Erin had just sent the children to bed when she realized that now the real, heavy, discussions were going to begin. Penelope was giving her a knowing look, and Erin unconsciously scooted closer to David, knowing that he would offer her the warmth of his body as they discussed what was happening. "So, are you going to be in to work tomorrow?"
"Why wouldn't I be there? I still have a job to do, and cannot afford to miss any more time off, especially when it will be difficult enough to try and negotiate my maternity leave when that time comes." Penelope winced, and Erin narrowed her eyes as she fumbled for David's hand. "Why? Is there something that I should be wary of when I return?"
Penelope took a deep breath as she nodded. "Haley wasn't exactly quiet after you fainted. The entire bullpen is quite aware of the fact that you're pregnant and that Haley believes it to be Hotch's child. Though there are a few people who think that, since Rossi came to your rescue, that he's the father of your baby…"
Her voice trailed off, as if she didn't want to finish her thought, and Erin drew in a deep breath. "Some of them are calling me a slut, or worse, aren't they?"
Penelope's cheeks burned a bright red as she nodded. "Yeah."
Erin lifted her chin as she took a deep breath. "I am not going to let that bother me, since I know the truth of the matter." She blinked a few times before a yawn split her lips, and Penelope gave her an understanding look. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be, you had a rough day, and I certainly added to that. I'll just head out now. Thank you for letting me explain myself and start to make up for this."
She let out a small squeak of surprise when the young woman leaned over and pulled her into a tight, quick, hug before popping to her feet and scurrying out of the room. A few moments later, Erin heard the front door close and then she sank back against David and the sofa, needing the comfort that both could offer her. "You're going to be all right, Erin."
"Am I? I feel like I've lost all my hard earned respect in the space of a morning. I'm the office slut who will spread her legs for anyone in pants."
David wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his chest as he drew in a deep breath. "It will blow over in time."
"I can't believe that. It took so long for the blowback from the Amerithrax debacle to fade away, and I know that Jason still regards me harshly for my actions. Even Alex won't talk to me, despite my reaching out. That mistake cost me my best friend, and despite how kind Penelope was this evening, I don't think that I can allow my heart to easily trust her, because the last time I trusted someone, my heart was broken."
"I completely understand that, Erin."
"Do you? Do you really know what it's like to have your best friend, the person you told all your secrets to, look at you and call you a bitch? That she regrets ever meeting you? That it would be a cold day in hell before she ever gave you a second look? To know that you couldn't go to her son's funeral because the rift between you was too great, and so you hung back behind a tree at the graveside service in order to pay your respects, because you couldn't bear to not be there in some small capacity?"
"No, bella, I can't say that I do know that. But I understand how hard it is to trust someone after your heart has been broken. I learned that with Carolyn, and it devastates you."
She nodded as she looked up into his eyes, seeing nothing but concern in his gaze. "Why couldn't you have walked into the bar that night? Life would be so much easier if we had fallen into bed together, because at least you don't hate me like Aaron does."
David's soft expression turned into a smirk, and she rolled her eyes a little as she anticipated what he was going to say next. "Well, we could always make that somewhat of a reality. I am here, after all."
She tried to laugh at those words, but the only thing that came to her lips was a choked sob. Turning her face into his chest, Erin allowed him to rub her back as she tried to get control of her emotions, knowing that the hormones were likely to blame for her sudden shifts in emotion. "I wish I had slept with you that night. Then this baby would have a father who wants to be in their life. Not some dirty little secret that you have to keep from your wife."
"Well, I'm not married, so we wouldn't have to worry about that. I can say that your baby is mine, and besides Hotch and Penelope, no one would truly be the wiser."
"Helen knows, too."
"Your assistant? She's loyal to a fault, Erin. You chose well there. What do you say? Will you allow me to be the father of that baby?"
Erin pulled away from him to look into his eyes. She had been expecting to find some hint of teasing in his expression, but there was a genuine kindness on his features that spoke of how much he meant the words he had said. "At least this way, my baby would have a father who wants them. But this lie means that we would be bound together for the next eighteen years, and we haven't exactly seen eye to eye for much of our time together thus far."
"That's because you never admitted that I was always right," he teased before tweaking her nose lightly. "Though I could have taken you a little more seriously, and not allowed my friendships with Hotch and Gideon to affect how I viewed you. That was my fault, and I own it. So, will you hitch your future to mine?"
"Yes. God knows that I need some spot of peace in my life after all of this came to light. Aaron will probably hate you for this."
"Let him. He's screwed this up enough as it is."
She pressed her lips together as she nodded. "I, I think I need to go to bed again. Even though I slept half this day away already. Can you see yourself out?"
"After I get you safely to bed, I can." He got to his feet and held out his hand. Erin reached out and clasped it, allowing him to pull her to her feet and guide her back up to her bedroom. "All right, take a seat on the bed, and I'll get out a set of pyjamas for you."
"I don't think that I want you digging through my drawers, David. At least not yet."
"Oh, I'm certain that your drawers are just perfect," he teased, waggling his eyebrows at her. A true giggle escaped her lips as she sat on the mattress and drew her legs up to her chest. "And it's just pyjamas, it's not like I'll be raiding your panty drawer."
She let out a deep sigh, knowing that she couldn't argue with him, that he would just wear her down, much like Penelope was good at. And if he was really going to be a part of her life and help her with the baby, then she needed to learn how to trust him. "Fine, my keep my pyjamas in the top middle drawer of the dresser. And I'd prefer something soft, since my breasts are already starting to become more sensitive to sensation."
"I could help with that."
"David!"
"I'm just saying, sometimes a soft pair of hands keeping the fabric off your skin can help!"
"Please, don't make me regret this decision." He winked at her before nodding and going over to the dresser, opening the right drawer and pulling out a sleeveless cotton nightgown and brought it over to her side. "Thank you. Thank you for everything today." David nodded and sank down next to her once more which allowed her to rest her head on his chest. "I could really get used to this."
"So could I, bella. I can stay the night if you want."
The earlier smarm was gone, replaced with a gentle concern, and she shook her head, knowing that she wasn't ready to make things quite that real between them just yet. "Not tonight, but soon. Probably when I tell the kids about the baby and the divorce. I'll need your support the most then." He nodded before pressing a tender kiss to the crown of her head and then getting up and heading to the door, giving her one last, sweet, look before he left.
