It was May 16th, 2015. Emily looked in the mirror and grinned. She looked up when she heard the knock at the door and called out. "Come in." Emily looked up and smiled when she saw JJ walking through the door with Emma. Emily picked up her three-year old daughter and smiled. "You look beautiful sweetheart," Emily whispered. Emma giggled and smiled. She looked over at JJ. "You ready to go?" her friend asked. Emily smiled and nodded.
Hotch was standing at the steps of the gazebo. The girls were due any minute and Hotch couldn't stand the wait. He smiled nervously as he looked down at the guests. On his side, the front row consisted of Jack, Jessica, and Sean's family, Kerry and their four-year-old daughter Belle. Behind them sat the team, at least those not in the wedding party. Will sat with Adam on his lap and Henry next to him, then Reid, Rossi and Kevin. The rest of Hotch's side was filled with extended family, and friends from college and work. Hotch looked over at Emily's side. Her mother, step-mother, step-sister, Julia, and her husband sat in the front row. Behind them, the rest of the seats were filled with family and friends from all around the world.
Morgan tapped his friend's arm. Hotch looked over and saw Morgan pointing. He looked across the lawn and his breath caught. She was there. He smiled nervously as the music began. Garcia was the first to walk down the aisle. She was dressed in a black knee-length silk dress, with a silver silk sash wrapped around her waist. She carried a bouquet of white daisies. Hotch smiled at her as she stopped at the altar, standing opposite Sean. Hotch looked back up the aisle and saw JJ walking towards them. She was holding her flowers in one hand, while she held Emma's hand. Hotch grinned when he saw the little girl, dressed in a white tulle dress. She was smiling happily and JJ led her over to Elizabeth.
Simon looked over at his daughter. "Ok. So you ready?" he asked. Emily smiled and nodded. "Yep. Emily's wedding, take two," she joked. Her dad paused and Emily looked at him and frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked. He reached up to stroke her cheek. "You know I hate what happened with…" his voice trailed off and Emily nodded. "I know Daddy," she said quietly. "I just want you to know, that this… you marrying Aaron. I know in my gut that it's right," he said. Emily smiled and rubbed his shoulder, pulling him into a hug. "Thank you Daddy," she said quietly. "Ok," he said, patting her back, "Let's go."
Emily smiled and hooked her arm through her Dad's. As she looked down the aisle, she knew he was right. This did feel different. Better. Right. She grinned as he led her down the aisle towards her future husband. Hotch grinned as he took her in, her dress flowing in the breeze. When they reached Hotch, he held out his hand and took hers, leading her towards the minister. He leant over and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful sweetheart," he whispered. Emily smiled and blushed. "You don't scrub up too bad yourself Agent Hotchner," she whispered back. He smiled as they turned to face the minister.
When Emily's cousin walked back to her seat after the reading, Emily turned and passed her bouquet to JJ, before turning back to look at Hotch. He mouthed "I love you," and she replied. After they'd read their vows, promising to support each other, love each other, and always be honest and faithful, the minister spoke those magic words. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Agent, you may kiss the bride." Hotch grinned as he placed his hands on Emily's waist and stepped closer to her. He brushed his hand down her cheek and met her lips with his. When he pulled back and heard the cheering, he grinned. "We're married," he whispered. Emily chuckled and nodded. "Yeah. What'd you think we were here for? Canasta?" she teased. Hotch gave her another quick peck before he pulled back.
The minister stood up after he'd signed the papers. "Now Emily and Aaron have signed their lives away, agreeing to share their lives together. They also wanted to take the time today, to agree to love each other's children. One way they want to demonstrate this promise, is by signing the papers of adoption, agreeing to love and care for Jack and Emma, in equal partnership." JJ took Emma from Elizabeth and led her up to Emily and Hotch. She passed the little girl to Hotch and smiled when Jack climbed up on Emily's lap. After they'd signed the papers, Emily picked up the eight-year-old and held him on her hip. Hotch held Emma in one arm and wrapped the other around Emily. He kissed her temple and she smiled at him. The minister looked at them and smiled. "It is my pleasure to pronounce Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Emily Hotchner," he said excitedly.
Morgan was the first to stand to make a speech. The MC handed him the mic and he pulled his notes out of his jacket pocket. "Hotch and Emily. How long has it taken you two to get here? I can say with absolute honesty that seven years ago, when Emily first stumbled into the BAU, I would never imagine all of us being here today. Hotch and Em had a bit of a rough start, mostly because he's a hardass," Morgan paused for the laughter to die down, "but they worked through it. And here we are today, celebrating their love. It's been a privilege to watch them grow together as a family and I am honoured to be here to bear witness to them making it official. Emily, keep making him smile. If that's the one thing you can do for the next fifty years, you'll be my hero. Hotch, you treat her with respect, with love, and with understanding. And remember, if you ever argue… IT'S YOUR FAULT." Hotch and Emily laughed at that final part. She reached over and kissed him gently. "It's true you know," she said. Hotch rolled his eyes and turned to Morgan. "Thanks a lot man," he joked. Morgan raised his hands. "I just call it how I see it."
After JJ's speech it was Hotch's turn. He took the mic from his friend and smiled down at Emily as he reached into his pocket to pull out his notes. "First, I would like to thank you all for coming today. On behalf of Emily and myself, and the kids, we are so pleased that you could come and help us celebrate," Emily smiled up at her husband, completely infatuated. He looked down at her and smiled as he took her hand. "Now, as most of you know, and as Morgan so brilliantly mentioned earlier, Em and I didn't really get off to the best of starts. But…" he paused and kissed her hand, "We worked it out." Emily chuckled and stood up to lean into the mic, "Because he apologized." The guests erupted with laughter at Hotch's face.
He coughed. "Anyway. I think back now and wonder what I ever did without Emily in my life. She is not only beautiful, but for those who are fortunate enough to spend time with her, she is intelligent, witty, and always ready with a joke that'll make even me laugh. She is a wonderful mother and friend and I wouldn't trust anyone more with my life. Emily," he started, turning to face her, "I am so happy that we're here today. After everything we've been through I can honestly say that you are the reason I am still alive. You're the reason I get out of bed in the morning, and you are the only person who can make me smile the way I do when I'm with you. I cannot wait to see what's in store for us in the next few decades, but I know that I don't want anyone else standing beside me." He reached over to wipe her tears away. "I love you." He held up his glass, "If everyone will join me… to Emily." Everyone held up their glasses for the toast and Emily stood up and wrapped her arms around Hotch's neck. "I love you," she whispered.
After they'd cut the cake it was time to dance. As the song started up, Emily's jaw dropped. She squeezed Hotch's hand tight and kissed his cheek. "You're such a romantic!" she cried out. Hotch blushed and turned when they reached the dancefloor. "No I'm not," he said defensively. Emily smiled and nodded. "Uh… yeah you are," she said. He dropped his head to his chest and shook his head. "Ok, fine. Just… don't tell the guys," he said, nodding at the table. Emily chuckled. "I think they already know." Emily and Hotch rocked their bodies to the sweet music and eventually lost themselves in their own little world. "I love you Mrs. Hotchner," he whispered.
After the bulk of the guests had left, they picked up their sleeping children and left to go home.