Retrograde [Completed]

Part 38

Alright guys, last part before the two epilogues. I will share a snippet of the next fic in between this part and the two epilogues so look out for that. I love you all and thank you so much for all the support.  ❤️

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"I can't believe we're really graduating." Sidney is checking her hair in the hallway mirror. You're both dressed in white dresses, yours a bit tighter than hers.

"I can't believe you're married!" You squeal, pulling Sidney into another hug. "You go away for a weekend and come back a wife!"

"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just elope. Maybe we'll do something big once we have big girl jobs." She looks apologetic and you shake your head, cradling her head in your hands.

"Never apologize. I'm so happy for you." You kiss her forehead affectionately. Where had the time gone? The two of you were about to graduate and go your separate ways. "Sid...I'm going to miss you."

"Aisha, no. Don't do it. We're both staying in St. Louis. Things won't change. We'll always have each other." Tears are forming in her eyes and you pull her into yet another hug. The two of you hold each other in silence, enjoying the moment. There's a knock at the door, startling the two of you. "I'll get it. Go grab the champagne, it's probably P."

The two of you head towards the door, and you pass it heading into the kitchen to grab the bottle out of the fridge.

"You ready to graduate bitches?" Garcia walks in with the craziest graduation cap. It's rainbow sequined and covered in bouncing shapes.

"Hell yeah we are!" You make your way over to her, engulfing her in a hug.

"I thought Derek was coming with you?" Sid questions.

"He decided he'd meet up with Hotch beforehand. Apparently they have a lot of catching up to do since they've been so busy screwing the two of us, ehh!" Garcia nudges you and the three of you start to giggle.

"Alright, enough about our significant others, let's drink!" Sid heads into the kitchen to get champagne glasses. Once she's next to you again you pop open the bottle causing all of you to squeal loudly. You quickly fill all of your glasses and run to put the bottle in the sink.

"To love!" Sidney holds up her glass.

"And to getting screwed!" Garcia yells.

"By my professor!" You add and all three of you toast your glasses together, finishing your glasses in one hit before pulling each other into a hug.

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"How does it feel to be a college graduate?" Hotch asks, lacing his fingers through yours.

"Underwhelming." You say sarcastically and he laughs.

"Good. I have a graduation surprise." He grins mischievously.

"You and your surprises. I thought we were just going to dinner with everyone." You narrow your eyes at him and his grin just widens. What was this man up to?

"We are, but there's something else. We're pretty close. Close your eyes."

You look at him suspiciously before closing your eyes. You start a count in your head, trying to figure out how long you've been driving. You make it to 5 minutes before you say anything.

"We're going to be late, and Emily and JJ don't know anyone else." You scold him. Much to your surprise, Emily and JJ made the drive up from Nashville to see you graduate. They were as sweet as ever, and Emily teased Hotch about telling you he loved you the entire time. Apparently she had told him before he'd even said the words, crediting women's intuition.

"She's met Derek before, it'll be fine. We're almost there, be patient."

"You know how many times I've wanted to knee you in the balls when you tell me to be patient. You're not my dad."

"But I am your daddy." He says smugly.

"Aaron!" You jab your left hand at him but he catches it, kissing your wrist.

"And now we're here. Keep your eyes closed, I'll come get you."

"Sir yes sir." You say mockingly.

He leans over, making you shiver when you feel his breath on your neck. "Be a good girl, or I'll spank you."

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Your voice is full of wanting.

"We'll see. Wait here." He presses a kiss right under your ear before getting out of the car. Your car door opens and his hands are on you, lifting you out on his own.

"I can walk you know."

"Somebody's snippy tonight." He chuckles before placing you on what you think is the hood of his car. You roll your eyes at his comment but he can't see because you're still covering them. You hear and feel him hoist himself up on the hood with you, and he comes behind you, wrapping himself around you. "Okay, you can open now."

You open your eyes and scan the environment around you. He's pulled his Jeep into a circle drive and there's a beautiful house, made entirely of grey stone in front of you. It looks like a small castle, the pale blue arch door nestle into the stones perfectly.

"It's beautiful."

"It's ours." He whispers in your ear.

"Ours?" Your breath hitches in your throat as you turn around to look at him.

"Yes, ours. You agreed to move in with me after graduation. It's close to your mom, the university if you decided to go back. And...it's close to both of their cemeteries. It has room for us to grow our family however we decide whenever we're ready." He shrugs as if he hasn't just done the sweetest thing anyone's every done for you. He somehow always managed to outdo himself.

"Oh, Aaron. It's perfect. Just like you."

"I'm far from it but being with you, I think I've come pretty close." He leans in slowly, pressing the most gentle kiss to your lips, one of his hands coming up to hold your face.

You break the kiss when you start to hear loud music. It sounds like it's coming from behind the house.

"One last surprise." His eyes light up and his arms cradle you as he pushes the both of you off of his car. "Come on." The two of you walk slowly around the house, pushing through a beautifully carved wooden fence door.

"Surprise!" There are sparklers and confetti flying everywhere. Your mom, Logan, Sidney, Mandy, Rossi, Garcia, Derek, Emily, and JJ are all in the backyard with balloons and a huge spread of food.

"Hold on everyone, one last thing!" Hotch's voice is full of excitement.

"I thought you said this the last surprise." You push him in the chest and he smirks at you. You see the cocky man that ran into you in the hallway that fated day.

"Well, I lied. Look up." He circles his arms around you, placing his head on your shoulder as everyone looks up.

In that moment, a flurry of fireworks starts to go off. Your mouth falls open and you gasp as you watch all the colors and formations. There's a huge boom and then 'Congratulations, Aisha!' is written across the sky in rainbow letters.

"Aaron, this is incredible. I love you." You lean back, looking at him with a stupid grin in your face.

"I love you...brightly. Always." He twirls you and dips you before his lips are on yours.