"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The scone crumbled in her fingers and Erin glanced at her watch, surveying patrons as they filtered in and out of the casual cafe.

She'd tried to discuss their kids over the phone, but Mark insisted on a face- to- face. He wanted to see her; alone. For the first time since the divorce, and he was 30 minutes late. She grabbed her purse, ready to leave when he stepped through the door.

"You're late," She remarked. "I'd given up on you."

"You did that a long time ago."
He flashed a smile that crinkled the lines around his eyes." You look good, by the way."

She scoffed, 'good' was pushing it. She'd stopped looking at the scale past the 160lbs mark and her ankles were huge.

Sarcasm dripped through her tone, "you're opening with a lie, usually you crow-bar it in. Did new tactics come with a new woman? Why did you ask me here?"

"Because," he leaned back in the booth and folded his hands. "I heard through the grapevine, well, actually, I heard it from our daughter, that you are having another baby."
She went to speak, but he cut her off.
"Now, I don't care one way or another, we've both moved on."

"I appreciate that."

"But the kids," he continued, as if she hadn't spoken. "Our kids," he cleared his throat nervously. "I've talked to McKenzie and Paul."

"What did you tell them?"

"The truth, that everyone has moved on but, Erin I have to say it. The kids are thinking it. I never thought-I mean, I never pictured-"

"Spit it out, Mark. I'm dying to hear this," she said dryly. Rolling her eyes heavenward.

"We could have grandkids in a few years. Are you sure another baby is really what you want? Especially...being single? Aren't you worried about public appearance?"

"You're a pig, Mark." She said coolly. You said it yourself, we've both moved on and, "why should I be? You said so yourself, I look good," she quipped.

Oh. I'm sorry." He gave a half hearted apology, "I just assumed the father wasn't involved."

"That's none of your business," She stated coldly.

"It is if another man will be involved with my kids."

"When were you going to tell me about Jamie?" Erin fired back. Did you think I wanted another woman around my kids?"

"That's beside the point. Are you going to keep working?"
"As I said, I don't care how it looks. If I have to step down," she shrugged, "so be it."

"Who are you and what have you done with my ex-wife? For 18 years, we obsessed over a clean image-"

How dare him, this was not supposed to be about them.

"My career was on the line,
Mark."She protested, "you couldn't understand that. You were so pissed because you failed out of the academy that every thing I did, everything I sacrificed; meant nothing to you!"

"I'm not here to rehash ancient history, Erin," He said flatly, "but it's hard for me to believe that you're throwing it all away."

"Maybe I have a good reason to," she threw back.

Mark shrugged, "I hope so," he folded his arms over his thin chest, I hope he makes you happy."

Looking back, she would deny the pitiful tone in his voice. She would pretend she hadn't heard; and claim her words weren't meant to twist the knife of jealousy currently stuck in her ex husband's gut.

"Being Mrs. Rossi, will make me very happy. Have a good day, Mark." She took her purse and breezed out of the cafe.

"How did it go with, Dad?" McKenzie asked, glancing up from her art project when Erin stepped into the foyer.

"Fine," Erin called, climbing up the three steps that led into the dinning room. She hung her purse on the chair and sat next to her daughter. "What are you working on?" Erin surveyed the rough sketch on the canvas.

"I'll show you when it's finished: It's a surprise."
Erin smiled, "we've had a lot of those, haven't we?"

McKenzie shrugged, she knew full well what her mother was implying. "Yeah. The guy who sent the chocolate, must like you a lot."

"He does," she answered simply. She wondered why Paige and Paul couldn't approach the subject so easily.

McKenzie cleared her throat awkwardly, " Mom, can I ask a weird question?"

"Sure."
"Do you like him?"

Erin thought for a moment, David was a good man. For the most part, he was a good provider, he was romantic and she knew he would make an excellent father... He could make her laugh. The list of his positive traits went on, but so did the negative ones. Erin gave the most honest answer she could.

"I think I could learn."

The answer drew a smile from the young girl, "you should try."
With that, Erin felt a her heart lighten. Everything would be alright in the end.

"How are you?" Dave asked, stepping inside Erin's office unannounced. How long had it been since he lay eyes on her? She seemed pale and more exhausted than he'd ever seen.

She glanced up from the paperwork in front of her, giving him a tight, almost uncomfortable smile.

"Everything is looking up. Thank you, for the chocolate."

He grinned, his eyes wrinkled, "So, it helped?" He asked, taking a seat in front of her.

"It...was..." she paused, "a very effective ice-breaker with my 10 year old."

"And what about Paige?"
Erin sighed, the headache building between her eyes intensified. " I think she's convinced that there's a chance for Mark and I."

Dave dropped his shoulders, "That's only natural. How's the morning sickness?"

"Lingering," she huffed.

"When's the last time you slept?"
She threw the pen on the desk irritably . "Is this an interrogation?"

His eyes sparked with humour, "I'd have to detain you first."

Her lips curled in a smile, "Is that a threat or a promise?"

The blaring of the office phone cut off his response.
"Do you need to get that?" Dave asked, when she didn't move.

"Gail will get it."

Sure enough, the young Secretary stuck her head through the door, "Sorry to interrupt, Ma'am. Mary Welby is on line two, she says it's important."

Erin felt her stomach drop, "I'll call her back."

"No disrespect intended, Ma'am but you need to take this." The secretary argued.

"Take the call, Erin," Dave pressed.

Erin brushed it off, "it's not important, she probably just wants to gossip." She moved from her desk and grabbed her purse and breezed past the secretary, "I'm taking lunch, Agent Rossi?"

''Yes, Dear." Dave muttered lowly.

"You're social with your doctor?" Dave pressed, from across the table. He waited for their food to arrive before initiating conversation.

Erin shrugged and took a sip of her milkshake, "she has a thing for mystery novels. You'll never guess this, but I work for the FBI."

Dave chuckled, "Smart Ass."

" Well," she dropped her hands on the table, "You worry too much. It's just an innocent, albeit an unorthodox friendship."