This is not an exact continuation of Love Makes Things Happen, it is more like what if we take that world and fast forward 7 years and their marriage is on the rocks. You don't have to read Love Makes Things Happen to get this story. Dedicated to doralupin86 & kmn1829- who wanted a sequel.

Enjoy

As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Christopher and Isabella hop out of the car and head to Rossi's backyard. Penelope takes a deep breath and unbuckles her seatbelt. As she reaches for the lock, Derek takes her hand.

"We should finish our conversation."

"Derek, now is not the time - you wanted to go to this BBQ – we're at the BBQ. Let's put on our 'happy married couple' hat and go," She says with air quotes and sarcasm in her voice.

"I wasn't trying to start anything this morning, I just – I just don't know how we got here."

"How we got here?" she repeated as if it was the dumbest question she ever heard.

"Yes, I want to come back home—I want to tuck in our kids at night, make them breakfast in the morning, make love to my wife."

"What about grocery shopping, afterschool meetings, soccer games, recitals, chicken pox, temper tantrums, and walking the dog. You and the kids make me out to be this bad guy – but I'm not D. I'm doing it all by myself and you get to come home and have all the fun – I'm the mean mommy and you're the fun daddy."

"So you want me to quit my job and stay home and be miserable like you?" he snapped.

"Derek, the only thing we had going for us this past year, was sex. I am tired of pretending - to be happy—We should tell them, because this conversation doesn't bode well for me- it's hard enough to wear the Happy Penelope Hat as it is – and if I have to go in there and fake it –," she let's out another deep yogic sigh and says "let's just get it over with"

"God Dammit Penelope talk to me—how can we fix this?" he asked frustrated.

The car is over come with a cloud of silence. She stares at the tree in front of the house wishing that she was home and he stares at his hands on the dashboard, waiting for an epiphany.

"Isn't this the moment when one of us says this is ridiculous, we love each other, all couples go through this, lets give it another try?" he asked.

She knew this routine too, He would come home for a month semi-regularly and then the paperwork would pile up– keeping him in the office till 1am. A case would come in keeping him out of town for several weeks. Then a year would slip by where she and Alex (the babysitter) raised the kids. In the 10 years they've known each other and the 7 years marriage, they have been through this cycle 4 times. This is the first time he ever moved out – but it just seemed right, she thought.

"Derek, We should really get inside – Izzy and Chris are probably wrecking Rossi's garden"

As they turned the corner, they are greeted by their BAU family, Hotch, Beth, Jack, Will, JJ, Henry, Spencer, Emily, and Jackson. After they hug and kiss their friends, Penelope wonders where her kids are. Isabel, who is 4 years old, follows her older brother Chris, 6.5 years old, around like his shadow. They both look like a spitting image of their dad. Where are my little rugrats? She said as she walked away from the group. She knew they were in his garden because at home, they love to eat the tomatoes from the garden without washing them, which drove Penelope insane. When she found them eating strawberries from Rossi's garden she scolded them and they both returned to the main area to play ball with Jack and Henry.

"Sorry Rossi, they were eating your strawberries."

"Not a problem, kitten."

"They just don't understand the concept of rinsing the fruit off first," She smiled shaking her head.

JJ came over to her and asked "how are you doing?"

"Pretty good, the semester is almost over," Penelope said with a smile.

"You are so lucky, what do you have planned this summer?"

"Well, University of Pennsylvania would like me to teach a freshman summer seminar—but I have to see – if my schedule will permit it – I'm trying to get the kids into summer camp." Emily walks over to join the conversation.

"You should check out Little Apple Camp, that's where Henry is going." JJ offered.

"Cool, I'll look into it."

"Are you still running?" Emily asked

"Yes, but I run during the week now, after Amy comes to help get the kids ready"

"Well, we should hang out. I miss you," JJ said.

"I miss you too! I will try and run with you guys next Saturday—maybe we can get mani/pedis after," Penelope replied.

The group continues to chat until the food is ready. They eat their burgers and sangria and continue to catch up.

"We are going to get the Beach house again this summer—all of you should come down. It's like a 12 bedroom house with tons of space and a fire pit." Will said.

"That sounds like fun," Derek said enthusiastically, "Chris and Izzy loved the house last summer"

The rest of the table chimed in, they were psyched about the house; everyone, except Penelope – who could only envision having to wear her happy hat 24/7.

"What are your plans for the summer?" Emily asked Derek and Penelope.

"We haven't decided yet," Penelope said squeezing Derek's hand, "I have to find a day camp – but I haven't thought about anything further than that."

"We were thinking of heading to Charleston or something." Derek threw out there.

"You guys always do the best vacations," Beth said with slight admiration, "I always get vacation envy when I see your pictures on Facebook."

Penelope smiled "I think my favorite one was when we took the kids to Seattle—they were amazed by the small cabin – Chris still draws pictures of it."

"Henry loves the Mother's Day Hike—"

"Yeah we didn't do it this year because you guys had a case—Maybe Father's Day," Beth offered.

"Maybe—" Penelope turns to see Chris putting strawberries in his burger with a bit of dirt and grass, "I told you to stay out of the garden, Christopher" she says as she walks towards the children's table.

"Penelope it's fine—he's just being a boy" Derek said with a chuckle.

"Derek" she said with a warning tone.

"Now we are going to clean you up."

No, Christopher started chanting, as he prepared for his epic tantrum. He threw his burger on the ground and started swatting his mom away.

"Christopher Spencer Morgan, stop that" she said in an authoritative tone.

"This is why I want to stay with daddy, you suck"

"Yes, Christopher, I'm the mean mommy – I suck" she picks him up and carries him inside the house to clean him up, as he continues to cry.

When Penelope leaves, Rossi turns to Derek and repeats Christopher's words, "Stay with Daddy."

"Penelope and I are trying a trial separation— we started 3 weeks and 5 day ago. I should go help clean up Chris." As he heads, into the house the table is speechless.