A/N: Thx for the wonderful reviews. You guys have no idea how much they help. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
When Des returned from school she found both her Mother and Sister sitting in the kitchen. "Hey what's going on?" she said.
"Hi baby how was school?" Fran asked as she got up and served Des a cup of coffee.
"Non eventful just like the Morgan information highway." Des said giving Sarah a look. "Nothing new to tell."
"For the love of god let it go!" Sarah said.
Fran couldn't help but laugh at her daughter. "Are you still harping on their relationship?" she asked.
"I just want to know is all. Wait! You said relationship! You know something Ma… spill it!" Des said as she sat down.
Fran placed the cup in front of Des and sat down. "I don't know anything and you need to leave it alone." Fran said sipping some coffee.
"Des what's really bothering you about all this." Sarah asked. "I've never seen you this way."
"Nothing is bothering me. I just don't like that he's not being upfront about things. Where are they anyway?" Des asked.
"He had plans for the day. He said they would be back late." Fran said. "And why do you say he's not being upfront? You know Derek has always been very private about things. He'll tell us what we need to know if there's anything to tell."
"You guys didn't see what I saw last night. There's a lot of this story we don't know. I just think that if he's in a relationship he'd want to share that with his family instead of keeping us outside the wall." Des said adamantly.
"Desiree you're jealous!." Sarah exclaimed.
"I am not!" Des protested.
"You're upset because you feel that you're being left out. I get it now!." Sarah said.
"You don't know what you're talking about. It has nothing to do with that. I like Penelope and I hope they are getting together. But he's different on this trip and I can't quite put my finger on it. Every time he comes he goes to the cemetery before he even gets here. He makes it a point to go to the Youth Center right away. He calls James. He's done none of these things. He has a routine he's not sticking to and you both know if anything Derek is predictable when it comes to his routines." Des said.
"How do you know he hasn't? Have you been spying on him?" Sarah asked.
"Of course not! I ran into James on my way home and he happened to mention that he didn't know Derek was in town." Des said smugly.
"Oh he just happened to mention that huh?" Sarah said sarcastically.
Des just gave Sarah another look and sighed.
"Des you just need to be patient with your brother. He's trying to work through some things. He'll come around you'll see." Fran said.
"You DO know something Ma what is it?" Sarah said.
"See!!! I told you!" Des said excitedly. "Spill it Ma!"
"How would you two like it if I went around telling all of your secrets?" Fran said taking another sip of coffee and looking at both of her daughters over the rim of the cup. Des and Sarah both instantly grabbed their cups and sipped some coffee. Neither of them willing to say another word. "I thought so." Fran added and smiled. "By the way Des, Penelope will be sleeping in Derek's room tonight. She has the same nightmares that Derek has and she was afraid to wake you. I think she was a little embarrassed so please do not make a fuss about it."
"Why would I make a fuss about it? It's just two "friends" helping each other out right?" Des said the sarcasm in her voice clear.
"How old are you?" Sarah said getting a little annoyed with Des' reaction.
"Stop it you two. Derek has always been very supportive of you both and I fully expect you to do the same for him. Now Desiree I understand your feelings but you will have to trust your brother and let it go. This week is not about us it's about him." Fran said.
"Yes ma." Desiree said. "I'm sorry."
"Me too Ma. I guess we're so used to it being just the three musketeers that anything that threatens to change that is hard to accept." Sarah said.
"You three have always had a very special relationship and that's not going to change. It didn't when you got married Sarah and it won't if anything develops with Penelope. " Fran said. "Now let's get dinner ready."
As the Limo drove around, Penelope took in the sites. She was amazed at the beauty of the Chicago skyline. The calmness of the water and the reflection of the now orange sky as the sun began to set. The ride was quiet as they both reflected on the day and their conversations. Penelope felt relieved that she was finally able to open up to Derek about Kevin. She had missed their closeness and her ability to tell him anything. She felt the weight of the world had been lifted from shoulders and that she had been given a second chance with her best friend. He was definitely the man of her dreams but she knew that he would always be at arm's length. She was willing to accept that. Having him at arm's length was better than not having him at all.
Derek on the other hand knew he wanted more. He was glad that she had taken the step to break it off with Kevin and even happier that she had confided in him about the relationship. As much as he hated hearing about it, he was glad that she knew it was over and was sure about it. More than ever he was adamant about not letting this chance get away. He had taken a back seat to Kevin but never again. He was in love her and he was going to show her. There was no way he was going to let her get away again.
The Limo pulled up and stopped in front of the docks. The limo driver opened up the door for them to step out and Derek, who was the first to get out extended his hand to grab Penelope's and help her. Once out of the car however, he didn't release her hand but instead guided her down the dock towards one of the slips. They stopped in front of a yacht that was appropriately named One to Remember. The Captain came out to greet them and it was obvious to Penelope that this was yet another person from Derek's past. After the usual greeting Derek introduced Penelope to Captain Luke. Captain Luke had been a football buddy of Derek's since his Junior High days and his partner in crime. After high school Luke had joined the Marine's and after retiring and a making a few successful investments, he had purchased a boat rental company that was very successful.
Penelope was admiring the Yacht when Luke had offered to give her a tour. Once onboard Penelope was amazed at what she saw. There was an inside cabin with all of the amenities of a home. A small kitchen, a living room, a bathroom and a bedroom. The cabin was completely air conditioned and had a spiral staircase that led up to a second level open balcony. Once there she saw a bar to the corner and a table completely set for two. A waiter appeared with a tray and two glasses filled with champagne. He offered the glasses to Penelope and Derek and announced that dinner would be served within the hour.
"I can't believe you did this." Penelope said still amazed by what she was seeing.
Derek smiled at her and leaned in to place a kiss on her temple. "I'm glad you like it baby."
"Like it? OMG Derek I don't know what to say?" She said.
"We'll be leaving the slip in 5 minutes, I'll leave you two for now. Just let us know if there is anything you need." Captain Luke said as he walked away.
"I hope you don't mind but I thought that if we ate out here we'd be able to enjoy the sunset more. I can have them set it up inside if you prefer though." Derek said.
"Angel this is perfect." She said as she walked towards the railing. The yacht started to pull out of its slip slowly and she watched as the dock started to pull away. Derek came up behind her his body barely up against hers, "Does he even know what he does to me?" She thought to herself.
"This day has been amazing Derek thank you." She said.
"It's not over yet baby." He whispered.
"I can't believe you did this?" She said.
"Pen today has been all about a stroll down memory lane. I loved sharing that with you." He said as he placed his finger on her chin and raised her face he looked into her eyes and said "I thought what better way to end the night then to share something that neither of us has done. I wanted to create to a new memory one that included you and me. One that we could both look back on together." He said.
They stared into each other eyes not saying a word. Derek broke the silence by lifting his glass to hers and saying "Here's to the new memories still to come."
Penelope couldn't help but smile as she took a sip of the champagne. Her thoughts going wild in her head. Something felt different. Not bad different but good different. Something was changing and for the first time in her life she wasn't going to resist it.