A/N: OK – I'm a mean Rockie. *Points to the tissue box*.

Or just an author trying to make my 100th story special.

*waves to pmp1208*

Chapter 3

Jake and Jarrod were putting the final leaf into the formal dining room table. Mike came up the stairs with the box holding Cait's centerpiece. Cait finished stirring up the dressing for the Asian Cole Slaw which was already chilling in the fridge in the garage. Maggie reached into the potato bag and pulled out the last one. "I love you," Maggie smiled, kissing it. Cait laughed at her and noticed Bella getting up from her nap and heading to the garage door.

"Dad home girl," Cait asked. Bella happily barked an answer and wagged her tail. Cait walked towards the garage door and opened it. "Stay Bella." Bella sat down as Cait went into the garage with Aaron stopping his SUV.

Cait smiled at Sean as he got out. "Hi Sean," Cait said.

"Hi Cait," he replied, pulling her into a hug. "I've missed you."

"Likewise brother; it's been too long."

"Yeah, I know. We had a crazy summer between the restaurant and two weddings in Leslie's family," he said, reaching to open the backdoor.

"I know – life is busy," Cait smiled.

Wyatt raced around the door and flew into Cait's open arms. "Hi Aunt Cait," he enthused. "I've missed you so much," he said, hugging her tightly.

"I've missed you," Cait said kissing his cheek. Cait set him on his feet. "Look at how much you've grown," she smiled. Wyatt proudly grinned. "Do you like pre-school?"

"Mrs. Doogan is awesome!" Cait smiled at him, reaching for Leslie to hug her. Aaron pulled a sleeping Ethan out of his car seat and gently put him to his shoulder. Mike came out the door to help with the luggage with Jake behind him. They shared greetings with the group as well. Aaron handed Ethan to Cait and went to the trunk as well. Cait got Leslie and Wyatt headed into the house and followed them.

"There's my pal," Jarrod smiled as Wyatt ran to him for a hug. "Wow – have grown up on me," he said as he gave Wyatt a huge. Maggie was waiting next with a large smile. Bella was sitting by the lunch counter anxiously looking over the scene. Maggie put Wyatt down after hugging him and helped him out of his coat and handed it to Jarrod. She went to Cait to help her get Ethan's coat off. Jarrod took that as well and headed to the coat hooks by the door.

It was then that Wyatt noticed Bella. "Hi Bella," he shyly said.

Cait smiled at Bella, heading for her and Aaron's bedroom to put Ethan down on the bed. "Be gentle and a good girl." Bella stood up wagging her tail. She sniffed Wyatt's offered hand and then licked his face. Wyatt smiled and started to pet her.

"You've got someone new to play with," Jarrod smiled, rubbing Bella's head. Five minutes later, they were romping together in the Great Room, having a mighty tug-of-war contest with one of Bella's toys.

A bit later, they all sat around the nook table with Ethan in Jack's old highchair and Mike, Jake and Wyatt at the lunch counter. Earlier in the fall, Cait had made three huge batches of homemade vegetable beef soup. She had thawed out some just for their lunch. Ethan was happily eating the left over mac and cheese that Mike had made Friday night. Leslie looked at Cait and Maggie. "So what do we have to do this afternoon for prep?"

Cait and Maggie looked at each other. "Not much," Cait said. "The veggies are cleaned for the relish tray. I made the orange Jell-O this morning and got the cole slaw ready. And I finally relented on buying whole turkeys. I believe in two pounds of turkey per person. You obviously can't buy a sixty-four pound bird. And I'm not spending three days cooking four birds."

Sean pulled his spoon out of his mouth and pointed it Aaron. "Your highly intelligent wife finally wised up."

Aaron smiled. "I'm not touching that line."

"Coward," Sean fired back.

"No Sean, I don't like sleeping on the couch."

"How many times has that happened?" Jake winked at Mike. Aaron put his spoon in his bowl and looked at Sean.

"None," Cait interceded. "But he got close one time," she evilly smiled at Aaron.

"When," Aaron asked.

"It's OK honey," Cait smiled. "The make-up sex was awesome."

The table roared with laughter as Jake and Mike shouted "TMI!"

Cait looked at Sean and Aaron. "You two done now?" Sean laughed and rubbed Aaron's shoulder. They laughed together some more.

Jarrod smiled at Maggie. "So we have a normal family after all with four brothers getting on each other nerves?" The group roared again with laughter.

"Yes you did Jarrod," Leslie smiled as she got up from her chair to get Ethan cleaned up. Wyatt was already in the living room, playing with some of his cars under Bella's watchful eye. "Now, does anyone mind if I get the rest of my update on how to help out Cait," she asked looking around, cleaning up Ethan. Aaron and Sean looked at each other, smiled and then shook their heads.

Cait smiled at Leslie. "So I bought four fourteen pound bags of all turkey meat at our local grocery store. The butcher said a turkey has two pounds of bones. Mom and I cooked them yesterday while we made our frozen desserts. All we have to do tomorrow is heat the meat back up. So in answer to your question, I just have to bake the dinner rolls. We can heat them up in the microwave. And I'm thinking about making my stuffing today but I haven't decided on that."

Maggie smiled. "I'm making the cinnamon rolls for tomorrow."

Leslie shook her head, pulling Ethan out of the high chair and setting him on his feet. He took off towards his brother and Bella. "They don't have to be warm Cait. Just serve them as is."

"That's what I said," Maggie said.

Sean eyed Cait. "I agree. How many are coming for dessert?"

"Just the Brooks' and Father Jimmy," Cait said.

Sean looked at Aaron. "None of the former team members are coming?"

Aaron shook his head. "Alex and James Blake moved to Boston. She resigned her FBI commission and is teaching fulltime at Harvard with James. And the Callahan's are going to Chris' family in Charleston, South Carolina."

Jake mischievously smiled at Cait. "What's the desserts mom?" Cait stuck out her tongue at him. They adults around the table laughed.

"Thanks Uncle Jake," Mike said, putting in another bite of his soup.

"Mom made her usual Cream de Menthe dessert and I made….."

"Come on mom, make my day," Mike said.

Cait beamed. "The Buster Bar dessert."

"YES!" Mike and Jake shared a high five. Cait shook her head at those around the table that were laughing at Mike's response.

"I'll make my apple pie tomorrow, which will still be warm," she said looking at Leslie and Maggie. They both laughed. "Sandy is making a blueberry pie and Fran is making a pumpkin pie; plus doing the sweet potatoes as usual. She's been here since Monday to spoil Hank some more," Cait smiled.

Maggie smiled. "I'm still trying to imagine Derek changing diapers."

Aaron smiled. "So am I." The group laughed. "But I know Savannah – he is." They all laughed more.

Jack blew in the garage entry way door three hours later, dropping his bookbag and coat on the entry way floor. He ran into the home and spotted Sean. He flew at him with Sean beaming. "Uncle Sean!"

"Hey pal," Sean smiled, pulling Jack into his arms. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you," Jack said hugging Sean. Cait put her arm around Aaron's waist and smiled at him. "Where's Aunt Leslie and the boys?"

Sean smiled. "They're upstairs right now." He put Jack on his feet. "You are getting too darn big for me to pull off the floor." Jack proudly smiled. "So who's the girlfriend in fifth grade?" Jack blushed. "Oooo come on kid; I know you got one," he wickedly smiled.

"Sean!" Cait said. "What is the Morgan's line?"

Jack pointed at Sean. "You are so busted." Sean laughed.

Leslie walked into the Great Room carrying Ethan, up from his afternoon nap with Wyatt walking with her. She was carrying a small oblong box. Sean smiled at her. Sean crouched down to look Jack in the eye. "Pal, my family has something to do for your family," he said, rubbing Jack's chest.

"What's that Uncle Sean?"

Sean smiled at Jack. "We need to get our coats on first. Please be patient. I know, being your father's son that is not a virtue with you but please Jack, just let us do our thing." Maggie, Jarrod, Jake and Mike all looked at Cait and Aaron. They shook their heads.

Sean hung up Jack's coat and got his family bundled up for the cold that had set in on the east coast. They moved together as a family to the French doors going out to the patio and pool area. Jack looked at his parents and brother that approached him and moved to the doors. Jarrod nodded at Maggie, figuring out Sean's plan and put his arm around her waist to join the family. Jake followed along.

Sean and Leslie crouched down in front of the memorial for Beans and Mudgie. Leslie opened the box she had. She and Sean helped Wyatt and Ethan put two silk roses on the dogs' grave. Sean pulled out the other two and put the box on the ground. He and Leslie added theirs and they took time together as a family. The rest could see Sean and Leslie talking with Wyatt.

Cait pulled Jack closely to her as he wiped a tear away. Aaron pulled Mike to his shoulder. Cait wiped her own tear away. Jarrod wiped one away while handing his handkerchief to Maggie. Jake pulled Aaron, Mike and Cait holding Jack close to his massive chest. "God bless them," Jake quietly said. Jack turned and buried his head into Cait's stomach.

She rubbed his head, hugging him. "Family honors family Jack. Sean, Leslie and the boys didn't have to do that. Yet, because they are our family, they did. Because they love us. Just like Beans and Mudg."

"That's why grandma, Jake and I did when we got here as well Jack," Jarrod said, rubbing his shoulder. "And remember our talk?"

Jack looked at his grandfather, wiping another tear away, nodding his head. "I know grandpa. But it still hurts." Bella nosed her way through the group and bumped her head against Jack's chest. "Thank you Bella," Jack smiled, petting her.

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang. Sean went to the front door and looked out the window. "Aaron, you better get this."

Aaron walked into the entry way. "Thanks Sean," he smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "Stay close."

"You got it," Sean said.

Aaron put the chain into the lock, turned the dead bolt and cracked the door open. The delivery man smiled at him. "Hello sir. I'm Brad, a college student trying to make some money. I work for Betsy's Bloomers as their delivery person. I was told you take your home's security very seriously. I don't have any official identification. However sir, I will tell you my full name is Bradley Warton and I'm going to reach into my pocket to show you my driver's license." Aaron nodded and looked it over.

"How can I help you Brad," Aaron asked.

Brad smiled. "I was told to give you this first." He handed an envelope to Aaron.

He immediately recognized JJ's handwriting and smiled at the kid. "Give me second Brad." Brad smiled. Aaron shut the door, pulled off the chain and opened it.

"We good Aaron," Sean asked. He nodded.

Brad looked at Sean. "Actually sir, I have two packages." Sean turned and stood next to Aaron. Brad handed one box to Aaron. He handed it to Sean and took the second, reaching for his wallet. Brad smiled. "Please sir, I don't need a tip; I already got one. I just need you to sign off on the delivery." Aaron handed the second to Sean and signed off with a smile.

"Thanks Brad," he smiled. "Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family."

Brad smiled back. "Same to your sir." He ran back to his delivery van.

Sean took the two boxes to the nook table and put them down as Cait looked at Aaron moving towards him. He smiled at her, handing the card to her. Jarrod nodded at the rest with a smile and Maggie, Jack, Jake, Mike and Leslie gathered around the nook table.

Cait smiled at the envelope. "It's a Hallmark card." Jarrod pulled his pen knife out of his pocket, pulled open the blade and handed it to Cait. "Thanks dad." Jarrod smiled at her. Cait used the knife to open the top of the sealed card and handed it back to her dad. She pulled the card out.

She and Aaron looked at the front of the well selected card and smiled, reading it. Cait opened the card and they both noticed all the signatures from the team. "Why do they think they have to keep thanking us for inviting them," Cait asked, looking at Aaron. "We do this because we love them."

Aaron smiled, pulling her to his chest for a hug. "I think Doc this is their way of saying they love us as well. And truly appreciate it." Cait smiled at him and pulled away. She looked at the hand written message on the left hand side of the card. She shook her head doing a quick scan and then read it out loud, pulling Jack to her.

Dear Hotchner family,

We, the team, your team, cannot begin to thank you enough for the many, many times you've opened your home to us. Its warmth and solace has been a godsend to all of us.

And you allow us to share Thanksgiving with your family. Making all of us, for a day, part of your family. We all will be forever grateful for that opportunity.

Yet, we all know your family suffered a huge loss this year. We, as your team, suffered that loss with you. And mourn that with you. Please accept these gifts that will last a lifetime, with Cait's loving care. We only ask one thing. When your wonderful family invites us into your home next Thanksgiving, these gifts are displayed again.

We love you all.

Thank you Mudgie and Beans. God bless you both.

Your team

Aaron shook his head at Cait, hugging Jack as Sean opened one package with Jarrod's knife. He handed it to Jake to open the second. Mike sided up to Aaron. Aaron pulled him to his shoulder. Jarrod and Jake pulled out two beautiful silk flower pots of yellow chrysanthemums. "Oh my," Maggie said, wiping a tear. "They're gorgeous."

Jack buried his head into Cait's chest. She hugged him tightly, rubbing his back. Aaron hugged Mike that wiped tears away. "We have to honor their gift," Aaron quietly said.

Mike rubbed Jack's shoulder and nodded at him. Jack smiled and nodded back at his brother, wiping his tears. The four of them, dressed in their coats, placed the two mums on the dogs' graves as the rest watched from the French doors. Jarrod and Jake both held Maggie with their arms around her. Sean held Leslie, holding Ethan, closely to his chest as Sean held Wyatt close to his legs.

Bella joined them. Maggie and Jarrod smiled as she hung her head. "It's almost like Bella knows," Maggie whispered.

Sean rubbed her head. "Good girl."

The entire family was getting ready to head to church that evening for Thanksgiving Eve service. Aaron came out of he and Cait's bedroom and flipped the light on that covered the patio area. Jack smiled at him. "Thanks dad." Jake rubbed his shoulder with a smile at Aaron.

Aaron simply nodded at the two of them with a smile.

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