Aaron listened to Erin strumming on her guitar, singing Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now softly as she played. It was truly amazing how quickly she had become quite good at the instrument, and while he wanted to pop into the living room to compliment her on the song, he knew that he had to make an important meeting, one that she knew nothing about.

So, instead, he crept quietly down the hall and grabbed his keys off the table by the door before heading outside, knowing that Jack was in good hands if he needed anything. He was well on his way before Penelope called, and he answered her call, putting her on speaker as he drove. "What have you heard?"

"He was not in the best of moods, Hotch. And I think he knows that I've been feeding you what information I could, since he was giving me some decidedly hostile looks all morning long."

"I never wanted you to be in this position, I hope you know."

"And I have wanted the twins back with Erin for the last two months! He needs to quit holding a grudge, it's not like Erin is a possession you can steal, she's an adult who made the choice to follow the heart that made her happy. If she hadn't made that choice, I think she would have faded away."

"I have the same feeling, Penelope. All right, what can you tell me about his lawyer?"

There was a short pause, and Aaron's heart sank into his stomach, knowing that silence on Penelope's part rarely meant anything good. "He's not meeting you today with a lawyer. He was telling Morgan that there might be a time for lawyers later, but he wanted to talk to you man to man. Which is why I suggested that you meet at my coffeeshop. Maybe that will lead to cooler heads prevailing. Seriously, Hotch, I think he might be softening a little, because I've also overheard some conversations he's had with Bernice, and the twins miss Erin desperately."

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you. And, I think that Erin would really like to see you tonight. No matter what happens, we'll need your sunny disposition."

"Of course! I'll bring the food, you provide the drinks, and we will entertain each other. I'll even pick up Jessica."

"Thanks, Garcia."

"You are most welcome, Boss Man!"

They hung up, and he began to think about everything that he would, and shouldn't, say to Dave when they met. There was so much that needed to be said, that he didn't really know where to begin, other than with the fact that Erin needed to see her children once more. That would be his bottom line, the one thing that he couldn't back down on. Erin was counting on him doing something to bring her family back together again.

Pulling into the spot next to Dave, Aaron turned his car off and looked at his phone. They were both early, which didn't surprise him, as that was both in their natures, but it also put him at a slight disadvantage. Taking a deep breath, he tapped out a message to Erin, telling her that he loved her, before turning the phone on silent and slipping it into his pocket. As he headed inside, he made certain to walk with intention, and try to not let Dave see how nervous he was about this meeting.

When his eye landed on Dave, he saw that the man had two mugs on the table already, so he ambled over to him rather than ordering his own coffee, taking a seat across from him. "Good afternoon, Hotch."

"Dave," he said evenly, inclining his head towards the man as he picked up his mug and took a brief sip. It was exactly what he'd order, and that pleased him a little, as if that small courtesy told him that things were going to be okay, with time. "I'm glad that it's just the two of us right now."

"Kitten's been working on me, keeping my temper in check when I've wanted to lash out. She reminded me that I had been treating Erin horribly, and that I needed to set aside petty squabbles and meet with you one on one. I know that Erin is nowhere near ready to face me, and I'm not completely certain that I am ready to face her. But…our girls need their mother. I'm tired of them asking for her every night."

This was not the response he had been anticipating, and he tried to keep the shock from showing on his face as he sat back and regarded his friend. "And my heart is tired of hearing her cry for them in the night, and then pretending like she's fine when I call her on it. The distance has done us all some good, and hopefully the time has allowed you to reflect some."

David took a deep breath, a harsh look quickly slipping across his face before he nodded. "It has, yes. And I am currently seeing someone about my anger issues. Penelope's idea, not mine, and Matteo agreed with her." Aaron nodded before taking a drag of his coffee. "I'm actually going to be heading to a meeting that will take up most of my afternoon and early evening. And I've told Bernice that you and Erin might be stopping by for a while. I'll text you before I head home."

Aaron knew that it was the most ground Dave was willing to give at this time, and he was grateful for it, since it would mean the world to Erin, even if it was a short time. "I think that that sounds like a perfect solution for the rest of our day. How much do I owe you for the coffee?"

"I have you covered, Hotch." They shared a brief, knowing, look, and then Hotch nodded a little before getting up and leaving the coffee shop. The anticipation that coursed through his system almost caused him to run into the side of his car, and he deliberately backed up and then pulled onto the street, trying to keep a sedate pace as he went home. The drive didn't take too long, even with his caution, and as he pulled into the garage, he wondered how he would tell Erin the joyous news.

Bounding into his home, Aaron rushed into the living room, finding Erin still playing her guitar, this time with Jack and Jessica listening in. She heard his approach, since she looked up and gave him a beautiful smile before blushing and looking away, her fingers momentarily fumbling on the strings. "Why the eager grin, Aaron?" she asked softly as she came to the end of her song.

"Because I have somewhere to take you, that you'll be quite happy with." Erin gave him a quizzical look, and he shrugged a little. "And I want Jack and Jess to come along as well. This is a family event, after all."

Hope lit up Erin's eyes as she set aside her instrument with shaky hands, rising to her feet and crossing over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she stared up into his eyes. "You wouldn't string me along, right?"

"I love you way too much to do that to you, Erin. And what you're thinking is true." Tears sparkled in Erin's eyes as she nodded, giving him a brief kiss before burying her face in the crook of his neck as Jack got to his feet, too, moving over to them.

"Dad?"

"We're going to visit the twins. It was time that you met them, since they are going to be a part of our lives from now on." Jack nodded and smiled as Jessica came up and joined them. "If we're going to be family, we need to start out as a family. Yes?"

"Yes, Aaron," Jessica said lowly as she gave him a wide smile. "We're ready to go, if you are, Erin."

She pulled away from him, the joy radiating from her face as she nodded. "I've waited so long for this day, Aaron, and I wouldn't expect to do it alone." He nodded as he took hold of her hand, watching as Jack took hold of her other hand. They walked as a family back out to the car, and Erin surprised him by climbing in the back with Jessica, allowing Jack to sit next to him as they drove over to Dave's home. Glancing up into the rearview mirror, he saw that Erin was crying silently, while Jessica murmured something in her ear, causing her to nod. "We're here."

"We are," he said quietly as he turned the car off. "Are you ready to head inside?"

"More than anything." They nodded to each other and as one, exited the vehicle to begin the short walk up to the porch. Bernice had the door open before they got there, a knowing smile on her lips as she beckoned them inside.

"I always knew that he would relent, Miss Erin. And now you're here."

"Only for a quick visit," Aaron hastily said. "That was all I was able to arrange for today."

Bernice cocked her head to one side, acknowledging his statement, even as they could all hear the stampede of feet coming closer and closer. "Mommy!" Bella cried out as she launched herself into Erin's open arms. Katrina was a little more reticent to join them, but she came up to Aaron, hugging his legs tightly before tugging on his shirt.

Aaron lifted her up, holding her close as she patted his face. "We miss your music," she lisped, and he nodded, hugging her close as they entered the house, making their way to the living room. "Are you back to stay?"

"No, poppet, Mommy's only visiting for a short while today. Daddy and I have to work through some issues before I can see you more, but Uncle Aaron was able to make it work today." Katrina nodded before resting her head on Aaron's shoulder, and he knew in that moment that he would do whatever it took to make certain that Erin had at least shared custody with her babies.