Wow! Thank you guys for the response. The reviews made me want to write faster so I can update as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

I do not own anything that has to do with Criminal Minds :(

Mistakes are mine.

...

The next couple of days that's how they spent their day. After Alvez was done at the BAU he and Penelope organized the house and the second bedroom and at the end of the day they would take turns cooking while spending time and bonding with Marcello. They were comfortable around each other but still bickered every now and then. Their conversations could last hours and their flirtation just kept getting better and better.

It was the end of the week and Penelope was cooking pasta while she glanced at Alvez holding Marcello. She licked her lips because he looked so desirable holding Marcello and dancing salsa with him.

"Come on Chica dance with us!" Alvez said with the biggest smile.

"The sauce will burn Newbie." She said annoyed but secretly happy he was asking her to join them. They truly did look like a family and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Put it on low and shake your booty with us!" He grinned at her.

She did just that. She turned both pots on low and joined her two favorite boys. She laughed as she danced salsa with Alvez and she leaned in to kiss Marcello's cheek. "Hi cutie."

There was a knock on the door and the two of them looked at each other and then at the door.

Penelope turned off the music and rushed to the door. She looked at her outfit trying to smooth any wrinkles and took a deep breath.

"You look beautiful." Alvez couldn't hold back saying.

Penelope looked at him and smiled. Somehow that gave her the courage to open the door and face whatever she was going to face next.

"Penelope?" The lady in a black business suit asked.

"Yes."

"My name is Allison I'm with CPS."

"You're early." Penelope said as she shook the lady's hand.

"May I come in?" Allison asked.

"Yes I apologize. Come in." Penelope moved to the side and let her in.

"I'm Luke nice to meet you." He said as she shook her hand.

"And this must be Marcello." Allison smiled.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Luke asked.

"I'm okay thank you." Allison said.

"I'll show you around." Penelope said already knowing how these things worked.

Allison wrote on her clipboard as she took a look around the family room, the dining room, the kitchen and then to Marcello's room. Clearly she could tell he was loved in this home. Then the three adults moved to the family room again. Allison sat on the love seat and Luke still holding Marcello and Penelope sat on the longer couch.

"Let's cut to the chase cause I know you are anxious to know." Alison said and waited to see if they both would say anything but when they stayed quiet she continued, "Marcello's mother will be prosecuted for abandoning her child. She didn't even fight us when we found her. Now you Penelope have shown initiative and taken responsibility towards Marcello while things were needed to be resolved. You have your whole team backing you up and you seem fit to take care of Marcello." Allison saw Penelope and Luke face relax a bit happy to hear the news. "But Marcello's father wants him back. He claims he didn't know what was going on and there's no evidence against him that says otherwise."

"Oh." Penelope said as she tried holding back her tears.

"There's a few things that have to happen first before we just give Marcello back to his father so in the meantime he'll stay with you."

Penelope let out a breath she was holding in. "Do you know how long that will take?"

"It could take a couple of weeks or it could take months." Allison said seriously.

"Okay, so what does she need to do while she waits?" Luke asked.

"Just keep doing what you were already doing. Marcello looks healthy and happy. I'm not worried leaving him here with you until things get straighten out. In paper you are officially his foster mom but I'm sure you were already since day one." Allison said with a smile. "I just need you to sign here and here and he's yours until Marcello's father checks out."

Penelope signed the papers and the three of them stood up. They walked to the door and opened it.

"I know you hoped to adopt him so I am very sorry it didn't workout that way." Allison said.

Penelope's eyes widened shocked to hear her say that. "How did you know? I never told anyone and I've just started to admitted to myself."

Allison smiled warmly. "I've been doing this for 30 years. I could see it in your eyes and I could feel it the moment I walked into the house."

"Oh." Penelope said softly.

"I really am sorry you can't adopt him." Allison said even though she knew she shouldn't have said that since it was professional.

"This is better than not having him at all." Penelope said. "Thank you anyways Allison."

"We'll keep in touch. Have a good night guys." Allison said and walked towards her car.

Luke closed the door and in seconds Penelope had taken Marcello from Luke's arms in a warm embrace. She finally let the tears run as she walked to her bedroom. Luke was going to follow her when the smoking alarm started going off. He sighed and went to see if he could save dinner. He looked at the pots and nope no such luck. He grabbed his phone and ordered take out.

Penelope sniffed as she held Marcello against her chest. She loved this boy so much already and thinking of the day she would have to say goodbye to him forever broke her heart. She really wanted to adopt Marcello and be his real mom not just foster mom. There was always a chance that this would happen but she was so happy with him that she didn't even consider the fact that the father was in the picture. She took a deep breath and sniffed again. She kissed Marcello's forehead and inhaled his baby scent. God I love you so much.

Alvez looked from the door and knocked lightly. "I ordered take out." He said as he walked in and sat next to her. He saw her lean her head against his shoulder and sighed. "I'm sorry about all this Pen."

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don't think I'm eating tonight though. I'm tired and I want him to sleep with me tonight." She said.

"Okay."

Penelope got ready for bed and made a small circle of pillows so Marcello would be safe from falling off the bed. Alvez watched as Penelope watched Marcello until exhaustion won over. He walked up to her and pulled the covers over her body and wanted to kiss her forehead but decided against it. He walked to the other side and kissed Marcello's head. Alvez turned the lights off and walked away.

...

Penelope opened her eyes slowly and when she looked to check on Marcello he wasn't there. She looked around confused and then walked to his bedroom. He wasn't in his crib. When she walked out to the main area of the house her heart started beating fast and couldn't help but smile. Alvez was sleeping on the couch with Marcello sleeping on top of his naked chest. Wow. He looked amazing and sexy and... frack she needed to cool down.

She walked to the kitchen. She was hungry cause she hadn't eaten dinner the night before so when she opened the fridge she saw the take out food he had ordered. She served some on a plate and put it in the microwave. When it stopped and made the beep sound she heard movements and looked over her shoulder. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's okay." Alvez said holding Marcello and gave him to Penelope.

"Good morning my prince." Penelope smiled and kissed Marcello's cheek.

"Baby boy here started crying around 5am and I thought best to let you sleep so I picked him up and must have fallen asleep." Alvez said.

"Newbie can you please put on a shirt?" Penelope asked as she blushed.

Alvez smirked. "Is it distracting you?"

She rolled her eyes and brought the food to the dining room table. "Don't you have to go into work today?"

"We don't have a case so I'm all yours." He smirked.

Damn those words got to her and inappropriately turned her on. "Oh okay."

He chuckled and went to put on his shirt. "Wanna go to the park today?"

"Yea let's do that." She said.

"Let's stop at my place so I can change and pick up Roxy." He said as he got a plate as well.

"I can't wait for Roxy to meet him." Penelope said as she took a bite.

...

Penelope pushed the stroller while Alvez walked Roxy. Roxy was so well behaved that he let her off the leash and let her run around them. Penelope smiled seeing Roxy so happy.

"Chica what's that smile?" He asked knowingly.

"Nothing. I'm just happy." She smiled.

Alvez smiled but then noticed her expression change. "What?"

"Luke I really appreciate your help with Marcello and all you've done this week helping me adjust but don't you have other stuff to do?" She asked. "What about your dates, love life and just..."

"P, I haven't gone out on a date in a while and all I do is got to work and take care of Roxy. I really don't mind helping you with Marcello." He wanted to say something else and was thinking if he should or not. To hell with it. "Actually besides taking care of Roxy, spending time with you both is the highlight of my day." He said nervously.

Penelope smiled and blushed a little. "If you're sure."

"I am." He reassured her. He watched her walk and couldn't help but admire her backside. Those curves drove him crazy especially at night.

"Newbie you coming?" Penelope asked looking over her shoulder.

I will tonight. He shook his head and caught up with her.

Damn he was checking her out and that made her insides melt once again. What was going on between them and how come they couldn't talk about it? Oh yea cause they were both in denial. Duh!

It was 4pm when they finally went back to the house.

...

TBC

Till next time!