Chapter 2: Will's Funeral

It was a very beautiful Saturday morning at the cemetery, and the pallbearers, Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, Luke Alvez, David Rossi, Russ Montgomery and Matt Simmons were all carrying Will's coffin to the burial site. JJ was sitting in the front row with Henry and Michael on both sides of her. Garcia was sitting next to Michael.

The officers were folding the American flag up in front of JJ while the armed officers were firing the twenty-one gun salute to the sound of bagpipes. The commanding officer got down on one knee and he gave the folded flag to JJ. Then, JJ got on her feet and she gave the goodbye speech for Will. Garcia took JJ's seat holding both Henry and Michael while silently crying.

JJ said, "William LaMontagne Junior was a good man and a fine detective, and he was taken away from us too soon. I remember the first time I've met Will. We were working on a murder case in New Orleans. It was his father's last case before he died in Hurricane Katrina. Will had peacefully arrested the serial killer at the end of that case. The next time we worked with him, he was working a case in Miami in which one murder victim was his partner and best friend. He was so patient, as he proved by waiting five years before I even agreed to marry him! Will had always put his family and friends above himself. I guess that's why he's not with us right now. He gave his life so our sons and I could live. Will died a hero. And I will miss him for the rest of my life."

Everybody took a moment of silence for Will. Then everybody started putting roses on the top of Will's coffin. Lewis put down a rose, and then Rossi and Krystal, and then Simmons and Kristy, and then Callahan and Chris, and then Morgan and Savannah, and then JJ's mom, Sandy, and then Reid, and then Monty, and then Prentiss and Mendosa, and then Garcia and Alvez, and then JJ with Henry and Michael. Reid, Garcia and Alvez waited for them.

"Blow your father a kiss," JJ said to Henry and Michael.

Garcia and Reid helped JJ bring the boys into the limousine and then Alvez stepped inside and they drove away from the cemetery.

The funeral reception at Rossi's mansion was beautiful. While Rossi was telling everybody who didn't know the story about him throwing JJ and Will's wedding right there in his backyard, Reid took Morgan and Garcia inside alone for a minute to talk to them.

"Thank you both for meeting me over here," said Reid.

"What's going on, kid?" asked Morgan.

"Yeah, Reid," said Garcia. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to ask both of you to give Henry and Michael extra empathy and attention whenever you can."

"But why us, Reid?" asks Garcia. "Because I'm their godmother?"

"No," answers Reid. "Because both of you know exactly what Henry and Michael are going through. Both of you have lost your fathers when you were still kids. My father walked out on me and my mom when I was a kid. He's still alive. So, I can't relate to what Henry and Michael are going through. But, both of you can. So, would you?"

Garcia hugs Reid tearfully.

"I love you," cried Garcia. "I wish somebody had cared enough to do that for me after my parents were killed. Of course. I'll help out any way that I can."

"Me, too, Reid," said Morgan. "Anytime JJ and the boys need us, we'll be there."

"Thank you," said Reid.

Reid, Morgan and Garcia returned to the reception. They see JJ receiving hugs and condolances from everybody who attended the reception. Rossi, Prentiss, Alvez, Callahan and Lewis were watching her.

Alvez asked, "Do you guys think that she'll be okay?"

"Would you?" asks Lewis.

"It's just like Hotch losing Haley all over again," said Rossi.

Callahan said, "When I lost my sister, Liz and her husband in 9/11, I was devastated. When Megan was abducted by that sick online freak, I was heartbroken. But, if I ever lost Chris, I don't know what I would do."

"You won't lose me, Kate," said Chris.

Prentiss said," We'll all just need to be there whenever JJ is ready for us."

Garcia and Alvez had taken Henry and Michael outside to play with their cousins, Keely Mendosa, the five Simmons kids, Liz Callahan and Hank Spencer Morgan. JJ walked away from the crowd into the mansion feeling overwhelmed with anger and grief. Reid noticed her and he followed her. JJ stopped inside of an empty room and she took her fist and she hit a wall in anger.

"JJ," said Reid.

JJ didn't turn around to face Reid.

"Spence," said JJ. "Please don't ask me if I'm all right. Everybody has been asking me that for days!"

"I'm not going to ask you that," said Reid. "I've just noticed that all day you've been putting on a brave face, probably for Henry and Michael."

"Always the profiler, huh?" chuckles JJ. "Well, then, why are you here?"

"I just thought that you might need somebody to talk to," said Reid. "Somebody to vent your frustrations to. Something that you don't want to say in front of everyone?"

"Like it's my fault?" JJ asks angrily. "Or, it should have been me?" I wanted it to be me, Spence!" But, Will just wouldn't let it be me. I'm so thankful that he saved my life, and yet, I'm so angry that he died because of it! Why wouldn't he let it be me?"

"Because he loved you, JJ," answered Reid. This was Izzy's fault, not yours or Will's. You've said it, yourself. She would have blown up your entire family. Will saved your life and you've saved both Henry and Michael's lives."

JJ turns around to face Reid.

"I know," said JJ. I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you. I'm just mad!"

JJ tearfully turns her back to Reid again.

"I know," said Reid. I just have one other question and then, if you want me to leave you alone, I will. When I was hurting and sad over Gideon and Maeve, you were always there for me no matter what. Do you remember that?"

JJ tearfully smiles. She realized that Reid wanted to give her his shoulder to cry on, just like she's always given him her shoulder to cry on. She nods her head.

"Right now," said Reid. "You are hurting and sad over Will's murder."

JJ nods her head again tearfully with her eyes closed.

Reid asks, "Do you want me to be here for you now, as your friend?"

"No," JJ whispered.

"No?" asks Reid.

JJ turns around to face Reid.

"No," said JJ.

"I understand," said Reid.

Reid turns around to go back to the others, but JJ grabs his arm, stopping him. Reid turns back around and looks at JJ's tearful face.

JJ sadly said, "Not as my friend, Spence, but as my family!"

JJ hugs Reid tightly while crying her eyes out. Reid hugs her back.

"I'm sorry, JJ," said Reid. "I'm so sorry."

JJ narrates, "And when I came in with tears in my eyes, you always knew whether I needed you to hold me, or just let me be. I don't know how you knew, but you did, and you made it easier for me. - Nicholas Sparks."

JJ cried on Reid's shoulder for between 10 to 15 minutes before she calmed down for the moment.

"I needed that, Spence," JJ said while briefly laughing. "You have no idea how much I needed this."

"Jennifer," said Reid. "I know exactly how much you needed this."

Yeah," JJ said while sniffling. "You do know. You also know that I need more than just one shoulder-cry before I really feel better about this. You've just earned yourself a patient who will need to refill her shoulder-cry prescription, Dr. Reid!"

JJ laughs as she puts both of her hands on his face.

"Thank you," JJ said.

Reid smiles. JJ quickly dries her tears and they both returned to the others at the reception.