Hello my dearest readers. Thank-you for all the reviews and suggestions. Chuck E Cheese was the overwhelming favorite, and there are several locations in Virginia, so our boys will be dining there tonite. Please forgive if I get the details of the play wrong, but I have never been there. There were several other most excellent suggestions that will likely find themselves used as well. I am ever so grateful for the assistance! I love you guys!
As always, I do not own Criminal Minds or cannon characters, and no profits are made from this story.
Chapter 33
Hotch brushed the boys' hair and washed the tears from Spencer's face and they were ready to go. Taking the boys out to the car, it suddenly hit Hotch-there was only one car seat! Now what? Then, much to his delighted surprise, he spied a new car seat sitting on the hood of his SUV. A little note attached read "You're welcome. Dave" Rossi was definitely living up to the responsibilities of God-Father, bless him!
After installing the 2nd seat the grateful father secured both children, then headed out to dinner. Soon, the Chuck E Cheese sign came into view, prompting a cheer from Jack. "This place is fun-you're gonna love it!" the excited boy exclaimed to his new brother. "There are games an' stuff and you get tickets to turn in for prizes. Hey! With two of us we could get enough tickets for something cool!"
Spencer was torn between catching the enthusiasm of his companion and nervousness at his unfamiliarity with 'games' and 'prizes'. He didn't want to disappoint his new brother this soon. Oh, he was sure it would happen soon enough. Jack would figure out that he was weird and want nothing further to do with him. But, for now, he was enjoying his chance at 'normalcy' and at having a friend.
Jack, ever a Hotchner, picked up on Spencer's dilemma, and hurried to reassure him. "Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do the games. Don't be scared-it's not your fault you don' know how to play." Spencer's wide grateful smile was all the response Jack needed. He smiled back and began to literally bounce in his seat with excitement.
Hotch couldn't help a grin at his boys as he undid the seats and picked Spencer up in one arm and took Jack's hand on the other side. They walked through the front door and accepted the security wrist bands while discussing what kind of pizza to get. Pepperoni with extra cheese being the final decision that was ordered, along with sodas and a large salad to share. Hotch also purchased a goodly amount of tokens, and brought the excited boys over to the games to keep them busy while waiting for the food.
First stop was the carousel, then other "ride on" attractions that both boys could enjoy. After that, Spencer greatly enjoyed watching Jack rack up tickets at Skee Ball and "Whack-a-Mole", promising to join him as soon as his leg healed. Then their order came up and the trio enthusiastically dug in to the pizza, and the salad-with urging from the elder, after first going to wash their hands. More games and a lively "basketball" tournament later, the Hotchners found themselves at the prize counter to turn in their tickets. Spencer urged Jack to pick, and he chose a small plush dinosaur. Both of his companions declared the choice 'perfect', and they contentedly headed back to the vehicle for a quiet ride home-during which both boys fell asleep.
Hotch reluctantly roused Jack when they got home, knowing he couldn't carry both boys AND open the door, and his son made him proud again by pointing at a sleeping Spencer and making a 'shush' motion with finger to lips. Hotch nodded with a smile, and gently lifted the sleeping child into his arms. After quietly opening and closing the door, he set the locks and alarm, then squatted down to Jack's level to instruct him to get dressed for bed. He nodded and tiptoed away. Grinning and shaking his head, the amused father walked quietly into his bedroom and gently laid his charge down on top of the bed.
A short time later, as Hotch was just finished changing into a t-shirt and a pair of sleep pants, Jack appeared in his Spider Man pjs, holding out his Captain America pair and jerking his head over to his new brother. His touched father accepted the apparel and kissed the top of his son's head, whispering thanks and sending him off to brush his teeth-explaining that Spencer would just have to brush extra hard in the morning. Pleasantly surprised that the pj bottoms had snaps down the legs, Hotch carefully dressed the sleeping child and tucked him under the sheet and blanket after folding down the bedspread. Tiptoeing out of the room, he then went to check on Jack.
The boy was already in his bed, but sitting up and holding a storybook in his lap, awaiting his father. "Hi Buddy. You want a story from this book tonight?" At Jack's nod, he helped the boy pick which one, then tucked him into bed a kissed his forehead. "Before we start though, I want to tell you how very proud I am of you for how nice you are being to Spencer. He really needed to feel welcome after all the bad things that happened to him, and you have also been very understanding. Just remember that I love you, and I always will, even though I will be paying a lot of attention to Spencer for a while-maybe more attention than I pay to you. Can you handle that Buddy?"
"Of course I can Daddy! Don' worry. I know you love me. Aunt Jessica 'splained to me about how Spencer is really hurt and I gotta have lots of patience til he gets better. I'm gonna be the best brother in the whole world. Jus' wait-you'll see!" Jack exclaimed.
"I believe you Sweetheart, I know you will. Now, let's say our prayers, OK?" Hotch responded, helping the boy fold his hands together. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep" they said in unison, "Please forgive me for all my sins, and to those I've wronged help me make amends. And on me and those I love please send your blessings from above. Amen." "Good job Buddy," Hotch praised. "And now, story time. Once upon a time, there was a boy named Jack…wow Buddy! He has the same name as you…" and Hotch continued with the tale until his son's even slow breathing indicated he had dropped off to sleep. He smiled and gently kissed the top of the child's head, and turned off the bedside lamp after turning on the nearby nightlight. He left the room quietly, wondering what he had done to deserve such a special child. And Sister-in-law for that matter. He could only pray that things continued to go so well.
The prayer was written by my Mom when I was little because she didn't like the prevailing version. I included it in her memory. Please feel free to teach it to your child if you like it, I would be honored.