Chapter 1

It was Thursday morning.

David Rossi smiled as he pulled into the driveway of Aaron and Beth's home. Aaron already had his SUV in the driveway, parked behind Beth's car, giving a clear path for Dave to pull his SUV into their garage. "You're gonna be here a while my dear," Dave smiled rubbing the dashboard.

He heard Zach's words in his head again. Don't give up your entire AL on us.

Sorry kid, Dave thought as he got out, opening the back door. We all love you two that much. Jack blew into the garage as Mudgie bounded out the back door and Dave grabbed his suitcase.

"Uncle Dave!" Jack said. "Mudg is coming along?!" Jack asked, rubbing down the greying lab.

"I don't take part of my AL without Mudg Champino," Dave smiled as Jack powered into him for a hug. "Besides I think you, Rashad and Miguel need two running companions when you go to the park." Jack had already told Zach that he only wanted to be a batboy one night. The rest of the week the family was staying there, he wanted to spend with his friends.

"Lex will love having him around," Jack smiled, petting Mudg more. Dave looked at him. Jack smiled. "It's a great surprise for Zach and Caleigh Uncle Dave."

Dave winked at him. "That's what I was thinking Champino," Dave smiled. "Can you get my suitcase into dad's car while I let Mudg out?"

"You got it," Jack smiled, wheeling the bag to the open end of his dad's SUV. Dave silently watched as the ever growing Jack had no problem getting his suitcase in. He shook his head at the second Hotchner boy that was growing up too fast and let Mudgie out the back garage door.

Mudg noticed a squirrel in the Hotchner backyard and charged out the door letting out his deep bark. Dave smiled. "Uncle Dave," Jack said coming back into the garage. "What's the grudge Mudg has with squirrels?"

"It's no grudge," Dave smiled. "They're just small and chase-worthy in Mudgie's world." Dave smiled at Jack. "He's a dog."

Jack laughed looking out the door. "Well Mudg is getting his butt kicked right now." The squirrel Mudg had treed was giving him an earful back after getting to a high branch. Jack and Dave went inside the home laughing together.

The two walked into the kitchen. Aaron was there, putting some water bottles into the top of the cooler. "Aaron," Beth yelled from their bedroom. "Is the water shut off to the washing machine?"

"I got it Beth," Aaron said, shaking his head at Dave.

"At least you didn't say 'yes dear'", Dave smiled. "That killed my second marriage." Jack snickered.

"Mudg is coming along?" Aaron asked Dave.

"More workouts for the boys," Dave smiled.

"I'm in dad," Jack smiled. "Miguel will love it. And dad," Jack said.

Aaron smiled. "So will Caleigh and Zach." He looked at Jack. "Are you set?"

Jack smiled. "My suitcase is in on top of Uncle Dave's. And my backpack is already in the back seat."

Beth came into the kitchen, pulling a large suitcase. Dave looked at it. "I think Zach and Caleigh's new home has a washer and dryer," he snarked.

"That's for both of us Dave," Aaron growled. "Help me with this cooler." Dave grabbed one handle on the side as Aaron grabbed the other one. Beth followed them out with the suitcase. "Champino," Dave said, "I forgot Mudg's leash in my car."

"Got it Uncle Dave," Jack said, following the three of them out of the door. He went to backdoor of the garage and whistled for Mudg. Mudgie came flying back into the garage as Jack reached into Dave's SUV to get the leash.

Dave and Aaron got the cooler into the SUV and the suitcase Beth had. Beth looked at Dave. "Mudg?"

Dave smiled. "I think a lot of kids are going to enjoy having him around." He pointed his key fob at his SUV and locked it.

Aaron looked at Dave. "It's going to be in a locked garage."

"A good vehicle needs love," Dave smiled.

"Finally a lady that gets some love," Beth snarked. Dave shot her a look as Jack and Aaron laughed. "What are we missing?" she asked, looking at Aaron "besides my purse, locking up and getting to Atlanta," Beth said, heading back into the house.

Jack opened the back door to the SUV. "Hop in Mudg," he said, putting Mudgie's leash under his dad's seat. Jack's backpack was on the seat in the middle as Mudg plopped down on the floor.

Beth came out the door and set the security alarm. "Let's go," she smiled and looked at Dave. "This time, I'll let you sit up front with Aaron. Jack and I have a new game to play on his tablet."

"It's way cool Uncle Dave," Jack enthused, buckling his seatbelt.

Aaron started his SUV, pushing a button to get the garage door down. "Gastonia, here we come," he smiled.

"What about the Greystones?" Dave asked as Aaron backed out of the driveway.

Beth's cell pinged with a text message. "They're just pulling out as well."

"Tell them we'll meet up with them at the usual first rest stop," Aaron smiled.

Two and half hours later, the group was together at the rest stop. Mudg was happily sitting next to Jack as he and Caleb played catch using their baseball gloves. The adults enjoyed sodas and waters, watching the boys.

Rachel rubbed Dave's back. "Thank you for bringing Mudg along. Zach and Caleigh will love that."

Dave kissed her cheek with a smile. "That's why I did it mom."

Three hours later, Jack and Bub jumped into the pool together as the adults all gathered around with drinks in hand. Rachel smiled at the group. "The pizza order is in."

"And I'm buying," Tom snarled at Dave as Aaron handed Dave another beer while opening his second. "I know you'll buy breakfast Monday morning at Rose's Diner for Zach's birthday."

"That's the plan," Dave smiled. "Provided your daughter, his wife, can get his birthday butt out of bed with the flight home from LA."

Tom looked at Dave. "Trust us Tom," Aaron smiled, taking a drink of his second beer. "That is a kick your ass trip."

"Caleigh already told me," Rachel said, shaking her head, "she doesn't expect to hear Zach snoring next to her much before three Monday morning even with an afternoon game."

"Tough shit," Dave said. "Zach can sleep on the plane and has a day off. He can nap later." Aaron looked at Dave. "Aaron," Dave smiled. "I know how much my boy loves all things breakfast."

Aaron looked at Tom. "Which means you and I are grilling his birthday dinner," he smiled.

"Chicken," Tom smiled. "I can hang with you."

Aaron smiled. "We rock and roll."

"What about dinner tomorrow night when we get there?" Rachel asked.

Beth smiled. "There are two neighborhood boys that can't wait for Jack to get there." Beth deeply smiled more. "Their parents have full buy-in. We're eating good in the neighborhood," Beth smiled. Aaron looked at her. "Ribs and cheesy potatoes." Aaron looked at her again. "What Aaron? Caleigh and I talk. And she talks to Mo and Alec. They can't wait to have us there."

"I like that report," Dave smiled.

"We can't wait to meet them in person," Rachel said. "Caleigh has said multiple times how wonderfully they've supported her."

Mudg went to the side of the pool as Bub swam up. Mudg barked at him wagging his tail. "Mudgie," Dave commanded, "you stay out of that water." Mudg sat down.

Caleb petted him. "Does he duck hunt any more Dave?"

Dave shook his head. "John, my duck hunting partner has a four year old Lab. Jake does the retrieving. Mudg just rides along. He's too old to swim after ducks."

"But he's not too old to sleep with me tonight," Jack smiled, swimming up to the pool apron. Mudg loudly barked at him standing up, wagging his tail. Jack looked at Dave. "In your room, he's sleeping on the floor. In our room, he's sleeping with me."

"I paid the security deposit for my room only," Dave said.

Aaron smiled. "Dave, do you think the staff really watches the security cams?" The group all smiled.

"What's the plan for later tonight and tomorrow?" Caleb asked.

Tom looked at Aaron and Dave. "The way I see it, based on what I've heard," Dave said, "is we don't have beds to sleep in tomorrow night unless we put the frames together."

"So early night," Beth said, "with early get out in the morning."

"Only one scotch for me tonight," Dave smiled.

Rachel broadly smiled. "I think we all want to get there ASAP."

"With one detour," Dave commanded. "I'm buying breakfast early tomorrow morning at the green sign."

Caleb looked at Jack. "The Perkins down the road," Jack smiled.

"I can live with that," Caleb smiled, high fiving Jack.

"But I can't," Aaron said. "Tom and I got that. You're buying Zach's birthday breakfast."

Dave smiled. "I'll give in."

Jack looked at his dad and Beth. "No Star Wars movies tonight on the hotel cable channel," he smiled at them.

Tom looked at Aaron. "When we went down to Atlanta for Zach's birthday just after he and Caleigh met," Aaron smiled. Tom nodded his head with a smile, remembering the time, "we stayed at another Best Western battling the severe weather coming back. Jack and I watched Revenge of the Jedi together while Beth conked and Zach snored." The Greystones all smiled.

-00CM00-

Friday, just before eleven in the morning, Aaron made the right turn onto Pleasant Avenue. Jack excitedly pointed to the right at Dave in the backseat with him. "Holy Heck Uncle Dave! Look at the progress Mike and his crew are making on Andy and Vic's house." As Aaron drove by with them all looking, the construction crew pushed up another stud wall for the house. "That's too cool," Jack smiled.

Beth looked at Aaron. "I'm glad they are going to be closer."

"You and me both," Aaron smiled, taking the left turn onto Delta Queen Road. They all got the first look at the Zach and Caleigh's new home.

"Holy hell kid," Dave muttered. "You did it right."

"Wow," was all Jack got out. Aaron looked at Beth with a smile and pulled into the driveway. Tom pulled in next to Aaron.

Caleigh came out the front door, wearing a t-shirt, shorts and slides; sporting a baby bump. Jack smiled at Dave. "Do it Champino," Dave smiled.

Jack opened his door. "Go Mudg," he smiled, unbuckling his seat belt. The elderly lab bounded up the sidewalk to his dear friend.

"Mudgie!" Caleigh smiled, welcoming the family's canine elder statesman into her arms.

Mudgie melted into her arms as Caleigh sat down on the step of her and Zach's new home rubbing down the beloved pet.

The two families got out of their cars to Mudg putting his head on Caleigh's shoulder. Caleigh hugged Mudg. Caleb rubbed Dave's shoulder. "You do have your moments Dave," Bub smiled at him. "Good call."

"Thanks kid," Dave smiled; rubbing Bub's back, looking at Caleigh with Mudg.

Jack looked at the scene. "You are good Uncle Dave," he smiled.

"Thanks Champino," Dave softly smiled.

###

A/N: Did I forget a tissue box alert? You know where they are.

Yeah, Uncle Dave is that good in this verse. But fret not; Mudg will live to make the ride back home to Virginia. I've done that twice killing off Mudg in other OC stories. I'm not going for the trifecta. Y'all have kicked my butt about that too much.

And I still luvs ya.