"AUNT JESS" Jack came running down the stairs and gave his aunt the biggest hug he could.
"Hey Jack, have a good day at school?"
"Yeah and daddy's letting me go on the field trip to the chocolate factory at the end of the year!"
"What field trip are you talking about buddy?"
"My teacher told us that as a treat, our whole grade is going on a field trip to the chocolate factory at the end of the year! Dad's already signed my permission slip saying I can go!"
"Wow, one can only imagine a chocolate factory filled with 8 and a half year olds!"
"I'll almost be nine by then Aunt Jess!"
"Sorry eight and nearly nine year olds."
"Have you got any homework Jack?" Jessica started to walk towards the kitchen with her nephew in tow.
"I did have homework. I already done it!"
"What homework did you have then?"
"Science and Maths."
"And you've finished them already?"
"Yeah Uncle Spencer helped me and showed me how to easily work out the answers. I promise I worked out all the homework problems by myself Aunt Jess. Spencer just showed me ways to work the problems out."
"I believe you buddy don't worry. So now you've got a whole free evening?"
"Yeah to spend with dad and you!"
"Why don't you go back upstairs and keep your dad company Jack. I just want to talk to Will and then I'll be right up."
"Okay Aunt Jess!"
Jack ran back up the stairs while Jessica went into the kitchen to find Will busy cooking something that smelled delicious.
"Hope spaghetti carbonara is okay for you guys tonight."
"Its great. Thanks. So how's it gone today?"
"It's gone great. Reid did complain and act like a baby when we asked him to hoover the house and someone still needs to teach that genius kid how to work a washing machine, but apart from that everything has gone great and Hotch has been no bother at all. He slept all morning once we'd helped him shower and shave, me and Reid have helped him to the bathroom a couple of times, the last time being just before 3 when the man really had to go. Alex has kept him company all afternoon. He seemed real hungry at lunch and ate the whole portion of pasta, chicken and veg I gave him. Apart from that its been real quiet and peaceful."
Spencer then walked into the kitchen, intending to make himself yet another cup of coffee.
"Oh hi Jessica, I didn't know you were home."
"Hey Reid. Has Aaron taken his pain meds today?"
"Yeah. He slept through the morning dose time so he had it at 12 and then a little time after the little guy got home from school about 4. Jessica his wounds still look pretty bad and they still hurt him to dry them with a towel. Are you sure Hotch is okay being out of the hospital?"
"I think so. He really needed to be at home with Jack but the doctor said he was healing up fine before he discharged him on Tuesday. They'll take time to heal and will probably still hurt for quite a few days to come. Alex said her husband whose a doctor wants both to help and to come over and check Hotch medically and to check his wounds are doing okay. So I figure that, as long as he seems okay over the weekend, I might get her to bring him over one day at the beginning of next week to check Aaron over. He seems to be getting a little better each day so I'm not too worried. Plus the doctor has him on a wide spectrum antibiotic just in case."
"Oh, okay. I just wanted to check that Hotch was still okay to be out of hospital. Sorry if I offended you…"
"No problem Reid. I'm glad to know you care about his well being so much and its good to have you keeping an eye out on his wounds. Like my mom told me many times, its better to be safe than sorry, right?"
"Right. Do you mind if I make myself another coffee?"
"Spencer, isn't that like your sixth one today?"
"No, its only my fifth! And you've had 3 cups yourself!"
"Yeah but I have mine straight black with no sugar in. Exactly how much sugar do you need in one cup ? When I made you one earlier, I took a quick sip and had to spit it out in the sink. It tasted more of sugar than of of coffee!"
"If I'd known you'd drunk from that cup, I would never have drank that coffee. I could have caught any germs off of you, you know I'm a little paranoid about germs….."
"Anything you may or may not catch off of me is only what Henry would or might give you when your around him. You never seem afraid of germs or anything like that when your around the little guy or Jack…"
"I'm still nervous you know but I hide it and pretend everything's okay for the little guys. Jessica would you like a coffee whilst I get myself another one?"
"Thanks Spencer. I have mine like Will, just coffee, no sugar."
After Reid handed Jessica the mug of coffee, she excused herself to go get changed out of her work clothes and to check on her 2 boys.
"Dinner should be ready about 6 Jess if that's okay with you two?"
"Sure. That'd be lovely."
"Oh and Spencer…Thanks for hoovering and folding the sheets by the way. I didn't know you were so good at keeping house. I'll get Dave to show you how to work my machine tomorrow if you'd like…"
"It was no problem Jessica. I'm only happy to help."
She went upstairs and popped her head in Aaron's room to find them cuddled up on the bed together in deep conversation.
"Hey Jess, have a good day at work?"
"Yeah. My highlight was lunch when I enjoyed some of Dave's lasagne. You guys okay here if I go get changed?"
"Yeah, we're fine. Jack here is already so excited about the newly planned school trip to the chocolate factory at the end of his school year, aren't you buddy?"
"Yeah, its gonna be so cool!"
"Jack, Will says dinner should be ready about 6, okay buddy?"
"Yeah. What's he cooking for daddy tonight?"
"I'm not sure. Aaron, if he's cooked enough, would your body tolerate some of his carbonara?"
"Should be okay I'd think. It's mainly just pasta and cheese sauce with ham so there's nothing that should cause me problems."
Jessica noticed Aaron's glass was empty.
"Let me change then I'll get you some more water."
"No hurry Jess."
Jessica changed out of her work clothes and went by Aaron's room to collect the empty glass before taking it downstairs.
She stood at the sink filling a clean glass with water.
"Will, have you cooked enough for 3 people?"
"Yeah. I always cook plenty for leftovers or whatever. Why, is Jack having a friend over or something?"
"No, its just that Aaron thinks your carbonara might be okay on his system, so he was wondering if he, too, could have some?"
"Sure. I'll make him up an extra bowl."
"Jack might like you to wait until he's finished before you serve Aaron. It's just that he takes his caring job so seriously and really enjoys feeding his dad dinner at the moment."
"Hotch being spoon fed by Jack? That is definitely something I'd need to see…. Tell him I'll bring him dinner as soon as the little guy has eaten."
"Thanks for all this Will. I know you were a last minute stand in and your on vacation yourself."
"Its no bother Jess, really. I WANT to be here to help Hotch out in his time of need. He's done so much for J.J and his team, and, even with his busy job, is such a great father to Jack, I feel I owe it to the guy to help him whenever he needs it at the moment."
"Thanks Will. I'm sure he appreciates all the help and support you've given him today."
"I'm only too glad to help out. Now you just go back upstairs to spend time with your 2 boys Jess, and I'll give you a shout when dinner is ready. Call us if he needs to get up again though as that's what Reid and I are here for."
"Thanks Will."
Jessica took the glass of water up to Aaron. She found him by himself.
"Where's Jack?"
"Bathroom then he's getting a book to read together."
Just then Jack ran back into the room with a book in hand.
"Hey Aunt Jess, you wanna read with us?"
"If your dad's sure that there's enough space for all 3 of us on the bed…"
"If Jack snuggles up real close to me, there's plenty of room next to him…."
Jack lay snuggled up next to his dad and Jessica lay close beside Jack. With Jack holding the book, he started to read to the 2 adults, getting them to help him with difficult words or to tell him the meanings of words he hadn't heard of before. They were halfway through the book when Jessica heard Will calling up to them.
"Jack if you save the place in the book, then after your dad has eaten his dinner, we can read again together if you want to."
"Thanks Aunt Jess."
"Now go wash up buddy so you can eat cos I'm hungry and I'm waiting for you to help me eat again."
"You really like it when I feed you daddy?"
"Yeah buddy, I do. And what makes even more special is seeing the smile on your face that tells me that you enjoy it to. Now go eat before I get so hungry I eat YOU!"
"Daddy no! You can't eat me! Silly daddy!"
Jack ran out of the room, washed his hands in the bathroom and followed his Aunt Jessica downstairs to the kitchen where Will had set the table and served 2 plates full of spaghetti carbonara. Reid was standing at the sink washing dishes whilst Alex was drying them.
"This looks amazing Will. Thank you so much!"
"Your more than welcome. Sit down and eat. I'm just gonna pop up the stairs to see Hotch but then I'll be back downstairs to sort Hotch's dinner out."
Whilst Jess and Jack sat down at the table to eat, Will went upstairs to see Hotch.
"Hey man, I was just wondering if, whilst their eating downstairs, you wanted to use the bathroom whilst they're gone?"
"Yeah thanks. It means I won't have to worry about getting up before bed and disturbing Jack's time with me."
Will helped Hotch get up and use the bathroom before returning him to bed and going back downstairs to the kitchen. Jessica and Jack were just finishing their meal. Not only had Jessica cleared her plate but, for a small boy, Jack had cleared his plate clean.
"Was it okay?"
"It was AWESOME Uncle Will. Thank you so much! Daddy will love it!"
"It was fantastic Will. Thank you."
"You are more than welcome. Hey Jack I bet it wasn't as good as Dave Rossi's cooking?"
"Not quite. His las…lasag…Aunt Jess what was it called again?"
"Lasagne?"
"Yeah his food was really awesome but yours Uncle Will definitely comes close."
"What about your dad's and Aunt Jessica's cooking? I bet their good cooks too."
"Dad makes the best chilli, Aunt Jess makes the best mac n cheese but you make the best spaghetti carbonara!"
"Aww…thanks little man. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Jack, buddy, I'll serve your dad up some and you and Aunt Jess can take it upstairs. I hear you're the best at feeding your dad…."
"He really likes it when I feed him. I can do it again tonight, can't I Aunt Jess?"
"You sure can buddy!"
Will put a decent sized portion of carbonara into a bowl and put it on a tray along with a large fresh glass of water, cutlery and napkins. Jessica picked up the tray whilst Will began clearing the table.
"Jack why don't you run up ahead of me and set up the lap tray?"
Jack ran up the stairs ahead of his Aunt carrying the tray and carefully positioned the tray over his dad's legs.
"Hey buddy, I was just thinking I'd have to resort to eating you instead of Uncle Will's cooking!"
"Dad!"
Jessica came in carrying the tray and setting it on the lap tray. Jack climbed onto the bed and began to feed his dad, being very careful not to make too much mess due to the cheese sauce.
Meanwhile the 3 downstairs quickly finished cleaning the kitchen and hurried upstairs to watch the scene of Jack feeding Hotch. All 4 of them, including Jessica, stood in the doorway chuckling as Hotch lay being fed his dinner by his son. They even chuckled as Hotch struggled to have enough time to take sips of water every now and then. Just as Hotch was almost finished Will's cell phone rang and he stepped away to answer it, coming back a minute later with a hand covering his phone's mouthpiece.
"Hey Jack, Henry wants to know if you want to go back to our place with him after school tomorrow to play with him? Aunt J.J will drop you back here in time for your dinner if you want to."
Aaron could see in Jack's face that he was clearly torn between really wanting to go play with Henry and really wanting to come back to his Aunt's house to spend time with his dad.
"Jack, if you want to buddy, you can go. It's only for a couple of hours and you'll see me when you get back. Then you and I have the whole weekend to spend together with your Aunt Jess."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay without me daddy?"
"I was on Wednesday when you went to Simon's to play with him and Tony wasn't I? Your Uncle Dave will be here with your Uncle Spencer and Aunt Penny. They'll make sure I'm well taken care of whilst you enjoy playing with Henry and hanging out at his house for a couple of hours."
"Okay then daddy. Uncle Will tell Henry I'd love to come back to his house after school tomorrow and play with him!"
"Okay buddy!"
Will stepped back away and went back to talking on his cell phone. He paused again and turned to Alex and Reid.
"Hey Alex, would it be okay if I got a lift from you guys on your way home?"
"Sure Will. We'd be happy to drop you off."
"Thanks."
He went back to his phone call and Jessica heard him say "Don't worry J.J, Alex and Spencer will drop me off on their way home in a bit…"
By the time Will had finished talking on the phone to J.J, Hotch had finished his dinner and his glass of water. Will took the dishes downstairs with Reid and Blake quietly following behind him. Blake returned a minute later with a fresh glass of water. Without being asked, she silently went into the bathroom and began to run Jack a bath.
Meanwhile downstairs, whilst Reid washed and dried the dishes, Will made Jack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the next day and put it in the fridge, clearing the kitchen behind him. He was determined that they would leave absolutely no mess for Jessica.
Alex returned to Hotch after a few minutes.
"Jack your bath is ready for when you want it sweetheart."
"Thanks Alex."
After leaving the kitchen spotless, Will and Reid returned upstairs.
"Jessica, there's a sandwich in the fridge for Jack's lunch tomorrow."
"It is PB and J isn't it Uncle Will?"
"Yeah Jack, its peanut butter and jelly. I know it's your favourite…"
"How do you know that Uncle Will?"
"Cos it's Henry's favourite thing to have in his sandwiches every day. I think there must be a rule that every kid in the states HAS to have peanut butter and jelly in their sandwiches."
"That's cos PB and J is AWESOME!"
"I wish I'd invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich idea, then I'd be a millionaire!"
"Hey guys we're gonna make a move to get out of your hair now but Rossi, Reid boy here and Garcia will be here in the morning to take the next shift…"
"Okay thanks all of you guys for doing so much today. Will thanks for being here and doing so much, Spencer thanks for helping Hotch and helping keep house, and Alex thanks for keeping Hotch company and for doing all the cleaning you did today."
"I didn't have to do much Jessica as your house is already so clean and tidy."
"Thank you. I do try…"
Jack hugged all 3 of them goodbye, saying his own thank you's before running to his room to get his pyjamas and running into the bathroom to have his bath so that he could go back to reading with both his dad and Aunt Jess.
Jack soon reappeared in clean Captain America pyjamas. He found his Aunt sitting on the side of the bed talking to his dad.
"Daddy, I'm all clean and I brushed my teeth!"
"Good job buddy. Why don't you climb back into bed with your old dad. Jess would you like to rejoin us in finishing such a great story?"
"I sure would. I can't wait to hear how it ends!"
Jack climbed back in and snuggled as close to his dad as he could and Jess lay snuggled close to Jack on his other side. They lay listening to Jack reading and helping him with unfamiliar words and what some words meant.
By near the end of the story Jack was yawning so much, his dad took over and finished the book. Aaron only had to read the last few pages before Jack was sound asleep with his head resting on his dad's shoulder. Jessica got off the bed and helped move Jack over to lie on the other side of the bed from Aaron and took the book from him.
"Will you be okay if I go grab a shower?"
"I'll be fine. I'm just gonna enjoy watching my little buddy sleeping."
After having a shower and changing into her nightwear, Jessica went through her now normal routine of locking up, turning off the lights and getting Aaron his pills and a glass of water.
Whilst Jessica was busy downstairs, Jack stirred awake, still very sleepy and climbed out of the bed.
"Hey buddy. You okay?"
"Yeah, I gotta pee."
He watched Jack walk out of the room and heard him going into the bathroom. He was just coming out as Jessica was walking up the stairs with Aaron's pills and water in her hands.
"Hey buddy, why are you up?"
"I had to go potty. Night Aunt Jess!"
"Night Jack. Sweet dreams."
She followed the sleepy boy back into Aaron's room and watched as he climbed back into the bed and instantly fell asleep. Aaron took the pills and Jessica helped him use the bathroom before tucking him back into bed.
"Night Aaron. Wake me if you need anything!"
"Night Jess."
She turned off the light and got into her own bed.
The next morning, whilst Aaron was still asleep, at 6am, and before Rossi, Reid and Garcia took the shift of Hotch's care, Jessica had called him that morning, knowing he would be there all through the weekend, and she gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.
"Dave, as you are going to be here through to at least Sunday night, why don't you crash in Jack's bed? He's sleeping with his dad every night and I'm sure he won't mind…it'll save you going back and forth for 3 days straight."
"If your sure I won't be any trouble to you guys or get in the way of Jack and you spending time with Aaron…"
"I'm sure. And tell Morgan he can take over from you sleeping here when he comes on Sunday as he's doing 4 days in a row. I know he has his dog with him though…"
"Clooney's used to having a dog sitter look after him when we're away on cases so I'm pretty sure I can convince him to take you up on that offer. I promise you that neither of us will get in the way of you guys spending time with each other…"
"Don't worry about that Dave. You and the rest of the team are part of Aaron's extended family and are all more than welcome here any time you want."
"Aww…thanks Jess. I have to go now so I can pack a go bag but I'll see you guys soon."
"Okay. Bye Dave."
After hanging up on Jessica, Dave had called Morgan, who was still sleeping, enjoying one of his last free days before having to do his 4 days in a row taking care of his boss.
"Rossi man, please don't tell me we have a case…Its only 6 in the morning man!"
"Don't worry Morgan, I'm only calling to tell you that Jessica has made us both an offer we can't refuse. She's offered to let me sleep there in Jack's bed over the next couple of nights whilst I'm there 3 days in a row. And she's letting you sleep in Jack's bed from Sunday night til you finish your 4 days on Thursday night."
"Are you sure we won't be getting in their way man. I mean we're already there during the day…"
"She says it wont be a problem. She was concerned that you had Clooney but I told her how a dog sitter takes care of him when we are away anyway on a case...So what do you say…."
"Sure. Clooney seems fine now, though I'll try to remember to put my food out of his reach…I'll call my usual sitter and get her to look after him from Sunday morning til Thursday night. Tell Jess I'll take her up on the offer but make sure you tell her I said thank you so much will you?"
"Sure will. So I'll see you on Sunday?"
"Yeah, now can I please go back to sleep?"
"Sure. Sweet dreams!"
"And Rossi dude?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't call me again at this hour unless its urgent. Some of us are still trying to sleep at 6 AM!"
Dave smiled to himself, knowing how much the ladies man loved his sleep!
Meanwhile, on hearing noises of Jessica talking to someone, Aaron had woken up feeling urgent and heavy pressure coming from both ends of him. He really wished he could hold onto his back end business until Dave and the others arrived but knew, that with his other business need just as urgent, he really had to go on both parts. He really didn't want to face Jessica cleaning him up!
He quietly called out to Jess, careful not to wake his sleeping son. She quickly appeared at the doorway.
"Hey sleepy head. Need the bathroom?"
"Er…yeah….but there's a problem…."
"What?"
"I have to erm….as…er…well….."
She watched Aaron's face turn red with embarrassment. She realised he meant he had to go number 2 as well and was embarrassed to admit it as he obviously didn't want her cleaning him up.
"Oh right. Okay come on lets go and get this over with before you have an accident in bed!"
She helped him stand up and slowly walked with him to the bathroom, closing the door behind them. She walked him to the sink, which stood next to the toilet.
"Okay, hold onto the sink whilst I get your clothes down.
Aaron stood with his back to her and leaned with his hands heavily against the sink edge whilst Jessica pulled his trousers and underpants down to around his ankles. Aaron was so desperate to sit on the toilet that he started squirming with urgency and need.
Jessica then took his left arm around her shoulders and turned him around so that his back was to the bowl. She slowly lowered him onto the toilet until he was sitting down. Knowing he was embarrassed, she made sure to look into his face only. He sat squirming, desperately holding on until she had left him alone.
"I'll be right outside. Just call when you're finished Aaron."
"Please can you just get out of here?..."
Jessica quickly left the bathroom. She hadn't even finished closing the door before she heard Aaron start doing his business. The guy must of really have had to go!
After quite a few minutes, now finished, Aaron really wasn't looking forward to the next humiliating part. It had been bad enough Dave having to do it the other day but now a woman he had known for years was about to have to clean his back end. Aaron really couldn't wait til he was well enough to do all this by himself again. He quietly called out, not wanting to wake Jack up. She heard him calling her and went back into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her so that Jack didn't walk in on her helping his dad clean his back end.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, let's stand you up and you can lean on the sink whilst I get this over with…"
"I really hate making you do this…."
"I'm a nurse Aaron, I'm used to it. So don't worry."
Making sure to keep her eyes level with his eyes so that Aaron didn't get embarrassed thinking she was looking at his privates, she took his arms and helped him stand up off of the toilet. Aaron stood leaning forwards against the sink. He tried to keep his legs together so that Jessica couldn't see his stuff but didn't realise he would have to open his legs so that she could clean him up properly.
"Aaron your gonna have to part your legs otherwise I can't clean you fully. I promise I won't look!"
Aaron did so but was extremely uncomfortable at having to expose himself to Jessica.
Jessica, though, being a nurse, was used to doing this kind of thing for patients she had taken care of and just got on with the job in hand. Although she could see his privates hanging down between his legs, she pretended she never saw anything and used toilet paper to wipe his back end until it was clean. Then she pulled back up his underpants and trousers before managing to wash her hands at the sink. She flushed the toilet and walked him back to bed. Aaron was still so embarrassed he didn't speak and couldn't look her in the eye as she helped him back into bed, this time helping him sit up. The movements of putting his dad back into bed caused Jack to stir awake. Both of them were glad he had stayed asleep until Aaron returned to bed so that he wouldn't have any idea just how much help Aaron needed.
"Morning buddy!"
"Morning daddy!"
Jack gave his dad a hug but started squirming and hurrying to get out of bed.
"Where you going buddy? I want a cuddle!"
"I have go bathroom…"
Jack ran out of the room. Jess took the opportunity with Jack out of the way to again try to reassure Aaron she had not found helping him just now embarrassing. She whispered so that Jack wouldn't hear.
"Aaron listen, what just happened is nothing for you to feel embarrassed about. You can't bend that way yet and I'm a nurse so I'm used to doing that with other male patients I've taken care of…"
Before Aaron could say anything, they heard the toilet flush and Jack came running back into the room.
Jessica turned to go down and get him his pills and some more water.
"Jess?" She turned round to face him. "Thanks…."
"No problem Aaron."
Because Jack had no idea what his dad was thanking his aunt for he just assumed it was the normal help she had been giving him just walking him to the bathroom and back and instead ran to wash his face and get dressed quickly so he could go back to his dad's bed. She went and got him the pills and water and Aaron swallowed them whilst she to get dressed before she went back downstairs to get them both some cereal for breakfast.
When the team of Dave, with a go bag packed in his hands, Reid and Garcia arrived at 7 o clock, Jessica, now already dressed, greeted them at the door and let them in.
"Jess, thanks for letting me stay over for a couple of nights. Oh and Morgan said thanks and that he'll take you up on your offer."
"Your more than welcome. I just thought that as your both here for days in a row helping us and Aaron out so much, I'd help you out so you don't have to go back and forth. Reid, maybe sometime today you could change Jack's bed and put fresh sheets on it for Dave?"
"Sure. Hey Rossi man, what superhero covers would you like?"
"Superhero covers?"
"Don't worry Dave. Reid there are clean sheets to fit Jack's bed that are plain that are in the cupboard in my room. Just take what you need."
"Is Jack upstairs?"
"Yeah. He's really enjoying eating his breakfast upstairs in bed with his dad at the moment. He's so eager to be allowed it every day that he is always careful and really good not to make a mess. Not that it would matter much to me as I'd let him regardless as he enjoys it so much…"
"I'll go put my bag in Jack's room and pop in to say hi to them."
Dave went up the stairs and, still with his bag in hand, he popped into Aaron's room to say hi.
"Uncle Dave!"
"Hey buddy. I won't disturb your guy's breakfast but I just wanted to pop in and say hi. Uncle Spencer and Aunt Penny are downstairs with your Aunt Jessica."
Jack noticed the bag in Dave's hand.
"Why have you got a go bag Uncle Dave? You guys haven't got to rush off on a case have you?"
Jack sounded really worried as he'd loved seeing all his aunts and uncles every day and loved spending so much time with all of them.
"No buddy. Cos I'm here every day til Sunday night, your Aunt Jess said I could sleep here for the next couple of nights."
"Your having a sleepover for 2 nights? That is so cool! Are you gonn sleep on the sofa?"
"No buddy, I hope its okay with you but your Aunt Jess said that, as you were sleeping with your dad in his bed, I could sleep in your bed. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah. Its awesome!"
"And when Uncle Derek comes on Sunday, cos he's here for 4 days straight, he'll be taking my place and sleeping in your bed til he goes home on Thursday night. But while we're here we won't use your room for anything more than sleeping so if you want to go in at all for anything, even if it's to spend some time in there, then feel free to. It'll still be your room, we are just borrowing your bed. But feel free to kick us out of it if you ever want to sleep in there…"
"What about Mudgie and Clooney? Don't they need both you guys to take care of them?"
"No, they'll be okay. We have people who will come and look after them for us when we have to go on a case, just like your dad has your Aunt Jess to take care of you when he has to go away. They'll take very good care of both Mudgie and Clooney til we go home."
"Yeah my Aunt Jess takes such great care of me when dad goes to find the bad guys and be the hero he is."
"Hey Dave!"
"How you feeling Aaron?"
"Better than I was. I can't wait til I'm back on my feet again and get to do everything by myself again!"
"I can only imagine what your going through…. Anyway I'm gonna leave you guys now but I'll be back to see you in a bit."
Dave went out of the room and left his go bag on Jack's bed. He was just about to go downstairs when Jack appeared at Aaron's doorway.
"Uncle Dave, me and dad have finished. Please will you carry the try downstairs for me? It's too heavy and its very frail."
"Don't you mean fragile buddy?" Aaron corrected his son.
"Yeah that." Dave went into the room.
"Sure Jack. If I take the tray can you take the lap tray off your dad for me?"
"Course I can!"
Jack waited until Dave had picked up the tray before taking the lap tray off his dad's legs and putting it carefully on the floor next to the bed.
"Good job buddy. You better go check your backpack is packed. Don't forget your homework and that form I signed for your teacher."
"That paper you signed isn't coming out of my backpack til I hand it to my teacher!"
"Go check your backpack anyway and leave it by the front door. Then you and I can hang out some more buddy til Aunt J.J comes to get you."
Jack ran out of the room to pack and check his backpack, making sure he had his homework in it before going taking it and dropping it by the front door and, after saying a quick hello to his Uncle Reid and Aunt Penny, he ran back upstairs to be with his dad.
Meanwhile Dave carried the tray back downstairs to the kitchen. Reid and Garcia were in the lounge. Jessica looked up from where she was putting Jack's lunch together and saw him carrying Aaron's tray.
"Thanks Dave."
"No problem. So how's last night gone. Did he sleep through the night again?"
"Yeah. He seems to be getting a little bit of strength back each day, though he'll still need help walking to the bathroom and back for probably the next week. Oh and you shouldn't worry about him having to do the other thing today…."
"Why did Will and Reid have to help him yesterday?"
"No, he had to go when he woke up."
Dave stood washing the dishes in the sink and cringed, imagining how much more embarrassed Aaron must have been than when it was him and Morgan helping him that way the other day.
"You mean you had to….."
"Yeah, but he was more embarrassed. I'm used to doing that for patients in my nursing job."
"Oh and I was talking to Alex Blake last night. She said that if he's still needing help after our 2 week stand down is up, her husband James, who is apparently on a sabbatical for a couple of months before he begins teaching at Harvard, has said that he'd come in the day to help Aaron out while you are at work."
"Aww tell him thanks and that he's welcome to do that if it comes to it…Actually I'm gonna ask her to get him to come over after the weekend is done just to check Aaron out and to do a wound check."
"Good idea. Have you seen them by the way, they were looking sore but they looked like they were healing up okay…."
"Actually, I haven't seen under his bandages yet as they stay on unless he's showering. They don't seem to be bothering him too much when he has to move, though that might be due to the strong painkillers he's on."
Dave moved from the sink towards Jessica.
"Hey why don't you sit down and I'll finish that off. Do you want me to make the little guy a sandwich again?"
"No its okay. Will made him one before he left last night."
"Peanut butter and jelly?"
"That's the only thing he has in his sandwiches! I swear my nephew is gonna turn into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one day soon…."
Dave laughed.
"Hey if it isn't too much trouble for one of you guys today, would you do me a favour?"
"Sure anything.."
"There's a grocery list on the fridge with a few things I have to buy. Do you think someone could pop to the store sometime today and pick them up. I'll leave you guys enough money…."
"Sure I'd be glad to go grocery shopping. Reid will be here for Aaron along with Garcia. Don't worry about leaving us any money, I'll pay for it all."
"Are you sure? I'm happy to pay for any groceries…"
"Jessica, I live in a mansion by myself with a high paying job and a huge bank account. I can afford to treat you guys to a few groceries…plus we are here using up your food and drink as well so someone should help pay our way…."
"Thank you Dave, that's so kind."
"No problem."
Soon enough, J.J picked up Jack for school and Jessica left for work. As soon as they had gone, Dave had gone back up to see Aaron.
"So I hear Jess had to…er…."
"Yeah. I wanted to wait til you and Reid were here but I had to go. Man, it was sooo humiliating…."
"She's a nurse Aaron. She apparently does that to her patients when they need it…."
"Yeah but her patients are strangers, Dave! We've known each other since I met Haley and we are so close we are like brother and sister. Dave if you had one, would you really want your sister to have to help you out THAT way? I mean I love her and all but to have her wipe my arse…."
"At least its done and you've lived through it…."
"So I hear you're here by yourself tomorrow with us 3…"
"Yeah. I hope I can manage you by myself. I mean I'm an old man…."
"Your only a few years older than me Dave…"
They both laughed.
"So J.J told me Jack's going over to their house for a couple of hours after school to play with Henry…"
"Yeah, when Will asked him yesterday, he was caught between wanting to play with Henry and wanting to be here with me but I convinced him he should go play and that we had the whole weekend to spend together…J.J said she'll drop him back before dinner so don't worry, he won't miss out on your delicious cooking. And if I get Reid to help him with any homework before he leaves then he has the whole weekend free, well except when his Uncle Dave has to endure the soccer match early on Sunday morning…."
"I don't mind taking the little guy to soccer as he's so good at it and it gives him joy. But me and Morgan will help you shower before Jack has soccer so you don't have to worry about Morgan trying to cope on his own….."
During the rest of the day, Dave and Reid helped Hotch shower, and when he needed it, to use the bathroom. They both noticed that Hotch was leaning on them for support a little less than he had been when they had helped him for the past 2 days, though he still needed a lot of support whilst standing up. Again someone changed his bed sheets and, after changing Jack's bed sheets so Dave could sleep in Jack's bed, Dave did the laundry. That morning went by quickly as Hotch slept for most of it again. It seemed to be that his mornings with his son and the showering effort, wore him out. After he managed to eat something Dave cooked him for lunch, Garcia and Reid kept him company whilst Dave went grocery shopping. As well as the list Jessica had made, he had gone through the cupboards and written a few more things down that he thought he might as well buy before he had left for the store. He made sure to get enough stuff to cook Jessica, Jack and Hotch some more delicious meals after seeing how much all 3 of them found his cooking, especially Jessica and Jack who had never had the chance to try his cooking before. He had known Aaron had eaten his cooking before but he was amazed at how much Jessica and Jack had enjoyed his lasagne the night before last. He had also made sure to get plenty of pasta and spaghetti as Aaron seemed to be able to eat that well enough without trouble and plenty of coffee, sugar (for sugar high Reid), milk, etc. He even got a lot of eggs, bacon, sausages, bread (for toast) etc in order to cook Jessica, Jack and Aaron a delicious cooked breakfast whist he was there both mornings. He knew Jack's soccer game on Sunday wasn't until at least 10am, so he knew he'd have plenty of time to help Morgan shower Aaron as well as cook breakfast before he and Jack had to leave for the soccer game.
By the time he got back to Jessica's and had put away the groceries, it had been 2pm. He had decided to make Jessica and Jack a large homemade Italian style pizza that he could share with them, and had started preparations soon after 3pm. Dave loved cooking so much that he never found it a chore and instead put his whole heart and soul into it, even if it were just him eating it. Sometimes he even went as far as to put on some Italian music to work to when he was home alone.
Whilst Dave was busy cooking, Garcia had seen to making sure the laundry was dry and folded and put away before ensuring that the house continued to remain spotlessly clean, knowing no one could trust Reid to be left to that sort of thing as he was so used to overlooking mess and dirt when he had been absorbed in a book.
Reid stayed out of the way by keeping Hotch company upstairs. Hotch had asked him to help Jack get any homework he had done before he and Garcia left for the night so that Jack would have the whole weekend free. Reid was happy to and had then ended up sending Hotch asleep by rambling on about facts about different things. Garcia had come up to the room to find Hotch dozing in bed and Reid sitting there watching their boss sleeping.
"He's asleep again?"
"Yeah, I was talking to him and he nodded off! Which I thought was a bit rude of him but still…."
Garcia smiled, knowing genius boy had probably been rambling on about anything and anything, reciting useless facts, which had sent Hotch into the slumber.