A/N: To all of you my dear readers, Happy New Year.

Tissue alert warning issued. You all know where they are by now.

Hello team. :D

Chapter 5

The Hotchner family, all three generations, juggled the Christmas holidays as usual.

Zach, Caleigh and the twins spent Christmas Eve with Caleigh's family enjoying their church's candlelight Christmas Eve service together. Aaron, Beth, Sean and Kim enjoyed Jack's Sunday School Christmas Eve program. In the spirit of Christmas, Munchkin, Rachel's cat made an appearance during the family gift opening, doing her usual nosy stuff. Lexie gave her a look and moved to sit by Zach, Caleigh and the twins. Munchkin's curiosity moved her towards the twins. Lexie, in complete protective mode, rose to her feet, growling with her hair up on her back. Munchkin flew out of the living room.

Caleb and Mike roared with laughter. "Good girl," Zach said, rubbing Lexie.

Rachel beaded a look at her son-in-law. "No apologies Rachel. Dogs rule in my world." He shared a high five with Mike and Bub.

"That damn cat is one of the reasons why I joined DCFD and moved out," Mike growled and then smiled at his mother.

"Why I love Tech and my dorm room bro," Bub chimed in with a smile.

"Merry Christmas to you three as well," Rachel sarcastically smiled back. Tom winked at his daughter who just laughed.

Christmas Day at the Hotchner's involved a fourth generation with Hannah and John enjoying their great-grandchildren growing out of new-born status. Aunt Jess was there as well. Trevor and Taylor each day were becoming more alert to their surroundings. And taking it all in. Zach smiled at Caleigh with his arm around her as the twins gave both their great-grandparents a long look.

"Ya gotta love that," Dave softly smiled.

"That's the best Uncle Dave," Jack smiled at him.

Jack got his usual mound of presents while now old enough to know who Santa Claus was. He looked around the room and smiled. "It was all of you?" he asked.

"Yup Jackster," Sean smiled, putting his arm around Kim.

Jack looked at his niece and nephew and smiled. "Next year, I get to be in on that fun with you two." The family smiled with him.

The two well-loved family dogs made out like bandits as well. They received a large supply of chew bones and bags and boxes of vet approved doggie treats. Lex and Molly made their way around the living room to "thank" everyone. When they got to Dave, they sat down in front of him and wagged their tails.

Caleigh kissed Zach's cheek. "Mudgie lives on my love."

"Yes he does," Jack smiled, sitting on Dave's knee to pet the dogs with him. Beth snapped a picture on her cell.

"That's a keeper," Aaron smiled at her, looking over her shoulder.

Dave rubbed Jack's back. "A gift that will keep on giving," he smiled at Jack. He looked at Jack and then Zach and Caleigh. "This is a special gift for me." Jack hugged Dave. Aaron winked at Beth with a smile as John and Hannah smiled as well.

Zach smiled, putting his arm around Caleigh. "Merry Christmas Uncle Dave. We love you."

"Thanks kids," Dave said, smiling at Jack.

Jessica looked at Sean and Kim. "So us cat lovers are out of this equation?"

Zach shook his head with a smile. "Don't ask Lexie's answer to Rachel's Munchkin interrupting the Greystone family Christmas." Jessica looked at him.

"Lex chased Munchkin's ass out," Caleigh smiled.

"Good girl," Dave smiled, petting Lexie.

"Sorry Aunt Jess," Jack smiled. "Dogs rule; cats aren't cool." The family all laughed.

-00CM00-

The Hotchner, Greystone, LaMontagne and Prentiss families came into Dave's mansion on New Year's Eve laughing together. The rest of the team was already there. Dave welcomed them with a smile and then frowned. He looked a Declan and Bub. "I thought you two were babysitting?" He looked at Declan, Emily and then Aaron. "That was part of the pact."

"Uncle Dave," Zach smiled. "Relax." Dave looked at him. "Yes that was the original plan. But some others stepped up so Bub and Declan can be under-age drinkers tonight with their parents." He burrowed a look into Dave's eyes. "The newbie re-joiners need that. So does the team."

JJ smiled. "This is as much as a welcome home party for Em and Dec as it is about New Year's Dave."

"I'm in," Reid smiled.

"Count us in," Morgan smiled, putting arm around Savannah.

"I'm a team player," Tara smiled.

"OK," Dave smiled. "I can live with that." He looked at Zach and Caleigh. "Who's taking care of the kids?"

Zach smiled. "Some profiler you are." Dave glared at him. "Who's missing Uncle Dave?"

Dave smiled. "The boys."

Zach shook his head with a smile. "Jack and Henry are more than capable. Cal and I trust them."

Caleigh looked at him. "Experience counts Uncle Dave," she smiled, kissing his cheek.

"And Uncle Dave," Will drawled, "Grandma Sandy is next door with Michael if the boys need help."

Mike started passing around beers. "Hold on a second," Dave said, looking at Zach and Caleigh. "What about the late night feedings? Those boys are going to horse around and you know it."

"Yes we do Uncle Dave," Zach smiled, taking a beer from Mike. "But they'll step up. Sorry Uncle Dave, but they are growing up. The boys can handle the feeding around eleven tonight. We know they'll stay up to watch the ball drop. Then they have specific orders to check on the kids and get their butts to bed. The four-legged sitters take over." Aaron and Beth smiled with a nod. "And both Lex and Molly know to wake Jack. Cal and I already have an Uber scheduled for a pick-up at one-thirty. And then we suck it up as parents for the four am feeding."

"Family brunch isn't until eleven tomorrow morning," Rachel smiled at Dave, rubbing his arm, taking the vodka and tonic Bub poured for her. "Just for you and your hangover," she mischievously grinned. "And our family is all bunking in with the kids or Aaron and Beth. Sarah, working the late shift at Applebee's, is our designated driver."

"You're toast Big Dog," Declan smiled.

"Who the hell invited you?" Dave zinged back.

"I did," Aaron growled. "And you know the reasons why."

Derek pulled Dave's arm. "Back down Big Dog. Cause I'm not protecting you in this fight. Get your ass back in here being the host with the most." He smiled at the group. "You are good."

"Yes they are," Penelope smiled.

Zach and Mike raided the buffet, having another beer together.

"Save some for the rest of us you two," Tom growled, picking up a plate.

Tara looked at Caleigh, pulling her into a hug. "Holy hell woman! Look at you. You're in pre-baby shape girlfriend," Tara smiled.

"And then some," Emily added, nodding with her smile as well.

"Gotta love the Y," Caleigh beamed back. "I swim with Zach three times a week. They take care of the kids."

Zach smiled at Caleigh, handing her his beer. He walked up to Emily and pulled her into his huge arms and hugged her. "Welcome home you," Zach said, kissing her cheek. "It's about god damn time. Dad and the team need you." He looked at Emily. "And your son needs this more."

Zach looked at Declan. "Sorry kid, you're too old for me to get you into being a batboy."

"No worries Zach," Declan smiled. "I'm a soccer kid."

Zach looked at Derek. "He's one of those," rolling his eyes. The team exploded with laughter.

Beth rubbed Aaron's back. "Your son is working his magic." They both smiled as Zach and JJ shared their usual hug. And then Zach pulling Garcia off the floor with his hug of her.

Tara looked at Zach. "You think you can get a six footer off the floor?"

Zach looked at Derek with a wink. "No bet kid," Morgan said, shaking his head with a smile.

Savannah smiled at Tara. "You're toast woman." Zach proved Savannah right.

-00CM00-

At eleven thirty, Jack sent a text to Zach and Caleigh with Henry smiling, looking over his shoulder. Kids changed, fed and conked. Mutts too. Ball drops, we're gone. Henry, in his text to Zach and Caleigh, added a picture of the twins conked out in their crib. The dogs were sleeping on the floor next to the crib. Zach and Caleigh shared the picture with the team members.

Caleigh smiled at Zach. "The kids must have slept a bit longer."

Zach pulled her into a hug. "Remember where we were a year ago?" Caleigh looked at him. "You were coming off a miscarriage and we had a burnt out southern home."

Mike rubbed Zach's back. "You learned well Padawan from the Big Dog. Bring it home," he smiled.

Caleigh wiped a tear, nodding her head. "God guides our lives."

"And he blesses our lives," Zach smiled, pulling her into his arms, hugging her.

"Yes he does," Beth smiled, rubbing Zach's shoulder.

"Hey you two!" Penelope said. "It's too early for that!"

Zach smiled at her. "Where were we a year ago Pen?"

Garcia smiled. "You're forgiven."

Aaron and Beth, getting more food, rubbed their shoulders. "You're starting the singing tonight you two," Beth smiled.

"She's right," Aaron said, looking at the couple. "Please realize the blessings you two have received being here compared to last year."

"We do dad," Caleigh smiled, hugging Aaron. Zach, Mike and Caleb filled champagne glasses handing them out to the team.

As the group watched the ball drop, with Jack and Henry sending a text to the team wishing them a Happy New Year, Zach looked at Mike. He started singing.

Should old acquaintants be forgot…

Zach joined in with his rich baritone to harmonize. And never brought to mind…..

Bub joined in. Should old acquaintants be forgot… The three of them harmonized.

Declan added his wonderful Irish tenor voice. In the days of auld lang syne, the four sang in harmony. Caleigh added her soprano voice with Rachel adding her alto voice for the first chorus.

Penelope looked at Reid and Tara. "I've got goose bumps," she whispered.

"You're not the only one," Reid whispered back.

The group joined to do the Scottish tradition of the "bouncing" of hands as they joined in the singing.

For auld lang syne,…they all sang finishing the chorus. They raised their glasses of champagne to each other.

Dave entered the center of his living room. "I'll make this simple," he said, raising his glass. "To all of us," he smiled, looking around. He then looked at Aaron, Beth, Zach, Caleigh, Tom and Rachel. "And our two new little ones that we love and the bigger squirts growing being Michael and Hank," he smiled at the Morgan's and LaMontagne families. "And our boys." Dave shook his head. "There's only two now; and they're growing on us faster than we all like." That brought smiles to the group with Aaron, Beth, Will and JJ holding up their glasses to each other. "But I'm really proud of them tonight. And like Caleigh and Zach, trust them. They'll get the job done." Garcia clinked JJ's glass.

He looked at Declan and Zach. "And to our two former boys; all grown up now," Dave proudly smiled. "Have another one on me."

Declan looked at Zach. "You pouring?"

Zach smiled. "Only if I can drink with you." Declan smiled at him with a point. Caleb rubbed his shoulder.

"And," Dave smiled. "To Emily and Declan. Welcome home."

"Here, here," the team all smiled.

When they finished clinking glasses, Brian looked at Gina. "This tradition does not get old."

"Nope Bee," she smiled, rubbing his back. "It doesn't."

Dave pulled Zach into a hug. "You'll never know how proud I am of you."

Zach smiled. "You'll never know how much I already know that. And how that makes me feel." Caleigh rubbed Zach's back. Aaron put his arm around Beth's shoulder with a smile. Will and JJ did the same. "And how much you mean to me. I love you Uncle Dave."

-00CM00-

Zach and Caleigh came down the steps of their DC home to see Sarah and Jack feeding Trev and Tay around nine-thirty. Sarah was showered and dressed for the day. Caleigh got the ovens heating for the egg bakes. Sarah had them out on the counter, warming to room temperature. Caleigh took Tay from Jack. "Go back to bed for another hour more."

Jack smiled, giving up his niece. "Don't have to tell me twice." Zach pushed his head.

"Thanks bro," Zach smiled. "We appreciate it and love you." Caleigh rubbed his shoulder with her smile.

"Back at you two," he smiled, heading for the steps.

Sarah looked at Caleigh. "How was he?" she smiled, pointing at Zach.

"I had my fun," Zach said, pulling the apple juice container out of the fridge. "But I'm a father now and I was ready to call it a night. I knew when our two alarms would go off next," he smiled, pouring himself a huge glass of juice.

"Bub was a pile," Sarah laughed.

"He and Declan went round for round with Uncle Dave's open bar," Caleigh snickered.

Sarah looked at Zach. "My fiancé is quietly snoring. I'm amazed," she smiled. "You two didn't?"

Zach shook his head. "Adulting sucks." Caleigh and Sarah laughed, getting the twins to give up their final burp. Zach stuck the egg bakes into the oven.

Twenty minutes later Aaron, Beth, Tom and Rachel came in the door. They took their coats off, hung them up and came into the kitchen. "No dog welcome?" Aaron asked, handing Caleigh the box of muffins from the Stanlovsky bakery.

Zach smiled, pointing at the twins on the quilt on the living room floor, enjoying one on one time with Lex and Molly. Trevor stretched out his fingers. Molly nudged his hand, wagging her tail. Trevor clenched up his fist again. "Sorry Molly," Caleigh smiled. "Give them a couple more months." The kids and dogs conked out.

Dave came in the door ten minutes later. Zach and Aaron looked at him. "What? The soaks all left early with everyone having an Uber. I've already got a text from them wanting to know when my next party is. Uber will give discounts." The group all laughed. "I'm good. But another cup of coffee wouldn't hurt."

Caleigh handed him one, kissing his cheek. "Thanks again Uncle Dave. We had fun last night and the food was primo."

"You're welcome sweetheart," Dave smiled, kissing her cheek.

"Those shrimp wrapped in bacon things were the bomb," Zach said.

"Yes they were," Mike said, coming into the kitchen, showered and shaved as well. He looked at Zach. "I got the boys thinking about waking up," he smiled, giving Sarah as kiss.

"Thanks Mike," Zach said.

"What about Bub?" Caleigh asked.

"He's wallowing around in Zach's shower at our house," Beth winked.

"I got his ass up," Tom growled. "But he's not puking."

"Tom," Zach smiled. "I and my old bathroom thank you." Tom smiled at Zach as Rachel sadly shook her head.

"The walk in the cold air will do him good," Rachel growled.

"Rachel," Zach said. "Give him a break. He played a major D1 sport as a starter and still made the Dean's List. I can promise you that he and I will celebrate that during our mutual break. Been there; done it. And it's damn hard work to do it."

"Hence the celebrating," Aaron smiled. He looked at Rachel. "Which I bought in on. Student-athletes work their butts off. I watched one for four years." He smiled at Caleigh. "Another one for two years."

"We played pool together one year and I tucked him in that night," Dave smiled.

Zach looked at Caleigh. "I felt sooooo good the next day," he said, rolling his eyes. The group all laughed. "But I needed it."

"I remember the junior and senior year ones," Caleigh smiled.

"I'm in on that party," Mike smiled at Zach with a point.

"Count me in," Dave smiled. "I'll always crash a good party." Mike and Zach smiled at him.

"Party is at your place Dave," Sarah smiled. "I'll bunk in with Cal to help her take care of the kids."

"I think we've got a plan guys," Dave smiled.

"Just have the Cribbage board ready Dave," Mike smiled back. Dave pointed at him.

Rachel handed Mike a lemon poppy seed muffin as Sarah handed him a cup of coffee. "I love you both," he smiled.

The LaMontagne group came in the garage door. Michael scampered into the kitchen, racing at Zach. "Hi kiddo," Zach smiled, pulling him into his arms.

"Where are the dogs?" Michael asked. Zach nodded his head towards the living room. JJ and Will looked into the living room and then smiled at the group. "So no dog time for me?" Michael whispered.

"Not right now bud," Zach smiled, putting him on the kitchen island, helping him out of his winter coat. Beth took it. Dave helped Sandy out of her coat with a smile. "But when they smell food, you'll get time with them."

Michael looked intently at Zach. "What about Trev and Tay?"

Zach smiled, pulling Michael to him, getting him off the island. "They won't notice. They're conked out. Run upstairs and check on your brother and Jack." He looked at the oven timer. "They've got thirty minutes or its cold breakfast."

"Got it Zach," Michael smiled, as Zach put him on the floor. Michael headed for the steps.

Zach smiled at JJ pulling her into a hug. "Happy New Year you," Zach said, kissing her cheek. "Again."

"Same to you," JJ said, hugging Zach. "But we're eating well. Again."

"Tell me about it," Zach said. "I report in six weeks. The pool at the Y is going to get a workout."

"You sure don't need it," Will drawled, hugging Caleigh. "No one could tell you carried twins to almost full term."

"Thanks you," Caleigh smiled at Will. "But I'm gonna join him for the next ten days. Because I've eaten too well over the holidays. And I've got my final check-up with Lisa in two weeks."

"Rock it Cal," JJ smiled.

"You did," Aaron smiled at JJ.

"Both times Aaron, if I remember correctly," Dave smiled. Aaron pointed at him with a smile.

Dave cell buzzed with a text. He looked at and smiled, reading it to the group. Good morning all. Someone in my home feels worse than me after an NYE party at Rossi's. Thanks again. We had fun. Em

Caleb came in through the garage, hung up his coat and walked into the kitchen with his Virginia Tech stocking cap still on his head. He handed Beth the large water bottle that was always in the Hotchner fridge. It was empty. "Thank you," he smiled. "I feel better after drinking that and the walk in the cold air." He looked at Zach. "I pissed in the snow on the side of your garage."

The group all laughed, drowning out Rachel and Tom growling at their youngest son. Mike and Bub shared a high five. Zach gave Bub one as well. Sandy handed Caleb a cup of coffee. Bub smiled his thanks and pulled the milk carton out of the fridge to put some in his cup.

Caleigh looked at Zach. "Payback for pissing in the backyard at your folks place." Caleigh smiled.

"And Lexie watering my front lawn," Tom smiled.

"I knew that would come back and bite us," Zach winked at Caleigh with a smile.

Dave looked at Zach. "When was that?"

"Last year when we were leaving for our southern home," Caleigh smiled.

Caleb looked at Zach. "Getting antsy?"

Zach knew exactly what he was asking. He shook his head. "Not yet. I still need down time with my wife and kids." He smiled. "Last week in January, all bets are off."

"He'll be heads down in a laptop every chance he can get," Caleigh smiled. "And I get it. That pays the bills and supports two foundations."

"We're in too sweetheart," Dave said rubbing her shoulder.

Michael blew back into the kitchen with Jack and Henry following him. The two older boys were wearing long sleeved t-shirts, lounge pants and slides. They went around the kitchen, saying hello to everyone, and hugging their parents.

Zach pulled the boys to him, pulling out his wallet. Henry snuck a look at JJ and Will and shook his head. "Zach, we did this out of love." Zach smiled at him. Caleigh shook her head looking at Beth and her mom.

"I love you too Henry," Zach said, crouching down. "But Hank, you two did a big job with a huge responsibility. You two took care of two ten week old babies. Mike," Zach said, looking at him, "do you get paid for the job you do?"

"Yes I do," Mike smiled, knowing where Zach was going, pulling Sarah to him with a smile. Dave nodded his head with a smile. Sandy smiled at him with a wink. Rachel and Tom shared a smile as well.

"Will? Do you?" Zach asked.

"It keeps the lights on at home," Will drawled.

"But Zach, I'm their uncle," Jack protested. "I'm supposed to do that."

Zach shook his head. "Accepting the responsibility of doing a big job, with that responsibility like being a fireman or a cop and doing it well means you two get paid." He handed each of the boys twenty-five dollars.

Jack looked at Aaron. "You and Henry earned that son," Aaron smiled. Beth smiled at the boys as well. "You two did a big job last night. Zach and Caleigh trusted you two that you could with the twins being so young. And you did. Take the money boys. You earned it. We're all very proud of you."

The boys took the money, shoved it into their pockets and dove into Zach to give him a hug. "Thank you," they both said.

Caleigh pulled each of them into a hug as well. "Thank you both," she smiled. "We really appreciate it. But it sorta sucks." The boys looked at her. "It means you two are growing up." Will pulled JJ into his arms as she wiped a tear away.

The oven timer went off. Mike looked around and smiled at Dave, shutting the timer off. "Saved by the bell so the Kleenex box doesn't get a workout."

Dave pointed at Mike with a smile.

###

A/N: Yup, that's how I do it.

I wish all of you my readers and your families the best blessings for 2019.