Oh my god, I can't believe it, but we've reached the end of this story. I have changed this ending so many times because I wanted it to be perfect, and I finally got something that was pretty close.

Thank you so much to every person that's reviewed, favorited, followed, or even just read this story and enjoyed it. I am so happy that so many of you loved this story, because I am so proud of it and I love this universe so much. I don't think I could find any words to completely express how thankful I am for all of you guys! So thank you, and I hope you love this ending just as much as I do!

XxxxX

Six weeks after Hotch was admitted to the hospital, he was finally able to come home. Emily and Jack flew out every weekend to see him, the trip becoming part of a normal routine. Each weekend, Hotch was stronger and healthier than the last. It had been a long road of recovery, but Hotch had worked hard and he was almost as good as new upon his release. Jack was more than pleased, knowing before long his dad would be good as new. Emily was thrilled too, because she knew how devastated he would have been if the injury had been permanent.

They spent what was left of winter and the early weeks of spring acclimating back into their old routine, along with Emily settling in at her new job with the Office of Victims Assistance. She was sort of like a social worker, but she mostly just sat with child victims of various cases the Bureau was handling until a real social worker showed up. Sometimes the lead on the case would ask her to do a cognitive interview, but sometimes she did nothing but try to calm the child down. It was hard some days, having to listen to what a child had been through; but when she came home to Jack she knew she was making a difference for kids like him, and she knew she was in the right place.

Hotch had to stay out of work for another few weeks after he was released from the hospital. Emily thought that was going to kill him, but he and Jack got to spend a lot of time together, and Hotch had only complained once. He had finally been able to go back the first Monday in April.

Somewhere amidst the chaos, the day Emily had been secretly dreading had happened. One cool, cloudy morning in April, Emily found herself standing at Elizabeth's grave once again. She couldn't believe it had been a year, and what a year it had been, she thought to herself.

In one year she'd lost so much, but she'd gained more than she ever thought she would. She'd loved London, she'd loved the opportunity, but something always felt like it was missing. She'd come back to DC to care for her mother, and had mended a relationship she never thought she'd have again. She'd lost her mother, and it had been one of the hardest things she had ever had to do. Harder than difficult cases, than chasing unsubs, than faking her death; she'd wondered if she'd ever feel whole again.

But through it all, she had Hotch. He had been amazing to her from the start, and now she knew she had him forever. Slowly, Emily had realized he and Jack were the piece of her that had been missing. Now she had Hotch, who she knew loved her and would do anything for her, because she felt the same way about him. She had Jack, who she couldn't imagine living her life without. She loved him just as much as she would her own child, she was getting an opportunity she thought she'd never have: to be someone's mother.

Emily sat down at Elizabeth's grave, pulling her jacket just a little bit tighter around her. The air was still, everything was still mostly silent. She had come early, she wanted to come alone, so she'd woken up before anyone else and drove to the graveyard, still in her pajamas with a long jacket and a scarf wrapped tightly around her. She'd brought new flowers, and a letter she was going to tuck safely under the vase. It explained everything that happened in the last year, a way for Emily to still connect with her mother. She opened it up and read her the words one more time.

Mom,

It's been a whole year since you've passed, and I can hardly believe it. I miss you every day, and I wish that we had gotten more time together. I wish a lot of things could have been different, but I know that what's happened has happened and I can't change it.

I know you made me promise I would be happy, and I didn't know if I could do it. Losing you has been hard. I wondered if I'd ever be happy again. I had George and Aaron and the team, but I still felt so alone. It was hard for a while.

But I want you to know that I am happy. I can't recall a single time in my life that I've been so happy. Aaron and I are together, and he is wonderful. Jack is amazing, and he wishes he could have met you. He also hopes that wherever you are, you've found his mom and you guys are friends. George is happy, too. He's still living with his family in Maine. He sends me pictures all the time. He loves his sister's grandkids so much, and I know you're glad he's getting this time with them. We still see each other, too. And we talk about you sometimes. It's nice, because he was the closest person to you and I've learned so much that I wish I had known before it was too late, but that I'm glad I know now. I can share stories with Jack, and any other kids that may someday come into our lives.

I know that you're still here in some capacity, sometimes I can feel it. Sometimes I can hear your voice as clear as day. So, maybe writing this is silly, because you already know everything that's happened. Maybe you're always watching and looking in on the big moments as well as the small ones. Maybe you're too happy wherever you are to worry about us here. I don't know, but I wanted to somehow let you know that I love you and I am thinking of you always. Jack still sometimes lights a candle to talk to his mother, but that just never felt right. This, though, feels right. I'd like to write a letter a year so you always know what's happening.

I am thankful every day for the time we had, and that we got to reconcile before it was too late. I hope that you are as happy as I am, and that someday in the future we can meet again.

Love you forever, Emily

Emily wiped a stray tear that had fallen and smiled, tucking the letter back into the white envelope that simply read Mom with a tiny heart drawn next to it. With shaking hands, she lay the letter down and placed the new vase of flowers over it, setting the old flowers aside to discard on her way back home. She sat there for a few more minutes, not saying anything or even thinking anything. After a few silent moments, she got up from the ground, running her hand over the letters of Elizabeth's name one more time before turning and leaving. She threw away the old flowers and got home just as Hotch was waking up, sitting at the kitchen island and drinking coffee.

He gave her a small smile, knowing what day it was. He knew where she'd been, so he didn't ask. He abandoned the mug and got up from where he was sitting, meeting Emily halfway and hugging her tightly. She buried her head into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes, breathing slowly. She felt him run a hand up and down her back and she'd never loved him more than she loved him in this moment.

"You okay?" He whispered, she felt his breath on her hair.

Emily nodded into him. "I'm okay." She had said, and she meant it.

XxxxX

It was the third week in June, and the smells and sights of summer were fast approaching. Jack was done with another year of school, the parks were full of kids, the smell of chlorine and freshly cut lawns seemed to be everywhere. Emily was excited; she'd never really cared for summer much as a child. But now, she hoped maybe she and Hotch could take a weekend and take Jack to the beach. They couldn't do a big trip this year, Hotch had missed so much work and Emily didn't want to take too much time just yet, but she hoped they'd get some time to be a family.

Emily glanced at the clock and saw it was 5pm, the time she usually clocked out so she could go and get Jack. Since she started working and Hotch went back to work, Jack stayed with Jessica until Hotch or Emily could come and get him. Usually it was Emily, but Jack didn't mind.

She picked the boy up and talked with Jessica for a bit, before Jack announced that he was so hungry he might die. So Emily took him home and started dinner, hoping Hotch wouldn't stay too late. Since he'd gone back he'd tried to make up for lost hours, and it took Emily, his doctor, and Jack to convince him to try to leave at a decent time.

Just as the two of them had finished eating and Emily was putting away the leftovers, Emily's phone rang.

"Can I answer it?" Jack asked.

"Sure, just look at see who it is first!" Emily called as Jack ran to find the phone.

"It's Dad!" Jack called and she heard him answer it. She hoped they hadn't caught a case. Even though he'd been cleared by two doctors and had been on a few cases since returning to work, she still worried whenever the team had to leave.

A few minutes later, Jack came running back into the room. "He wants to talk to you!" He said excitedly. Emily took the phone, not so worried since Jack seemed to be happy.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey, I have some good news." He said. She could hear him smiling, which made her smile too.

"Oh really?" Emily asked. "What?"

"JJ's in labor." Hotch said.

"Oh, my God." Emily breathed. "Was she there?" She asked.

"No, she went on leave last week, but Will just called to tell me. It'll probably still be awhile, but it looks like we're gonna be Godparents soon." Hotch said.

"I wish she'd have told us if it's a boy or girl. I know it doesn't really matter…"Emily started. JJ and Will knew, but they'd been keeping it a secret from everyone else, and it was driving Emily and Garcia particularly crazy.

"I know. I'll be home soon, I just couldn't wait to tell you." Emily smiled.

"Okay, we'll be here." She told him, and the conversation ended.

XxxxX

Thirty minutes later, he was home. Jack greeted him happily and kept asking about JJ's baby, obviously excited to meet his new surrogate cousin.

Hotch greeted Emily and kissed her as usual, but he couldn't seem to stop smiling.

"What is it? Are you this excited for JJ and Will?" Emily asked, sensing something was up.

"C'mere," he motioned to the living room. Emily raised an eyebrow, but followed him anyway. He motioned for her to sit on the couch; she did so, though she was still confused. Jack was standing in the doorway looking excited.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked.

"Emily, this past year has been hard on you, I know it has. And despite everything, you've let Jack and me into your life. We love you, and we want you to be a part of this family forever. So," Hotch said, getting down on one knee and pulling a black velvet box out of his pocket. Emily knew where this was going as soon as he started talking and she was quickly wiping away tears. "Emily Prentiss, will you marry me?" He asked as he opened the box.

Emily let out a sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh and nodded her head as Hotch put the ring on the third finger of her left hand. Shaking, Emily admired it for a moment. It was bigger than she'd have ever expected, but still somehow didn't seem too flashy. She never pictured herself wearing a diamond engagement ring, but now she couldn't think of anything more perfect.

"Aaron—"she spoke for the first time, her voice shaky. "This is…perfect." She said as she leaned forward to hug him. He held her close and kissed the top of her head before he couldn't take it anymore and gently pushed her away to kiss her properly.

Jack was so excited he didn't even laugh at them or tell them how gross it was. When they broke apart, Hotch moved to sit next to her and Emily motioned for Jack to come over to them. She pulled the boy into her lap and hugged him close to her.

"Did you know he was gonna ask me tonight?" Emily asked. Jack looked up and her innocently.

"Nope," He said seriously. "I knew he got you the ring but he didn't tell me!" Emily believed him and smiled.

"I can't believe I didn't even suspect it," Emily said, her eyes now dry but her heart still full.

"Well, I wasn't going to today. But when Will called…I don't know. It just felt right. And I knew you'd rather it be just the three of us than in some big crowd. So I thought, why not now?" He said, lacing their fingers together. He couldn't stop staring at her. He'd known her for years, had found her attractive since the day they'd met, and found her to be more and more beautiful with each passing day. But right now, with her work clothes still on but a bit disheveled, her hair tossed up after having been down all day, her eyes a little red and a smile on her face, she'd never been so beautiful to him. And now he was going to spend the rest of his life finding out if she could possibly get more beautiful. He couldn't wait.

XxxX

The three of them spent time together on the couch, watching TV and Hotch finally eating dinner. Hotch and Emily kept watch on their phones, waiting for any news from Will. They couldn't wait to see them and to meet the new baby that was going to be a big part of their lives.

It was nearing Jack's bedtime, so Emily sent him to his room to put on pajamas while she and Hotch straightened up the kitchen. It was the first moment they had alone since the proposal.

"I love you," Emily said out of nowhere as she watched him rinse the dished and put them in the dishwasher. She couldn't stop twirling the ring on her finger.

Hotch smiled and closed the dishwasher door and strode over to her in one big step. He pulled her close and kissed her, running his hands through her hair and smiling when she did the same to him.

"I love you too," He breathed after they broke apart, both of them breathing fast.

"I can't wait to marry you." She said honestly. She'd never really thought about having this life. It'd been a thought she'd shoved to the back of her mind a long, long time ago. But then she met Hotch and she felt like she was twelve years old and she still believed in fairy tales.

"I'm really glad you said yes." He said as he kissed her temple.

"Did you really think that I'd say no?" She asked, glancing up at him.

"No, but it was still really nice to hear." God, he hoped Jack fell asleep quickly tonight because he didn't know how much longer he could take this, he wanted her, and he could tell she wanted him too.

At that moment, they heard Jack enter the room. "Okay," He announced. "I'm ready for bed!"

"Goodnight, Jack." The two said simultaneously.

"Can you guys come tuck me in?" Jack asked softly. They hadn't done that in a while, but they agreed and followed they boy into his bedroom.

Jack jumped up on the bed and pulled the covers over him. Emily and Hotch sat down on either side of him, Emily absentmindedly running her hand over Jack's sandy hair.

"So you guys are really gonna get married now?" Jack asked, looking from Hotch to Emily.

"Yeah, we'll have to plan everything, but it's definitely gonna happen." Hotch told him.

"So…that makes Emily your wife, right?" Jack asked.

"Yes, that's right." Hotch nodded, sensing there was more to Jack's questions.

"Does that make Emily my Mom?" He asked softly, averting his eyes and picking at a thread on the comforter.

Emily looked to Hotch, hoping he would do the talking, because she didn't want to say the wrong thing. Hotch seemed to sense her apprehension and thankfully answered Jack.

"She'll be your step-mother, but she already does everything a Mom does for you, doesn't she?" Jack nodded thoughtfully.

"But…can I…call her that?" Jack asked.

"You wanna call me Mom?" Emily asked, her eyes filling with tears. Jack nodded shyly.

"Oh, sweetheart, of course you can call me that." She managed to say.

"My other mom isn't gonna be mad?"

"No," Hotch interjected. "Mom loves you so much, Jack. She only ever wanted the best for you, and since she can't be here, I know she's so glad that we have Emily. She won't be mad at you." Hotch promised.

Jack nodded and sat up, hugging Emily tightly. Emily was crying again, she'd never felt so happy or full of love in her life.

Emily kissed his cheek, then Jack hugged Hotch before lying back down, pleased with the outcome of all his questions.

"Goodnight Mom, goodnight Dad." Jack said sleepily.

"Goodnight." They said, getting up and leaving the room, closing Jack's door behind them.

Emily leaned against the wall, feeling overwhelmed, but in the best possible way.

"Are you alright?" Hotch asked.

Emily nodded. "I'm just…so happy." She said. Unable to take it anymore, Hotch lifted Emily up, honeymoon style and carried her across the hall to their bedroom. If JJ had the baby tonight, they couldn't go in until morning anyway, so they spent the night together, focusing only on themselves.

XxxX

They woke in a tangle of bedsheets and each other. Emily was the first one awake, but she just lay there, her head on Hotch's bare chest as she felt him breathing. She glanced down at her left hand, the ring still shining, the only thing she'd kept on.

She didn't know how long she stared, but eventually she felt Hotch stir and wake.

"Morning," She said, her voice soft and sleepy.

"Morning," He said, kissing her cheek.

"D'you think JJ's had the baby yet?" Emily asked.

"We'll go check." Hotch said, slowly moving out of bed and tossing on his clothes before going to the living room to check their phones.

Emily rose slowly as well, tossing on her clothes and sneaking across the hall to check on Jack, still sound asleep.

When she went to the living room, she was met with a smiling Hotch.

"Guess we can wake Jack up and go, looks like we're godparents." Hotch said.

"Oh! Did they sent a picture?" Emily asked eagerly.

"No, we have to find out everything in person.

"Ugh!" Emily said impatiently. "When JJ's feeling better I am going to kick her ass." She muttered. "I'll wake Jack up, you wanna make breakfast?" Hotch nodded and Emily dashed off to Jack's room.

XxxX

An hour and a half later, they were finally at the hospital. They couldn't wait to see the Jareau-Lamontagne bunch, and they especially couldn't wait to meet the newest member.

Will met them in the lobby, a proud smile on his face. He led them up to JJ's room, and finally, Hotch, Emily, and Jack got to see the baby.

"Oh," Emily breathed softly, the baby seemed so tiny in JJ's arms, wrapped in a white, blue, and pink blanket.

"Her name is Rosaline Grace. We're gonna call her Rosie." JJ said, her voice tired but full of pride.

"Oh, JJ, that's beautiful." Emily said, knowing they'd named her after JJ's sister.

"She's beautiful." Hotch said. "Congratulations, guys."

They each took a turn holding their goddaughter, smiling from ear to ear the whole time. Jack even took a turn, too.

"She's so little!" He whispered.

"You were about that small too once." Hotch reminded him.

"Wow." Jack said.

"Where's Henry?" Emily asked, noticing he was missing.

"Oh, he was getting pretty bored so my mom took him for a few hours. He'll be sorry he missed you." JJ said.

"Well, if you need to, he can always come over to our place." Hotch offered as Emily slowly handed the baby back to JJ. It was then the blonde noticed the ring on Emily's finger.

"Emily!" JJ gasped, suddenly seeming much more awake. "When?"

Emily laughed. "Last night…we didn't want to steal your day, I meant to take it off."

"You were gonna keep that from me?!" JJ asked.

"Just for a little while, you've been a little busy." Emily reminded her.

"That's true. Tell me all the details later?" JJ asked.

"You bet." Emily promised.

They stayed a few more minutes longer, but then they decided to let JJ and Will get some rest since the baby had fallen back to sleep.

The three of them went home to spend the day together, knowing that they were a family. They'd always have each other, and they'd always have the team.

Even though it'd been a hard year, Emily knew as she looked over at Hotch and Jack on the couch intensely watching a documentary about the ocean, she wouldn't change a single moment.

She looked up at the ceiling for just a moment, hoping the words she was sending her mother were reaching her.

You were right.