Erin made her way to the coffee machine her dad insisted they'd buy. Both her and her father were quite the caffeine addicts. "Would you like some coffee? We only ever have dark roast, if that's okay." Erin said while placing her hair up in a bun. Brennan smiled, "Yes, I'd love some. Do you drink coffee?" she asked Erin. Erin's eyes went wide, "Oh, yeah. I've become quite the consumer. We can blame dad for that." she chuckled. "I can only drink it black, really. I've developed a taste aversion to any creamer. I can thank the Christmas season for that, I can't look at peppermint the same again." Erin said with a disgusted look on her face. Brennan laughed while mixing the pancake mix, "Do you have any allergies?" Brennan asked. Erin shook her head as she watched the coffee machine begin to brew. "No, thankfully. Do you have any?" she responded. Brennan shook her head, "I don't either. But, I am a vegetarian. But, I can easily include meat in the kitchen for you." she said. Erin looked at her mom with a wide smile, "You're a vegetarian?! I am too!" she said as she pointed to herself. "I've been a vegetarian since I was 5. I slowly was converting dad." she said as she sat down and stared at Brennan placing the mix on the skillet.
"Looks like we have something in common, we possibly have even more in common though." Erin said. Brennan couldn't believe how friendly Erin was being. She was expecting to be angry. The same level of anger she felt when her parents abandoned her. Brennan flipped two pancakes on a plate for Erin and Erin got up to get the syrup and two coffee mugs. Brennan looked at Erin pouring the coffee for the both of them and asked, "How long have you known?" and Erin stared at her as she took a sip of her own coffee. "If you're referring to how long I've known who you are, then the answer is 5 years. I asked about you for the first time when I was 10. Dad said that you were too young when you became pregnant with me. So, you couldn't really be a part of my life. When I found out who you were, it all made sense." Erin said. Brennan flipped her own pancakes onto her own plate, "What made sense? That I wasn't in your life?" Brennan asked as she cut into her pancakes. Her hands shook a little. Erin noticed and swallowed her pancakes, "Yes, you're incredible. You've made a quiet name for yourself and I really doubt that would have happened if you had to take care of a child. If I were in the same position, I would have done the same." Erin said nonchalantly.
Brennan couldn't hide the tears beginning to swell. Brennan wiped her eyes with her napkin. "You are the one that is incredible. If I'm being honest, which I always plan on being with you, I truly thought you'd be angry at me. But, you've been nothing but understanding, mature, and kind." she said. Erin smiled, "Thank you for that. I was angry for some time but I have to be realistic. I respond best to logic. My dad says I get that from you, don't know how genetically that can occur but...I guess I do. I know intelligence is a factor though. Which can explain why I skipped 5th and 6th grade. But, dad wouldn't let that happen though." Erin said with a disapproving look on her face. Brennan was impressed and proud, "Really? That is impressive, Erin. Why wouldn't he let you skip both grades?" she asked. Erin swallowed her coffee, "He strongly believed it would affect my social skills. He was afraid I wouldn't make any friends because I was too smart. I thought I'd be fine, but he didn't." she said sadly. "I have friends, but they aren't the best of influences." Erin admitted to herself as she smiled. Brennan nodded, she understood where Michael was coming from.
Erin looked at Brennan, "Do your colleagues…..um Agent Booth know about my existence?" she asked and saw how surprised Brennan looked at the mention of her partner. Erin responded quickly, "Like I said, you've made a name for yourself. Both your partner and yourself. I've read about your cases in the paper." she said. Brennan nodded, finally understanding. "My colleagues at the Jeffersonian and Agent Booth do not know about you. No one did but your father and well Anthony. How does that make you feel, Erin?" Brennan asked as she placed her hand on Erin's. Erin looked at the hand covering hers. She swallowed, "Indifferent. If you weren't ready to have or raise a child it would make sense as to why you didn't tell anyone about me. Especially if it wasn't going to make an appearance any time soon….May I have my hand back..I'd like to eat more please?" Erin said, smiling shyly. Her cheeks became red and she was trying to hide that. Brennan took her hand away, "Sorry, yes you can have your hand back. Thank you for your honesty. When I do tell them about you, there will be some shock, but you will be welcomed into the group." she said smiling. "I have a feeling they'll like you." Brennan said while looking at her daughter. Erin continued to blush, "What makes you say that?" Erin asks. Brennan placed her hair in a bun as well, "For one you are my child and by extension they'll love you. Secondly, you speak just like me. As Booth would say, 'You'll fit in with the squint squad,' she laughed at the mention of her partner. Erin laughed too, "I look forward to meeting Booth. He seems to be quite the comic. From what I've read." she said.