Dave looked around at his backyard, extremely pleased with how the event planner had managed to get everything put together so quickly. It looked like an enchanted garden, with fairy lights strung along his patio and around the potted trees that had been brought in to add a little more ambience to the space. Their children were already there, and he watched Harriet and Greg walk Helena around the yard, feeling a surge of love well up in his chest at the sight. Glancing over at the gazebo, he saw that Karen and Erin were still in there, and he raised his hand and waved at them.

Erin beckoned him over, and he nodded as he began to walk over there, only to almost get run into by Bruce as he played with Mudgie. Though his dog was getting older, having someone much younger to interact with seemed to bring out the puppy that was still inside him. "Sorry, Dave," he called out as he continued running after the dog, and he shook his head a little as he chuckled, knowing that this was a least a start to having a better relationship with his son.

"I think that we're going to have to get a puppy soon," Erin said as he took a seat next to Karen on the bench in the gazebo. His youngest daughter gave him a shy smile as she nodded in agreement. "Mudgie is getting older, and it's not fair for him to have to try and keep up with our children."

"I suppose that we could do that, yes," he replied with a smile on his face. Karen squealed with happiness before she leaned over and rested her head on his chest. "Don't feel like you have to watch over the kiddos tonight, either of you. Their parents will be here, and it is their responsibility to take care of them."

"All right. I, I'm going to go see what Bruce is doing now." Karen quickly kissed his cheek before getting to her feet and hurrying from the gazebo. Erin rolled her eyes lovingly as she scooted closer to his side, spreading her hand out on his chest as she sighed with contentment.

"How much longer until our guests start arriving?" she murmured, looking up into his face.

"Penelope and Alex will probably be here shortly, since they're always excited to see us. Well, you." She smacked his chest lightly. "Ouch! You're getting a wee bit vicious there, Erin."

"Oh, if I wanted to draw blood, you'd feel it. Maybe on your back, later tonight?" The teasing tone in Erin's voice sent a flood of desire down to his groin, and he shifted a bit uneasily on the bench as he nodded. "And just think, we have no idea what time the party will end. After all, we want to be good hosts. Yes?"

"Yes, bella," he managed to choke out as he looked towards the house, seeing Alex and James come out the door. Letting out a low whistle of appreciation, he felt Erin smack his chest once more, a little harder this time. "What? I've never seen Alex in a dress before! I mean, I knew she had good legs, but there's something about a woman in a dress that makes me a little more appreciative. Why do you think I would always stare after you when you left the bullpen? I mean, your tight skirts combined with those heels you love to wear, I just couldn't help but look at your ass. That's why I'm surprised it took everyone so long to figure out that we were a couple again."

"I see," she replied as she got to her feet. "I suppose I should be glad that Lexie's skirt isn't that tight, then."

"Ah, Erin, I only have eyes for you. Even if I do glance at other women." He stood up as well, slinging an arm around her waist as they went over to greet Alex and James. By the time they reached them, Penelope had just stepped out onto the patio, and the moment she saw Erin, she let out a happy greeting before hurrying over to her side and wrapping her in a tight hug.

"You look so well rested, Erin! I cannot believe what this time off has done for us!" Penelope started to tug Erin along with her over to the bar, leaving him alone with Alex and James.

"I thought that you and Penelope would be the first to arrive," he said as he reached out to shake James's hand before hugging Alex tightly. "And Penelope is right, the rest has been amazing for the tired look in your eyes, Alex. Were you able to get some time off as well, James?"

"I took the rest of the week off, once you were home from New York, but I can't take more time off than that at the moment. Tonight is our last night together before I go on shift tomorrow morning." He nodded a little as he gestured towards the bar.

"Don't worry, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options available so that you can drink without worrying about it affecting your performance at work tomorrow morning."

"Thanks. Do you want anything, Lex?"

"A strawberry daquiri," she replied as he started off to the bar. "So, you asked Erin to marry you."

"Yes, did she call you about it?" Alex nodded. "And she probably told you that she'd give me an answer when we got a better update on Helena?" Again, a nod. "All right, it's good to know that she's at least talking to someone about her feelings. I know that I can't be her everything, that's too close for comfort, and we can't be so insular. And as far as best friends go, I'm glad that it's you."

"Why?"

"Because as much as I know that Kitten wants to play a larger role in Erin's life, you've known her longer. And she has worked so hard to make certain that you would be a part of her life once more, so the fact that you're getting calls like that really makes my heart happy." Leaning forward, he kissed her cheek softly before hugging her. "Though Erin is a bit mad at me right now."

"What did you do?" she asked, a note of exasperation in her voice.

"He was checking out your legs. Seems you don't often wear a skirt to work, and he noticed just how beautiful you are. He salvaged the moment by saying that he only has eyes for me." Erin slipped her arm around his waist as she looked up into his face, winking a little. He winked back, listening to Alex and Penelope laugh lowly. "All right, let's find our places at the table. Davie's event planner has everything set up the way she thinks will be perfect, but I want to see where you both are in relation to me."

As the women walked off, Aaron and his family entered the backyard, and Jack took off like a shot for Mudgie, who was still playing with Bruce and Karen. "It seems we arrived at the right time," his best friend said and Dave nodded, looking around the yard at his family, knowing that there was no better way to see life than through eyes filled with love.