Epilogue –

Five Years Later:

A low, barely audible groan left Kate's mouth as she reached over and clattered the alarm with her hand, eventually hitting the snooze button before she rolled over and pulled the blanket further over her head. Dave smiled as he gently edged the door open and saw the sleeping figure but as much as he wanted to let her rest he knew that it wasn't possible, quietly he walked in and placed the steaming mug of coffee beside Kate's bed.

"Mom?"

"Sorry munchkin."

Dave grinned as he perched on the edge of the bed as finally Kate rolled over and opened her eyes.

"Oh hello Dave."

The grin only grew as Kate spoke, Dave would never tire of hearing Kate call him dad. It actually hadn't taken her that long after Emily had quit working for the BAU and slowly he had spent more time with the two of them, it had happened naturally and had made him immensely proud, and as happy as he had felt on the days that he had married Emily and formally adopted Kate too.

"Sorry to disturb you munchkin."

"Mom sent you?"

"Yes."

"And she's freaking out?"

Dave laughed and nodded his head while Kate sighed and pulled herself up in the bed, it was a very apt description of Emily who at that moment was frantically searching out the most appropriate outfit for the day.

"But we've got hours as yet."

"Yes but it's your high school graduation munchkin she just wants the day to be perfect, we're both so proud of you."

Dave smiled as he leant across and kissed Kate on the cheek, laughing softly as he watched her cheeks redden.

"Yeah well who would have thought five years ago that I'd even graduate high school."

Dave frowned before he reached over and ruffled his daughter's hair.

"Well we all knew that there was a brain in there it just took you a while to find it!"

"Dad!"

Kate laughed as she playfully shoved Dave's arm out of the way.

"Come on then munchkin drink your coffee and come on downstairs there is a mountain of food that your mom has prepared for breakfast!"

Kate just rolled her eyes and nodded her head as Dave stood up and left his daughter to get ready, he had another, just as important woman in his bedroom that needed some attention.

Dave's smile had yet to leave his face as he walked into the master bedroom and saw Emily standing in front of the large mirror, a rather large frown adorning her face, as quietly and smoothly as possible he walked over and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist.

"Dave you'll ruin my dress!"

"It's ok Emily, it's perfect, you're perfect, please relax."

Dave smiled as he bent over Emily's back and kissed her tenderly on the neck.

"Dave..."

"Shh Emily don't worry."

"You've woken your daughter up?"

"Oh so she's my daughter now then?"

"Yes when she's running late for important events!"

Emily laughed softly as she turned around and embraced Dave, the thoughts about her dress forgotten about.

"Everything is going to be fine Emily, you look gorgeous."

"I just can't believe that Kate is graduating today Dave, the years seem to have flown by."

"I know love and in just a few months she'll be packing up her things and moving away to university."

Dave sighed as he spoke but then he saw the tears suddenly start to stream down Emily's cheeks.

"Oh I'm so sorry love, I didn't mean to upset you."

Emily just shook her head as she reached up and wiped her eyes.

"It's ok Dave, I guess it's just going to take a bit of getting used to."

Dave nodded his head, he like Emily was not looking forward to the day when Kate left for university but at least between the two of them they had managed to persuade her to choose NYU so that she wouldn't be too far away.

"Eh mom, dad?"

Kate poked her head around the door, she could see that her mom had been crying as she walked towards them both.

"You do know that nobody has died right?"

Kate rolled her eyes as she spoke but she placed an arm around her mom and kissed her on the cheek.

"Sorry sweetie I can't help it."

"Don't worry Kate I've packed plenty of tissues for the ceremony."

"Dad that really doesn't help!"

Kate stared hard at Dave as kissed Emily on the lips once again, she could feel her mom squeezing her hand tightly.

"I'm not going to be that far away mom."

"I know sweetie, I am just so proud of you today, all grown up, graduating and going away to university."

"A bit different from when we met."

Kate dropped her head slightly as Dave walked closer and wrapped an arm around his daughter's waist.

"Katherine Stanley Rossi you are a magnificent young lady and you are going to be an amazing success at whatever you do, don't you ever forget that."

Dave swallowed hard to stop the tears from escaping as he spoke but then he looked at the two females in the room who already had tears running down their faces.

"Thanks dad."

Dave nodded his head as he embraced both Emily and Kate, the three of them together, complete as a warm loving family.

Finis.

Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed and most importantly enjoyed this story it certainly has been a long journey but one that has come to an end now!