Moving Forward

Part 86

Emily Prentiss' POV

Today is the day. I decided that Aaron's coffin will stay closed because I want to remember him alive. And I want everyone else to remember him alive as well.

Yesterday, I went shopping with JJ because my black dress is too small for me because of my pregnancy. And I also bought a couple more pregnancy clothes because those last months, I've been gaining weight a bit more and my clothes were a bit tight.

As JJ and Spencer are getting ready and are preparing their kids, I'm dressing Oliver in his cute suit.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah, Buddy?"

"When Daddy will come back? I miss him."

Those words hit me hard. I sit on the corner of the bed and I make him a sign to come. He sits on my thighs and I hold him tight.

"Oliver... Daddy is gone. He is far away right now. He won't come back. His heart has stopped beating. He died, Honey."

"I want to play with him. I want him back."

"I know, Sweetie. Me too. I miss him a lot," I say with a broken voice.

My eyes fill up with tears and a few ones fall over my cheeks.

"Why you crying, Mommy?" Oliver asks, clumsily wiping my tears away.

"Because I'm sad. Daddy and I were getting married. And I'm sad because he'll never come back..."

"Shh... Mommy, it's okay. I love you and I will protect you."

I can't help myself but smile, letting fall a few more tears. I hug Oliver tighter.

"Thank you, Buddy."

As he's ready, I let him play with Hope and Jaeden. I get dressed and put on some makeup. And I get downstairs and I see that everyone is ready.

"Are you ready?" JJ asks me.

I nod.

We get in the SUV and we head to the church. Once we're there, I notice that everyone is already in front of the church, waiting for us to enter.

I hold Oliver's hand and we walk to the church. Dave intercept me.

"Emily. I thought about it and I'll be honored to take Aaron's place until you feel ready to take it."

"Thank you, Dave. You can't imagine how much stress you're taking away right now."

I hug him. We then enter the church. Aaron's coffin is already in the front. Sean walks towards me.

"I'm so sorry. How're you holding up?"

"Not that bad, thank you."

"How about Oliver?"

"He doesn't really understand. Though he misses his father and wants to play with him 'cause you know...," I say, pointing my almost-27-week belly.

He hugs me. His arms are so comforting. Everyone takes place, the priest is there, waiting for us to get ready. He starts to say his prayer.

"Lord, since you wanted to call back your servant Aaron Jameson Hotchner by imposing on him a difficult death that will make him understand the beauty of his present life, accept the prayer that from the deepest of my heart I throw at you to keep him alive and raise his life again. I keep hoping that he would have been a man of good and sacrifice of abnegation. May his life have been wholly extended to the Good and Love of his next, to his own tenderly cherished, and to all those who, in suffering, called for help. May he have been instructed and given the word of God to all who waited; may he have sought and found. Accept, Lord, that this prayer made for him, through our love, helps him to rise again and make him stronger to bring back your goodness and clarity to those who loved him and who weep for him. Forgive, forgive his sins since he is at the threshold of his spiritual life. His earthly time is over and he has arrived at the last landing where the light is too beautiful that the dazzled eyes would like to contemplate and still contemplate the beauty of the divine image. Make, Lord, that by his presence he mitigates the earthly trials of those whom he loves so much. Do, Lord, let him calm the sorrow of loving hearts. Lord, give him peace in the sweetness of your love. Lord, let your Spirit of Light welcome Aaron Jameson Hotchner, whose departure I mourn. May the intense distress which I have provoked by my sorrow and despair, and for which I ask pardon, may be removed from him, and that he may soon find peace and happiness in thy Light so sweet."