"Derek,
I'm fine. Seriously! You need to stop worrying about me. You're
on a case, please keep your mind on it." Just as Emily had endured
Hotch's over-protectiveness, Penelope was now subjected to Derek's
somewhat heightened usual over protectiveness.
"I just
worry,"
"I know you do honey, but you have left me in the most
capable of hands. I am staying with Emily, and Jason checks on us
every day. Baby, I have three more months to go, please don't tell
me we're going to be having this discussion regularly as I near my
due date, because as much as I love you, I may have to maim you."
Penelope replied affectionately. Emily stifled a giggle as she heard
the tail end,
"Okay, you win. I will try and not to worry. You
tell that Emily Hotchner she better be taking good care of you."
"I
will, and don't worry she is."
"He was doing so well."
Penelope sighed in amusement as she hung up the phone. He had been
protective as always, but he didn't hit over drive till she hit
third trimester, which they all knew took a lot of restraint from one
Derek Morgan.
"Hey
MJ, what do you say you and I hang out in my room while your Mommy
catches up on her sleep hey?" Penelope cooed as she picked up MJ
from her crib as she awoke. MJ merely gurgled happily as she
recognized her Aunt Penelope's voice,
"I can't believe how
fast you're growing little one, soon you'll have a little
playmate. Don't tell your Mommy but your Uncle Derek and I are
having a baby girl too. So you're going to have your very own
chicka to grow up with. How cool is that? I hope you'll be best
friends too just like your Mommy, Aunt Jenny and I are. Your big
brother Jack is going to look out for all three of you, and when
you're all in the same school Jayden will make sure he's got both
your backs." Penelope took MJ to her room and read to her as Emily
slept.
"Aren't
you three a sight for sore eyes?" Penelope looked up and grinned as
she saw her husband standing at the doorway of her room at the
Hotchner's. They had been gone for almost three weeks and she had
missed them, all of them. She had been working from Hotch's as per
usual, which was working well for all. Jack who she picked up the day
before from Hayley's had climbed into bed with her and MJ when he
woke from his nap.
"Uncle Derek," Jack exclaimed excitedly
jumping to his feet to greet his beloved Uncle. Derek caught the six
year old in his arms as he jumped off the bed.
"Whoa kiddo,
you're getting big. Guess who else is home buddy?"
"DADDY?"
he asked as his whole face lit up,
"Yup," Derek released the
little bundle of energy as he ran out of the room in search for his
father.
"Well Em just kissed her nap goodbye. My God you look
good handsome. I've missed you." She said as he closed the
distance between them and taking Jack's spot wrapping his arms
around her, careful not to squish MJ.
"I've missed you
Princess. Both of you." He said as he rubbed her stomach
gently,
"I've missed you too little one," Derek said to
little MJ planting a kiss on her head before kissing his wife hello.
"I can't believe we were gone so long. I wish I was here, to
see every change in your body. I feel like I've missed out." He
admitted bringing his forehead to hers.
"That's why we have
Skype baby. Besides, you haven't missed out on much. Just weird
cravings, and trust me they've been gross lately. I made Jason gag
when I gave him the list, which I have to say brought me a lot of
pleasure."
"Still,"
"Baby, it's okay. You're going
to be around for everything else. Is Jayje okay?" Pen asked.
Knowing that she hated being away from Jayden, especially now that he
was getting bigger and recognizing his surroundings.
"Yeah, she
and Hotch talked and she's only going to take every other
assignment, and she and Reid are going to take turns in going out on
cases to ensure that one of them is with him at all times."
"That's
a good plan. Derek, I don't know if I want to go back to the BAU
after I have our baby." She admitted.
"And you don't have
to Baby Girl, we'll make it work okay." He assured her pulling
her close to him. They both knew that they had other alternatives
should she not want to go back to the BAU. He knew that she stayed at
the BAU to keep an eye out on them at all times, but as the images
began to worsen they plagued her more and more, and it was images she
certainly didn't want to pass on to their daughter. Hotch knew this
and had been relying more and more on Lynch to sort through the
gruesome images and left the complex technical stuff for her. Things
were definitely changing, and a new season was beginning, for all of
them.
