Chapter 7 The Epilogue

AN: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Peace, Kricket.......

It was mid summer again in Virginia, time for the annual Morgan cookout. As usual, Derek was manning the grill with his beer and his tongs. There were tons of guests, too, and a lot of other food, music, and laughter. He smiled as his baby girl entered the back yard, wearing a new pair of big, colorful sunglasses.

She stopped by the grill, lifted her sunglasses, and gave him a kiss. "Hiya, hot stuff. Almost done?"

"Pretty close."

She smirked; it was an outright challenge. "Don't overcook them; you know how you-"

"Woman, that's it!" He pulled her into his arms, and she squealed. He tickled her sides and under her arms, until she was breathless. Then he kissed her, making her breathless for a whole different reason.

"Somebody needs to pay attention to that grill," Hotch said, coming closer. He was holding a beer, looking very relaxed. He arched a brow at Morgan. "If you need me to take over.."

"I don't think so, boss man," he said, releasing Penelope with a swat on her butt. "I am a master at this."

"According to the department of agriculture," Reid began, looking at the cooking meat with a quizzical glance, "the proper temperature for medium rare steak is one hundred fifty-five degrees. The consensus among leading chefs is that you should let the steak rest off the grill for five minutes. This is the best way to maintain-"

"I know how to cook a steak, kid," he interrupted again.

Rossi glanced over Derek's shoulder. "You know, I have an old Italian recipe, handed down for generations, for a steak marinade that would make you weep."

Derek was close to giving up. What was it about other men wanting control of the grill? It was his damn grill, his damn steaks, he was going to run it. "I am starting to wish I never invited you people."

"You didn't; your wife did," Prentiss added, poking him in the chest. "And I just made her get off her feet, you insensitive jerk. Pregnant people shouldn't be on their feet that long."

"I'm only three months pregnant," Penelope added, her feet resting on the ottoman of the Adirondack chair. "I feel fine."

JJ whispered over loudly, "Shhh! Take all the attention you can for as long as you can!"

Derek watched as Penelope giggled, smiling over at him. He winked at her quickly, then with dramatic flair, extended the tongs to Hotch. "It's all yours, my man; I'm relaxing."

The rest of the men were absolutely shocked as Derek walked away from the grill, scooped up his wife, and sat back in the chair with her on his lap. He leaned back and she looped her arms around his neck, giving him a nice little kiss. "I was wondering what took you so long," she murmured against his ear.

"I was wondering the same thing," he agreed, taking a sip of her lemonade. "Now I got my priorities straight." He slid on his sunglasses. She rested in her spot, he rested against the chair, and life at that moment was most definitely cool.