Chapter 9

Aaron and Beth were in the kitchenette having a cup of coffee when they heard Zach starting the shower. Jack rolled in about five minutes later. "I'm hungry," he said giving them both a hug.

"I noticed they have a complimentary continental breakfast in the lobby," Beth said.

"The boys will need real food and after baseball food last night, I could use that as well," Hotch smiled.

"The hotel has a couple of restaurants," Beth smiled.

Zach walked into the living room in his athletic shorts and bare chested, still unshaven. He picked up the phone, pressing a button. "Hello, this Zach Hotchner in room 1014. I'm Aaron Hotchner's son." He listened for a second. "My family is looking for a nearby place for a good breakfast, reasonably priced." He listened for a few seconds more and smiled. "Perfect; thank you for your help." He listened a bit more. "Thanks again. Good-bye."

He looked at his dad and Beth staring at him. They got the Zach megawatt smiled. "I've travelled with Uncle Dave," giving them his mischievous smile and looked at Jack. "Let's get mounted up bro." Jack raced after him in his pajamas.

Zach got him chased into the shower, since he didn't have one last night. While he finished shaving, Aaron helped Jack get his hair washed. Fifteen minutes later, the boys walked into the living room, ready to go.

Beth smiled. "Hey handsomes; dad will be ready in a minute." The boys looked at each other with a smile, knowing their dad's routine.

"Don't light a match," Jack giggled. He and Zach shared a high five as Beth shook her head with a laugh. Ten minutes later, the four of them walked out of the hotel, with Zach taking a right.

"Zach, where are we going," Aaron asked.

He smiled. "The Kozy Korner." They went around the corner to the right and walked one block. Zach noticed the traffic light starting to change and nodded at all of them to cross to the other side of the street with the light.

Once over on the other side, they walked another two blocks and then stood on the corner, waiting for another traffic light to signal they could safely cross the street. Aaron nodded at Beth as they waited, with Zach holding Jack's hand. The Kozy Korner Café was in front of them. The light turned and they safely crossed. Zach reached for the door and held it open for the rest of them to enter. Beth pulled Jack in front of her and got him in first.

A server blew by them, with a smile. "Find a place to sit down; someone will be with y'all shortly." The restaurant was busy yet Beth spotted an open booth and herded Jack towards it. Jack happily slid into one side with Hotch gently touching Beth's hip to get her to the other. He slid in with her as Zach sat down with Jack.

Less than minute later, a server walked to them with a tray of a coffee decanter and three cups. "Good mornin' folks. I'm Jessie," she drawled with her southern accent. "How many do we need?" she smiled.

"Two," Hotch smiled back, pointing to him and Beth. She set the coffee cups in front of them and poured for them.

Looking at Jack, she said, "Hey small handsome; what can I get you?"

Jack blushed a bit, which Beth smiled at. "Some juice please."

"Orange, apple or cranberry and small, medium or large?"

"Orange please," he smiled, "and…."

"Medium please," Aaron added.

Handing out menus, she lightly hit Zach on the bicep before setting his menu down in front of him. "Your manners that good handsome?"

"Yes ma'am. And I'll have a large apple juice," he smiled. Another server isn't going to get the best of me Uncle Dave he thought to himself.

"Be right back," Joanie smiled. They all opened their menus, with Beth helping Jack find the kid's menu. Zach helped him read what he couldn't understand. It wasn't much.

A smile light up Jack's face. "They have chocolate chip pancakes."

Aaron smiled at him. "There ya go buddy." He looked at Zach. "You've learned a thing or two from Dave," he smiled. "Great call; thanks."

Zach smiled back at him. "And you haven't dad?" He winked at Beth. She laughed at them both. Jessie came up to the booth with the juices for the boys. "Y'all ready to order?"

"I am," Zach smiled at her, taking a huge gulp of his apple juice.

"Jack?" Aaron smiled. Jack placed his order.

"Jessie, I hope you have a cow out back," Aaron smiled. "He'll take a medium milk with that; two percent please." Jessie smiled.

"I can't turn down that ham and cheese omelet," Zach smiled. "With wheat toast please."

"Grits or hashbrowns?"

Zach shook his head. "Hashbrowns please and a large skim milk." Jessie smiled at Aaron.

"I get the cow joke now; good for them. Ma'am," she asked, looking at Beth. She placed her order and as did Aaron.

Zach pulled out his cell phone. Jack rolled his eyes. "He's calling Caleigh," he said, shaking his head. Beth smiled at Aaron.

"No bro, I'm checking the weather around here. It doesn't look the best," he said to his dad, showing him his phone.

"Did you want to do the tourist stuff Zach?"

"Not really dad; a day in the pool and hot tub works for me," he smiled. "That drive yesterday kicked my butt." Jack shook his head with full buy in.

Aaron smiled. "I could really use that as well."

"Guess we have a plan for the day," Beth smiled. Ten minutes later, Jessie showed up with their order. The food was wonderfully home cooked and they all enjoyed their meals.

Jack finished his pancakes as Jessie approached the table. "I'm stuffed," he smiled. "That was great. Dad, when do I get to travel with Uncle Dave?" Zach choked back his laughter, polishing off his last bite of toast, looking at his dad and Beth with his challenging smile.

"When you get Zach's age," Aaron said. Jessie laughed at their conversation, clearing plates and setting the tab down. As she walked away, Aaron looked at it. He shook his head.

"Aaron," Beth asked.

"The way the boys ate; all of us actually and the drinks?" He shook his head. "It's still under thirty five dollars."

As Aaron reached for his bank card from his wallet, Zach reached for his and handed his dad a ten dollar bill, smiling. "I've got the tip." Aaron looked at him. "That's on me; not Uncle Dave," he smiled. Aaron took it, knowing that Zach was using the money that Aaron still paid him every month for taking care of Jack. Beth proudly smiled at Zach.

"I think we'll be back here tomorrow morning," Beth smiled. Zach pointed at her, matching her smile. They left ten minutes later, with storm clouds approaching the downtown area. The rain lightly started as they entered the hotel.

They enjoyed the hotel indoor pool the rest of the day after letting their breakfasts settle and had a wonderful time together. Yet, they all watched wave after wave of thunderstorms pass through the area. The later it got, the more Jack worried. "Is the game going to get rained out tonight dad?"

"We'll just have to see," Aaron said, hanging out with Jack while Beth and Zach swam laps together. "Buddy, there's something you need to know about tonight."

"What's that dad?"

"We're going to be sharing the suite tonight with another family. And that family has a child that is sick."

"How do you know that dad?"

"Sam told me. The kid is going to be there with the help of a special group of people that helps kids like that get a wish. He or she may be even dying Jack."

"How come dad?"

"Probably some sorta sickness Jack."

Jack thought for a second. "That's not fair dad."

"I know buddy, it isn't," he said pulling Jack to his side, wrapping his arm around him. "I thank God every night you and Zach are healthy. But Jack, you've got to look past that and just see someone like you. And don't be afraid to talk them."

"You mean like Micah?" Micah was Jack's classmate that was wheelchair bound due to a birth defect. He and Jack were friends. The boys had met Micah in the park a few times during the summer so Micah and Jack could play board games and with their action figures. They were great friends.

Aaron smiled. "Just like Micah."

Jack looked at his dad. "I've got this dad," he smiled.

"Thanks buddy; knew I could count on you," Aaron smiled back, putting a kiss on his head.

Beth and Zach swam up to them and smiled at each other. The water splashing war was on. A little after three, they got out, dried off, and made their way back to the suite. They all showered off the chlorine and out of their suits.

They made their way to the Ted, once again using MARTA and the shuttle system. When they walked into the stadium, getting their tickets checked, the skies opened up again. As they walked into the suite, they noticed the tarp on the field. "So much for BP," Zach observed.

A family of four was in the seats outside the suite, taking pictures. Just then, the storm brewed up more with wind and the rain swirled into the stadium bowl. They made their way inside.

The Hotchner group watched as they made their way into the suite. A mom, dad and two boys; the youngest on forearm crutches, missing his left leg.

###

A/N: The tarp on the field covers the "diamond" area, i.e. where the bases, home plate and the pitcher's mound are. BP is batting practice. Each team takes BP before a game.