"How long have you worked with our mother, Penelope?" Bruce asked, setting his cup aside and looking at her intently.
"Well, I've been with the BAU for about ten years now, so that same length of time. Though I must say that I've been enjoying working with her more now in this last year. I think she's finally letting herself show her true personality." Erin smiled at her and then narrowed her eyes at her son.
"What, Mom? I want to know more about this person you're introducing into our lives. I never really cared for Dave, he was a bit arrogant. At least I like her."
Penelope giggled a little and Erin reached out for her hand. "I am so glad that I have your approval to continue with this relationship, Brucie. It means so much to me."
"I know, Mom!" He flashed them both a cheesy grin and his sisters broke into gales of laughter. "Tabby, Karen, back me up here. We have to make sure that Mom's partner has only her best interests at heart."
"Oh, I think it is more than her best interests that Penelope is interested in," Tabitha said knowingly as she looked at their entwined hands. "Though I do think that Bruce is right, we need to approve of you before we let you have the opportunity to hurt our mother. She has been through so much already."
Penelope nodded before taking a sip of her water. "That is what I'm going to do my best not to do."
"Good," Karen replied, smiling widely. "But I did like Dave, despite how Bruce and Tabby felt about him. He was really nice."
"He can be." Erin leaned over and knocked her shoulder against Penelope's. "I'm glad that you are all getting along here, though. It does make me happy."
Her children nodded and then Bruce stood up. "Well, it is getting a little late. I need to be up early for my abnormal psych class." Erin nodded and stood as well, holding out her arms. Her son hugged her tightly, rubbing her back gently as he whispered in her ear. "I think she's in love with you, Momma. I have a better feeling about her than I did about Dave."
She nodded as she kissed his cheek. "I really am glad you like her, honey. I think she might be the one," she whispered back.
Stepping away from him, she grinned and he nodded. "Come on, Tabby, I'll run you home." Her daughter nodded and got up, bouncing over to her side and hugging her tightly.
"Have a good night, Mom!" She winked at both of them, and Erin enjoyed the soft blush that rose in Penelope's cheeks. Her youngest daughter had always been a bit of a free spirit with no filter on her thoughts, and she had been in fine form that evening. "And I had better be over for supper again soon."
Karen shook her head slightly as she looked at her younger siblings. Her eldest child had always been the most like her, serious, cautious, and she wished that some of the spontaneity of her other children had rubbed off on her. Once they were gone, Karen looked between Penelope and her, assessing them. "Mother seems happy and content to be with you. I suppose that that is all that matters here. Have a good evening." She stood and went over to her mother, hugging her gently and kissing her cheek.
"I love you, Karen."
"I love you, too, Mother." They nodded at each other as she left the room, and then she was alone with her Penelope.
"That seemed to go well," she murmured, sitting down on Penelope's lap and running her fingers through her curls. "I hope Tabitha didn't embarrass you too much. She always says what she thinks, and I indulged her in that. Are you ready to head upstairs?"
Penelope nodded before claiming her lips in a possessive kiss. Erin sighed into it as the woman cupped her breast, thumbing her nipple into an erect peak in moments. "We made it to second base, Erin."
"No, you made it there," she said a bit breathlessly as she held out her hand. "I have yet to do so."
"What are you waiting for, my dear?" Penelope asked saucily, standing up next to her and taking hold of her hand.
"Getting to the bedroom." She kissed Penelope and then led her up the stairs. When they finally made it to the bedroom, she shut the door and then took a seat on the bed, patting the spot next to her. Penelope sat and she turned, folding her legs into the lotus position. The other woman followed suit and she just stared at her, taking in every facet of her face.
"Are you just going to look all night?"
"Maybe. Maybe I want to memorize everything about you." Hesitantly, she reached out and began to slip the buttons on Penelope's blouse from their holes. The first thing she noticed was how pink her skin was, the rosy undertones lending a dewy freshness to her skin. Trailing her fingers along the top of Penelope's breasts, she watched her shiver slightly and felt a wicked smile creep over her face. "Do you like that?" she asked.
"I think you know I do, Erin." The was a slight whine to her voice and that made Erin feel good, knowing she was causing that reaction in her girlfriend. As she was staring at the way Penelope's breasts moved as she breathed, she felt her fingers unbutton her own blouse. "And I know you like me touching you breasts, you proved that earlier."
Erin nodded, shrugging out of the blouse. Penelope followed suit and she smiled at her, feeling the familiar stirrings of desire build up in her. Her brain seemed to kick in at just that moment, though, reminding her that things were moving a little quickly, given that it hadn't even been a week that they were together. Am I really sure I want to fall in bed with her so soon? she thought as she began to tear up.
"What's wrong, hun?"
She took a deep breath and shrugged. "I think that we're moving a little fast. I don't want to be a tease, dearest, but I also don't want to fall into something based only on our physical feelings for each other. I care, deeply, already and I don't want to hurt you. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, Erin." Penelope leaned in and kissed her gently, pushing her back on the bed and fitting a leg between hers. She melted into the sweet buss, her arms closing around Penelope's waist as they continued to kiss. "I don't want to push you into anything, I really don't. I guess I'm still accustomed to falling into bed with my partner right away."
"I hate when my mind is giving me mixed signals," she muttered, bringing Penelope's hand up to cup her breast. "I want to go a little farther tonight, and yet, I don't. This is so stupid."
"No, it's not, Erin." She copied Erin's move, bringing her free hand up to Penelope's breast. "I really want you, but I can wait a little longer to have sex. Besides, I really like what we have going here."
Erin smiled as she kissed Penelope once more, running her thumb over one taut nipple. "I like what we have going, too." With certain fingers, she unhooked the other woman's bra, tugging it off her body before delicately pinching a nipple. "And I like your breasts."
"I like yours. And your hips. I think I like everything about you." They kissed once more and Erin sighed as she let Penelope run her fingers over her body, comfortable with the soft touches and the feelings they brought.