A/N: Monster long chapter warning. I couldn't break it up.
Chapter 10
The first three days the twins were finally home, the family never visited except Sean and Kim bringing their dinner Monday and Tuesday night. That was the plan the grandparents came up with and Dr. Lisa highly supported. Zach and Caleigh deeply appreciated it. Rachel and Beth checked in each day with a phone call. But that was it. It was settling in time for their new family. Dave even bought in.
The settling in time included Lexie. The first time Trev and Tay woke early Tuesday morning, Lex bolted up the steps in the darkness to see what was wrong. Nearly four hours later, she was waiting for Zach or Caleigh coming down the steps to prepare formula. Lexie would watch the twins being fed and then lay back down. They all settled into the routine.
Zach and Caleigh walked into the brand new, larger medical clinic that housed their favorite doctors carrying the twins. They checked in at the front desk and went to the pediatric wing of the clinic on the first floor.
Dr. Mahoney's nurse weighed each of the babies. She smiled at Zach and Caleigh that saw the digital readout. "It's normal for all newborns to lose a few ounces. It's nothing to worry about," Annette smiled. "They look wonderful."
Dr. Lisa concurred with that assessment when she examined Tay and Trev. "They are doing great," she smiled. "Their lungs are clear and there is no jaundice, which is our biggest worry. Just keep doing what you're doing. They'll put the weight back on in a ten days to two weeks." She looked at the couple. "How are you doing?"
"Afternoon naps while they sleep are our helper," Caleigh smiled.
"I can always nap," Zach smiled.
Lisa smiled. "And how's Lex?"
"Protective of her new charges," Zach smiled. Lisa laughed looking at Zach's homecoming video.
Dr. Lisa looked at them. "I do have one thing to show you two." She turned the computer screen in the examination room towards them and hit a button the keyboard.
A video appeared. It was Dr. Navarro. "Congrats you two! Tay and Trev look wonderful! I'm so happy for all of you. And I can't wait to take over their care when you return to the area. See you in four months."
"Thank you for that," Caleigh smiled at Lisa.
Lisa smiled back. "I don't see you four until they are a month old. Annette already has the appointment set up for you."
Walking to main hallway in the wing, a young boy came out of another hallway, sporting a huge cast on his left that run from his knuckles to half way up his bicep, with his elbow bent at a ninety-degree angle in the sling. He could not have been much older than six. He took one look at Zach and stopped in his tracks. "Whoa," he said.
"Ryan," his mom asked. The boy nodded his head at Zach. Zach smiled at him, setting Tay in her infant seat down on the floor.
"Hi Ryan," Zach smiled.
"You're Zach Hotchner," Ryan stammered out.
"Busted," Zach smiled, crouching down. "This is my wife Caleigh," Zach said pointing around. "And our twins Trevor," he pointed at the infant seat Caleigh held, "and Taylor."
The mother smiled. "Hi, I'm Robin. Are they newborns?"
"Thursday night," Zach smiled. "But dude? What happened to you?" Zach looked at Ryan.
"The monkey bars at school are so not my friend anymore during recess," Ryan said.
Zach smiled. "I've got a younger brother that broke his wrist a couple years back during recess." Zach nodded at the cast. "Red 'cause you're a Nats fan?" Ryan shyly looked at him and then nodded. "That's OK my man," Zach smiled.
Ryan looked at him. "Will you still sign it?"
Zach smiled. "You bet." He looked at the nurses at the desk. "Anyone got a Sharpie?" A nurse pulled one from the counter and tossed it to Zach. Zach looked the cast over. He smiled, pointing at a signature. "That's gotta be special." It was a heart and signed 'Grandma'. Ryan beamed. "And who's Lauren?" Zach asked looking more. "Girlfriend?" Zach smiled at him.
"Nawww Zach, she's my sister," Ryan said, with his face blushing a bit. Caleigh smiled at Robin with a wink.
"Got it," Zach smiled. He stood up and walked behind Ryan, took the cover off the Sharpie and wrote standing over Ryan's shoulder in an open spot that Ryan could see in the sling he was wearing. Stay true to your team Zach wrote. He then autographed the cast adding his #62 to the signature.
"Thanks man," Ryan smiled. Zach handed the Sharpie back to the nurse and then crouched down in front of Ryan.
"Take care dude," he smiled, sharing a high five with the boy and then shook his hand. He held Ryan's hand for a second. "And when that thing comes off," Zach said, pointing at the cast, "go back out on the playground and teach those monkey bars a lesson," he smiled.
"Got it," Ryan smiled.
"Take care Ryan," Zach smiled, picking up Taylor in her infant seat.
"Thank you both," Robin smiled at the couple. "And just relax and enjoy this time," she nodded at the twins.
"Thank you," Caleigh smiled.
They all headed to the main lobby together. "Hey Zach! Hold up," they heard. Caleigh waved at Ryan and Robin heading out the door as they stopped and turned.
It was Jess, Dr. Shock's nurse. "We've got to see these two," she smiled. "Doc is on his way down." Jess looked at the twins. "Wow, you two," she smiled. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Zach and Caleigh said. Shock came flying down the steps from the second floor.
"OMG," he smiled at the couple. He looked at Zach. "God damn over achiever," he smiled.
"I've heard that before," Zach smiled, shaking his hand. Shock and Jessica looked at the kids.
"We heard you were here," Jess smiled, "and we just had to see them." Zach and Caleigh smiled.
"They look great," Shock said. "But we've got to get back…."
Zach looked at Shock. "You don't have patients to goddamn take care of Doc?" He gave Shock his bigass smiled.
"Damn you," Shock smiled. "Take care all of you," he smiled as he and Jess went back up the steps.
-00CM00-
Beth, Aaron and Dave's cellphones, with them all in their respective offices, buzzed with a text Friday afternoon. Caleigh and I have deeply missed Fred's Friday Fish Fry. Dinner is at five-thirty. I'll have Jack walk down with Molly and ride with me to help get the dinners home. Z
Dave got up from his desk and walked to Aaron's office. As usual, Aaron was heads down in reports. He looked up at Dave. "You good with this news?"
"You aren't?" Aaron asked.
Dave looked at him. "That's at least five to-go dinners Aaron."
"Six million a year Dave."
"Right," Dave, looking at Aaron. "I keep forgetting that," Dave said, leaving Aaron's office. Aaron smiled, shook his head and went back to his reports.
Jack came into the home with Molly after school. Zach and Caleigh were feeding the twins. Molly, like Lex, was curious and did a lot of sniffing. Jack rubbed down Lex. "Missed you girl," he smiled. Taylor decided she needed a burp. Caleigh pulled her up on her shoulder as Jack walked to the kitchen sink.
"Bro?" Zach asked as Jack thoroughly washed his hands.
Jack smiled, drying his hands with paper towels. "She's mine now." Caleigh smiled, putting Tay in Jack's arms, as she demanded more of her bottle. Jack fed her, looking around the kitchen. He nodded at the gift from JJ and Will. "How's that working?"
"It's the bomb Jack," Zach smiled. "We appreciate the gift."
"Big time," Caleigh smiled.
Around five, Zach looked at Jack. "Mount up bro. You and I are making the dinner run."
"Sweet! I'm so in on this," Jack smiled, heading to the garage following Zach that kissed Caleigh's cheek.
Ten minutes later, Aaron, Beth and Dave walked into the home with beers from the garage fridge. Aaron smiled at Caleigh, handing her one, loosening his tie. He looked around. "Where are the boys?"
"On dinner run," Caleigh smiled. "I can't wait."
"Neither can I," Dave smiled, taking a drink of his beer.
Beth looked at Caleigh. "Are they upstairs in their bed?"
Caleigh shook her head with a smile, nodding towards the living room. The twins were on the comforter again with Lex and Molly snoring around them. Without an afternoon sun, the twins were covered in a blanket.
"What about the noise?" Dave whispered.
"What they need to get used to Dave," Beth smiled. "You can't shut down a home because you have newborns around."
Aaron pointed at Beth with a smile at Dave, taking a drink of his beer.
-00CM00-
Zach and Jack came into Fred's and moved to the end of the bar. "Mary, I'm sorry," Zach apologized, looking at Fred's wife.
"No worries Zach," she smiled. "You beat the rush hour."
"What we were hoping for," Zach said.
"But guys, it's going to be fifteen minutes," Mary said.
Zach looked at her. "How can I legally have a beer with Jack with me?"
Mary smiled at Jack. "Plant your butt into that chair," she pointed at high top two-chair table. "That's considered by the Commonwealth of Virginia as out of the bar area."
Zach looked at Jack. "I'll get you a soda."
"Thanks Zach," Jack smiled.
Mary looked around to see Charlie busy behind the bar. She moved behind the bar. "What do you need Zach?"
"A bottle of Miller Lite for me and a glass of clear soda for Jack."
"Coming up," Mary smiled. She put the drinks on the bar. "Six dollars Zach."
Zach put a ten dollar bill on the bar top, taking Jack's soda and putting it on the table in front of him. He waved Mary off with the change. "Give it to Charlie," Zach smiled, nodding at the bartender, taking a drink of his beer.
Ten minutes later, a kitchen staff member came out with five to-go orders and set them on the bar. Zach looked at Jack. "Chug." They both drained their drinks and Jack slid down off the chair. "How much do I owe you?" Zach asked Mary.
"Fifty-five dollars," Mary smiled.
Zach handed two of the to-go boxes to Jack. He pulled out his wallet, laid a one hundred dollar bill on the bar and grabbed the other three boxes. He nodded Jack out the door. Mary looked at him. "Zach! Your change!"
Zach smiled at her, heading around the bar following Jack to the door. "Give it to the kitchen staff."
Walking to Zach's truck, Jack looked at Zach. "Yoda Uncle Dave taught you well Jedi," he smiled.
"Yes he did," Zach smiled. Jack looked at him. "Sorry JP, I can't come up with a Yoda sentence for that without getting busted by my sophomore year high school English teacher Mrs. Mayer." Jack laughed getting into Zach's truck.
Between the six people in the kitchen, the five to-go meals overfilled with food to Fred and Mary's usual standards were enough to fill up the group. Dave looked at the twins still blissfully sleeping with the family laughing together as they did the little clean up the kitchen needed.
"You two and I need to talk," Dave looked at Caleigh and Zach.
Zach looked at his dad. "Did we just get blindsided?" Aaron shook his head at his oldest son.
"When's the baptism?" Dave asked. Caleigh and Zach looked at each other. "Ooo come on you two. I know you too well. You've already talked to your pastors."
"The second Sunday in November," Zach said.
"Eight o'clock service?" Dave asked.
"Of course," Zach answered. "We want our church family there."
"I'm hosting the brunch afterwards," Dave said.
"Like hell you are," Zach barked back.
"Back down Zach," Dave said. "I know you think it's just going to be family. But the team wants to be a part of this. That adds how many more people to the mix? Which would mean Beth and Rachel have to do that much more. And I've got more room at my place."
"And you're buying," Zach growled.
"Yes," Dave smiled. "It's my gift to those two kids that I would give my life for like I would for Jack, Caleigh and you."
Zach shook his head and looked at Caleigh. "Can we lay down some parameters?" Caleigh asked.
Dave smiled. "My caterer Doreen is coming by the house tomorrow. I want you there." Caleigh shook her head. "You need an hour or two away from them babies. The squirt can come down and help his brother."
"I'm not a squirt," Jack growled.
"You're Ooo for three in pissing people off," Aaron said.
"Shuddup Aaron," Dave said.
Beth smiled. Aaron looked at her. "Aaron, for once I'm with Dave. We're going to have Sean, Kim, Sela and Merrill. Jessica will have Hannah and John. Sure, I'd have back up in the cooking department. We've already started talking about it. And Rachel and Tom will have Caleigh's family. She's in the same boat with help. To not have to worry about Sunday, so we can all enjoy the baptism as a family would be huge. And a big burden off the kids with the babies and hosting everyone."
"I knew I loved you Mrs. Hotchner," Dave smiled at Beth, kissing her cheek.
Jack looked at Dave. "I'm in. Even if you think I'm a squirt." Dave rubbed his shoulder with a smile.
Everyone looked at Zach. "First parameter – no fancy white shirts and formal black pants on the staff. They are in t-shirts and jeans."
Dave shook his head. "I doubt I could get that past Doreen. But will polo shirts and khakis work?"
"It better goddamn be," he growled. "Or this doesn't happen," he said, taking a drink of his beer.
Caleigh looked at Beth and Dave. "I support what Zach is saying. This is low-key," she said, wagging a finger at Dave.
-00CM00-
The tenth of November, unlike two years ago, and two days before their second anniversary, was not as it was when Zach and Caleigh married. It was a cool, crisp fall morning with the sun out. Aaron, Beth, Sean, Kim and Jack walked into the church a little after seven-thirty. Pastor Thiel was there to greet them. He sent them into the fellowship hall. "I've got coffee made," he smiled, nodding towards the church's kitchen.
"Thank you Pastor," Aaron smiled. Rachel, Tom, Mike, Sarah and Caleb joined them.
"They're not here?" Rachel asked, looking at her watch.
Beth smiled. "The twins didn't wake up until almost seven. They're ten minutes behind us."
"And praying they both poop before the service," Rachel said. Beth and Aaron pointed at her with a smile.
Caleigh and Zach blew into the fellowship hall a few minutes later. "Family intervention," Zach said. "We've got two smelly kids."
Sarah took the diaper bag and dived in. Sean got Zach and Caleigh out of their fall coats after they set the kids in the infant seats down on a table. He took the coats to the entryway and hung them up. Beth and Rachel quickly undid the safety straps on the infant seats and pulled the twins out, putting them on the plastic sheet Caleigh had in the diaper bag.
Sarah handed a plastic bag to Caleb. "What's this?"
"You've got the run to the dumpster in the alley behind the kitchen with the smelly diapers," she smiled.
"Sucks to be you," Jack whispered.
While the family was dealing with that, Pete, Lisa and Amelia walked into the church and sat down in one of the back pews with their lively little one on the right side of the church. They looked at the service bulletin when someone rubbed Pete's shoulder. Andy Minton smiled at Pete. "Care if we join you?" Andy asked with a smile, nodding at Victoria and AJ.
"Good to see you man," Pete smiled, shaking his hand. Amelia sped down the pew to look at AJ who was still sleeping. Pete looked at Andy. "Welcome to our world," he smiled. Andy and Vic smiled back.
Freddie, Chelsea and Charlie Freeman walked in and sat down in front of them. JJ, Will, Henry, Michael and Sandy followed them. "Mind if we join you with our unruly three year old?" JJ smiled.
"Not at all," Freddie smiled.
Derek, Savannah, Hank and Fran showed up. "This the kid's section?" Derek softly smiled.
"You know it brother," Will whispered back, with a smile. They sat down in the pew in front of the LaMontagnes.
The church family that the Hotchners cherished began to filter in, taking their usual seats. Emily, Declan, Penelope and Kevin came in the church. Emily smiled at the group with the young kids. "The joys of having an adult son," she pointed. "No cheap seats," she whispered with her legendary snark.
"I don't know about mine," Kevin winked at them. The group all giggled.
"Inappropriate," Garcia said, slapping Kevin's arm. The family group giggled more. The new group took the normal Hotchner pew with Kevin going in first to be near the outside aisle. Tara and Reid soon joined them.
Henry looked at JJ. "Can I get out of the cheap seats and sit with Pen?"
"Sure you can Hank," Freddie smiled, waving him down the pew to get past he and Chelsea to go into the side aisle.
"Thanks Free," Henry smiled, going by him, sharing a high five.
Father Jimmy, Dave, Sela and Merrill walked into the church as Garcia pulled Henry next to her with a smile. Jimmy, in his priest's white collar devilish smiled at the family group. "Why I don't have kids."
"Sit your butt down," Morgan softly growled, pointing with a smile.
JJ rubbed Morgan's shoulder. "Our hero." Dave patted Jimmy on the back, lightly laughing with Sela and Merrill as they moved up the aisle to sit in front of the BAU group.
Caleigh's family began to fill the front pews of the left side of the church. Mat and Teresa Cruz sat down in the pew with the Dobsons, Dave and Father Jimmy. Jose and Kelly came into the church and sat down in the pew with the Morgan family.
Sean and Kim got Hannah, John and Jessica into the third pew from the front. The two sets of grandparents, along with Caleb, sat down in the front of them.
Zach and Caleigh, holding the twins, along with Jack, Mike and Sarah took the front pew as the church bell rang to start the service.
Pastor Thiel and Pastor Jon came out of the pastor's vestibule. Pastor Thiel smiled at the congregation, being the service officiate. "Good morning," he smiled. The congregation greeted him back. "Wow," he said. "We've got a full house this morning. Something special must be happening," he smiled at Zach and Caleigh. He made the usual announcements and the service started with the opening hymn.
Sela shook her head at Dave. "It still astounds me how these Lutherans sing," she whispered.
"I'm used to it," Dave whispered back. "But the hippie is impressed again," he said, nodding at Jimmy. Sela stifled a giggle.
As it got towards the part of the service for the baptism, Kevin quietly slipped out of the pew and headed down the side aisle. He held up a video camera with a wink going by the families with young children and headed to the balcony steps. Getting to the balcony, Lisa, the church organist smiled at him. "Hi Kevin," she whispered. He waved back, moving to the balcony rail, pulling up the camera.
Pastor Thiel turned to face the congregation. "We as a church welcome two new souls to our family. We begin by singing the baptismal hymn."
Blessed Jesus at your word, gladly your command obeying…the congregation sang. Dave, Father Jimmy and the Dobson's joined the singing.
The congregation sang the first three verses on the hymn. When they started the second verse, Zach and Caleigh rose out of the pew on the aisle side as Mike stood, entered the center aisle and let Sarah and Jack pass by him. They met at the baptismal font. Caleigh put Taylor into Sarah's arms with a smile as Zach did the same with Trevor, smiling at Jack who smiled at Trev, holding him close.
Pastor Thiel went through the baptismal rite, with Zach and Caleigh making their promises as parents. He looked at Mike, Sarah and Jack. "Dear godparents." Jack beamed with pride. Aaron put his arm around Beth as she rubbed his thigh.
After finishing the rite for godparents, Pastor Thiel nodded at Sarah and Mike. They brought Taylor to the baptismal font. Sarah held Taylor over the bowl of the font as Mike proudly looked on. Pastor Thiel took a small handful of water. "Taylor Rachel Hotchner, I baptize you in the name of the Father," he said putting the water over her head. Taking another small scoop, he said, "And the Son." Taking a third dip in the water, he put it over her head saying, "and the Holy Spirit." Father Jimmy reverently crossed himself. Dave beamed with pride as Pastor Thiel took a cotton hankie with Taylor's initials embroidered on it by the older women of the congregation. He silently rubbed Taylor's head dry. He handed the keepsake to Sarah with a smile.
Pastor Jon came down from his chair, being the sermon officiate and looked at Jack. While Jack had grown considerably, it became quickly evident that Jack wasn't tall enough to get Trevor over the bowl. Zach winked at Pastor Jon and nodded at Mike. The two of them moved the baptismal font to the first step of the altar with all the congregation smiling. Pastor Jon smiled at Zach and Mike, helping Jack get the precious bundle he was holding up on the step.
"Trevor Aaron Hotchner, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," Pastor Jon said, going through the same ritual as his counterpart. Father Jimmy crossed himself again. Jack proudly smiled at his nephew as Pastor Jon handed him Trevor's head drying hankie. Sela rubbed Dave's knee with a smile.
Beth nudged Aaron with her shoulder and a smile. He pulled her closer as John rubbed his shoulder.
The congregation sang the final stanza of the hymn as the family returned to their seats.
###
A/N: Once again, I don't apologize for my Protestant Christian faith. That's how my church does it. I run with what I know. To all that do not share those faith tenants please know I deeply respect your faith as well.
I know too many of you that a Sharpie has two different definitions. I'm talking about the black felt tip maker kind.
For those of you wondering, starting with my proofreader, how five to-go meals can feed six people, I draw on experience. I come home early on my usual very busy Friday's at work three times a year so my dad and I can get the same fish fry meal I wrote. One take-out order feeds the both of us with leftovers. Five meals for a group that includes two women and a young teenager would mean leftovers.