This is the last chapter. Thank you for all the reviews and alerts for the support that you all gave me. As always I don't own any of them only the idea for this story.
Three years later.
The Honorable Jack Staples picks up the pale lilac colored envelope and reads his name, the print is professional and in a darker shade of lilac. An invitation to a wedding reception in Virginia, Quantico to be exact. Closing his eyes he thinks back to the couple who came to him three years earlier.
After changing the birth certificate of their son by adding his father name, he married the couple. He really didn't think they would last, he was thinking of the child at the time. But they surprised him, each Christmas and for his birthday, which he still can't figure out how they could know about that, he received a card and a new photograph of the family.
Picking up a pen he checked the yes plus one box. Of course he would go and his wife would enjoy the trip, she could shop and they could take in the sites.
Derek opens the door to his bedroom he has to catch his breath even after three years she still takes his breath away. He closes the door before he moves further into their room. He remembers thinking the first time he saw her freshly showered and dressed in shorts and a tee shirt. All he could think of was her wearing only a smile as she stood in front of him.
A daydream that she fulfilled for him more than once in their marriage. He shakes his head to clear the image that has formed. They don't have the time to make love right now. Later they will, and he fully intends to get reacquainted with her.
"Derek?" She says softly as she turns fully to look at him. "Are you Okay?"
"I'm fine, but you, you're perfect."
"Are you sure I look all right?"
"Yes. You look beautiful." He takes her hand and spins her so he can take her all in, she is wearing a black dress with a lace top and a simple flowing skirt, that stops just passed her knees.
"So do you handsome, perfect I mean." She replies then she straightens his tie. How in the hell did she ever get so lucky to have him in her life. He looks like he just stepped out of a GQ photo spread in the tux he is wearing.
She reaches for a necklace with teardrop diamond pendent. "Here let me do that." He kisses her bare neck feeling the softness of her skin. He inhales deeply then steps away from her. They have not been together for three months, between him being away for his job and the fact that she had given birth to their last child a daughter they named Anna Elizabeth. She joined her older brothers Tyler and the twins Gavin and Hunter born exactly ten months after they were married.
Four children under the age of five he had no idea how she does it. He does know that his mother helps, but most of it, is all Penelope.
Penelope smiles, knowing without a doubt in her mind that Derek Morgan could turn 95% of the females on the planet into a puddle of mush with just a smile. She was just the lucky one who lucked into a beautiful life with him. Turning around to face him, his face was full of lust and love and it made her entire body tingle. She made a mental note to continue to push that button all night long, Smiling brightly up at her husband she leaned forward to press a gentle kiss at the corner of his mouth before pulling away, he scowled lightly before she winked and walked away from him to gather her shawl and handbag.
It wasn't so much a reception as it was a party, for adults only. Working in law enforcement had its perks and finding a baby sitter was easy for them, in fact they got two, having Jack and Henry stay in their house made things easier for everyone.
The food was a buffet line so people could help themselves as for the bar well each guest was given two ticket after that they had to pay for their own. They did have four children they always came first. Well at least that was the plan until David Rossi informed them that he was footing the bill for the open bar.
Derek did have one thing up his sleeve though for her. A cake a wedding cake, a marble cake layered with espresso cream, cream colored butter frosting decorated with real baby red roses. Simple and elegant at the same time.
After everyone had eaten, the first round of food. Derek stood and tapped his glass to get everyone's attention.
"Penelope and I want to thank all of you, our family and friends for coming here tonight. When we got married three years ago I promised her that we would have a reception when we got back to Quantico, well as you all know. Criminals wait for no man and neither do babies. So this is it we are all on vacation. The babies are all safe at home no one is in danger of giving birth at any moment. And the work cell phone are locked in desk drawers all excepts the bat phone which Hotch carries at all times. So I ask you to join me in a toast, to friends and family."
They went from table to table making sure they talked to everyone who came. What they weren't expecting were the envelopes that people kept giving them.
When they got to Judge Staples table they stayed the longest talking with his Honor and his wife. "You know when you two got married I wasn't expecting it to last. I was thinking solely for your son Tyler. I'm glad you proved me wrong."
"Thank you, your Honor. Like we told you we love each other more now than we did then." Penelope replies.
"How is your baby girl? She must be three months old now." Mrs. Staples asks.
"She is perfect she looks like her mama, and she is going to be a heart breaker." Derek answers.
Hearing this judge Staples understands he felt the same way about his daughters as well.
"Are you going back to work Penelope?"
"I can work from home, the suits at the Bureau didn't want to lose me, I have a small secure office, Derek built it for me. I'll be staying home for a while yet."
They chatted for a few more minutes before they left to mingle with the rest of their guests.
It was after one in the morning before they got home, with Hotch , JJ and Will following in two different cars, they left soon after retrieving their own children.
He made the rounds of checking the doors and windows then set the alarm, he said good night to his mother before he checked on his boys in their room. He covered Tyler and kissed his forehead good night, before he moved on to the twins room.
Once again the twins ended up in the same bed, lifting Hunter he moves him to his own bed then places a stuffed animal next to each of them.
Only then does start to relax, entering his room he sees that his wife is feeding Anna.
"Baby girl should you be doing that? I mean you did have a glass of wine."
She looks at him and smiles "I had that one glass of wine five hours ago, I only had the one, I drank water the rest of the night. Remember?"
"You're right." He answers as he remover his tux jacket.
Twenty minutes later his daughter is content with a full tummy and a dry bottom sleeping soundly in the alcove of their bedroom. She steps out of the bathroom wearing his favorite pajama, nothing at all.
He lifts the bedding so she can slip in next to him. He doesn't pounce as he turns and looks at her. He feels lucky to have found her, he had his doubts that he ever would. He knows deep in his heart that she is the best thing that ever happened to him.
She slips into the bed but she doesn't lay down in fact she sits on her knees and looks at him and smiles as she leans in and kisses him just once, softly.
"I've be wanting to do that all night. I hope you don't mind."
"Never, as long as you don't mind me kissing you back."
The fire that they felt for each other that first night was still there, it hadn't been dulled with time. What they had now was even better it was love mixed with passion. A passion neither one was willing to let die out.
Later as they held on to each other for neither was willing to pull away at least not yet.
"I have a surprise for you." He whispers to her.
'Mmm, what surprise?"
"I had plans drawn up to add a room off of our bedroom. I also got the plans approved and I got the permit."
"What kind of room my love." Penelope asks as she lifts her head off of his shoulder.
"A sitting room of sorts just for us, just big enough for a loveseat, a wing chair, a small table and a fireplace."
"A fireplace?"
"Yes a fireplace." He tells her then he kisses her.
"You remembered." She mumbles.
"Of course I remembered. I remember everything about you, Penelope Morgan. Now lets go to sleep. I promised the boys a day in the park. But first I'll stay for breakfast with you."
"You always stay for breakfast when ever you're in town."
"And I always will. I can't think of a better way to start the day than staying for breakfast."
THE END.