Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 51

The morning of Sophia's first birthday started with soft giggles and the rustling of tiny limbs against the sheets. The soft glow of the morning sun seeped through the curtains as Y/N stirred awake, feeling the warmth of a tiny hand patting her cheek.

"Mama," Sophia babbled, her big brown eyes full of sleepy wonder as she stared down at Y/N.

Y/N smiled, brushing a hand over Sophia's messy tufts of dark hair. "Good morning, birthday girl."

Before she could snuggle her closer, Sophia suddenly sat up and turned toward the other side of the bed. Her whole face lit up, and she squealed, clumsily crawling over Y/N's stomach toward Aaron, who was still asleep.

"Dadda!" She patted his chest eagerly. "Dadda, up!"

Aaron let out a low chuckle before cracking one eye open. "Someone's impatient this morning," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.

Sophia, seemingly satisfied that her father was awake, flopped against his chest with a happy sigh. Y/N shook her head with amusement.

"You're her favorite today, huh?" she teased, watching as Aaron rubbed slow circles on Sophia's back.

"Just today?" Aaron raised a brow. "She's been attached to me like a koala for the past week."

Sophia lifted her head, grabbing Aaron's face with her tiny hands. "Dadda," she said sweetly before planting a sloppy, open-mouthed baby kiss on his cheek.

Aaron smiled, looking at Y/N with pure adoration. "I guess I'm not complaining."

Y/N rolled her eyes playfully. "Come on, birthday girl. Let's get you ready for your party."

The house was already a flurry of activity as Jack ran around excitedly, putting on his little button-down shirt that matched his dad's.

"Is Uncle Dave gonna have cake?" he asked, bouncing onto the bed where Y/N was helping Sophia into her dress.

Y/N laughed, securing the tiny pink bow on Sophia's dress. "Of course, he is. It wouldn't be a Rossi gathering without cake."

Sophia sat in Y/N's lap, clutching her hands into little fists and waving them around. She wasn't particularly interested in the party details—just that she was currently being held. But as soon as Aaron walked into the room, freshly dressed in a crisp button-up and slacks, her eyes locked onto him.

"Dadda!"

Jack snorted. "Wow, Mom. She just straight-up ignores you now."

Y/N sighed dramatically, feigning heartbreak. "I carried her for nine months, and this is how she repays me?"

Aaron chuckled as he walked over and scooped Sophia up. "You're making me look bad," he murmured to her, but Sophia only giggled, patting his face again.

Once everyone was ready, they packed up the car with gifts and baby essentials before heading over to Rossi's mansion.

The moment they pulled into the driveway, it was clear that Rossi had gone all out. Colorful balloons lined the grand entrance, and a massive banner that read Happy 1st Birthday, Sophia! was draped across the patio. The team had already arrived, chatting and laughing as the kids ran around the backyard.

As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted with cheers.

"There's the birthday girl!" Penelope cooed, clapping her hands together. She was decked out in pink from head to toe, as if she had coordinated with Sophia's dress.

JJ and Emily were close behind, each holding small gifts. Henry and Michael immediately ran up to Jack, pulling him toward the backyard where they were playing.

Sophia, however, didn't seem as excited about the crowd. The moment Aaron tried to set her down, her little hands clamped onto his shirt, and she let out a fussy whimper.

"Guess she's feeling a little shy," Y/N said, reaching out to take her, but Sophia let out a dramatic wail, her little arms wrapping tightly around Aaron's neck.

Aaron smirked. "Seems like I'm not off-duty today."

Rossi walked over, chuckling as he patted Aaron's back. "She's got good taste, what can I say?"

For the first part of the party, Sophia barely left Aaron's arms. She clung to him as he walked around, greeting the team and their families, occasionally reaching for a bite of cake from his plate.

"You're just milking this, aren't you?" Y/N teased as she caught Aaron bouncing Sophia gently in his arms while chatting with Emily.

"She's the birthday girl. I'm just doing my job," he replied smoothly.

Sophia tilted her head up at him and grinned. "Dadda."

"Oh, that's not fair." Y/N placed a hand on her hip. "You get all the birthday love."

Aaron smirked. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm sure she'll come running to you when she needs something."

And, of course, not five minutes later, Sophia reached out for Y/N.

"I told you," Aaron murmured as Y/N took Sophia.

Sophia, however, barely stayed in Y/N's arms for a full minute before twisting back toward Aaron. "Dadda," she whined, making grabby hands.

Rossi burst into laughter. "Face it, Y/N. She's got him wrapped around her little finger."

When it was time for the cake, everyone gathered around as Rossi brought out an extravagant, three-tiered cake with delicate pink frosting.

Everyone started singing, and Sophia's eyes widened as she looked around, seemingly taking it all in. When they finished, she clapped her hands excitedly before immediately looking at—who else?—Aaron.

He helped her blow out the single candle, then wiped a bit of frosting off her nose as she giggled.

"Here comes the real fun," JJ said, setting a small smash cake in front of Sophia.

But instead of diving in, Sophia simply looked up at Aaron expectantly.

"You want Dadda to try it first?" he asked, amused.

She nodded, so he took a tiny bite, exaggerating his reaction. "Mmm, delicious!"

That was all the encouragement Sophia needed. She dug her little hands into the cake, giggling as she smeared frosting all over her fingers.

Jack, laughing from across the table, pointed at Aaron. "Oh, Dad, she got you!"

Sure enough, Sophia had reached out and smeared some frosting on Aaron's shirt. He sighed dramatically, shaking his head.

"You think this is funny?" he asked, looking at her.

Sophia clapped her hands together, delighted. "Dadda!"

Everyone laughed as Aaron shook his head in defeat. "She's lucky she's cute."

As the party wound down, the team slowly began to head home, leaving just the Hotchner family and Rossi.

Jack had fallen asleep on the couch, exhausted from running around all day. Sophia, despite her sugar high, was curled up against Aaron's chest, her tiny fingers clutching onto his shirt.

Y/N watched them from across the room, a soft smile on her lips. "You know," she mused, "as much as she adores you, I think you love it just as much."

Aaron looked down at the tiny girl nestled in his arms and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Guilty," he admitted.

Rossi chuckled from his armchair. "Get used to it, Aaron. That little girl's gonna have you wrapped around her finger for the rest of your life."

Aaron glanced down at Sophia, his expression warm and full of love. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

And in that moment, everything was perfect.