I lost myself loving you || a.hotchner

21

The drive to the cabin was absolutely nerve wrecking. If he was here, he wouldn't go down without a fight and we can't risk those kids getting in the middle of a shoot out. Guys like him usually go out suicide by cop, I can't see him willingly just surrendering himself. In fact I knew he wouldn't, we all kinda did. As we drove I watched the light bounce off the ring on my finger, the thought of marrying Aaron enough to keep my hopes up a bit. God I still can't believe we are getting married. I looked at Aaron, who was driving, and he glanced over at me in the passenger seat curiously.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I slowly nod. "You're just pretty." I say softly and a pretty pink dusted his cheeks as he smiled at the compliment. "Thank you." He say quietly, a softness to his voice. "Get a room! Gross!" Derek say dramatically from the backseat, which I had made him take as he usually does take the passenger seat. JJ playfully nudged Derek who in turn nudged her back and I watched as they playfully knocked shoulders back and forth for a good 2 minutes. It was actually kinda amusing if I'm being honest. It was a really good distraction considering what was going on.

I eventually turned back as we entered the woods, looking at the windows as flashes of brown and green passed us by, staring up at the rays of sunshine that broke through the leaves and grazed across the forest floor. I almost forgot why we were even here due to the beauty of it all before I snapped out of it as we slowly pulled up to the cabin, lights and sirens off to ensure he didn't know we were coming. Him having children was too much of a risk, if we spooked him he could panic and kill them all and we'd be left with nothing and no one. The kids were priority.

We got out of the SUVs, gathering around to put on our vests and come up with a game plan. "We have to be smart about this, we have to assume he's willing to risk those kids lives in order to get his way. We're gonna enter quietly, if you find any children before you find him, worry about getting them out first. He's not gonna go out easy so stay together with someone. Expect the worst and hope for the best." Aaron says and his eyes met mine and he gestured his head a bit to say he wants me to partner with him and I walked over to him as I finished strapping up my vest with a nod.

Aaron and I took the front, Derek and Emily went around back and JJ and Spencer took front with us to go upstairs and Rossi stayed outside with police in case he tried making a run for it, guns fixated on all exists. Walking in, immediately a sickening feeling dropped within my stomach and I swallowed harshly as I gripped onto my gun tighter in my hands. Somethings not right at all the vibe in here is very off. Aaron and I had slowly approached the kitchen to see the 5 year old old sitting at the table, the baby on his lap. He looked terrified, tears shining in his eyes. My heart broke at the sight alone.

"Where is he at buddy?" Aaron asked quietly and he shrugged. "He made Molly go to bed." He whispers, tears falling as he said it, that's the oldests name. "Where's she sleeping? Is she upstairs?" I asked and he shook his head, pointing to a window and we both slowly approached to look out it and my heart dropped into my stomach. Out in the backyard was a pile of fresh dirt, a grave. Derek and Emily were standing by it, shocked looks on their faces as they slowly turned to meet our gazes, shaking their heads. Oh my fucking god. Why? Why kill such a young soul? My heart ached.

Aaron gestured for them to come in through the back door, and Derek came in first as Emily covered his six. "Take them out front, we have to clear the rest of the downstairs, go through the back he's less likely to see." Aaron says and Derek nodded, putting a hand on the little boys shoulder to guide him out, and Emily took the baby from him and Derek covered her six as she went first, unable to hold her gun with the baby in her arms. "He's somewhere in here, cmon." Aaron says and I nodded. This cabin was fucking huge so I wouldn't doubt he had some secret hiding place or some shit.

"There four close knit rooms down here, you take two and I take two. Be verbal with what you find." He says and I nod. I knew to yell if I cleared a room but I didn't want to start a argument so I just kept my mouth shut. There's more important things at hand right now. At least the kids are out safe. Well two of them are. My heart dropped again at the thought of him killing that poor girl. She was so young and probably so scared. I tried shaking it off. As I followed Aaron.