A/N: Thank you everyone for the favorite and following alerts, plus the reviews. All are appreciated. Please note, FF is still not working right so I can't send you a personal thank you for your favorite alert. So thank you greyncis, hptwilightfive-0girl, Wombat357 and pmp1208. For those of you that did reviews, I responded to them. But FF is not making notifications on that as well. Check you PM box here at FF.
Chapter 2
As Aaron predicted, September was hectic for the Hotchners. He and Beth loved having the family there. Getting home from work and being greeted by the twins was a joy. Rachel and Tom, now living so close, were able to enjoy that as well. Caleigh and Zach juggled days with the twins spending time with both their grandparents after they got home from work along with dinners. With the team starting to travel more, Beth took solace in having the family, especially Zach, there at night when the lights went out. While Jack groused about Caleigh and Zach pushing him with his schoolwork on the school days he was home, inwardly he enjoyed having them around to help with his classes.
Caleigh and Zach were busy juggling other things. Every morning, Caleigh and Victoria had a Zoom meeting with Marissa Lofton, the newly hired Executive Assistant of the HANDS Foundation. Marissa was a bright, recent graduate of Georgia Tech who was exactly what the two couples were looking for to fill the position. She impressed them during her internship earlier in the spring. Marissa was dedicated to the work of the foundation, driven and very talented.
While helping Caleigh with the kids in the morning, otherwise known as keeping them out of mom's hair for an hour, Zach worked on his design notes. When Caleigh finished with foundation business, she put on her "mom" cap, working with the twins on fun, educational projects between loads of laundry. That was Zach's time to go to his old bedroom, using his old desk to make his design notes become a reality on his laptop.
After lunch, Caleigh, on the three days Jack was home with his balanced learning schedule, would go over to their house and work with the sub-contractors finishing their new home or go shopping for furniture and other items while the twins were napping. Zach would leave to have his daily meeting with Mike Hillman and the rest of the project design team.
After dinner, the families would go their separate ways in the Hotchner home. Aaron and Beth, realizing that Zach and Caleigh needed their time together, had taken apart the bed in the extra bedroom across from Jack's, laying the mattress and box spring against the wall. The twins' cribs from their old D.C. home filled the room so Zach and Caleigh could enjoy Zach's old lair. The twins toddled between the lair and the living room on the main floor, enjoying time with everyone.
However, with the Washington Nationals losing and sinking in the NL East standings, Jack spent most nights watching the Braves on TV. Zach had the game on downstairs. Jack watched while having a Skype session with Rashad and Miguel. The three enjoyed the games together. After their baths and getting the twins to bed, Zach would watch the end of the game with Jack while Caleigh spent online time with friends on her laptop or enjoying a girl's night with Lisa Stanlovsky and some of their friends.
On Thursday, the first of October, Caleigh crawled into bed and snuggled up to Zach. "Finally," she smiled. "Not that I didn't love having make-up time with our families."
"I hear ya babe," Zach smiled, lying on his back. "We're finally in our own home."
Caleigh stretched out on top of Zach. She crossed her arms, resting them on Zach's bare chest and looked into his eyes. "We ready to work on our next project," she seductively smiled.
"Does that involve me getting you naked?" Zach smiled back.
"That's a good start," Caleigh smiled, kissing him.
-00CM00-
Three and a half weeks later, the Hotchner and Greystone families, along with Dave, were in the new home to celebrate the twins' second birthday. After dinner, Caleb joined them via Zoom. Caleb was in his third season of playing football at Virginia Tech. He had his laptop hooked up to the flat screen TV in his dorm room to be able to see the whole group. "Hey guys," he smiled. "I know I'll regret this, but what was for dinner?"
"Zach grilled pork tenderloins," Mike smiled.
"Damn, I knew I shouldn't have asked," Caleb said.
"Bub, you're that locked down?" Dave asked.
"Dave, it's weight-lifting at oh-dark thirty, then online classes in my dorm room. Afternoon practice and all meals in the athletic hall. It's not pork tenderloins on the grill. But it's great food with the nutrition we need. Then back to my dorm room. The college bigwigs are committed to keeping everyone safe on campus and the virus away. And not just the student-athletes. One of the frats had a party last weekend. By Tuesday, the frat was suspended and their charter was revoked by their national chapter. The house is shut down. Damn right they are taking all this seriously around here. And I have no problem with it. Even the nose swab every other day."
"Thank you Caleb," Rachel smiled.
"Momma's boy," Mike and Zach said together, smiling.
Bub held up his middle three fingers. "Read between the lines you two donkeys," he growled. Jack roared.
Caleigh drilled Zach's bicep. "Just keep doing it right Bub," she smiled. "And check your mail tomorrow for a package," she winked at her brother. "The birthday kiddos love Monster cookies. I made mom's full batch."
Caleb smiled at Jack. "You get some of that goodness?"
"You know it Bub," Jack beamed back.
"But hey gang," Caleb smiled. "It's trivia night on the dorm lawn. We follow all the health recommendations and the weather is beautiful. Two hours of fresh air and open spaces."
"Rock it Bub," Zach smiled.
Mike smiled. "I know you, little brother, and trivia. Kick their assests."
"That's the plan Mikey," Caleb smiled. "Luvs ya T's!"
Caleigh whispered into the twins' ears. "Cunckle Bub," Tay smiled. She and Trev each blew him a big kiss.
Caleb slapped his cheek. "Got it! Thank you. I love you both. Happy birthday!"
"Luvs ya Cunckle Bub," Trev waved. Taylor waved as well.
"I love you all," Caleb smiled. "This made my week."
"Take care son," Tom said. "We love you." The rest of the families said their good-byes.
A bit later, the invited BAU family started showing up at the house to join in on the cake and ice cream celebration. With a strict no gift edict. Penelope looked at Zach after he welcomed her and Kevin in their home. "Really?" she growled.
"Yes Princess," Zach smiled, kissing her cheek. "Back down. They have enough clothes and toys. This is about getting you all some down time with the boss."
Garcia smiled. "Aka seeing him relaxed," Penelope whispered.
"You're catching on Princess," Zach whispered back with his huge smile and a wink.
Twenty minutes later, the Great Room was full. Jack and Henry were watching the World Series. First grader Michael LaMontagne and pre-K four-year-old Hank Morgan were playing a game together. Tay and Trev were playing with Lexie and Molly.
Tom, Rachel, Aaron and Beth were standing in the kitchen. Dave was sitting at the kitchen nook counter, enjoying a scotch. Caleigh and Zach were mingling. Emily walked into the kitchen and looked at the grandparents. "You're OK with all this?"
Aaron smiled. "You're the one that profiled we'd get some experience with this last month."
"Yeah, right," Emily said, shaking her head. Zach and Declan came into the kitchen.
Zach looked at Declan. "How're things in the online microbiology department at Georgetown?"
Declan smiled. "I just got accepted to Johns Hopkins Medical School after I graduate next spring."
Zach smiled. "Congratulations. Find a cure. For something. Anything."
"That's the plan Cob," Declan smiled back.
"Thank god for Doyle's laundered money," Dave snarked in a whisper to Emily. She pointed back at him with a smile.
"But Declan, can I give you some advice?" Zach said. Declan looked at him. "Dude, loose the facial hair. Mom already gets that you're independent with your own place."
Caleigh walked into the kitchen. "Major turn off with the ladies," she said, looking at Declan. "Girls dig mama boys. Gives them more of a challenge. But kissing a new guy with a beard sucks."
"You know it girl," Tara smiled.
Declan looked at Emily. "I swear I didn't pay them off," she said.
"They're right," Dave intoned. Declan looked at him. "Kid, when you're my age, the goatee," he said, rubbing his own, "with the gray hair is a turn on."
Zach shook his head at his dad, rolling his eyes. The group in the kitchen roared with laughter.
Beth looked at Rachel. "I think it's time we break out the chocolate cake."
"Ya think?" Rachel smiled.
Tom opened the freezer side of the fridge. "I'm on ice cream patrol."
The twins, with Zach holding them, looked as Caleigh put the cake on the table with two pieces missing. Rachel and Beth followed her with a piece for each of the twins on a plate. Each piece had two candles lit on top of them with the twins getting wide-eyed and smiling. Zach looked at them. "You gotta blow out the candles," he smiled.
"Fire," Trev pointed.
"Cunckle Mike," Tay said.
Mike smiled, walking up to them. "It's OK. You two can put out this fire." They blew out the candles together while everyone sang happy birthday. Sarah sent the video to Caleb.
Reid looked at Tom as he put a large scoop of ice cream from the bucket on Reid's plate next to his piece of cake. "It's not homemade?" Zach and Aaron looked at him.
"Spence!" JJ said, getting Michael sat down next to Dave at the counter with his cake and ice cream.
Will pulled Reid away from the nook counter and looked at Morgan. "I've got him. The Hotchners is all you."
"Thanks a lot Cajun." Morgan growled. Jack and Henry snickered.
"Good luck on that Big Dog," Savannah smiled at her husband, getting Hank in the other chair next to Dave.
-00CM00-
By the afternoon of Thanksgiving Eve, the two Hotchner homes were starting to fill up. Zach picked up Sean and Kim at the Huntington Metro Station after their ride to the D.C. area on the Amtrak Acela. Caleigh welcomed Merrill and Sela into their new home. "Thanks for understanding the older version of the Brothers Hotchner needing time together," Caleigh smiled at the couple.
Sela smiled. "We get it." Merrill added his own smile, bringing in their suitcase.
After dropping off Sean and Kim across the turnaround in the cul-de-sac, Zach pulled his truck out of that driveway and crossed over to him and Caleigh's driveway in time to help the Brooks family get into their home.
The Brooks and Dobsons looked around. "It is a mirror image," Sela smiled. "Of the design of your southern home," she added looking at Caleigh. "I love your new decorating ideas."
"It looks wonderful Caleigh," Grandma Brooks beamed.
"So where you putting all of us?" John asked.
"Grandpa," Zach smiled. "That depends on the Dobsons and Aunt Jess." The three looked at him. "Can you three share the bathroom upstairs, shutting the doors to each of your bedrooms so grandma and grandpa can sleep down here in the not southern home Jack bedroom. With their own bathroom and not having to go up the steps?"
Merrill shook his head. "Next time Zach, don't ask. Just point," he smiled. Everyone moved off to settle in.
Ten minutes later, the Brooks family was in the Great Room of Zach and Caleigh's new home. Lexie was getting lots of loves. "Where're Sela and Merrill?" Caleigh asked. Jessica shook her head.
The Dobsons came down the steps five minutes later, each holding a twin waking up. "Look who we found," Sela smiled. They handed off the twins to their great-grandparents. Jessica put her arm around Zach, both of them smiling at the scene.
Hannah deeply hugged Taylor. "I've missed you so much sweetheart," she said with tears in her eyes, kissing Tay's cheek. Still waking up, Taylor put her head on Hannah's shoulder and cuddled close.
"Hi Trevor," John smiled, pulling him into a hug.
"Hi gray-gamp," Trev yawned, putting his arms around his great-grandfather's neck, snoozing off again.
Sela, with her arm around Caleigh, looked at her. "How long will that last?"
Caleigh shook her head, nodding at Hannah and John. "Not long enough for them."
"We'll take what we can get," Hannah smiled at them.
Tay looked at her. "Gray-gam, need Os."
"And here we go," Zach winked at Jessica.
Hannah smiled. "Cheerios are the best," kissing Taylor again.
Twenty minutes later, the Brooks and Dobsons got their first lesson with wide-awake two-year-olds ready to rumble. Jessica happily played with the kids. John, Merrill and Zach sat at the kitchen nook counter, each drinking a beer while Caleigh gave Hannah and Sela a tour of the house.
John looked at Zach. "How's the project coming along?"
Zach smiled. "Our design is solid and we're all damn proud of it. We're in the final stages of putting our presentation together for the big shots at VDOT the first of December."
"Good for you Zach," John smiled, slapping Zach's thigh. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks grandpa," Zach smiled back, taking a sip of his beer.
"OK," Merrill said, "that leaves me with the question about the elephant in the room." Zach and John looked at him. "How did you handle the Braves being in the playoffs?"
Zach smiled. "I enjoyed it as a fan, very happy for the team getting that far. And really proud of what they did."
John looked at him. "You didn't talk to Greg?"
Zach shrugged his shoulders. "We occasionally talked." Merrill looked at Zach. "What? He was busy. So was I."
"Really?" Merrill asked.
"Really," Zach countered. "I was up to my neck with a project that has a twenty-four million dollar budget. Our design is the foundation of getting that project delivered within that budget."
Just then, the ladies came into the kitchen. Caleigh nodded at the clock on the stove, looking at Zach. "Yeah, we better get everyone bundled up and head across the street. Beth said dinner is at five."
Hannah looked at Caleigh. "We all want to go to church together tonight as a family. You're welcome to join us," Caleigh smiled.
"We've all been diligent about taking precautions," Zach said. "Why we all felt safe getting together. And with the horrible spike earlier this month finally coming down, that's a reason in itself to be thankful. And being able to do it as a family. Even wearing masks."
John rubbed his shoulder. "St. John's is going to have a big crowd tonight," he smiled.
Sela shook her head. "But Beth is cooking tonight and then tomorrow?"
Caleigh smiled. "Thanksgiving dinner is here tomorrow." Sela looked at her. "I've got plenty of help and Beth's kitchen to back that. Mom and Sarah are part of the plan."
"Mom and I have a hot date with Beth and her kitchen," Jessica smiled.
"You're with me," Caleigh smiled at Sela. She nodded at Merrill. "How is he at peeling potatoes?"
"My specialty," Merrill smiled.
Zach got off his counter chair and winked at Sela. "Bottom line: my wife finally gets to use her big formal dining room tomorrow."
"You told Jose and Kelly I could spend some of it," Caleigh fired back. The group all laughed.
Twenty minutes later, Aaron and Beth welcomed the entourage into their home, helping them with their coats. Sean and Kim snatched up the twins, getting them out of the winter jackets. Dave, naturally, was already there and got the next batch of twin loves.
Zach passed around beers as Aaron poured wine for the ladies. Aaron looked at Zach. "You failed profiler," Aaron smiled.
"Say what dad?"
Aaron nodded at Sean and Kim. "You didn't notice the rings?" Zach looked at him. "They eloped."
Zach shook his head. "First off dad, it was twenty-five degrees when I picked them up. They were both wearing gloves. Secondly, if they say they went to Niagara Falls, I'm kicking their butts to the curb."
"My boy," Dave proudly smiled. Aaron glared at Dave. Sean and Zach laughed at him.
Kim smiled. "We found a little chapel on Cape Cod Columbus Day weekend before the Cape closed down for the season."
Zach looked at Dave. "Acceptable to you?"
"That works," Dave said. "Congratulations you two," he smiled, raising his beer to Sean and Kim. Everyone joined in with Zach and Caleigh hugging the newlyweds.
After everyone enjoyed Beth's dinner, Zach and Sean did clean-up in the kitchen. Jessica was helping Beth get the few leftovers put in the fridge. Zach showed Beth the large roster that held her wonderful hamburger and noodle hotdish. "Save these two spoons full Beth?" Zach asked.
Beth shook her head. Zach pushed the leftovers into the garage can and put the roster into the sink of soapy water he had ran to wash dishes. Sean smiled at her. "That tells you cook, that you knocked it out of the park."
"Thanks Sean," Beth smiled back, kissing his cheek.
"Jack!" Zach bellowed. "Trash detail!"
Jack came into the kitchen and looked at Sean. "It sucks to be the youngest."
Sean laughed. "Which you will be forever."
"Don't rub it in," Jack growled, pulling out the garbage bag.
The Thanksgiving Eve service at St. John's started at seven with the Hotchner and Greystone families taking up four pews, all wearing their masks. Trev and Tay pointed out theirs, featuring their favorite Muppet character, to everyone around them. The Hotchner church family chuckled at them.
After getting home from church, the group at Zach and Caleigh's home settled in. Zach poured drinks for Merrill, Sela and himself, looking at his grandfather. "One," John smiled. Caleigh, Jessica and great grandma were upstairs, giving the kids their baths.
The bathed twins enjoyed their bedtime snack of great-grandma's chocolate chip cookies along with milk, sitting on Merrill's and John's laps at the nook counter. Merrill and Zach snagged a cookie as well. After good night hugs with everyone, Zach and Caleigh took their yawning twins upstairs to tuck them in for the night.
Caleigh looked at Zach as they came out of the twins' room. "You know me too well," she smiled.
Zach pulled her to him, hugging her. "Like you missed something recently?"
Caleigh smiled in his chest. "Yeah, like that." She looked at Zach. "I'm OK. I don't feel crummy. I just know what I'm facing tomorrow. And honestly Zach, I'm feeling like some extra sleep might help right now."
Zach kissed her. "At least come back downstairs and tell everyone that. You've got a big day tomorrow. And say good night to grandma and grandpa. They'll buy it."
A bit later, John and Hannah were off to bed as well.
Zach, Jessica and the Dobsons sat down at the table in the nook with their drinks to play cribbage. Jessica eyed Zach. "Something you want to share?" she smiled. Zach looked at her. "Caleigh didn't have a glass of wine."
Sela looked at Jess. "You figured it out too?" she smiled. The two ladies looked at Zach.
Zach shook his head. And then softly smiled at them. "We've got our first miss. The second one, I chase her into Dr. Lisa's office."
"And Dr. Laura gets her revenge next summer," Jessica smiled, taking a sip of her drink.
"That too Aunt Jess," Zach smiled. He looked at the group. "But for now, this is just between us." He looked at Jess and Sela. "And your back-up tomorrow helping Caleigh, will be appreciated."
Sela smiled at Jess. "Thank goodness I made the egg bakes for tomorrow." Jess pointed at Sela with a smile.
Merrill shook his head. "Damnit." Zach looked at him. Merrill beamed. "If I wasn't a law enforcement officer, I'd be blackmailing your ass out of some of your millions right now."
The group all laughed, with Zach rubbing Merrill's shoulder with his big-ass smile. "Who's turn is it to deal?" Zach said.
-00CM00-
Beth's dining room got another workout at breakfast the next morning with everyone there. That included Dave, who contributed a large box of donuts and muffins from the Stanlovsky bakery. All the visitors marveled at how much the twins ate. Caleigh rubbed Trev's head. "You two like Sela's egg bake," she smiled.
"Seal rocks," Trev announced.
Dave rubbed Sela's shoulder. "Gotta love that," he smiled.
"Yes, I do," Sela beamed.
Aaron broke off a piece of his lemon-poppy seed muffin and offered it to Trev. He shook his head. "Gampa, Cunkle Yack's," Trev pointed. Jack smiled, handing Trev a bite of his glazed donut.
"Gampa," Taylor smiled at Aaron. Aaron smiled back, giving her the bite of the muffin. Tay smiled at him and put the bite into her mouth.
Sean shook his head at his brother with a broad grin. "She knows who to work over," he laughed.
Aaron smiled at Taylor. "Tell Uncle Sean that's my job."
Tay looked at Sean. "He's Gampa Cunkle Sean." Aaron smiled at Sean as the rest around the table laughed.
"I give up," Sean laughed, shaking his head.
Caleigh and Zach got the twins cleaned up and let them loose to play with the dogs. Jack took his plate and milk glass to the kitchen, put them in the dishwasher and went to supervise the playtime.
Hannah looked at Caleigh while the rest were enjoying their coffee. "So what's the plan with dinner?" Aaron looked at Caleigh, the notorious morning coffee drinker, taking a drink of her milk and slightly smiled.
"You three cooks here are the apple and blueberry pie makers," Caleigh smiled her, Jess and Beth. "Mom and Sara are making the strawberry Jell-O the boys," she smiled, rubbing Zach's shoulder, "love plus the Asian Cole Slaw along with table setting. Mom is doing the pumpkin pie which is dad's favorite and he's finicky about." The group smiled. Caleigh looked at Sean. "You still in on being the stuffing man?"
"All over it," Sean smiled. "I'll be over a bit later to get it prepped."
"I'm helping the ladies with pies and your coordinator for getting everything on the table," Kim smiled. Caleigh pointed at her smiling.
Aaron looked at Jack. "You, me and Uncle Sean have got filling all glasses detail."
"My specialty," Jack smiled back. Zach and Caleigh smiled at them.
"Merrill is my spud peeler. Mike, the firehouse chef, is the mashed potato master," Caleigh continued. "I've got the broccoli casserole. The corn is an easy fix as we get closer to dinner with Sela helping me bring it home. Grandma will do the sweet potatoes for the older Hotchner boys. And my dad," she smiled at Hannah. "Uncle Dave has the buns covered with his delivery from Big Pete's and Mama S. this morning, plus the wine. Father Jimmy is on Bailey's and ice cream patrol. Zach is cooking the turkey on the grill."
"Time out," Hannah said. Everyone looked at her. "How are you going to make gravy with Zach cooking the bird on the grill?"
Zach smiled at her, cracking his knuckles. "Grandma, you don't know all my mad skills on that Weber."
Merrill rubbed Hannah's shoulder. "Sorry grandma," he smiled. "I've got twenty on the kid."
"I'm in on that action," Dave pointed at Merrill with a smile.
John looked at his wife. "I'm not covering you. You're on your own grandma." The group laughed.
By three that afternoon, all the dinner guests were in the home. The ladies were standing around in the kitchen as usual. They guys were in the great room, watching the football game on TV. Trev walked in. He looked and pointed a certain person's collar. "Fadder Jimmy - no white."
Father Jimmy pulled Trev up into his lap, giving the lad his broad Irish smile. Dave beamed as well. "Trev, my white collar is not working today. Just like me."
"Kay Fadder Jimmy," Trev smiled, climbing down to run off and play.
Sean shook his head at Aaron with his own smile. "They don't miss much do they?"
Aaron smiled. "It'll get worse. Trust me."
Zach walked into the kitchen. Caleigh smiled at him, handing him the meat thermometer. He looked at Hannah. "Wanna check out my mad Weber skills grandma?" he smiled.
Hannah smiled, getting off her nook chair. "Yes."
"I'm in on that action," Sean said, following Zach.
Zach grabbed his Braves hoodie off the coat rack going into the garage and pulled it on. He got his grandmother into Caleigh's heavy Braves jacket. Sean grabbed Zach's matching coat off another hook and pulled it on. The three went into the garage. Zach had the bird cooking just outside the garage back door, out of the cold Virginia wind.
He lifted the Weber lid, hanging it on the side of the grill and pointed in at his grandmother. "To cook the bird slowly, it needs indirect heat. Why I put the charcoal on each side," he pointed. "That left me room for a catch pan for most of the juices cooking off the turkey that will make the gravy. The rest dripping off the bird onto the charcoal adds back into the turkey flavor," he smiled.
Sean looked at Hannah. "Good thing you didn't take the bet," he smiled.
"Shuddup both of you," she growled with a smile.
Zach stuck the thermometer into the breast of the turkey. Sean looked over his shoulder as the thermometer settled. "You're good Zach," Sean beamed.
"Thanks Uncle Sean," Zach smiled.
At four that afternoon, Caleigh proudly smiled, sitting down next to Zach with all the food on her precisely set dining room table with wine, water and milk glasses filled. Zach looked around the table. "Thank you for joining us in our home. We are very thankful we can be together. Jack has the dinner prayers for both faiths. Two will give the thanks prayer back. With lots of coaching from mom and dad," he winked. Everyone bowed their heads smiling.
After Jack finished, Zach and Caleigh looked at the twins, sitting in their highchairs next to their parents. "Oh give tanks to the Lawd is good. His marcies ender forever. Amen," Trev and Tay reverently said together.
The gathered family lifted their heads, smiling at each other. "The words don't matter," Father Jimmy said. "The innocent faith of a child always works with our Lord," he smiled at Zach and Caleigh.
###
A/N: VDOT is the Virginia Department of Transportation. They are the commonwealth agency that oversees highway construction projects. FYI – Virginia does not refer to itself as a state. Don't ask me why.
A hoodie is a fleece cotton blend hooded sweatshirt.