Chapter 12

Zach looked at the floor by the door and noticed the final bill had been slipped under the door. He picked it up and handed it to Beth.

Jack came out of the bathroom. "My buckies are brushed dad," he smiled.

Beth smiled at them all. "Guess that's my cue to get going." She grabbed her make-up bag, some clothes and headed to the bathroom.

Zach slipped on his flip flops, grabbed a room key and his dad's car keys. Aaron was helping Jack get packed as Jack was dressing. He looked at him. "I've got something to check out dad. Be right back." Zack opened the door, picked up the USA Today that was lying there outside and flipped it onto the table in the room and shut the door.

Zach came back about five minutes later. He grabbed the cooler and looked at his dad. "Ice machine is around the corner," he smiled. Aaron smiled back at the responsible attitude of his oldest son.

Jack looked at Aaron. "We're just waiting on Beth."

Aaron smiled. "Someday Jack, you'll be like Zach and my advice to you will be what'll give to Zach; get used to it. Your mom was the same way," he smiled.

"Really dad?"

Aaron smiled. "Really buddy." Zach came back in the door. "Where's the cooler?"

"Already in the car," Zach smiled. "We're just waiting on….."

Aaron and Jack said it together. "Get used to it."

Zach laughed. "Am I missing something here?"

Aaron smiled. "You'll learn it soon enough with Caleigh." Zach pointed at Jack's packed bag, grabbing his own. "It's ready to go," Aaron said. Zach took the two bags and grabbed his backpack as well.

Jack looked at him. "Can I come along Zach?"

Zach smiled. "If you bring your backpack JP, absolutely."

Jack grabbed his backpack and followed Zach out the door. "Let's go Z-man." Aaron smiled at his sons.

Beth came out of the bathroom. She was dressed with her usual light touch of make-up. Looking at Aaron, she asked, "Where are the boys."

"They're getting the car loaded; we've been waiting on you," he smiled, pulling her into a hug. "I just told my sons, especially the oldest one to get used to that with a woman in your life." Beth looked at him. Aaron kissed her. "I also told them their mom was the same way." Beth smiled and nuzzled up to his chest.

"I really want to help out Zach tonight; because I really want to meet Caleigh."

"Me too; but just an easy push," Aaron smiled.

Zach opened the door with his room key and Jack walked in first, looking at the two of them. "You done," he asked. "We're hungry and want to get home." They both laughed and Aaron grabbed their bag. Zach put his room key on the dresser and turned to leave, grabbing the newspaper. Aaron and Beth followed the boys out the door.

They took a right, instead of a left to the lobby area. Jack smiled. "Z-man found the back door." Sure enough, they all walked out a side exit of the hotel to Zach having Aaron's car in a small parking lot directly across from the door.

Zach, still having his dad's car keys smiled. "I noticed something else," he smiled, climbing into the driver's side. The rest got in. Zach pulled around the motel, made a left from the entrance and drove three buildings down into a Perkins parking lot.

"You just keep thinking Zach," Aaron smiled. The four of them walk in.

Forty minutes later, they were on the road back towards home, with the boys filled up. Zach was sitting in the passenger side with his dad, reading the newspaper. Between the music of Zach's CD's and just a wonderful family time together, the time passed quickly. Aaron stopped two hours later to gas his SUV. Beth, sitting in backseat, beat him to the pump to finally pay for some gas, smiling at Aaron. Zach called Caleigh to tell her they were on their way home. The boys got out and in a side parking lot of the gas station, played catch for ten minutes. Aaron whistled at them as Beth came out of the store with bottles of water for them all. "Let's go guys."

He tossed his car keys to Zach. "Get us home," he smiled. They enjoyed a wonderful ride with the music, Beth and Jack playing cards and Aaron proudly watching his oldest son's driving abilities, while keeping an eye on the card game in the backseat. They made a quick stop at rest stop an hour later.

When they were nearing DC, Beth sitting behind Zach rubbed his shoulder. "Hey you; the first thing you do when we get home is call Caleigh and tell her dinner is on. And then Zach, play to your strength."

Zach looked at her in the rear view mirror. Jack smiled. "The grill master strikes." He and Beth shared a high five.

Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "They're right," he smiled.

Zach smiled. "That works; however Beth, the first thing I'm gonna do when we get home is get the washing machine going."

"Zach, please let me help you with that," Beth said. "I've got a few things of my own that need to be washed, but you really don't need to see." Zach looked at her again in the mirror. "It's girl stuff," she smiled.

Zach looked at Beth in the mirror again smiling. "Beth, I may be new to the dating game. But I helped mom do laundry. I just loved folding her bras," he said sarcastically with an eye roll. "Trust me I know what it all looks like."

Aaron looked at him. "One lesson down," he teased.

As the clock in Aaron's vehicle moved to one in the afternoon, Zach pulled the vehicle into the driveway, hitting the button to open the garage door. Aaron's cell buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, getting out of the vehicle. "Hey Dave; what's up?" Between Aaron and Zach, Dave had been kept up to date with the family.

"Where are you?"

Aaron smiled. "Standing in my garage."

Dave, sitting in his office smiled. "Good to know Aaron; things are fine here. See you in the morning."

They all grabbed bags and backpacks and headed in the door. "I want all dirty laundry downstairs," Zach said. He went into the laundry room and pretty much emptied out his bag, save for his toilet kit. Walking into his room, he grabbed a clean pair of boxers, basketball shorts, and t-shirt, dumping the contents of his cargo shorts on his dresser. He walked into his bathroom, changed, and added the clothes he was wearing to the pile he had already started.

He started sorting them into piles as Beth and Aaron walked in. Aaron added his and Jack's clothes to the pile while Beth held hers, smiling at Aaron. He nodded and left.

Zach looked at the pile of his and his dad's white undershirts they wore under their regular shirts he had dug out of the laundry hamper. He smiled at her. "That's my first load and I do add some bleach to get them white. Mom was a stickler on things being white," he smiled. "If you have something to add, I'll take care of it. My dark stuff load is always number two," he smiled. Beth added her clothes to the piles, as Zach started the washer with warm water for the whites.

Beth looked at the pile of dark stuff. "Let's separate that down into two loads."

"Agreed," Zach said. "They'll dry quicker and easier."

Beth rubbed his bicep. "You wash and dry. I'll hang up and fold."

"Deal," Zach smiled.

Looking at him, Beth said, "Hello? Caleigh?"

Zach smiled. "I'm on it." Beth turned to go upstairs as Zach went into his room and picked up his cell phone. He talked with Caleigh for about ten minutes, including giving her directions to the house and then came upstairs into the kitchen. Aaron looked at him. "Dinner is at six," he smiled. "I'm running to the grocery store."

"What's the menu Zach," Beth asked.

"Pork chops on the grill; I think I'll just get a couple boxes of those Julienne potatoes, green beans, and French bread with cheddar cheese on top." He shrugged. "I still don't know what to do for a salad."

Aaron smiled. "Use my bank card." Zach started to say something and Aaron cut him off. "We're all eating too. Pick up some fruit and Beth and I will help you make a small fruit salad."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Beth smiled. Zach grabbed his truck keys and headed for the garage. He yelled to Jack's room, "I'm going to the grocery store Jack; wanna come along?"

"No thanks, Zach. I'm putting a puzzle together."

Zach walked back into the kitchen. "Sorry you two, I tried; no quickie," he winked and left before his dad could get in a salvo back.

Aaron just shook his head and Beth laughed.

An hour and half later, the fruit salad was made, with Aaron drying the utensils they used that Beth had hand washed in the sink. Beth heard the dryer buzzer and went to get the load.

Zach had been in his room and already had the dryer load out and lying on the table he used to fold clothes. He showed Beth how he folded his and his dad's undershirts and his white t-shirts. "Easy enough," she smiled. "But how do I tell who's is who's?"

"Dad wears Fruit of the Loom; I wear Hanes; same with the boxers."

"Got it," she smiled.

"That's the only way we can keep them straight," Zach smiled.

Zach threw in the first load of washed dark stuff into the dryer and started the washer filling for the second load. He checked everything for stains and spills, especially Jack's clothes and treated them with a pre-wash spray. By the time he finished, Beth had a one shirt left. "Mine or dad's?"

"Your dad's." Zach grabbed the pile of his stuff that she had done, took them to his room and put them away.

Zach looked at his watch and made his way to the kitchen. He got the bottom oven set to broil without turning it on for the bread. His dad was mowing the lawn. That should help out Beth he smiled. Beth was still learning how the two oven system in the kitchen worked. But Zach was nervous and needed something to keep him occupied.

He took the loaf of French bread, cut in half length wise. Grabbing some freezer paper, he wrapped the other half in it, and put in the freezer for future use. The first half, he cut in half the long way and was buttering it when Beth walked in.

"Zach, I could've done that."

He smiled. "I know Beth. And I know you and dad will help me out. I'm just a little …"

"Stressed," Beth added in with a smile.

"Yeah, and need something to do. Humor me please."

"Zach," Beth said, putting her hand gently on his cheek, "it'll be fine. Your dad and I will help, you'll do the pork chops like you always do and Caleigh will love it. Trust me," she said, moving her hand to rub his chest.

Zach pulled her into a hug. "Thanks Beth. I'm glad you're here." He pulled out of the hug and looked her in the eyes. "And just not tonight; I'm glad you're in dad's life," he said with a heartfelt smile.

"Thank you Zach; I appreciate that. Very much; I'm not here to replace…."

Zach cut her off. "She was my mom and I loved her. But she's not here anymore." Zach got serious. "Beth, please don't conjure up ghosts of the past. We've all moved on. And I'm just really glad dad got his shit together and found you." He smiled. "Actually, according to Uncle Dave," he mischievously smiled, "it was the other way around."

Beth giggled. "Yeah, it was. I was pretty bold."

"Thank you," Zach smiled sincerely. "And btw, Uncle Dave did some butt kicking on the other end."

Beth laughed. "Sorta figured that out Zach."

Zach heard his dad coming in from the garage after finishing the mowing. He knew he would come into the kitchen for some water and lemonade. Zach winked at Beth as he got close. "And how the blind dumb shit got so lucky is beyond me." Beth put her hand to her mouth so she wouldn't laugh out loud, playfully slapping Zach's chest as they pulled apart.

Aaron walked into the conversation. "I take it I'm the blind dumb shit," he said, reaching for a glass in the cupboard and then pulling out the container of water Zach had in the fridge.

"That's you dad," Zach smiled. "I think you had Uncle Dave's lucky condom in your pocket that day." Aaron stopped pouring and gave Zach the Hotchner glare. Zach winked at Beth and she roared with laughter. Zach laughed heartily as well, sharing a high five with Beth. Aaron just shook his head and chugged his water.

Jack zoomed into the kitchen. "What's going on?"

"Dad's getting an education," Zach said through his laugher. Jack looked at the three of them, shrugged and went back to his puzzle.

Zach put the butter halves of the French bread on a jelly pan and covered them with plastic wrap. He smiled at Beth and pulled out the lemonade for his dad, setting it on the counter. He looked at Beth. "How long has Jack been working on that puzzle?"

Beth looked at the clock in the kitchen. "Over two hours."

Zach smiled. "I think I've got something to help me occupy my time," he winked at Beth.

As Aaron was about to ask Beth what that meant, the dryer buzzer went off. Beth looked at him, moving to take care of the load. "Hotchner, there's someone special coming for dinner. Get that delicious butt of yours in the shower. You smell; badly," she smiled, walking out.

Two hours later, as Zach was changing he heard the doorbell. Aaron and Beth were in the kitchen. Jack was in the living room watching TV. "I'll get it," he shouted.

Aaron nearly bellowed. "Jackson Phillip, no you're not." Jack, recognizing the tone of his dad's voice, froze in his tracks.

Zach flew up the steps and opened the door with a smile.

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A/N: Fruit of the Loom and Hanes are two well-known brands of underwear in the States for both men and women. And no, for all you that will ask, I won't say. ;)

The difference, at least in my world, is men wear undershirts under their regular shirts, like dress ones or polo's; a little trick to handle perspiration. Zach's white t-shirts are what young kids wear, usually sporting some logo or allegiance to a favorite sport's team.

The USA Today is the national newspaper of the States. Most major cities have their own newspaper (aka The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Atlanta Journal Constitutional, etc.) The USA Today is mainly the newspaper for business travelers, covering national news, with one page in the news section having news blurbs from each state. Their sports section is the best. Most hotels/motels routinely offer a complimentary copy each weekday morning to their guests.