A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I love that you are all sticking by me on this story and that you're actually enjoying it. I'm having a lot of fun writing it. Here's another update and I hope you all enjoy. Please don't forget to review because it really makes my day.
They stood by his Dad's grave for a bit and then headed towards the center of the cemetery. As they approached an open area Penelope immediately knew he was taking her to visit the graves of the two young men that had lost their lives at the hands of Carl Buford. As they stood by the graves Derek closed his eyes and she could tell he was trying hard to control his emotions. She gently squeezed his hand but remained quiet as she knew there was nothing she could say that would help with the inner battle he still struggled with.
"I ask myself everyday how things might have been different had I spoken up about Carl and what he was doing. I can't help but wonder if they would still be alive today if I had said something." He said.
"Derek, you didn't do this, he did. You were just a little boy." Penelope said.
"So were they Penelope but I'm still here and they aren't." He said.
"You say that as if you don't believe you deserve to be." Penelope said challenging his response.
"Baby girl you don't understand." He said but he cut him off quickly.
"You're right I don't understand and I won't pretend to. Nobody knows what you went through and nobody could understand the feelings you have because we weren't there and we didn't go through it. The fact is you didn't kill these boys HE did. Look at James! You saved him Derek! Because of you that boy has a future to look forward to. THAT'S what you need to focus on. You of all people know that you can't save them all but if you manage to save just one then you call it a good day. How many children was he hurting? Because of you he can't hurt them anymore. YOU did that." Penelope said as she reached up and grabbed his face gently rubbing her thumb against his moist cheek. "You are who you are today not because of what he did but in spite of it. He tried to break you back then and couldn't, please don't let him win now. You need to remember that James and all the boys that found the courage to speak against Buford during his trial did it because of you." She said.
Derek nodded. Unable to speak for fear of losing the little control he was trying to hold on to he wrapped his arms around Penelope and held on tight. Penelope leaned her head against his chest and rubbed tiny circles on his back. After a few minutes Derek placed his hand under Penelope's cheek and lifted her face looking into her eyes he whispered "I love you."
Penelope smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too but if you ever go down that dark road again I'm going to kick your ass." She said and grinned. Derek couldn't help but chuckle.
"You know somehow I believe you would too." He said as he wrapped his arms around her and started to guide her towards the car.
"Never doubt my abilities Angel." She said "A woman in love has no limits."
As they drove to the youth center, they discussed how they would tell the team about the latest developments in their relationship. They both knew that it would take Rossi talking to Strauss in order to get any sort of leeway for their relationship but it was Hotch they needed to inform first.
"I'd rather talk to him in person though." Penelope said.
"Yea me too, we can leave on Friday instead of Sunday and this way we'll have the week end to tell the team too." Derek said.
When they arrived at the center, Sarah, Fran and Desiree were outside. They had been watching the kids play in the playground and catching up on Derek and Penelope. As soon as Derek closed the car door, the twins both noticed him and ran towards him squealing.
"Uncle Derek you're here!!!!!!" They said in unison as they both jumped on up against him.
Derek picked them both up, one on each arm and they hugged him. "When did you get here Uncle Derek? Are you staying long? Can we play in the park?" Were some of the questions they both fired at him. Penelope couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Saturday. Till Friday. YES!!!!" He said answering their questions and then burying his head against their stomachs and giving them both a raspberry.
"Uncle Derek?" Nicole said.
"Yes?" He replied as she leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Who's the pretty lady with the funny earrings?" Nicole asked.
Before answering her question, Derek put both of the twins down. "Hey you two I want you both to meet Penelope."
"Hi Penepony" Nicole said.
"Hi ." Nicolas said not able to pronounce her name and not even trying.
Penelope smiled at both of them. "Hi it's great to finally meet you both your uncle has told me so much about you." She said as she bent down and gave them each a kiss on the cheek.
Nicole reached up and touched her earrings. "These are funny earrings." She said.
"I made them would you like for me to make you a pair too. I can make them to look like any animal you like." Penelope asked.
Nicole smiled and said "I like kittens. Can you make them look like kittens?"
"I sure can. I'll make them for you and send them to your Mom ok?" Penelope said and smiled.
"Ok but tell her that they're for me ok? She likes kittens too and she might want them." Nicole said.
Penelope nodded. "Don't you worry I'll let her know that those are just for you." She said.
"Boys don't wear earrings so mom can have mine." Nicolas said. Derek and Penelope couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey what do you guys say we go over and say hello to Grammy, Aunt D and your Mom? Then after I show Penelope around we can go play for a little bit." Derek asked.
The children agreed and as they started to walk towards the girls, Nicole reached up and grabbed Penelope's hand. This made Penelope smile. She loved children and they always seemed to radiate towards her but never this quickly. When they reached the girls and had all said their hello's Derek had taken Penelope inside for a quick tour. It wasn't a very large center but once Carl Buford was put away and Derek started to help out and support the center they had managed to organize it and actually get some equipment donated. Penelope was impressed with how well kept it was too and noticed that it was being maintained by the young kids of the center. Off to the side of the center there were two offices. One of them was equipped with some desks and file cabinets while the other had a desk inside and all the storage area for the sports equipment. There was one additional room that was rather large with a few desks but didn't look as if it was used for anything other than storage.
"What's that over there?" Penelope asked.
"Right now nothing. We use it store some of the things that are in good shape but we can't use. Someday it'll have a purpose though." Derek said.
"Derek!!!" James said as he spotted then both and walked towards them.
"James!!! How you doing little man?" Derek said as he grabbed him and hugged him.
"Good. Really glad to see you. Did you get my email about college?" James asked.
Derek's face lit up as he smiled. "I sure did James and I am so proud of you. I'm sure you're mom is too." Derek said.
"Yea she was real happy especially since I got a full scholarship. It means we can all move to Virginia and still be together. I'll still have to get a job to help out but she won't have the pressure of paying for school." He said.
"That's great news man. I'm really happy for you. This also means you'll be closer to me now so we can hang out from time to time. Hey James let me introduce you to a very special person in my life, this is my girlfriend Penelope." Derek said.
James extended his hand to shake Penelope's and said "it's nice to finally meet you Penelope. Derek's always talking about you."
"Hey man!! No telling secrets out of school now." Derek protested.
They all laughed and Penelope reached over and kissed James on the cheek. "I've heard a lot about you too. All good things. He's very proud of you." Penelope said and James smiled.
They talked for a few minutes and caught up on the happenings of James' life. When James had explained that his orientation would be June, Derek had invited him to stay with him so it wouldn't cost him any money and James had agreed and thanked Derek.
"Uncle Derek" Nicole said as they all approached them. "Can we go play now?"
Derek shook James' hand and once again pulled him into a hug. "Let me go play with them for a bit or she'll drive us nuts. She's just like her mother." He said and grinned.
"Hey now I can hear you. I'm right here." Sarah said and mocked a hurt look.
"Can Penepony come too?" Nicole asked.
"It's Penelope sweetheart." Sarah corrected her.
"That's what I said Mommy. Penepony." Nicole replied and rolled her eyes at her mother.
Derek grabbed his nephew's hand and started walking towards the playground. "Come on Penepony let's go play." He said laughing.
Penelope chuckled and grabbed Nicole's hand as she followed Derek into the playground.
"Ok Mom you can stop staring at them and planning those grandbabies in your head." Desiree said.
"Hush child. Look at them. They'd be naturals." Fran said smiling.
"Did you guys get the scoop on them yet?" Sarah asked curiously.
"I did." Desiree beamed.
"You better start spilling then while we have the time." Sarah said excitedly.
"You two are exhausting you know that?" Fran said rolling her eyes.
"It's easy for you to say Ma, you already know the story." Sarah said.
"No I don't. Derek hasn't told me yet." Fran said.
"She doesn't know but I do." Desiree said as she gloated.
"How is it that you know and Ma doesn't?" Sarah asked placing her hand on her hip.
"Because my dear sister, I might not have stood in line for patience but I sure as hell double dipped on persistence." Desiree said and grinned.
Fran shook her head and smiled. "Yes you did sweetheart. You're father used to say that he would always wind up saying yes just to keep your mouth shut!"
They all laughed. "So do you want to know what happened?" Des asked.
"Uhh hello?? What do you think?" Sarah said sarcastically.
As Desiree went over the details she had gotten from Derek, Fran watched Derek and Penelope play with the kids. It wasn't surprising that her grandchildren had taken so quickly to Penelope. What did surprise her was how at ease and comfortable she seemed around them. Fran hadn't heard anything Desiree had said until the very end.
"When are you guys going to do this?" Sarah asked.
"Do what?" Fran asked confused.
"If you pay attention Ma you'd know. " Desiree said teasingly. "Derek wants me to help him pick out a ring for Penelope."
Fran's eyes widened and she got teary. "Finally." She said.
"Yea Ma he's finally letting down those walls. I'm really excited about this. I'm finally getting a sister!" Sarah said looking at Desiree and grinning.
"Hmmmf I'll remember that next time you call me and say you need a babysitter." Desiree said.
"It's ok I'll call Penepony!" Sarah said and smiled.