Wanting-Ch 46

The Epilogue- 10 Years Later

The Morgan household was a rush with Christmas activities, their 10 year old daugheter Melody was putting lights on the tree with the help of 13 year old Henry Reid and 15 year old Jack Hotchner. Jack said, "that looks good guys", Henry stood back and said, "we still need to put something right here don't you think"?, Melody slipped the lights down a little and in unison the three children said, "perfect".

Penelope, JJ, Emily, Fran and the girls were in the kitchen working on cookies and candy while the men were all in the living room getting everything set up for their annual Christmas Eve movie spectacular. Fran said, "where's Amelia"?, Penelope said, "she's still napping but I better go check on her".

Amelia was Derek and Penelopes baby daughter, she was 2 and she came as quite a surprise for the couple, Derek was holding their 5 year old son Anthony in his arms and tickling him. Anthony squeeled and said, "helppppp me Shawn", Shawn was the 5 year old son of JJ and Reid, he looked up and said, "come on uncle Derek, pleaeeeeee".

Derek leaned down and picked Shawn up and said, "haha now I have you both", the men laughed as the two boys wrestled Derek to the floor, Dave grinned when Aiden Hotchner Emily and Hotchs 3 year old son ran over and tried to help Derek. Dave smiled and said, "where is Thomas"?, Hotch said, "he's in the back yard looking at the stars with Teina".

Thomas was Hotch and Emilys 6 year old son and Teina was Derek and Penelopes 4 year old daughter, she was the spitting image of her father with all her mommas personality. The girls came into the living room carrying cookies, candy, sandwiches and hot chocolate and said, "is everybody ready for the movies to start"?, Shawn laughed and said, "I'll go get Thomas and Teina".

The grownups made their way to the couches and chairs in the living room while the kids all settled down in the floor in front of their parents, Dave wrapped his arm around Fran and kissed her on the cheek and said, "you smell yummy Mrs. Rossi". Fran laughed and said, "not in front of the children Mr. Rossi, there will be plenty of time for that when they are sleeping".

He winked at her and said, "I'm going to hold you to that", she leaned in and whispered something into his ear, he laughed and then said, "promises promises". Derek leaned in and kissed his wife on the lips and said, "how are you feeling princess"?, she smiled as Amelia leaned over and wanted her dad to take her into his arms.

He kissed the little girl on the top of the head and said, "are you daddy's baby"?, she nodded her head and said, "uh huhhhhh", he grinned and said, "that's my girl". Penelope laughed and said, "heyyyyyyy what about me, I'm the original baby girl", he kissed her lips again and said, "that you are sweetness, that you are".

The first movie was always What A Wonderful Life and every year Penelope would always cry at the part where the angel got his wings, Amelia put her little hand on her moms and said, "don't twy momma". A few hours later they were in the middle of their 4th movie when Dave had noticed that the smaller children were asleep.

Derek smiled as he glanced at the older kids who were laying awlfully still and said, "it looks like they are all out for the count, how about we get started on getting those presents out of the garage"?, Fran said, "you guys go ahead and I'll stay in here and watch the babies to make sure that you don't get caught".

The adults hurried out of the room and toward the garage, Fran sat on the couch and smiled knowing that she knew a lot of children that were going to be surprised in the morning when they opened their presents. Soon the adults were all standing around the tree looking down at all the presents that were laying all over the place.

Derek kissed the side of Penelopes neck and said, "I'm getting to old for this"?, Penelope laughed said, "ohhhh no hotstuff you still have many a year of this Santa stuff to go". He smiled as he looked around the room at his sleeping angels and said, "I have all I could ever want right here in this room".

Penelope said, "it's getting late we'd better head to bed because I know some little ones that are going to be up bright and early in the morning ready to open gifts". The adults all got comfortable and snuggled down for the night and before they knew it morning time was here and sure enough the little ones were excited to get to open their gifts.

As Derek watched everyone open their gifts he smiled knowing that everybody he loved was happy, safe and healthy, a little later when all the gifts open all the kids gathered around and listened as Dave told them the story of the true meaning of Christmas. As Derek watched the amazement in the childrens eyes he smiled knowing that he truly had everything he could ever want or need.