Chap. 3 The dinner part 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Mind
Penelope didn't sleep much that night; she kept replaying the dinner in her mind.
How she couldn't help but look at Pearl.
"I could have been her, if I was thinner." She thought.
Flashback
Fran came back from the kitchen followed by her two daughters. She sensed that the two couples were uncomfortable.
"It's dinner time."
Everyone gathered around the table. Fran was in one extremity; Penelope, her husband and Sarah were on one side, Derek, Pearl and Desiree on the other side.
Penelope couldn't stare in front of her without meeting Pearl's eyes on her. Was she dreaming or this girl looked like her, in a thinner version? Same blond curls, warm brown eyes, if she dressed like her, she could be called Penelope.
***************************************************************************
Derek was staring intently at Chris Smith; he was really astonished to see that extremely handsome black man as Penelope husband. Not because he was handsome but rather because he was black, he knew that Penelope didn't mind if the man was white, black or green but she usually dated white men and now…
He didn't realize he was deep in thought; it was when Pearl patted his arm that he woke up.
"Yes?"
"Derek, you're ok?" Fran asked faintly worried.
"Yeah Mom. Excuse me… I was just thinking." He replied lamely.
***************************************************************************
The dinner went rather well at the beginning, Chris and Pearl talking about the conference or medicine stuff; Fran and her daughters asking Penelope questions about her new life her wedding among other things.
Penelope was feeling at home like the many others times she had been there with Derek. She had always felt welcomed in the Morgan's family. By leaving the team and Derek she had lost a part of that feeling; being a part of a family was so good. Chris had no family, so she had only him left and the girls.
In that moment she felt the impact of her leaving. The sadness overwhelmed her and she quickly got up.
"Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom."
Derek and Chris instinctively got up. Chris stared at the FBI agent suspiciously and Derek sat down.
Chris waited several seconds before heading towards the bathroom. He knocked at the door.
"Honey, you're alright?"
"Yes, don't worry. I'm coming."
"Ok, we're waiting for you." He said before returning in the living room.
***************************************************************************
Penelope splashed some water on her face. Then she waited several minutes and left the bathroom.
"I'm sorry, I was feeling unwell." She said apologetically.
"You're ok? You're a little flushed." Fran asked.
"Yes I'm ok, I feel a little nauseous that's all."
"You're not pregnant?" Sarah asked and immediately berated herself when she saw the look full of sadness of Penelope.
"No, I'm not pregnant." She said with a little voice.
They all witnessed how Chris put his arm around her shoulders.
"Maybe we should come back to the hotel honey."
"Yes you're right. I'm sorry Fran." She said.
"That's ok, you can come another day."
"I'm sorry but we're going back to California in two days."
"Well at least come to say goodbye. Derek and Pearl also leave in two days."
"I'll try it." She said looking briefly at Derek.