CHAPTER 28

Hotch walked up behind Emily and wrapped his arm around her before resting his hands on her baby bump as he whispered, "Happy Anniversary sweetheart" before he started to kiss the side of her neck. She turned around and smiled at him before responding, "Happy Anniversary to you too." before meeting his lips which quickly turned into a passionate kiss. A kiss that was interrupted with Garcia knocking before she stepped into the room and said, "OK guys enough of that for now. We're on a schedule. Chop Chop." then walking back out of the room.

They looked at the door and they listened to her heels click as she walked away. Turning back to each other, they laughed before Hotch asked, "are you ready?"

Emily glances over at the full length mirror as she sighed, "I think so. I just wish we weren't doing this when I was just weeks away from having a baby." As she adjusted her dress that to her more resembled a tent than the dresses she used to wear, he placed his hands over hers and when she made eye contact with him in their reflections in the mirror, he says, "you look beautiful, just like we did on this day last year. Our baby is inside of you because of the love we share. The love that led us to get married."

"Stop. You are going to make me cry and then JJ is going to kick your ass because my makeup got messed up. I don't want you to get hurt." Emily said before dapping her eyes.

Hotch chuckled and then answered, "let her. It will be a small price to pay for telling the truth. You don't need the makeup anyway."

Emily smiled and then shook her head as she replied, "you are very sweet but there is no way I'm going without makeup today considering how many pictures are going to be taken."

"As you wish. Let's go." Hotch nodded as he took her hand. Then they walked down the hall to where their friends were waiting for them.

####

Later that evening as they sat at the table socializing with the team, Hotch recalled how this evening had come together. It had been weeks early as the team gathered for dinner that the subject of their upcoming anniversary had been broached.

Given the circumstances of when the team found out about their marriage there still hadn't been an opportunity to have the big party to celebrate that they planned to have with the team when they had returned from Vegas.

As the discussion went on, the topic of them renewing their vows with friends and family present came up. After talking about it, Hotch and Emily agreed but it would need to be on their anniversary as they didn't want to diminish the significance of the day they got married.

With that agreement, plans started in earnest. It was in the process of making these plans that the team learned more about the evening they got married. Hotch had only mentioned a few details when he had talked to the team in the hospital.

The team commented that night about being surprised that they had gotten married the same night as Hotch had proposed. They were even more surprised when they found out that the two had opted for a Beatles themed ceremony in Vegas. When the team stopped laughing, Hotch and Emily assured them that they didn't need the same for their vow renewal.

While both had enjoyed the intimacy of their wedding ceremony in Vegas, they were excited to be doing the vow renewal with their BAU family surrounding them. It had been a challenging year. A year that they didn't think they would have made it through at least not as well without each other and the help of their friends.

The group invited was very small. It was only the team, Will, Henry and of course Jack. One member of the BAU team who they were relieved hadn't arrived early to attend was Hotch and Emily's daughter as it was still too early. And with the day here as far as Emily could tell, the baby's arrival wasn't imminent.

Emily's parents had been invited as well but declined as they still did not support the union. Not surprised, Emily didn't let their absence diminish the joy of the day.

As they all sat around talking over dinner, Hotch and Emily held hands as they cuddled up against each other. Hands that now each had a ring.

They had not only exchanged vows that they had written themselves. Vows that were different than the standard ones the chapel had used. After the last year their personalized vows seemed appropriate.

During this ceremony Hotch had taken the opportunity to make a change he had been considering as well. Now that he had left the BAU and was no longer working in the field, he had decided he wanted to wear a wedding band.

He had worn one during his marriage with Haley and with the reservations about field work no longer an issue, this ceremony presented the perfect time for him to add one. Jack had been holding it for him and handed it to Emily when the time came.

For Emily, she loved the necklace her husband had given her months earlier and did not want to replace its significance with a wedding ring on her hand. During the ceremony when it was her turn, he put the necklace back on her after she had handed it to him before the ceremony.

Then instead of wearing a wedding ring, Emily had embraced the idea of wearing an eternity ring on her right hand instead. Hotch had gone back to the same jeweler who had created the necklace for an eternity ring that would complement the necklace. He had given it to her that morning after they woke up as an anniversary gift.

With the ceremony part of the evening finished, even more pictures were taken. The relaxed evening with their closest friends celebrating their marriage was exactly what the couple needed after the ups and downs of the last year.

####

Following their vow renewal, time seemed to be charging ahead at full speed. There seemed to be so much to get done and so little time to do things.

Before they knew it, Thanksgiving Day had arrived and was celebrated with the team at Dave's house. And what made the day special this year was Hotch had custody of Jack for Thanksgiving dinner.

After Thanksgiving, they finalized everything that needed to be done for Christmas. Jack stayed with them Christmas Eve evening and they made the most out of the day before dinner with the team. They left shortly after dinner as Hotch needed to take Jack back to Haley's and Emily was tired. Christmas Day was quiet with just the two of them.

As soon as Christmas was over, the couple found themselves anxiously awaiting the upcoming arrival of their baby girl having already made all of the last minute preparations.