A/N first I have to say sorry for the delay. And I´m deeply sorry. I had some issues, but hopefully it will be okay now. So here we go again, have fun!

The coming weeks until Jess and Dave's wedding flew by and were filled with fittings for Jess, a test meal, another test meal because the caterer went bankrupt (and Jess fell into deep despair, from which she was then released by Sean, who spontaneously declared to take care of everything), fittings for Dave, who did not fit into his tuxedo and was lessoned by Derek, who explained to him, that women actually increased in pregnancy, not the men.

Dave glanced Derek an angry look. "And this from the man who´s running around for days like waiting to be executed."

Hotch tugged at his sleeves, "Dave is right, Morgan. And why are you skipping Dave's bachelor party?"
Derek moaned, "now again for the men in black. I won´t skip it, I only have one extra ... uh ... commitment."
"What is a commitment, Uncle Derek?" Becca wanted to know. Hotch took her and Jack with him, today. First they met with Dave and Morgan at the tailor, after that, they were planning to buy Renee´s ring. Hotch promised to Jack and Becca, they could help to choose it.
"A commitment is a kind of application that you took over, sweet pie."

Becca thought for a moment, "and you do not like this commitment?"

Derek grinned, "let's say I'm to blame, for this obligation. But for that you're still a bit too young, honey. You wouldn´t understand." He playfully pulled her pigtail. Becca crossed her arms, like Hotch always did. "But I wanna know."
"I think these are adult things," Jack interjected. Hotch chuckled, Derek's adult thing was called Mona, he barely had a different theme. Hotch looked again in the big mirror. For him, his outfit was okay, Hotch was not a very vain man, for him it had to be practical and appropriate for the occasion. The suit would be delivered tomorrow. The next day then, Sunday, was Dave and Jess special day. And the day on which he would propose to Renee, officially.

oOo

Hotch changed and said goodbye to Dave and Derek. "All right, children. Now we´re gonna find a ring for Mum, what do you mean?" Jack and Becca nodded simultaneously.

A little later Hotch and the kids were entering a small jeweler's shop. A silent bell rang and an elderly gentleman appeared. "Hello, I'm Ruben Feldman, what can I do for you?" He asked gently.

"We are looking for a ring for our Mum." Jack said seriously.

"Yes, and it must be beautiful, must it, Hotch-Dad?" Becca added.

"You're right, Becca. We´re looking for an engagement ring, Mr. Feldman."

Mr. Feldman was surprised a bit, after all, the gentleman had already had two children.

"It's a bit complicated," Hotch said, he interpreted the look of the jeweller properly.

"Isn´t it always?" Ruben Feldman smiled. "Do you have a rough idea of the ring?"

Hotch shook his head.

"He should be nice, Hotch Dad." Becca repeated energetically. "Our Mum is totally sweet and very funny. Oh, and she is soooo pretty."

Mr. Feldman nodded and opened a drawer. "Something like this, perhaps?"
Hotch and the kids looked for a while at the velvet pad and took one or the other piece in their hands. Hotch´s head already was dizzy from Karachi, Princess or Radiant cut. Ruben was very thorough. Showed and explained everything. Somehow, however, everything was not what Hotch had imagined.

"Renee likes fancier pieces, Mr. Feldman." Hotch had to think of the silver owl that she wore around her neck.

"It does not necessarily have to be a diamond ring, he should just ..."
"be nice. I understand." Feldman repeated.

Hotch laughed, "yes. I'm afraid I'm a difficult customer."
"Not at all. It is important that the ring fits the wearer. Maybe ... you have a photo?"

Hotch nodded and pulled out his cell phone. "This is Renee."

Feldman took a close look at her. The young woman was beaming and laughing into the camera, Ruben could feel formally the warmth that emanated from her. "I think I got the right thing." The jeweler disappeared shortly in the back room and came back with a ring.

"This is a blue topaz, framed by small diamonds in white gold. A little extravagant and eccentric. I think it would be perfect."

Becca and Jack were thrilled. "It's sooo beautiful, Daddy." Hotch looked at the ring for a long time. Then he put it on his little finger. "It fits like a glove." Hotch had tried some of Renee´s rings and found out, they fitted his little finger. Becca hopped around Hotch, "Oh Hotch Dad. Thats exactly right for Mum. You have to buy it!" Hotch laughed, "there´s nothing left to say. I'll take him."

Hotch pulled out his credit card and noticed Becca, who was looking at something.

"Do you like something, sweetie?" Hotch asked. Becca nodded and pointed to a pair of earrings that looked like ladybugs. "They're so pretty, Hotch Dad." Mr. Feldman took the earrings from the display and handed it to Hotch.

"What do you think, Jack? The perfect fit for Becca?"
Jack grinned, "Becca will look so pretty, Dad. And I've even got yesterday the new football since Becca must now also have a gift." Jack observed. It was totally right, Becca got a present, too.

"You´re making a good deal today, Mr. Feldman. I also take the earrings."
"You're welcome. I can also give you a good price for the wedding rings, Mr. Hotchner." Mr. Feldman said, overlooking Hotch's credit card. "Then I can see the beautiful bride to get to know her personally." Ruben was a bit curious about what was behind this family. There were two children, the boy was probably the natural son, maybe the girl belonged to the bride? However, the girl was almost white blonde and the bride hazel-haired. A blended family, Mr. Feldman was sure. There were so many motley families in these times.

Becca sniffled a bit. "Thank you, Hotch Dad."
"It's all right, sweetheart. You must not cry." Hotch took the little one up and hugged her lovingly. "You wanna wear them now?"

oOo

"Oh, wait. Give me the suitcase." Sean spoke to the young black-haired, who tried to stow her flight case on the top tray. She seemed somehow familiar, but Sean was not sure where to put her.

"What do you think I am, a helpless girl?" She snapped angrily. Sean raised his hands defensively. "I did not mean to offend you, miss." He sat down opposite to her. Good heavens, he just wanted to give her a hand.
Kiki swore softly, the board case had somehow misaligned and wasn´t moving at all, now. It had been a stupid idea, to snap at this guy, Kiki thought. Not helpful at all.

"Can I have another try?" Sean grinned, brought the case in the right place and closed the hatch.
Kiki blew her cheeks, "I'm sorry. Did not mean to be that bitchy. I´m just having a bad day." Sean nodded, "that happens. I'm Sean." He held out his hand.

"Kiki. What brings you to DC, if I may ask?"
"You may. A friend and colleague of my brother gets married, I do the catering."
"That's funny, I'm invited to a wedding, too. A friend of my brother is getting married on Sunday."

Suddenly the penny dropped, she seemed so familiar, because he knew her brother Kenneth. That had to be Kerensa Baker. The dark, almost black hair and the slightly angular features, Sean was sure that was Ken's sister. In the same plane. Coincidences happen, he thought.

oOo

Derek stared morosely at the box on the passenger's seat. Inside was the 'costume' for tonight. He was about to kick his butt, how could he get involved in that?

"Idiot," Derek said aloud. Clooney was barking in the back seat. "Thank you. Extremely helpful, Brownie." Clooney was barking again, probably to say, 'you're welcome', Derek thought. Maybe he could say, Clooney had eaten the costume? Morgan groaned, Jess would never get him away with that. Close your eyes and just do it, he groaned again. Rossi's bachelor party was a poker game at his house, Derek would have preferred it to the womenfolks by far. The girl group was about to meet at Hotch and Renee's apartment and they were waiting for the big show. Live and in color ... until the bitter end.

oOo

"Hey, there you are again," Renee was beaming, when Hotch and the kids got home. "I've missed you soooo much." Renee squeezed her gang.

"We missed you too, Mum," Jack confirmed. Renee ruffled his hair.

"Does Dave fit in his tuxedo now?"

Hotch chuckled, "with a few changes here and there. Mine will be delivered tomorrow morning. I´m gonna drop the kid´s at Ike and Abby´s now, so you´ve got a little time until Jess and the other ladies arrive."

Renee nodded, "that's ok. The overnight bags are already packed. But first I have to hug my little ones, they can´t leave without a huge hug."

The children were giggling and fled into the nursery, Renee was close behind them. Hotch looked after them happily, the last weeks had been just wonderful. He never expected to be able to love again from the heart. After Callie. He took the wedding picture at hand, "did you imagine it like that, my dear?" Hotch stroke very gently over Callie's face and put the image back down.

Renee came back and found a somewhat thoughtful Aaron. "Everything okay, honey?" She put her arms around his neck. Hotch returned the hug and pulled Renee close.

"I had to think about Callie." Hotch admitted.

"I also often think about her, Aaron. And I'm so grateful to her. Many can be grateful to her, I think. Jess and Dave, Ken and Spencer, Tilly and George. At least, her death had a meaning, Aaron."
"I know," Hotch said softly and kissed Renee tenderly. "I love you, Renee."
"I love you too, Aaron. A lot. But tell me why Becca gets so pretty earrings and I don´t get anything? And, who is Hannah?" Renee asked playfully reproachful.

Hotch kissed her again. "Hannah is Mrs. Feldman and probably already 70, love. She changed Becca´s earrings because Mr. Feldman and I are rather heavy-handed. And who says, you're not getting a gift?" Hotch gave himself mysterious and gave Renee a loving pat on her butt.

"Rascal," she grinned. Renee knew, of course, for what purpose Hotch visited a jeweler. And there was only one answer to his question. YES.

oOo

A little later, Hotch rang at Ike´s and was welcomed by Abby. Hotch was still amazed, how well Abby was again on foot, the surgery had been a complete success.

"And look, who´s there. Our guests!" Becca rushed into her grandmother's arms, she had sorely missed her in recent weeks. The rehabilitation measure had, however, been necessary and Abby had really benefited from the treatment. Last week she had moved into her new home, Ike´s house. Renee gave her a helping hand and now Abby felt very comfortable with her new roommate.

Abby hugged Hotch warm, "Hello, my boy. Ike is in the backyard, I made some tea for you."

"Thank you, Abby." Hotch kissed her cheek.
With a, "Hello flat-mate," Hotch entered the backyard. Ike laughed, "Hi Aaron. Did you bring some time for a cup of tea?"

Hotch nodded, "sure Ike. There is also something, I wanted to discuss with you." Hotch poured the tea and cleared his throat. "I ... Um."
"Yes?"
"Um," Hotch tried to collect himself, he was nervous.
"Ike, Renee and I ... I mean ... we ... Damn it, Ike. I love Renee and I want to marry her. I want to ask for her hand. Officially. "
"Hm...that all?"
Hotch turned into a question mark.
"I'm just saying. Just her hand? And what about the rest?"
It took a while 'til Hotch realized that Ike had a big smile on his face. Ike patted Hotch's shoulder.

"You´re like a son to me, Aaron. And to whom, if not you, can I hand over my beloved Froglet? Welcome to the family."