AN: I had alot of trouble finishing this chapter off, so please be kind. I'm not really all that good at ending stories. I hope this is satisfactory. Also, I haven't put alot of detail into the segments of these chapters. I think some of the scenes have been done before, in my other stories and in stories by other authors. So I figure, the readers can use their imagination.

Thank you everyone for your reviews and words of encouragement. I appreciate all of it, criticism and kudos alike.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.

Epilogue: 3

April 2012

Emily peeked through the two curtains, looking around the room at the large crowd. Cameras at the ready, microphones on standby… she could only hope that this message would be the first step in some drastic changes. Changes that could see the end of human trafficking, or at least mark the beginning of its' demise.

"We've got quite the crowd out there, hey Prentiss?"

Emily turned and smiled, nodding at Ambassador Marcus Cameron. "Yes sir," she replied, tipping her head back towards the curtain, "You ready to get thrown to the sharks?"

Marcus chuckled and shrugged, tightening the not on his tie, "I deal with politicians on a daily basis… the media, I can handle."

Emily nodded, "Well, we're all set with the prompter. There's a glass of water on the lectern if you get thirsty," she explained, taking Marcus by the elbow and leading him back to the side of the small stage, "I'll be right by your side with an emergency print out of the speech if we have technical difficulties, and I'm on hand if any of the international correspondents ask questions."

Marcus offered Emily a proud nod, "Your father would be proud, Prentiss… it's taken about ten years and a lot of hard work, but it looks like his dream is about to become a reality."

Emily smiled sadly, "Thank you Ambassador," she replied softly, shaking her head slightly in an effort to take control of her emotions.

"You've been working with me for two and a half years, Prentiss… you think you could call me Marcus?"

Emily shrugged, "You think you could call me Emily?" she replied.

Before he could open his mouth again, the curtains started to pull apart and Emily took a deep breath. Looking to her side, she waited for Marcus' nod before she walked out onto the stage. Cameras flashed and the loud buzz of conversation came to a halt as she stood behind the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press community, today is a proud day for the people of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. On this day, a treaty has been signed by representatives of these three great nations, in hopes of working towards the end of human trafficking. I would like to introduce you all to the man responsible for this world-changing agreement, so without further ado... Ambassador Marcus Cameron, head of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons."

"Aristotle once said, 'Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals.' And for those of us in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, those words could never be more true. We were put on this earth to speak up for those who have no voice, and to challenge our leaders, and the people who elect them, to stand with us… alongside us.

"This piece of paper, this treaty, is more than just that… it is a promise between our three nations. A promise to never give up on our goal to truly rid the world of human trafficking and slavery. A promise to make this world safer for generations to come… thank you."

As Marcus stood back from the podium, he looked to his left and smiled. Emily smiled back, the tears glistening in her eyes as she nodded to him. She sighed and closed her eyes, picturing her dad sitting in the front row, applauding. He would have loved to've been here today, celebrating with the team who had brought about such significant change. Emily felt her heart skip a beat at the thought, the idea that her father would be proud of her for all they had accomplished.

Emily felt a small hand on her shoulder and turned to see Liana, her intern, her brow wrinkled. Emily opened her mouth to ask her what was wrong, when the young girl gestured to her watch. Emily's eyes grew wide and she looked down, checking the time, and her heart began to beat rapidly.

"Shit," Emily cursed under her breath. Turning back to see Marcus as he spoke with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts, Emily caught his eye. He wrinkled his brow in confusion, then looked up at the clock on the wall and his own eyes grew wide. "Go… I'll see you after," he said quickly, waving Emily away, "And save me a dance!"

Emily didn't think twice as she turned back and hugged Liana, "Wish me luck!" she cried, before running out of the room. As she rushed down the hall, skipping through the narrow passage still crowded with journalists and cameramen, Emily shook her head and smiled… "I've gotta stop with the double-booking!"

Emily pulled her car into the empty spot, not even stopping to check that she'd locked it, before running up the front steps of the small building. She burst through the double doors and ran down the hallway, pushing through the second door on the right.

JJ was fixing Garcia's hair in place, both women jumping when they heard her come through the door. She smiled at them and shook her head, "I'm so sorry I'm late… the press conference went for longer than I expected."

JJ chuckled and shook her head, handing the dress bag to her friend, "Hey… it's your day, honey… just glad you could make it." Pointing to the door to the bathroom, she tipped her head, "You go and get changed and I'll go and let the guys know you're here." Waiting for Emily to close the door behind her, JJ nodded to Garcia, "You get started on her hair and I'll get her mother."

Hotch looked up at the sound of the music starting, his dimples popping out when he saw his small son walking down the aisle towards him, in his hands the pillow holding the rings. Jack held the pillow with one hand and brought his other up to wave. Hotch chuckled and held his hand up in a small wave, his eyes following Jack until he took his spot next to Sean.

Just like a star across my sky,

Just like an angel off the page,

You have appeared to my life,

Feel like I'll never be the same.

Just like a song in my heart,

Just like oil on my hands,

Honor to love you.

Hotch turned back to watch JJ and Garcia as they walked down the aisle, hand in hand. He had to admit, the BAU ladies sure did scrub up nicely. They were dressed in dark purple dresses, and in their hands they held a bouquet of white and light purple tulips. He smiled at the two women when they joined the men at the steps, in the front of the small chapel.

As the music continued, Hotch's eyes met Emily's when she stood in the open doors. It was a good twenty metres, but he could see from where he stood at the altar, she was grinning. His heart began to beat faster at the sight of her, and as she made those initial steps towards him. He couldn't take his eyes off her, as she made her way towards him. On one side, she held the arm of her mother, the Ambassador looking proud and regal. On Emily's other arm stood Maggie.

The closer the three women got, the less nervous Hotch became. He'd been nervous at first, wondering if Emily would actually make it… it was a big day for her. He'd had no doubt that this was what she wanted, he just wasn't sure how long the press conference would take. But now, seeing her in front of him, Hotch knew… this was the woman he was meant to be with for the rest of his life.

Still I wonder why it is,

I don't argue like this,

With anyone but you,

We do it all the time,

Blowing out my mind.

Emily fixed her dress and looked nervously between the two women who'd raised her. She squeezed their hands, offering her mother a smile first, then Maggie. Without saying a word, the women took their places on either side of her, and then they took that first important step.

Emily looked past JJ and Garcia, who were nearing the end of the aisle. And as her eyes swept up, her heart skipped a beat. God, he looked gorgeous! Aaron Hotchner was made to wear a suit. She kept her eyes locked on his with every step she took.

Emily's cheeks were sore already, and they hadn't even really started yet. And as she drew closer to her soon-to-be husband, she could see his smile, his dimples poking handsomely into his cheeks.

It had taken a long time to get to this point… almost 40 years… but Emily knew, this was it. Aaron was the man she'd been waiting for her whole life. No one could infuriate her like he could. No one could make love to her like he could. No one respected her like she did. And all that he was to her, she was to him also.

Now I have come to understand,

The way it is,

It's not a secret anymore,

'cause we've been through that before,

From tonight I know that you're the only one,

I've been confused and in the dark,

Now I understand.

"So how did this morning go?"

Emily looked up at JJ, smiling and shrugging her shoulders, "The Ambassador spoke so well, and the speech was very well received."

"Of course it was… you wrote it," JJ remarked, gently pushing Emily's shoulder, "You deserve to be proud of your work, Em… it's a huge accomplishment. And on top of that, you did this! You married Hotch!" JJ giggled, "You're Mrs. Hotchner!"

Emily rolled her eyes and groaned, "God… you saying that makes me sound so old!"

JJ chuckled and wrapped her arm around Emily's shoulders, "Not at all honey," she assured her friend, "But it does mean that if you were to come back to the BAU, there would be two Agent Hotchners," JJ shuddered, "Come to think of it… I don't think any of us could handle that. One is more than enough."

"Did I just hear my name?"

Emily and JJ looked up, the former smiling at her husband as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "Jayje was just teasing."

Hotch smiled, his dimples peeking out, as he leant down and kissed Emily's cheek. "Can I steal you away for a dance?" he whispered in her ear.

"Go… take her," JJ said, waving the happy couple away, "So long as you come and say goodbye before you leave."

Emily leant over and kissed the top of JJ's head, "Of course I will," she replied, before following Hotch as he led her to the dancefloor.

Turning to face her, Hotch took Emily in his arms, pulling her to him by the waist. When her arms wrapped around his neck, he felt her sigh against his chest, and he turned his head to kiss her on the hair.

"You look beautiful, Emily," he whispered, eliciting a shiver down her spine.

Emily looked up and ran her fingers through Hotch's hair, "You don't look too bad yourself there, Aaron," she replied, before nuzzling into his neck.

"You had me a bit nervous there this afternoon… wasn't sure you were going to make it."

Emily huffed and stood up straight, playing with the tufts of hair at the nape of Hotch's neck. Offering him a smile, she shrugged, "I'm sorry I kept you waiting… I had a stop to make on my way from the press conference."

Emily's mind drifted as she thought about her earlier visit to the cemetery – placing her hand on the cold stone while she told her dad about all she had accomplished, and how she was planning to finish the day. A morning of playing the diplomatic superhero, and an afternoon of marrying her best friend. And just as she'd started to say goodbye to him, a slight breeze had drifted through the air, wrapping around Emily like a hug.

Hotch wrinkled his brow, "How is he?" he asked, knowing exactly where Emily had been between the conference and the church. And he couldn't blame her. Today was a huge day in the Prentiss family, for two very different reasons. He felt Emily shrug and leant back to look her in the eyes.

"Proud… I hope."

Hotch pulled Emily close as the music played on. His mind drifted to their past – to all they'd endured so far; to their present – her body pressed against his as they spun on the dancefloor; and to their future – the adventures they would have together, side-by-side. And as she looked up, their lips meeting in the umpteenth kiss as husband and wife, Hotch knew that this was it. This was living.

The End