A/N: I know I've done the All-Star game before. Here's my special twist while catching you up on things in Georgia with Zach, Caleigh and the twins. It's a little baseball and a lot of family. Please trust me.
All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
The second Saturday in July, the SUV David Rossi's car service provided, pulled up to the security gate at Signature Flight Services at Reagan International Airport in D.C. The security agent looked over the paperwork the driver handed him. "Two FBI credentials lets you by-pass the security in the flight building?" The guard smiled at the driver. "I wish everyone was this easy," he winked, opening the gate. "Take a left. Gate three."
The SUV pulled up next to the waiting Gulf Stream jet as the last of the normal morning commercial airplane traffic began their take-offs. Jack opened the SUV passenger door, riding up front with the driver. He hopped out with Molly following him. Jack opened the door behind him. "Come on grandma and grandpa!" he beamed. "This is how we fly now."
John Brooks got out and held out his hand to help Hannah exit the vehicle as two Signature Flight ground crew members opened the back of the SUV to pull out the luggage. The driver came around the front of the vehicle to help the Brooks. Dave got out the other door, stepping onto the tarmac. After the Brooks exited the vehicle, the driver pulled the second seat forward to let Aaron and Beth out of the third row of seats in the SUV.
Hannah looked at Aaron as he was getting out of the SUV. "This is real?"
Aaron smiled. "Keep telling yourself grandma thirty million a year." Hannah shook her head. Putting his arm around her shoulder, Aaron grinned more. "Yeah, I still have problems wrapping my head around that as well."
"Come on grandma," Jack smiled, taking her hand, leading her to the steps of the jet.
"Hi Jack," Tanner, the family's usual co-pilot smiled at him. Tanner was standing on the tarmac at the bottom of the steps and shared a high five with Jack. "Good to see you again."
"You too Tanner," Jack grinned back as Tanner petted Molly. "Grandma, this is Tanner. He's our co-pilot."
"Welcome aboard Silver Air Flight Services Mrs. Brooks," Tanner smiled. "Just follow Jack up the steps and get settled in." He helped her get on the first step as Molly bounded up them.
"Thank you Tanner," Hannah smiled. "And I'm just grandma," she added with a wink and smile.
John followed Hannah up the steps, getting into the jet. Walking in, he looked around and shook his head. "To snazzy for me," he said over his shoulder to Dave that followed him on the jet.
"Thirty million a year John," Dave smiled.
"Zach bought this?" John asked. "I'm in Aaron's club not getting my head around that."
"Actually John," Aaron smiled, getting on with Beth, "It was Zach, Andy and Freddie Freeman. They share the jet and the costs for when they fly their families. And when the jet isn't being used, it's part of a timeshare-type consortium where others can rent it so they get some money back. Jose and Kelly use it as well. Part of their agent deal."
Dave smiled, rubbing John's shoulder. "Just enjoy it grandpa."
Twenty minutes later, the Gulf Stream taxied into position for take-off. Hannah and John were in the four-top of seats with Aaron and Beth across from them. Dave was sitting in the two-top across the aisle and a bit behind them. Jack was buckled up in the couch seat ahead of the credenza that was across from the four-top. "From the flight deck," Tanner said. "We're cleared for take-off. Jack, get Molly secured."
"Come on Molly," Jack said. Molly jumped up on the couch. Jack pulled her close to him, holding her. The Gulf Stream zoomed down the runway and took off.
John looked at Aaron and Beth as the jet ascended. "You're OK flying backward? I couldn't do that."
"Me either," Hannah added.
"Trevor commented on it," Beth smiled, "when we were flying back to Atlanta from Florida."
"And then he conked out in my lap for a nap," Aaron smiled.
"I can't wait to see all of them again," Hannah smiled. "I'm really looking forward to spending the time with them."
John looked over his shoulder at Dave. "You're really OK spending time with the ladies while the rest of us go to Denver for the All-Star game?"
"John, like Aaron, I'm on my AL from the BAU. All I want is time to relax and keep working on my next book. I have no doubt the ladies can handle themselves. I'm going to hole up in Zach's office, writing and eating well," Dave smiled. He paused for a second. "Or be the ladies' beck and call grill master." Everyone chuckled.
"Uncle Dave," Jack chimed in. "You forgot one thing."
"Sorry Champino," Dave said. "Yes I did. I'm also the afternoon lifeguard for Jack and his posse." John looked at Dave.
"Rashad and Miguel grandpa," Jack said.
"I know them," John smiled at Jack. "I'm just not hip on the posse thing," he winked.
"That's OK grandpa," Jack grinned back. The group in the four-top smiled.
Just then, Tanner came over the intercom. "Hey Jack! We're settling into our cruising altitude. We may have a bump or two; but Molly should be good to go. The same thing for all the rest of you. We're turning off the seatbelt sign. If you have to move around the cabin, please walk around safely holding onto the seatbacks. And, like always, we highly recommend you wear your seatbelt in your seats. We should be at our cruising altitude of thirty-seven thousand feet in a couple of minutes and we have pretty smooth air to the Atlanta area."
"We've ascended that fast?" John said. Aaron smiled at him.
Jack gave Molly a big rub and let her go. "You're OK girl." Molly looked at the floor of the jet and walked to the front end of the couch. She circled around twice and plopped down for her morning nap. Jack smiled at her, unbuckled and rummaged through his backpack. He got out of his seat. He joined Dave in his two-top, setting down a Cribbage board and a deck of cards on the table. "Ready for another match Uncle Dave?"
"The math wizard you are and having your brother's luck? You'll scorch my butt," Dave smiled.
Jack shook his head. "It's still the draw of the cards Uncle Dave like you've taught me," Jack smiled.
"Yes it is Champino. Let's play," Dave softly smiled back. Aaron and Beth smiled at the Brooks.
Three hours later, the group walked into the southern Hotchner home. It was quiet. Aaron looked around with concern. Gabby came out the bathroom downstairs and smiled at them. "They're taking their afternoon naps," she smiled with a whisper.
Beth shook her head. "Caleigh could have sent us a text instead of having you come over. We would have understood."
"I don't mind," Gabby smiled and looked at Hannah and John. "Hi great-grandparents," she grinned, rubbing down Molly.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Gabby," Hannah smiled. "We hear so much about the wonderful job you do for the kids." Molly bounded up the steps to find Lexie and join her in naptime.
"I love doing it," Gabby smiled back. Jack powered into her for hug. Gabby hugged him back and then looked at him. "You know where you're bunking right?"
"Yup," Jack smiled.
"I'll give everyone else a tour of their new digs," she winked at him. "Mike and his crew just finished it three weeks ago."
"Sorry Gabby. I want to see it too," he smiled back.
Gabby led them to the patio that opened to the pool area and out the patio door past the pool. A four foot wide covered walkway was open on either side that veered to the right past the pool. Aaron and Dave immediately noticed the first big improvement. The whole area, including the pool and spacious backyard, was closed in by a ten-foot high brick wall. Aaron nodded to Dave at the security cameras on the wall. "I highly approve all of it," Dave whispered. Aaron nodded his agreement.
Gabby looked at them. "That just got finished on Thursday."
Jack noticed as well. "How do Miguel and Rashad get into the pool?"
Gabby smiled, reaching the door of the guesthouse. "Jack, I'm sure you didn't notice. They are starting the second tract of the development past Pedro and Alec's home. The boys can't run down through their path in the woods. So they ride their bikes down on the streets and come in through the garage. They know the security code to the garage," she winked at Jack. He smiled with a nod of his head. Gabby looked at the rest. "Speaking of security codes, you don't need a key to get in. And since you're here, Zach has the security system for the guesthouse set to have the door open from seven in the morning to ten at night. Past those times, the code is three six one two." She looked at Jack. "Figure it out," she challenged with a smile.
Jack thought for a few seconds and then smiled. "The two baseball numbers Zach has worn. Thirty-one and sixty-two. First numbers in each set and second two numbers." Gabby proudly smiled.
Dave shook his head at Gabby. "Don't play Cribbage with him." The rest laughed remembering the shellacking Jack gave Dave on the jet as Gabby opened the door.
Walking in, Gabby pointed to the right. "First thing Caleigh asked in the design. A bathroom off the pool area that isn't through the home," she smiled. She pointed. "Behind the door is an apartment style washer and dryer."
Everyone walked by the bathroom with its tiled floor and noticed the standard three-quarter bathroom. They entered the main part of the guesthouse. From the driveway, the two-story addition looked small. It was far from that.
The group walked in to see a fully equipped, yet moderate-sized kitchen to the right. Beyond that was a dining nook and a well-sized, beautifully furnished Great Room with an open ceiling to the second floor. The room featured a sliding glass door to a patio area that overlooked the backyard and pool.
Gabby pointed to the left. "That is the hallway to the master bedroom downstairs, complete with its own bathroom." She nodded up the stairs just to the right of the hallway. "Up there, is a mini master bedroom suite above the one downstairs with the same amenities, except the big tub and two more bedrooms and another bathroom," she smiled at them. "I'm not refereeing who gets what bedroom," she added.
Beth smiled at her. "First floor bedroom has already been reserved," she winked at Gabby.
"Come on grandma and grandpa," Jack smiled. "Let's check out your place." Hannah eyed Dave and Aaron.
"Grandma," Dave smiled, "Aaron and Beth can have the other one upstairs. I only need a place to sleep. The nook counter that looks out to the patio is my new writing spot."
"But come on Dave," Beth grinned. "Let's check out our new digs," she winked. "I want to see it all. It looks amazing so far."
"Yes it does," Aaron smiled, looking around.
"You expected less from those two?" Dave slightly challenged with a smile.
"I had fun decorating it with Caleigh," Gabby added. They all looked at her. "I love my job perks," she grinned. "Enjoy checking it all out. I'm heading home. See you Monday morning." Everyone thanked Gabby and warmly bid her farewell as Gabby shared hugs with Jack and Beth. Jack's cell pinged in his pocket. "Gee, let me guess who that is?" Gabby snarked and then headed out the door, waving at them all with her infectious smile.
Jack sent a text back as they all looked around at the marvelous space of the upstairs of the guesthouse. Jack's cell pinged again. Jack shook his head looking at the text and pounded out a response. "Jack?" Beth asked.
"The guys are antsy. I want to settle in," Jack responded. His cell pinged again. Jack read it. "Crap," he said, as they all came back down the stairs. "I forgot the Braves' game is at three-thirty this afternoon."
"Tell them to give you fifteen," Aaron said, rubbing Jack's shoulder, "and go get unpacked in your room," he smiled.
Jack looked around at the group. "You sure?"
"Go," Hannah smiled with a point. The rest went to settle in their rooms.
When the guesthouse group, minus Dave, walked out to the pool area to go back to the main house, Caleigh was spraying sunscreen on the boys. Caleigh smiled at the group. "Who's the lifeguard?"
Dave joined them, wearing his swim trucks and a tee shirt. "Me," he smiled, kissing Caleigh's cheek and giving her a hug. "How are you doing?"
Caleigh smiled. "Uncle Dave, I'm going on nine months pregnant carrying one baby. I'm four weeks out from term and feeling great. I got my usual hour nap and I waddle like a duck. I'm fine."
"Been there, done that," Hannah smiled.
"After the last time, this is a piece of cake," Caleigh smiled, eyeing Dave. "You need sunscreen too."
Rashad and Miguel greeted the group, sharing fist bumps with them all. Hannah smiled at Miguel. "Thank you."
"Glad you're here grandma," Miguel said with his shy smile. Caleigh smiled at Hannah. Beth rubbed Caleigh's back, pulling her into a hug.
"Get your butts in there," John smiled at the boys, pointing at the pool. He didn't have to tell the boys twice as they dove in.
Dave nodded to Caleigh at the large outdoor patio off the main house. "I'm sitting in the shade," he smiled. "But yes, I'll take it. A cool off in the pool in this Georgia heat will be needed." He pulled off his tee shirt and Caleigh got him covered in sunscreen.
Aaron hugged Caleigh. "I'm cooking the steaks tonight," he smiled at her.
"I'm counting on that dad," Caleigh smiled. "I can handle getting baked potatoes and a green bean casserole into the oven. Grandma has buttered garlic Italian bread patrol and Beth is on salad duty."
Aaron smiled at Caleigh. "I'm heading back into that amazing guesthouse," he said. Caleigh deeply smiled at him, "and getting into my swim trunks. I've backed him," he pointed at Dave, "for nearly twenty years."
"Who backed whom?" Dave challenged.
"Who's younger?" Aaron shot back.
Caleigh laughed, looking at her watch. "You better hurry Aaron," she smiled. "There's two more who will probably be joining the pool party." The rest headed into the main house.
Fifteen minutes later, Caleigh smiled at a toilet flushing upstairs. Beth looked at her. John was watching the Nationals game in the living room, sprawled out in the recliner. "That's Taylor," Caleigh smiled. She looked at Beth and Hannah. "The 'I don't need to flush' male gene starts early," she winked.
Hannah smiled. "But how is Trev's aim?" She had heard the stories of Trev's early escapades trying to be a real big boy.
Caleigh smiled. "He's back to sitting. And will be for a while. His dad explained to him that mom doesn't like yellow spots on the toilet rim or all over for that matter. And he can't pee from the toilet steps standing like daddy."
Beth shook her head. "I still need to have that talk with Jack now and then."
"Beth, you need to kick his butt harder. I don't have that with him anymore here. Zach chewed him out. And the other two, that will be spending the night, know that as well," Caleigh said.
Hannah smiled. "That always bothered Haley."
"And Zach learned that from her," Caleigh smiled.
"The other two spending the night?" Beth asked. Caleigh just looked at her with a smile as Taylor came down the steps. Taylor smiled at Beth and Hannah and made a beeline to Caleigh, who crouched down and pulled Taylor into a hug.
"Hi sweetheart," Caleigh said, kissing Taylor's cheek.
"Momma, why no big hug?"
Caleigh smiled. "Because your sister or brother is in the way. Daddy and I have explained that to you and Trev." Caleigh lightly poked Taylor, nodding at Beth and Hannah. "I think you've got better hugs there."
"Hi grandma," Taylor smiled, holding out her arms to Beth. Beth picked her up. "Love you," Taylor said, giving Beth a hug.
"Love you too," Beth smiled, kissing her.
"Mama! I pooped!" they heard. Caleigh headed for the steps as Beth handed Taylor to Hannah.
"They can get out of their cribs?" Hannah asked as she was hugging Taylor.
"Got big kid beds Gram-Gram," Taylor proudly smiled.
"Let's go upstairs and see them," Beth smiled. Caleigh came out of the bathroom with Trevor as the three ladies got upstairs.
"Gram-Gram," Taylor excitedly said, pulling Hannah's hand. "See my bedroom."
Trevor grinned at Beth as she pulled him into a hug. "Grandma, see mine."
The twins were now ensconced in the two adjoining bedrooms that shared a bathroom. Hannah deeply smiled at the complete girly room Taylor had with the pink bedspread of her toddler bed that matched the wallpaper of her room. Trevor proudly smiled at Beth at his racecar motif toddler bedspread and matching wallpaper. Hannah and Beth switched rooms to do more admiring with Trev hugging Hannah.
As they headed towards the steps, Beth stuck her head in the twins' former room across the hall from Zach and Caleigh's bedroom. Caleigh, Hannah and the twins joined her. The nursery was once again set for a newborn. And only one crib. Caleigh looked at her children. "Who wants to swim with grandpa, Uncle Dave and the boys?" she smiled.
"Me!" Trevor and Taylor answered together.
Beth smiled at Caleigh. "I'll get them ready."
A bit later, Caleigh came out to the sunroom of the main house and rubbed Hannah's shoulder. Caleigh had the windows shut and the French doors open so the cool air of the AC would keep Hannah and John comfortable as they watched the group enjoying the pool. "I'm so glad you both came for this. It means the world to both Zach and me."
John looked at her. "Sweetheart, with our new way of flying, which is so much easier on us, we'll be down here more often," he grinned.
"We'll love it," Caleigh smiled. She winked at John. "Just make sure to hit up Uncle Dave's car service as well." The Brooks laughed.
Rashad looked at the clock in the pool area and then his buds. "It's just about game time guys." The three headed for the pool ladder.
Caleigh noticed. "Watch this you two," she said to the Brooks with her huge smile. "Your grandson pulled off some major magic for those boys." She handed John a TV remote. "Just hit the power button when I tell you to," she grinned.
Coming out of the patio, Caleigh said, "Stay where you are guys." She pointed a small, black remote at the second floor balcony in the corner of the guesthouse that was closest to the pool. A seventy-two inch flat screen TV started to descend from the closed-in wall of the balcony. Caleigh pointed at John with a wink.
"No way," Miguel softly commented.
"Shut the front door," Rashad added. Jack just shook his head at his dad and Beth playing with the twins in the shallow end of the pool.
"Good afternoon everyone from Miami and welcome to Bally Sports South coverage of the Atlanta Braves," Chip Carey said.
"Daddy on TV," Trev smiled.
Dave shook his head at Caleigh. "Damn him," he whispered. "He upped the 'gotcha' game."
"Have fun with that Uncle Dave," Jack snarked. Caleigh laughed, heading back to the patio with Hannah and John.
The game started with fireworks on the first pitch. For the seventh time, a Marlin pitcher hit Ronald Acuña with his pitch. The Braves players came up the steps of their dugout as Jordan Baker, the umpire crew chief, and the tallest one in MLB, kept Ronnie at bay from going after the pitcher. Snit bounded up the dugout steps to help him.
Ozzie, Freddie and Zach were all getting ready to hit. Ozzie and Freddie waved the team back down the steps. "Ronnie!" Zach shouted. "Ve a la base! Tenemos esto!" Get to the base. We got this. Ronnie pointed at him with a smile and moved down the baseline.
Ozzie bunted Ronnie to second and beat out the throw. Freddie, being one of the hardest working hitters in baseball, went from an 0-2 count, fouling off eight pitches, finally getting a walk. Zach deposited the first pitch he saw into the second deck in left field. Ronnie pointed at Zach with his big smile as Zach started to round the bases, hitting a grand slam.
"Yeah baby!" Rashad shouted, high-fiving Jack and Miguel.
"You don't piss off that boy," Dave quietly snarked.
Jack looked around the pool seeing if the twins were within hearing distance. They were having fun with Aaron and Beth. Jack looked at Dave. "What does Morgan say?" he grinned.
Dave, Rashad and Miguel quietly said it together, smiling at each other with a point. "Paybacks are a bitch."
Aaron and Beth were getting the twins out of the pool as Andy Minton struck out the third Miami batter in the bottom of the first. "The Miguel/Minton slider gets Aguilar," Chip happily said. Jack and Rashad dunked Miguel. Beth and Aaron laughed getting the twins dried off.
They brought the twins into the house. Hannah followed, smiling at Aaron and Beth. "You two go get showered. I'll help Caleigh with the kids."
"You sure grandma?" Aaron asked.
"Yup," she smiled. "I love being around to do this."
A bit later, Aaron and Dave walked into the house, carrying a bottle of beer. Aaron handed an extra bottle to John, back in the recliner, enjoying the game with the twins sitting on his lap. "Where are the boys?"
"Aguilar got a single off Andy. The no-hit bid is gone. But the Braves are up 8-0. They're taking turns in the guest house pool bathroom." He smiled at Aaron. "Heads up. I heard something about being hungry."
Aaron shook his head. "That's not a newsflash grandpa," he smiled.
"Sorta got that son," John smiled back.
Dave sat down at the kitchen nook counter and looked at Caleigh. "You're really gonna feed those two extra boys steaks?"
Caleigh smiled at him as Beth made a big lettuce salad. "Dave, it's one more ribeye. You don't understand how much Pedro and Josh back me when Zach is gone." Dave looked at her. "Think small. A month ago, a light bulb burned out in Zach's and my bathroom. I could usually take care of that myself with no problem. But I was eight months pregnant. No ladders for me. And do I need to mention Mo and Alec?" Dave smiled his understanding, shaking his head. "Then add how they take of this home during the off season and we're back home in the D.C. area."
Aaron smiled at her, walking into the kitchen. "Rest your case Caleigh. You got your point across."
"Thank you your Honor," Caleigh smiled at him, putting the last of the ribeyes she had tenderized into the pan. "Aaron, a heads up. Rashad likes his steak like Jack. And Jack's brother," she added, rolling her eyes.
"I just take out the moo," Aaron smiled at her. "I got it. The dummy likes his the same way," Aaron nodded at Dave.
"Miguel," Caleigh continued, putting a set of tongs into the pan, "is at the other end of that spectrum. And that is one of the things that can still trip his issues," she said, looking Aaron in the eye.
"Understood," Aaron said. "Thanks for the heads up."
Hannah looked at Aaron. "You cook one to Miguel's liking. I'll eat the other half," she winked.
Aaron picked up the heaping pan of ribeyes. "This bad boy on the top is going on first."
Dave got off the nook chair. "I'll help you." Caleigh smiled at Dave, pulling out another set of tongs from a kitchen drawer, handing them to Dave.
Later, the three boys, just about as tired as the twins, were sitting in the three nook chairs. Taylor was sitting in Jack's lap. Trev was sitting with Rashad. Hannah was sitting in the fourth chair with John standing next to her, enjoying their glasses of Bailey's. Beth was helping Caleigh get milk for the five kids as they dove into their lemon poppy seed cupcakes Gabby had made. Caleigh's cell rang. She smiled at the caller ID, pulled out a long cord from a drawer in the kitchen, and plugged her phone into the TV screen in the kitchen, gently moving her cell around to show Zach everyone.
"Hi gang!" Zach smiled. "I can't wait to get home tomorrow and see you." The rest of the group smiled as Zach FaceTimed with them all.
Taylor summed up everyone's feelings. "Miss you daddy."
###
A/N: OK. I slipped in a bit of baseball. I'm bad.
My reference to Aaron being so close to Haley's parents is based on my FF mentor's (Thn0715) story Pain. Yup. I'm giving it another shout out. It's that's good.
A story to add to this story. I initially told the OK Teacher that this was going to be a one shot. And one shot only. She laughed. "I'm seeing a second chapter."
As much as I luvs her, I sorta hate it when she's right. :D
*Deep Jedi Knight Bow*
