A/N: It's time to catch up with another family. And it's summertime, so I'm in happy mode.

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

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

Cait Hotchner looked around the study she shared with her husband. As she checked things to make sure it was ready for the company that would be arriving a bit later, she thought back on the summer the family had so far.

It started with another high school graduation party; this time for Mike on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, the same day as his graduation. He was the Valedictorian, the student with the top scholastic score of the class. But along with that honor came having to give the Valedictorian address to the class, looking to the future of the graduates. He had stressed mightily about delivering his address to the class and those in attendance with his minor speech problems due to his hearing impediment. Aaron had helped him the most. "Sometimes mom," he smiled at his wife, "you're too close."

Mike told of his role models he had growing up; how all of his classmates should use their well-taught lessons to guide their futures. He spoke eloquently about grandparents and family that gave him special memories and life lessons with summers on a California ranch. Jarrod, Maggie and Jake Barkley smiled with pride. Mike shared a deeply personal story of an uncle not related by blood; yet who simply loved him and took him under his wing. "Kid, I don't care how well you talk or hear; just know I love and support you," he remembered. Dave humbly smiled with tears in his eyes.

Mike added a story about an older brother; his love and support and yet, being older, his loving torment to his younger brother. Matt lightly laughed at the shared memory.

He recited brief stories of the unconditional love he received from a father that adopted him and his older brother. "Including him helping me with this speech," Mike smiled at Aaron.

And of a younger brother, that through the pain of his loss, gave him a new set of grandparents to love, trust, respect and seek for advice. It was hard to see who smiled more broadly; Jack or John, Hannah and Jessica Brooks. "Rest well with the angels Haley; knowing that your gift to me and my family will be remembered until we join you."

Yet the heart of his speech was about a single mother and her dogged determination to mainstream her hearing impaired son. He told of her getting another doctorate while helping him; her contributions to her students and society. He ended his speech with the simple words of "thank you mom." Cait wiped tears as Aaron pulled her tightly to him with his arm around her shoulder.

Standing in the study, Cait wiped a single tear away again and thought some more.

The annual family trip to the Barkley ranch in June had got detoured to Omaha, Nebraska. The Virginia Cavaliers, with Matt as the starting catcher, had gone on a wonderful run through the brackets to the National Championship of Division 1A college baseball. With his family there, Matt and the rest of team dejectedly walked out of the lockerroom of the stadium. They had lost to Vanderbilt University in the Championship series.

Cait pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear. "You played like champions Matt. But know this; you and the team made a fantastic run. Be proud of that and grow on it. Sometimes losing teaches us more."

Matt kissed her cheek. "Thanks mom," he smiled. Aaron pulled him into a hug of pride next.

Cait shook her head of memories. Satisfied that the room was ready for their guests, she moved into the Great Room of the home. Jack, with Beans and Mudgie behind him, rumbled down the steps. Cait smiled at her youngest son. All of the Hotchner men the weekend before had got haircuts. At my deep insistence, she laughed to herself. Jack was sporting his "big guy" haircut, complete with hair gel to make his now long lost little boy bangs, shortly cropped, stand up on his forehead. "Hey mom," he said, looking around as well. "Do we have it Wyatt proofed?"

Cait rubbed his neck, once again marveling at how much he had grown since he first stepped foot into the home. "Yup Jack; I think we have it safe for our toddler," she smiled.

Jack looked at her. "I just wish dad was home."

"Me too Jack; but I got a text from dad. The team is hoping they may be back tonight or tomorrow; Uncle Dave texted me the same thing."

"They rock mom."

"Yes they do," Cait smiled.

"Have you heard from Matt and Mike?" The older boys were off on the run to collect Sean, Leslie and Wyatt at Union Station in downtown DC. The NYC Hotchner's were once again on the Acela train to spend a week in the bliss of the DC Hotchner's home.

"Not yet; they're still on the road."

"And Matt knows better than to text and drive," Jack smiled with pride.

Cait kissed his head. "So does Mike," she smiled.

"But mom, Mike is riding along with Matt; he's not driving."

Cait shook her head. "Jack, it's still the bottom line; you don't text and drive." She looked around the room again.

It was Jack's turn to shake his head, laughing. "Mom, trust me; it's all good."

Cait looked at him. "When did you grow up on me? Where's my little guy?" she smiled.

"Sorry mom," Jack smiled back.

Cait smiled back with an evil grin. "I miss that little guy," she said, grabbing him. While Jack had considerably grown, he was no match for Cait's strength. She tickled him relentlessly. "The little guy that gave me puppy loves." Jack roared, withering under her attack.

The tickle-fest stopped when Cait's cell buzzed on the kitchen counter. Jack raced to it, with Cait letting him go. While Aaron and Cait continued to put their foot down with him that he would not have a cell phone like many of his classmates, Jack knew his way around all the technology of her smart phone and pulled up the text. "It's Mike mom; they're on their way home," he beamed.

Beans and Mudg, contently napping in front of the French doors with the sun shining in and the AC duct keeping them cool, lifted their heads. Cait looked at them. "Get ready for Hurricane Wyatt you two," she smiled.

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