Don't own anything other than Tabby.
The shock grew on their faces before the happy tears. Did they just hear that right? Did she wake up?
Emily's eyes fluttered open. This wasn't the bridal shop. Where is she? The air is so stale it must be a hospital. This was so awful, her first thought was wondering how often she was going to have to wake up like this. She just hoped that this time she wasn't alone when she woke up, not like when she recovered from Doyle's stab. Her head was killing her but she made the effort to roll her head to the side and what she saw made her so happy. He was there, her David Rossi.
"Dave? What am I doing here?" She asked calm and confused until a sudden thought grew on her. She shot up in her seat almost knocking Jack off the bed. "The baby!" She was on full alarm lifting the covers off of her trying to get a look at her stomach, as irrational as that was since it was barely a bump at this point. "Is the baby? Did something-?" She broke into tears fearing the worst.
Dave picked Jack up gently off the bed. He was a bundle of smiles as was everyone else. He began to rub Emily's back. "The baby is alright. You have been in a coma for over two days."
She shot her gaze right to him, anger at her confusion evident in her voice. "A coma? What the hell do you mean a coma?"
He understood how strange this must be for her, and terrifying. When Emily Prentiss is scared she responds with anger, this is not new to him. "You didn't check your messages so you missed that you are hypoglycemic. You collapsed and were in a coma." He was amazed he could keep the calm in his voice. He felt relief, love and frustration all at once. "The good news is my constant forcing food down your throat is vindicated." He hoped she would appreciate his attempt at levity.
It took her a minute, just reading his face before she broke into sobs leaning into his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Aaron sent a look to Reid and both nodded in agreement, they needed to give the couple some time alone. Even though Emily was only out for two days, so much happened in that time that she had a lot to catch up on and Dave is going to have to explain how everyone knows about them. He really hoped she wouldn't take it out on his best friend when she realizes the stress that he was under.
Emily blinked some of the tears out of her eyes, feeling bad that she hadn't even seen her closest friends standing right there. She momentarily wondered if that was an effect of being so upset or that she just needed Dave at that moment. "Wha-What," she was still a sobbing mess. "What happened?"
He let out a breathy sigh and moved more fully to sit on the bed. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted nurse Kathy with a gigantic grin on her face, gracefully backing out of the room to give them time. He knew he liked that woman for a reason. He pulled Emily against his chest as they laid back in the mostly upright bed. "You were just about to tell Jack I was the baby's father and you passed out. He got Pumpkin and Morgan and they got the ambulance. Morgan and I rode with you here and everyone followed."
She nodded, she wouldn't expect anything less from either man. She wouldn't be surprised if they both had flashed their badges to stay with her. Derek was her work partner, entirely still overprotective since the Doyle incident. He wasn't going to leave her side for anything and she knew it. She knew that Dave probably stayed the entire time she was in here and it probably did a number on him emotionally. She also knew that Dave was the only man she had ever seriously considered as a life partner before, and she knew that her not answering his proposal was probably the worst pain he's ever experienced. "I love you." She hadn't said those words in months.
Every chamber of his heart simultaneously clamped and exploded at the three simple words. "I love you so much princess. Don't you ever scare me again like that."
She nodded into his chest, she knew she was going to be fawned over and watched like a hawk from now on. "But our baby, he or she is ok?" The worry in her voice actually shocked her. She hadn't realized how maternal she felt already.
Once again, his heart almost stopped. It was the first time she referred to the baby as 'our' baby. He pulled her face up to look at him and placed a hand on her lower belly. "The doctors said we might have to worry about some nutritional deficiencies, maybe. But otherwise nice and strong. I'm pretty sure Jack would have destroyed the whole hospital if something happened to our child. He is dead set on forming a second generation of the team someday."
That is adorable but her face fell. "Oh god, poor Jack. He's had to go through so much and then he had to see…"
"I'm ok Aunt Emily." Jack had enough of waiting for the adults to have alone time. He got away from Aaron and Penelope while they talked about the house and moving plans. "Are you and Uncle Dave going to get married?"
'Yikes' Was the unanimous thought shared by all six of the adults as everyone else caught up with Jack back in the room. Emily felt like she was about to collapse again and judging by the faces of everyone else they all knew Rossi had proposed to her. "Well," thank goodness for her mother's diplomacy lessons, they help with children. "maybe someday, but we have your mommy and daddy's wedding to plan now, don't we?" Mercifully her stomach growled and that sent Rossi into a fuss.
"Time to eat. Kathy!" he jumped off the bed and into action. His wife (in his heart at least) needed to eat and he would force it in her mouth if necessary.
She rolled her eyes and asked to be caught up on what's been going on. She could tell that PG and everyone else were holding back. All they actually talked about was the house which is great news and all but things happened and she needed to know. "PG, I might be in a hospital bed but I am still a damn good profiler. What's happened?"
Penelope sighed and grabbed Aaron's hands from strength. "Spence, would you take Jack and Henry to go help Rossi find some good food?" Spencer agreed and JJ tagged along too leaving just Aaron and Penelope.
Emily couldn't see her holding Aaron's hand and suddenly began to panic, were they breaking up? That would horrible! "What, Pen, what?"
"Alright let's start with the good stuff." Aaron suggested. "Penelope and I have decided to start trying for a baby of our own."
Penelope felt her smile as it rose on her face, with everything else happening she almost forgot. "And well, Haley's parents are waging war on us about Jack. But I have faith when everyone says that we will fight it. We already got Jessica on our side, all thanks to Dave." She shifted in her seat closer to Emily, glancing at the door first to make sure no one else was around. "Don't you dare keep breaking that man's heart. Em, he's never been more devoted to anything in his whole life. And he left the BAU."
Emily jumped to alert, Dave would never do that. "What? What the hell?"
"A lot has happened. I've been reassigned and Strauss being her usual bitch shelf changed my office. She handed out suspensions left and right and she called you a whore and Rossi let it slip about everything in his anger. Don't be mad at him. He's been in hell for over two days with all this."
Emily nodded. She didn't blame him for saying anything. She thought she would have been so mad, but really she just felt glad it was out in the open finally. "Do you hate me? For keeping this from you?"
"Princess, stop being such a drama queen. I never knew you had it in you." Derek nearly sang the words he was so happy to see her. He got the call from Garcia right in the middle of the act and was only thankful his choice in partner more than understood his rush to leave once he listened to it. Heck, she threw his pants to him and practically pushed him out the door she was just as happy.
She smiled at Derek, knowing he must be feeling intense relief right now. "A hug for your partner?" she asked, noting he was already on his way over. She felt his arms wrap around her in a bear hug and heard a familiar deep whisper in her ear.
"We'll talk about Rossi later." He warned but with affection so she knew that he approved of it. She needed to (wo)man up when it came to that situation.
Rossi, Reid, JJ and the boys returned with armfuls of sherbet they pilfered from the kitchen as well as all sorts of other goodies like coffee, muffins and fruit. "Eat." Rossi simply commanded as he set out a good portion in front of him.
She gave him a look but wasn't going to argue as she delved into the sherbets first. "Oh god this is good." She moaned and was surprised at the action examining the container. "I thought I hate raspberry anything."
Kathy chuckled. "Cravings, you are finally getting them now that you have an appetite." She motioned to the man behind her, the night attending physician. Everyone was asked to leave the room including Rossi while they went over a large number of evaluations of her psychological and physical states.
"I hate that about hospitals, never any peace." Derek groaned. He wanted some time with Prentiss and his family.
Rossi nodded emphatically. "Tell me about it. You can't manage more than a half hour sleep at a time I think. I'm looking forward to when I can take her home."
Penelope and Aaron smiled at one another, each thinking the same thing. It's nice to have everyone open about their relationships because as a family, they were strong. "Does that mean I have to give back Sergio yet again?" Garcia groaned but with humor.
"Oh Pumpkin, I am taking that cat to my house and Emily is just going to have to live with it. But thank you all so much for your support during this. I don't know how I would—"
Morgan cut the older man off with a pat on the back as the door began to open again. "No thanking. We're a team. Now, I want to visit."
Everyone settled into a nice long conversation about everything going on since the coma started. It was easy even with such hard topics. But everyone just settled into the room nicely, hours going by until a large yawn from Jack brought everyone's attention to the already sleeping Henry. JJ and Reid kissed Emily goodbye and left shortly after. Derek was leaving with Penelope and Aaron since he needed a ride home, he took a cab there.
"I'd say get more rest Princess, but you mastered that I think." He flinched when she jabbed him in the ribs. "Ouch, she this feisty in bed Rossi?" This poke actually hurt.
Dave chuckled. "You would be surprised how Emily is in bed."
Everyone looked at him, including Emily. "I'm not sure how to take that. But anyhow, bye guys and thanks for coming." She hugged Derek one last time, gave Jack a kiss and got a double hug from Penelope and Hotch. She was glad, because it gave her the opportunity to whisper. "At some point, I need to be caught up on stud muffin's little mystery."
Penelope pulled away and in a whisper nodded. "Once we know, you will too."
-Criminal Minds—
Penelope felt a lot better the next morning when she made it to work. She didn't like her new team by any means but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Her job was still important; she could still contribute to saving lives. And she had an excellent morning session with her well-endowed love machine as her alarm clock this fine, fine day.
"Ms. Garcia." That shrill voice just had to pop up outside of her office, didn't it?
"Director Strauss. How may I help you?" She was polite but she was damned if she kept all the ice from her voice.
Of course, Strauss wasn't a profiler, she was hardly even a people person. So she only caught a slight annoyance from Garcia, not the full strength of hatred. "Have you spoken with Agent Marston yet?"
Penelope nodded. She spoke with him yesterday and despised the man. He was pretty much the equivalent of a balding weasel trying to scurry up the bureaucratic ladder. She had no use for someone who gets there by stepping on others which is exactly how Erin Strauss got there herself. "Is that all Ma'am?"
Strauss took a seat, carefully perched on the edge of the black sofa as if she was afraid of sitting back and actually looking like she wanted to be there. "How are things with you and Aaron since the change of teams?"
'You destroy my life and then want to buddy-buddy and act like you care? Fuck this bitch.' She shrugged. "Nothing's different at home." She decided short and sweet was the way to go. Strauss was up to something and it didn't take her profiler hubby-in-training to figure it out.
"Good. Good. And I hear Agent Prentiss is out of her coma but on mandatory bed rest. Is that right?"
It was all Penelope could do to not grit her teeth or throw one of the chopsticks in her hair at the older woman. She was trying to squeeze her for intel and it was probably because she underestimated her ability to keep things on the down low. "She woke up last night. Seems well, the baby is well. Rossi is well."
Strauss nodded just slightly. It was evident that she was displeased at not getting more out of this by the thin perse of her lips. "I just have one more thing I need to know. Did a woman called Tabby come talk to you?"
Garcia wasn't sure why but she felt a need to lie. Maybe it was the look on Strauss's face, almost hopeful to have caught something wrong. She remembered Tabby saying it was vaguely inappropriate to be talking to her about the Reid thing. But someone might have seen Tabby there. She decided on a little chuckle. "Yeah, she returned one of my notebooks I dropped in the elevator. She's so nice, I might try to have lunch with her since the new team is a little lonely." And to add a kicker to Strauss's displeasure. "Thanks for reminding me, I should call and thank her again."
Strauss managed to not let her face betray her annoyance other than a slight tick of her jaw before excusing herself. It was infuriating to be outwitted by a tech.
Penelope watched her leave and decided that whatever or whoever Tabby is, she's definitely of interest. Since she didn't have any cases to work on and no backlog of paperwork she decided she would do a little of her magic fingers research. Ten minutes later she had tried everything. She tried the employee directory, nothing. She tried payroll and so many of her other resources but no Tabathas. She didn't even have a last name but that usually wasn't a challenge. Finally, she just decided on walking down to the third floor and looking for the large platter of cookies to find the woman's office about fifteen minutes before lunch.
She found it alright. Her assistant noticed her staring at the large platter of cookies that others on the floor simply just walked by and snagged from without stopping. "Come here darlin'." The woman's southern drawl poured out of her. "Grab one of these here cookies. Best in the state I swear."
Penelope was glad she offered, because they smelled like heaven from where she was standing. She picked one up and bit into it with pure satisfaction. "Oh lord you are right. I'm going to end up begging for your for the recipe aren't I?"
Her assistant shook her head with a grin. "You'd have to ask Tabby, she makes 'em every mornin' and brings them in. They only sit out here so they get eaten and as a landmark. You here to see her by any chance?"
Penelope noticed the door to the office behind the assistant with simply the title Tabby, Ph.D. No wonder why she hadn't found anything on her, the woman pulled a Cher with her name. "Yeah, uh. I don't have an appointment or anything. I just thought I could maybe say hi or something."
Her assistant, Rachel was all enthusiasm and hospitality as she got up and poked her head into the office. "Hun, you got a pretty blonde out here wantin' to say hi."
Tabby came right into view and a smile grew on her face when she spotted her visitor. "Ms. Garcia, please come in."
Pen was a little confused to be honest. The woman was so personable she couldn't believe she somehow had climbed high enough on the food chain to warrant her corner office. In fact, Penelope had never even been on the third floor before. It was reserved for non-BAU specific, high ranking members of the bureau that didn't need their offices in DC. She walked in with caution but took the seat on the plush blue sofa as indicated, Tabby closing the door behind her and sat on the other end.
"So, what brings you here?" She was glad to see her again so soon, and not looking like she is about to blow a fuse.
"Oh, well. Um, I really don't know. Well, Strauss was asking about you and I did tell her we spoke but not about what because you were there and someone might have seen you and so I said a notebook thing and I just…" She was babbling.
Tabby shook her head in amusement and held out another platter to Pen. "Sweetie, relax. Have a scone."
Penelope eyed her as she took an incredibly delicious vanilla and lavender scone. "Oh man, you made this didn't you?"
"Yeah you like?"
"Are you kidding, it's like an orgasm in my mouth. So not work appropriate to say, but whatever." She shrugged and took another scone. "Do you always cook this much for work?"
Tabby laughed. "Cookies are a habit, scones are celebratory."
"What are you celebrating?" Judging by the semi guilty smirk on the brunette's face it was something good.
"Well let's just say orgasms lead to making orgasmic food. But anyhow, don't worry about Strauss. She has no idea how to play with the big boys and trust me, I am one."
She wished she could borrow some of that confidence. "What exactly do you do?"
Tabby's mouth quirked a bit before she answered. "I deal with the structure of the bureau. But enough about work. I heard your friend Emily got out of her coma. That is wonderful news."
Penelope wondered how she knew about that but she really was so happy to live the moment of her waking up over and over again. She told Tabby all about how worried they were, about how her son was talking to her friend and then boom she's awake. "I swear that boy is a miracle."
Tabby let a longing smile form. "I think they all are, aren't they. I look forward to my turn as a mom. But I have to say, it's really good to see you doing so well."
Penelope agreed. "I'm still sore about being switched teams and there are some challenges ahead at home but I hope to work through them."
Tabby of course knew all about the challenges at home but didn't want to pry open something her new friend was trying to cope with. She hoped they were becoming friends. "Could I ask a favor?"
"Of course." Penelope felt like she owed this woman her mental health at this point. Hearing that Strauss is out of her league, well it put the smile on her face.
"Part of what I do is observe the interactions between people. That's what my brand of psychology does. Not the internal stuff or the 'why is this guy raping and killing women stuff?' like you are used to. Just how they interact. Would it be an inconvenience to maybe join you and some of your old team sometime, for coffee or something? It would give me a little perspective on how the BAU operates and I really haven't focused any attention there other than dealing with Strauss."
The words 'dealing with Strauss' were music to her ears. She didn't always hate the woman, but after what she said about Emily she had it. Making her switch offices was just the icing on the cake. "Sure, um. Emily comes home tomorrow and I think she is coming to our house for dinner with Rossi and maybe Derek. I know JJ and Reid aren't going to be there because of some appointments they need to get to. Would you like to come?"
She hadn't expected anything that… intimate but it would be a great way to get to know everyone. "That's so nice. So long as I'm not intruding."
Garcia shook her head as if that was simply ridiculous. "Six thirty and bring an appetite. Rossi is cooking." She moved towards the door and popped her head back in quickly. "But if you have reason to celebrate more orgasms, I'm not at all opposed to dessert!"
With that she left with a large smile on her face. She was making a real friend to add to her little group, even if her first time there will be like some science experiment. And the big bonus, Strauss so has no idea what soft ground she was walking on. That alone was enough to let her skip all the way back to her office with a happy belly full of orgasm scones.
-Criminal Minds-
"Hi, Aaron?" Hotch recognized that voice after a few seconds. It was Annette, Amelia and Kevin's mother. Immediately he sat up straight on the sofa he was laying on, doing more and more paperwork over his suspension.
"Yes. Is, everything ok? You sound upset."
"No. Yes. I- it's Amelia. She is crying and begging to see Jack. She says he is her only friend. Could he maybe come over today?" She hated feeling so helpless with her child. Amelia was such a bright girl but on her own when it came to a social life. She was shy and it was only the sweet Jack and social that seemed to make her comfortable.
Aaron took a look outside. Even though DC and Northern Virginia had been seeing unseasonably warm and pleasant weather for the last several weeks today it was snowing. He wasn't exactly excited to brave the roads during rush hour but he knew Jack's school already closed tomorrow in anticipation of a large storm that would get worse around midnight. Poor Amelia would have to spend a long weekend upset if it he didn't bring Jack now. "Sure. I have to pick Pen up since her car doesn't have good traction for snow but we can be over in an hour or so? Or we could grab dinner and come after?"
"Would you have dinner here? I'll call out for pizza or something. I don't know how to say this but I feel totally lost right now." She knew her voice reflected that. She was meak, she was never meak.
"We'll grab the pizza on our way." This woman was seriously upset about her daughter's hurt feelings. "Is Joe around?" Usually Joe called to make the plans for Jack and the kids.
"No. He took Kevin to visit his father. Amelia couldn't go since she had a big test today. I guess with the snow they are staying the whole weekend now."
He told her to sit tight and that he should be there within the hour. Jack seemed really excited to be seeing his friend and it broke Aaron's heart to have to tell him why they were going there on the way to getting Penelope. "Was there more bullying today at school?"
Hotch watched in his rearview as Jack seemed particularly angry at the mention of it. "Yes." He bit out. "First they made fun of her freckles. And then they said she was my girlfriend and made fun of both of us but I showed them. I kissed her and then they laughed more but I didn't care. They are idiots who are insecure and they didn't even know what that meant when I explained their behavior to them." It was such an adult explanation that coming from his son he wondered just when Jack started to grow up. He was still young, innocent but had real character. He was independent and forthright. Just like Penelope. "Look, there's mommy!"
Aaron spotted her waiting inside the doors leading from the parking garage to the main BAU building. She jumped in and blew Jack a kiss from the front seat and noticed right away something was wrong. "Jackers, what's up?" She really hoped he wasn't worried about his grandparents. She and Aaron decided to only give him the bare minimum details on that. He shouldn't live in fear and they were going to try to do their best to live even under the dark cloud of uncertainty.
Jack wasn't saying anything. He was mad at the world right now so Aaron turned to her after she buckled in and they made it onto the road. "Amelia is being picked on and crying so we are cheering her up with pizza and a play date."
She knew it must be important if they were going for a leisurely time in this weather. Virginia doesn't see huge snow storms usually but they changed the forecast two hours ago from about two inches to now calling for up to fourteen inches tonight. Everyone seemed to already be in snow panic even though there was just a thin coating on the ground that started an hour ago.
When they got to Annett's with pizza, a salad and drinks in hand Penelope knew just how bad this is. Amelia was curled up in the corner of the playroom (where her bookcase sits) and crying into balled up self. Pen was happy to note that Jack went right over to her and held her in a hug. She couldn't ask for a better son, maybe they will get a daughter next.
They followed Annett back to the kitchen with the food and instantly Pen could see the pain in the other mother's eyes. Without thinking she pulled her into a hug just as Jack had with Amelia. "She'll get through." She promised. "I did."
Annette was nodding even though she was crying. She knew this was what being a parent was about. You can't protect your children forever but you can sure try. "Is Jack ok? Amelia said they made fun of him because of her."
Penelope looked to Aaron. She didn't like that at all. She was having much the same thoughts as Annette about protecting your kids as they grow.
Aaron answered. "They did, and he doesn't care. At least he said that but I think he is bothered by the whole thing. They just need friend time. Things will get better but we should probably talk to them about not kissing and hand holding at school."
Annette looked up with shock. "He's kissed Amelia?"
Aaron knew she wasn't mad, she looked, well hopeful. "He did today but she had started it. Jack was embarrassed of course because girls just grow into these things so much faster, however innocent. It's cute isn't it?"
Penelope was the one to look up in shock. Aaron just said the word cute? "Who are you and what have you done with my future husband?"
Annette perked up, just now noticing Pen's engagement ring and she burst into a happy cackle of congratulations. It seemed to have helped her, just having other parents around and something to celebrate.
They called Jack and Amelia for dinner but after a few minutes had to go looking for them. The two were still in the play room, Amelia's sobs lessening by the second with Jack there. Aaron told the moms to go start plating pizza and leaned against the wall to watch Jack interact with her. He's always had lots of friends but only three were girls and none were as sweet and vulnerable as poor Amelia. He could see himself in there, wanting to take care and protect people.
Watching that, watching Jack start to braid Amelia's hair just like JJ had showed him last night to try to make her feel better… he felt at ease. Just simply at ease. Yes, he has always felt guilty about what his job means for spending time away with his son and a part of him had wondered if maybe Haley's parents hadn't been right during the investigation last year. But he didn't quite feel the same as he watched his son. Jack got it. It was important to help people when they need you, when you are the only person there to protect them. It made him ache for the BAU and his team again, as it was. They had to protect the public and he had to protect them. He was going to have to find a way to put Strauss in her place but for now, there was another problem needing his attention.
"Jack, go ahead and help pour out the drinks. You know what Amelia likes." Jack did as his father told him, obviously with some reluctance as he kept looking back on his friend.
Once Jack was gone Hotch took a seat on the floor in front of Amelia. He obviously didn't have a daughter but he wanted one someday. He was going to have to learn how to talk them. "Amelia. Jack did a good job on your hair. You look pretty as always."
She sniffled, staring at the floor. "Daddy said I would be prettier if I cut my hair."
That seemed like a harsh statement for any father to say, her self-esteem was already so low. "Oh, we are just men. Boys don't always know how to say things right."
She looked at him. "But Jack does."
"Yes. He does. I want to talk to you about that, ok?" She nodded so he continued. "I think it's great you are friends. I think it's great you like him and he likes you because Penelope and I love you. So, it's ok when you hold hands and play and give kid kisses. You understand?" She nodded again. She's a smart girl, he knew she understood he was saying they aren't like adults. The last thing he would need is her heart broken. "But not at school ok? I can't kiss Penelope when we work either."
She understood. She never did any of that at school until Jack kissed her today. She wanted to hold his hand because he protects her from the mean kids. "Ok Agent Hotchner."
He watched her dry her eyes and steel herself with a breath and he had to wonder if all women have that skill from so early on. An inner strength to move past what hurts. Boys fight or repress but girls cry and move on. "Call me Aaron ok? And come on, let's show off your pretty hair." He stood and reached down for her hand.
After a minute she took it and looked up at him. "Thank you for being nice." She smiled and began walking with him to the kitchen. "You're a good dad."
His heart was warned by that, that little feminine compliment that made his heart swell with its sweetness. Sitting with his future wife and friends and his son he couldn't help but feel hope for the future, for his ability as a father, a protector and a husband. Someday he and Penelope might have a daughter of their own and he would be everything he could for her just like he is for all his other roles. He really is a responsibility junkie, but it's all worth it if he can see smiles in spite of the sadness on the faces of the women closest to him.
-Criminal Minds—
They had gotten home from Amelia's in the nick of time to beat the height of the storm. Once inside they could see the flakes pick up and knew it would only get worse but as soon as Jack's gloves came off a knock came at the door.
"Oh, Dave." Penelope wasn't sure why he was there.
"Come on, I came to pick you guys up. Emily got out early and is back at the cabin resting. Everyone else is staying there too tonight. I've been trying to call you guys for hours. They say the electric is likely to go out and you're heat is electric. Come on, all my rooms have fireplaces." He was actually almost giddy, he was going to have a reason to cook over an open fire and even bought a good supply of marshmallows for the kids (and Emily, especially Emily.)
Aaron was relieved to hear that because the lights were already starting to flicker. When a storm like this strikes an area that doesn't usually receive much snow it can paralyze the local utility companies. "Come on Jack, go pack an overnight bag."
Rossi told them to make it for at least three nights to be safe considering how the power company is already freaking out and warning its customers. "I bought enough food to last us for days so we should be set. Though, do you have anything that will spoil? We can bring it over so it won't go to waste."
Pen loved her men, always so practical. Aaron went to gather the refrigerated items that needed to be brought over and she went to grab their go bags plus a few large armloads of blankets. She knew that Rossi had all sorts of extras of these things but she said this was for the fort. And then she remembered to tell Jack to pack snow pants for outdoor play.
"Why didn't you two pick up?" Rossi had called about ten times. It was so unlike them to not answer.
Aaron shrugged. "We were at a friend's house and it had no reception. Are we going to be safe driving?"
Rossi smirked proudly. "I bought a plow for my truck a while back. We are golden."
Oh the fun Rossi has with his money. Jack was extra excited to ride in a snow plow, like it was a big treat. It came in handy too because several of the roads hadn't been touched and they surely would have been in trouble even with the chains on the tires.
Finally, after a drive which had Penelope biting her nails almost as short as Emily, they arrived at Dave's cabin (mansion). She felt so happy to see her family all there already. JJ and Reid were carrying in more wood, Henry ran with Jack to show him their shared bedroom and Derek was talking on the phone with that same importance set in his face. She would tackle him for information on that over the weekend. He was trapped! Thank you, mother nature.
"Hey Pen, incredible with the snow isn't it?" JJ wrapped Pen in a big hug. She loved snow but she was thankful for Rossi insisting they come stay there. Other than Emily and one drunken night for Hotch, no one ever stayed at his house but with how close everyone was increasingly getting, it made sense. Plus, he was getting exceptionally paternal. "We had to cancel all our appointments for the weekend which stinks, we had so much to get done for the divorce and paternity."
Penelope was glad to hear they were getting these things done and she engaged in several more minutes of conversation on the topic but it reminded her of something. After checking on the still sleeping Emily, she made it to the back deck where the food was being stored in coolers to stay ok in the cold of the snow. She searched her pocket for the business card Tabby's assistant gave her with her cell. "Hi Tabby, its Penelope."
Tabby knew she would be getting this call to cancel on tomorrow. "Hey, rain check on dinner tomorrow? I don't think you could get me to leave my house if it were on fire." She hated, hated snow. In fact she was terrified and had to call her sister and her sister's girlfriend to come stay with her. She was prepared though with enough food to last for a week but she just hated the powdery white stuff. Her father died in a snow related automobile accident with her in the car. She was seven.
"Exactly why I was calling. Take care ok? Charge up your phone, I'll be checking in." She didn't really understand why she was so protective of this woman already. She liked her, a lot. She would so fit into this group. In fact, if the woman Derek is seeing isn't that great she's doing her favorite thing and meddling to set these two up.
"You got it. Keep safe."
Penelope hung up feeling content for the first time in a while. She was getting a nice treat of time with the people she loves and she was going to make the most of it. She was especially happy to see a handsome profile of chocolate among all this snow.
Derek came out to check on her and laughed when Pen's head was suddenly entirely white. He never thought he would see the day, but Hotch just started a snowball fight.
Since the usual snow storms I am used to where I live are nonexistent this year I was inspired to get my fix over this and the next chapter.