Chapter 3

Jack enjoyed the Monday night of the All-Star game ramp up, hanging out with his big brother on the field at Nationals Park in DC as they supported Freddie in the Home Run Derby.

The next night, the entire crew, including the entire Hotchner and Graystone families along with Merrill and Sela, the BAU team family plus Emily and Declan and the family of other members of the rest the Braves' All Star players sat together in a special section of the Nats stadium. The pre-game ceremonies were amazing. The national anthems for Canada and the US sung by a DC combined choir were beautiful. JJ, Savannah, Vic and Chelsea protected their young children's ears from the sound of the inspiring F-18 flyover that gave all goose bumps. The only bump in the road of a wonderful night is the National team lost in the late innings after the Braves' players were lights out. Zach and Freddie both homered in the game.

-00CM00-

The party the next night at Dave's was everything that was expected. Freddie walked up to Zach with Charlie in his arms. "Holy hell man," he said. Charlie growled, wanting to get back in the pool. Zach whistled at the pool group.

Will smiled. "Come on over Charlie," he drawled. Freddie let him loose and smiled at Zach.

"Welcome to Uncle Dave's, Freddie, and my family and dad's team," Zach smiled. "It's a party and we have night off." They clinked beer bottle necks.

"And you've got a pregnant wife to get you home," Freddie smiled.

"Vic is already rowing in the same boat with Minnie," Zach smiled back, nodding at Andy talking with Derek. "And brunch is at our home tomorrow morning."

A bit later, Zach went inside to use the bathroom. He came out to Dave waiting to do the same.

"It doesn't feel right without him around," Zach looked at Dave. "I miss him Uncle Dave. He was Jack's security blanket for how many years?" He shook his head. "Hell, he was mine too."

"I know Zach. I'm hurting inside as much as both of you," Dave softly smiled.

Zach smiled. "Uncle Dave I take a lot of comfort that he went on his own. So does Jack."

"Me too," Dave said, shaking his head at Zach. "I really don't know if I could have put him down on my decision."

"I get it," Zach smiled. "Are you going to get another one Uncle Dave?" Zach asked.

Dave looked at him. "I've thought a lot about it." He looked at Zach and shook his head. "No, I've got my job and my book tours. It's not fair." He beaded an eye at Zach. "But I know another family that loved helping me out with Mudg."

Zach smiled at him. "I get dad and Beth's no puppy ruling. I agree with it. But I'm trying to work your kind of magic Uncle Dave." Dave looked at him. "I've got Jenna and Brian on it," he smiled. "They didn't make me any promises but they said they'd try."

"Jack needs a dog Zach."

Zach smiled. "Beth," Zach said as Dave smiled at him receiving the patented Rossi point, "and Jack needs a dog when dad, you and the team are out."

"You're good," Dave smiled, rubbing Zach's muscled shoulder. "Thanks kiddo. I've hit up my contacts as well."

"Thanks for the shindig tonight and letting Free, Chels and Charlie stay with you. You'll never know what this means to all of us. Andy and Vic as well."

Dave smiled. "I impressed the hell out of the Freeman family with the breakfast we had together this morning." Dave winked. "After I let them sleep in." He looked at Zach. "I grabbed more than my share of extra sleep," he smiled.

"Don't doubt that Uncle Dave," Zach smiled, rubbing his shoulder as he moved to the patio. "But it's time for me and dad to do some grilling magic."

"Get it done kid," Dave smiled.

Zach, Aaron, Sean and Mike put on an impressive show of their Weber skills. The group all ate too well: as usual.

The mosquitoes descended in on the large crowd outside around the pool chasing them all inside. The little boys and AJ Minton were watching Finding Nemo in Dave's den with Mel Cruz holding an enthralled AJ who was mesmerized by the movement and color. AJ had happily enjoyed her bath earlier with Beth and Rachel in one of Dave's massive kitchen sinks while the boys enjoyed their bath in Dave's Jacuzzi tub.

Declan, Jack and Henry came upstairs after playing video games in Dave's gaming lair downstairs to Grandma Brooks and Jessica, along with Sandy Jareau and Fran Morgan laying out the dessert buffet with Beth and Rachel helping them.

Zach had the canister of homemade ice cream in the sink, trying to hold it down, with Morgan trying to pull out the paddle. "Judas Priest Cob," Derek growled, "why didn't you pull this out of the freezer earlier?"

"I don't like runny ice cream man," Zach said. "Pull harder dude."

Declan laughed. "I should video this and put it on YouTube. All muscles and the ice cream wins." Derek and Zach gave him a one finger salute back to the laughter of everyone.

"Damnit Free," Zach said, "help us." Rachel handed Freddie another pair of Dave's hotpads to hold down the canister.

Mike, Caleigh's brother walked over. "Wiggle the paddle a bit Derek and I'll help you."

Between the four most muscular men of the group, the paddle finally pulled free. Jack and Henry climbed up into the nook chairs as Derek put the paddle into the cake pan Caleigh was holding. Derek looked at her. "There isn't a four legged one to take of that anymore," he whispered.

Caleigh nodded at the boys in the nook chairs, as Declan joined them. "I think that crew is ready to honor Mudg," she said, kissing Derek's cheek as she pulled out three spoons from Dave's silverware drawer, handing the spoons to the boys, setting the cake pan in front of them.

Jack raised his spoon. Declan smiled and joined him. Henry did the same.

"On three guys," Declan said. "One….."

"Two…" Henry said.

"Three," Jack said.

"To Mudg," they said together, clinking their spoons. Caleigh hugged Dave and kissed his cheek, rubbing his back.

"At least I won't have shit patrol at three tomorrow morning," Dave said, shaking his finger at Zach. Zach pulled Caleigh to his shoulder and shared a smile with her.

"But we probably will," Victoria said, as AJ was downing her evening bottle Tess Cruz was giving her.

"Just don't wake us up," Zach said.

"Oh please do you two," Dave said, looking at Andy and Vic. "They need the practice."

Morgan looked at Zach with his devilish smile. "Hit it big Hank," Derek smiled, looking at Henry.

"Paybacks are a bitch," Henry smiled. A bunch of grandparents groaned as Andy, Vic, Freddie and Chelsea snickered. Zach and Caleigh shook their heads.

JJ drilled the Hotchner glare at Morgan. "The next time Will and I babysit for you and Savannah we're going to teach your son swear words," she growled.

"Whoa Pennsylvania Petite," Morgan said.

"You are so busted Chocolate Thunder," Garcia said.

Reid looked at Morgan. "Burnt toast."

"Good call Dr. Reid," Emily said, sharing a high five with him.

Tara smiled at JJ. "If you two need back up on that..." JJ smiled at her with a point.

"Flag on the play," Morgan said. "That's piling on."

"You deserve it," Fran snapped at him.

"Mom!" Morgan said.

"Busted," Andy said.

"Aw come on man," Morgan said, looking at Minnie. "You too?" Freddie walked up next to Andy and flexed his muscles. Mike Greystone loudly cleared his throat. He and Jack shared a high five. Savannah sadly shook her head.

"Morgan, do you want to know the probabilities I just extrapolated about how bad you are screwed?"

"I love you Doc," Zach said, sharing a high five with Reid, as Zach moved to get another Seven Layer bar. The team enjoyed giving Morgan the business with everyone laughing at them.

Merrill and Sela smiled at Aaron standing in the kitchen together as they enjoyed their desserts. Beth and Dave joined them with Beth rubbing Aaron's back, smiling at him. "Some things never change," Merrill smiled.

"Dave and I like hearing that," Aaron said. Merrill looked at him.

"The job hasn't got to them," Dave smiled at Merrill. Merrill shook his head with a smile, understanding what Dave just said.

"Enjoy it you two," Sela smiled.

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