2018

'Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants. She's ahead of her time. Oh, she never gives out and she never gives in. She just changes her mind.'

Five years passed and the recently founded 'Strauss-Rossi' family were going from strength to strength. Jess and Erin moved into Rossi's mansion in Potomac Heights a year after the revelations were made. Both women loved living there. Jess would sit and study or read for hours in the garden, Erin would take walks around the land arm in arm with David. If the weather was nice, they would sit and eat in the garden. In the winter, they would sit in the living room by the fire, chatting, reading, playing games or whatever took their fancy. Erin couldn't believe it. She finally had the family she wanted, finally had the life she wanted. Dave made sure that neither she nor Jess wanted for anything. When Jess had her high school finals, Dave let her use his study or his office at the bureau.

Jess graduated High School with a 4.2 GPA and got accepted into Princeton college. And that was it. She was off to live her life away from home. Dave found it hard at first. He had just gotten used to have Jess in his life, and suddenly she was off again. He knew she would be home during the school holidays and that she would come back when she graduated. She didn't want to be too far from home, so she was going to try and live in the Maryland/Virginia area once she had finished her studies. Dave and Erin tried to visit as often as they could, and Dave often found himself wishing that there was a case over in New Jersey so that he could go and see her.

Jess was now in her twenties and was loving her life. Things were going great. School was fun, being with Jack made her smile, her mom and dad were happy. It was all she could have asked for. She was enjoying her time away from home, she felt grown up and in charge of her life. But there were times when she missed her home and her parents terribly. Especially the year that Jack had left to go into the program. She spent much of her time at home with her parents, as they were worried about her and Scratch getting to her. She knew that they would catch him and when they did, she and Jack would resit the year they had missed.

Dave and Erin found that they enjoyed having the house to themselves more. It made the time that they had together even more special. The BAU were in high demand these days and Dave would be back from one case and move onto the next. As Section Chief, Erin couldn't show favoritism, which is why relationships between members of the FBI were discouraged. But Erin didn't care. She was in love, she was happy, she was with a wonderful man who made her feel special. Dave saw how happy Erin was. She was nicer to the team, she even made amends with Blake before she left the team. She supported Aaron in his decision to leave the team when Scratch was targeting them and offered to support him in whatever he did next. When Linda Barnes took a personal assault on the BAU, Erin worked like crazy to undo her work and restore the unit. The team were amazed, it was like a whole new Erin.

"I've never seen Strauss this nice!" commented Reid, one evening when they were on the plane home.

"I don't know," replied JJ, "She wasn't that bad when I was over in Afghanistan with the state department."

"JJ, wasn't Strauss the one who made you leave in the first place?" asked Prentiss, smiling.

"I wasn't happy with how it came about, I was pissed at her for a long time, but she's not that bad, once you get to know her."

"She has made a real effort with the team recently, guys." Added Matt.

"And I know Matt and I haven't been here long, but she seems like she really wants to be different." Said Luke.

JJ smiled, "That's definitely evident. Dave seems to have changed her for the better."

"Who have I changed?" Dave asked, taking his headphones out. He had been listening to a few songs that Jess had recorded for him.

"We were talking about how different Strauss appears these days." Said Reid, ignoring JJ and Emily shaking their heads at him.

Rossi smiled, "What can I say, I must have the magic touch!" The team smiled and laughed. "She really wants to make an effort with you guys. She knows there's a lot of water under the bridge when it comes to the team, but she's offering an arm to you guys. This has nothing to do with her AA meetings, I should add."

"I don't know Rossi…" Emily said, teasingly, "That's a lot of water we are talking about!"

JJ cottoned on, "Yeah, it's almost like a ravine!"

Rossi looked at them, "Hey! Enough of the water analogies! The point is, she wants to get to know you guys better. Apparently, I babble on enough about you at home that she's convinced that she should be nicer to you as you are such an important aspect of my life."

"Aw Rossi. We love you too!" said Emily, smiling.

"And it's not just because you have a mansion!" said Reid.

"Well, thank you for that!" said Dave, smiling. He paused.

"What is it?" asked Luke.

"I wanted to run something past you guys…"

"Sure," said Tara, "Shoot!"

Dave smiled, "Things with me and Erin are going really well, better than I could have ever imagined."

"Good!" said Matt, "You both deserve it!"

"Thanks Matt," Dave replied, "But…"

"Uh oh," smiled JJ, "There's a but!"

"I want to take the next step, I want to marry Erin Strauss."

The women on the jet gasped. Rossi laughed, he knew that saying those six words would elicit that response. Matt and Luke laughed too and Reid looked confused.

"Oh, that's great, Rossi!" said Tara, smiling.

"So, Erin Strauss will become the 21st Mrs David Rossi then!" laughed Emily.

"Hey!" Dave called her out, "We've had this conversation before, Emily! I've only had three wives!"

"Ok, ok!" she said, laughing harder.

Dave shook his head and sighed, looking at his Unit Chief, inconsolable in a fit of laughter.

"Well, they say fourth times a charm!" said Luke, trying to be consoling.

"Yeah, the last time!" said Rossi, "I mean it. Erin Strauss is the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life. This has to last."

JJ smiled at him, "I'm sure it will. You two seem to have a really good thing going, and you have Jess together."

"Yeah, and Erin gets on with Joy, doesn't she?" asked Tara.

"She dotes on Joy and treats her as if she were her own. Kai even calls her Grandma!"

"Wow bet she was pleased at that!" said Luke, smiling.

"You know what, she took it really well. She's already a Grandma through Amber and James but due to their history, she doesn't really see her Grandkids, and I think Jess and Jack are too young still…"

"Also, Hotch would go mad if he was told he was going to be a Grandpa now!" said Reid.

Dave laughed, "You may be right there, kid!"

"Seriously, Dave, I think you'll be ok. Erin will say yes, and you'll live happily ever after!" smiled JJ.

Dave placed his hand on her shoulder, "I hope you're right, Jennifer, I really hope that you are right."

Erin Strauss was waiting at home for David to come home. She liked his mansion but when it was just her, it was huge and slightly overwhelming. She didn't know how he had lived here all by himself, for all of those years. She sighed, got up from the armchair she had gotten comfy in and went to make herself another cup of coffee. Once upon a time, she would have poured herself a glass of wine and she would have drunk her way through two bottles by the time she went to bed, but this was the new Erin. She was going on 5 years sober now and she was even a sponsor. She had almost lost everything through her drinking, she had almost lost her daughter, her job and she was sure that had she carried on drinking, she wouldn't have the relationship with David.

She smiled. She smiled every time she thought of him these days. It was like she was a teenager all over again. Every time she thought of him, she would smile, her stomach would do flips, and she sometimes let out a very girly giggle. She didn't know what he did to her exactly, but she loved it. And she loved him. When they had entered the relationship, she knew that they wouldn't get married. Neither of them was really interested in it, her having been married once and him married three times. But now she was thinking. Jess was all grown up, and knowing Jack, they would be married in the next couple of years. She had no one who was dependent on her anymore apart from David. And now the thought of marriage seemed appealing. Being married and living out the rest of their days together as husband and wife. They could retire at the same time, grow old together, see their grandchildren grow up and just be happy. That was her dream now and she hoped that it was David's dream too.

Just then, the latch went and in walked David, looking tired but smiling. She left her cup on the side and walked over to him. She spoke no words, but wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He dropped his away bag and kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She was smiling as they pulled apart.

"Hey." She said, softly.

He smiled at her, "Hey, you!"

"Good flight home?" she asked, leading him into the kitchen.

"You could say that," he smiled, "We had a very interesting conversation."

"Oh yeah?" she smiled, "Coffee?" she held up the coffee pot.

"Woman, you read my mind!" and he kissed her again. She poured him some coffee and sat down at the kitchen island. He joined her and took a sip of coffee.

"So what was this interesting conversation about?" she asked, looking at him.

Dave paused for a moment thinking about how he was going to tell her. He decided to go with the truth, "Well, it was about you…"

She smiled, "Me? What about me?"

"Well, the team have noticed that you have been warming up to them in recent years. You know, you made amends with Alex, you supported both Hotchner and Morgan in their resignations and the whole thing with Barnes…"

"Barnes was totally out of line anyway. If she was concerned about the team, she should have come through me and not tackle the team head on. Plus, she was rude to my David, you don't need to retire!" she smiled, placing her hand on his. He squeezed it and smiled back.

"They really appreciate the steps you've been taking recently, Erin. They want to get to know you, to love you as I do. You are no longer the ice boss lady, you're one of the team!"

Erin smiled, tears in her eyes. "Thanks, Dave!" she said, softly.

"Talk turned to other things as well." He said, inhaling slightly. His stomach had just turned to jelly and he couldn't quite believe he was going to do this.

"What other talk? Oh David!" she looked at him, "Please tell me you didn't bring up our sex life!"

"Does that really sound like something I would do?" he asked, mock offended.

"Yes!" she smiled, "But I'd love you anyway!"

He smiled back, "Good, cause otherwise this would have been really awkward…"

"What would have been awkward?" she asked, confused.

Dave didn't say anything. He reached in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a little velvet box, placing it carefully on the table.

"Oh, David…" Erin gasped, looking at him.

"Erin, you are my world. Nothing would make me happier than to have you as my wife. I love you more than life itself and I would never do anything to hurt you." He opened the box. Inside was a dainty diamond ring. It sparkled in the light from the overhead kitchen lights and looked magical. "Erin Strauss, will you marry me?"

Erin looked at him and smiled. She didn't have to think, she knew the answer, "Yes!"

Dave put the ring on her finger and kissed her, laughing and crying at the same time.

"You have just made me the happiest man on the planet right now!" he said, cupping her face with his hands, "I love you, Erin."

She smiled back, "I love you too, Dave."

The next day, they called their children and invited them to dinner in the garden. Joy flew in and Jess picked her up from the airport on her way home. She hadn't seen much of her sister since starting college, something she knew she had to amend. The two women caught up in the car ride from the airport to Potomac Heights, whilst also discussing what their parents were up to, inviting them over for dinner out of the blue.

"Their either breaking up or getting married." Jess said as they rolled into the drive.

"Or they could have missed us and just wanted to catch up." Said Joy.

"Joy," said Jess, looking at her big sister, "They wouldn't have called and asked us to come out here asap for a catch up. They would have organized it properly and allowed us a little more time. This is something life changing."

Joy smiled, "You're so dramatic, you know that right." She said as they got out the car.

Jess smiled back, shutting the door, "What do you expect? Dave Rossi is my father!"

They laughed as they walked round the back of the house, into the garden, arms round each other.

Erin squealed when she saw the two of them walking in. "There they are!" she said, running over to them, "My two beautiful girls!"

Jess smiled, "Hey mom!" and she hugged her tightly.

"Hello, Erin!" said Joy, also hugging Erin.

Erin smiled, "Come and sit down. Can I get you a drink? Water, soda?"

Jess smiled, "Some soda would be good, mom."

"Same here!" said Joy.

"Dave! Can you bring out some soda for the girls?" she called into the house.

"Sure thing!" came his reply.

Erin looked at the two girls, "So, come on!" she said, smiling, "Tell me all about what's going on in your lives!"

"Well, I have a theology paper due in the next few weeks and then its finals time, so I'm busy prepping for that." Jess smiled, "Plus, Jack's taking me for a weekend away in New York after finals!"

"Oh, Jess, that's so exciting!" said Joy.

"I know right! I'm buzzing!" Jess replied, hardly keeping in her excitement.

"Promise me you'll be careful, Jessica!" said Erin, smiling.

Jess rolled her eyes and smiled, "I promise, mom!" and she leaned over to kiss her mother on the cheek.

"Thank-you!" she smiled, "I just worry about you, you're my baby!"

Jess sighed and rolled her eyes. Erin and Joy laughed.

"Don't worry, Jess, I'm in my mid thirties and my mom still calls me her baby. It never stops!" smiled Joy, patting Jessica's arm sympathetically.

"That's because a mother's job is never done!" said Erin, pointing at the two of them, "How is Hayden anyway?"

"She's doing well. She's babysitting Kai for me as Shawn is away with work and I'm, well, here!"

Erin smiled again, "Thank-you for coming across, Joy."

She shrugged, "It's ok. I haven't seen Jess for a while, she's been so busy with her ivy league life these days, and it's good to see you and Dad again… if he ever comes out of the house!"

The three women laughed, and Dave poked his head out the door to see what all the fuss was about.

"What's going on out there?" he called, smiling.

"Dad, will you just get out here already!" called Joy.

"Ok, ok! I'm coming!" he called, disappearing back into the house and reappearing with a tray of drinks and snacks.

"That's what was taking you forever?" asked Jess, "Food?"

"Hey, young lady!" he smiled, handing her a soda, "You will learn that being a host means that you provide your guests with food and drink and that it shouldn't be rushed!"

"Well, I think it looks fantastic Dad!" Joy said, taking her soda. Jess stuck her tounge out at her big sister, which Joy returned.

Dave shook his head, "Look at them!" he sighed, "You'd never guess they were 20 and 36!"

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!" replied Jess, smiling at her dad.

"Touché!" and he raised his glass to her.

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the weather and the company. Dave and Erin's house was removed from the busy road and backed onto the Potomac river. Jess loved being back here, she felt so calm and relaxed that her theology paper didn't even enter her mind. Joy was reminded of her home in California and all the memories she had shared with her dad out there, especially that first weekend. Erin sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying the sunshine. These last few days had been a whirlwind of romance and excitement and she was happy to grab a few minutes to herself. Dave looked at his family and smiled. He hadn't seen this coming, not in a million years. Once, he had thought that Carolyn was his whole world and that they would be together forever, but now he realised that it was Erin and Jess and Joy and Kai who were his world. He needed nothing else in life now, it seemed complete. The only thing to do was to tell his children.

He sighed, smiling.

"What's up, Dad?" asked Jess, looking at him.

"I was just thinking all the good times we've had in this garden. Will and JJ's wedding, yours and Jack's graduation party, Kai's 5th birthday…"

Jess looked around. Her eyes landed on the swing that she and Jack had been sat on when they finally confessed how they felt to each other. She smiled to herself.

"There have been some great memories here, Dad." Smiled Joy.

"And now, I want to add to them!" he smiled at Erin and she took his hand.

"What's going on, guys?" asked Jess, looking from her mother to her father and smiling.

"Well, your mother has finally decided to make an honest man out of me!" he smiled.

"What?" said Jess, grinning from ear to ear.

"You mean..?" asked Joy.

"Your father and I are getting married!" said Erin, smiling. Her eyes were sparkling. Jess caught a lump in her throat. She hadn't seen her mom this happy, ever. She was glowing with happiness. She looked over at her Dad. He was looking at Erin as though she was the most beautiful woman on the planet. He was totally and utterly in love, Jess could see that.

"Congratulations, guys!" squealed Joy, getting up and hugging her father and then Erin.

"I'm so happy for you both!" said Jess, squeezing her mom, "I never thought I would see this day!"

"Me neither, kiddo, me neither!" said Dave as he hugged Jess.

"I propose a toast!" said Joy, holding her glass up.

"To love!" said Jess, coping Joy.

"To family!" said Erin.

"To happiness, in whatever form you find it!" said Dave.

Joy looked at Jess and Jess at Joy. "To the best parents anyone could ask for!" They said in unison.

"I wish you every happiness!" said Joy.

"I'll drink to that!" said Dave.

A/N

This is the end of this story. If you want to see Dave and Erin's wedding, I hope to be writing that soon. Thank you for sticking with me if you have. I love Erin and Dave's relationship and so I wanted to pen my own thoughts as to how it started and how Jess came into being.