Thanks for all the reviews and support for this story along the way…I have enjoyed writing it, but here is the end. It's a pretty long one! Hope you enjoy

He watched the buildings whiz by as the black cab wound through the dark streets of London. Rain beat gently on the windows and the lights of the city reflected off the droplets, leaving a golden blur.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes momentarily, in relief, upon seeing the familiar outline of her tall apartment building.

"Thanks buddy." He said as he handed over the notes for his fare and exited the cab.

He glanced at his watch which read 11:34 pm and gave her front door an apologetic knock.

He felt a weight leave him as the door opened and he saw her tired, smiling face.

"Hi." She uttered, holding the edges of her silk robe around her swollen tummy.

"Hey." He smiled, taking a step forward, bending down a little and wrapping his arms around her waist, forgetting the bunch of six white lilies he had in one hand, only to be reminded when one smacked him in the eye.

But she hadn't noticed; She was on tip toes with her arms locked over his shoulders and around the top of his back, her face buried in the crook of his neck.

"You ok?" He asked, turning and gently pecking her cheek.

He felt her nod, but was sure she was not breathing and her grip on him was tightening.

"Emily?" He whispered.

Then he heard her exhale hard and felt her warm breath on his skin; it was tension, and fear, and relief pouring out all in one go.

"Hey." He uttered, stroking her hair, "What's up?"

"I'm just glad you're here." She cried into him, her words broken and so slight.

"Me too." He whispered, "And I'm not leaving you again. You're stuck with me now."

Her body juddered against him as she chuckled, but showed no sign of releasing her grip.

He held her for a few long seconds before pulling his one hand from behind her back and prising their bodies apart slightly, "I got you these."

He smiled seeing her eyes light up, "Pink lilies." She smiled, "Stargazer lilies. I love them."

"I know you do." He whispered as she took them from his grasp, "Let's get them into water and then get you to bed. You look exhausted."

She turned on the spot in the hallway holding the flowers in one hand and gripping his hand in her other, leading him towards the kitchen.

Just few minutes later, she lay in her bed, her eyes heavy as she listened to the soothing sounds of the water flowing from the shower in the en suite bathroom. It stopped, and moments later a wet Derek walked into the darkened room, lightly scattered with moonlight. He dried himself off and slinked under the fluffed up duvet, pressing his body up against her side. She smiled sleepily and raised her forearm, letting it rest by his head, gently stroking his face.

"What?" She asked as she heard him chuckle lightly.

"Your belly." He said, tracing his fingers over the taught, plump flesh that peeped from beneath the white tank top she wore.

"Yes, it's fat. I know." She playfully snarked.

"It's not fat." He said, turning his head to face her, just about being able to see her as his eyes adjusted to the dark. "It's just changed a lot since I last copped a feel."

"Copped a feel?" Her tone higher and mockingly surprised.

He laughed and shifted his body up the bed, bringing his lips in line with hers, "I love it. It's beautiful." He whispered.

Closing the small gap between them, he pressed his lips onto hers and kissed gently. He felt her tongue trace his bottom lip and her mouth opened slightly, allowing her breaths to enter him… teasing him. His tongue invaded her space and their kiss deepened, becoming more wanton. He began to stir as her hands gently slid down his body from his chest, over his ribs and finally rested upon his hip.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and tensed his muscles, pulling her so she rolled onto her side and he let his one hand creep underneath the fabric of her tank top.

She suddenly opened her mouth wide and gasped.

He immediately pulled away, "What?" He asked, panicking, "Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head and he watched as her lips curled up at the sides and her eyes smiled at him.

"Here…. Feel." She said, grabbing for his hand, pulling it down from her chest and placing it on her tummy.

She watched his face as he stared at nothing, heightening his sense of touch. "Wow." He breathed, "That is one hell of a kick." He said, looking back to meet her stare with a big smile.

"I think someone wanted to say hello."

"Gees, that's amazing. Does it happen a lot?"

"Lately, yes. I'm pretty sure we've got a budding soccer player in there." She told him, "But press harder. You can sometimes actually feel it's foot."

"Really?" He said, looking back to her stomach.

"Yeah. Go ahead."

He stared at her a shook his head just a little, "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. Here." She placed her hand atop his and massaging her fingers into her skin.

It took a little while, but eventually he felt the little bumps.

"Shit!" He grinned, "That's so weird."

"Hey. Language." She scolded playfully. "It can hear us remember?"

"Oh yeah." He chuckled and then shook his head contemplatively. "I can't believe this is actually happening."

"Hey, it's a bit late for cold feet buddy."

"Cold feet? Are you kidding me?" He said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the sensitive spot at the side of her neck. "By the way." He added, mumbling into her skin as his warm lips danced upon it, "You are incredibly sexy when you're pregnant. Can you just be pregnant all the time?"

She chuckled, throwing her head back to give him easier access, "This turns you on?"

"Yeah." He said a little breathless, moving his head back so he could meet her stare, "Is that weird?"

"May be." She uttered with a raised brow, "But right now, that works for me."

"Really?" He asked in surprise, his eyes widening as he felt her fingertips rousing him.

She nodded, "Hormones." She said quickly before closing the space between them, attacking his mouth with hers and then pushing the tops of his shoulders so he lay on his back.

He smiled up at her, "Someone definitely needs to be pregnant more often." He smirked suggestively, taking her hands in his to assist her balance as she manoeuvred to sit astride him.

~~CM~~

The following morning her eyes shot open hearing the front door slam shut and Derek's muffled cursing.

"Damn!" She head him attempt to say under his breath, but it came out much more forcefully than she guessed he intended.

"Derek?" She called out.

"It's ok. Stay in bed. I'll be through in a bit."

"Who was at the door?"

"No-one. Just go back to sleep."

She frowned wondering what on earth he was doing, but the warmth of the duvet and her tired mind and body took over her curiosity. She pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes, smiling as she began to doze away.

It felt as though she had only drifted off for a few seconds when she felt his presence in the room and the bed dip as he sat next to her.

"Hey." He whispered, gently running the back of one finger across her forehead.

She slowly opened her eyes and smiled tiredly upon seeing his beaming face.

"What you been up to?" She uttered, her voice croaky and suspicious.

She followed his gaze as he turned his head and reached over to the bedside table.

"Getting you breakfast." He told her picking up a tray with a selection of pastries, fruit, orange juice and coffee on, "I wanted to do something nice." He said, signalling for her to sit up, and then placing the tray on her lap after she sat upright.

"Wow." She chuckled examining the offerings, "Where did you get all this?"

"That little deli down the road." He explained, "The coffee is decaf, the kiwi and melon organic and the croissants and pan au chocolat is…. well is full of stuff that's bad for you, but it's your favourite, so…." He stopped, smiled and then winked.

"Thank you." She said, going to lean forward to give him a kiss, but being prevented from doing so by her tummy hitting the tray.

Derek laughed as her face scrunched up in frustration and then leant forward, balancing on one hand and bringing his lips to hers.

"You're welcome" He breathed in to her.

As he pulled away, she looked into his eyes and smiled, "Sit." She ordered, patting the bed next her, "You can help me with this. There's way too much here for one."

"Thought you'd never ask." He said, jumping up and then crawling on his knees to the other side of the bed.

"So." She began, taking a bite of fresh kiwi, "How long can you stay this time?"

He turned to look at her and raised his brow, "As long as it takes Emily." He told her, "I am not going anywhere without you this time." He stressed with some assurance.

"And Hotch is ok with that?"

He shrugged, "He has to be. I told him if I needed to take unpaid leave, so be it."

"Are you sure?" She asked with worry.

He placed his half eaten croissant back on the tray and shifted his body so he was lay on one side and locked his eyes with hers, "Emily, I am not leaving you alone again. Believe that."

"Derek you do realise the baby is going to be born here?"

"I know." He nodded, "And I'm staying. I'll square things with Hotch."

"And also, babies shouldn't fly for a couple of months."

"Really?" He asked, a worried grimace flashing across his face.

"Yes really."

He smiled, "Looks like I've got some major sweet talking to do then. May be I'll call Rossi to butter Hotch up first."

"Good idea." She chuckled, taking a sip of the orange juice. "Hey. I just thought." She said, placing the glass back down, "Our child is going to be a British citizen you know."

"So it will be…. He or she will have a pretty cool accent." He winked.

She laughed watching him and then let her head fall back against the head board with a contemplative gaze forming.

"You know, we are so not ready for this baby. I have bought no stuff and this apartment is not baby friendly."

"What do we need?"

"Everything. A crib, a pram, clothes..." She shook her head with a small look of panic, "I haven't even thought of any of this."

"Well let's go and sort it then. In fact we can just order it all online. We don't even have to leave the apartment."

"Eh.." She muttered, "I wanna go and look in the shop."

"You're supposed to have bed rest Emily."

"I know, but I'm going stir crazy in here. We can just go out for a couple of hours." She bargained.

"Ok. But we're getting a cab door to door ok?"

"Deal." She smiled.

~~CM~~

Derek motioned through the aisle of the coffee shop, carefully watching the two hot drinks didn't overspill as he carried them. He placed them on the table and glanced at Emily who looked in another world.

"What's up?" He asked, lightly tapping the end of her nose to grab her attention.

"Do you think we got the right buggy?" She said worriedly. "I mean there was like thirty of the things to choose from in that shop."

"I'm pretty sure all of them are absolutely fine. But seeing as we bought probably the most expensive one, I think we're safe."

"You think we spent too much?"

He laughed lightly at her, "Em, for the amount we spent on it, the damn thing should babysit for us, but if it gives you piece of mind, it's fine. Only the best for our little one right?" He winked.

"Right." She uttered, smiling back at him.

She then reached down to the bag at her side and pulled out a pale yellow and white baby grow, with two baby bunnies on the front of it.

"Can you believe we're going to have something this tiny to look after soon?" She said holding the material in front of her and staring at it with a mixture of fear and wonderment.

"No." He said shaking his head slowly, his smiling eyes fading.

"What's up? You look serious all of a sudden." She said.

"Buying all this stuff just made it all seem so real."

She placed a protective hand upon her bump, "You're worried?"

He shook his head, "Not worried about having the baby. I really can't wait, but…."

"But what?" She asked hastily, wanting him to explain faster than he could get his words out.

"We really need to talk about what happens after baby comes don't we?"

"You mean where we're gonna live?"

"Yeah."

"I assumed….." She halted, staring at him a flash of nervousness in her eyes.

"What?" He asked.

She shrugged and shifted awkwardly in her seat, "I thought we'd live with you."

"I'm not sure Emily."

She frowned and swallowed, "You don't want us to live with you?" Her tone meek and sad.

He tutted and shook his head in frustration, "No. Of course I want us to all live together you idiot." He winked with a smile, "I'm just not sure DC is the right place."

"But I thought that's what you wanted."

"So did I, but…"

"But what?" She said, hurrying him.

"I want us to do the right thing for all of us, not just me."

"I don't understand."

"I'm worried that you won't be happy back there."

"It'll be fine." She tried to assure, a little desperation in her voice.

But he didn't respond, instead picking up his hot coffee and moving it to his mouth, spending way too much time sipping it.

"Derek?" She pushed him, seeing the angst in his eyes and his awkward movements.

His eyes met hers, "I'm scared Emily."

"Scared of what?"

"I'm scared I'm not going to be enough for you. I'm scared you're not going to feel settled there like before and that you'll wanna leave." He shook his head, "I don't want you to leave again."

"I won't." She said almost defensively.

"How do you know that? You weren't happy before. Why would it be different now?"

"Derek, it's completely different now. We have the baby. I have you."

"I dunno." He uttered, shaking his head, "May be we should rethink."

"What are you saying?"

"It's just I can see how happy you are here… In London."

"You think we should stay here?" She answered surprised.

He shook his head, "I'm not saying that. But it is an option."

"So what are the other options?"

"A fresh start may be?" He suggested, "And this is just an idea, kinda out of nowhere, but what about Chicago?"

"Chicago?"

"Seeing you with my family, it got me thinking. They really like you and I thought it may help us having them around. The baby would have it's aunts and grandma…. and I'd know that there's someone around for you when I'm not."

She stared at him for a few seconds. This really was coming from left field.

"Is that what you want?" She eventually asked.

He stared at her seriously for a few seconds before leaning across the table and grasping both her hands in his, "Emily, I'll tell you what I want….. I just wanna be where ever you are…. Where ever that is in the world, it's all I need. I just want you to be happy and if Chicago is a stupid idea…."

"It's not." She interrupted, "It's a lovely idea. Your family are wonderful and I'd love for our child to have that kind of love surrounding him or her on a daily basis. I never had anything like that growing up and lord knows we're not going to get it from my family."

He gripped her hands a little tighter and their eyes locked with one another. They remained in silence as a small, warm smile was mirrored on both of their faces. They both knew it at that moment…. They both felt it. They were in this together. What ever happened, would happen with them together.

He was the first to break the silence, "We've got options and we've got time to think about them. No pressure Em." He uttered.

"I know." She whispered.

~~CM~~

A week or so later, Derek shut the door behind him, glad to get in from the freezing air outside that had numbed his face and hands. He quickly carried the big brown bag into the kitchen and placed it on the table.

"Em. Beef in Oyster sauce as requested." He called out as he unpacked the take out boxes from the bag. "They gave us prawn crackers for free on the side!" He added with some excitement.

He stopped what he was doing and listened intently for a response, but none came. He frowned and made for the lounge.

"Emily, where are…" He halted as he walked though the door and saw her on the sofa gripping her side.

He rushed to sit down next to her, "Emily what's wrong?"

She grimaced and looked at him taking deep breaths, "My waters broke." She panted, "And I'm pretty sure these are contractions." She breathed, pointing to her tummy.

"Come on, let's go then." His words rushed and panicked, standing up and holding a hand out to her.

She shook her head and scrunched her face as the pain hit it's peak once again.

"Emily, come on. We have to go." He rushed.

"Derek. Chill."

"Chill?" He spat, "I can't chill."

"You need to time them."

"What?"

"You need to time how long until the next contraction." She told him, panting between each word.

"But…."

"Derek, just time it." She said sharply, struggling to release her words.

"Ok. I'm sorry…"

He sat back down on the sofa next to her and took hold of her one hand, sliding his free hand underneath her shirt and rubbing the base of her back gently.

He watched her intently, breathing in and breathing out. He gripped her hand tight, willing some of her pain to transfer to him but she was in her own world, consumed by the pain. Concentrating so hard on breathing… And he felt so helpless. His heart was beating hard and rapid. He wanted to talk to her, but somehow he knew not to. He knew it would not help and would irritate her, so he just held her hand, rubbed her back, brushed her hair from her face, until eventually she spoke.

"How long?" She asked, glancing toward his watch.

"Eight minutes."

She made her breaths shorter and sharper, "Ok, ring the hospital. Ask them if I should come in yet."

"Ok, who do I ring?"

"My phone." She breathed, her face tensing. "The number's under Doctor Hamilton."

He scrambled for her cell that was sat on the coffee table and clumsily thumbed through her contacts.

"Doctor Hamilton." The female voice on the other end of the line answered.

"Yes. Doctor, my name's Derek Morgan. I'm calling on behalf of Emily Prentiss."

"Oh, Miss Prentiss. Is everything ok?"

"Yes. I mean no." He stuttered, "I mean I don't know. She's having contractions."

"Have you timed how far apart they are?"

"Yes. Eight minutes."

"Ok. Then you should come in now.

All the colour drained from Derek's face, "You think that baby's coming right now?"

The Doctor could hear the shake and the tension in the man's voice, "Not right now Derek. Normally we wouldn't tell her to come in until the contractions are five minutes apart, but as she's early and with what happened before, I just want to be a little more careful."

"Ok Doctor. Thank you. We'll be there soon."

"She says we should go in now." Derek said, putting the cell in his pocket and turning to Emily.

She exhaled hard as the pain throbbed just below her belly and nodded in understanding.

"What do I do?" He asked, a hint of lostness in his voice.

"Call a cab."

"Of course." He said shaking his head with a frown, annoyed for not thinking of it himself.

"I'll just get your bag."

Nearly forty five minutes later, Emily sat upright on the hospital bed in a private room, having changed in to the white and pale blue hospital gown.

"Right." The breezy doctor said as she walked into the room, "How are you feeling Emily?" She smiled.

"I'm ok."

"Not you're not." Derek said frowning, "You're in labour."

"Hi. Doctor Hamilton." The middle aged, blond haired woman said, holding out a hand Derek. "We haven't met."

He took her hand and shook. "Sorry doctor. Derek Morgan."

"Don't look so worried Derek."

"But she's so early Doctor."

"Yes." She nodded, "But there's no reason the baby can't come without any problems at 33 weeks. You're in the right place and baby is absolutely capable of surviving at this early stage. I've checked all the previous tests and all looks perfectly fine."

"You think?" He asked, swallowing hard.

"Yes." She assured, then turning to Emily, "So let's have a look."

Derek stood rooted to the spot at the base of the bed watching the Doctor intently as she bent Emily's legs, gently pulled them apart and then placed a sheet like piece of material over her knees. The blond woman then bent down and began to reach between Emily's knees, Derek's eyes widening.

"Err mister." The brunette said, pulling him out of his trance, "Get up here." She directed, holding her hand out to him.

"What?" He queried, looking at her with a frown.

"Away from the business end."

"Emily." He began, stepping towards her, "I wanna watch our child being born when the time comes."

"Really?" She uttered with a grimace.

He glanced at the Doctor and then leant down, "It's not like I haven't seen it before." He whispered.

"Yeah but….."

They both turned hearing the obvious interrupting cough of the Doctor.

"Emily, I'm just going to check how dilated you are. This may feel a little uncomfortable, but I'll be quick. Ok?"

The brunette nodded nervously and glanced at Derek, who gripped her hand attempting a reassuring smile.

He watched as Emily's mouth opened and her eyes widened as the Doctor busied herself under the sheet and he realised what had just happened.

"Ok." Doctor Hamilton said, reappearing from under the sheet, pulling the rubber gloves off her hands, "You're about four centimetres dilated."

"How many should she be?" Derek asked before Emily even had chance to open her mouth to speak.

"Ten." The doctor answered, momentarily turning her back to place the used gloves in the bin, "Your baby's ready to come and meet you very soon." She smiled meeting the couple's gaze once again. "Now when we spoke last, you said you wanted to avoid the epidural Emily. Is that still the case?"

"What does that do?" Derek asked.

"It's pain relief."

He looked down to Emily, "Don't you want pain relief?"

"I'll just have the gas and air. There's the possibility of complications with the epidural."

"Oh I see." He nodded.

"You can change your mind up until a certain point." The Doctor told the brunette, "It's best to see how you go."

"Thank you." Emily replied, suddenly taking a sharp breath.

"Another contraction coming?" Doctor Hamilton asked, checking her watch.

Emily nodded, panting long hard breaths.

"Ok, Derek, can you time how long before the next one and I'll be back with you in a few minutes. There's a nurse outside if you need anything."

"Thank you Doctor." He nodded, immediately turning his attention back to Emily.

"You ok?" He said softly, gently stroking her forehead.

She pressed her lips together, shook her head and he could see moisture starting to form.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm scared." She said, her words broken.

"Hey." He said leaning in closer and grasping her hand, "It's gonna be ok. The doctors here are gonna look after you." But the truth was, he was just as scared as her. May be more.

She looked at him and her face looked as though it was about to break and her breaths were short and sharp, "Don't leave me." She uttered.

"I'm not going anywhere. I wouldn't miss this for the world." He smiled.

"No. I mean ever….. Don't ever leave me. I don't want to do this on my own."

At that moment he felt his heart break a little. He had seen her vulnerable before. He had seen her upset, frightened, scared. He had held her hand when she was dying and she still didn't reach out for him. That time she told him to let her go. But this…. This was different….. The last few months had shown them both that they really needed each other… that they both wanted each other; Something neither of them had ever had the guts to admit to anyone in their pasts. This child had bought out a vulnerability in them both and allowed them to finally admit what had been there all along.

He wrapped his arms around her and gently pressed his lips against her temple, "Emily. I love you." He whispered, "I promise you, where ever you are and whatever happens, I will be there."

He held her tight until he felt her shift and gasp as the next wave of contractions began and over the following couple of hours the contractions came more frequently until it felt like there was no break at all between them.

Doctor Hamilton looked up from the base of the bed once again, "Ok Emily, you're ten centimetres dilated now, I'm gonna get you to start pushing."

Derek looked at Emily as she nodded to the Doctor and his heart began to race. He felt her hand grab for his as she exhaled long hard breaths.

"When the next contraction comes Emily, I need you to push."

She nodded, beginning to take shorter sharper breaths.

"Ahh shit that hurt!" Derek suddenly shouted, his hand being crushed by Emily's as the next wave of pain hit her and she began to push hard. "Gees!" He said grimacing towards her.

Her eyes widened and they looked like they were on fire, "Are you kidding me!" She snarled at him through gritted teeth.

"Sorry." He uttered with guilt, taking a step closer. "Feel free to hit me if you want."

A splutter of a laugh fell from her mouth as she blew hard through the pain. "I don't think that would help." She panted, "But I'll bear it in mind should you complain about the pain in your hand from a little squeeze again."

He smiled, trying to mask the fact that his hand was still throbbing, and fought the urge to tell her that it was not a little squeeze, but felt like the equivalent of his hand being crushed by a pro ultimate fighter. But the throbbing soon flew to the back of his mind as he saw her face scrunch up once again.

"Push Emily." The Doctor encouraged, "This little one is ready to make an appearance."

"Can you see it?" Derek asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling at the back of his throat, his fingers gripping Emily's even tighter.

"I think the head is just about to make it out."

Emily glanced over to Derek who stood at her side, staring towards the Doctor hanging on her every word. His chest was rising and falling heavily.

She shook his hand a little, "Go." She uttered.

"What?" He said, snapping out of his trance.

"Down the business end." She nodded towards the base of the bed.

He shook his head, "No. I'll stay with you." He said edging closer.

"You wanted to see." She panted. "You can still hold my hand and look."

"You sure?"

She nodded then scrunched her eyes shut and pushed again. He placed his free hand on her back and rubbed, "Breathe Emily. Breathe." He whispered.

"Keep going Emily. We've got a head." The Doctor called.

Derek's eyes widened and he glanced sidewards curiosity building. But his attention was soon back on Emily.

"Push baby." He encouraged, wiping her brow with a damp, cool cloth.

She gave another push then let her head fall back panting with exhaustion. As she rested for a few seconds he took his opportunity to take a couple of steps down the bed and look to where the Doctor's attention was.

"Oh my God." He exclaimed as he stared, "I can see it's head." He almost chuckled in wonder, moving back up the bed back to Emily's side, "It's amazing." He told her.

"Yeah great." She breathed sarcastically, opening her eyes to meet his.

He couldn't help but smile.

"A few more pushes and we'll be there." The Doctor told Emily.

The next few minutes Derek rushed from one end of the bed to the other as Emily pushed and breathed and growled and swore at him. The curses falling from her mouth mainly flew over his head, but he did smile at a few which led to a further torrent from her.

"Here we go Emily. One more push." The Doctor encouraged.

Derek hopped back to her side, "One more baby. One more. I can see nearly all of the baby. It's right there."

She clenched her teeth and tensed every muscle in her body, giving everything into her final push.

Derek remained gripping her hand, watching the Doctor intently and a few seconds later, a smile crept across his lips as he watched a tiny figure appear in her arms. She cradled the child, checking for something that he could not quite see.

"Derek?" He heard Emily whisper.

He looked at her and could see the fear in her face.

"It's ok. She's just…."

But before he could finish, tiny squawking screams could be heard and he watched Emily's face change. He saw a tired smile creep across her face and her take all her strength to reach out her arms. Within a couple of seconds, the doctor placed the tiny, squealing form onto to Emily's chest.

"Congratulations Emily and Derek. You have a little girl."

The new parents both remained silent, staring, stunned at the little bundle of flesh that was now theirs.

Derek watched as Emily tentatively placed a tender hand upon the baby girl's back and he smiled. It was the most incredible sight he had ever seen and Emily had never looked so beautiful.

She sensed his stare and looked to him, beckoning him close with a nod of the head. He shuffled forward and leaned over, running a finger over the clammy flesh of his daughter's face.

"She's amazing Emily."

"I know. I.…."

"Sorry to interrupt." The Doctor said softly, standing on the opposite side of the bed to Derek. "But we should take her now."

"Do you think there's something wrong?" Emily asked with haste.

Doctor Hamilton smiled warmly, "I can see nothing that would alarm me, but she will need to go to the neonatal care unit for monitoring because she's early. It's standard procedure."

"You have to take her away now?" Emily said, a sadness in her tone.

"I'm afraid so, but once we've done some tests, you can come and be with her." Doctor Hamilton said assuringly before turning to Derek, "Does daddy want to cut the chord before we go?"

Emily looked from the Doctor to Derek and watched him take the scissors. The Doctor clamped the chord and indicated the spot for him to cut. Emily saw him swallow and hesitate, then she looked to his hand that was shaking. She reached over and placed a gentle touch to his wrist. "It's ok." She whispered.

Her hand remained on him as he leant over and cut the chord. Not a couple of seconds later, the baby was whisked from Emily's embrace and disappeared out of sight.

Derek's gazed remained on the door that his daughter had just been taken out of until he heard a little sniffle. He turned to see Emily rub the moisture from her eyes.

"Hey." He whispered, wrapping his arms around her, "She's gonna be fine."

"I know." She uttered, her words breaking, "I just miss her already."

He closed his eyes and smiled into her dark hair, "Me too….."

~~CM~~

"I can walk." She argued as Derek stood at the side of her bed with a wheelchair.

"You're not walking." He told her, "Get in the chair." He smiled defiantly.

"I don't need it." She grumbled, slowly swinging her legs to the side of the bed and placing her feet on the floor. As soon as she stood off the bed, she felt her legs turn to jelly and a sharp pain from the soreness.

He saw the look in her face, but remained silent. This was not the time for 'I told you so's'. He just let her lower herself into the chair without saying a word to him.

He wheeled her along the corridor and the nurse that they were following, held open a door indicating for them to enter.

As they did, simultaneously they both took a sharp intake of breath upon seeing the wires and tubes hooked up to their tiny baby.

"What's wrong? Why is she like that?" Emily asked desperately.

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, "Nothing's wrong." The nurse told her, "We're just monitoring her. Because she's premature, we have to make sure she can breathe and function alone before you can take her home."

"How long do you think that will be?" Derek asked.

"Could be anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Depends on how strong this little one is and if she's feeding ok. She really needs to be able to function as if she were born at full term."

"Weeks?" Derek said in surprise.

"Maybe." The nurse smiled

"Sorry." Derek uttered, "Just wanna get my girls home you know."

"Of course." The nurse said in understanding. "And just so you know, she weighs four pounds and two ounces."

"That's low isn't it?" Derek said with concern.

"Not for a baby born at this stage. It's a good weight… Now, I'll leave you two alone for a bit. I'll be back soon and we can try feeding ok?"

Emily nodded, but swallowed with nerves. She had completely forgotten that her child would need to fed…. By her.

As the door gently shut, Derek walked to Emily's side, crouched down and took hold of her hand, "You ok?" He asked, watching her staring at the baby.

"Yeah." She smiled glancing up to him. "She looks so tiny."

He nodded and then turned his attention to his daughter. She lay on her back, eyes shut tight, with light golden brown skin and tiny tufts of dark black hair just peaking through her scalp. He couldn't tell who she looked like just yet, but he knew she was the beautiful thing he had ever seen. He reached into the crib and placed one big finger into the palm of her tiny hand and her fingers instinctively wrapped around his. He stood and stared at her tiny frame and her perfect facial features surrounded by the frightening wires and tubes.

He was distracted a few seconds later feeling a tug on his hand that was in Emily's.

"Derek." She said softly, looking up at him.

"What?"

She released his grip and placed both arms on the sides of the chair, pushing herself up.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Shhh." She hushed, holding his arms for support. She stood in front of him and raised her hand to his face, and gently wiped away the tears that were falling…. He hadn't even noticed.

She kissed his cheek and then wrapped her arms around him, "We got there." She whispered. "Thank you for helping me to make her. I love you."

He nestled his face into the crook of her neck and held on to her tight. "Thank you." He uttered, "This is honestly the best day of my life."

He wasn't worried when she didn't answer. He just continued to hold her, knowing her tears were flowing as she felt exhausted, excited, happy and scared all in one go.

"I just thought." He said rubbing her back, "We haven't even talked about names."

She pulled out of his embrace and stood aside him, holding his hand, staring at the child.

"No we haven't." She agreed.

He smiled and looked at her, "Come on then."

"Come on what?" She asked, glancing at him with confusion.

"I bet you've had baby names figured out since you were like twelve or something." He chuckled. "All girls do."

"You should know by now Derek Morgan, I'm not like most girls."

"Very true." He conceded. "But out with it. What's yours?"

She gave him her trade mark Emily Prentiss unimpressed glare, before it was betrayed with a smirk.

"Come on." He encouraged.

"We're supposed to pick the name together." She protested.

"Just try me. If I don't like it, I'll say."

"Ok." She sighed, "I've always liked the name Alexis."

"Alexis?" He said, turning to look back to the child and studying her.

Emily broke the silence a few seconds later, "You don't like it?"

He turned to meet her gaze with a smile, "I love it. She definitely looks like an Alexis. Alexis Morgan it is then….. I mean." He stuttered, "Assuming she is going to be a Morgan?" He chuckled nervously.

Emily smiled watching her child sleep soundly. "She is definitely a Morgan." She said softly. She let her heavy head rest upon Derek's shoulder and he snaked his arm around her back, both staring at the little girl they had created… together.

And so their new life began. Right at that moment, they both knew it didn't matter where on earth in the world they ended up; all they ever needed and wanted was right there with them, right now….

They had won this battle; Both of them had finally allowed someone in to share their life completely…. Someone they could cry with and not feel weak. Someone they could laugh with and not feel silly. Someone they could be vulnerable in front of and know they would love them just a little bit more for it. Someone whose strength would make the other feel proud, not threatened. Someone they could share the ups and downs with and know they'd both be there at the end of it regardless of how rocky it became…. For every hurdle, they would nurture the best out of each other to get over it…. together.

They would win this fight….. together.

~~The end~~

AN: So I hope you enjoyed the end and it wasn't too rushed…. I was going to write an epilogue of where they ended up living, but I thought may be you would like to decide.

I thought Chicago would be nice as they'd have his family there for Emily and she never had that kind of thing growing up. Although they would have their BAU family in DC, I think Derek would be happier knowing someone was there for her whilst he was working (obviously the BAU would be working at the same time as him). I could see him getting a job easily running an office in the local Police Department.

But of course, may be DC would be fun as she'd have JJ and Garcia to share baby stuff with and the rest of the 'family' around.

Or may be London? She loves her job and Derek could look after baby.

Let me know your preference….. I think I can guess what the majority would want… and I think you can probably guess mine ;)