They hit the road immediately after that. JJ drives, setting her GPS for Vegas, while Emily calls Penelope. There's a solid three minutes of screaming and yelling by Garcia before they find out that the team is in Vegas on a case and Garcia is already there. When she's calm enough to listen, Emily starts giving her instructions.
"Penelope, go to a jeweler and get a pair of rings. We're both size 6."
"Of course you are!" Penelope squeals. "A match made in heaven."
"Yes," Emily laughs, "and you're our angel. Now, pick a good chapel for us, so-"
"Wait!" JJ yells suddenly, hand shooting out to point at a road sign. "What about that?"
Emily's eyes follow her finger and she quickly reads the road sign as they pass. "You want to get married at the Grand Canyon?"
Another squeal comes through the phone. "That's so romantic! So much better than Vegas!"
"Who would officiate?" Emily asks.
"Me, silly," Garcia answers immediately. "I'm officiated. Okay, wait. Let me think. I can have the license printed and bring it with me. I'll get the rings. What else?"
Emily smiles, thrilled more than she'd admit that Garcia was so excited. "Can you book us a campsite?"
"Yes!" The sound of typing carries through the phone. "I'm on it, babe. I can't believe my girls are getting married! Ok. Let me get to work. I'll meet you there!"
"Thanks, PG. It means a lot. We love you!"
"I love you! Bye, girl!"
"Bye, girl."
Emily hangs up the phone, tossing it onto the dashboard and dropping her face into her hands. She can't believe that they're actually getting married, or that they're going to get married in the middle of the night at the Grand Canyon. They didn't have dresses, or flowers, or anything.
"Is this stupid?" Emily asks her future-wife, lowering her hands and turning in her seat to face her. "Are we just riding a post-vacation high? Should we wait for a real wedding?"
"Emily," JJ laughs, reaching out to gently push Emily's head, "calm down. I don't need a big ceremony, do you?"
"No!" Emily shudders at the thought. "My mother would probably try and take it over. We'd end up with 200 people we don't know."
JJ nods, tapping her thumbs impatiently on the steering wheel, speeding up. "Exactly. I think my mom would have liked to be here, but we can throw a reception at the house when we get home. I just want to be married to you already. It's time."
"It's time," Emily repeats, grinning. "You're right. Of course. Should we tell the rest of the team?"
"Well…" JJ shrugs. "We could, but you know they'd bring work with them. Why don't we go to Vegas in the morning? We can tell them then."
Emily laughs, unable to contain her excitement. "We're getting married! JJ, you said you'd marry me!"
"I did," she confirms with a grin. "You're stuck with me, Prentiss."
"You're stuck with me, Jareau."
They continued their drive, teasing each other and planning the reception. JJ suggests a balloon arch and an ice sculpture, just to see if Emily will say yes. She does, but tries to suggest subtle flowers and a chocolate fountain instead. The time passes quickly as their suggestions get more and more outlandish.
When they finally reach the north rim of the Grand Canyon, the conversation dies. The enormity of the situation hits both women, and they find themselves suddenly nervous. Neither entertain the thought of backing out for a second, but marriage is still a big deal and their excitement makes them tense.
It's just after midnight when they reach the entrance and the gate. A tired looking woman leans out of the booth as JJ rolls down the window. Emily starts digging through the backpack at her feet for their wallets.
"How can I help you?" the woman asks them.
JJ isn't exactly sure how to answer. "We're here to… get married?"
She winces at her weak answer and the fact that they picked the worst time to do this, but the woman's eyes light up.
"You're Penelope's friends?"
"We are," JJ laughs, shaking her head. "You've met her, then?"
The woman nods, grinning. "Yeah! She's great! She's waiting for you at Bright Angel Point."
"Of course she is," Emily mumbles, dropping their IDs back into the backpack. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"Not a problem!" The woman giggles as she opens the gate for them. "Congratulations!"
JJ waves to her before driving into the park. It's pitch black around them, with only the cone of their headlights providing illumination. For a moment, she wonders if they're going to be murdered in the darkness. Their work creeps into her mind and her hands tighten around the wheel.
"Stay with me," Emily says quietly, peeling one of JJ's hands from the wheel and knits their fingers together. "We're safe."
"I know," JJ sighs, but she tightens her hand around Emily's. "Thank you."
"No problem. I have to protect my wife, like a good husband."
A startled laugh bursts out of JJ, scaring the tension away. The idea of Emily as her husband is hilarious and ridiculous. She's never wanted a husband, but Emily would probably make a good one. She can't fix a seat or change a tire, but she'd protect JJ, bring her coffee in the mornings, and whatever other cliche thing husbands do.
The funny thought keeps her warm for the rest of the slow drive to Bright Angel Point. As they get closer, a pool of light appears in front of them. Someone set up a couple of floodlights to illuminate the edge of the canyon, making the rocky ground glow. In the center of the light is Penelope, wearing neon leg warmers, wooly mittens, and a bright pink faux fur coat that covers a knee length skirt and leggings. Her blonde, curly hair hangs from an oversized rainbow hat.
JJ parks the car and climbs out, laughing. "Penelope Garcia!" she cheers, shutting her door. "What have you done?"
"Happy Wedding Day!" Penelope throws her arms wide, running toward them. "I love you, besties!"
She throws herself at JJ and the stronger blonde swings her around easily. They're laughing when Emily approaches them. Penelope peels herself from JJ and hugs Emily tightly. The dark-haired woman gasps as the air is almost knocked out of her by the embrace. She grins over Penelope's shoulder at JJ, winking as JJ burrows deep into her coat against the cold.
"Thanks, Pen," Emily says, chuckling. "Were you able to get everything?"
Penelope backs up, grinning. "Yes! I have the rings, the paperwork, and…" She runs to one of the floodlight stands and picks a couple things up off the ground. Spinning, she reveals two bundles of white roses. "Bouquets!"
Emily laughs, leading JJ into the pool of light. "Good thinking."
"Wow, PG," JJ says as she takes her bouquet, "did you fly here? You got so much done in no time at all."
"I'm amazing," she replies, giving Emily her bouquet. "Alright, ceremony first or signing first?"
"Ceremony," JJ and Emily answer at the same time.
They giggle nervously, grinning at each other. Somehow, wearing sweatpants and puffy coats, their hair tied up in messy buns, no make-up and only gas station food in their stomachs is the perfect way to get married. It feels like the rest of their trip - simple, easy, and comfortable. It's like their relationship, too.
"Oh no," JJ mumbles as her eyes watered, "I'm already crying."
Emily smiles softly, going to her and brushing her tears away with her free hand. "It's ok. You can cry. Are they happy tears?"
"Of course," she laughs weakly. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
They move to kiss, but Penelope's voice interrupts them.
"Hey! Stop that!" She walks to them and pushes them apart with an exaggerated frown. "No kissing until you're married!"
Emily raises an eyebrow, wiggling her bouquet. "Well, marry us, then!"
"Ok, hold on!" Penelope runs to a flood light and hits a button. A small red light comes on as her camera begins recording. "For the family," she tells them as she comes back. Moving closer to the edge of the canyon, she takes a deep breath as the other women turn to face her. "Emily," she starts, already sounding choked up, "when I met you 10 years go-"
"God, has it been 10 years?" Emily interrupts, frowning. "Yikes."
"Emily!" Penelope snaps, glaring at her. "Focus!"
Emily smiles sheepishly, glancing at JJ. Her smile grows when she sees JJ hiding a grin behind her bouquet. "Sorry, Peeg."
"As I was saying," Penelope continues, glaring at Emily. "When we met 10 years ago, I had no idea we would end up so close. You were quiet, mysterious, and incredibly sexy, but I saw the spark of a BFF in you. It's been amazing to see you grow into the friendly, kind, and even sexier person you are today." She wipes her face quickly and turns to JJ. "Peaches, you were the first friend I made after I joined the FBI, and I knew immediately that we were kindred spirits. You're beautiful and wonderful and the kindest person I've ever met." She pauses to take a deep breath before continuing. "It took you guys two years to start dating, which is crazy, because I knew you were in love way before that!"
"We know, Pen," JJ says, wiping her own face. "You were right."
"I was!" Penelope laughs. "I know you had to come together on your own, though. You had to learn to trust each other, and to take a leap of faith. Once you admitted your feelings for each other, nothing could tear you apart. You've almost died, and actually died, and dealt with so much tragedy and bullshit, but you're here now! You guys have made it through all of that. I just love you guys so much! Do you have vows or something? I have to stop talking."
JJ and Emily laugh, looking toward each other. They didn't talk at all about vows on their drive to the Grand Canyon. Emily isn't sure what she could say that would adequately express how she feels about JJ. The blonde felt similarly, smiling nervously.
"I… I can try?" Emily says, hands clenching around the stem of her bouquet. She waits for JJ to nod before clearing her throat. "Ok, um. JJ- Jennifer. You are my first, and only, love. You're my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. Just… My everything. You're also-" A sob surprises her and she covers her mouth as tears fill her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't expect to cry!"
Penelope goes to her and puts an arm around her shoulder. "I'm here, Princess. Go on."
"Thanks, Pen," Emily mutters. She meets JJ's eyes, seeing that the other woman is crying, too. "Jayje, I love you so much. It's so easy to be with you. You're not just big moments, but all my little moments, too. You remind me that I'm good and you make me want to be better. I met you when I was lost, and you found me. You keep finding me. I love you." She stops awkwardly, looking at Penelope. "That's all I have."
"Okay," Penelope says, giving her a thumbs up. She moves to JJ, wrapping her arms around the other woman. "I think you'll need this, too."
"Thank you." JJ leans into Penelope, smiling at Emily. The brunette chuckles, wiping her eyes on her sleeves. "Emily," JJ says happily, "I don't even know where to start. I never expected romance to be a part of my life. I mean, I guess I thought about it in some abstract way, but you know that I never wanted to be a girlfriend or a wife. It was scary, and I thought being in a relationship meant that I wasn't strong enough on my own, but I was so wrong." She grins, so happy to be here with Emily, and Penelope. "You've made me stronger than I ever thought I could be. I'm strong enough to give up control. I'm strong enough to admit when I need help. You've shown me that I don't have to do everything alone. It's not weakness to rely on someone else. You make me so happy and I don't know who I would be without you. You show me new things, and make me see old things in a new way. I love you so much."
She and Emily just smile at each other for a moment, basking in their declaration of love. Their whole roadtrip was a journey to this moment. The conversations about nothing in the car, the time spent exploring unimportant attractions, and the unrushed kisses, filled with nothing but love, showed them how real and stable they are. Their relationship isn't a fluke. It's not an 8 year long experiment. It's them, together, sharing their view of the world and growing from the experience.
"Oh!" Penelope gasps, stepping away from JJ and digging into her pockets. "The rings!"
She holds them out in her mittens. They gleam in the floodlights, simple and perfect. JJ and Emily each take one, smiling at each other. Emily reaches out for JJ's left hand.
"Here," she says softly, "I'll put yours on first." She slides it onto JJ's thin finger, admiring the way the gold shines against her skin. "Okay."
"Your turn," JJ sighs happily. She takes Emily's hand and puts the ring on, brushing her thumb over the band. "God, I can't believe we're married."
Emily turns to Penelope, eyes wide. "Can we kiss now?"
"Yes!" Penelope cheers, throwing her arms up. "I now declare you wife and wife! You may kiss the other bride!"
Emily pulls JJ to her, dropping her bouquet so she can wrap her arms around her wife. JJ clings to her, her own bouquet falling from her hand. They kiss beneath the floodlights in the dark, early morning chill at the edge of the Grand Canyon with their best friend looking on. It is perfect, full of love and wonder.
They know that even if terrible things happen in the future, they'll make it through. They've made it through so much and come so far. Nothing can tear them apart and nothing could ever change the way they feel. Every ending is a beginning, and their story isn't over. They have so much more to do, and they'll do it together.