Lean On Me-Ch 16
Epilogue- 7 Months Later
Penelope collapsed on the pillows as the contraction finally ended, she said, "how much longer, how much longer"?, the doctor said, "not much longer now Penelope". Derek wiped her forehead and kissed her lips and said, "you're doing great sweetness, just great", she smiled up at him tiredly and said, "I love you hotstuff".
He smiled and said, "and I love you baby girl", over the past 7 months Fran had regained all of her strength and about 5 months ago she started dating Dave. A fact that at first bothered Derek but when he saw how happy she was and how much they were in love he happily approved and 3 months ago Dave and Fran got married in a romantic ceremony.
Penelope was so happy for Fran because after everything she had been through she was glad to see her happy, she was then pulled from her thoughts as another contraction hit her body. She grabbed Dereks hand and squeezed as she pushed and pushed and pushed and when she heard the cries of her baby fill the room she stopped pushing and collapsed against the pillows again.
Derek and Penelope then watched as the doctor held the baby up and said, "dad would you like to cut the cord"?, he nodded his head and said, "yes please". She said, "just cut between the clamps", after doing what he was told the doctor held up the baby and said, "here you go mommy, here's your daughter".
Tears of joy ran down Penelopes face as she looked down at her beautiful daughter, Derek kissed the top of his daughters head and said, "now I have two baby girls to love". Penelope looked up at him and said, "look hotstuff, look what we did", he said, "we did good didn't we sweetness"?, she nodded her head and said, "we did, we did".
Penelope said, "I just wish that our family could have been here", Derek said, "me to but unsubs don't care that we had a baby" as he kissed the top of her head. She said, "and your mom and sisters"?, Derek said, "momma said that she was so sorry that she had to miss the birth of her first grandchild but she said that she would be here for the next one".
Penelope said, "next one huh"?, Derek kissed her lips and said, "yeah and the one after that and the one after that", Penelope said, "slow down hotstuff, this little one here is only a few minutes old so please let me rest for a while". He laughed and said, "of course goddess but I can't wait to get back to practicing for another one".
She sighed happily and said, "neither can I handsome, neither can I", the nurse walked over and said, "I need to take her and get her cleaned up". Derek pulled his camera out and snapped a few pictures and said, "if I don't send pictures momma will have my hide", the nurse laughed as she carried the baby across the room to get her cleaned up.
As the doctor got Penelope sewed up Penelope said, "we need to pick a name for her", Derek said, "I've been thinking about that and I have the perfect name for her". Penelope sighed happily and said, "and what name is that"?, Derek said, "I was thinking about Grace Francine Morgan, that way she can be named after the two strongest women I've ever met".
Penelope wiped away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks and said, "awwww I love it", she kissed his lips gently and said, "and I love you". He said, "and I love you", she said, "I love that name, I think it fits her, don't you"?, he nodded his head and said, "I do sweetness, I certainly do".
Derek said, "I better send these pictures", she watched as he sent the pictures with the caption, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY GRACE FRANCINE MORGAN". Penelope then smiled as she looked up and saw the nurse carrying the baby back over to her, when the little bundle was in her arms she kissed her chubby little cheek and said, "welcome to the world Grace Francine Morgan".
As she looked into her daughters little face she said, "we love you so much little one, so so much and we want you to know that you can always, always lean on me and your daddy". Derek kissed the top of his daughters head and said, "always baby girl, always", as they sat there holding their little angel Penelope looked at Derek and grinned.
He said, "I know that look", she reached up and wiped away a tear and said, "everything happens for a reason", he nodded his head and said, "that it does". Derek then said, "if you hadn't been here for me to lean on none of this would have happened, none of it", she kissed his lips gently and said, "you can lean on me forever".
He grinned lovingly at her and said, "the same goes for me baby girl, forever and ever" he then leaned in and kissed her lips every so sweetly and said, "I love you". She winked at him and said, "and I love you", they both looked down at the sleeping Grace and said in unison, "and we both love you".
THE END