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Hotch had managed to get JJ settled upstairs by the time the front door opened later that afternoon, followed immediately by the excited thud-thud-thud of little feet running inside.
Hotch stood from the armchair just in time to catch Henry sprinting in, backpack bouncing.
“Uncle Aaron!”
Hotch’s face softened. “Hey, buddy.”
Henry ran over and crashed into his legs, which was his version of a hug, before spinning in a half-circle.
“Where’s Mommy?” he asked curiously.
Hotch glanced toward the stairs, prepared for this. “She’s upstairs, resting. She had kind of a long day.”
Henry nodded, accepting that instantly with the easy trust of a kid used to grownups needing rest sometimes. “Is she sick?”
“No, just tired,” Hotch said gently.
Will stepped in then, closing the door behind him, his jacket slung over one shoulder. His eyes went straight to Hotch—just a flicker of silent communication between them.
She’s upstairs?
Hotch nodded once.
Will gave him a quiet thanks with his eyes, then turned to Henry.
“Why don’t you head into the kitchen and grab a snack, huh? You can watch a show, just use the volume slider.”
Henry lit up at the mention of a snack and a show.
“Yay!” He exclaimed, and took off like a rocket toward the kitchen.
As soon as the door swung shut behind him, Will moved over to stand beside Hotch.
“Bad day?” He asked quietly.
Hotch nodded. “Started early. She pushed through most of it, but by the time she came to find me...”
“She was wrecked.”
“Yeah.”
Will exhaled, eyes tracking the base of the stairs. “If she has a few good days in a row, she seems to think it means she’s completely recovered. She doesn’t realize this is going to take time.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Will shook his head, then looked at Hotch with something close to a wry smile. “And you let her push it just enough before stepping in?”
Hotch didn’t smile, but there was a quiet honesty in his answer. “I waited until she leaned against a wall,” he deadpanned.
Will chuckled under his breath. “Sounds about right.”
Hotch sat again, resting his elbows on his knees.
“She didn’t want to go upstairs at first. She wanted to see Henry, but she fell asleep on the couch before he even got home.”
Will’s expression shifted, showing tenderness mixed with concern. “She’s never gonna be the type to ask for help up front. Not with this.”
“I know,” Hotch agreed quietly. “Reid’s been keeping an informal eye on her symptoms at the office,” he added quickly. “She’s doing better, but today might have set her back a little.”
Will nodded affirmatively. “She doesn’t like it when she can’t trust herself,” he said. “Memory, language, clarity—it’s the worst kind of hit for her.”
Hotch glanced toward the stairs again. “We’ve all got her covered when it hits her.”
“I know,” Will said. “But I appreciate you being the one she came to.”
Hotch looked back at him. “She’s family.”
Will nodded again, this time more seriously. “Yeah.”
From the kitchen came a loud cartoon sound effect and Henry’s delighted laugh.
Will sighed. “Guess I should go make sure he’s not tearing the room apart.”
Hotch stood. “I’ll see how she’s doing. Hopefully, she’s still asleep.”
“Thanks,” Will said, already heading toward the kitchen. “If she’s awake—”
“I’ll tell her you’re here and coming up to see her.”
Will gave him a look of quiet gratitude before he disappeared down the hall to find Henry.
***
By the time Hotch came back, Henry was in full sprint-mode around the coffee table, his little cape flapping behind him like he was on a sugar high, despite having only eaten a handful of crackers and half a juice box.
Will scooped a plastic cup off the floor and sighed like a man who knew he was going to lose this battle. When Hotch walked in, he straightened.
“Is she awake?” Will asked, his eyes following Henry as he leapfrogged over a couch cushion.
Hotch shook his head. “She’s still out,” he said quietly.
Will nodded faintly, running a hand through his hair. “That’s good. I’m just not sure how long this one’s going to last without seeing her,” Will said, gesturing to Henry. “I want to give her a little more quiet.”
Hotch nodded. “I can stay,” he offered.
Will looked up. “Aaron, you don’t have to—”
“I know,” he said calmly. “But I don’t mind. And I think we both know you're not going to get a minute to breathe until Henry’s asleep.”
Henry, right on cue, zipped into the room, yelling something about needing to build a laser trap.
Will gave Hotch a look. “Laser traps.”
Hotch smirked. “Security-conscious. Can’t fault that.”
Will shook his head, laughing under his breath. “I appreciate it. I really do. You’ve already done enough for her.” Will glanced toward the kitchen. “I think there’s coffee left.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as Hotch stepped toward the kitchen, Henry darted after him.
“Uncle Aaron! Wanna see my lightsaber?”
“I’d be honored,” Hotch said, as he was pulled in the opposite direction by a tiny hand in his.
***
As soon as he got a minute, Will made his way upstairs into his and JJ’s room. JJ stirred just as he reached the doorway, squinting faintly at the light bleeding in from the hall that outlined his silhouette.
“Hey, honey,” Will said softly, stepping inside.
“Hey,” JJ murmured, blinking a few times to get Will into focus. “What time is it?”
“Almost six,” Will replied gently.
JJ sighed, closing her eyes again. Will sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair gently back behind her ear.
“You feelin’ any better?”
JJ scrunched her face slightly. “Not really,” she admitted. “Everything’s still off. My head’s trying to work through some kind of fog.”
Will nodded. “Yeah, that’s about how Aaron and Spencer told me you were feelin’.”
“I don’t know why it’s happening like this again,” JJ mumbled irritably. “It’s supposed to be…” she trailed off, knowing if she said anything along the lines of how this was supposed to be ‘better’, or ‘fixed by now’, she’d be walking into a whole other conversation about being easier on herself, and she certainly did not have the energy for that yet.
“I know,” Will’s voice pulled her back, soft but certain. “But we’ve been through this, yeah?”
JJ nodded faintly, reaching for his hand across the blanket.
“You don’t gotta do anything right now,” Will assured, grabbing her hand and squeezing gently. “Just get some rest. Henry’s fine- he’s downstairs watching something. And Aaron’s down there fielding lightsaber demonstrations.”
JJ blinked at him and gave a soft smile. “Are you gonna find a way to send him home, or am I stuck with that level of competency?”
Will grinned. “You say the word and I’ll draft a formal removal request.”
JJ gave a faint laugh before her eyes drifted halfway shut again.
Will squeezed her hand again before letting go and bringing his hand up to brush her hair back at her temple. “Try and get some sleep, alright? I’ll check on you in a little while.”
“Thanks, honey,” JJ murmured, turning slightly onto her side and letting her eyes drift shut, willingly this time. “Love you.”
Will watched her for another moment, relieved that she seemed to be relatively alright. “I love you too, darlin’.”
He slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him so Henry wouldn’t accidentally wake her up.
When Will came back into the living room, Henry was upside-down on the couch with his legs hooked over the back, head dangling toward the floor.
Hotch sat nearby, coffee in hand, looking far too calm for someone being interrogated about whether real lightsabers could exist, “if Mommy and Uncle Aaron’s job would just try harder!”
Will smiled at Henry before meeting Hotch’s eyes.
“She just fell back asleep,” Will said quietly, hoping Henry was distracted enough that he wouldn’t hear.
Hotch nodded. “She okay?”
Will took the seat across from him. “Still a little disoriented. Said her head’s not tracking right.”
Henry sat up suddenly. “Is Mommy sick?”
Will gave Hotch a silent glance- so much for him not picking up on this conversation- before turning to Henry.
“Not sick, buddy. Just tired,” Will said cautiously. “Her head’s still resting after her bump a few weeks ago.”
Henry tilted his head. “Like my tablet on low battery?” he asked curiously.
Hotch smiled at that. “Exactly like that.”
Henry seemed satisfied with that interpretation of an answer, jumped up off the couch, and zoomed back into the other room.
Once Henry was out of earshot, Will leaned toward Hotch, voice just above a whisper. “I’m not sure I can take Henry up to see her yet. She’s… exhausted.”
“It’ll pass,” Hotch said quietly. “But even still, you should make sure we’re not missing anything.”
Will nodded, the gratitude clear in his face, even if he didn’t say it out loud.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I’m calling her doctor tomorrow morning.”
“We’re all here for her,” Hotch added.
Will glanced into the other room at Henry, who was now humming the Star Wars theme under his breath, his little cape sliding sideways off his shoulders.
“I know,” he said quietly. “That’s what makes it bearable.”
***
Star Wars and Legos could only entertain a certain three-year-old for so long.
“Daddy?”
Will glanced up from the kitchen, phone tucked under his chin as he stirred something on the stove. “Yeah, hang on, my son- yeah, buddy?”
“I wanna see Mommy,” Henry whined, tugging on Will’s pant leg.
Will covered the phone and looked to Hotch, who had followed Henry into the kitchen and was trying to redirect him.
Hotch made eye contact with Will and nodded. “I’ll take him up.”
Will gave him a quick, grateful look. Thank you.
Henry let go of his father and bounced up, holding his little lightsaber in one hand and a crumpled drawing in the other. “I made her a puppy,” Henry announced proudly. “He flies. In space!”
Hotch smiled. “I’m sure that’ll make your mom happy.”
As they reached the stairs, he slowed and knelt to Henry’s level.
“Okay, buddy,” he said gently, “Mommy’s really tired right now. So when we go in, we have to be quiet and gentle, okay?”
Henry nodded solemnly. “Shh,” he said loudly, putting his finger to his lips.
Hotch chuckled warmly and took Henry’s hand. “Good job, Henry, exactly like that.”
As they walked up the stairs, Hotch couldn’t help thinking: Please be awake. Just for this moment. Please.
He knocked lightly on the door before opening it to give her a bit of a warning. JJ stirred before he even crossed the threshold. Her eyes blinked open slowly, already trying to focus. Hotch felt his chest loosen a little as she focused on Henry first.
Then she saw Hotch—and they had the entire conversation in one look.
I’m sorry.
It’s okay.
I’ll keep it short.
Thank you.
“Okay, buddy, be gentle on Mommy,” Hotch reminded quietly as Henry wriggled free of Hotch’s grip and toddled over towards JJ. He climbed onto the edge of the bed carefully, all arms and energy that he was trying so hard to hold in.
“Hi, Mommy,” Henry whispered, handing over his drawing. “It’s a puppy.”
JJ smiled, her fingers brushing the watercolor paper.
“Hi, baby,” JJ whispered, pulling Henry close and kissing the top of his head. “He’s a perfect puppy.
Henry laughed and scooched a little closer to his mom. “Do you feel better?” he asked innocently.
JJ’s eyes shimmered for a second, but she blinked it back. “I do now,” she said quietly, glancing up at Hotch.
Hotch, who was standing in the doorway to give them space, faintly smiled back at her.
Henry kept chattering softly about the movie he watched, the game he played, the chocolate chip granola bar he ate, “even though it wasn’t dinner, Mommy!”
JJ tried to keep up, but her eyes were getting heavier, and her responses to her son were getting shorter. Hotch saw it first—the shift in her posture, the tiny twitch in her hand like she was trying to re-engage her muscles. She was trying to stay awake for Henry.
Hotch stepped forward slowly, crouching beside the bed. “Hey, Henry?”
Henry looked down at him.
“Let’s let Mommy rest now, alright? You can come say goodnight to her later.”
Henry glanced back at JJ, visibly reluctant, but her eyes were already closing again.
“Be good for Uncle Aaron and Daddy, okay?” JJ called after Henry.
“Okay,” Henry whispered, sliding off the bed carefully. Hotch reached out and gently steadied him.
JJ opened her eyes again just enough to catch Hotch’s gaze.
I’ve got him.
Thank you.
The door clicked softly behind them, and Hotch guided Henry back down the stairs with a gentle hand on his back.
Henry was quiet now, a sharp contrast to how he had been buzzing with stories and tugging at Hotch’s sleeve up the stairs earlier. They reached the bottom step and crossed into the living room, where the soft hum of the television still played in the background.
“Uncle Aaron?” Henry asked quietly.
Hotch looked down. “Yeah, buddy?”
Henry was staring at the floor, fingers fiddling with the edge of his shirt.
“Is Mommy gonna be like that tomorrow?”
The question was small and careful, like Henry didn’t know if he was allowed to ask it. Hotch sighed and crouched in front of him.
“She might be,” Hotch said honestly. “But Mommy’s going to be okay. Getting lots of sleep is helping her.”
Henry’s eyes flicked upward. “She looked tired. Not like when she sleeps after work. Like... more sleepy.”
Hotch hesitated. He knew that look in Henry’s eyes- it was the same one Jack had worn the first time he saw him fall apart.
“She is sleepy,” Hotch said carefully. “But her body’s just working extra hard right now. Like when you're sick, and your arms feel heavy, remember?”
Henry nodded slowly.
“Mommy hit her head a little while ago,” Hotch continued. “And even though she seemed better, sometimes it takes longer for your head to feel better. Your head’s very fragile. But the doctors said she’s healing. And she’s got a lot of people helping her. Like your dad, and all your aunts and uncles, okay?”
Henry looked back at him. “Are you helping Mommy too?”
Hotch smiled gently. “As much as she’ll let me.”
Henry was quiet again. Then, so softly Hotch almost missed it- “I don’t like Mommy hurt.”
Hotch’s chest tightened just slightly.
“I know,” he said. “But she missed you, and when she saw you, it made her feel better.”
Henry sniffled and clumsily wiped his eyes on his sleeve.
“Hey, hey,” Hotch said gently, bending down to Henry’s level. “It’s okay, buddy. Mommy’s going to feel better in-” Henry ran into his side, cutting him off, and Hotch reached out, scooping him up into his arms.
“Okay, I know,” Hotch murmured as Henry buried his head into Hotch’s shoulder. “I know it doesn’t feel good to see Mommy sleepy, right?” Hotch said gently, trying to pinpoint what had made the little boy so upset.
Henry peeked his little head up. “Mm hmm,” he sniffled. “I wanna see Mommy,” Henry whined, turning his head back toward Hotch’s shoulder.
“You can talk to Mommy more tomorrow, when she’s feeling a little stronger. Okay, buddy?”
“Want Mommy,” Henry whispered again.
Hotch sighed, rubbing his hand up and down Henry’s back.
“Hey, I have an idea,” Hotch said, trying to coax Henry out of his mood. Henry peeked his head up in interest. “Do you want to draw Mommy something else for her nightstand? Something new she can wake up to?”
Henry sat up a little straighter, finally cracking a small smile. “I can make a robot,” he whispered.
“Perfect,” Hotch said with a smile, gently placing Henry back down. “She’ll love it.”
From the kitchen, Will reappeared, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“Everything okay?”
Hotch nodded. “Yeah. Just a couple big questions.”
Will gave Henry a once-over and stepped in with a smile. “Hey buddy, how about you show me how that robot’s gonna look?”
Henry nodded, already trotting toward the table.
Will looked back at Hotch for just a second. Thank you.
Hotch just gave the smallest nod in return.
***
Half an hour later, Henry bounced across the living room carpet with two carefully folded sheets of paper clutched in his hands. Crayon streaks peeked out in every direction- blue and orange stars, a rocket-powered robot, and, somehow, in the mix, another puppy.
Will had the lights dimmed and was trying, unsuccessfully, to wrangle Henry into pajamas as he leaped across the couch with his drawings.
“Daddy, you can’t catch me!” Henry sang triumphantly. “I’m in space!”
“Buddy, space boots are not part of the bedtime routine,” Will sighed.
“They are if you sleep in a space base!” Henry squealed. Then he looked up at Hotch across the room. “When can me and Jack play, Uncle Aaron?”
Hotch smiled, caught off guard by the shift in Henry’s tone. Not even an hour ago, the little boy was crying about his mother, and now he was asking about playdates.
“Soon,” he answered. “Jack’s been asking, too.”
Henry grinned. “We can build a space fort!”
“I think that’s mandatory,” Hotch said quietly.
Will gave Hotch a tired look over his shoulder. “I got this.”
Hotch grinned. “Good luck.”
Will chuckled and turned back to Henry, finally getting one of Henry’s arms in his sleeve.
***
Hotch cracked the door open to JJ’s room, intending only to check her one last time before heading out. To his surprise, as he crossed to the bed, her eyes fluttered open.
“What time is it?” JJ whispered, squinting from the light coming through from the hallway.
“Almost Henry’s bedtime,” Hotch said softly, standing in a way that blocked most of the light from reaching her. “Will’s just getting him settled.”
She smiled faintly. “Did he come back up?”
Hotch shook his head. “No, Will didn’t want him getting upset. He made you another drawing, though,” Hotch said, holding out the crumpled colorful papers to JJ. “I think it’s a space dog and a new friend.”
JJ turned her head slightly, spotting the bright edges of crayon and folded paper.
“He’s so sweet,” she said, eyes heavy again.
“Yeah,” Hotch whispered, the corners of his mouth raising a little. “He knew you weren’t feeling well.” Hotch hesitated. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said apologetically.
“You didn’t,” she murmured. “I knew you were still here.”
Hotch sat at the edge of the bed, his voice soft. “I wasn’t going to leave without checking on you.”
JJ nodded, barely. “Thank you.”
“You feeling better at all?” Hotch asked gently, the concern clear in his tone.
“Not by much,” she murmured honestly. Then she added, almost too quiet to hear, “Today was a mess.”
“It wasn’t,” Hotch countered firmly, but softly.
JJ cracked her eyes open to glare at him. “I basically got sent home for a chronic headache.”
“You and I both know it’s more complicated than that,” Hotch countered again. “And you also asked for help, which bought us more time to get this under control, right?”
She nodded again, her eyes drifting shut again. Hotch stood slowly, smoothing the blanket once before he stepped back.
“Sleep. No alarms, no schedule.”
JJ gave the faintest smile. “That’s your way of saying I’m grounded, isn’t it?”
“Consider it enforced rest,” Hotch said fondly.
JJ murmured something he didn’t quite catch, her voice fading again. By the time Hotch reached the door, she was already asleep.
***
Hotch stepped back into the kitchen just as Will finally emerged from the hallway, his hair slightly tousled.
“He down?” Hotch asked.
Will smirked. “Finally. As soon as he finished listing everything he and Jack are going to put in this theoretical space fort.”
Hotch nodded, sipping from the now-lukewarm mug he’d never quite finished. “Kids have good timing.”
Will leaned against the counter, crossing his arms loosely. “Was she awake when you checked in?”
“She stirred. Just for a few minutes.”
Will raised an eyebrow. “Coherent?”
Hotch gave a tired smile. “Enough to make a joke about being grounded.”
Will laughed softly, shaking his head. “I’ll take it.”
Hotch set the mug down. “Keep her home tomorrow.”
Will looked at him. “She won’t want to.”
“I know. Which is why I’m telling you.”
Will grinned. “So when she glares at me, I can shift the blame to you?”
“Exactly.”
Will looked at him for a long second.
“Thank you for being here, Aaron.”
Hotch shrugged. “Of course. It was nothing.”
Hotch crossed the room to grab his coat from the chair, when Will added with a smirk, “Tell Jack he’s got a playdate to plan. Henry’s got drawings that look suspiciously like blueprints.”
Hotch smiled. “Of course, how could I forget- I’ll give my son a warning.”
Will walked Hotch out to the front entryway before Hotch turned back towards him.
“Let me know how she’s doing in the morning,” he requested quietly.
Will nodded. “Will do. Hopefully, she’s feeling better enough to argue about her home rest policy.”
Hotch smiled, then slipped out the door into the night.
The light peeked gently through the curtains the next morning. JJ stirred slowly, blinking awake to a quiet room. For the first time in days, her head didn’t throb, and her thoughts were clear. She lay there for a moment longer, letting the relief of the clarity wash over her.
The door cracked open a moment later. Will stepped inside, already dressed, holding a mug of tea in one hand and a glass of water in the other.
He smiled when he saw her sitting up. “Hey, look who looks human again,” he greeted quietly.
JJ grinned, her voice still scratchy. “Define ‘human.’”
He crossed the room and handed her the tea. “One step up from sentient blanket burrito.”
She chuckled, taking it. “That bad yesterday?”
“Yeah, sweetheart,” Will sat at the edge of the bed, his hand brushing over hers briefly. “You feeling better?”
JJ sipped the tea, feeling the warmth spread through her body. ”Loads better than yesterday. Not perfect. Still a little… tired around the edges. But my head’s clear.”
Will studied her face carefully. “Any dizziness? Light sensitivity? Fog?”
JJ shook her head. “I’m okay,” she affirmed gently.
Will nodded. “Good,” he said with relief. I was gonna check your eyes if you said yes.”
JJ smiled. “You can still check them if you want. I know you like being dramatic, too.”
Will rolled his eyes. “And here I thought you were too wiped out for sass.”
“I conserve it.”
He grinned, leaning forward to kiss her temple. “I’ll go grab Henry. He’s been waiting since sunrise.”
JJ’s smile softened. “Yeah. I want to see him.”
Will stood, but paused at the door. “Just to be clear—no work today.”
“I know.”
“No checking in.”
“Will—”
“No logging into the Bureau system, not even to check your calendar.”
She huffed. “I wasn’t—”
He raised an eyebrow.
She raised both hands. “Okay! No Bureau.”
He smirked and turned out of the room. Moments later, Henry came barreling in, his little socked feet skidding on the floor, arms full of folded drawings and something that looked vaguely like a lego dragon.
“Mommy!”
JJ caught him in a hug, laughing as he tried to scramble up beside her. “Hey, kiddo.”
Henry giggled, then pulled back just enough to beam at her. “Mommy feel better now?”
“I do,” she said, pulling him close again. “I feel a lot better.”
Henry finally managed to wiggle up beside her on the bed, still talking at full volume; something about space robots and breakfast cereal that turned your tongue green.
JJ smiled softly and curled around him, content to just listen to him talk.
“Mommy, are you going to work now?” Henry asked.
JJ glanced down at him and pecked his cheek. “Not today, honey. Mommy’s home today.”
Will poked his head in. “Not tomorrow, either.”
JJ gave him a look. Will returned it, completely unbothered.
Henry just nodded, perfectly satisfied. “You can help me draw the space fort!” Henry proclaimed, jumping up and waving his arms.
JJ sighed, but couldn’t hide her smile. “Well, that sounds like very important work.”
Henry nodded solemnly. “Impor-tant!” He mimicked. “Me and Jack are gonna make it!”
JJ leaned back with her arm around Henry, her soft gaze meeting Will’s. Getting a chance to be with her son was worth every second she had to stay home.
The bullpen was steady with post-lunch energy. Reid and Morgan were deep in discussion about conflicting case notes, Emily was on a coffee run, and Rossi was in his office.
Hotch was in his office at his desk when he felt a vibration near his hand. Picking up his phone, he saw JJ’s name flash across the screen. He picked it up, immediately wary but trying not to sound it.
“Hotchner.”
“Agent Hotchner,” JJ greeted, her voice low and teasing. “Just calling to report that your co-conspirator was successful.”
Hotch leaned back slightly in his chair. “Conspirator?”
“Will,” she said warmly. “Don’t act innocent. You two clearly coordinated a tactical response to Operation Keep JJ On Her Butt.”
Hotch huffed a soft laugh. “You weren’t going to rest without reinforcement,” he defended gently.
“Technically, I did rest yesterday. Now I’m just calling to report in and remind you that your micromanaging has officially crossed into personal life territory.”
Hotch smiled, just barely, but he heard what he’d been listening for. If she was well enough to be teasing him, she was definitely doing better.
“Your voice sounds better,” he acknowledged, relief evident in his tone.
“Head’s better too,” JJ admitted. “Still taking it slow, but today’s not foggy.”
Hotch allowed himself to relax a little more at JJ’s admission, exhaling through his nose. “That’s good to hear,” he said.
“I’m okay,” JJ said softly, like she knew he had to hear the words from her before he would fully let it go.
Hotch nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “I know.”
“And,” she added, “I know it’s not linear. So tomorrow might be crap again. But today? Today’s solid.”
“That’s good, JJ,” he said. “That’s really good. This is going to take time. Just- be patient with yourself.”
JJ paused for a moment, and Hotch could sense her hesitation over the phone.
“…I want to come in tomorrow,” she said finally.
Hotch didn’t respond right away.
JJ filled the silence with a dramatic sigh. “You’re about to say ‘we’ll see,’ aren’t you?”
“I’m considering it,” he deadpanned.
“Oh my God, Aaron-”
“Rest of the day, no looking at files or co-conspiring with Emily and Garcia to get case information. We’ll discuss tomorrow in the morning.”
“Discuss,” she muttered. “Right.”
Hotch couldn’t help but smile a little, even though JJ couldn’t see. “Can’t you just take one day without thinking about this place?” he asked, his tone fond but exasperated.
“Can you?” JJ quipped back immediately.
“Point taken.”
“Will’s working tomorrow, and Henry’s back at daycare- I’ll drive myself crazy if I feel fine and have nothing to do.”
“Text me how you’re feeling later tonight, and we’ll see about a half day for tomorrow.”
JJ laughed quietly. “I’ll take what I can get.”
“Just focus on resting,” Hotch reminded her quietly.
JJ hummed in agreement. “I will. Thanks, Hotch.”
Later that afternoon, the kitchen was warm, full of the sound of Henry narrating a very intense story about how his lego dragon had been promoted to captain of his space fleet.
JJ leaned against the counter with a mug of tea in her hand. She was still tired, but it wasn’t the debilitating fatigue that had taken over her body from yesterday. It had eased up enough that as long as she took it easy, she figured she’d be back to herself by tomorrow.
Will moved around the kitchen behind her, scrambling something in a pan and throwing her looks whenever she tried to look like she was helping.
“I’m not doing anything,” she said, catching him mid-glance.
“You’re thinking about doing something,” he replied. “Sit down. It’ll lower my blood pressure.”
JJ rolled her eyes, but she stayed where she was.
Henry danced around the kitchen table with his legos. “Uncle Aaron said Jack likes dragons too, Mommy,” Henry exclaimed. Henry had not stopped talking about his theoretical playdate with his friend since Aaron brought it up the night before. JJ would have to remember to thank him for that one later.
“Sounds like Jack better be ready for battle,” she said.
Will came up behind her, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder. She leaned into it and tilted her head back for him to gently kiss her.
Maybe being home for an extra day wasn’t so bad after all.
Back at his place that evening, Hotch had just finished checking Jack’s school bag when his phone buzzed once in his pocket.
A voicemail.
JJ.
He sat down on the edge of the bed and hit play.
“Hey. I know I already called the office earlier, but I just wanted to say thanks. For yesterday. And for not pushing. Or, well—for pushing exactly the right amount.”
“I don’t remember everything about yesterday. It’s still a little fuzzy. But I remember you helping me out a lot before Henry and Will came home. And Will reminded me this morning that you helped out with Henry, which we both really appreciate. You didn’t need to do that, Aaron. I know you had Jack waiting for you at home.
“So, that’s it. Just—thank you. And I’ll see you soon. But not too soon, don’t worry. Will’s guarding the door.”
“Night, Hotch.”
He let the silence sit for a second after the message ended.
Then he smiled to himself.