Erin sighed as she looked in the mirror, smoothing her skirt. David had made reservations for them at her favorite French restaurant, but he was still in Alabama on a case. In the past six weeks, she'd grown accustomed to his body next to hers in the bed, curled protectively around her. This was the longest they'd been apart, and she missed him.
Checking her hair once more, she left their room, running down the stairs and into the kitchen. As she passed the fridge, she took out a container of yogurt and then got in her car, driving to the office. Their favorite jazz station was playing love songs and she smiled wistfully. Seven weeks together, and she found herself looking forward to Valentine's Day for the first time in years. And now some damn unsub was going to ruin their romantic supper.
Heather barely looked up from her monitor as Erin entered the office. "Good morning, Chief Strauss. The files needing review are on your desk already. Agent Rossi called two minutes ago, and I told him to call back at 9:15. Oh, and Ms. Garcia is in your office, waiting for you."
"Thank you." Erin stepped inside and as soon as her door was closed she found herself wrapped in a tight hug. "What is it, Penny?"
"We are going to have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Didn't Dave get ahold of you?"
"Heather mentioned he called. I never heard my cell ring, though." She sat on the sofa and began to dig through her purse. "I must have left it at home." She opened her yogurt and began to eat.
"And you don't even want to know that they're going to be home in six hours? I can't wait until tonight. Derek's taking me to this little Indian restaurant in D.C., and I think I might be getting a ring tonight!"
Erin smiled broadly at her friend and fingered the locket under her blouse. "That's wonderful. We're going to my favorite French restaurant." She sighed. "We're putting my house on the market next week. There's not really any point in keeping a place I'm not going back to."
"I thought you were going to give it three months," Penelope replied, smiling happily.
"Sometimes you don't need that long. I knew by the end of our third week together. Do you think it's moving too fast?"
"When it's as perfect as what you have, then no. Eros's arrows have worked well on you."
"If David's Eros, does that make me Psyche?"
"Well, seeing as how Psyche gave Aphrodite a run for her money in the beauty department, I'd say yes."
Erin turned to look at her door. "Davie!" She smiled brilliantly as he stepped in the door and joined her on the sofa. "Are the others back yet?"
"Yes. We all decided to come home early, since the police said they could handle the wrap up of everything. There were too many reasons not to be here. We're leaving at four, okay?" She nodded and he leaned over to kiss her cheek as she blushed a little. "Coming, Kitten?"
"Right behind you, Rossi." He left and they stood. "Are you going to wear that lingerie we picked out?"
"Uh huh. How about you?"
"Of course. You have impeccable taste, my fair Erin." She hugged her once more and then took off out the door. Shaking her head, Erin sat behind her desk, only to notice for the first time the bouquet of roses in front of her. Smiling, she pulled out the card and reclined in her seat.
Dear Erin, Seven weeks and I find myself adoring you more each hour. These roses are a small token of my love. Always, your Davie She breathed in the delicate scent of the flowers and pulled off the top file, going over the information. Her day passed quickly and then, right at four, a knock came at her door. Looking up from her work, she smiled at Dave.
"Hello, Davie. I'm almost finished with this last file and then we can head out."
"Of course, English rose. Did you have a good day?"
"Knowing you were back made it a wonderful day, darling. Was yours good?"
"Yes." She looked up from her file to see him smiling gently at her. "I took a personal day tomorrow."
She felt her cheeks flush a little. "So did I. I also bought the honey and strawberries." She swallowed, and went back to her file. "And edible gold dust."
He laughed lowly. "You are ever full of surprises, my rose." She just smiled a signed off on the report before standing up. After putting on her coat, she picked up her roses and held out her free hand to him. As he clasped it, he pulled her tightly to him. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.
"I love you, too," she replied, nodding to Heather as they walked out the door. "See you on Friday, Heather!" They went to the elevator bank and he pressed the down button. Dave's arm came to rest around her waist and she snuggled into his embrace. "Honey, it was hard with you gone this time."
"Is that why Reid got so many calls?"
Erin bit her finger, looking for the right words to say. "Yes. I didn't disturb the team, did I?"
"No, Erin. He was very discreet." The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside, only to have Aaron join them seconds later. "This must be a record, Hotch. I've never seen you leave this early."
"I'm taking Beth out tonight." He looked everywhere except at them, and Erin shuffled her feet nervously, creeping closer to Dave. She hated feeling exposed and vulnerable to this man, and yet he unnerved her so.
Dave picked up on her distress and rubbed her side. "A romantic night for us all, then. I thought I heard Reid say he and Emily were going to watch a screening of Solyaris." Aaron nodded and a strained silence fell over them all. Erin was never more relieved as when the doors opened up and they stepped off and headed for the car.
"He can't stand me, Davie. I failed him, and whatever grudging respect he had for me is gone." She began to softly cry and felt him touch her shoulder before backing out of their spot.
"I'd love to say he doesn't matter, my love. But he does, if he's bothering you so. I want you to tell me three people in your life who should matter more than him."
Erin drew in a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "Well, there's you, who loves me so and who looked beyond my flaws to find something lovely in me. There's Penelope, and she reached out to me at a time when I felt so vulnerable. Dr. Reid keeps me honest and on track; he knows what I'm going through, Davie, and yet he doesn't judge me. And my Sarah. She called while you were on this case. She'd seen the empty house and wanted to know what was up. We ended up talking for three hours. That was a pleasant surprise."
"Did you tell her about us?"
"Of course. You're the most important part of my life now." She smiled a little. "I want to have a normal life now, Davie."
"And I'll help make that possible. I called ahead and had the restaurant reserve us two bottles of their best non-alcoholic champagne. I ordered the best, because that's what you're worth." He pulled into their drive and Erin got out, waiting for him on the stoop. Dave came up to her and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. "What is it, my rose?"
"I just love you so much, my darling." She reached up and kissed him deeply, feeling her foot pop as she did so. "I cannot wait until tonight, after dinner, when it's time for our dessert." He grinned at her and pinched her butt as he unlocked the door.
"If you tease me too much, we might never make it to supper. Run up and get ready. I'll bring our things in."
Erin nodded and stepped inside, dropping her purse on the table before heading upstairs. She'd set everything she needed in the guest bedroom, knowing if she tried to get ready in the master bedroom they'd end up making love for far too long and miss their reservations. She picked up her makeup bag and made her way to the bathroom.
As she showered, she hummed under her breath, trying to chase away the lingering sadness caused by Aaron and his reaction to her. In her heart, she knew Davie would choose her, if things came to that. But in the back of her mind, she wondered about the loyalty of old friends. She was the new dimension in his life, after all.
Stepping out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around her body and another around her hair before drying off her face and applying her makeup. With that finished, she dried her hair before twisting it up in a messy bun, letting the escaping tendrils curl naturally. As she smiled at her reflection, she dabbed on some perfume before going back to the bedroom.
Letting the towel fall to the floor, Erin went to the bed and picked up the silky undergarments picked out on their shopping trip. Now, with the date so close, she felt a finger of doubt wiggle its way inside her brain. Sighing, she grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and called Penelope.
"What's up, hun?"
Just hearing her voice calmed Erin's nerves and she took a deep breath. "Are you sure the lingerie isn't too racy?"
"No, we picked out elegant and tasteful pieces for you. I'm the one who went naughty. What's got you spooked?"
"Even over the phone I'm easy to read. I had to call Reid a lot on this last case, and it just seemed like when we were on the elevator this afternoon with Aaron, he was judging me." She sat on the bed and put the phone on speaker so she could begin to dress. "I still haven't made amends with him, you know."
"Yeah, because he keeps being a judgey jerk. Dave's gotten into a few arguments with him, defending you. It's really sweet, especially when Reid jumps in. So tell me, what matters more to you? How much Dave and I love you or Hotch's disdain?"
Erin laughed a little. "Davie asked me almost the same thing on the way home. Just keep reminding me of that, okay? I need to hear those affirmations enough so that they finally sink in."
"Any time you want them, just call. I'll be more than willing to speak truth in your ear."
"Thanks, Penny. Have a wonderful time tonight."
"You, too, sweetie. See you on Thursday!" They hung up and she finished dressing, tying the top of her dress around her neck. Smoothing her skirt, she picked up her clutch and stuck her phone and lipstick inside it before stepping into her heels and leaving the room.
Erin met her lover at the top of the stairs and he held his arm out to her. Taking it, they went downstairs and he helped her into her coat. "You look ravishing, my sweet rose. I cannot wait to play tonight, seeing you like this."
She blushed a little and stepped into the car. "I can't wait, either. We'll just have to remember to take the strawberries out of the fridge when we get home." He nodded and backed out of the garage, quickly driving to the restaurant. David let the valet park the car as he escorted Erin inside.
"Good evening, Mr. Rossi. We have your table ready and waiting." The slight hostess led them over to a secluded table, a bucket of ice cooling the champagne that sat there. "Your waitress tonight will be Elaine, and she'll be by in about five minutes to pour your champagne. If you need anything beforehand, just let one of us know."
Dave nodded and they picked up their menus. As Erin looked over the menu, she quickly decided on the pumpkin risotto and the half lobster thermidor. Setting the placard aside, she rested her head on her hand, watching her lover. "You've decided already?"
"I've always been decisive, Davie." Elaine appeared a few moments later, a bright smile on her face.
"Happy Valentine's Day," she said as she uncorked the bottle and poured them glasses. "Have you decided yet?"
They nodded and put their order in. When the young woman had left, David reached into his pocket. "I got these for us at the same time Morgan picked out the ring he's giving Penelope tonight."
She smiled gently. "I have a feeling I'm going to be getting a very happy phone call sometime tonight, then. I wonder if she'll send pictures of it to my phone, or wait to show it to me tomorrow at supper. But what's in here?" she asked as she took the box from his outstretched hand.
"Go ahead and open it." Erin took his advice, slowly lifting the hinged lid, revealing two matching platinum Claddagh rings.
"Davie?" she questioned, pulled the smaller of the two out of the bed of velvet it rested on.
"I know that between us we have four failed marriage. That's why this is not my asking you to marry me, or our future wedding bands, though we could use them for that purpose. They're promise rings. You are the third great love of my life, and I don't want to mess this up. So, I promise to be faithful to you until the end of our life together. When you're ready, we'll take things to that next step."
She felt hot tears prickle her eyes as she went to slide the ring on her left hand. Dave reached out and took it off before sliding it on her right ring finger, the heart pointed towards her body. Erin followed his lead and slid his on, clasping his hand after she'd done so. "I love you, Davie, so much. And I'll be faithful to you until we leave this world behind. Thank you."
He nodded and leaned across the table, kissing her gently. "I just want everyone to know we're committed to each other." Sitting back, he picked up his glass. "Here's to us, my most beautiful English rose." She touched her glass to his and took a sip of the sweet liquid. "Just as good as the other, right?"
She nodded and smiled up at Elaine as she placed their first course in front of them. Erin took a bit of the risotto and purred in pleasure as it melted in her mouth. "You should have ordered this, honey. It's delicious."
"Could I have a taste, then?" She nodded and dipped her spoon in the dish and then brought the spoon up to his lips. "Delicious," he whispered and she brought the spoon back to her bowl, taking another bite.
"You're right, you are." She smiled lazily at him, raising an eyebrow as he laughed throatily. They finished the first course just as Elaine brought out the main course. "This smells heavenly," she sighed out.
Dave just smiled at her, and then took a bite of his steak. Erin could feel cheeks flush a little at the heat of his gaze and focused on her plate. "Still not sure of how delightfully stimulating you are?"
She shook her head and picked up her flute of champagne. A familiar voice next to them said "Thank you," and she looked over at the neighboring table from the corner of her eye. To her horror, she saw Aaron and Beth, and she gulped at the suddenly too sweet drink.
Beth tittered lowly and reached out to touch Aaron's hand. "Look, honey, isn't it sweet? It must be the alcohol that makes her think she's anything more than just another notch on his belt."