AN: Thank you so much for sticking by me, even with my long absences. I've had some crazy things going on. Form Hurricane Irma (we are completely fine now) to all of these other things that have happened. But, I have not forgotten my stories. I truly love you all. Thank you so much for continuing to read my silly creations.

Also, the world needs more love. As I write this, know that I love you all.

Love,

Polhop

Derek held onto the steering wheel with more force than was necessary. He couldn't help it. Derek knew this was his one shot at winning Penelope back. He just hoped it was enough. He took a chance and glanced at her in the passenger side of his SUV. She was sitting with her arms crossed over her chest staring out the window.

She looked miserable.

That only made his nerves reach an all-time high. He never wanted her to be this upset, but he knew without a doubt, if he didn't take the chance now, he could lose her forever.

"I'm only a few more blocks away," he broke the silence.

"That's fine."

"Baby, please. I can't take you acting like I'm walking you to your execution," he pleaded before turning his SUV onto his street.

"It's fine, Derek."

"No, it's not." He pulled into his driveway and reached for her hand. He was about to say something else when he caught the sight of her face. Her eyes were wide as she stared out of the windshield.

"You live here?" she asked. She removed her hand from his and jumped out for the SUV. "Derek Morgan, do you really live here?"

He hopped out of the car jogging to catch up to her. Cocking his eyebrow, he looked at her. "Yeah."

"I've… Derek, I've been in love with this house since the first time I drove by in four years ago. When it went up for sale last year, I almost bought it, but I couldn't afford it at the time."

Derek stared at her dumbfounded. He too, had fallen in love with the house the first time he saw it. He instantly put in an offer on it, not wanting to take a chance of losing it. However, the thought of her falling in love with the same house as he did warmed his heart. He couldn't help the smile that came across his face as he reached for her hand. "Come on, baby girl. I've got some things to show you." Maybe this was a sign.

XXXX

Penelope's head was still reeling as she tried to grasp the thought that Derek had purchased her dream home. She had come across this home one day while driving around and had instantly fallen in love. It was an old Victorian style house that scream "the perfect family" to her. It was warm and inviting. She couldn't even count the amount of times she'd picture herself living in this exact house, with her children running around the yard playing.

Shaking the thoughts from her head she turned to Derek. How could this have even happened?

"Come on in." Derek held the door open for her. Something inside of her gut clenched. She took her first steps over the threshold and her whole body froze.

She had to be imaging this.

"Penelope…" Derek spoke softly, but his words were muffled. Instantly her legs took flight as she ran over to the coffee table, then to the bookshelf, everywhere she turned she saw them. Tears came to her eyes as she spotted the troll her father had given her on her sixth birthday. She picked it up before grasping it to her chest. Her legs unable to support her anymore gave out as she collapsed onto the floor.

Everything came rushing back. The pain, the loss, the hurt. It was all there. She'd wondered for years what had happened to her belongings. A few times she had almost dared to call her brothers and ask, but she knew she couldn't. Deep inside, she knew they had probably destroyed everything.

She clutched the troll closer to her chest as she remembered her parents and all the love they had for her. Her heart ripped in two all over again.

"Shh, baby." She felt arms wrap around her, but couldn't register what was going on. "Let it out," she heard.

Her head was spinning.

After a what felt like an eternity, her tears finally subsided. She registered the fact she was sitting on top of Derek's lap, as they were cradled on the floor. Taking a shuddering breath, she looked into his eyes. Questions swam through her mind, but she was unable to voice them. Instead she gazed at him, begging for answers to her unspoken questions.

Derek sensing what she needed pulled her into his arms more securely before he spoke. "After I found out what happened," he whispered while staring into her eyes with the sincerest expression she had ever witnessed. "I was heartbroken for you. I knew you would have been hurting more than anyone could imagine. I had my mom take me to your house. Your brothers were there."

Her eyes widened as her breath picked up.

Derek closed his eyes for a moment, clearly trying to shield her from the memory and continued pain. When he looked back at her, he had an anger she hadn't seen before. "He wanted to throw everything you owned away." He clenched his jaw. "I couldn't have that happen."

She took in the surroundings of the room. "So, you-"

"I took it all. Every box that was on the porch I took. You were all hurting and for your brothers to treat you like that was…" he trailed off. "I had to do what was right."

"So, you took all of my things."

"Yeah, my mom helped me get all of the boxes."

"I don't understand," she whispered.

"I knew I was going to find you. And, when I did find you I wanted to make sure you had everything that was yours."

Penelope sat back on his lap as she watched his face. "Why not keep it in boxes? Why is everything displayed around your living room?"

"My whole house," he corrected. "I don't know it just happened. At first, I would take out one or two things to remind me of you and what I was searching for, and before I knew it, in a way your stuff found a home within my stuff. With your belongs all around me it made me feel like you were still here with me."

Penelope stared into his eyes. For the first time since leaving the summer camp and Derek behind, she finally felt whole again. The pain around her heart started to subside as she basked in the feeling of love. This was the man she had always loved. Try as hard as she could, she wasn't able to fill the whole Derek had left inside of her. But now… now, she was finally feeling something she hadn't felt since she was a teenager… love.

"Derek," she whispered. She brought her lips to his as she enveloped him in the most passionate kiss she had ever been a part of. Letting go of her inhibitions she was finally able to free herself from all that had been haunting her. This kiss put all other kisses to shame. She swam in his essence as she did her best to convey the love she had for him.

Derek slowly pulled away. Cupping her cheeks in his hands. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you, Penelope Garcia. I have loved you for a long time and I know you've loved me too. We've been given a second chance, baby, and I promise nothing will ever tare us apart again."

Tears were streaming down her face once again as she nodded her response. "It's always been you.