A/N: *points to tissue case*

Chapter 3

Jack finished his dinner, grabbed his plate, cleaned it off and put it in the dishwasher. "Can I go for a bike ride?"

"Sure buddy," Aaron said. Beth looked at him. Aaron looked back at her with eyes that begged to understand his play. "Make sure you wear your helmet."

"Got it dad," Jack said, heading into the garage.

Aaron shook his head at Beth. "When this happens, Jack needs perspective. And after what happened to Haley, he goes to Zach first."

Beth smiled. "Brothers understand."

"And hopefully with a strong dose of Caleigh," Aaron smiled at his wife.

"I think Jack is bunking there tonight," Beth smiled.

Aaron smiled. "With Lex there? You think?" he smiled more.

Beth smiled. "I'll walk up with a bag for Jack later."

Aaron kissed her. "Better you than me right now."

"Aaron?"

"I'll take care of Jack later in the week," he said. "But for now, I can't go out with the team; and neither can Dave. I'm texting Cruz."

"Good call; the boys are going to need the both of you," Beth smiled. "But Aaron, Jack needs your attention now, not later."

He smiled at Beth. "I love you. Bro and Sis get him through tonight. He's your and mine tomorrow."

"I'm in," Beth smiled. "You know better."

"Yes," Aaron smiled, kissing her, "I do."

Jack rode up the driveway and braked his bike, getting off on the right side of the three car garage. He lifted up the cover of the security panel on the outside facade of the door and punched in the security code. As the single door opened, with the other side being the double door, he crouched down to get in with his bike. He understood how much Zach took care of his home's security; better than anyone. Putting the kickstand down on his bike next to Caleigh's car, he pulled off his helmet after unclipping the safety strap and hung it on his bike's handlebar.

Caleigh, hearing the garage door go up, along with Lex, looked at Zach. "It's Jack," he mouthed, still listening to the pastor. Caleigh went towards the garage door as Jack came in, pushing the button to drop the garage door back down.

"Hey bro," Caleigh said.

"Hi," Jack said.

Caleigh pulled him to her as Lex stuck her nose into his ribs. Jack rubbed Lex's head. "I know it hurts Jack and brings up a lot of bad memories."

"Mom didn't have a chance. I know that now. But Jake fought so hard," Jack moaned into her chest, hugging her tightly crying.

"Yes Jack, he did. We honor that. That's what your brother is talking to Pastor about," she said as she got Jack into the home.

"Pastor, while I'm on the DL, albeit a short stint, I'm required to be with the club, especially since we have a home game on Friday. You know I'll make a phone call and see what I can do. Even with taking off Sunday, I'm sure they'll understand. But until I get their approval, I can't commit to anything as much as I want to. And there's Mike's schedule to consider as well. I want to honor my friend; I really do. Our whole family does. But you're gonna have to give me, and us, some time."

"I understand that Zach," the Pastor said.

"If I don't get back to you tonight, it will be first thing tomorrow morning Pastor. I promise," Zach said.

"The Whittens understand Zach," Thiel said. "With you being on the DL, this just all played out with Jake's final wishes. Let me know when you can."

"I promise Pastor," Zach said. "Talk to you soon."

Caleigh and Jack looked at him. Zach shook his head. "While Jake's motto was 'giving up is not an option' a couple months ago he gave Chance an envelope." Caleigh and Jack looked at him.

"Chance?" Caleigh asked, hugging Zach.

"Jake's brother; they were close," Zach said. He held the embrace for a minute, taking in her comfort. "And Jake recognized the new chemo treatments weren't working," he said looking at her. "He died from lung failure." Caleigh rubbed the tear that ran from Zach's eye. Jack wiped his tears.

Caleigh let Zach go. Jack burrowed into Zach.

Zach hugged him. "I know Jack; it hurts. I'm hurting too. But a little perspective bro." Jack looked at him. "God called Jake home when I'm the DL. We can honor his final wishes. I just gotta make a big phone call bro. Can you find something to watch on Netflix while I make that call?"

"Zach, how are you all going to sing Hallelujah without Jake?" he asked, wiping more tears. Six months after Zach had met Caleigh, she along with Zach and her two brothers had sang an altered version of the song with Jake ala the Canadian Tenors with Celine Dion in each of their home churches. Both congregations marveled at their performance.

Zach softly smiled at Jack. "That's because Jake requested something different."

"Bro?"

Zach smiled. "In his letter to Chance, he said he didn't care what time of year it was. Cal, Rachel and us guys singing While Shepherds Lately Watched last Christmas Eve, when he couldn't join us going through chemo, again, touched him. That's the song he wants us to honor him."

Caleigh shook her head. "A Christmas song?"

"Cal, what's the last line?"

"To die to live and not alone for me," Jack said. "It touched me too." Zach rubbed his shoulder with a smile. "You going to do it Zach?"

"Bro, why I gotta make a phone call," Zach smiled at him. "Find something on Netflix but keep the volume down."

Jack smiled. "They just added Rogue One."

"I'll join you after I talk to Skip."

"I've got my side including Mike," Caleigh smiled.

Jack looked at them. "Yes, you're spending the night here," Zach smiled. "Beth sent me a text. She's bringing up a bag for you."

"I won't start the movie until you're done talking to Skip so we can watch it together." Zach winked at Caleigh. "What about dad?"

"Jack?"

"I sorta need him too."

"Bro?"

"Zach, I'm not four. But we're both sorta hurting right now. I remember Jake. He always supported us."

"Dad and Uncle Dave called Cruz. The team is in the office all week. They want to be around for us."

Caleigh moved to hug Zach again giving her husband spousal support. Then they both dialed to make their phone calls. Jack let Lex out. Fifteen minutes later, Caleigh and Jack were finishing Uncle Dave approved movie watching popcorn as Zach called Pastor Thiel.

Beth and Aaron had just come in the door with Jack's bag for the night. Caleigh smiled at them.

"We're a go Pastor," Zach reported. "Our family is honored to give Jake his final wishes." Aaron set Jack's bag on the first step as Lex attacked them wagging her tail. Aaron and Beth rubbed down the beloved family pet with smiles.

"How's it going?" Beth asked as Caleigh came around the corner

Caleigh smiled. "All of us honor Jake the way he wanted." She looked at Jack carrying in the popcorn bowl into the living room, tossing a piece to Lex. "And the kiddo says he isn't four any more. I think he's good," she smiled.

Aaron smiled as he and Beth entered with Beth rubbing Caleigh's arm and Aaron kissing her forehead. Jack had the movie paused, ready to go. "Do you mind if we crash the party?" Aaron asked.

Caleigh smiled. "You know better dad. Your sons are hurting. And they need their dad."

"Told ya," Beth smiled at Aaron.

"Just a few seconds more," Zach said to Jack. Caleigh went into the kitchen and grabbed some paper towels as Aaron and Beth sat down on the couch together. Zach and Caleigh moved to join them. "Houston," Zach said, looking at the couch, "I think we have problem."

Aaron pulled Jack onto his lap. "Really dad"

"Really. It's family time."

"OK dad."

"Jeez, when did you become a load?" The rest all laughed. Jack looked at him. "Dad, I don't want to see Jake at the wake," he said, leaning back into his dad's chest.

"You don't have to buddy."

"Thanks dad. But I do want to say good-bye to him."

"Jack?" Beth asked.

"He was my friend too," Jack softly said. "When he and Zach were going up to the teen's room for their Bible study time after church when Zach was in high school, I was going upstairs to my Sunday school class. Jake always talked to me. A little kid; he was nice to me. I honor that like all the rest of you."

Aaron rubbed his head. "It means wearing a suit bud."

"All the more to honor Jake," Jack said.

"Thanks bro," Zach smiled.

Jack hit the play button sliding off Aaron onto the floor. Caleigh pulled a pillow off the couch for him to sit on as she and Zach sat down. "Thanks sis," Jack smiled. Lexie cuddled up to Jack.

The Hotchner family watched the movie, sharing the popcorn bowl around.

And remembering a cherished friend and his hard fought battle. Just like those in the movie.

-00CM00-

The next morning, Dave came up the steps to the upper tier of the BAU towards his office. He stuck his head in Aaron's door, seeing him working on reports. "Gotta second?" he asked.

Aaron smiled. "You know better. And I know you want an update on the boys," he smiled, nodding his head at one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Dave sat down, putting his briefcase alongside the chair. "And?"

"The news of Jake's passing was tough on both of them."

"Including Jack?"

"Jack shared with all of us having family time last night so I could be there for my sons that Jake was always friendly to him back in the day when he and Zach bonded."

"So you had both of them to take care of?" Dave asked.

"Actually Dave," Aaron smiled, taking a sip of his coffee, "Beth and I didn't need to take care of either one of them. Zach is an adult; as much as it hurts, he understands. And has a wife to comfort him," Aaron said. Dave smiled. "Jack informed all of us that he's not four anymore."

"He's not," Dave said.

"Don't remind me," Aaron said. Dave smiled. Aaron shook his head. "While Jake battled so hard, he knew that battle was ending. He could feel it. He gave his younger brother a letter for his final wishes." Aaron outlined the details.

"So the family is singing?"

Aaron nodded his head. "The Braves gave Zach an extra day for he, Caleigh and Lex to drive back; Mike is off Wednesday and Thursday, his weekend."

Dave rolled his eyes. "What they do to protect and serve." Aaron pointed at Dave.

"His shift Friday is afternoons. He doesn't have to be on duty until three."

"And Jack?"

Aaron shook his head. "He's passing on the wake. 'I won't see Jake like that'. But he wants to go to the funeral to honor his friend."

Dave smiled. "Aaron, I'll say it again. You raised two fine sons."

Aaron smiled. "I'm pretty proud of them as well." He looked at Dave.

"I'll be there as well Aaron."

"The boys will love that; and need that. Thanks Dave."

-00CM00-

During the All-Star game that night, Major League Baseball honored the Stand Up for Cancer movement. Each player held up a card honoring cancer victims or survivors. Ender Incarte, Zach's teammate and the only Braves' member to make the squad, held up his to the camera.

JJW passed yesterday at 25YO. After 7 year battle.

Zach, watching the game, pulled out his phone and sent Ender a text. Thank you my brother.

Caleigh looked at Zach, being her husband's rock through his grief. "Skip filled in the rest of my teammates babe," he smiled.

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