A/N: Thank you pmp1208. ;)
Chapter 2
Dave was in his study, sipping a scotch as he began the work of pounding out his soon to be new book. Looking up from his laptop in thought, he noticed the security alarm blink off. Before he could react, he heard Zach's sharp whistle. "Just me Uncle Dave," he shouted. Smiling, Dave got out of his desk chair and ambled into the kitchen where Zach was rumbling around. Mudg beat him into the kitchen and got the Zach mega rubdown of loves.
He walked in to see Zach pulling open cupboard doors. "Looking for something my boy," he smiled.
"Yeah, your big ass blue roaster I use every year for cooking the turkey."
Dave chuckled. "And you told Erin you knew my kitchen."
"OK Uncle Dave, I'm busted. Give it up," Zach said.
Dave pointed to his walk-in kitchen pantry. "Try there," he smiled. Zach opened the door. "Hey Zach, what's up with the bigger turkey?" Zach came out of the pantry with the roaster and looked at him, rubbing Mudg's ear. Dave shook his head. "I'm a profiler, remember? You got a bigger bird than previous years." Dave had always bought the turkey and Zach always gave him the receipt.
Zach grinned at him. "They're might be a few extra people at the Thanksgiving table." Zach headed for the door. "Gotta run Uncle Dave; see ya Thursday."
"Zach…." Dave questioned.
Zach looked at him as he zipped up his jacket. "You're the profiler; figure it out," he said with his smile that could infuriate Dave. He started to head out the door.
"Get back in here," Dave commanded. Zach stopped and turned around. "Maybe some other family gets to see the new engagement ring," Dave asked with his Cheshire cat smile.
Zach shook his head. "You learned that smile real well from Erin. And et tu Brute? I've already got Aunt Jess kicking my ass over getting engaged. Don't you start on me. I'll do it in my own time and when I'm ready." He turned to leave, and then swung back to look at Dave. "And for the record, no; it's not Caleigh's family."
Dave looked at him. "Sorry Zach; I'm not trying to push. I'm just anticipating," he winked. "You take all the time you need to make it right with you."
"You're giving me marriage advice," Zach laughed. He deeply smiled at Dave. "Thanks Uncle Dave; that means a lot to me. And for the record: when I make that decision, you'll be the first person I call to help find a jeweler." Dave smiled. "Number two, some fishing buddies are coming for Thanksgiving. It's a surprise for Jack," he smiled with a wink.
"Don't have to work that profile too hard," Dave beamed.
"Good night Uncle Dave," Zach said heading out the door. "Love ya Big Dog."
"Love ya kiddo," Dave said, heading to the door to lock it and reset the alarm.
-00CM00-
A day later, Section Chief Mateo Cruz stuck his head in Aaron's office to see him talking on his cell phone. Hotch waved him in as he said, "What time do Merrill and Sela anticipate arriving?" Cruz watched him listen as he moved to Hotch's desk. Hotch smiled. "Like always Zach, you've got it covered. I'll be home in a bit." He listened a few seconds more. "See you then."
Cruz shook his head. "Aaron, get the hell out of here. There's a reason I had your team on stand down this week," he smiled.
"And we all appreciate that Mat," Hotch smiled. "I've just got a few more reports…."
"Screw them," Cruz smiled. "You keep making the rest of my Unit Chiefs look bad with how fast you get your reports in." Hotch smiled. "Merrill and Sela are the folks you and the boys visit in Ohio for the fishing trip each summer, right?"
Hotch nodded with a smile. "Zach and Sela planned this when we were there. I just learned it about it Monday. Jack still doesn't know."
Cruz smiled deeply. "Then even a better reason for you to get the hell home; enjoy Jack's surprise. Happy Thanksgiving Hotch," he smiled.
"You too Mat," Hotch said, shutting down his computer.
-00CM00-
At the last stop sign to make the turn onto the street for home, Aaron noticed Merrill and Sela is their vehicle at the intersection to his left. He honked and waved. They both waved back and followed him to the home.
Merrill parked their SUV behind the second door space of the double garage door as Aaron pulled his vehicle his into the first space. He knew Zach's truck went into the third, single door. They got out together. Aaron smiled, moving towards their vehicle, pulling his tie loose. "This is special," he smiled, unbuttoning his shirt collar, shaking Merrill's hand. Sela came around the front end of their SUV and Aaron pulled her into a hug. "Does my team need to keep an eye on you and my oldest son," he deeply smiled.
"You know better Aaron," she smiled, accepting his hug.
Merrill looked at him. "You didn't know about this?"
Aaron shook his head. "Zach finally spilled the beans Monday night." He brightly smiled. "Jack still has no clue." The Dobson's beamed. "Let's head inside; I'll help you with your luggage."
Merrill shook him off. "It's just one bag. I convinced my wife to pack lightly for once," he winked. "And I'm sure you've got a briefcase full of reports."
Aaron shook his head and they headed into the house. "Zach is about five minutes out with my brother Sean," he said, showing them to the extra bedroom on the upper tier.
"And Jack," Sela asked.
Aaron looked at his watch. "The yellow limousine is about fifteen away," he smiled. "Jack will be thrilled to have three of his favorite people waiting for him."
Sela rubbed his arm. "They why don't you go change; we'll settle in." Aaron nodded and left for his bedroom.
Zach and Sean came in the garage entry door a few minutes later. "Anybody home," he shouted after letting off his sharp whistle.
Sean laughed. "You do know how to attract a crowd Zach." They pulled off their tennis shoes together along with their jackets and Zach grabbed Sean's bag before he could. He moved to the steps of his lair and set it down along with his bookbag.
Sela and Merrill came down the steps from their bedroom. Sela pulled Zach into a huge hug. "We did it!"
"Yup, we did," he smiled, giving her a bear hug, pulling her off the floor.
Sean laughed, sticking his hand out. "Hi Merrill, I'm Sean."
Merrill shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sean," he smiled. "We're really glad Aaron and the boys have you in their lives." Zach introduced Sela to Sean. She hugged him as well.
"They're the only family I have," Sean said. "I've learned to appreciate that," he smiled. Aaron came down the steps.
Aaron pulled him into a hug. "You're loved and occasionally needed here my brother," he smiled.
Sean smiled back. "Back at ya bro."
Zach looked out the living room window and smiled at the four of them. "Party is on," he laughed as the school bus stopped at the end of the driveway. Zach opened the door. "Haul butt JP!" They all laughed at Jack barreling up the driveway.
Jack flew in the door to his dad's waiting arms. "Hey dad! I don't have school for five days!"
"Sounds like you need a break buddy," Aaron smiled, helping Jack pull off his bookbag while hugging him.
"Dad, is Uncle Sean here?"
Sean came into the foyer. "You bet I am," he smiled. Jack nearly tackled him.
"I've missed you Uncle Sean," Jack said, putting his head against Sean.
Sean rubbed his back. "I've missed you too Jack."
Zach winked at Sela. She shook her head. "Let them have their time together," she whispered.
Aaron and Sean exchanged smiles. "Hey bud," Sean said. "Zach has a surprise for you."
Zach came around the corner. "Hey bro," he said, lifting Jack up off the floor.
Jack beamed. "I really like when you do that Zach. It's like one of the lineman doing that when the running back scores a touchdown." Aaron smiled as Zach put Jack back down on his feet. "Your surprise is in the living room."
Jack burst around the corner, dropping his jacket on the floor. Aaron shook his head, picking it up as Zach smiled.
"Sela! Merrill!"
###