"Well, did they all say they were coming?" Erin asked nervously as she smoothed her skirt. She had left early that day to pick up snack foods at the grocery store for their party and her lover hadn't called to tell her one way or the other.
"Yeah, I got everyone to agree. They'll start dropping by in about an hour. Jess is even going to bring Jack and Henry, maybe that will soften the blow a little."
Erin laughed lightly and went over to Penelope's side, kissing her cheek. "Children always temper how a person reacts, so that was a little bit manipulative on your part, Penny. Oh, and I'm spending the weekend with you, I've already put my clothes away and everything."
"That sounds wonderful." Penelope kissed her once more and pinched her ass, making her gasp a little. "Ah, so that makes you jump a little. I'll have to remember that."
"There are many things that I keep in mind when it comes to you, too," she whispered before reaching up and tweaking Penelope's nipple lightly, feeling it stiffen beneath her fingers.
"That is so not fair, Erin! They're going to start arriving in less than an hour and you go and tease me like that." Penelope stuck out her lower lip as she laughed at her, leaning in to steal another kiss.
"I never said that I played fair, only that I play for keeps."
The shudder that ran through Penelope's body excited her and she nuzzled her nose against her lover's cheek, breathing in the scent of her perfume. "I swear, if you keep that up, I am going to throw caution to the wind and let you screw me hard and fast before they come."
"And that sounds lovely, I just don't want the scent of sex hanging in the air when they arrive. There are some things that I would like to keep just between us," she whispered in her ear before nipping delicately at the lobe of it.
"Argh! Then I have to get away from you and your deliciousness, honey." Penelope smiled as she danced away to straighten an invisible wrinkle in the couch fabric. Erin glanced down at her watch and saw that time was slipping away from them faster than she had expected. Awkwardly, she tried to adjust her blouse so that it wasn't completely obvious how aroused she was and then sat on the couch, leaning back to look up into her lover's face. "What is it, honey?"
"I like being here, with you. It calms me," she replied softly, not breaking eye contact with her. "I guess I am a schmaltzy sap after all."
"I sort of like this side of you. I was thinking, would you tell me a little about your mother this weekend? I want to know more about you, about your past, whatever you're willing to share with me."
Erin sighed a little as she nodded. "I suppose I can do that." Penelope smiled gently at her as she leaned down for another kiss. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Someone knocked on their door and Penelope stood with a groan. "I'm glad they're getting here, I just wanted more time with you."
"I know the feeling," she replied as she watched her lover walk to the door. As it opened, she saw Derek and Dr. Reid standing there. Smiling widely at them, she beckoned them over to the couch. "Good evening, thanks for coming tonight."
"I didn't know you'd be here, too, Chief Strauss," Dr. Reid said nervously as he took a seat in one of the plush chairs. "You do know that Garcia invited Rossi and Blake, right?"
She nodded, her smiled wobbling for just a moment. "Yes, she told me that, Dr. Reid. And please, while we're in an informal setting, call me Erin."
"As long as you call me Reid or Spencer," he said, relaxing a little. "How have you been? We haven't seen much of you since Rossi…"
"Left me? I've been doing well. In fact, I'm just getting used to being in love once more." She couldn't help looking over at Penelope, certain that her features had softened the moment the woman smiled at her.
Dr. Reid must have picked up on the look, as he blushed bright red. "You, you can't be serious? The two of you are dating?"
"Yes, we are, my sweet genius," Penelope replied as she sat next to Erin, cuddling up close. "Are you going to have a problem with that?"
He shook his head as he continued to look at them askance. "I guess opposites really do attract at times," he murmured as another knock came at the door. "I'll go let them in." Standing, he quickly made his way over to the door, and she glanced over to see the rest of the team gathered there. Alex looked ready to say something when David put his arm on her shoulder, squeezing tightly. She remembered all too well that particular move and she shuddered a little, scooting closer to Penelope.
"Well, this is quite the surprise," David said smoothly, looking at them. "I wondered who was making you smile these days, Erin."
"It's easy to smile when you have someone so perfect in your life." He nodded halfheartedly as Jack and Henry darted into the room and pounced on the couch, squirming their way onto their laps.
"Aunt Penny! Mommy said that you were going out with a girl. You know that girls have cooties, right?" Henry asked, looking up into her face.
"I happen to like cooties very much, Hen. Hello, Jack."
"Hey, Penny, Mrs. Strauss."
"Call me Erin," she said warmly, letting Henry snuggle into her. It was nice to have the heavy, comforting, weight of a child in her arms and she rocked him back and forth as she listened to the chatter pick up around them.
"Would you like me to make you anything to eat?" Derek asked, and she smiled up at him.
"That would be very nice, Derek, thank you."
He nodded and went into the kitchen, while Penelope picked up the remote and flipped through a few movies on Netflix. "Is there anything in particular that you want to watch, boys?"
"Up!" Henry said excitedly. "I love that movie."
"All right, if that's what you want to watch." Penelope queued it up and then grabbed a few tissues out of the box, handing them to Erin. "You are going to need those for the first ten minutes of this movie."
She nodded and then took the plate of food from Derek's hands. "Thank you," she said as he settled on the other side of her. Once everyone was settled around the television, Penelope hit play and then settled in.
It didn't take long for the tears to start rolling down her cheeks as she watched the love story between Carl and Ellie unfold, and Henry cuddled in closer, patting her cheek softly before rubbing the collar of her blouse between his fingers. "It'll be okay, Aunt Erin," he whispered in her ear, "it has a happy ending."
"Okay." The simple acceptance of this sweet child touched her heart and she sighed happily as she snuggled him a little closer to her, resting her head on Penelope's shoulder as the movie played on.