Disclaimer: I own nothing.
I'm thinking this will be the final chapter of this sad little tale. Since Keith is dead now, it leaves us some room for some happiness finally. I hope you enjoy this finale. Thank you for the kind reviews and I hope you continue to enjoy :) PLEASE REVIEW!
PS - I decided to play nice with Kevin and include him. I'm watching Buffy right now, so that sort of contributes to it.
1 Year Later
"I will never, ever let you slip away again," Penelope murmured as she lay on top of Derek one late Saturday night. Both of them were sweaty and sated after making love three times already. After having been separated for six months and not having sex with anyone, they were going at it like rabbits whenever they could. Currently, Soraya was asleep in bed, while Lindy and Tala were in the basement watching a Supernatural marathon.
He looked up at her and put a lock of her hair behind her ear. "And I won't let you get away from me either," he said.
"How can you forgive me for being so terrible to you?" she murmured, tracing the lines of his still well-defined muscles. Even in his fifties, Derek still retained the iron strong body he'd had in his younger years. And the other half of it...she still loved touching him. Every plane of his body was still her favorite surface to touch.
"Because I love you, silly girl," he said with a smile, touching their lips softly. "I'll always forgive you...always."
Penelope sighed and rested her head against his firm chest. "God, our life is about to change so much," she murmured. "Our baby is graduating tomorrow! It's really been eighteen years since she was just a little girl learning how to crawl."
He laughed, vibrating beneath her. "She's going to be okay," he said. "Tala's made a lot of progress from where she was last year. Her life is just beginning. She's been so strong." His arms wrapped around her hips and he swatted her bottom playfully. She giggled and he repeated it. "You like that?"
"You know I do," Penelope purred. After her small tease, she looked back down at him and added, "I'm just glad we got our daughter back. I know she snaps those rubber bands still, but her moods are getting more regulated and she's not tried to hurt herself anymore." She sighed. "I just wish her scars would go away. They remind her of what happened, what she went through." The thick white scars from her suicide attempt still covered her arms, and according to the doctor, they always would. But though the physical scars would remain, she would grow to be stronger and keep herself strong.
Derek began to trace the length of her spine with the tips of his fingers. "Oh, Baby," he said. "She'll be okay. I know she will be. She's your daughter. And if there's one thing I've picked up about you over the years of our almost twenty years of marriage, it's that you are the strongest person I know."
"Oh, Baby Boy," she murmured, touching his cheek. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!" He snickered and slid his hand between their bodies and began tapping her sensitive pleasure spot. Her eyes closed and a soft moan escaped her lips. How the hell did he manage to make her so turned on by just brushing his fingers across her? A flood of wetness came between her legs and she began to position herself over him. "God, we're insatiable," she panted, sinking down onto him.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he grunted as she began to move over him.
XXXXX
Tala leaned her head back against the couch as the end credits of an episode of Supernatural played on the screen. Tomorrow she was graduating high school. Her fingers went to her rubber bands and she began snapping them. Her anxiety level was going through the roof. Ever since she and her sisters had been taken, she'd been more nervous about everything. Most of her friends hadn't understood her psyche, and she had spent the entirety of her senior year as a loner. People were either afraid of her because of the incident of breaking Ashley Jenkins' arm or because they took one look at her scars and run for the hills, and they were afraid to set her off. Despite having been kicked of the soccer team though, she had still made it into Georgetown.
Her life hadn't been so terrible after she found out Keith Roberts had died.
"Tala, are you nervous about graduating?" Lindy asked, looking over at her sister.
She looked at her little sister and shook her head. "I'm indifferent to it," she muttered, trying hard to focus on Sam and Dean Winchester. She loved her sister, but she had no desire to talk about anything regarding her future. In fact, talking at all wasn't preferable. She just wanted to relax and watch TV.
But Lindy was persistent.
"Are you excited?"
"Yes," she said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm ready to leave high school behind." And the past, she added silently.
Lindy nodded, apparently deciding that she'd had enough of questioning her sister. "Okay then," she said, returning her attention to the TV.
XXXXX
Penelope, Derek, their younger daughters, and the BAU family, even Kevin and Anderson, were sitting in the football stadium of Tala's high school, waiting for the ceremony to start. Squeezing Derek's hand, Penelope said, "God, can you believe our baby is graduating?" Tears filed her eyes. "It seems like yesterday she was still crawling across the carpet." Stroking Soraya's hair back, she looked at her fondly. "And in just a short time our other babies will be graduating. It's all happening so fast!"
Soraya looked over at her mother and grinned. "Mama, you've still got ten years before I graduate! Don't act so melodramatic."
Rossi smirked at her. "Where did you hear that word, Raya, bella?"
She turned her grin to her Uncle Dave. "TV," she said. "I heard it on Pretty Little Liars. Spencer said it. And Spencer is my favorite."
Lindy rolled her eyes. "That show is so dumb," she grumbled.
"You're such a little cynic," Derek laughed, kissing the top of her head.
"Hey, that show is interesting," Emily said, speaking up in defense of the show. She'd flown in from London specifically to see Tala graduate. "For a girly show, anyway."
"You of all people watch that show, Em?" JJ asked skeptically.
Before Emily could make a snappy retort though, the music started, signaling that the ceremony was beginning. Penelope and Derek sat up straighter, eager to see their daughter appear in her red cap and gown.
Penelope covered her mouth with her hand and smiled widely. Pride filled her heart as she watched Tala. Her daughter's expression was one of indifference, despite the fact this was a first step towards her future. Her heart ached slightly as she watched her snapping her rubber bands and looking around nervously. She could almost feel the anxiety Tala was feeling. At the same moment, her eyes found Penelope's. Giving her daughter a comforting smile, she gave her a thumbs up.
To her utter joy, Tala returned the smile, albeit softer and more hesitant. She also figured it was more for Penelope's benefit than her own. But it was a smile nonetheless.
They watched as the ceremony continued through the usual speeches that went along with graduation days. When the names began to get read and the diplomas were being handed out, Penelope squeezed Derek's hand tightly and he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Don't be so nervous. She'll be fine."
She turned to look at him and nodded, biting her lip in the process. "I know," she said. "I just hope she's okay up there."
He rubbed her arm soothingly. "Stop worrying."
The names continued on until they reached the "M"s. When Tala's name was called, both Penelope and Derek smiled broadly. This was their daughter's shining moment. They were thrilled for her. Even Tala was smiling now.
After the ceremony had ended and they all met up with her outside the gate the stadium and Penelope immediately wrapped her in a tight hug. Kissing the side of her head, she said, "Oh Baby, I'm so proud of you! This is such a wonderful - Oh, and I'm going to have to break out the party food when we get home! And, and -"
Tala shook her head. "Mom, slow down," she said, shaking her head. "Chill out."
Wiping some tears from her eyes, she nodded, "You're right. You're right. I just need to calm down."
Derek put his hands on her shoulders. "Yeah, yeah you do," he said. Then he went around his wife and pulled Tala into a hug. "Congratulations, Baby Doll. High school's finally over for you."
Rossi went to her next and kissed both her cheeks. "Congratulations, bella. You looked magnifico accepting that diploma."
Tala smiled slightly. "Thanks, Uncle Dave," she said.
Soraya ran up to Tala and threw her arms around her waist. "Yeah, Tala!" she cried. "I can't wait to watch you open your presents! Uncle Hotch and Aunt Beth got you something really special. Well, everyone got you something special. I just -"
Lindy put her hand over Soraya's mouth. "Stop talking, Raya," she said. "We've got to get to the open house. Then Tala can open her presents without you spoiling any of them."
Emily smiled. "Well then, let's get you to the party," she said enthusiastically.
XXXXX
Night had fallen and the Morgans' yard was lit up from the torches Penelope had bought the week before. The whole yard was decked out especially by Penelope, the party planner extraordinaire. Currently, she was standing on the patio, looking into her back lawn at Tala and the people around her. She smiled fondly, joyful that she was talking to people.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and held her close to his chest. She smiled pleasurably and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against her husband's chest. "Mmm," she murmured. "Hi, Hot Stuff."
His lips touched her neck. "Hi, Baby Girl," he said. "How you doing?"
She opened her eyes and looked back at Tala. She was still talking and making conversation with their guests. "I'm just so happy Tala's opening up. She's doing so great. Snapping the bands, but still great."
He smiled. "She's growing up," he said. "Like I told you, she's strong. Just like her mama."
Turning in his arms so that she was facing him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I would say she's just like her daddy, rather than her mama. You taught her how to go on from pain. Don't ever forget that." And the she pulled his face down for a kiss.
He held her against the railing and kissed her back.
The clearing of a throat stopped their kiss and they looked towards the noise. Tala was smirking at them. "Good to know you two are feeling like your old selves," she snickered. "Nauseating as ever."
Keeping her arm around Derek's waist, Penelope nodded. "Just like our old selves," she confirmed.
Nodding in satisfaction, she said, "Good. I'm glad. To tell you the truth, I am, too."
Ecstatic, Penelope threw her arms around Tala. "Oh, I'm so glad!" she cried happily. "And no anxiety right now?"
She shook her head. "Nope, I'm feeling pretty normal right now."
Penelope pulled back and touched Tala's cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Tala," she said. "Despite it all, you came back. And you're stronger than ever."
"Yeah, yeah I am," she said. "I came so close to losing everything, but you guys helped me hold onto it." She nodded. "Thank you. I love you both."
"We love you, too, Baby Doll," Derek said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Penelope smiled again, tears floating on the surface of her eyes. "We love you, too...more than words can say."