Author's Note: This and the next chapter were to be one fun chappie but it just got too big. I mentioned when we started that I've had this story in my head for a long time. These next two chapters were one of the first scenes I envisioned. I wanted to tell it all, if not anything else, so I didn't short change myself!

Chapter 9 – Fun ….

A powerful late winter Nor'easter storm dumped over 20 inches of snow on northern Virginia the first week of March. Most everyone spent the middle of the week digging out and working from home. Things didn't start to return to normal on the roads until Friday afternoon, so Aaron was able to pick up Jack for his weekend with him.

The next morning, as he was finishing the breakfast dishes, his cell phone rang on the counter. "Hey you," he said into the phone.

"Good morning. You and Jack have fun last night?"

"Yeah, it was a great night. He's into Star Wars, so we watched Return of the Jedi."

"Sounds like a great time. How would he like to go sledding?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know the big hill on the back side of the property. The boys were out there from after school until near dark the last two days. They've got a pretty impressive run sculpted. It would give you two a chance to get out of the apartment. And btw, Dave dropped Mudgie off this morning. He's going to AC for the night for some gambling with a couple of his hunting pals."

"Hey buddy," Aaron said away from the phone. "Want to go sledding?"

"Can we daddy?" Jack said excitedly.

"I think that's a 'yes'. I'll have to stop by Haley's and get his snow pants and sled. Come to think of it, mine are probably still there as well."

"I'll see you when you get here."

While Aaron was excited for the opportunity to see his son have a great time, he knew it wouldn't be a picnic explaining to Haley what was happening. But if he didn't, she surely would find out from Jack, so he decided to tell her up front.

Hotch got Jack dressed in his snow jacket and boots, and put his attire as well. As they drove towards Haley's he called her. "Hi," she said. "Everything OK?"

"Everything is great Haley. As a matter of fact, I'm taking Jack sledding. Can you get his snow pants ready? And do you know if my ski bibs are still there?"

"Yes, I saw them downstairs last week. I'll grab them."

"Thanks. We'll be there in about 10 minutes."

When they walked into the house, Jack was bubbling over with excitement. "We're going sledding Mommy!"

"I know baby. Do you know where your blue sweater is?" Jack nodded his head up and down. "Why don't you go upstairs and get it."

Hotch knew immediately that Haley was setting up "private" time to grill him. "So where are you going sledding?"

"A friend of mine has a large hill on the back side of her property. Her sons have made a great sled run, or so I'm told."

"She? And her sons? You have a female friend?"

"Yes, Haley. And before you ask, we're more than just friends. However, please, with all due respect, let's leave it at that."

"And you're taking Jack there?"

"Haley, I told you she has sons of her own. Matt is fourteen and Mike is twelve. And Cait is a wonderful mother." He resisted the temptation to add "you made your choices", choosing to stay on the high road.

"Aaron, I'm sorry. You have a right to live your life. She sounds like a very nice woman."

"She is," Hotch said, as he heard Jack thundering down the steps. "And she raised the boys as a single mother. Her husband died the same day Mike was born."

"Oh God, Aaron. That's awful."

Jack roared into the kitchen. "I've got my sweater mom!"

Haley gave him a hug and said, "You guys have fun!"

Hotch told Jack about Cait and the boys on the ride to Woodbridge. He took it all in, asking "Do you love her daddy?"

"Yes Jack. Very much."

"Like you used to love mommy?'

"Jack, while your mom and I may not be married anymore, I still have a special place in my heart for her. It's just that I've got a special place in my heart for Cait, too. And I've got a special place for you and Matt and Mike."

"Wow daddy. You have a big heart," Jack replied, as only a three and half year old could. Hotch just smiled at his son in the rear view mirror.

When they got to the house, Hotch opened the garage door and pulled his car in. He got Jack out of his car seat and grabbed the clothes and sled from the truck. Leaving the sled in the garage, he took Jack inside to get him dressed. The boys were sitting around the lunch bar, their ski bibs on, waiting for them.

The introductions were made, and as expected, Jack was painfully shy around them all. Yet Cait helped him into his sweater before Hotch pulled his snow pants up and wrapped the bibs over his shoulder. While Aaron climbed into his clothes, the boys made their way to the laundry room to put on their boots. Jack struggled to tug one boot on and Matt noticed. "Jack, can I give you a hand." Jack just nodded. Matt helped him into his boot and gave Jack's stocking cap an extra tug.

"Ready big guy? Matt asked.

That was all Jack needed. He smiled brightly at Matt and said, "Ready!"

Cait came over to check all of them over, when Mike remembered, "Hey mom didn't we used to have a toboggan?"

"Yes, it's above the rafters in the extra garage."

Matt looked at Hotch. "Can you give me a hand getting it down?"

"Let's do it," Aaron replied.

Jack looked at Cait. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'm going to finish getting our lunch ready and then I'll be out."

The "guys", all four of them, got the toboggan out of the rafters. Mike found some ski wax and soon they were all satisfied it was good to go including getting the cushion cleaned.

The four of them had just finished their second run and by the smiles Cait noticed, having a great time when she joined them. The rest of the morning sped by, filled with laughter as only a family enjoying time together could. The biggest laugh occurred when Hotch and the boys were pulling the toboggan up the hill while Cait was holding Jack's hand behind them, helping him up the steep incline. Beans and Mudgie bounded back and forth between the five of them. Cait stopped and looking at Jack, put her index finger to her mouth. Grabbing a handful of snow, she rounded it into a ball and expertly hit Aaron in the back of head as the snowball exploded, sending snow down his back. "Aawwwww," Hotch hollered as the boys, including Jack, roared.

"You got daddy good Cait!" Jack laughed. They got to the top and they took their places. Aaron, as the "driver" sat up front, with Jack behind him. Cait came next and wrapped her long legs around Jack, onto Aaron's thighs. Mike was behind her and Matt was in the rear, serving as the "pusher". The toboggan sped down the hill.

As they got to the bottom and everyone climbed off, Matt looked at his mother and said, "I'm getting hungry," which was quickly added to by three more voices. They headed inside, with all three boys getting the dogs dried off in the garage, and then shedding their snow clothes in the laundry room. They walked into the kitchen to a wonderful smell. "How does beef stew sound guys?" Cait asked as they entered, already knowing the answer.

They all ate heartily around the nook table that had already had an extra chair for Jack. Yet, being the youngest, and with the shortest legs, Jack quickly let out a large yawn, the morning activities catching up with his young body. "I think it's time to go home buddy," Hotch said.

"Jack," Cait said, "The boys have something special to show you upstairs. Why don't you go with them."

"Come on Jack," Matt said as he held out his hand. They left the nook, as Hotch and Cait cleared the table.

"What's upstairs Cait?"

"His room," Cait simply answered. "Aaron, he's your son, which makes him a part of this home. I want him to have a place that when he's here, he can call his own."

Knowing her the way he did, Hotch asked, "You're trying to tell me something more, aren't you?"

"Answer me one question. How did Haley take the news?"

"Better than I thought."

"Then why don't you two spend the rest of the weekend. The weather forecast says the snow will be gone by Wednesday."

"Neither one of us have a change of clothes," Hotch said.

"You can't run and get them while Jack naps?"

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

(TB)

When Hotch dropped off Jack Sunday afternoon, Haley met them at the door. "How was your weekend Jack?"

"It was awesome mommy. Cait has boys and dogs," he said as he gave her a hug. He turned to Aaron and jumped into his arms. "I had the best time daddy. Tell Cait and the guys." He climbed down and sped off to his room.

"Dogs?" Haley questioned.

"You remember David Rossi?" Haley nodded. "He lives near Cait and she has consulted on his last three books. When he goes out of town, her boys take care of his dog and he went to Atlantic City this weekend."

"Did you two stay there the rest of the weekend?"

"Yes, Haley," Aaron said. "I'm sure Jack will fill you in on all the details. And her name is Caitlyn Barkley." He spelled it for her. "Check her out on Google. I just hope you can be accepting of this."

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