AN: Aww, well be still my beating heart. Thank you all so much. I really think you all are the Bee's Knees. It's finals all next week so I will try my best to update if I can.
Derek sat at the youth center helping untangle the lights. When he got to Chicago, he made a promise to the boys that he'd help decorate the place the best he could. He was pretty thankful for the distraction anyway.
He had avoided most of the prying questions his mom had ask him about Savannah and why she hadn't come home with him, but he knew it was only a matter of time before everything came out. He just didn't want it to be right now.
So he was going to busy his mind working on getting the youth center festive. He liked helping out anyway. The kids were always grateful.
He took out his phone and sighed. He had heard nothing from Garcia in days. They used to talk everyday, but lately it was like he was on a different planet to her. He felt bad for not telling her he and Savannah had broken up, but he couldn't take the look of pity he would surely get from her. The "Oh man, Hot Stuff, I'm so sorry!" all while she was probably thinking, There goes Morgan and another failed relationship. And what if she had asked him to tag along with her and Sam. He shuddered at the thought. There was no way he could watch someone other than him draped all over his baby girl.
He continued untangling the lights as he thought about his relationship with Penelope. She was so fun and free, without a care in the world. When he was with her, he felt that way too. He was at his happiest when he was with her, and he would be fooling himself to think otherwise. Even Savannah knew it.
He thought back to right before Thanksgiving.
"Hey Derek, you're home early!" Savannah said excited as Derek walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, Babe. We had a half day." He moved to the fridge to grab some water. His phone buzzed, causing him to pull it out and smile.
"Who's that?" Savannah asked.
"Garcia," he answered, not looking up at Savannah as he started to text Garcia back.
"Oh, didn't you just leave her? How are she and Sam?"
Derek looked up at Savannah, and then back at his phone. He didn't get why she always asked about Garcia. Sometimes he and Garcia texted just to text. "I guess her and Sam are good. I think they are planning a small Thanksgiving, just the two of them."
"Aww, well isn't that romantic? We should have planned something like that, especially because we'll be in Chicago for Christmas. We should do something nice and romantic like they are," Savannah suggested.
"Uh yeah," he said looking up from his phone. "Wait, don't you have to work?"
"I'm on call yes, but maybe we can still do something," she suggested but it fell upon deaf ears. Derek was too engrossed in his conversation with Penelope.
He shook his head. The conversation that followed started the downward spiral of their relationship. Savannah had laid it all out on the table for him. And after years and years of fighting it, he finally let the feeling crash into him.
He was in love with his best friend.
Problem was, Penelope was happy with Sam. And he would never do anything to confuse or hurt her. So instead, he pretended everything was fine with him and Savannah, and he went off to Chicago on his own. He wouldn't have to see Penelope until January second and that gave him enough time to come up with some plan as to why he never told her.
"Is that Derek Morgan?"
Derek looked up to see an old flame he had back when he was rookie beat cop. "Chanel?" He stood up as his old girlfriend came closer to wrap him in a hug.
"How have you been? It's been such a long time," the bubbly woman said.
Derek looked her up and down. The years had been good to her, although she must have opted for a little help in the chest area. "It has been a long time. How's life been?"
Chanel beamed at him, picking up a string of lights to help before settling in next to him.
XXXX
Penelope sat in the airport terminal, her knee bouncing. She felt crazy for doing this. As soon as she had gotten off the phone with Fran, she had booked the next flight out to Chicago in hopes to take Savannah and Sam's advice and finally go after him.
This could be her chance at her happy ending. Even if she was going to fall flat on her face, she had to at least try.
She was tired of comparing every man that walked into her life to Derek. And Sam was right: this would give her the answers she needed. She would either get her happy ending with Derek or learn to finally let go of him in her heart.
She sat back in her chair sipping the coffee she had. She was so nervous, but Fran had seemed excited she was coming to Chicago.
"Fran, we need to talk."
"What's wrong Penelope? Are you okay?" Fran asked nervously.
"Nothing is wrong, Fran. Well, other than the fact your son kept his breakup a secret," Penelope explained.
"Oh…" Fran said sighing. "That explains a lot. I have tired a couple of time to get him to tell me why Savannah didn't come with him, but he would change the subject. I knew something was wrong."
"Yes, I just ran into Savannah at the supermarket. Anyway Fran, I will go into more detail later. Do you think it would be okay if I come out there?" Penelope asked, hopeful.
"Oh yes, dear! You know I love to see you. I'm sure Derek will be glad to see you, too. He seems down, but now I know why,"
"Okay, thank you, Fran! Do you think you can not tell him? I want to surprise him," she said nervously.
"Are you sure you are okay, honey? What does Sam think about you coming to Chicago over Christmas?"
Penelope sighed. She really didn't want to get into this over the phone. "I promise I can tell you about everything once I get there. I'll get a cab to your house."
Penelope heard Fran make a defeated tone. "I don't like it when my children keep things from me. First Derek about Savannah, and now you."
"I promise, Fran, as soon as I see you, I will tell you everything," Penelope assured her.
"Alright," Fran said. "Text me the flight information."
"I will," Penelope told her. "I'm heading home to pack a quick bag."
"Okay, Dear. We'll see you soon. Be safe."
Her plane was called, so she looked down at her phone shooting a quick text to Fran letting her know she was boarding.
AN: Want more? Wink wink ;)
