He had another surprise for Lexi. This time he asked her to stay over at his place the whole weekend.

"Why?" Was her usual question.

"Just because." Was his usual answer. He was not going to let their conversation before have any effect on them now. He was committed to Lexi and he would show he just how much.

He took her to the Home Depot. "What are you planning Derek?" She laughed as they went through the aisles, until they got to the paint section.

"We only have like, a month left until your due date, so I figured this weekend would be a good one to paint a nursery or something like that. You do realize we have nothing. No crib, no little basket or whatever you call them."

"Bassinettes?"

"Yeah, those. And we have some stuff. Plus we'll get more at my baby shower."

"But we still need a crib. I have a catalogue at home so you can choose what you want. I already took out the bed. We could leave the dresser in there. Put all the baby clothes in there."

Lexi looked very surprised. She fingered some paint tabs. "Alright. But I'm a terrible painter. Can I even breathe this stuff in?" She picked up a can.

"Yeah. Paints these days are much safer. What colors do think?" He asked.

"Well it's a girl, but I'm not a huge fan of pink. Yellow seems a pretty generic color for nurseries. How good are you at painting within the lines?"

He laughed. "I'll manage. It's whatever you want."

They had a really good time picking out colors. Derek was slowly going to reel her in. He had a month before the baby could be born. That was not a long period of time. Lexi really got into painting the new nursery. They never laughed so much then they did that day. What started out painting lines ended up painting each other and an all out paint war.

"Good thing it comes off easy." He laughed to her afterwards.

"Good thing you can repaint. I think you got some pink splatter on one of the walls." She laughed back.

"Oh no. That was your pink splatter. You're going to repaint that." He flicked water at her.

"What do you want to eat for dinner?" Derek asked after they cleaned up. He had done a good job; if he did say so himself. He did a base coat of the light yellow Lex wanted and then did a butterfly pattern in pink. It took most of the day but it was well worth it.

Every once and a while Derek would turn and catch a glimpse of her and it would make his heart ache. Whether it was through a doorway watching her busying herself in his kitchen or when she answered the door; it was always surprised him how much he could love on person. Right now, leaning against the door frame, he could stay here for days. Before he would have never pictured himself with a wife and a family but now he knew what he wanted. You never knew what it could take to make you realize how precious love was. This disaster had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

"What?" She suddenly caught on to his staring. Her head tilted slightly, waiting for an answer.

"Nothing." He said quietly going back to cleaning up.

"Hey Lex, when are you having your baby shower? You don't have much time left." He pointed out later.

"Mom is throwing me one in a couple weeks. For some reason she wants to wait until I can't fit through the door. It makes for better entertainment."

He laughed at that image. She wasn't that big; yet. "Right. My mother's coming down again sometime soon. I think she wants to throw you something to. Not a big baby shower but at least something."

"Cool. When's she coming down?"

"In a week or so."

"Hey, you know, I might actually have this baby early. The doctor said 37 weeks was a term pregnancy. I'm 36."

"Reid said most woman go late." He pointed out. He did not want to think of her having the baby early. Nothing was in place and he certainly wasn't ready yet.

"True. But I'm one in a million." She joked.

"Yes, you are." He said to himself, going back to watching her. He needed to move fast. After all, it had been months since he had first screwed up. And he had been making up for it ever since. Hell, his mother likely expected him to engaged by now.

*~*

Emily rushed back into the office, trying hard not to be seen coming in late, again. Maybe on a subconscious level she was trying to provoke Hotch into disciplining her. Provoke him to come out of his office. She really did try not to be late; it just happened. She didn't miss the looks coming from those in the office who happened to see her. She peeked up to Hotch's office. He was nowhere to be seen.

Thank god, she thought. It was still too weird to be around him. Everyone thought so. She could feel everyone's eyes on them if they were in the same room. The awkward air was stifling.

She tried to stop from yawning, but was unsuccessful. She got in very late last night after another terrible date. Men sucked. They just did. Emily considered just going off on men completely. Why would some pathetic guy take her to a crappy restaurant, talk about his narcissistic self and then expect to her to sleep with him? That was just ick.

She set her desk up for the day. She looked to see if Morgan was here; if he wasn't that would mean she wasn't too late. Damn, his jacket was on his chair and go bag under the desk. She would have to stay later to make up for it.

"Emily?" She looked around to see who was calling her name. It was Rossi.

"Yes?" She answered politely. Usually Hotch paired her and Rossi together, so they had gotten to know each other better.

"You okay?" He asked from the stairway.

"Yes." She was getting very annoyed constantly being asked that. As soon as she got back to the office after resigning, JJ and Garcia were all over her. What happened? Why did she leave? How was she? It took everything in her being not to keep snapping. At least Reid and Morgan knew better then to bug her. Rossi could not be undeterred. She appreciated his concern for her but she was a big girl.

"JJ has something for you in her office." He told her. She nodded and went to see her. JJ had dropped the subject of her leaving (she was pretty sure Garcia tangled her resignation up in the system) much quicker then Garcia. They're relationship was back to normal cordialness it had always been.

"JJ?" Emily knocked on the door. JJ spun around simultaneously grabbing files and hanging up her phone.

"Hey Em. Hotch came by the morning and told me to give you this." She handed Emily folder and a note.

"Okay. Where's Morgan?" Apparently they had to drive up to Washington Headquarters to take some recertification.

"He's somewhere here, getting a car probably. Gun exams again? I just retook mine a few weeks ago." JJ chatted aimlessly.

"Cool. Well I'm going to find Morgan. Bye." Emily slipped back out of the office, yawning again. She wished she could have slept more.

She located Morgan firing his glock. It wasn't like he needed practice. She told him that, waiting for him to finish up.

"You can never be to ready." He fired again. "Wanna bet I can shoot better then you?"

"You're on." She grabbed a set of headphones. Now she really wished she had gotten more sleep. But she wasn't going to back away from a challenge.

She blamed her errors on tiredness. She was still better than average and would most definitely pass, but Morgan still outshot her. Now they would also be late.

They hurried as fast as possible to get onto the I-95. The gentle vibrations of the car could make her fall asleep again. She chugged down a bottle of Gatorade.

"Hey Em. Can I ask you something?" Morgan suddenly asked her.

"Sure."

"Do you think you'd come to Lexi's baby shower?"

"If she wants me there." Emily wasn't going to intrude if she wasn't wanted. She was still annoyed at the way Lexi had reacted months ago. That's when most of her trouble started.

"Of course she does."

"Then why are you asking me instead of her?" Emily pointed out. If Lexi wanted her there she should ask her herself. Not sent through Morgan.

"Well my mother is putting it on at my house so I'm the one inviting people. It's just a small get together. Lexi is having a bigger one later on which a lot of people are going to."

"Oh okay. So I would just be a place-filler?" She hadn't meant to say it so nastily but it slipped out of her mouth.

"Now don't get like that-"

"Like what?" She snapped back. This was going so well, she thought. She didn't mean to act all snarky but it was just how she felt.

"Like how you've been since you and Hotch had you're whatever you had."

"We never had anything." She denied fervently.

"I'm not saying you did. You've just been well—different since then. Distant. We're supposed to be a team. Friends. And Lexi is your friend. You should come."

She sighed. Had she been distant? She pondered it the rest of the way. Maybe she didn't join in on the offhand conversations anymore and maybe she kept to herself more but that didn't mean they weren't a team. She still liked her job. Maybe Rossi was rubbing off on her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap like that I'm just in an awful mood. I'll come." She apologized. She likely wouldn't be invited to the any others in her foul mood, but she should make more of an effort. Derek was after all.

"It's fine."

She and Morgan passed the gun exam with flying colors. Of course they would; they were the best in the field. Emily put all her angry, icky, unwanted feelings into shooting the unsub head and torso. She felt significantly better afterwards.

"So what time is this shower at?" She asked on the way back.

"It's next Saturday at 2."

"Okay, I'll be there."

*~*

He didn't know the proper etiquette on baby showers. He knew that most men didn't attend but he didn't care. He was stupidly excited for the day to come. Even though Lexi hadn't agreed to formerly move in she still spent every weekend at his apartment. Which meant it was a little crowded when he mother and sisters came down.

They graciously decided to stay at a hotel. That was after they finished squealing over Lexi and how big she was getting.

"Your aunts are driving down tomorrow morning. Should we have invited you cousins? Lexi when are your parents coming? For 2?" His mother and Sarah took over everything as usual.

It was so nice to have all of his family here. He felt like jumping up and down like a child. Sarah and Lexi made all the food, he and Desiree put up all the decorations. His two ancient (yet surprisingly active) aunts arrived early and complained to them all how irresponsible he was and how pretty Lexi was.

Mrs. Chellos arrived with the silent Mr. Chellos and kissed everyone. Mr. Chellos took a seat in the far corner and sat the day out unnoticed. Emily and a few other of Lexi's friends (some of whom he didn't know the names of) were the last to arrive. There were a lot of presents.

He told Lexi the night before his conversation with Emily. He thought that Emily was really bothered by something. It could be the broken friendship between her and her best friend. Maybe this might fix things a little better.

Lexi jumped up to greet Emily and hugged her tightly.

"You're so...you look great!" Emily exclaimed, giving Derek her gift.

"I'm so glad you came!" He overheard Lexi and Emily.

"Yes, well..." She finished lamely. He had never seen Emily act so awkward. Not even at work, in the same room as Hotch.

"Did you get the rsvp's?"

"To what?"

"For next week. My mother sent them all on Wednesday. We gave one to your mother as well."

Emily looked slightly astounded. "Oh. No I haven't yet. It's likely in my mailbox right now." They all sat down together and ate the finger food.

"So how much longer do you have?" His sister Sarah asked.

"Well I'm 37 weeks so it's really anytime now. My due date is February 25th. So three weeks." Lexi was all smiles.

"So what are you naming the baby?" One of her friends asked. Lexi looked up to Derek. They hadn't really decided on a name yet; but they had narrowed down the list.

"We really don't know yet, but I like something like Olivia or Lauren or Grace."

"But we also like Katelyn, Kyra or Kelsey." Derek put in. Those were his favourites. It wasn't like he didn't like Grace or Lauren. He just wanted something to fit his style more.

Everyone awed over the choices.

"I guess there is no chance of naming her after your mother." His mother said to the group, making everyone laugh.

Lexi ripped open her presents and they were forced to play the usual baby shower games. They got quite a bit of nice stuff from Lexi's parents and his family. Emily had gotten them a fantastic emergency baby bag kit. Most of what they got was the little things like sleepers and blankets and bedding. Derek let Lexi handle everything, she knew what she wanted.

It was the first time both their families were in the same room. If Derek guessed right he was sure their mothers had already joined forces. It was so helpful for Mrs. Chellos to really like him. He was making progress too. Lexi agreed to keep everything she got at his apartment. The nursery was a great idea. He knew that the Chellos' house didn't have one yet.

"I love you." He whispered to her, wrapping his arms around her after most everyone had left. She was tucking things away and his sisters were cleaning up the wrapping paper. He knew for sure that he loved her. He had never felt this away about anyone. And it wasn't just the fact that she was carrying his child.

"I love you too. And thanks for the party. I had a great time."

"Your welcome. It was all my mom."

"Well she's very nice." She put the rest of the sleepers away.

"So are you staying tonight?" He wanted to know.

"Yeah. My parents have already left and it's too late to drive back down."

"Cool." He tried to act like it didn't mean the world to him that she was staying. He didn't want to start jumping around like a child.

"Do you guys want some more cake? If not, we're taking off." Desiree called from the kitchen. It was another home baked cake from Sarah.

"Nah, that's alright. See ya tomorrow." They said goodbye. Derek was glad this time he wasn't being forced to go to church. They had to leave first thing in the morning.

Derek and Lexi curled up on the couch like they usually did. They tested each other from the newest baby book they received. They had finished all the birthing classes and now just had to visit her doctor every week. They, or she, had already decided on the birth plan. It wasn't like Derek was going to make her be in pain. He was not looking forward to that part. But he couldn't wait to hold the baby girl in his arms.

"So did you make a decision yet?" He asked again. How many times did they have this conversation? He prayed it wouldn't end up a no this time.

Lexi shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know yet Derek. I just don't want something bad to happen. It's alright the way it is right now."

"But I want more! I just want you here. I want the baby here. Please Lex? Just give it a try. If you still don't want to then I'll just accept that. I won't make you stay. I promise."

"Because you would totally let it go." She laughed and then looked serious. "I don't want to be separated or away either. But could we really do it?"

"Yes! We are already doing it. You can get your old job back and I'll move all your stuff. You wouldn't have to do anything." So close, he thought. Maybe he had finally worn her down.

"Well...I suppose....I could give it a try. But then I'm gonna have change hospitals as well."

"You liked Sibley better. And College Park wants you back."

"Where do you get this information from?" She asked pretending to be outraged.

"I have friends too. So...is that...a yes?" His heart was beating so fast. She pondered a bit more.

"Yeah., I guess. I suppose it can't hurt to try at least." He almost jumped off the couch.

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"That's awesome!" He wrapped her in a tight hug. Finally! Everything was working out!

"You have three weeks to move my stuff. I don't think I'll be much help."

"That's no problem. I can do it all by myself." He already had the plans running through his head.

"You want to do this right? I don't want to force you into anything." He asked after a while. That thought bothered him. He wanted her to be happy here.

"Of course. I do think it would be easier on us. I just really don't want to get hurt." She looked.

"You won't. I promise." She smiled warmly, and at first he thought she was going to cry but she kissed him tenderly instead.

*~*

Derek tried to convince Lexi to move the next day, but she wanted to go see some of her friends from work. Instead, he said goodbye to his mother and sisters at the airport. They were ecstatic as he was, when he shared his good news.

After that he drove down to Richmond. Although he couldn't move anything (yet) he wanted to tell her parents with her. Her mother cried more than his mother had; but the gesture was appreciated. Later Lexi remarked that she suspect her mother had been trying to force her out after all these months.

"You would not believe how possessive she's been! She wanted to make every decision for me; and I'm the one having the baby!"

"When do you transfer back to College Park?" That was the second biggest thing. He knew she would want to work immediately after moving back to DC.

"Sometime next week. They sent my replacement from there down to Virginia State. Oh guess what? Deanna Monroe is now the head of that department. I had no probably giving it to her. Should serve her right for all the trouble she's tried to cause me. That's a group of people I'm glad to be rid of."

He was glad of so many things. Everyone at the office expressed their happiness for him. Hotch even told him that he could take a week off when Lexi had the baby. That was the best present he could have ever been given from them.

"I never had it and I probably should have taken in." Was Hotch's reasoning. Derek was sure it was off the books but he didn't care.

It took a total of two weeks to move all of her stuff into the apartment. Sure, he had to lose most of his junk but it was worth it.

"I can't believe you aren't being so possessive like you usually are." Lexi informed him one day. Her belly had expanded even bigger and sometimes he could see a foot or elbow pushing out from her. He could not get over the tiny body.

"What's that? I was never possessive. It's protective."

"I can already tell your going to be the most protective father. You probably won't let your daughter out until she's 30." They had started to joke and try out baby names. So far they had ex-ed Kelsey and Lauren. Those names just didn't feel right and they surprisingly agreed on it. They hardly fought anymore; but Derek attributed that to the fact he got to see her more. So they communicated better.

The bad days were when he was called away on a case. It was getting very close to her due date and he didn't want to be away in case something happened. Hotch informed him that until her due date he couldn't do anything to help. But after, Derek was welcome to take on victimology with Garcia in Quantico.

Finally February 25th rolled around. Derek was fidgety all day and called her every half hour to check up.

"I feel no different Derek. I don't think it's going to be today. But I will be sooo glad to have this finally over. I am so uncomfortable! You have no idea!" He didn't, but he was certainly toeing a line between being safe or being shot. Lexi was once again unpredictable.

"Stay home from work if you're not feeling well." He suggested. But Lexi was stubborn as a horse. She told him she would work until labour happened. Plus he didn't want her to be in traffic if she went into labour.

Reid quickly tried to pacify him with all kinds of statistics. How many babies that were born in cars and survived etc. He left five o'clock sharp and rushed back home.

"No change." Lexi told him when he walked through the door.

"How can you possibly look bigger since this morning?" He asked without thinking. Telling a pregnant-close-to-labour she was 'bigger' might not have been the best mood.

"I think the baby is dropping. Now if she could just move away from my ribs and bladder I would be happier." She moaned.

"You don't think it's going to be much longer do you?" She asked him. How was he supposed to know?

"Well how do you feel? You would know better than me."

"I don't feel any different except miserable. I think I'm going to have a big baby. I'd say 8 or 9 pounds." She looked frightened for a moment. "Oh that's going to hurt. Thank god I decided in favour of drugs."

He laughed. "You'll do great, baby." He tried to reassure.

"Thanks." She gave a tiny smile. "You will to. I just wish it would happen now!"

He smiled back, wanting the same thing she did. The longer it took the more nervous he got. But he also got the feeling it would still be a little longer. He really, really hoped not.

*~*

Hey All! Sorry for taking such a long time to post but you know when life hit's you in the face you have to stop sometimes. But I'm back! These last few chapters are the hardest to write, but I hope you enjoy this one. Cheers!