Author's Note: And now, for the chapter you all have been waiting for (well, that would actually be the chapter after this one, but I'm sure you'll enjoy this one, too)... :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, otherwise known as the best show in the world. Avery is mine, however!

Descending the stairs as the doorbell rang, Emily made her way to the door and opened it, revealing none other than Henry himself.

"Henry," she greeted, only a little bit surprised. "Avery's not home right now, sorry; would you like to come in, though?"

"Please," Henry responded politely, smiling as he entered the house. "Is Mr. Hotchner here?"

"He's upstairs, in his office. Did you need to speak to him?"

Henry shifted his weight from one foot to another. "Actually, yes, but…do you think I could talk to you first?"

That caught Emily off guard. "Of course," she said after a beat, leading him to the living room. "What is this about?" she asked, though she had the feeling that she already knew.

And she did. Finally glancing up from his intertwined hands as he took a seat opposite of Emily, Henry met her gaze. Although he was nervous as hell, his voice was surprisingly clear when he answered. "I would like to…ask for Avery's hand in marriage. And your blessing would mean a lot, Mrs. Hotchner."

Emily was quiet for the longest moment, simply looking at the boy, deep in thought. Then, finally: "You really love her, don't you?" she asked softly, her voice quiet.

Henry looked at her pleadingly. "I do. Very much so."

Emily lips curved a little at that. "And it's obvious." She shook her head idly as she laughed to herself. "You know, Aaron and I…back when you and Avery first starting dating, we almost wished that we had just one reason to deem you unacceptable for her; to keep her sheltered and away from boys." Emily shook her head yet again. "But we couldn't; you were - you are - just an all-around good man." Emily looked at Henry intently, her gaze gentle still. "You have my blessing, Henry," she sighed.

He could hardly believe his luck. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick.

"Just…let me give you a piece. Marriage is a very multifarious thing. I know you love Avery, and I know she loves you; you two are right for each other. But I need to make sure you are ready for this, that you are ready to commit to my daughter. You make her happy; you have for twelve years. That's all I want; her happiness. But dating and marriage are two very different things, and I have to know, as her mother, that you will treat her like the woman she is; nothing less."

"I will," Henry vowed earnestly. "Mrs. Hotchner, I -"

"Emily," she corrected.

He smiled. "Emily, I know marriage has its fair share of difficulties, not all of which I - we - may be prepared for in the long-run. But I spoke to my parents in depth about my intentions, and I must tell you…I am absolutely confident that Avery and I would be able to work everything out. We're a team," he said, mainly to himself, "and Avery is undoubtedly worth any challenge that may arise."

Emily felt her eyes beginning to burn. "Then you have my blessing," she repeated.

Henry couldn't help it; he rose to give to older woman a hug. "Thank you. So much."

She patted his back comfortingly, remembering the days JJ would come over when Henry was just a toddler. Now, twenty or so years later…what a long way they had come. She motioned up the staircase. "I'll call my husband downstairs?"

Again, Henry felt his nerves begin to settle in. "I'll go up to see him, if you don't mind," he answered instead.

Emily swiped at her eyes discreetly. "Of course; go right on ahead."

~.~.~

"Come in," Aaron called out as a knock sounded against his door. "Henry, what a surprise," he greeted as the young man strode in. "Have a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

"What can I help you with? Another court case?"

Henry cleared his throat. "I…not exactly. I've spoken to my parents about this, and I've spoken to Emily as well…" Meeting the other man's curiously apprehensive gaze, Henry somehow managed to keep his voice steady. "I would like to ask Avery to marry me, and…well, I was hoping for your blessing, sir."

Aaron was momentarily floored. Sure, he had figured this day would come someday…but so soon? "You…don't think you're too young to be thinking about marriage?" he asked slowly.

Henry swallowed thickly. "I'm twenty-seven, sir."

"And Avery is only barely twenty-five." On any other day, Aaron would have told the boy to drop the 'sir'…but as of now, he said nothing. "She hasn't finished school yet."

"She would still have the opportunity to do so; I make more than enough money to support the two of us. She wouldn't have to work, if she didn't want to; she could simply focus on getting her masters. And then, we'd take it from there." Maybe even put down money for a house, Henry added in his thoughts. "Please, sir," he stressed after Aaron remained silent.

Finally, after taking in and letting out a very deep breath, Aaron crossed his arms over his chest. "I want to say no," he sifted, not noticing how Henry's breath caught in his throat. Even if he didn't get Aaron's blessing, Henry would still propose to Avery; but that was his last resort, because he truly did care about Aaron's values and his standpoint in their relationship. He was a gentleman through and through, no matter how old-fashioned.

"I want to tell you to wait several more years," Aaron continued. "But…I can't, because I know this is what Avery wants. Maybe one of these days, if - when - you have children of your own, you'll understand…when you watch them grow up, it's something else entirely." Similarly to his wife, Aaron felt his throat begin to constrict with long-suppressed emotion. "I still think of Avery as the little girl who would wake me up early in the morning on Fridays so we could finger-paint together. Sometimes I can't help but feel as if it was just yesterday that Emily and I brought her home from the hospital, all wrapped in white and pink…or that it was just yesterday that she said her first word." Daddy. "But she's not that little girl anymore. She's a grown woman now; my baby girl is all grown up," Aaron choked out, his voice breaking. Clearing his that, he forced himself to regain his composure. "Henry, you have my permission and my blessing…under one condition. I've told you this before, and I will say it again; respect her. Love her. Take care of her. Treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Is that understood?"

"It is, sir; I swear to you, I will," Henry said eagerly, his heart beating quickly. Could this really be it?

"Then I have nothing more to say," Aaron murmured. Clearing his throat once more, he motioned vaguely. "When do you plan to propose?"

Unconsciously, Henry felt for the ring in his side pocket. "I was hoping to do so tonight, actually."

Aaron managed a small smile, his mind still reeling. "Good luck," he wished, shaking the hand that Henry had politely - and gratefully - extended. "Not that you'll need it, but…" His voice trailed away.

Henry rose, grinning. "I'll take every bit of luck I can get. Thank you."

~.~.~

"You look absolutely fantastic; I can't take my eyes off of you."

Biting her bottom lip as she blossomed into a glorious smile, Avery ran her hands over her violet-hued satin minidress. "You've said that five times now, Henry," she giggled, her sparkling gaze meeting his. "Really; thank you. You look quite handsome yourself." And he did, with his rakish smile, piercing blue eyes, and his charcoal grey suit...

He grinned right back at her. "Thank you, Ave - for the fifth time as well."

"Hey, two can play this game."

"True, true."

Avery hummed contentedly as she portioned off a bite of her food with her fork. "I can't even remember the last time I came here," she said, motioning around them. "Graduation, perhaps."

Henry nodded. "I believe so."

Avery suddenly burst into uproarious laughter. "Oh my gosh, do you remember how Trevor accidentally spilled his bloody mary on my dad? Yes, we did come here after graduation," she nodded, recounting. "Oh, God, Trevor looked like he was about to shit himself. And the look on my dad's face..."

Henry joined in on the laughter then. "Oh, good times, good times," he sighed.

"Very good times. I've had some of my best times here, in fact. Mainly because I love this restaurant. If only it wasn't so expensive..."

"And that's why we're here," Henry smiled.

Avery smirked in response. "To spend ridiculous amounts of money? On ridiculously good food, no less."

Henry pulled her into a quick kiss. "No, you silly girl. We're here to make memories - good ones."

For some reason, Avery found herself reading further into his words. "Henry..." she began slowly as he moved even closer to her and took her hands in his.

"Avery, for twelve - almost thirteen - years, you and I have evolved from two young children who were practically part of the same family, to inseparable best friends, then to the status of girlfriend and boyfriend..." His expression softened. "I'd like to add another title to that list - if you'll let me." Henry's lips lifted at the corners as he saw realization dawn on Avery's fine features. "I know we've had our fair share of disagreements, but we've always been able to work something out, and to me, that's only made our relationship stronger." He paused, then laughed a little to himself. "I told myself I'd have something prepared to say to you, but now, my thoughts are all just one big jumble...because you're so beautiful. Your smile, your eyes, your laughter, your individuality and strong spirit...I love it all." He inch closer before dropping to one knee and reaching into his pocket for the ring, reveling in Avery's sweet gasp. "I love you. Avery Samantha Hotchner," he beamed, his breath catching ever so slightly in the back of his throat, "will you marry me?"

Avery didn't realize she was crying until Henry brought a hand up to swipe at a tear trailing down his cheek. Oh my God, she thought. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. "I don't know what to say," she uttered breathlessly, unable to suppress her smile. Because, really, how could she formulate an adequate, eloquent enough response to words as heartfelt as his?

Henry simply smiled brighter. "Just say yes," he whispered.

"Yes," Avery whispered right back. "Yes, yes, yes, Henry, I'll marry you," she managed, overjoyed laughter spilling from her lips.

And then, the white gold and diamond band was on her fourth finger, Henry had risen to his feet in an exuberant stupor...

...and just like that, they sealed their futures together with one passion-filled kiss.

Author's Note: Was that sweet enough for you? I sure hope so. :) Please leave me a review - no matter short or long, signed or anonymous, I appreciate and treasure them all! Thanks in advance!