Title: Happy
By: realityaskew
Pairing: Hotch/Prentiss
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I own nothing from CM.
Summary: Just a short little piece with Hotch and Prentiss because I love them so.

***

Prentiss quietly closed Hotch's apartment door behind her as Jack let out a little mumble in his sleep and snuggled deeper into her arms. She smiled. It felt good to have someone who needed her and actually appreciated her nerdiness. The three year old had spent the entire day asking her endless questions and using his adorable face to con her into buying him candy and toys. She tossed her bag onto the kitchen counter and did her best to balance Jack and the stuffed lion in her other hand as she brought him over to the couch. Gently laying him down with his new toy she grabbed the blanket that was draped over the couch and put it over him tucking him in. She loved Jack but she would be lying if she didn't admit she was exhausted. She didn't know how Hotch did it being a single parent and all. Prentiss felt bad. Today was supposed to be his day with Jack but an emergency at the office tore him away. She gladly stepped in to help out. She loved Jack but keeping up with a three year old was hard. He was constantly running around everywhere and asking questions about everything in sight. She was relieved when he finally fell asleep in the car on the way back from the store. Prentiss was going to cook something for dinner but she was too beat. Instead she fell onto the couch next to Jack and happily let her heavy eyelids shut.

Prentiss felt herself being gently shaken awake. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to see Hotch standing over her. She turned her head to the side and when she noticed that Jack was missing she shot up in a panic.

"It's okay I put him in his bedroom." Hotch told her.

Prentiss leaned back and let out a heavy sigh of relief. A comfortable smile spread across her face when Hotch sat down next to her and she cuddled up against his lean body. He carefully brushed a few stray hairs out of her face and ran his finger across her lips.

"Thanks for watching Jack for me."

"It was no problem. I love the little guy."

"I noticed he had a new toy with him."

"What can I say I just can't resist the Hotchner puppy dog eyes." Emily laughed.

Hotch smiled and kissed the crown of her head. He liked this, it was nice. Everything was relaxed and comfortable and seemed like it was in its right place. He hadn't felt those feelings in a long time. Emily made him happy and that was something he didn't want to lose. It was also a bonus that she loved Jack and Jack loved her. He couldn't help but smile when Haley would come to pick him up and Jack would be going on and on about Emily.

"I'm happy." Hotch said aloud.

Prentiss looked up at him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "You of all people deserve it."

"You know how much Jack loves you right?" Hotch asked. "Every weekend I have him he always asks if you're going to be around."

"Well I love him. He's a great kid and you're a great dad."

"I love you."

Prentiss was a bit shocked but she held it in. It was the first time since they had been together in the past few months that Hotch had said those three words to her. She wasn't sure how he felt about her and didn't expect him to say those three little words for a long time since his divorce with Haley, he was still healing.

Prentiss noticed a worried expression forming on Hotch's face and she realized that she hadn't said it back. She was just enjoying it so much she forgot. "I love you." She said back capturing his lips in a slow and tender kiss.

Hotch pulled her closer against his body and smiled. "I'm happy."

***