A/N: Thank you all for continuing to stick to this story. I haven't been able to update in a while. A combination of a busy schedule and a bit of writer's block. I hope you enjoy this chapter and hopefully Muse will continue to cooperate with me. ( She has such an attitude sometimes ) Thx for the wonderful reviews as always, they really make my day
Penelope and Fran had finished getting dinner ready and both headed to take a shower and get ready. Derek and the girls walked into the house just as Fran was coming out of her bedroom.
"Ma something's smelling real good up in here." Derek said smiling.
Fran smiled at her son. She knew his favorite meal was Lasagna and she and Penelope had prepared it for him. "I'm glad you like it. I hope you enjoy the taste even more." Fran said. "Derek can I speak to you for a moment please?" Fran said as she walked back towards her room.
"Ohhhh you're in trouble!" Sarah teased.
"Sure Ma I'll be right in." Derek said as he flashed Sarah a grin. "You're just jealous cuz you know she loves me best." He said as he followed his Mother.
"Baby close the door and come sit by me." Fran said.
When Derek sat next to his mother he said "Ma is everything ok?"
"Yea Baby everything's fine. I wanted to talk to you about something. Many years ago Nana had given me some things that she had wanted you three to have. She had been very specific with her wishes and I've honored them. Sarah knows because she was the first to get married and there was a little something from Nana for her to use on that day. I asked Sarah not to mention anything because Nana wanted this to be a surprise so I ask the same of you. Do not tell Desiree because her time hasn't come yet. "Fran said as she got up from the bed and walked over to her dresser. She opened up one of the draws and pulled out a box. "Nana wanted you to have this." She said as she handed the box to Derek.
When Derek opened it he immediately recognized it as being Nana's engagement ring. "Ma I can't take this." He said.
"Derek she wanted you to have it. Her wedding band set was three pieces. Remember she had two matching eternity rings and this engagement ring. She left the eternity rings to Sarah and Desiree and she left the engagement ring to you. She said those rings had seen years of happiness and love and she hoped that they would bless your marriages as well." Fran said.
"Ma this is beautiful I can't believe she did that." Derek said as he looked at the ring.
"I wanted to give this to you now before you went shopping with Des. If you don't want to use that as your engagement ring it's ok. I just wanted you to know that you had that here." Fran said.
"Penelope is going to love this. Can I tell her the story behind it?" Derek asked.
"Yes but you have to tell her she can't say a thing about it. Des can't know until she gets married." Fran said.
"You do realize she's going to be mad at me for not taking her shopping right?" Derek said.
"I'm sure you'll be able to handle that." Fran said. "You've always had a way with Des."
"Thanks Ma." Derek said as he reached over to hug his mother.
"When were you planning on asking her?" Fran asked.
"I don't know Ma. We're heading back sooner than I thought. We'll be leaving Friday. I'm not sure if I'll ask her here or back home." Derek explained.
"Why are you guys leaving Friday?" Fran asked.
Derek explained to his mother the rules at the BAU and the fact that they both felt they needed to talk to the team but most importantly to Hotch. "I know that Rossi can work out the details with the director but we felt it was important to give them a heads up. I thought maybe I'd ask once it was all taken care of." Derek said.
"As much as I hate to see you guys go I can understand." Fran said.
"Don't worry Ma, we'll be back in two weeks anyway to set up those computers. Besides if I do it back home I can tell Des that I bought the ring there." Derek said grinning.
"Chicken" Fran teased.
"Naaaa I'm just being proactive. Besides, mama didn't raise no idiot." He said and smiled.
"No she didn't!" Fran replied and kissed her son. "Why don't you go shower and get ready for dinner."
Derek got up and walked to the door. "Thanks again Ma." He said and then went to take a shower.
Penelope had come out of the room and was sitting with Sarah and Desiree in the living chatting about the Youth center. Sarah and Desiree were excited about all the new possibilities this equipment would bring.
"We can contact the local colleges and see if there are any professors that are willing to volunteer some time teaching." Sarah said.
"If we get some, we could also contact the local employment agencies. I'm sure they'd be willing to send over folks that need to brush up on their skills." Desiree said.
"Don't you two think you are getting ahead of yourselves here? The equipment hasn't even arrived and you're already setting up schedules and partnerships." Fran said as she entered the room.
"Ma with the equipment there we can have these programs." Sarah said.
"Honey, I'm sure we could but we need to get the equipment first and then figure out how to best use it." Fran said.
"I think your Mom's right. First you need to plan on how you're going to set this up and how you'll schedule it then you can start setting up some sort of program. I think you need to help the kids that have made the Youth Center home first then we can always build on that." Penelope said.
"I think we need to start small and take baby steps." Fran said.
"Once you get a feel for how the kids in the center react then you grow from there. I'm sure that once you've made a name for yourselves it'll all just flow." Penelope said. "Asking the local professors though is a wonderful idea. It wouldn't be a lot of time they'd need to volunteer, classes can be once a week even.
"You all planning on taking over the world or are we going to have dinner." Derek said as he walked into the room.
"Is that all you ever think about Derek? Eating?" Desiree asked.
"Hey, I could smell that Lasagna down the hall. It's calling my name!" Derek said.
"Isn't Frank coming with the kids?" Penelope asked.
"In a little while but he told me not to wait on dinner for him. You two tired the kids out so much they were still sleeping." Sarah said.
"They're great kids Sarah. I had so much fun with them today." Penelope said and smiled.
Derek walked over to Penelope and placed his arm around her. "Slow down baby girl I see where this is going." He said with a grin.
Penelope smiled at Derek. "What can I say; I'm a sucker for Derek Morgan Sr. Can you imagine a Jr?" She said chuckling.
Derek kissed the top of her head and said "DJ hmmm I like the sound of that." And smiled.
"Ohhhh I feel some more grandbabies coming on soon." Fran said smiling.
"Not too soon Mom, I'd like to enjoy a little one on one time first." Derek said grinning.
The comment caused Penelope to blush and he quickly wrapped her in his arms and kissed her gently. "I have 5 years to make up for princess and make up for them I will." He said smiling.
"Ok you two it's getting a little too mushy mushy in here." Desiree said with a smile.
"You can come help me in the kitchen to get things ready." Fran said as she grabbed Desiree's arm and then Sarah's. "You too." And walked them both into the kitchen.
Derek was still holding Penelope and he pulled her close to him. "Have I told you how much I love you today?" He asked as he planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"Yes but I'll never grow tired of hearing." She said smiling up at him.
"I'll never grow tired of saying it." He said and then kissed her again.