A/N: Hey, here I am with the next chapter. Updates for this story are pretty hard to get out since I do not exactly know where I am taking the rest of the story, but I am trying my absolute best! So please stick around.

Also, your reviews for last chapter meant the absolute world to me! Thank you so much!

Special thanks to HotchRocks, 2Addicted2YourLove, Westie80, Jareau37, jenny crum, natexserenafan, jjcrimminds, guest and Anna!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 75: True Love

The rest of the day had worn on quickly. Their wedding day had been spend with their closest friends and family, and neither Hotch nor JJ could've been happier. It was the perfect day. After everything they had gone through together, they had officially made it. They had reached the moment where both of them had been looking forward to since their relationship started. And now, even now, they had so many more moments to come. Their entire lives were ahead of them.

JJ felt so incredibly safe in his strong hold as they swayed on the dance floor together among the guests. Her head was on his shoulder as she simply enjoyed the moment of normalcy. She had gotten her life back because of the man who was now her husband. He had reminded her of love and life in a way that no one ever had. She just couldn't be happier than she was in that moment. ''I love you.'' she whispered gently, pulling back to kiss his lips. She held her arms around his neck as she gazed back into his warm brown eyes. By just looking at him, she found herself lost in his eyes. He looked at her with such admiration and love that she was still moved by it every time.

Hotch let his hands slide a little lower down her back and pulled her against him, kissing her back softly. He pulled away before he got carried away in her. ''I can't wait until all these people leave.'' he groaned. ''And we can just be alone.''

''I know, babe. But just keep it together for a few more hours.'' she whispered into his ear teasingly. ''It's going to be worth it.'' she said as she pulled away from him.

''Where are you going?'' he asked.

JJ looked over at Penelope and Emily, and then to Adrian who was standing next to Jill. ''There are some people I need to talk to.'' she spoke softly. ''It looks like Rossi can use someone to drink scotch with.'' she went on as she pointed to Rossi who was looking out into the yard by his own. ''I'm not going anywhere.'' she promised as she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek before she began to walk away from him. She let go of his hand and began to approach her two best friends with the biggest smile on her face. Penelope and Emily had been her rocks throughout the wedding planning, and everything else. They had truly become her best friends and she felt like she was a real part of the BAU family.

''JJ!'' Penelope exclaimed when she saw the blonde approach them. ''You two look so happy.'' she said happily.

''Thanks, Pen!'' JJ said. ''Em, there's someone I would like to introduce to you.'' she continued on, knowing Emily had been single for a long time. JJ knew about Emily's past and how she had once lost someone she truly loved. And now JJ thought it was time for her to move on or at least find someone who could possibly make her happy again, like she deserved to be. ''Come on.'' she insisted as she took her hand and pulled the dark-haired woman with her.

With Emily right behind her, JJ began to approach Adrian and Jill who were in deep conversation together. So she stepped right next to both of them, knowing Emily was going to be annoyed with her soon, but she didn't care. She only wanted the same happiness for her friend as she had. Everyone deserved to find the kind of love she now had. ''I know you two met briefly before, but I would like to introduce you two officially.'' she began happily. ''Emily this is Adrian, my former partner. Adrian meet Emily. My best friend.''

JJ took a step back as she watched the two shake hands. After a few more seconds she smiled at Jill, and began to walk away when they were swept up in conversation. On her way into the house she passed a few people and slipped into the house without anyone else noticing. She walked into the living room and stopped right in front of the fireplace. Her eyes flowed from one picture to the next. They were a few pictures of Hotch and his team, and about three of her and Hotch alone. One of the pictures was from the gala at Chemicaltech Industries, and as she gazed at the picture it felt like ages ago. Back then she had only known Hotch for a short time, yet she had already fallen for him. Their relationship had taken off quickly once she was able to put aside her hesitation. And once she gave everything to the relationship nothing would ever be the same again. Some days she still couldn't believe that a coffee spill had brought them together. That just one second had changed her life forever, in a way she never dared to hope for. But it had, and she was more than grateful for the life she was now living.

JJ was slightly startled when she felt a presence behind her, but once she felt the two strong arms enclose around her waist, she knew it was Hotch. She leaned back against his strong chest, taking in the warmth of his embrace.

''What are you doing here alone?'' Hotch asked as he held onto her.

JJ kept her eyes on the pictures until she finally glanced at the photo of her family. She still struggled to live without them. Every day she wondered what life would've been like if her mother and sister hadn't died. Her life had been a constant struggle with the truth, especially since she had never seen her father again after the night he had walked out on them. She could never understand how he left his own family behind. To her it seemed impossible. She would never be able to walk away from those she loved most. ''I just needed a moment.'' she breathed out, fighting back the tears as she stayed in his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut, turned around, and opened them again to glance up at her husband. ''Thank you!''

Hotch smiled at her, not knowing why she thanking him. ''For what?''

''For everything. For being you. For coming into my life and for not walking away when life got hard.'' she croaked out. ''And thank you for waiting for me while I was in London. I need you to know that I don't take a second with you for granted, Aaron.''

As his heartbeat quickened, he pulled the blonde closer and kissed the top of her head. ''Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea.'' he said gently. ''You still don't realize how much you've changed my life, JJ. You have made me so happy. I am so blessed to have you.''

''I don't ever want anything to change us.'' she said. ''I don't ever want to have to live without you.''

''Well, good luck trying because you're never going to get rid of me.'' he joked to lighten the mood a little. He realized that JJ had been thinking of her family, and he knew she was afraid to open up about it. He had never pressed her for any information on her father because he knew it was a sore subject, but it still seemed to affect her a great deal. ''Do you want to talk about it?''

She pulled away from and took her family photo from the fireplace. She held it in her hand as her fingertips gently grazed the faces of those she still loved dearly. She slowly turned back around to face Hotch as she looked down at the face of her father. ''Today just reminds me that my family wasn't here to witness this incredible day. That they didn't have the honor to meet you.'' she said, and then stopped to take a breath before continuing. ''But mostly, it leads me to wonder how my father could've abandoned my mother. Because I am standing here with my husband and I can't imagine living another moment without you.''

''Maybe it was too much for him to handle.'' Hotch suggested, knowing that his absence could never be justified. Her father had left the family when he was needed most, and that was exactly what JJ carried with her.

''Yeah, maybe.'' she agreed. ''He just took off in the middle of the night and we never saw him again.''

''And despite everything you've been through in life you have managed to come out on the other side, JJ.'' Hotch said proudly. ''You became a CIA agent to do good, and even now you're doing an amazing job. You have accomplished so much.''

JJ leaned into his side and let her head fall to his chest, just enjoying the simplicity of the moment. Those small moments were the ones that mattered most to her. It were the moments where her heart was at ease because she knew she'd always have him in her life. And just being with him was more than enough reason to live. She still couldn't believe that one person could hold so much meaning. Just the simple thought of her having a husband seemed somewhat like a joke because she never imagined to meet anyone like him, but she had. And her life was so much better for it.