Aaron heard their phones ring a few hours later, but didn't want to disturb Erin. Her arm was wrapped around his waist, her head buried in her pillow. Finally, after the fourth call, he disentangled himself from her grasp and padded over to where their things were. He dug out his phone and stepped into the hall while he looked at the call log. All of the missed calls had been from Penelope and he quickly called her back.

"Finally, Boss Man! What's going on? Is Erin okay?"

"She's sleeping right now. I didn't want to wake her. What do you think of Georgia?"

"I think she's a lot like Erin. She wouldn't let me give her the run around. Carri said I should give her Erin's office number, which I did. She also might think you're Erin's boyfriend. I didn't say anything to dissuade her, either, I'm afraid. Georgia thinks you have kind eyes and you remind her of Mr. Darcy. Did I mention she talks, a lot? Like, more than me? So, here's my thoughts – you and Jack have supper tomorrow night with Erin and Georgia."

"Penelope?"

"What? I thought it would be a good way to break the tension. Having two familiar faces next to her would set her heart at ease. I love her, Aaron. She's the sister I never had. But I can't be there for her this time. If you really care for her, it's time you stepped up."

"Penelope! I was just going to say that you must have read my mind. I was thinking of suggesting that to Erin once she woke up. She wants me to court her, to be patient with her. The patient part will be easy. It's, how do I court her?"

"She loves flowers, and you have great taste there. In Victorian times, suitors would write letters to their beloved. You could do that. And I do mean write, it's so much more personal than an email. Read her love poetry, buy her small gifts, things like that. If you'd like, I can suss out some things to help you, like favorite music and what not."

"Thanks, Penny, this really helps. I'll talk to you later." He hung up and slipped back into the bedroom. Erin was sitting up, stretching. He smiled and went over to her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"About three hours. It's just after two, now." Erin's stomach growled and she covered it with one hand. "It sounds like you're hungry. Do you want to go down and make lunch with me?"

She nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "That would be nice, Aaron." She stood and smoothed her skirt, looking at him expectantly. He joined her and she clasped his hand, letting him lead her out to his kitchen. While they were making the food, she kept looking at him. "Aaron?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know any more poetry? I'm afraid my education is woefully stunted in that area."

He wracked his brain to come up with another good poem, but could only come up with a May Swenson piece. Taking a deep breath, he began, "I saw two trees embracing…" By the time he was finished reciting that poem, Erin had begun to cry and she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand.

"Okay, is there any happy poetry in your mind?"

Aaron thought again and then spoke. "I will not play at tug o' war…" When he'd finished the short poem, she was smiling and he couldn't help but step forward and kiss her. She wrapped her arms around him and relaxed into him. He broke the kiss and she rested her head against his shoulder.

"It wasn't a dream, was it? She's here, my sweet daughter. She's taller than me, did you notice that? And so thin!" She stepped away from him and stirred the pasta. "I love her, Aaron, I did the moment I set eyes on her. But where do we go from here?"

"We?"

"Yes. If you're to be my lo-lover, you need to be a part of my life. And that includes Georgia."

"I think we should go out to supper tomorrow night. Jack, Georgia, you and me. That way, we'll be on neutral ground and if it gets to be overwhelming, then Jack will take the lead. He's my fearless little man in black."

"That he is. Molly hasn't called yet, you know, and I've wanted to give her some space." Erin turned off the burner and moved the pot over to the sink, draining the water from the pasta before spooning some onto their plates.

"If you think it better, I can back off. I wouldn't want to cost you your children."

"No, Aaron. They're grown adults who have no say in who I fall in – who I care for." Her eyes sparked with anger and she set the pot down in the sink. "You are meine Leben. Ohne dich kann ich nicht leben!" He looked at her in confusion and she kissed him possessively. "Stir the pasta sauce before it burns," she said breathlessly as she picked up the plates.

He nodded absently and turned off the burner, stirring the sauce a few more times before pulling the pan off the stove. He grabbed a pot holder and followed her over to the table. Aaron put the pan on top of the cloth and sat down next to her. "You speak German, huh?"

She blushed slightly and looked down at her plate. "Yes. Do you?"

"Other than yes and no, I don't." Erin visibly relaxed, smiling at him. "So, where would you like to go to supper at tomorrow night?"

"Somewhere nice. What does Jack like to eat? I wouldn't want to go somewhere that has nothing for him."

"He's actually pretty adventurous. Jessica likes to cook odd things, and he eats them without complaint."

"Do you think he'd mind Rasika, then? I've been wanting to try it, and then, well, life happened."

"That would be fine. Should I make reservations for seven?"

Erin nodded, picking at the pasta. "Aaron?"

"Yes?"

"There's a reason I can't, oh, I want you to, don't…" She broke down crying once more as she pushed her plate away. He watched her hunch up into a protective ball and knew he had to do something.

"Erin, come with me." He stood and moved next to her, holding out his hand. Without looking at him, she took it, standing up next to him. Aaron led her into the living room and they sat on the couch. "What's bothering you?"

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"That you'll run the other way when you realize I'm not as beautiful as Haley. That I won't please you in bed, because Wyoming stole that from me, too. That I'm just making a fantasy world in my head because I can't deal with Erik's death." He pulled her close and she melted into him, crying on his shoulder as he rubbed her back.

"Let me show you something," he whispered in her ear after a few minutes had passed. She sat up and looked at him expectantly as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. After shrugging them off, he peeled off his undershirt. "I know what it's like to be violated, Erin," he whispered. Aaron heard her breath catch and then she was leaning forward, kissing the scar closest to his heart, wetting his chest with her tears.

"Oh, Aaron, kiss me," she whispered back, tipping her head up. He obliged her request, his nerves on fire as he felt her hands trace the scars on his body. They fell back against the couch, and he wrapped his arms around her waist as they fell asleep once more, emotional exhaustion catching up to them at last.