Chapter Five

A/N: Another thanks to all the people reading an reviewing: I love all of you! A Kiss To Build A Dream On is originally by Louis Armstrong. I wrote Erin and Aaron didn't choose the original version, you can imagine whoever you want singing it. I've no idea who covered it, to be honest… Please leave me a review to let me know what you think of it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. And I never will, either.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.Mignon McLaughlin.

Erin nervously smoothed down her dress. The top part of it resembled a corset, the bottom was a long skirt which broadened gradually from her hips down. It didn't have too much embroidery or pearls on it. Instead, the embellishments were strategically placed to make the dress even more beautiful in its relative simplicity. Much like the engagement ring Aaron had given her.

To add to the differences to her first wedding, Erin wasn't wearing a veil either. When she'd married Frederick, he'd insisted she wear one. She'd felt that instead of doing it to uphold tradition, she'd had to do it to hide herself away. He'd also said he didn't want her to wear white, which she'd desperately wanted to do.

This time, however, she had had her vote in everything. She and Aaron had spent months planning for this day, together and with great pleasure. Even their sons had been eager to help. They'd helped to figure out what there'd be to eat, and where everyone should sit.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. a glance at the clock on the wall revealed she had ten minutes left before she was supposed to walk down the aisle. That meant it was her maid of honour.

"Come on in, Alex. I'm just checking to make sure I look my best," she grinned, not taking her eyes off of the mirror.

She quickly let her gaze wander to her hair. Her locks were pinned in a kind of bun, secure enough to keep it in place but not enough to make her look harsh. At the left side, Aaron's dominant one, there was a large silver coloured pin in the shape of a rose with three leaves attached. She knew he'd want to be the one to let her hair cascade to her shoulders that evening and she'd decided to make that even easier for him.

She had also not put on too much jewelry. Her ring and her earrings were the only pieces she was wearing. She never wore too much of it as was; it always made her feel like a Christmas tree, if she were honest.

"Wow… You look absolutely gorgeous," Alex whispered as she stepped through the door, clutching a small package in her hand. She seemed to have forgotten she was holding it as she stared at Erin, though.

Erin smiled, gesturing for the younger woman to come closer. Alex obeyed, her strapless dark red dress moving gracefully around her knees as she did. With her fair skin and brown hair, she looked almost like a princess to Erin. But she knew Alex would never believe that.

"So do you," she opted for saying, hoping that toning it down might make it more believable. The only one who got away with the kind of compliment Erin really wanted to give her, was Spencer. She'd always been like that, even if she was a very open woman in every other aspect.

Alex took Erin's hand, and the older women let herself be guided to a chair. It was obvious Alex had something on her mind, and whatever it was probably had something to do with the package she was still holding.

Erin's instinct was proven right when Alex handed it to her as soon as she sat down. She looked from the small box to Alex again, waiting for permission to open it. It was granted to her by a small nod and a smile.

"Oh, Alex, this is gorgeous… You shouldn't have done this. Are you absolutely sure you want me to wear it?" she asked, her voice soft and awed.

In the box was an elegant silver bracelet. There were four silver charms on it: a rose, a shamrock with four leaves, a little bear and a heart. The last one had been Spencer's gift for their six month anniversary. Alex didn't wear the bracelet to work, but she never took it off at home unless she was at risk of losing it. Each charm had a special meaning.

"I want you to wear it. Each bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. I know about the blue garter and the old earrings. And of course the dress is new. But I knew you didn't have anything borrowed. Since you told me how beautiful you think this bracelet it, I wanted you to wear it today. Maybe you can give me my borrowed item when Spencer and I ever get married," the younger woman said, the hope in her voice clearly audible.

Erin extended her hand, letting Alex put the bracelet around it before speaking. The trust Alex was showing her was incredible.

"I'll be sure to let you borrow something of mine when the day comes. It would be my honour," Erin said when Alex let go of her hand.

There wasn't a lot of time to talk, as there was another knock at the door. Since it was time for her to get going, she again knew who it was. This time she walked over to the door and opened it instead of calling the person in.

"Thank you for doing this, David. There's no one I would want to give me away more than you," she told David Rossi, the man in front of the door.

The profiler smiled, taking her by the elbow to step into the hallway. Alex moved closer as well, quickly kissing Erin's cheek before heading off to take her place already. Derek would be Aaron's best man, and Erin had no doubt he'd be there already, with Aaron, trying to make sure he had his nerves under control.

Because even though he'd tried to hide it, Aaron was slightly nerves despite being very happy about the wedding as well. That was perfectly normal, but she knew he'd hoped she wouldn't be too aware.

"I was more surprised than you know, given my track record when it comes to marriages. But I'm pleased too," David smugly told her.

She lightly and playfully swatted at him before putting her hand in the crook of his elbow and letting him lead her to her soon to be husband.

As soon as she spotted Aaron at the front of the small chapel, her smile brightened even further. He was wearing a three, a dark one with a light grey third piece above the shirt. He was looking even more handsome than usual, the light grey so different than what she'd come to expect of him.

They'd selected this little chapel since they wanted the wedding to be just family and friends. Or at least those relatives who deserved to be there, which meant Aaron's mother was out of the question; she would only hurt her son, something that was not supposed to be the case on a day like this.

Sean was there, though, as was Jessica, who'd become Jess somewhere over the last couple of months. Erin's eldest where there, as where the youngest two she'd acquired over the last year. Haley's parents had never met Erin and they hadn't wanted to do that at the wedding, but they'd requested some pictures. Jess had been sure to let them know how wonderful she thought Erin was. And Arthur, who now liked Jess just as much as Sean.

Finally, she was in front of the priest. She caught Aaron's gaze, taking her hand in his. He nodded and squeezed her fingers lightly before they turned to the priest, who was smiling at the show of affection.

"Dearly beloved, we are here today to watch the union of these two souls before our eyes as well as God's. They are here because their love is strong and worth fighting for," he began the service.

The priest continued to speak, his words soft yet loud enough to be heard by everyone. He spoke of the different shapes love could take, of how easy and difficult it could be to keep it strong and not give up on it.

Erin listened to him, taking in all of his words. But that didn't mean she wasn't focused on Aaron holding her hand as well, or the way he was unconsciously swiping his thumb across it every now and again.

"And now it's time for the two of you to share your vows with each other and us. Aaron, you may start," the priest spoke.

Aaron turned towards her again then, his eyes ablaze with the same deep emotions that were no doubt visible in hers. He took her other hand in his as well now, turning them into perfect mirrored images of each other. Complements of each other, even, an outward sign of how connected they were.

"I didn't know what to say at first. There are so many words to tell you why I fell in love with you, why I asked you to be my wife. I was afraid I wouldn't find the right ones. But Spencer told me I should use the ones that were already written on my heart. So here they are," he said, his voice a little lower than normal.

After those words, he took a deep breath. Erin wove their fingers together, trying to be as close to him as she could. She wanted to make him feel as safe and at ease as he made her feel.

"Erin, I love you because of who you were, who you are and who you've been. You were always strong, something I admire in you. You are kind and loving, which I couldn't do without. And you will be an amazing wife with so much love in her heart I could never doubt you'll use it to make our sons and me better people than we are today. That's why I asked you to marry me," he finished, still looking her in the eye.

Erin smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest. Even after a year and a half she couldn't believe this wasn't the most beautiful dream she had ever had and she would wake up to find it wasn't real. But every time Aaron said something like this, she understood why he loved her.

A glance at the priest, who nodded at her, told her it was her turn now. Contrary to what she'd though before, she wasn't as nervous as she'd expected. That was probably due to the fact there was no reason to be. Aaron could read her like an open book, so whatever she said, he'd understand what she meant.

"I'd never truly been in love until I met you. The respect, kindness and support you offered me were so foreign I had no idea what to do with them. But you gave me the time to accept the changes you brought to my life. You're strong and passionate, quiet and dependable. But most of all you're the other part of me. The half that makes me whole. The man who turned me into the best version of myself. That's why I accepted your proposal," Erin smiled.

Alex' eyes were glistening, and JJ and Penelope were both wiping away tears of joy already. Erin hadn't quite expected to make such an impression, even though Aaron had repeatedly told her she was absolutely captivating.

They now turned their attention to the priest again, who had only one last question for the group. It was a question he really shouldn't have asked, but it was customary, so they had shrugged and accepted it.

"After hearing these words, is there anyone who has any reason for not wanting this marriage to be completed? If so, speak now or forever hold your piece," the man said, letting his gaze wander over the people watching the wedding pair.

Naturally, everyone remained silent. As was to be expected. It had been over a year since Erin had feared they would not be happy about their relationship. And truthfully, she never should have been afraid. As long as Aaron was happy, those around him would at least put up with whomever made him feel that way.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the priest said as he looked at Aaron.

And that, Aaron most certainly did. It was a chaste kiss, all things considered, but the emotion behind it was undeniable. Love, trust and the promise to stay even as times got rough were the prime ones, combined with so many others it was impossible to name them all. But she didn't need to; it was more than enough to know they were there.

Hours later, Erin rested her head on Aaron's shoulder as they softly swayed to the soft music that was playing. They'd chosen the song A Kiss To Build A Dream On as their opening dance, although it wasn't in the original version. Now, they were somewhat switching between slow songs and more upbeat ones.

"I'm having the most amazing day of my life. All the people that mattered to us are here, all of us are happy and I think we might have given Spencer some inspiration to pop the question to Alex," Erin whispered, pressing her lips to Aaron's neck just for a second.

He hummed a little, his left hand floating over her side in a soft caress before settling back on her waist.

"Don't you mean you had the most amazing day?" he teased, leaning down a little so his lips were almost touching hers.

She closed the gap between them, her eyes fluttering close when their lips touched. The feeling of belonging was almost overwhelming, so it took her a while to open them again after they broke apart.

"No, it isn't midnight yet. Which means I have time for one last dance with both of my youngest boys before we head out and they have to be put to bed," she smiled, moving out. When he let go of her hand, she saw Penelope approach to take her place while she sent Jack over to Erin. Derek was, after all, sitting down with a sleeping Henry on his lap so Will and JJ could have one last dance before leaving as well.

Arthur was dancing with Alex and Spencer, holding one of their hands and trying to mimic the steps. She'd find him later, she would dance with Jack first then.

"Would you like to dance with me?" she asked him.

He nodded eagerly, taking her hand immediately. She could tell he was tired, so she decided to ask him something else. He was almost too large and heavy for it, but as long as she could manage, she could give it to him.

"Do you want me to hold you up as we dance? You know, so you can sit on my hip?" she wanted to know.

"Yeah! I'd like that, mom," he said. She was still getting used to him calling her that, as he'd started it only a week before. But she adored it. Aaron had told her he'd called Haley mama, so it would probably be easier to call her mom.

She settled him in and Jack rested his head on her shoulder. It didn't even take the three and a half minutes the song lasted for him to fall asleep. Arthur seemed to have given up as well, as Alex was positioning him on Spencer's lap and settled in next to her lover.

Aaron was making his way over towards her, she noticed when she started looking for him. He was wearing the most adorable grin on his face when he noticed both of his youngest were sound asleep. Erin had no doubt she was mirroring his facial expression completely. And she had every right, because life was good.

Yes, life was good to Erin these days. And with Aaron by her side, she knew for certain it would stay that way.

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.James C. Dobson.