I kept meaning to post this earlier, but when I was on my computer I kept forgetting. Well here it is and the third chapter is coming soon.

The hospital buzzed with doctors and patients moving around. Hotch felt his heart pattering as he watched the people carry on with their lives. He remembered well that Reid's mother was one among them, knew what Reid had done to try and help her, but he had only ever met her once and it was outside these walls. Looking up he saw Reid talking with the nurse at the front desk and sighed. She smiled and said something to the young man and disappeared. Reid turned and smiled at Hotch.

The older man smiled back and walked over to his younger lover. He reached up and put a comforting hand on Reid's back. "When the nurse comes back, we can go have lunch with my mom. You're still okay with this?"

"Of course, Spencer," Hotch murmured, rubbing his back before dropping his hand. "I really want to do this. We've been together for a long time now-."

"A whole year next month," Reid said with a shy smile.

"Yea, nearly a whole year," Hotch smiled. It faded to a look of confusion. "A whole year? Wow! I hadn't noticed the time go by."

"We have been busy," Reid said with a nod and sighed. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Hotch smiled and gripped Reid's upper arm, offering a gentle squeeze. "It is, Spencer. We'll get through this."

"Dr. Reid?" They both turned to look at the nurse as she smiled at them. "Your mother is waiting in the dining room."

"Ready?" Hotch asked gently.

Reid smiled and nodded.

The nurse led them to a corner where Mrs. Reid sat looking down at a book. Food had yet to be brought out, but the room was packed with people. Somehow, they had gotten a more secluded table. As they approached, the nurse left them and Mrs. Reid looked up and offered a reclusive smile to her son who smiled wider back. "Hi, Mom." He greeted sitting beside her. "How are you?"

"Tired, but it could be worse," she said with a sigh. She looked up at Hotch. "Let's cut to the chase. So this is him."

Hotch glanced at Reid and watched his cheeks darken. "Uh," Reid cleared his throat, "Yes; mom, this is Aaron Hotchner… my… boyfriend." A small smile pulled at his lips as he turned. Hotch shook Mrs. Reid's hand and sat beside Reid.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you under these circumstances."

Mrs. Reid eyed him discreetly before turning and picking up the cup of tea placed before her by one of the dining room nurses. As the younger woman disappeared, she fixed her tea. Reid glanced at Hotch, but before they could say anything she looked back. "So, you've taken up with my son."

Hotch swallowed and inhaled deeply. "Spencer and I have been together for nearly a year now-."

"Have you moved in with him?" Mrs. Reid had pulled her attention from the older of the two and looked at her son.

Reid nodded.

One of her eyebrows quirked briefly, before her emotionless expression returned and she looked calculatingly at Hotch. "He's moved in with you. You've been together for a year. What are your plans with my son?"

"I have no plans. Well none that have ulterior motives. I enjoy being with Spencer. I find I'm happy with him when he's with me and I just want to offer that same joy. As least I want to try. It's nice to have someone who understands the field of work you're in and gives you a break from the horrors you encounter."

Reid's gaze never left Hotch's face. His eyes widened as Hotch smoke. Mrs. Reid also never looked away from Hotch as he spoke. When he was silent, she glanced at her some and then at Hotch. "Well, you certainly seem to make him happy, from what I see. I suppose that's all I can ask for my son; for him to be happy. I suppose you're all right, Mr. Hotchner."

Reid looked at his mom and smiled, relaxing considerable beside Hotch. The older man looked at his lover and smiled.

Mrs. Reid looked at him hard before turning to the food that was placed before them by the wait staff. "I still think you're too old for him, but as long as he's happy."

The car door slammed shut behind them as they sat back in the car seats. Hotch sat behind the steering wheel and Reid beside him. The younger man relaxed in his seat and looked up at his lover. "That wasn't as bad as I thought."

"Yes, the food was excellent."

Reid laughed and shook his head. "That's not what I meant."

"I know, but I told you not to worry, didn't I?" Hotch said turning his head to look at Reid. He reached over and took Reid's hand and laced their fingers together. "I said we would get through it and we did."

Reid smiled and looked up at him. "You were right." He sighed and looked down at their hands. "Did you mean what you said… that I make you happy?"

"The happiest," Hotch murmured leaning in and kissing Reid gently. "Happier than I thought I could ever feel."

Reid stroked his thumb alongside Hotch's. "I'm glad, because… you make me happy too."

"I try."

"You succeed, every day," Reid confessed softly. Hotch stole another brief kiss and released their hands. He started the car and drove out of the parking lot. "You think your brother will like me?"

"He already likes you."

"I mean… like that you and I are together." Reid bit his lip as he looked out the car window.

"He'll be fine with it. I'm not worried about him. Even if he did have a problem with it, who cares? It's my relationship and I'm happy." Hotch gave a brief nod.

Reid looked up at him with wide eyes before smiling. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

The restaurant was crowded. Clearly a popular joint by the fifteen minute wait. Two seats were available at the bar beside a young man who resembled little of Hotch except for the nose and the jaw. "Aaron!" The man called them over waving, a big grin over his face.

Hotch nodded and waved at him. He put a strong hand on Reid's back and led him through the crowds of people, chairs and tables. They took their seats, Hotch hugging his brother briefly and sitting beside him, Reid sitting on the other side. "You look like you're doing well. How's the restaurant business?"

"I'm up for a promotion next week," the young Hotchner smiled proudly. Hotch returned it congratulating him. "Yea, it was touch and go, but the other sous chef I was up against got another job offer somewhere. Just need to get through one final interview and hope no one else shows up."

"Well, it looks like you're making yourself a good living here." Hotch said with a smile.

"Yea, but enough about me. How are things with you? A few e-mails once in awhile, but I never hear from you really. Then suddenly you're in town, almost across the country, and want to meet up. Has something happened?"

"Well, Sean, in a manner of speaking-." Hotch stopped and looked at Reid. "I'm sorry, I'm being incredibly rude. You remember Dr. Spencer Reid, yes?"

Sean smiled and looked at Hotch amused. "Yes, I remember. Good to see you again, Spencer. Let's see, the Christmas party before I left for New York, yea?"

"I believe so. It's nice to see you again too." Reid offered a nervous wave and glanced at Hotch before looked back at the menu set in front of him.

"Well, I wanted to introduce you to Spencer again as," Hotch stopped and looked at his brother's expression. One of his eyebrows quirked as he looked up at the older Hotchner; a smile pulled at his lips as he observed Hotch's nerves getting to him. "Well, Spencer and I have been together for nearly a year now and I wanted to introduce him to you as my lover."

Sean's expression disappeared as he stared at his brother.

Reid watched him and panic. He glanced at Hotch whose shoulders set. Where his expression before had been familiar and relaxed, now the hard line returned as he squared his shoulders. Sean glanced at Reid before looking back at Hotch. "Really, Aaron? You can't keep doing this to me." Sean grumbled, his blank stare slacking to exasperation. "A year? A year and you're now just telling me this?"

Reid glanced down and saw Hotch's hands clench. Sean waved his hand to dismiss Hotch and bent down to get closer to Reid. "You want to know how long it took him to tell me I had a nephew? I got a birthday party invitation for Jack's first birthday. You'll keep him on track, right? Make sure he calls people to tell them things. I swear to god, Aaron!" Sean sat back up and slapped his shoulder. "A whole year? Gotta start calling me, bro."

Hotch's shoulders relaxed and he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Sean," he offered softly. "We've been busy and we've both been wanting to do this in person for awhile. It just took so long."

"Well, I'm glad I was informed eventually," he said with a sigh and smiled at Reid. "This guy. Well, I'm glad he found someone to put up with him."

Reid laughed, followed by Hotch and Sean chuckled. They all laughed and ordered drinks.

Chapter 2 - End

TBC