Mitch was out back trying his best to look like he knew what he was doing with a lawnmower. Erin had offered her advice and had tried to explain to him that it would look better if he worked up and down the yard in a pattern to which she was told to 'fuck off' while continued in his haphazard approach. She needed to just be grateful that he hadn't run over his own feet. It did worry her leaving him at home with garden equipment while she was out. He was likely to kill himself, cut a body part off or electrocute himself.

Lizzie had offered to drive then both to their Mani-Pedi date and Sally was going to meet them there.

She skipped outside and let him know she was leaving and just waved from the back deck. He was in a world of his own, headphones on and focussed and she paused for a moment and appreciated how much she loved this domesticated version of her man.

"Is Mitch okay with you going out for the day?" It was a curious thing to say. Up until now she never got the impression that Lizzie was controlled by Drew and she didn't think her and Mitch appeared to be that sort of couple either.

"Yes of course. He's happy playing with his boy toys." She settled into the front seat. "Where are the kids today?"

Drew and Lizzie had three children, Anna who was six, and four year old twins Alysha and Avery. She was amused that they were all A names and was dying to know why.

"Drew's mother." She replied coolly.

"That must be nice, having someone close by to help out."

Lizzie nodded tightly. "Sure. She's very helpful." It wasn't said with any affection whatsoever. Mother-in-laws were notoriously difficult and at this stage Erin had been lucky that Mitch's mother was relatively easy and far away.

Erin decided it was time to change the subject, she didn't want to get Lizzie in a bad mood for fear of her clamming up. "I can't remember the last time I had a Mani-Pedi. I usually only get one when we are going to a wedding or event."

"That's how it starts." Lizzie's mood suddenly improved. "Trust me, I'll have you in that chair beside me every fortnight in no time flat."

"Oh, I don't know."

Sally was already there, bouncing down the pavement towards them as they walked up from the nearby parking lot. "Well Sally looks excited?" Erin laughed.

"Obviously appreciates the finer things in life. I'm sure Joe enjoys it."

"I am sure he does. Mitch seems keen to see the outcome. I think he believes I am only doing this to make him happy." Erin giggled while using air quotes. "It's easier to let him think that rather than keep telling him he's an idiot."

They had a fun morning and both Lizzie and Sally tried to encourage Erin to go a little wild. She wasn't quite sure and thought that a nice pink color wouldn't stand out too much. Sally scoffed and pulled the pale boring color chart from her hands and reached for the book with the more outlandish options. "Don't be boring." She flicked through a few pages. "Here…" Sally showed the nail artist. "She'll go zebras."

"Why?" Erin whined. "No, that's not me."

"It can be and because it would look so awesome." Sally looked at Erin who was kinda pale. "Okay, okay….no zebra's, but how about purple glitter?" She showed Erin the one she had chosen. It started dark purple and faded as it graduated to the nail bed and had a definite shimmer. It wasn't quite as out there as the zebras and Erin agreed that she could cope with that.

She did allow the zebra's on the toes though and giggled as she wiggled them when they were done. "So cute."

Lizzie leant over and patted her leg. "I told you it was addictive."

"Yes, yes." Erin didn't want to admit that it was nice to be pampered and she could get very used to it. It was pure indulgence though and time consuming. The fact you had to come back every two weeks seemed like a bit of a chore though and she'd get bored with it pretty quickly.

Lizzie had booked them a table at a nice little restaurant nearby and by the way they greeted her she was obviously a regular. "It's nice to see her smile again." Sally casually mentioned when Erin left the table to use the bathroom. Erin had been raucously funny telling them a story about Mitch and his failed attempt at building a tree house for his nephew. "After all she's been through."

"Oh?" Lizzie's interest was obviously piqued. She did love to be in the middle of it all especially if it was something that other's didn't know. So far, in the street everyone was a little curious about the new couple. They seemed normal enough, friendly and welcoming but Lizzie and the other's had wondered about them. Mitch seemed a lot more outgoing than Erin and she was definitely holding something back.

"Losing the baby so far along…" She stopped suddenly when she saw the look on Lizzie's face. It was a strange look, one she couldn't put her finger on. "Oh, you didn't know?" Lizzie shook her head. "Oh, I shouldn't have said anything. Please don't mention it to Erin. It…" she spied Erin heading back towards them and once they both looked up she forced herself to smile. "Please." Sally begged.

Lizzie's eyes flew to Erin's face and she sat down. It felt awkward all of a sudden. "What I miss?" she looked between both of them.

"I was just saying how much fun this has been. We should do it again?" Sally lied smoothly and smiled sweetly. Picking up her glass of wine and taking a mouthful to try and pretend that everything was completely normal.

"Absolutely." Lizzie added looking anything but comfortable.

"We should've invited Kate." Erin tried to break the awkwardness. "Seeing as Harry is off with Drew."

"It's not her thing." Lizzie snapped and then forced herself to smile when she saw Erin look at her strangely. Sally just ignored it. "She's just not into this sort of thing. I think she's away as well anyway." She waved it off and picked up the dessert menu. "What looks good today? The desserts here are divine, you can't leave without having one."

The whole vibe had definitely shifted and Lizzie couldn't help herself on the way home. "I'm sorry about your baby." She had been thinking about it, now the book made sense and her comments about needing to get married in a hurry, along with Mitch's obvious protectiveness. She noticed that he checked in on her often, a little touch or a look, asking if she was okay and being attentive. It all fell into place.

"Thanks."

Lizzie turned her head a little at the lights when they stopped waiting for them to change Erin was staring at her hands, twisting her wedding ring nervously. "I'm sorry if I upset you. I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's okay. Do you mind if we don't talk about it though?" Erin didn't look at her. "I don't like talking about it."

It was the end of the conversation and luckily they only had about five minutes to go before they got home and Erin hadn't really spoken. Lizzie had tried to fill in the awkward silences with some inane conversation that Erin didn't really listen to and Lizzie apologised again before Erin got out of the car.

"Really, it's okay." Erin assured her. "It's just still a little bit raw. I'm fine, really."

"If you want to talk…"

"I have Mitch." Erin squeezed her hand quickly. "We'll be fine."

Mitch looked up from couch where he was watching a ballgame. He had his feet on the table and was clasping a beer in his hand. He'd enjoyed the morning at home, surprisingly the physical act of mowing the lawns was enjoyable, then he quickly checked a few work emails, fired off some messages and did a bit of research. He had only sat down half an hour ago to watch the game. "How was it?"

"Good. It was good." She dropped onto the couch beside him. "It was good." Erin showed him her fingernails.

"Sweet. Wanna take them for out for a spin?" Mitch waggled his eyebrows suggestively but he saw the look on her face. Mitch put the beer on the table and grabbed her hand. "Look at me." He felt it shake. "Look at me."

"No."

"What happened?" Eventually she looked at him with eyes brimming with tears. "Oh Darlin'." His heart broke as she crumbled before his very eyes. He pulled her into his arms, leaning back against the couch and cradling her head to his chest while she sobbed.

"Can you just hold me right now?"

"All day and all night."

So that's what he did, Erin curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest and Mitch didn't move. He just held all the broken bits together.

Eventually he reached for his phone, Erin was still trying to crawl inside him, at least that's what it felt like. He spent a few minutes on his phone and then tossed it aside. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head and rested his chin there for a moment.

"Hey Babe, why don't you head upstairs and throw a few things in an overnight bag."

"Why?"

"We need a night away from here. I've booked our room." He touched her cheek lightly, dragging his thumb back and forth behind her ear. "I want to just be with you, darlin'."

Erin smiled a little, it was a sad smile but better than anything he'd got in the last hour. "I love you."

"Why wouldn't you?"