Erin hadn't slept well, and she chalked it up to how much she had napped, and she found herself irritable as she got the children ready to head to school before going to work herself. She arrived earlier than she normally did, which suited her just fine, as she didn't want to deal with anyone, or hear any of the gossip certain to be swirling the air. What did surprise her was the fact that Helen was already behind her desk, working on something. "Oh, you're here early, ma'am."
"Yes, well, I felt it better to get here before the others. Somehow, I don't think I'll like what's being said about me today. If you could be so kind as to hold all my calls, and head out for lunch for me today, so that I can spend as much time in my office as possible?"
Helen frowned at her as she nodded. "May I be honest with you? On a personal level?"
"Of course."
"I don't like you trying to make yourself smaller because people are judgmental assholes. I'm sorry for the crude language, but it's true."
Erin smiled to hear how Helen defended her, and she shrugged a little. "It's one day, and I need it to regroup. I was just so exhausted yesterday that I slept for a good eighteen hours. It's Friday, which means I'll now have the weekend to tell my children about the pregnancy and the divorce. And the fact that David Rossi has stepped up to be the de facto father of this child."
"I'm sorry?" Helen asked as she got to her feet and followed Erin into her office, taking her coat and hanging it on the coatrack. "When did you decide to divorce Alan?"
"He decided that he wanted to get a divorce after Haley read him the letter that Aaron wrote her. Alan also said that if I had just come to him, told him that I slept with Aaron when it happened, that things probably would have turned out differently. I don't think that would be true, since there were cracks in our marriage, but it still hurt a little to hear him say." She turned on her computer and looked up at Helen. "Things will get better with time, I have to believe that. Otherwise my heart will never heal."
"And we wouldn't want that, bella."
Looking around Helen, she saw David standing in the doorway of her office, giving her a rakish smile. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she beckoned him over to their sides. "Aren't you supposed to be working on a new manuscript?"
He chuckled as he shook his head and then handed over an elegant bouquet of flowers. "My publisher would love it if I was working on a new book, but I don't think I have one in me right now. Especially since all my attention and energy will be focused on you and the bambino for some time to come."
Helen let out a soft sigh as she grinned at them. "That is so romantic," she murmured before turning on her heel and scurrying out of the office, humming a happy song as she closed the door.
"Well, it looks like I have Helen's seal of approval," he said before leaning down and kissing her cheek gently.
"She's just happy that I'm happy. But why are you here? Asserting your dominance?"
David winked at her as he went around to the front of her desk and took a seat in a chair, crossing his hands on his stomach as he shrugged. "I thought that the sooner I made it appear that we are a couple, the sooner it will sink in that we are together. Appearances matter, after all, and since we have to do damage control, I thought what better way than to show up with flowers. I can always bring a teddy bear and chocolates next. Along with jewelry. And if you're really good, there's always lingerie."
Erin chuckled as she shook her head. "You are going to be the death of me, David."
"But in the best way?" She nodded. "That's what I like to hear."
It looked like he wanted to say more when Helen opened the door and peeked her head inside. "I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but Director Shepperd is here to talk with you, ma'am, and he would prefer not to be kept waiting."
"You can send him right in, Helen. There's nothing that he wants to talk about with Erin that can't be said in front of me," David answered before Erin could, and Helen dipped her chin a little as she stepped away from the door and gestured for the director to head inside, closing the door once he was inside. Erin drew in a deep breath as the man crossed over to her desk and took a seat in the free chair, giving David a convivial smile before he turned his focus onto Erin, and she swallowed thickly as the cool smile on her lips trembled a little.
"Erin, I completely understand why you took most of yesterday off, after the little display that happened in the bullpen, but that is exactly why I came here to talk with you. Obviously, there are some things that we need to discuss, and I have to ask if you're certain that you want Dave to listed in on this conversation."
"Yes, Sir. He's right, he is as much a part of what happened yesterday as I am, and I feel completely comfortable with him being here. And I know, what happened yesterday was an extreme breach of etiquette, and I apolgise for what happened. I had no idea that Mrs. Hotchner would show up like that, or that she would think it wise to put on such a display."
"Well, when she believes that her husband slept with his boss, I can understand the ire that she displayed. And thinking of that, I now need to ask some delicate questions, and depending on their answers, there might be some harsh consequences. Are you pregnant?"
"I am," she replied steadily, looking at David, seeing that his tender smile never faltered. "It was completely unexpected, but a joy nonetheless to discover that I was expecting a fourth child. I'm hoping that this pregnancy is a little smoother than my last, but I am anticipating it to be rough, especially since I am that much older this time around."
The Director nodded before drawing in a deep breath. "The next question is a little more sensitive than the first. Who is the father of your baby? If Mrs. Hotchner is to be believed, her husband, your subordinate, is the one who holds that honor."
Erin started to draw in a breath, preparing to answer his question when David smoothly inserted himself back into the conversation. "I don't quite know how Haley got it so twisted, but Erin and I wanted to keep things quiet until her divorce is finalized. We've been a couple for the last few months, and while it wasn't the best situation that we found ourselves in, I wouldn't give up this time with her for anything in the world. After the Adrian Bale case, I know that Erin did get drunk with Aaron at the same bar, and that he escorted her to a hotel later that night because he didn't want her to head home in her condition, not knowing that we were a couple and that he could have brought her to my house. Naturally, his drunken state may have led him to believe that he slept with Erin, and thus caused her pregnancy, however, this is not true, and we are very happy with the fact that we're going to welcome a baby sometime in early December."
The lie sounded so believable to her ears, and Erin could tell that the Director also thought it true by the way he visibly relaxed as David's little speech came to an end. "That's all I needed to hear, then. Thank you for not being offended at the questions that I asked, as they truly were a necessity."
"I understand, sir. And if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me. I want Erin to be under as little stress as possible, and we both know how much comes with her job already."
Director Shepperd nodded as he rose to his feet. "I will try to remember that, Dave. Have a good day, you two, and don't hesitate to come to me with any issues that might arise in conjunction with your pregnancy. I'm certain that we can work out your maternity leave whenever you need to take it."
"Thank you, Sir," she replied before watching him leave her office. As soon as the door was closed, she slumped into her chair and buried her face in her hands, welcoming David's arms around her moments later as he pulled her close to his chest. "I really don't know if that was wise, but I feel a little more secure now, even if our relationship, such as it is, is predicated on a lie. At least I know that you will be there for us."
"For as long as you need me, Erin," he murmured before caressing her hair lightly. She sighed as she relaxed into him, knowing that this was far from over between Aaron and her.