Author's Note: I have nothing more to say, except this - I sincerely hope you enjoy. :)

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

"Turn around, sweetheart. Look in the mirror."

Taking a deep breath as she smoothed down the nonexistent creases in her white chiffon dress, Avery did just what her mother had told her to do, her eyes not registering the sight before her until a good minute had passed.

She looked almost completely different; as if she had changed to in someone new. And in a way she had. Because the woman reflected in the mirror, dressed in a sleek white gown, her hair in the loosest of curls that tumbled down her back…

…that woman was quite a vision.

Avery could hardly help the smile the blossomed on her cherry-colored lips. She physically could not formulate any words; all she could think about was how Henry would react when he saw her.

Emily came up behind Avery and placed a gentle hand on her bared shoulder, the skin there covered only by a thin spaghetti strap. "Oh, baby…you look beautiful," she breathed out, trying her best to keep her tears at bay.

Avery pulled her mother into a tight hug, careful not to ruin either of their outfits. "Thank you," she said quietly in response, leaving a kiss on Emily's cheek.

"It's almost time," Emily said, glancing over at the clock on the far wall of the spacious room they were using as a dressing room. Her hand slid from Avery's shoulder down to Avery's own hand, and their fingers intertwined for a brief, sweet moment. "Are you ready?"

Briefly glancing over Emily's shoulder and out the large picture window, which overlooked one of the country club's lush green fields, where their wedding would shortly be taking place, Avery felt her lips curve even more. "I feel like I've been waiting for this for…forever."

"You probably have been," Emily pointed out. Letting JJ in the room as her knock sounded on the dressing room door, Emily stood by her friend of many years. "Are they ready for us?"

JJ smiled as well. "Just about. We have a minute or two left." Finally, the blonde's gaze met Avery's. "Ave, you look gorgeous. Henry might have a heart attack when he sees you, you know."

The three women shared a laugh. "I hope not," Avery said, grinning.

"What's going through your mind right now?" JJ asked, reminiscing back to she and Will's wedding. She could sense the butterflies in Avery's stomach, the excitement, the emotion, the love...

Once again, Avery gazed out the window. "I just…I can't believe it," she said after a long beat of contemplative silence. "We're actually getting married, aren't we?"

Emily walked to her daughter's side. "You two are actually getting married," she repeated in the affirmative, rubbing soothing circles on Avery's back. "Congratulations," she whispered.

"Thank you, Mommy," Avery said, her voice breaking at the last syllable as she struggled to prevent tears of her own to keep from rolling down her blushing cheeks.

Instead of answering vocally, Emily reached into the small clutch she had with her. Barely ten seconds later, Avery was looking into the mirror at the string of pearls her mother had placed around her neck. "Oh, Mom…" she murmured.

"My father gave this to my mother the day before their wedding; my mother gave it to me the day of mine," Emily explained, her mind going back to that wonderful day; the day she and Aaron had sealed their futures together with vows that had brought her to tears. "It's yours, Avery."

JJ smiled as mother and daughter embraced yet again. "So, that covers the old. Your dress is the new. Now you need something borrowed, and something blue…"

Avery reached for her bridal bouquet: an elegant mixture of white calla lilies, pale yellow freesia, and delphinium. In the midst of it all were three beautifully cut peacock feathers. "The delphinium and peacock feathers cover the blue," she said, smiling to herself.

"And these…" JJ came up with a pair of shimmering opal earrings, "can be your borrowed," she said sweetly, offering them to the girl.

Avery was putting on the earrings and thanking the woman she had come to love as an aunt, when yet another knock sounded on the door.

This time, it was none other than Dave Rossi. Peeking his head through the door cautiously, he smiled his crinkly little smile. "We're ready when you are, carita."

His deep, rumbling voice echoing in her ears, Avery took one more glance at her reflection in the mirror. Then, with one last kiss to her mother's cheek, Avery turned to her father's best friend - her friend, too. "I'm ready."

~.~.~

"Hi, Daddy."

Aaron was sure his heart would come to a stop when he heard the two simple words fall from his daughter's lips. Then, he turned to face her, and felt his throat tighten with emotion.

"Avery…sweetheart, you look so beautiful," he said softly, pulling her into a gentle, warm hug. "Though I bet I'm not the first to tell you that." His smile widened as Avery's cheeks flushed a gentle pink. "Today's your day. You nervous?"

"Anxious," she answered instead, twining a finger through the strands of baby blue and mint green ribbon tied around her bouquet.

Aaron gave a little laugh at her response. "Trust me, sweetheart; I can guarantee you that Henry is feeling the exact same way. I felt that way when your mother and I got married."

"Mom told me that she felt that way, too," Avery revealed. "Not just anxious; excited."

"As you should be; everyone's eyes will be on you."

But as the sound of a slow violin melody drifted in from the courtyard, being the center of attention was the last thing on her mind. Looping her arm through her father's, she turned to tell him one last thing before opening the doors that would lead to the procession awaiting them outside.

"Thank you, Daddy. For everything."

Aaron held his breath for a split second, willing his tears away. "That's what I'm here for; to stand by my little girl through thick and thin," he answered simply. To give you away, his mind added almost painfully. But he pushed that thought away. "I can only hope I've done my job," he added.

"You have," Avery assured, her voice thick with emotion. "So well."

Aaron's smile morphed into a more watery one now. "And even though you're all grown up -"

"I'm not," she cut in with a kiss to her father's cheek.

They chuckled quietly together. "Regardless…know that your mother and I will always love you."

Avery let out a shaky breath. "You're going to make me ruin my makeup," she chided playfully, discretely swiping at her eyes.

"Nonsense; you look perfect, sweetheart." He squeezed her hand affectionately, his other hand moving to rest on the brass-colored doorknob. "Now…I believe we have a wedding to attend," Aaron said.

"I believe we do." The door was swinging open and they were strolling into the sunshine when Avery spoke once more. "Oh, and Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"I love you, too."

~.~.~

Flanked by Trevor, Jack, and Matt on his left, and Jodie, Marly, and Esther on his right, Henry was fidgeting with his boutonniere, when all of a sudden...he saw her.

He watched as Avery slowly - elegantly - walked towards the flower-lined altar, the train of her dress trailing through the pathway of rose petals that the two flower girls had left behind. Avery scanned the crowd; theirs wasn't a large ceremony, but still, both familiar and unfamiliar faces peered back at her. The faces of her family.

She was taking in a deep breath to quell her nerves when she heard the quietest of quiet sniffles next to her. Turning just slightly, she felt her heart clench; her father was crying. Squeezing his wrinkled hand for support, Avery gave him a soft, reassuring smile.

And then...her gaze finally landed on Henry, and she felt as if her heart had actually stopped. God, he was handsome. Henry caught Avery's eyes and gave her a sweet smile as he drank in her beauty. Her dress was perfect; the crinkled silk-chiffon floated down to a sweeping, almost ethereal train. A small array of rosettes decorated the dress's empire waist band, and the overall result was an Avery whose features were accentuated gorgeously; so much so that Henry briefly forgot how to breathe. Her hair glinted auburn in the sunshine, and her dazzling smile...

The minister interrupted his thoughts.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here today in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony, and to celebrate the joyous union of Avery and Henry in marriage," he began. Neither of them were paying much attention to him, however; both Avery and Henry were busy gazing at each other, basking in the sheer glory of the long awaited moment, and Avery barely heard her father tearily say that he was giving her away.

Before they knew it, it was time for their vows. Henry went first. "Avery, for as long as I can remember, we have been the best of friends. Even when we were younger, there was always something that drew me to you; that something was your unfailingly bright personality. I could always count on you to make me smile when I had a bad day, and I can only hope that I've done the same for you; that I've made you happy the same way you've made me happy. Over the many years we've stood by each other's side, our relationship has grown into something more, something greater...and it all led up to today. The days that I've spent with you have been the best, most beautiful days of my life, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you." He paused, smiling. "I love you."

For the hundredth time that day, Avery felt as if she was going to cry. "Henry...I believe you've said it all." They shared a gentle little laugh. "Thinking back to the first time I realized I had a little schoolgirl crush on you, never in my life did I guess it would bring us to a day as monumental as this one. But here we are," she said happily. "Similar to what you said earlier, there has always been something that has drawn me to you. That would be your kindness. Your gentlemanliness. In an age where we all say chivalry is dead, you have proved us wrong. You've always managed to bring me up when my spirits are down, and that is the greatest blessing I have. Thank you so much for these thirteen years, Henry. I love you, too."

The minister smiled at the two, before taking the wedding rings from the ring bearer, one of Henry's young cousins, and handing them to each other.

As Avery placed the gold band on Henry's finger, the minister said, "Let this ring represent your immeasurable and eternal love for each other."

Henry went next, placing the ring on his bride's finger. They smiled at the familiarity of the action, and Avery couldn't help but sigh when Henry brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

"Let this ring represent the warmth and affection which flows through the wearers today, and forever after," the minister announced. Turning to Avery, he asked the final question. "Avery, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part?"

Looking at Henry, she gave him yet another heart-stopping smile. She nodded definitively. "I do," she said, overwhelmed with emotion.

The minister spoke again. "Henry...do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part?"

His voice thick, he said, "I do."

The minister smiled happily. "Then congratulations. By the power vested in me by the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia, and before these witnesses, it gives me great honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. May God bless this union. Mr. LaMontagne, you may kiss the bride."

Henry and Avery looked at each other as time seemed to freeze around them. Henry gently leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. It took all of his restraint not to pull her close and kiss her again.

Then cheers erupted throughout the courtyard as the minister exclaimed, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to present to you for the first time: Mr. and Mrs. LaMontagne!", and the newlywed couple ran down the flower-strewn pathway that led back inside. At the very end, by the country club's doors, Henry scooped Avery into his arms and kissed her soundly, smiling against her lips as she let out an overjoyed giggle.

As he carried her across the threshold, only one thought was running through their minds.

They were finally married.

~.~.~

"You know, you're not supposed to outshine the bride on her wedding day."

Emily blushed ever so slightly as Aaron's sweet words reached her ears. "Oh, stop it," she said playfully, pressing a kiss to his cheek as he took her hands in his and drew her into a standing position.

"It's only the truth. You look beautiful," he said, gazing into his wife's expressive brown eyes.

"As do you. Handsome, I mean," she amended, reaching forth to straighten his tasteful, pale blue tie.

Aaron let out a brief chuckle at that. And then, fingers intertwined with Emily's, they turned to watch as Avery and Henry drifted toward the center of the ballroom for their first dance as husband and wife. Avery was glowing - absolutely glowing - as Henry took her into his arms, and as for Henry...he couldn't be more thrilled.

"They look so happy."

Emily looked at Aaron intently as the words fell from his lips. "They do."

"I'm glad," he said, smiling to himself. "She deserves it. They deserve it."

This time, it was Emily's turn to smile. "She looks so beautiful, doesn't she?" she asked quietly, almost to herself.

"She does," Aaron agreed. "In fact," he added as Avery twirled under Henry's arm, "over the years, as she's grown to be a young woman, she looks more and more like you."

Again, Emily brushed off the compliment with a small squeeze to Aaron's elbow. There was a long pause between them as they continued to watch their daughter and son-in-law. And then, finally, Emily spoke. "She's a mature, young woman now," she said almost disbelievingly. Their gazes met. "Can you believe it's been twenty-five years already?"

"I can't," Aaron admitted. "I remember, after her second birthday, how you and I sat together in the living room, talking about how we felt everything was already moving so fast. You said something along the lines of, 'Before we know it, she'll be going to school, graduating kindergarten, having her first boyfriend in middle school, then moving on to college and getting married.' You thought you were going crazy for thinking so far in the future, but I told you -"

"You told me you had felt the same way with Jack," Emily remembered. "You told me that my feelings were perfectly normal, even though I felt anything but."

"Exactly."

Again, they were quiet.

"You're crying," Emily noticed after a fair minute or two. "Aaron..."

But Aaron smiled. "So are you."

Emily sighed into the handkerchief Aaron had had to give her earlier. "She's just so happy. And that's all we've ever wanted for her."

Aaron wrapped an arm around his wife's thin frame. "We've done well," he said, as the song ended and Avery and Henry met in a gentle kiss.

"And now we can rest easy," Emily whispered. "We've worried over every single detail in our lives, in hers...but it's been worth it. Because look at the end result."

They did; they saw Avery throw her head back in laughter at something Jodie said. They saw Henry's hand reach for hers. They saw happiness. Dropping a kiss into Emily's silver-streaked hair, Aaron repeated what she had said a mere minute earlier.

"Now we can rest easy."

~.~.~

It was about time for the father-daughter dance when Avery called a toast of sorts.

"I've been meaning to say this for the entire night," she said, when the noise level quieted down to a comfortable buzz. "Thank you so much to everyone here. Your company on this day means so much to me and Henry, and we can't possible express our gratitude enough times. While I love everyone here, there are four very special people that I have to thank for so much more." Avery turned to where JJ and Will were seated. "JJ, Will...thank you so much for your constant humor and lighthearted conversation when I needed it the most. You two have been like a second family for me ever since I was a toddler, and now, I feel so lucky to actually be able to say that you are real family now." Henry smiled at that.

"Next..." Avery swallowed thickly, "next, I want to thank my mom. Mom, I can't possibly fit everything I want to say in just five minutes of toasting. Thank you so much for being the best role model and inspiration a girl could ever have. There has never been a single moment in my life where I have felt that I couldn't come talk to you about something - anything. You've always been the best shoulder to cry on, and the best listener I could ever ask for. I hope I've lived up to your hopes and values, because they really do mean a lot to me; you mean the world to me. The little moments we have spent together - whether it be our arts and crafts Saturdays when I was three, or our gossip fests and girls' nights out - have been the best moments in my life, and I want you to know that. I love you, Mom."

A single tear slipped down Avery's cheek as she turned to face the last person she wanted to thank. "And last but definitely not least...I want to thank my dad. Daddy..." she took a deep breath to steady herself, "thank you for everything. And that isn't an exaggeration. Despite the fact that you had me scared out of my mind when I was a teenager, I know now that you only ever wanted what was best for me; stubborn, naive little me. You have been the best father in the world. No one can even come close to comparing with you; with your bedtime stories, your constant help with school projects, your indulging me in playing dress-up and house and God only knows what other games I came up with." Various attendees laughed at that. "Ever since I was born, you have been my best friend and sidekick in every endeavor. I want you to know that no matter my age, no matter what happens...I'll always be your little girl." Her voice broke at that. "I love you so much, Daddy."

Unable to help himself, Aaron made his way to the front of the room, where Avery was standing, her glass raised. The moment he reached her, Avery pulled him into a giant bear hug. "I love you, too, pumpkin," he whispered into her ear, his old nickname for her slipping out habitually, making the moment that much sweeter. Finally, drawing himself to his full height, Aaron took the glass from Avery's hold. "To Avery and Henry," he said proudly, his voice raised for everyone to hear.

"To Avery and Henry," everyone responded, clinking their glasses together in a jubilant response.

And just like that, with her father by her side and with one final kiss to Henry's lips, Avery's fairytale came true.

Author's Note: Words cannot even begin to describe how wonderful a time I've had writing this story. I can only hope that you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have. And if you have, please do not hesitate to leave me a review, even if you haven't before! No matter short or long, signed or anonymous, I would love to know what you think. Also, reviewer #240 will get a oneshot written for the prompt of their choice! Thanks in advance!

Yes, the story is over, but not quite complete; please stay tuned for the epilogue!