Senior Year-Ch 44

Derek took a deep breath as he looked down at Penelopes Christmas present, he loved her with all his heart and today on Christmas Eve he was going to ask her to marry him and spend the rest of her life with him. He closed the box and put it back into his pocket before sitting down on his moms front porch.

Fran walked over to the door and saw her son sitting on the porch deep in thought, she grabbed his coat and hers and headed outside, she handed him his coat and said, "please put this on before you catch pneumonia". Derek smiled and said, "yes mama", he put his coat on and smiled as his mom sat dwon beside him.

She rested her head on his shoulder and said, "baby what's wrong"?, he took a deep breath and said, "momma I am going to propose to Penelope today", she hugged him and said, "ohhhhhhhhh honey that's great". He smiled at his mom and said, "I love her so much momma and I want her to be my wife before the baby comes".

Fran grinned and said, "she loves you to Derek, she is gonna say yes", he grinned and said, "I hope so momma, I don't think that I can live without her in my life". Fran gently squeezed Dereks hand and said, "what time are you suppose to be over to Penelopes"?, he looked down at his watch and said, "I am suppose to be there in about half an hour".

Fran said, "don't forget we are opening gifts here tonight at about 6:00 and I would like my new daughter in law here", Derek laughed and said, "I know momma, I know". He stood up and said, "well I'm gonna head on over to Penelopes", he leaned down and kissed his mom on the cheek and said, "I love you mama".

Fran grinned and said, "I love you to baby boy, now go and spend some time with that wonderful financee of yours", he stepped off the porch and headed toward his SUV laughing and before he got inside he said, "bye mama, I will see you later". He fastened his belt and started the car and Fran watched as he pulled away from the house.

Penelope walks through the house and heads into the kitchen to help her mom, Monica smiles as she rubs her daughters stomach and says, "how are you doing this morning honey"?, Penelope smiled and said, "I'm doing great mom, no more morning sickness or anything anymore". Monica hugged her daughter and said,
"that's great sweetie, are you ready for Christmas"?, she rubbed her hands together and said, "ohhhh yes I definitely am".

Derek got out of his SUV and walked up Penelopes snow covered sidewalk, climbed her steps and nervously raised his hand, took a deep breath before he knocked on her front door. Julio walked over and opened the door and said, "good morning Derek and Merry Christmas", Derek smiled and said, "good morning and Merry Christmas to you to Mr. Garcia".

Julio motioned for Derek to come inside, once he was inside the house Julio said, "Penelope is in the kitchen helping her mom with breakfast", Derek then smiled and said, "Sir can we talk alone for a few minutes"?, Julio smiled and said, "sure son, would you like to go into the den"?, Derek nodded his head and said, "yes sir".

They walked into the den and Julio motioned for Derek to sit down, he took a deep breath and said, "sir I love you daughter with all my heart and today I would like to ask your permission to ask Penelope to marry me". Julio smiled and said, "it is obvious to me and Monica both that the two of you are destined to be together and I know that you will take care of both her and the baby".

Derek nodded his head and said, "yes sir, I will do whatever it takes to make them both happy", Julio put his hand on Dereks shoulder and said, "you have our permission to propose son". Derek stood up and shook his hand and said, "thank you sir and I promise you that you won't be sorry", Julio smiled and said, "just make my baby happy, that's all I ask".

Penelope walked into the room and said, "mom wanted me to tell you that breakfast is ready", Julio put his hand on Dereks shoulder and said, "I will go help Monica in the kitchen". Derek felt his heat beating faster and faster as he watched is future father in law walk out the door, Penelope then walked over to him and gently kissed his lips and said, "are you alright handsome"?, he said, "never better baby".

Penelope put her hand in his and turned to head to the kitchen when Derek said, "can we talk for a minute"?, she nodded her head yes and sat down on the couch with him right beside her. He smiled at her and said, "Penelope I love you with all my heart, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want to spend the rest of my life with you".

Penelope felt her heart beating faster and faster, "oh my god was he gonna do what I think he is gonna do"?, she thought, he dropped down to one knee and said, "Penelope Garcia would you make me the happiest man in the world and agree to be my wife"?, she looked at him through eyes filled with tears,
she opened her mouth to speak as he anxiously sat there on his knee looking up lovingly into her eyes.