We are getting closer to our ladies' wedding! This one is the night before so either the next chapter or the one after will be the actual wedding, which I am really looking forward to writing!

Thanks so much for reading once again!

Enjoy! -J

Chapter 7

There was an overwhelming sense of happiness hanging in the room as Emily, JJ, Alex, Henry, Spencer, the team, Haley, JJ's family, Emily's mother and Jessie gathered together that night for the rehearsal dinner. The group had spent over an hour going over everything that was going to happen the next day, ensuring that everyone knew where they needed to be and what they needed to do. Even though there had been plenty of whining from Lily and Garcia about how long the actual rehearsal was taking, Emily and JJ felt like the next day was going to go perfectly, and as soon as they all sat down together to enjoy dinner they couldn't help but feel like the luckiest people on earth.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Rossi announced, tapping his glass with his knife in order to gain the attention of the room as he stood from his seat. "I've had the pleasure of knowing these two wonderful ladies for quite a few years now," he began. "And I don't think I have ever seen them as happy as they've been this past year. As someone who was been able to witness the beginnings of this relationship I have to say I'm really not surprised that we're all here today getting ready to celebrate this wedding," he continued. "So I'd like you all to join me in raising your glasses to JJ and Emily; I am so happy for the both of you, and we love you."

"Here, here," Garcia called as everyone began clinking their glasses together giving their cheers.

"Thank you," Emily replied, a big smile on her face as she took JJ's hand in hers. "We can't thank you all enough for everything you've all done for us, especially with the wedding," she said. "We're both just so happy and we couldn't imagine celebrating this day without any of you."

"I'd uh…um I'd like to say something too if that's okay," Alex said from where she sat on Emily's other side, looking rather nervous as she glanced at Spencer who gave her an encouraging nod as she stood from her chair. "I um…." she took a deep breath as she felt her mother grab her hand, causing her to turn and look towards both her parents. "I never thought I would ever be here with my Mom…or any of you. I never imagined that this would be my life and yet…I don't think I could be any happier than I am today; although I'm guessing that I will be even happier tomorrow," she smiled. "So like Rossi I would also like to propose a toast to my Moms," she said, raising her glass. "And to family. Cheers."

"Cheers," everyone echoed, once again bringing their glasses together as conversation immediately started back up as the group finished up their dinner.

"Thank you Lex," JJ said, getting up from her seat so she could give her daughter a hug and a kiss. "That was beautiful."

"I agree," Emily added, waiting until the blonde was out of her way so she could embrace the teen as well. "We love you so much."

"I love you too," Alex smiled, allowing Emily to keep her hand in hers as they sat back down. "Both of you."

"You three are just too cute for words," Garcia gushed from where she sat across the table with Morgan.

"Excuse me I think you mean four of us," Emily corrected, gesturing to Henry who was currently dozing in Elizabeth's arms at the end of the table; the older Prentiss talking animatedly with Sandy and Andrew while gently stroking her grandson's back. "You're forgetting Henry…you know your Godson."

"Well of course, Henry is the most adorable," Garcia replied. "But I just meant that you three are always killing me with your cuteness. You're all so lovey dovey. It just makes me so happy."

"You're crazy Garcia," JJ laughed, shaking her head.

"Just wait until tomorrow," Morgan said. "I'm not sure we'll even be able to contain her with all of the excitement."

"Oh definitely not!" Garcia nodded enthusiastically.

"I can't believe that tomorrow at this time we're actually going to be married," JJ said, beaming as she grabbed Emily's free hand and squeezed it tightly. "I'm so excited."

"Me too Baby," Emily smiled, leaning forward to give the blonde a soft kiss. "It's going to be absolutely perfect."

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"You know I really don't understand why we can't just stay together tonight," JJ groaned later that night, resting her forehead against Emily's shoulder as the brunette brought her hand up and began rubbing her back.

"Because it's tradition," Emily chuckled softly, kissing the blonde's temple. "We're not supposed to see each other until we're at the alter."

"Screw tradition," JJ replied pouting. "I don't want to sleep without you. It's not fair. I need your arms around me."

"Well I'm sure Penelope would be willing to cuddle with you if that's what you're worried about," Emily teased, poking JJ's sides as she attempted to get the blonde to crack.

"Not the same thing," JJ replied, pulling back and looking up with sad, blue eyes.

"Aw come on don't do that," Emily said, running her hand through blonde locks. "I told you I need tonight with Lex," she said, taking JJ's hands in hers. "It's just one night. And then tomorrow we'll be married and you'll get to spend every night in my arms for the rest of our lives."

"Mmm that sounds perfect," JJ finally smiled, leaning forward and capturing the brunette's lips in a kiss, which she immediately deepened despite the fact that their family and friends were not that far away.

"Hey get a room," Adam eventually called out, effectively ruining the moment.

"Yeah geez ladies save it for the honeymoon," Morgan added, laughing along with JJ's brother, the pair high fiving as both Emily and JJ simply rolled their eyes in annoyance.

"You're getting a ride home with Pen?" Emily asked as she turned her attention back to her future wife, leaning their foreheads together in an attempt to get some privacy.

"We're driving Spencer home," JJ nodded, playing with the hem of Emily's shirt. "Just as soon as her and Alex finish saying goodbye," she smirked, nodding her head to the corner where the young couple was huddled together, holding hands as they talked quietly to each other.

"Ah young love," Emily smiled. "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Probably having a similar conversation as us," JJ laughed quietly. "You think someday we'll be at the rehearsal dinner for their wedding?"

"Oh God bite your tongue," Emily groaned. "They're babies. I am in no way ready to start thinking about their wedding."

"Well I didn't mean next week," JJ laughed. "But I mean who knows, maybe 10 years from now we'll be getting Alex ready for her wedding."

"They're 15 Jen," Emily reminded her. "The chances of those two still being together 10 years from now are…"

"Do not even finish that sentence," JJ interrupted. "I don't want to hear it. I know they're young; much too young. But those two are…special," she said. "They remind me of us. I think they'll end up married some day. You'll see."

"Okay," Emily nodded, unable to hold back her smile as she gave the blonde another, much more chaste, kiss. "Whatever you say."

Meanwhile, across the room Alex leaned forward to give Spencer a kiss despite the fact that she could feel eyes watching her; knowing that if she turned around she would likely find Garcia watching them carefully.

"Are you excited for your night with your Mom?" Spencer asked when they pulled apart, her fingers immediately beginning to play with the two bracelets on Alex's wrist. "It should be nice."

"I think it will be great," Alex replied, her smile big. "Don't get me wrong, I love being with both my Moms and I love having Henry around, but it's been a while since it was just me and my Mom. It will be nice to have the night together to just…whatever," she explained. "Plus I don't know…being here," she shrugged. "It just seems extra special."

"Your Mom lived here right?" Spencer asked, not fully remembering the details.

"When she was pregnant with me," Alex nodded. "So I don't know it just…it's hard to explain."

"Don't worry I understand," Spencer smiled, giving the shorter brunette's hand a squeeze. "Tomorrow is going to be so nice. I mean everything looks great. I think it's going to be an amazing wedding."

"I hope so," Alex smiled, intertwining her fingers with Spencer's. "As long as everything goes to plan it should be perfect, but I think even if it doesn't it's going to be a great time," she said. "I mean with this lot around it can't be anything but a good time," she said, laughing as she gestured to the group that gathered near the doors, waiting for Emily and JJ to say their goodbyes before leaving.

"Personally I cannot wait for drunk Garcia," Spencer laughed. "Somehow I feel like we can rely on her being the life of the party."

"For sure," Alex grinned, knowing the blonde was likely to cause quite a scene with a lot of dancing.

"Hey you girlies ready?" JJ called; the teens looking up to find the blonde coming towards them with Emily, the couple still holding hands.

"I'm ready whenever you are," Spencer replied as she and Alex separated, though their hands remained linked.

"Good because I need to get to bed. We kind of have a big day tomorrow," JJ smiled, releasing Emily hand in order to approach Alex. "Alright kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, wrapping the teen in a hug, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "Take care of your Mom for me tonight okay?"

"I will," Alex smiled, hugging the blonde tighter. "I love you Mum."

"I love you too Baby," JJ replied, kissing the brunette on the cheek. "Alright say goodbye to Spencer," she said before turning towards Emily. "I'll meet you at the alter?"

"I'll be there," Emily smiled, grabbing JJ's hands and pulling her towards her to give her a proper goodbye. "I love you. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Love you too," JJ said as she allowed herself to be pulled into a kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Alex said as she turned to Spencer, the young couple hugging before sharing a sweet kiss. "I love you," she said quietly.

"I love you too," Spencer smiled, giving the shorter brunette one more quick peck since Emily and JJ were now watching. "I'll see you tomorrow," she smiled before turning towards JJ.

"Alright you two be good," JJ said as Emily moved to put her arm around Alex. "Enjoy your night. I love you both."

"We love you too," Emily replied for the both of them. "We'll see you tomorrow."

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This seems surreal," Emily said as she walked into her old bedroom later that night after getting ready for bed, finding Alex already waiting for her.

Although the furniture and décor of the room was obviously different from when she lived there, Emily got an odd chill as she walked in the room to find her daughter sitting in the bed, which sat in the same spot that her own bed used to sit. Emily could remember spending a whole night, lying wide awake in this room after finding out she was pregnant with Alex and after giving her up for adoption, the older brunette never imagined she would find herself back in this room with her daughter; especially the night before her wedding.

"It must be weird to be sleeping here again," Alex replied, scooting over in the bed to make room for her mother, who immediately joined her. "It must be doubly weird having me here."

"You have no idea," Emily chuckled, mirroring her daughter's position as she sat up, leaning against the headboard. "Don't get me wrong, having you here with me is amazing and I absolutely love it, but I just…I never imagined that we would ever be here," she continued. "I spent so many nights here contemplating how I could possibly give you up when all I wanted to do is keep you with me."

"It must have been hard," Alex said, leaning her head to rest against Emily's shoulder. "I mean after I found out I was adopted I couldn't understand how you could give me up, but now I have no idea what I would do if I were in your position. I mean it's not exactly an easy choice."

"It was the hardest choice I ever had to make," Emily replied, resting her head on top of her daughter's. "Sometimes I wished I could just stay pregnant forever. That way it would always just be you and me together. I just wanted to keep you with me forever, even though I knew it wasn't what was best for you."

"Well it may have taken us 14 years but we're here together now," Alex said, reaching out and grabbing her mother's hand. "And we still have forever together…it just won't be just the two of us though. I mean we've got Mum and Henry too."

"That's true," Emily smiled. "We're pretty lucky to have those two aren't we?"

"Extremely," Alex agreed as she began playing with Emily fingers absentmindedly, falling silent. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything," Emily replied easily.

"Even if it might make you unhappy?" Alex asked carefully, causing Emily to lift her head to get a better look at her daughter.

"Of course," Emily answered hesitantly, completely unsure of what to expect.

"I…well…I was just wondering if your dad was going to be at the wedding tomorrow," Alex asked quietly, still not looking up from her mother's shoulder. "I mean you don't really talk about him or anything but I just thought it's you're wedding and…well I wasn't sure…"

"He won't be there," Emily interrupted the teen's rambling, lifting the younger brunette's chin with her finger so she could look her in the eyes. "Your Grandfather…My father isn't….he isn't exactly supportive of my choices," she explained. "He's still married to your Grandmother but they're hardly ever actually together. As far as I know he's still in London and has absolutely no interest in attending my wedding."

"Did you ask him?"

"We don't exactly talk," Emily replied, unable to really explain the complicated relationship she had with her father; a relationship that had been deteriorating since she was a teenager.

"Well does he even know about me?" Alex asked curiously, having wanted to ask her mother about her father for quite some time. "I mean does he know that I live with you?"

"My mother told him," Emily nodded. "But I haven't heard anything from him since then. Where is this coming from?" She then asked. "I mean you've never asked about my father before."

"I guess I was just wondering," Alex shrugged. "I mean I thought maybe he'd come to walk you down the aisle."

"Oh…well…" Emily bit her lip. "I don't need anyone to give me away," she said. "I'll be perfectly fine walking myself down the aisle. I don't need him there. I've got everyone I need."

"Okay," Alex nodded. "I'm sorry I brought it up. I didn't want to upset you or anything," she said. "We're supposed to be enjoying tonight. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Emily smiled. "I'm not upset. You're allowed to be curious, and you know you can always talk to me about anything," she said wrapping her arm around the teen with a sigh. "You know I don't think I would even be here tonight if it weren't for you. I mean before you came around I couldn't even see my feelings for Jennifer for what they really were."

"That's true," Alex laughed. "I'm glad I was able to help you realize you were in love with her," she said. "But I think you would have gotten here eventually. It just might have taken you a little longer."

"You think so?" Emily asked.

"Of course," Alex nodded. "People who are meant to be always find their way to each other."