Unexpected Surprise-Ch 20

Epilogue-5 Years Later

Dave laughs as he looks out and watches Spencer chasing his 3 year old son Ethan across the yard, Fran walks out and says, "what are you laughing about over here"?, he pointed to Reid and Ethan and said, "he's cracking me up honey". JJ walked out into the yard rubbing her growing stomach and said, "I swear this baby is laying on my kidneys".

Fran put her hand on JJ's shoulder and said, "how much longer till she'll be here"?, JJ sighed and said, "5 weeks Fran", she blew out a deep breath and said,
"5 weeks". JJ smiled when her now 10 year old son Henry walked over to her and handed her a glass of tea, she kissed his cheek and said, "thanks honey" and then watched as he ran off toward 13 year old Jack Hotchner.

Emily walked over carrying her 2 month old son Mitchell and said, "how are you holding up Jayje"?, she rubbed her stomach and said, "other than peeing every 15 minutes I'm doing pretty good". Emily said, "ahhhhhhhh yeah I remember that feeling of peeing alllllllll the time", JJ smiled when Emily handed her the little bundle of joy.

Hotch walked toward Dave with his 5 year old daughter Holly running right behind him, Fran said, "Holly looks more and more like her momma everyday", Hotch grinned and said, "I totally agree with you Fran". Penelope looked up and smiled when she saw Charlotte carrying her 4 year old daughter Alexis in her arms while Jase was carrying the carseat that was carrying their 5 week old son Mitchell

Derek said, "awwwww he's beautiful, just like his momma", Jase said, "heyyyyyyy", Charlotte kissed Jase on the cheek as she headed over toward Penelope and the rest of the girls. Jase said, "how's Penelope"?, Derek said, "she's great, the morning sickness has finally passed", Jase said, "how are the twins"?, Derek pointed over to Sarah and Desiree and said, "my sisters wanted to play with them".

The twins were 3 years old and both looked like their mother but acted like their father, Jase said, "they're gorgeous", Derek said, "Amber is sooooo much like me". He looked over his shoulder and said, "Amy is more like Penelope I think but to hear baby girl talk Amy is more like me than I am", both men laughed as they headed over to join Hotch and Reid.

Penelope took a sip of her lemonade and said, "it's a beautiful day isn't it"?, JJ nodded her head yes and said, "it is Garcie and we couldn't have picked a better day for this cookout". Emily looked up in time to see Hotch taking the meat off the grill and said, "well it looks like we will be eating soon so I better go in and get the stuff out of the fridge".

Fran said, "here Em, I'll help you", Emily grinned as they got up and headed toward the house, JJ looked at Penelope and said, "sooooooo how are the hormones treating you this time around"?, she said, "I can't get enough of my husband". JJ laughed and said, "I bet he isn't complaining", she giggled and said, "nope not at all".

Charlotte said, "Jase lovedddddddddd the pregnancy hormones", JJ said, "yeah so did Spence, I think most me do", all three women laughed and JJ said, "I sooo can't wait for some of that potato salad, it smelled sooooo good". Penelope said, "Fran made it so it will be delicious", Charlotte said, "I brought the double fudge brownies for you Penelope".

She grinned and said, "yummmmmm, I have been craving them and my chocolate drop of a husband all day", JJ leaned in and said, "are you trying to tell us that you and Derek haven't had sex at least 3 times today"?, she shook her head and said, "no I'm not saying that, as a matter of fact we barely got finished when Dave, Fran and the girls came over".

Charlotte laughed and shook her head, everybody was laughing and talking when Dave said, "alright everybody dinner is served", the tables filled up very quickly. The children sat at one table and the adults at the other tables, Penelope smiled as she watched her daughters eating their food, they reminded her so much of Derek that she couldn't help but smile.

As the cookout continued the yard was filled with the sounds of laughing and talking as they spent the day having a great time as a loving family, as Derek watched everybody he knew that he owed his happiness to an unexpected surprise. As he remembered back to his jealousy of Jase the first time he met him he knew that if he hadn't come to visit Penelope he might not have admitted his feelings and they might not be together.

Derek raised his beer and said, "I'd like to make a toast to unexpected surprises", everybody raised their glasses and in unison said, "TO UNEXPECTED SURPRISES". The yard was then once again filled with the sound of talking and laughter as they spent the rest of the evening caught up in memories of the good times they've all spent together as a family.