A/N: Rock here. Whoa! Is it hot in here or what? *fans self while dumping major amounts of ice over my head* Thn, you rocked the house with your "sizzle"! Now, I can only hope that I can give you some Hotch/Rossi family time with the "little man" that all of you will love! I have to be honest. As much as I have learned how to write H/R from my mentor, it's putting "our boy" into the mix and giving all of you a family that makes me the happiest. I hope you enjoy the conclusion. And be aware! This happy family may pop up again!

On behalf of my mentor and co-author Thn (and I feel like a smuck talking for her but darn if that co-author biz is really cool!) and myself, thank you to all for the reviews! They are greatly appreciated!

And Thn…. *Rockie wipes tears from her eyes*

Chapter 3

After the most blissful sleep he had in a long while, Dave woke to hear Mudgie jumping off of Jack's bed. While he had always suspected that Mudg had snuck up there after he and Aaron had turned in, he now had proof. As he glanced at the clock on the bed stand, he tried to figure out if he should punish Mudg, or let it go. Just then he heard Mudg head for Jack's door and then Jack whimper. He could hear Mudg walk back over to Jack's bed. Before he could bolt out of bed, he heard their son's little feet hit the floor.

The clock read 5:32 as he heard the door creak open. Thank God, Dave thought that he had got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and was clear-headed enough to put on a pair of boxers. And Aaron must have done the same and then snuggled to his back. He could feel his boxers as well. "Papa?" the small voice came.

Dave opened both eyes to see their son standing in the doorway, Mudgie at his side. And then he noticed the tears. "Jack," Dave choked out, as Jack inched towards the bed. "What's the matter son?" This was the first time he had seen his son with tears. Jack had inherited many traits from his father, resiliency being one of them. But obviously, the little boy in him had trumped the toughness.

"Papa, I miss daddy," Jack stated, as the tears began in earnest. He came closer to the bed. "I know when you and daddy's door is closed I'm 'posed to knock…."

Dave felt a tear of his own forming in his eye. "Son, it's okay. I've missed Daddy too," Dave quietly said. He opened the sheet and comforter, inviting Jack in and hoping between the darkness of pre-dawn and the comforter, Jack would not notice Aaron. He knew if Jack saw Aaron, none of them would be getting anymore sleep. Jack closed the gap in a heartbeat, jumped in and curled up against Dave's chest with his little back. Dave put his arm around his son, and Jack grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"Papa, it's just that I missed talking to daddy yesterday. Aunt Jess said he was busy. And you were too. And Mudgie kept telling me that it would be okay if I came in just this once," Jack whispered. Dave looked at his old hunting partner and swore he could have seen a smile on the now graying muzzle.

Dave kissed the back of his son's head. "Mudgie was right. You can always listen to him Jack." He kissed him again. "But chapiono, you need to go back to sleep. Even though you don't have school today, it's too early for you to be up." Mudg had already rotated around his usual three times and settled on the carpet next to the bed. "See Mudg even knows it's too early," Dave whispered. Jack snuggled closer, yawned and quickly fell back to sleep as Dave stroked his hair. He lasted twenty seconds longer.

The next thing Dave woke to were two little ice cubes of feet snuggling up against his thighs, trying to get warm. If Aaron had not been sleeping so soundly, which he badly needed, Dave would have let go of very Italian curse word he knew. Yet, as quickly as his body tensed, it relaxed as well. 'He still doesn't notice Aaron. Could this be any more perfect,' he thought to himself. Then Dave realized Aaron was sleeping on his stomach, with his hand on Dave's back.

A few minutes later, Dave felt Jack roll on his back and a small hand rubbed his goatee. "Papa, you still sleepin'?"

"I was until two cold feet snuggled back up to me," Dave growled, albeit lovingly. Jack smirked. "How did your feet get so cold?" He could fell Aaron stirring against him.

"I let Mudg out and then feed him his breakfast," Jack proudly stated.

"Jack, what about the alarm system?"

"Rosa is already here," his son flatly stated, referring to the special woman that Dave had hired years ago to do the house cleaning.

Dave glanced at the clock. It read 8:40. About that time, Mudg re-entered the room, letting out a loud burp as he digested the final portion of his breakfast. Jack giggled as Dave bit his tongue again. He and Aaron already had many "discussions" about his vocabulary around Jack. "Mudgie," Jack corrected, "Say 'cuse me." Mudg let out a small bark. Dave stifled a laugh and he could feel Aaron shaking with mirth, as he moved to lay behind Dave's back.

Dave felt Aaron's hand slide up his chest, gently rubbing between his nipples. His hand settled there for a minute. Dave, knowing his lover, read the signs exactly. 'Thanks for last night. Now it's my time with our son,' it said.

Aaron's hand left Dave chest and reached over to tickle Jack's stomach. As Jack giggled loudly he said, "Papa…"

Dave raised both hands to Jack. "It's not me chapiono."

Aaron proceeded with an all-out attack. Jack roared with laughter as Dave rolled on his back to revel Aaron to their son.

"Daddy!" Jack shouted. He literally hurled himself across Dave's chest to get at Aaron. As Mudg barked wildly, Aaron ensconced their son in a large bear hug.

"Hey buddy, I missed you so much," Aaron said as he held Jack tightly to his chest. As keyed up as Jack was at the moment, he could read his father's body language. Aaron needed his son close and Jack simply laid on his chest. Dave rolled over to enjoy the sight, and rubbed Jack's back as Aaron held him tight.

Mudg jumped up on the foot of the bed and stood with his tail wagging. Dave glared at him. Mudg glared back. "I'm part of this family too, dammit, so back off," his stance said. Dave couldn't help but laugh. He could have sworn the dog smirked at him as he laid down.

It was nearly ten minutes later, when Jack leaned up against Aaron's chest and rubbed his beard. "Daddy, I love you and I missed you. But you promised. It's really got to go." Jack's stomach growled.

"But now buddy, you have to make a choice."

"What's that Daddy?"

"Do you help me shave first? Or do Papa and I make pancakes and sausages and then I shave?"

"Let's eat first! I'm starving!" The three of them rolled out of bed as Mudg jumped off.

Aaron gave Jack another hug and set him on the floor. "You go get your bed made and you're clothes on while Papa and I get dressed." He gave Jack a soft, playful swat on his bottom and Jack raced into his bedroom laughing, Mudg following closely behind.

Dave and Aaron met at the foot of the bed. They kissed, and as they hugged, Aaron whispered in his ear, "Last night was amazing." Dave kissed his cheek and pulled out of the hug.

"Let's get some breakfast started," Dave said as he caressed Aaron's chin. "You've got a big project to get done."

"Are you starting again?"

"No, just merely reminding you of a promise you made," Dave smiled. "You heard our son." Aaron stroked his hand across Dave's cheek.

"Speaking of shaving?"

"Get the pancake batter going and the skillet warm so I can cook the sausage. I'll be down in fifteen."

While Dave quickly showered and shaved, Aaron dressed and went downstairs to start breakfast with Jack.

Aaron and Dave were clearing the dishes as Jack went into the den to watch Dora the Explorer. They made small talk as Dave caught Aaron up on what happened in the office and other things while he was gone. Aaron's cell phone buzzed in his jeans pocket. He pulled it out, looked at the caller ID and rolled his eyes at Dave as he answered. "Good morning Chief Strauss." That was about all Aaron got into the conversation for the next ten minutes.

Finally, Aaron said, "I understand ma'am. Let me know when the committee will need me." He listened for a few more seconds, and added "Yes ma'am." Two seconds later, he ended the call.

"What does Strauss want now?" Dave asked.

"In a sentence," Aaron started, and then stopped to see where Jack was. Lowering his voice, "The team's collective asses. Seems some chairman of a Senate finance sub-committee has got his underwear in a bundle. Until we all testify in front of the committee to 'explain' what we did for Emily and Declan, we're all suspended."

"All of us? Including Garcia?" Aaron nodded. "How long?"

"I don't know, Dave. How fast does a Senate sub-committee work?"

"Do you have to notify the rest of the team?"

"No, Strauss is taking that pleasure herself." Aaron thought for a minute. "But maybe I should call Emily, just to give her a heads up. I don't want her thinking this is her fault."

"Good idea."

"Mind finishing the rest of the dishes while I use your study?" Aaron said nodding at Jack. He had never told Jack about Emily's "death". He didn't want to bring back those ugly memories of his own mother's.

"Go ahead," Dave said softly. "I've got this." A minute later, Jack zoomed into the kitchen.

"Papa, how come you and Daddy aren't at work?"

"We've got the day off. So we can spend it with someone special. I wonder who that might be?"

"Me," Jack said proudly as he pointed to his chest. Mudg barked his approval. "But where's Daddy?"

"He had to make a special phone call son. He's in my study."

"Oh," Jack said dejectedly.

"What's the matter chapiono?"

"I thought we were going to shave together after Dora was over. Papa, he looks like a bear."

"Don't worry chapiono. I'll make sure dad keeps his promise," Dave said smiling. The afterglow of their "make-up" session after their argument still warmed his blood. As Dave put the frying pan away, having laid the dish cloth on the counter, Jack picked it up and placed it over the oven door handle. Dave beamed at him.

"What Papa? I like watching you in the kitchen," Jack smiled. Dave reached down and gave Jack a kiss on the forehead.

"Daddy will be done soon. Why don't you watch a little of Diego until he gets back." Jack returned to the den. Soon Aaron re-appeared.

"I've been thinking. Since we're off for a while, can Jack miss one day of school? Aaron, don't get me wrong. I have full buy in on our son's education. But one day can't hurt."

"What'd you have in mind?"

"Let's go to the cabin for an extended weekend." Aaron smiled broadly. "But first you have a promise to keep."

"Again, Dave?"

Rossi held his hands up in the air like Morgan had leveled his Glock at him. "It's not me this time. I swear. Jack was just in here hammering me over the head."

Aaron chuckled. "He can be one minded, can't he?"

"Like his dad."

Aaron shook his head. "I think this one is on his papa," he said with a soft smile. "Hey Jack!" he shouted. "I thought we were shaving?"

Jack raced into the kitchen shouting, "Yes, yes, yes!" his fists pumping in the air. Aaron grabbed him into a bear hug.

"This is my last chance," as he gave Jack a whisker rub. Jack started a belly laugh that soon became contagious as the two of them went up the steps. Dave laughed along as he lingered in the kitchen, wanting Aaron and Jack to have their time together. Mudg let out a small bark to him.

"Yeah, I know. I'm getting soft in my old age." Mudg wagged his tail and sped up the steps.

When Dave finally ascended the stairs and went into their bedroom, he heard Jack. "Daddy, can I do one more? Pleasssse?" Dave walked in the bathroom to find Aaron bleeding from two nicks on his neck, as Aaron handed their son the razor while Jack was sitting on the bathroom counter. He rolled his eyes in the mirror at Dave. Dave could hardly hold back the laughter that was building.

Jack grabbed the razor and made another pass at Aaron's neck. This time Jack managed to not cut him. He rinsed the razor out under the running water, just like his dad as he looked at the hair coming off. "That's gross," he commented. Dave all most laughed out loud. "Hey dad, can I do the part above you lip?"

"No," he and Dave answered simultaneously.

"Why not?" Jack pouted.

"Jack, there are parts of shaving that take a soft touch. When you start shaving, you'll understand," Aaron said as he took a finger full of shaving cream and swiped it across Jack's nose.

Jack giggled. "When's that, Daddy?"

Dave muttered under his breath. "Have fun with that one."

Aaron gave Dave the infamous Hotch glare in the mirror. Looking at Jack as he shaved his neck where his Adam's apple was and moved to his chin line, "When you're in high school buddy."

"That long, Dad?"

"Sorry buddy, yes." Aaron continued shaving, Jack raptly watching every move. After Aaron made each swipe to remove his beard, he handed the razor to Jack to let him rinse it out.

As Jack handed the razor back to his dad and Aaron finished shaving, Dave said, "Hey chapiono! How does a weekend at the cabin sound?"

Jack face lit up as he answered. "Really, Papa?" Dave grabbed him off the counter as Aaron rinsed his face.

"Dad's almost done. Why don't you go in your room, grab your backpack and put in there what games and books you want to take to the cabin? Dad and I will be in a few minutes to get your clothes packed." He set Jack on the floor.

"Hey Mudg! We're going to the cabin!" Jack exclaimed as they both ran to his room.

Epilogue

Dave sat at the end of the couch in front of the fireplace at the cabin. The fire gently lit the room and its soft glow warmed the air. With his legs up on the coffee table, angled towards the TV, he held Aaron in his arms, who also had his legs stretched out on the table. He was holding Jack sitting in his lap, who laid against his dad's chest. The three of them were watching Toy Story 3. Dave rubbed his left hand on Aaron's chest and then Jack's head.

Aaron looked at Dave. "Have I told you lately how much you mean to me? And how much I value you in Jack's life? I love you."

Dave eyes filled with tears. "I love you both very much. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

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