Title: On the first day of Christmas 4
By: Daisyangel
Pairing: Hotch/Garcia & Morgan/Prentiss
Rating: PG-13
Note: this is a personal challenge I've set myself. I am planning to submit a fic a day up to Christmas with as many pairings as I can and the fic has to involve Christmas or the holidays.
Summary: Hotch has to go leave a pregant Garcia and Jack a couple of days before Christmas to work on a case.

***

"I just wish you were home," Garcia said sadly as she talked to Hotch on the phone.

"I do to, but unfortunately, the snow storm has canceled all flights in or out of Michigan," Hotch replied in a tone full of regret. He didn't like leaving his wife anytime, but especially not right before Christmas and especially considering she was nine months pregnant with their first child. Unfortunately the conference was one as the unit chief he was required to attend and he had also given a presentation. He and Penelope had gotten married a year ago. After Haley's death, she stepped in as much as she could to help him and Jack through some of the worst times in their lives. Just then he heard a small voice.

"Is that Daddy, Mama Penny?" Jack asked. He'd started calling her that when she and Hotch got married. Every time she heard him call her that, it made her smile.

"Yes it is, Jackers. Do you want to talk to him?" she asked.

"Yes, please, can I?" exclaimed the seven-year-old.

"Here you go, kiddo," Garcia said handing him the phone then rubbing her belly where her and Hotch's daughter was kicking.

XXXX

"Hi, Daddy."

"Hi there, buddy. How are you?" Hotch asked. He was sitting in a chair at the airport watching the snow falling heavily outside.

"I'm good, when are you coming home? Mama Penny and baby and me miss you," Jack informed his dad.

"The baby and I," Hotch corrected.

"Yeah, that's what I said," Jack huffed. Hotch laughed at his son's statement.

"I'll be home as soon as I can, Jack," he answered.

"Before Christmas?" Jack asked hopefully. It was the day before Christmas Eve.

"I hope so, but I can't promise you, buddy. It's snowing really badly here and all the planes are grounded," Hotch told his son.

"What did they do to get in trouble, Daddy?" the young boy asked clearly confused.

"What do you mean, buddy?" Hotch asked just as confused.

"You said they were grounded, what did they do to get in trouble?" Garcia and Hotch both smiled at the little boy's question.

"Oh, they're not in trouble. In this case, grounded means they can't go anywhere because of the whether. Do you understand now?" Hotch asked.

"Yeah, I've gotta go, my movie is back, love you, bye, Daddy!" Jack called thrusting the phone at Penelope then running off.

XXXX

"Hi again," Penelope greeted as she put the phone to her ear.

"Hi again, how are you and baby feeling?"

"We're okay, but our little gymnast is seeing how many flips and kicks she can do inside Mommy," Garcia admitted.

"Put me on speaker then put me next to your stomach," Hotch instructed. Nodding Penelope did what he requested.

"Okay," she replied.

"Hi there, baby girl, it's me Daddy. You've got to stop being so hard on Mommy, okay? I love you and I hope to be home as soon as I can. Now behave for Mommy, please. Love you so much, little girl," Hotch said trying to blink back the rare tears of frustration at the fact that he was away from his family around the holidays.

"I think she can hear you, she's calming down," Penelope said happily.

"I'm glad to help. Well I have to go. I've got to find a hotel for the night and hope that the flights will be ungrounded tomorrow. I'll do my best to make it home before Christmas day," Hotch promised.

"I know you will, just be safe and know that we love you," Penelope said as she yawned.

"I love you to. I'll let you go so you can get Jack to bed and get to bed yourself. Night, Penny," Hotch whispered.

"Night, Aaron," she whispered back before slowing getting off the couch and heading for the family room where Jack was watching "Frosty The Snowman" his favorite movie.

XXXX

It was around 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve and she and Jack were finishing up the last batch of Christmas cookie baking when her cell phone rang. Recognizing her husband's ring tone, she smiled.

"Hi there, Handsome," she greeted with a smile.

"Hi, Penelope," he answered dejectedly.

"Judging by the sound of your voice, you don't have good news, do you?" she asked.

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart. All the flights are still grounded. There's been talk about them starting later this evening, but it's not a 100% guarantee," Aaron explained. Penelope sniffed and tried to blink back the tears, but she wasn't completely successful.

"Don't cry, Mama Penny, I'll help make you feel better until Daddy gets home," Jack vowed as he put his small hand into hers.

"Thank you so much, sweetie. That means so much to me," Penelope said with a wobbly smile. "Why don't you go find your boots? We need to head over to Auntie JJ's for her Christmas party in just a few minutes," Penelope instructed. Nodding, Jack gave her hand one last squeeze before running off to do what he'd been told.

"Are you going to be okay?" Hotch asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Oh, guess what?" she asked, some of her excitement slipping back into her voice.

"What?" Aaron wondered.

"It snowed some here. It looks so pretty. Jack and I made snow angels earlier."

"Sounds nice how are the roads? I don't like the idea of you driving to JJ's if the roads are bad," her husband replied.

"Don't worry, darling. Our resident genius will be picking me and Jack up," she assured him.

"Mama Penny, I can't find them," Jack called out.

"I have to go, but I'll see you soon, I hope," she said softly.

"As soon as I can get there. The snow has stopped and if I can't get a flight in the next few hours, I'll rent a car and drive home. I don't want to miss Christmas with you," Aaron admitted.

"We'd love nothing more than to have you here with us for Christmas, but if you can't make it, we'll understand. You can't control the weather. I love you and stay safe," Penelope urged.

"I will, my love, I will." Hanging up the phone, Penelope headed to help her step-son find his boots.

XXXX

The doorbell rang just as the computer tech was putting in her earrings. They were Christmas trees that jingled and she was wearing a very bright red dress with candy canes on it. Moving as quickly as her pregnant belly would allow she walked down the stairs and opened the door, revealing Reid.

"Hi there, baby cakes, how are you?" she asked in a chipper voice.

"I'm doing well, how about you?" Reid asked as he stepped into the house.

"I'm doing okay. I'd be doing a lot better if Aaron were home," she answered softly.

"All the planes still grounded?" Reid replied. Penelope nodded.

"I'm sure he'll get home as soon as he can," Reid soothed. Just then, Penelope winced and rubbed her stomach.

"Ouch, baby girl, settle down," she requested.

"Baby active today?" Reid asked.

"Very much so," Garcia replied, just as Jack who was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that said "Dear Santa, I can explain…" and that lit up came running into the room.

"Hi, Uncle Spencer!" Jack cried.

"Hey, Jack. Are you ready to go?" Reid asked. Both Jack and Penelope nodded and after grabbing both their coats and other outer ware and helping Jack into his and putting on hers, the three of them left, Penelope and Jack carrying the presents for the rest of the team.

XXXX

The party was in full swing and everyone had just finished opening presents when Morgan noticed Garcia wincing and rubbing her stomach out of the corner of his eye.

"You okay, Baby Girl?" he questioned. "That's the third time I've seen you wince in an hour," he commented.

"Oh, yeah, just fine. Little one's just kicking a lot tonight," she answered.

"I understand that," Emily said sincerely as she held her and Morgan's four month old son, Jeffrey Spencer Morgan.

"Yeah, me, to," JJ agreed smiling fondly at Henry who was playing on the floor with Jack. Feeling a sharp kick, Garcia winced.

"Any word from Aaron yet?" Rossi asked as he sat down next to her on the couch.

"He sent me a text about half an hour ago saying that all the flights were going to be grounded until tomorrow at 11:00 in the morning, but that the roads were apparently clear enough to drive if you were careful, so he's renting a car. The idea of him driving in the bad weather worries me, but I know he'll be as careful as he can," she admitted. Rossi began doing the math in his head.

"It's 8:00 PM now, and it takes about 10 hours to get from Detroit to Quantico, so he should get here around 6:00, maybe 7:00 tomorrow morning if the weather causes problems. I know he'll be glad to make it home for Christmas," Rossi commented. Garcia nodded. Just then the baby girl landed a strong kick to her bladder.

"Looks like another trip to the bathroom," she said trying to get up and failing.

"Here, let me help you, Kitten," Rossi offered holding out a hand to pull her up.

"Thank you, kind sir," Garcia responded flashing him a bright smile before turning and waddling, yes, waddling her way down the hallway to JJ and Will's bathroom. When you were as pregnant as she was, the only way you could get anywhere was to waddle. After using the bathroom and washing her hands, Garcia made her way back into the party just in time to hear JJ announce that it was time to sing Christmas carols. Both boys cheered and all the adults smiled. Everyone began singing and before she knew it, Penelope had let her worries about her husband driving home fade to the back of her mind. An hour went by and the adults could tell that the older two kids were starting to fade but were fighting it and Jeff was sleeping in the Pack-N-Play JJ and Will had for when the kids were visiting.

XXXX

"Who wants Hot Chocolate?" Will called from the kitchen. A chorus of yes pleases and I do fill the air. Everyone began passing around mugs of the warm delicious drink.

"Here you go, Pen," JJ said, standing in front of her friend. Garcia didn't acknowledge the other woman, though.

"Pen, you still with us?" JJ called out. Wincing in pain, Penelope blinked and stared up at her friend.

"Oh, yeah, sorry was lost in my thoughts, Sorry, Jayje. What did you say?"

"I said here's your Hot Chocolate. Are you sure you're okay? You look like you're in pain," JJ said.

"I'm fine; my back's just been hurting a lot today and little girl's been kicking a lot. JJ frowned and let it go. She had a feeling that her friend wasn't telling the truth, but she couldn't do anything until Pen was ready to talk.

"If you say so, here you go, hope you enjoy," the media liaison said handing her the mug. Taking a sip, the computer tech smiled as the warm liquid touched her tongue.

"This is delicious, thanks, Will," she called out to the man who was getting Jack and Henry settled with their drinks.

"You're welcome, Pen," he replied smiling. Finishing her drink, Garcia stood up and began heading for the kitchen to put it in the sink despite JJ's protests.

"Pen, you don't have to do that," the blonde protested.

"I don't mind, the walking does me good. I was getting a bit stiff," Pen responded just as she reached the kitchen. After placing her cup in the sink and running water in it, she turned and began heading back for the living room. Halfway across the kitchen, a strong pain gripped her and made her cry out. The pain started in her back and wrapped around to her stomach.

"Aaaaaah!" she cried out stumbling and reaching for the wall with one hand while wrapping her other arm around her stomach. The distressed cry from the pregnant woman had everyone on their feet and running for the kitchen. Rossi was the first to reach her.

"What is it, Kitten?" he asked pulling her to lean against him.

"Hurts," she whimpered.

"What hurts, Baby Girl?" Morgan asked.

"Baby," she whimpered through clenched teeth. Finally the pain eased and she forced herself to shift so she was upright.

"Are you in labor, Pen?" Emily demanded.

"I think so," the tech answered. She was scared and shaking. Rossi could feel just how badly she was shaking.

"You have to relax and calm down, Kitten," he whispered soothingly in her ear.

"Mama Penny, are you okay?" Jack asked tears in his eyes.

"I'm fine, your little sister just wants to come out and see you," Penelope answered breathlessly.

"Reid, take my keys and start my car. Morgan, help me get her out of here. JJ, call Hotch. Emily, can you run to Garcia and Hotch's and get her hospital bag?" Everyone nodded and began to do what they were told.

"I'll keep an eye on Jack and Jeff here if you guys want me to," Will offered.

"But I want to go with Mama Penny," Jack whined.

"Stay with Will, okay, kiddo? I promise once your little sister is here you can come see her, but for now, the best place for you to be is here," his step-mom told him gently.

"We can make a card for your baby sister," Garcia heard Will suggest as Morgan and Rossi guided her out of the house and into Rossi's car. The two agents settled in the back with her while Reid drove. The only thing on the three agent's minds was that they hoped Hotch would get there in time to see the birth of his baby girl.

XXXX

Aaron sighed as he drove, he'd made some progress, but he still had a long way to go before he was home with his son, his wife and their unborn child. The ringing of his cell phone startled him and he pulled over not wanting to talk while driving in the snow.

"Hotchner," he answered out of habit.

"Hotch, it's JJ."

"What's up, JJ? How's the party going?" the unit chief asked.

"It was going good," JJ answered. Hotch caught her choice of words.

"What do you mean it was going good?" he demanded.

"Well, it was going okay," JJ answered. Hotch caught her word choice and it worried him.

"What do you mean it was going good? What happened, JJ?" he demanded.

"Well, pen's in labor. Rossi, Reid, and Morgan are taking her to the hospital. Em's gone to get her hospital bag, and Will and I are watching the kids," JJ informed him.

"She's in labor? Are you sure?" Hotch checked.

"Positive, Hotch."

"How far along is she?" he asked.

"I don't know, but just please hurry home. How far away are you?" JJ wondered. Reading the clock, Hotch responded.

"Its 10:00 and I've been driving since about 8:00, unfortunately I have a lot of time to go."

"Is there anyway you can get to an airport and fly the rest of the way home?" the media liaison suggested.

"I could but I'm not sure if I can get a flight out of any of the airports."

"Tell me where you are right now," she instructed. As he was telling her, she was searching online for flights. "I found a flight that takes off at 12:30 AM and the airport is 30 minutes away. Do you want me to make you a reservation?" she offered.

"Yes, please, thanks, JJ," he said as he began giving her all the information she would need to help him get home to his laboring wife that much faster. They were about to hang up when he spoke.

"JJ?"

"Yeah?" she answered.

"Tell Penelope I love her and that I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Will do, just hurry home," the media liaison said hanging up and saying a quick prayer that the baby girl would hold off long enough for her father to make it to her mother's side.

XXXX

"Oh god, this hurts so much," Garcia whimpered from her hospital bed. She'd been there for nearly three hours and the labor had really intensified. She was almost halfway there and the pain was almost too much.

"I think it's time to break your water, what do you say?" the doctor suggested as she helped her patient up and guided her to the shower before grabbing the necessary items to break Penelope's water.

"Oh my," Penelope gasped as a gush of liquid came out.

"Looks good and clear," the doctor assured as she helped Penelope back into bed. The next contraction after having her water broke had Pen curling up into a ball and crying.

"Oh god, I can't take this anymore, Rossi," she whimpered clutching his hand for dear life.

"You can get an epidural, kitten," Rossi reminded her. Until now, the tech had refused the pain meds, but it looked like she was losing the fight.

"Yes, please, just make it stop," she begged.

"I'll get the forms for her to sign then call anesthesia," the nurse said heading out of the room. Twenty minutes later she'd been given the epidural and was resting at least slightly more comfortably. Just then Morgan ran in with a huge smile on his face.

"I just talked to Hotch. He's on the ground changing planes. He should be here by 2:30 or 3:00 at the latest," he shared. The expectant mother gave a brief smile at her friend's words.

"Thanks, Derek," she said softly.

"Don't worry about it, Baby Girl. If you've got everything under control here, I'll go back out into the waiting room with Reid," he said addressing Rossi.

"Go, I've got this," the older man said with a smile. Nodding, Morgan retreated glad his friend was in such good hands.

XXXX

Hotch was never so glad to see Morgan when he stepped off the plane.

"Hi Morgan, how is she?"

"She's doing great. The doctor said it wouldn't be long now when I left. Maybe by 4:00."

"Well then, let's go," the unit chief replied. After making sure Hotch had all his stuff the two agents headed for Morgan's car and the hospital.

XXXX

Rossi was coaching Pen through her worst contraction yet when he saw Hotch walk into the room. The epidural had taken the edge off, but as she progressed closer and closer to delivery the pain came back.

"Glad to see you, Aaron," he said standing and allowing the other man to rush to his wife's side.

"You're here," Penelope cried tears rushing to her eyes.

"I'm here, I wouldn't have missed the birth of our little girl for anything," Aaron assured her. Just then, the doctor walked in.

"Okay, let's do one last check and see if you're ready to push," she said. Taking that as his cue to leave, Rossi stepped towards the door.

"Rossi," Garcia called out.

"What is it, Kitten?"

"Thank you for helping me and staying with me," she said sweetly.

"You're welcome, and there's no need to thank me. You're important to me and I'd do anything for you," he replied just before making his exit leaving the expectant parents alone to welcome their daughter into the world.

XXXX

"Okay, it's show time. Penelope, you're at 10 CM. You're about to start pushing," the doctor informed the anxious and excited parents. As she was talking, she was preparing Penelope for the delivery. Pressing the call button, the doctor called the nurse and they both took their places. Hotch watched the monitor and reached for his wife's hand when he saw a contraction beginning.

"I have to," she began.

"Whenever you feel the need to push, do so," the doctor told her. Nodding, Pen began pushing as hard as she could. The doctor counted to 10 then told her to rest. After breathing for a brief moment, the doctor told her to push again, which the laboring woman did.

"Oh, god, I still need to push, please. I need to push," Penelope whimpered. The doctor nodded and Pen pushed, screaming out at the pain she felt. At the count of 10, the exhausted woman collapsed back on to the pillows and took in a deep breath relaxing before the next contraction hit. Reaching out, Hotch wiped her face with a damp cloth.

"You're doing great, sweetie. Keep it up," he encouraged. Another contraction began and the tech began pushing. After the contraction subsided she tried to catch her breath. The doctor was at the end of the bed checking on things. All of a sudden, the pregnant woman felt a lot of pressure and the urge to push was overwhelming.

"Pushing, now!" she growled as she began to push. The doctor gasped as she saw the babies' head begin to crown.

"That's good, Penelope, I need you to stop pushing for a sec, though, okay?"

"No, I need to push, please. I can feel her and she wants out. Please let me push," she whimpered still pushing.

"Penelope, listen to me. If you don't stop pushing, you will tear. Her head is crowning and I need to help you get it out. Do you understand?" the doctor asked. Penelope nodded as she tried to breathe, trying to fight the urge to push.

"Just breathe, Penny," Hotch coaxed.

"Give me a small push," the doctor instructed. Nodding, Pen did what she was told. Carefully the doctor eased the head out. Two more pushes and Pen felt her daughter slip from her body.

"Congratulations, it's a girl, seven lb. eight oz. 20 inches long born at 4:33 AM December 25, 2011. Do you want to cut the chord, Dad?" the nurse asked addressing Hotch. Nodding with tears in his eyes, Hotch walked over and cut the chord. Once that was done, he took his newborn daughter and placed her on her mother's chest.

"Hi there, baby girl, I'm your Mommy," Garcia introduced tearfully.

"And I'm your daddy," Hotch breathed. Fifteen minutes later the entire team was in the room eager to meet the newest addition to the BAU family.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Hope Morgan Hotchner," Garcia said beaming. Catching Morgan's eye she smiled as he quickly blinked back tears.

"Thank you," he said thickly.

"You're welcome, you're important to both Pen and I so it only seemed natural," Hotch explained.

"We have one more thing to talk about before Hope and I crash," Garcia said with a yawn.

"What is it, Kitten?"

"We were wondering if you and JJ would be her godparents," Garcia explained as she glanced from Rossi who was holding a sleeping Jeff to JJ who was cradling a sleeping Henry. Jack was sleeping on a chair in the corner of the room.

"Oh, Pen, I'd be honored," JJ said with a few tears in her eyes.

"I'd love to, Kitten, thank you," Rossi said taking the little girl from her mom and placing a quick kiss on her baby soft cheek before placing her back into her mother's arms and placing a similar kiss on her cheek.

"We'll let you guys get some rest. If it's okay we'll bring Jack back in a few hours so he can see Hope," JJ said. Both parents nodded as they stared in awe at their sleeping infant.

"Merry Christmas," Reid said just realizing exactly what day it was.

"Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good night," Morgan said as they filed out leaving Hotch and Garcia with their very own Christmas miracle.

Finished!

***