It had been nearly six weeks since Beth had stopped over at their home to make her demands of Erin, and she was so grateful that she hadn't had any further contact with the woman, even if David had been so insistent on her being kind and showing Beth that she had nothing to fear from her or their family. That Aaron was a free agent and she didn't need to worry about Erin or Jessica trying to move in on her territory. She had given her tacit agreement to that plan of action, since she knew that there wouldn't be any point in arguing with that logic. Still, she hoped that Beth would get the understanding that she could become a part of their family, and not have to defend her territory.

Sighing a little, she looked up at the clock, wondering if David would be home soon, since she wanted to get Elise and Catherine to sleep at a decent time. He had asked that she keep them up until he got back, though, and she wouldn't deny him that request. Glancing at her babies, she saw that they were still putting together the puzzle that Jessica had bought for Catherine a few weeks ago, and she smiled gently as she went back to reading her book, her ears pricking up when she heard the garage door close.

"It's just me, Mom!" Bruce called out as he came into the living room, bending down to kiss her cheek before hugging her tightly. "The girls are up late."

"David wants to read them a bedtime story tonight, and from the case that they just closed, I don't blame him. It was just so heartbreaking, and I can't imagine the hell that poor child is going to go through when they start asking questions about who their mother was." Bruce nodded as he patted her shoulder. "But you probably should get up to your homework."

"I know, Mom. I'll pop in and see if Karen wants to help me with breakfast tomorrow. Jessica and Jack will be with us, yes?"

"That is the plan, yes."

"Good. I like having them over. See you in the morning, munchkins!"

The girls looked up at their brother and gave him wide grins before turning back to what they were doing, and he chuckled as he left the room. Erin was glad to have that small bit of distraction, as she began to feel a little more anxious as the minutes ticked by. Finally, fifteen minutes later, she heard the door once more, and knew that this time it was her fiancé. It was so easy to slip on an easy smile before turning to look at the doorway. To her shock, she didn't see David there, but Aaron, and she could tell by the look on his face that he was struggling. Glancing behind him, she saw her David, and she gave him a small nod before getting to her feet and going over to their sides.

"You've arrived just in time to read Elise a bedtime story, if you wish, Aaron. I know that she'd enjoy spending some time with her uncle."

"That was what Dave said, when he told me that he asked you to keep them up a little late. It was like he knew what I needed before I did."

"My beloved is quite good at that. Now, I am going to take Catherine up to have a bath, if you two want to have a drink first?"

David nodded as he kissed her cheek, and she sighed a little at the touch. Aaron's phone began to ring, and he frowned a little as he pulled it out and looked at the display. "I told her that I was going to be here tonight. I don't know why she's calling now."

"Because she's probably wanting to help talk you down from the ledge that she thinks you're on. David and I do the same thing for each other. Answer and let her know that you'll be free in a few hours, and can talk then."

He shook his head as he declined the call before texting Beth quickly. "I just let her know that my time with Elise is sacred, and I'll get back to her soon." Erin nodded as she went over to the girls, lifting Catherine up as she stroked Elise's head.

"All right, sweetheart, if you want to come upstairs with me and brush your teeth while I start Cath's bath, by the time you finish and put on your pjs, Uncle Aaron should be ready to read you a bedtime story."

"Maybe two?" she asked sweetly, giving Erin her best puppy dog eyes.

"Maybe one longer one," she countered, and Elise nodded as she got to her feet and took hold of Erin's hand so that they could walk upstairs together. "Or maybe you'll fall asleep before Uncle Aaron finishes his one story."

"That would be Catherine, Mommy. I'm a big girl, who can stay up late."

Erin swallowed her smile, knowing that Elise wouldn't understand why she was giving her that look, and tried to nod solemnly. "Well, we'll see about how well you do."

"Okay."

Together, they went into the bathroom, and as Erin began to run the bath water for Catherine, she watched Elise brush her teeth as she helped Catherine brush her own. There was something so adorable about the way that Elise tried to show her little sister how to perfectly do the job, and she knew that this daughter had been the one to inherit her slightly imperious personality quirk, and that it would only get more interesting as she grew up. "All right, go change, and then climb into bed. Uncle Aaron should be there soon."

"Yes, Mommy." Elise hugged her tightly before running from the room, and Erin laughed a little as she undressed Catherine and settled her into the tub, gently washing her body as she kept up a running, babble filled, conversation with her toddler.

"I'm about to start the story time, Erin. You can bring Catherine in, too, if you want."

She looked up at Aaron, and gave him a sad smile. "You need time with your daughter, and I'll probably curl up with Catherine in her bed until David is ready to sleep. But thank you for the offer."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I understand that we need to have our own time with her, alone, to build our relationships." Tears made his face swim a little in her eyes, and he nodded as he entered the room, giving her a quick hug before leaving the bathroom. Once he was gone, Erin drained the bath water and grabbed a towel for Catherine, wrapping it around her body as she lifted her daughter into her arms and carried her down to her room.

It didn't take long to get her into pyjamas, and then they were curling up together on her bed. It was a tough fit, but the snugness of it made Erin feel so cosy as she told her youngest daughter a fairy story that her grandmother had once told her. As she watched, Catherine began to fall asleep, and even though she tried to stay awake, soon enough, the siren's song of sleep pulled her beneath the waves, and her last thought was that she hoped David would wake her before too long so that she could get the rest of her sleep in her own bed.