Love Unexpected

6. The Ambassador ❤

Narrator's POV

"Hello mother" Emily greeted the Ambassador who stood in the doorway of the hospital room with an amused expression on her face. Once she received the news of her granddaughter's kidnapping the ambassador was on the first flight home, temporarily abandoning her post in Italy because nothing mattered more to her than being there for her girls. She'd learned a long time ago never to put her career over her family again, and though her daughter hadn't confided in her about the relationship she'd developed with her boss the ambassador was well aware of it. She was opposed to the idea but in those few short minutes standing there, she saw how incredibly happy Aaron Hotchner made her daughter. Elizabeth also realized that Emily wouldn't risk the career she's worked so hard for if she didn't see a future with this man "I didn't hear you come in"  

"Well dear, you were a little preoccupied" She teased, watching her daughter turn a dark shade of pink as she buried her face into her boyfriend's chest "Agent Hotchner" She greeted, setting her bag down on the chair beside her granddaughter's bed "A simple thank you can't begin to cover my gratitude for everything you did for my girls" She began "When I got the call that Aubrey was taken and Emily had gone after I was utterly terrified, but you made me a promise that you and your team would find them and get them back to me safely and you did. You're forever in my debt"

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to get there sooner" He answered 

"Nonsense" She replied "You went above and beyond the call of duty for my girls, and for that I'm eternally grateful" She praised "If I'm being honest when Aubrey told me of this relationship with you and my daughter I wasn't at all pleased. I thought it was extremely unprofessional and would only complicate things on a job she's worked so hard for, but I was wrong." She admitted "I wasn't always the best mother, but her happiness does mean the world to me, and you make her happy. You love her, and that's why I don't doubt that you did everything you could to get her home safe"

"Thank you, ma'am" Hotch replied

"Please call me Elizabeth" She insisted "You're clearly a permanent fixture in my daughter's life, and that makes you family"

"Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" Asked Emily, surprised by her friendliness towards Hotch

"I'm a woman who almost lost the two most important people in my life," Said Elizabeth, blinking away the tears that clouded her vision "The thought that I may lose my only child and grandchild terrified me. It's because of this man that I get to greet you in a hospital instead of having to identify you both in a morgue. I owe him everything"

"Mom" Emily began, but Elizabeth cut her off

"I know you're fiercely independent and can take care of yourself, but it's good to know you have someone willing to go above and beyond to keep you safe"

"Thank you mother" Emily smiled, gladly accepting the ambassador's hug

"I'm not done. Darling I know I don't say this as often as I should but you are my everything. I love you, and I love that sweet girl of yours. I don't ever want to know what a life without you two would be like." She told her sincerely

"You don't have to" Emily interrupted "We're okay, and we both know how much you love us. we love you too mom"

"Good" Elizabeth smiled, brushing Emily's hair from her face to kiss her forehead "I know I'm interrupting a moment between the two of you, but I needed to see with my own eyes that you and Aubrey are safe. As much as I trusted Aaron's word seeing is believing"

"We'll have more moments" Emily assured her watching her kiss Aubrey's cheek "I'm happy you're here, and I'm sure when Aubrey wakes she'll feel the same"

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be." Said Elizabeth "Everything that matters to me is in this room, so you're stuck with me until I get you both home" She informed 

"What about your job?" Asked Emily "I know you want to be here, but I also know how important your career is to you and I completely understand if you can't stay for more than a few days"

"Nothing's more important than you two" Said Elizabeth "I made a promise to you when we mended our relationship that I'd always be here for you when you needed me. I'm not about to break that for a job that will still be there when you're better"

"Well, I look forward to having you here. Our girl is going to need us both to get through this"

"Both of you are going to need me." Said Elizabeth "You went through some pretty heavy physical and emotional trauma yourself. You can pretend to be okay for everyone else, but I know you. Emily, you almost lost your baby, coming to terms with that is going to be hard. I want to be here to help you through this"

"We're lucky to have you" Emily smiled "Both of you" She held Aaron's hand "I know you said that I don't need to thank you for looking after Aubrey, but I really am grateful she had someone she wasn't afraid to open up to"

"She's a good kid, I'm glad I was able to help" Hotch replied. The unit chief was beyond happy that things are finally seeming to look up for the Prentiss women. Recovery would be long and hard, but they had one hell of a support team