A/N: I'll say it again: patience is a virtue. Aaron does have something to say about all of this.

This is for my Dutch Delight: my late night writing supporter and dear friend. ;)

Chapter 4

JJ nudged Emily and nodded towards Hotch, Beth and Dave standing together. They both could immediately see the love and pride in their eyes. "Congratulations Grandma," JJ brightly smiled at Hannah.

Hannah looked at the baby in her arms and then JJ. "I remember holding him at this age," she smiled, nodding at Zach. "And now he's getting married to a precious lady." Micah stirred a bit more. "That makes growing old gold," she cooed at Micah and then smiled at JJ and Emily. Micah stretched a bit and then settled back into his deep, lovingly held slumber.

"That's beautiful Hannah," Emily smiled.

Hannah beamed back. "It's wonderful to see you again Emily." She looked at her. "You want to hold Micah?"

"Not right now grandma," Emily smiled, with a wink. "You keep holding onto him, remembering that past," she said, rubbing Hannah's shoulder.

The three looked up to see Penelope nearly running across the patio to get to the happy couple. They all shared a laugh. Zach whistled at her, but not nearly as loudly as he could so he wouldn't wake Micah. "Halt your breaks Mama." Garcia froze.

Zach looked at Derek. "Did I get it right?"

"Perfection Cob," Morgan smiled. "Right down to the intonation," he winked at Savannah, one arm around her waist, the other holding Fran to his shoulder. Everyone laughed.

Garcia eyed Zach. Zach stared back at her. "Rumor has it, from a very reliable source that I completely trust and love more, you wanted to vet out Caleigh a couple of years ago." Garcia blushed deeply.

"And you were a little standoffish to me at first," Caleigh added, playing along with Zach.

"I, I…." Garcia started to stammer.

Caleigh and Zach laughed. "Get your butt over here Mama and give us a hug," Zach smiled. Garcia closed the gap in a second as the rest laughed more. Kevin joined her.

Will nudged Mike in the ribs. "Hey DCFD; help Metro PD out," he drawled, nodding at the team's beverage coolers.

"Ya think there's a toast coming," Mike asked with a laugh. He rubbed Will's shoulder with a smile.

"All I know there's gonna be some drinking goin' on soon. And rightly so," Will smiled at him.

"Caleb is driving me home tonight," Mike responded with a wink.

While Zach and Caleigh accepted hugs from Derek, Savannah and Fran, Will, Mike and Sean got everyone a beverage.

Emily finally got her turn. Zach pulled her into a huge bear hug, lifting her off the ground. "Hey you, don't damage the merchandise," she laughed.

Putting her down on her feet, he smiled at her. "Damn I miss that snark of yours."

"Well then I better know that wedding date so I can be here," she smiled at Caleigh, putting her arm around her. "Clyde be damned; I won't miss that," she said, giving Caleigh a hug.

Zach softly whistled again. "Mark your calendars everyone. Saturday, November twelfth next year." They all smiled.

Henry tugged Emily's shirt. "My turn," he smiled at her. Emily smiled at him, rubbing his shoulder as he moved to the couple.

Zach and Caleigh knelt down to accept Henry's hug. Will and JJ happily smiled at Henry hugging them both. "Hey Hank," Zach said, looking at him, pulling him close. "We need you to do us a huge favor," he smiled.

"What Z-man," Henry seriously asked. Jack smiled at Beth and his dad with Henry using Jack's nickname for Zach.

"We need a ring bearer for our wedding," Caleigh smiled.

Henry looked at his parents joining them, noticing their huge smiles. "You mean like I was at momma and daddy's wedding?"

"That's it," Zach smiled. "We want you to be part of our wedding."

"I can do that Zach," Henry seriously smiled. Everyone loveably laughed at his response, as JJ hugged Caleigh.

"Thank you and congratulations," JJ said in her ear.

"Thank you," Caleigh whispered back. JJ pulled away a bit and looked at her. "Zach told me," she smiled. JJ just shook her head with a smile, as Zach took her hand. He pulled her into a deep hug. The rest just watched smiling, knowing the little extra special bond that Zach had with JJ. The team smiled a bit more.

Zach and JJ said no words to each other. They didn't have to. Zach kissed JJ's cheek after he let her go, and shook Will's hand. Will pulled Zach into a hug as well. "Damn, why are you Hotchner boys all so big," he drawled, letting Zach go. That drew laughter from everyone.

"Welcome to my world Will," Beth smiled. Sandy hugged the happy couple as well.

Dave looked at Sean and Mike. "You got them all set?" They both nodded with smiles, holding up their beers. "A toast….." was all Dave got out to the group.

"Dave," Hotch said, looking at him. "I love you like a brother. You are my mentor; and in the field, you are my partner that has my back. More importantly, you have been me and my sons' solid support. You have my deepest respect," he said looking at him. "However, I doubt I'll ever get this opportunity again," he deeply eyed Dave. "And I get to quote you which is a bonus," he said. The patio area completely hushed. "Shuddup," mimicking Dave's accent. "This is my toast. You'll get yours fourteen months from now." Sean and Mike winked at each other as the team snickered.

Aaron looked at Zach and Caleigh. "I've been the parent," he said, "like Rachel and Tom," he smiled at them, "that has had to sit on the sidelines watching this relationship play out." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'll be honest enough to admit, I worried at first." Zach smiled, remembering that first conversation with his dad about Caleigh. He pulled Caleigh closer to him, looking at her. "My oldest son basically told me he had his head on straight walking into that relationship." Aaron paused again. "And if there's anything I've learned about my son, it's to trust his gut." The group all smiled. "Like me, he found a special lady on his first dive into the dating pool."

Aaron looked at his team. "You've been through our family's lowest point." He looked again. "And a couple months ago," he smiled, "one of our highest." Derek, Reid and Garcia nodded, remembering Zach's draft day. Will pulled JJ closer to him. "So on this day, I get to look at all of you, the second family that has supported Zach, Jack and I to say congratulations to you my son," Aaron said now looking at Zach. "You make me and your mother proud every day." Zach smiled at his dad, shaking his head a bit. Aaron smiled more, looking at Caleigh. "And today, we finally get a daughter, a much welcomed daughter we deeply respect, and more importantly love in our lives. Caleigh, you honored that today; another reason why I join my son in loving you more." Caleigh brushed away a tear. She wasn't the only one.

Aaron gently pulled Beth to him, putting his arm around her waist. He smiled at her. "And while I would never speak for the newest member of our family," he smiled at her, then looking back at the couple, "I'm pretty sure Beth will enjoy having another female in the Hotchner family." Beth nodded at Zach and Caleigh with a deep smile, rubbing Aaron's chest. Jack nestled in Dave's arms smiled at him. Dave rubbed his chest, smiling back.

Aaron raised his beer bottle. "To my son and daughter to be," he finished, pulling Beth closer. "Congratulations you two; we love you both."

"Here, here," John said smiling at Hannah. Everyone raised their drink to the happy couple. Zach gave his dad a deep hug, sharing a moment with him. He pulled Beth into his arms as Caleigh rubbed another tear away, hugging Aaron.

"I love you my daughter," Aaron whispered. Caleigh hugged him tighter.

The moment settled and Henry spoke up. "Can we get into our swimsuits now?"

"Henry," JJ scolded.

Zach laughed, letting go of Beth. "Hank," he said, turning serious. Henry intently looked at him. "I will only tell you this once never going against your mom again." JJ smiled. "But Hank, you've got this one right."

"Yes," Jack said.

Caleb eyed the two boys. "Last one in," he smiled, racing towards Dave's patio door. The two boys ran after him.

While everyone enjoyed the afternoon, Hotch handed Zach a beer and nodded towards Dave's study. They quietly slipped away from the festivities.

Zach smiled at him. "I know what you're going to ask dad. Uncle Dave paid for the ring; in a way," he said, giving his father his crooked smile that Haley loved.

"You picked out a beautiful ring Zach," Aaron said.

"That I did on my own," he smiled. "But the money came from Dave." Aaron arched an eyebrow. "Dad, remember the trust fund he set up for all of us kids? Me, Jack and Henry," Zach asked. Aaron nodded with a smile of his own. "I'm sure Micah has one already started as well," Zach smiled. "I turned down the athletic scholarship to Mason so Pete would get it, knowing that between what you and mom saved, plus Uncle Dave's trust fund, my college education would be paid for without me taking out any student loans or needing to get a part time job."

"You had a full time job at home with Jack," Aaron said.

"Which I loved doing dad," Zach smiled. "But to quote Uncle Dave, don't interrupt me."

Aaron eyed him deeper. "My sophomore year, I got those academic scholarships. I didn't need the money you and mom had put away far less Uncle Dave's. When I turned twenty-one, Uncle Dave pulled me aside and said my trust was legally mine."

"What did you tell him," Aaron asked.

"I told Uncle Dave I would prefer him and his financial advisors to keep it growing for a down payment on a house for Caleigh and me when our future starts to play out." Aaron nodded his approval with a smile. "But I also asked Uncle Dave if I could take out some money from my trust to buy Caleigh's ring," he smiled. Aaron looked at him. "Guess what he said."

"Take what you need," Aaron smiled. Zach nodded. He looked at Zach. "I'm so proud of you son; you've got your eye on the future and still responsible enough with money." He looked Zach in the eye. "You're going to make a wonderful husband for Caleigh," he smiled.

"Thanks dad," Zach said. "I have a wonderful example to follow." They shared a hug. Getting ready to head back out to the party, Zach grabbed his dad's elbow. "Just don't give Uncle Dave hell about knowing my plans."

Aaron smiled, rubbing Zach shoulder. "He told me several months ago he would never betray your trust. I respect that Zach."

"Thanks dad," Zach smiled.

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