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Chapter 27: Fate Gave Me You

Emily glanced over at the man sitting next to her. He was trying his best to keep his eyes on the road but every now and then he looked her way. His left hand was on the stirring wheel but his right was in her hand. Now four months into their relationship they still couldn't keep their hands off each other. Every look and every touch sent a spark through her whole body. She had never felt like that with anyone. He brought out a vulnerable side of her that no one got to see but him and she did the same to him.

Working in such proximity was hard at first when Emily decided to go back to work at the BAU but they made it work. Of course Strauss had things to say, being these were her to least favorite agents but they even hurdled over that.

Emily turned in her seat to see her precious little girl in the back seat. Gracie had changed her more than anyone ever had. She made Emily want more out of life than just work. Before Gracie came into her life Emily was as much of a workaholic as her boyfriend Hotch. But now she went to work and did her best but came home and shed the horrors of the day. She was no longer Agent Prentiss, she was Mommy. And that made everything worth it.

Gracie looked up from her book to see her mom staring. "Mommy, are you okay?"

"Yeah sorry. Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

Gracie nodded. "I need to but if you don't want to go with me Aaron can take me."

"No baby, I want to go. I just don't want to pressure you into doing something you aren't ready for. We haven't been here since the funeral and I just don't want it to upset you." She reasoned. Hotch squeezed her hand to give her the support she needed. Emily didn't really want to come but Gracie asked so she would for her daughter.

"I am ready. Mommy I can do this and I want to." The seven year old reassured her mother. Emily nodded bravely and turned back in her seat.

Emily hopped out of the car as soon as it was stopped to help Gracie get out. "Do you want me to go with you?" she asked taking the girl's hand.

"No" she said simply.

"Okay Aaron and I are staying right here if you need us. I love you baby."

"Love you too." Gracie told her then started walking to her destination.

It wasn't far. She carefully walked over the grass to her mother's grave. It had been over a year since her death and Gracie knew it was time to come see her. Many changes had taken place and she needed her mother to know she was not forgotten.

She smiled softly at the letters on the tomb stone. It felt like a million years ago that she was here holding Emily's hand as they lowered her mother into the ground. That day she said her goodbyes so now she was just going to talk and share her life. Her mommy told her she could say anything and her real mother would be listening.

"Hi mommy, I hope you can hear me. It has been a year since you left but I'm doing good. Emily has taken good care of me. I eat all my vegetables and I clean my room real good. You would be proud. I hope you aren't too mad that I call Emily mommy now. She said you wouldn't be. You just want me to be happy. And I am.

School is fun. I have lots of new friends and do really good on my papers. Uncle Spencer says I'm a genius in the making. I like to do math but it can be hard sometimes. I can read really well too. Mommy takes me to the library to get the good books. I can't read as fast as Uncle Spencer but I'm fast enough.

I started playing soccer. Aaron coach's my team. We're the red tornados. Jack plays too but they don't keep score at his age. He's still little. My team won some of our games but Mommy says it's okay to lose. Everyone has to some times.

We moved to a new house. Aaron lives with us now. Jack gets to come on the weekends. Guess what? Aaron told me a secret but I'm not allowed to tell. But I think I can tell you. He is asking Mommy to marry him. I think she'll say yes." Gracie wiped at her tears on her cheeks. She looked over to her Mommy and Aaron by the car. "Their good people, okay? I promise to be good. I love you Mommy."

Emily held on the Aaron as she watched Gracie talking to the grave. It made her proud her daughter was brave enough to come talk with her birthmother. Their life had some major changes coming including the girl's last name was now Prentiss. Aaron and her had just bought a house too. Gracie loved the man so Emily agreed quickly when he asked.

All these things added up could stress the little girl but she was doing amazing. And Emily couldn't be happier.

-CM-CM-

Later that night, Emily climbed up in Gracie's bed for their night time reading. She situated herself then Gracie climbed into her arms. "So how are you doing after today?" Emily asked.

"I'm fine. I liked talking to my mom." Gracie smiled. Even though it made her sad she was glad she went.

"I'm glad sweetheart. You can go there anytime you want."

"Okay. This book please." She pointed.

"Already, let's see…"

"Mommy?" Gracie whispered sitting up.

"Yes?" Emily smiled taking Gracie's hand in hers.

"Do you believe in fate?" she played with the hem of her night shirt.

The question struck Emily for a second. How would her seven year old even know what fate meant? But she figured she'd be honest. Gracie had a nose like a blood hound; she could sniff out a lie very fast. "I don't know. It's not something I think about. Do you even know what fate means?"

Gracie nodded "Yes, Uncle Spencer says it means the force or power held to predetermine events or fortune. Inevitability or the final result or outcome…what was the other one? Oh yeah, destiny." She smiled brightly. Spencer told her he was a man of facts so he believed fate is what you make it. Working hard and doing your best. But Gracie didn't know if that was right because then why did her real mother have to die? But she does think Emily was there that day in the police station for a reason.

Emily chuckled; clearly her daughter spent way too much time with the resident genius. "Okay, do you believe in fate?" she countered. She knew Gracie was serious about the question by the glare she got when she laughed but she really didn't have a clear answer for the girl.

Gracie nodded again with a big smile "Yes because fate gave me you."

The End

A/N: This is the end! I'm sorry if not everyone wanted it to end like this but it needed to end with Emily and Gracie. The story was about them with a little side of Hotch. Hope you liked it! And Thanks for all the reviews. Ya'll are amazing!