A/N: Haven't dropped by in a while. Just wanted to give a big howdy to all of you. I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy. Thank you to everyone for all your follows and favorites and most especially, all the wonderful reviews I have received. Speaking of reviews, I am so thrilled to have hit 200 reviews on this story. Thank you to DaisyDay (June) for being my 200th reviewer. Yayyy! Love to all of you! God Bless.

Chapter 28

Derek bolted out of the recliner to his feet and sat down on the edge of her bed. He placed his hands on her shoulders to minimize her movement all while trying to calm her down.

"Shhh, mama! It's okay, you're okay. It's all over, I'm here! I'm here, I'm not going anywhere! I promise!"

She struggled a few more times to sit up and continued to scream out his name. Finally, she opened her eyes and found herself looking into the very worried face of her prince. She started to slowly calm down as soon as she recognized that it was Derek and not the face of Savannah. However, her tears were rushing down her face nonstop.

Derek released her shoulders and placed his hands on both her cheeks as he gently cupped her face. "It's ok, Baby Girl! It's ok. Don't be scared, it's me, it's your chocolatey prince. I gotcha! No one will ever hurt you again, I swear! I'm sorry."

He brought his face to hers and placed a quick chaste kiss to her swollen lips. He then began to wipe away some of her tears.

She gazed up into his kind worried brown eyes and broke into a very small weak smile. She was so happy to see him and immediately felt much safer than the last time she was awake.

Penelope opened her mouth and managed to croak out, "Ohhh, Hot Stuff! I was so scared, Savannah tried to kill me. I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again. I love you, so much!"

Derek's expressive eyebrows shot up in confusion. How could she still love me? It's all my fault. "Awww, honey, I know you were scared. I'm sorry, it's all my fault. How could you possibly still love me? Everything is all on me. I let her into our lives, and everything is a complete mess, even our places."

He abruptly pulled his hands away and became extremely quiet. He realized his mistake. Damn! He didn't want her to find out this way and so soon after almost being killed. He wanted to kick himself. He made a move to get up but her good hand grabbed his which stopped him dead in his tracks. He dreaded what was coming next.

He couldn't look at her and bowed his head. He was afraid of what he might see if he did. He hated seeing her so upset, especially knowing it was all his fault.

Penelope's eyes knitted in puzzlement and she was completely bewildered. She rasped out, "What are talking about, Angelfish? There is no freaking way this is your fault. Savannah is the culprit here, not you. Of course, I still love you! Always! What about our places? What happened?"

Derek sat there in complete and utter silence not knowing what to say or how to say it.

Penelope laid there waiting for her hero to speak. The longer she waited the more upset she got. "Frack! Would you please talk to me? You're really starting to scare me more. Pleassse, I need to know what happened."

Derek worked up his courage and decided that he needed to tell her everything and brought his head up slowly to break the news. "Sweetness, I'm so sorry for everything. I can't stand seeing you so upset but I have bad news for you. We were planning on waiting until you were stronger to tell you this…After Savannah heard my confession that I loved you and we officially broke up she went berserk. She destroyed everything in our house and then turned her anger on you. She went over to your apartment, broke in, and destroyed your place too. I'm so very sorry. I don't know what to say except, it's all my fault and if you can't forgive me, I will understand." When he finished the tears were trickling down his face and feared the worst. He was so ashamed and petrified.

Penelope let go of his hand and brought her hand up to her mouth while she gasped. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. She was completely devastated and sobbed uncontrollably for several long minutes. It completely broke Derek's heart to watch and hear her reaction as realization set in.

Penelope managed to rasp out, "Ohhh my god! No, no, no, no, no, no! It just can't be. How could she? This can't be happening. I never thought I could feel hate, but I hate her with every fiber of my being. How bad is it? Is everything destroyed? What about all my memories of my parents? Oh god, no!"

All Derek could mumble out was, "I haven't seen it yet, baby? I don't know the extent of the damage. But the team said it was bad. I am soooo sorry. I hate myself and you should hate me too. Because of me, you almost died, and your things were destroyed. If you want me to go, I'll understand! But, please forgive me, Pen!"

Again, he started to make the effort to stand up. "Stop! Don't you dare move."

He swiveled his head and looked into her soulful and sad eyes. He hated seeing that look in her eyes. He was crushed.

Penelope shot him a determined and hard look. She was dying inside at the full magnitude of everything that had happened to her. But she couldn't let Derek take on the brunt of everything. She still loved him and couldn't stand the fact that he was blaming himself for everything.

'First off, mister, none of this is your fault. This all on that freaking bitch. She did this, not you. You had no idea how spiteful or psychotic she could be. She never showed you that side of her. Yes, I'm feeling overwhelmed, pissed off and blown away. I will hate her until the day I die. But I certainly don't hate you or blame you at all." As she laid into him, she managed to poke him in the chest a few times with her fingers. "Listen, we just found each other and there is no way in hell I'm losing you now. As far as my things, when I am well enough, we will go over there and see what we can salvage. I have faith that some of it survived. At least, I hope so. And, as far as this morning, you did what you needed to do for your mom. I completely understand. As far as I'm concerned, I still love you with all my heart and soul and there is nothing to forgive. Ya, feel me, Sug?"

Derek was completely dumbfounded and awestruck. He couldn't believe his ears. She still loved him even after everything that happened. And as upset as she was, she was more worried about him than her things. He was the luckiest man in the world to have her by his side, now and forever. He captured her hand in his and kissed it.

"Damn, woman! I love you with every breath I take! You never cease to amaze me. I can't believe you still love me and want to be with me. Even after everything that my bitch of an ex did to you. I was scared that I was going to lose you. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. I still feel like this is all my fault but I'm never letting you go, Sweetness! You are my heart, my God-given solace, and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don't deserve you but you're never getting rid of me. I love you so much, Baby Girl!"

Despite her pain, Penelope managed a smile as she squeezed his hand with a death grip. "I love you too, Hot Stuff! I guess you're stuck with me now. Never forget, none of this was your fault at all and stop blaming yourself! Because if you don't, this Mama's gonna spank that sexy butt of yours! Got it, get it, good!"

They both chuckled and he leaned into her and they both got caught up in a few gentle and tender kisses. When they pulled apart a few minutes later, Derek waggled his eyebrows and said, "Promises, promises, Baby Girl!"

A couple of minutes later Derek sent a group text to everyone making them aware that Penelope was awake and waiting on their arrival. He also added that she knew about her apartment. Derek reached over to the table and poured her some water. After a few large sips to soothe her throat, they held hands as they gazed lovingly at each other in between a few stolen chaste kisses and talked until their family arrived.

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