Epilogue
The wedding went off with out a hitch mostly due to JJ and Stephanie's planning. All of the men in the BAU agreed that watching JJ, Stephanie and even Elle take on this event was frightening. They agreed by mutual silence to pretend they didn't exist except to show up at the appropriate times and do as they were told. Reid said something to Gideon-out of JJ's hearing of course-that it might be fascinating to study brides to be while they planned these events. For the sake of other grooms that weren't smart enough to stay out of their beloved's way. He wondered if it could be published in Psychology Today. Wisely Gideon said nothing to encourage that insanity.
Reid was completely overwhelmed by meeting JJ's family. Since he had little experience with family out side of his mom and Stephanie, suddenly having two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law and parent's in-law took some getting used to. He felt that her father's handshake the first time they met could've left him with some of the feeling in his hand. He whispered to Morgan that you'd think Mr. Jareau was accusing him of some untoward with JJ. Morgan said nothing only shook his head in pity at the young agent's plight.
In the end it was a beautiful ceremony. JJ was radiant in a white silk gown. She wore her hair up with out a veil just a silver tiara crowned with flowers that matched the ones decorating the church. She was so breathtakingly beautiful that the audience gasped as one when she came down the aisle on her fathers arm. The ceremony was a traditional one full of beauty and grace, but also a serious matter. Spencer's voice trembled so much over his vows he could hardly get the words out. JJ's voice was calm her face serene but tears fell from her blue eyes through out the ceremony.
At the reception they had exactly one dance together as Spencer was obliged to dance with all the female relatives including a six year old niece that barley came up to his waist. So he picked her up and danced around the floor with her blushing in his arms. She declared loudly to JJ afterwards that he was "cute and she was going to marry him too when she was old enough." Everyone laughed except for Reid who had flushed crimson and was studying the far wall with great interest.
Finally JJ had had enough. They'd done everything including cutting the cake and the throwing of the garter and the bouquet. Which in the case of the former Morgan caught and in the case of the latter Stephanie caught? JJ pulled Spencer aside and hissed that dancing and cake was all well and good, but she wanted to get out of there and rip his tuxedo off. In return he said he thought she never ask and they made their escape.
After the couple left the others went off to find a club for more dancing although Stephanie begged off citing a headache and left the reception hall. Gideon also said that clubbing was for kids and he was going home for some much needed rest. Everyone in the BAU knew about his relationship with Stephanie and didn't believe for a moment either one was going home alone, but the wisely said nothing.
In reality Gideon had no intention of meeting up with Stephanie. They had decided to take their relationship slow, going out on dates, kissing, holding hands but that was it. So he was surprised when the door bell rang exactly forty five minutes after he arrived home. It was Stephanie, he invited her in and since it was late he asked her if anything was wrong. She didn't say anything she just came into his arms and kissed him like she was afraid he would disappear. She would not let him speak but showed him that she believed the whole idea of taking things slowly was a really bad idea.
When Gideon woke up the next morning and discovered her lying next to him, he was extremely relived that the previous night hadn't been a dream. She assured him it hadn't been by repeating the last night's activities.
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Early that same morning in Topeka Kansas the electronic click of the prison cell doors signaled the release of another prisoner. He walked down the hallway with the guard to the next check point. Another click of a door and he was directed to the window to pick up all that he owned which was the $27.18 he'd had in his pocket the day he'd come here, one set of clothing 13 years out of date and a bus ticket out of town.
The guards remarked as he walked out of the gates that they didn't want to see him in there again to which he replied he had unfinished business to attend to. Thirteen years of hell in prison branded as a child molester. He couldn't let that pass, he would find sweet Stephanie and she would pay. No one ratted on Phillip Matthews and got away with it.