Retrograde [Completed]

Part 30

"Thank you for doing this. You don't understand how much this means to me. Or our mother." Logan is shaking Hotch's hand for the millionth time. You and Logan had a long talk after you and Hotch had settled that he would pay and things were looking better for the two of you.

"It's not problem at all. Aisha's my family now and so are you and your mother." He looks down at you, adoration shining in his eyes and your breath hitches.

Family.

"I think she's up for meeting you. She doesn't talk much now." His voice is sad and you grab his hand.

"I'd love to if that's okay with the both of you." He's eager.

"Sure." You say brightly, though you're nervous. Logan offers to fetch you all coffee while you handle introductions. You and Hotch enter your mother's room and you turn to him. "Could you stay by the door? I don't want to overwhelm her."

"Of course baby." He pulls your hand up to kiss your wrist and you kiss his as well before walking over to your mom. She's reading a book you instantly recognize as the poem book you written years ago. Her eyebrows are furrowed as she takes in the words.

"Hey momma." You say gently, sitting in the chair next to her.

Slowly she looks up, her movements slower than they used to be. "Hi, angel." She says sweetly and your heart explodes. After all that time avoiding her, she'd let you back into her heart in no time. The rich, comforting sound of her voice calling you that would never get old.

"There's someone I want you to meet. He's my boyfriend. I...I love him." You say hesitantly. What if she didn't approve?

She doesn't say anything but her head tilts to the side, her eyes excited and expectant. You turn in the chair to wave him on. His fingers are rubbing together when your eyes land on him and he smiles nervously as he makes his way over.

"Momma, this is Aaron Hotchner. Aaron this is my mom, Marjorie James." You look between the two of them."

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. James." You Can head how nervous he is and your heart swells.

"Majorie, please." She replies, surprising you. She had given Tyler a harder time. Maybe because the two of you were so young.

He nods, his grin widening. "Marjorie."

"He's going to help us with the bills for your care, I don't know if Logan told you that." You pat her hand affectionately.

"So you love her?" Your mom's intense gaze is trained on Hotch, she doesn't blink. This is the most alert she's been since the accident. Your mouth drops open at her question, your eyes flying to Hotch.

"I love her more than I've loved anyone ever." His voice is strong, he doesn't falter.

"Good, she needs someone like that." She nods slowly.

"Mom." You're embarrassed, and you feel yourself blushing.

"It's alright love." He squeezes your shoulder reassuringly though his use of 'love' just makes you more embarrassed. PDA in front of your mother.

Your mother isn't phased and turns her gaze back to you. "Aisha, will you read these for me as I fall asleep?" She weakly holds out the book and you take it from her.

"Of course momma." You flip to the middle of the book.

"Back with coffee!" Logan chimes as he enters and your grateful that he's back so the attention isn't solely on you and Hotch.

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"He would've turned 7 today." Hotch is clutching your hand, looking down at Jack's headstone.