Author's Note: Good evening, everyone. Alas, the end. I enjoyed Season 8 of Criminal Minds and the Finale was very good, although it hurt my heart (and Feels…) to see Erin Strauss go. It's amazing. I absolutely despised her at first but thanks to good, consistent (Shonda Rhimes, please take note!) writing and realistic character development over time (seriously, Ms. Rhimes…give Mark Gordon and his crew a call and take some fucking summer school lessons! Sorry…I'm still very, very bitter from SCANDAL's Finale), she became a core part of the BAU family and…I am glad that I wasn't crazy with my conspiracy theory-esque Strauss/Rossi murmurings, even with the sad canon endgame. I'll be sure to write a happy ending for them in my future CM stories…and in this into the future epilogue.

Thank you all for your support of Support, your patience with my updating schedule or lack of one, and just enjoying this latest scribble from me and I'll be returning to the fandom soon. With love, ~*CMW2*~

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"Thank you all for doing this. I know we had a rough start…"

"That was just because we needed to get to know and understand each other. Now that we do, everything's aces. You're family." Garcia soothed while putting the finishing touches on her hair.

"You make Rossi happy." JJ declared matter of factly with a radiant smile.

Emily just reached forward and squeezed the bride's trembling hand. Erin Strauss smiled and turned back to the nearby full length mirror. Her dress was beautiful but had a mother earth feel with a scoop neck, cap sleeves, and long flowy material on the bottom. Her silvery blonde hair was curled and piled up, tiny white and periwinkle flowers within it. On her feet were simple white leather flats with a shoelace bow detail and she wore very little makeup, saying that she didn't want to ruin it with her tears.

Those tears were of pure joy, something that if one had asked anyone in the FBI, not just the BAU just 4 years before, that person would say Erin Strauss was incapable of unless she was destroying someone or following protocol to the letter. How wrong they were about her…

Erin's fingers stole to the bracelet on her right wrist. The bracelet was made of white beads and very familiar coins. Spencer had those coins, the first one he wore on a chain around his neck, and the rest he kept in a small box in his messenger's bag. With her help 5 years before, Spencer had wrestled himself free of the Needle. With all of their team's help and Rossi's love, Erin had been freed from the Bottle for going on 4 years. She still kept the BAU in line but she was quick to go to bat for them, if necessary. Her brisk handling of a surly hostage negotiator and a panel of disgruntled senators still lived in infamy…

There was a tap at the door and Emily carefully made her way to it, her hands going protectively over her swollen abdomen. Baby Genius was starting to kick up a storm, meaning that the person at the door was likely…

"Wow…I mean, um…is everyone okay? It's almost time." Spencer recovered quickly, even though his gaze stayed riveted on her.

Giggling a little, Emily nodded and fixed his shirt collar. Like their dresses, it was robin's egg blue. White buttons matched the stitching on their dress pants and although he was in black dress shoes, she could see the wedding colors (robin's egg, white, and black) represented on his mismatched polka dotted socks.

"We're all right, Spencer. David hasn't made a run for it yet, has it?" Erin asked wryly.

"No, he's still there. Besides, we laid down the law last night. If he runs, we all get to shoot him. The kill shot would be yours, though."

"And rightfully so. The son of a bitch went and made me fall in love with him, after all. Well, I'm ready to married now."

And in true Erin Strauss decisiveness, she picked up her flowers and went out the door, a laughing Garcia and grinning yet head shaking JJ hot on her heels. She made to follow but Spencer gently stopped her, dropping to his knees to rest his head on her abdomen. Baby Genius' kicking calmed considerably and he pressed a fond kiss to her popped out navel.

"Hi, little one…you being good for your mommy?"

"She is. She's just saying hi."

"Mmm…I can't wait to meet her."

"2 more months, honey. They'll go by fast."

Spencer nodded and rose up, clicking his heels and offering her his arm.

"Shall we?"

"We shall."

Forever.

FIN.