Author's Notes: This is a stand alone, series of vignettes describing the growth of a relationship between David Rossi and Penelope Garcia. It starts in Season 13, no spoilers of Season 13, however, there are mentions of previous episodes particularly The Wheels on the Bus. Other than that it is all contrived by the author.
8 - Time for a Change
He comes home one night to find the house dark. Her car is noticeably absent from the garage. Instead of calling her, he waits for the garage to close before backing out on the street and heading to her place. She spends so much time at his place that he forgets the way to her apartment, eventually finding it. He parks on the street in front of the building, the light from her living room is on.
He makes his way into the building and up the stairs. The smell of pasta taunts his nose. Outside her door, he can hear the sweet strains of their favorite Sinatra song. Instead of using the key she gave him, he knocks. She opens the door wearing little more than a smile. She steps back to allow him room to enter.
He looks around the barely furnished room. A small table and two chairs are all that is left in the living room. He spots her bed sitting alone in the other room. The pasta he smelled in the hallway, waits on the table. She gestures for him to sit.
"Where is everything?" he asks finally. She stands next to him as he settles at the table.
She laughs.
"Where do you think, mon ami?" She runs her hand through his hair. "Before I completely move in, I wanted to ask you something."
It's been almost two years since her things had begun encroaching upon his house. It happened so slowly, he didn't think twice about new furniture appearing or things being rearranged.
"Ask me anything."
She drops slowly to one knee. "Will you marry me?"