A/N: Before you begin…Tommy is Cait and Aaron's nephew. He is the son of Cait's brother Tom and his wife Patty. Tommy, Melissa and then baby Maggie were introduced in a previous Family story.
Chapter 3
It was Memorial Day. The team was coming to the house for their annual cookout. Dave, who already had sponged breakfast from the family, was helping Cait and Aaron put together the mega fruit salad Cait always made. Jack and Tate, under the watchful eye of Mary Elizabeth, were enjoying the pool. The heat and humidity was brutal. Bella and Max slipped into the shaded part of Cait and Aaron's bedroom to enjoy the AC.
The three in the kitchen heard the garage door open. "Mom," Matt bellowed.
Aaron looked at Cait. "If he walks into the kitchen with a beer in hand….."
Cait smiled. "I chew his ass before you find your Glock." Dave chuckled.
"Mom," Matt said, walking into the kitchen. "I get that Mike and I are the homemade ice cream churning crew. But did you really have to send Lauren and me the finalized RSVP list this morning to ruin our day?"
Cait shook her head at Aaron, rolling her eyes. "Yesterday was the last day for RSVPs Matthew. And you two need to notify the staff at the Hilton," she said.
"So we can let them know by Wednesday how many people are coming to the reception," Lauren said.
Cait looked at them. "Yes, this is mom pushing. You two have done a wonderful job with your plans. I'm just making sure you stick to your timetable. Which both of you asked me to do."
"We get that," Matt smiled. "Thank you." He shook his head. "The whole damn Barkley family is coming?"
Cait smiled at him and Lauren. "It's just all your uncles and aunts plus Tommy, Michelle and little Maggie. Tommy is in the wedding. What's the big deal?"
"They've all never been here before." Cait looked at him. "I mean all together. Where are they going to stay?"
"Where's the reception?" Cait asked looking at Matt. Aaron and Dave shared a look with a smile. Matt and Lauren looked at her. "Maybe at a hotel that offers discount rates on hotel rooms because you two booked your reception there."
"Hel-lo?" Dave said. He winked at Aaron. "And gee, being Barkleys I doubt they can handle the rental car costs."
"Shuddup Uncle Dave," Matt growled.
The garage door opened again. "Hey mom," Mike bellowed. "Where do you want the ice to make the ice cream?"
Cait looked at Dave, shaking her head. "Maybe try the freezer Mike," Aaron said.
Jack pulled a French door open from the pool area. "Hey mom," he bellowed as he, Tate and Mary Elizabeth walked in.
Cait let out her shrill whistle that had the dogs, from their deep slumber, bolting out of the bedroom in security mode. Jack and Tate got them settled. "Why do I have three sons that need to come in a door and bellow at me?" Tate hit Jack's arm to sign what was being said with his implants on the nook counter while he was swimming. Jack did, smiling broadly at his friend, not missing a word.
"Because you're loved Doc," Aaron smiled.
"Good answer," Cait smiled. "But not good enough to get you laid tonight."
"Crashed and burned on that one partner," Dave zinged. The group all roared with laughter.
"You remind me of my family back home," Mary Elizabeth smiled. Andi pointed at her with a smile.
"But mom," Jack said. "Tate and I are hungry."
"There's a news flash," Cait said, as Tate put on his sound processors that work with his implants.
"Jack," Aaron said, "go out to the garage fridge and get the meat and cheese tray I bought this morning just for this moment." Cait looked at him. "Did I just up my chances of getting laid?"
"You are good," Cait smiled.
It was a raucous, laughing group that wiped out the snacks.
-00CM00-
Thankfully, a layer of clouds rolled into the northern Virginia area around two that afternoon. The pool area, already shaded the Hotchner home from the afternoon sun, was cooler. By four, the now thirty five people connected to the Hotchner family enjoyed being together again. The whole BAU crew was in attendance, including Mat and Tess Cruz and the girls. Brian and Gina were in a cornhole match against Mike and Andi.
Will, JJ, Derek and Savannah had their growing toddlers in the shallow end of the pool. Declan, Jack, Tate, Henry, Mel and Jamie were enjoying the deep end with Dave keeping an eye on them. Dave pulled Cait aside, smiling at Father Jimmy and Mary Elizabeth in deep conversation. "I think they're talking all things Irish Dave," Cait smiled, rubbing his arm.
"Don't doubt that," Dave smiled.
John and Hannah Brooks were enjoying time around the patio table with Sandy and Fran. Aaron, Mat and Matt were getting the grills fired up. Jessica, Emily, Tess and Penelope were talking with Lauren about wedding plans. Reid and Kevin were debating Star Trek episodes. Cait pulled one of the French doors open. "Cait, you need help?" Jessica asked.
Cait shook her head with a smile. "No thanks sis, I'm just need to turn up the crock pot on the baked beans."
"Good, I'm getting hungry," Reid said. Cait stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him then Aaron. "What did I do wrong?"
Hotch smiled. "Reid - extrapolate out, with three sons, how many times Cait has heard that in her lifetime."
Cait looked at him. "You know I love you Spencer," she smiled. Reid smiled back. "Screw the math. Just say too many and walk away."
"Duly noted," Reid smiled.
By nine that night, Aaron, Cait and Dave stood in the completely clean Hotchner kitchen, with Dave handing another Baily's and scotch to the couple. "You pulled it off again Cait," Dave smiled, kissing her cheek. "And they all had a great time again. Relax," he smiled.
Cait shook her head. "Dave, with Penelope's organizing skills, this isn't work for me. Everyone pitches in and helps with the food and clean-up. I just always worry about everyone getting home safely after the drinking they do."
Dave shook his head. "They're all more responsible than that. And you know that."
"Doc, they all have fun, but they eat very well and check themselves. You know I keep an eye out because you do worry about that. So do I. They were all fine when they left or had someone to drive them home after they had a relaxing day. This is why we invite them here." Just then, his cell buzzed in his pocket. Aaron pulled it out and looked at the text. He smiled at Cait. "It's Jess; she's home with Hannah and John."
Dave smiled raising his glass to take a sip. "He had fun tonight."
"John can do that every now and then," Aaron smiled. "But I've never seen him get out of line in all these years and he knew Jess was driving."
"He was fine after he ate," Cait smiled. She rubbed Aaron's back. "He told me the same thing."
Dave's cell buzzed with a text. Reading it, he smiled. "The Princess reports all are home safe." He polished off his drink and smiled at the couple. "It's my turn to do the same." Cait took his glass and put it in the sink. The dish washer was still in the dry cycle.
Cait smiled. "Good. You can be the hammer to chase Jack and Tate upstairs into the shower while you get Max downstairs with the boys gaming together."
Dave kissed Cait's cheek. "For you two giving Mary Elizabeth a night off, I'll gladly do that."
A little after ten, Dave looked over at the Hotchner home as he shut off his bathroom light. The only light on in Cait and Aaron's bedroom blinked off. "Enjoy you two," he smiled, climbing into bed, shutting off his lamp on the bedstand.
-00MC00-
Cait, Aaron and Jack walked into their home church four weeks later for Matt and Lauren's rehearsal on Thursday night. Pastor Jon greeted them with a smile. He looked at Cait. "You ready for this mom?" he smiled.
Cait smiled. "They've been on their own for a while. And have planned this the way they want. Except for Jack, we're empty nesters with Mike and Andi being the same. I've made my peace with that."
Pastor Jon looked at her. Cait smiled. "OK, I miss my little boys. You happy?" she said with a laugh. Aaron rubbed her back
Pastor Jon smiled. "I am now."
Jarrod, Maggie, Jake and Tommy with Mike and Andi came into the church. Mike smiled at his parents. "The flight delayed delinquents are all here. The rest of the Barkley crew is checking into their hotel rooms as we speak," he smiled at Cait and Aaron. "Good call on renting the Traverse for the weekend; here's the key," he said, handing them to Aaron.
Aaron dug out the keys to Mike's car and handed them back to him. "I put some gas in it for you."
"Thanks dad," Mike smiled. "You didn't have to do that."
Tommy pulled Cait into a hug. "It's good to see you again Aunt Cait. You too Uncle Aaron," he smiled, shaking Aaron's hand.
Aaron looked at Cait. "Take a deep breath Doc. They're here," he said rubbing her back.
Aaron winked at Pastor Jon as Jarrod gave Cait a hug. "Yes mom is a bit stressed." Pastor Jon laughed as he welcomed the rest of the family while they greeted each other.
"Gee Jack," Jake smiled, pulling him into a deep hug. "You should grow more bud."
"I'm not a little kid anymore Uncle Jake," Jack said hugging him deeply.
"I noticed Jack," Jake smiled, setting him on his feet.
"So have we Jack," Maggie smiled.
Jack powered into her for a hug. "Hi grandma," he enthused. "I miss you."
Maggie kissed his head. "I miss you too," she smiled.
"What about me?" Jarrod asked as Jake pulled Cait off her feet for a huge hug. Aaron and Pastor Jon smiled at all of them.
"Hi Grandpa," Jack smiled. "It's the summer and I'm not going to get to ride horses with you," he said as Jarrod pulled him into a huge hug.
"Says who?" Jarrod said. Jack looked at him in his grandfather's arms. "You're coming home with grandma and me after the wedding. So are mom and dad," he smiled. "They're gonna need the down time."
Jake looked at Aaron as he shook his hand. "Really?"
"Really," Aaron smiled, pulling Jarrod into a hug. "Your sister and nephew need that," he said. "So do I," he smiled.
Tommy rubbed Aaron's shoulder. "So does your west coast family Uncle Aaron," he smiled. Aaron rubbed his shoulder.
Jake smiled back at Aaron. "I get it big brother." He looked at Mike and Andi. "You in on the ranch visit?"
You bet," Andi smiled.
Jake looked at Mike. "I didn't have a choice; my lady called it," Mike smiled. "Thank goodness for Uncle Dave's trust fund. We're raiding that to make the trip."
"Michael," Jarrod said. "All you had to do…."
"Grandpa, we love you," Mike said. "But our finances are ours; and ours alone."
Jarrod gave him a proud smile. "You boys were," he said, rubbing Jack's chin, "and are reared very well by two loving parents. I'm proud of you all."
"Thanks Grandpa," Jack smiled.
"That means a lot Grandpa," Mike smiled. Jake rubbed his shoulder as Maggie hugged Andi. Hannah, Jessica and John Brooks joined the group. They all shared hugs.
Pastor Jon excused himself. "I've got to get ready to get this rehearsal going," he winked.
A couple approached the group. Cait immediately figured out who they were and looked at Aaron. "Be nice Doc," he whispered.
The man, about the same age as Aaron and Cait, stuck out his hand to Aaron. "Hi," he smiled. "I'm Paul Granson; this is my wife Liz. We're Lauren's parents."
"Pleasure to meet you Paul," Aaron said, shaking his hand with a smile. He made the introductions to the Barkley and Brooks family. They all warmly greeted each other.
Paul looked at Aaron. "You have a wonderful step-son. And Cait, you did a wonderful job raising Matt. Our Lauren is a lucky girl."
Jack snuck at a look at his mom. "With all due respect Paul," Aaron said, "Matt is my son. The only steps in our home are those that go between the floors." Jake winked at Mike with a smile.
Liz looked at Cait. "I must say, this is rather down-scale for a Barkley wedding."
Cait smiled at her. "This is Matt and Lauren's wedding. And what they wanted. Aaron and I back them."
"So do the Barkleys," Maggie said.
Paul smiled. "We just wanted to meet all of you," he said as the couple moved off.
Andi giggled. "I love you grandma," she said, hugging Maggie.
John Brooks looked at her. "Maggie, remind me to never piss you off," he smiled, kissing her check.
"You rock Grandma," Mike said, kissing her as well. Jarrod smiled at them all.
Jack looked at the group. "Thank God Uncle Dave missed this."
Jake and Mike roared with laughter. "Word brother," Mike smiled, giving Jack a high five.
Sean, Leslie and their two boys came into the church. "We're here," Sean smiled. The boys raced at Cait and Aaron who pulled them into deeps hugs. Jack and Mike made the introductions to Tommy as Aaron introduced Sean and Leslie.
Jack looked at Mike. "Is Uncle Dave coming?"
Andi rubbed Jack's shoulder. "I don't think your mom and dad could handle him being around right now," she smiled.
Mike smiled. "The time for Uncle Dave to step up will come soon enough bro," he said.
The rest all laughed. "Uncle Dave will be there when you all need him most," Jake smiled.
Tommy looked at Cait and Aaron. "I so gotta meet this Uncle Dave," he smiled.
"He's the bomb," Wyatt smiled.
###
A/N: OK….my OK teacher has already sent up her red flag on the game cornhole. That's what we call it in my world. It's the bean bag lawn game you toss at an angled board with a hole at the top end. I did the Google research for you. Others call it Dummy boards, Doghouse or Baggo.
If that doesn't work for you in your part of the world, you Google it. My deepest apologies.
A Traverse is an eight passenger vehicle made by Chevrolet.
