Book Club

Brunch

Penelope, Emily, and Derek are the last three people left in the office. Penelope hugs Emily and Derek together, "You are going to be the best parents ever!"As the crowd disassembles from each other, Emily, as well as Derek, start driving back to Derek's place. Derek asks Emily, "Could you call my mom, and put it on speaker?" Emily does as he asks with no questions. While driving Derek begins the call, "Hey, ma.""How's my baby boy doing?" Fran asks."I'm great, ma. I was wondering, I know it's late notice, but there is a Cubs game tomorrow, maybe I could fly you, Sara, and Des out to watch with me."Fran is hesitant, "That sounds great honey, but I am really busy here...""Ma..." Derek sounds disappointed.Fran sighs, "Fine, I'll pack my bag. I'll have to talk with your sisters though. I love you honey bun."Derek smiles, "Love you too. I'll text you the flight information."Emily hangs up the phone and asks, "How are you going to get 4 tickets to the Cubs and Nationals game so last notice?""It's 6, and I have a guy," Derek smiles again."6?" Emily asks.Derek parks the car in his driveway, "You and your mom. I'm gonna contact the stadium and see if we can ask them if we can put a message on the big screen. You have no idea how excited I am." He leans over and kisses her passionately. He leans back and slowly exits the car.Emily follows him in. She plops herself on the couch and calls her mother. Her mother answers "Hello, Emily.""Hello, mother. I am inviting you to a baseball game with the DC Nationals and Cubs tomorrow," Emily invites her.Elizabeth answers, "Well, that sounds like fun, however-""Derek will be there," Emily mentions.Elizabeth takes a deep breath and regroups, "Derek? Who's Derek?"Emily chuckles, "Mom, it's fine. I know Derek and you talked. I also know that I ended up with my french toast. So I was very happy.""I'm glad. I'll be there. What time should I meet you?" Elizabeth asks.Emily thinks off the top of her head, "It starts at 7, so let's meet at the stadium entrance at 6:30. Sounds good?""Good. Love you," Elizabeth hangs up before Emily can say it back. Emily smiles and announces, "We'll meet by the gates with everyone at 6:30. Good? Good." Emily walks over to her keys on the key rack, "I'm going home to get some rest. I will meet you at your house. Text me what time, that way I can meet your mother." She stops in the doorway and thinks, "Meet your mother. Meet your mother! Oh no!""What is it?" Derek asks.Emily starts hyperventilating, "I'm meeting your mom!"Derek smirks, "And...""What do I say? How do I act?" Emily calms down as Derek grabs her and pets her hair.Derek adds, "You have nothing to worry about. She will love you."Emily starts breathing normally, "You think?"Derek states, "I know."Emily nods along and walks out the door. She gets in the car and drives home. Emily wakes up to the blare of her alarm the next day at 7:30. She checks her phone and sees Derek has texted her when to meet him at. Audibly she screams, "7:30!" She hustles around and gets dressed. She ignores her smelly breath and runs out the door calling Derek, "I am so sorry. I just woke up. I'm coming!""Don't rush. I only put 7:30 to make you move faster, I don't have to leave til 8," Derek smiles, waiting for the wrath of Emily.Emily hangs up. Derek hears a knock at his door moments later. Emily stomps in, "You are lucky you live down the street, or you would have had to hear me over the phone. This way you can't shut me off." She takes a deep breath, "Why? Why! I didn't even brush my teeth! I smell! I forgot deodorant. How dare you know me so well. How dare you, sir."Derek waits, "You done?" Emily sits back in the island chair. Derek nods and looks at his watch, "Now we go." Both of them pile into his car. Derek mentions halfway to the airport, "My mom said my sisters were busy, but she told them to tune in to the game in case we are on the jumbotron."Emily nods and smiles. Derek and her finally arrive at the airport and Derek immediately spots his mother. Derek parks the car and runs over to her. Fran notices Derek running and she starts walking towards him. When they meet, they hug like they haven't seen each other in years. Fran notices Emily lingering behind Derek, "I remember you. You're Emily. Oh- Agent Prentiss. Sorry."Emily smirks, "You can call me Emily. It's so nice to see you again, your son is amazing."Fran turns to Derek and says bluntly, "I assume this is the girl you won't stop talking on the phone about..."Derek smiles and nods, "Yea, ma."Fran goes in for a hug with Emily and notices something shine out of the corner of her eye. She stops mid-hug and looks at her finger, "Oh my god! You- You- Oh my God!" Emily smiles at Fran as she stumbles over words, "I'm getting a daughter-in-law!" Fran quickly embraces Emily.Emily pats her on the back to signify the hug is getting over, "Do you want to go out to eat?""I would love that," Fran hooks her arm in Emily's and walks to the car with her.Fran starts talking as soon as she gets in the car. Emily listens to Fran talk about baby Derek the whole car ride. Derek parks the car, "Alright, alright. I think that's enough talking about me."Emily says, "But-""No, buts," Derek closes his door as Fran and Emily get out of the car. Derek leads them into the diner and asks the lady behind the counter, "3, please."The lady nods and leads the three of them to a booth. Derek and Emily sit on one side while Fran sits on the other. Fran starts off, "So, tell me a little about yourself, Emily.""Well, I grew up traveling the world, my mother is a US Ambassador," Emily begins."Well, that's nifty. I bet you had all sorts of adventures with your parents. Do you have any siblings?" Fran asks trying to dig deeper.Emily leans back in her booth, "Just me."The waiter comes over, "Hi, my names is Oliver, can I get you started with anything to drink?""Water," Derek says politely.Fran seconds that, "Me, too. Thank you.""I'll also have a water," Emily asks for her drink.The waiter leaves the table and Fran asks, "So what about kids? I know my little Derek has always wanted a big family.""Ma!" Derek scolds.Emily butts in, "No, Derek, it's fine." She turns to speak to Fran directly, "I have also wanted a big family. It was lonely growing up without any siblings. I want my child to never feel alone if they can't get to me.""You two..." Fran looks up and down at Derek holding Emily's hand, "You two look at each other like your father and I looked at each other, Derek.""Ma..." Derek looks up at Fran.Oliver brings over the drinks, "Three waters..." As he places them down he asks, "Have we had time to look over the menu?"Fran nods her head, "I've been looking at it while talking. I'll have a turkey club please, I had breakfast earlier."Derek folds his paper menu, "Could I get 3 buttermilk pancakes?""I'll have a Belgian waffle, please, and thank you," Emily folds her menu accordingly.Fran, Emily, and Derek talk amongst themselves until they finish their food. Fran takes care of the bill, Derek reluctantly agrees to let her pay. Soon enough the rest of the day passes by and it's time to go to the game.