This story was written for HansonFanGermany as part of the Christmas gift exchange. My pairing is Hotch/Rossi. The First Noel; ice skating, Christmas Cookies, Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" are my prompts.
Chapter 1
December 23rd
"Daddy, I'm so excited to get to Uncle Dave's small creek. Are you sure Santa will be able to find me there" Jack Hotchner said bursting with all the energy a 6 year old.
"Jack, I promise you Santa will find you. And I think you mean Little Creek" Hotch responded chucking. Hotch thought about how much Jack loved his Uncle Dave. He had really supported him after his divorce. Then he help hold them both up after Hailey's murder. But it wasn't until he started co-coaching Jack's soccer games, that he became Uncle Dave. Often after a game he would go out for a burger and fries with Hotch and Jack. Hotch had always considered Dave a good friend, but in the past two years, their friendship deepened. They were so close that Dave invited Hotch and Jack to spend Christmas with him, at his Little Creek cabin. Hotch wanted to jump at the invitation, but his feelings towards Dave had gotten complicated lately. He didn't quite understand the nature of these feelings, as he never had them, at least not towards a man before. In the end, he decided to accept Dave's invitation. His family was traveling this Christmas. If it wasn't for Dave, it would be a quiet Christmas at home for him and Jack. Besides, whatever his feeling, he knew they were not shared.
"Too bad Uncle Dave called to say the pond wasn't frozen yet" Jack said, snapping his dad from his thoughts. "I brought my skates anyway, just in case. We are going to be there for four days. It may freeze."
Hotch laughed inwardly. "Maybe Jack, but don't get your hopes up too much, it takes a while for a pond to freeze."
"I know daddy, but even if it doesn't, Uncle Dave and us will have lots of fun."
"Absolutely!"
When they arrived at Little Creek, Dave came out front to greet them. "Uncle Dave! We're here!" Jack yelled out as he ran into Dave's arms.
"I can see that buddy" Dave responded lifting Jack into his arms. "Hey, Aaron glad you guys made it okay. The weather forecast shows the snow coming in this afternoon is going to be heavier than previously forecasted."
"Good things we got an early jump then."
"Come on in guys" Dave said as he took Jack's duffle bag. "I show you to your rooms."
After they got unpacked, they met Dave back in the kitchen. "It's snowing!" Jack exclaimed looking out the window.
"Yes it is. Jack, there is something we need to do kind of soon, before the snow piles up too much. Did you bring your skates?"
Jacks eyes grew wide. Without answering, he ran to grab them from his bag.
"Dave, the pond couldn't be frozen yet?" Aaron asked.
"No, but grab your coats. I have a surprise" Dave said as he grabbed his and headed towards the back door. Jack and his father followed him to the back yard, where they were stunned to see an inflatable skating pond set up.
"Dad, look it's a skating pond. Uncle Dave built us a skating pond" Jack screamed as he jumped up and down.
"Jack, why don't you put on your skates and we'll give it a spin" Dave said. He loved seeing Jack so happy. He considered Jack a bonus in his friendship with Hotch.
"Dave, when did you do this?" Hotch asked referring to the skating pond.
"I ordered it from Amazon, when I found out that you two would be spending Christmas with me. I knew how much Jack was dying to try ice skating."
"Thank you. I think you made Jack's Christmas."
"Just call me Santa Clause. Speaking of which, where are you hiding the Santa gifts?"
"There in the truck of the car, under a blanket."
"Why don't I start teaching Jack to skate, while you hide the gifts in the house? You can stash them in my bedroom closet."
"Okay, I just be a few minutes."
Hotch hid his son's presents and quickly return to the skating pond in time to see Dave Rossi fall on his ass. The three guys spent much of the afternoon skating. Jack's enthusiasm was infectious. When the daylight started to fade and the snow began falling quickly, they adjourned to the house for hot chocolate and dinner.
"Uncle Dave, you're a great cook" Jack commented as he feasted on his spaghetti and meatballs.
"Thanks Jack. It's the Italian in me. Plus, Mama Rossi's pasta sauce recipe" he said taking a sip of his wine.
"Daddy, you should get Uncle's recipe. This is so much better than the jar sauce you use."
"Gee thanks Jack. Maybe I'll have to enroll in the Dave Rossi cooking school" Hotch said laughing.
"Anytime Aaron, any time" Dave said looking up from his wine glass, giving Aaron a wink.
After the two men cleaned up, they entered the living room to find Jack watching "A Christmas Carol", not the original version, but the Disney version.
"Hey Jack, you watching a Christmas Carol. Good choice buddy" his father commented.
"I don't remember this version" Dave said, sitting down besides Jack.
"It's the Disney one that came out a few years ago. It's realistic animation, which I think is kind of creepy looking." The guys sat and watched the movie with Jack. By the end, Jack was fast asleep.
Hotch carried his son to bed, while Dave started a fire in the fireplace.
"Did you get him down okay?" Dave asked when Hotch returned.
"Out like a light. I think all that skating did him in. He had a great time today…we had a great time today."
"Jack's a wonderful little boy. I enjoy watching you two together, makes me wonder what kind of father I would have been…"
"If you had kids? I bet you would have made a great father, Dave"
"Aaron, I was a father. Caroline and I had a son, we named James David. He was born on April 26, 1979, he died that same day" Dave said in a quiet voice. Dave went on to explain to Aaron what happened to his infant son. Aaron sat in disbelief as he listened to his best friend pour his heart out. "I've thought about James many times over the years, but Caroline's death, well it brought it all back."
Aaron reached out and placed his hand over Dave's; "I'm sorry. Why didn't you ever tell anyone about your son" Aaron asked.
"I don't know. At first it was too painful, then it just became a private kind of thing, you're the only person I felt close enough to tell" he said glancing at Aaron's hand covering his own. "I need some more wine, you?" Dave asked.
"Yeah, more wine would be good" Aaron replied.
As he walked towards his kitchen he couldn't shake the feeling of Hotch's hand on his. He had always liked Hotch as a friend. Hell, he was his best friend, but lately he found his feelings shifting. His new found feelings exciting, but they also scared the hell out of him. Never once, in all his 56 years, had he ever entertained any romantic feelings towards men. It really didn't matter, he thought, Hotch was 100% straight. He had recently began training with that lady, Beth. That friendship would most likey develop into a relationship. He met Beth once, and she was definitely infatuated with Hotch.
When Dave came back with the wine, Hotch was looking out the window. "Wow Dave, it's really coming down out there. There is at least 8inches."
"There will be even more by morning, the storm is supposed to go on until early morning. Tomorrow, maybe we can take Jack sledding" Dave suggested. "There is a hill just beyond the garden." The two men sat on the couch talking and drinking wine for a long time.
"Hotch, what's happening with you and Beth? Have you become more than just training partners yet?" Dave asked.
"No, we're just training partners. We just didn't click; I wasn't attracted to her in a romantic sort of way. You were right though, it is time I move on with my life, just not with Beth."
They stayed up into the night discussing Jack, the BAU, families and everything else under the sun.
"Oh man, is it really midnight" Hotch said when he heard Dave's clock chime. "We should call it a night. Jack will be up early tomorrow."
"I know. He is so excited about it being Christmas Eve and Santa finally coming tomorrow night."
They tidied up and headed upstairs to their rooms. "Goodnight Dave" Hotch said when he reached his door. "Goodnight Aaron"