Disclaimer: Now is probably a good time to mention that I don't own a dang thing

A/N I want to thank evgrrl09 for being so awesome and taking the time to fix everything that I send her so you guys can not only read it but understand it. you are amazing! thank you thank you thank you

Derek sat, feeling like he had gotten the wind knocked out of him. He felt like he couldn't get air to his lungs. He kept shaking his head, trying to clear the ringing in his ears. It was all he could hear, and it was so loud it was making him nauseous. He felt light headed and faint. Penelope's words were racing through his brain. She had been pregnant...Penelope had been pregnant? he thought. The realization was enough to make his head snap up, searching her eyes for the answers he sought.

"Oh no, Penelope...tell me you didn't..." He was on his feet, wanting to move but feeling like he was rooted in place . "Penelope," he panted, unable to breathe. "Tell me you didn't keep her from me."

He looked back at Penelope. She was weeping into her hands. Finally, with a burst of adrenaline, he was able to move, and he rushed into the followed Derek stopping in the doorway wanting to give him some space but also wanting to see as he saw Natalie for the first time. As soon as his eyes fell upon the sleeping baby, there was no doubt in his mind that Natalie was his daughter. Gingerly, he picked her up off of the bed and held her up to his face so he could take all of her in. His eyes raked over her sleeping form, taking in every inch of her. The top of her head was covered in a mass of dark curls, and her skin was a shade of café au lait. She had Penelope's nose and lips, but her chin and eyes were all him. He couldn't help but smile.

"You kept her from me, Penelope," he growled, holding his daughter close to his chest. Penelope stood, watching Derek as he studied their daughter's face taking in her every feature. She had wanted this moment for so long, but not like this. It was nothing like the sweet daydreams she had dared hope for. She wasn't even sure what she hoped for, but this wasn't it . She had wanted to be prepared, explain everything to him and make him understand, but now she couldn't find the words. She wanted them to be at Derek's somewhere where they could both take comfort in the familiar surroundings, not in a hotel room in the middle of New York. She knew that he would be hurt and angry and now she was realizing that there was nothing that she could do to change it or make it better.

"I did what I felt was best, Derek," Penelope said, her voice rising slightly, preparing for the attack she knew coming.

Derek kissed Natalie's forehead and gave her one last lingering look before he placed her back on the bed. Truth was, he didn't want to put her down; he wanted to hold her and never let her go. But the emotions that he had raging inside of him, and the words that he needed to get out, were better said away from a child.

He stormed past Penelope and stalked off into the living room. He began pacing, his hands running along the back of his head. His breathing was coming out in angry puffs, and he knew he needed to reel himself in and regain some sense of control. He didn't know what to do with the absolute rage that poured through his veins. All he wanted to do was lash out at Penelope and make her hurt, too.

What the hell was she thinking? Why would she feel the need to keep our daughter from me? he thought.

"What you felt was best? Keeping our baby -my daughter! - away from me? Who the hell are you to decide what is best for my child?" Penelope went to interrupt him, but he didn't stop to give her a chance to speak. "What would make you think she was so much better without me? What could possibly keep you from telling me about her?"

"I'm her mother. I had every right to make the decision that I felt was best for her," Penelope yelled.

"Newsflash Penelope: I am her father, and I should have been told. I had a right to know." He let out a groan of frustration. "Did you think I would just reject her and run?" Derek was all but roaring at her now.

Just then, Fran came bursting through the hotel room door. "Derek, what in the world is going on in here? I can hear you yelling clear down the hall!"

Derek saw the look of shock on Fran's face when her eyes fell on Penelope, but there was something else there. He could have sworn it was understanding like suddenly everything made sense, but the look was gone the next instant when told them that she was going to put her bags in her room and would be back shortly.

Derek looked at Penelope he could see she was trying to regain control of her emotions. Before she even opened her mouth he knew she was going to try and calm him, reason with him but for now he wanted no part of it.

Penelope took a deep breath and began to speak. "Derek I-"

"Save it, Penelope," Derek growled, shaking his head. "I don't think I can ever forgive you for this. I had no idea that you had this side to you. I wonder if I ever really knew you at all. You aren't at all the woman I thought you were . He shoved open the balcony door and stepped outside, letting the evening air cool down his fire-hot skin How could she? How dare she? he thought. Closing his eyes, all he could see was Natalie's sweet face she didn't even know he existed and with that thought his tears began to fall.

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As Derek stepped outside, Penelope dropped to the couch her tears came. She felt the couch dip and turned to look into Fran's questioning eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but words failed her. Fran reached out and took Penelope's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Penelope?" Fran asked. "Where's the baby?"

Penelope looked up at her and whispered, "Derek's room."

"Don't you think it's time to introduce us?" Penelope offered Fran up a weak smile and Fran reached out for her hand "Come on introduce me to her ."

As they neared the bedroom door Penelope stopped and turned to Fran and pulled her into a fierce hug.

Fran hugged her back. "I promise you whatever happens, we will be okay."

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Derek stood outside on the balcony, listening to his mother ask Penelope about the baby. How did Fran even know about Natalie? Had she been in on the deceit, too? He shook his head. No, there was no way his mother would have agreed to keep something like this from him. His thoughts wandered ,he knew Penelope, she was his best friend and she loved him, she would never willingly hurt him like this . He knew there had to be more a lot more going on. The only way he was going to get the answers he needed was to do the one thing that he didn't know if he could do: he was going to have to talk to Penelope.

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Derek followed them to the bedroom and stood in the doorway he watched as Penelope scooped up a still sleeping Natalie and held her tight placing a kiss on her forehead. As she turned to face, Fran her eyes met with Derek's. He watched as she walked past Fran and handed him Natalie. "You should really do the honors," she whispered. She then walked past him and out of the bedroom closing the door behind her.

Fran looked at Derek, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh, Baby Boy," she whispered.

"Mom," Derek choked out as tears filled his eyes. "I'd like to introduce you to Natalie..your granddaughter."