A/N: Hey all! Guess what, guess what! This is the final chapter of Ulterior Motives! Yay! Lol. Anyways, I really hope you enjoy and that you'll let me know what you think. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Chapter 21: Happily Ever After…

~ 1 year later ~

JJ pulled three mugs out of a box to set them on the granite countertop of the spacious kitchen, before scooping heaping teaspoons full of hot chocolate powder into the three. Pouring a mix of hot water and cold milk into each one, she topped the three mugs of hot chocolate with colorful marshmallows—the only kind Henry would eat—and went about searching in another box for some kind of tray. Finding one, she called out, "Alright, here we go, chocolate for my boys!"

She left the kitchen, approaching the living room, eager to sit down and relax. It had been a long day. However, the sight before her had JJ pausing in the doorway.

Henry and Dave. My boys.

Neither one of them seemed to notice her presence there, so she quietly stood there, taking the moment to take it all in. This was her life, now and forever. And she couldn't have been happier.

"After you marry my mommy, what should I call you?" Henry asked innocently, and then added, unsurely, "Dad?"

Rossi scooped up her five year old, making him soar in the air before settling him on the couch next to him, in a fit of giggles. When Henry finally calmed down, Rossi answered, "Well, son, you already have a dad."

She sighed. Will. He was still obviously in the picture, but with the man moving to New Orleans months after their breakup, Henry had seen his dad a handful of times in the year since. It was Dave who was there for Henry, consistently, for all the important milestones.

"Uncle, then, like Uncle Derek and Uncle Spence?" Henry continued.

"Hmm…" Rossi seemed to consider this. "Why don't we just stick with what works?"

Henry grinned. "Dave!" he exclaimed.

"Dave it is," Rossi agreed, smiling happily before turning serious again. "Henry, you ok with me marrying your mom?" Her son looked up at him hesitantly, maybe a little confused. "Hey, you can tell me whatever you're thinking, ok, always. You know that, right?"

She watched her son give him a big nod.

"Alright, so tell me what you think." Rossi nudged Henry's shoulder with his own playfully, keeping things light.

Henry giggled before answering, "Ok… Joe, that's my friend at school… his mommy and daddy are married. Mommy's and daddy's are 'pposed to be married, I think…"

Rossi nodded along, encouraging her son to speak his mind.

"But, my daddy lives in 'Orleans… so daddy can't marry mommy. You're here, Dave. You can marry mommy, though."

JJ smiled affectionately at the little boy who was her world.

"And you make my mommy laugh, too. That's nice."

Dave chuckled. "So, that's a yes?"

"Yes!" Henry exclaimed, nudging Rossi back. "You're so funny, Dave!"

JJ took this as her cue to re-enter the living room. "Hot chocolate time!"

Dave looked up at her, startled. His eyes met hers, questioningly, wondering if she'd caught their exchange. She couldn't hide it, her eyes shone with happy tears.

"Yay!" her son announced, cutting off their eye conversation.

She placed the tray on the table and her son instantly launched himself towards the mugs. He eagerly picked one up, slurping loudly. Lucky for Henry, the hot chocolate was more like warm chocolate in her house.

"Movie time?" Henry questioned his mom.

She laughed, grabbing the remote as she took Henry's vacated seat next to Rossi. "Movie time," she allowed. She un-paused the movie—Batman, a cartoon, kid-friendly version, of course—and sat back on the leather sofa, getting comfortable.

Rossi breathed out a relaxed sounding breath, placing an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She settled into his side, enjoying his warmth, feeling safe and content in a way she'd never felt before in her life.

"So?" he prompted, whispering close to her ear.

Exhaling a breath, her eyes went to Henry, already into the movie. When Rossi had asked her if he could check with Henry if their recent engagement was all right with him, she'd said it wasn't necessary. Henry adored Dave; there was no way he wouldn't approve.

Tonight confirmed it. But listening to the impromptu conversation with the two most important people in her life, she was struck by how much it actually meant to her to hear Henry's opinion and that it was a confirmation of what she'd already believed.

She turned her head to look him in the eye. A smile spread across her lips before she said, "I love you."

He grinned. "I love you, too."

His lips met hers in a hungry kiss.

"Mommy, Dave!" Henry's voice pulled them apart. "It's time to watch the movie… not time for that…" He gestured between her and Rossi, making a face.

She cleared her throat, laughing. "Right, right, movie time."

JJ forced herself to put some distance between herself and her fiancé even as he playfully tried to reach for her. The mischievous glint in his eyes told her what he was thinking of.

"Later," she mouthed at him. She waved a finger at him, mock scolding. He let out a long-suffering sigh that turned into a smile. Instead, he reached for the hot-chocolate on the coffee-table before him.

Doing the same, she forced her attention to the TV screen, attempting to focus. No such luck. Today had been too big of a day to push out of her mind. Today she and Rossi had moved into the new house they'd bought together. She was exhausted, but still floating on cloud nine.

To think, just a year ago they were starting out, maneuvering around hurdle after hurdle. Admittedly, they'd created their own obstacle course of issues. She remembered being mad at him over the fact that he'd bought her former home. She shook her head at herself, unconsciously; she'd been such a prideful fool. After overcoming her pride and Rossi's jealousy, they took a step back, deciding that their initial intention of taking things slow had failed. And that they had to try again.

Now, here they were one year later, happy and together. That wasn't to say they still didn't have their disagreements, they did. She was still a proud individual and Rossi glared at anyone who looked at her twice. But now they had a strong foundation of love and trust to fall back on.

Their relationship was steady and surging ahead. There was no stopping them now.

It was perfection.

Well that's it. I really hope you enjoyed my first and last (lol) foray into the world of JJ/Rossi (except maybe for the Hotch/JJ/Rossi triangle that I so want to write). It's been fun!

A big thanks to everyone who's been reading and alerting this story. And another big thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter: agentracer25; red2013; Angels-heart1; Snpshot; and p95000.