A/N: Yes this is a Matt Taylor story; and no, it's not a case fic. Sowry.

Don't get me wrong; I love writing them and all the research my little detail oriented mind craves to dive into. But I'll be very honest. Those are work instead of relaxation for me; writing is usually me unwinding; except for case fics. I want to get all those details right so you sharp CM fans don't call me out on facts or a wrong profile.

So I need a happy, laid back Matt story to relax with. I hope you enjoy it. As usual, this is a fully written story. You'll get a chapter a day.

All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.

Chapter 1

The number one team of the BAU nearly tore off the hinges of the glass doors of the bullpen the third Friday in June. Emily had left that morning to go to Paris to reconnect with a few friends she had met will hiding from Ian Doyle. In the afternoon, Hotch was the first one out the door, followed closely by Rossi. They were all, finally, thankfully on their annual leave. JJ, being eight and half months pregnant, walked a bit slower towards the doors. Matt caught up to her leaving his office and opened the door for her. "Thanks Matt," she smiled.

"How are you feeling," Matt sincerely asked.

"You understand how it is the late weeks of the final trimester; I'm ready to get this kid out."

Matt smiled. "Abbey was ready for that in her second trimester with the twins. They had kick boxing matches at two in morning; every morning," he said, looking at her.

"Thanks for that Matt," JJ smiled as she pushed the elevator button, softly rubbing his upper arm. "I'll be more patient now."

Matt laughed. "What are you, Will and Henry doing for the next two weeks?"

JJ brightly smiled as the elevator doors opened. "We're going to spend it with my mom at the farm. She cooks and spoils Henry; I get to sleep and put my feet up. Will gets to be a country boy hiking in the woods scouting out a new deer hunting stand."

"That sounds just like what the doctor ordered," Matt smiled. "For all four of you."

JJ smiled. "What about you?"

Matt smiled more. "I'm at the beck and call of my lady with honey do projects up the wazoo. Plus Mac and Stella are arriving tomorrow on the train to spend a week. And all three of the kids are playing city rec league baseball and softball. My butt will be planted in a lawn chair on the sidelines Tuesdays and Thursdays cheering them on."

"Sounds great," JJ smiled. The elevator pinged and the doors opened to the garage level. Matt waved JJ off first. "Such a gentleman," she smiled.

"I don't want my ma or grandma coming back in my sleep to kick my ass," he smiled.

JJ pulled him into a hug. "Enjoy your time off," she smiled.

"You too," Matt smiled, looking at her. "And your maternity leave," he beamed more. It was JJ's last official day in the BAU for the rest of the summer.

"See ya Matt," JJ said.

"Take care JJ," he smiled, heading towards his truck.

-00CM00-

The BAU team enjoyed their AL. Derek was spending his days off with Savannah. Reid was spending his in Vegas, reconnecting with his much improved mother with her meds and his dad that Diana had reached out to. Penelope and Kevin were off on adventures that only tech geniuses could love.

The Monday before the Fourth of July, Matt was puttering around the garage with Wilma lying in the shade on the cement. The three kids were in the front yard, playing baseball. Cam was pitching to Casee, who was batting. Colin was the catcher. Casee connected on Cam's pitch and sent the ball flying into the weeds of the unsold lot next to their home. "Nice hit Case," Matt shouted, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

His cell buzzed in his cargo shorts pocket as he got the Weber wheeled out to get it started to cook pork chops for dinner. He pulled out his cell and looked at the caller ID. What the hell he questioned. A conference call from Dave with Hotch? He answered it. "Dave what's up?"

"Hang on Matt," Dave said. "I'm waiting for Aaron to answer."

"Dave, what's up," Aaron asked as well. Hotch and Matt knew Dave was spending time at his cabin, working on his latest book.

"Nothing really Aaron," Dave said. "I was just wondering if you guys wanted to spend the holiday weekend here at the cabin with me. The fireworks display around the lake is pretty amazing. And I have some in my arsenal as well."

"Dave, I thought you were writing," Aaron said. "You don't want four kids around while you're doing that."

"Well, I've sorta hit a wall with the writing and I would enjoy the company; and the noise," he said. "My writer's block is making the quiet drive me crazy."

"Dave," Matt said. "You do realize you're talking about four kids that aren't so little anymore. And a second dog in the mix."

"The kids' being older makes it easier," Dave responded. "The couple that takes care of my cabin will swap me their pontoon boat for my tri-hull for the weekend. We can take the kids fishing. And they'll love the fireworks that you'll set off along with the rest." Matt and Hotch laughed at that. "And Mudg and Wilma have always got along."

"Dave," Hotch said. "Correct me if I'm wrong; but the last time I checked, your cabin only had three bedrooms."

"And two baths," Dave added. "I'll share my master bathroom one as well. And the kids can sleep on the screened in lakefront porch. I've got two king-size air mattresses and four sleeping bags my duck hunting buddies use. It'll be a campout for the kids minus the tent and bugs; they'll love it. Plus word has it the fish are biting and I have a pool here as well," he said. "Although it's not as big as the one at home. But it beats swimming in the lake with the fish and the weeds."

Matt laughed. "Thank you for the shout out to my wife and daughter," he said, pausing. "I don't know about Aaron Dave," Matt said. "But I'd have to run this by Abbey."

"The same for me with Beth," Aaron said.

"You two are pussy whipped," Dave retorted.

"If you talked to any of your three ex-wives a little more, you still might be married," Matt shot back.

"Touché Matt," Dave said. "Think it over and give me a call back." He ended the call.

Aaron called Matt twenty seconds later. "What do you think?"

"Honestly Aaron," Matt said. "I buy into the writer's block thing; but I think he's a little lonely as well with Joy and her family being on the left coast."

"He can afford the plane ticket to go there anytime Matt."

"I know Aaron," Matt said. "But Rob's family is out there; they're like you and me juggling in-laws. Remember those fond days," Matt sarcastically asked. Abbey's family never had any buy in to her marriage to Matt, beyond their big high society, all for show wedding with Matt being an MOH and in his Dress A Marine uniform. Each of the kids received a one thousand dollar annuity deposit into the accounts Abbey's mother had privately set up on their birthdays and Christmas. Beyond that, there was no contact with her family. Matt, while deeply hurting for his wife, was more than fine with that.

Aaron laughed. "I have more fond memories than you. You talk to Abbey, I'll talk to Beth."

"Aaron," Matt said. "Dave is right though; the kids would love it. But if we agree to this, we both put our foot down and don't back away from the argument with him. We bring all the groceries for the weekend; I can drive the truck up there with the coolers and other stuff in the back."

"Agreed," Hotch said.

"Call me later tonight after the kids are in bed," Matt said.

"Talk to you then," Aaron said, ending the call.

"Nice hit Col," Matt smiled, getting the charcoal ready.

-00CM00-

Just before ten, Dave looked at the text that buzzed on his cell phone while he and Mudg were sitting out on the cabin patio. Mudg was snoozing and Dave was enjoying his nightly scotch and cigar. We're all joining you this weekend he read from Abbey. But we work out the menu right now. He noticed Beth joining the text conversation. We are bringing the groceries for that menu or the deal is off.

I can live with that Dave texted back with a smile icon.

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A/N: Gee, I'm just a smuck for loveable, happy family stories.

Sue me. :D