A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews and alerts!

Chapter 3

Zach pulled the truck onto the DC freeway to start the journey to their southern home. Lexie was already snoring. Caleigh looked at Zach. "Do you mind if I join her?"

"Go for it babe." Caleigh pulled off her shoes and got them up on middle floor hump. She pushed the button to make the seatback recline. She conked out three minutes later, warmed by the sun coming in the windows. Zach smiled.

Please help me along with all this mom so I can be a good husband, Zach thought as he drove and listened to the music on his phone, plugged into his truck's sound system. I know I may sound smug, and I'll get my ass kicked more than once. But I think I've got a grip on the dad thing. I've had some practice. But I'll still need you mom.

An hour and half later, Zach pulled into the first reststop off the freeway. On the journey south, they normally blew right by it. Caleigh woke feeling the truck slow down, as did Lexie. "Oooo thank you," Caleigh said. "I need to pee."

Thanks mom Zach thought. He looked at Lexie. "You good?" Lex barked her reply with a tail wag. Zach dropped the windows half way down. "Make some friends girl," he smiled.

Caleigh looked at Zach. "Babe, I had a big brunch. Guess what I need to do?"

Shaking her head at her husband, Caleigh laughed. "I'm glad I don't have to smell it." They both got out with Zach setting the door locks so Lex couldn't accidently unlock them. Zach and Caleigh walked hand in hand towards the building, with Zach opening the door for his wife.

"See ya soon," Caleigh smiled.

"Don't rush me," Zach lovingly growled. They walked out ten minutes later and laughed at three kids petting Lexie.

Caleigh opened her door and then the backdoor on her side to get at the small cooler they had packed. Zach did the same on his side with the doors, pulling a round plastic container out from under the seat. Caleigh pulled out a water bottle and poured part of it in the container Zach held. He sat in on the floor and Lexie happily lapped it up. "Cal, I'll take one of my sodas," he pointed. Caleigh pulled it out and put the cover on the cooler. Shutting the back door she got in her seat. Zach did the same. Caleigh put Zach's soda in the console cup holder between them.

For the next hour and half, Caleigh swung between napping and talking to Zach. He pulled into a rest stop near Kannapolis, North Carolina. Caleigh woke up and looked at him. "I'm fine," she said.

Zach smiled at her. "Someone in the backseat isn't." Zach got Lex into her shoulder harness and leash as Caleigh pulled out her purse and headed towards the reststop building.

She came back five minutes later with a bag of dill pickle potato chips. "Really?" Zach questioned. "You've never eaten them in your life."

"I am now," Caleigh smiled, pulling the bag open.

An hour later they were in Gastonia, checked into their hotel room. Zach and Caleigh headed for the Ground Round restaurant for dinner as Lexie enjoyed her dinner in the hotel room. Waiting on his beer to arrive, they checked in with their families. "Hi mom," Caleigh smiled.

"Hi Rachel," Zach said. "Traveling with two girls with bad kidneys sucks."

"Suck it up and get used to it," Rachel smiled. "You wanted that."

Tom looked at her. "Lex had to whiz again," Rachel smiled at him, putting the phone on speaker. Zach winked at Caleigh with his large smile.

-00CM00-

Zach and Caleigh pulled up to their townhouse rental the next day around one in the afternoon. Andy and Victoria were waiting for them. They smiled at the couple as they got out. "Welcome home," Victoria smiled, hugging Caleigh.

Caleigh looked at her. "How you doing?"

Victoria shook her head. "The final trimester of pregnancy sucks. I'm ready for this baby to come." She was due to deliver in the next three weeks.

Andy rolled his eyes at Zach and shook his head. "It's been a journey," he smiled.

Zach smiled back. "You know Skip is going to support you when it happens," hugging his friend.

"Yeah, I know," Andy smiled. "I just wish it would happen."

The guys got the truck unloaded as Caleigh looked over the townhouse. Lex scouted her fenced-in temporary backyard. Caleigh started directing the guys around to where she wanted the boxes.

An hour later, everything was in the townhome. Andy and Vic looked at them. "Dinner tonight is at Pedro and Alec's. The boys can't wait to see you," Victoria smiled.

"They can't wait to see Lex," Zach snarked.

"That too," Vic smiled, kissing his cheek. "It's good to have you two back here."

"But we know what you really want to do," Andy smiled. "Go over and look at it. We swung in there on the way here. Mike is there." He paused. "Go see that new house of yours," he smiled. "You'll be amazed." He looked at Caleigh. "Grab your car keys," he brightly smiled. "It's been there for a month. Mike has the garage door openers for you."

"They work?" Zach asked.

Andy smiled. "The electrical crews laid the wiring just after the house got framed up. They're doing the other end now that the sheetrock is all done."

Zach looked at Andy. "Thanks for checking in on the progress of the build for us. We appreciate it."

Victoria smiled. "We bought the three lots up the road from you. We're going to do our own build and then sell our current home."

"Most awesome," Caleigh smiled, hugging Vic. "It'll be nice having you closer."

Andy eyed Zach. "What?" Zach looked at him. "I know your head man. Talk to me."

"The three lots on Pleasant Avenue that slope down towards our place?" Zach asked.

Andy nodded. "Mike and we are just having a helluva time trying to figure out where to put in the in-ground pool."

Zach smiled. "Do it at the bottom of the lots. Have Mike find you a design with a walkout half-basement. You can do a bathroom down there for showers after pool sessions, put in a man cave with a wet bar and big screen theater. Hell Minnie, the works," Zach smiled.

Andy shook his head. "I forget you've got an engineering degree."

Zach smiled. "How tripped out do you think I've had Mike do our basement?"

Caleigh shook her head. "I will not see my husband or brothers when they get together down here together."

Zach smiled. "Don't forget Jack. And Uncle Dave."

Caleigh looked at Vic, shaking her head. "When the two of them are down here together, they will battle over that bedroom and space." Victoria yawned. "You need a nap girlfriend."

"Yes I do," Victoria admitted.

"What do Zach and I need to bring to dinner tonight?"

"A cooler load of beer," Andy smiled, slapping his teammate on the back. "It's our second to the last day of freedom from being a professional. I'm doing some professional drinking tonight."

Zach smiled. "I'll join you." Caleigh and Victoria shared looks.

Caleigh hugged Victoria. "We knew them going into the vows."

"Yes we did," Vic smiled. She pulled out of the hug and rubbed her expanding abdomen. "Nap time."

"Go girl," Caleigh smiled, rubbing her shoulder.

"Thanks you two," Zach smiled at them. "We appreciate all the support."

As the Minton's pulled away from the curb, Zach looked at Caleigh. She brightly smiled. "I want to see it as bad as you," Zach smiled.

"You get Lex chased inside from smelling every nook and cranny of the backyard while I make a beginner's grocery list. That's next," Caleigh said.

"You're good Mrs. Hotchner," Zach said, kissing her.

Driving down Pleasant Avenue with the sold sign on the lots Andy and Victoria had bought, Zach and Caleigh got their first look at their new house with their own eyes. Caleigh shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. Zach looked at her as he pulled up to the curb. "Hormones," Caleigh said, shaking her head at Zach, wiping tears. "It looks wonderful."

Zach rubbed her shoulder. "Yeah; it does babe," he smiled. They both got out and Zach pulled Caleigh to him. One of the garage doors went up, revealing Caleigh's car.

Mike, their general contractor, walked out and looked at them. "What do you think?" he asked with a smile.

Zach and Caleigh shook their heads. The exterior of the home was basically done, save for some minor electrical work. The brick facade of the front of the home looked wonderful. Zach and Caleigh shook their heads. Zach pulled out this phone, taking video.

"You've got the security lights into the louvers," Zach noticed. "But what's up with the open electrical wiring above the front door and garage?"

Mike smiled. "Josh's guys are going to install them today. That Skype session we had six weeks ago to pick out all the light and plumbing fixtures was huge." He and Zach shared a large handshake.

"Thanks man," Zach smiled.

Mike nodded towards the house. "Come on in you two. Right now, it's mainly the electrical and plumbing crews finishing up."

Mike introduced them to Josh, the electrical sub-contractor and Julia, the plumbing sub-contractor. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person," Caleigh smiled.

"We can't wait to show you the house," Mike smiled.

"That's why we're here early before I report to spring training," Zach said. "Let's rock this out."

Julia looked at Caleigh that had tears in her eyes as they walked into the house. Caleigh smiled at her. "Hormones from first trimester."

Mike rubbed Zach's shoulder. "Congratulations you two," he beamed. Zach smiled at him with a nod.

Julia smiled. "Been there; done that. Twice," she smiled.

By the time the kids finished their tour, shaking their head at their new spacious home taking shape, the lantern lamp and security light were installed.

An hour later, the sub-contractors, Mike and the couple were standing the driveway. "We should be done by tomorrow or Wednesday morning at the latest," Josh said.

Julia smiled. "My gang will be done by the end of next week."

Zach and Caleigh looked at all of them. "Thank you so much," Zach said, putting his arm around Caleigh.

Julia looked at Caleigh, pointing a finger. "Put down those first trimester hormones. This is what my crew does. And Josh's crew does as well. Because we're working with the best damn general contractor around," Julia smiled, pointing at Mike. "He makes jobs easy."

Caleigh shook her head. "No promises on the first trimester tears." Julia rubbed her shoulder with a smile.

"Welcome home you two," she smiled.

"OK, now I'm losing it," Caleigh said. Zach pulled her to his shoulder.

Josh looked at them as Caleigh welled up with tears. "Caleigh, my wife and I have number four on the way. I sooo get it you ladies," he smiled.

Zach hugged Caleigh. "Babe; we're getting our home back."

"I know," Caleigh sniffled. They shared hugs with the contractors and waved at them leaving.

Zach pulled out his cell again and punched one number. "Hey Princess P; I know the team is on the way to a huge case. Beth and I talk. If I send you some vid, can you get it to them on the jet?"

"You hurt me my golden Hotchner boy. You know better."

Zach smiled. "And now the curve ball," he winked at Caleigh. "Can you hook up Cal and me before they see it?"

"Zach," Garcia said. "I gotta ask. What is it?"

Zach smiled. "Our new Georgia home taking shape."

"In mere seconds my mortal," Garcia smiled. "Send the vid to my email. And let me make the phone connections."

"Vid sent; you go girl," Zach smiled, holding Caleigh close.

Less than two minutes later, the screens on the jet came alive with Garcia. "Hey all. I know you're super busy with briefing the case." She smiled. "But I got some peeps that want to share a special video. Especially with you my liege."

"Garcia?" Hotch said.

"Aaron," Dave smiled. "The kids are in Georgia."

"Bring it Mama," Morgan smiled. "We need this."

"Yes we do," Rossi said. "Especially dad."

"Hi dad," Zach said.

"Hi dad," Caleigh echoed with a smile. Everyone was already gathered around the four top of seats.

"And you too Uncle Dave," Caleigh smiled.

"Gotta stroke that ego," Zach smiled.

"I love you too Zach," Dave snarked back.

"I know Uncle Dave," Zach smiled. "Check this out. Hit it Garcia."

"Oh my god!" Tara commented. "That's just gotta be huge for you two. The outside looks amazing!"

"Tara," Zach said, with Garcia just starting the video, "wait."

The team watched Zach's mini tour of part of the home. "Hey Cob," Derek said. "It looks like the major work is done."

"And it looks amazing Zach," JJ smiled.

"Yes it does," Emily chimed in.

"Sorry gang, I may have added a Euro into this," Garcia smiled. Everyone shared a hello with Emily.

"And Derek, you're right the big stuff is done. But….."

"I get it man," Morgan smiled. "Now you start with the nit-picking things." Reid looked at him. "Kid," Morgan said, looking at Reid, "flooring as in wood or tile or carpeting. Tile in the bathrooms. Back splash tile in the kitchen. What color do you paint all the rooms?"

"Why I'm already down here Derek," Caleigh smiled. "While my husband starts his job for another season, I make those decisions."

"Good for you Cal," Derek smiled. "You two gotta still be looking at six weeks out to move in."

"Try seven D," Zach said. "But we'll take it. We're getting our house back. And Caleigh is excited to make it into a home."

"Derek, I'm looking forward to spending some money," Caleigh said.

"You go girl!" Emily, JJ and Tara said together.

Dave looked at Hotch. "Aaron, say something to them," he whispered.

"Say something Dave? I'm overwhelmed," Aaron confessed. "I'm in the same boat with big brother Mike. You two spent some of that new contract money." He paused. "And I'm so happy for the both of you. You two deserve this after the hell you went through with the fire. Both of you got dealt a horrible blow. And you two along with this house have risen up from that. I can't be more proud of you both."

"You do have your moments Aaron," Dave proudly smiled.

"Yeah he does Uncle Dave. Thanks dad," Zach said. "You know how much that means to both of us," he said as he pulled Caleigh to him with her wiping tears again.

"I just wanna know when the house warming party is," Emily snarked.

"And let all of you spill beer and booze on our new carpets?" Caleigh smiled. "Not happening."

Zach shook his head with a smile. "Think August: date to be determined. It depends on a certain Cajun getting his AL that matches our schedule so his oldest son and Jack can be batboys together," Zach beamed.

"That's gonna be one helluva party," Dave snarked.

"No way!" Garcia shouted.

"Yes way Princess," Zach smiled. "But hey gang. We gotta run. We need groceries for our rental digs. And beer for all our friends that are cooking dinner for us tonight."

Aaron smiled. "Pedro and Alec or Josh and Moesha?"

"All of the above along with Andy and soon to pop Victoria dad. But Pedro and Alec are hosting. And guess who'll be the guest of honor?"

"Lex with the boys," Dave laughed.

"Nailed it Uncle Dave," Zach smiled.

"She's that close?" Aaron asked.

Caleigh laughed. "Aaron, she's begging for a baby to come. But she's got three weeks left."

"I remember it," Aaron smiled.

JJ shook her head. "So do I. Twice."

Everyone in the convo smiled as Zach and Caleigh said their good-byes.

###

A/N: Louvers is the area at the bottom of the roof that extends away from the sides of the house. AL is annual leave.

I told you all. I need visuals. If you want to see a picture of the home and the floor plan for the house, go to homeplans dot com. Type in HOMEPW12855 in the search engine in the upper right corner on the home page.