Anonymous Caretakers - Aaron Hotchner

04. The Rich Kid

Thank you all for reading my story <3

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"Aunt, everyone was like super jealous of my new backpack," Nathan cheered when he got home. It made Samantha's heart melt. That's amazing, my little monster." She tossed two candy bars at the boy. "Thank you!" She smiled. "Just this once,  m'kay? Because I missed you so much this weekend." 

Samantha started to prepare dinner while Nathan rambled about his school day. Apparently, one of the Ashleys had a crush on Jacob, who was in love with Nora. There was also a rumor that the P.E. teacher kissed one of the dads, but nobody actually saw it. She loved school gossip, it was the best.

 Samantha's phone started buzzing. 
"Why do you get so many texts lately?" Nathan wondered. 
"The charity run and the school party are coming up, everyone who's helping are texting each other. It's a very exciting month, Nate." The boy nodded.
"That's true, the run is in two weeks already. Isn't that fun?" Samantha hummed in agreement. 
"Alrighty, I'm done cooking. We'll eat around six, is that okay? I only have to warm it up anyway." Nathan nodded and went to his room, and Samantha opened her texts.

[A. Hotchner:] Do you have any idea what you've done?

She frowned.

[You:] No not really 

[A. Hotchner:] My son is begging me for a designer monster jacket because Nathan has one. That's on you.

[You:] My god, relax. It's only Stella McCartney.

[A. Hotchner:] So you're saying that it's completely normal to buy a toddler a 300-dollar outfit?

[You:] They're not toddlers

[You:]  Besides, it's the backpack you should be worried about.

[A. Hotchner:] What backpack

[You:] Oops, I gotta go. Byeee.

"Am I spoiled?" Nathan asked suddenly during dinner. Samantha wasn't sure how to answer that question.

"I guess so, but there's nothing wrong with that, sweetie. As long as you're a nice kid and don't act like a brat." Nathan found it a good enough answer because he continued eating his spaghetti after giving her a smile.

She didn't know why he'd asked her that question, but she was gonna ask about that after dinner. Right now she just wanted to eat in peace. 

A second later, Samantha received a call. "Great," she mumbled. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the name A. Hotchner on her screen. She started to sweat in panic, but then Nathan ran downstairs.
"It's Jack, it's Jack!" She sighed relieved when Jack's face appeared on the video call. She handed over the phone and continued doing the dishes, all while wondering why she was so nervous. She'd spoken with Hailey on the phone multiple times, it was the same thing.

-

When Aaron went to work the next day, he was beyond cranky. Last night he not only found out he had a hundred-dollar phone bill, but he also had to explain to a sad Jack that there was no need to match backpacks with his friend.

"Hotch, is everything okay?" He looked up at JJ, who stood in the door opening of his office.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it." He noticed the files in her hand.
"Another case?" The woman nodded, and they went to the conference room.