Shades Of Gray-Ch 11
About an hour later Derek and the others walked back into the hospital ER and were met by Fran, Derek allowed the tears to finally fall again as he felt his mom pull him into her loving arms. She ran her hand up and down his back and said, "it's going to be alright baby boy, they are both going to be fine".
Dave said, "how long have you been here"?, she said, "not long and before you ask their has been no change in either of our girls", Derek sighed and said, "thanks for being here ma". Fran said, "their is no other place I'd rather be honey and your sisters will be here soon, their flight lands in a few hours".
Derek said, "their flight"?, Fran said, "they went to Chicago for Anthonys birthday party yesterday", Derek said, "right, right, I completely forgot about that". Fran said, "no need to worry honey, you have had a lot on your mind", Derek nodded his head yes in agreement as the family all sat down in the waiting room.
Emily said, "I wonder how much longer it's going to be before we find out something about Penelope or the baby"?, no sooner had those words left his lips before Karen walked over and said, "excuse me Mr. Morgan"?, Derek jumped up and said, "yes", she smiled and said, "I just got a call from the NICU and if you would like to you can go up and see your daughter now".
He smiled and said, "thank you Karen and please call me Derek", she grinned and said, "I'm afraid that for right now only two can be in the NICU nursery". Dave looked at his wife and said, "Bella you go with your son, he needs you now", the team all nodded their heads yes in agreement.
Derek smiled and said, "thanks guys" before him and his mother turned around to follow Karen but Derek turned around and said, "if their are any changes or any news on baby girl". Reid said, "don't worry we'll come find you", Derek sighed and ran his hand over his head before falling back in line behind Karen and his mom as they headed down the hall toward the elevators that leaded to the NICU.
In the waiting room JJ looked at Reid and said, "what are Penelopes chances Spence"?, Reid intertwined fingers with his wife and said, "right now less than 50% but each hour that she survives only raises those chances". Hotch sat back in his seat and said, "I still can't believe this has happened, it was only 24 hours ago that we were all happy and living our lives and now we have two of our own, two of our family members fighting for their lives".
Emily looped her arm through his and said, "PG is a fighter and she's going to fight with all that's in her to come back for Derek and their daughter and well that little girl is part Derek and part Penelope so we know that she's a fighter too". Hotch smiled and kissed her lips gently and said, "I love you Em", she winked at him and said "I love you to Aaron" as she then laid her head down on his shoulder as they continued to wait on news of Penelope.
After putting on their sterile hospital gowns and masks Derek and Fran were escorted into the nursery, Derek followed the nurse over to the incubator and she said, "here she is, here is your little girl". As they looked down at the tiny baby Dereks heart raced, she was so small and she had tubes all over her.
The nurse said, "my name is Jackie and I'm your daughters nurse", Derek said, "how is she, how is my daughter"?, Jackie said, "your daughter weighed in at 4 lbs 6 oz and was 17 inches long, she's a fighter that one". Derek smiled and said, "just like her momma" and Jackie said, "right now she's stable".
Fran said, "what are all of those tubes surrounding my granddaughter"?, Jackie said, "some of them are meds that help her lungs, she is hooked up to oxygen and she is also getting some antibiotics and other meds to help her body where she was born almost 6 weeks early".
Derek said, "have you decided on a name for your daughter"?, Derek shook his head and said, "nothing definite, not yet but just as soon as my wife wakes up and is able we'll pick a name for our little angel". Jackie smiled and said, "not a problem", she then looked at Derek and said, "I'm going to go right over there" as she pointed at the desk and then she said, "I want to give you and your mom some time to bond with the baby".
Fran said, "how long will it be before we can hold her"?, Jackie said, "that will probably be a few days but you can reach through these holes and touch her if you'd like". Derek said, "are you sure it's alright"?, Jackie nodded her head and said, "I'm sure, she's a strong little girl and right now she needs human contact, so touching her is more than fine".
Derek went to one side of the incubator and Fran the other and they reached their hands through the holes in the incubator and Derek said, "hey there princess I'm your daddy". Fran said, "and I'm your nana Fran and we both love you so so much", Derek said, "that we do little one, that we do".
As he gently touched her he smiled and said, "and your mommy loves you, she can't come and see you right now because mommy isn't feeling good but when she's feeling better their isn't going to be anything or anybody that will stop her from seeing you", he reached up with his other hand and wiped away the tears that were streaming down his face.
Fran smiled and said, "she's beautiful", Derek nodded his head and said, "just like her mommy", Fran sighed happily and then all of the attention then went back to the beautiful little fighter in the incubator in front of them.