Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 31

It had been a few months since that peaceful afternoon at the park, and now, the reality of Y/N's pregnancy was undeniable. She was seven months along, her belly round and unmistakably full of life. Though her energy had waned at times, her determination to stay active and engaged in her work never faltered. At the BAU, her desk had been moved to the front, close to the bullpen, so she wouldn't have to walk as much. But even as she found herself physically exhausted at times, her focus was as sharp as ever.

The bullpen was abuzz with activity as the team worked through another case. The hum of computers, the sound of phones ringing, and the rustle of papers filled the air, but Y/N found a sense of comfort in the controlled chaos. She had been here, with these people, for so long now—almost like a second family. And even though her growing belly made her more aware of her body's limitations, she felt deeply connected to the work they did.

Y/N's chair squeaked as she leaned back, adjusting her posture to relieve the pressure on her lower back. She rubbed her belly absentmindedly, a habit she'd formed over the last few weeks. She smiled softly to herself, thinking about the little girl growing inside her. Every kick, every flutter, was a reminder of the life they were preparing for.

"Y/N, you good?" Emily's voice broke her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see her friend standing at the edge of her desk, an eyebrow raised in concern.

"Yeah, just thinking," Y/N said with a smile. "Trying to stay focused on this case, but... some days, it's harder than others."

Emily's eyes softened, her gaze flicking down to Y/N's belly before returning to her face. "I can imagine. But you're doing amazing. We're all here for you, you know?"

Y/N nodded gratefully. "I know. It's just... some days, I feel like I'm not doing enough. Like I'm missing something."

Emily sat down in the chair next to her, her voice gentle but firm. "You're doing everything. You've been juggling this job, the pregnancy, and everything else in your life, and you're doing it with grace. Don't sell yourself short."

Y/N laughed quietly, the sound laced with a bit of exhaustion. "I guess I'm just worried about what comes next. About how much will change when she gets here."

Before Emily could respond, Aaron walked into the bullpen, his eyes immediately finding Y/N. He gave her a soft smile, his concern evident. He had been more protective lately, making sure she wasn't overworking herself, but Y/N knew he was just being cautious—he couldn't help it.

"How are you feeling?" Aaron asked, his voice low and careful.

Y/N smiled up at him, feeling an overwhelming sense of comfort at his presence. "I'm good. A little tired, but it's to be expected, right?"

He nodded, his hand instinctively moving to her shoulder. "Yeah, but don't push yourself too hard. We've got this case under control. Why don't you take a break? Get some rest?"

Y/N shook her head, her eyes bright with determination. "I'm fine. I'm not sitting out of this one. I've got it."

Aaron smiled, but it was clear that concern still lingered in his eyes. He didn't argue further, though. He knew better than to press her when she had her mind set on something.

As he moved back to the conference room, Y/N stood, stretching slightly, feeling the familiar ache in her lower back. "I'll be okay," she muttered to herself, though she wasn't entirely convinced.

The case they were working on was intense—an apparent string of home invasions and murders in a quiet suburban area. The unsub was meticulous, targeting families in the middle of the night, and there seemed to be no pattern to the homes or neighborhoods chosen. The team had split up into groups, each working to analyze different angles of the investigation.

Y/N and Spencer had been assigned to go over the victimology, trying to identify any common threads among the victims. They spent hours pouring over case files, photographs, and witness statements. Y/N's mind was sharp, but her body was beginning to rebel against the long hours.

"Spence, I think there's something here," Y/N said, leaning forward, her hand resting on her belly as she scanned through the details of the most recent victim's life.

Spencer looked up from the case file, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Y/N pointed to the victim's family background. "The victims seem to come from affluent families, but they all have a history of trauma—either personal losses or a violent event in their past. I think the unsub is targeting them specifically."

Spencer nodded thoughtfully. "That could fit with a trauma-based motive. The unsub might be enacting their own revenge on these families for some perceived wrong. We'll need to dive deeper into their backgrounds."

Just then, Y/N's stomach gave an unexpected, sharp jolt. Her hand instinctively moved to her belly, the sensation both startling and comforting at once. She smiled to herself, feeling the unmistakable flutter of her baby inside her.

"Everything okay?" Spencer asked, his gaze flicking from the file to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, just... the baby. She's kicking a lot today," Y/N said softly, her smile widening as she placed both hands on her belly.

Spencer's eyes softened with a rare tenderness. "I guess she's excited to make her debut in the world of criminal profiling."

Y/N laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Yeah, something like that."

She took a deep breath, her hands still resting on her stomach as she refocused on the case. It was strange, balancing her job with the imminent arrival of her daughter. There were moments when the two worlds collided—when the urgency of a case took precedence, and Y/N felt the weight of both the unborn life inside her and the victims' lives that she and the team were trying to save.

Despite the physical exhaustion and the occasional anxiety about becoming a mother, Y/N felt grounded in her purpose. Being here, at the BAU, was where she belonged. It was where she had made a difference. And it was where she would continue to make a difference, even as her life was changing in ways she couldn't fully anticipate.

As the day wore on, Y/N finally gave in to Aaron's gentle insistence and took a short break. She walked to the break room to grab a snack, feeling the familiar discomfort of her growing belly with each step. She didn't mind it—it was part of the journey. But sometimes, she couldn't help but wonder how much longer she'd be able to balance this life and the new life waiting to join them.

As she returned to her desk, Aaron's voice called out to her. "Take it easy, Y/N. We've got this. You don't have to do everything."

Y/N smiled at him, her heart warmed by the sincerity in his voice. "I know. But I'll never stop being part of this team."

With that, they moved forward with the case, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—both as a team of profilers and as a family about to grow even stronger.