Erin caressed her growing baby bump as she looked around the room at the people who had gathered to celebrate with her and Spencer. Seven months after they had come home from Morocco, it was more than evident that they had brought home one last souvenir, one that had been difficult to hold on to when Curtis had finally made his move in New York two months ago. Still, since they were forewarned, Spencer and David had done their best to protect her, and foil his plans before they came to fruition. Even then, she and Alex had ended up in the hospital for a few days, mostly under observation for her.

"Where is your mind at, dumpling?"

She looked up to see Penelope standing in front of her, holding out a cup of punch, which she readily accepted. "I was just thinking about the all the little things that brought me to this place, and how blessed I am that we were right about who the Replicator was, and that Emily was able to pass along intel that helped save my life. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life. When I went to rehab, I thought that I might never have the respect of your team, let alone your friendship. And now, in eight weeks or so, Diana Alexandra Reid will be making her appearance."

"Oh my gosh, is that the name that you two settled on?"

Erin nodded as she sipped at her punch. "Yes. To honor his mother and my best friend. Spencer wanted to use my mother's name as her middle name, but I was not about to saddle her with a middle name of Rhiannon." Penelope smiled a little as she took a seat next to her on the sofa, reaching out to pat her knee. "Oof, though I feel Diana is a little more anxious to see her than I would like."

"Well, you're in the seventh month, a lot of babies are born now and are perfectly healthy."

She shrugged, knowing that Penelope was trying to lift her spirits. "I know, but I still worry about my age affecting her growth, no matter how much my obstetrician says that we're both healthy as can be. There's still that nagging in the back of my mind that what happened in New York is going to affect her long term."

"We won't know that until she's here and developing, Erin, but the hospital was almost certain that they had cleansed your blood stream before too much damage was done." She smiled as Spencer sat down on her other side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to his chest. "Our little DeeDee is going to be perfect, either way."

She let out a soft sigh as she nodded, resting her head on his shoulder as everyone began to take a seat around them, her children guiding the guests to free places. "Mama, did you want to start with food or presents?"

"I think that we should start with food, Tabitha, since David worked so hard on it for us." Her youngest daughter nodded as she led her siblings from the room.

"So, when are you starting maternity leave, bella?"

Erin looked over at David, giving him a little smirk. "Why? That eager to get rid of me for a few months?" she teased.

"No, that eager to take over your role for a while. I want to be the one that cracks the whip for a little bit, and watch all these lovely people jump!" He gave her a broad wink as she broke down in giggles. "There's nothing funny about that, Erin! I am allowed to be heavy handed."

"You couldn't be heavy handed if you tried. You have a good heart, David." He gave her another wink before turning to Aaron and starting up a conversation. Erin chuckled beneath her breath as she awkwardly scooted closer to Spencer. Her growing bulk made her inelegant, she felt, and all she wanted was to feel pretty for her husband. "Do you think that we should tell them now? Or wait until after we've eaten?" she whispered, hoping that Penelope wouldn't overhear.

"I want to wait until the kids are back in the room. Somehow, I have the feeling that Tabitha would kick up a fuss if she didn't get to see the looks on everyone's faces." Erin nodded as she reached up and rubbed her thumb across his hand as she watched her friends interact. It didn't take long for her children to return, and she smiled up at Tabitha as she took the plate from her hands and balanced it on top of her bump.

"Everything's set up in the kitchen if you want to go get food," Karen said as she sank down on the floor in front of Erin, resting her back against her legs. She was reminded of when Karen had been young and how that had been her favorite place to rest. "I cannot wait to meet DeeDee, Mum."

"And I really wish that we'd go with my nickname for her. DeeDee is a little too twee for my tastes."

"But Spence calls her that, and Spence is her father, so…" Tabitha gave her a small wink as she also took a seat on the floor near Karen. "So, do they know yet?"

"Know what, Tabby?" David asked as he returned with his plate.

Erin smiled as she looked up into David's face. "There was another reason why Spencer and I took off early from work Friday, besides getting our latest scan on Diana. We've decided that it would probably be best if we made things legally official, and we, as a family, went to the courthouse and made that happen. The paperwork to let the Director know will be delivered Monday morning, but I don't think that it will be a problem, since everything turned out all right with the baby, when we informed him about her arrival."

"Are you going to change your name? Getting used to calling you Chief Reid would be weird," Penelope said as she scooted her chair closer to Derek.

"No, I'll retain my professional name, but I'll be Mrs. Reid at home." Alex gave her a soft smile at that, and she shrugged in return. "It's a change, one that I'll get used to in time. But we're so incredibly happy right now that that is the last thing on my mind. I cannot wait to meet this little one, and get to know her. And I am so glad that you'll be there to help us raise her. Just like you've helped with Jack and Henry."

"Of course we are, Erin." Jennifer gave her a warm smile as she let her hand flutter around her own stomach. "Aaron and I have decided to start trying for a baby. It would be nice to have a sibling for Jack and Henry, and since you've broken the boy streak in our department, maybe we'll have a little girl of our own."

"That would be nice," Erin murmured.

"Yeah. But to get the boys used to more responsibility, we're stopping at the shelter later this afternoon and choosing a dog. Henry has been wanting one for ages, and so had Jack, but it's been difficult to find the right time to get one. Jess said that she'd help us out when we're out on cases, so now is really the perfect time."

"Mama said that as soon as DeeDee is here, we can get a pair of cats. But pregnant women aren't allowed to be around litter boxes, so that's why we're waiting," Tabitha piped up. "I've already made my preference for a pair of Maine Coon cats known, but it still has to be brought up for a vote."

"Because they're expensive, Tabby! With the new baby, everything is going to cost more!" Bruce interjected. "I still say that we should adopt the oldest cats at the shelter, they need love, too." Erin looked up at her husband, smiling widely as the voices of those she loved most filled the room. She had never expected one little vacation to change so much for her, but it had, and she was so grateful for the twist of fate that had thrown her and Spencer together, bringing her this happiness. Meeting David's eye across the room, she dipped her chin and mouthed 'thank you' to him before finishing up her food, relishing this moment for all it was worth.