DISCLAIMER: I own nothing
A/N: Well, there are only three chapters left of this... you'll understand why with the last chapter! Cannot believe it's another story almost done! However, for now, enjoy this chapter! =)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Holder of my Heart -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"He's definitely got his daddy's dimples," Penelope mused as she stared at her newborn son as he slept away in her arms. She knew Derek was walking in without having to look up and she was in the presence of the two most amazing men in her life.
Derek smiled as he watched be attentive, "Ah well, they are a family heirloom after all, Baby Girl. It's only fair that my son turns out just as handsome as his father."
Raising her gaze, Penelope looked at Derek bemused, "Is that so, my chocolate Adonis?"
"Really is," Derek told her, "Just like our daughter is going to be gorgeous just like her mamma."
Feeling a blush, Penelope's smile tightened as she thought to how life could have been had she not been given perfection in its most vivid form. "Do you ever wonder how life could have been?" Penelope asked as she rocked her son as she sat in the large armchair. Running her finger around his tiny face, she tore her attention away and looked up at Derek. "I mean in terms of finding love, having a family. I mean anything could have happened that could have prevented this."
Penelope hadn't told Derek that her mind was still reeling since the birth of their son only eight days earlier. She thought to the what if's in her life, it was hard not to ply the contrasts onto her life when she had the extremely good life.
She thought about what if Battle had turned out to be a genuinely good guy, who wanted more than to put a piece of metal in her. She thought to Kevin and to whether or not he could have been the one that had won her other and not Derek. Her thoughts darkened as she thought to Tamara, or any of the other women that had vied for Derek's attention.
"I do," Derek's voice broke into her thoughts as she continued to fall into the depth of badness. "Then I looked at the woman that said 'I do' and she smiles brightly at me and I see that seductive twinkle in her eye and I know, I just know, I had my pick of women and I made the right choice." Derek told her honestly, his tone almost dipping into a dreamy tone. "I love you, Pen and it doesn't matter who walks in or out of my life, it is always you that is on my mind. You and TJ," Derek finished and pulled the blanket down a little to look at his son.
Penelope watched the way Derek looked at their son and she had to appreciate this. That look, the one where his eyes gazed in idolisation and he left earth for a moment was the same one he had given her when she accepted his proposal. The same look she had seen as she walked down the aisle in the park that summer's day and it was the same look he gave the moment she held their son for the first time. It was look she hoped she could help evoke in him for years to come.
"When I think of the man of my dreams, he is the only man that I can imagine growing old with and it's always you," Penelope admitted softly. "When I'm old and forgetful I know you'll be the man that will retell me what happened to make us fall in love and I'll fall in love all over again." She smiled at him then, "You going to retell our love story if I need it?" Penelope asked him pointedly.
Derek crouched down in front of his wife and son and looked at Penelope intently, "I would retell you daily if I ever had to," He vowed, "I would repeat it to you and make you fall in love with me every day of our lives if it comes to it."
"You are definitely a keeper," She said teasingly and looked down as her son began to wake up. "I think you need a cuddle with your son, Handsome." She began to move and could sense Derek about to argue that she should stay put, "I really need to pee."
"Ah right," He said and stood up only to take his son from his wife arms and allowed her to get up. He quickly took her place and could feel the warmth her body had left behind. He settled down, soothing his son as he went.
Penelope stood in the doorway, her body pressed to the door frame as she looked in at the sight in front of her. It was by far one of her favourite sights to ever be given. The father-son moments were her favourites for intent and purposes.
She left the pair behind her with a bright smile - She loved this life.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Holder of my Heart -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Penelope curled her feet up and under her as she settled in the armchair. She finally felt like she had a break in her day as TJ finally slept lengthy time slots and allowed her to actually breathe. She pulled her glasses off and closed her eyes for a second.
"You looked whacked, PG," Emily commented as she looked over at her friend.
Running a hand over her face, Penelope tried to wake up a little more and smiled, "Called being a mom, EP." Penelope told Emily truthfully and saw her friend begin to fret, "But believe me, Spencer won't let you down. He's like my Derek. They're both very capable, hands on men," She winked and put her glasses back on. "Derek being away when TJ's teething is just hard."
"Not sleeping?"
Penelope shook her head, "It's not been too bad, Derek's been up when I've been up practically so he's been on cam with me. I just need a break," Penelope mused with a light laugh. "More than a few hours sleep would be good."
"You could ask us to babysit," Emily offered as a solution and liked the idea as she offered. "Call it experience."
"Trust me, you do not want experience," Penelope replied genuinely. "I would have avoided going into labour at all costs had I had hands on experience like that. I'm not even joking. It would have scared the heebie jeebies out of me. Really, it's not TJ."
Emily laughed at that, "Okay well... Is it that you're just you're missing your husband?" She assumed as she thought about it and realised that Penelope wasn't actually struggling with motherhood at all.
"Too much," Penelope replied sweetly. "I should understand the job and I do, I know I do, but since TJ's been born it's a lot harder. I don't want to scare you, Em, but I think I might go insane if I don't get this out."
"You tell me then," Emily replied. "I wouldn't be a good friend if I couldn't deal." She told Penelope and shifted to show she had her whole attention on Penelope. "Plus, you forget I'm the one that compartmentalises the best out of the team."
"I know, but c'mon, you're eight months pregnant and your husband's in the same law enforcement job as me," Penelope tried to deter the conversation away from admitting this.
"Talk." Was all Emily said and she used a stern tone of voice. She raised an eyebrow at Penelope, "Now, PG or I will use force."
Sighing, Penelope sighed – it was either that or feel the wrath of Emily. "I just miss him. I get too used to him being home so when he does go away it feels like years."
"Is that it?" Emily asked as she saw Penelope's mood change briefly. She could see Penelope was too exhausted to be probed when it was obvious she didn't want to get everything off of her chest so Emily refused to push. So she relented and waited for Penelope to take the opportunity to lie and move their conversation onwards and upwards.
"Yes thanks, Sweetie," Penelope nodded and then stood up. "Want a drink?" Penelope asked and Emily nodded, "I'll be right back." She got up and rushed into the kitchen and the sinking feeling of loneliness hit her. She was missing her husband far too much for her liking and she hated the abandonment she felt as a result. Getting a drink was just a reason for her to shake the feeling and remember that Derek would be home before she knew it.
Walking into the house, Derek shut the door and could hear Penelope and Emily talking. He crept in and put his finger to his lips as he found Emily relaxing on the couch, her hand coursing over her pregnancy bump. He smirked and crept past and stood in the doorway casually.
"Hey Baby Girl," He called out to her.
Penelope looked up at Derek and smiled as she stood in their kitchen looking at him in shock. She hadn't known he had come home and here he was, "Hey Handsome."
"C'mere," Derek said as he looped his arms around Penelope and pulled her close, he leant in and kissed her, "I've missed you so much."
"Mm," Penelope managed in response as Derek kissed her again, showing full well just how much he had missed her in the duration of the case.
"Put your wife down, Morgan!" Emily yelled out at the pair. "I can see everything!"
Not listening, Derek bent his wife down, holding her to support her and he kissed her romantically and dramatically in the middle of their kitchen awarding them a groan of disagreement.
Penelope might now have two holders of her hearts, but one of them still loved to make her feel insanely in love at every given opportunity.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Holder of my Heart -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-