Chapter 5
Dave left the hallway and entered the living room to see Aaron walking into the kitchen. Hearing him, Aaron swiveled and looked at him. "You got a bootleg copy of that movie?" Aaron bit out quietly as Dave walked to the kitchen.
Dave slightly smiled. "One of great quality my source promised me."
Aaron looked, reading him. "Judas Priest Dave; Garcia?" Dave just nodded; hoping to diffuse Aaron's boiling temper with his best smile.
"Don't give me that shit," Aaron quietly said. Rossi looked at him. "God damnit Dave; you both are FBI agents. Do you understand the shit that could reign down on the two of you? And me?"
Dave walked into the kitchen more. "Aaron, Penelope and I thought about that long and hard. The bottom line ended up we both just wanted to make this night for Jack with his friends as special as possible."
Aaron pulled Dave into a hug. "And why I love you so much. Thank for doing that for our son." They shared a passionate kiss and hug. "Get that big boy down," Aaron lovingly growled in Dave's ear. Dave pulled out of the hug and looked at him. "At least until the boys are asleep," Aaron tenderly smiled.
"Aaron, it's one thing with Jack in our home, but four other boys….."
Aaron cut him off. "That will eventually be conked out two floors below our bedroom," Aaron smiled.
Dave kissed him. "I like how you think." He kissed Aaron again. "Let's get the mattress blown up for the boys and the sleeping bags out." Aaron nodded with a smile.
They went down the steps and stopped to watch for a few seconds. All of the boys had already seen the movie. So their second re-watch had them all pointing out little tidbits of missed things as they watched. Aaron shook his head as he and Dave moved to Jack's future bedroom where they had the mattresses and sleeping bags stored. "I thought I was a hard core Star Wars fan," Aaron whispered to Dave.
Dave smiled. "You passed that love along to the next generation. But tonight, may the Force be with us," Dave smiled as they reached the room. He looked at Aaron. "Do you honestly think they'll conk out right away?"
Aaron smiled. "The way they played and the warm water? That'll get them started. When we put them down, we build up another roaring fire and they'll shut up and fall asleep." Dave nodded his acceptance with a smile. They got the mattresses blown up with Dave's mini air compressor he had brought from the cabin. They took them to the area of the home theater along the wall to the playroom. They got the sleeping bags, opened them and tossed them on top.
Moving to the bar downstairs, Dave went behind the bar and poured them both a scotch on the rocks as Aaron sat down at the bar and pulled out the Cribbage board at the end. They played a couple games while the boys enjoyed the movie. Dave smiled at Aaron, the original family Star Wars fan, sneaking a peek at certain scenes.
The final credits started rolling as Aaron played an ace to finish off the close rubber match of three games. They both downed the last sip of their drinks. Dave put the glasses in the sink as Aaron stored the Cribbage board and cards. They moved to the area as the boys were on their feet, reenacting their favorite scenes. "Slow down guys," Aaron smiled. "Remember what Dave and I told you about putting sweaty boys to bed?"
Just then Keegan yawned. Dave winked at Aaron as he joined the group. Manny said, "Keegan! Come on dude!"
"Dude! I get up at five thirty every morning to go to daycare because of my parents' work schedule. We had a lot of fun playing. But between that, our dinner, the warm bath and that fire," he pointed, "I'm hitting the wall."
Carter yawned. "Count me in on that."
Aaron looked at the boys. "How 'bout some more of Rosa's M&M bars and some milk before bed?"
Micah looked at Aaron and Dave, pointing. "Does bed include that fireplace going again?"
"That's the plan Micah," Dave smiled.
"I'm in," Micah said.
"Me too," Keegan said.
"Me three," Carter added. Jack just yawned.
Manny shrugged his shoulders. "Guess I'm out voted." Aaron and Dave laughed and got the boys upstairs.
It was still nearly ten o'clock before the boys were finally in their sleeping bags after their treats and getting them, after screwing around, to finally brush their teeth while Max made his nighttime visit outside. Max settled in on top of the air mattress that held Jack, Keegan and Micah. Micah was on the "outside" of the mattress so he could get down the hall to the bathroom. Dave had the fire roaring again. Aaron rubbed his head. "You good?" Micah's artificial limb layed on the floor a few feet away.
Micah smiled at him. "I hop on one leg to the bathroom every night."
Aaron smiled. "Dave and I have the under bar lights on to help you find it."
Micah yawned. "Thanks; I'll be OK." Aaron rubbed his head.
Dave shut out the light in the room, with Aaron on the first step. The fireplace glowed. "I could get used to that falling asleep," Manny yawned. Dave winked at Aaron with a smile as they ascended the steps.
-00CM00-
SOP, Standard Operating Procedure for sleepovers were the host parents took the kids home. Dave and Aaron had a bigger agenda. For all the other parents' support with Jack while they were gone after Christmas, Saturday morning included a brunch for all of them and the boys.
The boys had already demolished the first pan of cinnamon rolls that Rosa had prepared in advance; along with nearly two gallons of milk. Dave looked at Aaron who just smiled and shook his head. The second pan was baking as were two pans of egg bake.
The boys were still in their p.j.'s downstairs, playing a video game when the parents arrived around ten. Moesha came in with a fruit platter. Dave, taking the platter and helping her out of her coat, shook his head at her. "You didn't have to do this."
Moesha smiled. "Yes I did. We all answer the call to duty. I support what you and Aaron do."
Manny's father smiled at Dave. "We all support what you do; even me and Maria. Our heritage does not support you and Aaron's relationship," he said, looking Dave directly in the eye. Jose smiled, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure and an honor to teach our children differently."
Dave smiled, shaking Jose's hand. "Welcome to our home."
-00CM00-
Later that night, putting Jack into bed, he looked at his parents. "Thank you so much for last night." He paused; "and the new space downstairs. I can be a kid in my own home," he smiled with a yawn.
Aaron kissed his forehead. "You're welcome buddy; we're glad you had a good time," he smiled.
Jack hugged him. "Nite dad," he yawned, settling into his bed. "It was the best."
Dave rubbed his head. "Champino, this is your home too. I'm glad you have the space to enjoy it."
Jack rose up and gave Dave a huge hug. "Papa, it's awesome. Thank you so much. I love you."
Dave looked at him. "And those three little words are what I live for," Dave said, kissing his forehead. "Every day; 'cause they make my day."
"Papa, it was so, so hard to see you two leave just after Christmas. But I know you and the team catch the bad guys. You just keep doing your job." Jack looked him in the eye. "I'll keep saying those three words" he sleepily smiled. "And mean every one."
Dave squeezed him. "I love you too Jack. That's why dad and I do it."
Jack yawned as Dave got him settled and snuggled in with the covers pulled up. He rose off Jack's bed. Aaron leaned over and kissed Jack again. "Thanks buddy; I love you too."
"Nite dad," Jack yawned. "I love you too." Max curled around Jack's legs.
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A/N: A little throwback to the S1 episode Machismo.
My dear OK teacher; I hope this satisfied your birthday request. :D
For all of you that have favorited/followed this story or left a review, I'd like to think I scored a walk off homerun for my special friend. Thank you all for the support. It means the world to me that some of you accept this storyline.
*Knightly bow*