A/N: I like keeping you guys happy; you make ME happy with reviews! Now if only I could figure out how to get our reality into THEIR scripts!

Penelope woke early, for a moment, confused; Derek wasn't there next to her, and, for that matter, the room was the wrong color.

She sat up in bed and realized where she was; she was in JJ's guest room, and today she married her best friend. She took a moment to squeal to herself in joy. The past couple of months had been a whirlwind of planning; they had wanted to hold the ceremony before she started to show too much, and, honestly, they were both utterly eager to finally be wed in the eyes of the law as they had already been in spirit.

Penelope hopped out of bed and slipped on her killer bunny slippers. She listened and heard the house stirring; looking at the clock she realized it was well into the morning and she would only have time for a quick breakfast before she needed to start getting ready. Her dress was hanging from the closet door, her shoes below it. She smiled, knowing that Derek would love what she had chosen to wear on this most important day.

She padded into the kitchen where JJ was pouring herself coffee. Henry was staying with Hotch and Jack, and Will was off with the rest of the men at Derek's house to get ready.

"Good morning! How do you feel? Ready to be Mrs. Morgan?"

Penelope smiled hugely. "Kitten, I was ready years ago! But yeah, we're ready for today…" She laid a hand on her rounded belly. She was starting to show, but as her gown today was very airy and light, as suited to a spring garden wedding, it wouldn't be immediately obvious. "Have I thanked you enough for letting us have it here?"

"Letting you? As I recall, I insisted…" JJ came over to hug her friend. "What's the point in having a husband with a green thumb, and a huge garden, if not to host lavish events, starting with your wedding!" Both women looked up at a knock on the door. JJ opened it to let Emily in, her hands loaded down with her bridesmaid dress and a glut of beauty supplies.

"Em, seriously, did you knock over a beauty shop on the way here?" Penelope giggled at the sheer volume of products the dark haired woman was carting in with her.

"Hey, I'm not as naturally gorgeous as you two- I need lots of help!" Emily hugged both women tightly. "Where are we setting up?"

"Guest bath. You need anything to eat first?"

"Nah, I'm good. Pen, how're you doing? Nervous?"

Pen smiled up at her friends. "Nervous that I'll spill something on the dress, yeah. Nervous that I'll get so focused on Derek and forget what to say… nervous that it'll rain, a hundred different worries. But nervous about marrying my hot stuff? Never!" The two women groaned at the soft, enraptured expression that passed over Penelope's face. They were both happy that their friends had finally realized the love that connected them, but the sheer blinding glow of it was often overwhelming to those on the outside.

Penelope dashed down her bowl of cereal and smiled softly.

"Well girls, ready to get all princessy?"

Across town, there was a baseball game on the television. The men were gathered around, the young boys entertaining themselves in a pack and play. Derek sat on the couch, holding a beer which had long grown warm in his hand. He glanced at the clock every few minutes, then at the phone he held in his hand.

Silently, Rossi stood up and grabbed the phone from Derek's hand.

"Morgan, I've done this a few times before. She won't call. She's too busy being queen for a day. Women spend their lives working up to their wedding day. Garcia is special, yeah, but she's a woman. This day is all about her. So, let go of the phone, quit staring at the clock, and just be patient…"

The phone buzzed in Rossi's hand and Derek pounced, grabbing it from him and dashing out the open patio door.

"Hey momma…"

"Hey yourself, handsome." She smiled at the sound of his voice. "Whatcha doin'?"

He leaned back on the railing of the low porch. "The guys are watching baseball. I'm counting the minutes till I can kiss my wife…"

"Your wife! Do you think she'll be a problem at the wedding? I didn't realize you're a polygamist…"

"Behave, silly girl…" She laughed softly.

"Okay okay. Besides, I'm pretty anxious to kiss my husband, you know…"

His heart clenched and soared. "He sounds like a lucky guy…"

"Yeah, he's pretty good looking too…"

"Baby girl, how long is it now?"

She sighed. "Two hours and some change. The flowers are here, the cakes… your mom and the girls got here about twenty minutes ago… the only thing missing is you!"

"I'll be there in an hour and a half. God I miss you…"

"I miss you too baby… but soon I'll be walking down that aisle to you…"

"I can't wait!"

She sighed. "Gotta go… I had to hide in a closet to call you… love you my almost hubby…"

"And I love you, sweetheart… bye."

Penelope smoothed her hands over the airy cream chiffon of her dress. To hide her increasing waistline, JJ had convinced her to try a Grecian inspired dress, as an empire waist, she thought, would only draw attention to what was being hidden.

The dress was elegant, yet still very Penelope. Sheer layers of cream chiffon were interspersed with scarf-like flights of gold, green and pink, the bodice, featuring a deeply scooped neckline, wrapped with a sparkling gold rope, the back a plunging vee left bare save where the ropes wrapped around her waist. There was no veil; her hair was curled in an elaborate fashion around a wreath of bright flowers and greenery. Her makeup was exotic, but again, elegantly suited for the occasion. Her eyeliner swept out at the corners, accented with gold eye shadow behind green rimmed glasses. Her lips were scarlet, shimmering with gloss, and her excitement flushed her cheeks.

JJ and Emily opened the door, giggling. Their bridesmaid dresses were of a similar style to Penelope's, but in a bright fuchsia. Fran Morgan followed close behind.

"Penelope… turn, let us look at you…" Fran gazed lovingly at the woman before her. The light of love radiated in her; Fran's eyes watered, tears of joy welling up inside her. She laid one hand on Penelope's swelling belly, then pulled her into a tight hug. "I have never been so happy… he has needed you for so long…I know you're going to be just as happy as I was with his father…"

Fran pulled away, both women holding back the tears that welled in their eyes. She reached over to JJ and grabbed the bridal bouquet, handing it with a smile to Penelope.

"Now, come on, there's a man out there who can't wait to marry you!"

Derek stood at the end of a long white aisle, shifting anxiously from foot to foot. He heard the harpist start to play, but his attention was focused entirely on the end of the petal strewn row. He saw the doors open, then, suddenly, she was there. Hotch was standing in as father figure, proudly walking her towards Derek.

He stared at her, breathing deeply, his entire being focused on the goddess before him. She was spring personified, Persephone in the flesh. He couldn't believe his luck, his fortune, to be marrying a woman so perfect, so precious. The dress she chose was so utterly her; it tantalized him with glimpses of milky breast and shapely leg. She was barefoot, deciding at the last moment not to wear the shoes she had chosen.

Before he realized it, she was there, in front of him, and Hotch was laying her hands into his.

She stared up into his warm brown eyes, smiling softly. The pastor had begun the ceremony, but neither of them heard his words.

The ceremony flew past them; they repeated the words in a daze, eyes locked.

Finally, they heard the all important words, "You may kiss the bride…"

Derek grinned hugely, and, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist, laid a tender kiss to her lips.

"I love you, husband mine…"

"And I love you, momma."

They took hands and turned to face their family and friends, united, finally; their future cemented as one.