A Matter Of Trust-Ch 45
Over the next several weeks Derek and Penelope along with the rest of their family worked on the plans for Derek and Penelope's wedding, they wanted something simple with only family around them on their special day. Penelope of course asked JJ and Emily to be her maids of honor and she asked Sarah and Desi to be her bridesmaids while Derek asked Reid and Hotch to be his best men and he asked Tim and Nick to be his groomsmen.
While they were doing their rehearsals Fran took care of Hank while she watched everybody practice, she couldn't help but smile when she saw how happy her son was, she had never ever seen him this happy. She turned to lay Hank in his portable crib so that she could continue watching the rehearsal, they were up to the part where they were saying their vows, Derek gently took Penelope's hand in his as he spilled his heart out to her.
When it was her turn Penelope did the same thing to Derek, each promised to love, honor and cherish the other and to spend the rest of their life loving the other, Fran wiped away tears that were sliding down her cheeks. As the rehearsal was over Dave looked at Fran and said, "what did you think Bella?", Fran clapped her hands and said, "that was beautiful, now next comes the real thing tomorrow", she looked at Derek and Penelope and said, "are the two of you ready for the real thing?", Derek looked at his bride to be and then at his mom as they both nodded their heads yes.
JJ said, "wellllllll since it's getting late we better have dinner before we send the boys back to Em's for the night", Derek said, "why are we spending the night at Hotch's tonight, I want to spend the night with my girl". Fran put her hands on her hips and said, "Derek Michael Morgan I know that you are not going to risk something bad happening, not after everything you've done to get this far", Penelope said, "she does have a point hotstuff".
Dave said, "don't worry son, she won't leave town from the time we leave for the night until the time of your wedding tomorrow", Dave winked at Penelope and said, "right kitten?", she said, "wellllllll, I don't know". Mick laughed and said, "that's my girl", Derek said, "uhhh excuse me, that's my girl and don't you forget it", Mick raised his hands and said, "alright, alright, she's you're girl, it's not like I'm gonna try and steal her from ya".
Penelope intertwined fingers with Derek and said, "my heart now and forever is yours", Derek smiled and leaned in and claimed her lips with his in a passionate kiss, they pulled apart to the sounds of whistles and catcalls. Penelope blushed and said, "it's alright, tomorrow we'll be legally married and you guys can do that allllllllll you want", Derek wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer and said, "they're just jealous sweetness", Mick said, "wellllll to a certain extent he's right".
Everybody turned to look at him and he said, "but let me clarify, I love Penelope but nottttttt that way, she's like a sister, a good friend, she's one of my best friends and many of you know that making friends isn't easy for me, for any of us, especially not with our jobs". They continued listening as he said, "but Penelope is an amazing woman, she loves with her whole heart and once she's in your corner, she's always in your corner".
Derek smiled as Mick put his hand on his shoulder and said, Derek my man, you are one lucky guy, I just hope that one day I'm as lucky as you and I'm able to find an amazing woman just like Penelope". Everybody clapped and Penelope said, "awwww, Mick, thank you" as she threw her arms around her friends neck and hugged him tight, Derek sighed happily and said, "I hope that one day all of you single men here will find the woman you are meant to spend the rest of your life with.
Tim and Nick pulled their girls closer and smiled, Fran grinned knowing that soon she would be having two more weddings and she couldn't wait because she wanted everybody to be as happy as she was with Dave and from the way everybody is looking right now, it won't be long until they are.
Fran glanced down at her watch and said, "how about we have pizza tonight?", everybody grinned and nodded their heads yes in agreement as they started talking about what toppings they wanted. While everybody was discussing the pizza's Derek pulled his future bride closer and whispered into her ear, "I love you baby girl", she sighed happily and snuggled into his embrace and said, "and I love you hotstuff and I love you".