Ghosts • Aaron Hotchner

Chapter Five

Fallon

When she got home, Fallon collapsed onto her couch and broke down. All the stress from the case, on top of Michael's murder hit her at once, and she could barely breath. Fallon ran a hand through her hair as she tried to control her breathing, but the sobs that were causing her entire body to shake just came on harder. Fallon finally gave in to her emotions and allowed herself to cry for the next twenty minutes. The entire time that only thing she could picture was Michael looking at her with an expression of betrayal that shattered her heart. She had promised him that they would all be okay, and he got murdered because of her lack of concern.

When her tear ducts could no longer produce tears, Fallon booked the first flight she could get to Cleveland, and headed upstairs to pack a bag. 

The next morning she was landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Caroline and Anna were there to pick her up, both offering the agent small smiles. The ride to Anna and Michael's was silent, but Fallon was thankful for the distraction that Michael's son, Carson, caused when the three walked into the house.

"Aunt Fallon!" He cried and came running into the brunette's arms. Fallon smiled and knelt down so he could reach her easier, ruffling his hair as she did so.

"Hey buddy! How are you doing?" Fallon asked him. Carson smiles at her, and she could tell how hard he was trying to be strong for himself and his mother. It was something he definitely got from Michael, as he was always like that. Despite Michael being the youngest out of the three Shepherd siblings, if either of the two girls were scared he would always be strong for them even if he was scared himself.

"I'm good," he told Fallon.

"Well that's good," She responded, as she kissed his cheek.

"I miss daddy," he whispered in her ear as they hugged again. Fallon smiled to herself sadly, and squeezed Carson a bit tighter.

"I miss him too," Fallon whispered back. She picked him up, and then grabbed her bag and headed into the kitchen where Caroline and Anna were sitting at the table. Anna sent Carson up to his room to get ready for school, and then joined Caroline and Fallon at the kitchen table. Anna offered some tequila and Fallon immediately accepted, downing the glass in one go. The alcohol burned the back of her throat for a second, but it was a welcome feeling. It kept her from being swallowed by her emotions.

"This sucks," Caroline said out of the blue. Both Anna and Fallon nodded in agreement, as Fallon poured herself more tequila.

"You know, he was going to propose to you," Fallon told Anna. Anna looked over at the brunette in shock and then the tears started.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yeah. He had it all planned out. He had me and Caroline approve the ring, multiple times, might I add. It was going to be the happiest day," Fallon replied. By this point all three of them were crying, and it was only seven in the morning.

"Can I have the ring?" Anna asked. "I know that technically he didn't ask, but I just want to see it."

"Of course," Caroline said. She got up and went over to the pantry, grabbed the velvet box out of its hiding place on the top shelf, and then came back. "He told us he thought that you would find it if it were in your room."