Where there is great love, there are always wishes.

- Willa Cather-

Erin stepped off the last step and into the living room. She was in desperate need of a break from Dave's man cave. Thank God she could bring paperwork home with her but there were only so many crime scene reports she could read before needing an escape.

"Hey Mom," Paige called from the head of the dining room table, various art supplies surrounded her with Mckenzie at her side.

"What are you working on?" Erin asked. Eyeing the uncapped tube of glue and the lack of newspaper protecting the antique oak tabletop.

"It's a surprise," Mckenzie said with an impish grin.

"Oh, I see." She responded, reaching for the glue and replacing the cap. "Where's Dave?"

"Don't know." The girl shrugged her shoulders with indifference.

"He said to tell you to go upstairs and get ready." McKenzie said, without looking up from her sketchbook.

"Did he say why?"

"Not a word," Paige said.

"Huh…" Erin said, peeling back the curtains on the kitchen window. She watched Dave with a baseball glove on one hand and a ball in the other, Paul was on the other side of the lawn, catching with equal vigor.

She smiled at the scene in front of her, she couldn't have asked for more than to watch the man she loved play catch with the boy who wasn't his.

"One more time, Kid! You got this!" Dave said and tossed a curveball towards Paul's glove.

Paul dove, his knee sinking into the soft earth of the backyard, the ball sailing into the center of his glove. "Nice throw!"

The gray clouds hanging over them did nothing to quell their enthusiasm.

"Better catch!" Dave called out and received a firm strike in his glove.

"So you're going out with Mom, tonight huh?"

"That's the plan are you kids going to be okay?"

"Of course. There's a new movie on Pay-Per-View and we'll order pizza.

"Are you sure about that? You can come if you want."

"Dinner with a bunch of profilers, probably talking about serial killers and paperwork? Pass."

"There will be steak," Dave goaded. "Are you sure I can't tempt you?"

"I'm sure," Paul nodded, "Pizza's fine. Don't worry, we won't burn the house down."

Erin made her way upstairs, passing the room she would eventually turn into a proper nursery. For now, the large room with the bay windows and cedar closet held nothing but the abundance of baby clothes. She had the catalogues and paint samples but any interest she had in the design of her twin's nursery, had withered and died as quickly as it came. She loved her children without a doubt or hesitation, she relished in every movement, every kick and roll she felt in the middle of the night. She treasured them but she couldn't bring herself to plan for them. Thoughts of James' birth kept her awake at night. The pain David and Caroline must have felt walking into a room that their child would never sleep in. It was impossible to imagine and Erin couldn't bring herself to go through that. She counted herself lucky that Dave was happy enough that she agreed to move into his house, he didn't pressure her for more than that.

Pushing open the door of the Master bedroom, she noticed the box on the center of the bed, a big silk ribbon wrapped around a stiff ivory colored box. At the corner of the box, underneath the ribbon, was a note.

Dave's heavy handwriting said, Reservations at Seven, be ready by six. I love you. Dave.

P.s. It's a team dinner at Max's.

A team dinner. What was that about? She wondered and since when was she included in anything team related? She was lucky to find a seat at the bureau's softball games; but she would trust him, if he said she was welcome then she would believe him. The only time she had ever been social with the team as a whole was while Dave was in the hospital. Though they were welcoming and kind, whose to say it wasn't due to the extenuating circumstances?

"Don't let me down, David Rossi." She said to nobody as she slid the ribbon off the box and lifted the lid. Inside, laying on a bed of tissue paper was the dress she'd been eyeing. A ruby colored knee length dress with discreet stretch panels and a V-Neck. He knew her well, either that or he'd found her Amazon wishlist and took the hint. Moving the box to sit on the chair next to the vanity she felt another slip of paper taped to the bottom. Pulling it off, she read. Don't be mad; I looked at the wish list, keep digging.

A grin spread across her face as she pulled the dress from the box, underneath was a velvet box and a purple silk wrap. Underneath the silk was another note: Wear the earrings with the wrap and your low black heels. Don't be nervous, you'll be fine.

"Yes, Sir." She muttered sarcastically. Glancing at the clock she realized it was nearly four o'clock, she ran through the mental checklist of things she'd need to do before getting ready.

At the very least, she might feel pretty afterwards no matter how dinner went or how awkward she felt about being surrounded by coworkers who she shared next to nothing in common with.

Starting the tap she reached for a towel before stepping into the tub.

Dave sat his glove in the corner of the garage and let himself inside the house, "Okay girls," He said and waited till they looked up from their art projects. "I asked Paul if he wanted to come to dinner with your mom and I, he said no but the invitation still stands. Do you want to come?"

"What kind of dinner?" Mackenzie asked skeptically.

He shrugged, "me, mom, the team, nothing special."

"No thanks," Paige said, wrinkling her nose.

"Okay," Dave said and reached for his wallet, "Paige is in charge." Flipping the wallet open he handed Paige a credit card and a $50 bill. "Order a movie and make sure to tip the pizza guy. We'll be gone all night so don't wait up." Then he mounted the staircase intending to take a shower.

"Wonder what he has up his sleeve," Paul mumbled.

"No telling," said Paige.

Dave heard the water running in the master bathroom, as much as he wanted to climb in the shower with Erin, doing so would ruin the mood he was trying to create. The truth was, he hadn't been out of the house for anything other than a prescription since his heart attack. He finally felt good, he'd stuck to the diet of bird food and greens so he was down 20 pounds. He'd never felt better and it was worth celebrating! He wanted to don a suit and tie and eat good food with a group of people he loved.

That wasn't too much to ask, right? He'd set the ball in motion a week ago after the doctor declared him healthy enough for sex. He bought her a dress, had his tux pressed, made reservations and invited the team.

They'd kept secrets from everyone for far too long and it was time to be happy, honestly happy. "Erin," he called. "I love you."

When he didn't get a response, he let himself into their bedroom. From the edge of the bed wearing a silk robe with her hair in a towe. Her new dress still on the hanger, she met his eyes and put her phone on the bedside table. "Who is it? Robinson?" He asked sharply.

"David, I'm sorry. He needs me in the SCHIF."

"We're on leave." He tried to argue, what could he want now?

She held up one hand. "But I'm not." She left no room for argument. "I'll meet you at Max's as soon as I can." She unzipped the dress and pulled it on over her knees. Some hair gel and lipstick would finish off the look and she could finish that from the car.

Dave came up behind her and zipped the dress up her back.

"Can I drop you off?" He offered, an edge of false cheer in his tone.

She dropped one shoulder, "I don't know how long the meeting will run."

"Alright then," he conceded. "I'll follow you out."

"I'm so sorry." She squeezed his hand as he followed her down the stairs. "I know how important this was to you."

"It's alright." He grabbed her shoes from the closet. "Just come when you can." Smiling tightly, "we'll wait." He sat her shoes by the door and grabbed her wrap and purse from the coat tree as she stepped into her heels.

With her hand on the knob, anticipating a goodbye kiss. Instead, his lips grazed the top of her forehead. "I'll see you soon. Drive safe."

"I will," he passed her the purse and set her wrap around her shoulders, he followed her to the edge of the driveway and held the car door open. "I wish I didn't have to go," she said and kissed his cheek before sliding behind the wheel.

"I know," he closed the door and watched her drive away.

And so, David Rossi, in his tux and and tie, finally felt what it was like to be left behind.

It was not a good feeling, not even close.