A/N: The final chapter. This is more of an epilogue, quite awhile down the track. Please read and review and thanks for reading the story.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.

Emily paced back and forth in the airport. Their flight was supposed to have arrived already. She looked up at the screen. Their flight had landed. She walked over to the window and looked out at the planes on the runway. "Emily," she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned. "Oh Hotch!" she cried out, embracing her husband. She turned and hugged Jack. "How are you Jack?" Emily asked. "Alright. How are you?" Jack asked his step-mom. Emily nodded, knowing if she tried to speak she'd cry. "Let's go huh?" Hotch said, putting his arm around Emily. She nodded and the three of them walked towards the elevator.

It was a one hour drive from the airport to Emily's father's house. When they arrived, Emily pulled the mini-van up in the driveway. The three of them got out and Hotch grabbed their bags. They walked inside and Hotch put the bags down at the bottom of the stairs. He put his arm around Emily as they walked down the hall towards the kitchen. "Daddy!" Charlotte cried out, running towards her dad. Hotch picked up the bright six year old. Emma, their two year old soon followed, hugging her dad's leg. Natalie, Emily's step-mother, stood and welcomed them. Hotch gave her a hug. "How are you Natalie?" he asked. She nodded. "Coffee?" she asked them. Emily nodded and they sat at the table. Charlotte stood next to her mom. "What's up Charlie?" Emily asked. "Can we go into the backyard and play?" Charlotte asked. Emily nodded and the three kids ran outside. "Uh, now that you're back, I might go check on your father," Natalie said, standing up. Emily nodded. Hotch turned to his wife, "Wanna go outside? Fresh air will be good for you," he said. Emily nodded and he led her out to the back deck. They leaned on the railing and watched their kids play. Jack pushed Emma on the swing while Charlotte climbed on the jungle gym.

Hotch looked over at Emily and put his arm around her. "Hey," he said. He started massaging her shoulders and she closed her eyes. "Talk to me honey," he said. Emily took a deep breath. "I just…" she paused, trying to hold back the tears, "I can't lose him. He's my dad," she cried. Hotch pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Emma fell off the swing and started crying. Emily ran down the stairs and picked her up. "Hey, hey. Sh," she said, trying to calm her daughter down. Hotch walked downstairs and joined his family on the lawn. He sat next to Emily and kissed Emma's head. "Hey baby girl," he said. Charlotte came over and sat on Hotch's lap. She touched his face. "Daddy you need to shave," she said. Hotch laughed and touched her face, "So do you." Emily smiled and put her arm around Jack.

It was around 2 in the morning when there was a knock at the door. "Emily," Sandy said. Hotch sat up and called out for Emily's parent's maid to come in. She poked her head in the door. "Sorry to wake you Monsieur Hotchner, but Miss Natalie asking for you," she said. Hotch nodded and rubbed Emily's back. "We'll be there soon," he said. Sandy nodded and closed the door. Hotch turned and pat Emily's back. "You awake?" he asked. Emily groaned. "Honey, we've gotta get up. It's time." Emily sat up and started crying. Hotch put his arm around her and kissed her shoulder.

Hotch and Emily made their way up to the third floor, to Natalie and Simon's room. Natalie and the kids were waiting in the hall. "You ready?" Hotch asked Emily, taking her hand. She nodded. Natalie and Emily walked into the room together.

A half hour later, Emily opened the door to the room. She saw Hotch and the kids sitting on the floor. Charlotte and Jack had their heads on Hotch's knees and Emma was sitting on Hotch's lap. They were all asleep. Emily sat next to Charlotte and rubbed her back. "How you doing?" Hotch asked, his eyes still closed. Emily smiled and looked over at him. He turned his head and smiled back. "I'll be ok." Hotch nodded. "Should we get them to bed?" Emily nodded and stood up. She bent over and picked Charlotte up. "Cmon big girl. Let's get you to bed," she whispered to her daughter. Hotch pat Jack's back. "Let's go buddy. We've got a big couple of days." Jack stood up and dragged himself to the staircase. Hotch stood up, with Emma in his arms. They carried the girls downstairs and put them back into bed. Hotch took Emily's hand and led her out of the room. "I've gotta make a few phone calls. You go to bed and I'll be there soon," Emily said. "You sure?" he asked, "I don't mind keeping you company." Emily shook her head. "I need to do this on my own." Hotch nodded and kissed the top of her head. "I love you Em."

Hotch woke up at about 8 and sat up. Emily hadn't made it back to bed. He got up and walked next door to Jack's room. He was already up. He went to the girls' room and found Emily on Emma's bed, holding her close. They were still asleep. Charlotte walked in and stood next to Hotch. He looked down at his little girl and smiled. "Should we wake mommy up?" she asked. Hotch shook his head, picked up Charlotte and closed the door behind them.

An hour later Emily walked downstairs and found everyone in the lounge room. Natalie was sitting on the lounge, holding Charlotte. Emily put Emma down and she ran over to her grandmother. Hotch walked over to Emily and handed her a cup of coffee. "Thanks," she said. Hotch put his arms around her waist and looked at her. "How you feeling?" he asked. Emily nodded. "Tired. Sad. Confused. I don't know," she said. Hotch nodded and ran his fingers through her hair.

Hotch had just put the kids to bed. He walked into the room he and Emily were sharing and found her lying on the bed. He climbed up and put his arm around her waist. "Hey," she said wearily. "Hi," he replied. Emily rolled over to face him and buried her face in his chest, letting out the tears she'd been holding in the past two days. She'd felt like she needed to be strong for her kids, and for Natalie. But now that they were alone, and they'd made it through the funeral, Emily felt like she could finally let go. Hotch held her as she cried. When she'd run out of tears, she sat up. Hotch rubbed her back, waiting for her to talk if she wanted to. "I," she started, rubbing her eyes. "What is it honey?" Hotch asked, sitting up and kissing her shoulder. Emily shook her head. "Nothing. I just. I need to have a shower," she said, sliding off the bed and walking over to the ensuite. Hotch lay back on the bed. His phone started ringing.

"Hotchner," he said. "Hey Hotch. I'm sorry to do this today of all days. We have a case and we need a fresh set of eyes," Rossi said. "Hey Dave. That's fine. Send everything you have to my handheld and I'll look it over," Hotch answered. "We appreciate it," Rossi said, "So how's Emily?" he asked. Hotch paused, looking towards the bathroom, and moved out onto the balcony so Emily wouldn't overhear. "She's uh. She's not talking," he said. "Are you sure she's not just trying to protect the kids?" Rossi asked. Hotch shook his head. "I don't know. I know she's trying so hard to not be emotional but I thought once it was over she'd talk to me," Hotch said. Rossi paused, "She'll talk when she's ready Aaron," Rossi assured his friend. "Let me know if there's anything we can do from here," he said. Hotch thanked him and they said goodbye.

When he walked back in Emily was in the bedroom, putting her nightgown on. "Rossi?" she asked, pointing to the phone. Hotch nodded. "He's sending some stuff over for me to look at. They just need a hand," Hotch explained. Emily nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes, I just need to print these off," he said, kissing the top of her head. Emily nodded and lay down.

Fifteen minutes later Hotch still hadn't returned so Emily stood and went to find him. Emily smiled when she found him at the kitchen table with the case files spread over it. Emily walked over and stood behind him. She put her arms around his shoulders and kissed his neck. "What are you doing here?" he asked protectively, "You need your sleep." Emily smiled, appreciating his care but ignoring it nonetheless. "I couldn't sleep. This the case?" she asked. Hotch nodded. "Six victims. He hits them with his vehicle and leaves them on the road. The first victim survived but none since," he explained. Emily picked up a couple of the photos and leafed through them. "Looks like vehicular rape," she said, "They're all female victims, they have a type, and he's not just hitting them with his car. He's backing over them and running over them again." Hotch nodded and pressed the speed-dial on his cell. "Rossi," he answered. "Hey Dave, you've got me and Emily here," Hotch said. "Emily. How are you?" he asked. Hotch looked over at her and smiled. "I'm fine. Thanks Dave," she answered. "We've got some thoughts on the case," Hotch said.

After they'd called Dave, Hotch and Emily went back upstairs to get some sleep. Hotch put his hands on Emily's shoulders as they made their way over to the bed. As they collapsed on the bed, Emily curled up in Hotch's arms. "Thanks Hotch," she said. "For what?" he asked. "For looking after me," she answered. "Always Emily."