A/N: This one is LONG! But you're gonna love it!

Also moment of silence because this was bloody hard to write when all the Jemily stans started insisting on Twitter that JJ and Will are gonna get divorced in the revival. My poor little heart can't do it.

Voices floated in from the next room, but all Will could focus on was what lay ahead.

Enjoying the relative quiet of the room he was in, he stood before the mirror, smoothing his shirt and tucking it into his pants, before reaching up and grabbing his tie from where he had draped it over the glass. As he hung it around his neck and positioned it against his collar, a gentle knock came from the open door.

"Need a hand?" came his mom's voice, but before he could answer, she was already walking towards him.

"It's ok Mom… I can do it," Will said with a smile as she closed her fingers around the fabric.

"I know… but I want to help you," Janine said gently. "Let me do it one last time"

Will chuckled. "You don't have to sound so final about it all"

"It's the little things, Billy. As a mom… you just want to look after your children forever"

He smiled, relaxing as she began to tie the knot with the same dexterity and precision she'd always had. He let his mind wander, to visions of JJ in the white dress, walking down the aisle towards him. After all these years… by the time the sun went down tonight, he would be her husband, and she would be his wife.

"What are you thinkin' about?" Janine asked gently as she slid the tie up against his top button and began fiddling with his collar.

"I can't believe it… I'm really goin' to marry JJ," he said softly, a smile creeping back onto his face.

Brushing his shoulders off, Janine placed her hands on his arms, smiling up at him. "You really are. And you're goin' to live a long, happy, wonderful life together," she said softly. "You make each other so happy. You deserve each other"

Will could feel his eyes growing bright, but he quickly swallowed the tears back as his mom patted his cheek.

"This is really it my boy," Janine said with a smile. "I'm four for four. All of you married off"

Will laughed. "You make it sound like an achievement"

"It is. It's a happy thing. Even though it means you're all completely grown up and have left the nest… I'm happy for all of you. Even if part of me is sad to really have to let my baby boy go"

"Mom, I'm 24"

"You'll always be my baby boy, Billy," Janine said with a smile. "Now come on. I think Sam wants to make you a drink. Relax a little now… you've got a big day ahead"

"Hey Abigail, are we doing ok for time?"

Her mom's voice cut through the bustle of the room clear as a bell, making JJ look up from her phone. She watched as Abigail glanced quickly at her watch, before smiling at Sandy as she lifted her hand back towards Simone's face.

"Yeah, we're actually ahead of schedule. I'm nearly done with Simone here, and then we'll get started with JJ"

"Do you mind if I steal JJ for ten minutes?"

"Yeah, no problems! We've got plenty of time," Abigail said sweetly, waving a hand towards Sandy. Sandy beamed, turning and walking over to where JJ was sitting on the couch in the middle of the room.

"Come with me for a minute," she said softly, beckoning her daughter up. Confused, JJ obliged, pulling herself up and following her mom into the next room of the suite. As she entered the room, Sandy closed the door behind them, immediately silencing the chatter and laughter from next door.

"What's going on?" JJ asked, her stomach doing a nervous flip flop as she turned to face her mom from the middle of the room. Sandy paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before moving forward and gently guiding JJ over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I have something to show you," she said quietly, slowly taking a seat beside her daughter. "Something I wanted to show you when it was just the two of us"

JJ's brow furrowed, yet again displaying her confusion as her mom brought her phone out in front of them. She watched as Sandy opened the screen, navigating through to her photo gallery before landing on a video that appeared to have been made about two years earlier. Her thumb hovered over it, pausing as she took another breath and looked up at JJ.

"This is… this is going to be hard to watch, which is why I've pulled you out before you had your makeup done," she said in a thick voice. "But it's not intended to make you sad… it's to remind you just how much your dad loved you. He… told me that he had made this. And he asked me to show it to you the day you got married"

Biting the inside of her lip as her mom finished speaking, JJ could already feel the tears welling up in her eyes. But she nodded once, indicating it was ok for her mom to play it, leaning in and resting her chin on Sandy's shoulder as the screen came to life. From a black screen, it quickly changed to a view of Michael, sitting at the kitchen table, his hands outstretched as he fiddled with the camera. Finally happy with it, he pulled his hands back, giving them a view of his smiling face. It was clearly before he had gotten really sick, but after he had found out he was dying. As she took in the image of her father smiling up at her from the video, the tears suddenly doubled in intensity, threatening to blur her vision as she brought a hand up to her mouth. She hadn't realised how long it had been since she had properly seen his face... heard his voice...

"Hi Jaybird," Michael started softly, clasping his hands in front of him and taking a deep breath before he continued speaking. "This is… god, this is hard. I've been trying to find an opportunity all week to make this without being interrupted, and I think I've finally found my chance. Your mom is out grocery shopping, and you've just left for training, so I've got at least a half hour window here before San comes home"

He paused for a moment, his eyes falling to the tabletop as he ran a hand through his hair. "Will came to see me the other day. You weren't here, and I suspect you won't know about this for a while. But as soon as he walked through the door, I knew why he was here. And sure enough, he was here to ask for my blessing… my blessing to ask you to marry him. Which he never had to ask for. Because he's always had it. I can see how much he loves and respects you, and I know that he'll look after you. Not that you need to be taken care of, you're so strong and independent, but I know he'll be there to catch you when it's time to be vulnerable"

JJ could hardly see through the tears as she watched her dad's eyes grow bright on the screen in front of her. Without hesitation, Sandy slipped an arm around her waist, holding her close as they waited for Michael to keep speaking.

"Unfortunately, there's a really sad side to that… and that's that I won't be there the day you actually get married. Which… breaks my heart, Jaybird, it really does. I want nothing more than to be there, watching you move into the next exciting chapter of your life, but I can't. And so that's why I'm making this video. So I can tell you everything I would want to say to you on that day… immortalise it forever, and then I'll give it to your mom to show you on that day"

He took a deep breath, the exhale sounding shaky even without him speaking.

"You were our surprise, JJ. We thought our family was complete, and then along came you, and you were the most wonderful blessing we could ever have received. And getting to be your dad has been one of the most incredible privileges of my life. I've watched you set goals, work towards them, and achieve them in the most amazing ways imaginable, and each time I'm reminded just how incredible you are. I don't know how far in the future you're going to be watching this, but I'm sure none of that has changed. You are strong-willed, independent, determined, passionate, loving, kind, and so many other adjectives that I don't think I could even begin to list right now. And wherever you are right now, whenever you're watching this… you're going to get married"

He let out a watery chuckle, swiping at a tear that was tracking down his cheek. "You're one special girl, Jaybird. And I can't think of anyone better than Will to spend the rest of their life with you. I may have lived in denial about my baby girl being old enough to date, but the truth is, I've known you and Will were meant for each other all along. I have always had complete trust that he will treat you with the love and respect you have always deserved. I know that with him, you will rise to be nothing short of incredible at whatever you choose to do in your life. You support each other, you make each other happy, and you love each other unconditionally. That's true love, peanut. And I'm blessed beyond words to have lived long enough to see you find it. You and Will… you were written in the stars. Even if it took you a long time to realise, everyone else could see it. You've built a strong, loving, committed relationship in the last four years, and he's been absolutely wonderful for you. You've grown so much as a person, and as an athlete in the last few years. It's truly been incredible to watch. But now, you're embarking on the next great adventure together, and while I won't be there to watch it unfold, I know it's going to be filled with many more special memories for the two of you"

By now, JJ had tears openly flooding down her cheeks. Sandy pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Make sure to always make time for each other. Marriage is special, but it takes work to keep it alive. Never go to bed angry with each other. And never stop doing the little things that say 'I love you'. That's how your mom and I have made it this far. I promise it works," Michael said with a little laugh. "I'm sorry I won't be there, but I'm always with you. That's a promise. I love you so much, and I'm so goddamn proud to be your dad. You're such a special person. Don't ever let that change. Don't ever stop spreading your love and your light into the world, because it truly is a better place with people like you, and a love like yours and Will's, in it"

Smiling through tears, Michael blew a kiss at the camera. "I love you Jayje. To the moon and the stars and back again. I'm sure this has probably made you cry, but please don't. Today is a happy day. So go and enjoy it. Make a bunch of special memories. And cut a rug for your old man on the dance floor"

And just like that, he reached forward and the video was over. Locking her phone, Sandy set it down beside her on the bed, before turning and wrapping both arms around her daughter, blinking back her own tears as she did. Overwhelmed, JJ buried her face in the shoulder of her mom's T-shirt, trying desperately to stem the tears that were coming through in full force. She didn't want to have a meltdown. Not today.

"I miss him so much," she said tearfully into her mom's shoulder. "I wish he was here"

"I know," Sandy said softly, gently rocking JJ from side to side. After a few moments, she took a deep breath, pulling back and gently brushing JJ's hair out of her eyes before cupping her face in her hands. "I know, I miss him too. But he's still with us. We might not be able to see him… but he's here"

Sniffing, JJ nodded, managing a watery smile as her mom leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She sat there as Sandy got up and went into the bathroom, returning with a washcloth she had dampened with cold water. Without words, Sandy sat back down in front of her, lifting the washcloth to JJ's face and gently wiping away the tears still tracking down JJ's cheeks, before holding the cool damp cloth against the skin under JJ's eyes.

"No puffy eyes on my watch," she said softly with a little grin, getting a laugh out of JJ. "You ok?"

JJ nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah… yeah, I'm ok"

"Also, on a completely different note… I am well aware you're an adult… but can you confirm something for me?" Sandy asked curiously, still gently wiping JJ's face with the cloth.

"What?"

Sandy's brow furrowed. "Did you, by any chance, get your nipples pierced?"

JJ snorted, dissolving into laughter as she dropped her face to her hands. "Oh my god. How the hell did you notice?"

Sandy smirked. "You were walking around all morning in a sports bra, JJ, it wasn't exactly subtle. Why did you do that? What on earth made you want to do that?"

JJ laughed. "Simone and I went together. It was kind of an impulse decision"

Sandy scoffed. "You don't say!"

"Not a fan?" JJ said with a grin.

"You're an adult, you can do what you like… but not particularly," Sandy admonished, getting up to take the washcloth back into the bathroom.

"Well… Will is," JJ shot back with a cheeky smile, only to have to duck when Sandy threw the washcloth clean across the room at her head. Laughing, she straightened up and moved towards the door.

"You're going to be the death of me, Jennifer Jareau," Sandy said in disbelief, yet even she couldn't fight off the grin spreading across her face. "My little wild child"

"Absolutely," JJ said proudly, pulling open the door and plunging them straight back into the hive of the main room.

A couple of hours later, hair and makeup done, she was in the bedroom with Aly, Simone, and Katie, the finishing touches being put on her dress by Aly as Katie helped her with her shoes, Simone making sure her hair wasn't caught anywhere at the top of the dress.

"Ok… I think you're good," Aly said softly, stepping back as Katie straightened up. Simone moved away a few seconds later, all three of them standing before her with looks of pure joy on their faces.

"Well?" JJ asked softly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "How do I look?"

"Turn around," Katie said quietly, her eyes bright as she smiled at her sister-in-law.

Slowly, so as not to trip over the skirt, JJ turned to face the full length mirror behind her. When she finally saw the image of herself completely dressed, she let out a soft gasp, her jaw dropping.

The dress somehow looked even more stunning than the day she had picked it in the shop. The sweetheart neckline, feathering out across her shoulders and into the delicate patterning down her arms, the glittering embellishments across the bodice, all of it looked more incredible than she had remembered it. In addition to that, her blonde hair had been perfectly waved, part of it braided around the back of her head to keep it back from her face, the rest of it cascading down her back, delicate floral hairpieces interwoven with the braids. Her makeup was soft, just enough to highlight her natural features, perfectly complimenting the golden glow of her skin.

This was it. She was going to walk down the aisle in less than an hour… she was a bride.

She stared for a moment, not sure how to string together a sentence, before finally managing to stammer out a few words. "I-I look…-"

"Beautiful," Aly chimed in, her voice thick as she spoke. "You look absolutely beautiful"

"You look tall!" Simone exclaimed, making all the girls laugh as JJ turned back around to face them.

"Your mom is going to bawl her eyes out," Katie said with a chuckle, stepping up and bringing her hands to JJ's shoulders. "You look amazing. Will is going to have a hard time keeping his hands to himself tonight"

JJ giggled. "That's most days, but sure"

Laughing, Katie pulled back, moving over towards the door. Reaching out, she pulled it open just wide enough for Aly and Simone to move back into the main room, before turning back to look at JJ. "You ready?"

Taking a breath, JJ nodded, closing the distance between herself and the door as Katie slipped out into the room.

"She looks amazing," she heard Katie gush. Just a moment later, Katie had turned back and pushed the door completely open, allowing her back out into the main suite.

The second she stepped out, the room was filled with a dozen different exclamations, gasps, and so much more, but JJ's eyes went immediately to her mom, who was standing in the middle of the room, one hand over her mouth, her eyes bright with tears. Smiling, JJ walked slowly over to her, reaching out for her hands as she reached her.

"Oh my… JJ, you look… wow. So beautiful," Sandy said thickly, taking JJ's hands and looking her up and down. "Absolutely stunning"

"Are you ok?" JJ asked gently, squeezing her hands.

"I just… the second you came through that door, there was a split second where I thought… thought how much you look like Ros… and then I realised that she… she never-"

"No, don't… don't," JJ said gently, reaching up and placing a hand on her mom's shoulder as she gave her a warm smile. "Besides," she started, her other hand coming to brush against the necklace sitting around her neck, "she's coming with me"

Swallowing hard, Sandy pulled her in, giving her a tight squeeze, before letting her go as Lynn, Janine, and Nandy made their way over to gush over how amazing JJ looked. Bailey-Rose, who had just finished getting dressed, was hot on their heels, bounding over towards her favourite person in the whole wide world with an excited look of glee on her face.

"You know, I was pretty emotional the day you won your first gold medal, but I think today might just take the cake," came a voice behind them, cutting into the chatter and drawing JJ's immediate attention as she turned around.

"Nick," she said, breaking into a huge smile as she walked over and threw her arms around her coach. He chuckled, giving her a tight squeeze in return, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"You look so beautiful, JJ. I can't believe you're getting married today. You're making me feel old"

Stepping back, JJ beamed up at him, before letting out a little laugh. "I mean… I'm still the same height as when I was thirteen?"

Nick laughed, nodding in agreement as the event coordinator bustled into the room behind him.

"Ok, we're ready to go. JJ, are you ready?"

Looking up at Nick, JJ broke into a smile, her eyes shining with nervous anticipation. He returned the smile, lifting his arm to allow her to loop hers through.

"Shall we take a walk?" he asked softly, looking down at her with the same love and protectiveness he had always held for her. "Only as long as you're ready"

Taking a deep breath, JJ nodded, sliding her arm through his, her smile only growing wider.

"I'm ready"

Will's heart felt like it was trying to pound out of his chest as he stood there beside Matt and his brothers. The sun was shining brilliantly above, but the day was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold.

He wasn't nervous. He wasn't scared. The pounding in his chest and the butterflies in his stomach were purely out of excitement. Today, after all these years, he was finally going to marry his beautiful girl. Their new life together started today, and he couldn't wait for it all.

Soft music began to play, and their gathered guests slowly fell silent. Will broke into a beaming smile, clasping his hands together as Sam clapped him on the shoulder. The music segued seamlessly into the opening bars of Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis, and one by one, the bridal party began to join their midst.

"Wise men say… only fools rush in. But I… can't help… falling in love with you"

First off the bat were the two oldest of the nieces and nephews. Bailey-Rose, wearing the cutest little dress, her blonde hair in loose curls with a flower crown perched on top of her head.

"Shall I stay?"

She looked up as she walked, her look of concentration at tossing the flowers lapsing momentarily as she caught the eye of her dad and her Uncle Will. Will smiled at her, giving her a little wave, which only widened her smile as she turned her attention back to scattering flowers.

"Would it be a sin?"

Behind her, her cousin Samson, dressed smartly in a little matching vest and trouser set, carefully carrying the cushion on which the two wedding rings were sitting, just waiting to be worn.

"If I… can't… help… falling in love with you"

Then came Simone, positively radiant in a soft coral coloured dress that fell to the floor, making her look much taller than her four feet, eight inches in height. She made her way smoothly up to the altar, taking her place on the wooden platform behind Bailey-Rose as Katie began to walk in after her.

"Like a river flows, surely to the sea"

Katie was in the same shade of coral, although a slightly different design, her face filled with joy as she made her way down the aisle. Looking into the sea of faces gathered there, her eyes momentarily met her husband's before shooting him a wink as she stopped in place beside Simone.

"Darling, so it goes, some things… are meant to be"

Aly was the last to follow, her eyes already bright with tears, her hands clutching tightly to her flowers. As she reached the head of the seating area, the celebrant, Chris, lifted a hand, quietly indicating for everyone to rise as the music quietened right down, leaving them in a momentary silence.

Will could swear his heart was going to explode right out of his chest. This was it. This was really it.

"So take my hand"

As the beautiful vocals echoed through the space, the sheers at the end of the aisle parted, revealing the beautiful bride, her arm securely linked through Nick's as the two of them began to slowly walk into view. When Will's eyes landed on his soon-to-be wife, his heart leapt into his throat.

She looked beautiful.

"Take my whole life too"

Intricate lace feathered down her arms, supported by transparent mesh. The open backed body of the dress clung to her frame just perfectly, dotted by appliqués at the shoulders and waist. But more than anything, he was moved by the sheer happiness on her face. She looked perfect.

Tears welled in his eyes. Dropping his head to his hand, he let out a small sob as Sam chuckled and gripped his shoulder. Over to his right, he could hear the girls fighting back tears, which did absolutely nothing to abet his own situation.

"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" Sam said softly. Lifting his face, Will nodded, smiling through the tears as he fought to bring it all back under control, but even so, he knew it was futile.

"For I can't help falling in love with you"

When she reached him, she couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Nick leaned down, pressing a kiss to her cheek and giving her a quick squeeze.

"Congratulations kiddo. Enjoy every minute of it," he said warmly. JJ could only smile for fear of starting to cry, coming to stand before Will as Nick found his way to his seat in the front row.

"Wow," Will breathed, a soft laugh escaping. "You look… so beautiful"

JJ smiled back, her eyes growing awfully bright in the sunlight. She was aware of Chris beginning to speak, but in that moment, she only had eyes for Will. He looked so handsome in his tux, his hair neatly combed away from his clean shaven face.

Together, they stood there, listening as Chris talked about the celebration of marriage, before diving into the story of how JJ and Will had come to be there on that day. There was laughter, smiles, and a few tears as the well told stories washed over them. Before they knew it, Aly and Sam were stepping up behind them, handing them small pieces of paper as Chris wound towards the end of his spiel.

"You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, makes every day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises; you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, 'every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of'," Chris said with a smile. "Now… JJ and Will have both prepared their own vows for today, and first we are going to hear from the groom"

Holding out his microphone, Chris gave Will a reassuring nod as Will took a deep breath and glanced down at the notes in his hands.

"JJ… you have been my friend… my girlfriend… my fiance… and now, today, my wife. You're all those things and more. You're my love, my dream, and my devotion; no matter the name, you are my everythin'," he started, letting out a little laugh as he lifted a hand to brush under his eyes, making JJ laugh softly as she watched him. "I admire how fearless you are. You're not afraid to be yourself. I promise to always encourage you, and to try and keep a light heart and a sense of humor. I will be honest, respectful, and supportive in your dreams and goals… because we all know how big they can be"

A little chuckle emanated through the crowd as Will took a deep breath.

"I promise to love you honestly. To value our differences as well as our similarities, to enter into our life with my eyes open and my heart full, and to take you as you are if you will take me. But most of all, I promise to trust and love you with all my heart, as your husband, and cherish you with all my soul forever and ever"

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his mom and Sandy both wiping their eyes, and behind JJ, he could see all three girls trying to hold it together. But he forced himself to look instead at JJ, and then at Chris, who was now holding the microphone closer to JJ.

"Now, our beautiful bride"

JJ looked up at Will, biting her lip as she smiled at him before glancing back down at her note.

"Will… you are my best friend, my partner in crime. The one who inspires me to be the best version of myself and believes in me more than I believe in myself. You have been by my side through the brightest moments and the darkest days of my life, always there to show me that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. You are every reason, every hope, every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, every day we spend together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. Because of you, I understand the true meaning of love. It is patience when I won't admit I'm wrong, it is tenderness when I cry, it is kindness when I most need it. It is a belief that our futures are forever entwined. I love you, and I always will. Today, I promise to always do the same and more, for as long as we both shall live"

Chris smiled, lifting the mic back to his mouth. "You've both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But these rings did have a beginning. The stones were formed a long time ago deep within the earth. Eventually, a series of events caused them to rise to the surface, where someone dug them up. Metal was then liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees - molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful was made from raw elements. Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, and through a combination of serendipity and effort, imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary. It's the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that. You've created something invaluable, and just as I know you'll protect these rings, I'm confident you'll protect the commitments you've made to one another today"

Samson stepped up, holding out the cushion towards his uncle with a proud look on his face. Will lifted JJ's wedding band from the velvet material, taking her left hand in his and carefully sliding the ring onto her fourth finger. Flicking his eyes up as he did, he met hers, unable to help the smile that crossed his face. And then, her soft hand was taking his, her slim fingers sliding his wedding band onto his finger, sealing their promises completely.

Chris's smile widened. "And with that… Will, you may kiss the bride"

Positively beaming, Will stepped closer to JJ, cupping her face in his hands and pressing his lips to hers in a loving kiss as their friends and family began to clap and cheer.

"Presenting to you all, Mr and Mrs LaMontagne!"

Pulling away from each other, JJ and Will were smiling from ear to ear as they linked hands, beginning to make their way down the aisle as their loved ones showered them with confetti amidst applause (and a few loud cheers from the boys). Halfway down, JJ suddenly leaned in, squeezing Will's hand and gripping his arm as she let out a happy laugh.

They had done it. They were married.