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’Who cares about star signs?
I’m hardwired to be with you’
They probably would have slept through the whole day if it wasn’t for the sudden loud crash of something, coming from the kitchen, echoing around the house causing them both to jump from their slumber. Even after being retired for three years, the constant state of vigilance, even in sleep, is one that never really fades.
“What the hell-“ Hotch mutters, already getting out of bed, tempted to grab the glock he hasn’t even looked at in three years, from the safe under the wardrobe.
“Babe,” Emily says, her voice groggy and full of sleep. She reaches out for him, gently grasping her fingers in some of his as he looks at her, “It’s nothing.” She tells him and he frowns, looking back at their door. “It’s Jack.” She tells him and he squints his eyes at her, a playful look in them and she laughs, pulling him into the bed. “Eve wanted to make you breakfast.” She smiles, his laugh full of just complete joy as he lays back next to her, resting his arm across her body as she faces his.
“Evie,” He says with a smirk, it’s a name only he calls her, he can’t help but laugh as Emily rolls her eyes. “Is two, the only think she’s knows about breakfast is how to throw it across the kitchen.”
“Which is why Jack so kindly offered to help her.” She smiles, a growing grin on her face as she rolls into his arms, resting her chin on his chest.
“Happy birthday,” she whispers, running a finger across his cheek before kissing him softly, smiling as he runs a hand under her shirt. “What are you doing?” She asks as she pulls away, he grins at her innocently, tracing a finger across her bare back.
“Nothing...” He says, moving to catch her lips in his again, she feels him start to roll them over and places a hand into his chest, a happy smile on her face as she looks at him. It’s a smile he doesn’t think he’ll ever get over seeing.
“I’m afraid you’re out of look mister,” she says, holding back a laugh as he pouts, doing her best to ignore the way his fingers trace across her skin. “Eve’s up.”
“Evie, is making breakfast.” He grins and Emily just laughs, rolling out of his arms. Aaron huffs as she flops onto her back, smiling at him as she twists onto her side.
“Jack is making breakfast,” She chuckles, “And your daughter has a habit of running in here unannounced.” She raises an eyebrow at him, watching with a smile as he laughs, “I give it ten minutes until that door bursts open.”
“Ten minutes is all we need...” He teases, laying on his side to face her and pull her to him, capturing her lips in his own.
She laughs as she allows herself to be pressed into him, wrapping her leg over his body.
However the moment ends when the sound of small, but fast, feet speed across the landing. Laughing as she pulls away, she cups his face, pressing another chaste kiss onto his lips just as the door opens with force, the little girl running to her mother’s side and climbing over her. Emily grunts as she helps move her daughter into the middle of the bed, the child grins at her, a grin that matches her fathers, a grin that makes her heart melt. Running a soft hand over her daughters forehead and into her hair, pushing it from her face, Emily smiles down at her baby.
“Good morning.” Emily smiles, looking across at Aaron as he stares down at their daughter with such adoration that her chest swells.
The little girl turns to her father, cupping his face with her small hands (an action she absolutely learnt from watching her mother do it) and smiles.
“Happy birthday, Daddy!” She says happily, tapping his cheeks.
“Thank you, Evie” He says softly, pressing a kiss into the palm that’s on his cheek.
“Made you breakfast,” she smiles, “Jack said to come and get you.”
“I guess we better go then.” He says, her laugh melting his heart as she jumps up, standing in the middle of their bed.
“Now.” She says in a tone that is so Emily, Hotch can’t help but bark in laughter. Emily raises an eyebrow at their daughter and the girl pouts her lips looking at her mother, muttering a little sorry as she hops down, “Come on!” She groans as her parents get out of bed slowly, Emily grabbing her robe while Hotch walks slowly towards the child, scooping her in the air with ease as she screams in laughter, resting safety on his hips. She lands a flat palm at the back of his neck as she turns to face Emily.
“You spoil her,” She says to her husband with the roll of her eyes and he shrugs.
“Look at her,” he says, it’s his excuse every time. Emily hums in reply as she moves past them and out of the door, smiling to herself as the two whisper behind her.
“I can hear you.” She teases as they walk down the stairs and they silent, before their daughter lets out a giggle.
Once at the bottom of the stairs, she leaps from Hotch’s arms and runs to the kitchen, a shout for Jack as she does.
“I fear our Daughter may think she’s in charge.” Hotch jokes as he wraps two arms around Emily’s waist and pulls her into his chest, her head tilted too look at him.
“Who’s fault is that?” She asks with a raised eyebrow. He frowns playfully, more than painfully aware it’s his fault.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He smiles, bending down to kiss her once again.
“Gross,” Jack complains as he walks in the room and the pair laugh, turning to face him, “Come on,” He says, already turning to head back into the kitchen
“I made you this, Daddy.” Evie says, passing him a card full of glitter, stickers and drawings. There’s a huge smile on her face as she climbs onto his legs, resting her back against his chest as he holds the card, she pokes her tongue out at Jack as he playfully glares at her, he goes to speak before his eyes move to Emily, and he closes his mouth, her brows raised at him.
“Eve started it,” He mutters, just like a freshly thirteen year old would, while he picks at the last of his breakfast. “I-“
“Eve is two,” She says, trying to hold back a smile as the teenager just huffs, “You’re thirteen. Be the bigger person.”
“I love it, thank you.” Hotch says softly, pressing a kiss into her head as she smiles, giggling as he ruffles her hair.
“Emily,” Jack whispers while Hotch listens to Eve go through her card. “Can I the gift?” He smirks, Emily laughs, nodding her head.
“What gift?” He eyes the two suspiciously, watching as Jack heads into the living room he turns back to his wife. “What have you done?” He asks, looking at her smirk with a grin of his own.
“Here,” Jack smiles, passing his dad a wrapped box. “open it.”
“You two got this together?” He asks with a lace of playful worry, Jack nods, grinning at him and Hotch sighs. “God I hate to think what this going to be.”
Jack laughs as he takes a seat next to Emily, looking at her while he grins, far too happy with himself.
“It wasn’t my idea.” He says then as Hotch opens the gift and Emily laughs.
“You little-“ She starts, but close her mouth, pointing at him with a finger lifted off her coffee cup.
They turn to face Hotch as he sighs with a laugh, shaking his head as he looks at the box.
“You think you’re funny?” He asks Emily, who nods her head with a smile.
“I know I am.” She teases, winking at him as he glares at her.
“What is it?” Evie asks from her dads lap, her hands reaching out for the box.
Hotch eyes Emily again before he shakes his head, looking back down at the gift.
An inflatable zimmer frame? Really?
“I hate you,” He smiles as he watches Emily rise from the table, her laughter tugs at his heart, one of his favourite sounds.
He looks towards his son, “And you? You were in on this?”
“It’s funny, no?” He teases, standing, “Happy birthday Dad.” He says, “The frame should come in handy with all the standing you’ll be doing today.”
His words cause Emily to scream with laughter from the other room, Evie breaking into a fit of giggles at the sound while Hotch just shakes his head, holding back a grin as his son chuckles to himself.
“Eve, sweetie come on,” Emily calls from door, the girl jumps from her dads lap and heads towards her mother, “Go and pick out something you want to wear I’ll be there in a second, okay?” She runs a hand through her daughters hair as the girl nods, before sprinting out of the room and up the stairs, already shouting her brothers name.
Emily heads over to Aaron, wrapping her arms Aaron his shoulder as he sits at the table, staring at the box, she rests her cheek against his temple, her arms around his shoulders.
“Happy fiftieth,” She smiles, “Do you like your gift?” She jokes, laughing as he rolls his eyes, resting his hand on her wrist.
“You’re not funny.”
“Yes I am.” Emily says, before kissing his cheek and standing up, “Come on, they’ll all be here soon.”
Running a hand through her hair as she exits her bedroom, Emily walks out into the hall, towards her daughters room, smiling as she watches Aaron braid their daughters hair.
“Look Mommy!” Eve shouts, “I’m wearing a dress!”
“I know,” She smiles, “You look very pretty.”
Eve smiles, kicking her legs as they swing off her bed. Hotch taps her back in a cue that her hair is finished and she jumps down, almost crashing into her Mother’s arms as she holds hers up. Emily bends down with a sigh, lifting her up and resting the girl on her hips.
“You, little miss, need to get your shoes on.” Emily tells her, “And you need to get dressed.” She says to Aaron, his two girls turning to face him as he stands.
“Mommy will you help me with my shoes?” Eve asks, resting her head on her shoulder. Emily smiles softly, running a gentle hand over her arm.
“Of course, which ones?” She asks and the girl points to a pair of shoes in the corner which Aaron turns to grab on his way out, handing them to his wife before he catches her lips in a kiss, the feel of her smile against his lips enough to make his heart flutter even all these years later.
“Gross,” Eve says, copying her older brother and the two adults laugh, separating and looking towards their baby. “Jack said you’re not allowed to kiss.” She reminds them.
“We’re sorry,” Emily smiles, holding back her laughter as Aaron looks to the floor as he bites his lip. “Let’s go and get your shoes on okay?”
“And you,” She says, turning around to Aaron as she walks off, “Get dressed. Unless of course you want all our friends to you see you in your very sexy pyjamas.” She teases, looking him up and down as he stands there in a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants.
“Oh my god,” Jack groans as he walks out of his room, “I swear you two get worse with age.”
Emily stares at him with an agape mouth, a sharp laugh of her tongue while Aaron chuckles, walking into the master bedroom.
“You mister, are on thin ice with me this morning.” She jokes, pushing him lightly as he moves past her, the teenage boy laughs to himself as he walks down the stairs.
“Are Derek and Spencer coming today?” Jack asks as the three of them head into the living room. “We haven’t seen them since we moved here.”
“They are.” Emily smiles, dropping Eve on the couch and pulling her small feet to the floor, before bending down. Jack hands her one of the small shoes and she smiles.
“Cool.” He says, a small smile growing on his face at the thought of seeing his Uncles again. Emily looks at him with a smile, catching sight of his little grin and her heart melts. He looks at her, shy and quiet as his cheeks turn at shade of pink as she catches his excitement, “I’m going to blow up Dad’s zimmer frame.” He tells her, pointing behind his shoulder, Emily nods, watching him go with a smile before turning back to her daughter when she taps her hand gently.
“Who are Rick and Spencer?” Eve asks, looking at her mother with eyes that match her own.
“Derek, sweetie.” She corrects gently, “and they’re mine and Daddy’s friends.”
“Like Uncle Will and Aunt JJ?” She asks softly, wrapping her finger around one of her braids, “And Aunt Penny to?”
“Yeah,” Emily smiles, “They’re friends with them as well.”
“How come they’ve never been here before?”
“Well,” Emily starts, tapping her feet as she finishes putting her shoes on, “They’ve been busy.” Emily tells her, “But they’re very excited to meet you.” She smiles and the girl looks down with a smile of her own, giggling.
“Derek took over from Dad right? As Unit Chief?” Jack asks as he heads back into the living room with the blown up inflatable.
“Yeah,” Emily says, before looking at Jack and laughing at the sight of him carrying the blown up zimmer frame. “Oh my god.” She laughs, standing up. “He’s going to kill you.
“This was your gift!” He laughs, placing it next to the fireplace. The sound of Hotch coming down the stairs makes them look at each other and she laughs once again.
“Oh no,” She laughs, “This is all you I’m afraid.”
“That’s cruel.” He tells her, watching her grab Eve and lifting her to the ground, pulling down her dress and stroking her braids.
“What is that.” Hotch asks as he stops at the door, staring at the new item next to the fire place.
Emily rolls her lips, holding back her grin, swallowing her laugh as she looks at him innocently.
“Happy birthday?” Jack says with a smile. Aaron glares at him and the boy’s smile drops, “Again, this was Emily’s idea.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She lies, heading out of the room and towards the kitchen, Aaron grabs her arm gently and stops her.
“A zimmer frame, huh?” He asks and she looks at him, grinning as he smirks at her.
“You are getting old.” She tells him, shrugging her shoulders.
“Rude,” He tells her, she laughs as she heads back off towards the kitchen. Evie comes to his side then, lacing her hand around two of his fingers as he looks down. “Your mother is a rude woman, Evie.” He tells her, the two year old laughs as she looks up at him.
There’s a honk of a car outside the house then, and Evie’s face lights up as she jumps in the air. It’s a honk she’s familiar with.
There are three taps on the door before it opens, the sound of a rowdy boy echoing into the living room.
“Is that JJ?” Emily asks as she walks back into the living room.
“Uncle Will!” Evie screams as she runs towards the front door, the accent they’ve come to adore hits their ears as he lifts up the happy child.
“Hey Darlin’” Will says, resting the child on his hip and she hugs him. “Pretty dress.” He smiles, placing his hand in his sons head as they walk through the house, turning behind him to smile at his wife who’s staring with such affection his smile brightens.
“Aunt JJ!” Evie smiles over Will’s shoulder, her hand resting on his back.
“Hi, baby.” She smiles, her eight month old in her arms, “You look pretty.”
Eve smiles, before turning away at the sound of her mother’s voice as she greats Henry and Will.
“I see my child has got a hold of you.” She smiles, raising an eyebrow at her daughter.
“Doesn’t she always?” He smirks, more than happy to have the two year old in his arms. He and JJ have been in love with her since the moment she was born, their goddaughter, and it makes their hearts swell that she loves them just the same.
Henry be-lines for Jack, the eleven year old more than happy to have his company and Emily watches as Jack greets him with a smile, offering him a controller for the game.
“Where’s the birthday boy?” JJ teases as she looks around for Aaron, “Is that a zimmer frame?” She laughs and all eyes turn to it.
Emily laughs, “Jack’s idea.” She lies and JJ just hums, smirking at her friend.
“I’m sure.” She says, “Because you would never, right?” JJ jokes, looking back to the inflatable.
“She’d never what?” Hotch says as he enters the room, wrapping an arm around Emily’s waist as she appears next to her. The woman lifts her head to look at him, a cheeky grin on her face as she does. Hotch glares at her before he follows JJ’s eyes and he laughs. “Oh, no. She would. And she did.”
“I thought so.” JJ laughs, “It is pretty funny.” She says, scrunching her nose as she looks at her old boss turned close friend.
“See,” Emily laughs, “I’m funny.”
“Don’t get any ideas,” Will jokes to JJ and the blonde woman turns to her husband, “If I wake up to an inflatable zimmer frame I will not be pleased.” The man smirks.
“Noted.” JJ laughs, turning back to face the other man, “Happy birthday, Hotch.” She smiles, “Henry made you a card,” She says, looking behind them to find the two boys engulfed in their game. “I’m sure you’ll get it at some point.” She jokes, sighing at the boys.
The adults laugh, following the Hotchner’s through the house and into the large garden, Will placing Eve on the floor, before they watch her run ahead of them and onto her play area in the garden, climbing the small steps of the slide.
“She becomes more feral every time we see her.” JJ says as they watch the girl scream and run around the garden, making her own fun with a large smile. The epitome of a happy child.
“It’s the Prentiss gene.” Hotch jokes as he passes Will a beer from the fridge, the man taking it with a nod of thanks.
“I don’t doubt that.” JJ laughs, earning a scoff from Emily as she passes the blonde a glass of wine, smiling softly as the baby in her arm fuses.
“Shall I go and put him down?” Will asks his wife, who nods, passing over their son gently.
“I’m okay to put him in the old crib? It’s still in the office right?” Will asks the couple, who nod.
“Of course, I’ll grab the baby monitors.” Hotch says, following the man through the house.
JJ watched as Emily smiles, eyes on Hotch as he walks away.
“It’s nice seeing you happy.” JJ says with a smile. Emily turns to face her, smiling herself. “I know Reid and Morgan are excited to meet Eve.”
“I still can’t believe they’ve never met her.” Emily says, sipping on her wine. “I always forget how far we moved until I remember the travel back for their wedding.” She huffs with a laugh.
“You do live in the middle of nowhere.” JJ agrees with a laugh, “As soon as I can bare to retire, this is totally where we’re moving.” She tells her, looking around the large garden, embracing the lack of city noise.
“The BAU still has you in chains, huh?” Emily jokes.
“Unfortunately,” JJ chuckles, “Although after everything that happened last year..” She sighs, shaking her head, “And after having Micheal, I think maybe the change will be coming sooner rather than later.”
“Well,” Emily starts, “I can’t speak for Aaron, but, for me? I couldn’t have imagined staying after finding out I was pregnant. Moving out here was the best decision I ever made.” She smiles, “The lack of serial killers is life changing.” She jokes, laughing with her friend.
“Look who I found roaming the streets,” Aaron jokes as he heads into the garden, and just as Emily goes to greet the guest, Eve beats her to it
“Aunt Penny!” She screams, running towards the woman.
“Oh my sweet girl.” Penelope coo’s as she picks the small girl up, wrapping her in her arms. “I have missed you.”
Eve giggles as Penelope holds her close, breathing in the small girl.
“My friends you make the most precious children.” Penelope tells Aaron and Emily. “When will you make more for me to cuddle?”
Emily barks a laugh as Hotch chuckles, taking a seat as he shakes his head.
Penelope lands Eve on the floor with a small cry, watching as she runs back into the grass.
“Please make more.” She says as she walks over to Emily, embracing her friend. “For me?”
“Not a chance,” Emily tells her, “She is absolutely insane.” And points to her Daughter as she screams as she hangs on the monkey bars.
“She is perfect.” Penelope gushes, “A perfect angel and I want more of them.”
“You’ll be waiting a long time.” Emily tells her, handing her a glass of wine as she pouts.
“Am I at the right house?” Morgan jokes as he walks through the garden, his hand laced with Reid’s as the tall man hangs behind him, almost shy.
“I don’t know, I guess it depends who you’re looking for.” Emily plays along, tilting her head as she smiles at him.
“Well,” He sighs, “I’m looking for a stoic man and an emotionally unavailable woman, but it seems i’ve walked into a house of domestic bliss.” He jokes as he walks towards her, dropping Reid’s hand as he greets the others, Morgan’s eyes only looking for Emily, he’ll greet everyone else later.
“Hello, princess.” He says, pulling her into him tightly, “It’s been far too long.”
“I saw you six months ago.. you know, when you got married?”
“Six months is a long time, princess.” He tells her, “You didn’t miss me?” He pouts, pulling away and looking at her, a playful frown on his face.
“I guess so.” She teases, falling back into his arms with a laugh. “I still can’t believe you’ve never been here.”
“I’ve never met this precious girl of yours either, where is she?” He asks as they pull away slowly.
“She would be the feral toddler on the monkey bars.” She says, pointing with her head in the direction of her child’s happy shouts.
“My god, she’s your twin.” He tells her with a huge grin, watching as a small girl runs around the garden with jet black hair, braided tightly, and dark eyes just like her mother’s.
“I’ve been told.” She smiles.
“She’s enchanting isn’t she.” Penelope says as she comes to Morgan’s side.
“She is.” He nods, unable to take his eyes off the happy child. “She’s so...happy.”
Emily turns away, holding back her tears of joy as she walks towards Reid as he chats with Aaron, JJ and Will.
“Hi,” Reid says, rushing to embrace her, “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you to.” She smiles, rubbing his back before pulling away, “Your husband is already obsessed with my child, it seems.” She smiles and Reid looks over, a glint of pure happiness in his eyes as he does.
“He’s been talking about meeting her all week.” He says with a smile, turning back to her, “I think he might steal her if you leave him alone with her.”
“He can take her.” Emily jokes, earning a laugh from the adults.
“I very much object to that.” Hotch says with a smile as he lifts the beer to his lips.
“Well you would,” Emily says, playfully rolling her eyes, “You’re her favourite.”
Hotch smirks, shrugging his shoulders. “Do you want to meet her?” He asks Reid, who looks at him, before shyly nodding. Hotch smiles at his small nod, before turning and walking towards his daughter.
“Don’t be so nervous,” JJ smiles and Reid turns to her, “Kids love you.”
“This is Emily’s daughter...” He says, “I doubt she’s anything like other kids.” He teases and Emily laughs.
“You’re right, as always.” She nods, “She’s feral.” She adds as they all walk over towards the garden, Reid heading over to Morgan as he watches Hotch take Eve’s hand as walk her over.
“She’s an angel.” Penelope tells them as they slide in next to her around the table.
“For you, maybe.” Emily grins.
Hotch takes Evie’s hand softly and walks them over to the two men, stopping as they stand in front of them. Eve hides behind his legs, her head poking over the side of his left one as she looks at the new men.
“Sweetie, this is Derek and Spencer,” He says, looking down at his daughter as she grabs his fingers in her hand, “Can you say hello?”
“Hi.” Eve says shyly, hugging an arm around her Dads leg as her other hand has a grip on his fingers.
Derek smiles at her, bending down to her level as she comes out from behind Hotch, standing next to him.
“Hi, pretty girl.” Derek smiles, gently introducing himself. “I’m Derek.”
“I’m Eve.” She says softly, looking to the floor before she looks at him, a soft smile on her face as the new man grins at her. “Are you daddy’s friend?”
“I am,” He nods, “Mommy’s friend too.”
“Who is the tall man?” She whispers to him, looking at the man stood behind him and Derek laughs.
“That’s Spencer,” He whispers, “He’s shy.” He tells her and she looks back at him, “Will you say hello for me?”
Eve looks at him, before looking up at her dad. When he nods, running a hand over her head she slowly walks towards him, looking up at him.
“Hi.” She says, her full voice strong and very much her mother’s tone. “I’m Eve.”
“Spencer.” He smiles, waving awkwardly.
“Do you want to see a frog I found?” She asks, and his eyes to wide.
“I do.” He says, his smile bigger now. “Did you know that frogs-“
“Reid.” Hotch stops him with a tap on his shoulder. “She’s two. Go and see the frog.”
Reid nods, following the little girl. His heart melts as she takes his hand, and as Morgan watches them, he can’t help but think how much he wants one as well.
“Our daughter is obsessed with Spencer.” Aaron says as he sits next to Emily, throwing an arm over her leg as he does.
“I told you,” JJ laughs, “Kids love him for some reason.”
“The Reid effect.” Penelope says, bringing the wine to her lips as the group laugh.
Emily finds Reid on the steps, sighing as she takes a seat next to him she grabs his hand.
“You okay?” She asks, he nods, his eyes watching Morgan, Eve on his hips as she points to things around the garden.
“Just thinking.” He smiles, turning to face her. “What?” He asks, as he finds her looking at him with a grin.
“Do you want one?” Emily asks him, pointing towards her daughter. His cheeks go red as he looks down.
“I know Derek does.” He tells her, “But, I don’t know. What if i’m just like my father?”
“Spence...” She says softly, “You are nothing like him, I promise.” She tells him. “You’ll be a great Dad.”
“You think?” He asks with a shy smile, looking at her. Emily squeezes his hand.
“I know.” She tells him.
“I’m happy for you, Em.” He tells her, “Look at this.” He says, regarding her home, her family, her life. “You did it.”
She laughs, a smile beaming from her lips.
“You have the family you deserve.” He says to her, “I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thank you.” She says, tears glassing over her eyes.
Emily moves rest her head on his shoulder as they turn to watch Morgan and Eve at the end of the garden. She can hear Hotch and Will laughing at something in the distance, just on the table behind her. She can hear Jack and Henry chatting in the kitchen, their voices filled with joy.
Later that night, after shes said goodbye to her friends, she watches as Aaron carries their sleeping daughter to bed, smiling as Jack passes past her with a smile.
“Goodnight.” He says to her, “Today was fun.”
“It was,” She smiles, running a hand through his hair before kissing the top of his head. “Goodnight.”
She watches from the door frame as Aaron places a soft kiss on their daughters head, before turning off her lights.
“Hi,” He smiles, wrapping her in his arms in the doorway. “Busy day, huh.”
“Very.” She says, her whole body feeling the effects of it.
“I love you.” He smiles, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
“I love you, too.” She replies, kissing him once again before he pats her back and heads to the master bedroom.
Emily turns to her daughter then, watching the rise and fall of her chest before she closes the floor.
Once in bed, she rolls into her husbands arms and sighs contently, closing her eyes as his arms wrap around her.
“Sleep.” He whispers softly to her, something he does every night as she lays with him, something that started just after they did, after Doyle and Paris, after nightmares and insomnia. It just stuck. It’s something she has to hear now, before even thinking about getting any rest. “I love you.” He tells her again.
“I love you.” She mumbles, already half asleep in his arms.
They did it, she thinks as sleep steals her.
She did it.
She found her happiness.
fin