Wedding

It had been six months now. Six months since Aaron had been found and restored to the family. Six months since he'd made the most painful decision in his life for the happiness of the man he loved. Six months since he'd lost him to another.

He remembered that day like only yesterday as he got dressed in his suit and bow-tie biting back the pain and tears.

Two weeks after Aaron had been found and taken to the hospital he'd finally summoned up the courage to go and see the man he loved. He'd been so scared of what he might find and how much Aaron could remember of that kiss if any but nothing had prepared him for what he'd found.

He'd stepped into his hospital room a little nervously but looked up to see Aaron looking lovingly at the nurse who had just walked in with him. He'd seen how he hadn't been able to keep his eyes off of her and how she'd treated him with so much care. It was obvious through their looks how much they loved and cared for each other.

He decided instantly no matter how much it would hurt that he'd give him up. What matters most to him was Aaron's happiness and he couldn't make him feel guilty. That just wasn't fair no matter how much it broke his heart to see him so happy with another.

Aaron had turned to him and smiled, "Spencer, right?" He nodded. "We were close?"

He nodded swallowing the lump in his throat and biting back the tears answering, "Close friends."

He'd stayed there some time talking to him never once bringing up that kiss. He watched them together and knew that despite how much it hurt he'd made the right choice. Aaron was so happy and he could never take that away from him.

Today was going to be the most painful day of his life but he'd get through it because he loved him. He couldn't even find it in him to hate Vicki. After all she brought Aaron the happiness he obviously couldn't. She continued making Aaron happy and that's all he could ask for. She was even a great stepmother to Jack.

When he'd first got the invitation he'd thought about turning it down but he couldn't bear to bring Aaron that pain. They'd become close friends once again since Aaron had returned to the BAU four months ago but never as close as they'd once been. He wouldn't understand why he'd turned down the invitation.

He heard a knock on the door and answered it to see JJ and Will there. He smiled slightly and picked up his phone and keys.

"You sure about this?" JJ asked concerned.

"Perfectly. It would only hurt him if I don't," he answered.

"What about you? Won't it hurt you to see them get married?"

"She makes him happy. I can't take that from him. All I want is his happiness. After everything he went through he deserves it. Yes I still love him but I am truly happy for him. He's happy everyone can see that."

She nodded and they got into the car heading off to the venue where Victoria Hobbiton and Aaron Hotchner would be becoming man and wife.

Once they got there they slipped into the back and watched the ceremony from there. Trying to bite back tears he saw the man he loved take this woman to be his wife in lawful wedded marriage. He'd even stayed quiet as the priest asked whether anyone knew of any lawful impediment of why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony even if his heart wanted to scream out he loved him and it should have been him and not her.

He kept telling himself Aaron was happy and no matter how much it broke his heart it wasn't him causing him that happiness if he truly loved him as he did he could never take that from him. It was clear to everyone as Aaron took up Vicki's veil and kissed her deeply and passionately how happy he was and how much he loved this woman he now called wife.

On his way out he congratulated the happy couple hugging Aaron close to him telling him just how happy he was for him and wished him the very best. He thanked him happily back never knowing about the kiss they had shared that one night before their lives had changed forever. Part of him hoped Aaron never remembered as the last thing he wanted him to feel was guilty about having fallen in love with someone else.

They all headed off to the reception Dave had held for the happy couple and after the toasts everyone got up to dance. Spencer, not feeling much like dancing, went to the back of the garden and sat on a bench overlooking a fish pond.

He watched sadly as the newly married couple shared their first dance biting back the tears he promised he would only cry when he was at home. He wouldn't cry here; he wouldn't ruin Aaron's big day.

Some time later he felt someone sit beside him and he turned to see the very man that haunted his every dream. The man he couldn't stop loving no matter how hard he tried.

"Are you alright?" he asked concerned. "You're not out there enjoying yourself. You're here by yourself."

"I'm just a little tired but you should be out there enjoying yourself. It's your wedding," Spencer answered.

Suddenly Aaron looked incredibly guilty and exclaimed, "Oh my god, we kissed, didn't we? Three years ago we kissed." Spencer nodded looking down. "Oh Spencer, I'm so sorry I broke your heart."

"Aaron, please, yes we kissed three years ago but you really have nothing to say sorry for. I broke my own heart not you. I didn't visit you for two weeks because I was scared of what I'd find scared of how much it would hurt to be forgotten and when I did it was too late. You'd already fallen in love with Vicki..."

"But I hurt you," he answered apologetic. "You mean so much to me and I hurt you."

"No, Aaron, I hurt myself. I didn't give you a chance to remember me before you fell in love with Vicki. It's my fault not yours and I'll get over it. I'll always love you but the pain will pass."

"Spencer, if I wasn't as in love with my wife as I am it would be you. You mean so much to me..."

"Aaron, I truly am happy for you. What I want most for you is your happiness and that's Vicki. I've never seen you as happy as you are with Vicki. You deserve her and the happiness she's bringing you. I want you to be happy and she makes you happy."

"Thank you. That means so much to me. Trust me the right one for you will come along."

He smiled back sadly as he watched Aaron return back to his wife and kiss her tenderly not knowing how fate would spiral their two worlds back together only a year later.