Author's Note: Firstly please excuse the technical errors whereby Chapter 7 was posted instead of Chapter 11. I hope it is fixed now! Secondly,the moment you all have (most probably been, if not haven't until you started reading this) waiting for! I sincerely hope you enjoy this as much as I have writing it. Without further ado; The Power of Love Part II.
The next two months flew by as quickly as she had been back in town. Emily's lease was up however she had requested an extension until she was married so she could formally move into the Hotchner residence. There, Hotch and Jack had made a home for themselves after everything and she considered herself fortunate enough to also be a part of it soon.
Once Penelope and JJ found out about the engagement, they whisked her to all the bridal stores they knew and the ladies spent their free time researching wedding dresses. As Hotch and Emily were settled and content with how their relationship was going, they endeavoured to marry as soon as possible and in the midst of Hotch enquiring and planning, Rossi graciously offered to hold the reception at his home like the previous year.
"What good is a huge place if I'm just a lone man; it's only fitting to create the most beautiful memories in it." Rossi said.
"Maybe next year, we'll be at Rossi's for Morgan's wedding," Reid joked, earning him a soft elbow in the shoulder.
All in all, the preparations were coming together nicely and given that the two preferred a low-key reception, it was the perfect venue. Jack was of course involved with the planning and especially fond of the food tasting session Rossi had put together, which ended up with the team arriving and the couple held a pre-wedding dinner with their nearest and dearest. The cake tasting was equally exciting for the trio and they agreed on a red velvet three tiered cake.
On the night before their wedding, the girls held a slumber party at Emily's place, talking, drinking and reminiscing about all the happy times they'd had over the past years. Although Emily had kindly but firmly rejected the male stripper, they had a great time anyway. For JJ and Garcia, there was no greater pleasure than seeing one of their best friends who thoroughly deserved it; at the highest they'd ever seen her. Similarly, the men, plus Jack had a game night at Hotch's.
"So, the big day tomorrow," Morgan stated as he and Hotch were in the kitchen getting refreshments.
"It is; although it seems like we've been waiting for this forever" Hotch replied earnestly.
"Congrats man, I mean it. I can't think of two better people who deserve good things."
Hotch patted him on the shoulder and replied 'thank you' before they returned to the guys. With anecdotes from the past by Rossi and marriage advice from Will, the night was filled with jokes and laughter surrounded by good friends.
The occasion arrived on a late Saturday afternoon at the end of May. Their close friends gathered early; the girls helped Emily get ready in one of Rossi's rooms and Hotch and Jack got ready in another. JJ and Garcia welled up as she stepped into her ivory sheath dress with lace detail. Her hair was loosely curled and draping over her shoulders, however didn't cover the pearl earrings borrowed from Jennifer's own wedding.
"Emily you look so beautiful." JJ beamed, covering her face with her palm to hold back the tears.
"You are the hottest thing ever and I can't believe you're getting married to bossman do you know how long my dress has been in the cupboard waiting for this day?! Like forever okay and you're finally getting hitched and you're happy" Penelope gushed, making the other two girls laugh.
"You guys are the best and there's no way I could pick one maid of honour. I love you girls." Emily stated, pulling them in for a hug.
"We love you too," JJ and Garcia replied simultaneously.
They heard a knock at the door and Rossi entered.
"Bellissima" he marvelled, blowing kisses to Emily.
"Oh stop it you," she scolded playfully and blushed.
"I know you're not traditional but I'm here as your something old." He joked. "Your something borrowed is presumably the earrings; JJ told me earlier so I want to also gift you your something new and blue."
He handed her a box with a silver bracelet, encrusted with small blue diamonds. It slid on her wrist comfortably and was the perfect accessory to accompany her dress.
"It's beautiful," Emily stated and hugged him. "I love it and I love you for all you've done, not just today." She had never experienced fatherly love* but was grateful for Rossi and he was the next best thing. Although he was the best man also, he was enthusiastic for Emily and embraced his role stepping in for the father of the bride.
An hour later, Hotch was waiting at the makeshift altar with a minister and Jack in a matching suit holding the rings besides him.
"Ready buddy?" Hotch asked his son, anxiously smoothing down his suit and straightening his tie for the umpteenth time. Everything was set in stone but it felt as though marrying Emily was such a privilege, he was required to be nervous.
Jack nodded and stuck his thumb up, and they both shared a smile.
JJ, Will and Henry stood to the middle left with a gap next to them so Emily could walk down while Anderson, his wife and Strauss were on the far left. On the opposite side, Morgan, Reid, their respective partners and Kevin and Garcia stood in anticipation. Jessica and her husband were also in attendance and she and Emily had become friends in the last few months.
It was a small ceremony and the events leading up had influenced the decision for both Emily and Hotch. While they wouldn't have minded more friends and family around, the occasion was in benefit of the couple and sharing their love with their closest ones.
"Ready?" Rossi asked, smiling.
Emily breathed in and nodded. "As I'll ever be."
When she walked out across the patio and onto the grass, she saw all the people who loved and cared about her; her family, in front of her. And waiting at the front were the two people she loved and cared about most in the world.
Hotch watched as she gracefully walked down the aisle accompanied by Rossi who was a dear friend to them both. He noted her dress and her appearance but what struck him most was the beautifully shy smile she was wearing. Emily looked confident and radiant, and so happy. It had been quite a journey to this moment and Hotch couldn't help but tear up as his dear Emily; his bride-to-be was walking towards him. They caught each others' eyes and smiled gently.
At the altar, Rossi and Emily exchanged kisses and he walked to the side. Emily and Hotch held hands as the minister spoke and they soon came to exchange vows.
Emily squeezed his hands tightly before she began. "Aaron, I don't think anyone in this world has been more patient than or as understanding as you. For a long time, I was afraid of the good things that could come out of life and I created distance between us. But you helped me realize that it was possible to be inexplicably happy. I deserved to be happy. And that was all because of you, Aaron." She paused, inhaling deeply as she fought back the tears.
"You've shown me that getting hurt is inevitable, but getting back up is what defines you. So I promise for all the years to come I will be your strength when you are weak, love you when you are hurting, comfort you in times of need, share your successes and sorrow and stand by you no matter where life will take us. You have given me a family and I love you with all of my heart."
By now the tears had spilt onto her cheeks although her words flowed without disruption. She quickly wiped her tears away, looking at Jack and the two shared a smile. Hotch cleared his throat and smiled, before beginning.
"After everything…I didn't think I'd get a chance at this- at love, again. I assumed it had come and gone and I was lucky to have the life I did. I thought I'd fallen into this endless hole and it seemed impossible to get out off but then you smiled at me more than usual, brought around dinner and just sat with me, even if I refused the company. I was drawn to you; your fire, your passion and your ability to heal me and make me happy again."
Hotch had been looking around shyly, irregularly maintaining eye contact but he now he looked directly at her.
"Our line of work has been filled with so many demons and constant battles and memories of the past but today I promise you this. I promise that for the rest of our lives, I will endeavour to remind you of all the good there is in this world. I will make you laugh daily and smile, constantly. I will love you with everything I have because you have given me one of the greatest gifts in life; a second chance at happiness. For this, I will be eternally grateful. I love you, Emily."
Gentle sniffs could be heard from their friends and even Emily who had tears streaming down her face couldn't resist. The minister called for the rings which Jack offered up and he pronounced them husband and wife. Hotch enveloped Emily into an embrace, kissing her tenderly as cheering and claps followed.
After the congratulating and picture-taking, they sat around the table where Rossi made a short speech, followed by a traditional Italian feast.
"To Hotch and Emily. May they have eternal happiness" he ended. Glasses, raised and the couple honoured, they ate and drank to their hearts content, laughing and soaking in the joyous celebration.
Emily circled the make-shift dance floor in Rossi's garden and observed her friends and family. JJ and Will were huddled closely, swaying the sound of the beat as Reid swung Henry around and she heard the high pitched giggles escaping from the young boy. His girlfriend, a shy girl named Maeve stood on the sidelines before he pulled her in and spun her around in the same fashion. The two had only been dating for three months however they connected on a level not even Emily could comprehend, although she was over the moon for the pair and for Reid being happy.
Morgan and his girlfriend were busting some moves next to them while Garcia and Kevin who were on-again off-again joined in too. Somewhere in the corner, Rossi was slow dancing with Strauss and since the two had made it official a while ago, she had become slightly kinder and relaxed.
"It was a beautiful ceremony." She heard as Jessica made her way over with two glasses of champagne in hand. She passed one to Emily and the two of them stood, overlooking the floor.
"Thank you. And thank you for coming." Emily smiled. "I know it might be a little hard just with everything that's happened," she paused, "but I really appreciate you welcoming me into your family."
"I know it would be hard if Aaron ever moved on, but if… If Haley were here, I don't think she could have picked anyone kinder for him." Jessica swallowed. Though it had been a number of years, it still stung a little but she honestly meant it.
"You're good for him, and Jack. And that little boy loves you." They watched as Hotch picked Jack up and was swaying him on the dance floor. Emily's heart swelled with happiness at the sight.
"I love him too; so much. I really do." She nodded surely. "I didn't think I'd get so lucky but now I've got the most amazing little family and I really am grateful."
"It's okay Emily. I don't think you've been anything but genuine from the moment we met. I truly do wish you two the best for the future." Jessica smiled and the two squeezed hands before she left to dance with her nephew.
Emily turned to put her half finished glass on the table.
"Care to dance, Ma'am?" A voice asked behind her, and she turned to find Hotch. He curtseyed to which she reciprocated and he led her by the hand to the floor. They began to slow dance as she rested her head against his chest in comfort. She observed Rossi head to the music station and just then; 'The Way You Look Tonight' came on. They swayed to the sound of the beat, soaking in the atmosphere that was entirely for their benefit.
'And that laugh, that wrinkles your nose, touches my foolish heart' Hotch murmured into her hair.
'Keep that breathless charm, won't you please arrange it? 'cause I love you' Emily sung while the two chorused the next line. They smiled bashfully as Hotch kissed her on the nose and her forehead until their lips met once again. She felt the warmth of his soft lips and melted ever so slightly. Emily moved her arms around his neck and Hotch reciprocated around her waist.
"My mother called." Emily mumbled against him, suddenly remembering the conversation they'd had a few days ago.
"Oh?" Hotch enquired gently.
"She said she was unable to attend the wedding due to a crisis somewhere but wanted to wish me- us, the best for the future, and to let me know she loves me. And that I have a good man."
"The best." Hotch smirked as she retreated slightly to look at him. "That's a good thing though, right? I mean, she cares enough to call you up."
"I guess so. It's mostly about you asking for her permission and being a gentleman. You never fail to amaze me with how wonderful you are Aaron. I'm so lucky." She added, bewitched by the incredibleness that was her new husband.
"I wanted to do it properly. Us- me and you. This is it Em, the first official step of the rest of our lives together."
Emily pulled herself closer to Hotch, closing the distance between them.
"Thank you. For waiting for me." Emily whispered and this time, she knew he had heard her.
"Thank you for being there. For picking up the pieces of my heart and mending them together. And for keeping my faith in the power of love; as cheesy as it sounds" He replied sheepishly.
Under the moonlight and the lantern lights shaping the dance floor, they embraced and kissed tenderly. In the presence of their friends and family, they had been joined together and this time, they would get it right.
"I love you, Mr Aaron Hotchner."
"I love you too, Mrs Emily, Prentiss-Hotchner."
A year earlier, he realized he had been mistaken. Through all they had gone through and overcome, this, he thought, was infinite.
(* We've never heard of Emily's father neither does Wiki state she has a father so I assume he's out of the picture)
I'd like to take a moment to thank rmpcmfan, Rugbygirrl, aspiegiraffe, bellarmenna, xMeaninglessWordsx, SouthunLady, Boo, everyone else and all the guests who have reviewed, favourite and followed this story. You all have made writing this story fun and rewarding and I've had the best time writing it :) Reviews for this chapter are welcome as always!
On a side note, if there is a moment you'd like to see from this story/universe of them getting together feel free to leave a leave a prompt and I will pick the best ones to write. Thank you all so much :)!