Chapter Sixteen

The sun spilled through the window, pooling in a shining puddle on the bed Derek and Penelope shared. The intrusion of brightness roused Morgan, who immediately put his hand in front of his eyes to block the rays. He desperately wanted to fall back to sleep, to settle once more with his goddess in his arms, but after a few minutes, he realized it was impossible.

Carefully moving out of the embrace, Derek quietly left the room. Venturing into the kitchen, he gathered the necessary ingredients for a pancake breakfast. He hoped that perhaps this thoughtful gesture would brighten Penelope's day.

Close to an hour later, the meal was prepared, though perhaps slightly more burnt than he'd hoped. He put the food and coffee on a tray and carried it into Penelope's room. She was still curled up under the covers, sound asleep. For a moment, Derek could do nothing but watch as she slept. She was beautiful even then, her eyelashes long, her golden hair still soft and silky, her lips still full and scarlet.

"Morning, princess," he whispered, stroking her cheek lightly with his thumb. Slowly, she stirred, eyes fluttering open. Her lips parted in shock as she saw the tray.

"Derek, you didn't have to do that," Penelope murmured. "But I'm grateful you did." She lifted her head just enough to peck him on the lips.

"Anything for you, Baby Girl. I'm serious about us. I don't want to wait around anymore, not when I'm in love with you now."

"I don't want to wait, either." She pressed her lips fully against his in a passionate kiss. Derek set the tray aside and put his baby girl in his arms as they continued to kiss. She allowed her hand to run up and down his leg, causing him to shiver in pleasure. Moaning, Derek started to nibble on her neck. Damn, she tasted good too. Sweet, tender, everything he had always fantasized about and more.

"Derek! You're going to leave a hickey!" Penelope cried, jerking her head away from him.

"I'm sorry, Penelope," Derek responded, instantly feeling guilty. He realized that he'd just done something incredibly stupid. Penelope was only a couple of weeks removed from the worst experience of her life. His actions had surely triggered some memories that she'd been unwilling to sift through.

"No, I don't really care about a mark. It's just….."

"You're not quite ready?"

"Something like that. I'm so sorry, Derek. I know that this must be annoying you right now, having to deal with me."

"Don't apologize, sweetheart. I'm at fault. It was an insensitive thing to do. We need to take it slow. There's nothing wrong with you, Baby, there's nothing wrong with what you're feeling. I take full responsibility for what just happened. Please forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive, handsome. I just need more time." She kissed him on the cheek. "But it doesn't mean I'm going to stop kissing you." Derek laughed, falling even more in love with her in that moment.

"Your breakfast is going to get cold," he said suddenly. He waited just long enough for her to eat and then he wrapped her mouth up with his again. After a few minutes, both were left gasping and panting, yet couldn't be happier.

"What should we do today?" Penelope asked.

"I don't know how much we can do with you half-immobilized," Derek responded.

"Hey!" She playfully smacked him with a pillow. "I'm not an invalid yet!" Derek retaliated with a light pillow hit to her face. In a moment, the two were thwacking each other in a heated battle. Both were laughing with red faces and eyes alight with mischief.

"I guess you're right!" Derek cried when it settled down. He bent down and kissed her again.

"Only partially. I don't think my body is up to a day out on the town quite yet," Penelope replied, grimacing slightly.

"Are you all right? Did I hurt you?" Instantly, he was running his hands along her body, trying to find the source of her pain.

"No, Hot Stuff, I'm pretty sure it's just that my pain pills wore off. Besides, this was my idea to mess around like that. Maybe we could just watch movies or something instead." Derek smiled at her.

"That sounds perfect. How about I get you situated on the couch with some more pain pills and we watch your favorites?"

"Nothing else I'd rather do," she responded, affectionately squeezing his bicep.

For the remainder of the day, they sat on Derek's couch, arms wrapped around each other, kissing between films. It was a perfect way to spend their time together that day, and if time froze them right there at that very moment, they would be content that way.

But time would roll on, unhindered. And with this passage of time, both would wake up to a new nightmare.

A nightmare both were blissfully ignorant of.

It would start in the most unexpected of places….

Keep those reviews comin', guys. Hope you liked this installment. More when I have an opportunity to write/post!