Polar Opposites ~ Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 33

Abigail POV

I lay on the couch, my hands above my head as I simply stare at the ceiling. The shower has been running for the past half hour, Aaron having been in there for the time. A book rests on the coffee table, a deep blue bookmark sticking out from the top of the bound pages. I've spent the past fifteen days reading as much as I possibly can. Dragging Aaron to different bookstores to buy more books. We even went to an Ikea and bought a small bookshelf that now resides next to the TV.

We still have nineteen more days of time off after everything that's happened. Aaron has taken up cooking. My eyes glance at the kitchen counter, looking at the few cooking books that sit on the counter. He's been making different meals, experimenting with flavours and meals from different countries, his favourite being Italian and West Indian surprisingly. I helped him out with a few Jamaican dishes which he was appreciative of. We spend most of our nights cuddled up on the couch, watching the food channel. He has his notebook and pen, his rectangular framed glasses resting low on his nose as he jots down new ideas. I have my book, sparing a glance at the TV anytime I hear something remotely interesting happening.

The first few days were spent mostly separately. Not intentionally but I was processing things more emotionally; crying and sleeping where as Aaron, Aaron was shutting down. I wanted so badly to help him but what could I do? I can't bring his son back. I can't guarantee that we'll catch Foyet. So, I did as much as he'd let me. I'd hold him, run my fingers through his hair as he'd rest his head on my chest. I'd pretend not to feel my shirt grow damp from his tears, or the way he'd hold me tighter as he'd dose off. I pretended not to notice the way he'd be up at night because of nightmares.

Once I finally decided I cared more about helping him than dealing with my own problems, I tried to occupy him in the best way I could. Nothing seemed to be working at first but when I'd crept out of our bedroom one night to see him watching the food channel while nursing a cold beer, I realized I may have found my way of occupying him. The next day I'd convinced him to come with me and get groceries, after a few more tries he finally agreed and we had a pretty good time. We got home and he went to go to his room but I stopped him and told him we were gonna cook together, like we used to do when I'd first moved in.

He smiled softly and agreed. We played music, danced, cooked, laughed. It was the first time I'd seen him smile in a while. And before long, we'd found a flow. He'd cook, I'd be his sous chef. It has been quite enjoyable. None of us have really thought about work despite the occasional visit from the team. Emily popping in to give me a copy of a book she plans to read so we can both read and talk about it. Rossi showing up to have a drink with Aaron. Spencer coming over to admire my book collection and unintentionally scar himself by reading them. Derek simply to say hi and make sure I'm okay. Penelope will bring us desserts and cute Disney movies she thinks we'll like. JJ brought us a bottle of wine and an Ikea gift card, remembering we were planning on doing some redecorating.

I sit up as the bedroom door opens, Aaron walking out in a grey shirt and navy blue pyjama pants, his hair damp as he walks into the kitchen. He opens a drawer and puts on the apron I bought him, his name stitched into the hem. I smile as he opens a cookbook, scouring for what he's gonna make for dinner. I get off the couch and walk over, lacing my arms around his waist and leaning my head on his back. I breathe in his clean scent, whiskey and mahogany with the slightest hint of a smokey vanilla. I stay like this, listening to his breathing and the sound of his heartbeat. "You okay?" His back rumbles from the sound of his voice.

"Mhmm," I hum back, leaning into him a bit more. He turns and I loosen my grip before enclosing him in my arms again. His wraps his arms around me loosely, his hands clasped behind my back. I rest my chin against his chest, staring up at him with a soft smile. He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. My heart rate increases, beating loudly in my ears as he deepens the kiss without me having to initiate it. I shift in his embrace, moving my arms to they're around his neck while his hands grasp my waist tightly. He pulls me towards him as he kisses me feverishly.