Author's Note: This is the last Chapter of "The Truth". I will be doing another story, it will take place, before this one, make reference to this one, and will proceed from where this one leaves off. ** To Cassie, Katie, and Crys… and anyone else who hates cliff-hangers… I'm sorry… but this one has to end that way.** I hope you enjoy… Please don't kill me and as always, I don't own Criminal Minds. **Nicole**
Penelope and Derek
Penelope woke up to a cold spot next to her. She rubbed her eyes. She reached to the bedside table to find her glasses. "Derek?" She looked at his pillow. There was a note.
"Hey Future Mrs. Derek Morgan, I am making you a surprise. If you're up before I'm back, stay in bed. I'll be back soon. Love you. Derek."
"What the hell is he up to now?" Pen asked out loud. It wasn't like she didn't like surprise, but waking up alone in bed was not one of them. She sat in what was now their bed and waited. She spent what seemed like a lifetime staring at the engagement ring Derek had chosen for her. It was perfect, unique. Like her. She remembered the explanation for it.
"Mama, I chose this ring for you. I saw it and I knew I had to put in that left hand of yours." Derek had said. "It's a pink diamond."
It was amazingly beautiful. Her thesaurus couldn't give enough words to describe it. She stared at it in awe as the pink diamond, and tiny opals sparkled and gleamed in the morning light. She was happy that they had gone to his house, because their bedroom faced east, giving them the early morning sun. Something she missed from her time in California. She was so lost in thought, that she didn't even notice that Derek had snuck back into the room. Though the sensual smell of the gift he was bearing did.
"Derek!" She exclaimed as he kissed her neck, careful to keep the breakfast tray away from her. "What's that?" She tried peeking around him.
"Breakfast in bed for the most beautiful woman in the world, who's made me the happiest man in the world." He replied as he kissed her. He then put the breakfast tray over her lap.
"Oh! My favourites!" She exclaimed. She smiled.
He sat on the bed next to her. He then took one of the strawberries and put it to Penelope's lips. "Open up. I get to baby you now."
Pen smiled and slowly opened her lips and gently bit on the juicy fruit. "MMM."
"I'm glad you like it. Now lift that cover there." He pointed to a domed silver plate cover his sisters had given him as a gift one Christmas.
Pen lifted it as she was asked to. "You made me crêpes?"
"Yep. Got up at the crack of dawn to make you some chocolate ones. I know how much you like them." He smiled as she took a bite out of one. "Are they good?"
"They're perfect. Why the hell did you join the FBI when you coulda been a chef?"
"Because if I had done that, little mama, I would've never met you." He stole a quick bite of the crêpe she was holding.
"Hey!" She exclaimed as she playfully smacked his arm. "Though, I guess you have a point."
"Of course I do." He laughed.
They enjoyed breakfast in bed. Once the crêpes were gone, Derek began to dip the remaining strawberries in chocolate.
"Derek, you're going to bed the death of me."
"Oh really now?" He put a strawberry in his teeth and leaned in to share it with her.
She took her bite, then with a loud crash the breakfast tray went flying as Derek was pulled onto her.
"Pen!"
"I had my breakfast… now I want my dessert." She smiled.
He smiled. She was his girl, his world and she knew exactly how to corner him. He slid under the covers with her.
"Pen, where are your clothes?"
"Oh, I took them off while waiting for this magnificent surprise." She grinned. "I had a feeling I wouldn't be needing them anyhow."
"You're bad."
"Spank me later." She said as she brushed her hand against the bulge in his boxer briefs.
"Pen. Don't tempt me." He kissed her passionately.
"Derek, I want you to make love to me."
"Your wish is my command." He replied as he felt her hands slide his underwear from his hips. He kicked them under the covers. He kissed her everywhere, from her head all the way to her toes. He then slowly made his way back up. Teasing her every now and then.
"Derek, stop teasing me! I want you!" She cried as she pulled him up and using her legs, she pulled him in which then pushed his straining member into the warmth of her womanly desires.
"Pen." He breathed. It was a perfect fit. He let her control the rhythm and pace of their love making. He'd get her back later. "I want you on top darlin'."
With ease, Derek flipped himself over, pulling Penelope onto him. He never slipped. She moved her hips in a slowly rotating motion, and it was driving him nuts. He slowly began to move his pelvis and hips the opposite way. The look of shock was perfect. She was clamping down on him. He knew she was close.
"Pen, cum with me."
Their tempo picked up pace. Within moments, Penelope was screaming his name, but he caught it with his mouth as he pulled himself up to make it all that more intense. She was shaking. She could feel his heat in her.
"Derek." She whimpered.
"Shhh. Baby, it's okay. I got you." He eased her back onto the bed.
Her body was shaking. She didn't care. Derek Morgan was the best lover she ever had, and now he was hers. Forever. He smiled down at her as he brushed away her bangs, kissing her forehead.
"You ok?" He asked.
"Better than okay. I'm amazing." She kissed him and just snuggled into his chest. "That's the best wake up call a girl could ever ask for."
Just then Derek's cell phone was going off. The name on the display was David Rossi.
Aaron and Emily
The sunlight broke through the window causing Emily to stir.
"Five more minutes." She groaned.
Aaron just lay there and laughed softly. He wasn't going to disturb this perfect image. He stroked her back as she tried to sleep through the dawn.
"That feels good." She whispered contently.
He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder blade. "I love you." He whispered against her soft skin.
"Aaron?" She turned over. "Please tell me this isn't one of my dreams."
He reached under the sheets and pinched her bare derrière.
She cried out. "Hey!"
"You told me to tell you this wasn't a dream." He smiled innocently.
She brushed her hand over his strong jaw. "It isn't is it?"
"No. It's not a dream. It's reality. You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." He smiled as his hand joined hers.
"Quoting Dr. Seuss, how clever." She pulled his head to hers and kissed him.
"I have a four year old, you want me to quote Shakespeare instead?"
"No. I love it. You're so handsome… you know you should smile more." She said as she traced his lips.
"If I smile more, do you promise to stay?"
She looked at him. "Where am I supposed to go?"
"I have to go put some clothes on, Jack will be home soon. Jessica left a message on my cell last night. She's dropping him off at my place at 10. It's 9 now." He sighed.
"I'll go with you." She moved to get out of her queen sized bed.
"No. I don't want her ripping you a new one. She doesn't want anyone…" he stopped himself.
"Ruining Jack's memories of his mother?" Emily put her hand on Hotch's shoulder.
His hand touched hers as he hung his head.
"Aaron, look at me." She made him turn back to face her. "I love you. I have since I met you ten years ago. Things changed. Jack is part of you. I know that. I would never try to turn him away from the memories he has of Hailey She was his mother. He won't forget that."
"I don't want her family ruining your life." He whispered. He knew they would try.
"I'm an ambassador's daughter. People have being doing that for years. I don't let them get to me. Hotch… You have to be happy again, or it could hurt Jack more than if you love another woman."
"Okay." He nodded. "You can come. Just… let me talk to Jessica."
"Deal."
The couple dressed themselves, and Emily handed Hotch her keys. "Why are you giving me the keys?"
"Because, your SUV's at Dave's. I'm the only one with an SUV like yours, at least let her think you're the one in control."
"Fair enough." He leaned down and kissed her as she got into the passenger's seat. He got in, adjusted the driver's seat and headed to his home, to get his son.
It was a good thing Em had let him drive, because Jessica's jeep was already there.
"Where were you?" She spat.
"Emily and I had to drive some coworkers home." He lied smoothly.
"Why?" she glared at him. Then she saw Jack hugging Emily out of the corner of her eye.
"Because we had a celebration here last night. I told them to come here but if they drank, they weren't driving. Dave had to be driven home, so Emily and I drove him back. I was running late, so I'll bring Emily home after this."
"Aaron. You're smiling." She lightened up.
"So?"
"Jack said you didn't smile anymore." She whispered. "He was worried about you."
"Jessica."
"Look, I didn't approve of my sister's marriage to you, or that she died because of your job. But I love Jack, all I ask is if you're going to be with her…" She pointed to Emily. "Is let me still be a part of his life."
"Jessica, I won't stop you from seeing him, but I don't want you turning him against Emily."
"Do you love her?" she asked as she watched her nephew show Emily his new 'Bumblebee' Transformer.
"Yes." Hotch replied.
"Then, I won't, just keep Jack safe."
"I will and Jessica, we'll still need a sitter for him, when we go out of town, though with my new job it won't be as often, but you can still have him from time to time."
"Thank you Aaron." She wiped a tear from her cheek. "Bye Jack." She waved.
"Bye Auntie Jessi."
"Auntie Jessi?" Aaron asked.
"His idea. And Aaron, thank you, and congratulations." She got in her jeep and pulled out of the drive.
Jack ran to his father. "Daddy!" He threw himself in Hotch's arms.
"Hey! How's my little man?" Hotch laughed.
"Daddy, you're smilin'." Jack squealed.
"That's because Daddy is very happy." Hotch whispered.
"Is it because you finally asked Em'ly out?" Jack blurted, then he covered his mouth.
"Where would you get that idea?" Emily giggled.
"Uncle Derek, and Uncle Dave and Uncle Sean, then even Auntie Jessi said it. You guys were taking too longed." He nodded.
"Right…" Hotch looked at Emily helplessly.
"Well, did you?" Jack looked between the new couple. "Someone tell me something!"
"Okay, okay Jack." Emily laughed. She kissed him on the cheek.
"Yes, I asked Emily to be mine." Aaron whispered.
"Don't you mean ours daddy?"
"Ours?" Aaron looked at his son.
"Well don't I marry her too?"
Emily just laughed. "How bout we go one step at a time Jack?" She reached and took him.
"I agree with Emily." Aaron smiled. He wanted to marry her, in all due time.
"Well, ok." Jack looked down then back up at Emily. He was beaming. "Does that mean, you'll live with us now?"
"He beat me to the question." Hotch laughed and kissed his son and his one true love.
"I think so, now lets go make pancakes." Emily put Jack down and he ran to the house, Emily in tow.
Hotch's cell began to ring. He stopped to answer it. "Dave, we'll be there to pick up my Suburban later today."
Dave's voice came on the other end. "That's fine, but that's not what I was calling about."
JJ and Reid
"How did you manage to get an appointment so soon?" Reid asked as he helped JJ dress Henry.
"I called right after I did the math yesterday."
"Are you okay?" He asked pulling Henry up into his arms.
"Yes Spence, I'm just shocked."
"JJ it's a baby."
"No at how well your taking all of this."
"Oh." Reid blushed. Henry looked up at him.
"Dada." He clapped.
Jenn smiled. Will had run off shortly before Reid came into her life, again. Henry had taken to calling Spencer 'dada' and it wasn't seeming to bother him. She looked between the two. He was making funny faces at him.
"Jenn." Reid looked up as Henry decided to suck on his thumb.
"Yea Spence?"
"Do you think, maybe we should make this all a little more official?" He looked at the child that wasn't genetically his, but he loved as his son, no matter what.
"Like get married?"
"If you wanted to." Reid's face was turning red.
"Spence, I love you. And I love this baby and everything we have, but we don't have to get married if you don't want to." She kissed his cheek. She then took Henry from him.
"JJ, I want this to be right. If it's okay with you, I'd like to adopt Henry, and I think getting married would be the next logical step."
This caused JJ's smile to grow. Of course Reid would see the logic in it. "Spencer, are you sure it's what you want?"
"More than anything JJ. I want us to be a family, in all senses of the word." He looked at Henry in her arms.
"Ok Spence, on one condition."
"What's that?" He kissed her.
"We do it today."
"You want a shotgun wedding?" Reid looked at her in shock.
"Well, sorta. We'll get married today, get the paperwork done, then have a celebration another day." She kissed him back.
"Penelope, Emily and Nikki are going to kill us."
"So? It's what I want." She blushed. "What do you think Munchkin?"
Henry looked between his mother and father. "Dada."
"I guess that's a yes." Reid laughed.
The two prepared themselves in their 'Sunday best' and then headed out the door. Their first stop was City Hall to get their marriage licence. They looked at the clock. It was only 10:30. Their appointment wasn't until noon and the doctor's office was only a 10 minute walk away. They then went to the Justice of the Peace. He agreed to the ceremony, and by 11:30, they were Dr. and Mrs. Spencer and Jennifer Reid. They headed over to the doctor's office. It was the same doctor that had delivered Henry. The nurse quickly brought them into an examining room to settle them in, giving Henry a few toys to play with. The doctor soon made his appearance.
"Jennifer. How are you?" he asked.
"Married and pregnant, it would seem." She glowed.
"Well when did this all happen?"
"We've been married for about 30 minutes now, and the pregnancy happened about a month ago." Reid joked.
"Fair enough. Let's take a look at the test results." The doctor looked through her file. "You're definitely pregnant. And congratulations. For the baby and the wedding. I wish you much happiness." The doctor motioned to the table near the ultrasound machine. "Up you get."
"Come here Henry." Reid said as he pick his son up.
"Mama." He reached for JJ.
"Hang on Munchkin, Mama will take you soon." She lifted her shirt for the doctor to began her scan.
"There we are." He said. He looked at the screen, jotted a few things down on her chart, then turned a knob on the machine. A soft, but fast 'whoosh- whoosh' filled the room.
"Dada? What that?" Henry asked pointing at the black and white image on the monitor.
"That, Henry is your little brother or sister."
Henry looked up at Reid. "Brother or sister?"
"Yes, Munchkin." JJ sighed from the examining table. That sound was the most amazing sound in the world, and it made all of this real. It wasn't just a hope or dream anymore. This was her new life. "You're going to be a big brother."
Henry looked at the monitor. It took a few minutes, then he clapped. He looked at the monitor again. "Small."
"Yes. The baby is very small, but it'll get bigger and you're going to love it." Reid kissed his son's head.
"Love. Lots and lots." Henry giggled.
The doctor smiled. "Congratulations again JJ. Shall we update the chart?"
"Yes. I'm Jennifer Reid now."
With that the happy young family left the clinic and was heading for a picnic when Reid's cell rang. He looked at it in confusion.
"Who is it?" JJ asked.
"Rossi." He said before he answered the call.
Mitch and Nikki
"Thank you for everything Mitch." Nikki said as they pulled up to Dave's estate in Little Creek.
"No problem sweetheart. Holy! He lives in a palace!" Mitch exclaimed as he pulled to a stop in front of Dave's home.
"That was my reaction. But he loves it here, and it's quite beautiful." Nikki replied. She didn't want to leave, not yet. Her night was so amazing, and she didn't want it to come to an end.
Mitch looked over to her. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want tonight to end yet." She whispered.
Mitch turned to look at her. She was breath taking. "It doesn't have to. I don't want it to either, but Dave threatened to kill me if you weren't back by 2am."
"I don't know why he's so protective of me." Nikki looked at her hands.
Mitch's hand gently touched hers, and he took her hand in his. "It's because you and the other girls are like daughters to him."
"I only just joined the team though." Nikki was very confused.
"Nikki, look at me please." He took her chin and made her face him.
"What, is it Mitch?"
"I don't want Dave Rossi to be killing me tonight, so let's get you to the house and maybe he'll let me stay for a bit, and we can talk some more." He gently kissed her lips.
Nikki blushed. "Sure."
Mitch got out of his truck, and went to open Nikki's door. He helped her out of the truck and up to Dave's front door. As they reached the door, it opened and there stood David Rossi, still dressed from their night out.
"You brought her back on time." He noted.
"I gave you my word sir." Mitch said quickly.
"Good man." He looked to Nikki. "What's wrong?" He then turned to Mitch.
"I was hopin' to talk to Mitch a little more. Get to know more bout the Bureau." Nikki answered.
"Oh." Dave looked apologetically at Mitch. "Sure thing. You can use the family room. I'm in my study doing some research. Call for me if you need me. Good night Mitchell, and thank you."
With that David Rossi returned to his office.
Nikki showed Mitch to the family room. She had been staying at Little Creek for about 2 weeks now. Dave had told her to make herself comfortable and at home. Nikki was amazed by all this. He wasn't the man people at Georgia State University had said he was. He was kind hearted, polite and caring. Though, one of his ex-wives was now teaching there, so that may have explained quite a bit.
Mitch took her hand in his as they walked to the family room. "Hun, you okay?"
"Yeah. It's just, well… I haven't really dated or gone out." Nikki blushed. "My relationships and luck in them…"
"So you're afraid that something bad will happen?" He pulled him to her. He looked deep into her eyes. "What's wrong Nikki? You can tell me."
"I don't want to get hurt." She felt a tear began to slide down her cheek, but Mitchell brushed it away.
"What makes you think I'd ever hurt you?" He asked. His blue eyes staring straight into her soul.
"I don't know. I just found out that for 16 years my family, my parents lied to me." She collapsed onto one of the sofas.
Mitch sat next to her. "What do you mean baby girl?"
She looked up at him, mascara running down her cheeks. Hearing him call her that, made her cheeks flush and she felt good about herself. "My mother, and father were killed when I was 16. They were on the way to pick me up from one of the school dances, when a kid that was high as a damn kite ran them off the road. Dad, died on impact, but Mom, she lived for 2 days after. On her death bed, she told me that Ben Montgomery wasn't my biological father, that he had married her when she was pregnant with me, and took me on as his own daughter. He wasn't able to have kids." The tears were flowing freely. "She died before she could tell me my real dad's name, all she said was she had met him in New York."
"Why were you in Georgia then?" He tried to wipe away the tears. He pulled her into his lap, where she instinctively curled up against him, burying her head in his blue shirt.
"Because Mom had no living relatives. My dad had one sister, she lived in Atlanta and that's where I was sent. I finished school, and had early acceptance to GSU. I figured since I was a crime buff and I have a strong sense of justice, to take criminology and now look where it's gotten me."
"You're in one of the most prestigious law enforcement teams in the country. You've got two of the world's most renowned profilers watching over you as if you were their own daughter." He lifted he chin so he could see her face. "You're going to do great things, Nikki Montgomery."
"Nicola." She whispered.
"What's that baby girl?"
"Nicola. My full name is Nicola Lacey Montgomery."
"Well, my pleasure, but I do so prefer Nikki." He kissed her forehead.
"Whatever you want Tex." She smiled. Something he was hoping would come out before Rossi reappeared and wanted to kick him from here to Kingdom Come for making Nikki cry.
"Now that you're FBI, you think you'll be able to find your daddy?"
"I hope so. Because as soon as my aunt found out I wasn't blood, she kicked me to the curb, and filed paperwork to have me removed from the family estate." She sighed. "I was going to ask Pen's help on Monday."
That was Dave reappeared. He had been hiding by the entryway, listening to what she had said. It was starting to make sense. He was not thrilled to see her curled up in Mitchell Daughtry's lap, but in this case, he'd make an exception.
"Nikki." He said softly. "I think you need sleep. It's 4 am. We have things to talk about in the morning."
Dave
After dropping Hotch and Em off at her Brownstone, he headed straight back to Little Creek. There was something about Nikki and it wasn't sitting well with him. It wasn't that she was a danger to society, but she was familiar in a way. He couldn't put his finger on it, and that alone was driving him insane. He pulled into his driveway, stopped the Denali and ran in the house. He headed straight for the office, throwing his keys on the table by the door and turned on the computer. Normally he'd ask Penelope to do this, but she was probably busy. He'd figure it out on his own. He searched her file in the database. It named her aunt and uncle as her emergency contacts. That both her parents were deceased. He pulled up that part of the file. Her parents, Rose and Ben Montgomery had been on the way to pick their 16 year old daughter up at her school dance when a young male ran them off the road. He was high and drunk. Ben had been killed on impact, but Rose had survived two more days.
Dave felt tears at the corners of his eyes. This is why Nikki was stuck living with an aunt and uncle who never wanted her. He continued to read. Since the only living relatives were Ben's relatives in Georgia, Nikki went to live there since she was a minor. Then he found the line he wanted.
"Nicola Lacey Montgomery: Mother: Rose Montgomery, Father: …."
That line was left blank. Ben Montgomery wasn't her biological father. He then searched Rose Montgomery, and when he saw her picture he knew exactly why the 'Father' line was left blank. He heard tires approaching the house. He looked at the clock. 1:45 am. He looked out and saw Mitch and Nikki in his truck. They were talking. He made his way slowly to the front door. David Rossi, still dressed from their night out, opened it as they approached it.
"You brought her back on time." He noted.
"I gave you my word sir." Mitch said quickly.
"Good man." He looked to Nikki. "What's wrong?" He then turned to Mitch.
"I was hopin' to talk to Mitch a little more. Get to know more bout the Bureau." Nikki answered.
"Oh." Dave looked apologetically at Mitch. "Sure thing. You can use the family room. I'm in my study doing some research. Call for me if you need me. Good night Mitchell, and thank you."
With that David Rossi returned to his office. He looked at the pictures . How the hell was he supposed to break this to her. He looked at the time. It was almost 4am. He walked to the family room. He saw Nikki curled up against Mitchell on the sofa.
"Nikki." He said softly. "I think you need sleep. It's 4 am. We have things to talk about in the morning."
Mitch looked up from the now sleeping form in his arms. "She's asleep sir."
"Bring her to her room, stay here tonight. I'm going to need you tomorrow."
"Why?"
"I have some news to tell her about her father, and I have no idea on how to do it. She'll need someone here."
Mitch looked at Rossi. "Sir?"
Rossi leaned in and whispered in his ear.
Mitchell Daughtry looked down at Nikki's form. "Oh My God!"
"I know. I'll call the others tomorrow morning, they'll need to hear this too."
With that Rossi showed Agent Daughtry where to lay Nikki down. "You can stay with her. Just, please…"
Mitch just nodded. Rossi turned and left to toss and turn all night. Mitch put Nikki in the bed and sat in the chair by her bed and watched her sleep.
The next morning, Rossi called the other members of the team, and went to break the hardest news in the world, to one of the most important people that was now in his world…
