A/N: For our premiere chapter, let's explore what happens when Aubrey is alone with the kids while Jessica is out of town.
Takes place March 2026
Aubrey sat on the bed watching Jessica flutter in and out of their walk-in closet. After the third time, she finally came out with three outfits. "Do you think these will work, Superman?"
"Yeah, Jess."
The redhead gave him a face of annoyance. "Are you even paying attention to what I'm showing you?"
Aubrey gave her his biggest blue eyed stare. "Of course I am. You're going to be just fine on that stage with Doctor B and you're going to look amazing."
"I'm so worried. I mean we're presenting our findings from Ypres to fellow forensic anthropologists—"
Aubrey knew why she was on edge. "Including your old professors at MSU—"
Jessica's shoulders relaxed. "Yes, which makes me nervous—"
"Because you're going to be with your current mentor and introducing her to your former mentors."
The redhead chewed her lip. "I don't want to screw this up, Aubrey."
The agent got off the bed and hugged his wife. "Jess, it's going to be all right, I promise."
Jessica broke the hug. "But what about you? You're going to be alone with the kids until Monday night."
"I think I can manage."
Jessica gave her spouse a disbelieving look. "Aubrey, you're going to be alone with four children all weekend."
"We'll be fine—"
Jessica let go and finished packing her bags. "Now, don't forget on Monday the Jeffersonian Day Care gets pretty nuts when everyone gets dropped off so have Molly and the twins there by 8:15. Rachael has to be at school by 8:40 and Mondays she likes her hair in a ponytail-"
A patient Aubrey stood there with a smile. "I run my own division, Jessica—"
The redhead walked around in a panic. "Molly only eats PB & Js with grape jelly and you have to dice her apples small. Rachael usually has two apples in her lunch. Jamie likes only crunchy peanut butter while Savannah likes—"
"Hey…calm down." Aubrey said while rubbing his arms up and down. "I'm beginning to wonder if you're afraid I'm going to screw this up."
"No, no…it's just hard, Aubrey to take on four kids alone." Jessica said. "Are you sure you don't want me to call Angela to help out?"
Aubrey took a deep breath before sitting on the end of the bed. "No, I'm fine. Now, I think part of the reason for your panic is you don't want to leave the kids, but most of all, you're going to miss your hot, sexy husband."
"Oh but of course." The redhead said with a chuckle. "I'm sorry. I'm not doubting you can handle them for a few days. I'm just…always here to help you."
Aubrey hugged his wife from his seated position. "I know, Jessica because you're an awesome mom and even better wife. Just remember, I'm the SAC of the Major Crimes Division and I oversee fourteen agents. I am certified in shooting semi-automatic and automatic weapons. I survived a bomb from a dead guy filled with maggots. I've got this, okay?"
Jessica exhaled. "Okay, okay, Superman. You're right. I trust you."
"I'll even let the kids talk to you every night without me around so they can report to you."
Jessica hit Aubrey's arm as he laughed. "Quit making fun of me James Robert Aubrey or no fun and games before I leave for Michigan."
"No way…no way would you do that to me." The agent said. "You can't go three days without some loving from your Superman."
"Wanna make a bet?" Jessica said. "Imagine, me, Doctor B, and Daisy in East Lansing surrounded by hot college guys while you're all alone in DC with four children and no wife to play with…"
Aubrey gulped. "You're mean."
"I know." Jessica said with a smirk before she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck. "The kids are asleep…want to start that fun and games?"
"Hell yeah." Aubrey said before yanking her back on the bed to her squeals.
Friday was a harried day for the Aubreys with getting the kids to school and day care before Aubrey and Booth took their wives to the airport. The younger agent then ordered in lunch as he made quick time of doing case audits and doing the budget for the upcoming fiscal quarter. Finishing around 5:00, he took work home with him so he could pick up his brood.
After getting the kids settled down, he had pizza delivered from DiAngelo's. One large vegetarian with half pepperoni for Rachael and the twins, a personal size cheese pizza for Molly, and an extra-large meat lovers with mushrooms and pineapple for himself with an Italian sub for later. He had a few scary moments when Rachael and Jamie fought over the last pepperoni slice, but he resolved it by merely cutting it in half. As he watched them enjoy their dinner, he momentarily shuddered at the realization that his children had appetites like him. He wondered about their household grocery budget in about ten years and groaned.
When dinner was done, Aubrey made sure the kids had baths and when everyone were in their PJs, the five of them sat down to watch The Day The Earth Stood Still. Ten minutes into the movie, his phone buzzed. Seeing the text message, he smiled before grabbing his laptop and after accessing his Skype, Jessica appeared on the laptop screen.
"Mommy!" All the kids yelled.
Aubrey was almost knocked back as his family jumped all over him and the couch to talk to Jessica. "What am I, chopped liver?"
"Mommy, Daddy got us pizza and he let us drink some of the glass bottle stuff." Rachael said, referring to the Mexican Coke they sometimes drank.
Aubrey groaned. 'Mommy wasn't supposed to know about that...' Looking at the screen, he saw the look on his wife's face before she turned back to their children.
"Sounds like you're having fun with Daddy."
After about ten minutes, she began ending the conversation. "You guys can watch one movie with Daddy then its bed time. Now give me a kiss like I showed you last night."
Each child kissed their hand and threw it at the screen, even Molly. Jessica caught each one and smiled. "I'll call you tomorrow night, okay Sweeties."
"Night, Mommy." All said at the same time.
When their family was out of sight, Jessica smiled at her husband and slowly peeled back the right side of her blouse, revealing a lacy black bra. "Call me later tonight, James...unless you're too tired..."
Aubrey shuddered before shaking his head to the left and right. When she called him 'James' in that tone of voice…after almost nine years of marriage, she still rocked his world. "Never for you."
"Daddy! I wanna watch the movie." Savannah whined.
"Yeah, Daddy." Jamie contributed.
"Daddy..." Rachael whined.
"Movie…" Molly said.
"Okay…I will call you later." Aubrey said to his wife. "Love you."
"Love you, too." Jessica said before ending the call.
Aubrey put his laptop away and saw the time. Getting out the Blu Ray, he popped the movie in. With Molly jumping into his lap, the other three laid down on the blanket on the floor before the Aubrey clan settled in with a sci-fi classic.
As the final scene played, Aubrey turned his head to see Molly snuggled into his neck. For a moment, he lamented the day when his children, particularly his daughters stopped snuggling with their daddy and became teenagers.
"Not yet…not yet…" He muttered.
"Daddy can we watch another movie?" Jamie and Savannah asked simultaneously.
He turned to his middle children. Both had his dark hair and their mother's large eyes with Jamie's blue and Savannah's green. Unfortunately, they also inherited his charming smile to get what they wanted...the same charming smile that he used to coax Jessica into a quickie on the washing machine last Saturday afternoon while Molly was napping and their other children watched a movie.
"More movie, Daddy." His youngest said, her red hair covering half her face.
"Please, Daddy." Rachael pleaded while holding her doll.
'Damn it.' Aubrey thought. 'How does Jessica resist these faces?'
Yes, this was past their bedtime, but he knew it would take him an hour to get them all down for bed if they went now. However, another movie will put them to sleep so they wouldn't wake up during his naughty Skype call to their mother.
"Okay…one more and then straight to bed. Understand?"
"Yes, Daddy." All four said at the same time.
Getting up, he loaded the Blu Ray of Forbidden Planet. He made sure everyone had blankets before sitting down with Molly on the couch. Pressing the start button, he settled in with his kids to watch another classic film.
An hour later, all five Aubreys were passed out sleeping in the living room.
The agent woke up feeling a weight on him and something pushing on his nose. Opening his eyes, he saw a small hand pushing on his nostrils that belonged to a redheaded little girl sleeping on his chest. Glancing on the floor, he saw a familiar stuffed Rey doll from Star Wars on the floor.
'Molly…you're Daddy's special girl, but not when you're trying to suffocate me.'
Looking to his right, he saw his twins snuggled close on the large blanket under another one with their Kylo Ren dolls. They were very close, like two peas in a pod. Next fall they would be starting pre-Kindergarten and it made Aubrey's mind spin at where the time went.
Hearing a snort, he looked on the other side and saw Rachael with her arms out taking up almost half of the blanket. 'Bed hog and snorts like her mother.' The man thought with a smile before his eyes got large.
Their mother…who flashed a sexy bra at him so they could have Skype sex after their brood was in bed. Looking at his watch, he saw the time at 2:45 AM and groaned inwardly. No way would she be awake in Michigan at this hour.
He pictured it in his mind. Jessica slowly touching her breasts before removing the lingerie. Then she would touch her nipples like he did when they made love before her hand would move slowly down while he whispered words of love to her. As she touched herself, he would do the same before they released and be sated.
He felt himself get excited quickly before reality set in. Picturing Chili Reuben's van during his case and the tuna casserole Karen Delfs made him years earlier, Aubrey got himself calmed down quick.
He was about to carry his youngest child upstairs when she clung onto his neck. Realizing he was settled for the night, Aubrey grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch. Seeing his other children sleeping contently, he covered himself and Molly before going back to sleep.
Saturday was another busy day as the agent was woke up by his children turning on cartoons at 6:30 AM. After getting them fed, he got them around as Rachael had her Saturday class with Bunson Jude 'The Science Dude' at the Jeffersonian from 8:30AM – 12PM.
Jessica suggested he do the grocery shopping during the Saturday afternoon play date she set up with their sister-in-law Gail and her children. However, he had a better idea of taking Molly and the twins with him to do errands, taking the kids to McDonald's for lunch, and then dropping them off in Falls Church. Then he can take Molly home and sack out when she napped.
It was a brilliant strategy to Aubrey. As he reminded his wife, he was the SAC to the Major Crimes Division of the FBI DC field office. He had taken down terrorists, fought back against being tased, and survived a bombing.
Surely he could handle a supermarket with four year old twins and a two year old toddler. "Jess is worrying over nothing." Aubrey said to himself.
One hour later, an exhausted Aubrey came out of Kroger's with a crying toddler and a brother and sister still fighting over the fact the special shopping cart had only one steering wheel. After putting the groceries in the back and buckling his children in, Aubrey got in and started the engine. Then, he heard it.
"Stop kicking me, Savi."
"Stop hitting me, Jamie."
'How Jessica does this I will never know.' He thought to himself. 'She is getting one hell of a date night next Friday.'
The agent closed his eyes and counted to ten as a calmed Molly sat in the back row. Turning around, he faced his middle children. "Savannah Elizabeth and James Warren! If I have to turn around again after we pick up Rachael we're going home instead of Aunt Gail's house and you won't get to play with Avery, Danny, and Michelle."
"I wanna play with Chelle." Savannah said quietly.
"Then do as Daddy says." Aubrey said before turning to his son. "Jamie?"
"Okay…" The dark haired toddler said quietly.
"Good." Aubrey said.
He pulled the vehicle out of the space and onto Potomac Ave. The agent smiled as calmness had prevailed again.
Forty minutes later, three tired children walked in followed by their beleaguered father who held their little sister. After he shut the door, Aubrey put Molly down. "Kids, go to the table. I'll be there in a few minutes. Rachael, walk your sister over please."
"Daddy why can't I go to Aunt Gail and Uncle Steve's?" The blue eyed redhead said sadly.
"Something come up Rach and your brother and sister needed to come home. Now can you make sure everyone sits at the table while I bring in some bags?"
"Okay." The little girl said before taking Molly's hand. "Come on Jamie. Come on Savi."
Aubrey went back out to his SUV to bring in their stuff. As he brought in the grocery bags, he remembered what happened after they arrived at the Jeffersonian to pick up Rachael and shuddered.
Taking them into the science room, the kids fought again until they knocked over the model of the Digestive system. Of course, it was a model that cost the science host almost $500.00. After telling the man to send him the bill, the agent escorted his children out and canceled their lunch and play date.
After bringing everything inside, he made up peanut butter sandwiches for the kids. He remembered how each child liked them and cut up apples as instructed by Jessica. As his children ate quietly, he sent a text message out before putting the groceries for Booth's March Madness Sunday away. When he got a reply, he exhaled in relief.
Thirty minutes later, as the kids finished their lunches, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, he smiled. "I owe you for this."
Angela walked in. "No problem Aubrey. Rachael can hang out with Jeffrey and Hodgins. They're working on an experiment with his spiders."
Aubrey shuddered at the thought. His wife thought they were cool but they still freaked him out to no end. "Great. So you don't mind bringing her home?"
"No. We're having spaghetti tonight, so I'll bring her home around 7:00. Is that okay?"
"Perfect." Aubrey said before turning around. "Rachael, Aunt Angela is here to take you over to their house today."
The redhead jumped off her chair and ran over to one of her favorite people talking a mile a minute. "Hi Aunt Angie. We got to learn about digestion and stuff with The Science Dude today. Then Daddy brought us home and I had a peanut butter sandwich with two apples."
Angela looked up to Aubrey with a smirk. "She's yours and Jessica's all right."
"Have fun, Rachael, but be good for Aunt Angela and Uncle Hodgins."
"I promise." The seven year old gave her father a tight hug, which Aubrey hung onto a little longer than needed. "Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Pumpkin. See you tonight." Aubrey watched the two leave and shut the door. Walking back into the open living room area, he saw his other children looking at him.
"Where did Rachy go?" Jamie asked.
"She's going to see Aunt Angela today. Now, you two are going into the guest room and taking a nap. Also, no Star Wars for you later." Aubrey said, not wanting to put them in their room where their toys were.
"Daddy…" Both said at the same time.
"No, you didn't behave and you broke something very expensive that Mommy and Daddy have to pay for. Go on. I'll tuck you in after I put your sister down."
The twins got down and walked into the downstairs guest room. He knew he would probably relent on Star Wars later but he couldn't let them know that. Turning to his remaining child, he held his hand out.
"Come on little girl. Nap time for you."
After she got down from the chair, they walked hand in hand to the stairs. He held her hand as she practiced walking without holding the hand rail and Aubrey gave encouragement. "Good girl, Molly."
Going into the bedroom across the hall, he helped the toddler remove her shoes before she got under the covers. He smiled at his youngest, who resembled him but had her mother's green eyes and red hair. She was their miracle child who held a special place in his heart.
"Will Mommy be home soon?"
Aubrey smiled as he covered her up. "She'll be home soon, but she's going to call later though to talk to you."
"Yay…" Molly clapped before yawning. "I miss Mommy."
"Yeah, me too." Aubrey said before kissing her on the head. "Now go to sleep like a big girl."
"Okay, Daddy." The little girl said before closing her eyes.
Seeing she was all set, Aubrey walked downstairs. As he got closer to the guest room, he felt like a horrible father for making his children miss their play date. Thoughts raced through his mind. 'Was he a terrible father? Was he going to be like his dad when they got older?'
Entering the room, he saw two children asleep on the queen bed. His heart hurt when he saw tear stained cheeks on each twin. Sucking it up, he gave a kiss to each one before taking off their shoes and covering them up before shutting the door to a crack. Grabbing his laptop bag, he pulled out work files to catch up on. Just as he was about to start, his phone buzzed. When he saw who was calling, he smiled before answering.
"Hey Jess."
"Hi Superman. I thought I would try to catch you for a few during nap time since someone stood me up last night."
Aubrey grimaced. "Sorry, Honey. I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep in front the TV after letting the kids watch another movie, didn't you James Aubrey?"
"Damn it!" Aubrey said. "How do you do that?"
"I know my husband."
Aubrey got a sense of deja vu. "Maybe you shouldn't be around Doctor B so much."
Jessica was quiet for a moment. "What's wrong Superman? I can hear it in your voice."
'Of course she knows I'm upset.' Aubrey exhaled. "Oh, I'm just a mean dad. This stuff is hard without you here."
"I doubt you're a mean dad, Aubrey. Now what happened?"
Aubrey explained how the twins were cranky and fought more than once up to breaking Bunsen Jude's model. Then we went on to talk about canceling the play date and sending Rachael over to Hodgins and Angela's because he felt bad. He finished with canceling their usual Saturday viewing of Star Wars and making them sleep downstairs.
"Aubrey, you're a good dad. You exercised patience with our bratty children, disciplined them appropriately, and made missing her cousins up to Rachael."
Aubrey brushed his jeans with his hand. "Remember when I said I could handle the kids after all my other experiences?"
"Yes…"
"I was wrong. I would rather face down another maggot filed body bomb…or deal with a terrorist than do this alone again. We're better as a team, Jessica."
"I know…but if I can get through the times when you are out of town, you can handle this, James. I have faith in you."
Aubrey's heart was warmed by his wife's words. To not have her by his side would be devastating and she couldn't come home fast enough. "Thank you, Jess."
"Shit, Superman, Doctor B is signaling me so I have to go. I'll call the kids tonight before we go the dinner."
"If it's before 7:30 Rachael is at Angela and Hodgins."
"I'll call over there then. I love you."
Aubrey smiled. "I love you, too…bye."
The agent hung up his phone and sighed. If Jessica didn't think he was a crappy dad, then he would take her at her word. Putting his work files away, he laid back down on the couch and soon fell asleep.
When the kids woke up later that afternoon, Aubrey relented on the Star Wars to their delight. After dinner and their mom's phone call, they waited for Rachael to get home and the family watched the twins' selection, The Phantom Menace, to the agent's frustration.
'Damn Jar Jar Binks.' He thought to himself.
Around 10:00, Aubrey got ready for bed after putting his children to bed. Putting on a pair of pajama pants and a Syracuse t-shirt, he settled in and read one of his new Guardians of the Galaxy comics. However, he couldn't get into it. As he was looking for another comic book, he felt a buzz on his phone. Checking the message, his eyes got large when he saw a picture of Jessica lying across her bed nude.
His wife was always beautiful, but he was certain she had only grown more beautiful as they got older. It could be because they were still as in love now as they were back all those years ago. It could also be that she gave birth to his four children. On the other hand, she got his motor running like no other woman could. To his extreme pride, they could still tear up the sheets of their marital bed like they did when they first came together almost ten years earlier and the sex had only gotten better over the years.
But mainly, it was because she was still his best friend, a person he could totally geek out with over Star Wars and other science fiction and also trust with his secrets and hurts.
He started to move his hand down to relieve the pressure but stopped, knowing it would be more fun to relieve it with her when she came home Monday night after the kids went to bed. Filing the photo away in his special cloud file called CUBS MEMORABILIA, Aubrey laid back down. He looked over at the empty side of the bed before turning out the light and going to sleep.
After a quiet Sunday morning, Aubrey made the required pigs in a blanket and vegetable pizza for the basketball games. Loading up the food and the kids in the SUV, the agent drove his family into Virginia to Booth and Brennan's home where Hodgins, Arastoo, and Wendell were already there with their kids.
The kids all played together as the men enjoyed their beers and junk food before the late arrival of Oliver and Lance. They didn't want to invite the anthropologist but knew if they didn't Daisy would not be happy. To their surprise, Oliver was almost pleasant to be around.
When Villanova was eliminated, the party broke up and the agent took his family home about 5:00 PM. After a dinner of Jessica's broccoli mac and cheese she made up before leaving, Aubrey got the kids bathed and in bed around 8:00. When they were settled, he got his laptop out and finished the work he brought home for the weekend.
As he got settled into bed around 11:00, he looked at the left side and lamented another night of it being empty. He never did sleep as well when Jessica wasn't there. Taking a deep breath, he turned out the light and settled into another restless slumber.
It wasn't even five minutes later when he heard a loud THUMP. He went for his service weapon, but changed his mind, not wanting to scare his children. When he walked out of his bedroom, he saw Molly out in the hallway with a smile.
"Holy shit...baby gates are coming out of the basement tonight" Aubrey muttered as he realized his youngest could now clear the crib. Taking his daughter's hand, he knelt in front of her. "Molly, what are you doing up?"
"Can't sleep. Wanna sleep with you." She replied in a quiet voice.
Aubrey was about to take her back to her room when Rachael and then the twins came out of their rooms. He had a bad feeling what was going to happen next.
"Daddy, can we sleep with you?" Rachael asked while holding her Darth Vader doll. "I miss Mommy."
'Thank God we have a king sized bed.' Aubrey thought as he couldn't resist the cute faces. "All right, but tomorrow night its back to your beds because Mommy will be home."
He led his family into the bedroom, where they all jumped onto the bed. "Hey, make some room for your dad here."
Settled, the agent felt himself smashed on both sides as Rachel and Molly joined him on one side and the twins went on the other. After the kids were covered up Aubrey settled in. He snickered for a moment as he took in the sight of his four children in bed with him before closing his eyes.
Monday morning was a whirlwind of getting four kids and himself around, making desperately needed coffee, and fixing three little girls' hair. They managed to get to the daycare by 8:15 for Aubrey to drop off the three youngest before rushing to Rachael's school. Resisting the urge to use the siren, he got her there on time before heading to the Hoover.
Walking into his office, he refilled the coffee he chugged on the way there and stole three donuts. Getting into his office, he hung up his coat and set his laptop bag on his desk. Making his way around, he delayed turning on the computer as he laid his head down, exhausted from either being kicked or almost smothered during the night.
"4:30 can't come soon enough...I miss my wife…I miss sleep." He muttered to himself.
When lunchtime came around, Aubrey met up with Booth in his office in the Homicide Division and the two walked to the diner. When they sat down at the counter, they completed their orders and started planning their drip to Dulles to pick up their wives.
"Want me to grab you at your office around three?" Booth said before sipping his coffee.
Aubrey dumped cinnamon in his cup and did the same. "Sounds good. Give us time to get there since traffic near the airport sucks and I can eat a snack along the way."
Booth shook his head. "You're eating a triple bacon cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, a fruit salad, and a chocolate shake…wait, I forgot who I was talking to."
"I have blood sugar issues, Booth."
"Yes, he does. My Superman has to keep his strength up."
Startled, the men turned and saw their wives standing there. Quickly they recovered before standing up and hugging them. "Bones, you weren't supposed to be back until 4:30."
Brennan accepted the hug her husband offered. "We got a chance to be on an earlier flight, Booth. The flight from Capital Region International Airport was a direct one and it took less than 90 minutes."
"Why didn't you call us to come get you, Jess?" Aubrey asked, still dumbfounded his wife returned several hours early.
"Because you two are busy, so Daisy, Doctor B, and I decided to share a cab. Genny said you two had already left so we walked here to have lunch with our husbands. Daisy went to see Oliver at the lab."
Joanne came upon them. "Your favorite table just became ready if you four want to sit down."
The two couples sat down before Jessica and Brennan put in quick orders. When the drinks arrived a few minutes later, Jessica stole some of her husband's chocolate shake. "Yummy."
Booth chuckled. "Aubrey you have a brave wife, taking your stuff."
The younger man put his arm around his wife as she kissed his cheek. "I always share with Jess because she loves me."
"That I do, Aubrey."
Booth sipped his coffee. "Ladies, tell us about your conference."
At 9:30 Aubrey walked out of the bathroom from brushing his teeth wearing his Klaatu Barada Nikto shirt and Superman boxer shorts. Just as he got under the covers, Jessica came into the room and quietly shut the door.
"I had to read three stories to the kids plus they wanted to see the video of my head in the dinosaur skull again."
"It was kind of cool." Aubrey said.
"I'm glad you all think so." Jessica said drolly before pulling clothing of a dresser drawer.
The agent watched transfixed as Jessica removed her top and bra before tossing them in the hamper. While gravity did change things slightly on his 37 year old wife, he still liked her breasts…hips…definitely her ass…a lot. He enjoyed himself as Jessica pulled her pants off, leaving her dressed in panties that accentuated her posterior quite nicely and emphasized her birth mark above her right cheek. Aubrey began getting his hopes up, knowing that no pajama pants meant only one thing.
His suspicions were confirmed when she put on a several years old Michigan State University t-shirt. Aubrey pumped his fist and did a little jig in bed. 'Yes…college t-shirt and panties…tonight's going to be a good, good night…'
Aubrey stopped when she turned around, reading from his Rocket Raccoon comic as she got into bed. He watched furtively as she plugged in her phone on the dock and set her alarm. Turning around, she gave a smile at her husband.
Aubrey put his comic down. "Why are you smiling at me, Jess?"
"Because you wore your Gort t-shirt and your Superman boxers."
"Yes…yes I am." The agent said before putting his comic book aside. "You're wearing your old MSU t-shirt."
Jessica scooted closer and sat on her husband's lap. "I am."
Aubrey's hand moved up her thighs and under her shirt, where it took all he had not to rip her underwear off her. They shared a kiss before the redhead broke it. "You know what this means…" Jessica said before turning off the light besides Aubrey.
"We're not sleeping anytime soon."
Giggles could be heard in the dark as the married couple snuggled down into the covers and into each other.