CM Fic - In Love With the Girl - Part 5/5
Title: In Love With the Girl
Author: Smacky30
Pairing: Henry/Ella, Rossi/Prentiss, Hotch/JJ, Will/JJ
Rating: FRAO
Summary: A story about falling in love. JJ & Will's son Henry is in love with Dave & Emily's daughter. This is just a look at the whole process from the time she is born.
A/N: Started at a look at Emily & Dave's reaction to their daughter marrying Henry. Of course, I couldn't be satisfied. So I ended up writing a whole lot of words about Henry and Ella. I kind of fell in love with both of them.
I need to give a huge shout out to mingsmommy and losingntrnslatn. They are wonderful and I don't tell them that enough. :D
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
“Henry called me.” Dave forked up a bite of salad. “He wants to come by and talk to me Friday afternoon.”
“Really?” Emily sipped at her wine and watched her husband across the table. “Oh… Really?”
“I think so. Can’t imagine it could be anything else.” He broke off a piece of bread and smiled at her. “Unless he wants to borrow money.”
Emily rolled her eyes and picked up her fork. “I don’t think he wants to borrow money, Dave.” Spearing a grape tomato, she slid it into her mouth and chewed. “What are you going to say to him?”
Setting his fork down, Dave reached for his wine glass and leaned back. “I don’t know. She’s so young. They both are.”
“They are.” She pushed aside her salad. “What are you going to say?”
Dave shook his head and gave a wry smile. “What can I say? This is the twenty-first century.”
“I know.” Emily sighed. “It’s just…she’s my little girl.”
“Mine, too.”
They were silent for a while, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Then, with a shaky smile, Emily said, “Henry is such a good guy.”
“He is.” Dave nodded.
“And he balances her out, so well.” She reached for the wine and poured more into her glass then held the bottle out for Dave. “He’s good for her.”
“You really think so?” He took a sip from his glass and raised an eyebrow.
Chuckling, Emily nodded. “She’s our daughter. She’s hard headed and opinionated and convinced she’s right about everything. And Henry’s more level headed, like J.J.” Swirling the liquid in her glass, she gave a slight shrug.
“So, you’re saying Henry kept her out of trouble?” Dave grinned. “And all this time I thought it was fear of parental retribution.”
Emily choked on her wine. “I know you aren’t senile, so I’m leaning toward delusional on this one.” Grabbing her napkin, she wiped her mouth. “That stuff only worked up until she could talk and you know it.”
“True,” he agreed. Then his eyebrows drew down in a frown. “You don’t think he’s controlling do you?”
“No!” She shook her head. “I think he’s smart enough not to even try.”
Dave heaved out a deep breath. “This is really going to happen, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Whether we think they’re ready or not, it’s going to happen.” She propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “I just wish they would wait another year or so. I want her to finish school and get some work experience behind her.”
“Maybe I can suggest that plan to Henry.” Dave runs his hand over his mouth. “You know, use his levelheadedness to Ella’s advantage.”
“Now who’s being controlling?” Emily laughed.
“Hey,” he held up his hands, “I never said I wasn’t. Besides, how do you think I’ve kept you from running amok all these years?”
“What?!” Emily spluttered.
“Yeah.” He nodded sagely even while his eyes glittered with laughter. “And I’m so good you never even knew what was happening.”
“You, David Rossi, are full of shit.” She pointed a warning finger at him, trying hard not to laugh at his outrageousness. “We both know who’s in charge around here.”
Matching her grin with one of his own, he nodded. Then they said, in unison, “Ella.”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Henry smiled at Dave and Emily, scrubbed his sweaty palms along his thighs and wondered why he was so nervous. He’d known these two people his whole life; they were like family in every way that counted. But this was different. This was their daughter’s future he was there to discuss.
“What’s up Henry?” Dave crossed his legs and steepled his fingers under his chin.
“I’m pretty sure you know why I’m here.” He swallowed hard.
Emily, seated beside Dave, smiled at him. “Relax, Henry. We don’t bite.”
“Speak for yourself.” Dave’s mouth twitched in what might have been the beginnings of a smile. But it disappeared as fast as it came. “What?” He tried to look affronted when Emily slapped his arm.
“Quit trying to spook him, Dave.” Shaking her head, Emily said, “Go ahead, Henry. He’s just being a pain.”
Hands shaking, Henry tried to smile, but he was pretty sure it was more a grimace. “Well,” he cleared his throat, embarrassed that his voice was shaking, “I’m going to ask Ella to marry me and I came to ask for your blessing.”
Dave uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Henry,” he rested his elbows on his knees, “tell me why I…why we should give you our blessing.”
“Sir?”
“You’ve come in here and told me you’re going to ask my daughter to marry you. But you haven’t told me why you want to marry her, why Emily and I should be willing to accept you as Ella’s husband.” His voice was razor sharp and Henry felt a tiny frisson of unease. Maybe he’d been right all along about Dave’s relatives being able to make somebody disappear.
“Dave…” Emily ran her hand over Dave’s back. “Don’t scare him.”
“I’m not trying to scare him.” Dave smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“It’s okay, Aunt Emily.” Henry’s look was rueful. “I’m not even sure if I should call you that anymore. This all seems so complicated sometimes.”
“What does?” she asked quietly.
He shrugged. “I’ve known you both my entire life. Ella too, really. It just seems odd to call you Aunt and Uncle when I want more than anything to be married to your daughter.” He chuckled. “Seems a little…incestuous. But no matter how it changes my relationship with the two of you, I love her more than anything and I can’t imagine living without her.”
Dave was quiet for a moment, watching Henry with an odd look on his face. Then, with a shuddering breath, he said, “Okay.”
“Okay?” Henry wasn’t sure what he had expected, but that definitely wasn’t it. It just seemed way too easy.
Nodding, Dave said, “Okay. On one condition…”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The ride into the city is uneventful, the three of them swaying with the rhythm of the train moving along the rails like they had been born to it. In a way, Ella had. Never having lived anywhere except Virginia, she’d taken countless trips into the District over the years to visit her grandmother or attend a concert, have dinner or wander through a museum. To her, D.C. is like her backyard.
Some of Ella’s greatest memories were of the National Memorial Day concerts. Her mother would pack a picnic and the three of them would spend the entire day meeting other veterans and their families, and then, as the sun was setting, the performance would begin. It never failed to bring tears to her father’s eyes. And he would wrap his arms around her and her mother, hugging them close as the music swelled around them. Living in the shadow of the nation’s capital, coupled with her father’s pride in his country, and not her grandmother’s influence, is what Ella credits for her interest in politics.
Usually, she would pop in her ear buds and read a book, or doze while on the train, but tonight she can’t stop her mind from spinning. Something is going on, something important. Why else would Henry insist on dinner with all the parents? Ella can’t really imagine what it could be. He hasn’t said anything to her about a promotion or a raise or anything like that. She’s still considering possibilities when the train, brakes screaming, enters Union Station.
Exiting onto Massachusetts Avenue Ella pauses and draws in a deep breath while her father hails a cab to take them the twenty blocks to the restaurant. The evening air is warm, with only a tiny hint of the coming fall. The pervasive humidity of summer is gone, and without the haze of heat, the pinkish orange sky of early evening is clear.
The Iron Gate Inn is one of their favorite places in the District. Tucked away down what appears to be an iron gated driveway, the restaurant isn’t overrun with tourists the way most places are. Honestly, she and Henry only found it by luck as they were wandering along the residential street one day talking about how amazing it would be to live in one of the gorgeous brownstones. But from the moment Ella saw the outdoor area with the twinkling lights woven through grapevines overhead she was in love with the place. The delicious food was merely a bonus.
Henry, Hotch and J.J. are already seated when they arrive, but Henry rises to greet them. It seems to her that some sort of silent communication passes between the two sets of parents, but it’s over so fast Ella isn’t sure she really saw it. Then Henry is smiling at her and brushing a kiss over her mouth and she forgets about everything but him.
“You look amazing.” His eyes sweep over her and she feels his gaze like a touch. Ella smoothes the coral fabric of her dress over her hips and smiles up at him.
“So do you,” she murmurs, sliding a hand along his arm. The charcoal jacket makes his shoulders look very broad, and the silvery shirt and slate blue tie bring out the gray in his eyes.
Twining his fingers with hers, Henry leads her over to the table. She hugs J.J. and Hotch, and then Henry pulls out her chair. A few minutes later, when Ella is just sipping her first glass of wine, Will and his date arrive.
Kim is a petite redhead with porcelain skin, ice blue eyes and a wide, generous smile. Ella and Henry have both met her, but no one else has, so introductions are made. Will began dating her not long after Henry left for Phoenix, as if his son being grown and officially on his own was the push he needed to make the leap into a relationship that might last more than a week or two. Now, well over a year later, Will looks truly happy as he holds a chair out for Kim, before sliding into the seat beside her.
Dinner is a boisterous affair, wine and food and conversation flowing with ease. The faint sound of traffic filtering in from the street is the only reminder that they are still in the city. As the sun sets, the twinkle lights become stars and the restaurant patio takes on a magical air. Candles in hurricane lamps cast puddles of light on the tables, and the quiet hum of conversation rises and falls around them. The savory smells of lamb, chicken and fish along with roasted vegetables float on the air. The cool flavors of tzatziki and the warm, nutty taste of hummus are washed down by a rich red wine.
Then entire group passes on dessert, but says yes to coffee. Nicolas, the owner of the restaurant, brings out the tray himself. He asks about their evening, smiling and laughing as they heap praise on him for the fabulous food and service. When he is gone, Henry rises to his feet, and taking Ella’s hand, tugs her up to stand beside him.
“Ella,” he’s looking at her, and she feels a flutter of nerves start in the center of her chest. “I’m pretty sure you were wondering why we’re all here.” She nods and his smile is so tender that she feels tears stinging her eyes. “I’m surprised you haven’t dragged me off to the side and interrogated me until I told you.”
She looks around at the faces of their parents and can actually feel herself start to tremble. “Henry?” It comes out as a whisper.
“Wait.” It is then that she feels the tremor in his hand and she nods. “I thought of a thousand ways to do this. But I couldn’t imagine anything better than this place.” He gestures with his free hand. “And with these people.”
Ella feels the first tear slip down her cheek. “What are you doing?”
With a grin, he drops down on one knee and looks up at her. For a second, he fishes in his jacket pocket then holds up something she can’t even see through her tears. “Isabella Grace…Ella, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Her heart is so full that she can’t speak. It swells in her chest until she can barely breathe. Covering her mouth with a trembling hand, she nods.
“Is that a yes?” Henry’s grin is huge.
She nods again, and a laugh starts somewhere deep inside her. “Yes.”
They are both shaking as Henry slides the ring on her finger.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ella, reclining against the pillows with Henry’s back to her chest, is still trying to catch her breath when Henry lifts her left hand and looks at the ring on her finger. “Do you really like it?”
“I love it, Henry. Really.” She twists her hand in his grasp, watching as the stone catches the light. “I’ve never seen a chocolate diamond, but I think it’s the most beautiful ring in the world.” The translucent dark brown center diamond is surrounded by dozens of brilliant white stones and everything seems to sparkle as the lamplight hits it.
Bringing her hand to his lips he places a kiss on the back and says, “It reminded me of your eyes and I wanted you to have it.”
She hugs him tight, her arms draped across his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He sighs. “It was a great night, huh?”
“Yeah,” she nods, her cheek brushing over his hair. “I had a great time.” She pauses for a second then, out of nowhere, practically screams in his ear, “We’re getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Hey!” Henry twists in her arms until he can see her, one hand covering his offended ear. “That’s my ear you’re yelling in.”
“Oh, poor baby.” Ella pokes out her bottom lip, but her eyes are sparkling with laughter. “I can kiss it and make it better.”
“You’re beautiful.” He smiles at her and runs a finger over her bottom lip.
Blushing, Ella says, “We’re getting married, Henry,” her voice an awestruck whisper.
“We are.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to the swell of her breast. “So soft,” he murmurs against her skin.
Even though her hand threads through his hair and she tugs him a little closer, her mind is somewhere else. “There’s so much to do, so much to plan. We need to set a date and get a church and a dress and…”
“Hey.” He lifts his head, albeit reluctantly. “We’ve only been engaged a couple of hours. There’s time for all that.”
“I know.” She sits up and kisses him, hot and wet and hard. “But it takes at least a year to plan something this big and I don’t want to wait forever to be your wife.”
“God,” he groans and flops back on the bed. “You’re gonna be so pissed at me.”
Ella’s stomach clenches, and she can feel her excitement draining away. “Why?”
With his arm covering his eyes, Henry says, “Because I promised your parents we would wait until after you graduate to set a date.”
Ella shakes her head trying to clear away the confusion. “What?”
Dropping his arm, he rolls his head around to look at her. “I promised Uncle Dave and Aunt Emily we would wait so that you can concentrate on school and finding a job over the next year.”
“When did you make this promise?” She can feel the anger heating her cheeks. With teeth clenched, she continues, “Better yet, why would you promise that?”
Sitting up, Henry drags the sheet up over his legs and hips. “Shit. I knew I was going to be in trouble for this one.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I went to see your parents about a month ago because I wanted your father’s blessing. The rest just sort of,” he shrugs, “happened.”
Stunned, Ella simply stares at him, unable to believe he actually asked for her father’s blessing. It’s so old fashioned. And she should probably be pissed because he thinks they need her father’s permission, but she’s not. She’s touched. It’s such a huge, romantic gesture that it makes her feel cherished. The fact that he caved under pressure from her father doesn’t seem so surprising or important.
“Did he threaten you with his cousin Nico from Jersey?” She’s fighting a smile, but when Henry nods, she cackles. “Really? The one who owns the concrete business?” He nods again and she actually has to hold her stomach she’s laughing so hard. “Henry, he’s a retired homicide detective, and he’s at least eighty.”
“Seriously?” He looks pathetic and more than a little shell shocked. “He lied to me?”
Still giggling, Ella moves to straddle his thighs, adjusting the sheet so that they are pressed together in a way that promises something beyond the argument he’d been expecting. “Henry LaMontagne, you are my dream man.”
Bringing his hands up to cup her hips, he grins up at her. “You mean that?”
Ella nods and wraps her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against him. “Let’s not talk about my parents. Okay?”
Henry tangles his fingers in her hair and draws her mouth down to his. “Okay,” he mumbles just before he kisses her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Emily?” Dave opens the door of the Bride’s Room. “Jack is waiting to walk you down the aisle.”
“Coming,” she calls over her shoulder before turning back to Ella. “You look fabulous.” Emily dabs at her eyes and gives her daughter a watery smile.
“Don’t cry, Mom. You’ll make me cry and then Henry will take one look at me and change his mind.” Ella smiles, but her eyes are bright with unshed tears. “Go. We can’t start without you.”
“Henry won’t change his mind. He’s scared of your father.”
Giggling, Ella shakes her head. “I told him about Cousin Nico.”
“What?” Dave is grinning. “There goes my hold over him.”
Laughing, Emily gives her one last hug and leaves, squeezing Dave’s hand on the way out.
For a moment, he simply stares at his daughter. The strapless dress is fitted to the waist before flaring out slightly into a classic a-line skirt. Thousands of seed pearls adorn the bodice’s lace overlay while the skirt is layer upon layer of organza ruffles over tulle. Her skin glows next to the ivory fabric. With her hair swept up and her makeup perfect, she is breathtaking.
“You’re beautiful.” Dave barely recognizes his own voice.
“Oh, Daddy.” Ella’s smile trembles and she holds out her arms, wrapping them around his neck and kissing his cheek the way she did when she was a little girl.
Stepping back, Dave holds her at arm’s length and looks at her. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” Her smile is wide and so happy that he feels it in the middle of his chest like a physical ache.
“You know there’s still time to change your mind.” He says the words, but only half-heartedly. Ella isn’t going to change her mind. And in just a little more than an hour she won’t be his little girl anymore. She’ll be Henry’s wife.
Her smile gets a little bigger. “I love him, Daddy. I’m not gonna change my mind.”
His heart breaking just a little, Dave nods. “I know, baby. Just thought I’d offer.” Blinking back his tears, he raises his eyebrow and run his hands over his jacket. “So, how do I look?”
Ella steps closer and straightens the creamy calla lily pinned to his lapel. “You’re the best looking dad in the world.”
Dave kisses her cheek. “Let’s go before I embarrass us both.”
“Let me get my flowers.” Ella moves across the room and scoops up a bouquet of deep red calla lilies tied with ivory and dark brown ribbons.
Holding the door open, Dave ushers her out and follows her down the short passage to the vestibule, being careful not to step on her train.
As the bridesmaids and flower girl make their way down the aisle toward the altar, Dave can feel Ella’s hand trembling against his arm. “Nervous?” he whispers.
“A little.” She gazes up at him and suddenly she’s five years old and it’s the first day of school.
Dave places his hand over hers and squeezes. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”
The first strains of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” fill the air and they step through the door of the sanctuary.
Sooner than Dave would like, Father Davison is asking, “Who gives this woman to be married?”, and sharing a look with his old friend, responds, “Her mother and I.” Then he kisses his daughter and shakes the hand of his soon to be son-in-law. On emotional overload, he places Ella’s hand in Henry’s and turns to walk away when Henry’s voice stops him.
“Don’t worry about Ella, sir. I’ll take good care of her.”
For the second time in one day, Dave is swept back almost twenty years to a little blonde boy with serious eyes. Tears burning in his throat, he nods. “I know you will, Henry,” he chokes out. “I know you will.”
He makes it to his seat beside Emily before the first tear falls.
Author: Smacky30
Pairing: Henry/Ella, Rossi/Prentiss, Hotch/JJ, Will/JJ
Rating: FRAO
Summary: A story about falling in love. JJ & Will's son Henry is in love with Dave & Emily's daughter. This is just a look at the whole process from the time she is born.
A/N: Started at a look at Emily & Dave's reaction to their daughter marrying Henry. Of course, I couldn't be satisfied. So I ended up writing a whole lot of words about Henry and Ella. I kind of fell in love with both of them.
I need to give a huge shout out to mingsmommy and losingntrnslatn. They are wonderful and I don't tell them that enough. :D
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
“Henry called me.” Dave forked up a bite of salad. “He wants to come by and talk to me Friday afternoon.”
“Really?” Emily sipped at her wine and watched her husband across the table. “Oh… Really?”
“I think so. Can’t imagine it could be anything else.” He broke off a piece of bread and smiled at her. “Unless he wants to borrow money.”
Emily rolled her eyes and picked up her fork. “I don’t think he wants to borrow money, Dave.” Spearing a grape tomato, she slid it into her mouth and chewed. “What are you going to say to him?”
Setting his fork down, Dave reached for his wine glass and leaned back. “I don’t know. She’s so young. They both are.”
“They are.” She pushed aside her salad. “What are you going to say?”
Dave shook his head and gave a wry smile. “What can I say? This is the twenty-first century.”
“I know.” Emily sighed. “It’s just…she’s my little girl.”
“Mine, too.”
They were silent for a while, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Then, with a shaky smile, Emily said, “Henry is such a good guy.”
“He is.” Dave nodded.
“And he balances her out, so well.” She reached for the wine and poured more into her glass then held the bottle out for Dave. “He’s good for her.”
“You really think so?” He took a sip from his glass and raised an eyebrow.
Chuckling, Emily nodded. “She’s our daughter. She’s hard headed and opinionated and convinced she’s right about everything. And Henry’s more level headed, like J.J.” Swirling the liquid in her glass, she gave a slight shrug.
“So, you’re saying Henry kept her out of trouble?” Dave grinned. “And all this time I thought it was fear of parental retribution.”
Emily choked on her wine. “I know you aren’t senile, so I’m leaning toward delusional on this one.” Grabbing her napkin, she wiped her mouth. “That stuff only worked up until she could talk and you know it.”
“True,” he agreed. Then his eyebrows drew down in a frown. “You don’t think he’s controlling do you?”
“No!” She shook her head. “I think he’s smart enough not to even try.”
Dave heaved out a deep breath. “This is really going to happen, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Whether we think they’re ready or not, it’s going to happen.” She propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “I just wish they would wait another year or so. I want her to finish school and get some work experience behind her.”
“Maybe I can suggest that plan to Henry.” Dave runs his hand over his mouth. “You know, use his levelheadedness to Ella’s advantage.”
“Now who’s being controlling?” Emily laughed.
“Hey,” he held up his hands, “I never said I wasn’t. Besides, how do you think I’ve kept you from running amok all these years?”
“What?!” Emily spluttered.
“Yeah.” He nodded sagely even while his eyes glittered with laughter. “And I’m so good you never even knew what was happening.”
“You, David Rossi, are full of shit.” She pointed a warning finger at him, trying hard not to laugh at his outrageousness. “We both know who’s in charge around here.”
Matching her grin with one of his own, he nodded. Then they said, in unison, “Ella.”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Henry smiled at Dave and Emily, scrubbed his sweaty palms along his thighs and wondered why he was so nervous. He’d known these two people his whole life; they were like family in every way that counted. But this was different. This was their daughter’s future he was there to discuss.
“What’s up Henry?” Dave crossed his legs and steepled his fingers under his chin.
“I’m pretty sure you know why I’m here.” He swallowed hard.
Emily, seated beside Dave, smiled at him. “Relax, Henry. We don’t bite.”
“Speak for yourself.” Dave’s mouth twitched in what might have been the beginnings of a smile. But it disappeared as fast as it came. “What?” He tried to look affronted when Emily slapped his arm.
“Quit trying to spook him, Dave.” Shaking her head, Emily said, “Go ahead, Henry. He’s just being a pain.”
Hands shaking, Henry tried to smile, but he was pretty sure it was more a grimace. “Well,” he cleared his throat, embarrassed that his voice was shaking, “I’m going to ask Ella to marry me and I came to ask for your blessing.”
Dave uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Henry,” he rested his elbows on his knees, “tell me why I…why we should give you our blessing.”
“Sir?”
“You’ve come in here and told me you’re going to ask my daughter to marry you. But you haven’t told me why you want to marry her, why Emily and I should be willing to accept you as Ella’s husband.” His voice was razor sharp and Henry felt a tiny frisson of unease. Maybe he’d been right all along about Dave’s relatives being able to make somebody disappear.
“Dave…” Emily ran her hand over Dave’s back. “Don’t scare him.”
“I’m not trying to scare him.” Dave smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“It’s okay, Aunt Emily.” Henry’s look was rueful. “I’m not even sure if I should call you that anymore. This all seems so complicated sometimes.”
“What does?” she asked quietly.
He shrugged. “I’ve known you both my entire life. Ella too, really. It just seems odd to call you Aunt and Uncle when I want more than anything to be married to your daughter.” He chuckled. “Seems a little…incestuous. But no matter how it changes my relationship with the two of you, I love her more than anything and I can’t imagine living without her.”
Dave was quiet for a moment, watching Henry with an odd look on his face. Then, with a shuddering breath, he said, “Okay.”
“Okay?” Henry wasn’t sure what he had expected, but that definitely wasn’t it. It just seemed way too easy.
Nodding, Dave said, “Okay. On one condition…”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The ride into the city is uneventful, the three of them swaying with the rhythm of the train moving along the rails like they had been born to it. In a way, Ella had. Never having lived anywhere except Virginia, she’d taken countless trips into the District over the years to visit her grandmother or attend a concert, have dinner or wander through a museum. To her, D.C. is like her backyard.
Some of Ella’s greatest memories were of the National Memorial Day concerts. Her mother would pack a picnic and the three of them would spend the entire day meeting other veterans and their families, and then, as the sun was setting, the performance would begin. It never failed to bring tears to her father’s eyes. And he would wrap his arms around her and her mother, hugging them close as the music swelled around them. Living in the shadow of the nation’s capital, coupled with her father’s pride in his country, and not her grandmother’s influence, is what Ella credits for her interest in politics.
Usually, she would pop in her ear buds and read a book, or doze while on the train, but tonight she can’t stop her mind from spinning. Something is going on, something important. Why else would Henry insist on dinner with all the parents? Ella can’t really imagine what it could be. He hasn’t said anything to her about a promotion or a raise or anything like that. She’s still considering possibilities when the train, brakes screaming, enters Union Station.
Exiting onto Massachusetts Avenue Ella pauses and draws in a deep breath while her father hails a cab to take them the twenty blocks to the restaurant. The evening air is warm, with only a tiny hint of the coming fall. The pervasive humidity of summer is gone, and without the haze of heat, the pinkish orange sky of early evening is clear.
The Iron Gate Inn is one of their favorite places in the District. Tucked away down what appears to be an iron gated driveway, the restaurant isn’t overrun with tourists the way most places are. Honestly, she and Henry only found it by luck as they were wandering along the residential street one day talking about how amazing it would be to live in one of the gorgeous brownstones. But from the moment Ella saw the outdoor area with the twinkling lights woven through grapevines overhead she was in love with the place. The delicious food was merely a bonus.
Henry, Hotch and J.J. are already seated when they arrive, but Henry rises to greet them. It seems to her that some sort of silent communication passes between the two sets of parents, but it’s over so fast Ella isn’t sure she really saw it. Then Henry is smiling at her and brushing a kiss over her mouth and she forgets about everything but him.
“You look amazing.” His eyes sweep over her and she feels his gaze like a touch. Ella smoothes the coral fabric of her dress over her hips and smiles up at him.
“So do you,” she murmurs, sliding a hand along his arm. The charcoal jacket makes his shoulders look very broad, and the silvery shirt and slate blue tie bring out the gray in his eyes.
Twining his fingers with hers, Henry leads her over to the table. She hugs J.J. and Hotch, and then Henry pulls out her chair. A few minutes later, when Ella is just sipping her first glass of wine, Will and his date arrive.
Kim is a petite redhead with porcelain skin, ice blue eyes and a wide, generous smile. Ella and Henry have both met her, but no one else has, so introductions are made. Will began dating her not long after Henry left for Phoenix, as if his son being grown and officially on his own was the push he needed to make the leap into a relationship that might last more than a week or two. Now, well over a year later, Will looks truly happy as he holds a chair out for Kim, before sliding into the seat beside her.
Dinner is a boisterous affair, wine and food and conversation flowing with ease. The faint sound of traffic filtering in from the street is the only reminder that they are still in the city. As the sun sets, the twinkle lights become stars and the restaurant patio takes on a magical air. Candles in hurricane lamps cast puddles of light on the tables, and the quiet hum of conversation rises and falls around them. The savory smells of lamb, chicken and fish along with roasted vegetables float on the air. The cool flavors of tzatziki and the warm, nutty taste of hummus are washed down by a rich red wine.
Then entire group passes on dessert, but says yes to coffee. Nicolas, the owner of the restaurant, brings out the tray himself. He asks about their evening, smiling and laughing as they heap praise on him for the fabulous food and service. When he is gone, Henry rises to his feet, and taking Ella’s hand, tugs her up to stand beside him.
“Ella,” he’s looking at her, and she feels a flutter of nerves start in the center of her chest. “I’m pretty sure you were wondering why we’re all here.” She nods and his smile is so tender that she feels tears stinging her eyes. “I’m surprised you haven’t dragged me off to the side and interrogated me until I told you.”
She looks around at the faces of their parents and can actually feel herself start to tremble. “Henry?” It comes out as a whisper.
“Wait.” It is then that she feels the tremor in his hand and she nods. “I thought of a thousand ways to do this. But I couldn’t imagine anything better than this place.” He gestures with his free hand. “And with these people.”
Ella feels the first tear slip down her cheek. “What are you doing?”
With a grin, he drops down on one knee and looks up at her. For a second, he fishes in his jacket pocket then holds up something she can’t even see through her tears. “Isabella Grace…Ella, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Her heart is so full that she can’t speak. It swells in her chest until she can barely breathe. Covering her mouth with a trembling hand, she nods.
“Is that a yes?” Henry’s grin is huge.
She nods again, and a laugh starts somewhere deep inside her. “Yes.”
They are both shaking as Henry slides the ring on her finger.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ella, reclining against the pillows with Henry’s back to her chest, is still trying to catch her breath when Henry lifts her left hand and looks at the ring on her finger. “Do you really like it?”
“I love it, Henry. Really.” She twists her hand in his grasp, watching as the stone catches the light. “I’ve never seen a chocolate diamond, but I think it’s the most beautiful ring in the world.” The translucent dark brown center diamond is surrounded by dozens of brilliant white stones and everything seems to sparkle as the lamplight hits it.
Bringing her hand to his lips he places a kiss on the back and says, “It reminded me of your eyes and I wanted you to have it.”
She hugs him tight, her arms draped across his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He sighs. “It was a great night, huh?”
“Yeah,” she nods, her cheek brushing over his hair. “I had a great time.” She pauses for a second then, out of nowhere, practically screams in his ear, “We’re getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Hey!” Henry twists in her arms until he can see her, one hand covering his offended ear. “That’s my ear you’re yelling in.”
“Oh, poor baby.” Ella pokes out her bottom lip, but her eyes are sparkling with laughter. “I can kiss it and make it better.”
“You’re beautiful.” He smiles at her and runs a finger over her bottom lip.
Blushing, Ella says, “We’re getting married, Henry,” her voice an awestruck whisper.
“We are.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to the swell of her breast. “So soft,” he murmurs against her skin.
Even though her hand threads through his hair and she tugs him a little closer, her mind is somewhere else. “There’s so much to do, so much to plan. We need to set a date and get a church and a dress and…”
“Hey.” He lifts his head, albeit reluctantly. “We’ve only been engaged a couple of hours. There’s time for all that.”
“I know.” She sits up and kisses him, hot and wet and hard. “But it takes at least a year to plan something this big and I don’t want to wait forever to be your wife.”
“God,” he groans and flops back on the bed. “You’re gonna be so pissed at me.”
Ella’s stomach clenches, and she can feel her excitement draining away. “Why?”
With his arm covering his eyes, Henry says, “Because I promised your parents we would wait until after you graduate to set a date.”
Ella shakes her head trying to clear away the confusion. “What?”
Dropping his arm, he rolls his head around to look at her. “I promised Uncle Dave and Aunt Emily we would wait so that you can concentrate on school and finding a job over the next year.”
“When did you make this promise?” She can feel the anger heating her cheeks. With teeth clenched, she continues, “Better yet, why would you promise that?”
Sitting up, Henry drags the sheet up over his legs and hips. “Shit. I knew I was going to be in trouble for this one.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I went to see your parents about a month ago because I wanted your father’s blessing. The rest just sort of,” he shrugs, “happened.”
Stunned, Ella simply stares at him, unable to believe he actually asked for her father’s blessing. It’s so old fashioned. And she should probably be pissed because he thinks they need her father’s permission, but she’s not. She’s touched. It’s such a huge, romantic gesture that it makes her feel cherished. The fact that he caved under pressure from her father doesn’t seem so surprising or important.
“Did he threaten you with his cousin Nico from Jersey?” She’s fighting a smile, but when Henry nods, she cackles. “Really? The one who owns the concrete business?” He nods again and she actually has to hold her stomach she’s laughing so hard. “Henry, he’s a retired homicide detective, and he’s at least eighty.”
“Seriously?” He looks pathetic and more than a little shell shocked. “He lied to me?”
Still giggling, Ella moves to straddle his thighs, adjusting the sheet so that they are pressed together in a way that promises something beyond the argument he’d been expecting. “Henry LaMontagne, you are my dream man.”
Bringing his hands up to cup her hips, he grins up at her. “You mean that?”
Ella nods and wraps her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against him. “Let’s not talk about my parents. Okay?”
Henry tangles his fingers in her hair and draws her mouth down to his. “Okay,” he mumbles just before he kisses her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Emily?” Dave opens the door of the Bride’s Room. “Jack is waiting to walk you down the aisle.”
“Coming,” she calls over her shoulder before turning back to Ella. “You look fabulous.” Emily dabs at her eyes and gives her daughter a watery smile.
“Don’t cry, Mom. You’ll make me cry and then Henry will take one look at me and change his mind.” Ella smiles, but her eyes are bright with unshed tears. “Go. We can’t start without you.”
“Henry won’t change his mind. He’s scared of your father.”
Giggling, Ella shakes her head. “I told him about Cousin Nico.”
“What?” Dave is grinning. “There goes my hold over him.”
Laughing, Emily gives her one last hug and leaves, squeezing Dave’s hand on the way out.
For a moment, he simply stares at his daughter. The strapless dress is fitted to the waist before flaring out slightly into a classic a-line skirt. Thousands of seed pearls adorn the bodice’s lace overlay while the skirt is layer upon layer of organza ruffles over tulle. Her skin glows next to the ivory fabric. With her hair swept up and her makeup perfect, she is breathtaking.
“You’re beautiful.” Dave barely recognizes his own voice.
“Oh, Daddy.” Ella’s smile trembles and she holds out her arms, wrapping them around his neck and kissing his cheek the way she did when she was a little girl.
Stepping back, Dave holds her at arm’s length and looks at her. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” Her smile is wide and so happy that he feels it in the middle of his chest like a physical ache.
“You know there’s still time to change your mind.” He says the words, but only half-heartedly. Ella isn’t going to change her mind. And in just a little more than an hour she won’t be his little girl anymore. She’ll be Henry’s wife.
Her smile gets a little bigger. “I love him, Daddy. I’m not gonna change my mind.”
His heart breaking just a little, Dave nods. “I know, baby. Just thought I’d offer.” Blinking back his tears, he raises his eyebrow and run his hands over his jacket. “So, how do I look?”
Ella steps closer and straightens the creamy calla lily pinned to his lapel. “You’re the best looking dad in the world.”
Dave kisses her cheek. “Let’s go before I embarrass us both.”
“Let me get my flowers.” Ella moves across the room and scoops up a bouquet of deep red calla lilies tied with ivory and dark brown ribbons.
Holding the door open, Dave ushers her out and follows her down the short passage to the vestibule, being careful not to step on her train.
As the bridesmaids and flower girl make their way down the aisle toward the altar, Dave can feel Ella’s hand trembling against his arm. “Nervous?” he whispers.
“A little.” She gazes up at him and suddenly she’s five years old and it’s the first day of school.
Dave places his hand over hers and squeezes. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”
The first strains of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” fill the air and they step through the door of the sanctuary.
Sooner than Dave would like, Father Davison is asking, “Who gives this woman to be married?”, and sharing a look with his old friend, responds, “Her mother and I.” Then he kisses his daughter and shakes the hand of his soon to be son-in-law. On emotional overload, he places Ella’s hand in Henry’s and turns to walk away when Henry’s voice stops him.
“Don’t worry about Ella, sir. I’ll take good care of her.”
For the second time in one day, Dave is swept back almost twenty years to a little blonde boy with serious eyes. Tears burning in his throat, he nods. “I know you will, Henry,” he chokes out. “I know you will.”
He makes it to his seat beside Emily before the first tear falls.