"Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid, tendrils tucked into a woven braid. Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all."

Being the daughter of Aaron Hotchner wasn't easy. Most people thought you were spoiled, or just a plain ol' stuck-up brat, but that couldn't be further from the truth. You were kind, and smart, funny, prettier than any angel the average person could conjure up in their mind (at least in your mom, Haley's opinion); more innocent than sheltered, or naïve.

That was, at least, until you met Emily. Shortly after your dad moved up to the Unit Chief position at the BAU, and you finished up your doctorate degree, a new member joined his team; Emily Prentiss. Originally, your dad and Gideon thought it might of been nepotism (as both of Emily's parents are ambassadors), since neither of them approved any paperwork for her to be added to the BAU team (alongside Dr Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan, media liaison Jennifer Jareau, and technical analyst Penelope Garcia), but over time, she slowly but surely began being fully accepted into the team's dynamic.

Also during this time, the two of you got closer. It started a few weeks after she first joined the team, when you came to the office to have lunch with your dad (something you tried to do every other week) and were formally introduced, then from that moment onwards her name lived rent free in your mind. The second time you saw her, you accidently bumped into her on your way out, stumbling over your own words to try and get the words "I'm so sorry" out of your mouth in order, but instead opting to offering to buy her a coffee sometime as an apology, which she first declined, and only changed her mind on it after you insisted upon it.

The third time, on your "not-a-date" coffee date, during an afternoon you both had off from work, you got to know each other a lot better. Nothing too deep, or anything that would be classed as 'trauma dumping', just the small things; how she took her coffee, if she had any siblings or pets, what her favourite book is, favourite movie, that sort of stuff. Then when it drew near to early evening, and you'd both nursed your drinks to the point they'd turned stone cold, you (reluctantly) said your goodbyes. But not before Emily managed to worm her way into your mind again, by asking you out to dinner the following week, in the most dorkily charming way possible. The dinner of which ended up with you back at her place, indulging yourselves in having the other for dessert.

That was 4 months ago now, and since then you had fallen for her even more. Despite keeping it a secret from everyone (including your dad), you'd never felt happier. Something about being with Emily (the way she always sat and listened to you ramble about stuff, or when she helped you wash your hair and get ready for bed when you'd had a bad day, and especially how she always handled you and your feelings with so much care and fragility that it almost always made you question if you truly were made out of glass), had you feeling more seen and loved than you ever have before.

All was going great, until you stupidly wore one of Emily's work-shirts to a team dinner your dad had invited you to. Though, to his credit, he did wait until dropping you both back to yours, and getting inside your apartment before fully exploding.

"I don't even know where to start-! She's a decade older than you, for one!" Hotch scolded sternly, talking to you about Emily as if she wasn't in the room with you two.

"Yeah, I'm aware of that, Dad." You started, trying to use your attitude as a front to keep your emotions at bay.

"Well, that's even worse!" He yelled, his patience wearing thin. "Y'know what, I don't even wanna hear it; I forbid you from seeing each other."

"No, wait please- But Daddy, I love her!" You shouted, which caught both Emily and Hotch off-guard, tears filling your eyes at the mere thought of not being allowed to see your girlfriend anymore.

"You w- You're what?" Your dad replied, his anger now fizzing out slightly.