The final weeks of the summer sped by. Before heading back to school, Jack (now officially a high school freshman) and his cousins (with some help from a few of their friends) gathered up their outgrown soccer equipment and shipped it to their contemporaries on Hutchens Island.
"They don't have any real soccer equipment," Jack explained. "And, seeing how much I learned from them playing like that, just think what they will be able to do with the proper equipment."
With Garcia's help, Lynn located a driving school and began taking lessons. "Think of me as a test case," she told Jack when he complained that he should be learning to drive too. "If I like them and think they are doing a good job, you can go there. However, if I'm unhappy with them, we'll know to look someplace else for your instructors." Jack grudgingly agreed that she had a point.
Six oh three, now known as Joe, was adjusting to life on the mainland. "I am learning so much!" he enthused to Lynn. "Things I could never learn on the island. And, Derek is such a good teacher. Just think what I will be able to do when I go back!"
"You were right," Morgan told Hotch when he asked how Joe's apprenticeship was going. "He is a natural; he instinctively sees how things need to be done. I only hope I can keep up with him. Although, I do have a strong suspicion that he really misses that cat of his. All we have is a dog."
With Reid's return from the island, his fan club (as JJ termed it, Morgan preferred the term 'posse') was again in session. Lynn was particularly glad to see that Joe had been accepted as a member of the group.
"Give it another year and Lilly will be following right along with that crowd," JJ smiled at Lynn as they stood behind the group of kids watching Reid's latest magic demonstration. "It should be interesting with her being the only girl."
"Maybe not for long," Savannah told two women with a smile.
"Savannah – You're pregnant?" JJ gasped. "That's wonderful!"
"Derek and I aren't really spreading it around quite yet," Savanah replied as she stroked her stomach. "But, yes, Hank is going to have either a brother or a sister."
"Or one of each," JJ grinned mischievously. "You know what they say about older mothers being more likely to have twins."
"I know," Savannah groaned. "And I can't wait for the first sonogram to make sure there is only one in here."
Hotch was eagerly looking forward to having his own team again. "I know there are some openings coming up," he told Lynn. "Several of the older men are planning on either retiring or moving into teaching at the academy. I spoke with HR and they have assured me that I am definitely in line for one of the openings, it's just a matter of when."
"Will you be away from home more?" Lynn asked.
"About the same, I would expect," Hotch replied. "Whenever we get assigned a case, we have to go. I really don't like leaving you here alone with the kids so often, but that's the nature of the job. Besides, I know you can handle anything that might come up. And, if you do have a problem, there are several people you can call on for help."