"Even if you cannot change all the people around you, you can change the people you choose to be around. Life is too short to waste your time on people who don't respect, appreciate, and value you. Spend your life with people who make you smile, laugh, and feel loved."
Roy T. Bennett

Today was the day. Emily had successfully averted JJ's worried glances and she was now waiting for JJ to finish curling her hair. The blonde had been extremely curious as to why they were to dress up this fancily, but when she couldn't get a reaction out of Emily she faltered.

Emily could feel the velvet box burn in the pocket of her suit, she was wearing a black suit with a lace top. Her heart stopped in her chest when JJ appeared in the living room, wearing a tight red dress as she wore her curled hair up in a ponytail.

''Jayje...'' stammered Emily as she inched forward to reach for JJ's hand ''you look incredible''. JJ looked away flushed before meeting Emily's piercing gaze, which was filled with nothing but love. ''So do you my love'' whispered JJ before placing a soft kiss on Emily's lips.

''Are you ready?'' Emily asked JJ as she stuck out her arm, the same question and gesture Rossi had done for her when he helped her pick out her ring. ''Mmh. Yes'' smiled JJ as she placed her hand on Emily's arm ''I'm starving actually. Where are you taking me?'' JJ innocently added.

''All in good times'' Emily said more confidently than she actually felt, ''so mysterious'' smirked JJ, her eyes roaming over the suit Emily was wearing ''so impatient'' retorted Emily jokingly.

Emily held the car door open for JJ when they reached the car, her hand slipping on the handle because she was sweating from the stress. ''Thank you, Milady'' laughed JJ before getting in, her eyes followed Emily as the nervous brunette walked towards the driver's seat.

It was a short drive and Emily helped JJ out of the car once she had parked ''the restaurant from our first date'' Emily sheepishly said, ''we never actually got to eat there'' she added. JJ intertwined her hand with Emily's before placing a kiss on Emily's hand, leaving a red lipstick mark as she did. ''I love this date already'' JJ whispered before Emily led her to the entrance, where she held the door open for the blonde.

They were led to the table by their waiter, a young girl with thick dark brown curls. Emily ordered them a bottle of red wine before stretching her hand out to touch JJ's hand. The velvet box in her jacket was practically buzzing at this point as nerves took over.

She had planned on asking the question after their main course, which would be at least another hour. Emily could feel JJ's eyes on her, so she forced herself to meet them, her heart skipped a beat, telling her she was making the right choice. JJ was the one for her, JJ has been the one for her since the day they met.

''My mother called today'' JJ suddenly said after both women had been sipping their wines, enjoying each other's presence in their shared silence. ''Oh really?'' Emily said, it took her a lot of strength to keep her voice steady as she spoke, ''what did she say?''.

''She wants to come for dinner. She wants to meet you'' JJ awkwardly said, Emily smiled softly ''that can be arranged'' she nodded, ''we can go out for dinner or cook something at our place''.

''Really?'' JJ asked uneasy, ''you want to meet my mother?''. Emily nodded eagerly ''I would love to, I wouldn't mind meeting the person that made someone as beautiful and kind as you''.

JJ's cheeks flushed a bright red before she leaned forward to kiss Emily ''Thank you. I love you'' she said, ''I love you too''.

It took Emily an immense amount of strength to swallow her main course, the knowledge of what she was about to do was taking her entire nervous system over as they talked and ate. Emily didn't know how she had done it, but she had eventually held entire conversations with JJ and she had finished her plate.

Their hands met again once the waiter had taken away their plate and Emily knew it was now or never. ''JJ'' she whispered, ''Emily?'' JJ chuckled.

''I need to tell you something and I want you to stay quiet until I say you can talk okay?'' Emily said as she rubbed her sweaty hands against each other. ''Okay?'' laughed JJ surprised but oblivious.

''You've shown me the good side of life JJ. And in all honesty, I don't know If I would've still been here if I didn't have you to fight for. Every time you hold my hand it feels like it's the first time, but it never feels like the last. And I think that's what love is, it should always feel like a first time. I didn't know that before because no one had ever truly showed me what love is until you came along. Even before we started our relationship, you showed me what it feels like to be loved'' Emily said before taking a sip from her wine to soothe her dry throat.

Emily glanced up to see JJ's eyes filled with tears, she placed her hand on JJ's before continuing ''I'm eternally grateful for what you've taught me as a woman, as a person, as a girlfriend and as an agent. You have made me who I wanted to be. I know having you in my life doesn't magically make my issues disappear, but it doesn't hurt, and I know I'll get better every day. Baby steps''

''But JJ'' Emily said as she slowly stood up, ''I would like you by my side in every step I take'' she said as she knelt down, her hands reaching in to the pocket of her jacket. Tears were streaming down JJ's face once her eyes landed on the velvet box.

''Jennifer Jareau, will you do me the honor of being my wife. JJ, will you marry me?'' Emily asked, the velvet box now opened in her palm, the thin band in full view.

JJ lunged forward, Emily could feel the tears in her neck as she wrapped her arms around JJ. Oblivious to the clapping around them. ''You can speak now'' Emily weakly said, ''actions speak louder than words'' JJ whispered through tears as she crashed her lips with Emily's.

Both women cried as they kissed before they let go of each other ''is that a yes?'' Emily whispered, needing to hear the answer. ''Yes. God yes. It would be an honor to marry you Emily'' JJ exclaimed before leaning in to kiss Emily again.

Emily slipped the ring on JJ's finger after that, it looked as perfect as she had imagined. ''It's gorgeous'' JJ whispered as she wiped the tears on her cheeks away with her thumb. ''Just like you'' Emily said, her eyes focused on JJ's blood shot eyes.

''Mmh. Is the crying attractive for you?'' chuckled JJ as she touched her red cheeks, ''a bit. But only because they're happy tears'' Emily smiled, her own cheeks were equally red and blotchy from crying.

A few people in the restaurant passed their table and congratulated them, but both women only had eyes for each other. Melting into each other as though they were seeing each other for the first time again. ''Let's go home'' JJ whispered, both women longed to be in each other's arms without on lookers.

Emily agreed, paid for the food and reached for JJ's hand again. She could feel the engagement ring caress her skin as they walked towards the car in silence, both women overwhelmed but happy.

JJ turned Emily to face her in the middle of the empty street as the first drop of rain landed on her head, she cupped her hands around Emily's face as another drop of rain landed on them.

''Emily'' she said, another drop of rain. ''I love you so much'' JJ whispered, tears mixing with the rain that was falling down in a faster pace. Their lips met when the first sounds of thunder filled their ears, lit up by the lightning in the sky.

Emily moved her hands through JJ's hair as the rain fell down on them, neither was bothered by it because they had their love to keep each other warm. JJ placed her hand on Emily's cheek again, wiping the tears away, never letting go of their kiss.

The rain had soaked them through the bone but neither wanted to let go, content to kiss each other in the rain as thundering and lightning filled the sky. They were together, that's what mattered.

''I will always love you JJ'' Emily whispered once they let go to catch some air, ''I will always love you too Emily''.