Chapter 10
They all looked around at each other, totally sated. The big chunks of chicken, along with the wide noodles and the delicious rolls had filled them all up. Aaron even ate heartily. By the time they were finished, there were two bowls and two rolls left. Caleigh and Zach took them out to the nurses for them to enjoy and Caleigh got the crock pot cleaned up in the bathroom as Zach gathering up the garbage and took it to the shoot for the hospital staff. The nurses and orderlies all smiled at him for doing that.
Caleigh helped Jack start getting his stuff in his bookbag, as Zach got Aaron into the bathroom. When he finished, Zach helped him get his robe off and back into bed. Jack climbed up and he and his dad read some of the book he had brought along. Yet, it was becoming more and more evident by the minute that Aaron was tiring.
Jack looked at his dad. "We'll read more tomorrow, OK dad."
"Good idea buddy," Aaron yawned. Zach got him to get his tennis shoes on while he and Caleigh gathered their overnight bags and bookbags, along with the crockpot and got them along the wall across from Aaron's bed. Jack crawled up and gave his dad a hug.
"Good night dad; I'll miss you again tonight," he sadly said as Aaron kissed his head.
"I'll miss you too buddy; but I'll be home soon. I promise."
Jack crawled down and Caleigh gave Aaron a hug. "See you in the morning; if there's anything else you want, let us know." They had made a list together of what he wanted in the morning. She kissed his cheek. "See you then," she said, rubbing his arm.
"Thanks Caleigh; see you in the morning."
Zach got to him last and gave him a hug as well. "We'll be here after church and Sunday School."
Aaron smiled through a yawn. "See you then son; I love you."
"I love you too dad."
Jack got one more hug. "Good night dad; I love you."
"Good night buddy; love you too." Caleigh helped him get his coat and then her own. Zach gave his dad another hug.
"See you in the morning dad. Good night."
"Good night Aaron," Caleigh said. They grabbed their stuff and left.
As they got on the elevator, Jack hugged Zach's leg. "I don't want to leave dad," he cried. Zach knelt down and held him in a hug until the elevator got to the ground floor.
"Neither do I bro; but dad needs some rest. He'll be much better in the morning." They got off and headed to the parking ramp, loaded up Zach's truck and headed for home. "Thirty dollars for parking? I thought it would be a lot more," Zach said as he pushed his wallet in his back pocket.
Caleigh looked at him with a smile. "Uncle Dave comes through again."
As if on cue, Zach cell buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and handed it to Caleigh. "Speaking of the devil," she smiled and answered it. "Are your ears burning; we were just talking about you."
"Hi sweetheart; where's Zach."
"He's driving; we're on the way home for the night." She detailed Aaron's day. "How's the case going?"
"We're following a lead and on our way to LA. I'm hoping we can wrap this one up soon."
They chatted a bit more, giving Jack the chance to talk to Uncle Dave, hoping that would improve his mood. It didn't and Caleigh took the phone off speaker.
"Wow, is he down. I bet it was hard for him to say good bye."
"Yeah it was."
"OK Caleigh, talk to you all in the morning."
"You got it Dave. Good-bye."
Since it was on the way home, Zach stopped at Mama S.' restaurant and dropped off the crock pot, giving her a huge kiss and hug for the wonderful meal. When they got home, Mudgie was one happy dog. He and Jack romped in Zach's den as Zach got together what his dad wanted in the morning. That seemed to brighten Jack and Zach let him take a shower in his bathroom. Zach looked at Jack as he was helping him get dried off and dressed. "Caleigh and I are going to sleep in my bed. Do you want to sleep in your bed or on the futon?"
"Can I sleep on the futon?"
"Sure," Zach smiled. When they finished, Caleigh was already in her lounge pants and long sleeved t-shirt. Zach quickly changed as well and they all went to the kitchen and Zach made chocolate malts for them all.
They tucked Jack into Zach's bed and sat down to watch a movie. Zach leaned his head back into the couch. "I hated to leave dad too. But it's sure nice to be home." Caleigh curled up to him. When the movie finished, they got the futon made up for Jack, Caleigh let Mudg out and Zach got Jack into the bed.
The next morning the three of them went to church together. All their friends thought nothing of Aaron not being there; they were used to seeing that. Caleigh, of course, was a different story.
Yet, when Pastor Jon got to the part of the services for prayers and prayed for Aaron's speedy recovery from emergency surgery on Friday, they all knew different and a real concern spread through the close friends of the Hotchner's.
After the service, Pastor Jon went over the announcements of highlights for the upcoming week, and like always, updated the congregation on where those he prayed for currently were at. "Aaron is in Langer Hospital in Dale City until…" he said, looking at Zach.
"Probably tomorrow," Zach smiled.
"That's great news Zach," he smiled and wished everyone a safe week in the Lord. The ushers began letting the congregation out, pew by pew, starting at the front.
Dan Larson and his girlfriend Jenny were sitting directly behind Zach, Caleigh and Jack. Gary and Brenda were behind them and listened as Zach described what happened to his dad. The whole coffee klatch pretty much sat in the same area, so Zach was able tell the story once. Getting out of church, he wasn't so lucky, as many members of the congregation stopped him to ask questions. They were all genuinely concerned, knowing the family situation with Aaron being the single parent to the boys.
The three of them appreciated all of their kind words and promised to tell Aaron when they saw him later that morning. Jack grabbed Caleigh's hand to show her his Sunday School room in the upstairs of the church. Gary was finally able to corral Zach. "You two going for coffee while you wait for Jack?"
"Planning on it," Zach said.
Gary smiled. "We'll grill you then." Zach just shook his head.
When they got in the truck, Zach pulled out his cell phone. He dialed the number on the card that the afternoon nurse had given him, who also advised to call after 9 am. "Fifth floor nurse's station; this is Monica."
Zach smiled. "Hey Monica; it's Zach Hotchner. How's dad?"
"He's doing great Zach. He slept through the entire night and ate a good breakfast. One of the LPN's is getting him cleaned up and into some pajamas. We're hoping to get him out in the hall for a walk later this morning."
"Sounds great Monica; thanks for the update. We should be there around eleven."
"He's waiting on you; he wants to get shaved."
"Sounds like dad," Zach laughed. "We'll see you then."
The group was sitting around their usual gathering of tables when Zach and Caleigh walked in. They all noticed that Zach opened the door for her. Dan winked at Gary. When they got their order they walked to the table. Zach, the perfectly raised Hotchner gentlemen, helped Caleigh get out of her coat. The two grandmothers of the group smiled their appreciation. Gary and Dan exchanged a look.
They sat down. Zach looked at Caleigh, with a smile. "You ready?"
Caleigh smiled. "What did you tell your dad last night? Paybacks are …"
"I know, when I go to your church, I'll get the same," he smiled. "Everyone, this Caleigh Graystone." He looked at her. "They'll be a quiz at the end," he smiled, and introduced the group.
"So how did you two meet," Brenda sincerely asked after Zach had taken a ration of teasing from the guys.
"You remember Pete?" Brenda nodded her head. "His girlfriend Lisa and Caleigh are cousins."
"Ahhhh, a little set up job," Gary said with a smile. Brenda slapped his thigh.
Grandma Ellen asked if Caleigh went to the same church as the group. Caleigh smiled. "My family and I are members at Zion in Vienna." The group all smiled and got back to Aaron. Zach and Caleigh, who fit right into the group, told them about their day yesterday with Aaron and the progress he had made. Zach added the update he had just received from Monica.
Brenda looked at Zach. "Is anyone bringing in dinner tonight?" He shook his head. "Well someone is now," she smiled.
Zach looked at Caleigh. "I like that answer," he beamed.
"Can your dad have visitors," Leann asked. She was married to Mike, Gary's brother.
"Sure," he smiled. "Like I said in church; Doc Mercer is hoping to cut him loose tomorrow."
They settled into their usual Sunday morning conversations about the weather, sports and the ladies gossiped a bit.
-00CM00-
After they picked up Jack when Sunday School finished, Zach headed towards home. They all quickly changed. Jack came out of his room wearing his usual Sunday apparel: his Redskins jersey, with a long sleeved white t-shirt underneath and jeans. Caleigh helped him pull on his tennis shoes and Jack tied them, beaming proudly. "You rock Jack," she said. That got her the Jack Hotchner power hug.
Zach let Mudgie in and shouted, "Let's mount up."
Caleigh looked at Zach. "Where's the bag for your dad?"
"Already in the truck," he smiled. He grabbed Jack's bookbag, and got them headed to the truck. Twenty minutes later, they were walking down the hall. Monica saw them coming and put her finger to her lips.
"He's napping right now; getting a bit of a bath and changed, along with a short walk wore him out," she smiled. They all nodded and quietly entered the room. Taking their coats off, they got settled into the room and Caleigh got Jack on the couch to color a picture for his dad. Ten minutes later, Rachel and Tom slipped in the door.
They all talked quietly in the suite area, Rachel rubbing Jack's back as he colored. Zach had brought a service folder home from church for Aaron to look at and they had done the same for Caleigh. They compared notes on the two services.
Aaron woke and listened for a bit. He heard soft voices. He smiled and pulled his glasses off the tray table, putting them on and looked. He noticed Zach standing with Tom. "Zach," he quietly said. Zach moved to his dad's bed.
"Hey dad," he smiled giving his dad a hug. "How do you feel?"
"Better now; they wore me out this morning." The rest started to gather around, with Jack scrambling up on the bed for his hug.
"Hey buddy," Aaron said, kissing his son. "I missed you too. But Jack, I need to go to the bathroom."
"OK dad," he smiled and slid off the bed. Caleigh pulled Jack towards her and Zach reached around Aaron's waist to get him out. "Just a little help Zach; I feel better; I just don't to spring a leak." They all smiled as Zach gently helped him out of bed.
"You're moving better Aaron," Caleigh smiled.
"I feel better; I'm not as sore as I was yesterday." He proved that when he didn't use Zach to steady himself on his feet.
"Caleigh grab dad's bag for me please." She found it and handed it to Zach as he got Aaron in the bathroom.
He got Aaron to the toilet and helped him get his pajamas bottoms around his knees and sat down. "First things first," he smiled.
Aaron smiled. "You might want to leave for a bit."
Zach fished out a pair of his dad's boxers from the bag and threw them at Aaron's head. "Whistle when you're done, have flushed twice, waited ten minutes and I'll help you get them on." He exited before he could get an argument.
Zach shook his head as walked out, shutting the door. "I know he changed my diapers when I was a baby, but this isn't fair." Tom and Rachel both laughed.
Jack burrowed a look into Zach. "How many mornings do you pollute our air?" Tom and Rachel both dropped their jaws at what came out of his mouth.
Zach waved them off. "He hangs around Uncle Dave too much."
Rachel looked at Caleigh. "We've definitely got to meet him," she smiled.
Five minutes later, Aaron whistled for Zach. He went in. Aaron was pulling up his pajama bottoms and his boxers. "Dad…"
Aaron smiled. "I've got it. Just tell me my razor is in that bag." Zach fished it out along with his shaving cream and put them on the bathroom counter, starting some warm water to run in the sink. Aaron made his way to the counter by himself. Zach nodded his appreciation. Aaron put the sink stopper in and let the bowl fill. He rinsed his stubble and lathered up. Zach leaned against the counter. "How was Jack last night?"
"He slept on the futon in my den; but other than that, he was fine. Caleigh and I started him off in my bed so we could watch a movie and then moved him there. Mudg bunked with him, so he was all good."
Aaron looked at Zach in the mirror. "Did you and Caleigh sleep together last night," Aaron asked with no bias or challenge.
"Yeah, we did." Aaron looked at him as he took his first swipe of his stubble. "Dad, you know what happened. I'm not going to do anything but snore in her ear."
"Zach, I know that. I just want you to know that I'm OK with it and I trust you. I know I'm not setting the best example…."
"Dad stop; comparing Caleigh and I's relationship to you and Beth is comparing apple and oranges. I have no problem with it. You two are adults."
"So are you and Caleigh."
Zach smiled. "With a whole lot less experience; dad I'm OK and Caleigh is fine with it as well. And that's all that is going to happen for a while." Aaron smiled his pride at his oldest son.
"Just don't screw it up," his dad smiled. Zach looked at him about the uncharacteristic remark.
As Aaron finished shaving and brushed his teeth, Zach pulled out the white cotton t-shirt that Aaron wanted. He shook his head as he shaved. "I'll pass on that son. Getting this pajama top on, lifting my arms is what did me in." Zach refolded it and put it back in the bag.
"I've already got your cell recharging."
"Thanks son," Aaron smiled. "Have you heard from Dave?"
"No; but I'm assuming their lead paid off and he's heads down with the team."
"Probably," he said, rinsing his face. He toweled off and looked at Zach. "My contacts?"
"Caleigh and I talked on the way home last night. You got vetoed on that one dad. As long as you're here, you don't need to be taking contacts in and out. The glasses work."
Aaron looked at him for second and then smiled. He pulled Zach into a hug. "Thanks son; you better?"
Zach pulled away. "Yeah; 'cause you are," he smiled. "Come on, you've got company."
Aaron walked out of the bathroom on his own and headed for the recliner. "Aaron, you want your bathrobe or just a blanket," Caleigh asked.
"The blanket works Caleigh," he smiled. Zach helped him sit down and Tom pulled up the recliner's footrest. Caleigh got the blanket around him and Jack curled up next to his dad, abandoning his picture. They all chatted as Zach turned on the pre-game show to the football game on the TV.
They were having a wonderful time until they heard the door open and a baritone Italian voice said, "After you Kitten."
Zach looked around. "Uh oh; all hell just done broke loose," he smiled.
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A/N: Please all of you. Do not send me hate PM's about the logo for the Washington pro football team in the NFL. I agree; but for now, it is what it is and Jack is just a kid. And I write him that way.
Old movie trivia question for all of you. What movie is Zach's last line from (the part after the colon)?