I know that I am jumping ahead by posting this story before I finished "Just To Be Loved", but I had to due to an inspiration sent directly from heaven in the form of a little angel. I promise that I haven't forgotten my other stories, but this one is very personal to me.

Follows "All I Want For Christmas", "This Gift", "Mary, Did You Know?", "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", "Just To Be Loved", and "Just The Way You Are". Or to just cut to the chase: seventh in the "A Baby Changes Everything Series".

Song prompt: "My Girl" by The Temptations.

Dedicated to Addyson Leia. You are truly a gift from God and I am happy to be your nana. Love and blessings for always!

My Girl

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Penelope Garcia-Morgan felt good. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and life was good. And it would be even better when her little one decided to make her entrance into the world. With an enigmatic smile, she ran her hand over her stomach.

"Good morning, precious," she spoke aloud. "How are you?"

A kick was the only reply.

"You're up early today. Are you hungry?"

Another kick. Pen rubbed the large bump lovingly. It was hard to believe that nine months had come and gone so quickly. Nine wonderful months, she corrected, looking down at her left hand at the large ruby stone surrounded by diamond chips.

"So, when are you going to make your appearance?" Pen wondered aloud.

"Talking to yourself again?" Derek's deep voice teased from the doorway. He walked over to his wife and wrapped her in his arms.

"Just saying good morning to our angel," Pen replied and leaned into Derek's protective touch.

"I was wondering when she is going to make her debut. It has been almost a week since her due date," he murmured into her neck, breathing in her sweet scent.

"Well, first babies are notoriously late…"

Derek raised his eyebrow. "Where did you hear that?"

"I read up on it on line."

"Maybe we should schedule another appointment to see what's taking her so long."

Pen snorted. "You worry too much," she teased lovingly.

"Sorry." Derek pulled back. "So, what do you want to do today? Sit around or make an appointment?"

"I'm feeling good. Besides I just had an appointment yesterday. Why don't we go into work and see everyone?" she asked.

"Oh no! I don't want you anywhere near that place!" Derek retorted. "JJ went into labour with Henry there. Emily went into labour with the twins. I am not risking a third push at fate."

Pen stood up. She turned to face him. "JJ had Henry over four years ago. Emily was early. I think I will be safe. Besides, I want to check out my lair and see if my replacement has rearranged everything."

""I'm sure it's fine. Didn't you make Hotch promise that the intern is not supposed to touch anything? Not even the pencils in the cup that you never use?"

"I did, and he did, but after the Kevin Lynch incident that tore through there - and took me a month to rearrange and get back to working order - I'm a little nervous."

"Pen, that was over four years ago. Your office is perfect."

"I still can't find my bag of multi-coloured rubber bands and my troll doll that looks like Strauss," she corrected. "I can only imagine what is going to come up missing this time around since I am going to be gone for three months."

Derek grimaced and shook his head. "Baby Girl… I don't know…"

Pen cupped his cheek. "Oh ye of such little faith. Nothing is going to happen. If Amanda hasn't arrived by now, I think she can wait a couple of hours while I see my friends. Besides, I think Em will be bringing the twins in today." She looked up at her husband with pleading eyes. "Please?"

Derek fought with himself. There was nothing he wouldn't do for the love of his life. But something deep down inside was telling him that going to the BAU was going to be a bad decision. A really bad decision. Still…

Amanda was late, so what could it hurt for Pen to go into the office for an hour? Besides, if he didn't take her, it was more than likely she would try to fit herself behind Esther and go by herself. At least if he was with her and anything happened, he could get her out of there right away.

"Okay," he finally relented. "We will go in for one hour so you can see the babies - human and computer - and then we will come home. I mean it: one hour. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Pen hugged Derek tightly. "Oh thank you! Thank you! I promise that nothing is going to happen."

"I still don't know why they couldn't come over here and visit," Derek groused.

"Because we need every good memory we can at that place," she replied. "Babies are good karma."

"What kind of karma will come if Amanda decides to make her debut?" he asked sarcastically.

"Only the best kind, but that isn't going to happen."

Derek leaned down and put his face toward Pen's belly. "Amanda, if you promise to wait to arrive, I will take you and your momma to the BAU. Okay?"

"Ooof!" Pen gasped breathlessly. "I think that was a yes."

Derek watched her face. He remembered the look on JJ's face and the reaction Emily had when they were in full labour. "Are you sure?"

Pen rubbed her belly. "Yes. That was a punch to my kidney. Not nice, little one," she admonished.

"Are you sure? We can put this off for later," he offered.

"Yes. You worry too much," she laughed and walked over to the dresser. Taking out her under things, she made her way to the master bath.

"I worry because I keep feeling that I'm going to be delivering my daughter."

"Maybe you'll get lucky and Reid will be there instead," Pen joked.

"Maybe," Derek agreed. "Breakfast will be ready in a few."

"Great. I'll hurry."

"Don't hurry; take your time," he corrected.

Pen stopped and turned around. A wide smile lit up her face. Derek caught his breath. Standing in her oversized nightgown, her blonde hair mussed, her face free of make up and glasses… If he thought she was beautiful before, he couldn't describe how she looked now. He felt his heart fall hard and fast.

"What?" Pen asked.

Derek had to take moment before he could trust himself to speak. "I love you, you know that, right?" he said with a crack in his voice.

Pen's face softened. "I know. I love you, too." Stepping into the bathroom, she closed the door softly.
******

Fastening the seatbelt, Derek looked over at Pen. "Are you ready?" he asked, his hand paused on the gears.

Pen snapped her belt in place. "Yep!"

"One hour."

"Derek…" Pen reached out and covered his hand with hers.

"One hour," he repeated.

She sighed. "Okay. One hour. But nothing is going to happen."

"Remind me of that when we get back home just the way we are right now," Derek said.

"I will."

Derek started the car. Putting it in gear, he looked both ways, eased slowly into traffic, and drove toward the BAU.