Take A Chance On Me

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Why do you think I began pestering you in the first place? Your snooty attitude made me want to knock you down a peg. I see I finally succeeded.” She wrinkled her nose at him and mimicked a sarcastic, amused face. She finally rolled her eyes and smiled at him, not really upset at him, but glad he could brush it off with a joke. “You weren’t so bad when I got to see you with Molly. Getting to know you…it’s changed my mind about you. As for old habits, well…I know how well they can stick. I’ve never had much patience and I’ve always been wicked rough at the edges. I know I’ve gotten on your nerves plenty and pushed your patience as well. Understatement of the century right there. "So thanks for giving me a chance to change that.” She rolled her shoulders and tilted her head to the side. "I have my nice days." She teased and then grinned. "Besides, I haven't exactly played nice, so.. I guess we're sort of both giving each other another chance."

Erin couldn't help but feel as if she were sort of agreeing to the terms of dating by offering the clean slate. She was still on the fence about it, but lord knew she was a little more at ease hanging around him. It wasn't nearly as awkward as she had expected, and there was something almost comforting about the idiot. He wasn't so bad after all, and she was starting to believe she was seeing what Molly had been all along. Why couldn't he have acted like this from the beginning? She knew she was part to blame, but frankly, he was more so. He'd been a pain in the ass from day one, before she even had a chance to be bitchy first.

The food arrived and Cal was digging into his burger before Erin could even finish thanking their waiter. Her eyes left the young man and fell on the cop across from her, cocking a brow as he grunted his approval. Like an animal. “Excuse you. This burger and I are having a moment.” Her brows knit, unsure if she should be amused or disgusted. She settled for a nice mixture of both. “It’s okay, baby. She just doesn’t understand what we have.” All she could do was shake her head, starting on her own meal. "You're so weird." She took a bite of her sandwich and looked back over at Cal savoring his bite, amusement glimmering in her dark eyes. “So between all of these extracurriculars at school and all those good grades, when did you have time to date?” Erin practically choked as she let out a shocked laugh. Date? Her? Was he serious? She swallowed her bite and shook her head. "Seriously?" She asked, flabbergasted and amused that he would think for a second that she had dated. Had he not listened to anything she'd said. "Prissy smarty pants whose parents kept a watchful eye on everything she did. You really think I dated?" She snorted, plucking a fry off her plate. "Boys didn't even look at me let alone ask me out. Not that I would have accepted." She took a bite, waving the other half of the fry around as she spoke. "I've never been on a date, Cal. This.. this is probably the closest thing to a date I've ever come to."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal froze as he lifted his burger towards his mouth again, watching as Erin nearly choked. He hadn’t meant to kill her! But she was laughing and he relaxed, giving her a curious smile as he bit into the beefy goodness in his hands once again. “Seriously? Prissy smarty pants whose parents kept a watchful eye on everything she did. You think I dated?” Cal chewed his burger through his closed-mouthed smile, nodding his head side to side as if to concede that she had a fair point. “Boys didn’t even look at me let alone ask me out. Not that I would have accepted.” That he couldn’t believe. She was gorgeous and probably was in high school as well. No matter how weird a girl was, boys looked at her if she was pretty and imagined what it would be like to tap that. The only thing that would make them hesitate was the likelihood of actually getting into her pants or being humiliated in the process.

“I’ve never been on a date, Cal. This…this is probably the closest thing to a date I’ve ever come to.” Now it was his turn to nearly choke as he swallowed his bite too early in surprise. He was quick to grab his soda and take a long drink to wash the large bulge in his throat down. Finally he coughed a little and looked across the table at Erin with slightly watery eyes. “Are you kidding me?” The blush in her cheeks and the way she affirmed her story made him realize he’d made her self-conscious. His eyebrows rose as he shook his head. “Sorry, I just…that shocks me! You’re so gorgeous I would think that you’d been on at least a handful since Molly was born or at least in early college before she came into existence.” He realized he’d admitted how attractive he thought she was and a tiny bit of color came to his cheeks. It had been a long time since he’d complimented a woman so freely. Then something else occurred to him—she probably hadn’t had much sex either. What if Molly’s conception was the only time she’d ever had sex? He was practically dealing with a virgin here! That certainly wasn’t expected at his age and he didn’t really know how to feel about that. It made his stomach clench to think that he could so easily ruin her expectations. Not that he was certain he’d ever get the opportunity to have her in bed, but…hell, she’d never been on a date before. What if he ruined her expectations of that too? It made him nervous, but he didn’t want her to know that. In spite of her lack of experience, he wasn’t going to give up on this. The positive side was she didn’t have anything else to compare him to.

Cal wasn’t about to ask Erin about her sex life. That was inappropriate for a first date, especially since this was a first non-date. He realized he’d gone quiet for a little too long and he threw her a half smile across the table. “Well, I can tell you right now, you may not think those boys in high school looked at you, but I’m positive they did. Any girl as pretty as you gets noticed. They probably just didn’t ask you out because they knew you would say no and they didn’t want to be singled out among the guys as the guy who got turned down by Miss Goody Two Shoes.” Again, it was odd complimenting her so freely, but she should know how beautiful she was. It wasn’t often that Cal took notice of a woman and she was the one he couldn’t stop thinking about. To even out the playing field, he picked up a fry and shook his head as he remembered his own high school years. “I was the menace of Southie when it came to breaking girls’ hearts. And I’m not saying that to brag—if a kid like I was ever tried coming around Molly, I’d get out my shotgun. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t get shot until I was in my thirties with how many dads I pissed off. I’m also surprised my stupid ass didn’t end up with a kid before graduating high school. And for all my sleeping around and all my girlfriends, I didn’t really care for any of them. I thought I did, but with how quickly I moved between girls, I know I couldn’t have.” Again he shook his head at how dumb and reckless he’d been as a kid. “It wasn’t until I was in juvenile detention until I was twenty-one that I realized how big of a dick I’d been. I’ve been vastly more respectable to women in my adult years. Well, what few I’ve actually dated. I’ve mostly been married to the job.” He looked up at Erin again and gave a lopsided smile. “So if you do agree to go on a real date with me, you don’t have to worry about me being the same self-centered jerk.” He certainly hoped she would agree.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Are you kidding me?” Erin couldn't help but blush at the way he said that. Had she not just explained how terribly sheltered she'd been? He didn't need to rub it in. “Sorry, I just…that shocks me! You’re so gorgeous I would think that you’d been on at least a handful since Molly was born or at least in early college before she came into existence.” Her brows rose a little at the words spewing out of his mouth. Gorgeous? That was a bold compliment. No one, as long as she could remember, had ever called her gorgeous. It was such a foreign compliment, one she especially didn't expect from Cal of all people. She'd tried to date at some point, but when the guys she sought after found out she had a kid, well no one worth having around wanted to stick around. Most of the guys that she deemed worthy were just figuring out who they were and what they wanted. They didn't need the drama of someone else's child, not when their future seemed so bright and they could have their own in a decade or so once they'd gotten their careers under control.

"I wasn't in college for very long before Molly came into existence." She pointed out and then shook her head. "And I think I already told you, the guys that were good enough to have around didn't want to be around. I had standards still, even if I was a teen mom. Though admittedly they've lowered." She gave a teasing sort of look at him, a quick jab since he'd jabbed at her. “Well, I can tell you right now, you may not think those boys in high school looked at you, but I’m positive they did. Any girl as pretty as you gets noticed." She knew if he ever caught wind of her highschool year book he would be eating those words. Her eyes had been too big, her hair untamed, and though she had all the features now that men find attractive in a woman, those didn't develop until she'd had a child. Her body was tall and lanky, lacking severely in the boob, butt and hip department. Not to mention the acne and braces. Boy's were definitely not looking. "They probably just didn’t ask you out because they knew you would say no and they didn’t want to be singled out among the guys as the guy who got turned down by Miss Goody Two Shoes.” Cal was full of all sorts of assumptions about her and all she could do was smile weakly and try not to get offended. "Probably." She agreed weakly, taking her drink in order to do something with her mouth.

“I was the menace of Southie when it came to breaking girls’ hearts. And I’m not saying that to brag—if a kid like I was ever tried coming around Molly, I’d get out my shotgun. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t get shot until I was in my thirties with how many dads I pissed off." As a mother she couldn't help but frown, especially as a mother who was somewhat interested in the adult version of this thug. Had Cal really been around the block a time or twenty? It suddenly made her more self conscious about her lack of experience in all the fields he seemed so familiar in. Was he still a player? "I’m also surprised my stupid ass didn’t end up with a kid before graduating high school." Erin flinched at his harsh words. she had ended up with a kid not long after high school, and she had sex once, and didn't even remember it. Her dark eyes looked down at the table as Cal continued going on and on, telling herself not to get offended, not to say anything. She could go off on him for being so condescending and inconsiderate, but she also knew he wasn't trying to hurt her. Still, the blatant ignorance in saying something so harsh about a mistake she'd made.. it just hit a little too close for comfort.

“So if you do agree to go on a real date with me, you don’t have to worry about me being the same self-centered jerk.” He was giving her a lopsided smile, but most of the last words he'd spoken had gone through one ear and out the other. It was true she wouldn't have to worry about the old self-centered jerk he'd once been, but she would surely have to deal with the current one. "Maybe if you'd had a kid before graduating high school your stupid ass would have shaped up before you landed in a juvenile detention center." She noted, cocking her head to the side and making it clear that his comment had been unappreciated. She picked up a fry, suddenly feeling like this had taken a drastic turn in the wrong direction. "Anyway.." She said softly, taking a bite. "I'm glad you're not the same kid you were. I suppose it should be reassuring that I'm with a reformed womanizer."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal’s brow furrowed slightly when Erin didn’t smile back at him. She seemed a little lost in thought. Had he said something wrong? Did she think he was still the same guy he used to be? If she did, he was determined to prove her wrong. Those womanizing days were long, long gone. “Maybe if you’d had a kid before graduating high school your stupid ass would have shaped up before you landed in a juvenile detention center.” The way she cocked her head and nearly spat her words told Cal just what he’d feared. He had said something wrong, but it wasn’t until now that he realized she might have been offended by it. He hadn’t meant it that way! His mouth opened, ready to protest as he shook his head a little, but she was looking back down at her plate. It had been going so well until now! “Anyway…I’m glad you’re not the same kid you were. I suppose it should be reassuring that I’m with a reformed womanizer.” He felt lost. This needed to be fixed before the whole night was ruined.

All the words that had backed up in his throat came out as a sigh and he ran a hand over his short, graying hair. “Shit…I’m sorry, Erin. I didn’t mean for my comment about having kids too young to come out that way.” Looking up, his big green eyes were brimming with apology, his hand slipping back to the table. “I meant that I was stupid because of how reckless I was. I knew exactly what I was doing and I did it anyway, always assuming it wouldn’t happen to me. In a way, I was very lucky it didn’t happen to me. But you’re right—I probably would have gotten my shit together a lot sooner if I did have a kid young. Now I’d be surprised if I ever had a kid of my own. I have a way of pushing all the ladies I like away from me. Would you believe it?” He gave a lopsided smile, hoping to amuse her. From her response, he was at least mildly successful and he smiled a little wider. It faded again as he began explaining himself once more, however. “I didn’t mean that you were stupid. Your situation was completely different. You had no idea what was going on and some dick took advantage of that. You got stuck with the consequences and you made the best out of them. I can tell you right now, you did a lot better than I ever could. And no, I’m not just saying that to suck up after being an ass.” Again, he got the faint sense that he was getting back on Erin’s good side, but he maintained his apologetic air. He hoped he hadn’t ruined what had been a really good night.

“I maybe not be the same kid, but I can still end up in the doghouse, it seems. You’d think I would have learned to think before I speak by now.” His eyes came back to hers, pleading silently. “Forgive me?”

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

She could see by his reaction that he realized he'd fucked up, and she didn't feel bad about it, either. He'd been completely insensitive, whether he'd meant to or not, and he needed to know that wasn't alright. If he wanted to hang around her, he'd need to start thinking before he spoke. She expected respect. “Shit…I’m sorry, Erin. I didn’t mean for my comment about having kids too young to come out that way.” He looked apologetic, and though she was still hurt, she calmed slightly. “I meant that I was stupid because of how reckless I was. I knew exactly what I was doing and I did it anyway, always assuming it wouldn’t happen to me. In a way, I was very lucky it didn’t happen to me. But you’re right—I probably would have gotten my shit together a lot sooner if I did have a kid young. Now I’d be surprised if I ever had a kid of my own. I have a way of pushing all the ladies I like away from me. Would you believe it?” He was turning it around to make himself more a victim, and in a way it was working. She eased up a bit, realizing he probably wouldn't have children, not unless he met someone and soon. It didn't escape her that he hoped that would be with her, and honestly if that were the case she came with a child already, even though she was mostly grown at this point at twelve years old.

"Believe it or not, I can." She mused softly, prompting a smile from the other man before it faded a bit. “I didn’t mean that you were stupid. Your situation was completely different. You had no idea what was going on and some dick took advantage of that. You got stuck with the consequences and you made the best out of them. I can tell you right now, you did a lot better than I ever could. And no, I’m not just saying that to suck up after being an ass.” Erin looked down on her food, not wanting to be reminded of how she'd thrived despite what had happened to her. She wasn't a hero and she didn't like being put on a pedestal, which she felt was what Cal was doing on some level. “I maybe not be the same kid, but I can still end up in the doghouse, it seems. You’d think I would have learned to think before I speak by now.” His eyes were pleading and she appreciated his attempt at recovering. It would be rude of her not to move on. “Forgive me?” She pushed her lips to the side as if to think about it a moment and then shrugged. "If we order dessert I'll think about it." She teased before smiling gently at him. Naturally, he agreed.

The conversation grew lighter as they ate their meals respectively, moving away from touchy topics and talking about how they'd like their careers to go. She liked how devoted to the force Cal seemed to be, and that he didn't seem that corrupted by the power. She knew it would be easy for a man in his position to take advantage, but Cal didn't seem that way. He was a hardass but that was only to keep those under him in line. She on the other hand didn't know what she'd do. She could use more money, but she liked the ease of having the bakery job while Molly was still young. She was always around after school and she could take off easily if needed. Plus, working with Cora was nice and it was stress free, and she had a nice creative outlet and knew how to bake now. One day she'd like to use the degree she'd earned, though she would be there for Cora as long as the woman needed. She was family, and she'd been there for Erin for, well, twelve years.

The meal wrapped up and Erin got the rest of her sandwich to go, saving room for dessert. "I'm going to get this brownie explosion business." She exclaimed looking down at the menu. "Or.. hmm, lavacake? I don't think I've ever had lava cake. I wonder why Cora doesn't make lava cake." She wrinkled her nose and looked away from the menu at the man across from him. "Which do you think has more chocolate? I want to die from a chocolate overdose tonight."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Erin’s plump lips pursed and slipped to the side to show she was thinking Cal’s request over. “If we order dessert I’ll think about it.” She cracked a smile and Cal couldn’t help but return it. “Deal,” he returned, feeling more assured that he hadn’t screwed himself over for life. They turned their conversation from touchy subjects like their pasts and moved to discussing their futures. More specifically, they began talking about where they wanted their careers to go. Cal wasn’t very exciting, preferring to stick to what he knew. He hoped he would stay with SBPD until he retired, preferably remaining as captain for the Vice Unit, maybe moving to Narcotics or the Gang Unit at some point. With a lifer like him, it was possible he could even move to lieutenant of all SBPD, but that required an election. At this point in his life, he wasn’t sure if he would pursue that. He would have to see how the next ten to fifteen years went. Erin didn’t have any specific dream for her future. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to stay at the bakery, but she liked the flexibility it gave her and she would always support Cora. Cal liked how devoted she was to the ones who helped her and who she truly cared about. It may have been hard as hell to get to be one of those she truly cared for, but it seemed that once you were, you had her devotion.

As they talked, Cal cleaned his plate and still had room for dessert. He’d always been able to eat a lot, though he made up for it in the gym and on his morning jogs during the week. If he didn’t, he’d have a gut like the stereotypical traffic cop. “I’m going to get this brownie explosion business. Or…hmm, lava cake? I don’t think I’ve ever had lava cake. I wonder why Cora doesn’t make lava cake.” Cal furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes wider. “You’ve never had lava cake? What kind of a deprived life have you been living?” Erin wrinkled her nose down that the menu before lifting her eyes to his once more. “Which do you think has more chocolate? I want to die from a chocolate overdose tonight.” He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Poor Molly will blame me forever.” Looking down at the menu, he contemplated both choices. “Hmm…it seems to me the brownie explosion has more types of chocolate—chocolate ice cream, fresh warm brownie with chocolate chips melted inside, and fudge syrup. But I think the lava cake would be richer. It’s tough to say which has more chocolate.” He rubbed his stubbly chin thoughtfully, considering the options. With a heavy sigh, he set down the menu and gave Erin a borderline defeated look. “Well, it looks like we’re just going to have to do both. That’s the only way you’re going to completely overdose on chocolate.” She agreed in the same mock serious vein until Cal was forced to grin. Connor came back and Cal put in their order, ended the request with, “We want to get chocolate wasted.” The boy laughed and took their menus, assuring him that both desserts would do just that.

When the boy hurried off to put in their dessert, Cal gave Erin a suddenly uncertain look. “Do you act like Molly does when you get too much chocolate? Because if so, I’m not claiming responsibility for you not sleeping tonight. In fact, I may make you sign a waiver.” Who knew that a joke about his “date” not sleeping that night could actually not be dirty at all?

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Poor Molly will blame me forever.” Erin shook her head and pointed an accusing finger at him. "She would do no such thing. She knows me well enough to know that you instigated this whole thing. And she'd be right." She smirked as Cal looked down at the menu, not able to argue that truth. “Hmm…it seems to me the brownie explosion has more types of chocolate—chocolate ice cream, fresh warm brownie with chocolate chips melted inside, and fudge syrup. But I think the lava cake would be richer. It’s tough to say which has more chocolate.” She shook her head, eyeing the pictures up in the menu. They both seemed decadent, and Erin didn't indulge nearly enough. She could at the bakery whenever she pleased, but she found being around the sweets all day made her want them less. This was something different, though. This wasn't Cora's special cupcakes, which were likely better than any dessert this place could whip up, which somehow made them almost more appealing. Like when you wanted french fries from McDonalds. You knew they were terrible, but every so often you just had to have them!

“Well, it looks like we’re just going to have to do both. That’s the only way you’re going to completely overdose on chocolate.” Her eyes popped up to look at him though her head remained facing downward as a smile slowly crept up her lips. She liked his style. "It's like you know me." She teased. Connor was right on schedule, coming over and asking if they wanted dessert. Cal kindly put the order in, making the kid laugh before sending him off to get their indulgence. Cal's face suddenly dropped and Erin looked at him curiously. “Do you act like Molly does when you get too much chocolate? Because if so, I’m not claiming responsibility for you not sleeping tonight. In fact, I may make you sign a waiver.” She sniffed at him and shook her head, eyes slightly narrowed. "As a gentleman, you should take full responsibility considering you're the one that treated me to this sugary madness." She pointed out, leaning back and folding her hands into her lap. "But as luck would have it my sugar tolerance is exactly like my daughters. I'll be wired for a bit and then crash. Hard. It's up to you to make sure I'm home by then." She smiled a little, wondering if he had any plans to do anything afterwards or if this was just dinner. They hadn't really discussed it. "Speaking of, are we parting ways after this or.. did you have something in mind?" She swallowed hard, not sure if she should keep talking or not. She was feeling generous, though. He was buying her chocolate, after all. "Because I'm not opposed to the idea of hanging out a little longer. It's getting close to my bed time, though. I'm an old lady, so.. nothing wild."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Erin sniffed at Cal while her eyes narrowed and Cal had to work at not smiling. “As a gentleman, you should take full responsibility considering you’re the one that treated me to this sugary madness.” He cocked a brow and gave her an incredulous look. Since when was he a gentleman? “But as luck would have it my sugar tolerance is exactly like my daughter’s. I’ll be wired for a bit and then crash. Hard. It’s up to you to make sure I’m home by then.” He chuckled, remembering how Molly had been on a crash course the night Cal stole a kiss from her mother. And here he had been afraid he’d never be allowed back into that apartment again! “Speaking of, are we parting ways after this or…did you have something in mind?” Cal blinked with surprise, his stunned state obvious as he looked across the table. Was she…was she suggesting she didn’t want this to end so soon? Had he done that well? Suddenly that nervous feeling surged back into his stomach wondering what she would have in mind. “Because I’m not opposed to the idea of hanging out a little longer. It’s getting close to my bed time, though. I’m an old lady, so…nothing wild.” Blush crept up his neck and into his ears, swallowing hard even as his heart thudded with triumph. There was a serious chance for a real first date now!

Clearing his throat, Cal gave a lopsided and maybe slightly shy smile. “I’m definitely okay to hang out a little longer. I didn’t have any plans, though. I’ve been winging it since we walked in.” He grinned, but it was an honest answer. He truly hadn’t expected this night to go as well as it had and he certainly hadn’t expected she would want to continue their night. “Maybe we could just hang out for a little while at your place.” He put his hands up defensively once more. “No funny business, I promise! We can just have coffee and chat. Or…maybe tea would be more appropriate with how late it is. What do you think?” She considered the proposal a moment before agreeing on the terms that he behaved himself. He pointed to the bracelet he always wore that Molly gave to him, raising his hand like he was making an oath. “I swear on the bracelet that I am not up to no good.” The promise was satisfactory for Erin and he grinned in return.

A moment after the promise was made, Connor reappeared at their table again with their desserts in hand. He placed the brownie explosion in front of Cal and the lava cake in front of Erin before wishing them luck to finish them. When the boy was gone, he grabbed the spoon on the brownie plate and raised it in front of him. Erin gave him a confused look and he indicated she should raise hers too. She did so reluctantly and he clicked his spoon against hers. “To getting chocolate wasted.” With his toast said, he dug his spoon right into the middle of the brownie, ice cream, fudge combination and pulled out a hefty spoonful. It was probably the best brownie and ice cream combination he’d ever tried. Pulling the treat completely to his side of the table, he dug in for another spoonful while fielding a dirty look from Erin. “I didn’t say I was going to share it.” He popped the spoon in his mouth while she protested before he finally gave a heavy sigh. “Fine, you can have some.” With a playfully pouting face, he pushed the treat back into the middle of the table as if he grudged sharing. But the look was immediately wiped away as he reached out to steal some lava cake. All that melted chocolate spilling out of the middle just looked so inviting. Of course her spoon was going in for another scoop too. When she was raising her spoonful from the plate, Cal playfully knocked her spoon so the scoop would fall back on the plate before he swiped it up with his own spoon. Before she could retaliate, he shoveled the piece of cake and chocolate lava in his mouth. And that lava was hot. Immediately he made a face and covered his mouth as he cupped the hot treat on his tongue, blowing pathetically to try and cool it. “Oh that’s hot!” he exclaimed, his words muffled by his hand and the way he was forced to open his mouth as little as possible while talking with food in it. He should have known better than to steal from Erin—it always ended badly.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

The look of surprise on his face didn't escape her. She knew before he said anything that this had been his only idea for the evening, which was sort of a good thing. He didn't bother going overboard since they were really just hanging out, and he didn't assume it was a date when she said it wasn't. Or did he? She didn't know. She didn't really know what was going on in devious little mind. “I’m definitely okay to hang out a little longer. I didn’t have any plans, though. I’ve been winging it since we walked in.” He said confirming her thoughts before he even spoke. “Maybe we could just hang out for a little while at your place.” Her eyes narrowed and she turned her head slightly giving him a playfully accusing look, which he responded to with a defensive stance, hands up mocking innocence. “No funny business, I promise! We can just have coffee and chat. Or…maybe tea would be more appropriate with how late it is. What do you think?” Her lips pursed as she considered the idea. She was already toying with the idea of inviting him back, only hoping he wouldn't assume anything by it. "Alright, but nothing funny, mister!" She warned with a scolding finger playfully. “I swear on the bracelet that I am not up to no good.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Alright, coffee and tea at my place it is, then."

As if he heard their conversation come to a close, Connor arrived with their chocolate, wishing them luck on their endeavor before disappearing once more and leaving them to their dirty task. When Cal raised his spoon to her she gave him a funny look, not sure what he was doing as he motioned for her to do the same, which she reluctantly did. He clanked them together, a sort of silly cheers, a move she could see Molly doing, or at least enjoying. “To getting chocolate wasted.” She rolled her eyes with a smile before repeating the sentiment. “To getting chocolate wasted.” And then she dug in.

The lava cake spilled its gooey contents along the plate as her spoon stabbed it, and she quickly scooped up as much as she could before pushing the spoon into her mouth. That was.. intense. "Mmmmm..." She sighed, her shoulders relaxing as the sweet, velvety chocolate coated her entire mouth. That.. was better than expected. Cal had taken a bite of his own, which looked equally amazing, if not more so, and pulled it away from the center of the table. "Hey!" She argued, mouth still full of chocolate. “I didn’t say I was going to share it.” She pointed her dirty spoon in his direction, giving him her best mom look. "If you want any coffee tonight, you will put that plate right back where you found it, mister." She chastised, receiving a very Molly like sigh and reply in return. Who knew it could be so much fun treating Cal like a twelve year old? “Fine, you can have some.” If he was aiming to increase her comfort around him, he was doing a fair job. She reached for another bite of lava cake when Cal knocked her spoon out of the way, her eyes widening with aghast as her bite fell back onto the plate, his own spoon scooping it up to put in his own mouth. He was fighting dirty!

"Hey!" “Oh that’s hot!” She sniffed and pointed her spoon at him. "That's what you get. I hope it burns your mouth, that'll teach you." She sniffed and took a quick stab at his brownie instead. It was decadent to say the least and she felt herself slide down her chair a little. "I'm going to have to unbutton my pants I think." She teased, and then realized what she said could be taken the wrong way, her eyes narrowing at him as he picked up on it also. "Keep your mind out of the gutter, Captain Chocolate Face." She warned. Which gave her an idea. "You know you have chocolate on your face. Just.. right over there." She was pointing, but he had nothing there and as he wiped she made faces, wrinkling her nose and shaking her head. "No, you're totally missing it. It's just.. a little to the left. No, your left. Her, let me." She reached over to wipe his face, dragging her finger in the lava cake guts on the way and wiping it clear across his cheek. "There, got it." She teased, sticking her finger into her mouth and trying to hide her grin. "Never steal chocolate from a woman. Lesson learned, I hope."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“That’s what you get. I hope it burns your mouth, that’ll teach you.” Cal narrowed his eyes playfully at Erin across the table, finally able to swallow the torturous cake in his mouth. She sniffed and he scoffed, watching her take a bite of the brownie. He needed to as well to cool his poor mouth off. Erin slid down in her chair a little. “I’m going to have to unbutton my pants I think.” She wasn’t wearing any, so he knew she must have been using that as a term of phrase, but he couldn’t help the mischievous grin that slid across his face. Erin narrowed her eyes at him. “Keep your mind out of the gutter, Captain Chocolate Face.” He popped his spoon of brownie and ice cream in his mouth, giving her an incredulous look. “It lives there. I can’t help it.” A broad smile crossed his face when he’d swallowed his bite.

Suddenly she was giving him a curious look that made him self-conscious. “You know you have chocolate on your face.” Oh, is that why she called him Captain Chocolate Face? It probably happened while he was frantically trying to keep from spitting the lava cake out. “Just…right over there.” She pointed and he swiped at his face, his brow furrowing in concern. Looking up at her, he watched her make her cute faces, shaking her head and wrinkling her nose. “No, you’re totally missing it.” He rubbed again a little closer to his mouth. “It’s just…a little to the left.” Again he wiped at his cheek, getting frustrated with this. “No, your left.” He grunted and tried again, but he apparently wasn’t getting it. His whole face had been rubbed at this point! “Here, let me.” Lowering his hand, he leaned a little more over the table, grateful for the help. Her hand reached out and he had to tell himself she wasn’t doing this to hit on him. That’s when her finger dipped into the chocolate lava. Before he could react, she was swiping that dirty finger all down his cheek. Remaining just as he was, Cal shut his eyes slowly, with mouth slowly widening even though he was a little bitter. He actually fell for it. That was a good job on her part. “There, got it.” Her finger disappeared into her mouth and Cal shook his head, snatching up his napkin playfully. “Never steal chocolate from a woman. Lesson learned, I hope.” “For now.” There was an ominous promise of retaliation in that sentence, but he would let it go for now. He would get her back when she least expected it. When he had wiped most of the chocolate from his cheek and stubble, he gave her a playful glare. “Jerk.” His grin was wide at her response and he fell back to eating their desserts.

By the time they were done, they were both stuffed. Cal paid for the bill and left a very generous tip for their nice young server. The next time he came here, he was going to ask for Connor’s section. From the tip he was getting, he was sure the boy would be happy to see him. Once outside of the restaurant, letting Erin go ahead of him this time, he fell into step next to her. “You good to walk or do you need to piggyback it?” he teased. “Or I could always offer you an arm.” He held his arm out for her to take if she chose to. It would make no difference to him, but he figured the non-date had gone well enough that he could risk a try.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“For now.” She wrinkled her nose and shook her head at him mockingly. He'd be wise not to retaliate. “Jerk.” She gasped in mock offense before shaking her head. "The nerve of some people." She muttered, dipping her spoon back into the lava cake. If someone had told her six months ago she would be enjoying a meal out with Cal, she would have told them that they were straight up out of their minds. How things had changed.

The rest of the meal was pleasant enough with them enjoying the rest of their desserts. By the time she got up she was sure her dress would rip. Her belly was heavy and full, and not necessarily in the pleasant way. It was because there was so much sugar that she felt a little iffy, and despite working in a bakery she didn't often eat lots of sugar. something about being around those cupcakes made her not want one. In the beginning she did. All the time. But like most things when you're around them long enough they simply lose some of their appeal.

“You good to walk or do you need to piggyback it?” She raised a brow at him. She wasn't that full, and she still had a shred of self respect left. Cal probably could see that she wasn't biting, even though she was fairly certain he was joking to begin with. “Or I could always offer you an arm.” Erin considered it a moment feeling like she didn't have much choice. Saying no would hurt his feelings, but saying yes might lead him on. Suddenly the thought of leading him on a little didn't sound as devastating as it had even just earlier that evening. She slipped her arm around his as casually as one could, and started a steady stride beside him. She looked ahead instead of at him, hoping he wasn't toying with her at all.

"Thank you again for dinner." She'd thanked him in the restaurant, but it seemed right to do it again, wanting him to know she really hadn't taken it for granted. Erin started to fuss a bit about him paying the whole bill, wanting to pay at least for her dinner, but he'd adamantly refused. She was stubborn, but Cal was probably more so, which was no small feat. She may have wanted to be treated once upon a time, but that Erin died nearly thirteen years ago when a little pink plus sign changed her life. He reiterated that it was his pleasure and she knew it was because he wanted this to be a date. In a way, as hard she she tried to fight it, she knew it was. She was breaking her no dating rule for him, and she was enjoying it. It didn't change the way she felt about not introducing a father type figure to her daughter, though. The last thing she wanted was to get Molly's hopes up and then crush them. The kid was smart, though. Too smart for her own good sometimes, and if things continued with Cal it would only be a matter of time before Molly suspected something was going on. Too many slumber parties at Cora's would be a dead giveaway that Erin wanted her out of the house for a bit.

Erin pushed the thoughts from her mind, not believing she was even considering trying to figure out how to trick her child so she could possibly do this again. "So what lame thing would you be doing tonight if I didn't graciously save you by keeping you company this evening?" She asked, smirking up at him as the strolled casually down the street.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Erin casually slipped her arm into Cal’s after a moment’s deliberation and he felt like he was ten feet tall. There was a lot of triumph to be had in that one small gesture from his non-date! It always felt good to have a pretty lady on his arm—it felt even better to have Erin there now. He peeked down at her walking beside him, but she kept her face forward. Even so, he had a very good feeling about asking her out for a real date. “Thank you again for dinner.” She had tried to fight him on the bill but Cal, though not the typical gentleman, could act like one when he wanted. And paying for dinner was something he always insisted on when out with a woman. Now he waved off her words with a wide smile. “It’s my pleasure, really. It’s not often I get to treat a pretty lady to dinner.” He smiled wider, grinning down at her. Hopefully that would be changing soon. He wondered how long it would take Molly to figure out what was going on between them. They could only hide it for so long. But Cal wasn’t going to be the first one to let the cat out of the bag. He’d promised Erin this would be their secret for as long as she saw fit and he intended to keep that promise.

“So what lame thing would you be doing tonight if I didn’t graciously save you by keeping you company this evening?” He chuckled, looking down at the sidewalk beneath their feet. “I’d probably have stayed at the station until an hour ago. Then I’d be at home watching Game of Thrones or House of Cards or something. I might even make like I was going to call my sister or brother before I realized it was way too late to call them back on the east coast. At which point I’d probably start wondering what you and Molly were up to…” The last part wasn’t meant to come out and when it did he tried to suppress the heat in his ears. He threw a sidelong glance to Erin with a nervous sort of chuckle. “What can I say? You two and Cora are the only people I see regularly outside of the station. To use your word, I’m pretty lame.” He grinned wider, trying to laugh off his confession. It wasn’t like Erin didn’t know he thought about her in his down time. Obviously he did because he had a massive crush on her and was actively trying to date her. Still, having admitted to it outright left him feeling a little vulnerable. “And what about you? What would you and the little miss be up to if you hadn’t so graciously saved me from my boredom this evening?” He grinned and listened as Erin described what a typical Friday night would be in the O’Brien household. Secretly he hoped he would be able to experience a typical Friday with them sometime in the future.

The walk back to Erin’s apartment wasn’t long and Cal spent the time enjoying their small talk and the feel of her warmth on his arm. It even began to feel comfortable before they reached the door to her apartment complex. Sadly, she dropped her arm from his as they entered, but he felt fairly certain there would be more opportunities for it in the future. They climbed the stairs and Erin led the way to her door and through it. Cal looked around the apartment once again, slipping his coat off his shoulders. “It’s nice to see this place again. I thought I was going to be permanently banned after the stunt I pulled the last time I was here.” He smiled wide, though the memory of the kiss made his heart thud for a minute. It was strange being here and not having the comfort of Molly being near to be a buffer. A good strange, but one that left him feeling a little anxious. To busy himself, he stood in the kitchen doorway and watched Erin getting some mugs. “Can I help with anything? Or would I just be getting in the way?”

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“I’d probably have stayed at the station until an hour ago. Then I’d be at home watching Game of Thrones or House of Cards or something. I might even make like I was going to call my sister or brother before I realized it was way too late to call them back on the east coast. She chuckled softly looking briefly at him before forward once more. Seemed she didn't save him from much. At which point I’d probably start wondering what you and Molly were up to…” She cocked a brow and looked up at him questioningly. Did he really think about them so often? “What can I say? You two and Cora are the only people I see regularly outside of the station. To use your word, I’m pretty lame.” It was sort of sad but she supposed it was true. Who else would he hang around? She wondered why he didn't have friends. Probably for the same reason she didn't really have friends; mingling didn't come easy. Erin was always afraid of being judged and she didn't get out enough to meet others. She'd become friendly with some of Molly's parents in the past, but the friendships lasted only as long as the activities the kids were in together. Once so and so decided to do gymnastics instead, or moved to another town, the friendship ended. Cal was probably in a similar boat.

“And what about you? What would you and the little miss be up to if you hadn’t so graciously saved me from my boredom this evening?” Her gaze fell on the night sky as she hummed in consideration. "Molly would either be reading, watching a movie or sitting on the phone with one of her friends and I would most likely be reading or browsing pinterest." She raised a brow at him, daring him to tease her. Erin enjoyed pinterest. It was full of recipes and skincare remedies and parenting advice and decorating.. She was considering refinishing some old furniture come spring. Just because they lived frugally didn't mean they needed to look it. "Don't you judge me, Captain Hagan."

They had arrived back at her place before she knew it and Erin pulled away, letting him into the building before leading the way to her home. The last time Cal had been there, he'd kissed her. Just thinking about it made her anxious. Would tonight end in another kiss? Would it be so horrible if it did? “It’s nice to see this place again. I thought I was going to be permanently banned after the stunt I pulled the last time I was here.” Clearly the same thing that was on her mind was also on his. "Yeah, well, you almost were." She replied, giving a coy look and smirking slightly. She was sort of teasing. Not completely, though. With the way she'd been avoiding him after the fact, he had good reason to believe that would be the last time he'd ever be in her home.

She slipped into the kitchen and started brewing a pot of coffee, half caf considering the time. “Can I help with anything? Or would I just be getting in the way?” Her shoulders rolled, turning to look at him over her shoulder. "You can grab a couple of mugs if you want." She suggested, scooping coffee into the machine. One day she wanted to invest in a french press. "Then get out before you break something." The smile was clear in her voice as she spoke, knowing full well he was plenty capable in the kitchen. he'd already made himself comfortable in hers. "It feels sort of strange with you here." She admitted, watching him again as she perched herself by the percolater. "Not in a bad way!" She insisted, her large doe eyes widening further. "Just.. I don't know, it was sort of confusing after you left last time." She licked her lips and looked away, reaching for the mugs Cal took out to pour some of the brewing coffee into. "We don't need to talk about it." She insisted, suddenly feeling dumb for even bringing it up. She was terrible at this sort of stuff..

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“You can grab a couple of mugs if you want.” Cal nodded and made his way into the kitchen, remembering the right cabinet. “Then get out before you break something.” He could hear the smile in her voice and chuckled in return. “Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled back playfully, smiling as he pulled down two Harry Potter themed mugs, one representing Gryffindor and the other Ravenclaw. He set them on the counter beside her, looking at her as she perched herself by the percolator. “It feels sort of strange with you here.” He knew what she meant and wasn’t offended, but she was quick to give him a wide-eyed look. “Not in a bad way!” A smile tugged at his lips, about to reassure her that he felt the same. “Just…I don’t know, it was sort of confusing after you left last time.” She was quick to busy her hands by reaching out for the mugs, but he kept his eyes trained on her. What had been the most confusing to her, he wondered: his feelings for her or her feelings for him? Did he have the courage to ask?

“We don’t need to talk about it.” Maybe that was true, yet Cal couldn’t help the questions bubbling up in his brain. Not to mention just thinking about that brief, sudden kiss, the softness of her lips…it made him want to do it again. And this time he didn’t want to scare her off if he did it. Scratching the back of his head, he looked to the tiled floor. “Well…you should know that I really am sorry for stepping over that line without at least asking your permission first. In the future I’ll be better about asking permission before I try anything. If there is a possibility for a future.” He looked up and gave her a shy sort of smile, still uncertain of her feelings. Yes, this whole night had gone remarkably well, but that didn’t mean he was assured that he had a chance for a real date. He wouldn’t know until he asked. “And speaking of that…what do you think about a real date with me now? Have I proved myself worthy?” There was playfulness in his voice, but it was a serious question. Maybe if she said yes, he would have a chance at getting another kiss before the evening was out…

“You don’t have to answer until after we have coffee if you don’t know yet. But it would be nice if I didn’t have to wait two more weeks to know if I have a shot.” He winked at her with a grin, letting her know he didn’t actually hold it against her that he’d been left waiting before. The man had deserved it and he knew it.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Well…you should know that I really am sorry for stepping over that line without at least asking your permission first." She peeked over at him, the coffee machine bubbling and brewing gently in front of her as it spilled black liquid into the carafe below. "In the future I’ll be better about asking permission before I try anything. If there is a possibility for a future.” In the future.. She swallowed hard, not returning the shy smile he offered. He was so tempting.. It would be so easy to just simply stop guarding herself and give this all a shot, but she knew there was too much at stake. What would happen to her if things went bad? What would it do to Molly?

“And speaking of that…what do you think about a real date with me now? Have I proved myself worthy?” She knew he was being playful, she could hear it in his tone, but he was serious too and it was that comment that drew her eyes back to the coffee. Did he really think it was a matter of whether he was worthy? They'd discussed that earlier over dinner, how she wasn't that way. Not now. Maybe it was just his way of being silly, something she wasn't sure yet if she appreciated. This was a tough subject for her. “You don’t have to answer until after we have coffee if you don’t know yet. But it would be nice if I didn’t have to wait two more weeks to know if I have a shot.” Again, words spoken playfully to hide the hurt he felt inside. She couldn't help but frown.

"I thought I'd made it pretty clear why I was, well, holding out." She offered softly, pouring coffee into the mugs and keeping her eyes averted for the moment. "What if we don't work out? Do you know what that would do to Molly?" She handed his mug to him, holding her own close to her heart, letting the heat from it warm her fingers. "And I know, one date, what hurt will that be? But one date leads to another and then another, and then.." She frowned, bowing her head. She was scared. She was hiding behind Molly because she was scared, even if the reasons were all true. "I don't know, Cal.. I don't know what's the right thing to do. And besides," She added, looking back up at him. "I'm a pain. I like things a certain way.. I'd drive you nuts in a second, and you would most definitely drive me out of my mind." Finally some semblance of a smile creased her lips as she put her mug down to start fixing her coffee.