Chapter 4
Zach and Pete sat together on the flight to Omaha the next day. They were both listening to music on their iPods. Pete pulled his buds out of his ears and elbowed Zach with his headphones on. Zach paused his music and then pulled his headphones down around his neck. "You OK," Pete asked.
Zach slightly smiled with a shake of his head. "I guess I'm still reeling a bit from everything yesterday."
Pete looked at him. "Do I need to kick your ass to get your head into what we're facing?"
Zach eyed Pete. "I'll be ready to answer the bell on Sunday."
"Just checking Cob," Pete smiled, sitting in the aisle seat with no one in between. "I'd have been intimated as hell with what you went through."
"I'm OK Stan," Zach smiled, starting to pull his headphones back up. "Thanks Pete," he beamed. They shared a fist bump returning to their music. Zach, looking out the plane's window, smiled. The bond of a truest friend; my brother in arms, he thought.
-00CM00-
Sean took the early morning Acela out of Penn Station to get to DC Saturday morning. Aaron met him at the Huntington Station. "Hi Sean," he smiled, extending his hand.
Sean grabbed it and gave it a tight squeeze. "Hi Aaron; good to see you again," he smiled. They shared a hug. "Where's Jack?"
Aaron smiled. "He's in Dave's limo with Beth, Caleigh and Lisa, Pete's fiancé."
"Limo Aaron?"
"We're riding in style to Reagan compliments of Dave," Aaron said, shaking his head a bit.
Sean smiled. "Aaron, you need to relax and accept a few things. Dave loves your sons. I have no doubt he's just as excited about going to Omaha as you are."
"Sean, he's spending more money on my family."
Sean grabbed his arm. "You're upset about that? Rumor has it he's got money to burn. And he loves all of you. What's the problem Aaron? Let Dave be Dave. God knows he was there for you all when you needed him."
"So were you." They walked a few steps in silence. Aaron looked at Sean. "Thanks for the butt kicking little brother," he smiled. "I just don't want Dave to think we're mooching off him."
Sean rubbed his shoulder, walking out the door, pulling his bag. "That's the last thing Dave thinks Aaron; trust me," he smiled. "We're his family." Aaron smiled back at his brother.
-00CM00-
Their flight from Reagan to O'Hare in Chicago was uneventful. Dave, as always, had a seat in first class. The others were in economy. Sean sat with Aaron and Beth, catching up with the both of them as the young ladies and Jack sat across the aisle from them. Caleigh and Lisa kept Jack entertained with his DVD player and word find puzzles.
Since Omaha wasn't the biggest destination, far less airport in the US, there were only two flights daily from O'Hare. By the time the jet boarded to Omaha, it was mostly a sea of Patriot fans, wearing their allegiance with shirts and baseball caps.
With their luggage gathered, they walked out of the airport at Epprey Field and got onto the shuttle for the rental car that Aaron had reserved. He eyed Dave. "You are not paying for this."
Dave smiled. "I have no problem with that Aaron."
When they got to their hotel, they checked into their rooms. Of course, Dave had a suite. What the young ladies of the group didn't expect, saving money all year with their part time jobs in case the team made it to the World Series, was him having them in the other room of his suite. Aaron and Beth had a room across the hall; their adjoining room was for Sean and Jack, which Sean paid for.
"Uncle Dave," Caleigh bristled. She opened her mouth to argue more.
"Caleigh, I love you," Dave smiled. "You two are college kids; Lisa, you're about to get married. I'm just glad I got my invitation," he said, giving her the patented Rossi point. "Don't argue with me," he smiled.
Caleigh looked at Aaron. "I got my butt kicked by Sean in DC with the same thing. You can't argue with him." He smiled. "Enjoy it."
They all were up early the next morning, meeting in the hotel lobby for breakfast. Jack and Sean were already chowing down. Dave, now used to the breakfast fare hotels offered, didn't grouse about the meal. An hour later, they headed to the TC Ameritrade Park for the Patriots first game Sunday morning against TCU.
Jack, holding Beth's hand looked at her. "Why does my stomach feel goofy?"
"It's probably some butterflies before the game Jack," she smiled. "And maybe that huge breakfast you and Uncle Sean devoured."
Jack noticed a men's bathroom. "Beth," he said, nodding.
Dave smiled. "I've got him; I've got to do the same job."
"Thanks for that picture Dave," Sean needled. Caleigh and Lisa looked at each other with smiles.
The Patriots buzzed through the Horned Frogs of TCU in the first game in a romp, winning 14-2. Zach and Pete both homered in the game. Throughout the whole tournament, they had been on fire batting.
Monday afternoon, in the play back game, TCU was sent home with a 7-1 victory by GM. Coach Taylor looked at his team in the lockerroom. "Great game men; you have the rest of the day off. Enjoy tonight with your families," he smiled. "We don't have a game tomorrow but practice is at two in the afternoon. So don't drink a boatload," he smiled. "Team curfew is at midnight tonight. There will be a bed check," he warned.
Across the street from the Patriot team hotel was the Omaha Steak House. The group walked in to see Zach and Pete seated at the bar in the open area restaurant, drinking a cold bottle of beer. Jack flew at Zach. Zach got off his barstool to take his brother's hug. "Hey JP," he smiled. Pete got off his stool as well and kissed Lisa.
Zach looked at his dad. "They've got our table all ready," he smiled, grabbing his beer, giving Caleigh a kiss. The hostess led them to their table. Aaron stopped Zach. "Did you give them the heads up?"
Zach smiled. "Yes dad; we've got their senior server and she knows how to split the dinner tabs," he winked.
"Thanks Zach," Aaron smiled. "Great game by the way," he said, rubbing Zach's shoulder.
"Thanks dad," Zach smiled.
They had a wonderful time together and an even better amazing meal. Delane, their server came up to the table when they were finished. "It's been a pleasure serving you," she said with a huge smile. "You're a fun group; please come back and see me again." She rubbed Zach and Pete's shoulders. "Best of luck through the rest of the tournament guys."
They both smiled and offered their thanks. Delane handed out the bills. Caleigh grabbed her and Zach's. Lisa did the same with her and Pete's. Dave glared at the guys. "You're going to let the ladies pay? Have I not taught you two anything?"
Pete looked at him. "You're paying for their hotel room." Zach gave Dave the patented Rossi point.
Caleigh glared back. "We've saved our money; you are not paying for everything."
Zach smiled at Dave. "Care to argue with her or me," he asked, pulling out his wallet to give Delane a cash tip.
"Or me," Pete asked, flexing his large chest and arm muscles.
Jack laughed along with Sean. "He's so totally busted."
"Yup Jack, he is," Sean smiled, rubbing Jack's back.
Delane handed another to Aaron, one to Sean and finally one to Dave, looking him in the eye. "I had specific orders that the drink and appetizer tab only was on you; and I don't argue with two strapping baseball players that are a helluva a lot younger than you," she smiled. "And bigger," she smiled more.
"What about my dinner," Dave questioned.
Sean handed Delane his tab with his bank card. "All over that Uncle Dave," he smiled. Dave glared at him. "You wanna argue with me," he asked, pointing at Zach and Pete. "That's my posse and there's a big damn parking lot outside. I've got a fifty in my wallet that says they can take your ass." Beth and Jack laughed.
"Dave, go to your corner and throw in the towel," Aaron smiled.
Delane smiled at Dave taking his credit card. "Wise advice," she smiled.
"You too," Dave questioned. Delane laughed and walked off.
The tabs all paid, they got up from the table. "Who wants an after dinner drink," Dave asked.
Jack deeply yawned. "That leaves the three of us out," Beth smiled.
"I'm not twenty-one," Lisa said.
"Neither am I," Caleigh added. Dave eyed the boys.
"After that meal, I couldn't get a beer down to save my soul," Zach said.
"But a little fine Canadian whiskey might slide through the cracks," Dave smiled. Zach and Aaron eyed him. "What? This is the first time I get to buy you a drink, bellied up to the bar with you."
"One," Zach said, raising a finger. "We've got practice tomorrow and with the heat moving in, I won't to do that sweating out a bunch of alcohol."
"I'll join ya but with the same motto," Pete smiled.
Sean smiled at Aaron. "I'll stay, chaperone and get the old man into a taxi," he winked. "Plus, I wouldn't mind having some bar action with my nephew as well," he smiled.
"Thanks Sean," Aaron smiled.
Sean pulled Jack into a hug. "Good night roomie," he smiled. "Love ya."
"Good night Uncle Sean," Jack yawned. "Have fun." Jack gave Dave a hug as well and shared good nights with him as well. He and Pete shared the homerun handshake.
"Good night bud," Pete said, rubbing his shoulder.
Zach knelt down into his catcher's crouch and Jack powered into for hug, putting his arms around his neck. "We'll get together tomorrow after practice," he smiled.
"OK Zach," Jack yawned. "Love you," he said, putting his arms around Zach's neck again.
Zach rubbed his back, holding him close. "Good night bro; see ya tomorrow. Love you too."
The two boys walked out into the parking lot to say good night to their ladies as Sean and Dave headed for the bar.
-00CM00-
An hour and half later, Sean quietly walked into his hotel room. He smiled at Jack soundly sleeping and noticed that the door between the rooms was still slightly open with the light on in Aaron and Beth's room. He softly knocked on the door, pushing it open.
As he entered, Aaron looked at his watch. "Relax Aaron," he smiled. "You know Dave; one turned into three; four for him. But the boys cut it off after that; they are dedicated." Aaron nodded with a small smile. "Dave hit a liquor store on the way back to get some scotch," he smiled.
"We stopped on the way back and got something for the girls," Beth smiled. "They were going to watch a movie and have girls' night."
"I'm sure Dave is on the veranda outside his room, smoking a cigar with some fine scotch on the rocks," Aaron smiled.
Sean pointed at him. "He said that was the plan," he smiled.
-00CM00-
The six of them walked off the elevator the next afternoon when Aaron's cellphone rang. Aaron smiled at the caller ID and answered. "Hey; what's going on?"
"We're done with practice and we're free until ten. We all hit the pool for a while. I'm showered and Pete is just finishing up. What's for dinner," Zach asked.
"The heat finally got to all of us as well. But it burned off Dave's hangover." Zach laughed as Dave glared at him. "Jack wants pizza," Aaron said.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Zach said. "But dad, make it delivery; with Uncle Dave's suite, we'd just like some quiet down time before tomorrow's game."
"Do you want me to come and get you?"
"No dad, we'll grab a taxi," Zach said.
"Have the driver stop some place to get some beer," Aaron said.
"And milk," Beth added.
"You hear that Zach?"
"All over it dad; what's Uncle Dave's room number? We'll be there in an hour."
True to his word, Zach and Pete loudly knocked on Dave's door. "About time," Dave said, pulling the door open. Pete walked in with a case of Miller Lite and Zach carrying a gallon of milk. The rest were all there.
Pete looked around the suite, moving to the kitchenette to put the beer in the fridge there. "This is too rich for me," he said, putting in the bottles.
Zach laughed. "This is below Uncle Dave's usual Marriott standards Stan; you should have seen the suite we had in LA."
"It is Omaha," Dave smiled at them, walking into the kitchenette. "Hand me four of those bottles." Pete complied. Dave walked into the living room of the suite, handing two to Aaron and Sean. The third he uncapped and handed to Beth.
"Such a gentleman," she smiled, accepting it. Dave took the top off his own and took a drink.
Zach and Pete walked out of the kitchenette, uncapping a bottle for Caleigh and Lisa, handing the bottles to them, pulling them close, uncapping their own. Zach eyed his dad. "The pizzas," he questioned.
"Ordered and on their way," Aaron smiled.
They all enjoyed a quiet evening together.
###
A/N: Thank you all again for the alerts and reviews!