Chapter 30

It was now Monday morning and both Penelope and Derek were on pins and needles awaiting the arrival of Dr. Moore and hopefully her discharge papers. After he arrived, he went through a myriad of questions for her. She answered every one of them honestly, including the fact she'd experienced a few more nightmares the night before. He made all kinds of notes in her chart and when he was finished, he looked directly at her.

With a very serious face, he spoke to her. "I have just one more question for you Penelope. Would you like to go home?"

Penelope nervously smiled and replied, "Without a doubt, Doc. Can I? Pleassse!"

With a pleased look on his face and a wide smile, he announced proudly, "You sure can, Penelope! My job is done here! You have come a long way in a short period of time and you have been a great patient. Time to fly this coop."

Penelope cheered. "Yessss! Yayyyy! Thank you so much, doctor. And thank you for saving my life twice."

She turned her attention to Derek and burst out, "Did you hear that, Hot Stuff! I finally get to go home. We both do! Yayyyy!"

Derek was on a natural high and could hardly contain his happiness. "I heard, Princess, I heard! I can't wait to get my girl home safe and sound. I love you, baby!"

Penelope felt like a child on Christmas day. She now had everything she could want or need. Her whole family was together again, she was with the love of her life and she was headed home to finish her recuperation. "I love you too, my prince!"

She glanced at Dr. Moore, "So, what's the plan, Doc?"

Dr. Moore continued to smile completely thrilled for his patient. "Well, first, I need you to sign your discharge paperwork, and then the nurses will be here shortly to give you a thorough sponge bath, wash your hair, and help you get dressed. Agent Rossi has made arrangements for a private ambulance to take you to his house and get you situated. All the equipment you require will be there waiting for you, along with the staff he has hired. Sound simple enough?"

"You know it, doc. Thanks again for everything."

"You're quite welcome, Penelope. And, here is your paperwork. Just sign on the line right at the bottom."

While Penelope gladly signed her name, Derek piped in with a question. "Can I ride with her in the ambulance?"

Dr. Moore laughed loud and long. "Gee, what a shocker! Do I really need to answer that?"

Derek made a face and rolled his eyes. "Very funny, Doc. Just wanted to double-check, is all."

Dr. Moore stood up and shook both their hands, picked up her chart, and wished them both well and a speedy recovery to Penelope.

True to the doctors' word, the nurses were there in a flash and began to get her ready to go. Derek used the time to run downstairs to the gift shop and picked up a couple of things for his girl. By the time he'd returned, Penelope was already dressed and waiting for the ambulance to arrive. She was dressed in a pair of navy-blue sweatpants, one leg cut to her thigh to allow for the cast on her leg, and one of Derek's old Chicago Bomb Squad T-shirts.

He stayed by the door with his hands behind his back and was grinning from ear-to-ear with a look like a cat that ate the canary. He rocked on his heels knowing that his life was now complete with Penelope by his side.

Penelope stared at the most handsome man she'd ever seen. She was the luckiest woman in the world. She would count her blessings every day. The longer he stood there the more curious she became.

"Watcha doing, Sugar Shack?"

"Nothing, Sweetness."

"You just gonna stand there all day?"

He chuckled, "Nope, silly girl!"

Penelope's smile widened. "Do you have something for me behind your back?"

Derek loved teasing her. "Yup!"

Penelope was becoming more eager and animated as she tried to sneak a peek. "Well, come to mama and show me, pretty please."

He deliberately made her wait another minute before he nonchalantly strolled in her direction. He just loved busting her chops.

"Gimme, gimme! Pleasssse."

He cracked up at her shenanigans. He finally gave in to her begging and swiftly brought his left arm around and presented her with a dozen, deep-red, stunning roses.

Penelope's eyes and face immediately lit up with such joy. She gasped, "OMG, they're gorgeous, Hot Stuff! Thank you so much. I love you to the moon and back!"

"You're quite welcome, Baby Girl. Their beauty pales in comparison to you! I love you, Goddess!"

Penelope took them into her arms as a couple of tears escaped her eyes. She breathed in their scent and felt like she was in heaven. Roses had always been her favorites.

Derek got her attention when he declared. "I have more for you, baby?"

She gazed up at him and was completely giddy. "You do? But you've already given me so much."

"Nothing will ever be enough for you, Princess!"

Derek sat down next to her on the bed then presented her with a little gift bag with little kittens all over it. Which she gladly accepted. After she removed the tissue paper, she grinned and giggled. She reached in and pulled out the cutest little stuffed Angelfish. It was gray, black and white-striped and its name was Sweety. She instantly fell in love with it.

She threw her good arm around him and pulled him closer to her. "Awwww, it's a cutie! Thank you, my hunk of burning love. I will cherish it forever. You know you're gonna end up spoiling me at this rate."

"That's the plan, Darlin. That's the plan."

They both leaned back and couldn't take their eyes off each other. They slowly brought their mouths together and began to lose themselves in one another. They were so involved, that they didn't hear the knock on the door.

The door clanked open and two EMT's entered with their stretcher in between them. The couple pulled apart gasping and Penelope blushed. The EMT's introduced themselves and explained that they would help her onto the stretcher and they would be taking her home.

With Derek's assistance, they were able to get Penelope on the stretcher with very little jostling and pain. Once she was settled, Derek handed her the roses and her fish and he grabbed up the remainder of her belongings. As they made their way down to the ambulance Penelope waved to everyone as she expressed her thanks and said goodbye.

Derek made a quick call to Casa Rossi and told them they were just leaving and would be there shortly.

In the meantime, across town, everyone was scurrying around the house trying to make sure everything was set up and perfect for her homecoming. There was such joy and thankfulness abuzz throughout every room that their heart was indeed on her way back to where she belonged within the fold of their loving family.

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