It Might Be You [Hotchniss]

XI

trigger warning: mentions of miscarriages

—

"So we just have the day off? For absolutely no reason?"

"I'm too tired for this shit." Emily takes a seat at her desk, as the group continues to ask Rossi questions.

"For the last time, Hotch told me to tell you that he requested for us to take the day off. No paperwork, no cases, nothing. We go back to work tomorrow," Rossi explains. "Now why are you kids still here, just go!"

Spencer leans on Emily's desk, grabbing the bottle of Tums and popping one into his mouth.

"Aww, again with the dairy?" Emily groans.

"I can't help it, I love dairy," Spencer mumbles, before speaking again. "How come Hotch didn't tell us himself or text us?"

Rossi surrenders by sighing. "Look kid, I didn't know till he called me this morning. Way before my morning should even start. He's occupied with something for the day, which is why he also mentioned not call him or anything like that because he won't answer till tomorrow."

"Why's that?" Penelope asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I'm just the messenger! Now please go, and enjoy your day. I'll see you kids tomorrow," Rossi walks away and out the doors.

The group makes their way to the elevator, all of them piling in. Emily's stomach grumbles which gives her an idea. "Hey, how about we go get some breakfast at a diner and we could go to the beach? JJ, bring Henry and Will, if he isn't too busy."

JJ takes her phone out and begins to text. "Okay. Let's do breakfast in an hour. We'll all go home and get ready for breakfast, then head straight to the beach."

They all agree, getting into their own cars and driving away.

Meanwhile, Hotch's day was just getting started.

"We talked about this. It's just for the day."

"Staying inside this house for an entire day, doing nothing? You've got to be kidding me, Aaron," Haley throws the towel onto the counter. "I have errands to do, it's my day off."

Hotch leans on the wall as she rants, hand in one pocket. "We need this. Our marriage isn't getting any better, it's brutal but it's true. If we want to continue this marriage, we have to make sacrifices. One of those sacrifices should at least be your day."

Haley sighs, running her hands through her hair. "What are the rules?"

"Whatever you want. Maybe let's try not to argue as much and try to focus on ourselves, together."

She finally agrees and the two begin their day. They both knew they had work to finish up, so they'd do that first. And hopefully by the time they'd be done, they agreed to have lunch together.

Lunch comes around and Haley prepared some salmon with a side of salad. As she sets down the last dish, she takes a seat with Hotch right next to her. "Let's eat."

After a few bites, Hotch breaks the silence, seeing that the only thing that could be heard was the scraping of their plates and their chewing. "So how's work?"

"Good, I'm adjusting well."

He nods. "That's good. If anyone's troubling you, just let —"

"What are you doing, Aaron?" Haley cuts him off. "Just get straight to it, I know you've been meaning to talk me. And this is the first time we've gotten the chance."