A/N: Good news! It's the Sunday 2 for 1!

Chapter 23

They all stood around the garage looking for anything they might have missed. It was Cait's third time. Aaron grabbed her list out of hand, pulled her into a hug and kissed her. "Aaron," she protested.

He handed the list to Mike. "Take that in the house and hide it, please," he said as he continued to hold her. Mike smiled, grabbed the list and went inside.

Jarrod looked at Matt standing next to them and put a hand on his shoulder. "The final call is yours Matt. It's your party."

Matt just shook his head. "It looks fantastic everyone. Thank you for all for your help." He looked at his parents and pulled them both into a big hug. "Thanks mom and dad. I love you." Maggie blinked back a tear with Jarrod rubbing her shoulder. Sean, Leslie, Jamaal and Lisa smiled broadly at the scene. The heard a car door shut in the driveway.

Most of them snuck at peek at their watches. The open house wasn't supposed to start until three; yet it was only two. Aaron looked out and smiled to see Father Jimmy making his way to the garage. He shook his hand as he closed the gap.

"Welcome Father Jimmy," Aaron said, noticing he was carrying a small, black case. After Carolyn's funeral, Father Jimmy ran into Cait in the Georgetown Student Union cafeteria. He joined her for lunch, at her invitation, explaining that he taught a theology class once a week. Deeply impressed at how close the Hotchner's were to David, their Wednesday lunch soon became a weekly occurrence, and Cait had invited him to the house a couple of times to have dinner with them and Dave. He was now a dear family friend.

Aaron led him into the garage and made the introductions. Shaking hands with them all, he got to Cait and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How's your patient doctor?"

"He's doing great Father Jimmy. And I think his nap today is the final tune-up to that Ferrari," she smiled. Father Jimmy looked at her with a quizzed look on his face, but Matt beat him to the question.

"How so mom?"

"Matt, God invented an incredible machine we call the human body." Father Jimmy smiled. "At it knows itself better than anyone. Dave's body has been working overtime to replace the blood he lost. The long nap he's taking; that his body telling him, 'OK, I've done my job, but I need to rest now'." They all smiled.

"Well, that's done," Mike smiled as he entered the garage, and shook Father Jimmy's hand. "I walked past the study and he has Jack in a laughing fit and the dogs are joining the fun." The group shared their own laugh.

"That's why I came early," Father Jimmy explained. "I thought I could give David communion before he starts on his sinful ways again," he joked. They all roared.

Cait looked at him, her eyes sparking. "Ever think you're fighting a lost cause with him?"

Knowing her now as well as he did, Father Jimmy smiled back, deadpanning, "Every day Cait."

"Come on in Father Jimmy," Aaron said, as he laughed with the rest. "We'll probably have to take care of a few things and then we'll give you two some privacy." Matt followed his parents and Father Jimmy into the house.

Ten minutes later, Jack came bounding out of the house in the clothes he wore to church, ready for the party. All the rest looked at each other and headed inside to get changed. Jack looked at Lisa and Jamaal, all ready dressed for the party and gave Lisa the sad, puppy dog look. "One bar," she said smiling. "Which one do you want?" Jack looked over the selection between the peanut butter Rice Krispie bars with chocolate frosting, seven layer bars, brownies, and then pointed to an M&M bar, smiling at Lisa.

Forty minutes later, Father Jimmy came into the garage. He noticed Jack and Mike sharing a glass of root beer from the keg. "Someone's anxious to get outside," he smiled at Cait and Aaron. They went inside to get him dressed for the party. Matt and Jake waited around the door for their signal, laughing slightly as Jack and Mike could hardly contain themselves.

Yet Mike noticed Father Jimmy's communion case. "Can I take that to your car for you Father Jimmy?"

"Thank you Mike; I appreciated that. Just set in the passenger seat. The doors are unlocked. And grab Matt's card please. It's in the visor above the driver's seat."

Mike shook his head. "Always the last hippie, Father Jimmy?" he smiled, remembering Uncle Dave's stories of his dear friend. Father Jimmy just laughed at him. "Uncle Dave has told you too much."

A little later, Jake and Matt got Dave into the garage, smiling broadly. Mike and Jack stood around Dave's lounge chair the boys had brought over from his backyard deck. It, like Dave, was old school. Made of wood, it had wheels on the back legs to make it easier to move around and a thick pad for comfort. The back support, including a pillowed head rest was adjustable. Dave looked to find a pillow already on it to support his leg and a balloon tied to each of the top corners of the back rest.

"Welcome to your ride for the afternoon, Uncle Dave," Matt smiled. Dave immediately noticed they were playing at his ego and started to open his mouth when Father Jimmy jumped in. "David," he scolded, "you just had Holy Communion." Dave clamped his mouth shut.

Jack walked up, smiling. "You're all set Uncle Dave." Matt and Jake, with Cait's help, got him settled in.

Mike took over. "And if you want to move to a different spot," he said, grabbing Dave's hand, "just reach underneath this armrest," he smiled, pulling up an old time bicycle horn attached to the left one. Mike honked it twice. "Two of us will come running."

"Thanks gang; you're the best," Dave said sarcastically, as he got some gently teasing from the rest.

Aaron gently grabbed Father Jimmy's elbow and quietly led him to the back side and nodded at the sign that Dave could not see. A laminated sheet of typing paper in bright colors read, "DO NOT Give This Man A Beer Without The Approval Of His Doctor." Father Jimmy put a hand on Aaron's shoulder and walked out of the garage to have a laugh.

By 3:30, guests had started to filter in. Dave, in his "ride" was sitting alongside a table at the end of one of the garages with Father Jimmy, engaged in conversation. Pastor Damrow and his wife Karen, appeared, and after making small talk with Matt and the family, approach the two. Pastor Damrow, knowing how much David Rossi had supported this family through their dark time, extended his hand to Rossi. "Dave, good to see you up and about; how are you feeling?"

"I'm great Pastor," Dave responded, warmly shaking his hand. "And as you can see, the boys have got me outfitted for the occasion." He rolled his eyes as they both laughed. "And thank you for your prayer this morning. Jack gave me the full report."

"Two members of the clergy praying for you Davey; no wonder you made it."

"Don't start on me again," Dave said, waving a finger at his friend. Pastor smiled as Dave introduced the pair to Father Jimmy. The two sat down with them and enjoyed a warm conversation, with Father Jimmy and the couple getting a bite to eat. Janice and Tom Marshall, Cait and Aaron's friends, walked in. Janice took the time to check on Dave.

"You look a lot better than the last time I saw you," she smiled. Dave explained to the rest Janice's role when he first arrived at Georgetown Hospital.

About that time, a car pulled to the side of the garages. Dave smiled as Jack raced towards it. A few minutes later, Jack walked into the garage with Mary, Bill and Jessica Brooks. Jack was holding his grandmother's hand as Jessica helped Bill, who walked with a cane, recovering from a recent hip replacement. Matt greeted them all with hugs, which were warmly returned.

"Thanks grandma, grandpa and Aunt Jess for coming. It wouldn't be the same without you," Matt said.

They joined the group at the table as the rest of the Hotchner family filtered over to give their greetings as well. Both members of the clergy exchanged smiles at how warmly Haley's family was welcomed by them all. Jarrod and Maggie made their way over and joined them at the table. When Jake stopped by, Bill, a die-hard Redskins fans, had a long chat with him about the Skins first round draft pick, with Father Jimmy joining in on the conversation.

A little later after eating, Father Jimmy as well as Pastor and his wife rose to leave, explaining they had other parties to attend. Jarrod and Maggie excused themselves to mingle more. As they left, Dave was about to grab the obnoxious horn, when the two tables to the right, slowly filling with members of the Hotchner's church family, pulled him over. A bit later, Aaron and Cait mingled with them, both finally drinking a beer. Gordy, one of the group looked at Cait. "So Cait, is he good to go?" Cait just smiled and nodded. "Dave, what flavor?"

Dave told him the choice and gladly accepted the beer on Gordy's return. They all enjoyed the time together, as they all now considered Dave part of the group. Haley's family, who had been chatting with Sean and Leslie, went to get something to eat.

About 5:00, the team started rolling in and took the next table to the church group vacated by the clergy and Haley's family. They all had met and chatted before at Cait and Aaron's wedding reception. Morgan was the last to arrive, with Fran. Matt gave her a bear hug when they appeared. "I knew you would come," he smiled.

Pulling out of the big embrace, she smiled at Matt. "My kids won't give me grandbabies, so I have to live vicariously through your mom and dad."

"Aww mom, don't start," Morgan groaned as he gave Matt a big hug and handed him his card. Matt greeted the rest of the team at the table, not being to talk to them when they arrived. Henry, remembering the wonderful time he had with the "big guys" at Dave's cabin last fall, climbed up on his chair seat to give Matt a hug.

The church group smiled at the exchange as they ate. Jack came over a few minutes, getting a hug from Fran as well. "My goodness, Jack, you've grown as much as your brothers." Jack beamed and showed her and the rest of the team the gap in his smile. He made his way to Henry.

"Henry, you want to go to the backyard and play on my swing set?"

"Yeah, Jack, let's go!" They sped out the side door, the two dogs racing after them.

Jenna, one of the teenage daughters of the church family group, rose out of her chair and looked at JJ and Will, smiling. "I'm done eating. I'll keep an eye on them." Cait happened to walk up.

"Thanks Jenna, they should be OK," she smiled.

Giving Cait a hug, she said, "I really don't mind." Cait smiled at her and moved to give Fran a hug, greeting the rest of the team.

"OMG Cait, this is just stupendous," Garcia enthused, looking around. "The decorations, and OMG Kevin, look at that food line, and the video and how you have everything organized…"

"Slow down baby girl before you spring a sprocket," Derek laughed.

"It is a pretty awesome set up, Cait," JJ smiled.

"You expected less Jayje?" Emily snarked. Morgan teased Dave about his contributions and Dave, with his usual dramatic flair, outlined his work with the table centerpieces.

Cait smiled at them all. "I had lots of help."

Aaron approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her. "Starting with her husband," he smiled at the team. Three tables of friends smiled broadly.

Dave smiled at them. "When's the last time you two had a beer and relaxed for second?"

"Hinting at something Dave?" Aaron asked as the team snickered. They had all seen the sign on the back of his lounge chair as they came in.

"I'm not waitin' on an answer," Will drawled. "Y'all deserve one; and a break."

Cliff, one of the church group grabbed Aaron's arm. "You got a good team Aaron."

Hotch smiled. "Cliff, they're the best." The three tables enjoyed the time together. Jack and Henry blew in fifteen minutes later as they all were talking and laughing and pronounced their hunger.

"You two take of your guests," JJ smiled. "We'll take of Jack."

"I'm in on this equation," Reid smiled. "I've been waiting for this meal all day."

Kevin smiled at him. "Word, Dr. Reid."

Maggie joined them and rubbed Dave's shoulder. "Have you eaten yet?" Dave shook his head, as he took a drink of his beer. Cait shook her head at him. "What do you want? I'll fix you up a plate."

"Two of everything," he smiled. As Maggie left to get him something to eat, Erin and her husband John, joined the group. Their son, Jay, was talking with Matt. Competitors on the baseball field, playing for different high schools, they had always treated each other with respect. The team watched as Jay got a big smile when Matt introduced him to his Uncle Jake.

As the church group filtered out, the team had a wonderful time relaxing with the Strauss'. Erin and Dave did their usual sniping at each other, after she had smiled at his progress and how well he looked. No one thought differently that Chief Strauss chose to drink bottled water. Morgan, knowing her secret, inwardly smiled at the strides she had made. Jay joined them as he and his parents ate. They left a bit later.

Since the open house invitations stated the time from 3 – 7 pm, by seven the three garages at the Hotchner home were clear of guests save for the team.

Cait, Aaron, Sean, Leslie, Jarrod, Maggie, Jamaal, Lisa, Jake, Matt and Mike sat down at the tables next to them and finally ate. As they did, Morgan popped out of his chair. "I'm the beer-tender," he smiled at them. Sean went to the fridge and got Leslie and Maggie a glass of wine. Will was watching Jack and Henry in the pool.

As the group chatted and laughed with the rest of them, they finished. Lisa looked at Cait. "You relax; we'll take care of clean up."

Cait just shook her head. "Wait a bit," she smiled. On cue, they all heard a number of car doors shutting.

Aaron winked at Cait. "The vultures have arrived."

As the team looked in awe at the feeding frenzy, JJ smiled. "Cait," she said. "I've got to ask. How was dealing with your patient?"

"I have to admit, he's been pretty co-operative."

"What other choice did I have Cait?" Dave growled. Cait just smiled.

"Strangers; and a bedpan," Hotch smiled at Dave. Dave flipped him off.

The team knew Dave's "sensitivity" to the area of his wound. "So Cait, see anything good?" Emily asked, knowing she could be the only one to get away with asking the question. Cait, Aaron and Dave noticed the usual spark in her eyes. She was finally healing as well.

"Oh Emily; it was just OMG. It was glorious and wonderful and colored just the way I imagined." Garcia blinked, as Reid blushed. Kevin's mouth dropped open, as Morgan swung his arm around his mother's shoulder, winking at her. JJ, looking at Cait, choked back her laughter.

"I mean, it was pink in the right places. And while one very small area was red, which I knew, most of the rest were purple, which is to be expected…" Cait let the words hang for a beat. "I've never seen an operative wound healing that well," Cait added.

Dave leaned back in his "ride" and cracked his knuckles. "The joys of being Italian," he said with a laughing smile.

The team roared as Garcia, Kevin and Reid knew they had been busted. The others at the second tabled laughed louder, knowing how much this time meant to the BAU family. As the laughter died, Will brought Henry and Jack into the garage, wrapped in towels. JJ and Emily, still laughing, grabbed the boys. "Do you mind if we make ourselves at home and get the boys in the tub," JJ asked with a smile. Aaron and Cait shook their heads as they took the boys into the house to Cait and Aaron's master bath, with Garcia following.

By 8 pm, the fruit salad was gone. The trays of bars were decimated. Reid almost had to get physical with the one of Matt's teammates over the last peanut butter Rice Krispie bar. The cake was gone, save for four pieces. Maggie rubbed Lisa's shoulder while looking at Sean and Leslie and smiled. "Now we do clean up." Jamaal got out of his chair as well and looked at Aaron and Cait.

"You two do not move," he growled. Looking at Mike, "You however, are on garbage patrol." Mike just smiled and got up.

As the "vultures" left, Matt pitched in as well, as did the rest of the BAU team and the family. Twenty minutes later the entire group was sitting around the nook and kitchen, having given up on fighting the bugs. Jamaal and Lisa said their good nights, knowing what was about to transpire. Morgan and Matt, after helping him into the kitchen bathroom, got Dave settled into the recliner. Jack, in his pj's, was in Cait's lap on the couch, with Aaron's arm wrapped around her. Henry, dressed the same, was sitting with his mom, next to Cait, with Will on the other end, his arm matching Hotch's around the love of his life. The rest of the "family" filtered in.

Jake went out to Cait's car parked in the driveway, opened the back hatch and pulled out a brown paper bag. As he walked back into the house and to the group, he pulled out two bottles; one scotch, the other Bailey's. Smiling at them all, he set them down on the coffee table in the great room.

Dave smiled at him. "Thanks Jake."

Jake reached into his pocket to give Rossi the change from the bill he had been secretly handed earlier. "Anything for this family Dave," he said as he looked at them all. He rubbed Dave's shoulder as they shared a smile.

Jarrod winked at Maggie. "You get the glasses; I'll get the ice." Cait handed Dave the first glass of scotch.

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