"It's nice to finally meet Mr. Hotchner," JJ said shaking Aaron's hand.

"It's nice to meet you to Ms. Jareau. Norah talks about you all the time, in the most glowing of terms," said Aaron.

"She talks about you too...incessantly," JJ said giving Norah a wink, watching her friend blush. "I've been wanting to meet you for months now."

"Well, we knew about each other, but had never met before," Aaron said smiling. "Why don't you and Norah talk and I'll see you for dinner."

"Sounds good to me, as I haven't seen her in a week, so we haven't had a chance to catch up."

"I'm glad you could come, because we're celebrating," Norah said.

"Celebrating what?" JJ asked

Norah simply held out her hand and JJ stared at the ruby and emerald ring on her friend's finger.

"You got engaged in didn't tell me right away?" JJ practically screeched.

"It only happened a couple of days ago while we were in San Francisco and I don't think you need a diagram as to how we celebrated. Really, you're the first to know, except my parents. We just got back today and I didn't go tell my parents in person I did it over a link call," Norah explained talking fast.

"Well I suppose that's okay then," JJ decided and Aaron was openly smiling at them.

"Why don't you show JJ the pool? There are bathing suits in different sizes in the changing rooms," Aaron suggested to Norah.

"You have a pool? Right in the house?" JJ questioned, as Norah led her friend towards the front doors.

"Of course he does, he can do anything he wants after all," was all Aaron heard as the two women disappeared.

"Well I think we're both going to like Norah's friend," Derek said smiling.

"And why is that a surprise?" Aaron questioned raising his eyebrow. "Norah wouldn't be friends with anyone that wasn't at least a little like her, personalitywise I mean."

"I just meant that it's a good thing if she's going to be hanging around frequently. You won't want JJ causing discord."

"Norah told me enough about her that I know that wouldn't happen," Aaron said. "I'm going to enjoy getting to know her better."

"So will I and I know Penny will love having another female friend," Derek said.

"Now I might as well go take care of some of that work that I put aside while I was on my business trip," Aaron said.

"It wasn't a business trip, not really," Derek said. "Sure you took care of some business but you could have been back in a few hours, it was more of a vacation. You're first with Norah."

"And we both enjoyed ourselves other than me being run over by a car," Aaron grinned smugly. "I'll see you at dinner."

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~

"It's so strange to have a pool in the house," JJ said, even as she dipped her feet in the water.

"Yeah, I thought so to when Aaron happened to tell me about the pool and mentioned I was welcome to take a dip anytime I liked. I didn't realize it at the time but Derek and Penny are the only other two with that privilege other then Aaron himself. Derek and Penny work for him and live in the mansion. Of course, if we ever have an overnight guest, I'm sure he'll allow them to use the pool if they want to, but mostly he's not big on company in his own home."

"That might change with you in his life," JJ suggested.

"Maybe," Norah said.

"So was his proposal all romantic?" JJ asked.

"Not really, it happened like this. Me and Aaron were getting in the car as he had taken me to this place that had all kinds of different soaps and lotions and body wash. I'm talking handmade not the mass-produced stuff and Aaron was just about to step off the edge of the sidewalk when he was nearly run over by a car."

"Run over by a car?" JJ asked blinking in shock at Norah's explanation

"Yeah, Aaron thinks there was something wrong with the women's brakes. It was a SUV, a very hefty car. Anyway, Aaron just managed to get me and himself out-of-the-way before it crashed into a lamppost nearby. The accident scared me so much, especially when Aaron was knocked unconscious. It was only for a few minutes, but it scared me to death. I thought maybe he had been hit after all."

"He probably just hit his head on the pavement," JJ guessed.

"Probably," Norah shrugged. "When he woke up and I realize that he wasn't really hurt sent a great surge of relief through me. We then got out of there as we didn't want to be questioned by the police. Anyway, once we got back to the hotel room we talked, a lot and the one thing I realized was that due to Aaron's near accident that I really did love him, something I had been denying, as you know. When I told him that I did love him and he better never scare me like that again he proposed right there. We went to one of the best jewelry shops in San Francisco and picked out this ring the next day."

"Now that's totally different than what I expected," JJ said finally.

"Yeah, I suppose it was unusual, but when Aaron frightens the life out of me by nearly being run over..."

"Yeah, I see what you mean," JJ agreed soberly. "I suppose you were both lucky."

"Believe me, I know it. In some ways, it was a good thing, because I stopped denying that I did love him. Scaring the life out of me apparently makes me react that way. It also made me realize that I couldn't live my life without him in it," Norah said. "I was all set to deny my own happiness because I was so sure that Aaron was just like other wealthy man and that I was no more than a plaything or a passing intrest to him. No matter how many time I had seem how different he was from other of his set or how much Derek talked about how Aaron had changed since he met me, I suppose it didn't really sink in.

"Who's Derek?" JJ asked

"He's that big black man that I didn't get a chance to introduce you to," Norah explained. "He's kind of a bodyguard/butler for Aaron. He does all kinds of things around the mansion, though I'm not exactly sure what his duties are. There is also his wife Penelope Garcia Morgan who is his computer expert. Apparently, both their families, have known the Hotchners for generations. There has been a long line of their family members that has worked for the Hotchners in some capacity."

"Well, I suppose, if you have highly capable servants from a couple of families then you want to keep employing from those same families," JJ said.

"Exactly, and Aaron pays them more then average so that they'll stay with him, and not find something that pays better," Norah said. "He values competence, loyalty, honesty and a strong work ethic. So many people don't have that, that I don't blame Aaron for valuing those traits."

"Well, that's one way to keep your employees loyal to you," JJ said with a laugh

"Aaron knows that, as he's a smart man. By the way, Aaron told me to tell you that you're welcome here anytime. Come for dinner or lunch or just to spend the day. We'll both always be happy to see you. Aaron suggested that we could even have sleepovers along with Penny."

"Now that'll be fun," JJ said cheerfully. "That probably won't be for at least the next couple of years though, as you and Aaron need plenty of time alone, since you'll be newlyweds."

"Probably not that much time, as Aaron travels a lot for business and I'll probably end up going with him on some of those business trips. We can do it when he's gone. Derek knows how to make himself scarce."

"So do Derek and Penelope have any children?" JJ asked, as she loved babies.

"Not yet, but they will soon I'm sure and remember you already asked Penny that question months ago. Apparently, they haven't been married all that long, they might not be ready to start a family," Norah said.

"Now when is the wedding?" JJ asked.

"Aaron doesn't want to wait until next spring, so we're going to try for three months from now right here on the grounds."

"Oh, that'll be absolutely fabulous," JJ said enthusiastically. "The grounds are lovely."

"I need yours and Penny's help to plan. There's no way I can do it by myself, though Aaron did suggest a wedding planner. I told him I'd think about it," Norah said.

"We might need professional help if you're going to try to plan it for three months from now," JJ said.

"That's probably true," Norah agreed

"It depends on how big it's going to be," JJ said. "If there's going to be 500 guests, that's going to take a long time to plan."

"No, Aaron says no more than 200, as he is not inviting many people he does business with particularly those with daughters that have annoyed him countless times with their immature behavior. He's the type of man that does exactly what he wants and he wants our wedding to be perfect. He doesn't want to invite people that will probably try to push their daughters on him even at our wedding and even if they don't, well, he doesn't particularly like them very much. He might do business with them, but that doesn't mean they're friends, just business associates. You can admire someone's business sense and ethics, but not the person that has them."

"It's still going to take awhile to plan but not as long. I figured they'd be at least 1000 people, since I'm sure he knows quite a few national leaders, religious leaders, business people..."

"Yes, he does, though I haven't met any of them yet, but I'm sure I will," Norah agreed.

"I think you should tell Aaron that you want a wedding planner. I don't think we can handle this all by ourselves. There are so many details to work out, especially as big as this wedding will be. It's not like you're going to go down to the courthouse to be married. This is your wedding day and Aaron inviting a lot of people, ones he actually likes. He wants it to be perfect for you. So who are you inviting?" JJ asked

"I will not be inviting as many as Aaron wants to invite. Some of my teachers from high school and college, my parents and sister, you. Probably no more than 30 people all told."

"So that puts the total number of guests up to 230," JJ said. "I suppose that's not too many for a woman's wedding."

"Not if you're in Aaron's position it isn't," Norah said with a laugh. "If it was just me marrying an ordinary man there wouldn't have to be so many people there."

"That's not quite true, as I'm sure your parents would want to invite all their friends and associates," JJ mentioned.

"True," Norah agreed. "There wouldn't be the amount of people that are going to be this wedding. I wouldn't absolutely have to invite those people that are friends of my parents if I didn't want to, but since I know and like many of them I wouldn't mind so much."

The two friends talked wedding plans and caught up with each other even as they took dips in the pool.

"We'd better go it's about time for dinner," Norah said.

"So what's for dinner fillet mignon?" JJ asked teasingly.

"No pizza," Norah said. "I convinced Aaron to introduce you to fancy food gradually. I didn't want you getting overwhelmed, as I know I was the first time I had something I never even heard of."

"Pizza is okay with me," JJ said cheerfully. "Who doesn't love pizza?"

"Exactly and from our favorite place," Norah agreed.

The two friends took one last dip in the pool and then washed off in the showers, before getting dressed. Norah led the way to where they were having dinner without hesitation.

"Well, you sure have learned how to navigate this place," JJ said appreciatively. "This mansion is like five houses in one."

"And then some," Norah agreed with the laugh. "You know what Derek once told me?"

"What's that?" JJ asked.

"He said that Aaron had this place built mostly for privacy. For Aaron it's not about status it's about not being constantly bothered by different types of people, news people, people who needed help starting a business and didn't want to go to the bank to get loan, women who wouldn't leave him in peace, even curiosity seekers. He has everything he needs right here. A pool, a gym, a library, a game room, a vid theater and any other thing you can think of used for entertainment. There's even a pool room that'd meant mostly for the men, but Aaron showed it to me, I'm talking the game of pool not the swimming pool."

"Well, sounds like your fiancé has everything he'll ever need, right in his own home," JJ said. "You're so lucky to found someone who clearly adores you."

"Yeah I know and I nearly turned it down," Norah said soberly. "I'm glad you convinced me not to."

"Glad to be of service," JJ joked.

"Here we are," Norah finally said pushing the door open that lead to a large den.

"This is where we're eating," JJ asked. "I expected the kitchen, maybe the dining room.

"Why? You're family," Norah said simply. "We can eat in either one of those places if you want, but we thought you'd be more comfortable eating here in the den."

"I wouldn't want to mess up the expensive furniture though," JJ said looked the dark colors of the couches and the chairs.

"Don't worry about it Aaron doesn't care," Norah said. "He'll either have it cleaned or replaced. Probably cleaned though unless the stain won't come out. Nobody's going see this room anyway except family."

"Well okay then," JJ said.

"Besides, it's only tomato sauce and can be wiped up," Norah shrugged.

"You sure have accepted you're about to marry probably the richest man in the world," JJ said.

"I might not like the way he spends money, but I'll get used to it. It's not like he doesn't have it to spend," Norah said. "Oh, by the way, I bought you a couple of presents back from San Francisco. Aaron is supposed to bring them down when he comes."

"Oh what did you bring me?" JJ asked excitedly. "I didn't really expect you to bring me anything no matter what I told you when you told me you will going on a trip."

"I know, but Aaron insisted we bring you something nice and I agreed with him," Norah shrugged. "One present is just from me the other is from both of us."

Aaron arrived just then with two presents under his arms.

"From Norah," Aaron said handing JJ a present. "And from both of us."

Aaron handed JJ the second present which was larger.

"On thank you," JJ said gratefully tearing into the smaller package first. Inside the paper was a gift set, with several different types of soap, a bottle of body wash and lotion.

"Oh, this is so thoughtful," JJ squealed, holding the set to her chest.

"I knew you'd like it," Norah smiled pleased at JJ's reaction.

"What woman doesn't like such a gift?" JJ inquired.

"No woman that I know of," Norah admitted. "Now open the second one as Aaron is sitting over there patiently waiting.

JJ tore into the soft package and out came a leather coat. "Oh! It's spectacular?" JJ said softly, as she handled the butter soft leather. The leather was a soft gold, more of a golden brown, with deep pockets on the outside, where she could put her wallet and keys and not risk them falling out. The leather was real if she was any judge and not the fake kind that could crack really badly. She'd be able wear for years to come.

"Thank you and I love it. In my favorite color too," JJ told Aaron. "It's perfect! Norah knew that I have a weakness for real leather and I'm sure she helped you choose this beautiful coat."

"You're quite welcome," Aaron told her smiling.

"You didn't have to spend so much on me as I know real leather is not cheap," JJ added.

"It doesn't matter," Aaron waved away JJ's concern, "Norah wanted to get you something nice and I agreed with her because you are her best friend. We expect you to be around for many years. The coat is a way to say thank you for supporting our relationship."

"Well then, thank you," JJ blushed as Aaron was a very handsome man.

"Isn't the pizza here yet I'm starving?" Norah interrupted.

"It should be here any minute as Derek only called about half an hour go," Aaron said looking at his watch.

The three of them chatted JJ getting to know Aaron better, since this was the first time she'd officially met him and found she liked him a great deal, which didn't surprise her in the least, as Norah was a good judge of character. Norah certainly looked happier than she had in awhile it was as if all her doubts had disappeared, but JJ could understand that if the story Norah had told her was true. She had no doubt it was as Norah was honest to the bone. Also, the fear in her voice as she had recounted what happened had certainly been real.

"Pizza is here," Derek said as he pulled in, several pizza boxes stacked on top of each other. Penelope followed him with five plates and napkins and everything else you could possibly need.

"What would you like to drink Miss JJ," Derek asked.

"Oh Pepsi's fine if you have it," JJ said.

"We do as it happens to also be Norah's favorite," Penelope said. "Aaron would never allow us to run out of her favorite soda."

"I wish I could find someone that was as thoughtful, as you are Aaron," JJ told the man sitting in one of the comfortable leather chairs.

"You will someday I'm sure," Penelope told JJ. "I never thought I'd find anyone either but then Derek and I started working for Aaron and we fell in love."

"Let's hope so," JJ said, even as she accepted a tube of Pepsi from Derek. Penelope then handed her a plate with a couple slices of pizza on it."

"This is my favorite," JJ said as she took a bite. JJ's pizza was loaded with vegetables and several different kinds of meat, unlike Norah who was a carnivore when it came to her pizza.

Once everybody had a couple slices of pizza the boxes were put on the coffee table and everybody sat down to enjoy their dinner while talking to each other.

It was an enjoyable couple of hours before most of the pizza was largely gone between the five people in the room and once everyone was done Derek gathered up the boxes and took them towards the kitchen to put what remained away and throw the boxes in the recycler. Penelope meanwhile gathered up all the plates and silverware and took them in the same direction that Derek had gone.

"Well it's been an enjoyable evening, but I had better get home," JJ said.

"I hope you'll visit again soon," Aaron told JJ sincerely.

"I will," JJ promised, "but for now it's time for me to say good night. I'll see you sometime in the next couple of days Norah."

"Yeah, you well," Norah agreed and she kissed JJ cheek. "You sleep well."

"You as well," JJ said as Norah escorted her to the front door. She watched JJ go down the front steps with her presents in her arms and get in her car, then drive slowly towards the gate.

Norah watched the gate open and JJ disappear before she headed back inside.

~~~Aaron and Norah~~~

"So you decide on the wedding planner then?" Aaron questioned once they were alone in what was now their bedroom not just Aaron's.

"JJ's right, as it's really too big a task just for me, her and Penelope, not if you want to have it in just three months. The only good thing is we don't have to find a venue to have it. There are so many arrangements to make in such a short time, get invitations printed, hire a catering service, put in an order at a bakery," Norah said ticking off on her fingers just a few of the things that needed to be done.

"I know there's a lot to accomplish in a short time," Aaron said. "If you can't do it in three months then I suppose we'll have to do it at a later date. I suppose I'm just anxious to marry the love of my very long life, but I forgot that weddings, particularly ones with a lot of guests take time to plan."

"Well, if we were going for simple and straightforward with only 50 guest then yes, it could be done by then, but I understand that you have many people you want to invite, friends and associates, so we need to plan for at least 250 people. The extra invitations are for any last minute guests, because they'll probably be around 230 there including my family, some friends and professors from college that I was close to."

"I'll have Penelope look you up a wedding planner then, first thing tomorrow as now I think it's time for bed."

"Yes, it is I'm tired," Norah yawned, even as she started to remove her clothes.

"I didn't say we were going to sleep," Aaron leered at her playfully. "We are newly engaged after all."

"That's true," Norah laughed, even as she wrapped her arms around Aaron slim waist and snuggled into his broad chest. Aaron put his arms around her and Norah not only didn't object, she snuggled in closer.

"Besides, we really need to continue the process of turning you immortal," Aaron said. "Us making love shouldn't be intermittent until the process is complete."

"It's not that I'm going to object if you want to have your way with my body Aaron," Norah told him with a smile. "I mean I never believed that we would actually get married, so I'm certainly not going object if you want to show your love for me."

"Good, because I definitely do," Aaron said even as he stripped off his clothes. "It took me centuries to find some woman I could love for for the rest my very long life and now you'll be by my side 500 years from now.

"I'm looking forward to every minute of it," Norah promised him kissing him tenderly.

Aaron picked Norah up and placed her gently on the huge bed and then started to make gentle and slow love to her. Norah participated enthusiastically, because making love with Aaron would never get old.

Eventually the two of them drifted off to sleep, both of them looking more forward to the future than they had in a long time.