October 12th.

Emily's birthday, a day she typically dreaded, has taken on a new significance this year. Upon awakening, Emily found herself embracing a fresh perspective on life, one that allows her to appreciate the occasion rather than resent it. With all of the near death experiences and with the bedrest, which she hated, she was grateful to be spending another day alive. Emily smiled when she heard her bedroom door open and hearing the little footsteps running closer to her bed. Opening her eyes and looking over to her right hand side, she saw the smiley face of her daughter.

"Happy Birthday Mommy!" Natalia jumped onto Emily's bed and gave her a hug.

"Thank You Talia."

"I love you mommy."

"I love you too Baby." Emily gave her a kiss and a hug.

Sitting up into her bed, Emily looked up when she heard a knock at the smiled when she saw JJ and Penelope standing in the door.

"I hope we didn't wake you." JJ said

"No not at all, someone else did." Emily smiled and gave Natalia a look.

"Happy Birthday Emily." Penelope said as she sat some balloons in the corner of the bedroom.

"Thank You Pen."

"Here is from Pen, Henry, Will, and I. Happy Birthday Emily." JJ stated as she handed Emily another card.

Opening the card, Emily took a minute to read the card. She smiled and looked back up over at JJ and Pen and motioned to give them a hug. "Thank You Guys. I know that I said that I hated my birthday a few days ago but honestly, this is how i'd like to spend it."

"If you're okay with it, we were thinking we could have dinner tonight to celebrate... sort of.."

Emily gave a look over to Penelope. "We all can't fit in my bedroom." she laughed

"Emily.. Downstairs."

"I know, I have to find humor somewhere." She gave Penelope a smile "but yes, I think it would be nice to see the others. I haven't seen them since the hospital. I know it hasn't been that long but I'm up for some company"

"Yay! " Penelope said as she clapped her hands. JJ smiled at her and she sat on the corner of her bed. After some catching up, JJ and Penelope left Emily's. They had planned to call the others and let them know about the impromptu party. It also gave Emily some time with Natalia. If Emily could have one thing in the world for her birthday, it would be this very moment. Laying in bed, cuddling with her daughter, just taking in the silence. The silence would be soon broken by an infant cry, but it was all worth it.

Sitting up in bed, Emily threw her legs on the side of the bed, and began to stand. Gaining her balance, she looked up when she heard a knock at the door, there she met his eyes.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he asked as he placed the stuff he had in his hands on the bed and rushed over to her.

"Hey, It's okay. Your child thought it would be a fun idea to play with my bladder."

"That's it. He or she is grounded the minute they are born. It's be nonstop drama."

"Yeah no kidding." she said walking into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

He waited for her to come out of the bathroom, sitting in the chair in the corner. He looked over at Natalia. He could have laughed. She looked exactly like her mother, sitting up in bed, reading her book, and her hair in a messy bun, which could have only been done by her mother or Marissa.

When the door finally opened, she went over to her bed and sat down. After she got comfortable, he got up and picked up what he had set down earlier. He then walked over to her side of the bed and handed her the bouquet of flowers.

"In honor of your birthday, I wanted to give you this, It's from Jack and I. "

She looked at the flowers and the card that he had handed her and smiled.

"Thank you."

"You're Welcome. Hey, I heard something about a dinner tonight, but I remember someone being very adamant about not having anything for her birthday. "

"Man, word does travel fast doesn't it."

"When it comes to Penelope, yes, It does Em." He laughed.

"Yeah no kidding. No, I uh, I thought about it... and for my birthday, all i want to do is be with my family. My mother is in France, So my team is my family and what better way to spend your birthday than with your family? Will you be here tonight?"

"I will. "

"I did want to talk to you about something though. A few nights ago, I had mentioned that I wanted to the tell the team about you. Although that still remains true, I want to tell them tonight. I know it may seem random but this is what I want to do."

"Are you sure? I mean it is your birthday."

"I know and I am more than sure. It's the only time we are all going to be together for a while and I don't think that it's right for them to find out after the baby is born."

"If you are sure this is what you want to do then, I agree."

She smiled at him. When Marissa came back into the room, she helped Emily into the shower and grabbed Natalia and got her ready for the day. While Emily was in the shower, Aaron excused himself down stairs and placed the flowers into a vase.

When Natalia came downstairs with Marissa, she sat down on the couch next to Aaron.

"Aaron?" she said

"Yes?"

"Did you know today was my Mommy's birthday."

"I did."

"Did you get her anything?"

He laughed, "I did."

"Did you want to help me with this puzzle?"

"Uh Sure, just until Mommy is ready okay?"

"Okay."

About 10 minutes later, Aaron still putting together the puzzle with Natalia, he had heard his name being called from the top of the stairs. He got up and let Natalia know he would be right back.

Seeing Emily at the top, he climbed the stairs a little faster.

"everything okay?" he asked when he made the last step.

"Yeah, I just... I need some help. I just wanted to get downstairs but I can't without.."

"Any help. I know. You could have asked, you know." he said with a slight laugh

"I would have gotten there eventually.." she said rolling here eyes.

"I won't give you a heard time considering that it's your birthday.."

"Gee Thanks." she said sarcastically.

Lifting her up, he began walking down the stairs. Slowly taking one step at a time. Once they got down to the bottom, he set her down. Just like everything time, his eyes met her's. Knowing or maybe unknowingly that there is so much love between them. They both knew how they felt but she rejected him and he was convinced that she never felt the same way. The gaze was broken when Natalia came up to them both.

"Mommy!" shen stated and grabbing her mother's arm.

"Yes Natalia?" she looked down at he daughter.

"Didn't you hear Marissa? Breakfast is ready."

"Okay. Go sit down, I'll be there soon."

Natalia nodded giving her mom a confused look.

"Adults are weird." Natalia said to Marissa when she walked over to the table.

Finally sitting at the table, Emily watched as everyone took their seats. Natalia next to Emily, Marissa across from Natalia and Aaron across from Emily. As breakfast was served, Emily found herself starving. It was rare that she was starving, she was hungry always but starving was rare.

As they were finishing breakfast, there was a knock at the door. Marissa looking at Emily, both not expecting anyone, Marissa got up to answer the door.

Looking through the peephole, Marissa slightly opened the door.

"Can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm looking for Aaron Hotchner. "

"May I ask who's asking?"

"I'm Beth, Can you tell him that i'm looking for him."

"Yeah, hang on." she shut the door on the woman again and headed back over to the table.

"Who was that?" Emily asked

"Aaron, uh there's a woman at the door looking for you."

"Did she say who she was?"

"Yeah, Uh she said her name was Beth."

His face then went pale. He looked over at Emily. She placed the food that was on her fork into her mouth and then looked back down to the plate. Aaron set his fork back down and his napkin on the table and stood up. Heading back over to the door, he opened and took a step out.

"Beth, what the hell are you doing here?" He asked closing the door behind him,

"Looking for you, you haven't answered any of my calls."

"How did you even find out where I was? Have you been following me?"

"So what if I have?"

"Beth. You have no trust in me do you?"

"You have lied to me for I don't know how long and now, I figure out that you've been coming here a lot. I know that it's a woman that lives here."

"Beth don't be like that. There's nothing between us."

"How Do I know that? It's a Saturday Morning and you are here instead of at your apartment. . " She said frustrated

"Beth, You just have to believe me. There is nothing between us. "

"Then why are you here?"

"Emily is just going through a lot right now."

"So is everyone else."

"Beth, Please not now. We'll talk later."

"I'm not leaving until you give me an answer."

"Fine. If you really want to know, Emily is pregnant with my baby. A few days ago, she and the baby nearly died. So sue me for wanting to take care of the woman who is caring my kid."

Beth then became silent. She gave one more look to Aaron before saying something.

"I'm not mad Aaron, I just... why did you think you couldn't tell me that you were having a baby soon?"

"I didn't want to screw this up. I really like you Beth and I wanted to make this work. I didn't want to scare you with all of my baggage."

"I really like you too and I'm sorry for being a crazy person but I also just want to make this work for us. I'll go but we need to talk."

"I agree, I'll call you later tonight, I promise Beth," she gave a sad smile, gave him quick kiss, and then quickly walked away.

After she disappeared from the hallway, he turned and walked back into the apartment. Shutting the door and walking back to the table, he noticed the two women sitting there, looking back at Marissa. He gave her a confused look.

"Where's Emily.?" he asked at almost a whisper.

"On the couch. " He nodded and walked into the living room. Emily just sat there, staring into an abyss. No tv, no music, nothing, She could have burned a hole into the carpet with how focused she was looking.

Sitting on the couch next to her, she looked up at him and when his eyes met her's, she wondered how she didn't see it before. How she didn't know that he had a girlfriend. And just like that, Today was her birthday and suddenly her heart was crushed into a million little pieces. But feeling this way, it was her own fault. She broke her own heart. She pushed him away and she couldn't blame anyone but herself.

"Emily. I."

"Aaron, You don't need to explain. if you have a girlfriend then, I'm so happy for you. You deserve that. You deserve to be happy."

"Emily..."

"Aaron, I mean it. You deserve to be happy. I shouldn't be holding you back just because I'm having your baby."

"You're not mad?"

"No why would I be mad? This is a good thing right?"

"Yeah, she's great. I just wanted to tell you sooner but with everything going on, there was no time. "

"I understand. Nothing but good thoughts, I promise."

"Thanks Emily." He said scooting closer to her and giving her a hug.

Releasing from the hug, looking down, he pulled out his phone. Seeing the message, he looked back up at Emily.

"Sorry Em. I don't mean to cut this short, but Jessica needs me to come and pick up Jack. Can I meet you at dinner tonight?"

"Yeah sounds good." she said.

She watched him stand up and over to the table. Cleaning up his mess, he went back over to the door and headed out. The room became silent again. Marissa came and sat next to Emily on the couch.

"Are you okay Em?"

"Yeah. I will be. " Marissa grabbed Emily's hand and gave her a smile.

"He loves you Em. I can tell by the way that he looks at you."

"It doesn't matter now though, he's moved on. He deserves that and I'm not going to take that away from him"

"True but that doesn't change the way that he feels about you. "

"Maybe that's true and maybe it isn't but we'll never know.' there was an awkward pause and Emily quickly interrupted before this conversation had continued any farther.' " Where's Natalia?"

"I sent her upstairs to her bedroom after you got up. She's getting ready for the day."

"Thank You." Emily gave her another sad smile. Marissa gave her one more smile and then stood up. She began cleaning the left breakfast. Emily just continued to sit in silence on the couch.

Hours later, after Lunch and a nap, the team had begun to arrive. Penelope with JJ and Henry, Rossi, Reid, Morgan, and lastly Hotch showed up with Jack.

Excited to have someone to play with, the kids ran off upstairs and were unseen for quite some time.

After some catching up and dinner eaten. They were just about to cut the cake when Emily decided that this was going to be the moment or opportunity to tell the truth. . This is where she was going to pull the plug.

"Hey Guys, before we cut the cake. I have something to admit."

"Emily.." Hotch said concerningly

"Like what?" JJ asked suspiciously

"it's okay Hotch." she looked back at him and gave a slight nod

"Everything okay?" Reid asked

"Yeah, Baby and I are perfectly healthy so for. I have my appointment in a few days but I can feel the baby moving around. But that's not what I'm trying to say."

"Then what are you trying to say?" Morgan stated, setting his drink down on the table.

"Months ago, i made a decision and lied about it. I'm not very proud that I lied about it but just know that I had too."

"Emily.. you don't have to..." Aaron Said, knowing the kind of day she's already had.

"Yes, I do. That night of my Anniversary, I wasn't lying when I said I was going home, I did, but what I didn't tell was that I didn't go home alone." she cut him off

"Yeah we know and you got pregnant, we knew that." Morgan stated

"Right but I can't stand the idea of lying to you guys anymore and I regret it fully. I lied to JJ when I told her that Hotch didn't walk me home that night, because he did but also never left that night."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Penelope asked

"We both were extremely drunk that night and neither one of us still can remember that night." Emily sat back in the chair with a defeated look.

"We both made a mistake but We don't regret the consequences of our actions. I love that baby more than anything."

"Is that why you sent Emily home on that case a few months ago and is that why Emily never traveled with us again after?" Reid asked

"I'm not proud of that. I let my anger get the best of me. "

"But me being pulled off rotation was my idea. I didn't want to risk anything with the baby. I was already having really bad morning sickness." Aaron gave Emily a look knowing that what she had said wasn't true.

The room had fell silent again, With all eyes on her and Hotch, Emily began to feel uncomfortable. She felt as if she and her baby were on display. When Derek finally spoke and broke the silence, she wasn't too fond of his tone.

"JJ and Rossi why are you guys so silent?" Morgan asked agrily.

"We kind of already knew."

"What?" Emily asked, now standing up. With Aaron now behind her, keeping her from falling.

" I had my suspicions but I couldn't assume." JJ said

"And Aaron told me the day you went into the hospital."

"And the two of you didn't think to tell us the whole time that you knew?" Reid asked

"We couldn't. It wasn't our place to say." JJ said

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Morgan angerily slammed his hand on the table.

"Derek. I know you're mad but slamming your hand on my table is going to help anyone. " She said sitting back down.

"I can't be here. I need to think." Morgan said as he grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

"I can't believe you guys lied. " Reid said as he walked out and followed Morgan.

"Penelope and JJ. Listen I know I made mistakes and sleeping with my boss should be a mistake but I don't regret this one.' she placed her hand on her stomach. ' I'm sorry that I lied but I had too. We needed to work things out and we still need to work things out for this one but I did want to tell you guys. "

"Emily I love you and I'm not mad. I just wished that you trusted us enough to tell us the truth."

"I'm sorry Em. I agree with Penelope. Just give us time. This is alot to take in."

"A lot to take in for who? You? You guys have no idea what i've had to deal with this whole time I've been pregnant. I get it that you are mad that I lied to you but you can't just act like this happening to you because it's not. It's a lot, it's very real and sometimes I don't want to be going through this but I have no choice. "

"Emily you guys are dealing with the actions of your consequences, I get that but we just found out that our best friend and teammate, slept with our boss, got pregnant, and then lied about it. Just please, just give us time to process." JJ said

Emily nodded. With that, JJ called for Henry and the three of them left. Then it was just Rossi and Aaron. She turned in her chair and looked over at Rossi.

"Happy Birthday to me I guess."

"Just give them time Em. They will come around."

"I'm just going to go to bed. It's been a long day."

"Did you want me to help you?" Aaron asked helping her to her feet.

"No, but thank you though. I'm just going to sleep on the couch. "

"Are you sure? I don't mind.."

"Aaron I'm okay. Thank you." She then walked passed Rossi and gave him a look. After she was settled on the couch, Aaron called for Jack and when he came down, they left.

After that, it just left Marissa and Natalia. As she lay on the couch, Emily turned on the TV and fell asleep watching reruns of a show, she couldn't tell you the name of, her head wasn't there. She felt as if her mind was a million miles away. Natalia came down the stairs and found her mother sleeping on the couch. Giving a kiss on her forehead, Natalia covered her mother in a blanket and then crawled onto the other side of the couch and tucked herself in.

Emily couldn't help but to think about how the day started so happily and how it's ending so differently.