"You finally get to come home with us, Elise." Erin pressed a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead before placing her in the new carseat that David had purchased for her, since she was still so tiny. Even though it was meant for preemies, Erin still thought that it was swallowing Elise up, and she tried not to shudder as she lifted the carrier and followed David from the NICU. There was a real sense of accomplishment about the fact that Elise was being released a full four days before originally predicted she would. Already, she had gained a full pound, and the heft of her was something glorious to feel in her arms.
"All right, stellina, let's get our little bambina home." She nodded as she cuddled close to his side, taking a look at the promise ring on her finger. "What is it?"
"I think I want to marry you. I know, how romantic," she scoffed as they stepped into the elevator together. "But you've taken on us, you've been here to support me as we waited for Elise to be strong enough to come home, and you've picked up the slack with my other children, allowing me to heal from the birth. You love me. I love you. So, I guess this is my way of asking you to marry me. If you still want to be part of this whole mess."
There was a small pause before he turned to her, reaching out to cup her face as a tender look spread across his features. "I'm supposed to be the one who asks you that question, Erin."
"Yes, well, what about this relationship has been in the least bit orthodox, darling?" He nodded before leaning down to rest his forehead against her. "So, may I become the fourth Mrs. David Rossi?"
"Yes. Well, now I know what you get you for Christmas."
"Oh?"
"Yes, but I won't say a word, since you deserve a surprise or two. Now, I know that the holiday season is fast approaching, and that the kids will want to put up a tree. Except…"
"Yes, David?" she asked as the elevator came to a stop. He said nothing as he led them over to the valet parking stand, handing over his slip to the attendant.
"I don't put up a tree. I don't decorate, beyond a wreath on the door, because that's expected. I don't want to disappoint the children, but that's just not who I am. Or at least, that's not who I am any longer. There was a case that I worked, almost twenty years ago now, and I just came to associate Christmas with death, and I haven't ever been able to shake that. Krystall never really understood my aversion."
Erin snorted through her nose as she glanced down at Elise. "Krystall never really had a sensitive bone in her body. So, no tree, no ostentatious decorations. I can work with that, especially since I don't feel up to really putting my all into that this year. We could get an evergreen swag for the fireplace, and a basket of those delicious smelling cinnamon pine cones, and call it good. Maybe some greenery twisted around the bannister of the stairs. The only thing that truly matters is that we have each other, the rest is just window dressings."
She let out a little squeak of surprise as she was pulled into a tight side hug, kissing her head tenderly. "I will never tire of telling you that I love you, Erin."
"And I love you. Now, about Mass on Christmas Day. I am not about to do a midnight service with a preemie, I'm sorry. Do you think that we could attend another service at another church for one Christmas?"
"You drive a hard bargain, Erin. But I also have the feeling that I won't be up for a midnight service this year, either. I think that the Lutheran church has a Christmas Eve service at six in the evening, and that should be easier to attend as a family."
"Our little family. The children will be with Alan for Christmas Eve, so that we can have them for Christmas Day."
"Oh, that's right," he replied as he opened the back door of the Cadillac, helping her to get the car seat locked into place before giving her a hand up into the car. "I had forgotten about that arrangement in the chaos of Elise's birth. Are you going to be all right with that?"
"I have to be, David. Alan deserves to have them for the holidays, too, I can't be selfish. And, I thought, he could have them for Thanksgiving, too, since there's not really enough time to prepare for a decent meal while taking care of Elise and her challenges." Erin fastened her seatbelt before contorting her body so that she could watch Elise's sleeping face as David drove them home. "My heart will always be torn into pieces because of the divorce, and I deserve that, since I was the one who cheated. But I wouldn't have this sweet blessing." She let out a soft breath as she blinked back tears and reached out to stroke Elise's cheek with the tip of her finger.
"God always does seem to provide a silver lining to the darkest of our times, Erin. When we get home, I want you to head right to the living room, and I'll bring up food for us to share."
"As long as it's full of carbs, I'll be happy," she said as she settled back in the seat and turned her complete focus on her daughter. The rest of the drive was quiet, in the best way, and she began to feel at such peace that she nearly nodded off, only for her to let out a soft gasp to see Helen and Penelope on the stoop of their home. "Somehow, I don't think you'll have to worry about making food, David."
"I believe you're right," he replied as he parked the car. Erin climbed out of the back seat and went over to the other side of the car and gathered Elise up in her arms, carrying her inside and dropping the diaper bag off on the island before making her way to the front door, watching David welcome their visitors inside.
"We're not going to stay long, Erin, but we wanted to make certain that neither of you had to cook today. There's a hot meal for now, and a cold meal for supper, when the kids get home from school. It was the least that we could do to help take care of you and the baby."
"Thank you," she whispered as she welcomed them inside, gesturing towards the kitchen. Elise stirred a little in her arms, and she looked down to watch her as she reached out and waved her little fists around before letting out a loud wail.
"Oh, did we wake her?" Helen asked as she rushed over to Erin's side, looking down at Elise.
She shook her head a little. "No, it's time for her to eat. Did you two make enough for all four of us? You're more than welcome to join us, if there is."
"We don't want to intrude, Erin," Penelope said, and Erin shook her head. "Are you sure?"
"If you know anything about my fiancée, you would know that once she makes up her mind about something, it's going to happen. Stay, I'll get the island set up for the four of us." Penelope nodded and began to help David while Helen rested her hand on Erin's shoulder, a tender smile on her face.
"She's beautiful, Erin, and she's grown so much since she was born. I am so happy for you."
"Thank you, for everything you've done from the moment I first made my mistake. And I hope that you don't mind if I rely on you a little more, once I'm back in the office. I've already told Director Shepperd that you're to be my eyes and ears there until my maternity leave is over. While you won't be expected to do all my work, I know that you'll be able to triage things up to him to take care of or to do what you can. And it won't be a true maternity leave, since I'll be reviewing files once a week. David will pick them up every Friday."
"You can't work with a baby!"
"Countless mothers have, and it would feel weird not to. I'll be taking two weeks off completely for Christmas, but this is the smallest concession I can make. All right?"
"All right," she responded, clearly not entirely happy with Erin's decision, but knowing that she couldn't get her to budge. Erin just nodded a little as she took a seat on one of the stools and unbuttoned her blouse, bringing Elise to her breast so that she could begin to eat while David and Penelope served their food.