TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN- Spencer Reid/Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 1: Babysitting

~Aaron Hotchner's POV~

After his wife Hailey passed away six years ago, Hotch decided to put everything in his life on hold except for his job to take care of his son who was only 4 years old at the time. Now everything in his life is in order except for the relationship part. His now 10 year old son, Jack even noticed and decided to broach the subject with his father one Saturday morning about three months ago.

--Flashback—

Jack: Dad?

Aaron Hotchner: What's up, Jack?

J: Don't you get lonely?

AH: What do you mean?

J: Well, like you're always alone when you're not working or when the team is over. I don't like it when you're always alone and when I'm not here you just work dad and that isn't right.

AH: What are you trying to say buddy?

J: Just that maybe you need someone else in your life. You know like Aunt JJ and Uncle Will or even just like Uncle Derek and his girlfriend, I promise I won't have a problem with it as long as it makes you happy. It... it can even be a guy, it really doesn't matter. There is a boy at our school and h has two dads and they're really cool so I don't care... I just don't want you to be lonely anymore.

AH: Come here, Jack. (He said stretching his arms out to Jack) I love you and I love that you care this much about my happiness. You really are an amazing son.

J: I love you too, dad. So will you try?

Ah: Yes, I will buddy. (He said giving his son a kiss on the head)

............

The memory still brings a smile to his face today which slowly falls when he received a phone call from their section chief Mateo Cruz.

AH: Good evening, Sir.

MC: Good evening, I'm glad that I caught you while you're still in the office.

AH: I was actually leaving soon.

MC: That won't be possible, I'm afraid.

AH: Why, we're off rotation this weekend?

MC: It doesn't have anything to do with a case but your presence is requested at a very important briefing in half an hour.

AH: Isn't there a way that I can sit this one out, my son is already waiting for me.

MC: I'm afraid not Agent Hotchner, you are needed up here in half an hour.

AH: Okay. I'll make arrangements for my son.

MC: Sorry for the inconvenience Agent Hotchner

AH: It's okay. (He sighed putting the phone down)

...

He knew that he couldn't ask Jessica because she was out of town for the weekend and JJ had said that she and Will were having a date night and he didn't want to interfere with their plans so he got up and left his office and saw Spencer packing up.

AH: Reid. (He said walking down the stairs)

Spencer Reid: Yes Hotch.

AH: I know it's a Friday night but Cruz just called telling me that there is an important meeting being held in half an hour so I was wondering if you could please watch Jack for me until I finish up here.

SR: Sure, JJ asked me to watch Henry for them too so it won't be a problem. (He smiled)

AH: Thank you, Reid. Let me just call to let his friend's parents know you'll be picking him up