Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
A/N: So I know this is short, and not really all that great…but it's the best I've got for this story—sorry. Anyways, this is the end and it's told from JJ's POV.
Chapter 11
"Leah"
In life there are always things that you remember more than others, things that happen that you never thought were possible. One day you're engaged to a man you aren't sure you even like and then a few months later you're in the delivery room giving birth to someone else's baby—someone who ironically turned out to be your boss.
Of course he's there, holding your hand and trying his best to help you do those stupid breathing exercises that the crazy hippie teacher at the Lamaze classes tried to teach you in whole three sessions you made it to.
"I can see the head!" you hear the doctor announce and you can't help but feel relieved, you've been pushing for what feels like forever and if this baby doesn't make her appearance soon you just might die of exhaustion. Well, at least you were smart enough to ask for the epidural this time.
Finally after three more God forsaken pushes you hear the sound you've been waiting for, the sound that makes it all worth it as a squalling baby is placed on your chest.
"Hey there, Leah" You whisper tearfully, and maybe it's just your imagination, but the she seems to calm some at your words, "I'm your mama."
Seconds' later small, stocky nurse scoops up your new daughter to clean her up and when she does so you chance a glance at the quiet man standing next to you. There are unshead tears in his eyes, and when your eyes connect with his you know for certain what you've known since the day you told him you were pregnant—there will never be another person more perfect for you than Aaron Hotchner.
By the time they take you back to your room, your sweet baby girl is nestled in her father's arms and she's sleeping contently. You hear him whisper "thank you" to you, but you shake your heard knowing that it's you who should be thanking him—so you say the one thing that seems to come to mind, "I love you". And he smiles widely and replies those exact same words to you.
Half an hour later you find yourself surrounded by the team, the people who form a sort of make-shift family that you consider yourself honored to be a part of. Your son and Jack are both in the room sporting "I'm a big brother" t-shirts and sitting with you on the bed while the others take turns holding your new baby girl.
"Have you guys picked out a name?" Emily asks, and you can see her trying to keep a brave face. For a while you thought she hated you, until she came and confided in you on how she lost her baby and her fiancée in a horrible car accident. That was the day you realized that Emily Prentiss is the strongest person you know.
"Why don't you tell them" You whisper to the man next to you, "You picked it out."
"Her name is Leah, Leah Grace Hotchner" he informs proudly and you see Morgan slip a hand into Emily's and it makes you smile because if there's one person on the team, other than you, that Emily would confide in its Morgan.
"And we want you to be her Godmother Em" You say, still smiling tiredly, "but of course that means you'll have to play nice with Dave since we want him to be her Godfather."
Emily accepts her new role, and so does Dave, and after the congratulations are over you soon find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open. Garcia is the first to notice and she and Spence whisk the boys off to a night filled with video games and movies while the others quietly follow them out the door.
As soon as the last person is out the door and you see that Leah is safe in her father's arms your eyes close and you fall into a blissful sleep and allow yourself to dream of your life that turned out more perfect than you could have ever wished for.