Emily woke up the sound of beeping monitors, reminding her of where she was. Looking over to her right, she saw her baby, still with no name, peacefully sleeping. Looking over to her left, she saw Aaron sleeping uncomfortably in a chair.

Using the remote to slowly lift her bed in a seating position, she shifted around to find a comfortable sitting position. She looked out the window and saw the sun shinning. The sky was somewhat still gray but the sun was shining through the clouds.

Emily was itching to get out of the hospital. She hated hospitals. The sounds, the smells, everything about hospitals she hated. She wanted to go home. Just as she was about to get up and try and walk, the door opened.

"Good Morning Emily, here let me help you." The nurse stated as she set down a tray. Aaron woke up the sounds of voices. Stretching his body also sent a huge pain down. He knew that he would regret sleeping like that in the morning. Standing up, he made his was over to his daughter. Smiling as he saw that she was still peacefully sleeping.

Just as Emily was walking out, they caught a glimpse of each other. So many things unspoken.

Emily now sitting back in bed, the nurse started taking her vitals again. Emily took a deep breath and signed.

"I'm sorry Emily, I know you hate this but it's almost over. You have been stable for 48 hours straight. No hemorrhaging, nor any other complications. Baby girl is healthy as well."

"Are you saying what I think you are saying?" Emily asked perking up.

"Let me go and find your doctor and see if we can send you home today."

"That would be so great! Thank you so much Jaqueline."

"No problem Emily." She took the arm cuff off of Emily, but before leaving, she handed Emily a tray of breakfast. Although Emily hated hospital food, she was starving. With the nurse leaving and Emily eating breakfast, Aaron widened the curtains so the natural lighting was shining through the window.

The silence was cut short when a cell phone rang. Aaron picking up his cell phone, he saw was calling and placed the call on mute and put his phone back in his pocket.

"Do you need to take that?" Emily asked

"No. It's not important."

"Okay. but I-"Emily was cutting off by the soft cries of the baby.

Emily pushed the tray out of her way and tried to lean forward.

"Here let me help you." Aaron walked over to the baby and picked her up and handed her to Emily.

"I'm going to feed her now. If you want to step out and finish your call you can."

"Emily we've been here for 2 days. I've seen you do this. Hell Hailey did this with Jack too."

"Aaron you avoid eye contact with me every single time and you get weird about it. I'm just saying."

"Okay fair enough. I'll just step out. " he stood up and headed for the door. He looked away once Emily unbuttoned her shirt.

"If you want, go home and take a shower. I know you are dying for a good shower, but after you are done, you can bring Jack. My mom should be bringing Natalia soon, so Jack should come and meet his sister."

"I don't want to leave you alone Em."

"Hey I'll be fine. I'm just going to feed her and then probably take a nap."

"Okay. Text me if you need anything."

" I will. Thanks."

The door clicked shut behind him and the warmth of his home suddenly felt foreign. Too clean. Too quiet. Too separate from the whirlwind of emotion and antiseptic smells he'd left behind at the hospital.

Beth was sitting on the couch, her posture too stiff to be casual. Still in her work clothes — blazer off, heels kicked to the side, phone clenched in her hand.

"Ahh So you are alive." she said flatly.

Aaron didn't respond right away. He dropped his keys in the bowl by the door and walked past her into the kitchen. Opened the fridge. Closed it again without taking anything.

"Beth—"

"No," she cut him off. "Don't 'Beth' me. I haven't heard from you in two days, Aaron.Two."

"I've been at the hospital," he said quietly.

"With Emily."

"Yes. Our baby was born."

Beth's voice trembled slightly now. "And you didn't think to call me?" She stood up walking closer to him.

"I couldn't Beth. "

"And why is that?"

"Emily had the baby at home! She was in labor for hours by herself. JJ and I got there right in time. Emily, the baby, or both of them could have died Beth!"

Beth rolled her eyes. "But she didn't."

Aaron stared at her, stunned. "What?"

Beth shrugged. "I'm just saying, they're fine now. Right? Everyone's alive. So maybe you can explain why you're still acting like they're the center of your world."

"Because theyareright now!" he exploded, finally losing the grip on his restraint. "My Daughter could have died along with her mother. So yes, I've been with them. It's the least I could do for Emily since she almost died bringing my child into the world."

Her face didn't soften. "And what exactly do you want from me, Aaron? Sympathy forher?"

He looked back at her and shook his head. "You just don't understand."

"No, Aaron.Youdon't understand what it's been like. I've spent months dating a man who's half in and half out of a relationship he claims has never happened. I've been patient enough. I'm done pretending I don't see what's right in front of me."

She stepped closer now, voice icy.

"So here it is: either you walk away from Emily and whatever it is you're still chasing there, and you chooseme...fully, without looking back or we're done. You don't get to have both."

Aaron stared at her, the words cutting deep, but the truth already clear.

"I'm not choosing between my daughter and you."

"That's not what I said," Beth snapped.

"It'sexactlywhat you said Beth"

Beth's eyes burned. "Then I guess we're done."

And then she grabbed her purse and walked out of the Aaron didn't stop her.

After a shower and a clean outfit, he headed out again.

By the time he got to Jessica's to pick up Jack, the boy was already waiting by the door, backpack over one shoulder and a drawing clutched in his hand.

"For the baby," Jack said, grinning. "It's her with a bow on her head. I know babies can't really wear bows, but—"

Aaron ruffled his hair. "She'll love it buddy."

When Aaron walked back into the hospital room, Emily made eye contact with him wasn't the same man who had left just hours ago. He seemed as if he was someone carrying something invisible and breakable inside. Emily's eyes lingered on Aaron for a moment longer. She didn't ask where he'd been or what happened — not with Jack beside him. Not when his little boy was smiling up at her.

She's so little," Jack whispered, eyes wide open, peeking over the bassinet. Emily smiled as she looked back at Aaron. Just then, the door creaked open again, and Natalia rushed in, with Elizabeth Prentiss following closely behind.

"Mommy!"

"Hi Baby. God I missed you!" Emily said as Natalia ran over to her mother's side of the bed. "Do you want to meet your sister?"

Natalia nodded and looking over to the small bassinet. "She's so cute. Mommy she's sotiny."

"She is. "

"Can I hold her?"

"Me too?" Jack asked

"You will but she is sleeping. I don't want to wake her."

"Emily, she's beautiful." Elizabeth said as she peered over the bassinet.

"Thanks Mom."Elizabeth walked over to the side of the bed and gave Emily a hug.

"Emily, I also thought it would be a good idea for me to keep Natalia another night. Just so you can adjust to the new little one. "

"Thanks. I appreciate that."

A light knock came at the door, followed by the familiar face of Dr. Robinson stepping inside with a clipboard in hand and a smile.

"Hi Dr. Robinson."

"Hey Emily. I have some good news for you."

"Are you going to tell me what I think you are going to tell me?" Emily smiled at him.

"I reviewed your chart and seen your blood testing and blood pressure, everything is normal. The baby is also perfectly healthy. Both with a clean bill of health. I think you would be able to go home tonight. I'll have a nurse bring in the discharge papers."

"I am so happy I could kiss you. Thank You so much!."

"You're very welcome. Congratulations again Emily."

With the room finally empty, with just them three, Natalia spending one more night with Elizabeth, and Jack with Jessica, Aaron and Emily were getting ready to leave the hospital. The sun had barely dipped below the horizon when the discharge papers were signed, Baby girl was bundled in soft hospital blankets nestled safely in her carseat, and Emily was officially no longer a patient.

The doors slid open, and the cold November air greeted them like a sudden shock to the system. Emily shivered slightly, pulling her cardigan tighter around her shoulders.

He gently helped Emily out of the wheelchair and into the back seat of the car, and then placing the baby into the backseat next to Emily. The car ride home was quiet. Emily had her eyes on the sleeping baby.

Aaron glanced in the rearview mirror more than he should have. There was something different about her.

"Everything okay Em?" He asked looking at her through the mirror.

"Yeah I just.. I can't believe it. She's finally here. She's no longer inside of my body. "

"It's been a crazy couple of days. "

"Oh you don't even know the half of it. Plus I feel bad that we are leaving the hospital without a name for her."

"Yeah we have 30 days to choose a name."

"Yep. No rush. "

The sky was still a dull gray, and the cold air hadn't softened one bit since they'd left the hospital. Aaron parked as close to the front entrance as he could, cutting the engine before sitting in the quiet for a brief moved first, stepping out into the cold, breath misting in the air as he rounded the car. He opened her door gently and crouched beside her. "Take your time," he said, offering his hands.

Emily nodded and took them. Aaron's grip was strong but careful, guiding her out of the she was steady on her feet, he helped her hold onto the door while he reached in for the car seat. Cradling the car seat in one hand and offering his other arm to Emily, Aaron led her toward the building entrance.

When the elevator doors opened, the pair slowly walked in. Getting on, Aaron pressed the floor button and waited for the doors to close. Leaning against the wall, Emily was flooded with a bunch of memories from a couple of days ago. It had only been a few days , not even a week , but it felt like a lifetime ago. Once the doors finally opened on her floor, she slowly made her way to her door. When she made it over to her apartment. Her hand hovered over the doorknob. Everything on the other side of that door was frozen in the moment her water broke, the moment her world changed forever. Then she turned apartment was still. Dim with the afternoon light filtering through the curtains. The same smell she always associated with home. Emily stepped inside. Aaron came in after her, closing the door and setting the car seat on the couch. The weight of everything hit her all at once. The couch. The floor. The air.

Aaron the unbuckled the baby and slowly grabbed her out of the car seat.

Emily looked toward the staircase again and exhaled.

"You don't have to go up there." Aaron said as he watched her inch closer over to the stairs.

"I do."

Aaron nodded and followed her. With the baby still in his arms, he made sure she took it slow and one hand on railing. When she finally reached the top step, slowly made her way down the hallway. She then turned toward her bedroom door.

When she opened the door, she expected to see the wreckage of that night. The chaos. The mess. The blood. But the room was spotless.

Her eyes watered when she saw the fresh sheets. Soft lighting. Curtains drawn. A small basket of folded baby clothes sat on the edge of the bed. It wasn't until she saw the small sticky note on her nightstand that her legs nearly gave out.

"You've been through hell. I made sure hell didn't stay. — JJ"

Emily sat on the edge of the bed, her body still healing, but her heart just a little more whole.

"I can't believe she did this for me." Emily said

"She's a good friend."

"She is. I'll have to call her when they get back from the case that they are on."

"I will call Dave in a little while but for now. What do you want to do? Take a nap? Shower? I've got her if you want to have some alone time."

"Honestly, I want to sit on the bed and hold her, take this moment in. The kids won't be here tonight and I just want to take in the silence."

Aaron nodded and handed her the baby. Emily looked around the room and noticed a few things that were new since being in the hospital. A Bassinet now on the right side of her bed and a cot on the left side in which she assumed was for Aaron if he decided to stay with her on the first night. 'JJ really did think of everything.' Emily thought to herself.

After some time, Aaron walked back into Emily's bedroom with a plate of grilled cheese. Something simple, nothing too heavy. He looked up and found Both Emily and the baby asleep. Setting down the plate, he walked over to Emily's side of the bed and picked up the baby and set her in the bassinet. Emily still lying on her side asleep, he covered her with a blanket. He grabbed the food again and headed back down stairs. He wasn't going to wake her. She needed sleep, they both did but he knew that Emily needed it more. She's been through so much in 72 hours and he just wanted to give her a break.

When he got back downstairs, he saw a pile of baby things that most likely have been sitting there since the baby shower. He grabbed a few boxes and began opening them and putting things together.

After some time, he finally reached the last box. It was a let out a frustrated sigh, his patience wearing thin as another piece refused to he wrestled with the frame, a soft creak from the stairs caught his attention. Looking up, he caught a glimpse of Emily walking down the stairs with baby in tow.

"I didn't wake you did I?" he asked concerningly.

"No, she did." Emily looked down and laughed slightly.

"Do you want any help with anything?" He asked sitting back and now leaning against the couch.

"No, I just fed her and changed her, she should be good. You're really getting to work down here, aren't you?"

"I saw your pile over here and thought I could help you out."

"Well thank you." Emily said as she slowly and carefully sat on the couch.

Emily watched him a little longer with amused exhaustion. She could tell that he was getting more frustrated by the minute. "You know," she said lightly breaking the silence, "I heard a rumor once... crazy thing... that those instructions in the box? They tell you how to build it."

Aaron didn't even look up. "Instructions are a suggestion. These partsshouldmake sense."

"And yet they don't. Please do me a favor a read the damn instructions so when I place our daughter in there, it won't collapse."

"It's not going to collapse, You're being dramatic." he said as he looked up and made eye contact with her.

After another 15 minutes, Aaron finally twisted the final screw. He stood up and stepped back, hands on his hips like he'd just defused a bomb. "There. Assembled and Secured." he said looking back at Emily.

"Still would've saved us time if you'd read the manual." Hotch rolled his eyes at Emily and began clearing the boxes. Emily laid the baby in the swing at watched her for a second. Aaron stopped and looked up at Emily.

"It's not going to fall Em." She looked over at him and gave him a look. She then stood up and began slowly picking up boxes.

"I got it Em. Take it easy. You just gave birth, you need your rest just as much as she does. "

"Yeah and so do you but I want to help. I'm not pregnant anymore and I want to continue with a somewhat normal life again." He nodded and let her continue. Watching her every move, he saw her stop in her tracks. He made his was over to her.

"Emily are you okay?"

"Yeah.. I just." she said staring down at the box.

"Emily? You're starting to scare me. Whats the matter."

"The name of the model... it's called 'Madeline.'"

There was a beat of silence.

"I... I like it," she said, quieter now. "Madeline... I think it fits her." She looked over at the baby in the swing peacefully sleeping.

"Madeline.?" Aaron repeated but sounding like a question.

"Madeline Jennifer Hotchner-Prentiss."

They both looked down at the baby again, now with a name.

"It suits her but I'm worried she's going to have a hell of a time in kindergarten."

"What, too many syllables?" Emily asked

"Just a tad." Aarons said sarcastically. She let out a small laugh and headed back over to the swing. She let out a sigh. It felt like it should've been midnight. Even after her nap earlier, exhaustion was taking glanced at the clock on the wall—8:12 PM. Looking back down at the baby, smiled softly, then leaned down and gently scooped her up. The baby stirred. She slowly rocked her and carried her over to the stairs. She slowly made her way up and when finally reaching her bedroom, she saw that her phone was lighting up.

She made her way over to her dresser and grabbed her phone. She picked up when she noticed she had a missed call from Marissa. She pressed the button on her phone and placed the phone on her ear.

"Mommy?"

"Hi, sweetheart," Emily said softly.

"Hi, Mommy!" Natalia's voice came through bright and excited, even this late. "Did baby sister come home today?"

"She did," Emily said, smiling looking down at the baby.

"I wish I was with you mommy."

"I know baby, I wish you were here too but it's baby sister's first day at home and I didn't want to overwhelm her. But you can come home tomorrow and you can hold her. "

"Yay! I want to hold her mommy. I didn't get a chance to hold her in the hospital."

"I know but now that we are home. You can hold her."

"Yay. Mommy, Will you tell me a story?"

"Of course," Emily sat on the bed, sleeping baby lying on her chest and her other baby on the phone. She missed Natalia but she's glad she gets to spend the first night at home with just the baby.

When Natalia finally fell asleep, Emily reminded her that she loved her and wished her a good night. It was perfect timing as Madeline started to wake as Emily hung up the phone.

By the time he finished tidying up and made his way upstairs, the house had quieted again. Emily was seated at the edge of the bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of the lamp on her nightstand. She had a burp cloth draped over her shoulder, one hand gently patting Madeline's back, and the other one supporting her on her shoulder.

Aaron paused in the doorway, not wanting to break the moment.

Once Madeline let out a quiet little burp. Emily stood and handed her to Aaron without a word. He took her instinctively, one hand supporting her head, the other cradling her back, and moved to the chair near the window, rocking slowly. It wasn't long before her eyes fluttered shut again. He stood and gently placed her into the bassinet, checking twice to make sure she was secure.

He turned around and saw Emily sitting on her bed with back leaning on the headboard.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Aaron asked her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"What happened when you left the hospital this morning? You seemed off when you came back with Jack."

"Ahh. Well When I arrived back at my apartment, Beth was waiting for me." He said as he sat on the cot looking towards Emily. "She gave me an ultimatum."

"What? Why?"

"She told me to choose between my daughter and our relationship."

"And let me guess, she didn't like the choice that you made?"

"No she didn't."

"Im sorry Aaron."

"It's okay Em. She deserves better. I was never really there for her, I cancelled on her all the time, she doesn't deserve this life."

"Yeah True but you didn't deserve the ultimatum that she gave you."

"Yeah, Maybe." he said as he stood up and walked into the bathroom. She heard the sink turn on and figured he wanted space. She looked over at Madeline one more time, just to make sure that she was still sleeping and then scooted down further into bed. She threw her blanket on top of herself and closed her eyes. She then fell into a fast sleep only to be woken up a few hours later.

Her first night home with a newborn was never the easiest. Learning a new routine and finding what works is a mission in itself but Madeline definitely gave them a run for their money. She was a few days old and was already so strong willed. They were in for a ride.