A/N: This is Crystal's outfit home, the apron you can ignore until later in the chapter~ Promise it'll make sense later in the chapter!
"The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor: he took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me."
― George Bernard Shaw
Crystal smiled as Jack happily handed her his backpack, "We're going on a trip!"
"Sure are bud," Crystal smiled over at Jess, "You're welcome to join, it shouldn't be more than one day and a night." Jess shook her head, "You guys go have fun, maybe next time." Jess smiled as Jack ran over to hug her before he pulled Crystal to their car, Jess looked over at Hotch with a smirk. "I'll meet them at the wedding anyway."
Hotch turned and gave her a look, "You're so funny."
"I know, you try and relax and turn off your phone." Jess smiled at him before walking over to Jack and Crystal, Hotch's lips twitched as he watched this. Just then Tyler and Nick pulled up next to them, Tyler got out of the car and smiled at them. "Hey there."
Jack waved at him while hiding his face in Crystal's flannel, "Hi."
"I'm Tyler, Crystal's big brother." When Tyler said this Jack smiled and went over to hug him, Tyler laughed before picking him up. Hotch came over to them, "Are you sure we won't be intruding?"
"Don't worry Mr. Agent, our parents know you're coming along and they're really happy." Nick stated as he made faces at Jack, Crystal turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "What exactly did you tell them?"
"That you were bringing a guy home."
"Nick!"
"Kidding! I told them that your boss who also happens to be a friend who also happens to be the guy you spent a whole night in the woods with was coming over." Nick smiled at her and she rolled her eyes before smacking his shoulder, Nick pouted and turned to Jack. "You see how mean she is?"
Jack shook his head, "No, Crystal's the nicest person I know." Tyler hummed as he put Jack down, "You're right, Nick's just a wimp."
"Hey!" Crystal sighed as she looked over at Hotch, "Still wanna go?" Hotch gave her a small smile as he moved her hair out of her face, "If you'll still have us." Crystal smiled and turned to her brothers, "Alright, let's get driving or we'll never make it there before noon. We've got a 5 hour trip, get in the car."
___
Driving with Hotch was interesting, Jack was up for most of the ride and wanted to listen to the radio. Jack also liked to sing along to any song he knew, Crystal would smile at him and laugh when he begged Hotch to sing along.
Jack had fallen asleep and Crystal cleared her throat, "I'm going to assume that I'm sworn to secrecy about you singing the Duck Song?"
"Not a word Archer." Hotch stated and Crystal laughed quietly, his glare didn't reach his eyes that were swimming with amusement.
___
When they finally arrived at her parent's house she watched with amusement as Nick raced out of the car, "Chris tell Ty to stop being mean to me!" Crystal sighed as she patted his head, "That sounds like a you problem Nicky."
Jack rubbed his eyes as Hotch carried him, Crystal smiled at him and he reached over for her. Crystal took him and Hotch smiled over at them, Tyler got out of the car and walked over to them. "Nick, your voice is annoying."
"I-"
"Is that almost all of my beautiful children here to visit their mother?!" Crystal turned to see her mother walking over to them with a wide smile, "And you brought a kid!" Crystal's mother looked happily at Jack who gave her a sleepy smile, "You look like Crystal."
"I would hope so, I'm her mommy." Crystal's mom looked over at Hotch, "It's nice to meet you, Nick talks about you a lot so I just had to meet you." Hotch's lips twitched as he shook her hand, "It's nice to meet you to Mrs. Archer, I'm Aaron Hotchner and this is my son Jack."
Crystal turned to look at her brother who had taken an interest in the ground, Crystal grabbed Hotch's arm and pulled him to the house. "Mom, no."
"I didn't even say anything." Crystal's mom smiled at Jack who smiled back, Crystal rolled her eyes. "This is why I never bring any friends home." Crystal's mother sighed before smiling again, she watched Crystal introduce Hotch to her dad. "I know honey, which is why I'm so happy right now that you did."
___
Jason had come home as well, "I promise it's a coincidence Chris, mom didn't call me," and was currently entertaining Jack with Nick in their backyard with their tire swing. Crystal's dad took a sip of his coffee, "We're going to need to head to the bakery soon, it's only Amy down there today."
Crystal smiled, Amy was a good friend and she was always entertaining. Amy was currently in college like Nick and worked part-time at the bakery, Hotch raised an eyebrow at Crystal. "You never told me you had a bakery." Crystal shrugged as she bit into her apple, "You never asked."
Tyler snorted as he took a sip of his juice, Crystal's mother cleared her throat. "Would you guys like to join us?" Hotch looked over at her, "I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Nonsense, you won't be intruding."
"Then me and Jack would love to come with you." Hotch smiled and Crystal's father hummed, "So, a whole night alone huh?"
Crystal started to cough, once she calmed herself down she gave her dad a look. "Dad."
"What, I just asked a question." Crystal's father shrugged and looked over at Hotch, "I also didn't get to thank you for driving Crystal home, my wife forgot to make sure she had a ride."
"It's no trouble," Hotch stated and Crystal's father nodded, "Have you ever baked?"
"Not really, every once in awhile."
"Would you like to learn a few recipes?"
"If it doesn't trouble you then thank you, I would like that." Hotch stated and Crystal's father looked at him for a bit, "Huh, Nick was right. You're very polite, good." Crystal sighed before walking to the glass door and sliding it open, "Nick! When did you become a blabber mouth?!"
"Learned it from Jason!" Nick laughed until Jason tackled him to the ground and Jack laughed as he continued to swing around in the tire, Crystal shook her head with a smile as she turned back to her parents. "To the bakery?"
Crystal's mother nodded, "Let me grab Mr. Hotchner an extra apron."
___
When they arrived it wasn't that busy, Amy saw her and squealed. "Well if it isn't the most beautiful person in the world!"
"I didn't realize there was a mirror in here." Crystal laughed as Amy came from the counter to hug her, "I'm so happy to see you, you never visit anymore." Amy pouted at her, she looked behind her with a raised eyebrow. "Who's your friends?"
Crystal turned and Hotch nodded at Amy, "I'm Aaron Hotchner and this is my son Jack." Amy smiled at them, "Nice to meet you guys, you her boyfriend?"
"Amy!"
"What? It's nice to see you date men now instead of stuck up boys." Amy shrugged and Crystal sighed, "He's my boss who is just a friend."
"Sure, and I'm not kinky."
"Amy!" Crystal turned to look at Hotch, "Maybe you should go ahead in the kitchen?" Hotch gave her a small smile, he moved a piece of her hair from her face and nodded. "Meet you in there." Hotch carried Jack to the kitchen and Amy grabbed her hand, "Why didn't you tell me you had a super hot boyfriend?"
"Because I don't."
"Sorry, why didn't you tell me you had an ultra super handsome boyfriend who's also your sexy boss?" Amy asked and Crystal laughed, "I missed you Amy, Hotch is just-"
"Chris?" Crystal turned around to see a man with brown hair looking at her shocked, she frowned before tilting her head. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" The man smiled at her, "Yeah it's me Kyle, we used to date in high school."
Crystal's eyes widen, "Oh, cool."
"She doesn't care," Amy stated and Crystal tried to hid her smile as she turned back around when Kyle grabbed her arm, "Hey, it's been awhile. Do you wanna grab coffee or something?" Crystal frowned at his hand on her arm, "Let go, now." He gave an awkward laugh and he let go, "So would you wanna go get coffee later?"
"No, I'm good."
"C'mon-"
"Crystal! My oh my, you look stunning!" A woman with blonde hair went over and embraced her, Crystal's eyes widen and she stood shocked. "Mrs. Presley?" The woman nodded as she let her go, "Oh I'm so happy I decided to visit the bakery today, look at you! You're just as gorgeous as I remember." Mrs. Presley cupped her face and Crystal gulped, "Did you come alone?"
"Oh," She turned to look behind her, "Ben! Come say hi," Mrs. Presley turned back to her with a sigh, "He's brought something cheap with him too." Crystal looked confused until she saw him, Ben had a woman who had her arm wrapped around him. Mrs. Presley moved away from her to remove the woman's arms from Ben, "Honey, please stop trying to cut the circulation from my son's arm."
The woman pouted at Ben, but he wasn't paying attention to her as he looked at Crystal. Crystal felt Amy tug her shirt, "Well she wasn't wrong with the cheap." Amy mumbled and Crystal turned to whisper at her, "Amy behave."
"Hey Chris, you look great."
"She looks beautiful, get it right dude and it's Crystal to you and Mr. Grabby." Amy stated with a glare and Crystal smiled at her, she loved her so much. Kyle was also still there confused. "Do you know him?"
"Yeah, we used to date." Crystal stated simply, Kyle nodded, "Oh, that's cool. So about that coffee?" Crystal rolled her eyes at him and Amy frowned at him, Ben turned to him with a glare and Crystal wanted to run to the kitchen.
This is really awkward...I want to leave...I want Hotch.
Crystal's eyes widen at her thoughts, she gulped as she subconsciously tried to tighten her ponytail until she realized her hair was down. Just then someone put an apron on her, she turned to see that it was Hotch. He gently lifted her hair so that the apron loop was over her head correctly, he then wrapped the two straps around Crystal's waist and wrapped his arms around her to tie the apron for her in the front.
Hotch looked at her once he was done, "Your mom's asking for you, Jason might've spilled a whole bag of flour." Crystal smiled and leaned back on him, she didn't notice how Ben's or Kyle's jaws clenched. "Of course he did, will you be okay with helping Amy?"
"I think I'll manage." Hotch stated as he moved her hair, he tied it for her in a ponytail. Crystal laughed as she turned to face him, his hands still on her waist. "You gonna braid my hair next?"
"If you let me," Hotch shrugged with a small smile and Crystal finally walked towards the kitchen, "And let you put my hair in knots? Not a chance Hotchner." Hotch watched her leave and smiled, Kyle scoffed which caught his attention. "What, you her new fling?"
Hotch frowned at him, "Fling?"
"Crystal's nothing but a fraud, doesn't take any relationship serious. Do you know that she wou-"
"I suggest you choose your next few words carefully," Hotch stated as he walked towards him, Kyle gulped as he took a step back. "Archer is a very kind woman and if anything, she does her best in everything she does no matter what. If your relationship failed it wasn't because of her, but because of you." Hotch gave him a stern look and Kyle took another step back without Hotch moving, "You're an idiot, she doesn't care about anyone."
"Just because she no longer cares for you doesn't mean she doesn't care for everyone, you'll show some respect to her because that woman is the most caring person I know.
"Whatever, didn't want coffee with her anyways."
Kyle turned around and quickly left the bakery and Amy stifled a laugh, Ben was still looking at him. "So are you her new boyfriend?" Hotch turned to look at him, "That's none of your business." Ben's jaw clenched as was going to say something before his mother clapped her hands, "Ben, go wait outside with," Mrs. Presley pointed at the woman, "Her if you can't behave."
Ben scoffed before pushing the woman's hands off of him and walking outside, the woman frowned and walked after him. Mrs. Presley turned to look at Hotch, "Forgive my son, he's an idiot but I love him."
"No need for an apology, I'm not her boyfriend."
"You aren't, but you like her." Mrs. Presley smiled when Hotch didn't deny it, she took out some bills and put it in the tip jar. "Take it from someone who watched her son give up that jewel, she's a keeper." Mrs. Presley looked over at the kitchen door sadly, "She's a diamond, worth so much and my son messed up. Don't let that one get away, or you'll join those two you just scared off."
Mrs. Presley smiled at him and he returned a small one, she waved at Amy before leaving. Hotch sighed as he looked over at the kitchen, Amy cleared her throat. "I'll be fine here, go back to her." Hotch turned around, "About that conversation-"
"I won't say anything." Amy nodded and Hotch walked back over to the kitchen, Amy smiled as she shook her head. "Finally, one decent one."
___
There was no more trouble the rest of the day, Hotch didn't bring up what happened and Crystal was grateful for that. They stayed at the bakery for another hour or so before going to Tyler's apartment to grab all of his things, Hotch did pull Crystal aside to ask her if she was okay. Crystal smiled at him when he asked this while moving her hair, "I'm okay, was just really awkward."
Hotch was currently helping her in the kitchen make dinner with her mom, her mother looked over at him. "You really don't have to help, you can go outside with the rest."
"It's not a problem, I don't mind helping." Hotch stated and Crystal nudged her mom, "You won't win, I win our arguments thought but it takes awhile." Her mom smiled at her, "I like this one."
"We're not dating."
"Not officially, but you already are." Crystal rolled her eyes, "Mom, no." Her mom laughed before walking back to stir the pot, Crystal smiled as she continued cutting the vegetables and she gasped when she felt something wet splash her. "Agent Hotchner, did you just splash me?"
Hotch shrugged, "Must've been your imagination." Crystal could tell he was smiling and she reached over and quickly splashed him back, he lightly chuckled before turning to look at her. "I don't think your mom would appreciate us spilling water all over the kitchen."
Crystal hummed, "You're right," She splashed him again before quickly walking over to her mom with the rest of her vegetables, she winked at him and he just shook his head with a smile. Her mother stared at Crystal, "I really like this one honey."
"Mom just stir the pot please."
___
Crystal smiled as Jack hugged her goodnight, "We gotta wake up early to drive home, so go to sleep okay?" Jack nodded, "Sleep tight Crystal."
"Sleep tight Jack." Crystal hugged him once more before he walked over to Hotch, Hotch picked him up and walked over to her. "Sorry for the intrusion."
"Hotch, you're a guest and I'm not about to make you pay for a hotel." Crystal smiled at him and he gave her a small one before moving her hair out of her face, "Get some rest Archer, have a goodnight."
"Have a goodnight Hotch." Crystal smiled at him as he walked away and when she turned around she jumped a bit, "Dad, did you want something?" Her father shrugged, "Not really, you heading to bed?"
"Was about to," Crystal smiled at him and he nodded, "Come talk for a bit." Crystal raised an eyebrow before following him to the living room, once she sat down across from him he smiled at her. "He's nice."
"Dad."
"I'm just saying, he's a nice one Chris. That's a compliment, I hated every other guy you've met." Crystal's dad shrugged and Crystal tried to hide her smile, her dad did hate her past boyfriends. He always said that he didn't believe they were good for her, but he didn't say anything until after the relationships were over since he didn't want to make her sad.
"He is nice, he's a good friend." Crystal stated and her dad shook his head, "Good friends don't help you put on your apron and purposely try to make your ex's jealous." Crystal's eyes widen, "You saw that? And what do you mean purposely make them jealous?" Her father chuckled, "I was going to see what was taking you two so long, I saw that he was there watching before he came over to interrupt."
"He was just helping me put on the apron dad, nothing wrong with that." Crystal sighed and her dad smiled, "Why're you trying so hard to convince me that? Or are you trying to convince yourself that you're both just friends?"
"I'm trying to convince you because you think he was trying to make Kyle and Ben jealous, he wasn't."
"Agree to disagree," Her dad shrugged, "Look Chris maybe you guys are just friends, but don't be afraid to fall again."
"I'm not afraid to fall again dad."
"Good, because I know this one will catch you." Her dad then stood up and kissed her on her head, "Get some sleep, you leave early tomorrow." Crystal smiled at her dad, she watched her dad leave and she sighed before getting up to head to her room.
___
The next morning her mom hugged her tight, "Make sure you come back soon, I still want pictures of you in your dress." Crystal smiled as she hugged her back, "I'll come again soon mom, and no."
Crystal's mom finally let her go before hugging Hotch, "You're invited to come next time too, bring Jack along." He gave her a small smile when she pulled away, "Promise." Tyler closed the trunk of his car, "Alright people, let's get moving." Tyler and Nick hugged their mom as Crystal hugged her dad, he ruffled her hair. "Remember what we talked about last night, call if you ever need to talk again."
"I will dad, thanks."
Crystal rolled her eyes as Jason started to fake cry so Jack would hug him longer, Jason finally let him go and hugged her. "Stay safe."
"You too Mr. Firefighter." Crystal laughed as she finally went to the car, Hotch waved at them. "Thank you again." Crystal's mom smiled and waved back as she watched drive away, she turned to her husband with a smirk. "Well, our future son-in-law is quite the person."
___
Author's Note:
Hey! Hope you liked this chapter (I wrote this one really quick surprisingly lol, three updates in one day!) and decided to combine the Christmas chapter with 6x13 to speed things up. I did have a different idea for Hotch meeting the ex's, but it didn't make sense with the rest of the chapter so I had to change it~ I hope you guys liked meeting Crystal's family and her friend!
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR 20K READERS!!! I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY AND I'M HAPPY FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU'VE ALL GIVEN ME💖💖💖💖💖💖💋💋💋💋💋💋
Don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter~
See you in the next update!