AN: This is the final chapter! I am working on two new stories.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. Catherine Jareau is mine along with any other characters you don't recognize.

Just say yes,

Just say there's nothing holding you back

It's not a test, nor a trick of the mind

Only love

- Snow Patrol, Just Say Yes

5:30 pm

I yawn and rest my head against Emily's thigh.

"You awake Creirwy?" She asks.

"Mmm," I answer.

She laughs softly, "I've woken Jennifer up several times and you slept through all of our lovely conversations."

I yawn, "She probably told you off for waking her up Emmy, that's not exactly a conversation."

Emily laughs and sits up, "It's almost time for dinner. We let you sleep through the first shift, but after we eat Spencer and I will need to sleep. You and Penelope get to watch Jen and Henry."

I grumble, "Where's Will?"

Emily shrugs, "I don't know, he hasn't called and as far as I know, no one has tried to contact him. Jennifer hasn't asked so we haven't had to say anything yet but Henry…" she trails off.

I sigh.

"So," Emily says in a peculiar tone of voice.

"Hmm?" I answer and sit up.

Very politely she asks, "May I look at your ring now?"

I blink sleepily, "You didn't look while I was asleep?"

Emily shakes her head, "Nope. Your hands were under the blanket."

I giggle.

She groans, "Come on Creiwry, please?"

I snort, "You were staring at it yesterday and I sent you pictures. I know that you saw them because Maura won't stop talking about my ring."

Emily pouts, "But I haven't had a proper look in person."

I roll my eyes and hold out my hand, "Here."

"It's gorgeous!" Emily gushes as she inspects my ring meticulously.

I blush, "Thank you."

She releases my hand, "So tell me about Spencer's proposal."

I yawn and rest my head against her shoulder.

She pokes my ribs, "Come on Creirwy! It's not like he proposed while naked. Why the big secret?"

A wicked idea flashes through my mind, "And if he was?"

She frowns, "Was what?"

I raise an eyebrow, "Naked when he proposed?"

Emily's face reddens.

I burst out laughing.

She glares at me. "Catherine!"

I stop laughing long enough to add, "He was mostly clothed."

Emily huffs.

December 21, 2013

I roll over in bed, finding a warm spot where I expected to encounter Spencer's arm. I crack an eye open to see if he's just rolled the other way; no such luck. I sigh and open the other eye; a faint glow emanating from the nightlight in the corner shows that Spencer is not in our bedroom. Untangling myself from the covers I climb out of bed, and exit the room while silently cursing the cold floor.

I check the bathroom first, followed by the kitchen. While searching the living room I grab a blanket and wrap it around myself. Groaning I remember the first place I should have looked; the second bedroom, also known as our library.

I peek into the room, unsure if Spencer has fallen asleep reading again like he has the last few nights. Though he's not moving and doesn't look up when I enter the room, I know he is awake because the lamp on the end table next to his wingback chair is lit and there is an extremely creased letter clutched in his hand. I cross the room quietly and sit on the arm of the chair, tucking my frozen toes under his thigh, and wait for Spencer to acknowledge me.

A few minutes later, he folds the paper in half and places it on the table. "I received a letter from my mother on Monday," He says without inflection on any particular word.

I frown, maybe something bad has happened. It is after all ridiculously early on Saturday morning, and Spencer typically mentions the letter the moment it arrives.

Spencer un-tucks my toes from under his thigh.

"Stop that!" I protest, "My feet are cold!"

"You should have put your slippers on," He murmurs and pulls me down onto his lap.

I shiver, "You must be cold too without a shirt, though I suppose you are wearing your robe." I grin, "You could come back to bed, our bed is warm." I suggest hopefully.

He shakes his head and tucks the blanket in around us, "Not right now."

I sigh and curl up against him, happy despite my protests.

Spencer wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my head.

I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat.

"My mother wants to meet you," He whispers quite a while later.

I'm on the verge of falling asleep and I wrench my eyes open to answer him, "Is that such a bad thing?"
He shrugs, "I don't know."

"Do I get a say in the matter?" I ask curiously, slightly more awake now.

Spencer pulls away and looks at me with a frown.

"Well?" I prompt.

"I suppose you do," He answers hesitantly.

I look directly into his eyes, "I would like to meet your mother."

He sighs, "Catherine. I-"

I cut him off, "No, hear me out. Maybe we could take several days off, I've got a break in February. While we're in Las Vegas there you can pick a good day to introduce me to your mother and on another day you can show me where you grew up. She is part of the reason you grew up to be the man that I love, Spencer. Why wouldn't I want to meet her?"

Spencer stands up with me in his arms.

"Wait! What are you doing?" I ask nervously.

He puts me back down on the chair and takes away the blanket.

I frown, "Spencer?" I thought my declaration would get more than being dumped on the chair by myself. I'd expected a kiss and possibly a chance to go back to my warm bed. I certainly did not anticipate having my blanket stolen.

Spencer kisses me fervently, "Don't pout. "I'll be right back." His footsteps move swiftly down the hall.

I cross my arms and tell myself I am not pouting.

When Spencer returns, he grins sheepishly at me, "I was going to wait until tonight, when we're supposed to have early Christmas dinner with everyone, but I decided that I couldn't wait." He kneels down on one knee, and my heart is suddenly in my throat.

A small black velvet box rests on his palm and he flips open the lid.

My mouth opens but "Spence," is all I manage to say.

He smiles at me, "Before you say anything, I want you to know that I've thought this through and I did this properly; I asked Jennifer's permission."

I inhale sharply.

Spencer stares directly into my eyes and continues speaking; "When I met you, you were still a child but only in the context of your age. You have seen some of the horrors this world can subject someone to, and while you didn't come out unscathed, no one could have accomplished that. You survived Catherine, and that you did and continue to makes you even more extraordinary. You have survived every single thing life has thrown at you. I feel privileged to have gotten a chance to watch you grow into the wonderful woman I see before me today- or tonight rather.

Nine years, less 113, days could be an insurmountable age gap for some, but not for us. You have been the most important person in my life for several years now and I am honoured that you have given your heart to me and I am, and have been, beyond ecstatic to give you mine in return.

I promise to love and honour and cherish and protect you, but most of all I promise to let you be you. Because there is no one else I would rather you be, you're perfect. There were no others, there are no others; there will never be another for me. Catherine Jareau will you marry me?"

"Yes. A thousand times yes," I whisper coming out of my shock.

He grins at me.

I realize I'm crying only when Spencer wipes the tears from my cheeks. "You deserve to be happy sweetheart, and I like to think that I make you happy."

I throw my arms around his neck and whisper, "You do."

Spencer draws back and holds out his hand.

I place mine in his, palm down.

Spencer kisses the back of my hand gently and slips the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly.

"What is it?" I ask studying the ring on my left hand in the lamplight, absentmindedly wondering how he figured out my ring size.

Spencer replies sarcastically, "An engagement ring,"

I roll my eyes and push his shoulder gently, "I meant the stone in the middle Spence."

"I know you did," He answers smugly.

I huff my frustration.

"The band is white gold," He says, deliberately drawing his answer out, "And the stones to either side are diamonds."

"Really?" I reply sarcastically.

Spencer laughing gives in and answers properly, "The stone in the middle is a Sapphire."

"I've never seen a Sapphire this pale before." I frown, "Not that I've ever actually seen one in person, but I've seen pictures. "

He blushes, "I wanted one that would match your eyes."

Now it's my turn to blush.

"Do you like it?" he asks shyly.

"It's gorgeous Spencer! I love it!" I gush.

Spencer smiles at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're probably cold by now, shall we go back to bed?"

I burst out laughing.

"Catherine," Emily prompts.

I blush lightly, "Spencer asked Jen for permission before proposing."

"That's adorable," Emily smiles, "Is that all you're going to tell me?"

I nod.

Emily starts to get out of bed, "Okay Creirwy, I'll just have to get it out of Spencer."

I grab her hand, "No, Emily. Please don't…"

She studies my face intently, "Okay, I'll leave it alone if you answer one question for me."

I cross my arms, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

With a finger Emily turns my face up to meet hers, "Does he make you happy?"

"Yes." I nod emphatically and blushing add, "I feel safe when he's around."

She kisses my cheek, "That's good enough for me." She grins wickedly, "Penelope on the other hand threatened to castrate Spencer if he hurt you and Derek swore to burn all of the first editions and any other book he could get his hands on."

My jaw drops, "They didn't! They wouldn't!"

"And Aaron and Dave… Well," She smirks and walks out of the bedroom.

I scramble off the bed, "Emily!"

Friday

6:30 am

"Put it on," I say through a yawn.

"Kitty cat…" she protests lightly.

I cross my arms, "No Jenny."

"It hurts to move," She mumbles.

I immediately feel bad, but refuse to give in. "Please put your bathing suit on Jennifer."

Jennifer winces as she sits up. "Remind me again why we are doing this now?"

I sigh, "Because you want to see your baby boy before he goes to school and not send him into a panic."

"Henry," Jenny smiles weakly.
My lips twitch, "And there is no way I'm leaving your hair in Will's hands."

She lets out a choked laugh.

I smile crookedly, "Emily said she'll come up in a bit to help cover up the bruises."

Jen sighs, "Henry's seen me with bruises before."

"Jenny, you haven't looked in a mirror recently, have you?" I ask and bite my lip, certain of her answer.

She frowns, "Well no, but-"

I hold up a hand, "No buts. You look like someone's punching bag! Your face is black and blue, never mind the rest of your body. Jenny you have not one or two, but three cracked ribs and a concussion!"

My sister frowns, "Don't lie. I can't possibly look that bad."
I pull out the compact Penelope had stuck in my pocket on the way up after breakfast and hand it to my sister.

She takes it from my hand with trembling fingers, opens it up and lets out a startled gasp. She turns her tear filled blue eyes to me. "My neck," She whispers and touches it hesitantly with her fingers.

I wince and try not to look at the mess of blue and purple that covers Jenny's neck. "You're right," I mumble, "I was lying… It's worse."

"I don't remember him trying to strangle me," She whispers to herself.

I frown but don't say anything in response.

Jen stays sitting up but unmoving.

I sit down next to her on my bed. "Jenny," I whisper.

She looks up, startled.

"The bathing suit," I reiterate. "I'm not supposed to leave you alone even for a shower, but you can have a few minutes to change."

Jennifer sighs.

"You really should still be in the hospital," I mutter bitterly.

She shakes her head, eyes wide, "No more tests or examinations. No more hospitals Catherine. Not again."

I wince and nod.

"Turn around," She mumbles.

I rise from the bed and go to stand across the room, facing the wall.

It makes Jenny chuckle. The sound is strained but not unpleasant.

"Kitty cat," She whispers a few minutes later.

"Yeah Jenny?" I answer without turning around.

"I can't tie the top," She continues quietly, "Can you tie it for me?"

I turn around and swallow the horrified gasp that wants to escape as I take in the full extent of my big sister's injuries.

Jenny winces.

I guess I didn't hide my horror well enough.

"It's okay," She mumbles, "I'll manage to have a shower on my own."

I roll my eyes and cross the room, "Don't be silly. Will would be here except Henry won't let go of him."

She sighs, "Don't lie. I know he's away, working on a case."

I run my hands through my hair, "Jen he's just upset about the baby. Why didn't you tell him?"

She ignores my questions and mumbles plaintively, "Why can't he be upset and here at the same time?"

I close my eyes and sigh, "Can I retract my statement, and just go with he's an idiot."

She smiles sadly at me, "He may be that, but he's my idiot."

I squeeze her left hand gently, it's the only part of her not covered in welts or bruises. I wonder idly if it's because of the wedding ring?

Jen leans back in the tub and rests her head on my knee, "What was Matt talking about before?"

I squeeze conditioner into my hand, "Hmm?"

She frowns, "Don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you."

I snort.

"Catherine," She says, exasperation leaking into her voice.

"Jennifer," I reply in a slightly mocking tone.

She huffs.

I smile and start running my fingers through her hair.

"Well?" She says a few minutes later. "I'm not stupid, I know something is going on."

I sigh, "Can we talk about this later? As in when you don't have a concussion."

My sister shakes her head, "We're going to talk about this now and if I don't remember everything, we'll talk about it again later."

I sigh, "I don't know what he meant."

"You're lying," She states without vehemence.

I roll my eyes and am purposefully vague, "I'm not entirely sure what he was referring to, but if it is what I think it is I have no idea how he would know."

"You're making my head hurt worse Catherine," Jennifer says testily.

I sigh, "Strauss wrote me a letter. It was supposed to come to me when I graduated, but Dave gave it to me last year after the funeral."

Jen freezes, "What did it say?"

I rinse her hair. "Strauss was hoping, well planning really, to have me join the FBI. The letter said that I would make a good agent if I could master my fear of people." I growl, "Only we both know that that's bullshit. I'd never pass the exams." I stand up. "Come on," I offer her my hand, "I'll help you get up."

She takes my hand and rises sluggishly.

When Jen is wrapped in a towel and sitting on a chair in front of her vanity I continue my explanation, "That's part of the reason why Strauss agreed to my going to Montreal. It was to see if I could handle myself in the field with people I didn't know." I scowl, "We both know how well that went. Anyway, that's why she wanted me on that trip to Montreal. It wasn't just an excuse for your backstop at state."

Jen stiffens.

I run the brush through her hair and roll my eyes, "Like you said, I'm not stupid. I overheard the conversation the two of you had when you thought I was upstairs and asleep. I wasn't upstairs and while it wasn't necessary this time, I am perfectly able of faking sleep." I step to the side so I can look directly into her eyes via the mirror, "I learned from the best."

Jen blushes.

There is a knock on the bedroom door. "Who is it?" I call out.

"It's me," Comes a gruff voice.

My sister stiffens.

I sigh and look at Jen, "Am I letting your idiot in or not?"

She sighs, "Let him in."

"The door isn't locked," I call back.

Jenny snorts.

Will enters the bedroom slowly and closes the door behind himself. He enters the bathroom and gasps upon seeing her, "Jennifer your neck… your face."

I scowl at him, "If you can't say anything nice I'll kick you out."

"I'm sorry," He holds up his hand in placation.

"It's okay Catherine." My sister fiddles with a strand of wet hair, "I want to hear what he has to say."

I sigh.

Jen takes my hand, "Would you give us some privacy, please? I'll call if I need you."

I nod, "I'll wait by your door for a few minutes and I'll go back downstairs if I don't hear from you, okay?"

She nods hesitantly.

I squeeze her hand and leave the bathroom.

I can see Will crouch down at Jen's feet through the open door and hear him as he starts to speak in his slow, drawling way. "I called Spencer to see if you were alright. He said you'd come home and that he and Penelope were looking after Henry while Emily and Catherine took care of you." He winces, "He also said some things I would rather not repeat if I don't have too." He sighs, "I slept at the precinct last night. I'm sorry I didn't call you. I didn't know what to say after…" He trails off, looking down at the floor. "Sanchez is taking over my case." Will looks up, "I asked the Captain for a few days off so I could be with you." He blushes, "Emily interrogated me before she would let me come upstairs. She said I would have to see if you would let me stay. I am so sorry, will you please let me stay Jennifer?"

Jen's got tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry too Will."

I sigh and close the door behind me.

7:45 am

Henry shoves the door open. "Mommy!" He shrieks with glee upon seeing her.

"Henry! I missed you!" Jen holds her arms out to him.

"I missed you too!" Will isn't fast enough and Henry launches himself at Jen.

Jen catches her son and groans in pain.

Henry startles, "What's wrong mommy?"

Will scoops him up and sets him down on the bed beside her.

"I hurt my ribs at work," She adds at his worried frown, "I'll be okay soon. I just wanted to say good morning before you left for school with Daddy."

"Good morning mommy," Henry smiles up at her.

Jen kisses his head, "I love you Henry. I'll see you when you get home."

"I love you Henry," Henry echoes with a silly grin.

Jen laughs and kisses her son.

"Let's go kiddo, we're late!" Will says while ushering Henry off the bed and out of the room.

"Bye mommy!" Henry waves.

10:00 pm

I stand up from the steps just outside the front door and cross my arms. "You weren't planning to leave without saying good-bye to me, were you Emily?"

Emily puts down her bag, "No. I knew you would find me before I left."

"Snuck out," I mutter under my breath.

Emily sighs, "I need to go home, Catherine."

"And your home isn't here any more," I answer quietly.

She nods sadly, "We rescued Jennifer and she will be okay. I need to go home to Maura and Abby." Emily holds out her arms for me.

I wipe my eyes and step into the hug.

"Don't cry Creirwy," Emily hugs me tighter, "I'll be back in May for your graduation. And then you'll be in Lyon for your internship, assuming you accept the position."

I shrug uncomfortably.

"This isn't a good-bye. It's a see you later." Emily kisses the top of my head, "Don't forget to listen to your messages Creirwy. Maura wanted to know why you hadn't called her back yet."

I step back, "I'll listen to it tonight."

Emily picks up her bag and walks down the stairs. "See you later alligator!" She calls and waves from the gate.

I wave back but cannot bring myself to answer until Emily has already left in the waiting taxi. "In a while crocodile…"

I close and lock the front door, climb the stairs, trudge down the hall and peek into Henry's room before continuing down the hall to Will and Jen's room. I knock on the door.

Will's voice emanates through the wood, "It's not locked Catherine."

I snort at his reply and enter the room. "Have you woken her up recently?" I ask Will.

He looks at his watch, "You can wake her up now if you want to. I was going to give her the Ibuprofen in 10 minutes anyway." Will gets up and fills a glass with water, "Have you looked in on Henry?"

I nod, "He's still asleep."

He hands me the glass, "Well, I'll do the same and give you two a few minutes of privacy."

"Thank you," I mumble and kneel on the floor next to the bed. "Emily's gone again and I need you to wake up, please Jenny," I whisper.

"Go away," Comes the muffled reply.

I wipe my eyes. "Come on," I coax, "You need to wake up so I can give you the painkillers for your headache."

A hand sticks out from under the blanket.

I snicker, "Nuh-uhn. You have to sit up to get them."

Grumbling my sister does as requested.

I hand her the two white pills, "First question, what is your full name?"

She rolls her eyes at me, "Jennifer Louise Jareau."

I hand her the glass of water, "Second question, how old are you?"

"Thirty-five." She swallows the pills, "Was that the last time?"

I shrug, "It's not been 48 hours since we found you so Will will probably wake you up again once more."

Jen sighs and settles back down, "Are you going to wait for me to fall asleep."

I nod, "Yes."

She sticks her hand out again, "Good."

I hold it gently.

"You've been crying," She murmurs, "What happened?"

"It's nothing," I reply as Will comes back into the room and sits down on his side of the bed.

"Are you mad at me?" Jen asks groggily a minute or so later.

I frown, "Why would I be mad?"

"About the baby." She yawns, "Will is, or was it was? He yelled…"

On the other side of the bed Will flinches.

My nose wrinkles, "What? No. I'm not mad at you."

"You went away," She mumbles, "I didn't see you."

I squeeze her hand, "You've been asleep most of yesterday and today."

She blinks blearily up at me.

I sigh, "Go back to sleep Jennifer. I'm not mad at you."

She closes her eyes, "Love you Kitty cat."

I kiss her cheek and tuck her hand back under the blankets. "I love you too Jenny." I stand up and look over at my brother in law.

Will holds up a hand to stop me from saying anything. "I know your opinion Catherine. You don't need to say it out loud."

I roll my eyes; "I'm not going to chastise you in front of Jen, even if she is asleep. I was just going to say good night."

He flushes, "Good night Catherine."

I leave their bedroom, walk down the hall to my own and slip into bed with Spencer. He reaches out to me in his sleep. I smile and pick up my cellphone, dial my answering machine and punch in the password. "You have three new messages." The recoded voice tells me, I press the button to listen and am greeted by a croaking voice, "Hi Spencer this message is for Catherine, not you… Hi Catherine, it's Maura. I'm sick. I hate being sick. When are you coming to visit? Are you coming before you graduate or not until after the semester is finished, like last summer? We visited with you and mémère in Paris last year, but this summer I want to show you all around London. Maman said that Spencer would like Darwin's house and Abby said you would like Stonehenge. Who is Darwin? And why would you want to see a bunch of old rocks? Call me back, I need answers to my questions."

Laughing I save the message and continue to listen to my voicemail. I frown when I recognize Abby's voice; even though it's hesitant I seriously consider just turning off my phone. "Catherine, please don't delete this, I want to apologize. While I realize that this would be better done in person that is not currently possible and waiting until your graduation seems more than a little ridiculous. I am sorry that-"

THE END

AN2: Thank you for reading! I hope you have enjoyed Come As You Are.