A/N: I know this one is a little early. I'm doing some home cookin' twice for this holiday. And while I loved writing this one, it doesn't get the top billing.
As usual, this is a completely written story. You will get a chapter a day.
All rights to the CM characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, ABC Studios and CBS.
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
Jessica Brooks looked up from the last bites of her lunch on Friday to see her boss standing in the doorway of her office. Kurt Gepson had originally hired her and they rose through the company together. And while they rarely socialized after work hours, they each knew the history of the other's family. He smiled at her. "That was great work you and your team did on that problem with the ATM machines. Send them home for the afternoon and follow them out the door. Catch up with the boys," he smiled.
Jessica smiled back. "Zach could use the break, although he'd never admit it." She didn't need to go into the details. "We all appreciate it Kurt," she beamed.
"Have a good weekend Jess," he smiled, leaving her door.
Jess forked down the last of her salad and packed up her briefcase, while watching her computer shutdown. She grabbed her coat and pulled it on for the mid-November fall day, put her briefcase strap on her shoulder and moved to her door. Shutting the lights off in her office, she headed to her team.
They were finishing their lunch together around their cubicles, chatting with each other. "Get out of here," she smiled. "See you Monday."
She took the leisurely drive to her condo, changed her clothes and spent some time with Flash, her cat. Around one-thirty, she scratched Flash's head. "See ya later buddy," she smiled. Flash jumped off her to climb into the bay window. Jess smiled at his usual place to enjoy the afternoon sun and his nap.
Parking her car in Aaron's driveway, she grabbed the two grocery bags and put the code into the box on the garage doorframe to open the door. As the garage door climbed open, she ducked under it and headed to the interior house door.
Putting her key in the first lock, she could hear Mudg growling on the other side. "Hey Mudg," she said. She unlocked the deadbolt lock, opening the door. "It's me." She pushed the button to put the garage door back down and walked in to see the hairs on Mudg's back still standing up on alert. Mudg barked his happy greeting, his long tail bouncing off each wall of the small entry way. Jess quickly shut down the alarm and headed into the kitchen.
After setting the grocery bags on the counter, she knelt down to give Mudg some love. He balked for a second at the smell of Flash and then happily agreed. Jess laughed; "you and that hunter's nose of yours," giving him a good rubdown. She sent him out the patio door and got things rolling for the boy's dinner, letting Mudg in a few minutes later.
Zach pulled into the driveway twenty minutes later and smiled at Jessica's car as he pulled his truck into the garage. He pushed the button on his door remote attached to his visor as he got and grabbed his book bag.
Getting to the door, he put his key in the lock for the deadbolt, smiling. Jessica understood just like him about the security of the home. He reset the alarm for his quick entry. "Hey Aunt Jess," he bellowed, "what's up," he asked, pulling off his tennis shoes, hanging his jacket up. He headed to the wonderful smell coming out of the kitchen.
Jessica looked up from browning the sausage and smiled at him. Every time she saw him, whether it was a few days or a week interval, she still marveled at how each time he seemed to grow more into a man; and a very handsome one at that. Haley would be so proud of you, she thought, smiling. "I got the afternoon off. I'm making dinner tonight."
Zach beamed, walking into the kitchen with his bookbag over his shoulder, giving Jess a kiss on the cheek. "Works for me," he smiled.
Jess rubbed his arm, nodding at Mudg. "Where are they?"
"Santa Fe," Zach said, pulling the apple juice container out of the fridge, taking a long drink. Jess just shook her head.
"When Jack starts doing that, you know who your dad is going to blame?"
Zach gave her his usual I don't care smile. "He already does and I don't give a damn. What's for dinner?"
"Lasagna," she smiled back.
"Eatin' good in the neighborhood," he smiled back. "Mind if I get my homework done?" Jess shook her head with a smile, attending to her pasta for the dish. "Btw, there's some garlic bread sticks in the freezer if you want to thaw them out. Jack and I had them last week with our spaghetti."
Jess smiled at him. "Good idea. I'll thaw, you study," she said nodding him down the steps to his lair. Zach smiled back and disappeared.
Finishing her pan of lasagna a little after three, she looked up to see Zach coming into the kitchen. His long sleeve polo shirt was replaced by a t-shirt of the same sleeve length, with them pulled up onto his forearms. He was wearing his usual sports flipflops. "What's up with the Jell-O in the fridge?"
"Henry is staying tonight and tomorrow night," he smiled.
Jess looked at him. "Zach, I love and deeply respect how much you support your dad's team; but isn't that a bit too much?
Zach shook his head. "This has been pre-planned since Caleigh's team moved onto the regionals last weekend." Jess slowly shook her head. "Let me finish Aunt Jess," he smiled. "Henry plays soccer with Jack now; he loves it." She nodded her head. "The Lady Patriots play their first game tomorrow in Richmond at VCU. The boys and I are going to the game. Will is going to have a guy's night out this evening." Jess eyed him. "Plus, they're both getting old enough, they play really great together. I'll have some time to myself tonight and I won't have to put up with Jack tomorrow asking me forty times 'are we there yet?' They'll keep each other entertained on the drive." He smiled. "It's a win-win in my book."
"What time you leaving," Jess asked. Zach looked at her. "Hey, I played soccer in my day and I've got a free weekend. Mom and dad are visiting Aunt Henrietta. I have no fires to put out with them."
It was Zach's turn to shake his head. "Aunt Henrietta? Doesn't Grandpa call her Henri from hell?" Jess giggled, nodding her head. They laughed together more. Zach turned serious. "Why do you feel you have to be the family caregiver? You need a life of your own."
Jess smiled. "I'm like you; my family comes first. I like my life thank you and I'm very happy."
Zach shrugged. "The game is at one; I'm gonna take the boys to breakfast at McDonald's around eight-thirty; the one by the I-95 exit with the Playland. I'll let them burn off some energy and then head out."
Jess smiled. "I'll meet you there." She looked at Mudg getting up from his nap. "What about him?"
"Pete is going to come over before he goes to work to let him out," Zach smiled. "But I think we're about to get invaded by two pairs of blonde-headed short legs," he winked as Mudg headed to the front door.
"Good Lord Zach, Mudg knows the sound of the school bus?"
"Yup," Zach smiled a bit sadly. "He's here that often."
-00CM00-
Zach washed dishes as Jess dried. They heard the two boys giggling in Jack's room. "They really do get along, don't they," Jess smiled. Zach nodded. "Hey you,' she said, hitting his bicep, "what about Thanksgiving?"
Zach smiled. "There's going to be two extra," he whispered. "It's a surprise," he beamed.
"Who," Jess whispered.
"Merrill and Sela are coming," Zach whispered back with his huge smile.
"That's great Zach," Jess smiled. "I can't wait to meet them." She looked at her nephew. "What about Beth."
Zach cringed at bit and shook his head. "I doubt that."
Jess looked at him. "I'm sorry for your dad; he needed that."
Zach nodded. "Yeah, she was great but they parted really well. They still talk now and then." He shrugged. "In the final analysis," Zach said, perfectly imitating David Rossi, "it got him back in the dating game," he smiled. "Dad's OK," he said in his own voice. "Otherwise, it's the usual suspects; the three of us, you, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Dave and Uncle Sean."
"What about Caleigh?"
"Rachel has her family for Thanksgiving. She'll be here for dessert though," Zach smiled. "And Father Jimmy," he winked.
Jess smiled back. "You two may have to learn how to juggle that a bit better soon." Zach looked at her. "Ohhhh come on Zach; you two are a match. You aren't thinking about popping the question?"
Zach shook his head. "That's the last thing on my mind for a while. She's got too much on her plate right now; then it's the holidays and I start baseball," he said looking at her. "Give me a break."
Jess smiled. "But you have thought about it?"
Zach shook his head. "Maybe," he said, with a small smile. "Just don't push me, OK?"
Jess deeply smiled. "Come on, I'll help you get those two boys into the shower."
-00CM00-
The weekend before Thanksgiving, Jack was snuggled with Jess in her condo on the couch. Mudg was napping, staying a very cool distance away from Flash. They were watching the women's NCAA Division 1 soccer championships on her TV; both of them nervously watching the tied game. Zach was in San Antonio with Caleigh's family.
Just then, Caleigh took a wonderful pass from her midfielder as she streaked up the right sideline, letting go a high, winding shot on goal. "GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL," Jack happily said, sharing a high-five with Jess. Caleigh put the Lady Patriots ahead with under a minute left. The two anxiously watched more until the head referee whistled the game over. "YEAHHHHHHH baby," Jack hollered, jumping off the couch. "GM is the national champs!" Jess jumped out of her seat to join him.
Flash startled from his nap, giving Jack the kitty evil eye with a twitch of his tail. Mudg joined the celebration dance in the middle of the living room, barking his delight. Flash put his head back down on his paws, his tail swaying back and forth enjoying the sight.
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A/N: VCU is Virginia Commonwealth University. Before anyone asks, it was random pick; I just needed a D1 university in Richmond; about a three hour drive from DC. GM, once again, is George Mason University.
And btw, I needed to give some props to all my kitty owner readers. ;)