Best Laid Plans-Ch 12
The next 36 hours passed with Penelope slowly improving and with Derek and the rest of the team by her side, Derek kept her hand in his the majority of the time as he whispered his love to her. Fran smiled as she watched her son, he was so in love with Penelope, that was obvious by the way he gently held her hand and talked to her almost all of the time.
Dereks pain seemed to lessen over the 36 hours as he focused everything he had into Penelope, all he waited for was for her to wake up so they could take her off of the ventilator, then, then he was going to tell her how much she truly meant to him. Sarah and Desi had gone to get lunch for everybody while Dave and Hotch were in the corner talking to Reid, JJ and Emily about what had happened to Scott, about any connections that might lead to finding out who killed him.
Fran put her hand on her sons shoulder and said, "how are you doing baby"?, Derek looked up at her and said, "better ma and when baby girl wakes up and I tell her how I feel, everything will be perfect". Fran leaned down and kissed her son on the top of the head and said, "she's a fighter honey, she is fighting to come back to you and everybody that loves her".
He nodded his head and said, "I know momma, it's just that I can't help but blame myself for what happened to us", Fran said, "nothing is your fault, this is all on that Scott, not on you". Derek said, "well momma I was driving the SUV, I was the one behind the wheel when the accident so some of the blame should be on me and I know that".
Fran said, "honey I think I've got to know your baby girl pretty well and if she were awake she would tell you that none of this is your fault and you know it", Derek smiled and said, "yeah that's what she would say and no amount of arguing would change her mind either". Fran said, "your baby girl is quite the woman and that lovely woman has completely stolen my sons heart".
Derek looked at Penelope and said, "she has momma, she's my world and I love her with all of my heart and just as soon as she wakes up I'm going to tell her, I'm going to tell her everything". Fran smiled and said, "something tells me that soon I'm going to be getting not only a daughter in law but those beautiful grandbabies you've been promising me all of these years".
Derek grinned and said, "if I get my way momma, yes, yes you will", Fran sighed and said, "don't worry honey, she's going to be okay and soon she'll open those eyes and then you can tell her that you love her". Derek said, "and I can hardly wait momma, after almost losing her momma your baby boy has finally pulled his heat out of his butt and is ready to claim the woman of his dreams.
Fran and Derek looked at their family in the corner as they said in unison, "well it's about time", Derek said, "yeah, yeah it is", he blew out a deep breath and then turned his attention back to his baby girl. A few minutes later Sarah and Desi came back in carrying their food, they all gathered around the table in the corner and ate their delicious food together as a family.
About half an hour later the family was sitting around Penelopes bed when she started moving, Derek stood up and said, "it's okay baby girl, I'm here, we're all here, you're going to be okay". Her eyes slowly opened and she saw the handsome face of her best friend hovering over her, he said, "stay calm sweetness, you're on the ventilator, we'll go get the doctor okay"?, she gently nodded her head yes and kept her eyes focused on Derek.
It wasn't long before Shannon ran into the room and over to Penelopes bedside, she said, "alright Penelope I'm going to ask you a few questions and I want you to blink one time for yes and two times for no, okay"?, she blinked once. Shannon said, "are you in any pain"?, she blinked once" and Shannon said, "is it anywhere other than your head, leg or ribs"?. she blinked two times.
Penelope listened as Shannon said, "you had head trauma and the reason you are on the ventilator is because we had to do surgery to reduce the swelling and pressure in your brain", she continued by saying, "you have a broken leg and several broken ribs but you are going to be fine Penelope". Derek gently squeezed Penelopes hand and said, "that you are baby girl, that you are".
Shannon looked around the room and said, "I'm going to need you all to step out for a few minutes so I can take her off of the ventilator", the team nodded their heads yes and she looked at Derek and said, "you can stay if it's okay with Penelope". Derek said, "what about it sweetness, is it okay if I stay with ya"?, she blinked her eyes once and he smiled and said, "good because their is no other place I'd rather be than by your side" as Shannon buzzed around the room as she worked to get Penelope off of the ventilator.