Derek felt safe, surrounded by the natural scent of his beautiful Baby Girl, sensing her head on his chest and her arm around his waist, holding him firmly. He hadn't felt like this for a very long time. Goosebumps appeared all over his bare chest when Derek felt her breath on his skin. Why hadn't he told her earlier how he felt for her? Because he was fucking afraid, that was the one and only reason. Derek didn't believe back then, that Penelope would be able to love him beyond friendship, but here she was, laying in his arms after she'd saved him from falling apart.
Derek himself never had thought he could love a woman the way he felt towards Penelope. His heart began to race in his chest every time she looked at him. He felt himself reaching out to her so often, wanted her as close to him as possible. He began to caress the part of her arm he could reach when she started to stir in his arms. Slowly, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Good morning, Baby Girl," he whispered.
"I'll show you a good morning, Hot Stuff," Penelope whispered back, he heard the smile in her voice.
"How did you sleep?" She asked right afterward turning her head so she could look at him. It was the most beautiful sight he'd ever had in his whole life, seeing Penelope without makeup and sleepy eyes. Derek almost forgot how to answer her but felt himself smiling.
"Earth to Derek Morgan!" Grinning, Penelope watched him, he realized it then and cleared his voice.
"Good, I've slept really good. How did you sleep?" Derek managed to answer.
"I've had the best sleep ever since you decided to come back to me," the beautiful woman in his arms answered and caused him to smile once more.
"Yeah, same here Baby Girl."
They lay together arm in arm for another while, without the need to say something more until Hank woke up and found his way to join them in bed.
The boy settled between them and began to talk as soon as he'd made himself comfortable. Derek didn't understand many words, but he listened anyway. So much time had passed where he hadn't been able to hear the voice of his son and Derek enjoyed it very much. An hour later they decided that it was time for breakfast, after that they would bring Hank to the kindergarten. Derek enjoyed the breakfast and the short drive in the car to Hank's kindergarten. Penelope didn't allow him to walk together with them into the house, so he waited in her car. He knew he yet had to get his strength back, so he didn't argue with Penelope.
It was against his personality, but just a few days ago he'd been reminded of how fast one life could end. Derek wanted to spend as many years as possible together with Penelope and Hank. Maybe she and Derek weren't too old to have another child, a little Penelope, or Derek. He knew Penelope always wanted to have children on her own and yet she was looking after Hank like he was her's.
Like it should be.
Derek didn't realize it when Penelope came back into her car, he almost jumped out of his seat, when she closed the door.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Handsome. I thought you've heard me!"
"Guess, I was daydreaming, no need to apologize, Baby Girl," Derek answered with a calming smile when she placed her hand on his leg.
"Are you alright? Because you look like that daydream wasn't about me, Handsome. Your beautiful smile was missing until now."
"That's because you were missing at my side," he answered playfully which caused Penelope to laugh.
"I will take you on your word for this time, Mr. Hot and Sexy! But, honestly, if something's wrong, you gotta tell me alright?"
"I promise, I will. I won't let it get that far anymore."
The last year hadn't been easy on him, and he had a lot to think about, but he wouldn't be alone. The beautiful blonde woman beside him would stick to his side no matter what was about to come. He would let his body heal, and then he would take Emily on her word. Derek knew he wasn't complete without his job as a profiler. He needed his work as much as he needed his son and Penelope at his side. That he was entirely sure about.
Two months later
Derek had been fully healed. His ribs didn't hurt anymore, and he'd started working as a profiler a week ago.
He felt better than ever.
With Penelope at his side, everything made more sense to him. Derek loved her profoundly and trusted her with all his heart. He'd struggled many times during his healing progress, but every time Penelope was at his side as if she would have sensed his struggle. They'd created a daily rhythm together with Hank and every day Derek saw how much his little son enjoyed this family life. Hank had yet to ask about Savannah, the little boy hadn't mentioned her for one time. Penelope cared about his son as if he was her own and he loved her even more for this. This gorgeous woman had such a big heart and Derek was glad for having her in his life.
Not just as his best friend, but his love.
And today, he'd decided to make a step into her relationship. He hadn't planned on it, not really, to be honest, it had jumped into his mind when JJ had asked him if Hank wanted to have an overnight party with her youngest son Micheal.
Derek immediately had agreed.
And so, on Friday evening, he and Penelope would have some time on their own. He'd thought about many things to do with her, but he'd decided they would do what they ever did on Friday evenings: movie night with tons of popcorn, beer, and wine.
And Derek would ask her to marry her.
He couldn't remember ever being so nervous.
Derek still remembered the day, Penelope had refused Kevin Lynch's proposal. Yes, he wasn't that nerdy technical analyst but yet he was nervous. Penelope had told him she never saw herself as a person who would get married someday. But maybe, just maybe she loved him enough to marry him. Derek hadn't realized that he wanted things like this...marriage, children...but since Hank, everything had changed. He desired to call Penelope his wife, wanted to have children with her if it was still possible.
Derek knew he was still married to Savannah. But she was in prison, and the divorce paper's had been signed so it was just a matter of time until he would be free to marry Penelope if she wanted him.
So he'd walked into the town earlier the day and bought Penelope a ring he knew she would love, it screamed her name over and over. Then, he drove home, knowing, Penelope would pick up Hank and bring him to JJ.
On his way home, he bought some dinner in Penelope's favorite restaurant, also her favorite wine. He wanted to do it right this time. Derek set the tables, opened the wine and even lightened some candles all over the room. Finishing his work, he looked around the room and was satisfied with what he did. Quite romantic, Derek thought to himself. Penelope could be back anytime soon, so he decided to change his clothes and to wait for her.
30 minutes later the front door opened and the nervous mess Derek Morgan stopped pacing around the room.
Finally, his Baby Girl had arrived.
A surprised look crossed her face as she saw what Derek had done for her, but got quickly replaced by a huge smile as she shut the door.
"Hot Stuff, oh my god," she whispered, looking around the room. Derek had dimmed the light earlier and turned on some quiet music in the background.
"I thought we could need some time for the two of us again," Derek told her, smiling at her expression.
"That's such a good idea, thank you!"
He walked over to the love of his life and wrapped his arms around her to bring her gorgeous body to his chest. Derek kissed her tenderly when she drew her arms around his neck.
"Hello to you too, Handsome," she whispered, smiling.
"I hope you're hungry and want to enjoy some private time with me."
"There's nothing, I repeat, nothing I would love to do more. Oh my Noir Hero, thank you so much!"
They walked over to the table where they enjoyed their dinner and talked for a lot of time. Derek got more nervous with every passing minute, but he managed to stay calm as best as he could. He decided then that he couldn't wait until they'd watched a movie, he needed to propose now or never.
Penelope was talking about some dress she'd bought last weekend when he put a hand on her's.
"Baby Girl?"
"Hot Stuff?" Penelope looked at him in confusion. She didn't understand what was going on, but how could she? Derek was sure that she now would see the nervous mess he was. He couldn't hide it anymore, so he took a deep breath.
"Derek? What is wrong?" Penelope asked him, concerned now, she frowned as she looked at him. "You look like you're about to vomit, do you feel sick?"
"No...no Baby Girl, I'm alright. I just have something I want to ask you...," he began. Penelope's eyes widened.
"Derek...," she whispered. He squeezed her hand and rose to his feet. The ring, well hidden in his pants pockets felt like a phenomenal weight now. Derek swallowed and pulled the small box out, well aware of the fact that Penelope was staring at him wide-eyed, apparently in shock.
Derek kneeled down in front of her, he felt sweat streaming down his spine. Hell, he was so fucking nervous. Derek looked at Penelope, locked eyes with her as he took her hand, which lay limp on her thigh.
"Penelope, ever since we work together, I'm in love with you. I was so afraid that it cost us too many years and I almost lost you..."
"Derek..."
"Wait, let me talk, Baby Girl, I have to tell you..." Derek's voice trembled as he stopped her.
"I was so afraid to lose our friendship, you were, you are the most important person in my life, and I love you more than words can say. You bring the sunshine in my life, you make me feel complete...you make me feel safe. For the rest of our life, I want us to be together, I want us to be a family. And that's why I'm asking you: Penelope Grace Garcia, do you want to marry me?"
Silence.
Long, uncomfortable silence filled the room. Penelope still stared at him in shock, her hand in his felt limp.
Derek, still kneeling in front of her, felt more nervous with every passing second. It felt like hours to him until Penelope finally snapped back to the present.
"Derek...Derek, do you really want that? I mean, you're not divorced yet. And I...I'm...I mean, how could you want it...me...this? Derek, are you making fun of me?"
Her hand began to tremble in his as she talked herself into some kind of panic attack. That wasn't how he thought she would react but it wasn't a no at least.
"Baby Girl, I would never make fun with something like that," he whispered, opening the small box to show her the engagement ring he'd bought just a few hours ago.
Penelope looked at the ring in his hands, her eyes full of unshed tears.
"Baby Girl...do you want to marry me?" He asked her again, his voice almost a whisper when he still hadn't a reaction.
Penelope looked at him a lone tear streaming down her face as she slowly nodded.
"Yes, yes, sure! Oh, my God, I want to marry you more than anything Derek Morgan," Penelope whispered in a teary voice. Derek felt as if a lot of weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he exhaled a deep breath of relief.
"God, Penelope, you don't make this easy for me," he joked and, with trembling hands, he pulled the ring out of the box and on Penelope's finger.
"I'm so sorry, I just kinda panicked," she whispered, watching him while he put the ring on her finger. "I still can't sometimes believe that you really want me," she said. Derek looked at her and saw the tears that were streaming down her face.
He smiled at the beautiful sight in front of him and rose to his feet. Derek wiped away some of the tears on her cheek. He took both of her hands and helped her to her feet, so she was standing right in front of him.
"Baby Girl. It always has been you. I love you so damn much, and right now, you made the happiest man on earth out of me, do you know that?"
She shook her head, trying to hide a sob as she smiled a teary smile. God, she was the most beautiful human being in just this second. Derek couldn't be happier that she truly wanted him as her husband.
Derek pulled her into his arms as she began to weep out of control. She held on him for dear life after she'd wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I love you so much, Derek! So, so much!" She sobbed into his chest. "If I'd lost you...," she began, but Derek stopped her.
"Shh Baby Girl, I'm here, and I'm going to be alright, many thanks to you. I'm not leaving you and Hank anytime soon," he whispered and held her close. Penelope slowly nodded, slowly beginning to calm down.
"I love you too Baby Girl, so so much!"