Hey guys. This is the epilogue. The final chapter. I am kinda sorry it's over. I have really enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all your reveiws! Hope you will all leave final reviews for this chapter. Thanks again for staying with this story!

Chapter 10- Epilogue

2 months later

Mari was now 14 months old and climbing on everything. because of balance issues, she was also falling off of everything and she had the scrapes and bumps and bruises to prove it. Reid was a little worried that this would affect the adoption proceedings. One Saturday,when they were at the park, Reid talked to JJ about it.

"She just moves so fast that , a lot of the time, she falls before I can catch her. I am doing my best, but sometimes I just can't get to her in time."

"It's ok Spence. These are just accidents."

"I know that and you know that but the authorities don't!"

" Spence, It's obvious to anyone watching that you take good care of Mari. She adores you! There is no fear there. Anyone can see that. Accidents happen with children that age. They can happen to anyone! I went through it too. Don't you remember what Henry looked like when he was that age?"

" Not really. I guess I wasn't really paying attention back then."

"He had more scrapes and bruises than Mari does, probably cause he was a boy and a lot more active. Spence, don't worry! Nothing is going to happen to take Mari away from you! You ARE her daddy!"

Reid reached out and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, JJ."

JJ squeezed back on his hand and smiled "I'm only telling you the truth."

Just then Henry ran up to them with Mari toddling along behind as fast as her chubby little legs could carry her.

"We're hungry!" Said Henry, " Is it lunchtime yet?"

JJ ruffled her son's hair while Reid picked up his daughter and tickled her. This made both children giggled.

"I think it's about that time." JJ said, " Henry why don't you help mamma set out the blanket and put the food on it." When this was finish, they all set down to eat.

Later that day, Reid was picking up Mari's toys while she took a nap. He had just put the last block in the toy chest, when he heard a soft knock at the door. He went to answer it.

Judy Evens stood on the other side and smiled at him when he let her in.

"Good afternoon Dr. Reid." She said, "I am assuming from the time that Marianna is taking her nap so I opted to knock instead of using the doorbell."

"Thank you." Said Reid a little nervously. He had already gone through all the necessary home visits so what could the social worker be doing here.

"I will try to be as brief and quiet as possible. I have been with this case from the beginning and I have gotten to see how loving and caring you are with Marianna. I came to the conclusion that you are the perfect father for her along time ago." By now Reid was getting even more nervous. Could she have heard about Mari's injuries and now she was changing her original assessment? But the woman was continuing.

" It is for this reason that I wanted to deliver this news to you myself. You have been officially approved for the adoption of Marianna Rose Donovan!"

The smile on Ms Evens's face was almost as big as Reid's. Reid was struggling to hold back the tears as he shook her hand.

"You mean it? Thank you! Thank you so much!" Then he realized he was getting too loud. He calmed himself down and lowered his voice to avoid waking his daughter.

"You don't know how much this means to me. Just... Thank you!"

"Oh I think I have an idea Dr. Reid. You are to report to Courthouse to Judge Brian Walker's chambers on Monday for the official proceedings."

"Thank you Ms. Evens. Would it be alright if my team and Mari's grandparents came to the ceremony?"

The social worker smiled. " That would be perfectly fine. Your team is your family and has been her family from the beginning so it's only fitting that they should be there for the official adoption. Congratulations, Dr Reid. I hope you will continue to keep me posted on how this little one is doing." Reid agreed to do so and thanked her. Then Ms. Even's left.

Mari was still asleep, so Reid called the entire team to tell them the news. They were all very excited and said they would definitely all be there for the ceremony. Rossi also offered to have the adoption party at his mansion. After talking to the team Reid called the Donovans. They would be there too. They would call Jane Lewis and let her know. Reid asked the Donovans to make sure and invite Jane and her family to the party at Rossi's. Finally, he called Emily. He was saving that call for last because he knew it would be a long one. Emily was incredibly excited and said that she would get a flight out the next day. She thought she could get a few days off. She had known that the adoption was most likely coming up this month so she has saved her vacation time for then. Reid smiled. his whole family would be there for this special event. He was even going to have Garcia videotape it for his mother.

The next Monday, Everyone was in the Judges Chambers. Even Will and Henry and Jack were there. Emily had been able to get a flight. She had come in the night before. Reid held Mari and Sat in a chair in front of the Judge's bench.

" Well, Dr. Reid, Normally I wouldn't approve an adoption to a single man with in your line of work but from what the home visits have shown, You really love little Marianna and do everything in your power to care for her and protect her. The way she is with you proves that you do a very good job showing her love and taking care of her. She obviously loves you very much and knows you as her father. That together with the fact that her birth mother requested you as Marianna's legal guardian shows that you are the right man for this responsibility. That is the reason I am granting the approval for this adoption. Looking around It is easy to tell that this little one will be well loved and cared for by a wonderful family and support system throughout her childhood and life."

The Judge turned to Mari's grandparents. " As the maternal grandparents and only blood relatives of the minor, do you consent to the adoption of this minor by Dr. Spencer Reid?"

Calvin Dovovan spoke up. " We do, Your Honor."

Judge Walker nodded. " I have here written statements from three character witnesses. Are either of those parties present in this room today?"

Hotch, Morgan, and JJ raised their hands.

" Can you attest to the fact that you wrote these statements and that they are truthful."

They all answered at the same time, "We can, Your Honor."

"Dr. Reid, I need you to sign these papers." Reid did so. And the Judge went over that quickly.

"Dr. Reid, I have gone over the paperwork, checked with your character witnesses, and the maternal Grandparents have consented to this adoption. Now, I officially declare this adoption complete. Marianna Rose Donovan will henceforth be known as Marianna Rose Donovan Reid. Congratulations Dr. Reid you are now officially a father."

Reid shook his hand and thanked him and everyone else let out a loud cheer! One by one they all came up for hugs and to congratulate the new father and daughter.

The next Saturday was the party at Rossi's. The evening after the adoption they had gone out to dinner to celebrate but they had decided to have the party on Saturday so there would be more time to get ready. Emily was able to stay for that. She would leave for London the next day.

People brought presents for Mari but since they had given her a lot of them for her birthday just 2 months before, these were smaller gifts and mostly special keepsakes. From Garcia, there was a framed photograph od Reid and Mari and the Judge right after the ceremony. The frame was specially decorated with rosebuds and it said, Child Of My Heart. Emily got Mari and book about being adopted. JJ and Alex had worked together on a scrapbook of Mari's life with Reid and the team up to that point. It was entitled A Year In The Life Of Mari Reid. Rossi had gotten Mari a little Silver cross that said, God Bless Baby. Morgan got Mari a little outfit that was customized to say Daddy's Little Rosebud and under the words was a little rosebud. Will helped Henry make a Build-A-Bear for Mari that had a shirt on with a garden scene on it. The bear was fluffy and tan. Henry had named the bear Rosie. Hotch and Jack had gotten her a book about Winnie The Pooh and his garden and her own watering can. Jane Lewis's family had gotten Mari a new pretty dress with roses all over it and Mari's grandparents gave her a special pillow made by her grandmother that said Chosen One with a rosebud border and the adoption date on it. It was obvious how much Mari was loved by everyone there.

"Kid, this is wonderful. I want to say once again how happy I am for you and Mari. I am also very happy to be her Godfather."

"Well, You are a wonderful Godfather, Morgan. Mari is crazy about you."

Mari noticed them and ran up to them. "Unca Derk, Unca Derk!"

Morgan grinned and picked up his Goddaughter and hugged her. He actually loved the name she gave him. It made him smile every time he heard it.

Emily came up and Mari looked up and squealed, " A'n' Emmy!" Emily tickled her little niece which made Mari screech with laughter. She chuckled and then turned to Reid.

"How's it going,Reid?"

Reid smiled at her. " It's going great, Em. I am happier than I have been in a long time. I feel like my life is complete now."

Mari wiggled and whined to be let down so Morgan let her down and she took off running again. She ran around after the older kids for awhile and then saw her Godmother talking to Garcia. "A'n'y Day Day, A'n' Penny!"

JJ and Pen scooped her up and gave her kisses then sat her back down again when she wiggled. She went to make her other rounds. They laughed at her antics. Reid stood back and smiled as he watched his daughter at play. He was grateful for her presence in his life. He still missed Maeve but she had left a little piece of herself behind. Maeve's love still stayed with him. He realized two things then. The first one was, the joy was finally back in his life. He hadn't realized that it, but little by little in the smallest ways, the joy of life had slowly returned. He looked around at all his friends, the family he had chosen for himself and for Mari, and felt the love they all had for him and Mari and the love he and Mari had for them. As he stood there surrounded by his family and team,he thought about the second thing he had learned. Love never dies.

Thanks for reading. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Any final reviews would be Much appreciated! I am concidering a sequel to this story. Let me know what you all think about that!