A/N: This chapter will set us up for the next few. Lots of sweet moments but some things are still a little stormy ahead, so we have a tad to go. But we are getting to some big reveals soon, I promise!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Penelope woke with two sets of eyes looking back at her. "How are my two favorite men this morning?" she yawned out. She could get used to having a family of her own.

Hotch smiled as Jack nuzzled between her neck and shoulder. "Do I have to go to school today?" he was whiny. He didn't feel up to it because his arm hurt and, he wouldn't tell mommy or daddy this, but he thought some kids might make fun of him for winning the spelling bee. He doesn't understand why it is a bad thing to be smart but some kids make fun of Amelia which makes him so mad he almost hit Kevin for joining them a few weeks ago.

"Nope. You gotta do homework though. I emailed your teacher last night and she should be sending me your assignments this morning." Hotch informed him as he moved closer and kissed the top of his head and then a peck on Penelope's mouth. Jack groaned.

"Tell you what though." Pen smiled knowingly at Aaron, remembering something Jack had told him before. "I heard someone likes pancakes. I happen to make the best chocolate chip pancakes in the state. And I have just enough time before work to do it."

Jack popped his head right up and tried to run out of the bed before slowing as his father advised. He turned to them just before he left the room. "Daddy, when is your vacation over?"

Hotch couldn't in good conscience tell his son he was suspended for simply loving someone. Instead, he told him he was taking a vacation to help relax and catch up on some paperwork and whatnot. Jack bought it, thankfully. "I go back for just one day Wednesday, same day you go back to school. Then I have another week."

Jack nodded and went into his room to pick out an outfit for the day. Penelope asked if he would need any help because of his arm but he yelled back that he was strong, he could manage.

Once she was sure he was out of earshot she looked to Hotch. "Did I hear what I think I heard last night?"

"You mean Jack calling you mommy?" He never heard anything so wonderful in his life, he just hoped she was taking it that way.

She nodded and let out a happy sigh. "So I did hear that right." Her smile grew vibrant and she drew him in for a kiss. "I can't thank you enough."

He was happy but puzzled. "For what?"

She curled her way into his lap and mussed his hair. "For giving me a family. I hope I'm not too fast in saying that but I think I'm totally ready for this."

He held her close to him, just breathing in the scent of her shampoo. "I can't thank you enough. You made us a family again Pen. I'm just so…" he was choking up, especially when she looked up into his eyes. He could see forever in them.

"Is this that adult stuff Chris told me his parents do?" Jack asked from the doorway. He was fully dressed in jeans, a spiderman t-shirt and wool socks. "It's not as gross as he said it was."

Penelope could feel her cheeks heat. "Yeah. Adults do strange things huh? Can you go get the juice out? I'll be there in a minute to start breakfast. I have to get dressed first."

Jack nodded. "Ok. You should wear purple to work. Daddy likes you in purple." He advised her so easily and simply walked on to his business.

She turned to Hotch who shrugged in agreement and helped her stand off the bed. "Definitely a future profiler on our hands."

They set to work on their morning routines, Hotch gathering Jack's homework and having him start it while Penelope cooked breakfast. He wanted it done quickly so that he would be able to spend some time with Jack today getting some things from the store that would make Penelope more at home. Things like her favorite snacks, some plants, something kooky and just for her in the bathroom like a purple elephant soap dish he saw a few weeks ago and immediately thought of her. And he had planned to grab more of her things from her apartment. It was apparent that this would be permanent. One night of trial was really all they needed.

"Yum!" Jack proclaimed the pancakes to be the best he ever had. "Will you teach me to make them sometime?"

"Sure Jackers. You know between learning from me, uncle Rossi and your uncle Sean you might be a famous cook someday." She saw his eyes light up at the mention of Sean.

"Did you call him daddy?" he whined. He only got to see him a few times in his whole life and he was so cool, almost as cool as his parents.

Hotch nodded. "Yeah. He was hard to find but Pen is good at that stuff. He said he will come in April, stay you're whole vacation from school during Easter. Sound fun?" Jack gave him a look that said 'obviously' and jumped him with a big hug. He was glad his son was adapting so well to everything. He seemed to even be doing ok with his broken arm.

"Ooh! How fun will that be?" Penelope was excited. She loves Easter with all the pretty colors. "Maybe we can do a big Easter Egg hunt and invite some friends too. Though, we will have to make it challenging for Henry, that kid can find anything." It's true, he once found an earring JJ had lost five years earlier. She had mentioned it one night and he found it by the next morning. Must be something to do with Reid's genes she guessed.

Hotch smiled at Pen. She was excited to celebrate holidays together, fulfill that motherly role she has always been after. "After I check over your homework we'll get going ok? Pen is running late for work."

She knew she was running about twenty minutes behind her schedule and she didn't care one bit. Spending time with her guys was well worth it. She almost called out, almost decided today was another personal day that she would spend with just the two of them. But she got a text from Reid. Hope I'm not disturbing you. But JJ won't get out of bed without you today.

She sighed and showed the text to Aaron. "Its going to be like this, isn't it? Highs and lows?"

He nodded solemnly. "You are a good friend to be there like this. Go. We are fine and she needs you. Can I make a suggestion?"

He handed her purse and Jacket to her as she began to make her way out the door. "Please. Anything."

He followed her to the door and pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Strauss understands JJ's connection to you, her need. Call and tell her what is going on and she will give you the time you need to be with her today. Take her out for some girl time, something that will make her feel good about herself. Maybe hair and nails or something? Or maybe just go see a really bad movie and make fun of it loudly in the theatre like you do with Morgan."

"How do you know we do that?" She was curious, they never went to a movie together and she never said anything about that.

He shrugged. "I went to a movie with Rossi once. A couple of women came out of a nearby theater and were complaining about a 'snappy blonde' with a peacock feather in her hair and the hot black man who called her baby girl who were making fun of it. It's not like there's a lot of room for coincidence there."

She laughed aloud and thought on it. Emily had said she would be taking a vacation day today since they rarely ever get the chance when cases arise. Morgan might do the same, but she wasn't sure. "That's a great idea. I'll call Em too. Oh, I have news about that but I'll have to tell you later. I'll call Strauss on my way. Bye sweetie!" she yelled to Jack then pulled Aaron in close for a quick peck and whispered. "Thanks for the tip boss man."

With that she left, Aaron closing the door behind her only to return to the kitchen and face his son.

"Daddy, we need to talk." Jack was waiting in front of the refrigerator, a stern look in his face as posed his good arm on his hip and taped his foot.

"What is it? Am I in trouble?" Hotch teased, his son could be sure a little grown man sometimes. He was actually glad for this distraction for a few minutes; he had something he had to talk with Jack about too. He hadn't expected to want to have that conversation so soon but as things picked up it was apparent it was now or never.

"I love Aunt Penny and I want you to ask her to marry you."

Hotch could not have been more stunned. "Why—who told you to say that Jack? Did Uncle Rossi or Aunt Emily say something?"

Jack shook his head annoyed. "I have my own brain daddy. I know what I want and I know what you want too."

Hotch sighed and took a seat at the table, silently asking Jack to sit in front of him. Reluctantly Jack did so and Hotch had to take a long breath to calm himself. "Jack, marriage is serious. It means forever, and I want that with Penelope. But adults date first, usually for a long time before someone asks that question." Its not that he had objections to the suggestion, quite the contrary. He just wanted to be sure that Jack understood how serious this is.

Jack rolled his eyes. "You once told me dating was about getting to know someone you might love." Hotch nodded so Jack continued. "And you love Aunt Penny." Again, another nod. "And you know her well."

"I do Jack, but it's not the same as when you date."

"You have done adult stuff right? And she lives here. And she loves me and I know she wants to take care of me and take care of you and we can take care of her. And we know her whole family, it's ours too right? And she knows Aunt Jessica and all about my school and even is friends with Kevin's mommy now! What more is there?"

Hotch broke into a large grin. His son really thought about this and he couldn't be happier because this is exactly what he wanted to talk to him about. "Well, I do plan to ask someday. I wanted to give you a chance to get used to her with us all the time first."

Jack rolled his eyes in impatience. "Daddy. I am used to her. I want her here every morning. You smile when she's around. She makes better pancakes than you and she's just, you know."

"She's her." Both nodded in agreement, that was enough.

"So you will ask soon then?" Jack was so hopeful. He really loved Penelope and he wanted to see her happy and his dad too. And if it happened soon then maybe he would have another brother or sister and everyone will be even more happy.

Aaron couldn't have been happier with his life right now. Sure, his career was probably going into the toilet if he couldn't figure out a way to salvage it but there are other things in life. This mattered more, she and his son mattered more. And when he woke up this morning he wanted it all. In his heart she was already his wife. Now he wanted the world to know he was her husband, if she would have him. "Will you help me pick out a ring she would like?" Hotch watched his son's eyes light up at knowing this would be happening soon. He held his arms open as Jack rounded the table and threw himself into a big hug, careful not to crush his broken arm.

"Of course daddy! We can go with Aunt Emily when she helps Uncle Reid pick a ring out too." Reid's proposing? Henry must have overheard something and told Jack… it's amazing what kids learn. And that is big news, because it changes a lot of things for the team.

He smiled down at Jack. "That's a great idea. She knows what women like. I'm glad you are happy about this son, she makes me happier than anyone could."

Jack smiled as he looked up at his father. "Me too daddy." He kissed his check before beginning to walk off to his room to put his shoes on but stopped short of the kitchen's exit. He turned back to his father.

His next statement brought happy tears to his father's eyes. "And Daddy. I think you make mommy very happy too."

Hotch watched Jack go back into the hall and sat for a moment wondering where the time has gone. He first slept with her and told her he had feelings a week ago and today he is ready to pop the question. It was fast, but it was right. No one else seemed alarmed by their progression. In fact, Rossi and Emily had encouraged him during ice cream last night to stay the course. They both feared he would back down and Morgan made a point of saying he better intend on making an honest woman of his baby girl.

So then, does he wait until time passes, things move on? Or does he keep the track and move full speed ahead? He began pacing in the kitchen, unsure of himself. He knew he wanted this. They talked about how they both felt it was going there yesterday. And then, what she said last night about her parents and how you never know when time might run out.

He had to make a call right now.

"Emily!" Hotch rushed as soon as she answered the phone. "Did Pen call you yet?"

She furrowed her brow on her end of the line. "No, why?"

His breathed out relieved. "She's going to I think. But I was hoping if you aren't busy today you could help me out."

She smiled, it's a rare day when Hotch comes right out to ask for help. "Sure. Rossi and I are taking Reid shopping later. But if you want to meet up after or tell me what it is now we can—"

Perfect! But wait… "Rossi is going too?"

"Yeah. He was going to go to work but Strauss isn't in and cancelled all her meetings for today and tomorrow. And since all the paperwork is almost done we all took vacation days. I tell you Hotch, I am actually looking forward to a case again." She's been getting antsy. Between work consisting of nothing but paper work, her friends' dramas, being pregnant and working on her unexpected relationship, life was a little more than complicated. She just needed to bury herself in work as was her nature.

"Oh, well good then. Maybe Morgan will go out with Pen and JJ. Anyhow, Reid and shopping. I think I know what that is for." He and Emily both realized at this time it is the longest phone conversation they ever had together that wasn't directly related to work.

"You aren't mad are you? Because I know how big it is and all the trouble we can get into and how this might—"

He interrupted her frantic apology. "Actually, if it is what I am thinking, I want to join and get that same advice too."

Rossi sat across the table from her just watching this conversation unfold. Out of deference to her pregnancy and caffeine restrictions he switched to ginger tea on the mornings she shared breakfast with him but suddenly he felt like he might need to make a pot of something strong with how low Emily's chin fell towards the ground. He mouthed to her "What is it? Everything alright?"

She nodded, wide eyed and almost tearing up. Hormones certainly make you more emotional but this was all too beautiful to blame it on that. She covered the phone receiver and whispered back. "Hotch is going to propose."

"Thattaboy!" Rossi yelled, yanking the phone from her and taking over the call. "Oh, I prayed countless rosaries to hear those words. When are you planning on doing it?"

Hotch smiled into the phone. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised you were right there should I? Actually, I'm not sure since it all just sorta erupted. But I know I need to order the ring now. You don't think I will be stealing Reid's thunder do you?"

Rossi silently instructed Emily to finish her breakfast. He had specifically made her light toast and cantaloupe since she can hardly keep anything else down right now, her morning sickness seemed to have picked back up again. "No. I don't think so. JJ isn't ready to hear any of that yet. I think he just wants to take advantage of the time we have off. He probably won't do it for a few months at this rate, until he is sure everything is alright."

Hotch was relieved. "Good. Well, I'm taking Jack with me if that's alright."

Rossi smiled to himself. "I could use the practice around kids." Hotch wasn't sure what to make of that. "Sure, Henry is coming too. Meet us in an hour at Reid's and we will take his new car."

Hotch furrowed his brow. "New car?"

Rossi sighed. "Yeah. He bought a caravan. Looks like we are all becoming soccer moms at the BAU."

Emily sent him daggers, he's been making fun of her all morning that she is obsessing over the safest vehicle to buy for when the baby comes. She doesn't like the safety ratings for her current car. She almost blew a raspberry at him but popped the last piece of her fruit in her mouth instead. She knew if she didn't at least try to eat she would get a lecture the whole day on how she's too thin and the baby needs sustenance. Rossi was pretty much watching her like a hawk since he found out, Derek too.

Rossi and Hotch discussed a few more details and when he hung up he returned her phone to her. "Sorry, you know how much I love marriage."

She nodded, giving him an odd look. "Yes. Of that I am aware."

He didn't like the coldness of her tone and found himself pretty defensive. "Look Princess. You can't knock what you haven't tried."

She knew they were heading for another heated fight. She didn't like it. "Oh just shut up. I have a lot to figure out right now." She stood and grabbed several of the plates on the table. She was fuming but Rossi just looked hurt and defeated. He was going through just as much, his family was changing too. Engagements, paternity tests, divorces and all… this was stressful on everyone as much as a good portion of it was happy. "Look, I'm sorry. Just, meet me at my place in forty five minutes? I need to take care of some stuff."

Reluctantly, Rossi agreed. He doesn't know why pregnant women have this effect on all the men around them, but he just wanted to be sure she was safe and happy. It was becoming a full time job itself.

-Criminal Minds-

She only had a half hour to herself before Rossi got there and half the team went engagement ring shopping. She felt like she's hardly spent any time here in months. Poor Sergio is starving for attention and jumped onto her lap the second she got home.

There really wasn't anything that had to be done per se. She just needed space. For the last few weeks she's been so jumpy, so not ready to face everything that is changing with her body and with her life. And she's been taking it out on the best support she's ever had, Rossi.

She began to pace. There were so many decisions to make. She only actually made one so far, to keep the baby. And there was no doubt in her mind about it. And here she is, ten weeks pregnant and just starting to face the truth of it.

Something else she has to face, something practical so she will let herself think about it now, is that because her age, she's high risk. In fact, that's why only Rossi and Derek knew and one of them certainly wouldn't have found out if it weren't for a chance run in with morning sickness and the trashcan under their desk. At first he thought she was drunk and was trying to send her home but she had a killer to catch and so she set the record straight.

The worst part? The Ambassador has been calling for a few weeks now, trying to reconnect. The whole thing is just reminding her that she's had little experience with good parenting in her life and she is terrified. She took a moment to just let herself hug her head in her arms before her phone rang.

"Hi Garcia." She hoped she sounded happier than she let on.

"You alright there sunshine? I was hoping you would come out with me and Derek and cheer JJ up. I finally got her to get out of bed."

Emily took a peek at her watch. Poor Reid, having to contend with a depressed girlfriend the morning he's going out to pick out her engagement ring. "I have plans already but maybe we could have a girls night soon? I could really use some time with just you two. I have news."

Penelope could feel herself torn in two on what to say here. Should she say she knows and spare Emily the effort to tell her? Or should she keep it a secret? Derek seemed to have regretted saying anything. Finally, she came down on the side of caution and acted as if she had no idea. "Sure! Drinks? Maybe some karaoke?"

Crap. Usually she drinks like a fish on their nights out. "Hmm. Maybe something less crazy and more soothing? Spa? Seems like so much has been changing I could use some relaxation. I'm sure you could too."

"Oh yeah." Pen emphasized. "But really I am excited by everything changing. My life has been stagnant for years and I am ready to finally get what I want. That's my new big piece of advice Em. Embrace the future because it's coming no matter what."

"Look at you all wise." Em teased because she was uncomfortable. Facing the future is what she is trying to avoid. Not with the baby, she's good on that. She's afraid of the future of her relationship with…

"You there?" Pen asked after Em seemed to have zoned out for a while.

Em shook her head out of her depressing thoughts. She wished she could just talk to Pen about it the way JJ and her were able to share. But she was a private person, used to secrets and frankly, she wasn't ready to reveal anything about the pregnancy until she was out of the dog park with the possibility of miscarriage.

"Sorry, I should go. Dave will be picking me up soon."

"Dave, huh?" she didn't even mean for the comment to come out. In her heart, she hoped that whoever it was that Em was with that it was Rossi. Sure, hot sugar would be fine with her too but she had thought she saw sparks fly between Dave and Emily the day he came out of retirement and back to the BAU. They were both worldly. He traveled for enjoyment, she did it for work. He had money, she had money. Both sophisticated, both silly in their own ways. And while Derek missed her deserpately and went on his rampage after Doyle, Rossi seemed to just want her home. I was almost like he knew.

Emily was just about to ask if Hotch told her the big secret but she was interrupted by Pen's apology. "Sorry, I'm just a little weirded out by JJ's mood right now. Reid seems to be trying to get us out of the house and she's being stubborn."

"Well, get her out. She needs exposure to people and Reid knows that." And she needs to cover so it doesn't look like there is something up.

Pen agreed and let her off the line, trying to get JJ to load into Esther and start the bad movie marathon a little earlier than expected.

Emily sat back for a long breath and watched Sergio lick his paw. She wasn't sure if she was entirely ready, but at least she will have people there for her, no matter what.

-Criminal Minds-

"Ahh! Hey baby girl!" Morgan swung her in a hug, then turned to do the same to JJ. "How's my two beautiful ladies?"

JJ matched his usual wide smile. She hadn't just gone to a movie in what seemed like ages, other than once with Reid a few months ago. Never mind starting when the movie theater opens at ten in the morning and purposely picking the worse ones to watch. "Do you guys always do this?" She asked as Garcia paid for the gigantically oversize, refillable popcorn and soda. Derek got the snow caps and broke them up into the popcorn and JJ had charge of the nachos.

She was so thankful to the both of them. Derek had left whatever it was (or who) he was doing just to hang out with them and Pen had come over and laid in bed with her for an hour convincing her it was ok to come outside and to not feel bad about having to call her.

Really, she didn't have much to worry about, other than one of the conversations that she overheard Pen have on the phone. When Penelope tried to get Strauss to talk about JJ's needs, her secretary told her to just take a vacation day like everyone else seemed to be taking. Strauss was busy and wasn't to be disturbed for the next two days.

Derek laughed. "Yeah. We get pretty loud too. Some of these movies are just awful."

She chuckled, leave it to these two to have fun doing something most other people hate. "Doesn't anyone ever complain?"

Pen and Derek shared a look. "The badge helps keep us out of trouble. If anyone says anything we just say it's for a cover." He shrugged. Yes, a little immoral or at least unethical. But even Hotch is known to use it to get good tables or as a way to cut through long lines sometimes.

Penelope stifled a laugh at JJ's reaction and turned to her as they walked towards their theater. "I don't see anyone else around really. The ticket agent said we have the only tickets so far, so you don't have to be too concerned."

The movie wasn't set to start for another ten minutes but they entered anyhow and noticed stadium seating and all naturally gravitated to the second to top row, right in the middle. They took a seat on either side of JJ and relaxed around her. Morgan with his arm around the back of her seat and Pen propping her feet on the seats in front of them, encouraging JJ to do the same.

JJ smiled at that. "Thank you guys for taking me out. I know I have been such a—"

"If you dare say burden I'm gonna be really mad, you hear me?" Morgan wasn't going to listen to any more of the pity talk. "It's a treat to actually hang out with you. Both you girls are so busy now with your men."

They both smirked to one another. Pen wanted to ask her question from yesterday but wouldn't with JJ around. JJ on the other hand had been curious about his love life herself. "And is there a girl we are losing you to?"

He gritted his teeth. He wasn't sure how much he should reveal right now with everything going on. "There's someone. She's great but things are just starting."

Garcia was about to burst wanting to know who it was, if it was Emily, or if it was someone else entirely. 'This is like that steampunk murder mystery all over again. Small clues here and there. Sheesh!' she giggled to herself and then had to try to save face when they both looked to her. "Sorry, I was just thinking about… never mind. Anyway, I won't push for details because even I can see you don't want to say anything." She saw him relax just a little. "But she's a good woman right? Someone to love maybe?" She's been wanting him to settle down for years now. He's really always wanted a family but with the job never thought he could have it. She just wanted to see someone tame him, give him what she now had with Hotch.

He nodded. Just thinking about her made his chest tighten in anticipation of seeing her next. "I promise I'll make her pass the PG and JJ test."

They both smiled and in a very Garcia like comment JJ returned. "Good. Because if there are any little Derek Morgans to run around, their mom better be beautiful, not just let those heavenly genes go to waste."

Both Derek and Penny burst out laughing, some of the popcorn flying. Derek noticed JJ worry about the mess and stood to put a hand on her shoulder and relax her before heading back to the concession stand. "This is why we get the free refills bowl."

The two girls watched him retreat from the theater as the previews had just begun. "You know PG. Sometimes I wonder just how much is going on with our friends that we don't know about. I mean, look at the secrets I kept."

Penelope looked at her thoughtfully. "Yeah. But everything comes out eventually." She reassured herself on the Emily front. "We just have to wait and see."

-Criminal Minds—

Jack tugged on Dave's shirt sleeve. "Uncle Rossi, why can't Henry and I see the rings too?" He wanted to help out but when they got to the jewelry store Rossi decided he would take the boys for a walk around the block and give the lucky men some time with Emily to narrow down selections. Two young boys in a jewelry store isn't the best idea unless necessary.

He bent down to tie Henry's shoe and looked Jack in the eye. "You two get to make the final approval. But it's important for a man to pick out something for his future wife that's personal. You understand that right?"

Jack took a moment to think, bopping his fingers on his pursed lips. "Like when you helped me pick daddy's birthday present? Had me find something he would like but get your opinion too?"

Rossi smiled. Jack was pretty smart for a kid his age, able to easily relate life lessons to one another. "That's right. That's what I did every time I bought an engagement ring." He admits he's semipro at it now. And yes, he hopes to get married again, he just wants to be sure it's to that right woman.

They rounded back in front of the jewelry store and took a seat on the bench out front so they could see the progress that the three were making and be available to be called in.

Hotch and Reid were both pretty nervous as they scanned the wide selection. Hotch hadn't even thought to look for Pen's ring finger size before getting here since this was so sudden, but Reid told him it was an eight… he estimated based on the blah blah blah… another Reid talent revealed.

Emily was presently surprised at the thoughts both men had when it came to the rings. Reid thought something classic for JJ with some modern elements would be perfect. He considered several possibilities, continuously reciting everything he ever learned about the origins of engagement rings, perceived meanings of certain cuts and styles. He looked at a good half of the selection and finally settled on a princess cut center stone set on a bias with baguette side stones in a platinum setting.

Hotch on the other hand was having a very hard time deciding. Actually, it was more like nothing would work for him. He wanted something incredibly special and something that speaks 'Penelope Garcia'. He knew he didn't want any colored stones as the jeweler suggested after asking lots of questions about Pen's style but he didn't want anything usual either. He needed to balance between classy and sophisticated, her love of vintage things and her flourish for things fun and beautiful. Ring after ring, he just kept twisting his nose at something just not right about it.

Jack watched all this from outside and finally got fed up. "Daddy." He walked in with purpose, Rossi and Henry hurrying behind to catch up. "Mommy will love whatever you get her."

Everyone (other than the jeweler now in back trying to find a few special selections for the picky agent) froze in a happy gasp. "Mommy?" Emily asked with more tears in her eyes. "You call her mommy now?"

Jack looked up confused. "Yeah. She's my mom now isn't she?"

Everyone nodded and Emily bent into a hug and picked up Jack. She knew she was going to be given away for being pregnant soon since her emotions were rocking every which way and morning sickness was getting harder to hide. Plus, her belly was finally starting to show a bit. There's only so long loose clothes will hide her. But she couldn't care to be censored right now. She had so many reasons to celebrate life at the moment.

"I think I found it." Hotch declared as he picked from one of the selections the jeweler brought from the back. He held up the ring for Emily and Jack's inspection. It was palladium, so the ornate design wouldn't be too heavy on Pen's fingers as she typed at work, so that's the practical side of the choice. The band had small round stones set ¾ around and got slightly larger as they reached the middle where extensions of the band and a few layers of finely crafty lips inlaid with tiny diamonds folded out into the petals of a flower, all surrounding a center diamond stone.

"It's Pumpkin alright." Rossi, the expert in these matters proclaimed.

"Classic, vintage, modern, and lots of flair all at once." Emily surmised as she turned it side to side.

Hotch looked to Jack for approval and got a resounding yes so he looked to the jeweler for details. "How long will it take for the ring to come in?"

The jeweler actually chuckled. "This isn't mass market. I made it myself and it's one of a kind. It's yours today if you decide on it."

Aside, Emily whispered to Rossi. "The perfect ring, here today and in her size? It's like the universe is just pushing them together isn't it?"

He nodded with a proud smile. "You've become a romantic you know that?"

She scoffed, a little indignant at his teasing. "I'm allowed to be at least once in my life, aren't I?"

He pet her back, she pulled away. "Yes bella. I just wish you didn't feel the need to limit it to other's happiness." He put his hands up defensively in front of him before she could continue. "I know. I'll stop."

"Daddy. I'm hungry!" Henry complained at Reid's feet. He picked him up, everyone waiting for Hotch to finish up details with the ring and spun him gently around.

"You got it. Let's get something super extra delicious." He got a hand of kid talk with constant exposure. "And you know what?" he turned his conversation half to Hotch who was walking toward them with the ring box in hand and a smile on his face. "Maybe uncle Hotchner will let Jack spend time with us tonight and he can ask someone something important."

Rossi chuckled from behind Hotch as the unit chief froze in his spot. "You mean, you think I should do it tonight?" he turned and looked at all of them each nodding in agreement.

He stilled for a few minutes just staring out the plate glass window of the jewelry store. This would be it, if he did it tonight. It would his whole life, and this time it wouldn't fail.

It would be them walking down aisle, having more kids, dealing with work, crying on each other's shoulders. It would them at ninety and with grandkids and them twenty years from now fighting over what to watch on TV.

Was he ready? Was she? Was it too fast? These last three questions he mumbled aloud unwittingly.

Everyone looked to Rossi. This was clearly his area. He put his hand on Hotch's shoulder. "You know Aaron. What is there to gain from waiting? You've already decided you want this and we all think she has too. And this is a team of profilers that says that. It's time."

It's time. It's time. The words repeated in his head with a thud. He felt like he had never done this before. She was new, this was new. But this was right. "I'll need your help if I am going to pull this off by tonight." his smile turned to them as resolute and he happily accepted their hugs and congratulations that urged him on.

Tonight was it. And he was ready.