Chapter 49
Scarlett hopped out of the cab before the others and ran up the walkway to her mother's home. Spencer heard her call out as she swung open the front door, her voice carrying as she hollered that she was home. He went with Morgan to the back of the car to grab their bags.
"Mom is going to be thrilled with this surprise visit," he laughed as he heard the excited voices moving back to the front of the house.
"I'm sure," Reid agreed. "And that you and Penelope were able to come too..."
Derek laughed. "Are you kidding? Garcia'd never miss the chance for Mom's cooking. She'll be bugging for baking lessons and recipes before the night is out..."
"Ha-ha," Penelope nudged Morgan in the hip. "If I learned to cook like your mom, you'd be my slave for life," she teased. "There is a method to my madness..."
He threw an arm around her and hugged her close. "Aw, baby girl, I'm already your slave for life... but Mom's cobbler would definitely seal my fate," he winked at her.
The three laughed as they moved towards the door and were met by Fran Morgan. She was smiling broadly as she grabbed each one into her embrace.
As she tucked her face against Derek's neck, he hugged her back tightly.
"Well," she said, taking a small step back and looking at her son. "I have no idea what's made this my lucky weekend, to have all my chicks home to roost, but I'm so happy," she linked her arms into Penelope's and Spencer's, dragging them into the house.
Scarlett met them at the foyer. She took her and Spencer's bags and started up the stairs. "I'll be back down in a second... then I want cookies," she said with a grin. "I've got some news..."
"Well, then," Frannie cast a look at Reid, then Derek. "I guess it's a good thing I have some made for when the boys come over after school..." she led the way into the kitchen and started a fresh pot of coffee.
When Scarlett bounced back into the room, her mom handed her a mug and the plate of sweets.
"Okay, Katy, let's hear it..." she said as she tugged her daughter over to the table. "You came all the way here to give me news... it's got to be big..."
"Yup," Scarlett grinned over the cookie, flashing the engagement ring under her mother's nose.
Fran's eyes widened. "Seriously?" she took her hand and looked from Scarlett to Spencer.
Scarlett beamed brightly. "Seriously, Mama... Spence and I are engaged..." she laughed as Frannie flung her arms around the both of them, dragging them into a hug. She heard Spencer 'oof' at the grip, but he was smiling.
"Oh, this is huge news! The best," Fran said as she continued to hang on to the both of them. "My baby," she sniffled slightly and drew back, releasing them.
"I've got to call you sisters... They will be so thrilled," she started, taking Scarlett's hand and looking at the ring again. "We're going to have a huge celebration for dinner, and we can surprise them... Oh!" she hugged Scarlett again. "I'm so happy for you baby girl!"
Spencer backed up a step, moving to sit at the table. He caught Derek's grin and smiled.
"Have you decided on a date yet?" Fran asked, looking between Spencer and Scarlett.
"We didn't, Mama, not yet," she answered, taking another cookie from the tray. "We haven't planned anything yet. We wanted to tell you first..."
"Well, I'm honored," she sniffed again and stood up to grab a box of tissues from the counter. "And I think I'm going to embarrass you Katy, and have myself a little cry..."
"Oh, Mama..." Scarlett moved over to stand beside her, leaning into her mother's shoulder.
"It's a good cry, baby," she said as she hugged Scarlett back. "Happy tears."
Derek rolled his eyes and grabbed another cookie himself. "I'm really going to cry... I'm almost out of cookies..." he teased, earning himself an exasperated look from his mother. She reached over and cuffed his head lightly.
"Penelope, when are you going to take this boy off my hands for me?" she teased.
Garcia laughed. "It's not for the lack of trying on my behalf," she offered. "Maybe I need to make cookies..."
"Your cookies are fine, baby girl," Morgan laughed. "Ow," he ducked a bit as his mother's next cuff landed a bit harder.
"Hey, that was a genuine compliment," he groused, dodging Fran's look. "It wasn't code," he snickered.
"Mmm-hmm," Fran looked from him to Garcia. Her mother's eyes saw a bit more there than before.
"And you have news for me too then?"
"Uh," Penelope twisted a bit in her seat, embarrassed. The move wasn't lost on Spencer. He looked over at Morgan, just as Frannie did.
Scarlett laughed. "I knew it..." she grinned, moving next to Reid. "I thought maybe I was just projecting..."
"Katy..." Derek scowled slightly, staring at his coffee.
Fran walked over to sit beside Garcia. As she passed her, she patted her shoulder lightly. "So that's how it is then... too new to discuss?" she offered.
"Something like that..." Derek blushed. Scarlett opened her mouth to tease, but caught Spencer's soft shake of his head.
"Oh, okay, fine... I'll drop it," she told him. But she gave her brother a toothy grin.
Frannie laughed. "Okay, subject change," she said lightly. "We're going to have everyone drop by for dinner, so I need to run to the store," she told Scarlett. "How long are you staying?"
Scarlett sat back in the chair. "We're yours for the whole weekend, Mom..."
"Good," she reached over and grabbed a small pad from the counter. "I'm going to start a list," she told them. "You can come with me," she told Derek. "I'll need those arms to haul groceries. And since you'll eat most of it, you're elected..."
Morgan sighed. "So much for the game this afternoon," he said with a resigned look. He knew his mom wanted to get him alone to ask about Penelope. Not being certain himself about his new feelings, he wasn't sure what he'd even say. Their relationship had moved onto a different playing field, and he wasn't quite sure on the rules. Mostly, he was scared to death about screwing up and losing his best friend.
Scarlett watched her brother's face, noting the tension under his smile. She decided to press Penelope for more details later, if she could manage to get her friend alone. But it was clear something was going on between the two.
"So, what should I make for dinner?" Fran asked.
Scarlett grinned. "French fries..." Her mother rolled her eyes.
"Your nephews would be thrilled with that menu," she told Katy. "But I was thinking something more substantial..." she looked over to Spencer.
"What's your favorite, honey?"
Reid felt a blush creep into his face at the endearment. Scarlett found his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. He felt her press three fingers into his palm.
"I, uh, don't really know," he shrugged slightly. "I like just about anything, really..."
Fran considered him a moment. "I'll make spaghetti and meatballs then," she nodded, writing some items down on her list. "You've never tried my sauce..." she told him. "I can guarantee you'll say it's your favorite after you try it," she smiled.
Spencer nodded. "I'm sure I will," he told her.
"Okay, then, that's decided," she stood and aimed a look at Derek. "Let's get shopping," she told him, tugging his arm as she moved. "Scarlett, you and Penny can start dessert. I know I've taught you how to bake a cake..."
"Yep," Scarlett grinned, know that was her mom's way of getting her the chance to talk with Penelope. "We'll get it done. Pens is a great baker..." she nudged her friend under the table.
"Oh, poo..." Garcia stuck her tongue out at Scarlett, knowing when she was being maneuvered.
"I'll call your sisters on the way to the store... tell them to be here at seven," Fran said as she tossed her keys over to Derek, drilling him in the back with her finger to move him along.
Morgan shot a quick apologetic look over his shoulder to Penelope and shrugged.
When Scarlett heard the front door close, she grinned evilly over at her friend.
"Okay, Penelope... spill it..." she ordered, moving over to the cupboards to find the ingredients for the cake.
"Scarlett..." Reid's voice carried a bit of a warning tone.
"Oh, no..." she said, pulling down a heavy bowl. "If I'm getting stuck baking a cake, I'm at least going to get to hear the dirt..." she told him, tugging on a lock of his hair as she passed him.
Spencer sighed and gave Penelope a look that conveyed his sympathies. Scarlett wasn't going to drop it.
"Maybe I should..." he stood, hoping to escape the room.
Scarlett pushed him over to the counter. "Chop nuts," she told him. "You aren't escaping that easily, farm boy." she opened the fridge and took out some carrots, tossing them on the table in front of Garcia.
"You get peel and shred duty," she told her. "Carrot cake," she grinned. "So mom can't say I didn't eat vegetables..."
