Part 4

"Well, this is good to see," Emily said when she visited about 10 o'clock in the morning the next day. Emily had immediately noticed the bracelet and she knew exactly what that meant. Penelope was laying on the couch and had had her head in Aaron's lap when he had to get up to answer the door. The two of them had been watching a movie, which was now paused.

The doorbell had rung and Aaron had answered allowing Emily inside so she could visit.

"What did you expect when you left me here the other day?" Penelope asked with a large smile. "Did you think we would kill each other?"

"Well, no, but I certainly didn't expect to see you lounging around in just your underwear," said Emily.

"I'm saving my outfit, since it's the only one I have for when I go back to my place," said Penelope.

"I can pick you up some clothes if you like, as I've already been to your apartment to feed your cat, which you still need to name."

"Thanks for that," Penelope said gratefully. "I hope she's been behaving herself and hasn't destroyed my apartment."

"She won't do that, as I made sure to get you one that's housebroken," Aaron put in. "Of course, that doesn't mean that she won't miss you."

"And I went to the pet shop the other day and bought food, two bowls for food, water and a litter box and plenty of litter, along with a few toys," Emily said.

"Thanks, I'll pay you back," Penelope promised.

"Don't worry about it, consider it a gift," Emily said waving away her friend's offer.

"I think I'll name her Shadow," Penelope decided not arguing.

"Well, she is completely gray so she would be nearly invisible in the shadows," Aaron approved.

"Did I ever thank you for her? Shadow's adorable, even if I haven't got to spend much time with her yet," Penelope said, kissing Aaron's cheek.

"You're welcome I'm glad you like her," Aaron said smiling. "Emily did mention that you were thinking about getting a cat for companionship."

"Emily's right, I was," Penelope said winking at her friend.

"So does this mean that you two a dating now?" Emily asked that she gestured at the beautiful bracelet of interlinking hearts.

"It means that we've agreed to a more permanent arrangement," Penelope corrected smiling. "You know our traditions and I never would have accepted such an expensive piece of jewelry if we hadn't agreed to make it permanent."

"Yep, we've already agreed to a monogamous relationship," Aaron agreed smiling hugely, as he interlinked his fingers with his mate's. "Penny's agreed to become my mate."

"Well, this is great news indeed," Emily said smiling very happy for the pair.

"Of course, we need to recover more before we get to the actual mating, but by next week we should be recovered enough to do that," Penelope said.

"Well, I'm happy to see both of you so contented, especially considering the circumstances that brought you together," Emily said

"That's in the past," Aaron spoke firmly and Emily nodded getting the message.

They might both know about Penelope's past, but no one else needed to, so it was like it had never happened as far as Aaron was concerned and since Emily more than understood she said nothing else changing the subject.

"So need anything?" Emily asked.

"Not really as we can always order in or even cook," Penelope said. "I haven't really been in the mood to cook, as I'm still pretty weak and I fear if I stand for long I might fall or at least need to sit down, but that's improving with every hour, so I figured by tomorrow I can probably cook a meal if I want to without needing to rest."

"Just being together has helped both of us immensely, but our bodies still need to recover from the ordeal they went through," Aaron added.

"We'll certainly recover from our bodies weaknesses faster then we will regain the weight we lost in the last couple of weeks," Penelope said.

"Yes, that's true," Emily agreed. "I'll be glad to shop for groceries if you need me to."

"We probably do need a few things, bread for example," Aaron said looking thoughtful.

"We need a lot of fattening foods for the next few days anyway, as that will help us regain weight faster. Stuff that normally, I only eat in moderation, so I keep my figure," Penelope said.

"Stuff that's easy to fix and doesn't require a lot of complicated, time-consuming preparations as neither one of us is in the mood for that," Aaron agreed.

"I know exactly what you need," Emily said. "I'll go shopping sometime today and deliver the bags to you."

"Thank you, I really appreciate all your help," Aaron said.

"It's okay, both of you are my friends and just seeing you so happy together is enough thanks for me," Emily said waving away Aaron's gratitude.

"Yes, thank you for introducing me to Aaron, even if I didn't want to get involved with him in the beginning, if only because I knew it would likely turn serious and that was the last thing I wanted at the time," Penelope said.

"You had reasons for not wanting to get involved in anyone seriously, valid ones," Emily said, "but still, you're welcome. Well, now, that I know you're doing okay, I'll just get out of here, so you can recuperate in peace, but if you need anything just call me. I'll make sure to bring you a few changes of clothes and a few other things as well as those groceries."

"If you could keep checking on Shadow I would appreciate it, make sure she gets fed and has plenty of water."

"I was already planning to," Emily promised. "I'll keep your plants watered to."

"Thanks," Penelope said gratefully having forgotten her plants that she had placed around the apartment.

"Again welcome," Emily said before taking her leave.

"There goes a good woman and a good friend," Aaron said

"Yes, she is, but I know she's very lonely and she has yet to meet anyone that she feels she can settle down with. Her situation was very similar to my own, except in her case she's an Alpha and she has never been assaulted like I have."

"Maybe we should introduce her to a few of the omegas that work at the theater," Aaron said. "You never know something might happen more than friendship. Of course, we'll have to be careful that she's not aware of what we are doing."

"I'm sure she's met most of them at some point since she apparently goes to performances regularly," Penelope said.

"She has met some of them, but not all," Aaron agreed. "I'm at a loss at how to introduce her to those Omegas she hasn't met at the theater I work at regularly without making it obvious that I'm trying to matchmake."

"I'll try to think of a way that she can meet a few omegas," Penelope said. "She's dated a lot I know that much, but none of them lasted more than a couple weeks because usually our courtships don't last more than two, three months tops. Actually, I'm not sure we should even try to interfere, because Emily's intelligent enough to pick up on it and then we'd just get a lecture at least."

"I know you're right, but I hate to see such a good person, a good Alpha, so lonely, just like I was before I met you," Aaron said.

"So do I, but all we can do is be her friend as she has certainly helped us out so much during this crisis. I'll try to figure out a way to help her, but I can't give you any guarantees," Penelope said.

"I know," Aaron promised. "There are sometimes you can just do nothing no matter how much you want to help."

The two were silent and resumed their movie and just enjoyed each others company forgetting about any problems for the time being.

~~~Aaron and Penelope~~~

"So you do want children?" Aaron asked, seemingly casually.

"Of course, I do, but it's going to have to wait until at least my next heat," Penelope said. "I've just been though a heat recently in fact, I was only a few days away from it when we met."

"I already knew that, as I could smell that you were close. I know it's not possible for you to have children until you go into your heat again, but then, that's a good thing, as it gives us more time to find another place to live to get to know each other better. To basically, get settled into married life, before we even have to think about you being pregnant, us starting a family," Aaron explained. "By the time you do go into your heat two and a half months from now we'll have a more solid relationship or if that's too soon we can wait to get you pregnant until the heat after that."

"We'll see," Penelope said. "We have several months to make a decision so there's no need to rush it. Let's just concentrate on getting to know each other better over the next few weeks. We can discuss it about a week before I do go into heat, though this will be the first time in years I have an alpha to relieve it for me in the usual way."

"So what did you do about your heats since you didn't trust Alpha to help you with it?" Aaron asked. "I mean an omega's heat is not easy to get through, even with someone to relieve the pressure, but it would be even harder to get through alone."

"Emily helped me," Penelope explained. "She used toys a vibrator, among other things. She made sure I stayed hydrated by plying me with protein enhanced water and high protein snacks, helped me use the restroom when I couldn't stumble there on my own. I have the spare bedroom set up as a nice, comfy little nest for when my heats occur, as the bed just isn't very comfortable during that time."

"Well, I'm glad you had someone to help you that you trusted at least, although using a toy isn't the same as having an alpha's cock in your body," Aaron said looking eager to have his cock in his beautiful mate's body

"I know, because I did that for several years, before that incident occurred. I always used temporary partners, Alphas I'd been dating, that I didn't have any strong feelings for, but that I trusted enough to help me with them, to use a condom so I wouldn't get pregnant," Penelope explained. "I suspect your cock will feel different when we have sex for the first time, because I do genuinely love you and as for the other alphas I had affection for them and possibly felt a little lust, but that was the extent of my feelings. It's not like I've been a total eunuch, as I still had plenty of sex after that incident, but I never had alphas around doing my heats, because I wasn't exactly in shape to defend myself if necessary and my trust in them to do what I had requested was severely bent at least. You're the first male Alpha I've trusted completely in a long time."

"You're right, an Omega is very vulnerable during their heat, since they keep getting racked by tremors and can hardly stand, which is why they need someone to help when their heat hits them," Aaron agreed. "It is possible to get through a heat alone, but it's much more difficult."

"This'll be the first time in a long time that I've actually had an Alpha present other than Emily during my heat," Penelope said.

"I'll always be there and I'll make sure I don't go into the theater whenever I know you're about to have one," Aaron swore. "It's not like I really have a job, since I'm the owner of several theaters and not the manager and even if I did have a job whoever I worked for would have to let me take off whenever you're heats occurred, as it's a legal requirement, but an alpha and omega have to be legally mated not just courting in order for that law to come into effect."

"I know and I'm sure Omegas everywhere that are mated are grateful for that law, because I certainly am," Penelope said. "Of course, since you're the owner of the theater and not manager it's different, but still..."

"It's a very fair law for our kind, since the government can't expect someone else to handle an Omegas heat if they happen to be mated, because that would be considered cheating and would be grounds to be thrown out permanently, since us alphas are always very possessive of what we consider ours and that's definitely our mates. Besides, it would be the same as a human spouse cheating on their partner and luckily, the government realized this, which is why the law was put into effect."

"And going it alone is a lot harder as Omegas can't really take care of their needs very effectively by themselves, not with tremors, convulsions and shakes racking their body, making them weak," Penelope said. "I can barely stumble to the bathroom in the hallway and then back again, which is why having somebody you trust to help you is vital whether that's a mate or not. I certainly recover quicker when Emily is there to help me, though there have been some times she couldn't get off work and all my other friends were busy or going through heats of their own."

"You forgot to mention that omegas also have a high fever during their heats and it's as if their bodies are burning up from the inside out," Aaron said.

"It's easier when you are mated and have your mate to help relieve your heat for you, or at least that's what I've heard, because I've never been mated and using temporary partners is bound to be different," Penelope said. "So how did you ever become owner of one theater much less several?"

"Well, as I said, I've always been fascinated by the playacting that goes on in the theater and up in Hollywood. I've seen some great plays over the years, but I discovered I have absolutely no talent for acting or at least I wasn't good enough to be a professional, so the next best thing was to become manager or owner of a theater, though I suppose I could have become a movie directer. I worked different jobs in the theater, although never as one of the acts and I invested my money wisely, though I did accept advice from a good friend of mine David Rossi. I enjoy being around when new productions are being practiced and everybody knows that they can approach me or the manager at anytime with any concerns and is another reason I like to be available. I actually enjoy watching the actors practice their lines and I even offer my advice sometimes. I also did it, because I knew it would drive both my parents crazy, as they definitely didn't approve of my fascination with how movies were made or how people could act totally different from their real personalities, even if it was only for a little while. I always found it fascinating how someone could just be sucked in to a different time and place for a couple of hours, if the actors were good enough."

"I never thought of it like that," Penelope said appreciatively.

"Most people don't, but then we're all different," Aaron said. "My father wanted me to become a lawyer, but that was the last thing I wanted and I was determined to forge my own path. I refused to be intimidated by a man who obviously had his own agenda and obviously didn't really care about his children at all, but then I am an Alpha and I developed my father's strong commanding personality, though I certainly don't use it like he did."

"So you're more involved then most bosses?" Penelope asked changing the subject, because she could hear the pain in her mate's voice and she wanted to just wrap her in her arms and make the pain go away. Aaron nodded, looking appreciative at the change of subject.

"Yeah, I am, as I've always loved the theater, ever since I was a young man. It's so changeable as there are new productions each season, new actors constantly as most plays don't last more than a week, sometimes two and very rarely a month, as it all depends on popularity," Aaron explained, his face infused with enthusiasm. "Of course, now, I have you, so I won't be spending so much time at the theater, as I did that, at least partly, because I was lonely and now I'm not. Still, I'll be heavily involved."

"I'm looking forward to having your children," Penelope said, "as I've been wanting at least a couple for years and if I have more then that you won't get any objection from me."

"You have plenty of time to have as many as we want and I promise you I will treasure each child we have as the gift they will be," Aaron said, as he kissed the top of her head lovingly.

"You can't spoil them too much as we need to teach them discipline and compassion for others and to not be spoiled brats," said Penelope.

"I'll try not to," Aaron grinned looking unrepentant.

The two lapsed into comfortable silence and just cuddled together on the couch.

"You do know that spanking will be part of our relationship? That spanking is part of an Alpha's and Omega's dynamics and there are very important reasons for this," Aaron questioned, suddenly breaking the comfortable silence. "The reason being that it helps control an Alpha's rather strong instincts to protect what is theirs and stops him or her from killing someone or at least beating them severely for making inappropriate advances. Some people are stupid enough to come onto a mated omega or to grab inappropriately what an alpha considers his property, which can send that alpha into a rage, something best to be avoided."

"Yes, I know, and the omega in me is looking forward to it, as I haven't really been spanked much in years and I've missed it. That was something Emily refused to do, because it would have implied a more intimate relationship between us and since I happened to agree with her, well, I couldn't really be mad," Penelope said easily. "I know the only reason we haven't played that game is both of us have been to ill to do so, but I trust we will play it for many years to come. By the way, you forgot to mention, that another reason the game is played is that it is to keep the omega from getting in trouble with their Alpha by doing something inappropriate like flirting with a stranger as pain is a sharp reminder to behave in public. Also, it lets the Omega know that you do love her, because you took the time to play with her and make sure she knows what will happen to her if she does something that the alpha disapproves of, depending on how serious it is. I don't mind play spanking and in fact, I'll enjoy it, because it's a game that our kind has been playing for many thousands of years, but I would prefer never to be seriously punished."

"And I would prefer to never have to seriously punish you, but I can force myself if necessary, as you will need to learn a lesson, so you don't make the same mistake a second time," Aaron said his voice firm.

"I don't plan on making that kind of serious mistake that causes you to tear my ass up to where I'm sore for at least a week, but I realize it could still happen," Penelope said.

"Hopefully not, because it would pain me almost as much as it would you, except emotionally," Aaron said. "Well, now that you know play spanking is going to be a major part of our relationship, just like it is for all alpha/omega mated pairs we can just forget about it for now, as we are both still too weak to even consider doing something like that, even if the alpha in my wants to, because he considers you his and wants to make sure you don't forget it."

"Yes, I agree that we are still to weak for us to play the game at the moment, even if the omega in me wants to," Penelope said.

Spanking someone you loved, not that you were necessarily mated at the time was a game that alphas and omegas had been playing for a very long time. It was a game that Penelope knew would seem strange to the humans who considered spanking as a punishment, but to their species it was simply the way it was. Penelope could never love any alpha deeply unless spanking was part of their dynamics as the omega in her would resent that the alpha she had agreed to mate with was not fulfilling his duties. Now that she knew that spanking was going to be part of their relationship Penelope fell completely in love with Aaron Hotchner, because he was acting as an alpha should. He was one that knew his responsibilities. It was something others she had dated had not done much of, though to be fair her relationships over the last 8 years had been fairly brief. Still, it was something she had missed quite a bit.

The two started necking, but that was as far as they could go at the moment, which both look regretted, but on the upside both were recovering rapidly and had already gained several pounds, due to all the calorie filled, heavy foods they had been eating, so in another few weeks they would be back up to the weight they had been before.

"I love you, but I don't think I've actually said those words to you, my mate," Aaron said once they had broken apart temporarily.

"I love you too," Penelope answered simply, but sincerely and the two of them were soon lost in each other again.

~~~Aaron and Penelope~~~