A Perfect Kind Of Christmas
Chapter 1

The lights sparkled all around. From various trees, from garlands, for signs, no matter where Penelope Garcia looked they were in the corner of her eye. This made her smile, Christmas was finally beginning. It was December 1st and today was the first day of advent and therefore she was wearing all red in order to being festivities, from her glittering red Wizard of Oz boots which shone in the reflection of the lights to her dazzling, cosy red winter coat with white fur lining around the hood and sleeves, she was ready.

It was Sunday and her day off so she had decided to join the crowds and take in the atmosphere of the holidays. It was not even midday yet there were hundreds of determined shoppers pushing past her in the street not caring if they hit innocence passers-by with their large paper bags filled with various goodies which would be revealed in twenty four short days. She crossed the road away from the shops and headed towards the sound of singing that could be heard from the park, it was not long before she reached the band stand where twenty little frozen children bundled up in mittens, scarves and gloves clutched their song sheets tightly and sang their little hearts out to Hark the Herald Angel Sing. She smiled and listened to them with the small crowd which had gathered until their rendition of We Wish You A Merry Christmas had come to an end and their grey haired teacher stopped conducting and turned and bowed before encouraging the children to do the same, Penelope clapped loudly as the children were ushered off to receive hot chocolate and a gingerbread man as a reward.

Garcia couldn't help but think that was the true feeling of Christmas as she wandered back towards the centre of town; she had always loved Christmas, it was her favourite time of year, the twinkling lights, the cheesy songs, the soppy films, the beautiful decorations, the delicious food, the cosy feeling and of course spending time with loved ones. She wanted to make the most of this year, she wanted to make it the perfect Christmas, she was on a mission to get the fullest tree, the most elaborate decorations and the biggest presents but she knew deep down it was all a façade.

This year, just as last year, she would be spending Christmas alone.

Last year, she tried to convince herself, was worse. It was her first Christmas without Kevin in four years and therefore there was a hole but Rossi had offered his hand of friendship, he refused to return to Italy for another Rossi family Christmas and therefore she spent December 25th with him. This year she had no-one, she couldn't have another Christmas with the BAU team feeling sorry for her so she told them that she was returning home to California over the holidays. This of course was a lie. She had not contacted her family in California in over twenty years and she did not wish to start now, her mother had no family, she never met any of her step-father's and as for her step-brothers they disappeared to college when they were eighteen and she never saw them again, except for their father's funeral.

Penelope took a deep breath as if to remove all the negative thoughts from her mind, she held her head up and began to walk through the main shopping mall in the city. Every shop was enticing her to enter, with captivating window displays and large SALE signs it took all her will not to be dragged over and consumed by pretty things, she had a schedule to keep. In the centre a Christmas tree reaching to the third floor of the mall towered above her, with glittering baubles larger than her head and shining lights making it a most awesome sight. It was moments like this that made her forget her dismay. That is why she needed to get out of her apartment and spend the 1st December recapturing the spirit of Christmas.

She was headed towards one of her favourite places in the centre of town, a little café which is usually looked over by passers-by who would rather go to the expensive high street chains of Starbucks or Costa. As she approached she could see that they too had gone all out for the season, there was white material acting as snow on the window ledge, a small tree decorated in one corner of the window ledge and a sleigh in the other with white lights hanging perfectly around the edge. Inside the sweet smell of coffee filled her nostrils and stared at the garlands which hung above her head and the distant sound of 'Santa Baby' playing on the radio, she smiled and took her usual seat by the window where she could watch the world go by.

"Usual Penelope?" a man in a Santa hat called from behind the counter in a thick Italian accent, there were less than ten customers and all of them she had seen before so the atmosphere was a lot more laidback than most cafés she had been in and she loved it.

Garcia smiled at the man's attire and nodded, "yes please Roberto" and she watched him return the smile before disappearing into the back. She rested her chin on her hand and looked out of the window, as expected there was the bustling of shoppers taking advantage of the beginning of the festive season to start purchasing gifts for loved ones seemingly in fear that if they did not do so now they would not be able the nearer the date.

Through the blur one figure caught her eye and as Roberto placed her coffee on the table in front of her her heart began to melt a little. It was a natural occurrence, it had happened every day for the past nine years, she had learnt to live with it and ignore the feelings her heart was trying to allude to. The ring of the bell alerting that someone had entered or exited the café turned her attention from the window and there he now stood in front of her.

"Hey Baby Girl!" Derek Morgan grinned broadly sitting opposite her, dressed in a large, dark winter coat, black jeans and thick walking boots he was the epitome of perfection.

As usual she hid what she was thinking behind a huge smile and a twinkle in her eye, "how's it going good looking?"

He shook his head, "trying to get through this circus was a nightmare, are you sure it's only 1st December?"

"That's right sweet cheeks, only twenty four more days of madness before some sense of normality returns to our lives" she smiled again, "you know you love it really"

"Hmm, I'll argue that one with you later, now we need to find Christmas gifts for my Mom and sisters" he said taking a sip out of Garcia's coffee.

She frowned and pulled the mug back towards her taking her own sip, "after nine years of helping you choose presents for them how is it that I know exactly what to buy and I've never met them whereas they are your family?"

Morgan smiled and placed his hand over hers on the table, "because you are a goddess woman, my Christmas goddess!"

She rolled her eyes but placed to her hand to her chest and beamed, "oh mon chere, what would one do without constant compliments from one so handsome?" she hastily finished her coffee and stood up, "come on then, we've got work to do"

Penelope paid Roberto at the counter and wished him a Merry Christmas before heading towards the door, "are you going to buy your family presents as well angel?" Morgan asked as he held the door open for her.

She stopped momentarily, it was all going so well but having to lie to her best friend in the world was the hardest thing to do but it had to be done, "of course precious, I'll see what's around" she linked her arm through his, "but you are the priority today" and with that they wandered down the decorated street arm in arm Penelope hiding all her worries behind her largest smile allowing the façade to continue and not darken her days just yet.