A/N – Thanks again for all alerts and reviews, guys!
For disclaimer see chapter one.
When Derek had said it was snowing in Chicago, he hadn't been lying. The plane had to circle the airport twice before it was allowed to land, and the short walk from the runway to the terminal left her coated in the stuff and looking like a moving snowman. She was still shaking the snow from her hair when the friendly man she had been sat next to on the flight sought her out and handed over her bag that had already come round on the conveyer. He grinned briefly and then he was gone into the crowd, and she realised that whilst she had told him her name, she didn't know his. But then everyone seemed to be in a fairly good mood. Christmas did that to people, she'd noticed. It was the one time of year when she was pretty much surrounded by people who were thinking like her, and it was always a nice change.
Hefting her bag over her shoulder, she got quickly through the checks and into the airport itself. It was busy – almost too busy – and she stopped for a moment to soak up the atmosphere. The people hurrying to catch planes weren't that interesting, but those who were coming into Chicago and meeting people warmed her heart. There was so much excitement, so many tearful greetings, that she felt like she was in the middle of a movie. She almost forgot why she was there, so caught up was she in the moment, but then she saw Derek standing and looking anxiously for her. She waved until she caught his attention and he hurried over, a massive grin on his face. A woman was following him, an identical smile on her beautiful face. There was no question that this was one of his sisters.
"You're a cunning man, Derek Morgan," Penelope said, throwing her arms around him, "You didn't have to arrange all of this."
"I didn't have to, baby girl, but I wanted to," he shrugged, taking her bag from her before she could argue, "This is my little sister, Des. Des, Penelope Garcia."
"I've heard so much about you," Des said, her warm hands surrounding the one that Penelope offered, "It seems we have you to thank for keeping my big brother in order."
"You have no idea," Penelope said conspiringly, "I bet he hasn't told you everything."
Des' chocolate brown eyes widened and she poked her brother, "Why haven't you invited her before? I can't wait to hear what you get up to!"
-HOW DEREK MORGAN SAVED CHRISTMAS-
They pulled up outside a cosy looking apartment block, snow laying like frosting on the roof and the warm glow of lights illuminating every window. Des went on ahead and when she was gone, Penelope stood on her toes and kissed Derek on the cheek.
"What was that for?"
"For being the best best friend in the entire world."
"Well, I can't argue with that," he winked, shouldering her bag once more and indicating the way with a sweep of his hand, "My lady."
"Why thank you kind sir," she curtsied, and made her way up the stairs. Three landings up a door was open and Des' voice could be heard coming from within. Glancing back at Derek, who nodded encouragingly, Penelope stepped inside.
"Mama, we're here!" Derek called from behind her, closing the door and stamping his feet to get rid of the snow.
Three whirlwinds appeared from the kitchen, and in the confusion of hugs and kisses on the cheek, Derek introduced his other sister, Sarah, and his mother.
"Call me Mom – all of their other friends do," his mom said when Penelope addressed her as Mrs Morgan, "It is so good to finally meet you, girl! I've heard so much about you. I kept telling him that he should invite you but you know what men are like."
"Don't I just?" Penelope nodded, laughing at the look on Derek's face.
"Are you gonna gang up on me the whole time?" he asked indignantly, slipping out of his jacket and hanging it in the hall closet, "Cause I can just go and hang out with Reid in Vegas if you are."
"Don't be paranoid, baby," Fran said, taking Penelope by the hand and leading her into the warm kitchen where a meal was sat waiting on the table, "Now, Derek tells me you're a vegetarian. I made vegetable lasagne for tonight, if that's alright."
"More than alright," Penelope said, almost breathless at the ease with which the Morgans were accepting her and making her welcome. Derek sat down beside her and they all bowed their heads for grace, which Sarah said in a soft, lilting voice. When it was over, Penelope reached over and squeezed Derek's hand. He grinned at her and squeezed back, before tucking into the food with earnest.
At the end of the meal Sarah left for home, telling Penelope that she would be back on Christmas day, and Des rushed out to meet some friends from work. Pleading exhaustion from the previous week's case, Derek retired to bed early with the promise that he had big plans for the next day – Christmas Eve – and he'd wake her up with coffee.
Fran moved them to the sitting room with steaming cups of tea and offered her the best chair in the room. Stretching out on the couch, Fran put her tea on the coffee table and yawned widely. Taking the opportunity to study the older woman, Penelope noted that she was just as beautiful as Derek had said she was; sure, she had some elegant looking lines around her eyes and mouth, and grey peppered her hair, but she really was a good looking woman. The warm, contented look on her face hadn't left it for a moment and Penelope suspected that it rarely did; it just seemed to fit her.
"Thank you so much for having me to stay, Mom."
"Sweetheart, you are so very welcome. When Derek told me you were going to be all alone, I just couldn't stand the idea. If he hadn't asked if you could come, I'd have suggested it myself."
"I'm lucky to have him as a friend. He's one of the kindest people I've ever met."
Fran blushed slightly, understanding that the compliment was obviously meant for her as much as it was for her son, and she shrugged elegantly.
"Baby, I had very little to do with that. I did the best I could but in the end it was up to him."
"Still, your best must have been pretty awesome."
They stopped to sip their tea, each reflecting on the man sleeping just a few rooms away.
"Anyway," Fran said eventually, "From what I hear you're my boy's best friend for a reason. He never stops talking about you. He adores you, you know. Absolutely adores you."
Her face burning, Garcia looked down at her tea. Fran wasn't done though.
"He's had friends before, of course, but none that he ever admitted he loved. But he loves you. And the others on your team too actually, but you're the favourite. I hope you know how much it takes for him to feel like that."
"I do," Penelope whispered.
When she eventually looked up, Fran was looking away and brushing a hand through her hair.
"Look at me interrogating you. I'm done now, I promise. Now, tell me all about this man of yours. Derek approves of him but I need to know if I do too…"