"Okay," said Erin, looking at Patty, Holtz, and Cheyenne. They were all in older clothes and their hair tied up. Both Holtz and Cheyenne had theirs up in bandannas. They were standing in the baby's room on the third floor of the firehouse.

"David, Zack, and Kevin are in the guest rooms painting, and we're going to help each other in between coats. We're painting the nursery. Paint cloths are down to protect the floors. Please be careful as to not move them as this is a beautiful reclaimed hardwood from the old firehouse days. We're going to try to get two coats up today so they can dry and Holtz can work on the murals later tonight. This is a fast drying paint, so two coats shouldn't take more than six hours. Then the boys are going to help bring back in furniture, but we don't have to help them with any of that. Holtz and Abby are going to take care of the arranging. We just have to get everything out of the various storage spots around the firehouse and back upstairs. We've got masks and gloves if anyone wants them, and we've got fans up for ventilation and to help with the drying."

"We definitely need to get the baby diapers and bottles out of the client conference area," said Patty. "I don't think all that stuff will help inspire trust in our work come Monday."

"You should be glad we only came down with all that stuff Friday night," winked Holtzmann. "Because all the baby things are piling up here and we might have to start stockpiling downstairs."

"Abby and I were already talking about making a donation box once everything is settled and in place," said Erin.

"Not me?" scoffed Holtzmann. "I feel wronged! Wronged, I tell you." She gestured wildly with her hands, pretending to be dramatic for whatever reason suited her.

"Best friends always come before spouses," said Erin, sticking her tongue out at Holtz, who tried to look offended, but failed. Cheyenne laughed into Patty's shoulder.

"We're still getting free pizza and beer right?"

"And all the doughnuts and coffee your little heart desires Patty," said Holtzmann. "I might even splurge for dinner."

"As long as it's somethin' good," said Patty with a small smile.

"There is that great Greek place down the way," said Erin. "I vote for that."

"Where is Abby?" asked Cheyenne.

"Downstairs, tucked safely away from all paint and fumes," said Holtz. "She's going to make all our food runs so I can get her out of here."

"Overprotective," said Patty to Cheyenne. "As always."

"I still don't know how Abby puts up with her sometimes," said Erin. "I mean, really Holtzmann."

"I could say the same thing about you Gil-" said Holtz, but cut herself off when she saw Abby coming up the stairs. She ran over to the doorway.

"Nope," said Holtzmann. "Downstairs honey. The boys are already working."

"Sorry Holtz, but this can't wait," said Abby grimacing. She marched over to Erin.

"The Mayor's Assistant is here, and she's brought a couple of members of the Public Safety Commission. They're waiting to have a look around."

"On today of all days," said Patty, rolling her eyes.

"No, we can do this," said Erin. "Abby, you and I will take care of them. We've got this."

"Because there's no fun like a surprise inspection," said Holtz sarcastically.

"We'll get rid of them," said Abby. "It's not like we haven't been preparing for this. Everything is in order."

"You hope," said Patty. Abby nodded and grabbed Erin by the hand and they both headed downstairs.

"Don't let them in my lab!" yelled Holtz.

"That's probably the first place they will look Holtzy," said Patty. "They know you're probably hiding another large nuke somewhere."

"It's in plain sight," grinned Holtz. "They won't ever find it."

"You mean the thing on top of the car?" asked Cheyenne.

"Nope, Abby's earrings. Put them together and drop it at just the right height..." Patty rolled her eyes while Holtz demonstrated a large explosion. She grinned and wrapped her arm around her friend, which made Patty laugh. Holtz gestured upwards.

"I'll take the long roller brush and paint the ceiling while you two paint the walls. We'll let Erin go around the doorways and such when she gets back. She's a stickler for details."

"You're painting the ceiling?" frowned Patty.

"I'm going to paint the constellations up there later on tonight," Holtzmann said. "Once the blue is dry."

"I can't wait to see this," said Cheyenne, looking interested.

"I might have to borrow your wife," winked Holtzmann. "She's the only thing tall enough around here for me to stand on."

"I don't think so Holtzy," said Patty. "I ain't your step-ladder."

"Well, that was complicated," said Abby as she sat down on the couch downstairs. Erin sat down beside her and leaned her head on her best friend.

"Are we sure we want to add another team?"

Abby laughed. "Little late for that now, isn't it?"

"It's a good thing we were prepared," said Erin. "Or they really would have gotten a hold of us."

"Did you notice how Ms. Lynch kept looking at me?" asked Abby. "I'm starting to wonder whose safety she was really worried about."

"Abby, you are nearly seven months pregnant. If you haven't noticed, people do sort of pay attention to that sort of thing. You have a very cute round bump."

"I can't wait to be un-pregnant," said Abby, not even bothering to be correct. "It feels like I can't do much."

"You can and you will," smiled Erin. "Someone's got to teach the new recruits the different classification of ghosts."

"So basically anything that doesn't involve any actual field work we do."

"Yep."

"Ugh," said Abby, laying her head back against the couch. "I shouldn't complain. I'm the reason I'm in this mess."

"Yes," Erin grinned. "You couldn't say no to those blue eyes." Abby rolled her own.

"You should go get back to them," she said. "Tell them it's all clear." Abby picked up Erin's arm and looked at the time on her watch.

"I'm sure it won't be long till they want lunch, especially since the coffee and doughnuts were lacking because of the surprise inspection. You know how men are. If you don't feed them every two seconds, they get cranky."

"Do I have to?" whined Erin.

"You volunteered for this," Abby responded. She winced and rubbed her side.

"And someone's telling you that their room needs to be painted."

"I can stay down here and keep you company."

"I'd rather you go up there and get things done and I can sleep peacefully in my bed tonight knowing that it's finished."

"Umm..." said Erin, wincing. "You won't be sleeping upstairs."

"WHAT?!"

Erin looked sheepish. "You're staying at my place tonight. Holtzmann insisted. I think she's already packed you a bag too."

"I'm going to kill her. She is getting way, way too overprotective." Abby tried to get up off the couch but failed. Erin laughed, but bit down on her index finger knuckle to keep from doing so again. She watched as Abby slowed down and used the arm of the couch as support.

"I'm thinking for the next couple of months you need to avoid this couch." Abby ignored her and headed for the stairs. When she saw Holtz coming down, she glared at her wife. Holtz looked at Erin.

"You told her didn't you?"

Erin shrugged, trying not to smile at Holtz's mild discomfort.

"Abby... I have a plan. I'm going to be painting all night. I thought you might enjoy spending some... some fun time with Erin." She started backing up at her wife's fast approach. After nearly falling, she yelled for Patty to save her and ran up the stairs all the while flailing her arms. Abby sighed and turned and looked at Erin.

"Put the fear in her for me, would you?" Erin saluted like Holtz with a smirk and headed upstairs. Abby groaned. Her lover sometimes. Half the time if she didn't just absolutely love and adore Jillian Holtzmann, she probably would be very annoyed by her.

"I am so glad to be home," said Erin after putting some of the leftovers that had been sent home with everyone from the day's events in the fridge. She kicked off her shoes and laid her head in her husband's lap. David chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"What time is Abby coming over?"

"Whenever she gets through chewing out Holtz and spitting her out."

"So an hour or two then?"

"Five."

David laughed and shook his head.

"I can't blame Holtzmann though. She is just looking out for them in all the ways she can."

"As she should be," said Erin. "David..."

"I know Erin," he said softly. "I saw how you kept stealing glances at Abby during dinner. I know you'd love to raise a little one with your best friend."

"I don't think Holtz would go for the partner swap though."

"You know what I mean. Your kids growing up together, being best friends..."

"Is it wrong?" frowned Erin.

"No..." sighed David. "It isn't."

"What do you think?" asked Erin, sitting up. "About-"

David went quiet for a moment.

"I don't know."

"Fair... fair enough," responded Erin. "I don't want to push you into anything David. I-"

He smiled sadly and kissed her. Erin closed her eyes and kissed back. She loved being in the comfort of her husband, especially since he always seemed to worry about how she was doing.

"We can talk about it later," he said. She hugged him, knowing what that answer meant in her heart. She pulled back.

"At least today is done."

"I feel like I'm covered in paint," said David. "Patty is more devious than I gave her credit for."

"At least you don't look like Holtzmann. She was quite determined to make sure that blonde hair turned blue."

"Or Kevin."

"That was Kevin's own fault. He shouldn't have tried to sneak up behind Cheyenne. We told him there would be consequences. He should have never let Patty corner him."

"Everyone I think is going to need showers," chuckled David.

Erin smiled. "I'm glad we got Abby to take that group picture."

"I don't think she was too pleased with the one Kevin's husband took of Kevin rubbing her belly."

"Kevin promised her a back rub in compensate. At least he's been paying attention."

David rubbed his black hair. "I think I'm going to go get a shower, then head to bed. Tell Abby I said good night."

Erin nodded and he kissed her on the cheek as he got up and headed towards their bedroom. She propped her feet up on the couch and got comfortable. She knew it would take Abby a few minutes to stop arguing with Holtz and finally give up. All of them knew Holtz was being way overprotective. As long as the place was well ventilated, Abby would have been fine helping. She had wanted to help. But once Holtz got an idea in her head, it was stuck. And she was really stuck on this one. But Erin had a feeling that this day wasn't so much about the paint, but about Holtz's work this evening and how she wanted to surprise Abby with it.

At least they had all the basics done. All the rooms were painted and the furniture and things were moved back upstairs.

The doorbell rang and Erin got up to answer it. Abby was standing there with an overnight bag and a body pillow.

"I didn't win."

"Uh-huh," said the redhead. "Didn't expect you to." She gestured for Abby to come in and closed the door behind her. "Holtzmann is a force of nature."

"Tell me about it," said Abby, taking off her jacket once she had sat her things down on a chair. "I'm scared to see what she's going to be like when I'm actually in labor." She headed over to the couch and sat down gingerly, rubbing her back.

"I think by that point, you're not going to care, Abby," mused Erin. "You're just going to want the baby out of you."

"I want the baby out of me now," huffed Abby. "But 27 weeks is a little early."

"Aim for 40 weeks," said Erin. "It's a good goal."

Abby made a face. Erin chuckled and sat down. "I can't wait to see you with an even bigger and round bump." She patted her best friend's shoulder while she made a face.

"Neither can Kevin," said Abby. "I think Zack was amused by how Kevin kept wanting to feel the baby during dinner."

"Think they are getting baby fever?" asked Erin.

"Who isn't these days?"

"David," said Erin with a sigh.

"He'll come around," said Abby. "Heaven knows I had to give it a lot of thought."

"Maybe," said Erin, a little soft and uneasy. "I've been thinking about adopting on my own."

"Really?" Abby said, surprised. "You're going to go through with it even if he doesn't want to?"

Erin put a hand on Abby's baby bump. "I want us to have kids together Abby." She smiled at her friend. "We always wanted to do everything at the same time, and we almost did."

Abby laughed. "I was not expecting this, however. Really should have been reversed."

"Oh, I don't know," said Erin, grinning. "You being pregnant is my favorite thing." Abby elbowed Erin.

"I want to see you with swollen feet."

"I can't wait to see you and Holtzmann holding your baby."

"I just want to go back to work full-time," sighed Abby. "We need a new... mystery."

"You and Patty."

"She has the right idea," said Abby. She paused for a moment. "I'm glad the safety people are now taken care of, even if we had to run through the place and hide all the baby stuff."

Erin nodded. "It's something off our minds at least. Now we can get the new kids up and running." She looked at Abby.

"Is Holtz still planning a ghost hunt with the penguins for them?"

"If she is, she hadn't told me," said Abby. She shook her head. "Really, Holtz?"

"Probably was going to try to keep that a secret for as long as possible," chuckled Erin. "Are you and Holtzmann going to need help decorating?"

"I think we can do that," said Abby. "I need to do something."

"I think you're just going to have to accept the fact that your wife thinks because you're carrying the baby, you get off scot-free from everything."

"I know," Abby said, picking up her pillow and folded it, putting it at her back. "Maybe I need to talk to David."

"Abby, no."

"What? On your behalf..."

"So you want to argue with a law professor?"

"Well, I could mention that there was a recent study that said women over 35 getting pregnant are mentally much sharper later in life."

"Yes, because I'm sure David is worried about my intelligence level."

"You never know."

"Now I know you went batty sitting downstairs while we were painting," Erin huffed.

Abby smirked. "I think I lost all sensibilities some time ago while waiting for you to come back around."

"You ready to get some sleep?" asked Erin, ignoring the barb.

"Might as well, said Abby. "Guest room?"

"Should be ready. I can get an extra blanket out of the closet if you think you'll need one."

"Erin..."

"Don't say it, I know."

Abby sighed and put a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Just be careful, okay?"

Erin nodded and hopped up off the couch. Abby wished she could get up that quickly as she carefully stood to follow her best friend.