A/N: I know it's a little early. Techno issues with new laptop battery.
Chapter 7
When the movie finished, Zach and Caleigh chased the boys to the bathroom to get their teeth brushed. Caleigh took care of the two greasy popcorn bowls as Zach supervised the boys. "We'll all be getting a phone call soon and I have to make my report," Zach said to the boys, looking in the mirror at them, standing in the doorway. Henry worked extra hard at getting his teeth brushed. Zach smiled.
Zach gave the boys their options. They could sleep together in Jack's bed or on the futon outside of his bedroom. They agreed on the first option. Zach eyed them. "That's cool; but I won't put up with any fooling around. Bed time is bed time." The boys nodded their agreement.
Caleigh hustled Jack into bed as Zach carried an over-tired Henry to the other side. His cell buzzed in his pocket. He smiled at Henry. "Guess who that is?"
"It's my momma," he smiled. Zach pulled out his cell, sticking Henry into bed.
"Kid central," he answered. "Do we have some parents?"
"Roger that," Hotch smiled at JJ.
"And a snoopy Uncle," Dave smiled.
"Gee, there's a no brainer," Zach smiled. "Hang on; we're just tucking the boys in." He put his cellphone down on Jack's bed and got Henry under the covers. He picked it up. "You have two minutes each; start talking." He pushed the speaker button.
"Hi Henry," JJ said.
"Hi momma; I miss you," he yawned.
"I miss you buddy. You having a good time with Jack?" Henry detailed their bus ride and afternoon.
"That's great Henry," JJ said. Dave rubbed her shoulder again, knowing their long hours and Will being out was hard on her. "You know daddy sends you his love as well."
"Yup momma, I know," Henry smiled.
Hotch smiled at JJ. "Hey buddy; how are you?"
"Hi dad," Jack said. "I'm most awesome." Hotch smiled.
"You've been hanging around Penelope too much," Dave smiled.
"Uncle Dave!" the boys smiled together.
"Hey guys, it's time for prayers," Zach said. Hotch and JJ followed his lead and said prayers with their sons. Dave, Zach and Caleigh joined in together as they said the Lord's Prayer together.
Caleigh leaned over Jack and kissed Henry on the forehead. "That's from your mom," she smiled.
"I got it momma," Henry said. JJ smiled, brushing away a tear. Dave put his arm around her, softly hugging her.
"Good night bro," Caleigh said, kissing Jack's cheek.
Jack pulled her into a hug. "Good night Caleigh; love you."
"Love you too bro," she smiled.
"Good night guys," Dave said into Hotch's cell.
"Good night Uncle Dave," they responded in unison.
"Jack, listen to Zach and help him out. I love you."
"Got it dad; I love you too. Good night." Zach gave his cell to Caleigh and tucked Jack in. She shut off the speaker button.
"Aaron," Caleigh said. "We'll call you a little later."
"Thanks Caleigh," Hotch said.
"Good night guys," Dave smiled. "Love you both."
JJ rubbed Dave's back as she moved to the doorway of her room that adjoined Hotch and Dave's. "Good night you two," she smiled. Hotch and Dave said the same and she shut the door.
Dave pulled out his usual Scotch bottle and waved it at Hotch. He smiled with a soft nod of his head, reaching for the glasses in the hotel room.
Back in Annandale, Zach shut the alarm off and let Mudg out the back kitchen door as Caleigh went downstairs to Zach's lair. She came out of his bathroom, changed for bed and turned on Zach's TV. She quickly found a movie for them to watch and sat down on Zach's couch.
Zach let Mudg in, locked the door, and re-set the alarm. Mudg bounded up the steps and plopped down at the foot of Jack's bed. Zach stuck his head in the room and saw the boys with their eyes shut. He turned on the night light in the main bathroom for the boys and headed downstairs.
Smiling at Caleigh dressed down for the night, he put his cell on the coffee table in front of Caleigh and went to his bathroom and took out his contacts, putting his glasses on. He came back into his den and listened. "Zach," Caleigh questioned.
He shook his head. "I knew those little shits were playing possum." He snuck up the steps and through the hallway. The boys were giggling, trying to tickle each other.
Zach loomed in the doorway. "This is warning number one," he scowled at the two of them as they dived under the covers. His large, athletic body made a hug presence in the shadows. "I have to come up here again, it won't be fun."
Caleigh picked up Zach's cell that buzzed, knowing it was Aaron.
"Sorry Zach," the boys chimed in together.
"Hi Aaron; Zach is putting out a fire with two boys in the same bed."
"Hi Caleigh; I hope they settle down for both of you," Aaron said, taking a sip of his scotch.
Caleigh had Zach's cell on speaker. "I put the hammer down dad," Zach said. "I just hope it takes."
"Zach?"
"They're both in fart around mode dad."
"Zach, don't forget tough love."
Zach smiled. "Got it dad; you and Uncle Dave finish you scotches and get some rest. You need it."
"Agreed," Caleigh added.
"Good night; I love you both," Aaron said.
"Ditto," Dave said in the background.
"Good night dad; love you too. Tell the ding dong as well." Aaron smiled.
"Good night Aaron; love you both," Caleigh said, shutting Zach's cell down.
Zach sat down next to Caleigh and started to watch the ending scenes of The Last Samurai with her. Mudg appeared at the top of steps ten minutes later. Zach shook his head, getting up from the couch. He followed Mudg to Jack's room.
"OK guys, this is your second and final warning. Three strikes and you're out. If I have to come up here again, you're not sleeping together."
"But Zach," Jack protested.
"No buts Jack; you two go to sleep together or sleep separate. Make a choice," he growled.
Zach and Caleigh watched the end of the movie and got off the couch to head to bed. He shut down the lights in his den, took his t-shirt off and pulled off his sport shorts. He put his glasses on his nightstand. They climbed into his bed together, talking a bit about their day as Caleigh laid her head on his chest. They both yawned and Zach reached for his bedstand light to make the room, and house dark. Mudg appeared in the doorway and growled a bark.
"Shit," Zach said, climbing out of bed in his boxers. He flew up the steps, with Mudg on his heels to Jack's room. "That's it you two. Third strike and I told you what would happen." He moved to Henry's side of the bed. He pulled the covers off him and gently pulled him out to his shoulder. He threw the covers back over Jack that rolled over to look at him.
"Zach, it won't happen…."
"Jack, I told you two; three strikes. Henry is out." He took Henry across the hall to the other bedroom and pulled back the covers to put him in.
"I'm sorry Zach," he said.
"I am too, Henry. I told you the rules and you two didn't listen." He tucked him in, rubbing his head. "Good night Henry." Mudg plopped down in the hallway between the two rooms. Zach went into Jack's room and got him tucked back in.
"Sorry Zach," he said.
Zach rubbed his head. "Get some sleep Jack. See you in the morning." He moved to walk out.
"Good night Zach; I love you."
"Love you too Jack."
-00CM00-
Zach woke to a cold, wet nose on his forehead and a small hand quietly shaking his arm. He opened his eyes to see Henry standing next to the bed holding his favorite stuffed animal in one arm, with his other hand on Mudgie. The moonlight coming in the window made the tears in Henry's eyes glisten. "What's wrong Henry," he whispered, pulling off the blanket.
"Your house makes funny noises," Henry said. "I'm scared." Zach smiled and rolled his legs to the floor. He picked up Henry and took him up the steps, rubbing Henry's back. Henry put his head on Zach's shoulder. Zach gently pulled the covers back on Jack's bed and tucked Henry in.
He rubbed Henry's head. "Go back to sleep Henry; it'll be OK." Henry yawned as he shut his eyes, clutching Pounder, his stuffed animal. Mudg jumped up on the foot of the bed. Zach rubbed his head as well and went back to his room.
He quietly crawled back into bed. Caleigh, laying on her side with her back to him whispered, "Softy."
-00CM00-
Sitting in the conference room of the Minneapolis Field Office, the team enjoyed their breakfast while talking over the case. The field office was located in the Federal Building downtown and had a large commissary in the basement, including a hot food cook line. "I could get used to this," Morgan commented, taking a bite of his omelet. Reid looked at him, eating his oatmeal. "Having a good breakfast that isn't out of a bag."
Rossi took a bite of his bacon, and started to get another forkful of scrambled eggs. He looked at Aaron, glancing at his cellphone. Again. "Relax Aaron; they're all sleeping in. It's Saturday," he smiled.
Reid looked at JJ. "Have you heard from Will?"
JJ nodded. "He sent me a quick text while I was in the shower; he's busy."
Caleigh was snuggled in Zach's arm; both of them were dozing. He had gotten up earlier to let Mudg out and feed him. Caleigh rubbed his side hearing the not so covert plot of a morning attack coming down the steps. Caleigh felt him lightly laughing.
The boys ran into the bedroom and hopped up on the bed. Zach and Caleigh sat up, each grabbing a giggling boy and started the mother of all tickle fests. Mudg hopped up on the bed as well, excitedly barking at the fun.
After a couple minutes, things calmed down. Zach reached for his cellphone. "How much you want to bet they've been waiting for this," he smiled.
"No bet Zach," Jack said in Caleigh's arms.
"Does that include momma," Henry asked. Zach nodded his head with a big smile as he hit the speed dial number for his dad.
Hotch was putting a bite of his own eggs in his mouth when his cell rang. Dave grabbed it before he could. "You've reached the voice mail of two overly worried about nothing parents. Please leave a message at the beep." Dave hit the speaker button and set the cell on the table. Morgan and Reid smiled at each other.
The four in the bed smiled. "Hi Uncle Dave," the little guys said. Mudg barked his greeting at his master's voice.
"Hey kiddos," he smiled. "You guys just waking up?"
"Naw Uncle Dave, we've been awake for a while. We just wanted to let Zach and Caleigh get some more sleep," Jack reported.
Morgan raised his eyebrows. "You getting some lovin' my man," he asked with his big smile. Hotch glared at him, while Dave smiled.
"No Derek; real love is letting him snore in my ear," Caleigh said.
"And that's the way it was, Friday, September fifth," Zach said, perfectly impersonating Walter Cronkite.
"Uncle Dave is my momma there," Henry asked.
"Hi buddy; how'd you sleep?"
Henry eyed Zach. "Hi momma! OK, after a while."
"Buddy?"
"Jack and me sorta fooled around too much. Zach had to split us up," Henry truthfully said. "But their house makes funny noises. So Zach put me back in Jack's bed a little later. Then I slept good." JJ smiled at Hotch.
"Buddy, Zach and Caleigh are the bosses until daddy or me get home. You have to listen to them and behave."
"It's all good JJ," Zach said. "They got the message."
"Same message to you Jack," Hotch gently chided.
"I know dad," Jack said. "And good morning."
Hotch smiled. "Sorry buddy; good morning son. What are the plans today?"
"We're going to play it by ear and the weather dad," Zach said. "It's god awful hot and humid here. And they're saying severe weather may be possible tonight."
"Zach," Aaron started.
"Dad, we'll keep an eye on the weather. This isn't my first time at the rodeo."
Derek's cell rang. He looked at the caller ID. "It's Garcia." He answered while Hotch and JJ talked with the boys. Morgan snapped his fingers at Hotch, pointing to his phone.
"Zach, listen. Garcia just called us with a lead. We've got to run; take care."
"Go dad, we've got this covered. Just get the bad guy and stay safe."
"Promise," JJ said, eating the last bite of her breakfast. "Bye Henry; all of you. Have a good day."
They all quickly said their good-byes and Zach ended the call.
The four sat around the kitchen nook, eating scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. The boys, as usual were empty pits. They all laughed as they ate. "So guys, what do you want to do today?"
"How 'bout a bike ride," Jack suggested. Beth's bike was still in the garage for Caleigh to use.
"I don't have my bike," Henry frowned.
Zach looked at him. "Or maybe it's in the back of my truck," he smiled, "along with your bike helmet."
"You brought it Zach," Henry excitedly asked.
"Yup; and your swimsuit. We can go over to Uncle Dave's after lunch and swim in the pool," Zach smiled.
"That's three-fourths of the plan," Caleigh smiled. "What about dinner?"
"Hamburgers," Jack suggested.
"Hot dogs," Henry added.
Caleigh smiled. "How 'bout both? And we'll make a small fruit salad. We'll have a picnic all our own." The boys beamed their acceptance.
"I love it when a plan comes together," Zach smiled.
-00CM00-
Turning the burgers over on the grill, Zach's cellphone buzzed with a text. He pulled it out and looked at it. The weather app he had gave him alerts. He read that they were now in a severe weather watch until 2am. He showed it to Caleb, Caleigh's younger brother. He had joined them at Dave's pool, since Rachel and Tom were at a wedding for the afternoon and evening. He also provided an extra set of eyes to watch the boys.
"You wanna stay the night," Zach asked.
Caleb shook his head, smiling. "Thanks bro; I'll keep an eye on the weather and big brother is a fireman. I know what to do if it gets ugly. I'll be OK. Mom and dad should be home by nine anyway." Zach smiled.
Caleb left after dinner, helping with the clean-up. Caleigh and Zach got the boys into the shower. Zach's phone buzzed more and more with alerts. Severe weather warnings for counties west of them were springing up and getting closer to the area. They didn't want to fool around with the boys in the shower during a thunderstorm.
Caleigh had brought her DVD of Lady and the Tramp. It was one of her favorites and they all enjoyed it.
After the movie, the boys were wonderful. They got ready for bed, said their prayers with Zach explaining that the team was busy. They fooled around for a bit and then conked out.
Caleigh and Zach kept on eye on the weather, watching a college football game that was on a local channel. An information stream ran at the bottom, updating the weather warnings.
###
A/N: The Lord's Prayer is one that is said in Christian churches, both Catholic and Protestant. I've written these characters that they practice those religions. I mean no offense to anyone that practices a different faith.
Walter Cronkite was the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981. Some of you may remember him in the black and white footage of him announcing the death of President John F. Kennedy. Or in the movie Apollo 13, which featured his broadcasts during those three significant days. His signature sign-off each night at the end of the news broadcast was "and that's the way it is for date." He was one of the most respected, and revered, American journalists. I considered him an icon to measure up to when I started my journalism career. "Uncle Walter", as he was affectionately known as, was one of the best.
