Is it love or is it not?

A Day With the Hotchners and Maybe Something More?

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, Emily was excited about her day ahead with the Hotchners. Her feelings for Hotch had grown every single day, she has been denying the feeling to herself for a while. But she couldn't help it. They were going to the park today, so Emily put on some blue jeans and a worn-out t-shirt. Just as the time turned 11:00 there was a knock on the door.

"Aaron Hotchner man who is always on time..." Emily thought as she went downstairs to open the door. And right when she did Jack pounced on her and hugged her as hard as he could. She scooped him right up.

"Hey, little man! Wow, have you grown since the last time I saw you, you're getting really big!" Emily giggled as she let both men inside, and set Jack down.

"Let me get my stuff then we can go..." Emily said

As they were on their way to the park Emily and Jack started singing along to a Disney song that played on the radio. " A WHOLE NEW WOOOOORLD A DAZZLING PLACE I NEVER KNEWWWW" they sang along. Hotch glanced over at Emily with loving eyes. He thought "what couldn't this woman do?" He laughed internally. Hotch was amazed at how great she is with his son, he was determined to make sure she damn well wouldn't slip through his fingers. Not if he had something to do about it.

It has been about an hour and a half since they got to the park, Jack is playing on the swings with some other kids in the park. Hotch and Emily are sitting a few feet away just catching up and talking about cases. Jack comes back to their table and says "Daddyyy, I'm hungry!" Emily leans down to whisper in little Jack's ear, "Hey, Jack, maybe if you give your dad the puppy eyes he'll let you get ice cream. Jack looked back up to Hotch, while he looked at Jack and Emily quizzically. Jack gave him the puppy eyes, "Daddy can we get ice cream?" he asked shyly. Emily let out a little chuckle, and Hotch, who couldn't resist his son's puppy eyes said "Of course buddy."

Together they walked to the ice cream stand, anyone walking by could think they were a family, deep down both Hotch and Emily wished they were. They came back to their table and ate their ice cream, then Jack went back to the swings when a lady came up to them. "Sorry to interrupt your family times, but I was taking some pictures for my photography class and I happened to get a nice picture of you and your family. I wanted to give this to you." The lady handed them the picture, Jack was in Emily's lap with ice cream all over his face, Hotch sitting next to Emily and they are all laughing. "Thank you so much." Both Hotch and Emily said to her. "You have a beautiful family, by the way, have a nice day!" The lady said and walked away before Hotch or Emily had time to correct her.

They both looked at the photo, "Would you like to keep it?" Hotch asked Emily. While he really wanted to keep it, if Emily wanted it he would give it to her. He would give her the whole world if she asked for it. "Yes please." Emily blushed, she wanted to keep the photo in her wallet as a memory, a memory of something she might not get. Hotch took one last glance at the photo and handed it to Emily. She put it in her wallet.

It was now reaching sunset, and the Hotchners and Emily made their way back to Emily's place. Hotch and Jack walked her back up to her apartment, and Jack went to go watch something in the living room while Hotch and Emily talked. "I had a great time today, thank you Hotch," Emily said softly. Hotch leaned in and gave a hug and caught Emily by surprise but she returned the sentiment. She felt so good in his arms, Hotch thought. Still, in the same position, Hotch whispered in her ear, "Thank you, Emily, for coming with us. I had a great time as well, I'm sure Jack did too." He leaned back looking Emily in the eyes, he glanced at her lips and took that leap. He found a sense of comfort when his lips touched hers, he felt whole. Which is something he hasn't felt in a long time. Coming back to reality, he stepped back "I- I'm so sorry Emily I shouldn't have done that. Come on Jack time to go!" Emily was rooted in the same spot wondering what just happened before she had time to finish processing Hotch and Jack was already out the door.

Both had the same thoughts going through their mind "what now?"