"So you're really going to marry him huh?" Hotch asked with a smirk leaning against the doorway of her kitchen. It was the day the before the wedding and everyone was making sure that they had ticked every box and dotted every line ready for the big day. Penelope turned around to face him wiping her hands with the tea towel and grinned.
"I sure am. Can you believe it?"
"Hardly, it's about time." Penelope rolled her eyes at him and greeted him a kiss hello on his cheek.
"Where's Em?" he asked noticing that the always noisy Garcia cottage was eerily quiet.
"She, JJ and Fran have gone to pick up our dresses from the seamstress."
"I thought your dress was done ages ago? Haven't you been trying it on every chance you get since you bought it?"
"Yes, but when I tried it on the other day it was too loose so I had to get it taken in." Aaron looked at her worriedly,
"I'm fine Aaron. The doctor did say it may take awhile before I am able to retain any weight."
"But if your dress is loose, doesn't that mean you're losing weight."
"Aaron…"
"Sorry, just making sure you're okay."
"And you would be one of the first to know if I wasn't."
"Well, I suppose I do have pretty good sources."
"Yeah your sources are always better than mine." She replied dryly knowing that Aaron was in several speed dials, which always amazed her.
"How's Derek holding up?" she asked knowing that her groom to be was not at all impressed that Operation Separation Bride and Groom kicked in early that morning instead of midnight as they both assumed, but Rossi had other plans for him. Penelope knew that Emily, Fran and JJ were also behind whatever it was he was orchestrating. They had planned a day of pampering for all of them, which was to begin the moment they returned from their last minute errands that they had banned Penelope from accompanying them.
"Aaron Hotchner are you here to babysit me till they return?"
"Why do you need babysitting?" he retorted joining her on the steps.
"You're funny? Did you at least bring my ring bearer to keep me entertained?"
"No, Hayley's taking him for a haircut so he can be even more handsome than he already is."
"And why isn't Emily taking you for your haircut?" she teased tousling his shaggy hair.
"Hey…"
"Oh the brothers asked me to remind you that you're all meeting at the Four Seasons for dinner, apparently they couldn't get in touch with you."
"Yeah I spoke to them just before I got here. New phone, I'm not used to the new settings and ringtones just yet." Penelope chuckled in amusement earning a light shove from Aaron.
"I can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow. What a year hey?"
"It sure has been eventful."
"So not where I even imagined I would be."
"Life's full of surprises and you deserve this one Pen."
"Thank you. So when are you planning to make your big move?"
"Easy, she's only stopped clenching at the word marriage, I don't want to frighten her away." Penelope laughed. Though Emily was still quite hesitant for Hotch to get down on one knee, she was definitely warming up to the idea.
"You'll know when it's the right time. I have complete faith in you."
