Of course Rossi had supported the idea. But it had been two weeks and he was anxiously awaiting the proposal though he felt like it wasn't coming.
It was another day at work, gathered around the round table looking over a new case.
Something was certainly off and everyone could feel it. No one was focused, their minds all someplace else and not there.
"You know what? You guys take the day and get some rest. I'll find another team to do this." Hotch finally said after ten unfocused and frustrated minutes of being there.
"You sure man?" Morgan asked.
"Don't question it, just grab your things and go before he changes his mind." Rossi said half way out the door already.
They all laughed. "Yes, I'm sure." Hotch said before turning to leave himself. Instinctively Liz followed him out of the room and down to his office.
"You want to grab dinner?" She asked.
"Umm, yeah" he smiled, but something was weird.
"Everything alright Aaron?"
"Yeah, hey I'll be right back." He saod before scurrying out of the room to catch Rossi in his office before he left.
He knocked then walked in. "Dave I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"Would we be able to have a dinner at your mansion tomorrow night?"
Rossi chuckled. "I thought you'd never ask, it's already set up for tonight, the team's coming at six so be there about six-thirty."
"How'd you know?"
"I know you Aaron, just be there."
"Thank you."
Aaron went back to his office and met Liz again.
"Rossi is having dinner at the mansion tonight at six-thirty. Dress nice, I'll pick you up at six-fifteen."
He gathered up his belongings, gave her a quick kiss and was out the door before she could even respond. Something was totally weird.
So Liz sat in her closet wrapped in a towel for a half hour pondering what in the world she should wear. She didn't own much beside super casual or super business clothes. The one dress she did have was raggedy and old from college.
She grabbed her phone and dialed JJ, who answered on the second ring.
"Jayje! I have a problem."
"Okay, are you okay?"
"No, Aaron said to dress nice and I have nothing to wear."
"I'll be there in ten minutes." Then they hung up.
JJ was there 10 minutes on the dot holding three dresses of her own. All white Liz noticed.
"Here try these." She offered handing them to Liz as she walked through the door.
"You're a lifesaver."
"It's what I do." She winked. "Now go on, dinner's in an hour."
Liz shuffled off and tried on dress one and immediately knew that's what she was wearing.
It was white, with long lace sleeves and and it flared nicely at the bottom which was just above her knees.
She walked out and handed JJ back the other two dresses.
"You look hot." JJ commented.
"Thanks jayje."
"No problem, I'll see you in a bit."
JJ left and Liz was alone again in her house. She proceeded to curl her hair and apply some light make up. She hadn't realized how time had passed and the knock on the door made her jump.
She quickly grabbed her red flat and a jacket before opening the door.
Aaron stood there in jeans and a green button down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. She openly checked him out and he did it to her too.
"Holy shit." He finally mumbled.
"Back at you." She smiled taking his hand.
They walked to the car hand in hand.
"You look beautiful." He commented on the car ride there.
"You don't look to bad yourself handsome."
The rest of the ride was quiet. Liz noted that the entire team was already there when the two of them pulled up and it was hardly six-thirty yet. The team was never on time to anything, something was up.
They strolled in hand in hand and met the team in the back yard that was filled with laughter and smiles. And the physical things: candles, tables, wine, roses and a dance floor.
"Aaron is there something you wanna tell me." She whispered to him.
"No." He lied.
"Well if it isn't the happy couple." Morgan greeted them.
"Hi guys!" Liz smiled.
"Girl you look beautiful!" Garcia told Liz.
"Thank you Garcia. This looks like more than just dinner, someone want to tell me what's happening."
The entire group had smiles forming on their faces.
Aaron turned to face her now.
"Liz, I want to ask you something."
She tilted her head curiously.
"I know we haven't been together that long but I've loved you for a long time. We've been to hell and back a couple hundred times. And still we're here. I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am to have met you and watch you grow up. And how thankful I am for all your help with Jack. I cannot express how excited I am to have this baby with you. And finally there are now words to express how much I love you, but I'll start with these four..." He knelt down on one knee and pulled a ring from his pocket. "Will you marry me?"
Liz covered her mouth with her hands and squealed. "Yes! Yes Aaron I will marry you!" He placed the ring on her finger and stood up as she threw her arms around him.
Everyone clapped and cheered, even Henry and Jack.
"How about right now?" He whispered in her ear.
"Now?" She said aloud.
"Why do you think I brought you white dresses?" JJ laughed.
"You guys set me up!"
"That we did!" Simon laughed.
"So what do you say?" Aaron asked.
"Let's do it."
Another round of cheers.
"I'll see you in a little bit then." He gave her a peck on the lips and the girls took her into the house to add finishing touches.
The vail she wore was her mothers. She faced herself in the mirror. She knew her mother, though, not here was still watching this moment of her life and her daddy. God she missed them and Ben too. Tears were forming in her eyes and the girls quietly left the room to give her a minute. The door suddenly opened again. She turned to see it was Grandma Anna.
"Hi grandma." She smiled.
"Hi baby." Anna hugged her. "You look so beautiful." She wiped the tears from Liz's cheeks. "Just like your momma did."
"I miss her grandma."
"Oh, baby girl, I miss her too, but she'd be so proud of you...I'm so proud of you."
"I love you."
"I love you too baby girl."
They sat in silence for a minute.
"Now, let's get you married."
Liz linked her arm with Anna's and walked out of the room. She took a deep breathe. This was it.
