SPOILERS 5x22. Heavily inspired by a scene from The Office, during Jim and Pam's wedding.

The title is from Chris Brown's 'Forever.'

Jake finds Amy sitting on a cardboard box in the evidence room, head down and buried in her palms.

She's in full wedding attire, from dress to veil to everything, and he probably shouldn't be seeing her like this before the ceremony, but they got passed respecting the traditions hours ago already, when a bomb threat put their union on hold and they had to go back on detective and sergeant mode while all dressed up for their big day.

Still though, having seen her like this earlier doesn't prevent him from taking a pause, even just for a moment, to take in how beautiful she looks in that white gown.

She's absolutely stunning.

He approaches her after a few seconds of staring, and as he does so, she looks up at him, hearing steps coming her way. When their eyes lock, he can see in hers that she's been crying, all red and blurry from fresh, sad tears. He hurries up to her side and sits down next to her, taking both her hands in his, worry suddenly overwhelming him.

"Babe," he gently calls her. "What's wrong?"

Amy sheepishly lowers back her gaze, taking one of her hands out of his to grab her veil before putting her attention back on Jake. "I ruined my veil," she sniffs.

She knows she's being silly, that this is not as much of a big deal as she's making it, and that she shouldn't be that devastated, but she can't help it. It's been a long day, filled with a lot of unexpected interruptions to what was supposed to be the best day of her life, and this has been the last straw that broke her down. Because it's the only thing she still had some control over, in all of that mess.

And she ruined it.

"And?" her (hopefully) very-soon-to-be-husband doesn't seem to see the problem here. He doesn't mock her, though, simply offers her a reassuring smile as he shamelessly confesses, "I ruined my suit too. I spilled some chocolate on it earlier," he shows her the barely noticeable stain on the black vest.

A chuckle escapes her throat through her tears at that, but it unfortunately only lasts for a second.

"Ames," the detective becomes all serious again then, gently forcing her to watch him. "It's just a veil. Who cares about that? You still look perfect," he promises her in all sincerity.

"You're only saying that because you love me," she stubbornly retorts.

"You're right," he surprisingly doesn't try to contradict her. "I do love you. So much so that I once told you I would marry you in a dumpster. So I think I know what I'm talking about when I say this is no 'dumpster look.' You really look wonderful, Ames. Ruined veil and all."

She truly softens at his words this time, warming up inside. She's about to say something in return, but Jake doesn't stop there. He leans over to the side, where he grabs a utility knife laying next to them, and without a warning, starts cutting his bow tie.

Amy can't help but slightly cringe at the sight of him purposefully ruining his suit, but deep down her heart only melts at what he's willing to do for her – the sweet meaning behind such a simple (and probably dumb) gesture in appearances.

"There," he looks back up at her when he's done, a small, amused smile lighting up his features. "We're even now."

A single tear falls on Amy's cheek, but this time it's not a sad one – more like a salty pearl full of emotions and pure love for this man that she'll soon call her husband.

(How lucky she is that he wants her as his wife and share their whole lives together.)

She puts a hand on his chest and mindlessly starts playing with the cut part of his bow tie, her glowing gaze fixed on his, still so amazed. "I love you so much," she whispers.

"I love you so much too." Jake leans over to her and softly puts his lips on hers in a gentle kiss – probably another tradition of 'not kissing the bride on the day of your wedding before the one at the end of the ceremony' he's screwing with, but after everything they've been through today, he doesn't think it matters anymore.

All that matters is that Amy looks a lot better, and calmer when they eventually part.

"I'm sorry about that," she apologizes, feeling a bit ashamed about her breakdown now that she's thinking straight again. "I know I'm making a whole fuss out of nothing, but… with everything that's been going on today… it's driving me crazy. It was supposed to be our big day, and now it keeps being put on hold. I just… I'm tired of waiting – I want to marry you now."

Jake understands. After all, he's tired of waiting too. That's why an idea suddenly pops inside his head, and his smile only grows wider when he looks at the woman in front of him.

"Let's do it, then," he suggests, and she raises a startled eyebrow at that. "Let's get married here," the detective further explains himself. As he speaks, he quickly stands up and offers her his hand for her to take so that they can leave the room and go back upstairs, showing her how serious he is about this.

They don't need a big ceremony – everyone they need to be there is here already.

Amy's only response is to beam back at him and take his hand in agreement, letting him lead her outside.

(Only 30 minutes later, thanks to all of their friends' help to decorate the place, they're pronounced husband and wife in front of their building and their squad – Amy's veil completely forgotten and Jake's bow tie replaced by another one Holt lent him –, and it's the most beautiful moment they've ever lived in their entire lives.)