"You're up early."

Penelope nodded as she stretched, letting out a little groan before yawning. "I forgot that Jayje snores when she's up too late. I know, I could have gone and slept on the sofa, but it's only one night."

Erin gave her a little smirk as she nodded. "Well, you're up in time to help me with breakfast, then. I was thinking waffles?"

"From a mix?"

"Please. You know who my partner is! David would yell at me if I took the easy way out. The dry ingredients are in the pantry, through that door."

"Okay." Penelope padded into the pantry before realizing that she didn't know what she needed to bring with her. As she looked over the shelves, she picked up regular flour, white sugar, and salt. Carrying them back into the kitchen, she set the containers on the counter before looking over at Erin. "What else do I need?"

"Baking powder, and I actually use 10x sugar over plain white sugar."

She cocked her head to one side as she stared at Erin. "I'm sorry, but what the hell is 10x sugar?"

"Powdered sugar. Have you never heard it called that before? My mom always called it that!"

"Nope. Maybe it's an East Coast thing? But I'll be right back." She picked up the sugar and brought it back with her. It didn't take long to find the correct sugar and baking powder, and then she was back at Erin's side in the kitchen. Erin had already started to put the ingredients together, and she set the other ingredients next to her before looking at the older woman expectantly.

"The waffle maker is in that cupboard," Erin said offhandedly, and Penelope nodded, squatting down to pull it out of the cupboard Erin had pointed to. After setting it on the counter near Erin, she looked for an outlet and then plugged it in so that it could warm up. "Next, start the coffee and then set the table, please."

"Of course," she replied as she stepped over to the coffee machine. Taking a look at what Erin had, she felt her eyes widen a little at the selection available. "You really do like the finer things in life," she whispered as she picked up the bag of Kona.

"I can't tempt myself with alcohol any longer, so I spend it on other vices. Coffee is just one of those sweet vices."

She could hear the purr in Erin's voice, and a part of her mind couldn't help but wonder if one of those other vices was lingerie for Rossi. Which led to her thinking about when she had first seen her friend as a thoroughly sexual being, and Penelope felt her brain short circuit a little as a bright blush heated up her cheeks. "As long as they're healthy vices, it's all good, yes?"

"That is very true," Erin said. Penelope glanced over at her, seeing that there was a knowing smirk on her lips. "You are too easy to tease, which surprises me. Were you not the woman who asked me to talk dirty to her?"

"In my defense, I thought you were Derek. That's how we've always bantered, especially on the more brutal cases. Though I am a bit disappointed that we never were able to continue our dirty talk. Do you think Rossi would be game for me chatting up his girl?"

"I think that might be a bridge too far for me. God knows that if we entice him too much, I might not walk straight for a week!"

"I often feel like that after Derek's been on a difficult case. But it's also nice to feel so loved. I just wish all the sex we had translated to my getting pregnant. I'm putting a lot of hope and faith into this yoga class," she said as she measured out the right amount of coffee before filling the well with water and starting the brew. As she set the table, Penelope listened to Erin hum under breath. It was a soothing sound, and she rubbed her lips together to try and not cry.

"Hey."

She looked over at Erin, giving her a flash of a smile. "Yeah?"

"It will work out for you at the perfect time. I was an older mother when I had my three, so I know that pull. Just, never give up hope. And so what if it takes IVF? I know that you'll make great parents."

"I was trying not to cry," she said with a watery little laugh. Erin nodded as she stepped over to her, hugging her tightly as she rubbed her back in gentle circles.

"Go, wake the others, and I'll have the waffles started by the time you get back."

Penelope bobbed her head as she pushed away from Erin and made her way upstairs. Since she had bunked with JJ, that's where she went first. Cracking the door open, she peeked her head inside, seeing that JJ was still dead to the world, snoring lightly. Tiptoeing to her side, Penelope reached out and poked her shoulder. "Jayje! Jayje!"

"Mmhmm, twenty more minutes," the woman groaned out as she turned away from Penelope and buried her face in her pillow.

"You'll miss from scratch waffles if you don't get your butt out bed, Jayje. Come on! We don't want to be late for work!"

"Fine," she bit out as she pushed the covers off her body and sat up. "You know I like my sleep."

"I do, but we don't eat until we're at the table!" Penelope gave her a small wink before heading over to the door. "And now, I get to go wake Alex. Wish me luck?"

"You'll be fine, she's usually up and dressed by the time I get up when we're out in the field."

Penelope nodded as she slipped out of the door and began to explore the other rooms, looking for where Alex had ended up, since she and Erin had gone to bed after her and JJ. The first room she came to looked like Erin's son used it, as it had a very masculine feel to it, and she didn't see Alex anywhere there. Across the hall, she found where Erin's other daughter usually was, but again, no sign of Alex. Frowning a little, she went to the end of the hall and opened the door to the master bedroom.

Stepping inside, her head turned towards the bed, and a slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips to see the older woman sprawled out on the mattress, still fast asleep, a pillow hugged tightly to her chest. As she made her way over to the bed, Penelope wondered if it had been their intention to fall asleep together. After reaching Alex's side, Penelope sat on the mattress and reached out her hand, shaking Alex's shoulder. "Wake up, princess. Erin's making us from scratch waffles, and I am starving."

Alex shifted around on the bed as her eyes blinked open to focus on Penelope's face. "Erin was supposed to wake me up when she got up to make breakfast."

"Why? Embarrassed to be found in her room? The girls and I share beds all the time!"

"That's not it, Garcia. I have a morning routine that I like to stick to, and now I don't think I can get through it. Erin and I talked ourselves to sleep, and I still feel tired."

"Well, if you need a nap, you can always sneak up to my office and curl up on my sofa. I made certain to get a comfortable one for when I'm pulling all nighters, thanks to you all."

Alex chuckled as she sat up and stretched. "I might take you up on that offer. Now, head back downstairs so that I can dress. Tell Erin I'll be down there in a bit." She nodded and leaned in, hugging the woman quickly before getting to her feet and scurrying out the door, eager to eat and then get to work so that she could start getting her plan into motion.