Chapter 5

Emily smiled at Rachel, nodding at Caleb running off with the younger boys. "He's so good with them."

"He's not the youngest around this family," Rachel smiled back.

Zach drained his second beer his dad gave him, walking back out onto the patio with him. Dave looked at him. "Uncle Dave, I need something to eat or I won't be able to cook later. For some reason my stomach has been giving me absolute fits this morning," he smiled.

Sean giving Caleigh a hug, smiled at him. "There's munchies on the lunch counter."

"Yes," Spencer said, walking past them.

"Lead the way Doc," Zach smiled. They walked into the kitchen together.

Caleigh looked at Sean. "He was totally calm all morning," she said, shaking her head.

Sean kissed her forehead. "He's a Hotchner," he smiled. "What you see on the outside doesn't give away the inside."

"True that," Dave said.

Reid looked at the spread on the lunch counter. "Congratulations Zach," he smiled. Zach knew better than to expect a handshake. "I'm really happy for the two of you."

"Thanks Doc," Zach smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "Sorry you didn't get this with Maeve," he sincerely added.

Reid smiled. "I appreciate that Zach. But like your dad, I've learned to let go and move on."

Zach lightly rubbed his shoulder with a smile. "Good for you." He looked at Reid. "It's still a bummer."

Reid looked at Zach, understanding his meaning. "Totally." Zach lightly laughed at his verbiage. He eyed Zach, looking at the appetizer spread.

Zach laughed. "Doc, my motto is go big or go home. And I'm starving; one more beer and I'll be blitzed." They shared a laughed, foraging the appetizer selection that now included a meat and cheese tray along with a huge vegetable platter.

They walked back outside with their loaded plates to Penelope shaking her finger at Hotch and Beth. "That is not fair; you two running off and getting married. None of us got to celebrate your legal happiness. You've got some 'plaining to do to all of us."

"That's not all they screwed up," Zach mumbled to Dave, sticking in other cracker loaded with Beth's crab dip. Caleigh, talking with Savannah and Sandy heard the comment.

"Time out," Caleigh said, looking at Zach. "My head is just starting to clear. What do you mean you had my ring for four months?" Everyone stopped talking.

Zach shrugged. "I was going to propose to you at the end of the CWS, but with all the hoopla and celebration, it didn't feel right. Then I had it all set up with Becca and her family for a Sunday in July. But a couple dummies decided to go to the Bahamas and that took care of that," he smiled at his dad and Beth. Everyone laughed with Garcia shaking a finger at them. "After that, it was the Pirates in the state playoffs and trying to make a weekend work with Becca's family," he confessed.

"Who's Becca," Fran asked. Caleigh and Zach re-told the story about the little girl they met, how he proposed to Caleigh and showed everyone the picture of the three of them together.

"That is most awesome fantastic," Penelope smiled.

Zach, Sean, Derek, Mike, and Caleb took turns getting the ice cream churned to perfection as Will watched Henry and Jack in the pool. As the afternoon continued, everyone mingled around, talking with different people. Caleb and Mike returning to the pool were rough-housing with the boys. Kate, Chris, Meg and the newest Callahan, Tyler joined the festivities and soon Alex and James Blake appeared as well. Tom and Rachel were talking with Aaron and Beth when Zach joined them, opening a beer. "You finally get filled up," Beth asked.

"For now," he smiled.

Aaron smiled at Beth. "Think of the money we'll be saving fourteen months from now."

Zach just shook his head at his dad when his cellphone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the text. Congratulations! We're thrilled! Love Sela and Merrill. He looked at his dad. "Really?"

Aaron smiled. "I had to let them know."

Zach smiled. "That's fine dad," Zach said, texting a quick thank you back to them. "But don't tell anyone else. Caleigh and I will put it on our Facebook pages tomorrow. We just want a night with family to relax and let it all settle in."

Rachel looked at him. "Do Lisa and Pete know?"

Zach smiled. "Yeah, we called them."

"You're welcome Zach," he heard across the pool. He looked up to see Merrill and Sela walking in. Merrill smiled. "I was at the National Sheriff's Association meeting in Hilton Head this past week," he said. "We," he smiled at Sela, "made a vacation out of it. And the featured speaker of the conference was someone who invited to his big Labor Day picnic on our drive back home and we wanted to meet the new Mrs. Hotchner," he smiled, shaking Dave's hand. Merrill shook his finger at Dave. "You didn't tell me the whole story."

"I protect my wingman Merrill and keep his secrets," Dave smiled, giving Sela a hug.

"Oh wonderful," Garcia said. "More family!"

Merrill looked at Dave. "I presume that's Garcia," he smiled.

"The one and only," Dave smiled back.

They joined the group with the Dobson's recognizing all of the team that helped with the case in Lower Canaan. Morgan introduced Savannah and Fran to them. JJ did the same with Will, her mom, Henry and Micah. Sela smiled. "You were pregnant with Henry back then." JJ nodded with a smile. Garcia beamed as Hotch introduced her and Kevin to the Dobson's and the additional former team members and their families.

Sela and Merrill, having already met the Brooks' and Caleigh's family at Thanksgiving, shared greetings with them. They quickly fell in love with Beth as Aaron introduced her.

Brian Anderson and Gina LaSalle joined the group. Caleigh looked at Anderson. "The co-conspirator," she said with a finger point.

Anderson looked at her completely clueless. Zach laughed as Dave explained Anderson's "part" in the plan. The group all roared.

"What's going on," Father Jimmy asked, walking in.

"Zach and Caleigh are engaged Father Jimmy," Jack and Henry said together.

Jimmy stopped in his tracks, reverently crossed himself and looked to the heavens. "And people tell me there is no God," he deadpanned.

The laughter and love rippled through Dave's backyard well past sunset.

-00CM00—

Sean walked into the kitchen the next morning to see Aaron, Beth, Merrill and Sela enjoying a cup of coffee. They were all still dressed down. Sean snuck a peek at the oven. The two pans of egg bake him and the ladies hastily put together late last night were baking away to his satisfaction.

While he helped himself to a cup of coffee, Merrill pointed to the large box of assorted muffins from Panera Bread. "Aaron and I made a quick run this morning," he smiled. "Sorry for taking your bed."

Sean shook his head. "No worries you two," he smiled at the Dobson's. "We've did this before." He looked at the four of them. "And Zach's futon is comfortable," he smiled.

Aaron looked at him. "How were they?"

"Honestly Aaron, I didn't hear a peep out of them," Sean smiled. "And while they were in the same happy state as you two," Sean said, waving a finger at Aaron and Merrill, "when I was driving them home, I think the high wore off and reality hit them a bit. They were pretty quiet."

Sela looked at Merrill, sitting back down. "You caught up in hurry last night," she needled.

"David Rossi is a dangerous bartender," Merrill said.

Beth rolled her eyes looking at Sela. "I had to make someone roll on his side; twice." Sean laughed.

Sela wickedly smiled at Beth. "I need to teach you my finely targeted elbow shot to the ribs," she said looking at Merrill. "It only takes me one time."

Sean laughed, sitting down at the table. "I did get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I'm pretty sure Zach got that as well."

"Tell me about it," Zach said, walking into the kitchen in his usual morning attire, unshaved rubbing his ribs.

Beth looked at Aaron. "At least he's wearing a t-shirt," she smiled.

"And shorts so we don't see his boxers," Aaron smiled back.

"You deserved it Zach," Sean said. "You were raising the roof when I first got to the bathroom. With your door closed."

Zach rubbed his right rib cage again, pulling out the large container of apple juice. "Oh good," he said to Merrill, taking a large swig from the bottle. Sela looked at Beth, who just shook her head with a smile. "We can compare bruises later."

Sela raised the box of muffins to Zach. He pulled out a blueberry muffin. "Just what the doctor ordered," he smiled. "Thank you," he said, rubbing her shoulder. He took a bite, grabbed a paper towel, and set the muffin down on it, pulling a glass out of the cupboard. He listened for a second and then pulled out a coffee mug, pouring a cup.

Aaron's cell buzzed on the nook table. He looked at the text message and laughed. "Dave says Emily has finally appeared and she's not happy. But they'll be here in time for brunch."

Zach poured a large glass of apple juice for himself, taking another big gulp from the bottle before putting it back in the fridge. "I'm glad I don't have her headache," he smiled at the group. He looked at his dad. "Was that the plan all along for Emily to stay at Uncle Dave's?" Zach took another large bite of his muffin.

Beth smiled, shaking her head. "She had a hotel reservation. I got it cancelled for her before she got charged for the night with Kevin's help."

Zach snickered. "Oh God, poor Kevin today," he laughed more.

Merrill looked at Aaron. "Your BAU ladies can party with the best," he laughed a bit.

Aaron smiled. "Trust me Merrill; I dreaded ladies night out with them on a work night." He slightly laughed, shaking his head. "They were not good the next day."

Beth laughed more. "I remember when I first met the boys and the team after you finished your triathlon," she smiled.

Zach laughed. "They were a sad bunch that morning," he smiled. He pulled the half and half container out of the frig and poured some into the coffee cup.

Sela looked at him. "Since when do you drink coffee?"

Zach shook his head with a smile. "I don't."

Caleigh walked into the kitchen. Zach pointed at the coffee mug. "Another reason why I love you," Caleigh smiled, giving him a kiss. Zach powered down another bite of his muffin and then gave the rest to Caleigh. She put the bite in her mouth, followed by a sip of her coffee. The five at the nook table smiled.

Sean sadly shook his head. "It's about time you slipped her that ring on Zach." Zach looked at him. "If you know how she likes her coffee and share your muffin, you've got it bad," he laughed.

"I knew the coffee part long ago Uncle Sean," Zach smiled, reaching into the box, pulling out a lemon poppy seed muffin. "Sharing my muffin is another thing," he winked. They all laughed.

Zach looked at the coffee pot. "Since I don't drink the stuff, I don't know how to make it. But I think the rest of the crew might want some more."

Beth started to get up. Caleigh waved her off. "I've got it," she smiled, grabbing a new filter from the drawer. Zach pulled the garbage can out from under the sink for her to put the old filter holding the coffee grounds in. Caleigh got the fresh pot going.

"Are you going to be around for dinner," Zach asked the Dobson's.

Merrill smiled. "If our room at the Hotel Hotchner is still available," he smiled with a wink.

"I'm good," Sean smile at the Dobson's "I don't know about the good-byes with Jack." Sela pointed at him.

Zach looked at Beth. "I noticed you got the dinner planning already started," he smiled nodding at the sink. The pork chops were already thawing.

"You grill the chops, I've got the rest," she smiled.

"Sounds like a plan," he smiled.

Sela looked at Beth and Aaron. "Jack is still sleeping?"

"He finally understands the concept of sleeping in," Caleigh said.

"Where's Father Jimmy when we need him," Zach smiled, pouring himself some more apple juice.

"That ends tomorrow morning," Aaron said.

"Thanks dad for once again being the killjoy," Zach said, shaking his head while scratching his morning stubble.

Caleigh shook her head. "I'm not ready for the books."

"Neither am I babe," Zach said, kissing her. "But it's one more year." He heard the garage door go up. He cracked his knuckles. "I'm gonna have some fun," he devilishly smiled.

"Zach," Aaron said, "go easy. She just got back home."

"I've got it dad," Zach smiled. Caleigh reached into the cupboard for a coffee mug as the coffee brewer finished. He smiled as Emily came up the steps in front of Dave. "Morning Princess," he wickedly smiled.

"Shuddup," Emily bit out. "This is partly your fault."

"My fault," Zach asked.

"Yeah," she said, looking at him. "You just had to go and get engaged the day I get back with my furlough from Interpol."

"Damn Em, I'm sorry," Zach smiled as Caleigh handed her a cup of coffee. "Uncle Dave didn't give me the memo that I was supposed to confer with you and your schedule before I popped the question." Emily smiled at Caleigh, accepting the cup of coffee.

"Don't you put this on me Zach," Dave said, shaking a finger at him.

"Good morning Uncle Dave," Zach reverently intoned with a smile.

"What's good about it," he growled. Caleigh handed him a mug of coffee as well. "Thank you sweetheart," he smiled, kissing her cheek.

Sean pulled out the last chair around the nook table for Emily. She smiled her thanks sitting down.

Jack blew into the kitchen. "Mornin' everyone!"

Emily put her elbows on the table and her head into her hands. "Please tell me it's not munchkin sunshine."

"Yes it is Princess," Sean smiled. Emily lifted her head out of her hands and glared at him. Sean nodded at her coffee mug. "I'd start drinking that now," he smiled.

Merrill looked at Aaron. "I understand what you meant earlier," he smiled.

The rest just laughed as Jack moved from Aaron and Beth to hug Zach, Caleigh and Dave. The rest knew they were next.

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A/N: I hope for all you Zach fans out there I did this right by you. Thank you for all of the alerts, reviews or just reading.

*Knightly bow*