A/N I can't believe this is over :'( I loved writing this and reading all of your comments. I hope you all enjoy this epilogue as much as I do. It's one of my favorite chapters if not my favorite. Enjoy!

Epilogue

Emma stared at the worn photograph. Although she barely remembered the day, it was sure to be one of the happiest days of her life. When Emma had lost her parents, she never thought she would feel love again but love had found her and so soon. Fate had given her a new family that day. Today was supposed to be another one of those days so why were there tears in her eyes? She sniffed and dabbed at her face with a tissue, thankful for waterproof mascara. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Emma said, trying desperately to hide the evidence of her grief.

Lisbon peeked around the door and immediately noticed Emma's distress despite all attempts to wipe it away.

"Oh honey." She said, walking over to the girl who was sitting on a wooden stool in front of the dresser. Lisbon wasted no time pulling Emma into her arms.

"I just really wish he were here you know?"

Lisbon nodded and hugged the girl even tighter. "I know you do sweetheart."

"Everything's so unfair mom. I need him and he's not here." Emma sniffed, trying to regain control over her emotions.

Lisbon reached over to the table to her left. "I know this isn't going to help. Actually, it'll probably have the opposite effect but he wanted you to have this. He gave it so me and asked that I pass it on to you today."

Emma looked down for the first time, seeing the two objects in Lisbon's hands.

"Here," Lisbon said, placing them in Emma's upturned palms. "I'll be just outside if you need me." She moved to stand.

"Mom, stay, please?"

Lisbon nodded as Emma placed the small box in her lap and unfolded the single white sheet of paper.

Emma,

My beautiful, sweet daughter. I can't say how utterly frustrated it makes me that I won't be there with you on this special day. You know I would have moved heaven and earth to be by your side but apparently heaven and earth have other plans.

I'm writing this and I can picture you sitting there, in front of a full-length mirror, ready to marry the man of your dreams. He's a great guy though I'm still not over the fact that he stole your giraffe. I promise no hypnotism techniques were used when we talked. He told me the place he picked out for your honeymoon though I'm sworn to secrecy.

Before we met, I was barely drifting through life. Your mother kept me on a tight leash, or as best as she could so I wouldn't stray too far in the haze. Then, we found you and it was like the sun came out, burning up all the fog surrounding me. Where once there were only shadows, I found color and beauty. Back then, I didn't care much for myself and Lisbon's tough so she didn't really need me but I think that was what I was missing. I not only needed to be loved but also find something to love and care for. You gave me that chance. Words cannot describe how much I love you Emma. My life has been full of mistakes and regrets though one thing pushes all that aside. Adopting you and becoming your father makes up for most of my prior shortcomings. I see you, and the wonderful woman you have become and find the most immense pride in having been even a small part of that.

I found you a little something and I would be honored if you would wear it today. I imagine you are a vision of beauty, of this I have no doubt. I know there's not a single object that I could get to add to that beauty but I couldn't let the day pass without leaving you something.

Though not perfect, I've done my best to raise you as my own and to teach you the things you'll need to succeed in life. The hardest part is letting go and let go I must. With a heavy heart, I stand here, with the jar held open. Fly my darling daughter.

I'll love you always.

Dad

PS No more crying or Grace will have to do your makeup all over again.

Emma half chuckled as the tears flowed anew. With shaking hands, she peeled open the small box to reveal an elegant blue hair pendant in the shape of a butterfly. The piece was covered in sparkling gems of all shapes and sizes. The meaning of the gift was obvious and Emma lightly traced her hands across the stones.

"He picked it out the day before, almost like he knew something was going to happen." Lisbon explained, her own tears falling silently.

Emma held the box out. "Would you put it in?"

Lisbon took the butterfly pendant and tucked the comb side into Emma's intricate updo. She then pulled two tissues out of the box on the dresser and handed one to Emma.

A knock sounded at the door and both women spun towards the sound. Cho stuck his head in just as they both simultaneously blew their runny noses.

"Uh boss, you're needed out here."

"Please, this is my daughter's wedding for crying out loud. Drop the formalities."

"Whatever you say boss."

Lisbon rolled her eyes and balled the tissue still in her hands. "I'll be right back sweetie. Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine mom."

Lisbon placed a feather-light kiss on Emma's cheek and then went to go solve whatever problem awaited her outside, like always. The ceremony didn't start for another 40 minutes so she figured whatever the problem was, she could find a solution quickly and then get back to Emma who needed her. She wasn't prepared however, for the sight of Rigsby coming up the main steps of the sanctuary.

"You had one job." She said, hands on her hips. "How is it that you can't even fulfill the simplest task?"

"Simple?" Rigsby asked. "Everyone knows you're the only one who has mastered that particular skill."

"Excuses. You could have locked the door, called security or heck, pulled out your own weapon for goodness sake. We deal with hardened criminals and gang bangers on a daily basis and you couldn't keep an injured person inside of a hospital?"

"Relax my little firecracker."

Lisbon turned her angry stare to the new figure slowly hobbling up the church sidewalk. "What part of staying in your room did you not understand?"

Jane shrugged. "I couldn't miss my daughter's wedding now could I."

"But we agreed."

"He threatened to sign himself out against doctors orders if they didn't set the leg this morning." Rigsby explained.

Lisbon crossed her arms. "I thought the doctors said they needed to wait a couple more days for the swelling to completely go down."

"Meh, nothing a little bribing couldn't fix." He finally made it to the stairs and stopped to catch his breath.

"You wouldn't have any bribing to do if you hadn't angered a suspect to the point they felt the need to toss you down a flight of stairs."

"Details." Jane waved a hand dismissively but still hadn't moved to attempt the stairs.

Lisbon's anger faded slightly when she finally caught on to Jane's predicament. She walked the eight or so stone steps to meet Jane.

"Rigsby, at least take the crutches."

He rushed to grab them as Jane slid his arm around Lisbon. The two of them slowly made their way up the stairs.

"Where's Emma?" Jane asked when he was finally through the doors of the church.

"Down the hall. She's a mess so you better go see her." Lisbon pointed to the large double doors at the end of the hall.

Emma was still sitting in the same stool. She had picked up the photograph again, gazing at the images of the disjunctive family she loved so much. She didn't look up when the door opened, assuming it was Lisbon returning. Emma should have registered the sound of the crutches squeaking as they moved across the room but she was in another world at another time.

"It's ironic you know, you were in crutches when that picture was taken and now I'm the gimp."

Emma's head snapped up. "Dad?!"

She leapt from her stool and flung her arms around Jane. He, in turn dropped one of his crutches trying to return the embrace.

"But how?" She swiped frustratingly at her eyes which were wet for a third time. This time, it was happiness that brought the tears.

"Convinced good ol' doc to set the leg early. Told him I wasn't going to miss my beautiful little girl's wedding day."
"I just can't believe you're here." She refused to loosen her grasp though Jane didn't mind a bit.

Eventually, it was Jane who backed up, taking Emma by the shoulders so he could get a good look at her in her wedding gown.

"More beautiful than I imagined." He said, wiping the stray tear marks from her eyes.

"Thank you for the barrette. It's perfect."

Lisbon quietly entered the room. "They're ready for you out there." She said. She couldn't help smile at the sight of father and daughter. It never got old even after all these years.

"Whaddaya say Em? You ready?"

"I am now." She said, taking hold of Jane's hand. "What about you?"

"I was hoping to threaten Cody one more time before the ceremony but I guess it can wait until later."

Emma elbowed him lightly.

"What? It's my job, especially when your soon to be son in law is an ex-thief."

Emma rolled her eyes. "We were six. Are you ever going to let that go?"

Jane smirked. "It's all I got against him so nope." He turned to Lisbon. "So Tree, I think it's time to get this show on the road."

Emma smiled at the nickname she hadn't heard or used in years, decades even. She decided to go with it. "Trick…dad… walk me down the aisle or should I say hobble?"

Jane beamed as they headed towards the door. "Anything for you darling."

The End

A/N First of all a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has followed/reviewed this story. The fact that you enjoy the story makes writing all the more worthwhile. Second, thanks to Holly for the beautiful cover she made. I love it so much.

As you can see, I left this open for possible one-shots in the future. The large time gap leaves all kinds of possibilities. I'm not making any promises but if you have any ideas or particular scenes you would like to see, I'll dry to find the time to do a few of them in the future.

Well as sad as I am to be at the end, I've got to post this now so y'all can read it. Please, tell me what you thought of the end and the entire story as a whole. It's been fun :o)

Kim