Author's Note: In case any of you noticed, I took down the previous chapter 9 and replaced it with this. I decided it needed more work, so it will likely return later in the story. This new chapter is inspired by my own high school graduation.

"Vivian Jennifer Hotchner."

There was uproarious applause from the crowd as Vivian walked across the stage to receive her diploma. The entirety of the BAU had joined the Hotchners to celebrate the occasion and they wholeheartedly accepted the task of showing a member of their family how proud they were of her. Rather than being embarrassed, Vivian gave them all a dazzling smile before returning to sit with her classmates.

As the principal continued to call students to the stage, Aaron took an opportunity to turn his attention from his daughter to his wife. He was unsurprised to find her crying. During her years with the BAU, Emily was known as the one who could look upon the most horrific things without showing any weakness. When it came to her children, however, she often found herself getting misty-eyed in any slightly emotional situation. Aaron reached over to squeeze her hand, doing his best to comfort her without drawing attention to her tears.

When the ceremony was over, Emily was the first to find Vivian. She pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, the two becoming a tangle of light skin and dark hair. Aaron stood back for a moment, his heart swelling at their display of affection. Watching Emily's love for their children in action only served to make him love his wife even more. He finally interrupted their private moment when he noticed Emily's shoulders shaking, stepping forward to envelop them both in his arms.

"I love you so much," Vivian murmured so that only her parents could hear her.

"We love you too, sweetheart," Emily replied through her tears. "We love you too."