Disclaimer: I own nothing. I let them talk to me and I write it down. This is what my warped brain comes up with.
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Chapter 4: Preparations
The next couple months passed far too quickly, Dave was away more than either liked, but serial killers didn't care they just kept killing. Erin stayed busy with work and putting the finishing touches on wedding plans. She did take time to enjoy lunch with Penelope a couple times, dinner once with Andy and Maggie, and spent extra time with the kids.
One Saturday morning, just a few weeks before their big day, Erin needed to find the perfect wedding gift for David. Not really sure what she wanted to get, she called Garcia and asked if the analyst would like to go shopping and have lunch. She just needed someone to bounce ideas off, Beth was in New York, the team was in Portland, and Penelope had helped with other plans why not get her opinion.
Picking Penelope up and they headed to the mall. Walking through the various stores, Erin couldn't find anything that screamed David Rossi to her. "I think this trip might just be a bust. What do you get the man who has everything, needs nothing and buys whatever he wants for himself?"
"Oh don't give up yet, I'm sure there has to be something we haven't thought of." Garcia said cheerfully pulling Erin into the food court. "Let's get something to eat, put our heads together and find the perfect present."
They talked some while having their meal. Finally Garcia smiled, "I have an idea, why don't you put together a touch of home care kit. Something not too big, it should fit in his go bag, get a nice box; I saw a beautiful wood one about the right size in the Italian store. Put things in it that would remind him of home, pictures of you and the children, a hankie with your scent, his favorite tea and candy, a small candle that's the same as what you burn in the house, notebook for you to write him notes in, small book of love poems, his favorite gum, cigars, an iPod with music you both love, things that will help with the loneliness when he's away from you."
"That's a great idea, I can change it from time to time, and each trip it could be a little different. Thank you that will be the perfect gift."
Going back to the Italian store she bought the perfect box, and had it engraved. Erin called and ordered some of his favorite cigars, found the perfect little notepad to write her notes, a small book of love letters in Italian, and other things she knew he would love. She knew exactly which pictures to put in it. By the time they were finished shopping, Erin had numerous things to put in David's away from home survival kit.
/
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Unlike Erin, Dave knew precisely what he wanted, he wrote a book. He titled it 'Thin Line Between Love and Hate: A legend of Us', it was their story from the first time he'd seen her over 25 years ago to the day he proposed. It included some of the fights, a lot of the animosity, all of the love. It had the struggle to win the teams support and the battle to bounce back from alcoholism and the Replicator. He poured out his heart in every chapter. It was truly their story, he had it professionally edited, typeset, published and bound. It was a one of a kind book, only for her. Amanda, his publisher wanted him to publish it, but he wanted it to be just Erin's, it was their love story. If later she decided to have it published, it would be her choice.
Amanda met him at the Portland airport, giving the book to him, just before the team boarded. Once on the jet, Dave opened the box, took out the book and thumbed through it, careful not to bend a page, or hurt the binding.
JJ took the seat next to him, "What have you got there, Dave?"
"It's Erin's wedding present."
"You bought her a book?" Morgan asked sitting opposite them.
"Actually a book is a good idea, if you get the right one, it can stimulate…"
"Reid, not now." Hotch cut him off.
Smiling, Dave looked at Spencer and winked. "I didn't buy her a book, I wrote her one."
"You wrote Erin a book? How long have you been working on it?" Alex asked. The entire team had gathered around interested.
Running his hand over the leather, "I started it after Curtis tried to kill her, but until I proposed it was just an idea, scratches on a pad. Once she said yes, I worked on it every chance I had, it didn't take long to write." He looked at Aaron who smiled, Dave had talked to him about it from the day he typed the first word, Hotch had even reminded him of things he should add.
"Can you tell us what it's about?" JJ asked.
He held it up so they could see the title. "It's our story. From the first time I saw her until the day she said yes. There're blank pages in the back so we can continue writing our story as we grow old together."
Alex and JJ both place their hands on their hearts, but JJ spoke. "Rossi, it's your love story that is so romantic. She's going to love it."
"I hope so." Dave whispered looking out the window, still holding the book. Somewhere in the distance he heard the words bachelor party, but chose to ignore it.
/
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It was late when the team arrived back at the BAU. Dave walked into his office, placed his go bag on the floor, and went to the cabinet behind his desk. Opening it he put Erin's gift in and locked it. Turning around he saw her, she was curled up on the couch asleep, he smiled. She looked like an angel. He hated to wake her, but he wanted to go home, sleep in his own bed with the love of his life wrapped in his arms. Sitting on the coffee table, "Erin…wake up baby." She began to stir.
"David?"
Helping her sit, then stand, "Let's go home."
Once home, Erin led Dave up the stairs, and into the bedroom. Slowly she took off his shirt, shoes, socks and jeans, before undressing herself. No words were spoken as he kissed her passionately, both ending up in the middle of the bed, Dave hovering over her. Kissing her neck, collarbone, moving lower to take one taunt peak into his mouth as he suckled it, his hand teased its twin. Hearing her moan increased his desire.
"David, it's been too long, please, I need you inside me...NOW." She moaned. Not one to deny Erin Strauss anything he entered her, finding a pace that gave her the greatest pleasure, but kept him in complete control. He could feel she was close; he quickened the tempo making sure not to lose control until she reached the peak, once there he gave a few deep thrusts and they fell over the edge together. Dave rolled them together, making sure he remained deep inside, letting her aftershocks milk him completely. Sometimes this was the best part, it was the most intimate. The closeness was what Dave needed tonight, what both needed.
"That was amazing, Amante." Erin whispered, cuddling into him, she wanted to crawl into his skin.
Dave smiled, kissing her. "Making love with you is always incredible. Promise me once we get married this won't change."
Pulling back just a bit to look in his eyes, "David, I love you, I love making love with and to you. Nothing is going to change because we get married. Have you changed your mind?"
"No, not at all, I want nothing more than to be married to you, for you to be my wife. I want you to always want me as much as I want you. You're my fantasy, my greatest desires." Kissing her again, wrapping her tightly in his arms. "I can't get enough of you, your scent, your taste, your touch. When you touch me, even if it's just to hold my hand, it makes me want you. I love you."
"I don't ever seeing either of us losing our desire and need for each other; I see it only getting stronger. I plan on having hot sex with you when we are well into out 90's and beyond." She kissed him and giggled as she felt him begin to harden within her.
/
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The alarm went off, Dave hit the snooze button as Erin whispered, "15 more minutes please." That was fine with him; he pulled the blanket over them, kissed her shoulder, wrapped an arm around her waist and closed his eyes. 15 minutes later the alarm went off again.
"David, it's time to get up." She rubbed his arm, trying to ease him into letting her go and getting up. "We have to be at the office by nine, I have a meeting with new cadets. It won't look good if I'm late."
"Are we ever going to have a day where we can just sleep in, not worry about the office, unsubs, being away. I want; no I need an Erin/Dave day. One where I can kiss, cuddle, have hot sex, make delicious pasta, watch a chick flick with you…you remember those days?" He said climbing out of bed, heading to the bathroom.
"It's Friday, I'll see what I can do about keeping the team here this weekend. If my meeting doesn't run over we can take off early. Jessie will be here but she'll do her own thing, the other two will be here tomorrow, but it will be later in the day."
"Kids are fine, work is off limits in all ways this weekend. I can deal with that. You, me and the kids, no team, no FBI, no unsubs, no work, sounds like a great weekend. Can we really make it happen?"
"We're going to try." She kissed him as she walked to the closet.
/
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The weekend was a good one, true to her word, Erin talked to the Section Chief, made sure he knew his number one team needed a well deserved break. They needed the weekend off.
Friday night and Saturday morning was spent having mind-blowing sex, watching chick flicks while cuddling on the sofa or in bed, and cooking together. Jessie had spent the night with a friend so they had the house to themselves and made good use of it. In the den kissing; Dave had just begun kissing her neck, unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing, when they heard the door slam. Dropping his hands to his side, Dave swore under his breath. "Damn."
"Mom!" Katie called from the foyer, "Dave?"
"In the den," Erin called kissing him and whispering, "We'll continue this later upstairs." Both straightened themselves and were sitting on the couch with a movie when Erin's daughter entered.
Smiling, "Did I interrupt something?"
"No sweetheart. We were just…"
"We were making out, but it's okay. I'll remember where we left off." Dave chuckled as Erin swatted him.
Katie flopped down between them, making Dave slide over some, "Do you think you two will ever get tired of pawing at each other and making out like teenagers?"
"No." They said at the same time, looking up to see Jessie and Dan enter.
Katie laughed, "That's great, I think it's awesome you still want and desire each other. That you're hot for the others body."
Dave turned a couple shades of red and started to stand, but Katie grabbed his hand pulling him back down. "I'm not having this conversation with my future step children."
Jessie turned to look at him. "We wanted to talk to you both about that."
Looking at Erin, then at each of the children, he wasn't sure what they wanted to talk about, had they changed their mind about him marrying their mother. He's heart fell into his stomach, as he looked at the kids again.
Daniel was the one that spoke, "Dave we've talked, in less than 5 weeks you and mom will be married, you'll be her husband and our stepfather. We don't like the term stepfather; it's associated with someone you don't like, or someone who's evil, like Stacy. She's a stepmother, a bitch. If it's okay with you, we'd like to call you our Bonus Father. A bonus parent is someone who you choose to love, who cares about the kids because you want to not because you married, the mom." He stopped for a minute then continued. "You care about Katie, Jessie and I because you genuinely like us, not because you are using us to get to mom. That makes you a Bonus Father, is it okay if we use bonus instead of Step?"
Dave smiled with watery eyes, "I'd be honored to be you're bonus father. That means I get to call you my bonus children?"
"Yep." Jessie said hugging him, then Erin. "Now what's for dinner, I'm starved."
/
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Erin stood outside the kitchen listening to the conversation between Katie and Dave as he cooked and she worked on a school paper. She listened to her daughter tell him about the project and what the professor wanted.
"This project is impossible, it can't be done." She said. "Impossible, Impossible."
Dave laid down the knife he was using. "Katie, nothing is impossible, it's not even a word, it's just a reason not to try. Everyone is scared when you try something new, but you'll be all right." she looked at Dave questioning. "They told me it was impossible to interview serial killers, but I did. They told me it was impossible to put together a profiling team, but we did…the BAU. They told me it would be impossible to come back to the FBI after I retired, but I did. They also told me it was impossible to love Erin and build a lasting relationship, but we did. So don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. Possible is a word, impossible isn't." He finished shaking his head before returning to his chopping.
Entering the kitchen, Erin walked up behind Dave, wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her lips to his shoulder blade, "Do you need some help?"
"You can wash those tomatoes if you want." They cooked together, talking to the kids as they came in. After dinner everyone gathered in the family room.
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Erin was thumbing through her wedding journal, Jessie leaning on her looking at the book as well. "Do you have everything planned now?" She asked.
Smiling Erin replied, "Yes, I think we do. We have final fittings for your dresses Monday afternoon, Dave, Aaron and Dan's suits are hanging in the hall closet."
"What about your dress?" Dan asked.
Erin laughed, "My dress is in a safe place. You kids can see it later, but David doesn't see it until I walk down the path to him."
"That doesn't seem fair. You get to know what I'm wearing, you get to pick it out, but I can't even get a glimpse of your dress." Dave smiled he was trying to get a reaction from her.
"David, you know you can't see the dress so stop being an ass." She kissed him letting him know she was teasing as well.
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JJ knocked on Dave's office door Monday morning. "You have a minute?"
Motioning for her to sit, "What can I do for you?"
"We'd like to throw Erin a surprise bridal shower; you have any idea what might be a good evening? Also can we have it at your house?"
Dave looked at his calendar, "as far as I know she's free every night. She has dress fitting for the girls today but they're doing that at lunch so Katie could get back to school. We've been trying to have some sort of normal evening when the team is home, she's trying not to work so late. I can call Abbie and see if she has anything on her calendar." Dave picked up the phone, called Erin's assistant. "She has a late meeting Thursday night, but that's all that's on the calendar for this week. Next week we have dinner with the Director Tuesday and her sister will be here for a couple days on Friday."
"Oh next Friday night might be great, her sister will be here. Do you have a number where I can call and see if she'd like to attend before we do definite date?" Dave gave her the number, "I'll get back to you when I know for sure when. Let's hope when we get it planned, the team doesn't get called away."
The shower was planned for the following Friday. Everything was set, the team had been out of town a lot, but returned Friday morning. JJ asked Dave to keep Erin gone until seven. Katie and Jessie would be home to let everyone in and help decorate.
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"David, why can't we just get take-out and go home? I haven't seen you in days and you want to go out?" Erin commented as they drove to the little café.
"Baby, I've had bad food for a week, I'm not in the mood to cook and this place is good. They're also pretty quick so we should be home in an hour or two. That's still enough time for you to ravish my body." He stated kissing her hand.
"What makes you think I want your body? I need a foot rub." She laughed.
"Sass, I've been away for a week, I get home and all I get is sass." Strauss laughed even harder, "You are so damn sexy when you laugh like that, maybe we should skip eating all together."
"Oh know you don't Rossi, you have me wanting dinner now, so now you have to feed me, then we'll head home and you can spend the night making me scream. "
Dave pulled into the drive right at seven. She didn't suspect a thing, JJ had carpooled most of the guests and the cars were parked a block away. Leading her into the house, through the kitchen and into the living room, he kissed her temple, put his finger under her chin to close her mouth, and headed for the den. The last thing David Rossi wanted to do was sit in a room with a bunch of women playing games and talking about men.
/
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"What…how…what's going on here?" Erin said as Penelope, took her by the arm, leading her to the chair of honor. Once seated she looks around, JJ, Alex, Garcia, Beth, Katie, Jessie, Maggie, Abbie, a couple Female section chiefs, the other female Deputy Director and her sister are present. Erin smiled at them all but stood to hug, Maggie and Maria her sister.
"This Erin Strauss is you're bridal shower." Garcia said.
"Did David know about this? That's why he insisted on going out for dinner, instead of take-out. That rat." Smiling at the group.
"Don't be too hard on him Erin, we sort of forced him, didn't really give him a choice." Alex commented.
The shower was a success. The ladies played games, one was how well do you know the bride and to everyone's surprise, Penelope won. "How did you know some of those answers?" Katie asked, I'm her kid and I didn't know a couple of those."
"Garcia did you cheat? Did you know the questions a head of time?" JJ questioned.
Laughing, "No, Alex came up with this game. I just listen when Rossi talks, and if you have lunch with him once in a while, get him on the topic of Erin or their relationship, he will tell you things. Nothing to personal, but enough you can win this game."
"Maybe I need to tell David to zip it." Erin chuckled.
"No don't do that. It's about the only time I can get him to talk about personal. He knows I won't say anything. I enjoy my once in a while lunch with the Italian Stallion." Garcia said.
After games, talking, laughing, and cake it was time for Erin to open gifts. There were several pieces of lingerie they thought Dave would love, someone gave her a monogrammed candles. Dave's family sent her a photo album with pictures of him from birth until early twenties. Katie and Jessie gave her a beautiful picture frame they thought she might like to put a wedding photo in for her desk. JJ had seen the dress and got her a beautiful scarf that would match perfectly, Garcia bought an assortment of oils, fragrances and lotions. Alex got a beautiful shadow keepsake box engraved with her married name, and Beth purchased silver twisted candle sticks. All in all it was a fun night.
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Erin thanked everyone as they left. Katie and Jessie helped take the gifts upstairs and she went into the den to check on David. She found him lying on the couch watching a movie about half asleep. He knew she was there, but didn't move waiting on her to say something.
"Thank you for tonight, Amante." She said moving to sit, placing his head in her lap, running her fingers through his hair. She noticed it was time for a trim.
"Don't thank me; I didn't have anything to do with it except get you here. Where's the girls and Maria?"
"JJ said you helped, she told me you did more than the ladies knew, thank you. The girls took things upstairs and are turning in for the night, I think. Maria is putting her things in the guest room, changing; she'll be down in a few minutes." Erin leaned down to kiss him.
"O.M.G. Mom, get a room, you two are always making out." Jessie laughed as she flopped in the chair.
"As I see it young lady we have a room, several of them and we'll make out in whatever room we want." Erin chuckled as she threw a pillow at her daughter.
"I think being in love agrees with you, Erin. I haven't seen you this relaxed and playful in years." Everyone looked up to see Maria standing in the doorway.
Dave started to sit up but she told him to stay where he was, she took a seat on the arm of Jessie's chair. Erin smiled, "David has had a lot to do with it, he's taught me its okay to let down and not be so uptight all the time. That just because I'm in a high position at work doesn't mean I can't be friends with my co-workers. I think I've really changed the past couple years."
"You've changed a lot, Miele. No one would call you the Ice Queen now. We've both learned how to be team players." Dave said not really looking at anyone. He was tired, but he knew Erin wanted to visit with her sister and her sister wanted to get to know him a little better. After another hour of talking, he stood. "I'm sorry ladies, but I'm exhausted, I'm going to bed." He kissed Erin, placed a kiss on Jessie's forehead and said good night to Maria, before leaving them. He wasn't sure what time it was when she came to bed, he pulled her as close as he could, kissed her and drifted back to sleep.
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Two weeks before the wedding Erin was not only busy with meetings of all kinds, but she was trying to put the finishing touches on everything. Dave was doing what he could, when he was home and he tried to help with calls when he was on the road. He'd called the photographer and the caterer made sure everything was set. He also picked up the wedding rings, he had Erin's special made so she could wear it with her engagement ring or by itself. His ring matched her wedding band with small blue diamonds.
Katie and Jessie helped keep their mother calm when Dave was away, but when he was home, they hid, letting him handle a stressed out bride. Erin Strauss was beginning to feel the tension, she knew everything was set, it had been checked, double checked and checked again, but she couldn't help think something would go wrong. She even called Andrew Shepherd the Director to make sure Dave and his team was taken off the schedule a few days before and a few days after. Andy assured her, that they would not travel a week before the wedding and a few days after. David was scheduled to be off the entire week after as well. They couldn't get away for a honeymoon, Erin had meeting she must attend, but they could take a couple days for themselves through the week. There were a couple day trips planned.
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A week before the wedding everything was in order; Dave saw how uptight and tense Erin had become, he arranged for her, Jessie, Katie, Penelope, Alex, Beth and JJ to have a spa day. He had them picked up at Quantico, whisked off to an exclusive health resort for a day of pampering. The ladies had no idea where they were going until they arrived. It was a pleasant, fun filled and relaxing day. He'd also arranged for one of the local clothing boutiques to bring clothes for them to shop from, each picking a new outfit. The limo picked them up in late afternoon, taking them to a little family owned Italian restaurant where the rest of the team, Daniel, Jack, Henry and James were waiting. Dave bought out the place for the night so they could have a private family celebration.
Each of the women hugged and thanked Rossi as they entered. Erin took him by the hand when she arrived, "David, thank you. This day was what I needed, what I think we all needed," kissing him delicately.
"So I take it you enjoyed your day?" He asked pulling her to him in an overdue hug, resting his hands on her hips as she pulled out of the embrace to look at him.
"More than you can imagine, but how did you…"
"Erin, I know you, I know when you're frazzled, when you need a break. I never wanted our wedding to stress you out; I only want you to enjoy the process. Everything's in place; it's all being handled by the finest group of people we know. So please, Baby, relax and enjoy the next week. You deserve it." Kissing her one more time, he lead her to the table where their friends and family gathered.
Leaning in as they sat down, she whispered, "Agent Rossi, you keep this up and you might just get extra lucky tonight."
"I'm going to hold you too that."
The owner of the restaurant had his chef make a variety of Italian dishes and desserts and served them home-style so they could try several things. The finest wine was served; Erin and Dave and the kids under 21 drank non-alcohol wine. As the last dish was placed on the table, the door opened.
"I'm sorry we are closed for a private party this evening." The maitre said.
"Yes I know, I was invited," Everyone looked up, Emily stood in the door.
Erin and Dave were the first on their feet, Dave hugged her first. "Emily, I'm glad you're here. Thank you for coming early."
"I wouldn't miss this for anything. Erin you look wonderful." She said hugging the future Mrs. Rossi. The other members of the group welcomed Prentiss as well.
After dinner Hotch stood. "I'd like to propose a toast." Everyone raised their glass. "To Dave and Erin, we wish you nothing but happiness, laughter, love and hot morning sex. We love you both."
Everyone laughed, but Erin swatted Dave, "Hot morning sex? That had to come from you, David."
Smiling, "Actually Erin, I heard you telling Penelope and JJ one day about how good the hot morning sex was and how it could set your mood for the whole day."
Dave raised an eyebrow looking sideways at his future bride. "Eavesdropping are we Agent Hotchner?" She asked.
"Nope, just getting coffee. "
Everyone talked, laughed and coordinated the rest of the week. When the night was over, Dave spoke to the restaurant owner, before taking Erin's hand and heading to the car. The drive home was quiet, neither spoke content to listen to the soft jazz on the radio. Once in the house, Erin went upstairs, while Dave locked up; made sure the alarm was activated, grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge and headed up himself. Tonight would be the last night as singles they would be alone. Starting tomorrow the kids would be staying with them until after the wedding, when they would go back to school and Jessie would spend the week at her dad's.
/
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Dave entered their bedroom to find her undressing, putting the water down, walking up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing the spot just below her ear. He knew exactly where to kiss to leave her moaning, wanting him. Whispering "so beautiful" in her ear, sending shivers down her back to her toes. He kissed the back of her neck, lips sliding to one shoulder blade then the other. Tongue lightly trailing down her spine, until his lips came to rest on and kiss the indentation at the small of her back, as he sat on the bed. Slowly he turned her between his open legs, pulling her closer resting his head against her bare stomach, breathing in her scent. Erin Strauss loved moments like this. The tender side of David Rossi, the intimacy that needed no words, just feelings, he didn't let others see this aspect of him. It had taken a long time for him to let her see him like this, but she brought it out.
After several minutes, Dave kissed her stomach, feeling the twinge of desire in her as it started to develop. Pulling her down on the bed with him, kissing her lips, he unleashed the passion and longing he'd held all evening.
Once she'd caught her breath, Erin rolled to look at him. His eyes were closed. Leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder, she played with the few chest hairs he had, soaked with sweat from the intense love making. "Thank you, David."
"Mmm hmm" Keeping his eyes closed, he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm serious, David. Thank you."
"For what, baby?" Still not opening his eyes, but he could feel he tighten her hold.
"Everything…today, the spa was amazing. You seem to always know when I need something like that and you make it happen. For the family dinner tonight, for always including the kids, for loving me."
"Loving you is easy and the children are family. I wanted the entire family there tonight. It's probably the last time we'll all be able to be together before the wedding."
Shifting even closer to him, "Amante, do you have any doubts at all about this marriage?"
Dave opened his eyes looking at her so she could see his sincerity, "Absolutely none. Marrying you is the most right thing I've ever done. I love you, Miele."
"Good, I love you too, David. I'm ecstatic to be Mrs. David Rossi." Erin smiled, in less than a week, she would be married to the man for years she thought she hated, when in reality she desired, wanted, craved and loved him completely.