A/N: I just wanted to pop in again and say hey. I have been keeping extremely busy here on my end as I am trying to get my new business up and running. I am now officially a full-fledged Editor. I have been doing it off and on for the past three years but was limited because of my job with FDNY. Now that I'm retired, I can devote much more time to it. The name of my business is KleanEdits. I have a new Facebook page all set up and hopefully, some of you will drop and by and give it a like and thumbs up. If any of you ever have a need for an editor please drop me a line on my site or my email address. KleanEdits

Thank you all for your love and support you have shown me and my stories. You are my inspiration and provide me with a reason to continue to write. Hopefully soon, I will be able to write another story for all of you. Love to all!

P.S. Pitacake, if you're out there check your inbox. I sent you a message.

Chapter 31

Jack and Henry's job was to watch for the arrival of the ambulance and to let everyone know when they saw it. They'd taken their job very seriously and their eyes never strayed from the window. The whole crew was becoming more anxious as the minutes ticked by.

The house was beautifully decorated with a huge welcome sign that the boys colored all by themselves. There were also plenty of balloons and streamers everywhere. Everybody had pitched in and created a wonderful feast. Fran baked a large two-layered chocolate on chocolate cake in the shape of a double heart. It represented not only her homecoming but that Penelope and Derek were finally together.

Dave and Fran made sure that the sofa in the living room was all set up for Penelope, so she would be comfortable for the party. They already knew that she would want to be in the thick of things while the family celebrated. Dave came up with a brilliant idea. He enlisted the help of Hotch, Spencer, and Will to help him set up the buffet and enough chairs so that everyone could be all in the same room. He didn't want Penelope to feel left out, so, their spacious living room temporarily became party central. And party they would.

Approximately ten minutes later the boys spotted the ambulance as it pulled into the driveway. They jumped down from their perches and rushed out, "Auntie P is here! Auntie P is here!"

The whole family including Clooney and Mudgie ran over to take their spots in front of Rossi's large circular staircase underneath the huge banner to welcome her home.

Derek, both EMT's and Penelope made it up to the front door. Penelope was so happy she couldn't stop beaming. Derek threw open the front door and as the EMT's rolled the stretcher in all that could be heard was applause, shouts of joy, and the barks of both dogs. "Surrrrprissse, Welcome Home, Penelope!"

The EMT's stopped dead in their tracks and all Penelope could do was lie there, while she cried and gasped out in complete shock. She couldn't stop the cascade of tears flowing down her face. She was beyond thrilled and before she could say anything the whole group was surrounding her. Everybody got to give her a quick hug and kiss.

Penelope still couldn't wipe the smile off her face. "Jinkies! You guys are the best but you didn't have to go to all this trouble. Just being here is enough."

"Of course, we did, Kitten! Nothing is too good for our daughter!"

"Awwwww", resounded throughout the room.

Penelope blushed, "Thank you, Papa Bear and Mom!"

John one of the EMT's spoke up and asked, "Ummm, excuse me, Mr. Rossi, where should we take Ms. Garcia to?"

Dave looked over at him, pointed in the direction of the living room, and replied. "Over here gentleman, please. We made a spot for her right here on the couch."

Both EMT's nodded at Dave and proceeded to follow him into the living room. Once they reached the couch, they slowly lowered the stretcher down and applied the brakes. The EMT's each took the head and the feet and Derek grabbed one side and Hotch grabbed the other. On the count of three, they carefully lifted her up and over with the sheet she was wrapped up in. Before they placed her down Fran quickly unlocked the brakes and pushed the stretcher out of the way. Gently they all lowered her down onto the couch and got her situated. Fran and the girls came running over and made sure she was comfortable with the right amount of pillows in place.

Everyone thanked the EMT's for all their help and Dave gave them each a huge tip as they walked out the door. Once Penelope was completely comfortable, the boys came over and each hugged and kissed her. Mudgie marched over and placed kisses all over her face and hands. Penelope called Clooney over and watched him run over with his tail wagging a mile a minute and barking completely happy to see his momma.

"Come 'ere boy! Come to momma! I love you and missed you so much, boy!" Clooney excitedly jumped up and placed his front paws on the edge of the sofa. He then began to kiss her face and neck and howled out with joy at seeing her again. After all, Clooney was used to seeing her all the time because Penelope was always the one that took care of him when Derek was away on cases.

Derek noticed that Clooney was getting a little too spirited, "Easy, boy, easy! Take it easy with momma, she still has owwies." Clooney whimpered but immediately jumped down and sat down right in front of her still wagging his tail. "Good boy, Cloon. Momma's not going anywhere."

Henry sat down next to Clooney while Jack sat next to Mudgie and began petting them. Henry looked up at Penelope from his spot on the floor, "Auntie P, were you surprised?"

"I certainly was, Sweet Pea! Thank you, guys, so much!"

Jack chimed in, "Did you like our sign? We colored it all by ourselves!"

Penelope widely smiled, "You did? You guys did an awesome job with it. Thank you."

Both boys grinned and high-fived each other. Jack continued on, "Aunt P, we made you some more cards and Aunt Desi hung them up in your room. Cool, right?"

"Totally cool, Jackers! You guys are the best and thank you, Aunt Desi. I love both of you sooo much!" Penelope remarked as she looked at both Jack and Henry with so much love and adoration.

Henry's response was to clap his little hands, bounce up and down and chirped out, "We love you too, Auntie P."

Fran made her way over and knelt next to the sofa. She leaned over and guardedly wrapped her arms around her future daughter-in-law. Of that fact, she was sure of. And of course, she couldn't be happier. She always knew deep down that someday they both would figure it out and spend the rest of lives together and give her those grandbabies that she kept badgering her son for.

"Welcome home, Penelope. We're so thrilled you're here and safe. We are going to be able to spend a lot of time together and have some fun along the way as well. Just remember, whatever you want or need, you just let us know. We're all gonna be for here for you and spoil you rotten. We decided to put you in here for the party and then later we will get you settled into your room. For now, we are all gonna party and we're all so grateful to have you home. I love you and in no time at all, you and Derek are going to give me those precious grandbabies Derek has been promising me for years."

Derek rolled his eyes and whined, "Maaaa, she just got home and there are so many things to do before that can be even thought about."

Fran turned her head and sarcastically glared at her son. "I know that, Baby Boy! I know. It's just that —"

Sarah and Desiree both cut her off, "We know, we know. You aren't getting any younger!"

"That's right!" She replied as the whole room erupted into laughter.

Once things calmed down, Penelope looked directly into Fran's eyes, "It's alright, Mom! I understand and we will try our best."

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