Author's Note: This wouldn't leave me the past few days. It's not as angsty and depressing as my other story going on so it was nice to write. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters.

Blessing

Chapter One: News

Late August 2012 (Present Time)

The breeze blew softly through her dark curls making them whip around her face. The summer day welcomed her mood as Emily walked out of the doctor's office. The morning sun was shining and the air smelt of fresh flowers from the floral shop she walked past. It wrapped her in warmth as the brunette agent made it to her car. Her heart was also wrapped in warmth like her pale skin from the news she just received. The smile on her face had been a permanent fixture for a few hours now. The small giggle that left her lips as she climbed into her seat and buckled her seatbelt led to more. After holding it all in while in the presence of others she finally let herself let go. She laughed in delight and clasped her hand over her mouth in slight disbelief.

It was really happening. After waiting so long it was happening. Her knees bounced on their own accord and a few happy tears slipped from her eyes. She mentally did a fist pump and squealed in sheer happiness. Emily never thought this day would come. And from the past two years of her life it didn't seem likely.

Having Ian Doyle come after her family and basically exile her from her own life and home didn't make this day feel like it would ever come. She left the only place she called home for a place where she didn't know a soul and that was the point. Her name was changed so many times she never knew who she was. It was a wonder when she came back after seven long tortuous months that she even knew her real name.

Walking around always looking over your shoulder in fear of the monster from your past was coming for you was no way to live. So she didn't. She didn't live, she existed. She stayed close to her apartment and didn't go out much. Having friends wasn't even an option. She ended up talking to herself most of the time. By the end she was afraid she might be going insane.

Then when she did make it home it took months to finally come to terms with the pervious events. Months of required therapy helped some but her team and family helped most. Each in their own way made her feel like she did deserve this family. She never would be able to thank them for that but she tried to everyday.

She indulged Morgan in his recertification for the both of them and quickly volunteered to help him with training new recruits. Dave was easier, just going to his newest book signing brought him around. Emily made sure to take the girls out for drinks and endless shopping even though she was in Paris for seven months, the shopping capital of the world. Garcia was appreciative for the time and JJ loved getting away from the office.

The one she worried about most was Reid. He was more upset about the secret of her 'death'. She understood he was hurt but eventually she couldn't take it anymore so she invited him over for a showing of his favorite documentary and he came around too.

Hotch was another story completely. After a few months back she made good on her promise to come to him if she was having a 'bad day'. She didn't have them often but when she did he always talked her through them. It was nice finally having someone to lean on. He became her pillar of strength on those bad days and she overcame them. But being close for a few weeks led to more than she ever thought.

The first time he kissed her she literally felt like she was flying. His taste and scent consumed her every time since. The dark haired man became a drug to her. She craved him like nothing she ever had before. His touch sent chills down her skin and his voice could melt her heart.

As with any addiction she eventually had to sober up. The withdrawal was almost unbearable but with time and major retail therapy with the girls she found herself happy again. She wasn't cured, she would always have him in her heart but she was able to move on. There were many reasons why they didn't work but for the sake of argument they wanted different things. And one of those things was the reason she walked into work with a goofy grin on her face.

After setting down her bag and briefcase she went about her morning routine chatting with the boys about their weekend and getting the daily gossip from the exuberant technical analyst. She never once told them about the news that made her heart race but she would. First she needed to tell him. Not because she had to but for his own sake she wanted to. The news wouldn't impact his life the way it would hers but she owed it to him to tell him first.

She grabbed a water bottle from the kitchenette and strolled back to her desk. She glanced up to his office and noticed his door open. Taking that as an invitation she took some of her files and walked up the stairs to the office. Subconsciously she placed her free hand over her flat stomach and whispered to herself that all was going to be okay.

Emily walked in cautiously and stood at the doorway. "Sorry to disturb you but do you have a minute?"

Hotch looked up from his paperwork saw Emily. Or Prentiss rather. He wasn't allowed to call her by her first name anymore. "Of course" he closed his file and leaned back in his chair.

She smiled awkwardly as she sat across from the large wooden desk. His office oozed masculinity in every corner. The desk was oversized and smack dab in the middle of the room along with a black leather chair he sat in. They told of his dominance. The wood work was all dark which made the room seem smaller with the dark paint and cabinets lined against the wall. Flowers were nowhere in sight and only a few photo frames occupied his desk.

The room screamed SSA Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner.

"Is everything okay?" he asked curiously as she diverted her eyes from his gaze and the smile faded from her lips.

She took a reassuring breath and spit it out. "I'm pregnant."

The world around them seemed to stop. Their eyes locked and held. His heart pumped in a new rhythm and his eye brows furrowed in confusion. It had been months since they were together and she was on the pill at the time. Hotch felt his life spinning.

As the silence became threatening Emily turned her gaze to her lap where her fingers picked at the fingernails of her left hand. It was a nervous tick she had tried to get under control but it seems to not be working.

Hotch cleared his thick throat getting Emily's attention. "I-um… I will support you with whatever you choose to do." He stuttered out as best he could. All he could think about was telling his girlfriend of two months that he knocked up his co-worker.

"Thanks but I think you have the wrong impression. It's not yours." She said softly. She should have known he would think that but she honestly didn't think to say that first. He was now dating someone else and it had been months since they broke up. Although Emily still loved him and in a way she always would she would never hide a pregnancy from him for several months if the baby was his.

A sigh of relief came through his lips and his heart rate slowed. It was beating so fast he would probably have had a heart attack. An unintentional smile graced his face but soon disappeared at the frown on the woman's face. Guilt quickly replaced the relief and he was quick to apologise.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look happy about that but you know how I feel about more kids." He reminded her.

She just nodded and bit her tongue to stop her mouth from giving him the reply she wanted to. Looking away to get her emotions under control she tried hard to disguise her face from the hurt she felt at his confession of happiness.

She did understand he didn't want more children but that being his reaction made her feel if this was his child he would turn her away. How could a man look at his child as a regret? But still she didn't voice it.

"Whose baby is it then?" he asked. He knew she wasn't seeing anyone at the time and it worried him slightly.

"He or she is my baby. I was artificially inseminated with a donor." She answered confidently. Raising a child on her own was going to be hard she knew but with all the work came the best reward possible. She would have a family of her own. She would become a mother which was something she always wanted.

"That's… great Emily." He nodded. He knew this was something she wanted. When they were together that was one of the biggest things they differed on. He had a son and that's all he wanted. Emily on the other hand craved to have a child of her own. The difference finally became the last straw, so to speak, and they split.

"Thanks. I wanted to let you know before I told the team." She smiled weakly.

"Thank you. I appreciate that. Just to warn you because I know you will fight it you will be taken off field duty at 6 months. How far are you now?"

Emily rolled her eyes and huffed. "I know and I will try not to fight it but I can't promise anything. I'm eight weeks." Her hand went to rest on her stomach again. It was more out of comfort and reassurance than anything else.

"When do you want to tell the team?"

"Soon" she smiled. Even though he hurt her by his reaction she was still thrilled with her news.

March 2012 (Flashback)

Emily was nervous as she stepped out of her car and onto the warm cement of the local park's parking lot. Hotch had finally asked her to meet his son Jack. She had met him in passing a few times over the years she worked with his father but this was the first official 'Hi I'm your dad's girlfriend' meeting.

She loved kids and was surprisingly good with them considering her experience with them which wasn't all that much. Having a mother like the Ambassador didn't help her in that field either, her mother was always too busy to have quality with her so Emily never had the parent child bonding. In a way she knew how she didn't want to act with children but on the other hand she wasn't sure how to speak to them. Talking with child victims was different. She already had something to talk about. She had a goal to work towards but with Jack she wasn't sure what he would feel comfortable talking to her about.

After voicing her concerns with Hotch, her boyfriend of a month and a half, they decided it would be better for her to meet them at the park so Jack could play if it was uncomfortable. But she was hoping it wouldn't be.

Spotting Hotch's waving hand she smile softly and walked to him. "Hey" she said standing a few feet from the man and his 6 year old son.

"Hi, Jack this is Emily, Daddy's girlfriend." Hotch knelt by the boy giving him a reassuring smile and a small nudge to get him to greet her.

"Hello, can I go play now?" he turned to his father his dark eyes pleading for his freedom.

Hotch chuckled and agreed but reminded the boy their picnic lunch would be ready soon. Jack ran off as fast as possible giving Emily some relief. Apparently he had no major reaction to her and all he wanted was to play. She couldn't fault him for that. There were many children his age playing on the giant slide which he went to first.

Lunch was soon setup on the nearby lawn. The spring day was perfect for a picnic; fresh flowers bloomed next to the tree they took shade from and the sky was clear from any clouds. Emily sat next to Hotch her hand in his as he closely watched over his son. He was very protective even from Emily. He waited and waited to tell Jack he was dating and even then he didn't tell the boy about her. Jack had been through so much in his few years that she understood when Hotch told her he didn't want to bring her in straight away.

"I'm hungry!" Jack said with a smile as he ran up to the agents. His face was slightly sweaty from all the running he did and he definitely smelt like a boy Emily thought.

"Let's eat then. Wipe your hands please." Hotch handed Jack a hand wipe. "Would you like peanut butter and jelly or turkey?"

"Peanut butter and jelly please." Jack smiled taking his sandwich and crawling into his father's lap.

Emily moved to sit across from the pair. "Did you have fun Jack?" she asked. She nervously bit her lip waiting for his response.

"Yep. Did you see me go down that big slide? It's so big right dad?" he pointed excitedly.

"It is very big buddy. Can you sit beside me so I can eat?" he moved the boy then grabbed his preferred sandwich and offered Emily the same.

"Thanks." She smiled then turned to Jack. "I did see you. You went down really fast." She opened the baggy and took out her sandwich then smiled at Hotch for remembering she liked ham not turkey.

"Yeah, do you like going down slides too?" his eye brow rose questioningly.

"I guess. I haven't been on one in a long time but I like rollercoaster's. They go fast too."

"Dad took me to the park that has those but I was too small to ride them." he said sadly taking a bite from his food then wiping his face with his shirt. Hotch quickly handed him a napkin and frowned down at him.

"Amusement park, buddy." Hotch corrected. "Maybe we can go back now that you're bigger."

"Can we? Do you want to come to Emily?" Jack asked moving closer to her and setting down his food. The smile on his face made his eyes brighten and small dimples that reminded her of Hotch poked out from his chubby cheeks.

She smile inwardly that he was warming up to her and by the look on Hotch's face he was pleased. "I would love to." She was thrilled that she was asking the right questions and getting him to open up to her. She figured he might say a few words but by the way he keeps moving towards her she knew she was in the good.

Jack nodded happily and then took on a serious expression. He put down his sandwich and caught Emily's gaze. "Do you work with my dad to get the bad guys?"

Emily looked to Hotch first and when he nodded she smiled "I do. Your daddy is my boss." They had just recently told the team. Most of them were happy and accepted it fast but a few were still coming around.

Morgan being one who wasn't so happy about the idea had made his opinion heard. He felt Emily was like his sister so he was just protecting her. Hotch carefully reassured him that all his intentions were good.

"You won't get hurt like my mommy right?" Jack asked smiling weakly.

Hotch nearly choked on his water as he wrapped a hand around his son's arm. "Jack!"

Emily put her hand up to stop him and smiled down at the boy. He was just worried. She took his hand in hers and squeezed gently. "No honey, I'm not going to get hurt like your mommy."

Hotch's hand let go of his son and he stared at the woman in front of him. Half of him was a little mad she even answered the question. How could she know she wouldn't get hurt? It was unfair to promise Jack she wouldn't if she didn't know if she would. He thought back to the Doyle debacle, she was hurt then.

The other half of him was happy she took in Jack's question like a pro. She would make an incredible mother. She was gentle and kind and most of all loving. He knew that's why she does so well with child victims. She could get them to open up and feel safe all at the same time.

Present Day (Late August 2012)

Hotch thought back on that day as Emily left his office and smiled at the thought of Emily being that way with her own child. A picture of her at the park with a dark haired little girl swam through his mind. She would make a great mother but why is his gut telling him this is all wrong?

A/N: I know another baby fic but hey it's different then most out there. Hotch is not the father and they were in a relationship previously. Make sure to pay attention to the time line in each chapter. Some are flashbacks. Leave me your thoughts please!