I Didn't Have A Choice-Ch 24
The celebration continued until around midnight before Desmond said, "well I want to thank you all for inviting me tonight, I've had an amazing time", Penelope said, "you are very welcome and if it weren't for you I wouldn't be here right now", Desmond grinned and said, "now you remember to take it easy for tonight and tomorrow as much as possible".
Penelope said, "we've got a wedding to plan, how am I suppose to take it easy"?, Fran said, "honey between all of us we'll get it taken care of but he's right you need to rest and take it easy, you've had a rough couple of days". Desmond looked at Derek and said, "nothing strenuous for you either, at least not tonight or tomorrow night".
Derek said, "what about on my honeymoon"?, Desmond said, "I won't restrict you from enjoying your honeymoon with your new bride but just, well just" and Emily said, "nothing freaky". Penelope blushed and buried her head in Dereks chest and he said, "nice Em, way to go" and everybody laughed.
Desmond cleared his throat and said, "exactly, nothing toooooo, well, nothing to wild so to speak", Derek said, "gotcha, nothing to strenuous, right"? and Desmond nodded his head and said, "exactly". Sarah intertwined fingers with Desmond and said, "I'll walk you out", he smiled and said, "good night everybody, I'll see you tomorrow".
Penelope waved and said, "good night", Derek looked at his mom and said, "we have plenty of room if you guys want to stay here tonight", Fran said, "are you sure"?, Fran said, "we're positive, please stay". Reid said, "well it's not like they're going to be getting their groove thang on tonight".
JJ playfully slapped Reid on the chest and said, "Spenceeeeeee"?, he shrugged and said, "what, what did I say"?, Derek laughed and said, "nothing kid, nothing". Everybody laughed and then started cleaning up from the evenings celebration, JJ and Emily carried their sleeping sons upstairs to put them down for the night.
Jessica whispered, "good night Penelope", Penelope said, "you're very welcome sweetie, thank you for coming", Millie grinned and said, "alright everything is cleaned up so we're going to head out too". Penelope smiled at Millie and said, "good night", Millie hugged her and said, "you're welcome honey, we'll see you later".
Emma said, "tonight was so much fun", Derek said, "and after the past week I'd say this is long overdue", she nodded her head and said, "very true Derek, very true" as they all headed toward the front door. Penelope and Derek stood smiling and waving as their new friends walked down the steps and headed down the sidewalk toward their cars.
They stood waving as the cars pulled away from the curb, Derek wrapped his arm around Penelope and said, "come on goddess, let's turn in I'm exhausted". She kissed his lips and said, "me too handsome, me too" as they hugged their family and told them all good night before heading up the stairs to get ready for bed.
A few minutes later Derek and Penelope were laying wrapped in each others arms, Penelope closed her eyes and said, "I love you hotstuff", he kissed her temple and said, "and I love you baby girl". They snuggled closer and it wasn't long before the sound of light snoring was coming from the exhausted couple.