Shattered. [Aaron Hotchner + Emily Prentiss]

Chapter 10.

"Hey, Jack! How are you?" Emily asked, laughing as a small blonde boy wrapped his arms around her legs squeezing them tightly.

"I'm good! I missed you!"

"Awh, buddy. I missed you too." She replied, scruffing his hair slightly. "Does he know?" She whispered to Hotch, who stood smiling in the doorway, as he shook his head, indicating Jack didn't know Emily 'died'. "Come on, Jack, inside." He scurried away, heading straight for the couch.

"These are for you." Hotch said smiling, passing her a bunch of red roses as she let him inside the apartment. "And one for Leila."

"Aha, thank you! She's in her room still. I think she's nervous."

"I can talk to her if you want?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind-" Emily said as she filled up a vase with water and put the flowers in.

"Who's Leila?" Jack curiously interrupted, turning from the cartoons he put on the TV.

"She's my foster child."

"Can I meet her?"

"Planning on it."

"I'll go talk to her." Hotch stated, leaving the main room as Emily nodded to him, and heading to the bedroom doors. "Leila?" He asked, knocking on the white door lightly. When he heard her say come in, he opened the door to find the child in front of her mirror, trying to tie the back of her black dress. "Need some help?"

"Please."

"I got you." He finished off the knot, giving it a small bow. Nervousness was written all over her face as they stood in front of the mirror. "You look lovely."

"Thanks. Did Emily send you in here or something? Is it dinner time already?" She questioned, reaching for her dainty, silver necklace.

"No, but she did say you were nervous, and I see she wasn't wrong."

"I'm fine." She replied bluntly.

"That's my reply when people see I'm stressed or upset. I'm always here to talk, Leila." 

"I don't want to make a bad impression on Jack. It's silly, because you and Emily aren't actually together, but so far you've both made it seem like we are a little family, and if it does happen, I don't want Jack to hate me. I've never been this nervous to meet someone."

"Jack's a hard kid to crack at first and it will be tough, but he tried to make one of the kids who was being mean to him, be his friend. He won't hate you, and I'm sure if Emily and I did get together, he wouldn't hold a grudge towards you if you do make a bad impression. He's only a 6 year old kid, he might not even remember this night in a few years time. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."

"You sure he won't hate me?"

"As long as you don't bash me, he'll love you."

"Oh no, not my favourite thing to do!" She said, sarcasm lining her voice.

"Hey!" He whined before saying, "Come on, they're waiting."

"I'm joking." They got up, laughing slightly, and headed towards the door. "Mainly." She added, quietly.

"Heard that." He said without turning around, just heading forward towards the kitchen.

"Heard what?" Emily asked, stirring the pasta sauce.

"Nothing, but look who I got out of her room." He said, making his way to the kitchen, Leila following closely behind.

"Hey, wash your hands. I'm almost finished."