AN: Thanks so much, guys, for reading, reviewing, favoriting and alerting! I am doing this on the go, which is kind of odd for me. I usually have a whole story typed and ready to fly, but this time I'm winging it, so I'm no longer sure how long it's going to be. Bear with me, 'k?
Chapter 3
December 27…
Penelope and Connie were folding the many baby clothes the girls had received for Christmas and putting them away in each of the three tall dressers in their nursery. The little outfits were adorable, with lots of pink and ruffles and lace.
Two of the outfits had come from her, and they did not have pink or lace. The first were purple plaid jumper style ensembles with a matching bow for their hair. The second were neon green onesies with little fluffy tulle skirts and colorful purple tights. Embellished on the front were the words, If you think I'm cute, you should see my Auntie. In other words, they were outfits befitting the nieces of a technical goddess.
"Oh, these are adorable," Penelope said, holding up a tiny pair of pink cowboy boots. They were obviously hand tooled, with gorgeous scroll work on the buttery soft leather.
Connie smiled. "Those came from my cousin's leather works company. He makes custom boots and belts."
Penelope pictured a pair of purple ones for herself, with little silver stars on the sides, and wondered about the costs. Maybe—
"Of course, they make real cowboy apparel, too," Connie continued as she put a pile into a drawer. "You know, things like saddles and chaps…"
The minute Connie said the word, Penelope immediately jumped to the number one man she'd like to see in chaps. She thought of him in nothing but a cowboy hat, dusty denim, and sweat, his legs flanked by a pair of custom made chaps that hugged his thick thighs to perfection.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Peter walked into the room. He stood behind Connie and looped his arms around her waist, drawing her close to his chest. "Hello, beautiful."
Connie tilted her head back for her husband's kiss. "Hi, handsome."
Penelope smiled wistfully. Pete and Connie were a couple that liked to show their affection for each other with little touches, kisses, and comments like what they'd just said. As she watched, Peter leaned in and whispered something in Connie's ear that made her blush prettily.
She thought of how many times Derek had done similar things to her in the past. How come she had been so blind?
"I just got off the phone with Mark and Tanya about New Year's plans," Peter said to his wife, interrupting Penelope's thoughts. "They know that since the babies are so little, we'd be hesitant to leave them."
"They're right," Connie said with a sigh.
"But?" Peter asked hopefully.
Smiling, she said, "Well…I could really use a drink after the last two months…and some adult time with you."
Peter held his wife close and gave that same pensive sigh Connie had given.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Penelope said, rolling her eyes. This seemed obvious to her. "I'm here. I'll watch the babies."
Connie and Peter both stared at her with wide eyes. "All three babies? Really?"
"Yes," she said. "I was a good babysitter growing up, and I watched my Godson, Henry, numerous times when he was the girls' age."
"Penelope, we didn't mean to make you feel obligated," Peter interjected. "We were planning on staying home this year."
"Well," she said, putting a shirt in a drawer and shutting it with finality, "now you can plan on going out."
"But it's New Year's Eve," Connie argued. "What about you?"
She waved her hand in dismissal. "I'll be fine. The girls and I will have our own party."
December 29…
"Hey, angel."
Penelope smiled at Derek's voice on the other line. It had been a couple of days since she'd last spoken to him. "Hey, Hot Stuff. Did you make it home to Quantico?"
"Not yet. Would you believe we caught a case in Chicago?"
"Really?" she questioned, surprised. It felt so weird for them to be having cases between Christmas and New Year's, but unfortunately, crime and serial killers didn't observe holidays.
"Yeah. There's an armed robber that's taking hostages. One person per locale," he explained. "So far, there's been three."
"Oh, my sweetie," she said compassionately. "Your hometown over Christmas!"
"That does suck." He let out a nondescript sound that sounded half between a sigh and a laugh. "Has Momma all worried about going to the bank."
"Tell her not to fret," Penelope remarked. "My super heroes are there on the scene, steadfastly righting that wrong."
"Ah," he said sadly, "but we're missing our sexy and beautiful oracle."
"I'm there in spirit?" she offered hopefully.
He chuckled. "Not the same, Baby Girl."
"Who's working the technical angles?" she asked out of curiosity.
"A dweeb named Kevin Lynch," he grumbled, mentioning her ex. He didn't even bother to keep the animosity out of his voice. "Imagine what that's like calling in from the field!"
Laughing, she teased, "I take it you're not being your usual flirtatious self?"
"Don't laugh too hard, momma…he's in your lair."
"Oooh!" she huffed. "He better not trash my fount of knowledge, my citadel of facts, my—"
"Easy, sugar," he said, obvious amusement in his tone. "I'm just teasing you."
"Oh! You…you…beast!" she growled.
"Aww, come on, baby," he cajoled. "Be nice."
"I can't," she pouted. "I'm mad at you."
"How 'bout I make it up to you next time I see you?" he murmured, a rich, rumbling sound that caused tingles to rise on her spine and wetness to pool between her legs. It hinted at naughty, wonderful things that reminded her of their one, beautiful kiss…and countless years of too good to be true fantasies.
And then she remembered it would be a month away.
"You can even spank me," he purred, causing her to groan sadly.
"Oh, Derek...I miss you."
"Sweet Baby…" he replied, as much longing and want in those two words as she herself was feeling. The two of them needed to cut it out, or they'd be the two most sexually frustrated FBI employees that had ever lived!
At that moment, a chorus of cries erupted, effectively ending their conversation.
December 31
"Are you sure you don't need anything?" Connie asked for the fifteenth time. Her eyes were darting back and forth between the babies and Penelope. "I can—"
"Just go, Con," Penelope said with a laugh.
Connie gave a worried look. "Are you certain? I—Hey!"
She was cut off by Peter dragging her out the door. "Thanks, Pen. Happy New Year."
Penelope smiled. "Happy New Year."
It was six PM, all the babies were having their late afternoon nap, she had her popcorn made, and she put a DVD in. She was going to make it a holiday movie night, relax, and have as much fun as she could. When she sat on the couch and put the popcorn bowl in her lap, she felt a pang of sadness. Usually, she watched movies with Derek, and it reminded her again that she was alone.
The first movie was It's a Wonderful Life. She watched the story of George Bailey and thought so much about how life should be savored. She'd made it to the big kiss of George and Mary, when the first baby cried. Quickly, she picked up Pamlyn and fed her a bottle while she watched the rest of that movie.
About two hours later, she was feeding the girls again, and then changing three diapers, all while trying to watch the best New Year's movie she could find, When Harry Met Sally. Finding anything but romantic movies in her brother's house was rather hard; Connie was a die hard romance fan.
As she cared for the babies, she thought about the movie, about the star crossed best friends. She truly believed men and women could be friends, but when they had chemistry like Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan had, it seemed obvious it wouldn't work.
She paused and smiled to herself. She was the pot calling the kettle black!
She sighed, feeling faint sadness and longing. It was about nine there in San Francisco, and Derek had promised to call. She'd spoken to him last night, had told him she was going to be sitting for her family.
"Will you have time to pick up the phone to hear from one sweet and lonely agent?" he teased.
"Of course," she teased back. "I always have time for Reid."
He chuckled. "Oh, you wound me, baby..."
Although she was enjoying her time with her nieces, she was feeling lonely. The conversations with Derek had been both a cure and a curse. She missed his friendship and his flirtatious heat. She thought she'd be fine. She thought she'd be okay this New Year's, home with the girls and relaxing. Now, as she sat there, trying to watch a movie riddled with romance while she was surrounded by cooing babies, she desperately wished she wasn't alone.
But far more than that…she wished Derek was here.
Her phone rang, and she quickly dashed to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hey, baby."
"Derek!" she cried, a smile spreading across her face.
"Drowning in babies yet?" he asked.
She giggled. "I'm okay. I've got it under control."
"Oh, I know you do. Sexy, brilliant girl like you can handle anything that comes her way," he purred.
She sniffled a little and felt her eyes tear up. Silly thing to happen, considering she was so happy and fine...really she was. It was just so nice to hear his voice.
"Yeah," she whispered, her voice catching on that single syllable.
"Sugar, I know you got it under control...but would you mind an extra set of hands?"
At that moment, she heard a gentle rapping on the bay window. She turned and saw Derek standing outside, giving her a little wave, while wearing the million watt smile she missed the most.
