Potomac General Hospital – Morning
Fran pushed the door open and smiled at the sight of her son and Penelope asleep in the small bed. His strong arms wrapped around her holding her close. The couple had been through a lot over the years but always managed to take care of each other through thick and thin. For the life of her she couldn't understand what had taken them so long to figure things out; but they had, and Fran was happy for them both.
Penelope was the first to open her eyes, glancing at her future mother-in-law then back at Derek who had now begun to stir himself.
"Good morning, Fran."
Penelope pulled herself from the bed and straightened her rumpled clothes."
"Good morning, Sweetheart, did you and my son sleep well?"
"Hey Ma." Derek answered.
"Yes, we did." Penelope answered smiling.
Fran sat a white bag on the table next to the bed and focused her attentions on her son.
"I came by last night but you both were asleep. I brought breakfasts sandwiches from Mable's for you both. Now that you two are awake, I'll run down to the cafeteria and get you coffee."
"Tea for me." Penelope responded. "And I'll go get it so you can have a moment with your son."
"Thanks Penelope, I'd like that."
With Penelope out of the room, Fran shot a knowing look at her son.
"Tea?" Fran teased.
"C'mon Ma, Penelope drinks tea all the time." Derek insisted.
"Yes, I know she does but something's different; with both of you. What is it?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean. We got back together, that's it."
"Derek Michael Morgan don't try it with me. I know you and I know a certain glow on a woman's face when I see it too!" She teased
"Fine, I wanted to wait until P got back but since you insist on spoiling the surprise, we're having a baby." Derek beamed.
Fran rushed him and gobbled him up in a big mama bear hug.
"Oh, Baby boy, I'm so happy! I'm finally getting my first grandchild!"
"Ma..."
"I can't wait, I'm going to spoil him or her rotten." She continued, squeezing and planting kisses on his head.
"Ma..."
"Just wait until I tell your sisters, and Dave and the ladies down at the church!"
"MA!"
"What is it, Derek?"
"I... can't...breathe!"
Reluctantly, Fran released her son, planting one more kiss on his forehead before taking the chair next to his bed.
"So now what? You know back in my day, folks got married before having kids, but..."
"I asked Baby Girl to marry me last night." He interrupted.
"You did? Oh, I'm so proud of you!"
"In fact, I had planned to propose the night she left me, but all hell broke loose before I had a chance to."
Fran watched the sadness overtake her son and for the next several seconds, they both were in deep thought.
"You scared me last night, I thought I had lost you."
"I'm fine Ma, really. They're letting me go home today, which reminds me, I need you to do me a big favor."
"Anything, Baby Boy; anything."
Penelope ran into JJ on the way to the cafeteria and the two embraced and exhaled in unison. Their family had dodged the bullet and evil had been dealt another defeat, both silently agreed, that it had been a close call.
"How is he?" JJ asked.
"He's good, really good; lucky."
"And how are you? I know you stayed here all night, didn't you?"
"I couldn't leave him JJ!"
"I know, I know but you have to take care of yourself and my little niece or nephew."
Penelope squeezed her friend affectionately as they continued toward the cafeteria.
"He asked me to marry him last night." Penelope gushed.
"Well, it's about time!" JJ teased. "How does he feel about being a father?"
"He's so happy, JJ. I was afraid he'd be upset, but he wasn't."
"Are you kidding? Derek loves you and knowing you two are about to have a baby, he's probably over the moon!"
"I just don't want him to feel obligated to marry me because I'm pregnant."
"Just stop it. You two have been through so much! He's told you how much and how long he's loved you. Kids were a part of his dream for you both."
"You're right, I just..."
"Just what?"
"I almost let my insecurities ruin things; Tamara tried to kill him!"
"But she didn't and now you and Derek can have the life you both deserve."
Penelope hugged her friend and nodded.
"Thanks Blondie, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"We're family; period."
Derek was happy to see JJ with Penelope. Fran had left moments earlier to take care of a special errand for Derek. The two women entered with bright smiles and coffee.
"Good Morning, Derek!" JJ greeted.
"Hey JJ, good to see you."
Penelope moved to the bed and planted a sweet kiss on his lips. He had not repeated his question from the earlier evening, but she was hopeful that he wasn't just acting under the influence of the pain medications.
"It's good to see that hard head of yours finally paid off." JJ teased.
"Funny JJ, real funny!" He frowned.
"Where's Fran?" Penelope asked.
"She had to run an errand, but she'll be right back."
"Okay. Have the doctors said when you can blow this popsicle stand?" JJ asked.
"Not yet, I just know it's today."
Home of Derek Morgan –
Fran stepped through the door of her son's home and gasped. The place was in shambles with everything that could be broken in pieces and strewn over the floor. He'd worked hard on this place, and it was special to him. It was the home that he'd secretly hoped to share with Penelope one day and it broke her heart to see it destroyed. Fran couldn't imagine what Derek's reaction would be to see it this way.
Fran pulled her phone from her purse as she waded through the debris and headed toward the master bedroom, it looked much like the front room and her stomach churned. Amidst the chaos was the small black velvet box on the dresser. Fran thought it odd that Tamara had not seen it during her fit of rage; it surely would have sent her over the edge and beyond.
Taking another look around the room at the unmade bed and her son's clothes thrown across the floor Fran put the box in her purse and headed back to the front of the home and out the door and back to the hospital.
Potomac Hospital –
"Okay you two, I've got to head to the office before Hotch sends out a search party. Everyone wants to know when you get home so that we can bring food by."
"JJ thanks for coming by this morning but you all don't have to..."
Then with a smile JJ turned to Penelope then back to Derek with a faux stern look.
"Do I have to give you the 'we-are-family', speech too?" She chuckled.
"No." He chuckled. "No, you don't, thanks for the reminder though." He chuckled again.
Just as JJ got to the door, Fran returned, greeting and hugging JJ on her way out. She hurried over to Derek and hugged him and slyly slid the small box in his hand without Penelope noticing. He whispered his thanks, and she then took her place on the other side of the bed.
The three enjoyed a nice visit for the next hour as they continued to wait on news of Derek's discharge. Fran said her goodbyes and left the couple alone to spend some alone time together. Derek beckoned for Penelope to sit next to him on the bed and she did.
"I love you, Penelope Garcia."
"I love you, Derek Morgan."
"I know you think I forgot our conversation last night."
"About the baby?" She asked sheepishly.
"Not just the baby. I asked you a question."
"Derek..."
"Shush." He ordered sternly yet lovingly. "You are my world and to top it off, you're carrying my child, our child." Then taking her hands in his, he continued. "Penelope Garcia, I know without a doubt that I don't deserve you, but in spite of that, will you do me the honor and be my wife?"
"I-I..."
"No, you don't Baby Girl...I'm not asking you because of the baby, I'm asking you because I don't see a future without you. I had it all planned weeks ago."
"You did?"
"Yes, I did. It was the night we broke up."
Penelope pulled her hands from his and got off the bed. She had no idea, he'd managed to keep the secret without her figuring it out, a rare accomplishment to say the least.
"I'm so sorry, Derek. I didn't know."
"There's no reason to be sorry. Please come back over here."
Slowly she did as she was told, resuming her spot on the bed.
"I want to spend the rest of my life making you and our family happy and keeping you safe. I will never cheat on you, okay?"
"I know that; I know that now and I promise to never let my insecurities affect us and our relationship."
"When you feel afraid or you have moments of doubt, I need you to talk to me, okay? You're my life and my reason and I need to know that you are alright."
Penelope nodded as tears began to stream down her face. Gently he wiped them away as he waited for the answer to his question.
"Well, will you marry me?" He asked again.
"Yes, yes I'll marry you!"
She kissed him and he returned the kiss.
"I love you, Derek."
"And I love you Baby Girl."
She watched as he pulled the little black box from under the sheet and then after a second or two, he opened it. She gasped at the size of the stone. Then pulling it from its place he put the ring on her finger and the two smiled and sealed their promise with a kiss.