"Are you ready to head in, Erin?"

She looked up at David, a small frown marring her face. "No. But I have to do this. We have to do this. My stomach is all knotted up, honey."

"I can only imagine, darling. Here, come here." He opened his arms, and she stepped into them, letting him wrap her into a tight embrace. "I love you," he whispered in her ear and she nodded hesitantly against his shoulder. "You still don't believe me."

"I do. My head just can't seem to grasp the fact that you are sweet and loving and have forgiven me. You should hate me, revile me, for keeping this secret from you and from him. After everything we've been through, together and apart, you have still chosen to be by my side." She turned her head and kissed his cheek, rubbing her nose against the soft hair of his goatee. "He's going to reject me."

"You don't know that, Erin."

"Yes, I do. You saw how Aaron reacted. How could Spencer's reaction be anything but a million times worse?" She let him lead her out to the car, grateful he hadn't suggested that she eat anything before they went in. She was certain that it would come right back up the moment it hit her stomach.

"Erin, look at me." Hesitantly, she raised her eyes to look into his, and she saw a soft smile spreading across his face. "Even if he reacts badly, I will be here for you. I promise you that. I love you, and only you. And as we get to know our son, together, I know that we will only become closer and stronger."

She nodded and leaned over in the seat, kissing him tenderly. "I love you, too, David. With all my heart." Together, they walked out to the car and he helped her in. As he drove them in, she stared down at her clasped hands, wishing that there was some way she could tell Spencer without having to be there as she did.

"You can't back out on me now, bella. How about we head out to breakfast, and I'll call Hotch to let him know that we'll be a little late this morning? I know that you probably feel like you don't want to eat anything, but you really should. Even if it's just a few slices of toast."

She nodded absently and tried not to flinch when he reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it twice before taking hold of the wheel once more. Erin stared out the window as he drove, trying to take her mind off the nerves that were rapidly building. Her lover finally pulled into the parking lot of a Waffle House, and she smiled. They had gone here for one of their first dates, and she was pleased that he had remembered to take her someplace that he knew would comfort her. "Oh, David."

"What? I knew that this would be the best place for you this morning. We have a good history here, and I know nothing makes me feel better than someplace that I feel safe."

She sighed lightly as she got out of the car and soon he was at her side, taking her hand and leading her in the restaurant. The hostess soon sat them, and she made certain that she was able to watch the door, and she saw David smile at her sadly. "Why don't you call Aaron while I decide on what I think I can keep down?"

"All right," he replied before reaching across the table and caressing her cheek. Erin couldn't stop herself from rubbing against his hand and he smiled at her as he drew his hand back and pulled out his cellphone. As he dialed, she picked up the menu and perused it carefully. For some reason, she gravitated towards the eggs and settled on getting two over medium. Setting aside the placard, she rested her chin in her hand as she listened to his side of the conversation. "So, I think we should be there in about ninety minutes. I just really want Erin to feel comfortable, you know? Thanks, Aaron. See you soon."

He hung up and she went to say something when their waitress appeared. "Hi, what can I get you folks to drink?"

"We'll need a carafe of regular coffee and orange juice. And if you don't mind, we're ready to order, too."

The young woman nodded and scribbled on her pad. "Sure thing! What would you like?" She focused on Erin, and she suddenly blanked, waving to David.

He sighed a little and spoke up. "I'll have the country ham and eggs, eggs poached. White toast, lightly toasted, and hashbrowns. Erin?"

She gave him a small smile. "I'd like two eggs, over medium, white toast, heavy on the butter, and oatmeal. Please." The woman nodded and moved off, writing on her pad still. "Sorry, David, I'm just so keyed up right now."

He nodded and reached out for her hand once more. She willingly handed it over, relishing the way his thumb rubbed against her palm, seeking to soothe her. "And I just want to tell you that everything will go smoothly."

"It might not, though. I'd rather prepare for the worst. Like Reid hating me and never speaking to me ever again. That would hurt, but it would be understandable. I'm not certain that I'm ready to hear him reject me wholesale, though. Does that make me a coward?"

David shook his head. "No, it makes you a realist. You know what to expect, even if the prospect of it devastates you. I have to admit, I'm unsettled, too, about how the kid will react. He can be volatile at times, which is understandable, given what's happened to him in his short life. And we are about to upset the applecart."

"That we are." The waitress returned with the coffee and juice, and Erin picked up her glass, sipping at juice absently as she stared at David. "You know, you would think that I would be able to use my degree in psychology to analyze this situation clearly. I just can't seem to separate my feelings from the facts."

"That happens to the best of us. This is a situation where even our best attempts at distance will fail us. I, I'm not sure how I'll feel if he rejects us. I mean, he's our son."

A warm feeling filled her heart to hear her David speak of them as a team and she nodded hurriedly before taking another long sip of juice, needing to distract herself from the emotion that was welling up. It was too late, however, and a few tears began to roll down her cheeks just as their waitress brought their food over. "Is everything all right, Sugar?" she asked, her voice full of concern, and reminding Erin of Penelope. And that thought made her cry harder, even as she nodded.

The young woman rooted through the pockets of her apron before fishing out a packet of tissues. "Thanks," Erin whispered as she took the tissues from her hand, pulling one out and dabbing at her eyes. "I'll be fine, it's not you."

She nodded and then rubbed her shoulder gently in comfort before moving off. "Let me guess, we're leaving a good tip." Erin nodded before pursing her lips together tightly, trying to stop the tears. He sighed before grinning at her, digging in to his food. She copied his movements, trying to get something in her stomach so that she would have one less thing to focus on when they had their meeting with Spencer. And she prayed that it would go well. She wasn't sure her heart could take much more hurt.