AN: Very short filler chapter here. I wanted to post something tonight in order to wish everyone a Happy Easter. Hope everyone gets lots of good things in their baskets, and that they enjoy their Easter Dinner.
Also, be sure to visit my profile, where I have a new poll up which is waiting for votes. Please check it out if you have the time. Once again, Happy Easter to all.
Two days later, Benny and Alvin swung by the apartment complex where the Cohen family lived, en route to the LaGuardia airport. They were immediately met by Mark and Emily, who were waiting outside with Rodolfo, Zack and Kris. While Zoey was also there, it was only to say goodbye to her friends. She wasn't able to go with them to San Diego because she and her grandparents were spending Christmas break on vacation in Miami and wouldn't be back before the New Year, but the five friends had promised each other that they'd call one another every day in order to stay in touch.
"We were starting to think you'd never show up," Rodolfo commented as Alvin stepped out of his father's Range Rover, picking up his red duffel bag to load it in the back as he spoke.
"Sorry, Rodolfo," Alvin grinned. "But Dad was still reluctant to leave Mom when she was sick, even though Penny told him repeatedly she'd look after her until she was better."
"Benny, don't worry about it," Mark assured his friend. "Penny will take good care of Allison. And I'm sure the girls will stop by from time to time to keep her company."
"Of course we will," Emily agreed. "In fact, I was talking to Joanne last night, and she said she was going to bring her some lunch during her day off today.
"So I'm afraid you have no excuse to not make sure Rodolfo and Zack stay safe in San Diego. I swear, Benjamin Coffin, if anything happens to them when they're away with you…."
"Emily, relax," Benny laughed. "I promise I'll make sure they don't get into any trouble."
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," Mark chuckled. "Knowing the boys, and how they are with Alvin and Kris, they're bound to get into a little trouble. Just make sure they don't get into too much of it."
As Mark and Emily continued speaking with Benny, the Boho Kids loaded their bags into the back of the Range Rover, with the exception of Zack, who was in the middle of saying goodbye to Zoey.
"Be sure to have fun in Florida, Zoey," Zack requested. "And take lots of pictures to share with us when you come back after New Years."
"I will," Zoey replied, tucking a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear, "just as long as you do the same. I'm going to miss you, Zack."
"Yeah, me too." Smiling widely, Zack and Zoey gave one another a tight hug.
"Come on, Romeo," Rodolfo grinned, lightly shoving Zack's shoulder as he appeared behind the fairly-new couple of two months. "You'll have plenty of time for that when we get back to New York."
"Rodolfo, you're such a guy," Zoey sighed, shaking her head before placing a kiss on Zack's cheek.
"I'll call you when we get to the hotel," Zack promised as Rodolfo and Alvin steered him into the Range Rover.
"See you, Zoey," Kris spoke up, also taking the time to hug Zoey goodbye.
"Likewise," Zoey returned her best friend's hug. "Keep them out of trouble, Kris."
"Don't worry, I will." With a cheerful wave, Kris joined Zack and Rodolfo in the back seat of the Range Rover, just as Mark and Emily were having a few last minute words with them.
"Remember, you two," Mark instructed. "Just because you and your friends are going away for the week, it's no excuse for you to run completely wild, okay? Listen to what Benny tells you to do, and don't give him a hard time. We'll be checking in on how you two are every day, so we'll know exactly what you're up to."
"And stay safe," Emily added. "The last thing we want to hear is that you four crossed the wrong sort of people over there."
"Mom, we're not going to just step out in the middle of a drug bust or…."
"Sergeant Kurtz told us about your accidental run-in with that man over on Avenue B last September, Zack," Mark cut his son off in mid-sentence.
"Oh," Rodolfo grimaced. "You heard about that, huh?"
"Yes, we did. So please be careful in San Diego. Remember, we don't have close friends in the police department over there."
"Okay, Mom, Dad," Zack assured. "We'll be extra careful."
"Good. In that case, have fun."
Hours later, Benny pulled the airport rental car into the parking lot of the Hotel del Coronado.
"No way!" Rodolfo gaped, taking in the Victorian beach front resort. "This is where we're staying?!"
"I'm guessing this is one of those places that are too good for the mints on the pillow," Kris commented with her usual placid smile.
"I hope you don't mind, Kris," Benny spoke to the teenage girl, "but when I booked the rooms here, I wasn't expecting you, Rodolfo and Zack to be coming along. I don't mind that you did, but…this would mean you'd have to share a room with Rodolfo and Zack."
"Oh, I don't mind at all, Mr. Coffin," Kris grinned. "I'm used to sharing a room with boys. Back home, my brothers and I all share the same bedroom."
"Well, okay," Benny nodded, still slightly unsure about the idea. "Now, listen up, you four. After we check in and take our bags to our guest rooms, I'm going to have to start on some of my work. So you can take that time to explore the resort on your own. Just don't get into any mischief while you're looking around. That means not touching anything that could be breakable, not having races up and down the hall, and please, I absolutely beg you, if you go down to the pool, do not pretend to drown just to 'liven things up'. Understand?"
"Dad, we're not five-years-old," Alvin rolled his eyes.
"Humor me," Benny instructed, eying his son sternly.
"Okay, sure. We promise," Alvin agreed, catching Benny's tone, with Rodolfo, Zack and Kris all echoing their assurances.
"Besides," Rodolfo whispered as they followed Benny up to the reception desk. "He never said anything about not taking limes from the splash bar for some Mrs. Doubtfire fun."
"Run-by fruiting?" Zack grinned. "You know I'm in."
AN: Who doesn't love Mrs. Doubtfire? Classic film. (Strange thing is, I saw Robin Williams on a talk show not that long ago, and I have to say I didn't find him very funny at all. In fact, I was slightly offended by some of the things he was saying. Not sure if he's gone downhill or if he's only really funny when he's reading from a script. Oh well, never mind.)