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Here's the final chapter to this story. I hope you like it. Think of it as a Christmas present from me to you :) Thank you bunches for the reviews! New stories are coming for your reading pleasure…soon.

The Following May – Prom Time

"Eden and Ashley, you look so pretty!" Haley squeaked as she sat on her sister's bed cross-legged. Eden was dressed up in her floor-length purple prom dress and her and her best friend were getting ready to meet their dates. "I wish I was going to prom."

"A few years," Ashley said, tweaking Haley's nose. She twirled around in her green dress and took Haley's hands and pulled her up to dance with her to whatever music they had going. The little girl got up and bounced up and down with her sister's best friend.

A knock on the door to Eden's room sounded and Eden went to open it. Derek was standing with an evil smirk on his face and said, "Your boyfriend's here."

Eden groaned. "Dad, he's not my boyfriend! And don't interrogate him." She glared at him and all he did in reply was snicker.

"Stop being an ass," Penelope said, coming up behind her husband and smacking his arm. "At least there aren't any boys fighting over her this year." She winked at Eden, who was looking rather nervous. Taking her daughter's hand, she said, "Ladies, I'm going to borrow Miss Eden here. We'll be right back." She didn't bother saying anything; she took her by the hand and led her to their bedroom.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Penelope asked, tilting Eden's chin up. "You look…upset."

"Mom, I'm just nervous," Eden sighed. "Dad's going to beat Travis up, isn't he?"

Laughing, Penelope pulled her into a hug and said, "Your father isn't going to beat Travis up. Just…talk to him." She rubbed her arms and said, "What else is bothering you though?"

The last few months for Penelope and Eden had been rocky, but they were getting better. Months of intense therapy for both of them had brought them closer together, leaving them both with an understanding of the other that no one had or could comprehend. It was as if a sixth sense was installed in both of their brains and they could sense how the other was feeling in an instant.

"Not much," she said honestly. "Big night and all. I'm not a very good dancer."

Penelope smiled and tucked a tendril of hair behind Eden's ear. "You know, it took your father years to get me to dance with him because I always thought I was a bad dancer. Turns out, I'd been dancing with the wrong people until I finally danced with him."

Eden rolled her eyes playfully at her mother and said, "Not everyone can find their 'forever kind of love' like you and Dad did. I'm pretty sure Travis isn't going to be the guy I marry."

"Everything happens for a reason, Baby Doll," Penelope said softly. "You going to Prom with Travis may have happened for a big, life-changing reason or maybe it happened for a miniscule tiny reason. Either way, it happened for a reason." Kissing Eden's forehead, she added, "And no matter what, your father and I will always love and support you."

A knock came from the door and Derek poked his head inside. "Trent is getting ansty out here with just Ashley and Jack," he said with a smirk.

"Travis, Dad!" Eden barked as she went towards the door with a murderous glare on her face. "And be nice or I'll tell everyone about the time Uncle Spencer punched you in the face and you fell over."

Fake horror came over Derek's face and he let out a gasp. "You wouldn't!"

Penelope grabbed her camera and ushered Derek and Eden out the door. "Picture time you silly hooligans!"

XXXXX

Once Eden and her friends were off to prom, Derek and Penelope went in to the house and collapsed on the couch. Asher was on a field trip with the rest of his freshmen track team, Aiden was off with his lacrosse friends, and Haley was spending the night at a friend's house. The entire house was empty save for Penelope and Derek.

"You really should've given that boy a break," Penelope said as she laid her head against Derek's lap. "I don't see him treating Eden poorly."

Derek laughed and ran his long fingers over his wife's scalp. "Eh, he'll get over it," he snickered. "I profiled him. He's a good kid. I don't think Eden's scary father is going to get in the way of him wanting to get her to admit they're boyfriend and girlfriend."

From the coffee table in front of them, Derek's phone vibrated with a text message which he promptly picked up to look at. It was from Hotch, but it wasn't work related.

Lynch killed in prison. Beaten to death. Hope Eden's prom date turns out to be an okay guy. See you on Monday.

He was silent for a moment and Penelope sat up. "Baby? Derek? Is everything okay?"

Finally grinning, Derek pulled his wife in for a kiss and said, "Everything is perfect, Baby Girl."

Cocking an eyebrow at him, Penelope smirked. "Oh, yeah? And why's that?"

"Because, all's right in the world," he whispered. His voice turned serious and he added, "Lynch was beaten to death." He paused to stroke his thumb over her cheek bone. Her face was blank. "It's over, Penelope."

Tears filled her eyes and she threw her arms around Derek's neck and she held him tightly. His arms went around her and she whispered, "It's over." The man who'd torn her world apart, who'd hurt her daughter was now dead, gone from their lives forever. "I love you, Derek."

"Love you too, Penelope," he murmured.

Pulling away from his embrace, Penelope said huskily, "Should we celebrate?"

Letting his fingers trail under her skirt, Derek laughed and said, "I can think of a few different ways we can do that. Any requests?"

Pulling his face towards hers and kissing him fiercely, she grinned and said, "Make love to me Derek."

Returning her passion, Derek proceeded to do just that.