A/N: I got one convert to Madam Secretary! Welcome to the club OK Teach! Happy anniversary to you and your hubby. My loyal reviewer hurricanehorse has watched Madam Sec since day one.

*waves to pmp1208*

Chapter 3

Henry looked at Hotch and Matt. "You really believe in using a Weber?"

"I wouldn't grill on anything else," Matt said.

"And after watching Matt and how everything cooked better, I joined the club. Dave did soon after."

"But only the biggest and the best for David Rossi."

Matt looked at Hotch and took a swig of his beer. "I think Henry is catching on," he smiled.

"To quote Reid," Hotch smiled. "Yuppppppppp."

"Is he really that smart?" Henry asked.

"Yupppppp," Matt laughed, looking at the charcoal. "I think we're ready to cook partner."

"I agree; I'll go grab the chicken," Hotch said. He came back out of the kitchen with two cake pans filled with chicken and three grill tongs. Matt was waving his hands over the coals to find hot spots. He took the pan with the bigger pieces and put them on the hotter areas. Henry helped Aaron put the rest on. Matt pulled the cover down.

"Cooking chicken is a three beer process," Matt winked.

"I like this even more," Henry smiled.

Declan and Jason had vacated the pool to play video games in Dave's den. Jack, Cam, Colin and Henry were playing a hotly contested game of badminton. Bess and Abbey had Michael and Hank in the shallow end of the pool with Ally and Casee watching. JJ and Savannah sat on the edge as the four mothers shared raising children notes and memories. Beth was visiting with the grandparents group. The three dogs were taking their afternoon naps in the house. Dave and Hayden were mingling with the rest. Will and Derek joined the cooks in drinking beer and a guy's bullshit session.

That left the deep end of the pool to Jareth and Stevie. They enjoyed some couple time together.

"Good for them," Abbey smiled. "I'm glad they're getting that time." She looked at Bess. "Have they set a date?" Ally and Casee left to explore Dave's library.

"They were going to get married right away; like the Saturday after Jareth proposed, because of the fellowship he accepted at Oxford. But they quickly realized that maybe they needed more time to work things out."

"Good for them," JJ smiled.

"They're good together," Savannah smiled.

"And it looks like they're making the long distance thing work," Abbey smiled.

"That involves a lot of Skype and occasionally raiding their trust funds with four parent's approval for airfare," Bess said.

"Whatever works," Abbey said. "Matt and I did it for five years; including him doing two more tours in the Gulf."

"Been there, done that," JJ smiled. Bess looked at her. "Will and I did the travel thing back and forth for over a year on weekends."

"That no one in the BAU knew about," Abbey whispered, sitting on the steps with Hank who was playing with some toys, winking at Bess with a smile.

JJ shook her head. Bess looked at her. "I met Will when the BAU went to New Orleans to help him with a case. It was before Rossi re-joined the BAU. His dad, a senior detective had been investigating one before Katrina killed him. When Will became a detective and the same MO started popping up again, he called us." JJ looked at Abbey. "When did Matt figured it out?"

"About six weeks after you mysteriously started disappearing on weekends. You know Dave mentored Matt to get to be a senior profiler." JJ nodded. "Matt and Dave were bullshitting one day in Dave's office and Matt happened to mention it. He told me about in bed that night. 'Dave said I just passed my final test today'."

"Do you two share everything?" JJ challenged.

"About cases? No. But office gossip?" Abbey smiled. "Absolutely." JJ rolled her eyes as Bess, Abbey and Savannah laughed. Will and Derek came over to join them as the four hot boys from their badminton match jumped back in the pool.

"Sorry guys," Cam smiled at Jareth and Stevie.

They smiled back at the boys. "It's OK," Jareth said.

"You talk like Aunt Hayden," Colin said.

"Because I was born in the same country as her," Jareth smiled.

"Colin, don't say it," Jack growled like his father.

"What Jack?"

Cam shook his head at Jack knowing the comment that was coming out of Colin as well about talking funny and dunked his brother, shaking his head at the couple. "Problem child; sorry." Jareth and Stevie loudly laughed as Colin came to the surface spitting out water.

"CAM!"

"Sorry guys," Matt said to Aaron and Henry, "I got another fire to put out." He stepped towards the pool and let out his shrill whistle. "Don't even think about it you two," he pointed with a bite in his voice at his sons. "Or you're fighting with me instead of each other. And guess who's gonna win that battle."

"Raise the white flag guys," Henry mumbled.

"Welcome to our world of adolescent sons," Abbey sadly smiled at the ladies.

"Can't wait for that," Will said, shaking his head.

"I think the age difference might spare you two on that," Abbey said.

"I agree," Bess said and looked at Abbey. "Male hormones kicking in?"

"Times two," Abbey said.

Bess shook her head. "I don't know what's worse," she smiled.

Abbey looked at her. "Honestly Bess; I had three sisters. I'll take the boys duking it out for one thousand Alex. They erupt for three minutes and it's done. My sisters still hold grudges." Bess shook her head. "Which is why I don't miss living in Texas."

Morgan shook his head. "I remember my two younger sisters. That was not fun."

Beth came out of the kitchen with the melted seasoned butter for the chicken and the two washed cake pans. "I've got the oven going to keep the chicken warm while you cook the rest," she smiled.

"Thanks Beth," Aaron smiled, kissing her cheek.

"You're good Beth," Matt smiled, pulling the cover up and basting the done chicken with the butter mixture. When he finished, he put the cover back down.

Henry looked at him. "How long do you let that sit?"

Aaron pulled the cover up a minute later and started turning chicken. "That long." Henry helped him turn the pieces over as Matt applied the butter to the chicken. Hotch put the cover back down for a minute. Aaron lifted it and him and Henry did one final turn of the chicken as Matt put the last of the butter on the pieces.

"I think these wings can be pulled off," Henry said.

Aaron and Matt smiled at him. "Congratulations Dr. McCord," Aaron smiled.

"You passed grilling chicken class," Matt said.

"And I could use that third beer," Henry smiled.

"Oh you more than passed that class Dr. McCord," Dave said, joining the guys, giving them each a beer. Hayden and Beth took the chicken in the kitchen as Abbey and Bess came out with the burgers, hot dogs and bratwurst.

Henry found the hot spot for the burgers. "Now he's just showing off," Matt smiled at Aaron. The three laughed, drinking their beers as they finished cooking the rest. All the ladies went to the kitchen to help put out the spread of food. Derek and Will chased the kids out of the pool.

"Good lawd," Bess smiled at Abbey, Beth and Hayden, helping them. "You weren't kidding about there being enough food. My god, this is amazing."

"I learned that last year Bess," Hayden smiled. "The BAU team on their down time with family eats quite well."

"I'd say so," Bess smiled, rubbing Hayden's shoulder.

"Just wait until you see the desserts," Beth smiled at her. "The grandma patrol and Aunt Jessica rock." Hannah winked at Fran and Sandy.

"With a special surprise," Jessica winked at Abbey.

The entire group was gathering around the table when Father Jimmy came in the door and into the dining room. Dave introduced him to the McCord family. "So there really is a Father Jimmy?" Jason asked.

"Jason," Henry scolded.

Matt shook his head at Jason. "Do you question everything?"

"Pretty much," Jason smiled.

"My apologies for being late," Jimmy said, smiling at Aaron, who handed him a beer. "I had to give last rites to a twenty year old that was involved in car accident last night."

Matt deeply rubbed his shoulder. "That's rough Father Jimmy. I'm sorry."

Jimmy smiled at him, taking a sip of his beer. "Matthew, I take back what I have previously said about you. You're OK for an Irish Catholic that converted to being a Protestant."

Matt waved his finger at Abbey and kids standing near him. "Our god sorta blessed the tradeoff Jimmy," Matt smiled.

"Yes he did," Jimmy smiled back, rubbing Matt's back. "And you my son are deeply blessed; and you know that." Matt and Abbey smiled with nod of their heads. "But I'm hungry." He looked at Colin and Henry. "Davey, if you don't mind." Dave and Hayden smiled at him. "Hit it guys," he smiled.

Henry gave the Catholic prayer and Colin added the Protestant one. The large group all joined together in prayer of thanks.

"Mom," Colin said.

"Yes I know; you're hungry."

The parents of the growing kids looked at Bess and Henry. They both shook their heads. "We get it," Henry smiled. "Jason will be right behind Declan." Colin and Henry dived in to fill their plates with JJ and Savannah following them to feed Michael and Hank.

Abbey looked at Matt as they finished eating together. "How many deviled eggs did you eat?"

Matt smiled. "Along with the beer? I'm a fart machine tonight babe," he smiled. Abbey rolled her eyes shaking her head.

"I'm right behind you," Henry smiled. Matt pointed at him with a smile.

"Hoo Rah," Dave smiled.

Hayden looked at Dave. "I've ran your ass to couch more than once."

"Ooooo that's a major ouch right there," Morgan smiled. The group laughed.

-00CM00-

Jareth and Stevie were more than welcomed into the "adult" group that now sat around the pool area that was completely shaded. They all were enjoying a glass of Bailey's. Some of them, mostly the guys, were laced with some of Dave's scotch as they quietly laughed and talked together.

The kids were all in Dave's den watching a movie. Ally and Casee more than happily volunteered to watch Michael and Hank. The two little ones curled up next to their bodies as the girls sat on the couch. Ally winked at Case. "Their bellies are full after a big day in the pool. They're happy campers, being entertained."

"You're the best Ally," Casee smiled. "If I had a big sister, I'd want her to be just like you."

"Thanks Noodle Two," Ally smiled, pulling Case to her.

An hour later, the kids looked around the room. Declan looked at Jason. "It's dessert time dude." Jason looked at him. "We need to decide who to send out to get that going."

"Me," Colin said. "I pissed dad off. I gotta cover that."

Cam gave his younger brother his dad's point. "Boom," Cam smiled. "But bro," Cam said. Colin looked at him. "Forget the school yard language. You know dad. He can swear like a Marine; but we can't."

"I got that long ago bro," Colin said. He looked at his older brother. "Thanks Cam; sorry 'bout earlier."

Cam smiled. "We're all good bro."

"You're gold Col; just get us dessert," Jack added.

Col looked at Declan and Jason. "They're right," the boys said together.

Colin looked at Casee. "Just go now please," she smiled.

"Rock it Colin," Ally smiled.

Matt noticed Colin very quietly coming into the patio area. He looked at his watch and winked at Hotch and Beth. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we're about to witness a new world's record. It took an hour." The rest looked at him.

Colin sided up to his dad. "Yeah dad; us kids think it's that time." Matt looked at him. "Sorry about earlier dad."

Matt pulled him up on his lap. "I get it Col; Uncle Mac and I could fight like cats and dogs. Hell, we still do sometimes." Colin snickered.

"Throw in two sisters and it sounds like my family," Henry smiled. Matt pointed at him with a smile.

"Blurt it out loud and proud son," Matt said as Abbey rubbed Colin's shoulder with her mother smile.

"Please Colin," Father Jimmy pleaded.

"Dad, us kids think it's time for dessert."

"Boom!" Matt smiled.

"That is a world record," Hannah smiled, getting out of her chair.

"But dad, don't whistle for the rest of the kids. Michael and Hank are snoozing with the girls."

"They had a big day being in the pool," Matt smiled. "Great call Col." Abbey kissed his cheek.

"You're good Champino," Dave proudly smiled.

Reid forlornly looked around. "We didn't make homemade ice cream this year."

Dave looked at him. "Hayden and I wanted BBQ'd ribs yesterday. We supplied the ribs; it became an impromptu Three Musketeer's dinner. Matt did the cooking with Hotch. But before that, we cranked it out yesterday kid," Dave smiled.

"Thank you for that," Reid smiled. Savannah rubbed his arm with a smile.

Henry looked at Matt as they headed inside. "You cook ribs on a Weber?"

"They're easy," Matt smiled.

The kids quickly joined the adults in the kitchen area. JJ looked at the girls holding the half asleep toddlers and smiled. "We tried to keep them awake," Ally smiled.

"Thank you for that," JJ smiled. Emily smiled at the girls as Declan sided up to her and put his arm around her waist.

"That bad buddy?" Emily asked, looking at him.

"Mom, this is the best part," he smiled.

Everyone looked at Hannah as she put out her amazing Seven Layer bars. Sandy cut up her pan of M&M bars that the boys loved.

"Matthew," Dave barked. "I pulled the ice cream while you guys were cooking. Get the paddle pulled out."

"I need a pair of plyers Dave," Matt said. Dave pulled a drawer open and handed the tool to Matt. It took some pulling, but Matt finally started to get it to move with Morgan holding the cylinder of goodness down in the sink with his hands wrapped in dish towel. Abbey pulled a cake pan out of Dave's cupboard. Matt put the paddle that had churned the ice cream into the cake pan. Cam and Jack took it to the laundry room for the dogs. They chased the pan around, licking off the goodness.

Jess smiled at Matt. "This is for you." She pulled the cover off a pan of chocolate cake.

Matt looked at her. "Is that grandma's recipe?"

Jess smiled. "Abbey shared it with me."

"Thank Jess," Matt smiled, pulling her into a hug. "I love ya sis."

"Love ya back bro," Jess smiled. "Why I made it."

Bess looked at him. "I know there's a story behind this," she said, as the kids dived into their desserts.

Matt smiled. "When our grandmother died, Mac and I went through her things she didn't sell after she auctioned off the farm after Da died. We came across her recipe box. We kept three," he smiled. "One was the recipe for the homemade ice cream," he smiled as Dave scooped out some for Jason. Jason smiled his thanks.

"The second one was her recipe for shortcake," Matt smiled. Jareth looked at him. "As in strawberry short cake."

"A lovely dessert in my home country," Jareth smiled. Hayden smiled at him.

"The third was grandma's chocolate cake recipe with homemade frosting."

"Crazy Cake; it's amazing; but not a typical cake recipe," she smiled at Bess. "It has vinegar in it; and no eggs. And the frosting is butter, sugar, milk and melted chocolate chips."

"What?" Bess asked.

Jessica smiled, forking out a piece for her on a plate. Dave added a scoop of the homemade ice cream for her.

"What's really special for Mac and I," Matt smiled. "All three recipes are in her handwriting."

"Stella, Mac's wife and I treasure them," Abbey smiled.

Bess took a bite and then shared one with Henry. "That is the best chocolate cake I've ever had," Henry smiled, holding out his plate to Jess for his own piece. Dave added a scoop of ice cream on Henry's plate.

"Thanks sis," Matt smiled, putting his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close and kissing Jessica's cheek.

"I love making things from scratch," Jessica smiled at him, rubbing his chest. "And the recipe is amazing. I treasure my copy that Abbey shared with me with your grandmother's handwriting."

"You are amazing sis," Hotch said, kissing her cheek, getting his own piece of cake and ice cream. "Thank you."

#####

A/N: "Duking it out" means a punching match. "For one thousand Alex" is again, a reference to the US TV game show Jeopardy with Alex Trebec as the host.

The recipe reference is in loving memory of my paternal grandmother. I've got her recipe for "shortcake" to go with strawberries. Yes, it's in her handwriting. I treasure it.

Thank you all for reading; reviewing; or the favorite/following alerts. I appreciate it!

*Knightly bow*