Her day had passed by in a blur of activity, and it seemed like the only time that she had for herself was when Helen had brought lunch in to her. And she had still eaten while editing some reports that needed to be passed on to the Director as quickly as possible. Soon, it was five in the afternoon, and she was packing up her attaché case with work to bring home. There was so much left to finish, but she knew that she didn't want to be stuck in the office alone late into the evening.

A soft knock on her door caught her attention, and she looked up to see her partner leaning against the doorjamb, a soft smile on his lips. "I thought that you were going to head out on a case today?" she asked, pleasure filling every syllable of her words as a grin spread across her lips.

"We were allowed to have one more day at home. And Aaron won't be holding the briefing until ten, so we can sleep in a little. Somehow, he seems to think that we need a little extra respite."

A giggle escaped her lips as she turned off her computer, shaking her head a little. "You are thoroughly incorrigible."

"I think that's just one of the things you love about me," he cheekily replied as she stood and went over to the coat hook, slipping into her jacket. "That, and my dashing good looks."

"Something like that," she replied as she went over to him, taking her case from his hands and slinging the strap over her shoulder. "Did, did Alex ask after me?"

David paused a moment before answering her. "I think she knows that she made a mistake by revealing something so personal about you to all and sundry. But her defensiveness is still high because of that, and so while she didn't actively ask for details, I did notice her trying to listen in on my conversations with Aaron and Penelope. Give her time, and I think that you two can begin to heal the bonds that were just starting to reform between you."

It was solid advice, and she knew that he was right, but a part of her had hoped for a more optimistic opening. "You're right, of course, but do you blame me for wanting something more from this? For hoping that she had apologized to you, and asked how best to approach me?"

"I don't blame you at all, bella," he responded as he reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder. "And it just goes to show me how lovely your heart is." He leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly before slipping his hand down to rest in the crook of her arm and lead her out into the hallway. As they made their way to the elevators, Erin found herself leaning on him more fully, eager to be close to him after her trying day.

Erin reached out and pressed the down button, turning her body a little so that she could see into the bullpen. Alex's light was still on at her desk, though she wasn't anywhere to be seen, and Erin tried to quell her disappointment at that. David seemed to know, however, that she was looking for the woman, since he smiled deeply at her before squeezing her hand. "Hope springs eternal," she murmured as she caught sight of Alex heading towards her desk. As the other woman went to take a seat, their eyes met, and Erin gave her a fluttery smile.

Alex looked away quickly, and the smile died on her lips as David guided her into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed on them, David was hugging her tightly to his chest, and she nuzzled in close, hoping that her makeup was staying in place. "Things will take time. You both have more pride than a peacock."

She nodded, knowing that he was right in that assessment as well. "And our stiff necks are hard to move." Erin felt his lips caress her head and let out a deep sigh as she lowered her guard a little more, wrapping her arms around his waist to hold him tighter as a peaceful silence fell over them. It was so good to just be with him in that stillness, since it told her just how far they had come in their relationship.

The drive home was just as tenderly quiet, and Erin found her thoughts returning continuously to Maddie. This time, she couldn't help but wonder about if Ethan and Maddie would have been good friends. The further her thoughts travelled into the woods, the less she paid attention to her surroundings, and she jumped with shock to find them at home, Dave standing by her side in the garage, a bemused grin on his lips. "I was inside and starting supper before realizing that you hadn't followed me in. So, before the spezzatino di manzo burns, do you want to join me in the kitchen?"

Erin nodded as she unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed from the car. Looking around for her attaché case, she found it missing, and hoped that David had brought it inside. Grasping his hand, she followed him inside and took a seat at the island, watching him finish their supper. "Did they ask you any questions about Maddie?"

He looked at her over his shoulder and nodded. "I didn't tell them anything, though. I knew that we needed to discuss things first."

"I think that they deserve answers from us. And I think that I want to at least be in the room while you tell them, even if I can't tell them myself. I want to tell them everything about her, about how we managed to both pass on the recessive gene for red hair."

"It's the Sicilian in me, bella," he said before giving her a quick kiss.

"I know, your mother told me that when I asked her. I want to tell them that she had your charm from the moment she was born, and that she had me completely in love with being a mother from the moment I first held her. I want to say that her first word was Papa. And I want to explain that I should have been a more attentive driver, that I shouldn't have turned my head at the last minute to check on her. And I want to tell them that my negligence murdered our beautiful daughter and destroyed the best thing in my life for too long."

Erin tried to surreptitiously swipe away the tears that had started to roll down her cheeks, but he caught the movement and turned the heat down on the stove before hurrying back to her side and allowing her to hug him. "We both allowed our pride to come between us back then. I'm just glad that we were able to come back together at this time in our lives."

"Yes." She pressed her cheek tightly against his stomach, listening for his heartbeat as their breaths synced. "I'm going to tell them tomorrow. Everything. Before you leave on your case. Because if I don't get it out of me now, I never will. And too much time passing will lead to me becoming anxious over the whole thing. Will you be by my side?"

"Forever and always, my bella Erin." She smiled and let out a long breath as David pressed his lips against the crown of her head. Somehow, she hoped that everything would go all right in the morning.