Chapter 2

A/N: Thank you everyone who followed, favorited, read and reviewed this story, thus far. Also, thanks to my guest reviewer (Alliecattie)! You guys are all the best. I promise I will have something else out as soon as possible. You have given me so much inspiration and gave me a renewed spark to keep going. Love you all and God Bless.

They sat there for several long minutes in silence just looking at the waves. Penelope was nervous as a cat and couldn't think straight. His palms were swimming in sweat. Derek's heart was pounding in his chest, so much so, he could feel it all the way up into his throat which was parched dry. His mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls. He had never felt this way before and was never at a loss with words, especially when it came to the woman sitting next to him. After all, she was his best friend, his God-given solace.

They both sat there a while longer both lost in their own minds, thoughts, and fears. Derek finally took a deep breath trying to calm himself down before he spoke. The last thing he wanted to do was to screw this up. It meant too much, it meant everything. It's now or never you coward he thought to himself. He shifted himself so that he could look at Penelope while he bared his heart and soul.

He suddenly blurted out, "Life is too damn short!" Finally, he had opened his mouth, he thought.

Penelope was so absorbed into her own thoughts that she really hadn't heard what he said. She gathered up her strength and looked over at him. She hadn't even noticed that he'd changed his position and was staring right at her.

She managed to tremble out, "Hmm, what? I didn't hear what you said. I'm sorry, Handsome."

Derek repeated himself. "Life is too damn short!"

As she scooted herself around to face him as well, she nodded and answered, "You got that shot right! I know that from losing my parents. I still miss them every day."

Derek sadly looked at her and said, "I know, mama! I still miss my Pops every day, too! And, with Maeve's recent death, I have been really thinking a lot and have made some decisions lately."

Penelope stared into the depths of his warm deep dark brown eyes as she tried to figure out where he was going with this. "Really, what kind of decisions, Chocolate Thunder?"

Derek couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head at her attempt of levity. He continued his mantra to himself that he had been repeating lately. You can do this Derek you can do this.

He shook a little bit as he replied, "Long term decisions. I'm tired of settling in my life for second best. I just don't want to waste any more precious time. I don't want to have any regrets."

Penelope's nose crinkled and her eyebrows shot up as she questioned him. "Wow, that sounds pretty deep. What do you mean settling for second best? Regrets, what kind of regrets could you have? You're such a good man, with a wonderful heart and a great job. Not to mention, you seem happy with Savannah, what more could you ask for, Baby Boy?"

Derek steeled himself. Go for it, man. "Well, where to start? I've been settling in my life for years now. It's my own fault. And, thanks for always being my champion and saying all those nice things but it is meaningless without the one true thing I want and need in my life. I sort of have it but not the way I want it. First off, I have been keeping something from you for a couple of weeks. Don't be too mad with me until you hear everything, ok?"

Penelope looked affronted and exclaimed loudly, "What? Derek Morgan, you have been keeping things from me? My best friend wouldn't do that! That's not like you. I'm hurt, we don't have secrets between us! And, what is this one true thing you keep mentioning?"

Derek reached for her hands and she pulled them away hastily. Derek was taken aback she had never done that. He thought he better clarify himself and fast.

"Whoa, whoa, woman! Slow your roll! I'm going to tell you absolutely everything. I never meant to hurt you, I would hurt myself first before I ever hurt you, Baby Girl! I wanted to get everything clear in my head before I approached you. This is what today is all about, I promise. Will you let me do that?"

Penelope eyed him suspiciously and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, she was pretty much putty in his hands, especially, when he was this vulnerable. She also thought, that her nerves seemed to be a little calmer now.

Penelope nodded. "Okay, I will let you do that! I will stay calm, Hot Stuff. Lay it on me."

A slight chuckle escaped from him. "That's my girl. Now, the news I have been hiding is that after Maeve's death I went to Savannah and told her I couldn't be with her anymore. It wasn't fair to her because deep down I knew I really didn't love her and I didn't want to settle anymore."

Penelope brought her hands up to her mouth and let out a gasp. "You broke up with Savannah? You really didn't love her? You two always seemed so happy. I'm sorry."

As he stared into Penelope's beautiful soulful blue eyes his confidence increased slightly. He knew he needed to get this next part right. His future happiness depended on it. At last, he was finally going to be completely honest with the gorgeous woman in front of him. She had been the one that had stolen his heart years ago. He was tired of being in just the "best friend status". He wanted more and hoped she did too. He'd always felt he wasn't good enough for her but now he couldn't and wouldn't settle for anything else.

He reached for her hands and this time she didn't pull them away. "Don't be sorry, Sweetness. I'm not. It was a long time coming. "Seemed" is the right word. I really wasn't happy for a very long time. I thought if I couldn't have what I truly wanted then I would settle. But, no more! As I said before, life is too damn short. I'm not wasting any more time!"

Penelope's heart started racing. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Could it be true? Did the man she had been hopelessly in love with for years feel the same? Calm down, Garcie. Let the man finish.

Penelope trembled as she asked, "I'm sorry you weren't happy, D! But, you still haven't told me what is it that you truly want?"

He felt her tremble as they continued holding hands. He needed to say it quickly before he chickened out. He was so close. "You! I want you, Baby Girl! I love you with my whole heart, Penelope Grace Garcia! You're all I've ever wanted. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you in the bullpen! I was always too scared to tell you. I didn't think I was good enough for you. You deserve only the best!"

The tears were streaming down her face like waterfalls. She couldn't believe her ears. The man that held her heart for years really and truly loved her too. She was ecstatic, overwhelmed and had so much joy in her heart. Her dreams were all finally coming true.

She took a deep breath to try and calm down a little before she professed her true love to him. "Jinkies! I can't believe it, you love me. I have loved you too, since that wonderful day. You called me by the wrong name and I was immediately a goner. You have held my heart ever since that mistake. I want you too, silly man! You've always been the man of my dreams and the best man I have ever known. I love you too, Derek Michael Morgan! You're it for me!"

Now, it was his time to turn on the waterworks. As he pulled her into his arms he murmured out, "It was the best mistake I ever made. I'm sorry I wasted so much time being scared. We could've have been together all this time. We could've been married and building a family already. I want everything with you and only you. I'm yours forever and you're mine forever. I've never been this happy, ever! Wait until I tell my Momma, she is going to be thrilled. She loves you already and will be thrilled to have another daughter."

Penelope grinned and was on cloud nine. "You weren't the only that was scared. I was too. Both of us wasted too much time. You are my forever too! You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Derek suddenly pulled out of their embrace and jumped up to one knee and pulled a little purple box out of his pocket. He opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring Penelope had ever seen. Penelope couldn't help but gasp. It was a gorgeous one karat diamond white gold ring surrounded by many small amethysts. It screamed Penelope.

As the tears continued to flow down both their cheeks, Derek smiled and asked, "I know this is quick but Penelope Grace Garcia, my Baby Girl, my God-given solace, the full owner of my heart! Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my life, my everything, and make me the happiest man in the world?"

Penelope felt like she needed to pass out but she fought it. She joyously and exuberantly squealed, "Yes, yes, yes a thousand times yesss!"

He took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her ring finger. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the top of her hand. Then they fell into each other's arms and shared a steamy, hot and passionate kiss to seal the deal. After several minutes they finally had to release their kiss because of the need for air.

They opened up the bottle of wine and shared a loving toast to their future and happiness. They laid in each arm's while they watched the incredible sunset that was happening all around them. It was filled with the most gorgeous hues of yellow, orange, red, pink, blue and of course purple. They spent the rest of the evening alone on that beach making mad passionate love together. They had so much lost time to make up for.

The End

"If there's even a slight chance at getting something that will make you happy, risk it. Life's too short and happiness is too rare. "– A.R. Lucas

Plzzz Review.