Derek came home to find Penelope and Fran sitting side by side on the porch steps out back. He watched as they talked animatedly. From the words he was catching they were talking wedding. He loved seeing them together. He loved that they got along so well. It meant a lot to him that Penelope loved his mother almost as much as he did.
"So is this a private party or can anyone join?" Penelope and Fran's head whipped around to see him standing there with a grin on his face.
"Hey Ma." Derek said pulling her into a hug,
"Hi Baby, I've missed you."
"I've missed you to Ma. You get in okay?"
"I did. Pen and I had a great afternoon and a pretty chilled out evening."
"Good I'm glad. Hey Baby Girl."
"Hi Handsome, it's so good to have you home." Penelope murmured into his shoulder as her hugged her tightly.
"It's good to be home."
"Why don't I warm up your dinner plate, you and your Mom catch up for a bit. I want to check in with everyone anyway."
"Thanks Baby Girl." Just as she was about to walk away he caught her hand in his. Penelope stopped as if to ask what he was doing, to which he merely grinned and brought her palm to his lips before letting her go. Fran's heart warmed at the sight of them
"So have I told you recently, it's about time?"
"Thanks Ma. Most kids they get have I told you recently that I love you, not Mama Morgan." Derek said in a mock hurt tone of voice.
"You already know I love you."
"And I already know you think I took too long." He quipped.
"Well as long as we've established that."
"It's concrete Ma. Trust me, I hear it from all of you. Hotch, Rossi, Emily, Reid, JJ, Des, Sarah and the list keeps going on and on."
"Aww Baby you know we mean it with love."
"Uh huh."
"Hey Honey, you guys get home okay?" Penelope said as she answered her phone. She had sent the usual mass text reminding them to check in as she put together a dinner plate for Derek.
"Yeah, I just walked in." Em said tiredly
"Your place?"
"Yeah, I just needed time to you know digest."
"Understandably honey."
"You should have seen his face Pen,"
"He knows you love him."
"I hope so."
"He does. Besides, I got your back."
"Where would I be without you Penelope Garcia?"
"The feeling is mutual honey. You up for lunch tomorrow?"
"I thought Mama Morgan was here?"
"She is, we are going to look at one more place and I'm sending them off to do their own thing."
"Thanks Pen, don't think I can't see right through you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'll let Jayje know."
"Sounds like a plan. Giraffe? 1pm?"
"Sold. Try and get some rest honey. Don't over think it."
"I'll try."
"Good. Night hon,"
"Night Pen."
"Hey Jayje,"
"Hey Pen, I was just about to call you. I think Em needs a girl pow wow."
"You read my mind. Tomorrow 1pm at Giraffe?"
"I'm there. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night hon."
"Night Pen."
Just as Penelope brought Derek's plate out her phone began ringing again.
"You're going to want to pick that one up." He said recognising Hotch's ring tone.
"It's okay honey, Derek and I can catch up for a bit. Take your time." Fran assured her seeing that she felt conflicted.
"Thanks!" she said gratefully as she ran to take the call
"It's Hotch, he and Em are having issues, and Pen's his best friend."
"Ah," Fran replied understanding that they were a tight knit bunch that had grown considerably closer since Penelope's illness.
"Hey you home?"
"Yeah I'm here."
"She just needs time to think. You took her by surprise and you know Em, she needs to process things, it doesn't mean she doesn't love you or that she's having second thoughts."
"Then why does it feel like that?"
"Because you're scared to lose her, but Aaron deep down this isn't about second thoughts. It's Em. The very person who has to know what coffee she's going to order before we even leave for Starbucks. Whose closet is arranged by colours. Its part of her quirk. You love that about her. So don't read more into this than there is. She didn't say no. She just needs time to get used to the question."
"You think."
"I know! Hotchner, how many times do I have to tell you to stop doubting me. I am after all the Goddess all knowing." Aaron grinned,
"Thanks Pen."
"You're welcome. Now if this crisis has been averted, I have to get back to my in law to be."
"Oh shoot, I forgot. I'm sorry."
"Don't be silly. Here if you need me, it's in our DNA."
"Pen, we don't have the same DNA." He pointed out,
"Huh, fancy that. And to think you're just as annoying as my brothers, that's probably what threw me off."
"You're hilarious!" he said dryly.
"I know, and don't think for a moment I forgot that you got me in trouble last night." Aaron cringed,
"Oh yeah, I did didn't I?"
"Uh huh, and you will pay Hotchner."