A/N: Thank you everyone for your amazing support.
And to all my stateside readers, Happy Thanksgiving.
My OK Teacher pointed out to me this is also my 25th Family story. I can't believe it's been that many. She also did a proof read for me with my hectic day. She said "you might want to add…."
*points to tissue box*
Chapter 4
Mike grabbed a cinnamon roll and quickly ate it, washing it down with a small glass of milk. He looked at his parents. "Do you mind if I use my debit card for a stop at Starbucks. Andi has slowly turned me on to her favorite Caramel Macchiato. It'll be under ten bucks."
Aaron smiled at him, shaking his head. "We trust you Mike. Just don't forget a receipt to give to mom." Mike smiled with a nod. Cait and Aaron had recently given him a debit card to their checking account, rather than giving him the cash he needed. He was very responsible with it. Jarrod, Maggie, Sean and Leslie proudly smiled at him.
Cait walked up to the nook table with a small paper plate. She put two cinnamon rolls on it, took it to the kitchen and wrapped it with plastic wrap. She walked out of the kitchen and handed it to Mike that was heading for the entry hall coat hooks. "One for you and Andi," she smiled, kissing his cheek, "to go along with your coffees."
"Thanks mom," Mike smiled. "I promise Andi and I will be here by one to help all of you out."
"Son, we're proud of what you and Andi are doing to help our veterans at the VA hospital. Go," Aaron smiled.
Mike kissed Cait's cheek. "Thanks mom," he smiled, taking the plate. "Thanks dad." The rest sent their wishes as well while Mike moved down the entry wall hall.
Sean looked at Aaron. "Is that another match?"
Aaron nodded. "Big time."
Sean smiled. "I can't wait to meet her." Leslie rubbed his shoulder as Jack reached for another cinnamon roll, broke it half and shared it with Wyatt.
Mike sat the plate down on the bench Cait had by the door and reached for his coat. Just then, the door opened, with Lauren and Matt walking in. "Hey little brother," Lauren smiled, giving him a hug. "Happy Thanksgiving. Where you going?
Mike gave her a hug, kissing her cheek. "I'm picking up Andi and we're serving the Thanksgiving meals to the vets at the VA Hospital."
"That's awesome bro," Matt said, hugging him. "Happy Thanksgiving," he smiled.
"Happy Thanksgiving to you both," Mike smiled. "I'll be home by one with Andi to be part of Team Hotchner." Matt slapped his shoulder as Mike grabbed the plate and headed out the door.
Jake looked at the couple as they walked into the nook. "Where the hell you two been all week?"
Matt shook his head. "Heads down on getting caught up with law school work." He looked at Aaron. "Did you feel overwhelmed the first year dad?"
Aaron slightly laughed. "More than you want to know," he smiled as the couple shared hugs with everyone. He kissed Lauren's cheek, pulling her into a hug. "Hi sweetheart," he said.
Matt had a raucous reunion with Wyatt and Ethan while Lauren rubbed down Bella. Jarrod looked at them. "You gonna take off your coats and stay a while?"
Matt smiled at him. "In a couple of minutes grandpa." Lauren offered Matt her hand which he took and they walked to the French doors of the back patio. They spent some time honoring Beans and Mudgie, appreciating what all their family and the BAU family had done for them. They came back in and hugged Jack.
"You OK bro," Lauren said, rubbing his head.
Jack smiled at her. "Yeah, I am," he said, hugging her. "What everyone did was amazing." Lauren kissed the top of his head.
Matt looked at Maggie. "They still warm," he asked, pulling off his coat, pointing at the cinnamon rolls.
Maggie eyed him. "You've already forgotten where the microwave is?"
"Busted by grandma kid," Jake smiled. "Again." The group roared with laughter.
"I love you mom," Cait smiled. Maggie pointed at her with a smile.
By noon, Dave was planted in his usual chair at the lunch counter, having a beer. He and Max had spent a few minutes out on the patio before they came in the French doors. Leslie had Ethan sitting on his lap, letting him eat some animal crackers to tide him over to dinner. Dave smiled and rubbed his head as Ethan pulled another off the counter, shoving it into his mouth, smiling at Dave. Dave caught up with Maggie and Jarrod sitting next to him as Matt and Aaron got the fireplaces in the Great Room and downstairs in the den going. Cait stuck her apple pie into the oven.
"You know what I love most about Thanksgiving here," Dave asked, looking at Maggie, sitting next to him. She pushed a stray cracker towards Ethan and shook her head at Dave. "The way it smells. The turkey, stuffing and Cait's apple pie? It takes me back to my childhood at my grandma's," he smiled.
Jarrod shook his head. "It was different at the Barkley ranch; too many of us and grandkids. It was chaotic."
Jake smiled, sipping his beer. "And you and mom supplied how many?" Jarrod scowled at him. "Why Cait and I hid out in the horse barn." Dave laughed as Cait smiled at Jake with a point, taking a sip of her own beer.
By one-thirty which was halftime for the early game, the football watching crowd of Emily, Declan, Tara, Brian and Gina had arrived. Everyone that came into the home went to the French doors to look out on the patio. Cait and Aaron appreciatively smiled at them. So did Dave. He and Jarrod then went downstairs to the den knowing Maggie, Fran and Sandy would soon chase them away from the lunch counter to have their gab fest.
The LaMontagne crew came in the door. Cait and Aaron met them. Will smiled at them, holding a sleeping Michael on his shoulder. Cait smiled at him, nodding her head, quietly and efficiently getting off his winter coat. "Just take him to our bed and pull the comforter over him." Will moved off with a smile.
"I'll take your coat JJ," Aaron smiled.
JJ shook her head. "Sorry Hotch," she smiled, a bit sadly. "Henry wants to do something." Henry put his hand in JJ's and walked with her to the French doors. Will, coming out of the bedroom, joined them and opened the door. The three of them walked out onto the patio.
Aaron put his arm around Cait as they stood at the doors and watched with Sandy joining them. JJ and Will crouched down, both putting their arms around Henry. Henry bent over and rubbed the names of the two dogs. "I miss them," he said, wiping a tear. JJ and Will embraced him together. Sandy rubbed Cait's back. Cait smiled at her.
"The flowers the team sent are so beautiful," Cait said.
"Where'd the roses come from," Sandy asked.
"Sean, Leslie and the boys," Aaron quietly said as he opened the door for the three LaMontagne's to come back in. Henry burrowed his head into Cait's stomach, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you my love," Cait said, kissing the top of his head." Now you," she smiled at Henry, "give me your coat," she said, unzipping it, "and get downstairs so you, Jack and Wyatt can get all hot and sweaty."
"Don't have to tell me twice Aunt Cait," Henry said shaking his arms out of the coat, running for the steps to the den. JJ shook her head at Cait.
Cait smiled at her. "We know boys," she winked. She pulled JJ into a hug. "Thank you," she whispered into JJ's ear.
"We love you," JJ whispered back. Will rubbed Aaron's arm with a sad, soft smile.
"Thanks Will," Aaron said. "Our family deeply appreciated the gesture," taking their coats to hang them up.
Mike and Andi blew in the door. "Sorry we're late mom and dad." Cait and Aaron smiled at the couple, shaking their heads.
"It's OK son," Aaron smiled. "Your mom schooled Lauren on how to set a proper table," he smiled, pulling Andi into a hug, kissing her cheek.
"You mean dad a Victoria Barkley approved set table," he smiled.
"Exactly Mike," Aaron smiled. Cait beamed at Andi, hugging her.
Andi looked at Cait. "Can I sneak a peek?" Cait proudly smiled and nodded her head. Mike took her hand and led her to the formal dining room.
Andi took one look around. "Wow," she appreciatively said. "That centerpiece is absolutely beautiful." Mike told her the story behind it and then quietly took her to the patio. When they came back in and Mike hung up their coats, he took her into the kitchen to introduce her to Maggie and Sandy.
Mike smiled at her. "Ready for the test," he smiled with a question.
"Bring it on," Andi smiled. "I'm awesome with remembering names." Aaron and Cait smiled at each other as the couple headed for the downstairs den.
"Ooooo she's a keeper," Maggie whispered to them. Sandy nodded her head in agreement with a smile.
Two minutes later, the Morgan clan came in the door with Hank loudly crying. "That doesn't sound good," Cait said, moving to the entry way. Aaron followed her. Cait took one look at Savannah and saw a very frazzled new mother. She glanced at Fran.
"I'm at a loss as well," Fran said. "He's just not happy." Cait pulled the crying Hank out of Savannah's arms and got him out of his coat.
"We've got him," Aaron smiled, taking the diaper bag from Savannah. "And we know the three of you want to do something before you take your coats off. " He shook his head. "I can't tell you how much my family and I appreciate it."
Morgan rubbed his shoulder. "They were part of your family Hotch. And you open your home to us every Thanksgiving. That makes them our family as well." Aaron smiled at him as the three moved off.
Cait held Hank close. "He's got a major tummy ache. I can feel it churning." She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a dish cloth. She looked at Aaron. "You got my back?"
Maggie took the dish cloth from Cait. "I've got this," she smiled at Aaron, rubbing his arm. It took Cait a couple of minutes but she finally got two large burps out of Hank. He settled down. "No chunks," Maggie smiled. Another odor filled the kitchen.
Cait winked at Maggie. "Good thing Dave is downstairs," she smiled. "I don't think he'd enjoy this smell," she said as she moved to the half bath off the kitchen. Aaron brought the diaper bag and followed her. "Aaron, please grab one of the pool towels." She looked at Maggie. "We're going to need a plastic grocery bag mom." Maggie moved to the pantry and pulled one out. Aaron went into the laundry room and grabbed a towel, folding it and put it on the floor. Maggie handed the bag to Aaron.
By the time the three Morgan's came to the bathroom to check on Hank, Cait was washing out Hank's pants in the sink as Maggie was heading for the garage with the plastic bag. Cait dropped the pants on the towel and wash rag she had used that were lying on the floor and took them to the laundry room, tossing them all into the washer, along with Hank's pants. Aaron was sitting on the toilet, pulling on Hank's clean pants Savannah had in the diaper bag as Hank yawned at his parents and grandmother.
Savannah looked at Cait, coming back in. "You didn't have to do that."
Cait smiled, moving to the sink to wash up. "You honored our family," she smiled. "We take care of yours." She looked Savannah and Derek. "And two things," she smiled. "Number one – been there, done that. Number two – I know how to scrub," she winked at Savannah, washing up.
Aaron pulled the deeply yawning Hank to this shoulder, grabbing a bath towel off the rack. "I take it he didn't nap this morning?"
Morgan shook his head. "We've been putting up with him crying for over three hours." Aaron and Cait looked at each other, seeing two extremely frazzled parents.
Fran looked at Cait as she dried her hands. "Any ideas?"
Cait looked at Savannah. "What did he have for breakfast this morning?"
"Cereal and some pureed apricots."
Cait smiled at Fran. "Ahhhh apricots," Cait smiled. "Most babies will go for them. Their systems on the other hand…." Cait smiled.
"So scratch apricots off the list," Derek said.
"Might be a good idea," Hotch smiled at him, getting Hank to fall asleep.
"Aaron, he needs to be warm while he sleeps. His tummy had a major problem."
Aaron smiled at her. "I've got just the solution." He looked at Cait. "Why I grabbed the towel Doc," he smiled. He took Hank, already sleeping on his shoulder into the Great Room. Bella and Max just settled in for their usual afternoon snooze by the French doors, enjoying the sunshine coming in the windows of the door.
Aaron crouched down as Bella lifted her head to look at him. "Hey girl," he smiled with a whisper. "You got a sleep partner." Max raised his head. Aaron put the towel down and then put Hank on it closely to Bella's tummy. Bella laid her head back down, wrapping her legs a bit around her charge. Max got to his feet and laid back down closely to Bella's feet.
Derek put his arm around Savannah and just shook his head at her. Leslie rubbed Maggie's back standing in the kitchen watching the scene. "I think the new generation just accepted the torch of responsibility," she whispered with a smile, rubbing Maggie's back.
Maggie put her arm around Leslie. "And they will not fail as well."
Sandy nodded her head at Fran with smile, pulling her to her shoulder.
"Thank you for the flowers," Cait said, rubbing Derek's back looking at them both as Aaron joined them.
Derek pulled Cait to him and kissed her forehead. "Thank you Mother Goose." He looked at Aaron. "Thanks Hotch." Aaron smiled at the couple.
Morgan looked at them. "Is Garcia here yet?" Aaron and Cait shook their heads. "Damn, I need to send her a text or she'll fly in here like she usually does and disturb all this," he said, reaching for his phone. Cait, Aaron and Savannah nodded their heads at them with huge smiles as the kitchen ladies enjoyed a quiet laugh.
Hank peacefully slept. Garcia and Kevin came in the door ten minutes later. Aaron met them in the entry way. "I'll take your coats," he smiled. "You don't want to go near the French doors right now." He pointed at them across the expanse of the home to Garcia.
Garcia took one look and smiled. "That's just too awesome." She rubbed Aaron's arm. "Please know that we do want to send out loves to Beans and Mudgie."
Aaron put his arm around her shoulder. "They already know. The flowers are beautiful. And are cherished by this family."
"Sent with love from your BAU family," she smiled at him. "And we all weren't hung over the next day following Jayje's idea," Penelope said.
"Thank you for that as well," Hotch replied. Kevin stifled his laughter. Aaron smiled at him. "Thank you Penelope."
"You're most welcome," she smiled.
"The gang is downstairs," Aaron smiled.
After sharing hello's with the ladies of the kitchen, with Penelope and Kevin hugging Cait, they headed towards the downstairs den.
Cait looked at the kitchen group. "We're just missing three," she smiled.
Maggie looked at Cait. "How is Diana doing? I know you keep in touch with her."
Cait beamed. "She spends weekends at Bill's home. Dr. Norman and the staff are highly considering making that a bit more permanent."
"That's amazing," Sandy said. Cait smiled.
Maggie looked at the clock. "But it's getting pretty late Cait."
Cait shook her head. "Relax mom; one of the side effects of the new drugs she is on is that she needs to rest. I'm sure Spencer and Bill have her napping. Remember last year?" Maggie looked at her. "She wanted to brush her teeth after napping." Maggie nodded her head with a smile.
The Reid family walked up to the front door fifteen minutes later. "Spencer, you ring the doorbell. We do not just walk in."
"Got it mom," he smiled, pressing the button. Aaron was hanging around upstairs, anticipating their arrival.
He pulled the door open before Reid could ring the doorbell and put his finger to his lips. "There's a sleeping little boy across the room that had a horrible morning. We want to keep him sleeping," he smiled. The Reid's quietly entered in. "Let me take your coats," Aaron smiled.
Diana looked at him and gave him a hug. "Aaron, we want to honor a sacrifice as a family."
He gently put his arm around her and pulled her into the home. He pointed at the French doors across the room where Hank was peacefully sleeping with Bella and Max. He kissed her forehead. "The next generation is doing that for you," he smiled.
"That's amazing," Reid said, smiling at his dad.
"Oh my," Diana said. "That's just precious." She looked at Aaron. "Bronte said you pass a torch to those that follow you."
"It's been passed," Aaron smiled. He looked at Reid. "Thank you."
"It was a pleasure and a true honor to be part of it Hotch," Reid smiled.
Hotch shook Bill's hand. "Welcome," he smiled. "Again."
"Aaron, Diana and I have waiting for this all year," he smiled. "Truly."
"You're not the only ones," Cait smiled, pulling Diana into a deep hug as Aaron got her coat off.
Diana proudly smiled at Cait. "I'll have you know, I flew this year. It still scared me a bit; but I did it."
Cait hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy with the progress you've made."
Just then, Jarrod came up the steps. He shared a greeting with the group. "Dad, can you chase our sons up here without whistling?"
Jarrod looked at her. "There's a line for the bathroom downstairs and I have had two beers with Dave …"
The Reids laughed as Cait waved him off to the nearest bathroom. Aaron flew down the steps. He pointed at Matt. "Get your brother and your ladies upstairs pronto." Matt and Mike knew the tone. The four of them put their beer bottles on the bar and headed up the steps.
Diana and Bill admired Lauren's ring and the three of them warmly greeted Mike who deeply hugged Diana and introduced Andi. "You're good kid," Diana winked at him. She pointed a finger at him. "Don't lose her; a mother knows."
Mike smiled. "Thank you Diana. I now have two mothers all over my butt." The group laughed.
Spencer and Bill looked at Cait. Cait smiled. "Dr. Norman gave me a head's up. But honestly, he wanted me to do her BP check after all this, rather than letting her take some time." She smiled at Diana, rubbing her arm. "You're doing that well in his world."
"Let's do it," Diana smiled. They went to the study as the rest went into the home with Mike and Matt helping their dad hang up the coats of the Reid family.
Cait and Diana walked into the kitchen area ten minutes later. Maggie eyed Cait as she greeted Diana. "Flying colors mom," Cait smiled.
"I'm so happy for you," Maggie smiled at Diana, pulling her into a hug.
"I'm happy for me," Diana whispered in Maggie's ear. "I've got my husband and son back in my life."
Maggie looked at her. "They're your family; that's all that matters." Diana nodded with a smile looking at her. Diana smiled at her and shared hugs with Fran and Sandy.
Cait, starting to get busy in the kitchen, looked at Matt that buzzed through. "Why do I hear the showering running downstairs?"
"Because Jack and Henry are old enough to perspire and dad and Will chased their butts into the shower. They reek." He held up their two stinking shirts and t-shirts.
"Thank you for that," Cait said.
Matt headed to the laundry room, putting them in the wash machine and went into the bathroom. He came back out and looked at Cait. "Mom, you want me to start that load in the washer?"
"My God," Maggie said. "He's finally figured out how to work that thing?"
"Enough to know to use cold water with the colored shirts grandma," Matt said.
Maggie looked at Matt. "There is something to be extra thankful this day." Matt stuck his tongue out at her as he headed back into the laundry room to start the load.
When he came back out, Cait looked at him. "Please tell anyone coming upstairs to do it quietly." Matt looked at her. Cait pointed into the Great Room.
Matt smiled. "Got it mom."
Sandy looked at Cait. "JJ told me that Henry was getting like that." Cait looked at her. "Really? That young?"
Cait nodded her head. "Usually around seven or eight. I have a really fun time," she sarcastically said, "with Jack at Target to find the right antiperspirant that he likes. He smells them all."
"Oh good lawd," Diana said. "He sounds like Spencer. I remember him at that age. Our local Walgreen's had store security closely watching us." She looked at the other mothers. "Guess how that worked in my world back then?' They all laughed.
-00CM00-
Matt, Lauren, Mike, Andi, Declan, Jack, Henry and Wyatt stood at the end of Cait's formal dining room table precisely at four in the afternoon behind Dave. Hank was happily playing with some toys in the Great Room on Cait's large comforter under the watchful eye of Bella and Max. Ethan was in the high chair at the end of the table next to Aaron while Michael was in the seat that attached to the table that Henry used the first Thanksgiving at the Hotchner's. Jack and Henry said the prayers for the bounty they all looked at around the table.
With prayers done, Dave lifted his wine glass holding up a glass of the Barkley Family vineyard's finest Chardonnay. "A toast," Dave said. He smiled. "To family." He lifted his glass to the group. Those around the table raised their glasses.
Henry eyed him. "You done Uncle Dave? I'm hungry." The group all laughed.
"When aren't you," Dave smiled back. The group laughed more.
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A/N: The Bronte reference was all me. Writer prerogative.