"The family is one of nature's masterpieces."

—George Santayana

Erin awoke with a start, her heart slammed into her breastbone like she'd run the Boston Marathon. She listened intently for the cause of her sudden wakefulness. When she didn't hear anything, she lowered herself out of the warm cocoon her bed had become; and went to the bathroom. Her bladder was screaming. She tugged on Dave's soft, terrycloth robe, tying the sash across her waist, then went to investigate the reason she woke up. Apparently, she'd slept through dinner. So much for a quick nap.

Padding into the kitchen she saw her fiance and her oldest daughter. Her eyes had to be deceiving her. They couldn't have been doing what she thought they were doing. She rubbed her eyes. Blinking quickly, Erin knew she must still be asleep and this was a dream. Nope. She was standing in the kitchen watching David and Paige together in the kitchen at 2 am, baking cakes. The noise she heard was an empty heavy duty bundt cake pan falling on the floor. From the lack of Italian curse words following the sound, she surmised it had been her daughter that dropped the pan. She knew David had a bit of a sweet tooth and they enjoyed cooking together but this was ridiculous. They both needed their rest.

On the one hand, she wanted to read them the riot act, but on the other hand, it was so sweet how patient Dave was with her children. Erin continued to silently watch from the doorway for a few more minutes. David was teaching Paige how to fold the next ingredient into the batter. As if he sensed her, he suddenly looked up mid sentence with a shy smile and said "Hi Sweetheart." then went right back to what he was doing, like he had never been interrupted. Paige on the other hand looked at her mother nervously and began to fumble for an explanation. She was never good at finagling the truth. As a teenager, Dave thought she would be a little better at that but then again he was glad, because it would make it that much harder for her to get anything past them.

Erin's foot began to tap as the pregnant woman waited for an explanation as to just why they were up baking so late/early, heck she didn't know, but she did know that they were past the time she felt was appropriate for them to have volunteered an explanation. "So Bonnie and Clyde, which one of you would like to tell me what the hell is going on at this time of night?"

Paige looked at her soon to be step father, and said, "this one is on you. It was your idea. Besides, she is my mother and has the power to ground me if she doesn't like the explanation. She can't punish you, so…" Paige said, turning her palm towards Rossi, as if to say, the floor is yours.

David wanted to say that Paige was wrong about Strauss not having the power to punish him but kept his mouth closed as it would have been a highly inappropriate conversation to have with a teenager. Yet, in his mind, he was thinking about the fact that if his explanation wasn't good enough, the conjugal benefits he had so recently been delighting in, would dry up like the Sahara desert, until his lover was pleased with him again. Erin Strauss was the kind of woman that definitely believed in holding a grudge. With that thought, Rossi knew he couldn't lie to her. He wanted it to be a surprise but, Oh well. With that thought, Dave just spit it out. "Erin we're baking samples for our wedding cake."

"Who's recipe?" Erin asked, she found a plate and went to investigate the round cake that sat cooling on the counter.

"I found one on the internet," Paige said. She couldn't stop her jaw from hitting the floor. Paige expected her mom to lecture her and tell her to go to bed. Instead, Paige watched Erin take a bite out of the vanilla cake, right out of the pan. "That's pretty good," Erin said. "Whose recipe is this?" Pulling her fork from the round pan and pointing it at the other cake.

"That square one is my grandmother's recipe." Dave said, "Pure vanilla cake with strawberry frosting," he puffed his chest out with pride. "It's better if you wait for the frosting to chill."

"Who better to sample the cake than the bride?" Erin asked, abandoning the plate on the counter. She dug another bite of Dave's cake out of the pan. Erin wasn't a fan of baked goods, aside from the obligatory piece of cake on her children's birthdays she never ate it. Except that one time, Dave served her a sinful slice of chocolate cake in her hospital bed after her wreck with Hotch. Aside from that, she only had a store bought cake to compare it to. The vanilla cake on her fork was incredible. She glanced up at Dave, with a third bite of cake dangling on her fork. Third, no, it had to be her fourth bite. She cringed inwardly as a smirk slowly spread across his face.

"What?" She asked, straightening to her full height.

He shook his head, "nothing…"

She sat the fork down in the cake pan, when it dawned on her. "Well, I'm glad I wasn't on a diet. It would be shot to hell now." She said, staring at the bottom of a half empty cake pan.

Dave shrugged and turned to Paige, "Well, kid, we could make another cake for the taste test or we could assume the strawberries and cream cake is the winner. What do you think?"

Paige stood on her toes and Dave leaned forward so she could whisper in his ear. He nodded twice and pulled away. He turned to Erin to explain himself. "My partner in crime here," Dave gestured to Paige. "Suggested that since all the kids are here, the four of us together might outnumber you and the babies. Therefore, we should continue with the taste test as planned."

"Sounds fun you two," Erin said and smiled and kissed the top of Paige's head. Then leaned up on her toes to kiss Dave's grabbed the square cake still in the pan, her fork and headed for the bedroom. "Oh, by the way," Erin said over her shoulder. " Thank you for the midnight snack. I want the kitchen clean in the morning."

"Yes, Ma'am." Dave and Paige said in unison.

When the bedroom door closed, Paige turned to Dave and whispered. "Well that was weird."

"Tell me about it.." Dave said. He watched the bedroom door, half expecting Erin to barge back into the kitchen and tell them to go to bed. He glanced at the clock hanging over the kitchen window and chastised himself. What kind of dad kept his 17 year old up past midnight on a school night?

"Alright, Kid, I'll finish up here. Your mom's going to kill me if you don't get some sleep." Dave said and started stacking dishes in the dishwasher.

"Can I play hookey?" Paige asked sweetly, she tilted her head and flashed him her most convincing smile.

Dave stared at the teenager standing in front of him, "Are you serious?" he asked, furrowing his brows. "Why do you want to stay home?"

"I can help you and Mom plan the wedding. Come on, Dave you can talk Mom into anything. She'll let me stay home if you ask her...Please?" Paige implored, clasping her hands in front of her.

He thought about it, he liked spending time with her. If her answer hadn't sucked, he might have considered asking Erin to let her stay home. He pushed the thought away, he had to stand his ground. He couldn't be the 'cool step-dad,' every time they asked for something ridiculous. Finally, he decided on his answer. "Even if I could convince your mom to let you skip school, I wouldn't. I'm sorry, but school is your responsibility. I won't let you lose your education to hang out with us."

"I figured," Paige relented. She knew it was a long shot when she asked. "I guess I'm going to bed then."

"Goodnight," Dave said, placing the last dish in the dishwasher.

"'Night," Paige returned and slumped towards the staircase.

Dave dried his hands on a dish towel and headed for the bedroom. He pulled back the blankets and laid down next to Erin. He felt her curl against his back, holding him at the waist.

"I heard most of that," She said, resting her chin in his shoulder.

Suddenly self conscious he asked, "How do you think I did?" He wasn't used to putting his foot down with the kids. Ordinarily, he didn't have to play the bad cop.

"You did fine," she said, rubbing his back. "It makes me happy to see how well you all get along."

"I love them," he admitted. "Just as much as I love you." He shifted to his back so she was laying across his chest. Her arm slung across him. "I can't wait to make you my wife-"

"When exactly do you plan on doing that?" She asked. "You better make it fast, before I'm wearing a tent down the aisle."

"It'll be the finest tent in the country." He promised, his hand wandered underneath the blankets.

"That's just rude," Erin said, moving away from him. "I just told you that I'm fat and you offer to buy me a tent."

"There's a difference between fat and pregnant, Erin." He said pointedly.

"Tell that to my mirror," she said.

"You could walk down the aisle in a paper bag, barefoot covered in motor oil and I wouldn't care. As long as you stopped at the altar."

"Flatterer," she said and pecked him on the cheek.

He paused, they had come so far from the day he found the pregnancy test on the jet. It seemed like a lifetime ago, since they made love in the hotel with the cigar aficionado event in the background.

He turned to face her, running one finger down her cheek. "Can I ask a question?"

Her eyes popped open, "What is it, David?"

"What do you think would have happened if I hadn't found the pregnancy test on the jet?"

"I was going to tell you eventually…" she lied and he knew it. "You didn't give me a chance."

Flashback

Erin glanced up from her book, she was almost finished and she had about ten minutes to read before they landed. David came down the aisle of the jet and she tried her best to ignore him. She could tell him her suspicions and watch him panic in front of his friends. Or, wait it out. He would leave again eventually.

"Twizzlers, huh?" He asked, sitting down across from her he gestured to the candy on the table in front of her. "I didn't realize you had a sweet-tooth."

"I don't," she said. Dismissing him, she turned her attention back to the book in her hand. "Now, I'd like to finish the last chapter before we land."

"I had a nice time with you the other night," Dave said lowly. He could feel the eyes of his team members drilling through his skull, but he didn't care. The two of them were huddled in the back of the plane, near the cock-pit. Ignoring everyone else.

"Yeah, me too.." she admitted, chewing on the end of red licorice. Never looking up from her book. If he wanted to spend time with her, he would have approached her at the beginning of the flight. Instead, just when her book was getting good he decided to interrupt her.

"I'd like to do it again sometime…"

"Of course you would.."

"Erin?" He tried again to engage with her, but the fire in her eyes made him stop.

"Don't you have someone else to talk to? Literally, anyone else?"

"Yup, but I'd rather talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because I want us to be friends."

"I don't."

Suddenly, the pilot's voice came over the speaker. "Attention BAU Team, we will be landing in Quantico in about five minutes."

Erin slammed her book closed and shoved it in her purse. Grabbing her purse, she headed for the restroom. It was now or never, J.J. was the last person to use the facilities. If nothing else, Erin had a good cover.

Dave got to his feet, but the look on Erin's face stopped him.

"Oookay…" Dave said, to no one. Whatever connection he thought they had, was obviously wrong. They had a good time together in the hotel and at J.J.'s wedding. Maybe they could make it a habit...hopefully.

"I really did want to be your friend," he said.

"You wanted to be friends with benefits," she corrected.

"What red blooded man wouldn't?"

"David, you've already gotten me to sleep with you and eventually I'm gonna marry you. So, you can stop the pickup lines now."

"Why won't you believe I find you sexy?" He asked, running his hand persuasively over her hip.

She gave a deversive snort, "Yeah, I am so sexy right now, that I look like the Pillsbury Dough-Woman." So far, she'd gained an extra 20 pounds and the weight kept piling on the further along the pregnancy progressed.

"You look damn fine to me," David growled, he reached over and squeezed her ass to emphasize his point. "You're healthy, Babe. Our babies are healthy, nothing else matters. Besides, I'm the one who keeps making pasta and cheesecake."

"Well, I'm not saying it's your fault, but I want it to be known; I didn't eat like that before you came along."

"You lived on coffee and crackers," he countered.

"Not true, I know how to cook-"

"But you choose not to-"

"I don't have to. Between you and Paige I don't have to go into the kitchen ever again."

"You know, if you don't use it, you lose it," he warned her. "I like cooking, but what happens to you when Paige is all grown-up and I have to go out of town? I hope there isn't a limit on Door-Dash orders."

"I have a crock-pot." She boasted, "I don't have to know anything except how to plug it in."

He laughed, she could feel him trembling from underneath the blankets.

"Shh!" She hissed, "It's not that funny."

"What are you doing?" Dave asked, rubbing the towel over his head. He stepped into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee.

"Either proving your point that I can't cook or proving you wrong." Erin answered and continued chopping the bell peppers in front of her.

"Babe, I know you can cook." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I was just teasing."

He looked around the kitchen, sausage crumbles sizzled in the skillet on the stove. Eggs and cheese littered the counter. "Weren't we making this same dish on the day-"

"Yes," Erin answered, "And I didn't get to eat it. Therefore, we're making it again."

"Okay…" He turned his attention to the skillet and wrinkled his nose. "Is this tofu?"

Thinking quickly, she snatched the package off the counter and shoved it in the pocket of her robe. "Would I do that to you?" She asked in a saccharine sweet tone.

"Yes." He responded pointedly. "I know you would."

"Well," she dropped her shoulders, "you could eat it, if you don't believe me." He heard the challenge in her tone and couldn't resist.

"Woman, we talked about this-" There was no way he was completely changing his diet. No way, no how was David Rossi going anywhere near the vegan, plant-based-so-called-superfood section of the grocery store.

"Yeah," she planted her hands on her hips. "I listened, David, but throwing a handful of spinach in your lasagna every once in a while doesn't cut it. We both need to eat healthier."

He grabbed a fork and speared a tiny piece of the mysterious gray matter from the skillet. He blew on it, inspected it and stuck it in his mouth.

"So? What's the verdict?" She asked.

He furrowed his brow, pretending to think it over. "It's not bad," he relented, "but it's not sausage."

"It's chorizo-" She said.

"Bullshit, some weird, black bean version of chorizo, maybe."

"It won't kill you to eat one meatless meal-"

"It might." He said flatly.

She went back to beating eggs in a bowl, ignoring his pestilence.

"Is the cheese real, at least?" He asked, putting the fork to the side to use later.

"Cashew cheese is for the squirrels." She said, adding the peppers to the skillet.

"Well at least we agree on something," he said. Turning the peppers in the skillet and adding salt and pepper.

"What do you think I should do about Andy?" She asked. Pouring the eggs to the skillet, she put the lid on the pan. Trapping the heat would cook the eggs faster, with any luck the kids would have time to eat before they left for school.

"Before or after you tell him to go screw himself?" Dave asked with a raised brow."I can't believe Andy, put us through all this. If he found a discrepancy, he could have called us in and asked us about it first. Maybe, given us a chance to explain. I know he is our boss Erin, but he is also supposed to be a friend. What kind of friend sells you up the river? If something had happened to you or the babies… Andy would be punching a one way express ticket to meet his maker."

"I'd really like to disagree with you on that," Erin said, she stacked some tortillas on a plate, wrapped them in a paper towel and put it in the microwave. "I just can't. Etiquette dictates that the injured party shouldn't be the first to make contact, but, David I'm worried. What happens if we both lose our jobs? What then?"

Dave shrugged, "I can keep writing books-"

"You haven't written in weeks, David." She reminded him, with a dubious expression.

"I guess that's true," he shrugged, "But I can start again. It's not like I'm short on stories."

"Patience yes, stories no." She shook her head in the negative, "David, you and I both know the BAU is your life. Don't get me wrong." she held up one hand when she saw he was about to object, "I know you love me and the kids and are a dedicated family man now, but I also know you are a man who likes action, the thrill of the chase. You'll be alright for the first couple of days, maybe even the first few weeks, when we're busy getting ready for the twins, but what happens when the novelty wears off and you become bored out of your wits, David Rossi?"

"Erin, I won't let that happen-" He protested. "It'll be fine. There's no way I can get bored around here-"

She nailed him with a glare, "I need you to listen to my words." She said sharply. "I have already had to finish raising three kids by myself for all intents and purposes, I really don't want to raise these babies by myself too. Just because you got bored and resentful."

"Bored and resentful?" He repeated, shocked. Her words stung like he'd been punched in the chest. "Woman, when are you going to get it through your head, that I am not going anywhere."

"I don't know-" She crossed her arms. "I know we're doing fine now, but what happens when we're not? I can't be held responsible for taking you out of the field and away from everything you love."

"Erin, the BAU is not everything I love." He closed the gap between them. "I am in this relationship, with you, one hundred percent. I'm fully committed to you, those three kids sleeping upstairs and these two littles ones." He said, placing a hand on her stomach, "nothing and nobody is going to change that."

"I know that-"

"Obviously, you don't. Now listen to me." He commanded, "I love my BAU family, but I have finally arrived at the place where I can separate my team from the job. Which is kind of ironic as there was a time, when I first came back, that I wanted to keep them at arm's length. Now, I can't imagine my life without them."

"Exactly!" Erin chimed in, as if to say he had proved her point. "You can't leave them high and dry-"

"You misunderstood me, sweetheart. I said I can't imagine my life without the team in it, not the job. I can always take a different post."

"What do you mean?" She asked, resting one hip against the counter.

"The bonds we have formed over the years, have solidified our love for each other. While I know it will be difficult to spend a lot of time together, due to their travel schedule, I also know that time nor distance is stronger than our bond. It's okay that we have our own lives. Besides, that lot will come running anytime, I say free food."

"Or free booze," Erin said. "I have a hard time picturing you outside of the BAU."

"I already told you, I turned in my badge."

"Yeah, that doesn't mean much with Garcia in the systems."

Suddenly, three sets of footsteps trudged down the staircase.

"Good morning!" Dave said brightly, as Paul stepped off the stairs.

"Mornin-" Paul groaned and slung his backpack on the floor in front of the kitchen island.

"Tired, Paige?" Erin asked, knowing the answer. She eyed her eldest daughter carefully. The teenager girl gave a barely audible grunt in response.

"Should I offer her coffee?" Dave stage-whispered to Erin. "I feel kinda bad that she was awake for so long helping me."

Erin gave a noncommittal shrug, "that's up to you."

Dave went to the cabinet and pulled out a mug. He filled it with 3 parts creamer and 1 part coffee. He handed Paige the mug, she sat down at the counter. "Alright, Kid. This is a one-time deal."

"Is this coffee?" Paige groaned, rubbing her eyes.

Dave nodded, "this is a one-time deal because I want you to have a good day at school and you helped me out last night."

Paige took a sip of the Italian Roast. The smell was divine and the taste was even better. It was just the pick me up she needed. Now she would be able to function the rest of the day, not to mention, drive her and her brother, safely to school.

Paige reached up and kissed Dave on the cheek to thank him. "You're awesome Dave. Mom, can we keep him?" She joked.

"Don't worry darling, I already exercised my option for a lifetime," Erin said, as she walked over and took Dave's hand.

"Ugh, gross. It's too early in the morning for PDA." Paul groused.

"Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Rossi quipped. as he looked at the boy, who was about four quarts low on sleep.

"Can I have some coffee?" Paul asked, "it would wake me up."

"It'll stunt your growth," Dave said quickly. "You went to bed on time. Paige was up late helping me."

Paul looked pleadingly at his mother, "is that true?"

"No," Erin said sternly, "coffee won't stunt your growth, but I might if you keep asking."

"You know what, I have always heard, coffee was bad for you. Never mind, I am awake, wide awake now." Paul said, after hearing his mother's words. "Paige, come on, we don't want to be late for school." the teenage boy said, knowing that now would be a good time to get out of dodge.

Dave laughed at the fact that the young man knew how to make a strategic albeit, dramatic retreat. Erin wouldn't strike him, but she would and could make his next few weekends home unpleasant by grounding him.

Strauss dropped his hand, arched a brow, folded her arms across her ample bosom and growled at Dave. "And just what is it that you find so funny, David?"

The laughter immediately died in his throat as Rossi audibly swallowed.

"Nothing, Sweetheart." He turned his attention to Mackenzie, the only kid who seemed to be enjoying her mother's spin on a healthy breakfast. Mudgie laid stoically at her feet, waiting for table scraps.

"Are you ready to go, Shorty?" Dave asked, grabbing her backpack from the floor.

"Uh huh-" Mackenzie knelt down and ruffled the dog's ears. "See ya later, Boy."

"Have a good day," Erin said, watching her entire family file out the front door and into separate cars.

She looked around at her dirty kitchen and a pile of untouched eggs. She added some eggs to her plate and grabbed the rest of Paige's coffee. "I'm never cooking again."

The phone rang before Dave could back out of the driveway. "Yes, Erin?" he answered.

"I better not smell McDonald's on your breath, when you get back, David Rossi. You have a perfectly healthy breakfast here, waiting on you."

"Busted," Mackenzie said from the backseat. As Dave started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

"See," Erin said, "She's my good child. The other two are heathens." She said, without real malice.

"Headed straight to Hell, do not collect $200." Dave agreed, jokingly.

Mackenzie beamed, "love you, Momma."

"Love you too," Erin said from the speakers in the car.

Dave returned home after dropping off McKenzie. He pulled into the garage, shut the car off and put the fob in his pocket. Rossi pushed a button and watched as the garage door slid closed. Once he had exited the car, he opened the door and entered the house. In his hand, he held a bag from Dunkin Donuts. Normally he would make a stop at Krispy Kreme, but this morning, he needed a breakfast sandwich too. He wasn't about to tell Erin and the evidence was long gone before he left the parking lot. He brought the sweet confection home as a sort of peace offering and distraction because there was no way he was going to eat that concoction Erin had scrambled up. The Rossi's were meat eaters and proud of it. He had given in to a lot of what his fiance wanted when it came to eating healthier, after his heart attack, but going completely meatless, even for a day, was out of the question. It wasn't the Herbert Hoover days. All those in his family could participate in Meatless Monday if they wanted but he would make sure he was late for meals.

"What did you bring me?" She asked, from the sofa. When she heard the front door close.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Dave said, hiding the bag behind his back.

"Suure you don't, David." She rolled her eyes, "I can smell the sugar on your breath from here. If you come a little closer I could see the jelly marks in your beard."

Caught, he knew it was better to fess up. "Would a raspberry jelly donut make it better?" He asked, revealing the bag.

"Probably," she held out her hand greedily. "Gimmie."

"Are you going to tell me I was right?" He teased. "I know that stuff you put in the eggs was tofu. Judging by the amount left on your plate, I'd say you didn't like it either."

"You didn't even try it," she said, annoyed. "Nobody did and that's really aggravating!"

"Mackenzie liked it." Dave offered, trying to show her the bright side.

"I told you," Erin took a bite of the donut. "She's the good one."

Erin stood at the bottom of the staircase, apparently David had taken their morning conversation to heart. He'd disappeared into his office after dropping Mackenzie off at school. He'd been up there for hours. She could hear him pacing, sighing, grunting, groaning at one point she thought she heard him throw something at the wall. Writer's Block didn't happen often, but when it did, it hit him hard. At this point, David was so overwhelmed, Erin doubted he could formulate a text message. So, every time she heard him drop something on purpose, she offered advice from the bottom of the staircase.

Dave sat in his office, staring at a blank page. The bareness of the open document taunted him, letting him know he was out of practice. He took a deep breath and tried to remember why he thought another novel was a good idea in the first place. Oh, yeah. He was retired, at least as far as he knew; and he needed the money to live. Well, 'live' was overselling it. He wouldn't go broke if he never wrote again, but dammit he had to do something. Erin was right, but he would never admit it. Sitting around wasn't his strong suit. So, after spending the morning successfully convincing her that he was totally fine being retired. He sat in his office, his ivory tower, waiting for inspiration.

"You can't edit a blank page!" Erin called from the bottom of the staircase, "just set a timer and write till the clock runs out."

He'd had enough of playing 'beat the clock,' in the last 72 hours to last a lifetime.

"I'll take that into consideration!" He said and threw another copy of his latest novel on the floor.

"Dave, give it up for today. It is obviously not happening. You can get back to it tomorrow." She said, exasperated when something else hit the floor.. "For the love of both our sanity, take a break. You've only been retired for a few days. You don't have to rush to write a masterpiece this second. We will be fine once the DOJ releases our accounts. We both have savings and retirement accounts. You know we'll be fine for a couple of months, at least."

"Doesn't matter!" Dave shouted, without moving from his chair. "I need to get back into the habit."

"Rome wasn't built in a day," she said. "Come on down here and let's talk. I'm bored. I've cleaned the kitchen, watched all the tv I can stand, read everything on my list and put all the pictures in photo albums."

"Give me ten minutes," he bargained. Maybe a timer was a good idea after all?

Erin wasn't falling for it. If she gave him ten minutes, he would spend nine and a half, beating his head against the wall. "If you don't get down here soon, I am going to start rearranging the furniture," Erin threatened.

"Dammit, Erin." He stalked across the room and threw the door open. "You know you're not supposed to be doing that." He thundered, staring her down, from the first landing.

She crossed her arms, leaning against the banister, she glared at him, chin held high, defiant. "Are you going to stop me?"

Just for kicks, she moved away from the staircase, "I think the sofa should go on the opposite wall." She said shrewdly, moving towards the couch in made a show of standing at the end of the couch, preparing to lift it.

Knowing anything could happen, she was probably completely serious, Rossi hot-footed it down the stairs. "How exactly would Madame like to be entertained today?" He asked, taking her in his arms.

"Hmm…" she hummed, kissing him on the mouth, she pulled away, pretending to think about it. "I can think of a few ways...and all of them involve the bedroom."

He deepened the kiss and backed away when they both needed air. "They say the best cure for Writer's Block is physical exercise," he gasped.

"Do you want to test that theory?" She asked, playfully tugging on his shirt sleeve.

His eyes sparkled, she knew she could get lost in them, "All day, every day and twice on Sunday."

"Too bad it's Monday because I was feeling up for a double feature."

"I'm game for whatever you're playing." He said. As she trailed her fingers down the planes of his chest, tugging lightly at his shirt.

"The kids won't be home for hours, I was thinking we could enjoy the sundeck. We still need to break in that outdoor daybed, although I think we are going to have to wait until after these two are born, to christian the swing. I'd die of embarrassment if something happened and I'd have to explain to Mary, how we tumbled off the swing, while having sex."

"Yeah," Dave grimaced. "I'm not sure I could look her in the face again, either if that happened. Don't worry, I'll pencil you in for a rendezvous on the swing, sometime after you've recovered from childbirth."

"I'm a permanent marker kind of woman, David Rossi and don't you forget it."

"Yes, Ma'am."