Chapter 26

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

The next day, Addison and Woody fed the kids breakfast after letting them sleep in some. About eleven that morning, Addison called over to make sure both sets of Martins were up before getting the kids changed. Once they were ready, Woody walked them both back over to their own homes.

When Brady, Lizzie, Izzy and Patrick returned home, they found their parents were in the process of making everyone lunch. Immediately, they wanted to know more about what had happened last night.

Brady spoke up. "We saw Uncle Cody on Sportscenter this morning. Is the Mick really going to be okay?"

Cassie smiled at her oldest son. "It appears that way. Your uncle is pretty confident he will make a full recovery."

Lizzie smiled back. "Cool. So, what time did you all get home?"

Cassie turned to her daughter. "It was a little after three this morning. We were all exhausted."

Zack turned to his wife and raised his eyebrows. Cassie nodded, and he turned his focus to his children. "I need everyone to sit around the kitchen table. We need to have a family meeting before we have lunch."

Everyone did so, and Patrick was the first to speak. "Is everything okay?"

Cassie nodded. "We think so, but there is something very important we need to discuss with all of you."

Zack continued. "You all remember meeting Simon Miller, the Red Sox general manage?"

Izzy shuddered. "Yeah! He was a big meanie!"

Zack smiled. "Well, he was fired last night."

"Why?"

Zack chuckled. "Well, Izzy, I think he was fired for being a big meanie..."

Patrick interrupted. "Does that effect your job, Dad?"

"Yes, it does..." He paused. "I've been offered the chance to become the new general manager, and I've accepted it."

Brady grinned. "Awesome! That is so cool, Dad. Just wait till I till everyone at school that you're the new GM!"

Zack smiled. "Well, I think its pretty cool too, but your Mom and I wanted to make sure you all knew about some changes that will be taking place around here."

Lizzie frowned. "What changes?"

"Well, its going to take me some time to get acclimated to my new job. And its going to make more demands on my time such as more out of town trips."

"How often?"

"If I can help it, not that often." He turned to Brady and Patrick. "And the times when I'm gone, you two will be the men of the house." Zack smiled. "Can I count on you two to look out for your Mom and sisters for me?"

Brady and Patrick nodded. "You can count on us, Dad."

Zack turned to his two girls. "And I need you two to keep an eye on your brothers for me."

Izzy giggled. "We will."

Cassie spoke up. "Now, when your Dad is away, I'm going to need you all to help out a little more around the house. Will you all do that for me?"

All four of them nodded.

Cassie smiled. "Good."

Zack spoke up again. "And if I'm gone and you all need another guy around, remember your Uncle Cody, Woody and Tapeworm are all close by."

Brady paused. "So, when do you start?"

"Tomorrow. I'm pretty sure there will be a press conference before the World Series resumes where I will be formally introduced."

Brady nodded and grinned. "So, does this mean we'll be the first to know of any moves the Sox are thinking of making?"

Zack sighed. "We'll see. But you all have to remember that if I do tell you anything, it can't leave this house. So, no trying to impress your friends with anything I tell you."

All four of them nodded.

Zack smiled. "The bright side is that as GM, I'll be able to take you all out on the road with me next summer and show you places you've never been before."

Cassie smiled. "That includes me too, right?"

"Of course. I look forward to taking everyone out to the San Francisco Bay area to show the kids where their Dad first met their mother."

Cassie leaned over and kissed his cheek. "And Kansas City is close enough to stop by and visit the farm too."

Zack smiled. "And there is Seattle too where we can stop by and see other family members." He turned back to his kids.

"So, is everyone on board with this? I need you all to be okay with it."

Lizzie smiled. "We are Dad. We're very proud of you."

Zack grinned at his daughter. "Thank you. And just so you know, all five of you here are my first priority. So, if you think I'm forgetting that, just sit me down and tell me. Nothing is more important to me then all of you."

Next door, Charlie, Abby, Annie and Ben all arrived home as well to find their parents cooking breakfast. Of course, before Cody and Bailey knew they were there, their children watched them flirt with each other and share gentle touches. Finally, Ben cleared his throat.

"Ahem..."

Cody and Bailey were startled and turned to find their children watching them. Both were a little embarrassed at first but quickly shrugged it off. Immediately, they went over to hug their children.

Ben grinned. "Congratulations, Dad...You were on Sportscenter this morning."

Cody nodded. "I kind of figured I would..." He turned to Bailey and grinned. "Who would have ever thought that I of all people would be on ESPN?"

Bailey laughed. "Well, if not for college and grad school, I think we were on our way in pairs figure skating..."

Cody laughed too as their children just looked at them funny. Abby decided to speak up.

"Good job, Dad, on saving the Mick's life."

Cody shrugged. "Just doing my job."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Uh huh. But it was pretty cool."

"Well, its good to know people appreciate what you do. Beyond that, if the Mick was an garbage man, I would feel just as good about it."

Annie paused. "Daddy...Does it ever ick you out cutting people open?"

Cody shook his head. "Not really. I have a queasy stomach in regards to some things, but that's not one of them. Besides, I know that I'm helping, so that makes it all worth it."

Charlie grinned. "I can't wait till I go to medical school..."

Cody and Bailey both turned to their oldest. "Oh really? When did you decide you wanted to do that?"

"I think it would be cool to follow in Dad's footsteps."

Cody grinned. "Can you imagine me following in your Grandpa's footsteps?"

Ben laughed. "No way! No offense, Dad, but nothing about you screams rocker!"

"I know. That's why I chose something I wanted to do. That's why your Mom and I want you all to choose to do what you want to do."

Bailey nodded. "Your Dad's right. Do what makes you happy. Besides, you all have at least ten more years before you start college. I'm sure by then, you all will change your minds a hundred times what you want to do."

Abby smiled. "Really?"

Bailey smiled back at her. "Of course, Sweetheart."

Abby paused and grinned. "Even if it includes going to Harvard?"

Bailey knelt down in front of her daughter. "Abby, you do know your Dad and I went to Yale, right? We detest all things Harvard."

Abby kept grinning. "I know..."

Bailey was about to say something when Cody pulled her back up. "Bails, there are worse things than one of our children going to Harvard..."

Bailey was incredulous. "Like what?"

Cody laughed. "Like Princeton!"

Bailey just shook her head. "Cody..."

Cody leaned in and whispered. "Harvard would be here in Boston. I thought you would like them being close by..."

Bailey paused to consider that. "Well..."

Cody grinned again. "We have years to worry about this. Its not like tomorrow we're going to wake up and they will magically age a few years..."

To be Continued...