Sorry for this taking longer than usual. Woke up this morning to find out propane had run out. Not fun. Typing with frozen fingers is also not fun. But, it is done. I guess this is karma for leaving you guys on a cliffhanger...
Enjoy, and don't worry, the story is not over yet. I still have big plans.
And as usual, I don't own Criminal Minds. If I did I would be in California where it would be warm.
Outside a nurse came into the waiting room. "Garcia?"
"That's us." Aaron said.
The stone look on the nurse's face instantly filled David with fear. "How is Penelope doing in there?"
"I am happy to say that the baby girl is as healthy as her brother and is going to join him in the natal ICU, just for the night."
"And Penelope?" David asked again.
The nurse took in a deep breath. She always hated it when the news was not entirely good news. "She lost a lot of blood when one of her placentas tore away from the uterine wall too early during delivery. We are trying our best to stabilize her."
Fran felt her heart stop. "Will she be ok?"
"We don't know..."
/
The sun's morning rays were breaking over the water. Casting away the blackness of the night.
Penelope sat on the bench with Derek next to her.
She turned to look at him. The gentle wind blowing her blonde curls back. "You're dead."
He turned his eyes to her, meeting hers. "I know."
"Am I dead?" Her voice was quaking with emotion.
"Not yet Baby Girl." Derek placed a hand on hers.
She balked at the cold feeling of his skin, but chose not to remove it. "What happened?"
"One of the placentas ruptured and you lost a lot of blood."
"Will I survive?"
He shrugged his shoulders in a matter of fact way. "It depends."
"Depends on what?"
His eyebrows furrowed and his face took on a serious look. "Depends on how strong your will to live is."
Taking her hand from his she scooted over and leaned her head on his shoulder. Once again shocked at how cold he felt. He put his arm around her, drawing Penelope even closer.
"I want to be with you... I miss you so much Derek."
"I know." She could tell he was struggling not to break. "But staying here means giving up the chance to see our babies grow. And, I know you want that."
Penelope pouted. "But I miss you... you don't know what it has been like... Living without you. Going through this alone." Suddenly she sat up and glared at him.
"Why did you have to be so stupid? You knew I was pregnant and yet you still took risks, you still put yourself in places where you shouldn't have been.
Why did you have to die..." She could feel the warm tears beginning to stream down her face.`
"I know how hard it has been... I've been there watching you and feeling your pain." Derek moved his hand to her face and wiped some of the warm tears away. "Believe me Penelope, I did not plan it out this way. I did not want to die, and I never wanted to hurt you like that. What I wanted to do so was to come back home with you. But, it just didn't work out that way."
"If you wanted to come home then you shouldn't have put yourself in danger like that." Now her sobbing voice was laced with anger and pain. "You always had to be the one who put yourself at risk. All those bombs, the ambulance, the gun fire... every time it was you."
Derek cupped her face and met her eyes with his. "It was either me or the kid. I could not let that kid die... I had to try.
And as for me always being the one who took risks... that made me who I was Baby Girl. Without that, I would not be Derek Morgan, and I would not have been your Hot Stuff now would I?"
The anger slowly melted away and Penelope could not help but smile. "I guess not. But still..."
"I know Baby Girl... I know.. But your time hasn't come yet. You still have stuff you need to do. And you need to take care of my babies. Everyone is anxious to see you wake up..."
"But..." She bit her lip and held back another wave of tears. "I still want to be with you."
He drew her in even closer and sighed. It felt great to have her warm body in his arms again but he could not let her come to him, not yet. "And someday you will. When your time comes I will be waiting for you and we will be together. Mark my words.
Until then I will be watching over you. I will stand guard over you until you pass into my world. I promise you, Penelope Garcia."
Penelope smiled. "You know Derek Morgan, I kinda love you."
"I kinda love you too, Penelope Garcia." He drew her into a kiss. Derek savoured the warm feeling of her lips on his, the taste of her mouth, and her intoxicating scent. He had to resist the urge to beg her to stay in his world.
Pulling back, he gave her a warm smile. "Now go and take care of my babies, woman."
She hugged him one last time, memorizing the feel of his body and his scent, stood up, and began to walk away.
"Hey Gomez."
She turned around and looked at him. "Yeah?"
"I love you, you know that right?"
/
In the waiting room the group huddled for what seemed like hours together drawing on each other for support waiting for news. The last time the tension hung to thick it wasn't good. It was back when they were told Emily had died.
J.J. put her head in her hands.
Spencer, noticing her grief rubbed her back with his spare hand. "It was not your fault J.J."
"No, Spence, it was. I should have been watching her instead of the babies. I should have been taking better care of her."
He pursed his lips. "No, if anything it was mine. I was the one that stayed back with her. I should have noticed the blood sooner..."
"J.J., Spencer, no one is to blame." They both looked up to see Aaron hovering over them. "Sometimes these things... happen. And, Penelope is a strong woman, she will be ok."
"Hotch... she lost a lot of blood in there." Spencer's voice was barely a whisper. Aaron had to struggle to hear it.
"Spencer, I-"
"Garcia?"
Every pair of eyes shot to the nurse standing before the team.
"I have an update on Miss. Garcia's condition. Bad news is that she lost a great deal of blood. Good news is that we were able to get her stabilized. Right now she is in the ICU and her condition is being monitored 24/7. It is touch and go now but if she makes it through the night she'll survive."
"Can we see her?" Spencer asked.
"Yes, but only one at a time. And only for a few moments."
"What about the babies?" J.J. asked.
"You can see them too but because they are in the natal ICU only two of you can visit at a time."
/
Spencer was the first to see Penelope. As he walked towards her bed he noted that she looked paler than before.
'Must be from the loss of blood.' He thought. To him she almost looked as pale as the corpses he saw on a near daily basis. Only the steady rise and fall of her chest made him think otherwise.
Laying there with the half a dozen tubes sticking out, she looked so very alien to him.
"Hi Penelope. It's me, Spencer. I'm not sure what you remember from the delivery, but you have two healthy babies. The nurse said that they do not see twins that often who are in such good condition. You must have done a really good job incubating them." He took her hand in his and gently squeezed it.
"Listen, you have to pull through ok? You have two adorable babies waiting for their mother and without Derek... they will need you. And I need you too... you are like the sister I always wished for and even though I get mad at you sometimes I love you and I need you."
He closed his eyes and choked back his fear. "Penelope, don't you dare leave me. You can't leave me too." He spent the rest of the visit holding her hand and stroking it. Thinking of how lucky he was to be able to pick his siblings.
Next J.J. came in. She balked at the door when she saw the condition of her friend. Breathing in deeply she squared her shoulders and walked to Penelope's bedside.
"I am so sorry Penelope... I should have been watching you..." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, smearing her mascara. "Please don't go... Henry needs his godmother, and if Will and I have another kid they'll need you too. You can't go. You just can't... You're my best friend... I need you." J.J. laid her head on her friend's shoulder and let her resolve break, allowing her tears to finally flow.
She didn't stop until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Drying her tears she turned around to see Emily.
"Will's here with Henry."
"...Thanks Em." J.J. gave Penelope's hand a squeeze before getting up.
"Has there been any improvement?"
J.J. shook her head, struggling to regain her composure. "No, but when the nurse last came in he said she wasn't any worse. I guess that is something." J.J. eyes shifted from the floor to Emily. "You know, the last time we were all here was after you were hurt by Doyle. I never thought I would see everyone looking so... lost, again."
Emily took J.J. in her arms and held her while she broke down again. "It'll be alright, she'll get better. We just have to wait a bit. Now, go and see your family. They are waiting for you."
After J.J. left Emily took the seat by Penelope's bed. She looked around at the machines. "You're in a pretty bad shape P.G., but I know you can pull through." Gulping she took Penelope's hand. "You are as tough as nails and the Penelope I know is far too stubborn to die.
You need to pull, so we can watch Andrea and your little playing. You know they are going to be good friends.
I'm sorry that we didn't stay touch as well as we should when I was in Europe... it was hard to find time between Andrea and work. But I have a chance to make that up to you... please don't give up. You can't. We need you... I need you."
Alex came in hot on Emily's heals.
Usually she had been able to distance herself from tragedy. It helped her keep some of her sanity reserved. But, this was different. She went from the high of being excited for the birth of Penelope's children, to a fear induced low. There had been no time to prepare, to withdraw and build up a barrier.
"Penelope. It's me, Alex." She leaned against the wall beside Penelope's bed. "You know, you have the entire team on pins and needles, waiting for you to wake up. I think David will wear a trail into the floor if you do not wake up soon." She glanced at the clock on the wall, the ticking seemed to get louder and louder. "It's 2:30am. Everyone says that if you make it through the night you will be alright. It would be very nice if you made it." Gathering up her courage she sat down.
"You and I both know what it is like to lose both parents far too soon. You wouldn't do that to your children, would you? I know you had J.J. and Will sign a form for legal guardianship but you and I know that no one can take the place of a mother." She took Penelope's hand.
"You have to wake up. You have to be strong enough to wake up. If not for yourself but for you children. They need you."
Squeezing her friend's hand, Alex tried to crack a smile. "Penelope, David bought your children two teddy bears from the gift shop. I do not think I have ever seen teddy bears that big before. You will love them. And I, got your girl a little bunny and your boy a little caterpillar. I think by the time you three leave here, you children will have a stuffed animal for every day of the week."
Fran had just come from the ICU. It was her time to see Penelope. Before she went into the room Fran closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer for the woman inside. 'Derek... watch over her please, make sure she comes back to us...'
Walking in she be-lined it for the bed. "Hey sweetheart. Alex said you were looking a little better when she left... guess that is a good sign, huh?" She gripped the rail on the side of the bed. "You always here of women who had complications... and you never think it will happen to someone you know. I birthed three babies and watched Sarah birth her own... I thought you would be fine. But it isn't your fault dear. Things like this... just happen."
Fran moved her left hand and placed it on Penelope's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there. If I knew the plane would have been delayed for so long I would've just driven here. I heard J.J. did a great job filling in for me. She said you were so strong in there."
Biting her lip Fran held back her fears. "You know, when they told me Derek had... died... my heart shattered. I never thought he would... I mean, we both knew how rash my son was... but I foolishly thought he would always come home. Anyways," She gave the shoulder a squeeze. "then you called and said you were pregnant. It filled me with hope knowing that Derek left something of himself behind, you know?"
Using her spare hand, Fran pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. "Out of all the women my son had... relations with, you were the one I always hoped you would be the one to carry his child. Every time he talked about you, I could tell that he had a very deep connection with you. You know... his father and I were a lot like you two. Always together but refusing to take the risk of getting into a romantic relationship with each other. Seems to be a trait in our family, huh?
Penelope, I don't know how you did it but you and Derek gave me two perfect grandbabies and I can already tell that your boy will be a perfect play mate to Walter. Speaking of which Des and Sarah are flying in first thing in the morning to see you and the babies. So you better be awake by the time they come."
/
David made sure he would be the last one to come into the room for the first round of visits. He wanted to make sure he had his time without being interrupted.
Walking over he sat down and took her hand in his. "Hey Kitten. Spencer told me how strong you where in the delivery room. You did such a good job, I'm very proud of you.
Penelope, you should see your babies. The little girl has skin only a couple shades darker than yours and from the looks of it she will have Derek's black hair. I tell you, Aaron, Spencer, and I, will have our work cut out for us when she becomes a teenager. Those boys will be falling over each other to get to her. And your son, he is the spitting image of Derek. Except for his eyes. Those are yours. He's going to be a great man one day.
They are both amazing, and so very perfect. You should see them."
Using his spare hand he stroked her hair.
"You know, you had me so worried. For a while I thought we were going to lose you. But I know you, you my Kitten are a fighter. And I know you are going to pull through."
/
After David had to leave, the room stood quiet, the only sounds being the foot steps of her family and the nurses, and the creaking of the chair as they took shifts watching her. Everyone had confessed their feelings and hopes, there was nothing left to say or do except wait.
At around 6am Aaron walked in for his turn. Going past Penelope he went to the window and leaned against the edge, and looked out to the sunshine that was breaking over the mountains.
"Good morning, Penelope. I have some good news for you, the doctor says that your babies are being moved from the ICU and into the nursery. So, when you wake up you'll be able to see them right away."
He went towards the bed and moved his eyes up and down Penelope's body. "You made it through the night. The doctor says that is a very good sign." He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Listen, you have to make it through this... I... the team, Derek's family, can not stand to lose you. We need you, I need you. Your quirky comments, your colourful personality, and your zest for life is sometimes the only thing that keeps everyone sane.
Through all the blood and gore we see on a daily basis... you are our sunshine."
His eyes flashed to her's when he felt her squeeze his hand. Slowly her eyes fluttered open.
"Derek?"
He breathed in sharply. " No, it is just me Penelope. Aaron."
Picking up her glasses, he gently placed them on her face.
"There, now you are not too blind."
"I feel so weak..."
"That is because you lost a lot of blood, but you are going to be alright."
Penelope groaned as she tried to move. "My babies..."
"They are alright too." Aaron's voice broke with emotion. "Just waiting to meet their mother. Penelope, I need to go and get the doctor, I'll be right back."
She grasped tightly onto his hand. "Don't leave, please? Stay..."
He knew that he should have gone to the doctor, but seeing Penelope laying there, her eyes begging him, he caved and sat down, and waited for the next person to come in. Closing his eyes he sent a silent prayer of thanks.
"You know, you scared us pretty bad yesterday."
Penelope looked away and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about. Now if you died... then we would have something to be sorry for."
Her eyes lit up as Aaron cracked a smile. "Hey... did you just smile?"
"Yeah, I guess I did. Everyone will be very happy to hear that you woke up. The nurse said that if you made it through the night then you would be alright." He glanced at the tubes and the blood bag that was hanging on the IV pole. "I knew you would pull through. You're a tough girl Penelope."
She closed her eyes, about to let sleep take her once again, but a thought crossed her mind. "Do you know when I can see my babies?"
"They will be moving you from the ICU this morning and after that the doctor will let you see them."
They are very beautiful." His hard features melted a little, showing the tender side of him. "Your girl is.. beautiful and your son looks exactly like Derek, aside from his eyes. They are both the perfect mix of you two."
/
Later that morning Penelope was moved from the ICU into another room a few floors up. Her hair had been brushed and cleaned, and the only things in her arm were a blood back and an IV.
The small room had filled up quickly with Penelope's family. All eagerly waiting for mother and children to meet each other.
Soon a couple nurses brought them in. One wrapped in blue, the other in pink. Penelope gasped when she saw them. Two perfect babies. Just like everyone had told her.
She took the little girl in her arms and looked at her. "Aww, look guys. She has Derek's nose."
J.J. took the boy from the nurse and smiled at the sight of Penelope holding her daughter. "And she almost has your skin colour."
Spencer gently stroked the small tufts of black hair on the Girl's head "It looks like the only genetic material Derek contributed to her is the hair and eyes."
David put a hand on Penelope's shoulder and beamed. "So Kitten, what are you going to name her?"
Penelope stroked her daughter's face for a moment, thinking. She had a million names in her head. Eventually she settled on a name that she had always loved. "Grace Isabella Morgan."
The entire room grinned from eat to ear. "That is a beautiful name Penelope. But let's hope she doesn't end up being a klutz like her mom." Aaron said, taking the pink bundle out of Penelope's arms.
"Here's your son." J.J. gently handed the blue bundle to Penelope.
Pulling back the blanket she gasped.
Aaron did not kid, he really did look like Derek.
"My baby boy... I have the perfect name for you if you daddy's family likes it." She glanced up at Fran and her daughters, and smiled. "If it is alright with you ladies I want to call him Richard after Derek's father."
The three ladies nodded their heads in approval. "Richard Derek Morgan it is."
/
While Penelope, and the ladies examined her son, Spencer, David, Will, and Aaron crowded around Grace.
"She is beautiful. Just like her mother and grandma." David said as he pulled the blanket back a little more.
"It's going to be hard when she starts dating..." Spencer touched her cheek and grinned as she yawned. "Derek would hate the idea of a boy laying his hands on her..."
"Well," A cheeky smile spread across Aaron's face. "that just means that we will have to prevent her from dating. Here that Gracie, no dating. Ever."
"Or at least no dating until you are 30 my little bambino."
Spencer looked up at the three other men. "And when you do, one of us needs to come with to make sure there is no hanky panky going on, isn't that right Gracie?"
Will grinned. "The boys don't stand a chance against us."
Across the room the ladies cooed over Richard.
Emily peered over Penelope's shoulder as Richard nursed. "Oh my goodness P.G., he is so adorable."
"Looks just like Derek when he was borne." Fran sighed at the memory. "But those eyes, they really stand out against his complexion."
"He's gonna be a heartbreaker." Des said. "The ladies are going to have fun with him."
"Des," Sarah playfully poked her sister in the ribs. "for all you know he might be smarter than his dad and not spend his life chasing women. He might settle down with the right one instead of spending about a decade avoiding her."
J.J. crossed her arms and glanced towards Will and Henry. "Thanks to you Penelope I think I'm going to be asking Will if he wants another one."
"Oh really! That would be so awesome. But don't be like me and almost die delivering."
"What was it like?" Alex asked.
Penelope's eyes glazed over. "I saw him... or at least I think I saw him... he told me it was not my time yet... he had me come back. And looking at our babies... if what happened really did happen, I am glad he made me come back to our babies."
Richard detached himself from Penelope's breast and yawned. "Oh, time to burp this guy. Come here buddy so I can burp you. I'm sure your sister is waiting her turn."