This beeping is really annoying but I can't do anything about it because I can barely feel my face right now, let alone my body.
However, I can hear voices here and there but I can't make out who it is or what they are saying because they are very faint.
"I hate whatever causes that beeping" I manage to say as I open my eyes
"Technically, it's your heart" Aaron answers and I blink in order to clear my vision.
"Hi" I say when I finally see him
"Hey, welcome back" he says holding my hand
"How are you feeling?" he asks
"Tired, my chest and abdomen hurt" I say
"That's normal" he reassures me, rubbing the back of my hand.
"What happened?" I ask
"You had internal bleeding, had inhaled and swallowed a huge amount of dust when the bomb went off. So they had to both clear your lungs and fix that bleeding. But you are going to be ok" he explains.
I take a better look at him and I can tell how tired he is.
"For how long have you been here?" I ask
"For as long as you've been here" he answers
"How long?" I insist
"4 days" he says
"Aaron..."
"I'm fine" he says and he hasn't stopped rubbing my hand.
"Where is Juliet?" I ask
"With your mom. They were here this morning, they are here every morning" he answers and I smile
"And when do you think that I'll get out of here?" I ask
"Hey, take it easy, you just woke up" he says
"This is just great. Now, when I finally returned to work from maternity leave, I'm staying home again..." I say disappointed
"You will do whatever the doctor says" he says and I nod.
"Thank you" I say
"For what?" he asks
"Being here" I say and he smiles
"Of course" he says.
"How did you explain your time of absence to your girlfriend?" I ask
"She is not... You were right, going back to an ex is usually a waste of time" he says
"I'm always right" I say
"Ok" he says with a chuckle.
He looks down and I can sense that something is in his mind.
"What's wrong?" I ask
"I almost lost you today, and I can't lose you" he says avoiding eye contact
"I'm right here. You said it yourself, I'm gonna be ok" I say taking his hand.
"Josephine, the moment when I saw you under that pole, I was terrified... And then when Emily yelled my name and I turned to see you laying on the ground, my heart stopped" he explains trying to blink away his tears which broke my heart.
"These moments keep playing over and over again in my head and I can't stop it" he adds
"Hey, look at me" I say rubbing his hand and he lifts his head
"I'm right here, soon we'll be home and we will eventually forget about it, alright?" I ask cupping his cheek.
He nods and puts his hand over mine, holding it on his face. I rub his cheek with my thumb and he leans into my touch.
_________________
Two days later, we went home and two weeks later I was cleared for work again. Everything was back to normal.
Today, Aaron was looking kind of exhausted and sick so I offered to take over and finish his reviews for him. It took a little convincing but eventually, he agreed on going home early to take some rest.
When I got home a few hours later, I found the table ready for a romantic dinner with candles.
"Next time you are expecting company, notify me so I won't crash it again" I say and I turn to leave again
"No, wait, this is actually for you" he says as he comes out of the room
"Excuse me?" I ask looking at him amazed.
He was wearing clean clothes. A black pair of pants and just a white shirt, tagged in it, with the sleeves rolled up and the first couple of buttons, unbuttoned.
"Between finding me in bed with someone else, coming out about your feelings and me not... and getting injured, I understand that you had a very difficult couple of weeks so I thought that I would try something to make it a little better" he says
"That's very thoughtful" I say smiling and he smiles too, letting out a relieved breath.
"So hungry?" he asks as he pulls out my chair for me
"You cooked?" I ask surprised
"I was cooking but then Juliet cried and I got a little carried away until I smelled it burning, so that's why take-out will be here in a few minutes" he says causing me to laugh.
"I am not as good as you at multitasking" he admits
"It's ok, don't beat yourself up for it" I say and he chuckles.
"Did you put her to sleep?" I ask
"Yes, you came just in time" he answers.
"So the whole feeling sick thing was planned, huh?" I ask
"A little bit. I wanted to come back earlier than you but I didn't expect you to take over my work too. I would have finished it tomorrow" he answers
"It's ok. I learned my lesson today and I won't do it again" I say and he laughs.
After we ate, we sat down on the couch with some more wine.
"Are you gonna tell me now what is this really about?" I ask.
He lets his glass down and looks at me. He leans closer until his lips touch mine softly.
"I love you too" he whispers
"What?" I ask shocked
"I'm in love with you Josephine. I know that it took me too long but recent events made me realize that I was taking many things for granted. I'm so sorry" he says
"I love you" he adds and kisses my hand
"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear these words" I say and I kiss him.
We pull away from the kiss and he rubs my cheek
"I swear, I'm gonna make it right this time. I'm gonna take you on dates, I'm gonna be patient and sober" he says causing me to smile
"I want to make as right as I can, even though we started a little backwards" he adds
"Yes, we did have a baby first... But I don't think there is a right way to it, everyone has their own story" I say
"You may be right" he replies
"I'm always right" I remind him
"Right..." he chuckles and pecks my lips.
"I can do this forever" he says between small kisses
"What's stopping you?" I ask
"Nothing at all" he answers.
"By the way, I remembered" he says and I freeze
"You remembered?" I ask
"Yes. Everything finally came back" he answers
"Well... It took you long enough. Over a year" I say and he smiles
"Better late than never" he replies. He looks me in the eyes and rubs my cheek softly.
"I love you" he says one more time
"I love you too" I reply and he kisses me again.
YOU ARE READING
Our Best Mistake || Aaron Hotchner
FanfictionSSA Josephine Heart has been working at the BAU for a couple of years now and during those years, strong friends have been formed. But after a party at Rossi's mansion, many things will change...
