The men stood at the back end of the garden at the altar, waiting for the brides to arrive. JJ and Hotch walked down and Reid and Desiree walked down to a beautiful classical sonata.
Fran stood at the back and the whole assembly rose. Softly, the band in the corner started to play "As Time Goes By", from Casablanca. Fran's dress was a creamy ivory color with lace and delicate flowers on the front and a long row and pearl buttons down the back into a short but flowing train.
As Fran took her place in front of Rossi, Penelope came to the back of the aisle and the crowd continued standing. Her dress was creamy white with a full skirt that reminded Morgan of a Christmas bell. The dress was accented with baby blue flowers and a satin over lay at the back over the moderate train. The band started a very slow classical piece as she walked down the aisle and then suddenly stopped. Morgan wipes his eyes and then looked at Penelope again. She winked and the opening strings of "Beautiful People" by Marlyn Manson began to play in a classical style. Morgan had to laugh. It wouldn't be his Baby Girl if she wasn't herself. Reid smiled and looked over at Kari. She stuck her tongue out at him and threw up her devil horns with a smile. He laughed and smiled inwardly. He felt so lucky. And luckily he was going to make her that way soon.
As Garcia stood in front of Morgan and Fran stood in front of Rossi, the minster made his way to the middle to perform the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered her today to join this man", he pointed to Rossi, "and, uh, this woman", he pointed to Fran, "together and this man", he pointed to Morgan, "and this woman", pointing to Penelope, "in holy matrimony." He wiped his brow in exaggeration. "Whew. That was a mouthful."
The audience awarded him with a small laugh and he continued. "I've been privileged enough to sit down and talk with both couples prior to this day and the love they share for each is tremendous. The selflessness I witnessed is why loves like theirs will last a lifetime."
Morgan and Penelope and Rossi and Fran looked at each and held hands.
"Because of the time frame, the couples have elected to have traditional vows said…"
"Ahem." Rossi said.
"Change of plans, David?" The minister said with a smile.
"Well, you know us", Rossi said. "Kitten, do you want to start?"
Penelope looked at Morgan and smiled brightly. "Derek. I didn't write anything down because I honestly don't know what to say." She turned to crowd. "Somebody write this down; I'm speechless!"
The audience laughed politely and she continued.
"For over a decade of my life I've loved you. My loved for you evolved, just like our relationship; without me even knowing. You started off as the object of affection, and then became my best friend and then the love of my life. I have no doubt our lives will be filled with happiness and sadness but that we'll see each other through just like we always do. You have my heart, Hotstuff. Now and forever more."
Morgan beamed.
"You know, for someone who was speechless, that was a lot", he said, laughing with the audience. "I think I always knew it was you. From the moment I met you, I knew you'd turn my world around. I'm a better man because of you and I strive to keep being better. Through the good and bad, I got you. It's you and me Mama, for now and until eternity."
Rossi waited his turn and faced Fran.
"I could write millions of words to fill up millions of books and sell them all and be rich for the rest of my days. But without you, I'd still be the poorest man in the world. You enrich my life and showed me how to really let go and love again. It's wasn't easy for me and you saw past my past and showed me a picture of a future I couldn't live without. I cherish you, my sweet Bella, and I always will."
"You better", Morgan said, just loud enough for the front rows to hear and chuckle at.
Fran wiped a tear from her eye. "David, you rescued me from a sadness I didn't even know had enveloped me. I felt compelled to be alone, to wonder if I even deserved to be loved again. You took your time to know my heart and won it, no holds barred. I love you, David Rossi and I will never let go of you or us."
The minister asked for the rings. "Repeat after me, all of you and you place the rings on your mate's fingers. With this ring, I thee wed. For better for worse, sickness and health, richer or poorer, forsaking all others until death do us part. Amen."
The wedding party repeated and placed the rings on the fingers an d joined the audience in saying, "amen".
"By the power invested in me, by the state of Virginia, I now pronounce you, Man and Wife and Man and Wife. You may kiss your brides, Gentlemen."
Rossi and Fran shared a tender kiss while Morgan and Penelope shared a much more intense kiss.
"Ahem", Rossi said.
"Sorry", Penelope said, wiping her lipstick off of Morgan's mouth with a giggle.
"May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Penelope and Derek Morgan and Mr. and Mrs. Francine and David Rossi!" The minster took a step back as both couples walked down the aisle, meeting congratulations and hugs form the audience.
As the reception got into full swing, Reid saw Kari in the corner of the garden sipping water and looking a little pained.
"Sweetie", Reid said whispering in her ear so she could hear him. "Are you OK?"
"I just feel a bit queasy is all", Kari said. "I'm thinking, too much cake?"
"Maybe. What are your symptoms?"
"My stomach is all flip-floppy and I feel like I have to constantly…" Kari ran from Reid quickly into the house and towards the nearest bathroom. Reid followed.
"Kari?" Reid said. JJ rushed over.
"Is she OK?"JJ said.
"I'm not sure", Reid said. "She said she was feeling queasy and then ran in here. I'm assuming to…" The vomit noises on the other side of the door confirmed his thoughts.
"That", he finished.
"Hey Reid, We're ready for your toast", Morgan said.
"Go", JJ said. "I got this."
As soon as Kari heard Reid's footsteps go away, she opened the door and yanked JJ inside.
"No, no, no, no", Kari kept repeating as she sat down on the floor, rocking herself back and forth.
"Kari, what's wrong?" JJ asked.
"No, no, no, no", Kari kept repeating.
"Are you pregnant?" JJ asked in a whisper, sitting down on the toilet seat to face her.
"I, I don't know", Kari said. "We've been so careful, JJ. So careful."
"It's going t be OK", JJ said. Spencer loves kids, and you."
"But it's not supposed to happen like this", Kari said. "We're not married. Hell, we're not even living together. I have no idea where this is going." She looked at JJ's face.
"Oh no, it's not like that", Kari said. I know he loves me. And I love him. We've said that. But we've never really talked about this stuff. Kids, marriage, all of that. I have no idea where he stands on that."
"OK, let's not jump to conclusions", JJ said. "You should probably take the test first. Then let's move on from there. Right now, we'll just tell everyone you're not feeling the best. A stomach bug; you don't want to risk getting anyone else sick. We can stop by the pharmacy and get a test. I'll stay with you." She hugged Kari as she stood up. "You're not alone."
JJ looked to make sure the coast was clear and found Will.
"I'm going to take Kari home and then I'll be back. She's not feeling well and she doesn't want to make anyone else sick if she is." JJ said, grabbing her keys.
"Is that the story you want me to tell Spencer and circulate?" he said, smiling.
"For now, yes", JJ said. "We don't know for sure. How did you guess it?"
"She's been drinking ginger ale and water all night. This placing is flowing with alcohol and champagne and she opts out?"
"Good eye, Detective", she said kissing his cheek.
On the way to Kari's apartment, they stopped in and got two tests.
"Always good to have a backup", JJ said.
At Kari's apartment, JJ made tea, while Kari took the test.
"What are you going to do if you are", JJ said, sipping her tea as she and Kari waited for the timer to ding.
"Keep it, most definitely", Kari said, placing her hand on her stomach.
"You know Spencer would marry you in a heartbeat", JJ said as she heard keys jingling outside the door.
"But I wouldn't want…" Kari said, but stopped short when she saw Reid.
"Are you OK?" he said. "I was worried sick."
"JJ took good care of me", Kari said. "I'm fine." Just then the timer went off.
"Maybe I should go", JJ said.
"No, stay", Kari said. "I want you to be one of the first ones to know."
"Know what?" Reid said, as Kari disappeared around the corner. In a minute Kari came back.
"Negative", she said.
JJ hugged her tight. "Now I really am going to go. You guys need to talk."
JJ placed a hand on Reid's shoulder and left quietly out the door.
"Kari what's going on?"
"I need think we may need to talk, Spencer", she said, patting the seat next to her on the sofa.
