An/And here is the final chapter. I struggled with this story, from the beginning it was supposed to be a complete chiasmis (so that the first chapter was related to the last chapter, second chapter with second to last chapter, etc.) Unfortunately, though I had it all planned out, it stifled my creativity. BUT, I finally decided to just suck it up and finish it. Let me know what you think.

I don't own Criminal Minds, but that doesn't stop me from having far too much fun with it. Anyway, enjoy!

"Oh, Jayje." Penelope gasped as I stepped out of the bathroom having zipped up my dress. This was the one thing I had steadily refused to let anyone see until the actual day, much to my best friend's (and fiance's) disappointment. Though I had let Garcia and Hotch have free reign over planning the rest of this day, I had insisted on picking out my own wedding dress alone. I chuckled to myself as I thought of how lucky I was that Hotch cared so deeply about making this wedding perfect.

Because otherwise, I'm pretty sure we would have ended up with a French Revolution theme.

I smiled at her reaction, pleased that this dress made me look as good as I thought it did. "You think it looks okay?"

"Okay?" Garcia asked incredulously, "Jennifer Jareau, that dress is perfect."

Emily, who had been on the phone, stalked back into the small room as she readjusted her dress uncomfortably. "Jayje." She breathed in awe and I could feel the blush rising up my cheeks. "You look amazing." Emily encouraged with a bright smile.

"Thanks." I felt a grin split across my face. "What did Hotch say?" I prodded, glancing back in the mirror to fix any minor imperfection.

"He's here, the boys are here and dressed. He's having one of the guys keep an eye on them while he changes into his tux."

"I can't believe it." My grin broadened as I played with one of the errant curls cascading down my neck. "It's actually happening."

"I can believe it." Garcia snorted as she flopped onto the couch. "It took the two of you long enough." She groaned sarcastically.

"If anybody deserves this, it's you." Emily agreed. "Are you happy? You look happy." The older woman observed.

Looking myself over once more, I smiled. "Happier than I've ever been."

Minutes later, Penelope's phone rang and my maid of honor's face dropped as she hurried outside. Poking her head back into the room, she assured me softly, "Everything's fine, but...stay there!" She ordered sharply.

I chuckled as Emily and I shared a glance. Garcia was almost more excited about this than I was. Hearing muffled whispers outside the room, I only had to glance at Emily before we both made our way to the door to listen in on the commotion outside.

"How could you let this happen?" I heard Penelope's hushed whisper outside the door. Quirking an eyebrow, I nudged the door open to see my sweet adorable three year old with mud dripping down his face and small suit onto the floor. "I'm going to-"

"What happened?" I cried, pushing the door open and reaching down to scoop up my son.

"Don't!" Penelope cried desperately, diving toward Henry and snatching his arm before he could run toward me. "You'll mess up your dress." It was only then that I noticed his hands were covered in mud as well.

"Henry, how'd you get so dirty?" I chuckled exasperatedly. As a mother of a three year old, I was well used to the messes that seemed to follow my boy wherever he went.

"I's playin." Henry smiled a toothy grin that was a carbon copy of the same grin Will would give me when he knew I caught him. I smiled happily at the memory, despite the destroyed suit that I'd probably have to end up paying for. "I made you a cake." Henry fished in his pocket and held out a fistful of mud proudly.

"Aw, buddy that's so sweet. Thank you." I chuckled at my son's sincerity, unable to do anything other than laugh at his simple attempt to do something nice for me.

Turning to the four groomsmen that were slowly inching away, I quirked an eyebrow simply. "Who was supposed to be watching him?"

"Don't look at me." Emily held up her hands, "I was with you the entire time." She smirked at me, letting me know just how funny she found the entire situation. Truthfully, I felt about the same as she did, and since Penelope obviously had the "bridezilla" role covered, I stepped back and let her deal with the situation. Today was my wedding day, and I wasn't about to let anything mar the joy of this day.

"Not me." Sean shook his head and chuckled. "I was watching Jack." Aaron's brother's face fell as he realized his charge was no longer at his side. "Uh," He turned down the hall, "Don't tell Aaron." He warned, darting around the corner. I chortled as I heard him begin yelling Jack's name in a desperate attempt to find the six year old.

Rossi chuckled. "Not me." Seeing the traitorous looks Derek and Spence shot him, the older man chuckled, "hey, I'm walking JJ down the aisle, I can't be responsible for everything."

"It wasn't my fault JJ." Reid shook his head, "I told Derek I had to run to the bathroom and he said-'

"You?" Garcia sputtered, turning on Derek and swatting his arm lightly, "because of you my godson looks like the swamp creature?"

Derek chuckled uncertainly, not sure of what he could say to dissuade Garcia's anger. "Baby Girl, it's not my fault...see, Henry wanted to pick his mom a flower, and..."

"Not your fault?" Garcia exploded dramatically, suddenly looking slightly terrifying in her dark blue dress. "You're single handedly ruining the best day in JJ's life and it's not your fault?" She softened as she noticed Henry's face drop slightly, "It's okay sweat pea, let's get you cleaned up." Turning back toward Derek, she scowled "but we're not finished yet."

I snorted at the look of pure horror that crossed his face as Penelope silently herded my son into the bathroom across the hall, the thoughts of Penelope's revenge likely tormenting Derek's mind.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to her." I offered softly, patting the dark skinned man comfortingly on the arm.

"I don't even know that will make a difference." Derek cringed.

"Who's going to tell Hotch?" Emily smirked. I snorted at the idea of anyone going to Hotch and explaining that something might disrupt his and Penelope's perfectly planned day.

"Not it," I shook my head laughing. Today was my day and all I was supposed to do was show up with my dress to have my hair and makeup done for me. No way was I going to tell Aaron.

"Not it!" Emily, Dave, and Derek cried at the same time.

Spencer looked on at the rest of us in surprise. "Aw," He groaned. "I hate this game."

I smiled as I stopped at the altar with Hotch at my side. "Dearly beloved," The priest began to officiate, but his words were drown out by the pure feeling of contentment that surrounded me.

Glancing back through the small church to find each open seat filled with mine and Aaron's family and friends, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. The support of our friends was amazing, but what touched me more was the silhouette I could feel standing in the back of the church watching with approval.

I vaguely realized the priest addressing Hotch, but there was no mistaking the devotion that radiated from him as he looked at me softly. "I do." He said, the words blurring together like a foggy dream.

"Jennifer Jareau" The priest addressed me, bringing me back to the reality of the situation. "Do you take Aaron Hotchner to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." I smiled, my face dropping as I realized I said the name of the figure I could feel approving of my union, "I mean, yes. I mean, I do." I felt the blush rising through my cheeks, hoping that inno way had Aaron misinterpreted my excitement at getting married. As I looked into the eyes of the man in front of me, I could see no doubt or curiosity in his eyes.

Only love.

And in that moment, I realized how lucky I was. Not only had I been loved in the past, but I had a marvelous future to look forward with the love of my life by my side.

"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise."

-Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

The End.