~~CM~~

Emily enjoyed the little town they stayed in for their honeymoon so much that she was trying to convince Aaron that they needed to buy a vacation home near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, "Think about it, a little cottage with a dock. We could get a boat."

Working hard not to roll his eyes at her, Aaron reminded her that they had children, children that needed a college education.

Emily reached across the car to hold his hand, "I know you are right but I like the idea of a vacationing there. Teaching JJ and Jack to sail, walking into town for ice cream, and having a clambake. We could go for a few weeks during the summer and sneak away for long weekends."

"There is no way Strauss will ever give us time off again," Aaron lamented, "I am still in shock Dave convinced her to put our team on stand down for a week."

Grumbling, Emily agreed with her husband, "it's a nice fantasy."

Rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand, Aaron smiled, "Maybe Strauss will retire."

Arriving at home, Aaron was surprised that JJ joined Jack running into the garage to greet them. He had Jack in his lap before he had the opportunity to unbuckle his seatbelt.

They followed their chattering kids into the house, finding both Pam and Jess preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Jess kissed them both on the cheek and offered them a glass of wine, "No, Jack. You can't have milk in a wine glass."

Pouting, Jack muttered under his breath, "I only spilled a little last time."

Jack filled them in on his week while settled in his dad's lap. The five year old rubbed his face into Aaron's chest as his father carded his hand through his son's hair.

Over dinner, Emily caught up with JJ, hearing all about Penelope's antics and Maya's upcoming graduation. She noticed a covert glance between Jess and JJ and made a mental note to check in when they had more privacy.

Pam headed out first, reminding Jack that they had a movie date to see a new animated film and she passed JJ a paperback book from her large handbag.

As Jess made motions to leave, she reminded Jack to show Emily and Aaron his school project. When Jack scampered up the stairs to find it, Jess quietly handed Aaron two letters from the finally had a court date for the adoptions.

Blinking away tears, she kissed his cheek and hugged Emily tightly, "I know we talked about this before you even applied but I just want to say it again. I am positive that Haley would approve of Emily adopting Jack. She will always be his mother but she would want him to have another person to love and care for him as a mother would."

Turning around, Jess pulled JJ into her arms, "You are truly blessed to have Emily and Aaron as your family." She pushed JJ's blond hair behind her ears and caressed her cheek, "And they are blessed to have you in their lives."

With a hiccuping sob, Jess stepped out of the house with Aaron following closely behind her.

Still stunned by the unexpected emotional scene, Emily faltered before reaching her hand out to JJ, "She's right, you know. I am so thankful that you came into my life and somehow you turned us all into a family, JJ."

A few minutes later, Jack thundered down the stairs with his poster about zoo animals to find his father, Emily, and JJ, crying and hugging.

"You guys cry a lot," Jack declared as he wormed his way into their embrace.

~~CM~~

JJ tugged at her skirt, willing it to reach her knees, as she and Jack entered the judge's chambers. Apparently, she had gotten taller in the last few months and her skirt seemed too short for such an important occasion.

Emily and Aaron were waiting in the long hallway so Jack leaned on her as they stood before the judge's desk.

"Please, have a seat," Judge Chang gestured towards the chairs.

Jack clambered on the chair, flipping around until he was sitting properly. JJ sat next to him, twisting her hands in her lap.

"My name is Judge Chang. Do you know why you are here today, Jack?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Jack smiled at the judge, "To make Emily my other mom. I have two moms now. My real mom died and now I get another mom to love me but I still love my real mom. Aunt Jess says my real mom wants me to have lots of people to love me and take care of me so it's okay that Emily becomes my other mom. And you know what? I don't even have to call her Mom, I can still call her Emily."

The judged nodded along as Jack continued.

"And JJ gets to be my sister. She's getting adopted too, and she will have two moms like me. And she gets a dad. My dad is the best. Do you think my mom and JJ's mom know each other in heaven?"

"I don't know, Jack. Do you think they know each other?"

Bouncing in his seat, Jack answered excitedly, "Yes! Because they are watching over us and me and JJ are together all the time. We don't share a room anymore but we play soccer and Spiderman all the time."

Trying to stifle a laugh, JJ covered her mouth but a snort escaped and the judge turned his attention to her.

"Jennifer, you prefer JJ?"

"Yes, sir."

"And do you know why you are here today?"

She smoothed her hands across her legs, removing any wrinkles in the fabric of her skirt, "Emily and Aaron have offered to adopt me," pausing, she looked up from her lap and met the judge's eyes, "Emily took me in as a foster kid, she gave me a home and introduced me to Jack and Aaron. We are a family now and I want to make it official."

"Wonderful, thank you both for speaking with me today." The judge stood and walked around his desk to the door, "Aaron, Emily, you may join us now."

Jack scrambled out of his chair and into Emily's arms as the group headed for the conference table, "Emily, I tolded the judge that I want to you adopt me and be my other mother. And that JJ is going to be my sister."

"You did?" Emily kissed his head as she exchanged smiles with JJ.

"And I think that JJ's mom and my mom are friends in heaven." Jack reached out his arms to Aaron and climbed into his lap as they all sat down.

Judge Chang opened a plain manila folder and spread out documents in front of himself. Everyone quieted down and looked at the judge.

"I have a petition for adoption for the minor child, Jennifer Anne Jareau, by Aaron Hotchner and Emily Prentiss. The minor child is a ward of the state of Virginia, currently in the custody of the petitioners. The minor's caseworker, Julianna Campbell, has submitted documentation supporting the adoption. I also have several letters of recommendation from Pam Larsen, David Rossi, and Ambassador Prentiss."

Aaron and Emily exchanged a look, neither were aware that Emily's mother had known the adoption dates yet alone was willing to recommend them.

"After speaking to the minor child, I am approving this adoption." The judge signed a document and pushed it across the table for Aaron to sign.

Shifting Jack on his lap, Aaron leaned forward and signed his name then pushing the paper to Emily. She signed it with a flourish as the judge congratulated JJ.

Overcome with emotion, Emily stood up and pulled JJ into a tight embrace, "Oh JJ!"

Standing with Jack in his arms, Aaron enveloped them in a hug with Jack hollering, "Family Hug!"

After a minute, the family broke apart and returned to their seats.

The judge had closed one folder, and opened another, "Now, for the adoption petition for Jack Brooks Hotchner by Emily Prentiss."

"That's me!" Jack exclaimed, "Dad I am gonna get adopted like JJ."

Squeezing Emily's hand, Aaron smiled at his son, "Yes, you are."

After signing the paperwork to finalize Jack's adoption, the family regrouped into another family hug. This time Emily, Aaron, and JJ were all crying.

"My family cries a lot," Jack informed the judge, "and they aren't even hurt."

Wiping her tears with her hands, Emily smiled at the judge, "Thank you for your help. I finally have the family I have dreamed of for my whole life."

~~CM~~

~~ The End ~~

A/N:

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to give Emily the family she desired. The epilogue will be up soon.

Some readers suggested that "something" should happen prior to the adoption of JJ such as an unsub kidnapping or her birth father coming back into the picture. I chose not to do this in this story as it was important to me to give Emily, Aaron, JJ, and Jack closure after the trauma in their lives. When the story began, Emily had just come back after the whole Doyle thing, Jack and Aaron were recovering from the loss of Haley, and my non-canon JJ has lost her sister then her mother. I wanted to write a story without extra angst or drama, just day to day stuff.

Also, I do not know how the actual adoption process goes so if there is a glaring error, please let me know and I will be happy to correct.

And how did you like the Ambassador sneaking in a letter of recommendation? She may not approve of anything her daughter does but she will support her. It's a complicated relationship.