Disclaimer: Nope. I don't have it. I will never have it. The dramatic, addicting, and beautifully written and acted show known as Criminal Minds will never be in my hands or possession. Ever.

A/N: The final chapter of TTC. I'm not crying, I swear I'm not!

I highly recommend listening to the song Home by Phillip Phillips with this chapter. It fits so perfectly, in my opinion. It had brought me to tears. It's such a beautiful song.

https/m./watch?v=HoRkntoHkIE Home by Phillip Phillips.

Another note actually - I'm aware that this isn't probably how adoptions go, but my thoughts were being so nostalgic and quick, that this is what I pictured in mind.

I'd like to hear your opinion on how this whole story has been — please review!

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Adoption Day

"The parents wishing to adopt these children, Aaron and Haley Hotchner, please stand." Hotch and Haley stood up to face the judge, with tears brimming in not only Haley's eyes, but Hotch's as well. It was finally time.

The two looked back to see the smiling faces of all their foster children that were about to be adopted. Emily was crying with a smile on her face, JJ kept jumping up and down, Derek was nervous, but with a prideful smile on his face that he refused to hide, and Spencer was shy and quiet, but he was ecstatic.

It was at this moment, that Hotch had realized he had come along way to reach fatherhood. His mind flashed back to when his wife didn't even tell him about bringing in Emily into their home. He was concerned then, but now he laughs, because it was the best thing that she had ever done. He knew for a fact that he had gotten more bolder over the past year.

He first was terrified on how to handle Emily Prentiss' situation, his very first foster daughter. Traumatized by the death of her parents in a drunken car accident, she had learned to trust no one. Through time, she was able to connect with people again, seeing him and Haley as parental figures. Eventually, she'd carry on a big sisterly role, a role that she had not wanted before, but now cherished. He remembered that poem she wrote on Christmas, that almost had made him cry, which confirmed the feelings She felt toward him and Haley.

She had met friends, gotten into drugs, but had come clean ever since she admitted her wrong doings and got help. He remembered yelling at her, because of how worried he was for her, that she needed a wake up call because if she didn't stop, she'd end up hurting herself. Hotch had never felt so much worry towards someone in his life, he was willing to help a child that wasn't biologically his, but that's not all.

JJ was terrified of men. That's why Hotch was very reluctant to be near her, out of fear that he'd trigger some painful memories due to her father's wrath. Her mother would screech, and her sister tried taking care of her. Rosaline was parental toward JJ, but then she killed herself. JJ used to be afraid of everything that moved. The little girl that loved to draw. She drew a picture of the entire family, and that same picture is still on their refrigerator.

And the day that JJ's nightmare happened, the big one that revealed that she was raped...It broke his heart. He did everything in his power, called a bunch of lawyers to make sure JJ's father would suffer for what he did. Hotch made sure to give JJ a good father figure in her life, which was himself. And he didn't regret it for one minute.

Little Spencer Reid, his youngest. His little genius. Autism didn't stop this kid from doing amazing things. He's improved so much, academically and socially. By far, he had the most fascinating mind that Hotch had ever seen. He remembered when Spencer willingly hugged him, since Hotch knew that he had sensory issues. Spencer, who was deathly afraid of touch, was now hugging people. His meltdowns were less frequent, and even if they did happen, Hotch would always help. Everyone would pitch in to help.

His biological mother has paranoid schizophrenia, and explaining to Spencer of this, although hard, helped him. He fully understood the situation, and Hotch couldn't be more proud. As for his father, there will be time when Hotch will explain why William Reid didn't take him in. He did remember a short conversation about his father, but Hotch couldn't help but smile when the kid said that since he left his mom, that he didn't want to be his friend anymore.

Derek Morgan. Ten years old, and he's really learning how to be a man, but he's begun to realize that he's not a man quite yet, and that he still was a kid. The kid was tough as nails, but had matured very quickly. He learned that it was okay to ask for help. He was more calm and reserved than people have him credit for, and even though he was the latest to arrive, he offered to help any way he could. He was especially kind to all of his siblings, even though he got into arguments now and then. He's especially good to Spencer, remembering that pep talk he gave him. He loved being a big brother, and took every moment he could to help the boy.

As for his biological mother, Derek made it very clear that she didn't want her to be involved in his life anymore. She had been very clear that it was never about him, but about the money that she wanted from his family. Correction—his new family.

As for telling him and Haley about sexual abuse, Hotch learned that Derek Morgan was one of the bravest kids he'd ever met. Derek was encouraged to tell him, and he did. Hotch didn't have to go to a moment where something drastic had to happen in order for Derek's secret to be exposed. Now he was opening up in therapy. Things are looking up for him.

He was one of the strongest kids he'd ever met. Hell, all of them were the strongest and bravest kids he'd ever met. Hotch doesn't know how he would've survived if he was in any of their shoes. Yep, now he let the tears slide down his face, he was just so happy. Almost a year ago that he and Haley received the news that they couldn't have children.

They were wrong.

They had four.

The damn paperwork they had to go through to get this done, it took months. It took a bunch of meetings from child services. They had to take extra classes for caring for children, even if they went through it already in the foster system. But this wasn't the foster system, this was adoption.

"Will the children being adopted stand up? Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgan, Jennifer Jareau, and Spencer Reid," the judge called. All four of them stood up gracefully, excitedly, and a bunch of other happy emotions happening at once, that they couldn't even describe.

Hotch looked again at his kids, revealing his tear stricken face with a small grin. These faces that he'd never thought he'd meet, the smiling faces that he grew to love and cherish. Their little family had been through so much, and seeing their faces smile back at him, it made it all worth it. It wasn't even an exaggeration, every little thing that they went through, it was worth it.

There were tears, hugs, joy, and drama. There were so many obstacles they had to face, but they did it together as their own family. No one was walking alone. If you had your own demons to face, no one said anything about doing it alone. And in the Hotchner household, that was a rule that was followed religiously.

The most important role each of them learned, was that it's not about where you come from, it's where you're going that counts. Hotch didn't worry about their futures in this moment, he just watched as they could barely contain their excitement and impatience. The damn lady needed to say it!

"Congratulations," the judge said, "All of you are officially adopted children of Haley and Aaron Hotchner." The weight was lifted now, and JJ jumped up and down and ran into Hotch's arms as he picked her up. Spencer ran over to Haley to be picked up. Emily was visibly crying out of joy, hugging Derek for support. She wouldn't see the own happy tears coming down Derek's cheeks. Haley had been crying the whole time, laughing as Spencer hugged her with all of his might. Haley's eyes met her husband's, each of them were holding a child. They embraced in a long kiss,

"I love you, Aaron."

"I love you, too."

As Haley was holding Spencer, she took a good look at all of her children. Her children. She was waiting for some miracle to happen a year ago. That she would be able to have children. She got her wish, in the most satisfying way possible, in the most beautiful way possible. She thought about her old doctor. That doctor who told her she couldn't have children.

Well, like Haley said before; she always knew that doctors were full of shit.

Months later...

A plump blonde, looking no older than nine, was starving. It was cold; and her small jacket just wasn't enough to cover up her body from it. Sitting in a new spot, drenched in the snow, she rubbed her hands together, trying to keep warm. She had no gloves, though she tried stealing some from the Witherby household, but they had quickly caught her, threatening to call the police. It was sad, because when she was neighbors with them, they always welcomed her; Penelope Garcia.

A large growl erupted from her stomach; she didn't remember the last time she ate, though her figure would say otherwise. She'd have to beg for food again, it was nothing new. When her parents kicked her out six months ago, due to 'budget cuts', she'd been living on the streets ever since. It wasn't the lifestyle that she wanted, but it was one she had to accept. That child services crap wasn't going to help her, in fact, it made things worse.

"Spencer!" Penelope turned around to hear the direction of where that sudden shout had come from, and a boy just dashed outside, but he did not see her, thankfully.

The boy looked to be about five. He was wearing a nice warm scarf, no doubt that his snobby rich parents probably bought for him. Penelope was already thinking up a plan, although not a well-intentioned one that would only benefit herself.

"Spencer, get back here! You can't leave without me! Mom said I have to go with you since it's getting dark," said the same boy's voice.

"But we're just making snow angels, Derek!" The little boy whined back.

"Wait for me, kid!" The older kid cried out. Penelope narrowed her eyes, now or never. Despite her weight, she bolted at the speed of light, and snatched that kid's scarf off his neck in the process. A tactic that she had learned, unfortunately.

"Hey! That's my–huh?!" Spencer turned around, but the mystery person had already disappeared. It was a little dark to see, making matters worse. It was at this moment Derek had arrived, "Kid, you should wear a scarf. It's pretty cold out."

"I can't...someone took it," said Spencer, a bit sadly. Derek's eyes went wide at what he said,

"What do you mean took it? Spencer, did you catch his face?" Spencer shook his head no, tears blurring his vision, "I didn't...I'm so sorry." The now eleven year old lifted Spencer in his arms as the latter began to cry.

"It's okay, Spencer. We'll find out. Let's go tell mom and dad inside." Derek rubbed circles on his back as went back inside with the small child crying in his arms.

When Penelope was sure that she had outrun them and was out of their distance, she wrapped the newly acquired scarf across her red neck, enjoying the warm feeling. A cold breeze just hit her again, making her knees shake. She took a long look back to where she ran from. The guilt was eating at her, she didn't want to steal from the little boy, but the timing was perfect. Too perfect. It was a survival for her. She scoffed thinking about it after a while. She realized; why should she feel guilty?

It's not like she was going to see them again.

To be continued...?

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Whew! I can't believe it's over!

There will be a sequel coming up soon! Thank you to all of you that have read TTC and got through the whole journey. Thank you to all of my reviewers, favorites, and followers! I wanna say thank you to my idol, Dextalon, who always have me the courage to keep writing! Also, I want to thank another idol of mine, Ficdirectory, who also encouraged me to keep writing!

Sequel: These Children Are Loved Coming Soon!