking?" Jack Garrett asked.
"What do you mean?" Morgan asked.
Clara leaned in slightly, a playful smile dancing as she spoke to them. "You know, ever since Emily joined your team, there's been this ongoing joke that she and Hotch are an item," she explained, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's become such a running gag around the office that it's one of the reasons Haley couldn't help but ask Hotch if he was certain they needed to leave."
"Why didn't they say anything to us?" Reid asked.
"Because you all treated Emily awful since she came back," Clyde said as he came to them.
Before the team could respond, Emily called, "Clyde, the boys want a photo with their Uncle Bunny."
They hear Clyde say, "Damn, her for telling them about her nickname for me."
October 12, 2010, aka Emily's birthday
Aaron ran his fingers through Emily's hair as she lay there asleep. Aaron loves watching Emily sleep. Aaron placed soft kisses on Emily's neck as he felt her move. Emily felt the kisses travel from her neck up to her face. Emily smiled as she opened her eyes to see Aaronis over her. She saw his chain that carried Haley's and his wedding rings shine in the moonlight coming through the window.
That should bother her, but it doesn't, as she also wears the ring Ian gave her on a necklace. Aaron told her that part of her loved Ian and that Ian had given her their son Jasper so the ring wouldn't bother him.
Aaron nuzzled his face into Emily's as they hooked their ankles and body together. Emily knew what Aaron was giving her. Birthday sex was something she told Fi, JJ, Jordan, and Ash, something she never had in her adult life. Aaron told her he was celebrating her 25th birthday with everything she wanted to do before she was 25. When they were close to the end, Emily heard him say, "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart."
Aaron watches as Emily's breathing slows down, and she falls back asleep; he carefully gets her dressed in case the boys join her for cuddles in the morning, as they have been doing since they found out that Grandpa had passed away.
Aaron stood frozen in awe as he took in Emily's stunning outfit, which effortlessly blended casual elegance with a touch of sophistication. She was wearing a pair of Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jeans that hugged her figure perfectly, the denim giving her a timeless yet trendy look. She chose a Leila Plaid Puff Sleeve Sweater featuring soft, pastel colours that complemented her complexion and added a playful element to her ensemble. The puffed sleeves provided a vintage charm, making her outfit feel current and classic.
A Club Monaco Halli Wool Coat draped over her shoulders. Its rich fabric gave it an air of luxury while keeping her warm. The coat, cut in a chic silhouette, contrasted beautifully with the laid-back vibe of her jeans. On her feet, Emily sported a pair of sleek and polished Celine Black Leather Boots, which completed her look with their understated elegance.
Her jewelry was a show-stopper in its own right. Around her neck lay a gold necklace, prominently displaying Ian's ring, which undoubtedly carried sentimental value. Layered with it was a Tiffany Cross Pendant, crafted in 18k gold, adding spiritual elegance to her attire. Accenting her look was a Zoe Chicco Mama Charm Necklace, playfully dangling alongside her Sachi Gold Link Huggies, which lent a dash of sparkle to her ears.
As she slipped her phone into a Givenchy Antigona Black Bag, the perfect finishing touch to her outfit, Aaron couldn't help but admire how every detail resonated with her confident style.
"Aaron, are you ready for the parent-teacher interview?" Emily asked, not realizing Aaron was staring at her.
"Yeah, we should get going."
"Jasper is doing so well. He spoke about his new baby brother in Jack and his cousin Henry."
"However, we are worried about Jasper's reaction to loud sounds," Mr. Jackson tells them.
Aaron and Emily share a look, knowing that Jack went through the same thing when Haley died.
"His father and I have been taking him to therapy, and we thought he was dealing with it," Emily said.
"Is there something we can do?" Aaron asked.
"This will time; I just wanted you both to know."
Emily and Aaron smiled at the good report that Jack was getting.
"We need to talk about Jack; someone is bullying him."
"He never said anything..." Aaron said as he looked to Emily, who stood her head.
"Actually, Jack took it upon himself to befriend the boy troubling him and thought being nice to him. He said that his cousin, Dominic (Strauss), told him to kill him with kindness."
Aaron and Emily share a sweet smile, knowing that sounds right.
Emily sat in Rossi's office as Erin and JJ shared how the kids were doing. Emily tells them about Jasper and starts about Jack when she turns to her godmother.
"Aaron and I have to thank Dom."
"Why?"
"Jack was being bullied. And Dom told him to kill him with kindness."
Erin and JJ gave an aww.
"When do you all leave for Boise, Idaho?" Emily asked JJ.
"In about an hour, I told them I needed to be here for Henry's first parent-teacher interview today."
"Well, I will see you when you get back."
When Morgan asked if Hotch had to stay back, Emily, JJ, and Erin left the office.
"Are you serious?" Emily asked him.
Derek turns to face Emily.
"Look, Em. I understand what it's like to lose a father -
"This has nothing to do with the death of my father. This has to do with you undermining Aaron and pushing it. Aaron has not said anything because you helped him with the paperwork. But I'm going to say something. Aaron's place, first and foremost, is his children. Yes, I said children. Jack and Jasper just lost their grandfather, and I recently came back after being gone for seven months. Jasper is still dealing with the aftermath of his kidnapping and wants Aaron nearby because Aaron makes him feel safe. Jack has missed Haley much more since his birthday just passed and wants Aaron close. And, yes, I would love for Aaron to be here while I have to listen to people talk about my father and plan the events that follow what a private funeral my father wanted."
"Em, I think you're misunderstanding us," Reid said.
"No, I'm not," Emily said.
"You know Haley and Aaron didn't end their marriage because they stopped loving each other. Hell, I know that Aaron's love of his life will always be Haley, and I get that and respect my place in his life as he understands what Ian means to me. Their marriage ended because Aaron couldn't put his child and her before the team. He finally does that and has the support of Strauss and the other upper brass to do so."
"Just give him a chance to be a father and partner first, then your boss. You didn't have him for those few months, and you can handle a few days."
Emily left Aaron to deal with the team. She sat in the SUV, waiting for him.
"I'm sorry," Emily said as he got in.
"No, you're right. They have been pushing it because JJ, you and I feel bad about the fake death and that you're angry about Jasper."
"Join them for the next case, and I will be fine. Just don't miss the funeral."