A/N: Yay! I got some great response for this story! Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoy the next chapter as much as you liked the first one. Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, sadly.
Chapter 2: The Funeral:
JJ watched silently as the coffin of her fiancé was lowered into the ground. The funeral had been put together rather quickly, all without her uttering a word. She looked to her right, Hotch looked stoic sitting there. He was the one who had organized everything, he took the lead and her friends helped out. All so that she would be spared going over the details of planning Will's funeral. After all, it was supposed to be a wedding she was planning, not this.
One lone tear slipped down her cheek. She tried to listen to the last few words the Priest was saying, but she found she didn't care. What was the point? Will was gone.
The next thing she knew everyone was standing up. It was over just like that. And now and forevermore Will would be nothing but a memory.
She felt her hand being given a comforting squeeze. She glanced down at their hands and then up to Hotch. He was watching her carefully and when he saw her looking at him he gave her a look of such pure understanding that she found that once again she was grateful he was here by her side.
And true to his word that he had given five days ago, she was never alone. Most of the time he was with her, practically living in her house for the past five days. But, she also had the support of her friends. Penelope, Emily, Morgan, Reid, and Rossi, had all shown up that second day and she'd seen them every day since.
Hotch pulled back on his hand to let go of hers, but she found herself holding onto his even tighter. She entwined her fingers with his. If he was embarrassed or offended by her gesture he didn't show it. He just let her continue holding his hand. She just needed to feel a soothing gesture right now. Her nerves were frazzled, but having Hotch by her side seemed to calm her.
He led them towards his black SUV before any of the guests could corner JJ to offer their condolences. That was what the wake was for back at her house. Hotch knew she needed some time in silence to process what had went on that day. And he intended to giver her that.
They reached his SUV, where she reluctantly let go of his hand. She went for the passenger side, he to the drivers. Before entering Derek approached Hotch.
"Back to the house?" he asked him.
"Yeah," Hotch replied.
Derek just nodded his head; he went for his own SUV, with Emily and Penelope following. Rossi and Reid headed towards another car.
They got inside the car and Hotch turned it on. They pulled out of the cemetery parking lot and rode on in silence until JJ finally decided to break it.
"Thanks," she said simply.
He spared her a quick confused glance before turning his attention back to the road. "What for?"
"Are you kidding?" she asked incredulously. "For everything. For coming when I called you. For sticking around. For planning the funeral. For… for taking care of Henry… and me."
Hotch smiled sheepishly. "That's a pretty long list. I'm not sure I deserve all the credit you're giving me."
"You do Hotch," she assured him, she touched his arm to get his attention. He looked down at her hand and then at her face. She gave him a small smile. "You've been a great friend. I… I'm not sure what I would have done if you weren't here."
She watched him visibly blush, as he turned his gaze back to the road.
"You're welcome JJ," he said with sincerity.
JJ let her hand drop from his arm. The silence resumed and she turned her head to watch the streets go by. But she now felt a little better. Oh no, her grief wasn't gone, but she felt a sense of serenity that she hadn't felt since the moment her doorbell rang that fateful day her life changed.
Hotch opened the door to his team and friends letting them in the house. Each one looked more solemn and reserved then he could ever remember seeing them. They congregated in JJ's living room.
"Where's JJ?" Reid asked quietly.
Hotch let out a small sigh. "She's in the nursery; she wanted to spend some time alone with Henry before people started to arrive."
Reid nodded in understanding.
"How's she doing, Hotch?" Morgan questioned.
Hotch looked towards the hallway. "As well as can be expected. I think the shocks warn off. She's starting to deal with it."
"I don't know how anyone could ever get over something like this," Penelope stated disbelievingly.
"I don't think you ever do," Rossi responded. "Something as final as death, I don't think we ever truly accept. There's always a part of man that wishes things were otherwise."
The team nodded their agreement.
"She's going to need us," Emily added.
"And we'll be here for her," Hotch assured.
They all shared a moment of silence before Emily decided to break it.
"I'm going to check on the caterers in the kitchen," she informed them.
Morgan stood up. "I'll help you out."
They left the room together.
"The guests should be arriving soon," Reid added.
Hotch looked down at his watch, ten to six.
"I'll go check on JJ," he told the remainder of the group.
He left them there and made his way to the nursery. He knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," he heard JJ's soft call.
He turned the knob and poked his head in the doorway.
JJ beckoned him inside and he shut the door behind him.
She was rocking back and forth in the rocking chair, Henry cradled in her arms fast asleep.
Hotch smiled at the sweet sight of mother and child.
"He fell asleep while I was feeding him," she told him, smiling down at the baby. The almost empty bottle was still in her hands and she looked for a spot to put it down. Hotch took it from her instead. "He's such an angel."
She moved the baby from the cradling position to her shoulder and started to get up. She looked to Hotch.
"Is it time?"
"Almost," he replied.
She nodded her head and went to Henry's crib. Gently, she placed the baby inside and pulled up his covers. She didn't move from its side and Hotch came to stand with her.
"Was Jack ever this good when he was a baby?" she inquired after Hotch's six year old son.
Hotch snorted. "Not even close. I think I went a whole six months without sleeping."
JJ found herself laughing lightly at his joke. "No, I haven't had that issue."
"Then you're lucky," he informed her. "I love my son so much, but those days weren't that much fun."
JJ smiled at him and then let out a sigh. "I guess we should get out there."
Hotch just shrugged. "We don't have to if you don't want to."
She nodded. "I know… but I think I want to."
He understood her unsaid words. This was her chance to say goodbye to Will, through tears and condolences from Will's closest friends and small family. This was an opportunity for some closure.
"All right," he answered, heading towards the door. "Let's go."
He opened it and they stepped outside. He turned towards the living room but JJ hesitated.
"Uh… I think I'll just go take a quick look at myself. You know, see if my make up is smeared or anything."
Hotch nodded. She turned in the direction of her room on her way, but Hotch's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"But JJ,' he paused, as she turned her head to give him a considering look, "You look beautiful."
She smiled shyly, feeling her cheeks tint pink before turning to her room nonetheless.
Well that's about it for now. I hope you enjoyed. Leave me a review and let me know what you think.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed: Karen; ssbailey; egoogy34 (Yeah, I like Will, but I like the JJ/Hotch pairing more, so I let him go, gently); b9je (I'm so excited that you reviewed, I've read a few of you fics and intend on reading the rest. Thanks for reading); Sarmoti; Ecda; Berlian (yeah, I like his character, so I couldn't turn him into a jerk); beth; wildpartyhouse247; ; and breverson.
I'll try to update soon!
