At first, Erin had been glad to have a case close to home, since it meant that they would have to opportunity to see each other in the halls and the hope that they would perhaps be leaving for home on time together. That had all been thrown out the window, however, when the case had gone tits up, and she was stuck in her office with Helen as the entire building had gone on a complete lockdown. "Have you called home, to let your wife know that you're safe?" she asked, seeing the worried looks that Helen kept throwing at the clock.
"I did, yes, but she never got back to me. I'm hoping that the voicemail I left will keep her calm, and that she's just waiting for me to call her back."
"Why don't you do just that? I'd feel awful is she was just worrying about you without an update." Helen smiled as she pulled out her phone and touched the screen a few times before bringing the device to her ear. As soon as Erin heard her starting a conversation, she pulled out her own phone and quickly dialed Jessica, wanting to give her another update, and to check up on the children.
"Why are you all so insistent on throwing your lives into mortal danger?"
Erin laughed a bit at the tone Jessica was using with her. "I am not the one who did it this time, Jess. I just happen to be caught up in the cogs this time. I know that the older kids are all right, I've already spoken to them, but how are our littles doing?"
"Jack and Elise are fine, I didn't tell them much beyond that you were all stuck at work late today. Catherine, though, has been fussy all day, and nothing I do can settle her. I even tried a bottle of warm milk with a hint of lavender, since that always calms me when I can't find my peace."
"I think that she might be coming down with a little cold, because she was cranky yesterday, too. Perhaps see if she'll cuddle up with you on the sofa until one of gets home to take care of her? I wish that I could tell you more, but…"
"Your mind is focused on other things, and that makes complete sense. I wouldn't be able to think about anything other than my safety, too, if our situations were reversed. Here, hold on for a second." Erin listened as Jessica set the phone down, and then heard her talk to Catherine lowly before the sound of her voice grew louder once more. "All right, sweetheart, just curl up on my chest and listen to me and Mama talk, okay? I know that she's not here right now, but she'll be back as soon as possible."
Catherine began to babble away as Jessica put the phone on speaker, and Erin sighed a little as she curled up in her corner of the sofa, stifling a yawn. Though adrenaline was still coursing through her system, she was now finding herself exhausted from the waiting with no word from anyone outside the bullpen. "Cathy, I hope that you're being good for Aunt Jessica. I know that you're not feeling the best, and as soon as Mama's home, we'll curl up together with Papa, and try to get some more sleep, okay?"
More babbling erupted from Catherine's mouth, some words intelligible, while a lot were just gibberish, but her speech was getting much better as she neared her second birthday. "When was the last time you had an update?" Jessica asked as Catherine began to settle down a little, and Erin let out a little sigh as she glanced up at her clock, copying Helen's earlier movement.
"About three hours ago, and I am much more worried than I would like to be. I'm assuming that Aaron will stay the night, since we're going to be so late, and you're more than welcome to curl up in the guest room as soon as the children are asleep."
"I think that I will take you up on that offer, Erin. So, we have some birthdays coming up in a month. I was thinking that we could have a joint party with all three children, since Catherine is still so young?"
"You know, I don't think I've told you lately that I really love the way you think. And since Catherine is getting to the age where she's ready for a pony, I think that we can talk David into renting a few for the kids to ride at this party. That always goes over well, right?"
Jessica laughed, which set off another string of babbling from Catherine, the sound of which caused Erin to laugh as well. "I couldn't tell you, Erin, since I've never lived that particular lifestyle. Though I think that the right company will be able to handle any problems that arise. Do you think that David will get her a pony of her own?"
"I'm assuming that he will, since he bought Tabitha her own horse to ride at the stables, even though she refused lessons, and just wanted something to ride around on. I think that will be her gift this year, since he's been acting a little shifty around me again, same as when he bought Elise's new horse."
"He does act guilty when he thinks that he's doing something that you won't approve of, doesn't he?"
"You picked up on that?" she answered teasingly, and Jessica giggled. "I love that man with all of my heart and soul, but there are times when I have to wonder what he would do if I gave him free reign to spoil our children. He's already talking about which colleges Karen should go to, and that she should apply to her dream schools, since he'll make it work for her, if she gets in."
"Spoken like a man who loves his children."
"He does, just as much as he loves me. I am so blessed to have him in my life, Jess. Just like I'm glad that you have Celia, because I can see how happy that she makes you. When are you asking her to marry you?"
There was a short pause, and Erin quietly sucked in a deep breath, hoping that she hadn't accidentally stumbled into a painful subject for Jessica. "I probably should have told you, but I took a page from yours and Aaron's book and kept it to myself. While I still love Celia, she felt like I put you and Aaron first too much. And I know, you told me that you would be fine with finding someone else to watch your children, but there's still Jack, and I just couldn't do that to him and Elise. Besides, I think that if you can't put family, those people you love and who love you back no matter what your scars are, first, then there isn't really a point to continuing a relationship."
"As soon as we're home from this nightmare, I am going to hug you, and then we are going to talk ourselves to sleep on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Because a nice roaring fire can help soothe a hurting heart. I don't quite know why that is, but I've found that true for myself many times."
"Now who's speaking the way I love?" Jessica softly said before cooing at Catherine. "All right, I probably should let you go, even though I'd love to speak with you more. I just, I think I need a little time to get my heart in order to talk with you later on tonight, in depth?"
"I completely understand, Jessica. Just know that we love you, I love you, and want you to be happy. And we will talk soon." She disconnected the call before Erin could say goodbye, and she rolled her eyes a little as she tossed the phone onto the coffee table before toeing off her shoes and curling up in her corner of the sofa, allowing herself to fall asleep, feeling like it was going to be a long time before she was able to go home with her fiancé.
