Magical Movie Marathon

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin had been putting off the Harry Potter movie marathon for a while. Things at the bakery had gotten somewhat chaotic with the weather warming. It seemed everyone was having a baby shower or wedding shower or actually getting married and Cora had needed Erin to stay and help out more than usual, meaning that by the time she could host a movie night she was too exhausted to really consider it. So the date kept getting pushed back. Molly was growing frustrated, having been excited at the idea of Cal coming over and hanging out again. Truth was, even though things had been busy, Erin was putting it off intentionally, too. It felt weird being close to him for some reason. Maybe because deep down she sort of liked his company and didn't like admitting that simple truth to herself. Having a male friend was risky, especially considering how close Molly was growing to him. Not that she necessarily wanted to discourage their friendship, but she needed to look out for Molly's best interests. Problem was she didn't necessarily know what was actually in her best interest.

"Can I make the popcorn yet?" Molly asked, folding her arms under her chine as she leaned on the window overpass between the kitchen and the small dining area. "Did you finish cleaning your room?" Molly rolled her eyes. "It's clean enough. Cal's not going in my room anyway." She insisted. Erin pursed her lips and shook her head, giving Molly a firm look. "You're not cleaning it for Cal, you're cleaning it because I asked you to. Put all the laundry in the basket, pick up your books, make.." "Make the bed, put your toys away and run the vacuum, I know I know." "Then do it." Molly wrinkled her nose and frowned at her mother who shot the same look right back. "Go on, before he gets here. You don't want to miss the beginning of the movie because you're stuck cleaning." The girls eyes widened and she opened her mouth to protest but Erin held up her finger. "Yes, I will start it without you. Go." Molly groaned audibly and sulked back towards her room. Erin stayed in the kitchen, nervous that maybe the house wasn't clean enough. Cal had been over twice, neither times planned, but the house was usually tidy anyway. Still, when she was expecting company, even someone who had been there when it wasn't at its cleanest, she liked to make a good impression. It was simply how she was raised.

She had made sure there was a sufficient amount of snacks available, though they were making pizza, and even talked Cora into making some of the Harry Potter desserts for the occasion. Cora had been teasing her relentlessly about the movie marathon since she'd found out about it. Nothing terrible, really, but it was relentless none the less. It wasn't a date, no matter what way Cora tried to twist it. Fortunately she kept her comments to herself when Molly was around. It was one thing to tease Erin, but it was another to plant that bug in Molly's mind. She didn't need the kid thinking there was actually something going on between she and Cal, because there most certainly was not. Not according to her, anyway, and she had a feeling Cal would say the same. She bought cans of soda special for the occasion, root beer, something she didn't usually keep in the house, and aside from the popcorn there were fresh veggies and fruit cut up to snack on.

Erin heard Molly pulling the vacuum out of the hall closet and over to her room, smiling to herself as she brought the vegetables into the other room. Soon, the hum of the vacuum filled the east side of the apartment, and a knock on the door told her that Cal had arrived. Her stomach twisted slightly when she realized he was there and she smoothed her blouse out before answering the door, tucking her hair behind her ears as she smiled a greeting. "You're a little early." She teased gently, smiling at his comment as she pulled the door open for him, hiding partially behind it as he stepped inside the apartment that smelled vaguely of patchouli from a candle that had been burning. "Molly's just finishing cleaning her room up. Does anything need to go into the fridge? Or.. did you want to start that soon? I don't know how long this Boston pizza actually takes." No sooner had he started talking about the pizza, Molly came bounding down the hall. "Cal!" Her smile was wide and she beamed up at the man. "Are you ready for the movie? Mom's making me clean my room first." She shot Erin a semi dirty look before grinning back at Cal. "But then we can make pizza and popcorn, and Cora made pumpkin pastels for us!" "Pumpkin pasties." Molly giggled and nodded. "Yeah, those. And Cauldron cakes! I don't even know what those are! She seemed excited about the fact that she was clueless, still practically bouncing. "Which you can have after pizza, and after you finish cleaning. Go on, scoot. You can't have that much more to do." Molly groaned again but then smiled at Cal. "I'll be, like, five minutes, tops. Don't start the pizza without me! Okay?" He swore he wouldn't dream of it and Erin giggled softly as Molly darted back to her room. "Maybe I should invite you over every time I want her room cleaned up." She teased, grinning at Cal before leaning over and peaking in the bag. "What all did you bring?"

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal was both nervous and excited at having received an invitation to join Molly and Erin for a Harry Potter movie marathon. Yes, he was happy to have more time with both of them, something he was still surprised to think. Molly had always been a delight. Her mother, on the other hand, was making a surprising turnaround in the last several months. For so long he couldn’t stand the woman, finding her stuck up and a symbol of all the girls he’d hated in high school because of their privilege. Now the real Erin was beginning to shine through. True, she was still a bit of a snob, but she had other more endearing flaws and redeeming qualities that far outshone the negative. She was a perfectionist, right down to her perfect styled, thick, chocolate locks, yet she could only manage to cook simple things. Her reservation wasn’t a sign of her privileged attitude but rather a guarded shyness to cover a lonely heart. She loved her daughter more than life itself and would work her fingers to the bone if it meant a brighter future for Molly. And Cal found that she was quite the bookworm, something he hadn’t been until more recent years. It showed that perhaps she was more of a dreamer than he initially thought. Hell, she was a Yale drop-out and she defied her parents’ wishes, rebelling against every conceited idea they’d had for her, from what he’d gathered. It was jarring to know that there were people in the world who could still surprise him—enough that now he couldn’t think of anything else when his mind wasn’t focused on work. He was getting sucked in by Erin like he’d never experienced before and it was a mildly terrifying experience. How could he get her to feel the same?

He was still baffled by that thought as he made his way to the O’Briens’ door. Being himself didn’t really seem like an option, but then the last time he’d been in the apartment, he’d been more himself than he could ever remember being in front of Erin and she had invited him over for a movie night. It was that soft underbelly that he needed to dare to show in order to work his way up into Erin’s good graces. For his entire thirty-eight years he’d insisted on guarding that underbelly, refusing to roll on his back for no one. He always needed to have that upper hand, to show no weakness, though he mostly let that guard down around his family. Erin appeared to be the same way and perhaps even more stubborn than he was. Tessie had always encouraged him to be a gentleman and he knew the gentlemanly thing to do would be to cave first and finally show his soft side. If it worked once, he could make it work again. He tried to tell himself that he wouldn’t be upset if tonight didn’t work out, but he couldn’t deny he would be disappointed. Would that stop him from helping Erin out and making sure her and Molly were safe? No. But it might make things awkward for a while. He just hoped it wouldn’t end so poorly. Clearing his throat, Cal finally reached the right door and knocked over the faint sound of a vacuum whirring inside the apartment.

Erin answered the door and Cal gave a kind, somewhat nervous smile as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “You’re a little early.” Cal nodded, with a widening smile. “Yeah, I’m really looking forward to catching that worm.” Erin smiled and his own spread with relief. She pulled the door open and he nodded gently, walking inside with his bags in tow. It smelled nice and the white apartment was clean as could be, the vacuum in the background the only indication that the house wasn’t clear from top to bottom. He felt the need to slip out of his shoes, but didn’t know if that would be making himself too comfortable. They were dark brown work boots, well worn though not necessarily dirty. He just didn’t know Erin’s rules on that. Even his black button down, short-sleeved shirt seemed in contrast to the bright home. It was cozy, though. "Molly's just finishing cleaning her room up. Does anything need to go into the fridge? Or…did you want to start that soon? I don't know how long this Boston pizza actually takes." He grinned at her and was about to say how long it took when there was a sound of small feet bounding down the hall. Turning, he saw Molly’s pretty little smiling figure racing for him. “Cal! Are you ready for the movie? Mom’s making me clean my room first.”[/i] Cal saw the mildly dirty look she shot Erin and he raised his eyebrows. One look like that at his sister growing up and he would have gotten a smack on the mouth! “But then we can make pizza and popcorn, and Cora made pumpkin pastels for us!” “Pumpkin pasties.” “Yeah, those. And cauldron cakes! I don’t even know what those are!”[/i] Cal had to genuinely laugh at how incredibly excited Molly was for treats she didn’t even know. She was such a funny kid. “Which you can have after pizza, and after you finish cleaning. Go on, scoot. You can’t have that much more to do.” The girl groaned and he almost interjected that she better do what her mom told her to do when she grinned back at him. “I’ll be, like, five minutes, tops. Don’t start the pizza without me! Okay?”[/i] He shook his head gently. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” The girl seemed satisfied with that answer and she took off once again down the hall.

“Maybe I should invite you every time I want her room cleaned up.” He grinned, but it faded somewhat when she suddenly leaned over to look into the bag he was holding. “What all did you bring?” She was really close right now. He swallowed hard before, lifting the bag so she could see into it better. He looked in too, needing to focus on something other than how close her face was. “All the ingredients we’ll need for Boston pizza. We’re going to make our own dough and everything. For toppings I got a little bit of everything. Pepperoni, bacon, green pepper, onion, olives, tomato, oregano, and some crushed red pepper for a kick. Not that we have to put all of that on, but it gives a variety.” She looked up at him with those big brown eyes and a smile, commenting on how unlike him this all seemed. It was also very unlike him to get so flustered at having a pretty woman’s face so close to his, but he played it off with a half smile. “I’m full of surprises.” And so were her eyes. How come he’d never noticed how deep they were? Turning away, he moved into the kitchen to escape drowning in those big brown vortexes, lifting his heavy bag onto the counter. “Might as well unpack while the kid is cleaning.” He smiled at Erin, looking over at her as he reached into the bag to start unloading it. “I assume you have a cutting board and a knife.” She gave a smart remark and he grinned, focusing on his unpacking while she dug those utensils out for him. “Oh, and a bowl for making the dough.” He looked over his shoulder at her and he playfully snapped his fingers. “Come on, make it snappy!” The look she gave him made a grin spread practically from ear to ear. There was something so gratifying about messing with Erin O’Brien.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Cal lifted the bag some so she could peek into it better, surprised he let her instead of pulling it away. That seemed like something Cal would do. “All the ingredients we’ll need for Boston pizza. We’re going to make our own dough and everything." She looked up and cocked a brow. Making their own dough? Might be a while before they were eating if that was the case. "For toppings I got a little bit of everything. Pepperoni, bacon, green pepper, onion, olives, tomato, oregano, and some crushed red pepper for a kick. Not that we have to put all of that on, but it gives a variety.” She smiled a little, liking the sound of all of those toppings. She knew Molly would immediately veto the peppers and onions, but she thought they sounded like the best part! "I didn't realize you were such a topping connoisseur." She teased, receiving a grin in return. "I’m full of surprises.” So he was. Having him there got her both excited and nervous. It broke up their routine some, both hers and Molly's and hers and Cal's. She told herself this was a good thing, though. Molly needed this. She needed someone to look up to, someone who would do cool things like make pizza with her. Not that Erin didn't cook with her, and lord knew she baked plenty with she and Cora over at the bakery, but this was different. Much, much different.

Cal pulled away and went into the kitchen, lifting the bag onto the counter. Erin came in, leaning on the counter near him and watching as he unpacked his bags. “Might as well unpack while the kid is cleaning.” She nodded, "Good idea, because the second she's finished in there she's going to expect to start since I made her waste so much time with doing the chore I told her to do three hours ago." She chuckled softly, eyeing the veggies as he placed them on the counter. “I assume you have a cutting board and a knife.” Seriously? "What are those?" She remarked coyly before pushing off the counter and moving towards a drawer. "Yes. I have all the proper tools a kitchen should have." She shot back pulling out a large bamboo cutting board and knife, sliding them next to Cal. “Oh, and a bowl for making the dough.” She sniffed at him, muttering a soft "Bossy.." under her breath loud enough for him to make out, if not barely. He suddenly snapped his fingers at her, causing her to look up and raise a brow. “Come on, make it snappy!” If looks could kill.. "Watch it, buster." She warned, her voice serious though it was obvious she wasn't really angry. "Or you're in time out." His grin seemed to grow with her comment and she pulled her eyes away to fetch a lime colored bowl from one of the cabinets. Erin slipped it beside Cal and then leaned back on the counter, this time on his other side, slightly fascinated by the way he was getting everything ready. It struck her as odd seeing a man cooking. In all her years she wasn't sure she had ever seen a man cook in person.

"Okay, I'm done!" Molly seemed to appear out of thin air, ready to begin cooking with Cal. "Did you put the vacuum away?" Erin asked and Molly looked back it her with a smug face. "Yes I did." she answered almost indignantly. Erin's eyes narrowed at her child. "Don't take that tone, missy." Erin preferred Molly before her hormones had started kicking in. She was a good kid, and always had been, but had become lippy lately. In the past she had been on best behavior for Cal, but his constant presence had made her comfortable enough in his company to show her true colors from time to time. "Sorry." She grumbled softly knowing better than to argue with her mother while Cal was there, and having the decency to apologize to smooth the situation over before it could progress. At least she had Erin's smarts. "Can we start yet?" She practically whiner and Erin stood, raising her hands and backing away. "Don't ask me, ask the captain chef here." It felt strangely natural to be playful with him there, and for the first time she got a real glimpse of what her life could have been like if she'd waited for a spouse to have children. Molly's eyes were lit up with excitement as she looked up at Cal who informed Molly they could begin. Erin took a step back letting the pair do their thing, watching as she often did though this time with a different purpose. This time Erin was watching because the interaction was endearing and warmed her heart, and not because she needed to make sure Cal could behave himself. He'd proven time and time again that he wouldn't hurt Molly, and she believed him. At least not intentionally. Besides, she had sheltered Molly long enough. It was time for them both to have a little fun and let someone else into their lives.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“Watch it, buster. Or you’re in time out.” Cal grinned from ear to ear, almost challenging Erin to put him in time out. When she turned away he did the same and continued removing all of the toppings from his bag and placing them on the counter. He looked over as a lime green bowl appeared next to him and he glanced up at Erin’s face before giving a small smile. “Thanks.” She leaned against the counter, watching his hands and Cal forced himself to do the same. It was hard to look away from her when she was so close to him. One after another the ingredients rustled from the bag before Molly’s voice broke through the temporary silence. “Okay, I’m done!” Cal looked up to see the girl almost bounding into the kitchen. A brief exchange about putting up the vacuum ensued and Cal rose his eyebrows as he looked between the two women. He was mostly surprised by the tone Molly dared to take with her mom, the smug smile on her face. One reproach from Erin and the girl lowered her head somewhat, grumbling a soft apology. The girl’s hazel eyes met his and he gave an approving nod. She didn’t seem bitter with her apology in an instant.

“Can we start yet?” Erin stood, raising her hands and backing away. “Don’t ask me, ask captain chef here.” Cal smiled and then looked back at Molly. “I guess we can start.” She gasped excitedly and basically skipped up beside him, clapping her hands. He laughed before sliding the cutting board over in front of him, taking the knife in his hand. “Well, first we have to make the sauce. Can you grab a pot?” Molly quickly grabbed a pot from a cabinet and set it beside him while he cracked open a jar of tomato sauce. He dumped it into the pot and then grabbed his standard seasonings—fresh basil, dried oregano and garlic powder. Letting Molly pull apart the basil leaves, he added the oregano and garlic powder to the mix. She carefully dropped them into the pot as if she was a witch making a brew. Cal had to grin at that, a grin he got in return. “And now we heat it up just a little bit. It’ll help the flavors come together.” His eyes fell on Erin who was standing off to the side and watching them. For a brief moment he could see warmth in her smile that he’d never seen before. How had he made her smile like that? It was gone though as she looked at him curiously. “Think you could put this on low heat and preheat the oven to four hundred?” Erin confirmed that she could and he passed the pot to her. It felt so natural to be cooking with these two ladies like this. It was as if he belonged here.

Secretly relishing the feeling of belonging, he proceeded to putting the dough together with Molly. She loved kneading it beneath her small hands, giggling at how squishy it was. With her hands so preoccupied, he took the opportunity to draw whiskers on her sun-darkened cheeks and a circle on her nose in flour. Molly shrunk away from his finger on her nose, huffing to keep the flour out of her nostrils, but she was laughing all the while. When he threatened Erin with the same trick, she backed away from him with an insistent but amused, “No!” He laughed, taking up the rolling pin and slathering it in flour. Plopping the dough on the floured counter, he explained that the dough would stick to the wood of the rolling pin and the surface of the counter if there wasn’t flour to prevent it from doing so. Molly nodded, watching as he rolled the dough out with quick, rough strokes. When small fingers raked down his cheek, he knew Molly had gotten him back with the flour. He let out a heavy sigh as Molly and Erin laughed it up—he’d asked for that. “I don’t even care. I think it makes me look like a warrior.” He gave a tough guy grimace to Molly, flexing his muscled arms and raising one perfectly arched eyebrow as if to ask her opinion of his warrior stance. She just laughed in return. “You look like the Hulk!” He had to grin at that one before turning back to the dough. “Wanna see my special technique?” Molly giggled. “What is it?” “This.” Taking up the dough, he tossed it spinning into the air and caught it as it descended, avoiding the ceiling by inches. He did it again, stretching the dough out further. Molly seemed fascinated. “You’ll get it stuck to the ceiling!” “No I won’t! Besides, your mom would kill me if I did.” When they both looked back, she gave a nod of confirmation. He noticed she had taken the sauce off the stove without his asking her too, further affirming that they were all meant to do this together. Erin had more instinct in the kitchen than she gave herself credit for.

At least, he thought that until they began cutting up the vegetables. With the dough rolled out on the pan and the sauce waiting to be slathered onto the pizza, he allowed Molly to do the honors of saucing the dough. She was very careful and precise with her movements, apparently wanting to do it in a perfect circle around the outside of the pizza, working her way in. Meanwhile, Cal and Erin began to cut up the pepper and tomato. He took the pepper, but watching Erin butchering the tomato with uneven, uncertain cuts, he had to intervene. “Okay, you’re destroying that beautiful tomato. Let me help.” Without thinking, he came behind her, his hands resting on hers to guide her. “Hold the tomato here. You’re not going to cut yourself. Then just slice the knife straight down. Like this.” He positioned her hand and the knife at the soft flesh of the tomato, cleanly and smoothly pushing the knife down to the cutting board. “Put your weight on top of your hand. That makes it a lot easier and cleaner. There you go.” Erin was doing as he instructed with ease, but the way she said thank you in a nervous sort of voice, he realized what he was doing. Red crept up from the collar of his shirt and he released her hands quickly. When she looked back at him, he forced the blush to move to his ears instead of his cheeks. “No problem.” He glanced at Molly who suddenly jumped back to spreading the sauce on the dough. Apparently she too had been distracted by Cal’s spur of the moment hands on instruction.

Clearing his throat, he went back to cutting his pepper, doing so quickly and avoiding Erin’s gaze. “How’s that sauce coming along, Molls?” He looked up at her, hoping the sight of her face would sober him up from his jitters somewhat. Instead she just smiled knowingly at him, obviously trying not to giggle. “Just fine!” she chirped. The happy way she said it made him suspicious and he gave her a playfully suspicious look in return. She simply shrugged her shoulders as if she had no idea what he was glaring at her for, grinning like the cat that ate the bird. When Erin and Cal had finished the tomato and pepper, he grabbed the onion. “No onions!” Cal gave Molly an incredulous look. “Excuse me, miss. This pizza isn’t just for you. We can put onions on half.” She wrinkled her nose. “But they stink.” Cal began cutting and shrugged. “So do your mom’s feet. You don’t hear me complaining.” Molly gasped in shock even as a vastly amused smile appeared on her face, initially holding in her laughter as Erin turned shocked and offended eyes on Cal. At first he returned the shocked look, but dropped the knife on the counter and laughed loudly as Erin punched him in the arm. Molly joined in the raucous laughter as Cal shrunk away from her mom in defeat. “I’m sorry! I couldn’t resist!” he defended through his laughing. Erin would get him back, he was sure of it. This was more fun than he’d had in a very long time.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“I guess we can start.” Molly was thrilled, and truth be told, Erin was pleased to see the little girl so excited. Moments like this warmed her heart, watching how animated Molly got about things she herself took for granted, showing her innocence and reminding Erin that she was still just a little girl. In the past few months she had seen more and more of those pesky adolescent behaviors popping up, like attitudes and overall defiance. It was endearing to see her acting like a girl for Cal. Cal brought a side of Molly out that she didn't often get to see anymore, so she decided to enjoy this. Erin moved to the side, watching Molly obediently follow orders from Cal on how to make the sauce. When he gave her the task of heating it and turning the oven on, she brought the pot to the stove and flicked the fire beneath it to life before turning the oven on. She found it interesting how natural it all felt having this third wheel there to shoulder the burden of cooking. Then again, this wasn't normal day to day cooking. This was fun. This was practically arts and crafts as far as Molly was concerned.

The two played around with the dough, Molly squishing it and kneading it while Cal messed with the flour. Erin smiled as she watched until he turned those white fingers in her direction. "No!" She snapped, backing away from him. She wasn't about to get involved in the mess making! "Don't even think about it." She warned. With a laugh, Cal went on his way flouring the rolling pin and getting the dough ready for pizza. Molly noticed his vulnerability and took the opportunity to retaliate with the flour, much to her amusement. "I don’t even care." Call proclaimed. "I think it makes me look like a warrior.” He flexed his muscles at Molly who was more than tickled by this, but received nothing short of a heavy eye roll from Erin. He was such a... well, a boy!

Cal played around a bit more, showing off his pizza making skills by throwing the dough in the air like a real pizzeria owner, amazing Molly and impressing Erin to some degree. She tried not to let it show of course, knowing Cal had a big enough head as it was. “You’ll get it stuck to the ceiling!” “No I won’t! Besides, your mom would kill me if I did.” Two sets of eyes landed on her and she gave an exaggerated nod, showing what he said was most certainly the truth. When the two went back to working with the dough, Erin tended to the sauce. Seeing it was bubbling and starting to splatter the lid, she turned the heat off and moved the sauce to a cooler burner. She then went ahead and busied herself with slicing the vegetables for the toppings.

“Okay, you’re destroying that beautiful tomato. Let me help.” Erin looked up at Cal just as he was moving behind her, her body tensing slightly. True, the tomato wasn't looking so hot under her knife skills, but it wasn't that bad! Was it? His arms came around her, his hands resting on top of hers. Was this happening? Erin was so busy focusing on what Cal was doing that she barely heard his instruction at all. "...just slice the knife straight down. Like this.” The first half of his sentence was in one ear and out the other, his hand moving hers to different places on the vegetable and on the knife. It was both awkward and not at the same time and it left her feeling a little confused. No one touched her this way. Ever. “Put your weight on top of your hand. That makes it a lot easier and cleaner. There you go.” She followed his instruction since she had little other choice, and realized her heart was pounding in her chest. This was surreal. "Thank you.." She squeaked shyly before clearing her throat. Cal almost instantly let go, probably realizing her discomfort, and backed away. Her cheeks were pink as he muttered a soft “No problem.”, her eyes trained on the tomatoes she was cutting as he took his place beside her. What was happening!?

Cal asked Molly about the sauce, and the woman chanced a glance at the man beside her cutting vegetables, her head turning only slightly to watch him. She had to admit it wasn't bad that he'd done that.. it was just unlike him. And honestly, unlike her to allow someone to do that. She knew then that Cora was right; Cal liked her. And as much as she wanted to admit the feeling wasn't mutual, it kind of was. She liked the way he was with Molly, liked how natural it felt with him there, even if she was uncomfortable with it. Her discomfort wasn't with him, but rather the break in her routine and she was slowly beginning to realize this. It was in that moment, watching him focus on the vegetables, that she realized maybe, just maybe, Cal was what they both needed. She had a no dating rule, and that was for Molly's sake, but...

NO! Her brows furrowed and she blushed again, looking down at what she was doing, which was mutilating the tomato again. She swallowed and placed the knife down, biting her bottom lip. It wasn't an option. Besides, Cal probably didn't really like her. She was getting ahead of herself. He was so much older and he wouldn't want to complicate his life with having Molly all the time, and.. “No onions!” She was stunned out of her little reverie, looking over at Molly as she insisted, as usual, that the meal not contain onions. “Excuse me, miss. This pizza isn’t just for you. We can put onions on half.” “But they stink.” “So do your mom’s feet. You don’t hear me complaining.” Erin's jaw dropped and she gave him a shocked, dirty look before glowering at him, her arm pulling back before her fist came forward and made contact with his arm, Molly giggling uncontrollably. "My feet do not stink, thank you very much!" She snapped. He claimed he couldn't resist and she sniffed at him. "A likely story." She growled before Molly leaned in towards Cal. "They do stink a little.." "Molly!" She gasped, the girl shrieking with laughter and hiding behind Cal in case she got a well deserved smack too. "Okay, I see how it is. You two are just going to gang up on me all night, huh?" She narrowed her eyes at them both before pointing an accusing finger. "I don't have to take this abuse. I'm going to go set up the couch." She stuck her tongue out playfully before moving to the living room, opening a little trunk to the side and pulling out some throw blankets. The apartment wasn't chilly, but Erin like cozying up under a blanket while watching a movie. She set them up on the couch and pushed the large ottoman flush against the couch so they could recline a little. Then she retrieved some of the candy she had hidden for the evening and set it out.

"You knuckleheads almost done in there?" She called out as she got the movie loaded into the Blu Ray player.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“My feet do not stink, thank you very much!” The she growled in response to his inability to resist. Cal could tell he’d ruffled her feathers, but he knew this was something Erin would get over quickly. He was only joking after all. At least Molly thought it was as funny as he did. The girl leaned in toward him and he listened carefully. “They do stink a little…” “Molly!” The girl went into a laughing fit and Cal was laughing pretty heartily himself. Maybe he should have felt a little worse having started this abuse, but it was all in good fun…and it was hilarious. Molly scampered behind him for protection and Cal stood his ground before her unhappy mom. “Okay, I see how it is. You two are just going to gang up on me all night, huh?” Cal was trying to bite back his smile at Erin’s cute glowering, her finger pointing accusingly at them. “I don’t have to take this abuse. I’m going to go set up the couch.” She stuck her tongue out playfully and Cal chuckled, watching that well-shaped butt march itself out of the kitchen. He looked down at his partner in crime and gave her an exaggerated face that said, “Oops…” But then he immediately put his hand up and got an enthusiastic high five in return, making him grin. “Alright, let’s finish this pizza.”

Molly sidled up next to him again and finished spreading on the sauce while he finished cutting toppings. They sprinkled a hefty helping of cheese, Cal instructing Molly to make sure it was sprinkled on evenly. She took to putting on pepperoni while he sprinkled on the bacon he’d already prepared at his house before coming over this evening. Together they circled the pizza with tomatoes and black olive slices and he added the green pepper and onion pieces to one half once Molly made it clear she wouldn’t eat those bits. “You’re missing out, little girl,” he teased, popping a piece of pepper in his mouth. Molly stuck her tongue out. “No I’m not. That’s gross.” Cal’s eyes rolled up as he shook his head, savoring it and humming a soft, “Mmmmm…” Molly giggled and shrank away from him with a wrinkled up nose. She went to pick a piece of bacon off the pizza and he playfully tapped her hand. “Uh-uh! Only adults get to pick.” “But that’s not fair!” “Such is life, kiddo.” Molly playfully pouted before insisting she be allowed to sprinkle on the oregano. He took up the crushed red pepper and carefully shook a small amount onto the pizza, afraid to put too much on. Molly almost put on too much oregano and he had to put his hand beneath the shaker to make sure she wouldn’t. “That’s enough, grasshopper.” Molly giggled, letting him take the shaker. “Grasshopper? What’s that mean?” He looked shocked. “You’ve never seen Karate Kid?” She shook her head slowly and he sighed, picking up the pizza on its tray and getting it into the oven. “Your mom and I need to have a talk about how much she’s deprived you of.”

"You knuckleheads almost done in there?" He shut the heavy oven door, sealing the heat inside. “Yes, your highness.” Molly gave him a suspicious grin when he referred to her mom that way and he gave her a curious look. What was that incredibly smug look for? “Just need to clean up.” He recruited the munchkin to help him clear the counters of their mess and he quickly wiped them down with a paper towel while Molly washed her hands. He followed suit and was soon in the living room with the ladies, greeted by the sight of junk food sprawled across the table. This was like being back in Boston and having movie nights with his nieces and nephews. For the first time in a long time, he almost felt like he was home. Molly jumped onto the couch, quickly making herself comfortable beneath a microfiber blanket. Erin went to take a seat beside her, but Molly stopped. “No! Cal should be in the middle!” That caught both adults by surprise and they exchange a brief, uncertain look. He shook his head. “Come on Molly, I’m the guest. Your mom—“ Can sit where she wants was what he was going to say, but Molly cut in. “Exactly! That means you’re the center of attention! Come on, sit in the middle!” She was smiling so sweetly that it made Cal suspicious. He told her so with a narrowed eyed look, but he slowly got closer to the couch. “As long as it’s okay with your mom.” He looked at Erin and saw she was hesitant too, but she agreed to the terms.

They got comfortable on the couch and started the movie. Soon the apartment was filling with the smell of cooking pizza while they watched Harry being bombarded with letter after letter and never being able to read a single one. When the island came into view, Molly snuggled into him, pushing his arm up so it would go around her shoulders. It felt nice having a little girl snuggling into him again, but it was quickly becoming apparent to Cal why Molly wanted him to be close to her mother. A girl without a dad will look for a father figure wherever she can. He wanted to be that to her, but he supposed they both knew that was dependent on how much Erin would let him fill that role. Molly had reasoned the only way to get what she wanted would be to have Cal and her mom date. Of course he wanted that, but he knew how reluctant Erin was. Maybe…maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to try and hint at what he wanted as the night went on. Nothing untoward, but before long his free arm was stretching along the back of the couch behind Erin. He played it off as getting comfortable, but he could sense Erin tensing. Maybe as the movie went on, she would ease into it. The pizza wasn’t far from being done, but at least he could enjoy this brief experiment while it lasted.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Yes, your highness.” Erin rolled her eyes and shook her head. She was just going to have to deal with his comments all night. There was a time she had hated them, and then a time when she had tolerated them. Now, to some degree, she sort of liked them. It didn't make them any less obnoxious, but she didn't feel as irked as she once did. Maybe she was just learning to accept it. Maybe she was just learning to accept him. “Just need to clean up.” Her brows raised in surprise as she looked in the direction of Cal and Molly. He was even cleaning up! She supposed he wanted to be invited back. A part of her wanted to insist she would do the cleaning, knowing he would put something away wrong or not tidy the way she liked it, but Erin was trying to work on that. Molly had been doing more cleaning, and though she did know where things went, she wasn't the best at tidying up. Erin had to keep herself from nit picking too much, otherwise Molly would never really learn. No one liked to be micromanaged. Erin had been micromanaged and now she was a perfectionist. She hated for Molly to be the same; it wasn't always a blessing.

Finally the pair was done, just as Erin herself finished setting up the snacks. Molly came bounding in and took her place on the couch and Erin grabbed a blanket for herself and was about to sit down when the girl hollered sharply at her. "No!" Her brows raised in surprise more than annoyance, not used to Molly taking such a firm tone with her. What the heck had gotten into this kid?! "Cal should be in the middle!” Her lips parted and her eyes widened a little. What the heck was she doing? “Come on Molly, I’m the guest. Your mom—“ “Exactly! That means you’re the center of attention! Come on, sit in the middle!” Erin's lips pursed suddenly. Molly might look innocent but she saw through that facade. She was going to have to have a serious talk with Molly tomorrow about pushing Cal and her closer together. They were just friends, plain and simple, and it was great that Molly wanted him in her life more, but she didn't get to dictate her relationship with the man. “As long as it’s okay with your mom.” She at least saw that Cal was as uncertain about this as she was. Did they play along for the girls sake? It was a nice evening and neither of them probably wanted to risk Molly getting huffy. Of course that wasn't an excuse to play by her rules, but for now she would go along with it to keep the peace.

Erin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright." She said gently, letting Cal take his place as she settled on the other end of the couch. After everyone was settled in, feet up and snacks in hands, they started the film. The music made her stomach squirm with familiarity, like she was about to see an old friend she loved dearly. It was a magical feeling, and she soon let her mind ease into the story. The apartment quickly began to fill with the smell of dough and cheese and her stomach ached for something more solid than candy. Fifteen minutes in or so, Molly began shifting and Erin let her eyes fall on her daughter who had snuggled up close to Cal. It should have made her happy to see, but instead she felt dread. Molly was becoming too attached to Cal, and she was setting herself up for disappointment. This was exactly what Erin had tried to prevent all these years by keeping a boyfriend from her life, but somehow just being friends with a man was risk enough. It made her sad, knowing in a way she had deprived Molly of this one important part of her life. She wasn't enough parent for her; she needed a dad. No. She wanted a dad, and she had chosen Cal. Cal, on the other hand, seemed to be eating it up. He liked the attention, and after talking to him about his personal life she understood why. She couldn't fault him for it, and she trusted he would never intentionally hurt Molly, but he was setting her up to do just that. What happened when Molly realized they wouldn't be together after all?

Her mind had wandered from the film though her eyes remained glued to the set. It was Cal's arm creeping over the back of the couch that gave her pause, her body tensing slightly. What was he doing? She didn't have to think about it too long as the timer went off. "Pizza's done!" Molly chirped excitedly, and Erin paused the movie so they could go get it. Cal offered to grab the pizza and Molly went to help until Erin stopped her. "Wait a second Molly." Cal looked over at them and Erin nodded to the kitchen, silently asking for privacy. Molly looked between the two adults and then sighed as she sat back down on the couch. "I know what you're trying to do." Erin warned softly, but Molly played coy, giving an innocent look, her head tilting to the side. "What are you talking about?" Her voice was candy coated, a sign that she knew exactly what she was doing. "You know what I'm talking about. Cal is our guest. He is our friend. Got it? Just a friend." She spelled each word out clearly, her voice soft enough that Cal wouldn't overhear from the other room. Molly pouted, the disappointment obvious all over her face. Her eyes narrowed. "Don't look at me that way, go help Cal get the pizza." The girl was obviously sulking as she got up, her shoulders slumped as she made her way to the kitchen. She would need to apologize to Cal later for Molly's assumptions that this was maybe more.

The two puttered around in the kitchen, Molly picking out which slice she wanted and carrying on about the onions and peppers seeping onto her side of the pizza. Finally the pair made their way back to the living room, Cal bringing Erin a plate with a couple of slices. "Thanks." She told him thoughtfully as he handed the food to her, heeding his warning that the cheese was still molten lava hot. "Press play!" Molly insisted excitedly as she placed her plate on her lap, her long thin legs curled up beneath her lanky preteen body. Erin smiled, unable to stay really upset with the kid, and pressed play with a little "Alright, alright bossy butt." Hopefully the kid would stop making things difficult for herself.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Too soon, the timer went off on the stove. Cal wished he had more time to enjoy this time on the couch with Molly snuggled into him and Erin warm if not a little tense at his other side. With a heavy sigh, he unwrapped himself from around both ladies. “I’ll get it,” he offered, sliding from his comfy spot and rising to his feet. “I’ll help!” Molly was already getting to her feet when Erin stopped her. “Wait a second Molly.” Cal turned to look curiously at the girls, but when he saw Erin nod to the kitchen, he got the point. She needed a minute with Molly. He could understand and made his way to the kitchen, knowing exactly what was going on in the other room. Erin didn’t want Molly to get her hopes up about there ever being a “them.” Cal couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed as he switched off the timer and pulled the pizza from the oven. Even the lovely smell of fresh pizza couldn’t pull him from his worries that he was getting his own hopes up. He wanted to be more than friends with Erin. Crazy as it was, he found her neuroses frustrating and oddly charming. Not to mention she was beautiful—he’d always had a thing for women with big eyes. But her insistence on not getting Molly’s hopes up, while understandable, pointed in the direction that she didn’t feel the same for him as he did for her. Then what had he felt earlier when he had helped her cut the tomato? Her nervousness and how jittery she was after he’d done it…weren’t those signs of how he’d affected her? He just didn’t know with Erin. She had to be the most confusing woman he’d ever met.

“I’m here to help!” Molly’s piping voice called him out of his reverie and he smiled at her. “You’re late! I’m already cutting it.” “Mom wanted to talk.” From the way she grumbled the words, he could tell the girl wasn’t happy with what Erin had said to her. “Well she kept you from your duty as my assistant. You’re fired.” Molly giggled and sidled up to him, watching him cut the pizza in more or less even slices. “Don’t get the onions and peppers on my side!” “What are you talking about?” Molly pointed at a spot where he’d almost cut a small piece of onion and pepper onto her plain half and he quickly corrected the mistake before giving her an exasperated look. “Happy?” “Yes.” Her mischievous grin prompted him to ruffle her light hair at which she squealed and backed away. Revenge was sweet and he grinned too. “Can you get some plates?” Molly bounced away and quickly came back with three plates. He put two slices on each plate, the gooey cheese stretching everywhere. His stomach growled in response to the delicious sight. He carted Erin’s slices into the other room as Molly rushed back to her spot on the couch before Cal could try to make her sit in the middle. He handed Erin her plate and received a kind thank you. “Careful. That cheese is about the same temperature as molten lava.” Erin heeded his warning and he hoped the squirt would too. “Press play!” Cal smiled and looked at Molly who was tucking her legs under her with an excited look on her face. Who could be angry at such a cheerful ball of energy? “Alright, alright bossy butt.” Cal sniggered at Erin’s nickname before fixing his eyes on the screen.

It was still several minutes before they were even able to pick up their pizza slices. Even when Cal did, he had to blow on it to make sure the cheese wouldn’t scald him. Eating the gooey cheese was a chore in itself and Molly laughed at how he had to try and get more in his mouth so he wouldn’t make a mess everywhere. Then when she bit into hers she did the same and it was his turn to laugh. She wasn’t as successful as he was, though, and she got sauce all on her chin. “It’s hot!” “It’s supposed to be, goofball! That’s why you’re supposed to blow on it.” “I did! I blew on it just as much as you did.” “Well, I’m a man. I can take the heat.” He sat up a little straighter, a goofy, haughty grin on his face that made both women roll their eyes. Erin made a snide comment that made him laugh and look at her. He took another bite of pizza before noticing that there was a smudge of sauce on Erin’s cheek. Snorting, he set his pizza slice down and wiped his fingers on a napkin. “What are you, five?” he asked playfully. Erin seemed clueless and he reached out, wiping the sauce away with his thumb. “You’ve got sauce all over your face.” Even in the dim light of the living room lit only by the TV, Cal could see the blush rising to Erin’s cheeks. Damn it, he’d done it again! He’d made a pass at her without even trying! His cheeks burned too and his wiped his now saucy thumb on his napkin before handing her a fresh one. “Don’t know why I didn’t hand that to you in the first place…” he said softly, trying to laugh his blunder off. When he looked back at Molly she was grinning from ear to ear. “Am I more entertaining than the movie?” She simply giggled and started watching again and he went back to devouring his pizza. It was pretty damn tasty, if he did say so himself. After a brief silence, he looked between the girls. “So what do you think of the pizza?”

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin waited somewhat patiently on the couch. She hated how anxious this entire thing made her feel. It couldn't just be a simple evening; Molly had to get herself all excited and worked up and Cal had to encourage it. Erin felt more trapped than ever. How could she protect herself and her daughter when those two were teaming up against her? Cal came back a few moments later and her face tilted up to follow him as he took his place, Molly bounding around to take her spot quickly before either of them could suggest she move to the middle. Erin wouldn't fight it; she hated how attached Molly as but she knew there was little she could do about it tonight while Cal was actually there.

Cal warned her about the pizza and she gave a nod, quietly blowing on her meal as Molly insisted she press play. “Alright, alright bossy butt.” She grumbled, pressing play while Cal chuckled softly beside her. “It’s hot!” Erin peeked over to see Molly making a mess of herself with the pizza, grinning despite her best efforts not to. “It’s supposed to be, goofball! That’s why you’re supposed to blow on it.” “I did! I blew on it just as much as you did.” “Well, I’m a man. I can take the heat.” Erin sniffed at that. "Men are bigger babies than women. You remember that Molly, especially when it comes to labor pains." Cal gave her an amused look and she smirked back at him. "Eww, I'm never having a baby." Molly grumbled. They'd had the talk several times and Molly knew everything that was to come. Erin didn't want her daughter learning the important things the hard way from sources that may or may not have their facts straight. “What are you, five?” Cal suddenly asked, a playful hint in his voice. Her brow raised. What was he talking about? He reached over, rubbing his thumb over her chin, her cheeks flushing almost immediately. “You’ve got sauce all over your face.” She wasn't sure which was more embarrassing; him noticing or him cleaning. The combination bordered on mortifying, though. She bit the inside of her lip and looked away, offering a soft "Thanks.." In return. Cal seemed to realize his little faux pas immediately. “Don’t know why I didn’t hand that to you in the first place…” he said offering a napkin. She took it and curled her legs up under herself, leaning away from Cal and closer to the arm rest. Would she ever be comfortable with someone else encroaching on her time with Molly? “Am I more entertaining than the movie?” Cal asked and Erin leaned forward to catch a glimpse of Molly grinning like the cheshire cat. Her eyes narrowed at the little girl who giggled and looked back to the movie. This was trouble.

The movie went on in silence for a while and the group ate their supper. “So what do you think of the pizza?” "It's good!" Molly blurted out almost immediately. "Mom, you like Cal's cooking, don't you?" She was taunting her at this point and Erin was far from appreciative. "The pizza's good. Thanks." She offered but Molly was in one of her moods, giddy with Cal being there and forgetting her place. "But he's a really good cook, right mom? We've never made pizza this good from scratch!" "Enough, Sprinkle." She warned. Molly looked frustrated and bordering on defeated as she glowered at her mom, who narrowed her eyes in return. Finally Molly scoffed and flumped back into the sofa, folding her arms over her chest as her plate lay on her lap. She didn't have to see the girls head to know she was nuzzling it hard into Cal's arm, the little brat. Erin looked up at Cal apologetically and mouthed the word sorry, hating how the kid was acting, but Cal clearly didn't mind by his reply. She knew he was eating this up but he was kind enough not to rub it in, sensing how uncomfortable Erin was with this. She appreciated that.

The movie continued on, the group quiet. Molly soon got over her annoyance and started bouncing around again as things got exciting. She began eating the candy too, which didn't help with the energy level. The one nice thing about Molly was after she'd eaten a lot of sugar, she crashed. Hard. Erin knew she wouldn't make it much past the movie, which was a bonus since she intended to kick Cal out afterwards. Not literally, but they would need to call it an evening, and at least Molly would be tired enough. Only she wasn't. Molly was on the edge of the couch from the moment Harry, Ron and Hermione had to get through the puzzles. She even shrieked with delight when Gryffindor won the house cup. When the movie was over, her eyes were wide with delight, a feeling she knew all too well. It seemed Molly was as big a fan as she was. "So? what'd you think?" "That was amazing!" She insisted enthusiastically. "I loved it! Can we watch the other one? Pleeeeease.... Please, please, pleasepleasepleasepleeeeaaaassseeeeeeuuhhhhh" Erin frowned knowing this was going to end badly. She didn't need a fight on her hands, but the sugar was still pumping through her veins something fierce. "There's no way you'll be able to stay up for another movie, and Cal's probably getting tired.." "Yes I can!" Molly insisted, the desperate whine in her voice serving as a warning that she wouldn't give up easily. "And Cal can stay! Can't you? You can stay! Don't you wanna see the next one? Please.. pleeeeaaasseeee!!" Her hands were wrapping around his arm and Erin again felt backed into a corner.

Would Cal be firm and tell her no or cave and make Erin into the bad guy?

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“It’s good!” Cal grinned, happy that he had at least pleased the littlest of them. “Mom, you like Cal’s cooking, don’t you?” He looked at Erin, unsuspecting of what was happening between them. “The pizza’s good. Thanks.” Nodding, he couldn’t figure out the terse tone she was taking. Was she really grateful or just saying that because Molly was prompting her. “You’re welcome.” What else could he say? “But he’s a really good cook, right mom? We’ve never made pizza this good from scratch!” “Enough, Sprinkle.” Cal looked between the ladies with slightly raised brows. He was beginning to understand now. Molly was taunting Erin to compliment Cal in order to bring them closer. Erin wasn’t appreciating it at all. Now he was starting to feel odd, being in the middle of their argument. Pouting, Molly leaned back into the couch with her arms folded tightly across her chest. It didn’t take long for her to take solace in Cal as she nuzzled into his arm like an insistent cat. He couldn’t help smiling and putting his arm back around the girl, but he worried what Erin would think. When their eyes met, she mouthed the word sorry, her eyes matching the sentiment. He simply gave a lopsided smile and shook his head. It’s fine, he mouthed back, taking a moment to observe the relief on her face. His stomach dropped into the couch, wondering if she could ever be swayed to accept the idea of them being something more than friends.

They all grew quiet as the movie continued. Cal let his arm slip around the back of the couch again, but he never actually touched Erin. She didn’t seem as tense this time around. Soon enough he was able to muse on how comfortable he was and how much he’d always liked Hagrid and Dumbledore. He and Molly shared some candy once they’d finished the pizza and he was able to share some with Erin too. This didn’t help with Molly’s energy level and by the time Harry, Ron and Hermione made it to the puzzles, she was sitting on the edge of the couch and out from under Cal’s arm. Well, it was nice while it lasted. She screeched when Gryffindor won the House Cup and Cal grinned at her. It was just like the excitement his nieces and nephews experienced during the movies. When the end credits began to roll, she turned her wide green eyes on Erin. “So? What’d you think?” “That was amazing! I loved it! Can we watch the other one? Pleeeeease.... Please, please, pleasepleasepleasepleeeeaaaassseeeeeeuuhhhhh! Uh-oh. Cal looked to Erin to see the nervous look on her face. From what he could tell, she didn’t want to delve into another movie. They weren’t short and Molly wasn’t old enough to be able to stay up through that whole thing…could she? “There’s no way you’ll be able to stay up for another movie, and Cal’s probably getting tired…” “Yes I can! And Cal can stay! Can’t you? You can stay! Don’t you wanna see the next one? Please… pleeeeaaasseeee!!” The girl was grabbing at his arm as if he had a say in all of this. Did he have a say? He looked at Erin and could see the hesitation in her face. He had picked on her enough for one night. This time, he had to side with her.

Turning back to Molly, he shook his head with a defeated half smile. “Sorry, kiddo. I think I have to side with your mom on this one. It’s late and you should be off to bed.” Molly slumped and flopped her hands into her lap, releasing Cal’s arm with a completely defeated pout. “How about this? If your mom is okay with it, we can watch the next one next weekend. We could make hamburgers and French fries.” He looked to Erin and could see the hesitation still on her face. “But—“ he added, looking back to Molly. “We’ll give her some time to think about it. Okay?” Sighing heavily, she still seemed more satisfied with that answer. It gave her something to look forward to, at least. “Okay.” He smiled and got to his feet. “Before you run off to bed, though, let’s clean up.” As he turned back toward Erin, she gave him a sign that she was grateful and he nodded and smiled in return. His idea gave him something to look forward to as well.

It didn’t take long for the group to clean up. All of Cal’s things were packed away and the extra food was put into cabinets and the refrigerator for safekeeping. Before they’d even put everything away, Molly was yawning and rubbing her eyes. Now Cal knew why Erin was so reluctant to start the second movie—this girl crashed hard after some sugar! Erin eventually sent her off to get ready for bed but not before Cal got a hug and a hair ruffling in. He turned to Erin at the door, his bag of ingredients in hand and a smile on his face. “Thanks for letting me come over tonight. I had a lot of fun. And I’m pretty sure this marks the first night I’ve been able to say, ‘no,’ to Molly.” Grinning, he hoped Erin had at least enjoyed herself too.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin watched anxiously as Cal turned to Molly, and then did exactly the opposite of what she expected him to do. He turned her down! Relief washed over her, knowing they could end the evening as planned, hopefully without any drama. She needed to ease her way into this, still not entirely sure how she felt about letting Cal into their little family. There were so many things that could just go wrong! “How about this?" Erin was suddenly on the defense again, watching Cal as he began offering something to Molly without her permission! "If your mom is okay with it, we can watch the next one next weekend. We could make hamburgers and French fries.” Next weekend? That was soon.. maybe too soon to commit to that. She felt put on the spot, and Cal must have seen that, because he quickly added a but. "But— We’ll give her some time to think about it. Okay?” Molly and Erin both seemed satisfied with the answer, and Erin again felt the relief of not having a meltdown on her hands, in addition to having time to really think about their next hang out session. It sounded nice, but she didn't want to rush things. Besides, Molly was a bit young for some of the later movies. She might want to save those for next year, or more likely, the year after that. “Before you run off to bed, though, let’s clean up.” Cal had saved the night and she gave a small grateful smile, which he returned with a nod.

The girls and Cal cleared everything away. Molly helped Cal get his things together while Erin put the candy away and began loading the dishwasher. Before they were through, Molly was showing some serious signs of exhaustion, just as Erin had predicted. You don't spend that much time with a child and not know them like the back of your hand. Erin prided herself in knowing Molly far better than her own mother had known her. Finally cleaned up, Erin folded her arms over her chest and leaned backwards against the counter. "Alright Sprinkle Butt, say good night to Cal and go brush your teeth. You probably have ten cavities already." Molly rolled her eyes playfully and went to Cal, giving him a hug. "Thanks for the pizza and hanging out." She told him maybe a little bashfully now that the evening was coming to a close. Cal returned her sentiment and ruffled her hair before she made her way out of the room, Erin playfully swatting her behind as she went by and making the girl giggle as her pace went to a run towards the bathroom.

The bathroom door shut and Erin and Cal made their way to the door, Erin's arms folded loosely across her stomach. “Thanks for letting me come over tonight. I had a lot of fun. And I’m pretty sure this marks the first night I’ve been able to say, ‘no,’ to Molly.” Erin snorted a little laugh and nodded, scuffing her toes into the carpet. "You're welcome, and trust me, no one appreciates that more than I do." Her dark eyes moved to his and she nibbled her bottom lip a little. "It's good to set boundaries with her. She's a good kid, but she's still a kid and I need her to respect my decision, whether she likes and agrees with them or not." He seemed to understand and she suddenly felt lost as to what to say. Erin cleared her throat though and nodded. "It was nice, though.. having someone other than Cora and Julie over." She licked her lips and looked up into his eyes, not that there was a huge height difference between them. "Umm.." She chewed her bottom lip a little and then cleared her throat, looking at the carpet again, her toes digging into the soft fibers. "Look, about earlier, with Molly.. she's..." Erin cleared her throat again trying to find the right way to say it. "She's got it in her head that maybe you and I.." She gave a awkward laugh. "I'm going to talk to her tomorrow, it's inappropriate, so.. sorry she keeps trying to push us together. She just really likes you and looks up to you. I mean, I understand, I do, but.. I'll talk to her. We're just-" Erin looked up just in time to see Cal leaning in, her heart stopping as he did the last thing she ever expected him to do.

He kissed her.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“You’re welcome, and trust me, no one appreciates it more than I do.” Cal could imagine that. Erin was Molly’s mom and it had to be hard to be undermined by somebody she already might have resented for other things. Her big, dark eyes came to his as she nibbled her bottom lip and he swallowed hard. Why did that look seem so tempting? “It’s good to set boundaries with her. She’s a good kid, but she’s still a kid and I need her to respect my decision, whether she likes and agrees with them or not.” Cal nodded. “I totally agree. It should be that way for all kids.” He said this, but his stomach sank again. Molly was rooting for his desire—she wanted him and Erin to be together. How could he feel good about undermining her attempts to push them together? “It’s nice, though…having someone other than Cora and Julie over.” Now his green eyes came back to hers, feeling suddenly hopeful. Really? She liked having him over? “Umm…” Erin looked like she was struggling to say something. His stomach clenched, ridiculously hoping that what she was fighting with was expressing her feelings for him. “Look, about earlier, with Molly…she’s…She’s got it in her head that maybe you and I…” He hadn’t felt this many butterflies in his stomach in a long time. He was completely focused on her words. “I’m going to talk to her tomorrow, it’s inappropriate, so…sorry she keeps trying to push us together.” He didn’t want her to be sorry. He wanted her to agree.

“She just really likes you and looks up to you. I mean, I understand, I do, but…I’ll talk to her. We’re just—“ He couldn’t take it anymore. She needed to understand that he wanted them to be pushed together. He didn’t want Molly to be the only one that liked him. Without thinking, he leaned into Erin, closing the gap between them. When their lips met, a spark of electricity went through him. His free hand reached up to rest against her neck, his kiss deepening somewhat. Her lips were so plush and plump and he parted them slightly with his own mouth. No tongue, just a slow, sweet kiss. So long he’d waited to know what it felt like to kiss her—it was like a dream.

When he pulled away, he went slowly, opening his eyes to hers. Color rushed to his cheeks as the full impact of his impulsive action swept over him like a wave. He stood upright again, letting his fingers just barely brush across her jaw as his hand fell to his side once more. Unable to read her expression and terrified that he’d pushed her away permanently, he swallowed hard. “I just…” What could he say? “I really like you, Erin. Maybe Molly wants to push us together because she can see something we can’t. And maybe we should give it a shot.” Erin didn’t seem able to speak and he blushed even more, scratching the back of his head. “Just…think about it, please? I don’t need an answer yet.” Clearing his throat, he tightened his grip on his bag and turned toward the door, his hand darting for the doorknob. “Good night.” It was soft and spoken over his shoulder before he took one last longing look at Erin’s pretty face. This could be the last time he would set foot in this apartment.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin froze, her body having no idea how to react to the unwanted gesture. Only.. it wasn't entirely unwanted. Though, she didn't return his kiss, she didn't push him away either, even when it deepened some. Truth was, Erin couldn't remember the last time she'd even been kissed. She hadn't dated in over a decade which meant she hadn't been kissed in over a decade. It was terrifying and exhilarating and she had absolutely no clue how to even begin to react to the gesture.

When Cal pulled away she stared up at him wide eyed, probably looking like an idiot. Her moist lips stayed parted slightly, watching him with a mixture of uncertainty and disbelief. Surely that didn't just happen! “I just… I really like you, Erin." Her heart was hammering and her lips suddenly shut, gulping hard. What was she supposed to say to that? What did he want her to say? "Maybe Molly wants to push us together because she can see something we can’t." Or maybe Molly just wanted a father! "And maybe we should give it a shot.” Maybe they.. Her mind was blown as she stared at him, not knowing if she should kick him out or yell at him first or agree. No! No, Molly would get her hopes up and then if things didn't work.. She couldn't do that to her kid. She couldn't let her hope that something might come of this knowing perfectly well there was a good chance nothing would! Molly would resent her forever, and the kid was the most important thing in the world to her. How could she let Molly down so completely?

“Just…think about it, please? I don’t need an answer yet.” That was good because her head was still spinning. She slipped her arms protectively over her stomach, eyeing him silently as he made his way to the door. Cora was right, he'd been interested. Very interested. The older woman would have a field day with this when.. no.. if Erin told her about it. She already knew Cora would insist she give it a shot. Molly would forgive her, but Cora didn't understand! Or maybe she did..

“Good night.” He spoke so softly, so unsurely.. She knew Cal had put everything on the line with that little maneuver. He knew if she turned him down he'd never be invited back. He knew his relationship with Molly could come to a very abrupt end. He knew all the consequences and he'd done it anyway. Was he just so sure that she would cave? So sure she would try this thing for Molly? Or was it for Molly? She didn't dislike Cal, really.. he wasn't bad looking, and he had a stable job. Never been married, no kids, no real baggage.. he was crazy about Molly, and he had seen their lives and still wanted to be a part of them. Maybe..

"Ugh, dammit." Erin grumbled to herself, going to the door and putting on both locks before shutting the lights. Leave it to Cal to complicate a perfectly good evening!

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