A/N: I know it's been a looooong time but unfortunately real life has a way of getting in the way and spoiling my fun time with Muse. I apologize for the long delay and can't really say when the next update will come but hopefully it won't take as long as this one. I hope you enjoy this and thanks to all of you that have stuck with it. You're great!
Dinner at the Morgan household was always full of laughter. Desiree and Sarah were constantly teasing Derek, the twins couldn't stay put for longer than 5 minutes at a time so Sarah's husband would run around to grab them and try to settle them down. This time around he did have a little help from Penelope but this only fueled the twins into playing around more. Fran sat back and was content to have all her children in the same room. She looked at each of them as old memories flowed through her mind. I was at times like these that she missed her husband the most. She couldn't help but feel how he was cheated out of all of this. Derek noticed his mother's faraway look and immediately knew where she had gone. He knew that look all too well and understood how she felt. He too missed his father when they all got together and couldn't help but wonder what life would have been like had he still been around.
After dinner was done and dishes had been cleared they all moved to the living room with coffee and talked for the rest of the night. Penelope caught herself a few times thinking about her own siblings and her parents. She wished more than anything that her parents could have met Derek. They would have loved him almost as much as she did. She made a mental note to call her brothers as soon as they returned to Virginia. Spending time with the Morgan girls made her realize that her relationship with them wasn't what it should be and she was determined to try and fix that.
Plans were made for Derek and Penelope's return and the excitement of getting much needed equipment for the Youth Center was the center of conversation. The twins had settled in on Derek and Penelope's lap and when Sarah noticed that they were fast asleep she called it a night.
"That's my queue to go home." Sarah said. "Will we see you guys tomorrow?"
"I have a few things planned but we should be home around 8 or so." Derek said.
"What time is your flight on Friday?" Sarah asked.
"We have to be at the airport by 9. We leave at 11." Derek said.
Sarah walked over to her brother and gave him a huge hug. "I know we'll see you tomorrow but it's so nice to have you around." She said.
"You know I'm always a phone call away Sis." Derek said hugging her tight.
"It's not the same baby brother. We love having you in our day to day lives. "Sarah said.
"I know but you do understand that what I do can only be done out of Quantico." Derek explained.
"I know but it still doesn't make it any easier. I will say this though, I'm glad you're not alone anymore." She said and looked at Penelope.
Penelope smiled.
They all said their goodbyes and Derek walked them down to their car. When he had helped get his niece and nephew strapped in the car he stood by Sarah to give her another hug.
"Thanks." He said
"For what?" Sarah asked.
"For making it so easy with Pen. For making her feel so welcomed." He said.
"Derek, I genuinely like Penelope. I see how the twins interact with her and that's all I need. Besides, she grounds you and I like that. I like who you are with her." Sarah said.
Derek smiled. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." He said and walked back inside the house. Once inside he found his Desiree and Penelope getting the couch ready. "Where's mom?" He asked.
"In the kitchen putting things away. She kicked us both out." Desiree said.
Derek shook his head and laughed. "She's never going to change." He said chuckling.
"Ok you two I will be leaving you alone. I have some studying to do for class tomorrow. "Desiree said and walked into her room.
Derek walked over to Penelope and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him. "You ready to head home yet?" He asked.
Penelope smiled. "I don't know I kind of like it here." She said. "I love spending time with your family."
"I do too but I'm really looking forward to it being just you and me." He said wiggling his eyebrows and grinning.
Penelope couldn't help but smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a gentle kiss. "You do realize that when we get home we have to plan for the get together with the team right?" She asked.
Derek let out a sigh. "You're torturing me woman!" He said and grinned. To prove his point, he pulled her closer to him pressing her body hard against his. She could feel him against her hips and blushed.
"DEREK! This is your mom's house!" She said. Eyes wide open.
"Don't go blaming me! This is all your fault." He said grinning.
"How is that my fault? I didn't do a thing!" She protested.
"You smiled and that's all I need." He said.
"Just a smile huh?" She asked playfully. "That won't be hard."
"That's what you think baby girl." He said as he leaned in to kiss her and pushed against her once more just to remind her. Nothing but a soft moan could be heard coming from Penelope and when they came up for air she whispered "Who's torturing who here?"
"Misery loves company Baby girl." He said and smiled.
The following morning they had both gotten up early and were ready to leave the house by nine. They had made plans with Fran to meet up for lunch and he'd wanted to be able to go by James' house to see his mom. The visit had been short and most of the time was spent trying to ease her concerns about James and college. She was very proud of her son and knew he had worked hard for his scholarship, but their financial situation didn't warrant for too much wiggle room. It wasn't until Derek explained that they could stay at one of his rentals that she seemed to sigh and relax. The realization of what he was offering made her cry tears of joy.
"My boy is going to college and we owe it all to you Derek." She said patting his cheek a little bit harder than he expected. "Your Momma did good." She said.
"Diane, James earned his scholarship. He deserves all the credit. He's a good boy and you should be very proud of what's he's done. He's had a wonderful example in you." Derek said as he grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Say all you want Agent Morgan, but I give credit where credit is due." She said and smiled as she looked over at Penelope. "Hold on to this one honey, he's a keeper."
"Oh I plan to." Penelope said looking at Derek and smiling.
"I'm sorry we can't stay longer, I made plans to meet up with Mom but you have all my contact info. Call me when you guys get the invitation letter so we can make plans. James can stay with me for those days and I'll make sure to go with him." Derek said.
Diane stood up and hugged Derek. "You're just like your Papa you know. Always helping out those in need. I know he's looking down at you right now and smiling." She said.
"Thank you." Derek said. They walked towards the door and said their goodbyes. Once inside the car Derek turned to Penelope and said "You think there's any truth to that?"
"I do because I see it every day. You're always watching out for people." She said.
"No, I mean that my dad is smiling. I often wonder if he's proud." Derek said his voice solemn.
Penelope grabbed his hand in hers and squeezed it. "Derek, of course he's proud. Look at you. Look at all you've done. How can anyone not be proud baby?" She said.
"Do we ever stop wanting their approval?" He asked "I find myself still wanting it even though he's gone."
"I think that when we have good examples we strive for it. I think it's only natural baby." She said.
He pulled her hand towards his lips and kissed it gently. "You always know exactly what to say." He said and smiled. They drove off and met up with Fran for lunch. She had meetings all afternoon so lunch was short and sweet. With the whole afternoon to themselves and knowing that the house would be full at night they opted to go back to the park and enjoy some alone time while they could. Sitting exactly where they sat only days before Derek had laid down and rested his head on Penelope's lap. As she gently stroked his head they talked about talking to the team and their fears about Strauss and the frat rules.
"I think Rossi can handle her but it's up to Hotch too." Derek said.
"Derek, if we can't work together then I'll just find another job. I can work anywhere and do my geek thing." She said.
"I don't want you to give it up. I know it gets to you but I also know you love what you do." Derek said.
"I love the team baby and they aren't going anywhere. I can still keep in touch with them." She said.
"I guess we can cross that bridge when we get to it." He said.
"Derek, what made you decide to open up to me about your feelings?" She asked.
"Emily and a conversation we had at the hospital in NY." He said. "You know Em; she's always ready to tell you what she thinks. She doesn't hold back and she called me on it. We had some words while Hotch was getting my release papers and she hit home. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. I know how long I've felt this way and I've never had the courage to say anything, so I was wondering what made you finally say something." She said.
"Are you having any doubts?" He asked concerned.
"Oh god no. It's just I can't help but think about all the time we've both wasted." She said.
"I don't think we've wasted time really. I know I had to go through some things in my life in order to get where I am now. I don't think that I would have truly appreciated what we have now. Not with the frame of mind I had back then." He said.
Penelope smiled. "Now who knows exactly what to say?"
"I'm just stating the facts Penepony." He said and grinned.
"Baby you do realize that I will have to talk Kevin too right? I need to break things off the right way. I handle that very well." She said.
Derek nodded. "I don't like the idea but I knew you'd want to." He said. "There's one condition though."
"Let me guess, you want to be there." She said.
"In the vicinity yes. I don't think me being right there would make things any easier but I don't want you to be alone with him." Derek said.
"I don't want to be alone with him either but you being there will make things worse." She said.
"I don't have to be in front of him baby, but I want to be within earshot. There is no way I'm letting him near you unless I can get to you quickly." Derek said as he sat up.
She reached over and placed her hand on his cheek. "Baby I know you're concerned but I think we should discuss this with the team as well. Maybe Hotch or Rossi can be there with you or we can do this so the team is around. I know Kevin and he'll stir trouble. I'd like to make sure that he can't create it for you." She said.
He leaned in and kissed her gently. "I love you." He said.
"I love you too." She said and leaned against him.
"We should start heading back. Everyone will be home soon and we still have to pack." He said.
"Five more minutes." She said as she closed her eyes and nuzzled against him. "I want to enjoy the moment and make another memory." She said.