The service had gone smoothly, even as Erin had broken down sobbing the moment they had taken their spots behind the caskets, having to follow them to the front of the sanctuary. The parents had seemed to understand why Erin wanted to be ensconced between Penelope and himself, though Karl had been sweet in offering them all pieces of hard candy throughout the long service. At some point, Erin had pulled her legs up towards her chest as she leaned against him, her hand absently playing with his lapel as she listened to the pastor speak.

The hardest part for her, well, for all of them, had been when the pastor had opened the platform up for the mourners to offer remembrances of the Strauss family. Mixed in the anecdotes was a shining thread of just how fiercely Erin had loved her children and her children's friends, and he wished that Aaron was there to hear what was being said, as he knew that that might make some dent in the icy anger that had encased his heart when it came to Erin.

Erin had broken down once more when Director Shepperd had taken the microphone, recounting a story of when Erin had brought Allie to work one day, and how much she had loved being there, even if she had managed to jam one of the copiers so badly that the repair man had spent five hours repairing it. Erin chuckled a little before the sobs came, and Dave held her close as the next few people spoke. It had taken another ninety minutes for everyone to speak before the pastor had drawn everything to a close with a prayer and then they were rising to their feet, following after the caskets out to the parking lot, watching them be loaded into the back of the waiting hearses.

"Look at the amount of flags," Erin whispered as she reached out for his hand, and he nodded, a bit amazed to see just how many people were choosing to accompany them to the graveyard. "You are riding with us, yes?" she asked as she looked at her and Alan's parents. They both nodded, and she seemed to relax a little as the funeral director led them over to their limousine, helping the women in before allowing the men to get inside. This separated him from Erin, but he was glad to see that Penelope and Sophia were gathered close to her, holding her hands as she continued to cry quietly. "I just want this day to be over. Penelope, are my sunglasses in your purse? I can't remember if I asked you to put them in there or not."

Penelope nodded as she pulled out the glasses, handing them to Erin. She gave him a brief, pained, look before sliding them over her eyes, shielding her gaze from them all. He knew why she was doing that, but it still hurt his heart to physically watch her shut herself away from them all. It was so quiet in the back of the limousine as they waited for the others to proceed to their vehicles, but after a few lengthy minutes, they were finally underway. The drive to the graveyard took a while, since they drove so slowly, in order to keep the vehicles together, and he gasped a little at the size of the place, knowing that every inch of drive would be taken up by the vehicles in the procession.

Erin seemed to have the same revelation right on the heels of him, as he heard her own answering gasp, watching the way her hands tightened around Sophia's and Penelope's, as if she was ready to flee, if given the chance. As the limousine came to a stop behind the hearses, Karl was the first one out, followed by Erin's father. He went to leave after them, only for Erin to speak once more. "David, Penelope, stay with me a moment. Please."

He nodded and slipped back into his seat, watching the two older women awkwardly get out of the vehicle, leaving them relatively alone. "What's wrong, Erin?"

"I didn't think that so many people would want to be at this part of the funeral service. I am not prepared to face that many people. I hate to ask this of you, but…Penelope, would you please read the eulogy I wrote for my beloved family? With the Director and Agent Anderson here, I don't want to collapse in front of them, but I also want these words said. My beloveds deserve to have their memory honored."

"Of course I can do that for you, Lambie. You put the paper in my purse, right?" Erin nodded. "Good. I'll go out there and do you proud, even if I might cry a little, too. Let Dave take care of you while we see this to completion." Turning her head, Penelope kissed Erin's temple lightly before clambering from the limousine, leaving them alone.

As soon as the door was closed, Erin left her seat and came over to his side, curling up next to him as she let out a long sigh. "I don't know what to do anymore, David. How can I be this weak?"

"You are not weak, Erin. You are trying to get through this terrible day with as much composure as you can muster. Penelope and I, along with your parents, both sets, are here for you. No one will blame you for not being able to read the words that poured from your heart, because they'll hear them dropping from Penelope's mouth and hear your beautiful heart shining through them," he whispered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him as they waited for the mourners to return. It didn't take as long as he thought it might, but he supposed that the pastor didn't want things to run long like they had at the church, and soon enough, the family was getting into the limousine once more.

"You wrote such lovely things about your family, Erin. I'm glad that your friend was able to read them for you, because I don't think that I would have been able to get through that eulogy," her mother said as she took her seat on Erin's other side, picking up her free hand to thread their fingers together. "And I'm grateful to know that you have a good friend who is walking by your side through this."

"He and Penelope are the best friends that I could ask for in all of this, Mom. You know what I've been through, my struggles with alcohol, and that just drove so many of the people I thought were close to me away. Penny and David were the only ones to step in when everyone else stepped out, and I love them."

Those words were a shock to him and he glanced up at Penelope to see that she was also shocked, even as quick tears pooled in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks. "I love you, too, Lambie," she whispered before clearing her throat and handing the paper in her hands to Dave. "I thought you might like to read what Erin wrote, since you stayed behind with her."

"Thanks, Kitten," he said lowly as he unfolded the paper and began to read Erin's beautiful script. Her words broke his heart all over again, and he felt no shame when he started crying at what she had written. By the time they had arrived back at the church, he had finished the eulogy, and then he accepted the handkerchief Sophia handed to him, clearing his eyes of the tears that were still gathered there. "This was beautiful, Erin," he said gruffly, folding the paper small enough so that it would fit in his breast pocket, wanting to keep her words close to his heart.

"I just wrote what was true. Even if it was painful."

He nodded as they came to a stop, and then they were getting out of the limousine and heading back into the church, following the pastor down to the fellowship hall. "Why don't you all sit, and us guys will make plates for you?" he said, giving Karl and Peter a long look, until they nodded. Erin nodded, taking hold of Penelope's hand as they went to find their seats. Joining the still lengthy line, Dave tried to think of small talk to make with the others when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, he frowned to see Aaron calling, and he answered, trying not to sound perplexed. "Hey Hotch, what can I do for you?"

"I know that Penelope is supposed to off for God knows how long, and that we're still grounded for three weeks, but there's been a bad case, and it's in a city we've worked in before, so the sheriff is asking specifically for our help. I'll need you to track down Penelope and come back to the office so that we can head out as soon as possible."

"No."

"I'm sorry?"

"I said no. I'm currently at a funeral, and there is no way that I can leave. You'll just have to make do with Kevin being your technical analyst, and one member down in the field. You'll live."

"Dave…"

"No, Hotch. Firstly, I already gave you a valid reason why I cannot attend to your beck and call. Secondly, I am still acting Section Chief, and as such, this case should have been ran by me first before you decided to go off half-cocked, expecting me to follow after you. Thirdly, Penelope is still on leave, and I will not make her go back early for all fucking tea in China. Now, before I use more choice language at this reception, I am going to hang up and be present once more. I will talk to you when you're home again. Stay safe out there." Before Aaron could reply, Dave ended the call before turning his phone off and shoving it into his pocket before picking up plates for himself, Erin, and Penelope. It would be tough to juggle all three, he knew, but he would make it work somehow, as he did not want to wait in line again, not when he could be spending that time with Erin and Penelope.