Erin was exhausted by the time she opened the door of her home. David had been right about Director Shepperd, he just wanted to run over some things for the next quarter's budget. After they'd gone over that, she discussed her need to possibly take some personal time, briefly explaining Chelsea's situation. He'd been sympathetic, which set her heart a little at ease. The worry, though, ate at her gut like nothing else and at the end of the day she had found herself craving a glass of bourbon.
Sighing, she toed off her heels and slid her feet into the luxurious slippers Dave had purchased for her on her birthday. Well, there had been more to the gift, but this had been her favorite part. She could never find a good pair of slippers to save her life and then he'd presented her with these.
Smiling, she went over to the staircase and called up the stairs. "Chelsea! Are you awake, sweetheart?" She listened for her daughter's voice and then began to climb. Opening Chelsea's door, she found her daughter sound asleep, sprawled out on the bed. Her books were open around her, and Erin just shook her head.
Quickly, she put sticky notes on the pages they were open to before piling them on the table. Once her bed was empty of extras, she laid down next to her child, holding her close. "Momma?" she mumbled, turning to burrow into her.
"Yes, baby, I'm here. How did your day go?"
"I think I slept a lot. I know I emailed my professors, and I tried to work on my reading for the week. I just couldn't keep my focus long enough to get more than a paragraph read." She yawned and Erin rubbed her back in soft circles.
"Go back to sleep than, my sweet girl. I'll hold you for a while." Chelsea nodded and snuggled closer, quickly falling asleep. Erin continued to rub her back, feeling her eyelids grow heavy, the quiet of the house filling her senses. Before long she was asleep, her last thoughts on Dave.
"Wake up, cara. I have supper started already." Erin stretched, looking at her daughter. Chelsea was also stirring, rubbing her face into Erin's shoulder as she fought wakefulness. "Hey, Chelsea girl. Are you feeling any hungrier this evening?"
"Maybe a little." She slowly sat up and rubbed her stomach lightly. "I should probably check my email to see what my professors said. Could you give me a few minutes?"
"How about I take the laptop downstairs with us and you can do that while you eat."
"I thought Mom said no technology at the table. That was the rule growing up." She smiled as she stretched, resting against Erin.
"We can bend the rules for a little while, Chels. After all, you are going through such an ordeal." They stood and Chelsea slung her arm around her waist, snuggling in close to her. "What did you make for us tonight, David?"
"I went with something light and simple tonight. Grilled chicken salad with my grandmother's Italian dressing."
"That sounds wonderful, Davie-poo." Chelsea giggled as Erin shook her head, and they eventually made it downstairs and into the kitchen. Dave had even portioned out four plate for them. "Wait, who's the other spot for?" her daughter asked, giving voice to her own question.
"I invited Kitten over. She's going to get you both set up with a home office tonight."
"I can't afford that, David."
"I didn't say you were going to pay for it. There are perks to being in love with a world famous author, and this is one of them." He stepped close and kissed her cheek softly. "Now, just have a seat and let me lead for just a little bit?"
Erin's shoulders slumped as she nodded, taking a seat in her chair. Chelsea sat next to her, resting her head against her arm. "Momma, what did we ever do to deserve Dave in our lives?"
"I don't know, precious. When I figure that out, I'll let you know, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Moments later, Dave returned with Penelope. She smiled at them and took a seat across from Erin. "Hey, thanks for having me in your home. After we eat, Rossi's going to help me bring everything in and then you can show me where you want it all set up."
"Sounds like a plan, Ms. Garcia."
"Please, call me Penelope," she responded, her smile growing. Erin nodded a little and dug into her salad. The dressing was delicious and she groaned in pleasure as she swallowed.
"You are going to have to make this again, David," she murmured as she speared another few pieces of lettuce. "You grandmother was a genius with flavor."
"I'll keep that in mind, cara," he replied, smiling at her. They had just about finished their meal when someone rang the doorbell. "I'll get that, you ladies finish eating."
She nodded, her brow furrowing in concern as she speared the last few leaves, sopping up some of the remaining dressing. "What's wrong?"
Erin looked up at Penelope, shrugging a little. "I'm just worried that it could be Alan. He was not happy on the phone yesterday, I guess. David wouldn't tell me what he said, just that he wasn't pleased."
"Dad probably wanted me to come home to him. He thinks I should be closer to him and his girlfriend. I don't like her." Chelsea pushed away her plate and yawned deeply. "Could we go to the living room? I feel like I'm about to nod off here."
Erin nodded and stood, holding out her arm to her daughter. Chelsea snuggled close to her and she motioned with her head for Penelope to follow them. They had just made it to the doorway of the living room when a loud voice boomed through the house. "You are not welcome in this house!"
She shuddered and held Chelsea closer as they took a seat on the sofa. "Your father must not be listening to David."
"It's not a wise move to ignore what Davie-poo says," she murmured through a yawn, her cheek rubbing against Erin's chest. Penelope and Erin locked eyes and the younger woman burst into giggles at the nickname. "Momma doesn't like my nickname for her lover. She thinks it a bit ridiculous. I just like making her blush and smile."
"I'll have to keep that in mind." The smile on Penelope's face softened as she watched them and Erin shrugged a little, feeling her eyes well up a little. "I think she's about to drop off here."
"It's the disease. It makes her really tired." Erin ran her fingers through her daughter's hair. The soothing motion lulled her daughter to sleep and then she looked at Penelope. "How much do you know about what's going on with her?"
"Rossi told me just a little. I know that she's sick and as such needs you close to her. So, I'm to set up a swanky home office for the two of you to use while you battle this. I brought the very latest equipment, I just hope this helps a little."
The tears that had pricked her eyes began to fall down her cheeks as she nodded. "It does, thank you. I'm sorry, I hate to be so emotional, and I'm just worried I'm going to lose her." She looked away and struggled to get control of her emotions.
She heard rather than saw Penelope come up to her side, kneeling before her. "It is totally okay to be upset, Erin." She tried to nod, only to start crying harder. Penelope opened her arms and she fell forward a little, letting the woman embrace her as she cried.