Chap. 18 Decisions

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"I'm so sad to see you leave Penelope." Fran said with a little voice.

"Penelope gathered her in a warm embrace.

"Thanks you so much Fran. It meant a lot to live with you and to be taken care of by you."

"It was my pleasure Penelope. I knew you needed time."

"Yes. I needed time and now it's time for me to go…"

Penelope kissed Sarah and Desiree as well.

"Thank you girls. I'll call you as soon as I reach the destination."

"You better call us." Sarah said joking.

Her bags were already in the car and she walked towards the door.

"Well it's time now." She kissed the three women one more time and quickly climbed into the car. When the driver waved at the women, she did it as well and she saw Fran's house quickly disappearing from her sight.

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"So, we need to talk about the future." She said to the driver.

"Fortunately we have all the drive to talk about it goddess." Derek said glancing at her.

"Thank you for always being there for me Derek. You're so wonderful and your family…." She said with tears in her eyes.

"You already miss them, don't you?"

She nodded and whispered.

"It's not that I don't want to come back in Virginia but all is so confused in my head."

"I understand princess."

"Derek I know that you may expect me to live with you but…"

"That's ok Penelope… I've already made some arrangements."

"What do you mean?"

"I managed to find you a place not far from mine. I have thought hard about all this and I know it's wise to not rush things between us. You were married not a ling time ago…"

Penelope moved by his words asked him to park the case.

"Why? You're not feeling well?" he asked worried."

Penelope just shook her head and threw her arms around his neck before kissing him deeply.

When she pulled away, she was as red as a tomato, if not more.

"Sorry… you're just such a wonderful man and…"

She was interrupted by his lips on hers.

"I would do anything for you Penelope Garcia. I love you."

"Penelope Garcia." She sing-songed. "I love it and I love you too."

She said turning away and letting her hand in his tight.

"Baby Girl you should remove your hand… to not rush things between us." He added when he saw her puzzled look.

She blushed again and looked away shyly. He squeezed her hand and began to drive again.

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Several hours later they arrived to their destination. Derek drove her to her new place which as he had said was not far from his own place.

When Penelope entered the apartment, she began to cry.

"What goddess? You don't like it?" Derek asked with a smile.

"Are you kidding me? It's perfect." She shouted throwing herself in his arms.

She pulled away and checked her surroundings.

"You did this alone?" she asked.

"No…. the guys and girls helped me, as well as my sisters and mom."

"Your mom? You meant that when you came and that she went away for some days, she was here?

"Yes."

"What did I do to deserve such a family?" she wondered loudly.

"Just being you Penelope."

She smiled.

"So you need to show me where everything is…"

He did as she said and soon she was exhausted.

"Penelope go have a shower, I'll cook you something. Then you'll go to bed."

Too tired to protest she obeyed.

Meanwhile Derek cooked her something light to eat and called Hotch.

"So how did she find the place?"

"Perfect."

"So she liked it?"

"How couldn't she LOVE a place painted with purple, pink or red?" he asked chuckling.

"You've got a point here. Have you discussed where you two stand?"

"Yes, we're ok to not rush things. I'm happy we're thinking the same thing."

"That's a wise decision even if I impatient to see Penelope walked down the aisle to you."

"Hotch…" Derek said with a warning voice, but already forming the pleasing images in his mind. He could even see Hotch smiling.

"Well I'll call the others to let them know you're ok."

"Thanks Hotch. I'll see you on Monday."

"Or before, I think that we'll a pa visit to Penelope on Sunday, if she's okay."

"That's a good idea."

"What's a good idea?" Penelope voice said from the door.

"Hotch I got to go… see you on Sunday then."

"Good night Morgan."

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"So what's a god idea?" Penelope said walking towards him with only a robe on.

Derek cleared his throat before being able to speak.

"The team we'll come on Sunday. If you're ok with it, that is."

"Of course!" she said smiling.

She joined him on the kitchen while he was finishing a salad.

"Here it is goddess, now eat."

"Don't you eat?"

"I'll take a little, then when you'll be asleep I'll come back to mine."

"Don't you want to stay?"

"Penelope we have all the time to live together… I don't..."

"I didn't mean…I just wanted some company. It's a new place, I'll be safer with you her with me."

"Oh… Good. That's ok. I'll just bring Clooney here, if you don't mind at all."

"Not at all…I've missed my boy. I don't know if he'll even recognize me."

"He remembers how you smell." He said confidently.

"How so?"

"You left a blouse at mine before you left… so he knows…."

"Oh.

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They finished eating and while Penelope was doing the dishes, Derek went to took Clooney at the sitter and take some clothes.

When he entered Pen's apartment, he found her asleep on the couch. He took her in his arms and carried her in her bedroom. He smiled when she sighed contently. Hr kissed her cheek and went back to the living room.

After a quick shower, he lay on the couch and drifted to sleep with a contented smile on his face.