Thursday Reveals

The doctor pressed the ultrasound transducer a little harder into Erin's side. So far the baby had been very cooperative. Everything had measured correctly and looked fantastic. But now that it was time to find out the gender the baby turned its back to the invasion.

David watched the screen intensely. "Is it always this difficult?"

Catherine shook her head. "The majority of baby's cooperate." she said. "I have had some mothers leave in tears when we couldn't get them an answer though."

"As long as the baby is healthy that's all that matters to me." Erin said. "But then again I already have both genders. David is positive, however, that it's a girl."

The baby started to move around some. "Lay over on your side a little, Erin and we'll see if he's right."

Erin shifted on the small table. "Better?"

"Yes." she moved the transducer around. "Ah ah!"

David squinted at the screen but he couldn't really tell what he was looking for. "Was I right?"

Catherine looked at David and smiled. Then she looked at Erin. "I'm afraid not." she told them. "You're looking at a very healthy baby boy."

Erin looked up at him. "I guess Valentina is out." she smiled. "Thankfully."

"Valentino is an option."

"No." both Erin and Catherine responded in unison.

/

Penelope was in the conference room prepping to present the team with the latest case. A case they were taking at the directors urging. She always hated cases that involved children.

"Good morning, Penelope." Erin greeted her as she made her way into the conference room.

"Oh, good morning, Chief Strauss."

"Erin." she corrected her.

"Ma'am?"

"Not Chief Strauss, just Erin."

Penelope smiled. "Erin." she repeated. "I don't know, sounds kind of weird."

"You'll get used to it." she replied. "Did you get all the files from my assistant?"

"Yes, ma'am…I mean Erin." she corrected herself. "The director is really pushing this one."

"It's his hometown."

She shrugged. "Makes sense."

"Hopefully we can wrap up this case quickly." Erin sat down on the edge of the table. Her hand immediately going to the left side of her rounded stomach. The baby's kicks were growing stronger by the day.

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good." she smiled. "I don't remember my other children kicking so hard."

"Is the baby moving now?"

"Constantly."

"Maybe you have a kickboxer in training."

Erin laughed. "It's David Rossi's kid. I don't know why I'm surprised I'm having such a difficult time."

"David is so happy."

"He's always wanted to be a father."

"Yeah, but it's more than that." she told her. "You make him happy."

Erin smiled. "He makes me happy, too."

Penelope definitely liked this side of Erin Strauss. "Are your children excited?"

"My oldest two are teenagers and nothing excites them. They don't hate the idea though." she walked over to the coffee counter. "But my youngest, Olivia, is absolutely thrilled."

"How old is she?"

Erin poured herself a cup of coffee. "Ten." she replied. "She's so sweet and innocent and I just want to keep her that way. Once they hit the teenager years everything changes."

"Teenage angst is overrated."

She stirred some sugar into her coffee. "That it is." she took a sip. "Gross. Who let David near the coffee maker?"

"Oh, it can't be that bad." she took the cup from her hand and took a sip. "Ew that's awful."

David entered the conference room and much to his delight the two blondes were laughing and talking. "What are you ladies chatting about?"

"Your inability to make decent coffee."

"Too strong for your palate?" he asked.

"I think you should start over completely." Erin advised. "Can't have everyone sick when we're getting ready to head out on a very important case. At the director's request."

David's arm snaked around her waist, his hand coming to rest on her stomach. "I take it you're coming with us?"

"It's Edward's hometown." she told him. "He wants this wrapped up nice and neat with a big red bow on top."

"And you're coming along to make sure everything goes as planned."

"I'm coming along to make sure you don't piss anyone off." she smirked. "You never have been very good at politics."

"Now I don't have to be." he quipped. "You take care of those things for me."

"Yeah, we'll see about that."

"I was hoping we could tell the kids about the baby's gender tonight."

"Me too." she agreed. "Hopefully we can wrap this case up quickly."

"Skype is always an option." he offered up. "Not as personal but better than a phone call. Liv is dying to know. I'm afraid if she doesn't find out this evening she may burst in anticipation."

Penelope's ears immediately perked up. "You know the baby's sex?"

David turned around to face her. "Yes." he smiled. "We found out a few hours ago."

"That's so exciting!" she smiled back. "So? Boy or girl?"

Morgan came into the conference room. "You found out the gender?" he asked. "Wait a minute." he told them. "Let me get everyone else."

Erin just shook her head. "You bet on this too, Derek?"

He flashed her a million dollar smile. "I sure did, boss lady."

Once everyone was in the conference room Morgan stood with his arms folded across his chest, his smile still lingering. "Well?"

David looked at Erin, who nodded, and then back at their colleagues. "It's a boy!"

They watched as the group reacted. Surprisingly Hotchner was the one with his hand out. Collecting a twenty dollar bill from each team member.

Erin laughed. "Aaron, I'm surprised." she teased him.

"I had to refrain from the last bet." he replied. "I didn't think it would be fair when I already knew the truth."

"Fair enough." she agreed, taking the money from his hand. "College fund."

-Finished.