AN: Well, the story has come to an end. I want to thank everyone who supported this story. You all are so amazing. The reviews as so wonderful. They truly are appreciated.
Don't forget the Profiler Choice Awards are accepting nominations until December 31. And then it's voting time.
Girl2025 -I want to thank you for ALL of the reviews you are doing! Thank you thank you! for some reason I don't ever get an email notification and I don't think you are getting my emails. So thank you again. You are the best!
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Christmas Morning One Year Later
Derek look down at the woman cradled in his arms. He had to smile; they had come pretty far in a year. Right now, they were cuddle up close in his old full size bed in Chicago. It was still kind of early, so he didn't want to wake her, but he was so excited about today.
He had worked everything out with his mother and sisters, and if everything went according to plan, he'd go to bed one happy man tonight.
Penelope started to stir. She lazily stretched and then looked up at Derek. "Why are you up so early?" she yawned. "Hot Stuff? Not trying to catch a glimpse of Santa are you?"
"No, silly girl," he said. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure he's already been here seeing at it six o'clock."
"Is it really?" she asked pushing herself up to look at the clock by the bed. "Oh heavens, it is. When do we go downstairs to open presents?"
"Eager?" he chuckled.
"No," she said in a cute voice. "Well, maybe a little. It's been so long since I opened presents with a family on Christmas morning."
"Last year, you got yourself a pretty damn good present, if I do say so myself," he chuckled, moving closer to give her a kiss.
"The best," she agreed. "But I still want to experience opening presents with people again."
"I know, baby," he said. "Come on, It' still a little early. You and I can go shower, and then we can head downstairs."
"You always wanna shower with me," she joked.
Derek shrugged. "Saves water. I'm all for saving out planet."
"Yeah, right!" she said, hopping out of the bed. He quickly followed her to the bathroom.
After getting ready, they both headed downstairs to meet Fran, who was making breakfast. "Good morning, you two," she said, holding out two cups of coffee.
"Gosh, you are a godsend, Fran!" Penelope said as she took the cup of coffee.
"What did I tell you about calling me Fran?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
"Sorry," Penelope said over the rim of her coffee. "Momma Morgan."
"That's better," Fran said. "Now, Derek, your sisters will be here in a little while. Do you think you and Penelope can run to the corner store for me? I forgot the cranberry sauce."
"Sure thing, Momma," Derek said winking at her.
"Is anything going to be open?" Penelope asked.
"The corner market is always open," Fran explained.
"Oh, okay," Penelope said with a smile. "Come on, Hot Stuff. Let's go get us some cranberry sauce."
They made their way out to the car and started driving down the road. When they drove past the corner store Penelope turned toward Derek. "Uh… isn't that the store?"
He didn't say anything. He just smiled and continued on his journey.
"Are you kidnapping me?" she teased. "You really don't need to kidnap me. I'd willing go anywhere with you."
"Oh, now that is what I like to hear!" he said before glancing at her. "We just need to make a quick stop."
"Does this stop involve getting down and dirty?" she asked, her eyes beaming.
"And you say I am insatiable?" He smirked, raising and eyebrow at her.
"You are!"
"No, silly girl," he laughed shaking his head. She was right, he was insatiable, but only for her. But in the snow… he wasn't so sure about that. "Snow wouldn't work very well for me."
"I could always warm you up," she protested.
"Penelope!" he warned, giving her a mock stern look. She was as bad as he was when it came to their love life.
"What?"
He shook his head before pulling up to a park. He looked around and was pleased to see it was deserted. He looked back at Penelope. "Let's go for a small walk."
"It's snowing," she said.
"I'll keep you warm. I just want to have a few minutes just us, before my sisters and their families get to Momma's and it's a mad house."
"All right," she said hopping out of the car. "It's actually kind of beautiful. Freshly fallen snow…" She sighed. "It's like a postcard."
"I'm glad you like it." He took her hand leading her to a gazebo in the middle of the park. His sisters had come by earlier in the morning to help light the gazebo with Christmas lights.
"Oh look, Derek," she explained. "Look at all the pretty lights. Do you think they keep these on all night long?"
She ran up t the gazebo leaving Derek behind. "It's so beautiful here." She turned to face him and her breath hitched. There before her was Derek kneeling. "Derek?"
"I love you," he started. "I love you with all of my heart. You are the reason I wake up in the morning, you are the reason I work so hard to get the unsub, just so I can come home to you. You make me love life again. I want every Christmas morning to be able to open gifts, with family, with you by my side, as my wife. And one day, we can open them with our children. I know this gift..." He held out the ring. "Isn't as awesome as last years," he joked wiggling his eyebrows. "But I hope this will be the start of some amazing Christmases' together as a family. So Penelope Garcia, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Tears were streaming down her face as she looked at the love of her life. "You're wrong," she said, holding back her sobs. She ran into his arms causing them to fall backwards. "This is better than last years Christmas."
"Is that a yes?" he asked kissing her.
"Yes! A thousand times yes!"
"Good," he said, moving to stand up, reaching out his hand to help her up as well. Once they were off the ground he placed the ring on her finger. "Are you ready to go open presents with your family now?"
She looked down at her ring and then back at him. "More than ready."
AN: Merry Christmas everyone. Did you all like the story? I wanted to do a New Years story, it would have been a multiple chapter story, but I don't know if I have the time. It wouldn't be done until after New Years. I can always try and just finish it after the new year if you all really want it.
