Wherever You Are

Wherever You Are Chapter 8

Chapter 8:

Forgiveness

(Hotch's Point of View)

I woke up when Derek parked the car. I unbuckled quickly and locked at my phone.

"They'll find him Hotch he'll be ok." Derek said but he looked unsure.

"You know as well as I do, that... He's prob..." I trailed off and jumped out of the car. I stood their staring at the darkness of he night surrounding me. Derek grabbed my shoulder and smiled.

"Hotch, they'll find him man." Derek turned away and I stood there staring at the moon.

When I walked inside to the brightness, looked around to spot JJ talking to El. The girls saw me and walked over. JJ had tear streaks running down her face, and El's eyes were even watering, I just starred.

"What's going on?" I asked my mouth open a little.

"Hotch... They found him."

I fell on my knees my eyes filled with tears.

"Hotch he's alive."

I smiled. "He's... He's alive." i cried and the girls were laughing and crying and hugging me. Everything froze and I smiled and grinned. JJ looked at me and grabbed my Hand and turned my body towards her office. I looked at JJ confused, but then I turned in that direction and standing there was Blake and El, her hand in his, and Blake pumped his fist, happy we'd found Jack.

"Come here!" I waved them over and it was a giant group hug. Time passed quickly now, and I was waiting for the moment when Jack walked through the door. Blake was holding El around the waist, and I raised an eyebrow and she glared then broke into a grin. Then Blake nodded towards the elevator. I turned.

There was Jack, his hair a mess, his eyes bright, and dirt smudged under his left eye. He looked like someone had cheered him up. He didn't come in walking, no he was in Strauss's arms and he was laughing at her and she whispered something in his ear, a smile on her face. Jack hugged her and she smiled at him and pointed to me.

"Don't tell Daddy!" Strauss said to him before letting go of his hand.

I looked down at Jack and picked him up l. Then I looked over Jacks shoulder and mouthed thank you. Strauss nodded and walked off smiling.

"Jack buddy I missed you so much. Are you ok?" I couldn't help but let a tear glide down my cheek.

"Daddy I'm ok that girl didn't hurt me Daddy." Jack brushed off the tear in my face.

Blake looked down at Jack, he grinned.

"Hey body this is your uncle Blake." I set Jack down and he walked over to Blake.

"Hey little man!" Blake lifted Jack above his head and tossed him in the air. Jack squealed and smiled, he seemed happy and I hoped he wouldn't ask about Elizabeth. I wish she was here now, in true honesty, I missed here and wished that I could keep her safe with my job.

But I couldn't ever truly keep her safe, but now I had to try, for Jack and for me I had to give Elizabeth and me a chance.

"Hotch do you want me to let Lizzy in here, she wants to see Jack." Rossi placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I... She hates me."

"Hotch are you kidding me the girls asked JJ where you were the whole time you were gone. Hotch this time it's different this time... We'll keep her safe. We'll catch Jade. Trust me. We learned our lesson after... Hai..." I nodded at him.

Lizzy came down the stairwell an ran to Jack.

"oh Jack little man I missed you so much!" Lizzy hugged him over and over.

Jack held her and wouldn't let go.

"Did daddy find you to Lizzy?" Jack asked.

"Your daddy... He saved my life." she turned and smiled at me, and looked down.

I felt tears and a smile spread across my face, I walked over slowly and wrapped them both in a hug, as I shut my eyes I thought of Hailey... She would want this for us. She would want Jack to have a mother figure.

I thought of Prentiss... If she was here...

I thought of all those girls who's bodies I've seen, but now. I realized. Even though I see the worst in things, I needed to start seeing the best in things, he light at the end of that dark tunnel I'm walking through.

I thought about where my mom was. Who knew. Maybe she was out there somewhere looking for me. Maybe.

I gave Lizzy time with Jack and walked to my office. JJ walked in.

"Letter for you Hotch."

I took it and said thanks and sat down to read it.

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Dear Aaron,

I bet you hate me now, and looking back, you have the right to do so. I was young back then, and leaving you was the hardest decision of my life, and I'm not trying to gain your sympathy, it was hard.

I was 22, and it was you or my badge, an your father wanted nothing to do with you, he wasn't the nicest man, but I know he still loved you. His job and mine were on the line, and after 5

Years in college, we had to decide what would be best for you.

It was against our departments regulations to be together and have kids, that's why it was a secret.

I miss you now, and wish I hadn't done what I did, and I hope in your heart no matter what hate lies there, that you know I love you, you followed in my shoes and I've tried so hard to keep you off this path. This life. A job in this department.

It destroyed our family, and has taken over your life I can tell. You hate me, because you don't know me, and I feel it's best that way, if you didn't know me.

Jack looks like you. He's so adorable, I wish I knew him better, knew you better. Words can't explain why I'm writing to you now, I just want you to know I love you so much. Please understand, I wish I was a part of your life, but I can't be.

Love mom.

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(Hotch's point if view)

"I forgive you." I knew somewhere she was alive. She loved me.

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This isn't the end guys! I will keep writing! Remember Jades still out there. Please keep commenting and reading! I just got an idea for another story which I REALLY want to start so. I'll probably only add like a chapter a day now. Please comment!