Return To Me – Chapter 10
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"Aaron? Aaron Hotchner?"
"Yes, Daniel. This is my fiancée, Emily Prentiss."
They shook hands.
"Daniel, I'm sure you must be wondering about our presence." Hotch said.
A stunned Art Director nodded slowly, "You could say that, Aaron. I mean, exactly what can I help you with?"
Pulling out the large canvas frame, it was bigger than 25 by 25 frame.
Emily held her hand out, "Hang on, Aaron." She turned to the Director. "You might want to sit down, Dr. Peters."
He looked from her to Hotch who nodded, "I agree, have a sit," he indicated his leather chair.
The man nodded, "It's not a naked picture of my wife is it?" He tried to break the ice.
They laughed, "No…uh…not quite but equally surprising. You'll like it very much." Hotch smiled as he removed the wrapping.
Hotch turned it and showed the painting.
"Oh. My. Stars." The Director continued to stare at it. "This cannot be happening…it's the…the…oh…my….it's…the…real…it's my…"He began to hyperventilate.
"Daniel?" Hotch became concerned.
The Director held his hand out, "I'm okay…just give me a moment…"
Emily and Hotch exchanged looks.
A few minutes later, recovered somewhat, "How…how did you come into possession of this?" He waved at the painting, his hand still shaking.
Hotch waving at the painting as if he was some show host, "My dear, would you please?"
Emily nodded began to explain to him how she and her family came into possession of the Scellinger painting of Andy Warhol.
"…so for past ten years, it has been in my living room as a dust collector." She smiled.
"He just gave that painting to your cousin? Just like that?" Daniel asked. "A five million dollar painting…I don't believe it…" He shook his head.
Emily nodded.
"I…I….What are you intending to do with it now?" He began rubbing his face in disbelief, his eyes still on the painting.
Emily looked at Hotch.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, "My family has no problem with it."
Daniel watched their silent exchanges with interest.
Hotch turned to him. "Daniel, Emily is giving the painting to you."
…
Hotch was slapping his face, "Daniel! Hey! Wake up!"
"Maybe we should splash some cold water on him."
"I didn't know it could be so shocking…it is an ugly painting. Maybe because it's such an ugly painting he fainted." Emily said.
Hotch shook his head, "No Em. He was not expecting such a generous donation. I mean it was valued at $5 million dollar." He slapped his face again.
"Oh yeah, I guess that's a shocker too." She laughed.
Daniel opened his eyes finally and looked around and saw Hotch and Emily and stood up suddenly and began to weave.
"Whoa, Daniel!" Hotch held on to him, "I don't think you should stand up so suddenly."
"I...I'm fine…" he looked at Emily in shock. "Miss Prentiss! Are you quite sure?"
She nodded. "Yes I am, you're helping me keep it in a good place."
"Of course! I'll be! But I can't just take it like that" He shook his head. "I must offer you something…" He began to walk around his office as he thought.
Emily smiled, "Well, if I could make a suggestion…"
Daniel looked up at her, "Anything! Name it!"
She looked at Hotch, "Aaron and I have not chosen a venue for our wedding…"
Daniel began to smile, "Say no more, sweet and generous lady! Consider it done! You can have your wedding here at the Museum! I've never have a wedding done here before…but it should be a good thing….no it should a great thing! It'll be great PR for the Museum!"
Emily walked to Hotch and held his hands and laughed. "He hasn't heard about mother."
Hotch shook his head, "I'm afraid to open that can of worms." They leaned their foreheads together.
"Aaron…Emily?" Daniel leaned over to them.
They looked at him, "Yeah?"
"Will you permit me to recommend my wife as a party coordinator? And I …I…want to pay for everything too! The food…décor…and…well, she'll know the what-nots."
Emily and Hotch shook their heads, "No and yes, your wife can certainly lend a hand but we insist on footing the bill for the rest of the wedding…"
Daniel shook his head, "No…no, no. I don't think so, my wife loves to do this kind of stuff and she's good at it. Believe me! And money is not an issue, she's loaded. Please let us do it…the Scellinger painting?" he smiled.
Emily and Hotch exchanged looks before they nodded, "Fine, you have a deal. But nothing too fancy… I like those little finger sandwiches and melon balls."
Hotch gave her an odd look, "Hon, I don't think they serve those things at weddings…more like tea time."
"Oh." Emily said. "I thought…they were cute and dainty…nevermind." She looked at the Director and smiled, "I'll leave it to your wife's expert hands."
He nodded, "Ah yes, I'm sure she know what to serve on these occasions."
They nodded.
Daniel pulled out his card, "Just let me know when the wedding will be and how many...and who will be there."
They nodded, "We will. And thank you, Daniel."
"No…no, thank you … you've returned the painting more or less to me." He gently caressed the Scellinger painting sentimentally.
…..
In the vehicle, Emily laughed, "I just don't have the heart to tell him about the ambassador."
"I know. She can be a surprised guest." He suggested as he started the SUV.
She shook her head, "Aaron, you know I must give her a month's head's up."
He nodded, "Sadly, I know."
They sighed together.
He held her hand, "Happy?"
She grinned at him, "Ecstatic."
He laughed, "I like that." He pulled her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Then he looked serious at her, "So, when are you returning to me?"
Frowning, "Huh?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Em."
She turned to face forward and thought.
"Emily…."
Nodding, "Aaron, I turned in my resignation letter to INTERPOL. My last day is end of next month."
"Our wedding day?" he whispered.
She nodded before she turned to him and smiled. "Our wedding day."
"I can't believe it…but what are you going to do?"
She shrugged, "I don't know; go back to the bureau and apply into linguistic or…"
"Or we can start a family?" He suggested tentatively as he held his breath.
She smiled, "If that's what you want."
He beamed, "Oh yes!"
She laughed. "And what does Jack says?"
"Jack wants a brother, of course!" he held her hand tightly. "Emily! Whatever you want to do, we'll work it out although we have to do something first."
She frowned, "Oh? What's that?"
"Buy a larger house." He smiled as he pulled her close and kissed her hard.
"Of course!"
…..
THE END
Author's Note – Now it's your turn to let me know what you think!