A/N: This chapter was actually only a few hundred words. But after re-reading it I decided to add a bit more in the beginning, middle, and end. Please read and review.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.

Emily was frozen in her seat. She couldn't get out of the car. Getting out meant accepting what was happening. She wasn't ready. Gloria had taken Sammy inside and Emily's parents had both been out to see her. But she was stuck. She couldn't move. She didn't want it to be true and if she refused to move then maybe she could just pretend for awhile.

Hotch and JJ were walking up the driveway towards the front door of the funeral home. JJ saw Emily, sitting in the car alone, and pointed. Hotch turned and frowned. This couldn't be easy for her. He told JJ he'd take care of her and meet her inside. JJ nodded and watched as Hotch made his way over to the car.

Emily looked up when she heard Hotch walking across the gravel driveway. A tear slipped down her cheek when she realized she didn't want anyone to see her like this. Especially not him. She was strong and independent and hated that her boss, her colleague, her friend, was seeing her this vulnerable. She reached up to wipe her eyes and forced a tight smile by the time he reached the car.

Hotch watched Emily wipe her face and paste on a fake smile. He smiled sadly, trying to help her carry on the charade. It was the least he could do. He knelt beside the car, not caring about the dirt now gathering on the knees of his black suit. Emily sniffed and sat up straight.

"Hi," she said, her voice wavering. Hotch reached up and squeezed her hand. "You ok?" he asked. Emily shrugged… she paused… she shook her head. "No," she whimpered, "I'm not ok. I'm here to… to… to say goodbye and I don't want to," she said quietly. Hotch just stayed there, holding her hand. "You take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to go in," he assured her.

Emily nodded and smiled sadly. "This is pathetic," she mumbled. Hotch wrinkled his brow and shook his head. "It's not pathetic Emily. You… you lost someone you love. This is natural," he assured her. Emily shook her head. "I'm an FBI agent who sees death all the time," she exclaimed. Hotch huffed and nodded. "You do. But it's different when it's someone you love," he said quietly.

Emily nodded and sniffed. "I think I'm ready," she whispered. Hotch squeezed her hand and reached in the get the keys out of the ignition. Then he stood up and brushed the gravel from his knees, before helping Emily out of the car. Then he walked her into the home, his hand on her shoulder the only support he could think to give.

"We're here today to celebrate the life of Detective Max Cooper. Husband, father, son, partner, and friend," the minister started. Emily sat in the front row, with Gloria, Jack, Stephen, and Chris. It still hadn't quite sunk in yet. For the past week, she woke up in the middle of the night and was shocked to find Cooper's side of the bed empty. Then it would hit her and she'd break down instantly. Gloria had come in every time, trying to help her to settle. But it wasn't the same. Emily just wanted her husband back. She just wanted him back.

As the service continued, JJ leant forward and put her hand on Emily's shoulder. Emily's shoulders relaxed at the contact. She needed to know that her friends were there and with JJ's simple gesture, she had that. Emily ran her fingers through Sammy's hair and kissed the top of his head. This little boy still didn't understand that Daddy wasn't coming home. Each morning, he would sit at the table and ask Emily where Daddy was. But the only answer she could give him was "Gone."

Chris reached around Gloria and touched Emily's other shoulder. He had been Cooper's partner when he first came to DC, and was on his team before he died. He had been around Emily and Cooper and had seen how much they loved each other. As much as his own heart was breaking over the loss of a colleague and great friend, he couldn't imagine what Emily was going through. He only hoped she would let him help her through it.

Chris stood when the minister called him up. It was his turn. He made his way up to the pulpit and pulled the piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "Cooper was an action man. He was an avid sportsman in school and college, a high-flying officer during his service, and a good cop. Of these things, I'm sure you're all aware. He lived for his family. For his mother, Gloria: the woman who gave him life. For his son, Sammy: the boy he gave life to and the same one he would have given his life for. And for his wife, Emily: who he would never be able to live without." Chris paused and looked down at Emily. JJ was squeezing her friend's shoulder and Emily had buried her face in Sammy's hair.

Chris took a deep breath and continued. "I know that Cooper wouldn't want us to be sad. He gave his life in the line of his job and he would want us to be proud, and to celebrate the life that he had. He would want us to be with our families, and to feel safe in the knowledge that we have each other. And he would want us to be happy. Cooper, wherever you are buddy, thank you for sharing your life with each of us. To finish in the words of Hemingway

Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another."

Chris shook hands with the minister and made his way back to his seat. Emily reached across and squeezed his hand, mouthing "thank-you."

After the burial, the family had arranged an afternoon tea in the hall, looking out over the garden.

Emily walked out into the garden and stood in the sun, appreciating the time to herself. She looked down at the water, the ducks swimming and birds flying through the sky. She turned when she heard him call out. "Mommy!" Sammy said, walking towards her with Morgan. When they reached her Emily picked Sammy up and held him tight. "How you goin buddy?" she asked her son. Sammy wriggled out of Emily's arms and ran down to the water, chasing the ducks. Morgan put his arm around Emily's shoulder and she leant on him.

"How you going?" Morgan asked her. Emily paused for a moment. "I'm dealing with it." Morgan smiled as he watched Sammy throwing pebbles in the water. "How's he going?" Morgan asked. "He kind of understands but he still comes running into our room asking where Daddy is." Emily broke down and buried her face in Morgan's shoulder. He put his arms around her and held her close. "Emily," he said, brushing her hair, "Everything's gonna be alright." Sammy came running towards them. Emily picked him up and hugged him tight. "How bout we go inside?" Morgan said. Emily nodded and the three of them started walking back towards the hall.