Here is the next offering, I do hope you enjoy this one as well. I do promise to put them back none the worse for wear.
He gave the dinning table a once over, the plates, napkins, and cutlery were stacked at one end along with a big bowl of salad. The glasses were ready for water or juice whatever they wanted, the inevitable coffee would come after the meal had been eaten. They never had a problem with coffee keeping them from sleeping, it came with the job.
The chickens and roasted vegetable were sill in the oven, they needed another half hour.
The bread rolls would go in to bake while the chicken, or in this case two chickens rested. It has been said that an army marches on it's stomach, they had nothing on FBI agents, particularly the BAU ones.
He inhaled deeply enjoying the smell of the food that was cooking. He looked at the large fruit bowl on the counter and smiled. Penelope always made sure of two things, the fruit bowl always had a variety and to balance it off; the cookie jar was kept stocked with home made cookies.
Walking into the small room he claimed as an office, well at least he tried to claim it; there was a very masculine desk made of dark wood she managed to get for a fraction of the cost that she matched with a comfortable chair. Off to the side against the wall she had placed a light brown reclining loveseat. He had to admit that they worked well together; a little bit of color from the pillows worked well with all dark wood.
He didn't say anything as he carefully sat down next to her on the loveseat. He found her sound asleep with Nicky on her lap and some knitting on her chest.
Jack looks up at his father and shrugged his shoulders. "She was helping me with my homework. I guess she must be tired."
"She is, we had a long day, the team is here and, well Penelope was brought in for questioning." He didn't have to explain why they were called into the town.
"The police brought her in? That's silly. I mean I've had to get spiders out of the house without killing them for her."
"I know. There is something we wanted to tell you before the team comes." Aaron tells him as he picks up the knitting then places it in her basket.
"About the baby?" His father just looks at him and waits. "Dad, she is knitting a baby sock. Do we know what it is yet? I want a brother, girls are a pain in the butt. Mike's little sister is a pest."
"No, not yet. Are you happy that we are going to have a baby?"
"Yes, it will be nice to have another kid around, I think."
"Jack, you know we both love you very much, I know you love Penelope, and I know no matter if it's a brother or sister you will love them because you are a good man."
Jack rolled his eyes and smiled, "Well yeah Dad, I mean if it's a boy I can teach them how to do stuff. And if it's a girl I get to beat up people who hurt her."
A very soft feminine voice startled them both, "No beating anyone up Jack, hitting isn't nice."
Aaron looked to Penelope and her beautiful eyes were open and a small smile graced her lips.
"We didn't mean to wake you up."
"No worries, how much longer before they get here?"
Aaron offers his hand to help her stand. "Anytime now. Just enough time for you freshen up if you need to." He tell her as he places a few locks of her hair behind her ear.
She comes back into the kitchen after a few minutes, just as the timer for the chicken dinged.
Hotch says nothing as he watches her being so domestic in their new kitchen. Putting on a clean apron , then slipping on some pot holders on her hands.
Seeing the two SUV's pull up through the window he motions to Jack to go and open the door before the doorbell can be rung.
Rossi and the rest of them comes in only to stand next to Hotch as Penelope is covering the chicken with foil to keep it warm. Only then does she look over, the smile that comes to her face is one of pure joy at seeing her friends standing in their home.
"Kitten. You look great! How are you?" Rossi tells her then brings her into his arms.
"My turn." JJ tells him tapping him on the shoulder.
Reid smiles as Penelope hugs JJ back with just as much enthusiasm as JJ is hugging her.
One by one they all hug her leaving the last for Emily. "Hi Emily. I'm sorry."
"Water under the bridge." She replies then takes a step back. "You look happy, truly happy."
"I am, very happy."
"Go sit Penelope, I'll get the rest out, Dave can help." Aaron tells her.
"So what am I doing?" Dave asks.
Hotch points to the cutting board and knife then to the platter. "I'll get the vegetables in a serving bowl."
"At least you know I'm not a serial killer." He quips as he picks up the knife and sharpening rod.
"Only in your books."
"So tell me how is my Kitten really?"
"No longer frightened, happy and looking forward to having a baby in her arms."
A big smile comes to his face hearing the wonderful news. He knows just how much they each wanted to expand their family. The new child is very much wanted and already loved. "Are you telling everyone tonight?"
He looks at his friend with the poker face that made him feared when he was the unit chief.
Rossi just laughed at him then continued carving the birds.