"Hey Mama Morgan, welcome back" Penelope greeted enthusiastically as she was received lovingly in the arms of one Fran Morgan.

Fran hugged her son's best friend with great affection. She had demanded that Derek bring her home to Chicago that first year they had met after hearing about her non stop. It didn't take much for her to fall in love with Penelope and understood why she was so important to Derek. Ever since then they have built their own friendship. Penelope appreciated Fran's presence in her life. After losing her mother at such a young age, it meant so much to her than Fran had swept her into loving arms and long since adopted her as one of her own. The rest of the team watched their exchange with a smile. Fran Morgan was visiting for Thanksgiving to celebrate with her son and his friends. Penelope had planned a huge Thanksgiving dinner at Derek's as per their tradition, and Fran was looking forward to it. It had been years since she had spent Thanksgiving with Derek as he always opted to come home for Christmas and New Year to maximise the time with them.

"It's been far too long Sweetheart."
"Mom, shouldn't you be saying that to me?" Derek asked with an amused chuckle,
"When are you going to accept the fact that I have surpassed you. She loves you, but she adores me." Penelope said with a smirk. Fran laughed shaking her head at the two of them
"You're both insane, but I do love you both."

Fran, Penelope and Derek went shopping early in the morning for their Thanksgiving feast. Derek provided the muscle as the ladies ran around ticking off lists. Preparation for Thanksgiving started the night before. Derek watched as his mother and best friend tackled the bird.

"Usually I make Derek clean the bird, it's my pet hate." Penelope admitted
"And he does it?" Fran asked with raised eyebrows,
"Of course, he's a gentleman that way." Penelope answered giving Derek a wink.
"I'll have to remember that at Christmas."
"For you Ma, I'd do it."
"I'm touched Baby." Penelope rolled her eyes at him as she continued to knead the crust for the pies.
"Dirk, did you invite Melody to thanksgiving dinner?" she asked innocently.
"And who is this Melody?" Fran wondered out loud suspiciously. Derek threw Penelope a warning look as she merely smiled at him in return.
"You're going to pay Baby Girl. No one Ma. She's just a girl I'm seeing."
"Shouldn't that warrant an invitation to Thanksgiving so that your mother and friends can meet her?'" Penelope continued sweetly. Derek had met Melody at the bar they frequented on a night he was meeting up with the boys he played basketball. He had extended the invitation to Penelope who normally didn't mind being one of the boys, but she and the girls already had plans that evening. He had called her that evening to tell her all about his new friend, and as always they sat there for a good hour dissecting his evening.
"She already has plans thank you."
"So did you ask her after you found out she already has plans."
"I resent such implications Baby Girl." Derek protested as his eyes twinkled in confirmation.
"How are you ever going to give Mama Morgan her grandbabies?" she teased.
"Sue me that I wanted to just chill for the holidays and hang out with my loved ones and spend quality time."
"Aww that's sweet Dirk." She said placing a kiss on his shoulder as she passed him to get to the oven,
"You sit there and you tease me about girlfriends but you and I both know you'd be sulking in the corner because I wasn't lavishing you with my undivided attention if they were present." He teased,
"What can I say? I'm a mystery that way. Besides, you should be able to juggle girlfriend and best friend."
"She does know that's impossible right?" Derek stated looking at his mother
"Leave me out of this. I'm just enjoying the show. Leave the innocent bystander out of the firing line."
"Mother, why do you encourage her? Like she's not obnoxious enough as it is." Penelope giggled,
"Mama Morgan, you're the best." Penelope complimented as she dropped a kiss on Fran's cheek before heading towards the door to answer the door bell.
"What?" Fran exclaimed as her son shook his head,
"You don't make it any easier Mom." He protested.