A/N: Sometimes in a writer's world you get what is known as a "major brain fart". Since its past Christmas, I got that epiphany.

Once again, I will be straight up with all you readers. This is my verse of Hotch, Rossi and Jack as a happy family. If that's not your cup of tea, please walk away now. But please, please, don't shoot the writer and send me ugly reviews. I warned you in advance. I fully respect your right to not read. Please respect my right to write it. That's all I ask. And for the record, since this is a family story, there is no smut; just an honest relationship.

However, the still lingering Christmas season begs some healing. I'm going there.

Happy B-day my OK Teacher. :D

*Jedi Master bow* Yup, I got promoted. *proudly smiles*

Chapter 1

The team was flying home from a case in Tampa before Christmas. Aaron, Dave, Reid and Tara were in the four top of the BAU jet. Aaron and Lewis were partners in the game of Cribbage. The final game, as the BAU jet was approaching landing was tight. It was the "rubber match" of their third game. Reid and Dave only needed one point to win. Hotch and Tara needed two points.

Reid laid down a card. "Thirty," he smiled, winking at Dave.

Hotch looked at him and played his ace. "Thirty-one," he smiled at Tara, with his own wink.

"God damn you Aaron," Dave said, playing next and showing his ace. "Reid set me up. He knew."

Tara smiled at Reid. Morgan and JJ, sitting together on the long couch across from the four top, pulled off their head phones from their music on their cellphones to catch the rest of the conversation.

Aaron gave his team his rare BAU smile. "Sorry Dave. Sometimes you're the dog and sometimes you're the hydrant."

Tara brightly smiled at Reid. "Guess what you are today?"

Morgan and JJ laughed together. "Why do I think Mother Goose," he said looking at JJ, "paybacks are going to a major bitch," he smiled with a question.

"I don't want to go there," JJ smiled.

Just then, Hotch got a text. He read it. Dave eyed him. "The Director or Cruz Aaron?"

Aaron shook his head. "Neither. It's OK."

The team, being around the couple that had just celebrated their fourth anniversary together, understood the Hotch/Rossi language. We'll talk about it later. Dave eyed Aaron for a second and then let it go.

Reid looked around. "So we have an actual weekend off?"

Aaron softly smiled. "We can only hope. But it looks that way."

"I'll take it," Tara smiled.

-00CM00-

Dave was still in the kitchen of their home when Aaron walked in. He pulled off his winter wool coat and put it on a hanger in the laundry room and walked to the lunch top counter in Dave's kitchen. Dave put a plate of food in the microwave and pulled a beer out of the fridge for Aaron, uncapping it. "You had to work this god damn late? Our son wanted to see you."

Aaron shook his head. "Dave, I told you in my text – I had reports and budget requests to fill out. Welcome to my job as Unit Chief. I'm really sorry about Jack. I hope you smoothed it over."

Dave smiled. "I did; but he needs major downtime with his dad."

"I'm in," Aaron smiled. "And Cruz has the team down unless a major case pops for the rest of the week. But Dave, you know my end of the year crap. It's not only reports, its budget items. I've already got a headache," Aaron frowned. He looked at Dave. "How's Jack?"

"Growing up and starting to understand your end of the year job. He and his buds had a great day with Jessica being here since they had a snow day," Dave smiled. He looked at Aaron. "Honestly," he beamed, "I think Jess and Rosa enjoyed it more. The other boys brought wonderful presents for the two of them," Dave smiled. "In the form of gift cards for the both of them; our two fav ladies made a haul."

Aaron smiled. "And Jess and Rosa didn't match that," he asked, taking a sip from his long neck bottle of beer.

"You know better Aaron," Dave softly smiled. "What was the text about?"

Aaron shook his head. "It was from Sean. He wants to catch up."

Dave looked at him. "You two haven't spoken since when?"

Aaron frowned. "Before Haley died."

"You going to call him," Dave asked, pulling out the plate of beef stroganoff from the microwave and putting it front of Aaron.

Aaron shrugged. "I haven't made up my mind." Dave eyed him. "I've got time to think about it. Sean said he was busy tonight and to call tomorrow afternoon."

"He's your only family Aaron," Dave said.

"And you're how close with yours," Aaron retorted.

"You mean my two staunch Catholic sisters that won't accept a gay brother? And really because I won't give them or their kids more money to blow through? Screw them; I don't need them." Aaron slightly laughed, taking a bite. "Do you think Sean would have a problem with us?"

"In the long run," Aaron said, thinking a bit. "Probably not; he's pretty open minded. He used to tell me about the discussions he and dad had at the dinner table," Aaron smiled.

"This is your step dad right," Dave asked.

Aaron nodded. "But he was more a father to me and Sean than our biological one."

Dave shook his head. "The abuse you took from him Aaron is why you are the wonderful father you are now. And why you are so good at your job with victim's families. You conquered that and it has made you stronger."

Aaron smiled. "Thanks Dave."

"It's your choice Aaron and I'll respect whatever decision you make," Dave said. "But I hope you call Sean. It sounds to me likes he's reaching out."

"I'll think about it," Aaron promised.

Dave smiled. "I'm going to do some writing," he said coming around the lunch counter. He kissed Aaron. "See you in a bit." He moved off towards his den.

Aaron finished his stroganoff, took the plate to the kitchen, rinsed it in the sink and put it in the dishwasher and headed for the steps.

Walking into Jack's room, he smiled at the sleeping boy and kissed his forehead. Jack propped an eye open. "Hi dad," he groggily said. "Missed you."

"I missed you buddy," Aaron said, rubbing his back. "Sorry about tonight."

"I get it dad," he yawned.

Aaron smiled. "Papa told me. I'm glad you and the guys had a good day."

Jack yawned again. "Yeah – we did."

"And you need sleep after that day," Aaron smiled, pulling the blanket a bit more around Jack's neck. "See you in the morning buddy."

"Night dad," Jack barely got out, falling back to sleep. Aaron kissed him again and went into him and Dave's bedroom to change his clothes.

He went back downstairs and headed to the basement to watch some SportsCenter on ESPN. But his mind really wasn't in to it. He finally reached for his phone and sent a text.

I'll call you tomorrow afternoon Sean.

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