A few hours later Penelope and Derek were staring down at their daughter who was peacefully sleeping in her father's arms.
Look at what we made," Penelope whispered.
"She's perfect P. She looks just like you," Derek said in awe of the woman that had just brought life into the world. The bundle in Derek's arms started to move her head side to side and let out small frustrated grunts. "Uh oh, I think Princess here is getting hungry."
Penelope held her arms up to take their daughter from Derek. He helped her adjust her gown and watch in fascination as the baby quickly latched on to Penelope.
"She's a hungry one," Penelope chuckled.
Derek looked at the baby once again before covering Penelope with a leopard print blanket that was in her go bag. Once the baby was fed and had her diaper changed, she was back in her father's arms.
"So mama you up for a little company? I'm sure the team is dying to see our little princess." Looking from Penelope to the baby, he cooed, "Isn't that right Princess?" The baby gurgled in response and placed her hand in her mouth.
Penelope laughed softly, "I think that's a yes!" She quickly finger-combed her hair and took the baby from Derek.
Derek walked out of the room and quickly spotted the team sitting around the waiting area. Hotch and Rossi were talking quietly while sipping coffee. JJ and Emily were discussing some article they'd just read in a magazine and Reid sat reading a book he'd brought with him and tapping his foot.
"So how's Penelope and baby?" JJ asked after tossing the copy of US Weekly on a small plastic table next to her chair.
"Baby and Penelope are doing great. In fact, they are both ready for visitors," Derek assured her.
As the team was standing up, a frustrated, "Damn it," was heard across the room. Emily was rocking back and forth, trying to stand up. Her now-large baby bump was hindering her.
"You know a little help might be nice," Emily huffed and stuck her arms out. Hotch grabbed one arm and Spencer grabbed the other.
Hotch looked at Spencer and said, "On three. One….Two….Three."
With a gentle pull, Emily was freed from the hardback plastic chair.
Derek surveyed the room. His eyes fell on Rossi. "Hey, where's my mom? I thought she'd be the first one here."
With a roll of his eyes Rossi said, "Your mom and Des decided that they couldn't just simply come up here. No... they are probably buying out the entire gift shop."
Derek grinned and shook his head.
Hanging back from the group Rossi stopped Derek and asked, "How does it feel to be a dad?"
"It's only been a few hours and I feel like fatherhood is the best thing that's ever happened to me. So gramps you ready to go see baby Morgan?" Derek asked.
"Kid if you want to make it to see your daughter's first birthday you will never, ever call me gramps again," Rossi scolded but the effect of his tone was lost due to his huge smile.
By the time Derek and Rossi made it back to Penelope's room, the entire team was oohing and ahhing over the baby.
"So? What did you guys name her?" Emily asked impatiently.
Derek walked over to Penelope's bed and placed a chaste kiss to her forehead before scooping the baby into his arms.
"Guys, this is Alessandra Rose Morgan," Derek said proudly.
"I love the name!" JJ said gleefully.
"You know guys, Alessandra is the Italian form of Alexandra, and they are both the female version of Alexander. Alexander is the Latin form of the Greek name Alexandros. The most famous Alexander was Alexander the great -" Reid began babbling.
"Reid!" Emily snapped . "Not now."
"Oh sorry. " Reid said looking down at his shoes.
"Kid, it's alright. Here would you like to hold her?" Derek said, offering his daughter to Reid.
"Sure. Yeah." After tucking a strand of hair behind his ears, Reid accepted the baby into his arms. The small bundle gurgled trying to focus her little mocha eyes on the person that was holding her.
JJ stood closely behind Reid and peered at the baby from around his shoulder.
"Look at how symmetrical her face is!" Reid murmured to the baby.
Look she has dimples!" JJ cooed after watching Alessandra yawn and ignoring Reid's comment.
"Okay, who's next?" Reid asked.
"Why not let her godfather hold her? That is, if Hotch accepts," Penelope said.
"Garcia, are you sure?" Hotch asked, apprehensive.
"Of course, bossman. Derek and I think you would make an excellent godfather."
"Well if you're sure about it then I would love to," Hotch said reaching for Alessandra.
Emily observed Hotch holding the baby. She didn't even realize she was crying until JJ handed her a tissue.
"Sorry I just got a little weepy there for a moment," Emily sniffled. She wiped her eyes.
JJ patted Emily's hand and said, "Hey, this is your first baby. You're allowed to be a little emotional… Or a lot."
Emily looked back up at Hotch to see him smile down at the baby. "Look she's smiling at her uncle Hotch," he said.
"Gas," Emily and Penelope said at the same time.
"Okay how about her godmother hold her. Emily?"
"You're making me her godmother? Damn tears." Emily sniffled again. Hotch walked with the baby and placed her in Emily's arms.
"Hey Ali. It it okay if I call her that?" Emily asked Penelope.
"Sure, Mamacita," Penelope replied.
After the team spent a while with the new little family Emily let out a yawn.
Hotch quickly stood and said, "I think that's our cue to leave." Hotch helped Emily out of her chair. They tossed their goodbyes over their shoulders and Hotch walked and Emily waddled out of the hospital room.
JJ and Reid were next to leave. JJ wanted to get home to put Henry to bed after promising him if he went to bed like a good boy he could come to the hospital the next day and see baby Alessandra. Reid wanted to get home and curl up with a good book.
The only one left was Rossi. He looked at the baby one more time and said, "She truly is beautiful."
There was a gentle knock on the poked her head into the room and asked, "Am I too late for the party?:
"Of course not mom. Here...give me some of those." Derek was shocked by all the gifts she had with her. She had the car seat that Derek hadn't had the time to install, ,the hospital bag Penelope had packed and kept stored next to the front door and a few balloons to decorate the room and a bouquet of flowers for Penelope.
Derek had a little trouble finding space for everything but managed it. After giving his mom a quick hug, he was shooed away so Fran could peer at her granddaughter in Penelope's arms.
"Oh Derek, she's so gorgeous! Take my phone and get pictures. Oh, look at her! Grandma is going going to spoil you rotten. Yes she is!" Fran continued to coo at the baby for several moments.
Lifting the baby, Penelope handed Fran Alessandra. Fran felt tears spring to her eyes. Rossi guided Fran to a chair, and she sat down gingerly. She began to hum an old Irish song. The infant in her arms was awake, but stilled, comforted by the tune her grandmother was singing.
Derek sat on the bed next to Penelope and smiled.
After a few minutes an enthusiastic knock came from the door.
"Is there room for one more?" Des asked.
"Come on in Des." Penelope said.
Desiree stood in front of her mother, her hands itching to hold the baby.
"Gimme, gimme!" Des exclaimed.
Fran sighed but handed over her granddaughter anyway. "Oh goodness, Derek, I was so eager to hold my grandbaby I didn't even ask what her name was."
"We decided on Alessandra Rose Morgan." Derek said.
"Oh Derek what a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl," Des said cooing at the baby.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Penelope woke up in the wee hours of the morning. She searched blindly for her glasses on the wood nightstand next to her bed. Once she adjusted her glasses on her face she turned her to see Derek sleeping on one of the chairs with Alessandra in her plastic crib asleep in between her parents.
Penelope peered over into the crib and smiled softly. In the quiet of the hospital room a torrent of emotions flooded her. The amount of love she felt for Alessandra threatened to consume her along with the feeling of fierce protectiveness. She wanted to stay awake every moment of every day so she wouldn't miss one moment of her baby's life.
She looked from the sleeping baby to Derek's relaxed face. She noticed that Alessandra looked a lot like Derek sleeping. Both of their faces were serene and had an adorable and identical crease in their foreheads. She had to fight the urge to get out of her hospital bed and run a gentle hand across his face but she knew if she got out of that bed he would scold her and insist she get back in bed.
Her gaze remained on Derek's face. She knew she loved him but since the few hours that she gave birth her love for him grew ten fold. He truly was her other half and together they created a new life. Penelope knew Alessandra Morgan was very lucky to have Derek as her father. He would be her fierce protector and unending support.
"Crap," Penelope muttered when she felt a salty tear splash against her cheeks. She lifted her glasses and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand that wasn't attached to an IV. She hadn't realized how emotional she was getting. She sniffled trying to get her emotions in check. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She knew if she looked at her daughter or at Derek at that moment she would burst into tears and she didn't want to wake either of them up.
When she opened her eyes up she noticed that Derek was slowly starting to wake up.
"Hey baby." Derek said with sleep addling his tone. "Penelope what's wrong?" His confusion quickly turned to concern when he saw her eyes were red rimmed.
She sniffled and said, "Oh its nothing really. I was just thinking about how much I love the both of you and I guess I got a little weepy thats all."
Derek seemed to visibly relax. "You know I feel the same way about the both of you too. Right? I mean I never thought I would be a father, just like a year ago I never thought I would get the chance to be with you."
She couldn't help the sob followed by a chuckle that escaped from her lips. "Oh!" Penelope exclaimed as a cascade of tears fell from her eyes.
"Baby girl." Derek murmured. "Shh, its okay." Penelope scooted over to one side of her hospital bed and Derek sat next to her. He wrapped her up in a warm hug and planted soothing kisses in her hair.
That made Penelope laugh harder. "Hot Stuff, I'm fine."
"You promise?"
"I really am," Penelope promised.
Suddenly a sharp cry could be heard. Derek got out of Penelope's bed and scooped his crying daughter up.
"What's wrong with my princess?" Derek began changing Alessandra and [humming some out of tune song.
"Derek are you humming Nas to our baby?"
"She seems to like it." he held up the freshly changed and content baby.
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