She's The One
Note-Penelope's flowers come from the Washington DC store called 1st DC Florist. The bouquet is called Lover's Pink Mist.
Chapter Three
March 2010
Derek Morgan had an tempestuous relationship with God. But that didn't stop him from saying a little prayer before he knocked on Penelope Garcia's door: Please, God, let this night go well.
His whole life depended on what happened tonight. He couldn't screw it up. He wouldn't let things end with one date that was lackluster. No way in hell. Tonight she was going to have the time of her life if he had anything to say about it.
Rapping lightly on the door he exhaled a long breath. A minute later the door was pulled open and he saw Penelope standing there, looking like a vision in a purple silk dress that had a slit in the leg. "Wow, baby girl. You're breathtaking, you know that, right?"
Giving him a small smile she looked at the flowers he was holding before reaching for the pink and purple bouquet. "Thank you ever so uber much, Derek. I'm glad you approve. I would never want to disappoint you," she flirted with him.
His voice was hoarse and scratchy as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him as he did, "You could never do that."
She disappeared into the kitchen. A minute later she came back with a vase that was as colorful as everything else Penelope owned. She nestled the flowers into it. After giving them a small sniff she said "These are very lovely, handsome."
Derek swallowed hard. All he could do was stare at her. She looked so good. He was aching to reach out, pull her close to him and kiss her till she was moaning into his mouth . Till she knew with every bit of her body and mind just how turned on he was over her.
Instead he stuck his hands in his pockets and made a sound of agreement in reply to her words.
Penelope slowly walked over to him. She placed her hands on both his arms. Looking up and into his eyes the moment stilled. They stared at each other longingly, searching each other eyes, for a long minute.
Finally a smile came onto her lips and she asked "Its silly to be nervous, isn't it?"
"Are you nervous?" his voice was deep, so much huskier than he intended it to be but she got to him in every way. Especially when she was so close, her cleavage so inviting, plus she smelled like a garden with her red curls pinned up with little butterfly clips that made her look as cute as she did stunning and sexy. All his senses were on high alert just then.
It was hard for Derek to think. Let alone talk.
Penelope asked, her tone light, "Is this a date date?"
"Yes, it is, Penelope. For me it's the most important date of my life."
"Then hell yeah I'm nervous!" She chuckled a little. Her lips quirked into the cutest smile. "And surprised, sug."
He took his hands out of his pockets and then brushed one finger softly over her cheek. "For real? Huh. I must have been doing something wrong all these years. Cause I thought you knew I find you" he waggled his head at her "sexy, brilliant, smoking hot, a Goddess, an angel, a gift from God, my solace, my sunshine, the light of my life, my sweetheart, my best friend and the only woman I say I love you to. I guess I needed to get more specific cause I forgot I'm dealing with a hard head so, hard head, here's how it is: I wanna be the only man you ever want or ever need again, you hear me?"
She nodded, smiling sweetly at him, and his heart soared.
Derek went on "Good. Now that we got what I have in mind all spelled out can I please take you out on the town? I don't know about you but I think we're long overdue."
"Okay," she cooed at him, her smile just as wide and happy as he had ever saw it before. That made his heart melt. She really was happy and it was all over him.
Emotion prickled his skin. A light sheen of tears came to his eyes but he blinked them away, let out a shaky breath, and pulled himself together.
He helped Penelope slide her wrap around her shoulders then leaned forward and brushed a kiss over her cheek. "Mmm," he said "you make me feel so lucky. Do you know that, Garcia?"
She looked over her shoulder and up at him. They shared a long soulful gaze before Derek cleared his throat. He said "We've got a reservation so we should go."
"Yes, we should, sug," she purred "because if we stay here much longer I may just take advantage of your growing crush on me and do what I've wanted to do since day one." She paused and added "Put a cowboy hat on you and ride you like a stallion."
"Woman, whoa!" Derek felt his face go hot. He pulled open her door and put his hand on her back. "Go!" After she had locked her door and they were heading for the stairs he told her "And, just so you get it straight, this is no crush," his words were spoken in such a determined and sure voice that she stopped dead in her tracks.
Her pretty red lips pursed. "Not a drop of doubt left in your mind, huh? Hmmm, well I guess, that does certainly change things. Maybe I better go get a check up and make sure my heart can handle letting you into my bed. I wouldn't want to faint dead away during the good part."
He smiled tenderly at her. "Silly girl, come on. The good part is gonna be all the parts, you got me? Starting with our dinner tonight so lets get a move on."
"Yes, Sir Derek." She moved toward the stairs. "So, tell me, just how all out are you going for this date date? Did you rent a carriage for your princess?"
He laughed. "Not this time. But you want one and you'll get one in the future."
The smile she gave him right before she walked in front of him and headed down the stairs could only be described one way: luminous.
His heart did flop flops. Flip flops for his baby girl.
XXXXXXXXXXX
They spent most of the car ride listening to music. Derek was playing a local artist who he knew Penelope was a big fan of even though the woman was unsigned. He wanted to show her how much he listened when she talked and how he went and bought the CD, downloaded it into his ipod and played it specifically for her tonight.
When they were within a few blocks of their destination he asked "Have you ever been to The Old Stone House?"
"Sure. I walked through it when I first moved out east. Isn't it one of the oldest buildings in the area?"
"Yep. It was built before the Revolutionary War. In the mid-1700's. Do you remember the garden behind it?"
"Yeah, its beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so, Penelope." Derek parked his SUV, got out and walked around to help Penelope out. "Right this way, mama."
He led her up to the Old Stone House, which was used as a museum and tourist attraction normally but the garden could be rented for weddings or parties of thirty or less. Tonight Derek rented it just for him and Penelope, hired a caterer and decorator to make it a magical night for them. He had two months to plan it and he hadn't forgotten a detail.
The only thing that would have ruined it would have been if they had caught a case but if that happened he would have planned it all over again for another night. He didn't care about how much money it cost. He cared about giving her an amazing memory.
The greeter said "Good evening, Mr. Morgan."
Derek had spoken to this man before when he was setting everything up, along with many other people who had a part in putting this night together for him and Penelope. "Good evening, James. This is the special lady I told you about, Penelope Garcia. Baby girl, this is James Wilbanks. He helped me to arrange this night for us."
"If you will follow me I'll show you to your table," James said. He led then outside to the garden, which was located behind the building.
A table was set up, covered in a purple tablecloth with purple flowers in a vase on the table, and candles were also lit on the table. Soft, romantic music was playing. A waiter, dressed in formal wear, stood by ready to see to their every need.
Twinkling white lights were strung all around, illuminating the flowers, and adding to the romantic setting.
Penelope gasped as she took it all in. Her eyes got teary. She looked at Derek. "Wow...this is just...I didn't expect this."
Leaning near her he murmured "You should. You deserve all this and so much more." Then he softly kissed her cheek before taking her hand and leading her to the table.
A waiter went to pull out her chair but Derek brushed him off. "That's my job." He pulled it out and she sat down. Bending near her ear he whispered "God, you're beautiful, woman. Radiant. You did good picking that dress. Real good." He made a very soft sound in her ear like a tiger roaring before moving around the table to sit down.
In the moonlight and the candle light Penelope glowed. Derek found himself staring at her so lovingly that he was startled the waiter loudly cleared his throat. The man had been trying to get Derek's attention.
The waiter asked "Would you like to order drinks, sir?"
"Wine, baby girl?"
"Sure, Hot Stuff...I mean..." she glanced at the waiter and blushed then corrected herself to skip using a nickname "yes, Derek."
He told the waiter to bring the wine that he had previously discussed with the caterer. After he left Derek took Penelope's hand, he leaned closer to her and said "Tell me the truth. Is this too much?"
"This? Its... a lot, that's for sure, handsome. Its..." she looked all around "whoa. I guess I never pictured myself actually being treated like a princess but I could get used to it."
"With the way our lives are, with work and everything, its not easy to get time to do anything like this often. But, if we were a couple, Penelope, we could have a date night every month and every month I'd plan something you'd never forget because every month I'd want to remind you that you picked the right man. I'm that right man. You were right, what you said earlier, there's not a bit of doubt left in me. Not a bit, hard head." He sat back. "For now, lets just enjoy this night. But remember all I've told you, okay? I know you need time to think and time to catch up to all I'm feeling already. And we've got time. I'm not going anywhere and I would never give up on you as long as there's the slightest chance you may...fall for me, girl, like I've fallen for you."
The waiter came with their wine, interrupting their moment, soon they were both sipping it and chatting about work, the historic building they were visiting that night, and belly dancing class that Penelope and JJ were taking on Saturday afternoons.
Everything but them. But that was all right. Derek didn't expect Penelope to tell him she was crazy about him too. Just the fact that she was happy to be with him was enough for right then.
As long as she kept letting him take her on dates they had time to make promises and share confessions. Time finally felt like it was on Derek Morgan's side.