Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 46

Two Months Later

Life had settled into a routine—not an easy one, not a perfect one, but one they had learned to navigate.

Sophia was two months old now, and the newborn stage had been a whirlwind of sleepless nights, constant feedings, and moments of exhaustion so deep that Y/N sometimes blinked in confusion, trying to remember what day it was. But in the chaos, there was beauty—especially in the quiet moments when it was just them, learning how to be a family of four.

And Aaron? He had been nothing short of amazing.

A soft whimper filled the baby monitor just as the sun was beginning to rise. Y/N stirred, feeling the weight of exhaustion in her bones, but before she could sit up, she felt Aaron shift beside her.

"I got her," he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

Y/N peeked at him through half-lidded eyes. "Are you sure? You barely slept."

Aaron was already sitting up, rubbing a hand over his face. "Neither did you. Go back to sleep for a little bit."

She wanted to protest, but the bed was warm, and her body was begging her for just a few more minutes. "Okay... wake me if you need anything."

Aaron leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead before padding off to the nursery.

Through the baby monitor, she heard his voice, low and soothing. "Good morning, sweetheart. You couldn't let your dad sleep in just a little, huh?"

Sophia let out a happy coo, and Aaron chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You run the show around here."

Y/N smiled against the pillow, letting the sound of their voices lull her back into a light sleep.

A little while later, Y/N woke to the sound of Jack's bedroom door creaking open. She blinked groggily, hearing his voice carry through the monitor.

"Is Sophia awake?"

Aaron chuckled. "She's right here, buddy."

Jack's footsteps padded closer. "Hi, Soph!" His voice was full of excitement. "Did you miss me? I missed you!"

Sophia made a happy gurgling noise, and Jack giggled. "She missed me."

Y/N dragged herself out of bed and made her way to the nursery, stopping at the doorway to watch. Aaron was holding Sophia while Jack stood on his toes, reaching for his baby sister's tiny hand.

"She's getting so big," Jack said, his eyes full of wonder.

Aaron smiled. "She is."

Jack looked up at his dad. "Can I hold her?"

Aaron hesitated for a second before nodding. "Let's sit down first, okay?"

Jack ran to the rocking chair, his face beaming with excitement. Aaron carefully placed Sophia in his arms, making sure he supported her head.

Jack stared at her with pure adoration. "Hi, baby Soph. You're so cute."

Sophia blinked up at him before letting out a tiny sneeze.

Jack gasped. "She sneezed on me!"

Y/N laughed. "That means she loves you."

Jack scrunched his nose but grinned. "Well, I love her too."

Aaron pressed a kiss to Jack's head. "She's lucky to have you as her big brother."

Jack puffed out his chest proudly. "I know."

By the time evening rolled around, exhaustion was settling in like a thick fog.

Sophia had been fussy all day, refusing to nap unless she was held. Y/N had spent most of the afternoon pacing the living room, bouncing her gently, whispering, Please, baby girl, just close your eyes.

Now, Aaron sat on the couch, his head tilted back, eyes closed as he cradled Sophia against his chest.

"She finally out?" Y/N whispered, sinking onto the couch beside him.

Aaron cracked one eye open. "For now."

Y/N let out a breath, rubbing her temples. "I don't know how people do this multiple times."

Aaron smirked. "Maybe they have amnesia about the newborn stage."

She laughed quietly, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I wouldn't trade her for anything, but my God, I just want three consecutive hours of sleep."

Aaron sighed. "Me too."

Sophia stirred slightly in his arms, her tiny fingers clutching at his shirt.

Aaron looked down at her with a tired smile. "She's a little troublemaker already."

Y/N smirked. "She's your daughter, after all."

Aaron raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"She's stubborn. She refuses to sleep unless things are exactly how she wants them. She makes me work for her affection," Y/N listed, her tone teasing.

Aaron shook his head. "And here I thought you were going to say she has my charm and good looks."

Y/N grinned. "That too."

By some miracle, Sophia had gone down for the night earlier than usual.

Y/N and Aaron sat on the couch, neither of them moving, as if afraid to break the peace.

Aaron turned to her, voice low. "Is this a trick?"

Y/N smirked. "I think she's giving us a break."

Aaron let out a deep breath. "I don't know what to do with myself."

She scooted closer, resting her legs over his lap. "We could watch a show."

Aaron hummed. "Or we could just sit here and enjoy the silence."

Y/N leaned her head against his shoulder, smiling. "That sounds perfect."

Aaron kissed the top of her head, his voice warm. "I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Y/N closed her eyes, letting herself relax against him.

And even though exhaustion weighed heavy on them, even though parenting a newborn was the hardest thing they had ever done—

They wouldn't have it any other way.