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This was not how he wanted the team to find out Hotch thought as he was pacing through the waiting room of yet another hospital. Why was it always Spencer?
One week earlier
The sun shone through the curtains and woke Hotch. He blinked. The clock on his nightstand showed 6 o’clock. Hotch rolled over and buried his face in his husband’s curls.
Hotch still couldn’t believe his luck. After Hayley´s death he never thought he would ever fall in love again or even get married. But here he was 3 years later with the most amazing person in his arms.
How it all began
It all started after Hayley´s death. Spencer Reid, the compassionate, beautiful, kind Dr. Spencer Reid took care of him. He came over and and made sure he got enough to eat and his apartment was kept clean. He took Jack to the park or to the museum when Hotch needed a break. Sometimes he was just there. He sat with Hotch and listened to him, held him when he cried.
At some point the friendship they built over the years evolved to love. After an especially hard case Hotch drove them to his place, like he often did, so they could talk and process the last days. As they sat on the couch Hotch felt himself drawn to Reid. At one point he leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on the other man’s lips. Reid was surprised but smiled. He pulled Hotch into a passionate kiss. As they pulled apart they were both breathless. „Maybe we should take this to the bedroom.“ Reid smiled. „Yeah. That’s sounds good.“ Reid took Hotch´s hand and lead him to the bedroom. Reid pulled Hotch into another passionate kiss. Suddenly Hotch pulled away. „Did I do something wrong?“ „No. No of course not. I like this very much. It’s just that…“ Hotch said embarrassed and looked everywhere but Reid’s eyes. „Aaron look at me.“ At the mention of his given name Aaron looked up. „Talk to me.“ Aaron sighed. „It’s just that I’ve never done this with a man.“ He looked away again embarrassed at his inexperience. Spencer lifted his chin. „That’s ok, Aaron. We don´t have to do anything tonight.“ „But I want to. I want you. You… can tell me what to do?“ „Sure.“ Spencer held out his hand and pulled Aaron to the bed.
The sex that night was amazing for Aaron. He had never felt that way. It was very intense. And the next morning he woke up next to Spencer. „Hey.“ he smiled. „Hey.“ Spencer smiled, too. Aaron pulled him into a kiss. „We should talk about this, Aaron.“ Spencer said. Aaron sighed. „I want this to work, Spencer. This isn’t a one time thing or a fling for me. I think I’ve fallen for you a while ago.“ Spencer´s smile grew wider. „I´ve fallen for you, too.“ They kissed again.
The relationship developed from that day on. They went on dates, Spencer met Jack as Aaron´s boyfriend and they became a family. But they kept their relationship a secret from the FBI and the team. The only people who knew were Jessica and Diana Reid. Jessica was supportive and happy for them. Diana Reid was happy for her son and wanted to meet his new family.
So Spencer and Aaron took the opportunity when the team was on one of their rare breaks and traveled to Las Vegas. Luckily Diana had one of her good days, so they could visit her. She took a liking to Jack and chatted with him endlessly. When it was time to leave she glared at Aaron with serious look. „I hope you take good care of my son and make him happy.“ „Of course, Ma ´am. I would never hurt him. I love him.“ Diana smiled. „Good. I hope you visit me again. I want to spend more time with my grandson.“
As the relationship progressed Spencer and Jack grew closer. One evening, the little family was watching TV, Jack spoke up. „Papa can you read Harry Potter to me?“ Spencer starred at Jack then at Aaron. Speechless. Aaron was equally shocked. „Why do you call me Papa, Jack?“ he asked. „Because you are my Papa.“ Jack proclaimed. Spencer felt happy tears in his eyes and blinked them away. „Of course we can read Harry Potter.“ „Cool.“ Jack returned to watching the movie oblivious to what just happened. „Is this ok for you?“ Spencer asked Aaron. „Of course. That makes me very happy.“ Aaron replied giving Spencer a loving look and pulling Spencer’s curls behind his ears.
A year into their relationship Aaron asked Spencer to move in with them. Spencer happily agreed. They bought a house in a good neighborhood and a good school district. At work they faced the problem of changing their addresses and so exposing their secret relationship. To Aaron´s surprise Spencer told him he would take care of that. And he did. Aaron didn´t know how but their addresses were changed and nobody questioned it. „How did you do that?“ Aaron asked. „I have my ways.“ Spencer responded. Aaron looked confused but didn’t press the matter sensing that he wouldn’t get a better answer.
6 months ago they visited Diana and she asked them when they would get married. They were flabbergasted. They had discussed the possibility of marriage in the future but neither had proposed yet. „Yes. Dad. Papa. When do you get married?“ asked Jack excited. „Well. Jack. We…we…“ Spencer stuttered and looked at Aaron. Aaron broke into a bright smile. „Let´s get married.“ „What?“ Spencer starred at him wide eyed. „Why wait? I love you so much Spencer. I want to spent the rest of my life with you. So will you marry me?“ Spencer was speechless. „Yes. Yes, of course.“ he flung himself into Aaron´s arms happy tears streaming down his face. Aaron smiled and pulled Spencer into a kiss. Diana and Jack applauded. „Do you have a date in mind?“ Spencer asked. „Well. What about tomorrow?“ „What?“ „If we get married tomorrow your mother can be there, too.“ Aaron smiled at Diana who was nearly crying at that. „I would love that.“ Spencer replied. So they made the necessary arrangements. They bought the rings and matching chains because neither of them would wear the ring on their finger in public. They organized for Diana to leave the sanatorium for the wedding. So the 4 of them found themselves at one of those cheesy wedding chapels. The ceremony was short and standard but they were happy.
When they returned to work Spencer invited Aaron to lunch at a nearby cafe. As Aaron arrived Spencer was already there siting at a table with John Evans, the Assistant Director. Aaron walked over to the table. „Hello, Sir. Nice to meet you.“ „Agent Hotchner.“ They shook hands and Aaron sat down besides Spencer. „I believe congratulations are in order.“ the AD smiled. „Peg your pardon?“ Aaron asked face stoic but panicking inside. Spencer laid a hand on Aaron´s arm. „It’s ok. He knows.“ „And I am happy for you two. You have nothing to worry about as long as you stay professional in the field.“ „Thank you, John.“ Aaron looked confused between the AD and his husband. „I believe I am missing something here.“ he said. Spencer and John laughed. „Yeah. I guess you do.“ Spencer grinned. „We know each other for a while.“ he gestured between John and himself. „Yes, and I am always happy to help.“ John said. „But for now I leave you to your lunch. I have a meeting to attend to.“ He got up and shook hands with them before he left. Aaron was still flabbergasted. „You are on a first name basis with the AD?“ „Yes, like I said we know each other for a while. So what do you want to eat?“ he grabbed the menu. Aaron shook his head and looked at the menu himself. He had an idea were his husband knew the AD from but he would never ask.
3 months after the wedding Aaron waited for Spencer to return home from a NA meeting. He was nervous. He had no idea how his husband would react to his proposition. When he heard the key in the lock he got up to greet Spencer. „Hi. How was your meeting?“ „Good. It helped.“ Spencer hung up his coat. As he looked at Aaron he knew immediately that something was going on. He rarely saw his husband this nervous. „What is going on?“ he asked. „I want to talk to you about something.“ Aaron replied anxiously. „What is it, Aaron? You making me nervous.“ „It is nothing bad. At least I hope so.“ Spencer raised an eyebrow. „Come on. Let´s sit down.“ They went into the living room and sat down on the couch. Aaron grabbed an envelop from the coffee table. „We are together for 3 years now and we’ve been married for 3 months. I want us to be a real family so I spoke with Jack and he agreed.“ „Aaron. I don´t know what you’re talking about.“ „I want you to be Jacks father, too.“ „Are you asking me to adopt Jack?“ Spencer starred at him. „Yes.“ Aaron grinned and handed Spencer the envelop containing the adoption papers. When Spencer hadn’t said anything for several minutes Aaron got nervous. „Please Spencer say something.“ „I would love to adopt Jack and be his father for real.“ he pulled Aaron into a hug. So Spencer adopted Jack and they became a real family.
Back to one week earlier
Spencer stirred and opened his eyes. He turned in Aaron´s arms and looked at him with sleepy eyes. „Morning.“ „Good morning.“ They stayed in bed a little more and cuddled. It was 6:30 when they got up and started their day.
At 8:30 they arrived at work, separately of course. Shortly after everyone arrived JJ announced that they had a case. Everyone gathered in the conference room and JJ presented the case. In Cookville, Tennessee 2 teenage girls were abducted two weeks ago and found dead 3 days later. They were beaten but there was no sign of sexual assault. Now 2 more girls were abducted. „If they keep up with their schedule we have 3 days to find the girls.“ Morgan stated. „We should get going. We finish the briefing on the jet. Wheels up in 20.“ Hotch said. When the agents filled out of the room Hotch pulled his husband to the side „I call Jessica.“ Spencer nodded and left. On the jet they bounced around ideas and theories. Hotch handed out assignments and they got to work.
After 2 days of intense work they identified the unsub. Travis Morgan, 35, record of assault, robbery and theft. When they arrived at the address everything went wrong. Travis was armed and opened fire immediately when he caught sight of the agents. In the stand off Travis was shot but so was Spencer. A bullet hit him right below his vest. „Spencer. Look at me. Everything is going to be alright.“ Hotch kneeled down besides his husband pressing his hands on the bleeding wound. „Where is the ambulance?“ he asked frantic. 2 minutes later the ambulance arrived and Spencer was put on a gurney. Hotch climbed in to the ambulance as well. „I´m going with him.“ he called out to the team.
At the hospital Spencer was rushed into surgery. And the only thing Hotch could do was wait. He was still pacing the waiting room when the team arrived. „Any news?“ Rossi asked. „He is still in surgery. Any news from the scene?“ „Well. Travis is dead. But we found the girls. They will be fine.“ „That’s good.“ „Sit down, Hotch. There is nothing you can do right now. Do you want a coffee?“ „No. I´m fine.“ Hotch answered and sat down next to Rossi. But not for long.
This was not how he wanted the team to find out Hotch thought as he was pacing through the waiting room of yet another hospital. Why was it always Spencer?
After what felt like forever a doctor opened the door. „Spencer Reid?“ he asked. „Yes.“ the team jumped up. „We were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage. He is brought to the ICU as we speak.“ „Can we see him?“ Hotch asked. „I am sorry. Only family members are allowed in the ICU.“ „I am his husband.“ Hotch responded to the team’s shock. „Ok. Follow me.“ the surgeon lead the way. „I´m sorry. I explain later.“ Hotch said to his team and followed the doctor. When he entered the room Spencer was still asleep. Aaron sat down in the chair next to the bed and held his husband’s hand. „You have to stop doing this to me, honey. I can’t live without you.“ he kissed Spencer’s hand.
At one point Aaron fell asleep. He woke up when he heard someone call his name. „Aaron?“ Aaron opened his eyes to see his husband smiling at him. „Oh, Spencer.“ he reached out and caressed Spencer’s cheek. Spencer leaned into the touch. „What happened?“ he asked. „You were shot when we raided Travis´s house. He is dead but we rescued the girls. You scared me.“ „I´m sorry, Aaron.“ „It’s ok. I´m just happy you are alive.“ He kissed his husband. „I have to tell you something. „What is it, Aaron?“ Spencer asked anxious. „I had to tell the team about our marriage. They wouldn’t have let me see you otherwise. Only family members are allowed in the ICU.“ „What did they say?“ „I didn´t give them time to say anything. But they were shocked for sure.“ Spencer sensed Aaron´s anxiety and gripped his hands tighter. „It’s ok, Aaron. They had to find out eventually.“ Aaron smiled at Spencer. He couldn’t believe his luck. Sometimes he thought he didn’t deserve such an understanding husband. „I also called Jessica. She and Jack are on their way.“
On the next morning Spencer was moved to a normal ward. So the rest of the team could visit their genius. When they were sure he was ok they had to ask their questions. „I see you two are wearing your rings.“ Morgan stated pointing at their hands. „Yes. We thought we should now that the secret is out.“ Spencer said. „I think you have some explaining to do.“ Morgan responded. „When did this happen?“ „We are together for 3 years. We live together for 2 years and are married for 6 months.“ Aaron explained. The shock was evident on the teams faces. „How did we not see this?“ Morgan gasped. „We were good at hiding it, I think.“ Spencer answered. „Does the bureau know?“ Rossi asked. „Yes, it is in our files.“ Aaron answered. „How did you manage to stay on the same team?“ Emily asked. „When we reported our relationship we were so good at hiding it and staying professional while at work that there was nothing Strauss or anyone could do.“ Hotch declared. He left out the part about John. That was something the team didn’t need to know. „I have only one more question.“ Morgan said. „Are you happy?“ „Yes.“ Both of them answered immediately. At that moment the door opened and Jessica and Jack entered the room. „Papa.“ Jack rushed into the room. „Be careful, Jack. Papa is hurt. You have to be gentle.“ Hotch warned. „Ok.“ Jack nodded and climbed carefully onto the bed cuddling into Spencer. „Papa?“ JJ asked. „Jack calls me Dad and Spencer Papa. Spencer adopted Jack a few months ago.“ Aaron explained smiling at his family. „Come on. Let´s give them a bit of time to themselves.“ Rossi said. Spencer and Jack had fallen asleep.
The team left but not without a look back at the little family. They could see the love between them and the team agreed that Aaron, Spencer and Jack deserved happiness in their lives.