Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 50

*Time Skip*

Time had a way of slipping through their fingers, and before they knew it, Sophia was nearly a year old. She had transformed from a tiny newborn into a bright, curious baby with an infectious giggle and a mischievous streak that rivaled her older brother's. She was crawling everywhere, pulling herself up on furniture, and babbling constantly.

But much to Aaron's dismay, she still hadn't said "Dada."

Jack had said "Dada" first when he was a baby, so Aaron had been expecting the same from Sophia. But instead, her first real word had been "Mama," followed quickly by "Jack," which delighted her big brother. After that, she had picked up a few other baby words—"ball," "no," and even "dog" when she saw a puppy on one of their walks.

But "Dada"? Nowhere to be found.

And it was driving Aaron insane.

"Maybe she's just holding out on you," Y/N teased one evening as they sat on the couch, watching Sophia play on the floor.

Aaron crossed his arms, shaking his head. "She knows who I am. She just refuses to say it."

Jack, who was lying on the rug beside Sophia, smirked. "Maybe she thinks 'Dada' is too basic."

Aaron shot him a dry look. "And what would you suggest she calls me instead?"

Jack thought for a moment, then grinned. "Supreme Father."

Y/N burst out laughing. "Oh, please, let's make that happen."

Aaron sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I just want one simple 'Dada.' Is that too much to ask?"

Oblivious to the drama, Sophia giggled as she reached for one of her stuffed animals.

That evening, the house was quiet. Jack had already gone to bed, and Y/N was in the kitchen finishing up a few things while Aaron sat in the rocking chair in Sophia's nursery, gently swaying back and forth with her in his arms.

She wore soft pink pajamas, her tiny body warm and snug against his chest. Her head rested against his shoulder, her little fingers occasionally gripping his shirt as she fought off sleep.

Aaron sighed contentedly, pressing a soft kiss to her head. "You love keeping me on my toes, don't you?" he murmured.

Sophia stirred slightly, pulling back just enough to look up at him. Her big, sleepy eyes blinked at him with curiosity, her little mouth forming a small pout.

Then, to Aaron's complete and utter shock, she tilted her head and softly said, "Dadda?"

His heart stopped.

She blinked at him again before repeating it, this time with more excitement. "Dadda! Dadda!"

Aaron's entire body tensed as the realization hit him. "Did you just—"

Before he could finish, Sophia let out a high-pitched squeal, her hands slapping against his chest as she giggled. "Dadda!"

Aaron let out a stunned breath, his expression melting into pure awe.

"Sophia," he whispered, his voice almost shaky. "Say it again, baby."

Sophia's little face lit up. "Dadda!"

Aaron felt something deep in his chest tighten—something warm, overwhelming, and entirely new. He'd waited so long to hear that, and now that he had, he wasn't sure how to process it.

Instead of speaking, he just pulled her close, burying his face against her tiny shoulder. "You have no idea how much I love you, little one," he murmured.

Sophia, completely unbothered, patted his cheek with her tiny hand. "Dadda!"

Aaron let out a choked laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're something else, you know that?"

"Y/N," Aaron called out, his voice laced with urgency.

Y/N, who had just finished wiping down the kitchen counters, raised an eyebrow. "What? What happened?"

"Come here!"

The tone of his voice made her drop everything and rush into the nursery, a little alarmed—until she saw the way Aaron was grinning like an idiot, with Sophia sitting proudly in his lap.

"What—"

Before she could ask, Sophia clapped her little hands together and shouted, "Dadda!"

Y/N's jaw dropped.

"No. Way."

"Dadda!" Sophia squealed again, completely delighted by her discovery.

Aaron smirked, looking way too smug for his own good. "Took her long enough, but I'd say it was worth it."

Y/N gasped dramatically. "So now you decide to say it?" she asked Sophia, hands on her hips.

Sophia just grinned. "Dadda!"

Jack, who had groggily wandered in after hearing the commotion, rubbed his eyes. "What's going on?"

"She said 'Dadda,'" Y/N said, shaking her head. "After months of ignoring Aaron, she finally caved."

Jack blinked, then snorted. "Well, I guess Supreme Father finally won."

Aaron rolled his eyes while Y/N burst out laughing.

"Alright, alright," Aaron said, shifting Sophia in his arms. "It's late. Everyone back to bed."

Y/N sighed dramatically, ruffling Jack's hair as she guided him back toward his room. "Fine, but just so you know, we know you are still a little mad that she said 'Jack' before 'Dada.'"

Aaron chuckled as he rocked Sophia gently, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. He looked down at his daughter, who yawned sleepily but still had a little smirk on her lips, like she knew she'd just made his entire night.

Aaron pressed another kiss to her forehead, smiling.

"Good job, baby girl," he murmured.

And as he laid her down in her crib, listening to her tiny, sleepy breaths, he realized—this was happiness.