20A/N: I hope you all enjoy this last chapter of my first Christmas story! I had such fun writing it, after all I took it from my real-life experiences. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed this story. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Thanks again to my good friend and beta ddgorgeous for all her help.
Also, just another reminder, don't forget to get your nominations in for this year's Profiler's Choice awards. You haven't done so, they will be accepted until December 31st 2016 at 11:59pm. Help to support your favorite writers. Merry Christmas and God bless.
Derek stood in front of his heart and handed her the gift. She reached out slowly and took it from him and placed his gift down on the table next to her. She suddenly became even more nervous and was afraid to get her hopes up too high. A million thoughts and questions were running around in her head. Could this be what she thought it was, could all her dreams be coming true in one fell swoop. Penelope was brought out of reverie when Derek began to speak to her.
Derek was on his last nerve and started to sweat a little bit. "Go on baby, open it! I was going to give this to you tomorrow, but I think this is the perfect time and place. "
Penelope shakily began to unwrap her gift. Once the paper and ribbon were gone, she lifted the lid to the box off, turned the box upside down and let the small deep red velvet box slide out. Derek took the empty box from her and placed it on the table. Penelope slowly popped open the velvet box and suddenly let out a huge gasp. The whole family grinned and deeply inhaled, they were ecstatic.
"Ohhhh myyyy Godddd, Derek! Does this mean what I think it means?"
Derek reached over and gently lifted the box from her hand and grasped the gorgeous diamond ring and removed it from the box. Penelope watched his every movement with love and tears in her eyes. He knelt on one knee and took hold of her soft alabaster hand and cleared his throat.
"Baby Girl, you are the love of my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen or known. You have the kindest heart of anyone I know. You are smart, sassy, quirky and I love everything about you! You are my God-given solace, my rock, and the best friend I have ever had. I trust you like no other and want to be with you forever. I want and need to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to be my wife and the mother of our many future babies. I love you with all my heart and soul! Penelope Calliope Garcia, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and make me the happiest man on this planet?"
The entire time he was proposing and professing his love she had both her hands covering her mouth and tears streaming down her face like a waterfall. Penelope couldn't keep her eyes off his gorgeous face as he looked up at her. All her dreams had finally come true! The family and Derek held their breaths waiting on her answer.
Penelope grinned and gushed with complete joy. "Yes, Yes, a million times Yes! Of course, I will marry you Hot Stuff!"
The ladies couldn't contain their delight and squealed. As Derek flashed his one-thousand watt smile he tenderly slid the ring onto her finger. When he was finished, he stood up and brought her into his arms. He cupped her face softly and drew her into a long loving and passionate kiss. It brought out catcalls, whistles, and applause from the adults. The room was going wild with everyone grinning, cheering, and yelling out yes and their congrats.
The boys also clapped and screamed out their congratulations. "Yayyyyyyy!"
The newly engaged couple broke their kiss in need of air. "I love you with my whole heart and soul Derek Morgan!"
"I love you to the moon and back, Penelope Garcia soon-to-be Morgan!"
Dave roared out. "Finally, we thought you guys would never figure out that you two belong together!"
Everyone broke out into laughter even the happy couple. Derek looked around at his family and asked. "We weren't that bad, were we?"
"YESSSSSS"
Derek smirked. "Very funny, guys! Very funny!"
Spencer retorted as he chuckled. "We thought so, bro! We are so happy for both of you."
Derek hugged him while he grinned. "Thanks Pretty Boy!"
Fran stepped over in front of Derek and Penelope with her cheeks filled with happy tears. "Ohh my, I am so happy for the both of you! You truly are soulmates and meant to be together forever. Baby Boy, I am so glad that you have finally found true happiness and love. Penelope welcome to the family and I am proud to call you my daughter. Congratulations and I wish you nothing, but happiness, joy and many, many grandchildren for us."
"Ohhh Momma, thank you and I am truly happy and lucky. I will spend the rest of my life making sure this beautiful Goddess next to me is safe, happy and loved. As far as your future grandchildren, god willing we will give you a whole gaggle!"
He hugged his mother and then pulled back as Penelope spoke. "Mom, I love you and I would be honored to be your daughter. You have been nothing, but wonderful to me. You accepted me no questions asked. I vow to you that I will always protect and love your son! I will never hurt him and will always be there for him."
Fran leaned in and hugged her future daughter-in-law. "I know you will honey, I never had any doubts. You have always been there for my son, I know you would never hurt him. You two have such a bond and trust between you, something I have never seen before. God bless the both of you and I will always be here whenever you need me! I love you too, my daughter!"
Dave jumped in. "Ditto! That goes for me too, Kitten! You are both like my children and I wish you nothing, but the best. I love you both!"
"Awww, we love you too Papa Bear!"
As Penelope and Dave hugged the rest of the family wished them the same thing and vowed to be there for them both always. Hugs and claps on the shoulders were passed around between all of them. All while this was happening everybody "ooo'd and ahhh'd over the gorgeous ring. Derek explained that it was called the "Ever Us®" ring. It had two diamonds one represented each other's best friend and the other was their true love for one another.
Jack walked over to Penelope and tugged on her sweater. "Auntie Pen, what about your present for Uncle Derek?"
Penelope grinned and couldn't wait to see the look on Derek's face when he opened it. "Good question, Jackers? Do you think I should give it to him now?"
"Yes, you promised!"
Penelope picked up her gift and gleefully handed it to her fiancé. She inwardly thought how thrilled she was to be able to call him that, someday soon he would be her husband. "I certainly did, Jackers! Here you go, my sexy fiancé as promised. I hope you like it."
Derek still had his suspicions, but the shape of the box didn't quite fit in his mind. He pulled it closer, looked over at his fiancée and with shaky hands began to unwrap it. Once the paper was discarded, he took the lid off and looked down at what was right in front of him. He couldn't believe his eyes his suspicions were right on. Now, it was his turn, immediately tears came to his eyes. His head popped up and he stared into the most beautiful eyes and face he had ever seen.
He grinned from ear-to-ear and took a great big breath. "Really? Am I reading this right? Are you sure?"
Everybody's curiosity was peaked, they couldn't see what was in the box and were dying to know what he was talking about. Fran was the only one who figured out what it was.
"What is it Uncle Derek?" Emily and Hotch quickly shushed him.
Penelope made her way even closer to the love of her life and nodded her head. "Yesss, really my love! It's true, you are going to be a daddy! I went to the doctor and had it confirmed!
Derek couldn't contain his joy any longer. He reached out to his lady love, the woman who'd be the greatest mama ever and lifted her into his arms and began twirling her around. "Ohh my God, I can't believe it we are going to be parents! I have everything I could ever want. I am marrying the love of my life and now I find out we are going to have a baby! My life is perfect!"
Penelope couldn't help but chuckle. "Hot Stuff, put me down I am getting dizzy! Are you really happy? Were you surprised? You figured out my nest message, didn't you?"
Derek couldn't stop grinning. "Silly girl, of course I am happy! Honestly, I am ecstatic and a bit nervous. Yes, I was surprised and yes, I sort of guessed it from the nest. That's why I asked you to marry me first. I wanted to start the rest of our lives right. I can't believe it a little Baby Girl, now I will have two baby girls to love and cherish."
Penelope crinkled her nose a bit. "Or a mini Hot stuff? It's too soon to tell!"
Derek was completely certain beyond a doubt. "Nope, I know I am right this little one here is a girl! I can feel it, you'll see."
He reached over and rubbed her tummy. He then bent over and lovingly kissed the spot he had just been rubbing. Then he stood up and drew her into one of the most intense and passionate kisses that they had ever shared. All the while everybody was clapping, completely excited and the girls were squealing once again.
Henry wrapped his little arms around one of Penelope's legs and looked up at them. "Are you habing a baby?"
The thrilled couple looked down at little Henry, grinned and Derek picked him up and said. "Yes, we are little man! Would you like a new cousin?"
"Uh huh, me wants a wittle cuzbin! Me pomise, I will wub dem!
Penelope couldn't help the tears that were streaming down her face. "I know you will, little one! I am so happy to give you and Jackers a new cousin. Mom, it looks like you are going to get those grandchildren a lot sooner than you thought. I hope you are happy?"
Fran also had tears of happiness flowing down her face. "Happy, happy isn't the word! I am truly blessed and on cloud nine I am going to a grandma! Ohh my, a new daughter and a new grandbaby all in one night! I love you both so much!"
First, Penelope and then Derek hugged her, all with tears in their eyes. "We love you too, Momma! You're going to be a great grandma to this little peanut here. I wish Pops were here with us tonight!"
"He is my son, he is! I am sure he is just as happy and proud of you, as I am. I have no doubts. God bless all three of you!"
Dave approached them and was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Congratulations kids, I am so happy and proud of the both of you. You will make the greatest family! I can't wait to be a grandpa!'
Penelope hugged him and said. "You will make a great one too, my Italian Stallion! I can't wait for this little one to arrive. He or she will have the best family, they will have wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents who will all spoil them and love them. They will want for nothing!"
Everyone again passed around the congratulations and well wishes for the happy little family. They were all excited and couldn't believe all the special news that had been shared that evening.
Once things had died down a bit it was time for Nonno Dave to read "T'was the night before Christmas." The kids ran off to get their PJ's on while the ladies prepared more hot cocoa for the adults. They also had poured the boys some milk and laid out two cookies for each of them.
When the boys arrived back in the living room with their dads everyone settled down with their goodies and listened intently as Dave read the story. By the time, he finished reading the story they all noticed two very sleepy boys curled up with their daddy's.
Jack yawned and asked. "What about Santa's cookies and milk?"
Fran replied. "Let's do that now and then off to bed for you two monkeys."
Jack smiled, "Cool, thanks Nana!"
Henry perked up a little bit. "What about the weindeer? They get cawwots!"
Penelope chuckled and ruffled his hair. "No worries, little one we have the carrots, too!
Everyone headed to the kitchen. The boys watched as Fran poured Santa some milk. JJ placed four cookies on a plate and Emily grabbed four carrots from the refrigerator and laid them out next to the cookies. After their dads let them down, Henry took the plate with the cookies and carrots while Fran handed the milk to Jack. They all headed back out to the other room and gently put them down on the table next to the fireplace.
Once the boys were satisfied that everything was just right for Santa, they both ran around to their aunts and uncles and their Nana and Nonno and said their goodnights. They hugged everyone and told everybody they loved them.
The boys and their parents headed upstairs so they could say their prayers and be tucked in. The Reid's and the Hotchner's promised to be right down to help. While they were upstairs the rest of the group went about cleaning up from the tree trimming. As they were finishing that up, JJ, Spencer, Emily and Hotch made their way back down.
Derek smiled and queried. "Are the munchkins asleep?"
JJ nodded her head. "They were out as soon as their little heads hit the pillow. They were exhausted from all of the activities today."
The group chuckled as they shook their heads in amusement. Penelope clapped her hands. "I bet, I am tired too! Alright fellow elves, let's stuff those stockings and put out all the goodies!"
Derek winked at his favorite girl and gave her a quick kiss. "You got it, silly girl!"
The whole family immediately got right to work. They all went separate directions and gathered up all their gifts. It took them about an hour to get everything under the tree and to fill all the stockings. When they were finished all of them stood back and admired their handiwork. Everything looked great and extremely festive.
They decided to sit back for a few minutes to finish their hot cocoa, listen to the fireplace crackle and watch all the pretty lights. After a bit, they decided to head to bed themselves being it was almost midnight. There was no doubt they were all indeed tired and there were two little boys who would be up extremely early the next morning to see what Santa had brought them.
Everyone said their goodnights and headed upstairs to bed, except for Derek and Penelope. Derek asked her to hang back a minute he wanted to say something in private.
Derek pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her waist. She reciprocated by placing her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes.
"Baby Girl, I just wanted to say that I have never been happier in my life, than I am right now. You have given me two wonderful gifts tonight and I couldn't ask for anything more. You have given me yourself, your love, and your heart when you agreed to be my wife. To top it all off, you have given me a child and made me a daddy! I want to promise you I will be the best husband and father in the world. I will always be here for you and any children we will have. I love you more than I thought it was possible to love anyone. I can't wait to be your husband, Sweetness!"
Penelope had a few unspent tears in her eyes as she readied to speak. "Awww, Hot Stuff, I can't wait to be your wife and the mother of your children! You have made me so happy like you have done every day we have known each other! You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I trust you with my life, my heart, and my soul. I will do my best to make you happy every day for the rest of our lives. Thank you for asking me to marry you and for making me a mommy! I love you with every breath I take and every beat of my heart! You are it for me, forever and ever!"
When she had finished, they melted into each other and shared a very loving and extremely passionate toe-curling kiss which lasted until they pulled apart gasping for air.
Derek caressed her cheek. "To be continued, Goddess! You head up and I will lock up and shut everything down and I will be right behind you."
"Okay Handsome, don't be too long!" She winked and quickly headed upstairs to get ready.
Derek took care of everything in a blink of an eye and sprinted upstairs. The happily engaged couple spent the next couple of hours enjoying themselves and showing each other how much they truly loved one another.
Christmas morning dawned and sure enough the boys were up bright and early practically bouncing off the walls as they ran from room to room waking the whole family up. There had been a snowstorm as everyone slept and there was a beautiful white covering over the scenery that just added to the joy of the day.
Fran and Dave made the coffee and headed into the rest of the group as they readied to start opening all the presents. The rest of the day was spent in happiness and love as they enjoyed each other's company. They had a wonderful breakfast followed afterwards with the women preparing a feast for dinner.
The boys were excited about getting to play in the snow for a good part of the day. They made a snowman, snow angels, some sledding and even had a snowball fight with the adults.
A fun time was had by all during the remainder of their time together. They played, laughed, watched movies, and shared in the love for one another. They all agreed that there was nothing more important and precious than love, family, old and new memories, and cherished traditions.
THE END
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!" -Clement Clarke Moore
