Chapter Text
Penelope and Derek spent the remainder of the day cuddled in her room watching movies. Derek continued to take care of Penelope through the night making sure she was comfortable and safe. Everything seemed to be going well until a nightmare came. Derek woke up in a sweat, tears streaming down his face, as he held back sobs and screams. Wanting to call out for his mommy, but he didn’t. Derek couldn’t force Penelope to take care of him, he was supposed to be taking care of her. He took a deep breath and sat up, he used all the calming skills they had been working on. He slowly started to feel calm and tiredness return to his body, he looked over to Penelope. He was relieved to see her peacefully asleep. Derek laid back down curling up next to Penelope, he felt safe, he felt better. It didn’t take long for him to fall back asleep.
The sun began to rise, it slowly started to fill the bedroom with light, not that it seemed to bother the two. They slept peacefully until Derek’s phone began to ring, he groaned and slowly rolled over and answered. “What?” Derek said sleep covering his voice. “Hey Derek, it's Hotch. Just wanted to check in on you two”
“Oh. Thanks, Hotch. We’re good, just tired”
“She sleep okay?”
“Yeah, still sleeping,” Derek said trying to hide his own restless sleep behind the laugh. “Well, Spencer and I could come by later, bring you guys some food or just company”
“Reid regress last night?”
“Yeah he regressed pretty young, so I imagine he’ll be next to me for most of the day. But we’d love to see you both if you are up to it” Hotch offered. Derek thought about the offer. Part of him wanted to be with his family, but that was the part that wanted to be little. Derek knew that if he went over he would regress, and he couldn’t do that to Penelope, she needed him. “Derek, did Penelope regress last night?”
“Yeah, I mean she went through a hell of a lot”
“How’s it going?”
“She’s amazing Hotch, but….”
“But what?”
“But. God Hotch I was so close to slipping last night after a nightmare, and Im barely holding it together but I don’t wanna bother her and….ughhh”
“Derek, Reid, and I will be over in an hour. It's okay if you need to or want to regress, you have also been through a lot. We all have”
“But I thought I could enjoy just caregiving. It’s not like I don’t it just hard not to slip”
“I know bud, but being there for Penelope doesn’t just mean as her ‘Daddy’ its also as her friend and partner”
“You’re right. Okay see you soon Hotch”
“See you soon. I’ll text you when we leave” Derek hung up the phone and sat up looking over at Penelope. He should probably wake her and warn her, help her get dressed. He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself. “Good morning beautiful,” Derek said reaching down to brush some hair away from her face. Penelope made a small noise behind her pacifier that was still in her mouth from last night. “Morning?” She asked confused. “Yes baby its morning, and guess who’s coming by?”
“Who?”
“Spencer and Hotch!”
“Really?!”
“Yeah, so how about we get you dressed in some comfys and get all your medicine taken care of so when they get here we can just play,” Derek said starting to stand up so he could help her up and off the bed. Penelope looked up and smiled at Derek, she stretched her arms out so he could help her up. They got her out of bed and into the bathroom, Derek helped her changed and clean her bandage, take her medicine and then they moved to get her dressed. Derek wasn’t as great with the outfits as Penelope was but he thought she looked adorable in her purple onesie with light blue bloomers, of course, accompanied by some fuzzy pink socks that had little owls on them. After getting Penelope dressed he dug out her blanket, and bunny ‘Cloud’ so she would have everything she needed. He set Penelope up in the living room so he could go get dressed, “I’ll be right back” Derek said as he made his way back into the living room. As he pulled out his bag he checked his phone, a text from Hotch saying they had left 20 minutes ago, meaning they would be here in about 10 minutes. Derek pulled out some clothes for the day not sure what to wear, he knew he wouldn’t regress that young so sweats and a comfy blue tee would be perfect. He dug out his stuffie just in case, he gave him a quick squeeze and headed back to the living room.
Hotch carried Reid to Garcia’s door, Reid while awake was very clingy and had not let Hotch really let go of him since he woke up from his latest nightmare. Hotch knocked on the door, he was greeted with a happy Derek and a waving Penelope from the couch. “Good morning you two” Hotch announced as he walked in, he gave Derek a small hug and ushered him to follow him back to the living room. Hotch sat down next to Penelope, picking Reid up and trying to face him towards Penelope, “Spencer look who it baby. It’s Penelope!” Hotch said, trying to encourage the boy to uncover himself. Spencer looked up from where he was trying to hide himself back in Hotch’s shoulder and saw Penelope! “Pen!” Spencer said excitedly behind his pacifier, he began to bounce a little. Penelope saw this excitement and smiled and waved at the boy, she was currently older than Spencer but not by much. Derek smiled from his spot, trying not to feel left out. “And look who else is her Spenc, its Derek!” Spencer turned to where Hotch was pointing, he saw Derek. Derek smiled at the boy, “Bubba!” Spencer said. The nickname had started when the team started to encourage the littles to see each other as a family and sometimes siblings. “Bubba?” Penelope asked, confused as to who that might be. Spencer was pointing at Derek, but Penelope thought Derek was ‘Daddy’. Derek smiled at Penelope, he was unsure of how to explain this. “Derek do you want to be Bubba?” Hotch asked trying to encourage the other to drop now that he was here to help take care of him and Penelope. Derek nodded, “Yup I’m Bubba” Derek announced proud of the title, he was always proud that he was the best big brother to Spencer, and now he got the opportunity to care for Penelope while being little, it was perfect. Derek got up and walked towards Penelope, she was still confused but it didn’t matter to her what role Derek played, he made her happy and smile and that was good enough for her. “Bubba!” She said excitedly opening her arms for a hug. Derek smiled and gave Penelope a hug. As Hotch watched the display in front of him a realization hit, he now had three littles to take care of. It was going to be an interesting day.
“Okay, I think it’s time for some breakfast. Everyone hungry?” They all nodded and looked towards Hotch as if breakfast would just appear like that. “Well, how’s pancakes sound?”
“Chocolate chip pancakes?” Derek asked.
“Thats a great idea Derek, we can do that” Hotch said. He began to stand up, he would have to put Reid down because there was no way that holding Reid while making pancakes would go well. “Baby boy, I gotta put you down now so I can go make pancakes. But I’m gonna be right over there. Penelope and Derek will be right here with you. How about I turn on some scooby doo and I’ll bring out some coloring for you guys to work on while I cook” Hotch said as he began to gather the supplies. Reid sniffled a little but nodded, trying to be a good boy for his Dada. “Okay guys, here are some crayons and paper. I’ll be right over there if you need anything” Hotch set down the supplies, turned on scooby doo, and walked towards the kitchen. He began making the batter, he watched the little from the kitchen unable to contain his smile as he watched the three play. Every once in awhile Reid would look up for him and see him and visibly relax, Hotch would wave at the boy causing him to blush. Penelope or Derek would see Hotch waving and start waving back at the man, this always caused Hotch to smile and let out a small laugh.
After a few episodes of scooby doo, the pancakes were done. “Okay, guys breakfast time. Everyone up let’s go wash our hands so we can eat” Hotch said as he walked over to pause the episode. Spencer quickly stood up so he could snuggle up to his Dada, Penelope looked over to Derek, “Up?” She said knowing she couldn’t do it herself yet. Hotch was about to reach over to help but Derek beat him to it. “Ready, and up!” Derek said as he helped her up, they both giggled and smiled. The pair held hands as they made their way to the sink. It was cute to watch how close they were, and as much as Derek gave himself a hard time for wanting to regress it’s not like his regression didn’t have underlying elements of caregiving in it, it was just always in a big brother way. The three made their way to the table. Hotch divided up the pancakes and handed out drinks. A bottle of apple juice for Spencer, a bottle of orange juice for Penelope, and a sippy cup of apple juice for Derek. The meal went well but it didn’t take long into breakfast for the three littles to be covered in their breakfast. After breakfast, Hotch would have to clean them up, get them changed and convince them they would need a nap because by then Hotch would need one too.