A/N: Well, this is it. Epilogue shall come soon.

After church Saturday night Jack was tuckered out and fell asleep in his room after sharing some hot cocoa with his grandparents and telling them all about school, Amelia and how he's looking forward to being in his parents' wedding. Penelope and Aaron were glad to see him getting closer to them again, it had been a tough day seeing him so angry but life was working closer to happy resolution, as much as it ever can.

There would still be cases and unsubs and danger and bullies. But there would be family parties, Christmas, Penelope going hog wild with decorations and ornaments. Even though Aaron was pretty sure that more than two days of seeing a spiral of pastel covering every surface of his house would drive him crazy that this was one of the best holidays he's ever had. His parents were never big into celebrating but Penelope was anything other than reserved when it came to an excuse to party and celebrate.

"Do you guys need any help with the Easter baskets?" Lynn and John crept into Penelope and Aaron's office where they were assembling not only Jack's oversized basket but also a bunch smaller ones to give each of the twenty something children that would show up tomorrow. Aaron had asked her earlier just how much all this was going to cost them and she simply told him you can't put a price on a child's smile. He both hated and loved when she made him speechless with things like that.

"Pull up a seat." Penelope motioned to her chair and sat on Aaron's small file cabinet. "We'll do an assembly line." She stuffed a basket with shredded and crinkled pastel paper and put in a small blue bunny, handed it over to Aaron who put in a coloring book and a small box of crayons. Lynn added the candy which consisted of a chocolate bunny, Peeps, two peanut butter cups and a small bag of Jelly Beans and John wrapped them in the cellophane and a small bow.

"So, Penelope. We owe you an apology." John started. It was made clear by his wife that he was going to have to make the effort tonight. "We didn't want to like you when we came here but of course, that changed when we saw you at Haley's grave. We both…" He wasn't sure how to finish so he turned it over to Lynn.

She pat his knee, knowing her husband's emotions often last longer in relating to others than he actually feels them. "We both want to tell you that we support your adopting Jack." She looked to Penelope, remembering some oh what she heard earlier in the day. "And I knew my daughter well. I think she does approve of you and Aaron and you taking over as mom. If she was here she would say she wants you all happy and you certainly make Aaron happy and I haven't seen Jack this excited about anything in years."

Penelope's heart was about to burst in her excitement as she launched Lynn in a hug. "Oh God, thank you, thank you." She squealed. "I always just wanted to be there for Jack."

Lynn pat her back with a smile to Aaron who looked at this woman with a love she seldom saw. She knew not all marriages are like hers, not everyone finds what some consider their 'soul mate'. So, she was never bitter that he didn't have that with Haley. He loved her and he was devoted and her daughter didn't look at him like the sun set and rose around him either. These two, that was what the cards had in mind.

Aaron gave a warm handshake to John and a half hug to Penelope and pulled her onto his lap when he sat back down, both going back to work. "Well, we wanted to talk to you about the adoption. We were going to wait but, since you brought it up. We looked into it and we can sign a document to guarantee you still have rights to Jack for visitation and contact. Penelope is pretty insistent on it."

John and Lynn grasped hands. That was more than they could ever expect and now they were sure that they made the right decision in giving their consent to this. They had been a little weary of losing him but knowing that this new mother still wanted them around was a godsend. "We can't- we can't thank you enough."

Penelope chuckled as Aaron rubbed her back in obvious approval of how she's handled all of this. She gave a warm smile to Jack's only set of grandparents. "Well, you can start by helping us finish these baskets."

-Criminal Minds—

"Mommy, mommy, mommy!" Jack jumped up and down in his baby blue pj's with bright yellow bunnies that Penelope had bought him. They matched daddy's Easter boxers. "Wake up!"

Penelope groaned and groped for her glasses. "What time is it?"

Aaron chuckled beside her. She wasn't much of a morning person, especially when she only had a few hours of sleep last night because of her last minute touch ups to the house. He was pretty terrified of leaving his bedroom where decorations where kept at a minimum but facing pastel chaos, that was a necessary evil of being with this beautiful woman. "It's eight. I made him wait an hour to wake you. He's pretty anxious to show you his surprise."

She was anxious to see it too and sat up, revealing her bright purple sleep shirt with rubber duckies spotted all over. It was a gift from Aaron the night before. Of course, he had fun taking her clothes off so she could put it on, an hour later. "I can't wait! Can I have my slippers Jackers?"

Jack nodded in excitement and brought her slippers over to her, urging her to hurry up. He led them downstairs where his own Easter basket had been sitting last night and two more were sitting next to it. "I know only kids get baskets from the Easter Bunny but I asked Uncle Spencer since he knows everything and he said it would be ok to give you both one too." He was proud, his Aunts and Uncles all helped him with ideas.

"Jack." Penelope was tearing up because this was already her favorite holiday ever and it was only eight in the morning. "You are sweet beyond words you know that?"

He smiled broadly and giggled when his daddy picked him up and tossed him in the air, kissing his cheek when he came back into his arms. "Let's all open them."

Jack frowned as they sat down. "Uncle Sean doesn't have a basket." He should have thought of that!

Sean had been watching this happy moment from the kitchen where he had been cutting up some fresh fruit for a light breakfast. They would be pigging out later in the day. He was making a very large dinner with Rossi and would be attempting to teach Tabby how to cook while doing it, based on what he heard from Dave that would be a challenge. But hey, he's always been fond of Derek so he definitely liked Tabby too. "Don't worry Jack. Annette gave me a present last night."

Penelope snorted in unison with Aaron and shot him a look saying they would be wanting details later. "Oh Jack, I love this." Penelope held up a framed photograph of Jack seated dressed in the outfit he picked out for today. "Did Aunt Emily and Aunt JJ help you get it taken?" She saw his nod as she read the caption in the frame. I love you mommy. "It's perfect sweetheart and going right on my desk at work."

Aaron got the same picture with a frame to the caption of Go get those bad guys! Aaron smiled, knowing this would always let him feel just a little less guilty and lonesome being away so much. "Me too, and I might bring it with me when I have to stay in hotels. Thank you Jack." He hugged his son with all his might. He was always thankful for being a father but his son was more than precious, he was budding into a genuinely good person, very much like the woman next to him. He was sure their other children would end up just like him. "Open your basket!"

Jack's basket was endless. A stuffed penguin, books, coloring supplies, candy and a hollow bunny which he chopped the head off of and drank his morning milk from… it was chock full of fun. "Side walk chalk! Can I go draw now?"

Amelia burst into the kitchen just then. Knocking was clearly made optional for the weekend. "Jack! I got a jump rope and candy and chalk!" She was extra excited this morning. Her daddy called her and told her he would come visit next weekend and she was wearing a dress that she hoped Jack would like.

"Me too—" Jack stopped to look at her. "You're so-" he couldn't think. He never saw her in pink before. Or a dress. It fell just to her knees and had little purple flowers. "You're beautiful."

Annette gave Sean a quick peck on the lips and joined Penelope in sharing a moment as they watched Jack's face. He was over the moon for his friend.

"Umm." Jack forgot what he was saying before hand. "Uh, mommy?" He needed help.

Penelope chuckled at her speechless son. "Go on, you can decorate the walkway. It's the only thing left untouched."

Aaron took a long sip of coffee. "Yeah, that's the truth."

Penelope rolled her eyes and lightly kicked him under the table. "I warned you. Anyhow, you two. Spill." She pointed to Annette and Sean as they sat down to join in the light breakfast.

Sean rolled his shoulders back. "Not much to say sis, I'm a gentleman."

Annette snickered. "I'm not. We'll talk later. When is everyone else coming? I know we are early but Amelia was pretty much insistent that Jack would be up already." And she had to hear all night about how she was proud of Jack for forgiving his grandparents and how she would give him an extra kiss and how Amelia wondered if she and Jack would be like Lynn and John and be together forever. Annette had to explain how things can change when you grow up but on the inside she just kept hoping for it. She knew it was irrational but the two were just too darn cute. It was a consensus among everyone that they were a constant source of sweet entertainment. "But, uh… hey Pen, do you have any pain relievers? Got a migraine coming on."

Penelope nodded. "Yeah. I have Tylenol down here somewhere and Advil in the bedroom I think." She was sure it was there because she had to give Aaron some for those small cuts her nails had dug into him. "I'll get them."

Annette stood with her, hoping she was coming off more nonchalant than she felt. "I'll join you."

The two walked up the stairs discussing how many kids would be coming for the egg hunt when Annette followed Penelope into the bathroom and closed the door. "I don't have a head ache; I wanted to see if you took that pregnancy test yet. I have a spare in my purse."

Penelope had plum forgotten. It was a good thing she hadn't peed yet. She knew it was most accurate first thing in the morning. "Can I have it? Can't hurt to have backups because I want to be extra sure."

Annette was pure glee. She had learned they were trying last weekend and understood how much Penelope wanted another child. She loved Jack more than anything but this woman had plenty of heart to share. "Here. I'll wait outside." She handed the stick over and closed the door, listening for the stream.

Penelope had to take a deep breath before she got to business. She had read the directions for these tests about a hundred times and took one of her brand and Annette's stick right now, saving the last of her double pack for later. When she opened the door after resting the sticks on the counter Annette almost tumbled inside. "You're really excited aren't you? Sean give it to you good last night?" She would talk about anything to keep her nerves in check for the whole two minutes this would take.

Annette blushed. "Hearing how well Aaron seems to please you, I can certainly say that excellent love making is another Hotchner trait."

Both thought on that for a second. "Lucky for Amelia, in ten years."

Pen clenched and unclenched her hands. "Should I look? I'm too nervous to look."

Her brunette friend chuckled a bit. "Look at one and then the other. That's all. It's just your first time trying. It might take months or could have already happened to you… you're like rabbits."

Penelope snickered. "Quite appropriate for the holiday. Ok, here we go—"

When they got back downstairs they found Derek and Tabby and Dave and Emily already there, John and Lynn sitting with coffees of their own. Her Chocolate Muffin was extra doting on Tabby this morning and Penelope thought it might have something to do with the fact that one of her pregnancy symptoms kicked in last night and she started eating those horrendous peanut butter and onion sandwiches. If a sonogram wasn't proof enough of her pregnancy, that was.

"Hey there Baby Girl!" Derek pulled her in for a long hug. "I swear I think your DNA somehow jumped to Jack. Did you see the design he did outside?"

She blushed wondering just what Jack did that would remind her friend of her and when she peaked outside she saw an extra bright floral design with duckies and everyone's names on the walk way. "He's artistic, I'll give him that. Oh! The kids are starting to arrive everyone! Get ready!"

She and Aaron ran upstairs to dress and then came down and directed everyone other than Sean, Dave and Tabby who were cooking the dinner for later this afternoon to take the totes of Easter baskets outside and line them up. She and Aaron had been up a good portion of the night after finishing them to hide the eggs and only they knew where they all were. They made a chart, or rather Aaron did, so they wouldn't have any missing.

Reid, JJ and Henry pulled up and Henry ran up to Emily with arms flailing and excitement clear on his face. "Will your baby be big enough next year to find eggs too?"

Emily smiled, considering that she was just starting to really identify with the fact she would be a mother. She knew, she knew that her life would change but it took all these months since she found out to really wrap her head around the fact that she and Dave would be responsible for a life beyond just these fun times, but the fun times would be memorable. "Not quite. He or she won't even be walking yet but maybe the year after you can help him or her and the twins find their eggs. How does that sound?"

Henry puffed his chest out, proud he would get to be a big kid too. "I'll make sure they find them all like daddy taught me. He says I can find anything."

"You can." Spencer ruffled his son's hair. They almost matched today. His shirt was a deep purple where Henry's was blue but their sweater vests were exactly the same tone of tan and they both wore dockers, mismatched socks and brown shoes. Emulation was certainly the highest form of flattery. "Em, he found a tic-tac I lost in my car. A tic-tac." He hugged her and watched JJ go over to help Penelope with setting up the prizes and the bags for the kids to collect their eggs in. "Garcia definitely went over board didn't she?"

She chuckled a bit. The house looked like Easter Central. "Yeah, but we let her. We certainly can't claim to be innocent when Hotch dies of pastel overload."

"True but at least no one can prosecute for that crime. Now to make a very sharp transition in conversation. You need to tell Dave your intentions. He doesn't need to hear yes just yet but he's afraid you don't want to marry him at all." It felt strange, being the person to give advice. He was never the person to give advice but he could see she just needed it explained to her. Marriage is about both people and she needed to think of his feelings about this.

Emily sighed, deeply and it almost hurt. "I didn't realize he would think that. Of course I plan on saying yes."

"So just do it."

A few more car loads of kids showed up and Emily and Spencer went to join in giving them all their supplies and welcoming the parents. Before the end of the hour all twenty six kids filled the front lawn and Penelope called on her custom bedazzled purple mega phone for the hunt to begin.

Jack was insistent on finding some of his friend's painted eggs. He really wanted Amelia and Henry's eggs and ended up passing over some of the plastic ones that probably had coins or candy in his focus on them. He found Uncle Derek's and a bunch of the eggs they dyed with Uncle Sean as well. Henry's was hidden on the branch of one of the bushes but he couldn't find Amelia's! He looked high and low and kept asking the other kids if they saw it too. "Henry, I found your egg. Did you see Amelia's?"

The younger boy nodded. "I got it!" he did a happy dance. "I have a friend forevers." He sung it out like it was the greatest joy.

Jack pouted until the girl in question came up showing him she found his egg. "And you got Henry's so we will all be friends, always!"

Dave and Emily sat back watching the trio hug and count out how many eggs they had. The adults were helping the younger children too and it was discovered that two eggs were still hidden so the hunt was on yet again. "I have to thank you Princess."

She looked over to him, clasping his hand. She was never much on public displays of affection but she wanted him to not feel so rejected by her so she pulled him in close for a kiss. He was shocked but kissed her back and pulled away with a real smile which made her heart warm a bit. "What are you thanking me for?"

He decided to push his luck and wrap an arm around her, surprised when she didn't pull away like she normally does when they are in public. At least fifteen people outside the team from the bureau were here and yet she was actually comfortable cuddling up with him. Maybe she would say yes, someday. "For giving me the chance to soon have this for ourselves. You know, we have so much money between us and I never had anyone to leave it to. And with no legacy, a man is just a man and nothing more."

She grinned a little shyly to the ground. "Yeah, well. I didn't do it alone now did I?" And boy does she like doing it with him. Someday she's going to write a sonata on how he makes her all hot and bothered just remembering the things he makes her feel in bed, never mind how he let her feel love again. She put her free hand over her belly. "I think I felt that light fluttering a little while ago that the doctor talked about. It's still early for me to know for sure but it might be it." And it had been incredible. Here she was handing Andy from one of the other teams his collection bags for his two kids and she felt this slight, almost gassy movement in her lower belly. She was going to be a mom, sure enough.

Penelope was on top of her world seeing the kids all having so much fun. Aaron rolled his eyes at her with a smile on his face when she ordered him and JJ and Jessica to tally up everyone's egg findings while she got everyone's attention on the mega phone. "Everyone ready for prizes?" She yelled with excitement. Hey, when she promises a party to be bright and fun and off the hook this voluptuous momma delivers.

The kids all clapped their hands with excitement. Henry got the most eggs by almost double Strauss's youngest grandson who came in second. She had showed up with the director and his two grandkids as well which had made some of the agents a bit uneasy until they realized Tabby was there passing out her famed cookies (this time egg shaped sugar cookies frosted with pastel colored icing) which put everyone back at ease. Tabby's baking has that effect on people.

Jack won a bag of bouncy balls and every kid there got a small prize of some sort plus their small Easter basket. Had Aaron not seen how much fun everyone was having he was pretty sure a stroke would be imminent from the realization that Penelope would be this far out every holiday. He could only wonder what she would do on Independence Day. "Come here sweet lips." He pulled her in by the waist. "Give your fiancé a kiss."

She snickered a bit, he was getting good at endearments, her style. She kissed him back and winked at him that they would continue that train later. "Let's go say our goodbyes."

Little by little everyone thanked them and left so that the family, the main team plus the few new friends could celebrate the rest of the day together. Transitioning to the back yard, they all gathered for some of the appetizers that Sean and Penelope had made up the day before and it served to hold them all over as the roast was still cooking.

"So, one of my mother's actually good boyfriends was Greek." Tabby held up an egg. "He taught me tsougrisma." She laughed at the memory of her mother rolling her eyes when she had to make a batch of just red eggs when Alicia insisted they test the game out to perfection.

Spencer started a small dip into the Reid zone explaining the game and how everyone cracks eggs and the person who cracks the eggs of all the players will have good luck the whole year. Henry was excited so they all played while waiting for dinner to start.

It was just a nice relaxed time, now that Tabby was officially kicked out of the kitchen. Sean settled down next to her between checking on his food and shook his head. "Girl, I will never be able to bake nearly as good as you. But seriously? How can you burn water?"

JJ and Jessica bot sputtered their water at hearing she did just that. Tabby sighed looked down at her egg, still going strong. "I know, it's like a disease. I think I'm going to have to hire a cook or something for the kids."

Aaron chuckled. "That's not it. You just get nervous cooking. Baking, that you are comfortable with. I bet we could teach you how to at least use the microwave properly. I heard the steamfresh bag you put in yours last night burst." She had left it on for an extra three minutes. Derek had text them all with the story because he got such a kick out of it. She didn't.

"Anyhow." She warned that that subject was closed. "Alicia and Fran can't make it after all." She read a text she just got in. Fran, her girlfriend, was in the same unit of the national guard as he sister. "They just got called in for that flooding near Roanoke." There had been some heavy rains and a dam that failed out there.

"Well that stinks. We'll save them a plate though." Nothing was going to ruin this day for Penelope Hotchner… hmm, she already started identifying herself as that in her head. Anyway, nothing could spoil her good day, and she was sure to knock on wood at even just the thought.

Lynn and John volunteered to help Penelope set the table and gather some of the empty appetizer plates. "Can I ask you something hun?" Lynn started.

"Sure. I'm pretty much and open book."

Lynn smiled at how open this woman really is. She might hide some of her feelings as much as she can try but for the most part her heart is on her sleeve. "Where are your parents?"

Aaron overheard that question and felt so sorry for the moment. Having lost her parents at eighteen had been very rough on her. "Her parents are passed on Lynn." He was glad both of Haley's parents and Penelope knew all about his own issues with his father. Of everyone on the team only Dave and Penelope know the extent of abuse he suffered at his hands.

Lynn frowned at herself. She didn't mean to cause some of the sadness evident on Pen's face. "I'm sorry. Were you young?"

Penelope shook her head and wiped down the kids section of the table cloth which held three bunny and ducky plates in pink, blue and green. "I was eighteen and in Cal Tech at the time but dropped out. I was hacking all over until the bureau caught up with me and I got recruited."

John gave a breathy laugh. "So that's how you got your call over my speaker system." He thought that was strange. He wasn't very technical and geek squad had set it all up for him but he had been pretty sure he hadn't done something to make the system have that effect. "We only asked because we were wondering if Jack might be busy over the summer with them when he's not at camp. We were going to take a few weekend vacations and thought he might like to come."

Jack smiled large and interjected himself between his parents and grandparents. "Could I buy souvenirs and do more fun stuff like we did when I visited you?" at their nod he turned to his parents, pleading with his eyes. He knew mommy always broke for that look but daddy was harder to convince.

Penelope and Aaron exchanged a silent conversation and agreed. "Jack can go when he's not at that overnight camp he and Amelia will go to."

"Science camp?" Jack wondered with hopeful wide eyes. He knew Amelia went last year and she said it was fun. They did experiments with making rockets and throwing water balloons and they got to compete in a science fair where the winner won a trip to six flags. "Cool!" he jumped up and down. "Summer is gonna be so fun."

Amelia was excited too. And hungry, very hungry. She grabbed Jack and Henry's hands and took them into the kitchen. "Uncle Sean?" she called, timidly. She wasn't quite sure what to call him but she was happy when he responded.

Sean was surprised by the voice and felt his smile grow as Amelia looked up at him through shy eyes. "Oh, pretty Amelia. What can I do for you?" It really bothered him when Annette told him that her ex used to tell Amelia she could be prettier if she did this or that. What kind of father doesn't see how precious this girl is? And worse, how can you imply she isn't pretty at all? He was glad she was away from that constant harm to her self esteem.

"When is dinner? My tummy's growling and I want to play." She pouted. "Mommy said I can't play anymore until after dinner."

He could see why Jack liked this little girl so much. She might be shy but she was very straight forward. She didn't hide her motivations and she blushed at the slightest comment. It was an adorable complement to the outgoing Jack who is good at finding and keeping other's secrets. "Real soon! You guys want to carry the salad out? And the carrots?"

Henry stuck his tongue out. "Carrots? We aren't bunnies! Gross."

"I promise kid, you'll like mine." He handed the bowls over to the boys. "And for the pretty girl in pink, you got the bread right?"

She nodded with a blush at being called pretty and skipped off with the boys to the table while Derek held the door open for them and came in. "So what do you think of all the changes since last time we saw that ugly face?"

Sean chuckled. "Well, I am pretty sure my brother has never been this relaxed even as a baby. Though I am sure he will be on a rampage tomorrow taking all this stuff down."

"Forget tomorrow, he already recruited Reid and I for take down duty tonight. I think he's having an anxiety attack from color overload." He was surprised at how un-uptight Hotch was with his baby girl. "Theirrelationship really opened the door for all of us to come out with ours." Had it not been for everyone gathering behind them none of the events that made these relationships come to the light would have happened. Curiosity over them caused his own about Emily and Dave. And he knew she wouldn't have been so focused on him and Tabby if she wasn't so happy in her own right.

Sean stopped his chopping of the last of the herbs. "Yeah, Tabby… she's pretty high up huh?" He found out that she basically sacrificed the next ten years of never moving on, getting a promotion or running for office as she ought just to keep this team together and provide stability.

"Yeah." He took a moment to consider her through the kitchen window. She was an interesting introduction to all of their lives. And his life? Husband? Father? These were two titles he never expected to supersede Supervisory Special Agent. "I didn't ever think that I would actually settle down."

Sean snorted. "Yeah, I didn't think so either." Derek was pretty notorious even for those who don't know him well as a ladies man. They went to a club a few times, he never was want for attention it gravitated to him.

"Hey man, you love the ladies too ya know. Last night I hear."

"Seriously. Do you have a memo you put out?" The way gossip travels around here, it's crazy.

Derek shrugged. "We've considered it." He grabbed the roast platter and carried it out to the table where Dave was opening the wine and instructing everyone to relax and enjoy the meal. Sean carried out the potatoes roasted in garlic, herbs and duck fat and green beans with sundried tomatoes.

Once again the kids led the meal's prayer and everyone dug in, all proclaiming it to be an excellent feast. Penelope thought the potatoes were the most amazing thing she ever tasted aside from Dave's noodles and Emily told a story about a time she and Dave took a cooking lesson in Paris which included a great deal of duck fat based foods.

JJ poked Spence in the ribs when he went on about the history of duck in French cuisine and other than the fact that he instantly stopped talking, it was a very normal meal for the friends of the BAU. She loved that, loved that he took her cues as to what people did and didn't want to hear. He once asked her to help him with that because he honestly finds everything interesting and so he can't gauge other's interest. For her, it gave her a role with him, a way to pay him back for how happy he makes her. "Hey, I was thinking…"

He took a peak up from his almost cleared plate. "Yeah?" He crossed his fingers under the table hoping she wasn't going to reintroduce discussion of color palettes and flowers for their wedding. That was just not a guy thing to think on.

"Dave told me there is a house down the block for sale from the same Realtor. He already got the key, you know him." He pretty much insisted they take a look at the very least. "We could walk down there after dinner and before dessert with Henry."

"Oh!" Garcia shrieked. "I hope you like it. I really hope you like it. We could be neighbors JJ!"

JJ smiled at her. "I know PG, which is why I want to take a look."

Once the table was cleared and dishes were soaking in the sink everyone laid back to just relax and watch the kids play. JJ and Reid took Henry down the road and Annette and Sean took off for a private walk of their own. Jessica was busy snapping photos of everyone.

Tabby and Emily squeezed on a lounge chair close enough to where Jack and Amelia were playing a game they made up just then that involved a lot of hand holding and jumping. "So I guess our kids will be close in age. That should be nice."

Emily smiled back at her. If someone told her two years ago when she was dead that she would return back to the BAU, fall in love and be sitting in Hotch and Garcia's backyard pregnant by David Rossi she would have laughed them to the next state. But now? It all made sense is this strange design. Even becoming close friends with Dave's ex made sense, and she was looking forward to raising their kids side by side. She was pretty sure Derek would make a great father and she was glad the man was finally settling down. Being his partner over the years she's heard more than once that his only regret from their work is not being able to have a family. It's funny, all they needed to do to get around that was break a few rules and date from within. And now they wouldn't have to worry about repercussions from that for at least ten years. Dave was going to be permanently retired and a stay at home dad by then.

"Looking forward to lots of Chuck-e-Cheese dates my friend."

They both snickered and Tabby squealed as Derek lifted her up off the chair and into his strong arms. "Come on my double momma. Let's give the love birds alone time." He wasn't going to let either Dave or Emily run anymore. The other profilers all agreed, it was time they had at least a discussion of their future.

Dave sat on the chair near Emily's knees and looked at those soft lips and dark eyes which melted his heart to begin with. "You seem very happy today." He observed, obviously trying to take his time and ease into asking her if she had a time frame of answering him in mind.

She smiled back at him and pointed to Jack and Amelia, holding both hands and spinning as fast as they could in the sun. "They are so cute aren't they? Don't you wish adult love was that simple?"

Dave watched them too. "It can be Cara, if we allow it."

She could see how much he cared about her and when she really thought about everything he had done, how patient he has been even if there was an undercurrent of him gently pushing… He was the man for her and she had to take a deep breath to do something bold and unlike her, opening herself on the line. "Dave, take this."

He looked down at her outstretched hand which held her ring out to him and his heart dropped and he was sure his face fell as equally low when he held the symbol in his hands once again. "I um—"

Emily set into a panic realizing he thought this was rejection so very quickly she brushed her hand over his cheek. "Dave. Ask me again."

He looked up, surprised. "Really?" Could she really mean that? She wouldn't say it if she wasn't going to say yes right? Surely she doesn't get off on making a man beg.

Emily was aware everyone was watching them with interest even if they were all trying to hide it. She couldn't really give a damn. "Yes. In front of everyone."

Dave's lungs filled with a large breath and while he's done this four times now it felt like the most important. His knees protested as he knelt on one at the side of her chair and from the corner of his eye he could see Pumpkin clasp her hand over her mouth to keep from saying anything to ruin the moment. He was surprised at Emily, that she would want to do this in front of everyone but he decided it was a gesture on her part, a way to show she wasn't screwing with him but rather was now ready.

He took her hand in his. "Emily. It's been two years this week since I told you I loved you but I've felt it much longer. I don't deserve you but I will do everything I can for all the days I have left to love you like you deserve." He slid the ring up her finger with shaky hands. "Will you marry me?"

She pulled him into a very passionate kiss, finally breaking through her insecurities and just going for what she wants. "You bet I'll marry you."

They didn't even hear everyone else's applaud and cheer for a few minutes as they all but made out in the back yard. Jack and Amelia jumped up and down, happy that that finally gotten taken care of. It annoyed them how stupid adults can be sometimes when life is much more simple when you let it be.

The clapping spilled into hugs and congratulations as Reid, JJ, Henry and Sean and Annette returned to the party, all thrilled that this couple finally got their act together.

Penelope was on top of her world as the celebrations stretched on and joined Aaron as they walked into their kitchen to start on the dishes before they would bring out dessert. "You know, I never thought I would see the day." She informed him as she and Aaron stood side by side at the sink looking out the window while he washed and she dried. Derek had put on a slow song over the radio and Jessica took more pictures as Emily and Dave began dancing in the back yard, Derek taking Tabby in his arms. Sean led Annette around effortlessly, Reid fumbled around with JJ finally letting her take the lead, Lynn was with John and Jack tried to figure out how to do it with Amelia by copying what he saw from the adults.

Aaron stopped his work and opened the pane so they could hear the music clearly in the kitchen. Standing there with a dish towel in one hand and a proud smirk on her face she never looked more content, always so beautiful in her care for her friends. "May I have this dance, my incredible future wife?"

She threw down the towel and took her place in his arms. It's where she belongs, after all, and she knew why he pulled her to this beat at that moment. "This is the song we danced to when you proposed." She recalled it fondly. "You are such a romantic honey." And he always endevoured to make every special moment perfect for her. He was always going to take care of her and she knew she would do anything she could to keep seeing those smiles only she manages to bring out of him.

He smiled into her hair as she pressed her face to his chest. He could feel her warmth and softness against him and being together, with everyone's lives working out was the most at home he has felt in years. He meant it weeks ago when he said she made him and Jack a family again. For a long time he had been a half-empty shell of himself but with her he could take on the world. "Life can get hardly any more perfect. And I have you to thank for it."

She smiled and bit her lip, looking back up at him. This incredible man, all hers. It was more than she ever considered asking for in her life and she had to agree, they were just shy of perfect. "And I thank you too. But there is one more thing that would make this truly perfect and lucky for us we have it." She nervously darted her gaze eye to eye wondering if he would read between the lines.

He looked down at her, considering what her eyes were trying to convey but he couldn't read it. He always did have a hard time with her, too close. That's the reason it took reading her darn journal to set them on this course to begin with. "What would that be?" He could make out only that she was anxious and he could feel his lungs restrict in anticipation.

She took a short breath through her nose. Expelled it and had to start all over again trying to gain the ability to say two words she long wished to utter. "I'm pregnant."

The next second she was off her feet and being spun in the air and she momentarily wondered if they switched bodies as he kissed her with everything he had smothering her in his happiness. "I take it you're happy." she snickered against his lips.

Aaron set her down and pulled her close to him, stroking her hair from her face and staring into the eyes of the woman that was making his whole world right. "Making a baby with you is the happiest I could ever be." He leaned in for a sweet kiss and pulled back just studying her face. "You and everything that comes with you is my heaven."

She was nearly blinded by the tears in her eyes, overwhelmed at how genuine those words rang to her ears. "Aaron," she cupped his cheek and caressed his skin with her thumb, much like he did in the first intimate gesture they ever shared. "Every moment with you, good or bad, is the greatest of my life." She took a deep breath as they rested their heads together, both overcome with joy. "We- we're having a baby, aren't we?" It was so surreal now, saying it aloud. "We're having a baby!" she giggled out in her excitement.

Aaron matched her enthusiasm and felt like jumping from the rooftops to yell to the world. Since his wife to be would probably kill him if he did that moved them to the exit to the deck, too excited to do anything other than yell the news to their friends still wrapped up in dancing. "We're having a baby!"

Everyone snapped from their dances and stared for a second wrapping their head around the news before darting to the happy couple flush with excitement. Jack, Amelia and Henry spoke directly into her belly to welcome the newest family member. Jessica gave Aaron a large hug and Penelope well wishes. Emily and Tabby both uttered promises of a baby club, JJ and Annette kissed her cheeks until it hurt. Reid and Dave gave thattaboy congratulations to Aaron and Lynn and John hugged them both knowing they would probably become surrogate grandparents to this baby too. Sean promised his future sister in law that he would be keeping a close eye on her when he moves down this way and Derek in his usual fashion promised her to always look out for her and her family.

It was at that moment, being smothered in kisses by her friends and fiancé and son and accepting congratulations of her own in the sea of hugs and kisses on the cheek, that Penelope recognized she owed all her happiness to a suggestion by her therapist many months ago that had set all this into motion. She now had the man she always loved, a son, a happy family, knowledge her team would always stay together and a child on the way. Her dreams that were once the territory of a journal were now the reality which had become her very own life.

A/N: I have decided to leave it off here with a one shot epilogue to follow and then a sequel or two, or however many Red Writer and the rest of you squeeze out of me. More than happy to take requests anytime for side stories on the other characters as well.

Many thanks to my readers and reviewers who kept up with the story. You guys kept me writing!