Chapter Text
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Hotch leaned against the bedroom door frame as he watched Emily move around, getting ready for work. It was her first day back at the BAU since Bethany had been born. She'd been out for just over five months, having left during her eighth month. They'd talk to night before if she was ready and she'd told him that she might never be ready to leave Bethany but she had to at some point.
"You're hovering Aaron." Emily said as she slid her holster on. Her gun was down in the safe and would stay there until Hotch and Emily had firm holds on the kids.
Hotch smiled. "Not hovering, watching."
Emily gave him a look and smile. "Is there a difference?"
Hotch shrugged as he walked into the room. "Not really but one sounds better then the other so that's all the matters."
Emily laughed. "Very true."
"So are you ready?" Aaron asked.
Emily sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I think so."
Hotch ran his hands down her arms and captured her hands. "You don't sound so sure."
Emily gave a small smile. "It's a little weird going back to work after being gone for so long. It's taking some adjusting."
Hotch kissed her. "You'll be fine. Jack's all ready to go to school, Bethany's things are packed and waiting. All that's left is waking her highness and getting her dressed to go spend the day with Grampa."
Emily stayed in Hotch's arms for a few minutes before pulling back. "Alright, I'll go wake Bethany."
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Richard held Bethany as Emily passed the baby's things off to the maid.
"Everything should be in her bag." Emily said. "You'll call if you need anything?"
Richard nodded. "I promise Emily. We'll be fine." he looked at Hotch over Emily's shoulder. "Take her to work Aaron."
Aaron smiled. "Trying Richard but she's armed again."
Richard laughed. "Gotcha," he focused on his daughter again. "Emily, your daughter will be fine. We're not going anywhere today and you can call to check on us at lunch. But no more then that or I'll unplug the phone."
Emily pouted. "You're not playing nice."
Richard held Bethany with one arm and patted Emily's crossed arms with the other hand. "It's called tough love sweetheart. Now go before you and Aaron are late."
Emily huffed but she and Aaron kissed Bethany before climbing back into their car. Richard helped Bethany wave bye to her parents before closing the front door.
"Your mother," Richard said to Bethany while shaking his head.
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JJ glanced at her watch as she stood in Dave's office doorway.
"You gonna stand there all day Jen?" Dave asked from his desk.
JJ looked at him over her shoulder. "No, Hotch asked me to be waiting so I could talk Emily out of her panic attack when they get in."
Dave smiled. "Given that you know something about separation issues, I think that's a very good idea."
JJ raised a brow and turned to face Dave all the way. "I'm not the only one Mr. Rossi. I seem to remember having to have Morgan come and remove you from the cabin for work after we brought Henry home."
Dave cleared his throat. "I have no idea what you're talking about Jen."
JJ smiled and shook her head, turning back to face the bullpen. She spotted Hotch and Emily entering and moved down to Emily's desk. JJ could tell from the look on Emily's face she wasn't too happy about leaving Bethany with her father. Hotch caught JJ's eye and nodded back towards where JJ's office was. JJ understood. Hotch didn't want anyone to see Emily possibly melt down so JJ was to take Emily to her office. JJ met them and took Emily by the elbow, moving her back out of the bullpen before she could react.
"What are you doing JJ?" Emily asked, her anxiety forgotten for a moment.
JJ pushed her office door open and motioned Emily inside. "Taking you somewhere we can talk."
Emily walked in without another word and plopped down in one of the guest chairs. JJ closed the door and leaned against the front of her desk.
"How are you holding up?" JJ asked.
Emily huffed. "It feels almost wrong not to have her with me."
JJ nodded. "I know exactly what you're feeling. It's perfectly normal Em. You just have to keep reminding yourself that she's fine, she's with your dad and you will be back with her at the end of the day."
Emily rested her head in her hands. "This sucks."
JJ sat beside Emily and ran her hand along Emily's shoulders. "Yeah it does."
Emily looked at JJ. "When does it get easier?"
JJ laughed. "Oh Em, I still hate leaving Henry, just like I'm sure Hotch still hates leaving Jack and now Beth too."
Emily dropped her head again. "He's not showing it."
JJ smiled. "Hun, when was the last time Hotch actually let something show when he knew it would effect someone else?"
Emily nodded. "Alright, you have a point there."
"If you need to, at lunch, talk to him about it." JJ suggested. "Just to make sure you're both feeling the same. I'll almost guarantee you are."
Emily lifted her head again and smiled. "Thank you JJ."
"You're more then welcome Em." JJ said. "My door is open any time you need some mother to mother talk." she took Emily's hand. "I don't want to say you get used to it Emily but really you do."
Emily gave a small laugh. "I think that's comforting."
JJ smiled. "Wasn't for Dave when I said it to him."
Emily laughter grew. "I remember that. He had a harder time leaving Henry then you did."
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Hotch watched through his office window as Emily sat at her desk working and laughing with Morgan, Reid and Austin. She'd been quiet for about an hour after returning from JJ's office but then Morgan threw something at Reid, causing the young agent to knock a pile of papers over, making everyone laugh. Emily had helped Reid clean the papers up and had been in a better mood since. He was glad she was doing better. On the drive to the office, she'd been shifting nervously the whole way and had picked up her phone to call Richard at least three times, all times which Hotch reminded her what Richard said about calling. Hotch leaned back in his chair and sighed. He knew what she was feeling. He had hated leaving Bethany with Richard as well but it was the same thing he felt every time he dropped Jack at school and knew there was nothing they could do but try and get on with their day. The faster it was done, the sooner they'd be home with them.
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Emily rocked Bethany as the baby slowly fell asleep. Emily had done really well during work. At lunch she'd gone into Hotch's office and talked with him. He reassured her that, yes they were both having trouble not having Bethany with them then they called Richard and talked to him and listened to Bethany giggle into the phone.
"I think she's asleep Emily." Hotch said quietly from the doorway.
Emily looked down at Bethany and saw she was sound asleep, her tiny thumb stuck in her mouth. Smiling softly, Emily moved over to the crib and laid Bethany down. Hotch pulled Bethany's blanket over her and they both placed a kiss on her forehead. Silently they moved out of the room and down to the living room. Hotch wrapped Emily in his arms as they sat on the couch.
"You doing ok?" Hotch asked.
Emily nodded, resting her head on Hotch's chest. "Yeah I think I am. It's a change but I can do."
Hotch kissed her. "Yes you can."
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