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CHAPTER 39
After feasting on their burgers and pasta salad, followed by one of Penelope's famous cupcakes, the Hotchner boys and their little pal Henry found themselves yawning and struggling to stay awake. Smiling gently at the sleepy trio JJ led them into the living room and laid them down on the couch and loveseat to take a nap, covering the boys with the throws draped across the back of the furniture.
Rejoining the adults, JJ tossed a beer to Will, Derek, and Hotch, then poured wine for herself, Emily, Penelope, Erin and Rossi. "The little ones are down for a nap…it is grown-up time!" she teased.
"Three cheers for Grown-Up Time!" responded Rossi as he lifted his glass in a toast. "Now, Aaron, fill us all in on how the Picolo is doing in his new home."
"So far, so good," Hotch grinned. "Jack has been teaching him how to play and be a normal child, and he has been having less of a problem with nightmares lately. I have an appointment for him to start Therapy next week, as well as aptitude and IQ testing scheduled. I think it is obvious he is a genius, and I want to get him into schooling that will challenge him."
"It goes without saying that if you need tuition for a special school that falls into Godfather territory" Rossi interjected with a smile.
"Be careful what you offer," warned Hotch with a grin "because I might just take you up on it. Unit chiefs don't get paid as much as you would think!"
"Hey-I look on it as an investment. The boy could probably already help me with my next book" responded the Italian smugly. "Besides, what fun is it to make millions if I can't use some of it to spoil my Godson?"
"Wish I had your problems old man," teased Morgan. "You wanna be Clooney's Dogfather? He could really use obedience training."
"So could you Pup!" responded Rossi in kind. "I think Clooney would do better though."
"Ha, Ha, Ha" responded Morgan jovially. "Hey Hotch, you got another beer Man?"
And so the celebration went, with good natured banter and teasing, fueled liberally with beer and wine. After a bit, Aaron gathered everyone's car keys and declared a BAU sleepover, pulling out air mattresses from his camping supplies and blankets and pillows for the couch. After the uneaten food was put in the fridge and the grill properly extinguished, the festivities moved indoors, centered in the living room. The boys took Henry into their room to play with leggos until Hotch announced it was time for bed and found some pajamas for their young guest. After teeth were brushed the boys were treated to a Bedtime Story from JJ, then Henry snuggled in with Spencer in his bunk, and off to sleep.
Meanwhile, the adults entertained one another with jokes and stories, and Erin found herself revealing things she never thought she would to the amused acceptance of the others. It was easier than she thought it would be to drop the "dragon lady" persona she had cultivated for so long. And she had to admit…David Rossi was quite attractive. And seeing as she and her husband were legally separated, why not? Before she could talk herself out of it, Strauss leaned over a planted a kiss on David's grinning lips. His eyes widened in shock, then he leaned into her kiss and deepened it. They broke apart breathlessly, then Erin looked down with an embarrassed smile and stumbled over an apology.
"Don't apologize Bella!" grinned Rossi, "That was the best kiss I've had in years."
"Me too" admitted Strauss. "I'm sorry Bella" replied Rossi earnestly. "Well, that's probably why I'm separated right now" she said with a rueful expression.
"His loss" declared the Italian with a cheeky grin, and he pulled her into another kiss, to the cheers of the other adults.
"Alright you two-you get the guestroom" declared Hotch. "Keep it down though-there are kids in the house!"
"Aaron!" exclaimed Strauss, cheeks flaming. "Gratzi!" declared Rossi as he headed down the hall with Erin in tow.
"Hotch, you are so bad! I never knew you had it in you!" declared a delighted Prentiss. "Here here!" chirped Penelope. "Hey, everyone deserves a lil' luvin'" declared Derek with a happy grin, then he moved over to one of the airbeds and happily settled in to sleep.
"Well, on that note, let's call it a night" suggested the happy host as he settled his guests in for the night and settled into his own bed after checking in on the boys, who were sleeping peacefully.
The next morning dawned bright and clear as Hotch rose first and headed to the kitchen to brew coffee and cook breakfast for his team. Rising to the siren's call of smells, the team gathered one by one into the kitchen for a steaming mug and a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. Soon the boys stumbled in, rubbing their eyes, to be greeted by fluffy pancakes, milk and juice. After an interlude of relaxed chatting, gentle teasing, and full stomachs, the guests gradually drifted on home to their various weekend tasks and chores, and the Hotchner men walked down the street to the park to play. Returning home to a lunch of left-overs, they then watched a movie, had nap time, then played ball together in the back yard. Dinner finished off the leftovers that Hotch hadn't been able to pack off home with the guests, quiet play with leggos while Hotch reviewed some case files, then off to bed.
Spencer had appointments on Monday with a child psychologist for testing, a pediatrician, an optician, and a trauma counselor. Hotch wanted him to have an enjoyable weekend beforehand, so the next morning he asked Spencer if he felt up to going to the zoo after breakfast. While Jack was excitedly jumping up and down, Spencer calmly agreed to the outing with a shy smile. "Will there be real bears there?" he queried. After assuring the boy that there would be, he took the boys to their room to get ready, and off they went. 12 hours later found the tired father tucking 2 equally tired boys into bed, and finding room in the stuffed animal net for the new giraffe, zebra, and gorilla. Gently kissing his sons' foreheads goodnight and turning on the nightlight, he closed the door and went to prepare for a busy week.