Work Text:
“Here we go,” Aaron muttered to Emily as Rossi stood up and took the microphone. Ever since the moment they began to plan their wedding; they had been dreading this moment. Rossi had immediately claimed both the roles of Best Man and Father of the Bride and had made a point of jotting various things into a notebook. Whenever anyone had asked what he had been doing, he would just smirk and make a comment about preparing for his speech. Both Aaron and Emily were apprehensive and slightly terrified about some of the jokes and stories about them and their relationship that Rossi was bound to tell. The two things that Rossi loved more than anything were gossip and attention; now he had the best opportunity to share as much gossip with as many people as he could. And there was nothing that they could do about it.
“I told you we should have eloped.” Emily muttered as Rossi grinned at them and spoke into the microphone.
“So I was going to give an amazing speech about Aaron and Emily, however, there’s someone else who would like to say a few words instead. Someone who is far more important to both of them than I am.” Rossi said as he walked down the top table to where Jack was sitting next to Jessica. Jack beamed and took the microphone. Jess held his hand as he stood up on his chair and passed him the folded sheets of paper from her clutch bag.
“Hi everyone. I’m Jack and I’m so happy that you’re all here for Daddy and Emily’s wedding.” Jack read from the sheet. His voice was clear and despite being visibly nervous, he smiled at Aaron and Emily who were watching in surprise. “Uncle Dave said that because I’m Daddy’s real Best Man I should give a speech. Aunt Jess helped me write it. But I had to let everyone know that they aren’t married. Uncle Dave is still looking for Wife Number 4!”
Everyone laughed at that comment and Jack beamed at them before he turned his attention back to his speech. “My Daddy is my best friend. He taught me how to ride my bike, how to run super fast and he always helps me with my homework. Even when he’s on a case, he calls me and helps me finish my homework. He says that my math homework is harder to solve than his cases.” There was more polite chuckling at that comment and Jack continued. “Daddy always keeps me safe; he protects me from the bad guys and he’s definitely a superhero. Mommy always said that he was like Superman because he always wears suits and rushes off to save the day but I’ve looked in our house and I still can’t find his cape!”
Emily squeezed Aaron’s hand at the mention of Haley. They had always tried to keep Haley’s memory alive for Jack and wanted to include her in their wedding day. The jade bracelet that was currently on Emily’s wrist had been her ‘Something Borrowed’ had originally belonged to Haley and had been given to her by Jess.
“Ever since Mommy went away to Heaven, Daddy’s taken care of me. Even when he’s tired from a case, he makes me dinner, gives me a bath and tucks me into bed. I know that there’s never any monsters under the bed and even if there was, Daddy would fight them all. Because he’s Superman.” Jack read and Aaron quickly wiped his eyes. Emily tightened her hold on his hand and blinked back her own tears.
“But Superman needs Wonder Woman. Lucky for us, that’s Emily!” Jack continued as Aaron squeezed Emily’s hand in return. “Emily helps Daddy to fight the bad guys and she’s always there for us. Emily comes up with fun games, she teaches me lots of bad words that Daddy says that I’m not allowed to say. Especially the really bad ones. At first, Emily was just our friend but then she became even more special than our bestest best friend. Ever since Mommy went to Heaven, Emily helped to look after us. She would tell us funny stories, she would dance with us, make us the best hot cocoa ever and would stay for sleepovers. If we had a bad dream when Emily was sleeping over; she would help us feel better. She would give us cuddles in bed or sing us to sleep and one time, she made a huge pillow and blanket fort in the living room so we could be safe together. Emily even made us breakfast but Daddy said she wasn’t allowed to do that anymore after the fire department turned up for the third time.”
Emily glanced down at their guests and wasn’t surprised to see all of them were dabbing their eyes with tissues or attempting to hold back their tears. JJ was trying to save her mascara while Garcia clutched Morgan and Reid’s hands; all three of them were crying. However the fire department comment did garner some laughs. Aaron kissed her forehead as Jack continued reading.
“When Daddy told me that he was gonna ask Emily to marry him, I was excited but I was worried that it would make my Mommy sad because we love Emily so much. However, I spoke to Emily about it and she promised me that it wouldn’t make Mommy sad. Before Mommy went to Heaven, she asked Daddy to show me what love was and that we be happy and Emily makes us happy. She loves us and we love her and I know that if she was here, Mommy would be really happy too. Aunt Jess said that Mommy always liked Emily and so I know she would be happy that Daddy and Emily have each other.” Jack said as he checked his speech again.
Emily wiped her eyes with a napkin and Aaron wiped his own eyes. It wasn’t just that Jack had surprised them with a speech; it was the softness of his words, the depths of his adoration that had moved them to tears. She was grateful that neither of them had had to say anything yet, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to speak at all.
“Daddy, Emily, I love you both so much and I’m so happy that we can be a family now. I think that I’ve said everything I need to say,” Jack said before he paused and pretended to re-read the speech. “Oh! One more thing! I want a baby brother or sister!”
Everyone laughed and clapped as Jack handed the microphone back to Rossi and leapt down from his chair. Jack hurried over and leapt onto Aaron’s lap, hugging his father tightly. Emily joined in with the hug and kissed Jack’s cheek as he beamed at them proudly.
“Did you like it?” Jack asked, he had noticed them crying a few times but they were smiling now, so he hoped that it was a good thing.
“We loved it,” Aaron reassured as Emily nodded and lifted Jack into her arms to hug him properly.
“It was perfect,” Emily agreed.