Penelope smoothed her skirt, smiling up at Derek as he pressed the doorbell. Erin answered the door, a warm smile on her face. "I'm so glad you could make it. Davie decided to make his grandmother's chicken parmigiana. I've really been craving that lately."
Penelope nodded excitedly, wondering if Erin could already be well on her way to winning her the bet. "Any reasons for that craving?" she teased, trying to suss out the meaning behind Erin's innocuous phrase.
Her friend laughed as she welcomed them inside, wrapping her arm around her waist as she shook her head. "No, I'm a little old for that, Penny."
"Forty nine is not beyond the realms of possibility."
Erin made a low sound of amusement as she led her into the living room. Derek peeled off to the kitchen, and she was grateful for the alone time. "So, how did your appointment go?"
"The doctor was less than optimistic." A flash of insight went off in her head. "Though she did say that it might help if I relaxed a bit. She suggested I take up yoga, but I don't want to do that alone. Do you think that you could come with me? We could even make it a girls' night thing and get Alex and Jayje to come, too."
Erin shook her head. "I am not about to wear skintight yoga pants at my age. No one needs to see this ass."
"You mean, besides Rossi," she teased, elbowing her gently, and then giggling when she nodded. "But seriously, if I found an instructor, and it would be just the four of us, or two of us depending on when they're out in the field, would you do this with me?"
They sat on the sofa and Erin clasped her hand gently. "Did the doctor say that it really would help?"
"Yes, she did. And I really want to make a fool of myself in front of friends, only."
"See, that's what I was worried about. What if I fall flat on my face?"
"Honey, I am so going to be there with you. Besides, you at least have some bit of natural grace. I just feel like a galloping hippo some days."
Erin frowned at her before hitting her lightly. "I don't want to hear that from you. You are beautiful."
"I know, but I can't help how I feel." Erin's frown deepened. "All right, if I feel like that again, I'll call you. You can tell me I'm beautiful."
"Why would she have to tell you what I tell you every day, Baby Girl?" They both turned to look at Derek and she grinned up at her lover.
"Maybe I just need to hear it from a friend, too. Ooh, did I tell you? Erin's agreed to do yoga with me! Now, I just need to get Jayje and Alex on board!"
"Hold on just one moment, Penny. I do not remember making any such agreement," Erin said, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, I thought it was a done deal," she teased, giving Erin her best doe eye impression.
"Fine," she replied with a sigh. "I will make a fool of myself every week."
"Thank you!" Penelope squealed, leaning over to pull her into a tight hug. "I'll go home tonight and research instructors. We can meet at our apartment, the living room is large enough for us all to spread out."
Erin nodded, and Penelope grinned at her. "And I suppose we'll have to go clothes shopping."
"Ooh, I didn't even think of that. You heard the woman, Boo. We have to go clothes shopping."
Derek laughed and shook his head. "You jump at any excuse to go shopping, Penelope. Now come on, supper's ready for us." They stood and Penelope wrapped her arm around Erin's waist as they went into the dining room. "So, have you heard the latest plan, Dave?"
"What are our women up to now?" he asked as he set the last plate down.
"This one is all Penny, dear. I'm going to take a yoga class with her and the other women. We're going to use it as a bonding time." She took a seat next to her lover and smiled at him. "I've already told her that I have no grace."
"I beg to differ, you are full of grace, especially when we…" His voice trailed off, and Penelope could have sworn that the look he gave his beloved would have melted steel.
"Honey, we don't talk about those things at the table. I'm not sure that Penny and Derek want to know the intimate details of our sex life." There was a dangerous edge to Erin's voice and Rossi nodded quickly. "Very good, you get to come to bed tonight."
"Was there ever a question of that?"
"Privileges can still be revoked, darling." His eyes widened, and he nodded once more, reaching out for her hand. "Derek, would you say grace?"
"Sure." They bowed their heads and he said a few quick words of blessing for the food. "So, I guess we can tell you. We're having trouble getting pregnant. Penelope wants to wait a bit before we look into extreme measures."
"If you need money, don't hesitate to ask. We certainly can't take it with us, and I know Erin wouldn't mind if I bankrolled that."
"He's right. We would help in any way we can."
Penelope smiled at Erin. "You already are. We're going to do the yoga classes together, and that will help me relax and get centered. And as long as I have you to talk to, I think I'll be fine. You're the older sister I never had!"
She began to tear up and Erin reached over and covered her hand, squeezing gently. "I'm glad that we've been able to forge this relationship. I never expected to find such a good friend. And now you have me crying. Great."
They both laughed and Penelope ran her thumb over the back of her friend's hand before letting go and digging into the pasta. When they'd finished, she turned to Erin, a wide smile spreading across her face. "I finally seem to remember that I was promised a present if I came over this evening."
A loud laugh erupted from Rossi's lips and she fixed her eyes on him. "I'm surprised it took you this long to ask, Kitten."
"Ha ha." She stood up and held out her hand to Erin. "So, present?"
"Yes, Penny." Together, they went into the living room again, and she sat down on the sofa, eagerly awaiting what Erin had bought for her. "It's not much, since I had to contend with my three children wanting to buy everything in sight, but I hope you like it."
She handed over a slim package and Penelope tore off the paper and opened the box to reveal a leopard print silk scarf. As she took a closer look at the pattern, she saw the skulls that labeled it an Alexander McQueen. "Honey, this is not little. I know how much these go for. You didn't have to spend so much on me!"
"Well, I wanted to give my friend something as dear as the friendship she's given me. Do you like it?"
"I love it. Thank you!" She leaned over and drew Erin into a tight hug, trying to blink back the tears. "I should really thank you for being my friend, too. I'm so glad that we got to you in time. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Holding back the tears was a useless endeavor, and she clung to Erin all the tighter, trying to fix this moment in her mind. After all, there wouldn't be many close hugs like this, if Erin was the one who ended up pregnant. She had to take them when they came.