An Ultimate Betrayal-Ch 24
The next morning Penelope woke up a couple of hours before everybody else, she was to excited and nervous to sleep. Payton and her other two surviving brothers had taken the men of the team including Derek to the pool house for the night.
Penelope tried to convince her brothers that it was silly to keep them apart the night before their wedding but in the end the brothers won out. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard Jack whisper, "you okay aunt P"?, she looked down at the little boy and nodded her head yes.
He grinned at her and said, "what are you doing up so early"?, Penelope grinned and said, "nervous I guess Jackers". Their attention then turned to the door as 5 year old Henry ran into the room.
Penelope grinned and said, "hello sunshine, how are you today"?, the little boy giggled and said, "I'm twired" as he rubbed his little eyes. Jack said, "me too but daddy said that was normal cause we're not use to flying".
She nodded her head and said, "your daddy would be correct Jackers", Emily came into the room drying her hair with a towel and said, "there you two are, we've been looking for you".
Penelope said, "it's okay Em, they've been keeping me company", Emily said, "okay, Fran made some homemade muffins and donuts and she sent me to come get you".
Penelope smiled and said, "I'm not really hungry", Emily said, "ohhhh no you don't little miss, you are going to eat something because it's going to be a long day and you and the baby need nourishment".
Henry took Penelope by one hand and Jack by the other as they followed Emily out of the room and toward the dining room to join the others. Meanwhile out in the pool house Derek was sitting on the window seat looking across the yard to the house.
Payton put his hand on his future brother-in-laws shoulder and said, "you ready for today"?, Derek said, "Payton I've been ready for this day since the day I met her, your sister is an amazing woman", Payton laughed and said, "that she is Derek, that she is".
Dave looked across the room and saw the two men talking and said, "you two come on and eat, Fran fixed fresh muffins and donuts for everybody". Derek said, "I'm not hungry man, to nervous but you guys go ahead and eat".
Patrick laughed and said, "you need to eat something Derek, it's going to be a long day and we wouldn't want you to pass out from low blood sugar". Reid looked at Derek and said, "they're right Morgan, you need to eat, you know that Garcia would pitch a fit is she knew you weren't eating".
Paul said, "my sister is fierce for sure, are you sure that you want to face her wrath on today of all days, knowing what tonight is gonna bring ya"?, Derek laughed and said, "alright, alright I give, I give" as him and Payton walked over to join the other men.
After breakfast was over the men started getting ready, not only did they have to get themselves ready but they had the task of making sure that the groom was ready. Reid stood laughing as he watched Derek put his shoes on.
Derek said, "what are you laughing at pretty boy"?, Reid said, "I know that it's hot because we're here in California but you should still wear those". Derek looked to where Reid was pointing and saw his sock laying beside him on the bed.
Derek shook his head and said, "sorry Reid, I guess I must have forgotten them", Reid said, "not to worry, it's just nerves, I'm sure that we haven't forgotten how nervous I got the day I was suppose to marry Jayje".
Hotch laughed and said, "now that's a picture I don't think I'll ever forget", Penelopes brothers looked at each other and then at Hotch as he said, "Reid was so nervous that he was going to start the ceremony in his underwear".
Paul grinned and covered his mouth and said, "you were so nervous that you forgot your pants"?, Reid sighed and said, "yes and don't laugh at me". Derek wrapped his arm around Reid shoulder and said, "they'll understand it when they get married pretty boy" and Reid grinned as he nodded his head yes in agreement.
Meanwhile in the house Fran was helping the boys get dressed while Sarah and Desi were getting the bouquets and JJ and Emily were putting the finishing touches on the soon-to-be bride.