"So, I had some interesting news this week."
Erin nodded inquisitively as she sank down onto the sofa in the living room, watching as David made a fire in the fireplace. "And what's that?" she asked as she took a sip of wine.
"I think that there will be a lot less tension between all of us in the coming weeks. Beth has been offered an amazing opportunity to be a curator for a rather prestigious art gallery in New York City, and I told her that she needed to take it. She wasn't certain that it would be for the best, but I know that she wouldn't be happy if I tied her down here."
"She's a bit of a free spirit Aaron," David said as he came over to the sofa and took a seat next to Erin, taking the glass from her hand and drinking from it before giving it back. "But are you certain that a long-distance relationship will be for the best?"
"I do, especially in this case. I know that there was still some residual tension between her and Erin. I know that it's because of Elise, and how that will always bind us together, but there's nothing that I can do to change that feeling in her unless she can trust me. And this distance between us will help build that, because she can feel secure that I want to be with her, if I'm committing to trying this new facet of our relationship."
Erin nodded as she relaxed against David, so glad to have him back from Mexico. His arm came to rest around her waist, tugging her back against his chest as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "That makes sense, Aaron. I just hope that she can find it in her heart to understand that we're happily committed to different people. My heart will always belong to David."
"That's sweet, stellina, and perfect, because my heart will always belong to you. Now, I am going to go tuck the girls into bed, and then work on the next chapter of my book. Which may or may not have been due last week."
"You were still in Mexico, so I think that your editor will understand." He nodded before kissing her cheek and getting up, nodding to Aaron before he left the room.
With him gone, Aaron cleared his throat and leaned in to look at her more intently. She squirmed a little under the scrutiny, and she took a deep breath before finishing off the last of her wine. "I was really hoping to avoid an awkward conversation like this, Erin."
"Let me guess, Beth wants you to transfer into a different department with the FBI so that you can work out of the New York branch?"
He chuckled a little as he shook his head. "That actually never came up in our conversation. No, I was going to say that I had an interesting chat with Blake a few days ago and have been trying to think of the most tactful way to discuss this with you."
"What did she say? I've been listening to all your advice and leaving her alone, to let her naturally see that I've changed, and that my desire to make amends is genuine."
Aaron took a deep breath, looking as if he wished he still had a glass of wine to drink. "She wasn't really on that tack, Erin. It was more about Elise."
"What about our daughter?" She was surprised to hear that her voice had taken on an edge that she hadn't expected, since even though she truly wanted to make amends with Alex, she was going to protect her daughter first and foremost.
"That's the thing. No one on the team has informed her that Elise is our daughter, because it's just been common knowledge for a few years now. The line of questioning that she was taking was a little off-putting, because she kept trying to make it seem like you had tricked me into getting you pregnant. I didn't tell her anything about Elise, since I don't want her to have yet more animosity towards you, but I think that she thinks she knows the truth, and will likely confront you on what she thinks sooner rather than later."
Erin let out a long sigh as she shook her head. "I knew that things would come to a head soon enough between us, as soon as she took a good look at Elise that afternoon at the office. I, I will deal with it when it does come to a head. I just wish that you didn't have to go through this, too. My issues with Alex are my own, and I don't want to make this a large thing in the bullpen."
"And we share a beautiful daughter, so if she's going to bother you about her, it makes it my business. So please, let me know if she continues to bother you about Elise. All right?"
"All right." She gave him a soft smile before getting to her feet. "I don't know what I'll do if she starts going after Elise, especially since our daughter is quite smitten with her. She keeps calling Alex "Mommy's pretty friend", and asking when we'll see her again, like we see Penelope and Jessica. I don't have the heart to let her down and tell her that that is quite unlikely to happen. I mean, how do you explain to your sweet child that the person her heart has decided is sweet and kind thinks that her mother is worse than the gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe?"
Erin choked up a little as she wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to keep from crying as she struggled to keep control of her emotions. Heading over to the window, she stared out into the darkening night sky and took a few deep breaths as she thought about the conflicting emotions she had in regards to Alex's return to the BAU. Moments later, she felt Aaron come up behind her, and she breathed in the earthy scent of his aftershave as he set his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it softly. The gentle touch was enough to break her control, and she allowed herself to cry. "I want to say that it's not as bad as all that, but I have seen the looks that Alex gives you when you aren't looking. I have refrained from speaking on it, since she hasn't made disparaging comments about you. I don't want to rock that boat, either, since I know how important it is to you that you find a way to reach at least a détente between the two of you, if not the beginnings of a new friendship."
"Thank you. I just, there are times when I feel so lost and want to just throw in the towel and raise my girls and let you and David take care of the BAU. I know that I would be leaving the department in good hands if I did retire."
"But you still have work to do there, and I know that you won't let her run you out of the position that you worked so hard to get. Right?"
There was a long pause before Erin answered him, though she knew in her heart that he was correct. "Yes, Aaron." Somehow, she could feel his relief in the way his body relaxed, and then she was leaning her head back against his chest as she took a few deep breaths, trying to think positively about the situation at hand, and how she would handle things if and when they came to a head with Alex.