Chapter 17

After returning from the basement, each carry a handful of the containers, Jarrod returned to his paper as Aaron joined his wife and mother-in-law. Just then, Jack came rushing into the kitchen. "Mom and dad! Ya gotta see! Ya really gotta see! Uncle Jake has it on his phone!"

Aaron and Cait smiled broadly as Jake pulled out his cell. As he pulled up the video, he lifted Jack to sit on the center island. The other four gathered around. They watched as they could see Jake releasing the football with one hand while holding his phone in the other. "You got it Jack! Keep running and catch it Jack!" they heard Jake say on the video. The perfectly lofted pass landed gently in Jack's arms as he ran the "post pattern".

"How cool is that?" Jack enthused. "Isn't that just the bomb?" Jack was simply bubbling over with excitement.

Jarrod and Maggie smiled proudly at their youngest son for giving Jack the wonderful memory of catching a pass from the quarterback that more than likely would be the one of top three choices in next year's NFL draft. Aaron and Cait each shared a high five with their youngest son.

Cait, smiling broadly at Jack and Jake, said, "Make sure you show that to Uncle Dave after he gets here and up from his nap." She gave Jake a kiss on the cheek and a hug, whispering a thank you in his ear. Jake just smiled at her and Aaron.

Aaron looked at her. "Nap Doc?"

"Yes, nap; I'll put my foot down; hard if I have to. He won't admit it. But after getting here, he will need it. Guaranteed." Aaron, knowing his wife too well, didn't doubt her statement.

Maggie and Jarrod praised Jack as well and Jarrod pulled him off the island. "How 'bout you and I put a puzzle together while the rest of them get more stuff ready for Matt's party?"

Jack looked at Jarrod. "Got just the puzzle grandpa; it's got 100 pieces." Jarrod smiled broadly as Jack raced for the steps to get the puzzle from his room. He passed his brothers on the way down. "Hi guys!" he signed; being a profiler's son he quickly ascertained that Mike hadn't showered yet as he continued to race up the steps.

The two teenagers walked into the kitchen and said their good mornings. "Thanks for letting us sleep in," Mike signed as he smiled at his parents.

Cait quickly signed back. "That won't happen tomorrow morning. That's why you two got the reprieve today." Both the boys just smiled and forged like hungry wolves for their breakfasts. Jack flew back down the stairs and sat next to grandpa. Maggie and Jarrod, having went through that with Jake, being only four years older than Matt, simply smiled at their grandsons. Jake showed the boys the video. Both boys waved their hands in the air at Jack, the sign for applause.

They all chatted via sign language while the boys ate and Jack and Jarrod started on the Star Wars puzzle. After fueling up, the boys went to take their showers, with Matt using the bathroom downstairs.

Maggie looked at Cait and Aaron. "That video reminds me of something. We were at a graduation party last year; they had a video playing showing pictures and old home movies of the graduate. Are you doing anything like?"

Aaron smiled. "Mike, our techno wizard has been working with Garcia for over a month now getting that project done. We get to see the big debut tonight."

"And she's already told Mike how to hook up the TV they play their video games on in the garage and to Mike's laptop," Cait added.

They continued to work on the vegetables while Jack and Jarrod finished the puzzle. Matt and Mike went out to mow the yard. Jack wandered over to Cait's piano, sat down on the bench and played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, getting rave reviews from his grandparents. Jack climbed down, beaming.

"Sounds like someone has been getting lessons from mom," Jarrod noted.

"I've finally got my musician," Cait smiled, "thanks to Haley's genes."

"Mommy played the piano dad?"

"No, but she had a beautiful singing voice," Aaron smiled.

Jack smiled back. "I remember that. We used to sing together all the time. Specially when we were away." The other four shared a special smile. "And just like mom and I do now."

"Jack, your mommy and mom could have been stars on Broadway. But we're sorta glad they decided to be moms instead, aren't we?"

"You bet dad," Jack answered. He paused for a second. "Can I go out and help the guys?"

"Sure," Aaron answered, then looked at his watch. "I should head out to get Dave."

"You run Aaron. I'll keep an eye on the boys and help you when you when get that Italian Stallion back home," Jake smiled.

"Sounds like a plan Jake," Aaron smiled. "But please…"

"Bro," Jake interrupted, "I've got them. I'll watch them like a hawk." Aaron smiled, kissed Cait on the cheek and headed out.

Cait looked around. "Wow, we're way ahead of schedule," she said looking at Maggie. "Do you suppose we could start in on cleaning some of the fruit? You know me, I so cautious with food prep and serving guests with what comes out of my kitchen. But I'd really like to have all of us be able to relax as well."

"Why don't you text Sean and see what he thinks," Maggie suggested. Cait fired off the text.

Less than two minutes later, she had a response. We're just pulling out of Grand Central. Clean/cut strawberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes; do cantaloupe. Put same fruit in same container. Explain when we get there. They'll keep overnight if in fridge. See ya in 3 hours.

-00CM00-

Hotch walked into Rossi's room to see him out of his bed, sitting in the easy chair Cait sat in the day before, however still at an angle with his legs up. "Hey Dave. Good to be out of bed?"

"Damn straight. Now, just get me the hell out of here." Aaron just smiled and shook his head. A male nurse followed him in.

"I'll help you get Agent Rossi dressed. And show you some pointers."

"I'd appreciate that," Aaron smiled. They got Dave ready and laying back down in bed.

Ten minutes later, the RN in charge walked in to find Dave dressed. "Agent Hotchner, Dr. Nickoli sent Dr. Barkley a detailed email to Agent Rossi's follow up care." She handed Hotch a plastic bag. "These are his meds. I'm sure your wife will know how to dispense them," she smiled, and looked at Rossi. "Please follow Dr. Nickoli's and Dr. Barkley's orders to the letter Agent. Because Agent Rossi, as much as the staff and I thank you for the job you do, we really don't want to see you back in here."

"Jenna, I know I haven't been the best patient in the world." Aaron rolled his eyes. Dave glared at him. Revenge Dave smiled inwardly. Jenna laughed. "Yeah, I know that's the understatement of the year. But I do want to thank all of you for your excellent care. It means a lot to me."

"Agent Rossi, there's too many of us RN's with our tenure on the day shift, that have worked with Dr. Barkley. She is well thought of by all of us. And you are in good hands. But honestly, we know Cait. She'll be able to do something we, by hospital protocols, have not," she said, smiling broadly.

"Which is," Dave questioned.

"Kick your ass and keep you in line," she said, smiling at Aaron. Aaron laughed.

"You know my wife too well."

Jenna smiled. "Very fondly." The two profilers seen the respect that Cait had in her eyes. "Your ride downstairs, Agent Rossi, should be here soon. I just need you to sign some paperwork."

Ten minutes later, an orderly was helping Hotch load Dave into the passenger side of his SUV out of a wheelchair. Aaron climbed in, put Dave's meds in the center console, and drove away.

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A/N: My being a Yank is showing again. My apologies to those that don't understand that football in American terms, is our football, not soccer. A "post pattern" is the route a receiver on an American football team runs to catch the football from the quarterback, i.e. thrower. It is a straight down the sideline of the field run, then with a break towards the middle of the field. In American football, the goal posts are in the end zone in the middle; hence the "post" pattern. As most of you know, American football is a big time sport in the US. About Jake, as seniors, or other college players before graduating, are drafted, or selected by an NFL (the American pro league for football that sponsors the Super Bowl) team, those selected, or chosen as the first three, usually get a multi-million dollar contract. That is why some university and college players enter the "draft" before they graduate, most hoping to take care of their families.