Title: On the first day of Christmas 11
By: Daisyangel
Pairing: Hotch/JJ
Rating: PG-13
A/n: this fic is inspired by my little niece and her experience with Santa. Henry's experience is based off hers. She's two and she had no problem throwing her three-month-old brother under the bus, but she didn't want anything to do with the guy in the big red suit.
Summary: Henry doesn't like Santa.

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"So it is. I can't believe we've only been married since June," Hotch said happily.

"I know me either. I'm just glad Henry's young enough he won't really remember Will," JJ said. At Will's name she let her head drop.

"Hey, look at me, JJ," Hotch called softly. Slowly she turned her head to look at her husband. "It's not your fault that Will left you and Henry. He chose to terminate his parental rights. You didn't, only him. You love that little boy, and so do I, just remember that."

"Thanks, I needed that, well what do you say we go to bed?" she suggested.

"Sounds good to me. We still planning on taking the kids to get their pictures with Santa tomorrow?" The media liaison nodded as they climbed the stairs and after checking on the boys, they headed for their bedroom. JJ was confused, though, when Aaron stopped at the door to their bedroom. Looking up, she saw why. He'd hung mistletoe over the door.

"If you wanted a kiss, all you had to do is ask," she said leaning up and kissing him softly.

"Then, may I have a kiss, Mrs. Hotchner?" he whispered against her lips.

"Happily," she responded just before kissing him.

XXXX

"What are you staring at?" Hotch asked as they stood in the long line to see Santa.

"That lady is wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater I've ever seen," JJ explained. Taking a look for himself, Hotch agreed with his wife. The sweater had reindeer and what was supposed to be a Santa head, but looked creepy instead of happy.

"Wow," he exclaimed.

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," the media liaison agreed. The sound of Jack's excited voice brought them back.

"It's our turn, Daddy. Come on, Daddy, Mommy. We gotta go see Santa." Smiling the two parents turned their attention back to their children.

XXXX

"Go ahead, Buddy," Hotch told Jack, giving him a smile. Eagerly, Jack scampered up to where Santa's elf was standing and after accepting a candy cane; he climbed up on Santa's lap and began telling him his Christmas list. Once he was done talking, the elf took a photo and printed it out before handing it to Jack along with a stocking he could color and keep.

"That's a nice picture of you and Santa, kiddo," JJ complimented.

"Thanks, Mommy," he said happily.

"You ready to go see Santa, Henry?" JJ asked getting down on the two-year-olds level.

"No thank you," he answered.

"Do you want Daddy to go with you?" Hotch offered.

"No," Henry answered again.

"Do you want Jack to go with you?" JJ suggested. Again, Henry said no.

"Would you like a candy cane, sweetie?" asked the elf.

"Yes," Henry replied.

"What do you say?" Hotch prompted.

"Pease," he replied.

"Here you go," she said handing it to him.

"Thank you," Henry said happily.

"Do you want to go up with me?" the elf asked the toddler.

"No," Henry replied.

"Would you like a stocking to color?" the elf asked. Henry nodded and took it from her. Deciding to give it some time, the family walked off and appeared back at Santa a few minutes later, but Henry still wouldn't go see him.

"Maybe next year," JJ said hopefully.

"Maybe next year," he husband agreed as the family walked out of the mall, carrying one picture of a kid sitting on Santa's lap instead of the two they'd hoped for.

Finished!

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