"Are you two coming out anytime soon?" Derek asked as he stared at the bathroom door. Penelope had whisked Erin behind it the moment she stepped into the apartment, leaving him in the dust to wait.
"I almost have your bride ready for you. How about you go down and wait for us in the car? We'll follow in my car, since you are totally not supposed to see the dress before the ceremony. But you are going to love this, I promise."
Sighing, he knew that he wouldn't win this battle and he nodded, even though he knew they couldn't see the gesture. "All right, I'll head down."
"Thank you, Der! I'll call you when we get to my car, and you can follow us to the courthouse."
"Sounds like you have everything planned out here. See you in a few." He made his way out of the apartment and over to the stairwell, feeling his phone buzz. Pausing, he pulled it out of his pocket and smiled when he saw that Erin had sent him a text message. Tapping on the screen, he saw that she had messaged him a picture of her face, the makeup soft and beautiful, accentuating her cheekbones and lips.
I hope I look all right, Der. He could hear the uncertainty in her words and smiled gently down at his phone.
You look so gorgeous, Erin. I cannot wait to see what Baby Girl picked out for you to wear, even if it will just be a fancy wrapping for the true beauty wearing it.
Her reply was quick. If you keep that up, I'm going to fall in love with you all the more quickly.
Good. And I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. There was no further reply from her and he stuck his phone back in his pocket before continuing down the stairs. By the time he reached his truck, he was whistling, a happiness settling over his heart, something he hadn't experienced in quite some time.
After five minutes of waiting, he got another text, and he smiled as he saw the word go on his home screen. Starting up the truck, he pulled out, seeing Penelope's car just in front of him. It was a short drive to the courthouse, and he parked next to them, closing his eyes so that he would not see Erin's dress.
The text message from Penelope came moments later, and he pulled his phone out, smiling at the words on the screen. You may now join us inside. We'll be in room 504. Slipping the phone back in his pocket, he got out of the car and felt his smile change to a grin when he saw Hotch standing on the sidewalk, looking vaguely uncomfortable.
"Hey, thanks for joining us today, man." He looked up at him as he shrugged. "I know that it will mean a lot to Erin that you came. She doesn't have much support from the others yet."
"Well, it is a little sudden. Dave is less than pleased with this situation."
"He treated her like dirt, I told you that." Hotch held up a hand and he shook his head.
"No, Aaron, he told her that it didn't take long for her to find someone else to fuck. I watched her heart break before my eyes, and I just couldn't stand for it."
Hotch's eyes narrowed as he took in those words, nodding in agreement, finally. "All right, that makes a little more sense to me now. Let's get you married." He clapped his hand on Derek's back and they went inside. It didn't take long for Derek to find the right room, and as he entered, his gaze fell automatically to Erin.
A soft gasp escaped his lips as he looked at the soft rose colored dress she wore. The cut accentuated her hips, the small baby bump, her generous breasts, and he felt his heart soften a little more to her. She smiled at him, holding out her hand, and he closed the distance between them, clasping her hand softly and using it to pull her close to his body. "You look absolutely beautiful, Erin."
"Thank you, Derek." He tightened his hold on her before leading them over to the justice of the peace. "We're ready to get married now, Justice Berhens."
The man nodded at them, and Derek found that all he could focus on was the woman in his arms, her sure answers to the questions asked by the justice making his heart melt even more. He tried to answer with as much surety, knowing in his soul that this was going to be a forever arrangement. "And now, by the power vested in me, by the state of Virginia, I pronounce you husband and wife. If you'd like, you may seal the marriage with a kiss."
Erin turned to him, her face soft and open, pure joy radiating off her. "Kiss me?"
Derek nodded, lowering his face so that he could cover her lips gently in a tender kiss. "Hello, Mrs. Morgan."
"Hello, Mr. Morgan." She blushed lightly as they broke apart, going over to the table and signing their marriage certificate. When that was finished, the justice signed it as well, before shaking their hands.
"Time for pictures!" Penelope squealed. They both groaned a little before Erin broke into giggles. He loved the sound of her laughter, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, turning them to face Penelope. "Oh, you two are so adorable together!"
"I'm glad someone thinks so," Erin murmured, resting her head on Derek's shoulder. The click of the camera seemed to go on forever, but finally, Penelope put it away.
"All right, I got us reservations at Mullins Landing. I made it for ni-four, Hotch, if you want to come, too." Their boss gave a small smile as he nodded. "Excellent! I'll meet you there!" She dashed from the room, dragging Hotch along behind her.
"So, Hurricane Garcia hasn't passed yet. What time do you think we'll make it home?"
"Probably by six. I'm going to kiss you again."
"All right." Erin lifted her lips, a smile curving them invitingly. "I've come to love your kisses already," she whispered after he had broken the kiss.
"Good, since I've fallen in love with your kisses, too." He kissed her once more before leading her from the room, his arm around her waist. She cuddled close to him as they stepped out into the cool December air. "I know I told you this already, but you look so beautiful, Erin. I'm going to be a jealous husband."
"How so?" she asked as he opened the door of his car for her.
He waited until he was seated behind the wheel to answer her. "You're my wife, I don't want anyone to look at you as being anything but."
She sighed lightly as she reached out and rested her hand on his arm. "Derek…" Her voice trailed off and he knew that she was close to crying. "How is it that you know the perfect thing to say?"
"I don't know, Pretty Lady. I just say what comes to mind." He began to drive to the restaurant and then he was parking. He heard the shocked gasp that came to her lips and he followed her gaze to the front of the building. "Are those your children?"
Erin nodded absently before beginning to root around in her purse for a tissue. "Derek, I think I'm going to cry."
"I think you're already crying, honey." She nodded and swiped at her eyes with the tissue before looking at him. "You missed a little bit of mascara. Here." He held out his hand, and she gave him the tissue. Tenderly, he wiped away the black tracks before leaning in to kiss her. "All better now."
"Thank you, Derek." They got out of the car, and she came up to his side, her arm immediately slipping around his waist, holding on to him. "Hello, dears," she said in a small voice as they stopped in front of the group.
"Mom!" Bruce cried out, hugging her tightly. "Will you introduce us to your husband?"
She nodded, looking up into Derek's face. "This is Derek Morgan, my sweet rescuer. Derek, these are my children. Karen, my firstborn, is with her husband Glenn. Then my Brucie, with his girlfriend Christina. And finally, my baby Jessica. She's the only one who doesn't have a partner yet. I tease her about waiting for the perfect woman to come into her life."
"Mom, do you have to let him know all the family secrets already?" Jessica smiled as she reached her hand out to Derek. "Really, I love her for accepting me so easily. It was harder with Daddy. He didn't want me to be on the outside looking in for all my life."
"You can't change the way you were born, Jess." The smile on the girl's face widened before she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"Don't you ever leave us, Derek," he heard Erin whisper, her voice thick with tears. He nodded and turned his face towards hers, welcoming the kiss she offered him. He once more heard the click of Penelope's camera, and he shook his head a little as he smiled.
"I suppose you're planning on putting those pictures up on Facebook."
"You know it, Sugar. You and Erin are too adorable to not share with the world."
"Well, if you're friends with Blake, make sure she can't see those pictures. I want to tell her the news myself in Erin's office tomorrow, okay, Baby Girl?" She nodded and he wrapped his free arm around Erin's waist, leading the entourage over to the door.
"Reservations for Morgan," Penelope said as she approached the podium. The woman standing there looked at her chart and nodded.
"Are all nine members of your party here?" Erin nodded and snuggled closer to Derek. "All right, follow me then." She picked up a bunch of menus and began to wend her way through the dining room. Derek led Erin after her and pulled out a chair at the head of the table for her. "Ken will be your waiter this evening, he'll be by in about five minutes to take your drink order."
"And is the non-alcoholic champagne on ice as I requested?"
The woman nodded and Penelope smiled at them as she took a seat at the foot. Hotch sat next while Erin's children filled the remaining open seats. Derek felt Erin's hand clench his upper thigh and he looked over at her in concern. "Are you okay, Pretty Lady?"
"I don't know, my stomach feels weird." She looked up into his face and he could see the fear that she was trying to mask. "I don't think I'm miscarrying, but I need to get something to eat, maybe. I don't know."
He nodded and signaled a passing waiter. "Hi, could you get us a few crackers? My wife needs to settle her stomach. The baby's acting up a little, so she needs something to tide her over until we put our order in."
The young man nodded and quickly disappeared, returning moments later with a few packages of soda crackers. "Here you are, sir. And are you ready to place your drink order?"
He nodded and began to speak. "I'd like a ginger ale, please."
"Ooh, I didn't see that on the menu! I'll have the same, please," Erin said as she smiled up at their waiter. Ken nodded and went around the table as Derek opened the first pack of crackers, handing it to Erin. "Thanks, honey." She leaned against him, and Derek wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her near.
As one, her girls and Penelope sighed, and he felt Erin shake her head a little. "You guys are so adorable!" Karen said, blinking back tears. "Oh, Glenn, I can't believe how sweet he is to her. See, Bruce? I told you that Mom wouldn't make a mistake. She's smart." Karen smiled at him, but Derek saw the flint in her eyes that told him if he hurt Erin, there would be hell to pay. She was her mother's daughter, through and through, and he nodded to her, telling her that he understood the message loud and clear.