In Another Life // Jane Emily
A/N: The first child between Y/N and Hotch!
The level of uncomfort I am feeling is indescribable. It hurts when I lay on my side, it hurts when I lay on my back, it hurts to sit. Just everything is painful. I don’t know how people do this multiple times. This might have to be my only pregnancy.
Aaron has been out on a case for the last four days and I am practically useless. So Jess has been coming over to help and take care of Jack. I don’t know how we would survive without her.
Jess left me propped up against the headboard by at least four pillows. I am nearly sitting up. However, this just happens to be the best position that I have found. I glance at my clock and see that it is nearly 2 in the morning. I have to get some sleep, but I don’t feel that happening soon.
To my surprise, the door to my bedroom opens to reveal Aaron. “What are you still doing up?” he asks as he walks in.
“I can’t sleep. I’m too uncomfortable,” I whine. Aaron gives me a sympathetic look then begins to undress from his suit. “How was the case?”
“A little complicated. We were stumped for a while till Reid had a genius moment and figured it out.”
I chuckle slightly. “He’s quite good at that, isn’t he?”
Once Aaron has his pajamas on he gets into bed and properly greets me with a kiss. “Now, how have you been?”
“I have just been miserable. I can’t sleep or sit properly,” I say then place my hands on my stomach. “I just need this baby out.”
“It should only be a few more days,” Aaron assures me.
“Your time off starts now right?” I ask and he nods. Although him and I both know that he could still be called in at any minute.
Aaron scoots closer to me so he can place his hand on my belly. Almost immediately, I feel kicks at the top of my stomach. Aaron smiles while I wince in pain. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this,” I mutter.
“You have to admit she knows her daddy,” Aaron smiles. A true smile from him. I am lucky and see them more than most people do, but every time I see one I am overjoyed.
I place my hand on his cheek and his eyes meet mine. “This baby has no idea just how lucky she is,” I say.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Aaron says. He leans in and kisses me slowly until the kicking starts again. I place my hand on top of his hand that rests on my belly.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whisper into his hair.
When I wake up, it’s to a jolt of pain. With my eyes closed, I reach my hand out and try to find my boyfriend’s hand. After a moment of searching, I open my eyes and see that no one is there.
I check my clock and see that it is almost 7 in the morning, which means Aaron is already knee deep in emails.
I hoist myself out of bed and waddle down the stairs. I find Aaron exactly where I expect to find him, in his office. I peek inside and see him intently staring at his computer with his glasses on. “Hey,” I whisper as I walk in the doorway.
“Hey,” he says and whips off his glasses. He quickly gets up and leads me out of the office and into the living room then onto the couch. Once I’m settled, Aaron takes the other side of the couch. “How was your night?”
I sigh. “It was rough. I had contractions nearly the whole night, but they’re at least a half hour apart and not lasting very long.”
“Okay, well do you want me to make you some breakfast?”
“On it,” Aaron says and gives me a kiss before heading to the kitchen.
I manage to get a magazine off the coffee table and flip through it for a few minutes, then I get bored. I move to the dining room so I can overlook Aaron in the kitchen as he makes breakfast.
“So, how has work been today?” I ask.
“I’m on vacation,” Aaron tells me.
“Listen honey, we can do this whole thing where we both pretend you aren’t working, but know you are. Or we can just talk about it,” I say as he bites his bottom lip in thought. “I really don’t mind. I like hearing about work.”
“Well in that case, Morgan is taking over for me while I’m gone and he was just asking a few questions,” he says as he butters my toast. “He says he’s going to do his best not to bother us these next two weeks.”
“What?” Aaron asks as he slides the toast in front of me then sits next to me.
“I just don’t think there is anyway you can stay away from work for that long,” I say. “If Morgan doesn’t call you I’m sure you’ll lend your services.”
“That is not true,” he fights back. I raise my eyebrows at him, but still continue to eat my toast. But halfway through my first piece, pain pierces through my stomach. I lean over and clutch my stomach with one hand while my other one finds Aaron’s hand. “Just breathe through it,” Aaron coos and I do. It’s over within 30 seconds, but it was still painful.
I look up and meet his eyes once it’s over. “Are you sure these aren’t braxton hicks?” Aaron asks.
“I’m sure. These are way stronger than ones I’ve gotten earlier,” I say and he nods.
Just then, a sleepy Jack turns into the dining room, still in his pajamas. “Hey buddy,” Aaron says.
“Hey,” Jack croaks then sits at his seat. “Could I have breakfast please?”
“Yes, I will get you some cereal,” Aaron says then runs off to the kitchen. Jack’s sleepy expression quickly turns to happy when he realizes what we’re getting close to.
“Could she come today?” Jack asks excitedly.
“She could,” I say with a nod.
“Can you please, please, please tell me her name?” he begs.
“We aren’t set on anything,” Aaron says as he returns to the dining room with the cereal. Jack looks back at me from his dad and I give him a wink. I’d say we’re pretty set on the name, Aaron just doesn’t completely know that yet.
Jack quickly finishes his cereal then goes upstairs to get changed. Aaron slips on shoes even though he is still wearing his pajamas. “You’re taking him to school like that?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?”
“It’s just an interesting choice for someone who usually wears a suit everyday,” I say. “At least I won’t have to worry about any soccer moms hitting on you.”
“I think they’ve learned better by now,” Aaron says as Jack runs down the steps with his bag. “Okay, buddy let’s go,” Aaron says as he ushers him to the garage.
“Bye Mom!” he calls back and then the door shuts. I’m still not completely used to Jack calling me mom, but I still love it.
I get myself out of the dining room chair then waddle towards the steps. Before I can even get up one step, a gush of water spreads down my legs. Oh no.
Luckily, it did not take Aaron long to get back. Once he got home, we both sprang into action and grabbed our things then got in the car.
I got checked in relatively quickly and am currently sitting in my hospital bed. The contractions just keep getting closer and closer together. I know she’s coming soon.
“Aaron,” I say because he is across the room talking to the doctor. He quickly leaves the doctor and comes to my side. “Hold my hand,” I say, nearly begging.
“Of course,” he says and takes my hand.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“The doctor is going to check to see how far along you are,” he says and I nod.
Dr. Larson soon pops out from my lower parts with a smile. “Okay, Mama it’s time to push. Are you ready?”
I look to Aaron before responding. He gives me a reassuring nod which gives me more confidence then he’ll ever know. “Let’s do this,” I say.
I lightly coo to the new bundle of joy that rests in my arms. I try to be as quiet as possible because Y/N just fell asleep.
I slowly rock my arms back and forth as my baby stares up at me. She’s calm and quiet, just like her dad. She let out a few cries the moment she was born, but since then she’s been quiet as a mouse. Her eyes flutter open and close, showing me her beautiful brown eyes.
I glance up at my girlfriend again. I can’t believe we created something so precious. I forgot that feeling when you have a newborn, but it’s all coming back. The warmth, the wholeness, the pureness. I can’t believe I have gone eight years without this feeling.
There is a soft knock at the door, then Jessica pokes her head in. “Can you take a visitor?” she asks and I raise my eyebrow, unsure. She pushes the door open a little wider and Jack carefully steps into the room. Jessica closes the door again to give us some privacy.
“Can I see her?” Jack asks softly and I nod. He comes the rest of the way over and stares down at her. “She’s really small.”
“You were this small once,” I whisper. We both stare down at her for a moment while she sleeps.
“Can I have my baby back?” I hear from behind Jack. Y/N has woken up from her very short nap, but has her arms held out for a baby.
“I wanted you to sleep a little longer,” I say as I stand up slowly.
“I can’t,” Y/N says. “This bed is lumpy.”
Finally, Y/N notices Jack and shows a large smile. “Jack! Did you get to meet your sister yet?”
“Yeah, but she’s sleeping,” he says.
Y/N scoots over to make a small empty space on the bed. “Come up here,” Y/N says. Jack hops up on the bed so he is squeezed next to Y/N. “Do you want to hold her?”
Jack nods excitedly. “Okay,” I say as I place her in Jack’s arms. “Make sure you support her head,” I add. Once the nerves go away, I realize my heart is bursting. The three people I love most in the world all in one place.
“Can I know her name now please?” Jack begs.
I look down at Y/N and smile which is all the confirmation she needs. “Okay,” Y/N says. “Her name is-,”
“Hi!” I hear from the doorway. Garcia is standing with a large bouquet of balloons. “Can I come in?”
“Yes, come in,” I say and she does. Garcia sets the balloon holder on the ground then slowly walks up to the bed. She looks down at our baby for a moment, then covers her mouth.
“Oh my gosh, she is just beautiful!” Garcia says.
“Well we think so,” I say as I stare down at her. She begins to fuss in her swaddle then lets out a loud wail. Y/N takes our baby from Jack then sighs.
“I think she’s hungry,” Y/N says.
“Okay, we’ll give you guys a minute,” Garcia says then leads Jack out of the room. Before I know it, Y/N is already feeding our baby. I sit on the edge of the bed and place my hand Y/N’s leg.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Y/N chuckles.
I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m just so happy,” I say. “I am also so proud of you. I can’t believe you brought this beautiful, little girl into our lives.”
Y/N smiles down at her. “She is pretty perfect.”
I lean forward all the way and give her a kiss. “You’re perfect,” I whisper.
The more I think about it, the more I realize my whole life is perfect. I have a beautiful wife, two healthy children and a stable job. There is nothing more I could ever want.
I scoot closer to my daughter and my girlfriend. “Jane, how have we gone this long without you?” I ask.
