Chapter 24
By the second sips of their drinks, Aaron, Cait, JJ, and Will had two sleeping sons. Their time playing together as young boys do at Mach speed, along with enjoying the pool had caught up to them. Dave smiled as Cait and JJ took the boys into the master bedroom and tucked them in.
Matt and Mike said their good nights before they went to play video games. Matt took the time to thank each of them for coming to his open house, giving Fran a big hug. Mike added his own to Fran before they headed up the steps. The team relaxed around the great room as Jarrod, Maggie, Sean and Leslie stood leaning on the planter that separated the nook from the great room.
"Hotch, I've meaning to ask all night and kept forgetting when you were around. Where's Ashley?"
"She's been working back to back cases for six months, so Andi put her on a two week stand down after she finished the last one. She stopped over Thursday night to drop a card off for Matt and to see Dave. She was leaving the next morning to visit her folks." Everyone around the room shared smiles.
"I'm glad I have the week off," Emily said stretching out, while sitting on the hearth next to fireplace.
"You and me both part," Morgan answered, wrapping an arm around Fran, as they both shared the piano bench. "I get to fly home tomorrow with mama and enjoy a week in Chi-town. What are you doing princess?"
Emily gulped. "House hunting." They all raised their eyebrows. "I there, I'm really there. I'm finally over Doyle. And that's why I want to set down some roots. Besides, I'm getting tired of Rossi hammering me over the head every week that I'm putting money down the toilet by paying rent."
Will smiled. "You're not the only one that's been getting that sermon," he smiled as JJ re-joined him on the couch. "JJ and I have been getting the same."
Dave shook his head. "With what all of you pay a month in rent, you could be paying a mortgage. I know that's scary, but it makes more sense financially. And you will be building equity into your portfolios'." He shook his head again. "As smart as all of you are, that should be a no-brainer; especially you two," he added with a waggle of index finger at JJ and Will. "A little boy needs room to grow and play."
Jarrod cleared his throat. "I know Maggie and I aren't really part of this equation, but all of you should know how much we respect and love you. Pay attention to Dave and listen to him. That hint of gray in his goatee is not a sign of growing older. It is a sign of experience." Dave lifted his scotch glass in salute to Jarrod. Morgan nodded his head in concurrence.
Sean smiled at Jarrod. "That's great advice Jarrod, except…"
"For living in New York City," Jarrod finished.
"Sean," Dave added. "Please tell me you one of the two of you found a place that passed the rent control to you?"
Leslie beamed. "It's been in my family for years," she and Sean smiled. "It's my granddad's place. I said I always wanted to be in restaurant business. My family thought I was crazy. However, when I brought Sean home, they knew I was serious. And since I was the oldest grandkid….."
Dave smiled. "Grandpa backed you two." Aaron smiled broadly as well. The two of them nodded and shared smiles.
"And if any of you need a co-signer to get a loan, Cait and I here, and willing," Hotch smiled.
"They're not the only ones," Dave added. Emily and Will smiled broadly.
"Guess I'll have to think about that as well. I'm flying tomorrow so maybe I can do some research," Reid said, sitting next to Prentiss. Morgan gave him a questioning raise of his eyebrow, which Reid answered with a smile. "They've got my mom on some new meds that seem to be working very positively. She wants me to take her to the Grand Canyon," he said, hesitating a bit. "Growing up in Vegas but with her issues, we never went, even though it was so close," he shyly said, and then smiled. "But my dad and I have been communicating more and more lately. He even sees mom once a week," he added with a smile. "So, it's going to be a bit of our own family vacation." He looked at the floor for a second and then smiled at them all. "It will be our first."
"That sounds great Spence," JJ said. Cait curled back into Aaron's arm.
"I think I know what they've got her on Spencer," Cait smiled. "The studies are very promising. Just don't push her too much; be relaxed with her and she'll be fine." Reid smiled broadly. "And more importantly, just enjoy the time together." Cait smiled at him.
"Kitten," Dave simply asked from the recliner, noting her looking at deeply at Kevin.
"Italian Stallion, you're sure about this rent thing? I mean buying a home is buying appliances," she stammered. "And lawn mowers, rakes, OMG, the list is endless," Garcia said, looking at them all. "That's just scary."
Jarrod looked over the planter at her and Kevin. "Penelope; Dave is right. It's the smartest decision you can make. Why pay that rent money? You have nothing to show for it. Buying a home is the smartest investment you can make," he smiled.
Jake, sitting on the floor next to Rossi in the recliner, looked around the room. Having passed on the scotch but having another beer, asked, "If all of you are off this week, who the hell is minding the store and chasing the idiots? I mean, damnit, we need you folks."
Aaron just smiled at his youngest brother-in-law. "Coop's team; they've got the fort."
The rest of team smiled. Reid with his own broad grin added. "It's their turn." He and Emily, sitting together shared a high five.
-00CM00-
By ten, the party quickly started to break up. JJ and Will silently grabbed Henry from Cait and Hotch's bed and shared quiet hugs with all the rest before making their way to their vehicle. Will gently buckled Henry into his car seat as Cait and Aaron looked on, supervising the team getting on their way. Jarrod and Jake got Dave into the bathroom. As Cait and Aaron came back in, they got him settled into the study for the night.
Aaron and Cait settled into their bed and started to fall asleep. Then they noticed Jack silently leaving their bed. Cait, spooned against her husband, reached over to touch his thigh. Aaron responded with a rub of her hip and whispered, "What do you think is happening?"
"I don't know," Cait said as rolled to look him in the eye. "But Aaron, I think we have to find out." As they moved out of bed and into the great room the heard Jack going into Dave's room.
Standing in the foyer outside the study door, they heard Jack. "Uncle Dave? You awake? I need to talk to you." As Cait and Aaron moved closer to the doorway of the study to hear what was transpiring, Dave rolled over to Jack's voice. Jack stealthy moved past Mudg, sleeping alongside his bed and climbed up next to Dave.
"Jack, what's going on?" Dave mumbled half asleep.
"I love you Uncle Dave," Jack said simply. "But there's something I've got to do."
Dave noticed Aaron and Cait in the doorway. "What's that Champino?"
"Just listen Uncle Dave." Dave smiled at Cait and Aaron.
"Hi mommy; I'm with Uncle Dave. He got shot too, but he's going to be OK, so he's not going to see you for a while. But I know great-grandma is there with you. And you're both best friends by now. So mommy, can you make sure great-grandma meets Carolyn and James. Great gram knows how much we love Uncle Dave and she'd be great friends with them, just like you. All of you can be a special family, just like we are with Uncle Dave. Love you mommy."
Dave blinked a tear and pulled Jack to his chest for a deep hug. "I love you Jack. Thank you. That was really special." Cait and Aaron walked in.
"Yes it was son," Aaron said rubbing his neck. "But it time for all of us to get some sleep."
"Good night Uncle Dave, I love you too," Jack said and kissed his cheek. Aaron picked up from the bed.
Cait rubbed Jack's back as she leaned over to kiss Dave's temple. "Good night you."
"Good night to all of you. And thanks. I love you guys."
-00CM00-
Eight days later, David Rossi, beating Cait's prognosis, with the loving care he had received, walked into the BAU at his usual time on Monday morning. While limping at bit, and leaning on the cane he had been provided to support each step of his right leg, he simply smiled.
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A/N: Thank you to all for once again following my family that I love so, so much. Your reviews, favorite notification, story alert, et al means the world to me. I'm humbled by your response.
As usual, I can't end a story without the usual shout out to my friend and mentor Thn0715. Thanks babe! I luvs ya!