"It is so weird to be home, stellina." David sounded tired and frustrated, and she wondered if something else was bothering him about being there, besides the case. Another frustrated sigh slipped out of his mouth, and she unconsciously rubbed her baby bump as she waited on him to speak once more. "Being here brings up a lot of bad memories. Can I be honest with you?"

"I would expect nothing less, David."

He let out a self-deprecating chuckle, and Erin pictured him settling onto the bed to be more comfortable as he talked to her. "I know, I just feel like there are certain parts of our pasts that we don't talk about, it's just understood that there are specters that haunt us both. Yours is Alex, mine is Emma. I don't like talking about her much, since that was from a time when I was definitely on the wrong path, headed towards a less glamorous destiny than the one I stumbled into."

"Will you run into her in the course of your case?"

There was a short pause, and Erin wondered what he was thinking about as he took his time to answer her. "No, she died a few years ago, but that doesn't mean old memories aren't dredged up for me."

She nodded as she drew soft patterns on her stomach, feeling the baby flutter around a bit. Since this was her fifth baby, she could detect the first faint stirrings of their life inside her, and she was heartened by the feel. "I completely understand that, David. There are times when I'm reminded of Alex, and I feel like I'm just treading water. I, I still love her, David."

"You probably always will, Erin. Just like I'll always love Emma, and Carolyn, and Hayden. But you're my right now love, and you and the kids are my world."

"David, you can't say things that make me cry and not be here for me to hold. You're my last love. If anything ever happens to you, I don't think that I could find someone who makes me feel as seen as you do. And I know, I'm emotional because of the pregnancy hormones, but, I love you."

"I love you, too, Erin." She heard a voice in the background, and realized that he wasn't alone. "I have to go now, I'm sorry. Ray has information for the case. I won't be able to call back, so until tomorrow, sleep well."

"And you stay safe out there. Elise and Jack's birthday is coming up soon, and I need you around to bring Aaron over for the party, since he'll try to act stoic and like he doesn't need anyone around to support him. We both know the opposite is true."

"That we do, Erin. I know, Ray, but my pregnant fiancée comes first!" She sighed out a laugh, knowing that they truly did need to get off the phone, even though she wanted to keep him on the line. "I will call you as soon as I can tomorrow. Tell Elise that I love her."

"I will, darling. Goodbye." They hung up at the same time, and she pressed her phone tight to her chest as she let out a long sigh, missing his voice already. If Elise wasn't asleep already, she probably would have gone in and brought her daughter into their bedroom for the night. But she wouldn't disturb Elise just for her own comfort. Setting the phone on the bedside table, Erin lifted her top to stare at her baby bump, still trying to comprehend how she could look so pregnant already, even if it was her fifth pregnancy. At her last appointment, her doctor had confirmed once more that the due date was sometime in the new year, which was good and terrifying at the same time, since she didn't know what the weather would bring them when she went into labor.

Just as she was getting back into her book, her phone rang again, and she frowned a little at the sound, not anticipating a call so late at night. "Hello?" she asked sharply, trying to pour every inch of her ire into that one word.

"I am so sorry to be calling this late at night, ma'am, but I had to wait until Reid was out of the office to check in with you."

Erin relaxed a little to hear Penelope's voice and she cleared her throat before speaking once more. "What can I do for you this evening?"

"I have a few rather delicate questions to ask, which is why I wanted Reid out of the way before I asked them. I know that Haley is in protective custody, which is good, but are you taking every precaution to ensure your safety, along with Elise's?"

"I am. I haven't noticed any unusual activity around the house, and once I'm at work, I feel protected enough not to worry. I take it that no one else on the team suspects the truth about Elise's paternity?"

"I think that you and Rossi did a pretty good job in convincing everyone that he's the baby daddy, especially since Hotch is content with being Uncle Aaron. There's no way that I can convince you three to tell the team the truth, is there? I'd feel so much better if I could keep track of you and Elise out in the open, in regards to the case."

"No, there's not. They're going to be four in a few weeks, and I feel like that is still young for them to know the full truth." Erin rubbed her stomach in gentle circles as she gazed out the window into the dark of night. "What was the other thing that you wanted to ask me?"

"How are you coping? I know that you have Rossi to rely on, because he's your partner, but I can only imagine the stress you have to be facing, since there's no one that you can tell about what's going on, with Haley gone."

"What do you mean?" she asked sharply.

"I looked at Haley's phone records to make certain that there wasn't someone calling and getting information about her routine, and couldn't help but notice how much you two would text and talk. I think that it's rather lovely that the two of you were able to put everything that was between you behind you for the sake of the kids. I wish that everyone could take a page out of your book."

"It took us a few months to become friendly, but she is a lovely woman. Which is why I need you all to find Foyet sooner rather than later, so that she can come home to her family and friends. And before you say anything, I know that she's been calling her mother too much, which will necessitate a move if she's not careful, but I can't blame her for wanting her mother at a time like this. If I had to leave my family behind, knowing that a man like Foyet was searching for me? I'd want to curl up in my mother's lap, too."

She felt bad for the way she had just dumped her feelings on Penelope, especially since they weren't close, not like she was with Haley or Helen. Still, there was a relief that had come after she had spoken so freely, and she pressed her hand down on her stomach firmly to remind herself that she was so emotionally open at the moment. "I wish that I could be of more help to you. But, if I could suggest something that might help you and another person?"

"What's that, Penelope?"

"Reach out to Jessica. If I were her, I'd be just as scared as you are, and she's also missing her sister and nephew."

That was a good idea, and she nodded absently. "I think I might keep that in mind. Now, if you don't mind, I really need to start getting to sleep. Tomorrow is looking to be a long day for me."

"Of course, Erin. And if you need anything at all, let me know. Reid's my bitch for this case, so I can get him to run errands, if need be." Erin tried to hold in her giggle, only for it to come out as a snort, and Penelope laughed in response. "I know, I should be nicer to him, but he's in the doghouse because he lied to Hotch, and we all know that Hotch doesn't handle liars well. Oh, hey, we were just talking about you! Talk to you later, ma'am."

Before Erin could get another word in, Penelope had hung up, and she shook her head a little as she opened up her texts and wrote a quick one to Jessica. Jessica, this is Erin. A little bird pecked at me to reach out to you, since we're both in the same boat, of sorts. I know it's late, and you won't see this until tomorrow, but I'm here for you, if you need anything. And I think that Elise would really like to see her Auntie Jess soon, too. Hopefully, I'll talk to you soon

After sending the message off, Erin plugged the phone onto the charger and put it on silent before turning the bedside light on and making herself comfortable before slipping off to sleep, trying not to worry about what was going to happen next.