A/N: Thank you everyone for the alerts, reviews and welcome backs. It's good to be back in the saddle. And please, all of you! Relax! I deeply appreciate your concern for my health. I say again - I'm 100%. And after seven weeks off, back to work. It feels good.
Chapter 2
Zach and Caleigh walked into the dining hall at St. John's a few minutes past nine-thirty the next morning. They greeted Sally and Rob, Sarah's parents and shared hugs with Rachel and Tom. Rob looked at Zach. "Will you and your Braves quit kicking my Nats' butts?"
Zach waved his hands in front of his chest. "I was off last night Rob. That's not on me."
Rachel rubbed his arm. "I'm glad you got the extra day off," she smiled. Zach put his arm around her.
Tom grinned. "You and Pete drink some beer?"
"You know us Tom," Zach grinned. "Gotta keep those union brewery folks working."
Caleigh pulled Caleb into hug. "How's the new place?"
"Small and just right for me and my budget," Caleb smiled.
"Where's Jenna?" Caleigh asked with her mischievous smile.
"We're not there yet," Caleb answered.
"Yet?" Zach questioned.
"Yet," Caleb smiled.
"There might be hope for you after all Bub," Zach grinned. He and Mike shared a high five.
"Where are the Three Stooges?" Caleb asked.
"Already with grandma and grandpa with Uncles Jack and Dave as back-up," Caleigh said, hugging Mike and Sarah. Katie was blissfully sleeping in her infant carrier that was part of the car seat.
Caleb looked at Zach. "Think you got enough back-up there bro?"
"I hope so Bub," Zach said, rolling his eyes. Everyone laughed.
After the service was finished, Beth was using her camera. With her keen eye for art, she had started a side business of doing some photography, which was her first love. Aaron highly supported her decision.
While Beth was taking a few pictures, Logan was crawling around in between the pews with Jack and Dave keeping an eye on him. Logan stopped and sat down. "Crap," Jack mumbled. Dave looked at him. "That's what he's doing Uncle Dave. I know who gets the short straw in the uncle department."
Dave lifted the diaper bag out of a pew and handed it to Jack. "Sucks to be you," he smiled.
A few minutes later, Beth looked around. "Aaron, where are the kids? I'm ready for the family picture Rachel and Tom want."
"The twins are right here," Aaron said, nodding at Trev and Tay sitting in a pew, coloring pictures.
Dave smiled. "Uncle Jack is taking care of a dump job. Give him a few." Aaron looked at him. "You know my parameters Aaron," Dave smiled. Aaron shook his head at Beth.
A half-hour later, the families were gathered in Mike and Sarah's home. Zach and Caleigh's former home. Rachel, Caleigh and Sally were putting out the buffet of food.
"What's the rush?" Caleb asked.
"You want to listen to the Three Stooges having a meltdown because they need naps?" Caleigh asked.
"I'll pass," Caleb smiled.
"At least Logan napped on Dave's shoulder during church," Beth smiled. "That should buy you a bit more time."
"We'll take it," Caleigh smiled, making a plate for Logan. Zach was getting him in the highchair that Mike and Sarah had in the kitchen.
"You don't pound on the tray top Lug Nut," Zach said to Logan. "That's for Katie to break in," he smiled. Logan babbled back at him with the bullshit smile he inherited from his dad. Dave proudly smiled.
Just then Donna and Brenda, Rachel's sisters came in the home with their husbands. Zach looked at Caleigh. "We haven't seen them since Christmas," Caleigh whispered.
"Got it babe," Zach smiled.
After everyone greeted each other and they prayed, everyone started to fill their plates. Donna, moving to get in line, shook her head at Aaron and Beth with Jack standing next to them. "Put a brick on his head." Jack beamed.
"Try feeding him," Beth said.
"We had two boys," Donna smiled. "I feel your pain."
After lunch, Caleigh and Zach got ready to leave along with the other Hotchners and Dave. They shared good-byes with Caleigh's family. Mike smiled at Jack. "Have an amazing time with big brother," he grinned.
"Thanks Mike," Jack replied, smiling back. "I will."
Rachel hugged Beth. "Enjoy your vacation," she smiled.
Bob, Donna's husband looked at all of them. "What's going on?"
"Uncle Bob, the kids and me," Caleigh explained, "are flying back to Atlanta tomorrow. Aaron, Beth and Dave are flying with us. Which I will greatly appreciate with three kids," she grinned. "They're staying for ten days on vacation so Aaron can enjoy Father's Day with the boys."
"But I didn't hear Jack in that equation," Bob noted.
Jack smiled. "Three years ago, I did a full road trip with Zach. It started here, went to Chicago and then to NYC. I had a great time hanging out with all the team. But I also learned a big lesson. There are times on a road trip when there is…"
"Zero glamour," Zach, Mike, Bub and Dave said together with Jack. Everyone laughed.
"But the road trip the team is on now is just here and then Chicago," Jack explained. He grinned. "I'll take the zero glamour to hang out with the guys and go to Wrigley again."
Rachel gave Jack a hug. "You enjoy that."
"I will," Jack grinned, hugging her back.
Zach looked at him. "Uncle Dave's car service is picking us up at five."
"I'll be ready," Jack smiled back.
The Hotchners made their good-byes to everyone, with Logan starting to fall asleep in Zach's arm with his head on his dad's shoulder. "See you later," Caleigh smiled at her parents
"I'm coming down to swim with the kids," Caleb smiled.
"Thanks Bub," Zach said.
"He's not the only one," Mike smiled.
"Katie can sleep on the comforter on the living room floor with Lexie," Sarah grinned.
"The comforter knows the drill," Zach smiled back at her. They waved at the all the family and left.
Zach came down the steps at four-thirty, dressed in a t-shirt celebrating the Central Cardinals state high school basketball championship a few years back, jeans and his slides. He put down his suitcase by the door, along with his backpack, and walked into the kitchen. Tom, Mike and Bub were sitting at the kitchen counter, enjoying another beer together that Caleb had supplied. Logan was happily sitting on Tom's lap, watching a show on the TV. "You only had one swimming this afternoon," Mike noted. "Have one more."
"Thank you," Zach said, opening the fridge and pulling out a sixteen-ounce aluminum bottle from the eighteen-pack Caleb had bought. He twisted off the cover and put it in the recycling can, taking a sip of his beer. He looked at Caleb, pointing at the bigger can.
Caleb grinned. "You know me bro. Go big or go home." Zach smiled. The twins came down the steps after their baths from swimming.
Taylor looked at Zach. "Daddy, can you put on the Animal Channel?"
Zach smiled. "You know it my lady."
Logan looked at the big screen TV in the living room to see the same channel he was watching in the kitchen. He wiggled in Tom's lap, wanting to get down. Tom smiled, putting him down. "Go enjoy with your brother and sister."
Caleigh, Rachel and Sarah joined them in the kitchen. Zach looked at Sarah. "Katie is sleeping on your and Caleigh's bed."
Zach handed out three beers to the ladies. "What's for dinner tonight?"
"Delivery pizza," Mike said. "On Sarah and me. Mom and Caleigh did enough this weekend."
"And you?" Rachel asked, looking at Zach.
"Ramón already knows that a stop at Jimmy John's is part of the trip to the airport." Zach and Caleigh moved to the living room together to spend some time with the children.
A bit later, Jack came in through the garage door. He had his suitcase, with his equipment bag sitting on top and wearing his backpack. Zach looked at him. "Equipment bag has my cleats, tennis shoes, both caps and pre-game uni stuff you had Maria send me," he reported to Zach.
Zach smiled. "Your uniform is with my stuff at the park. Minnie packed it all up for us."
"Great," Jack smiled.
Zach looked at his watch and picked Logan up off the floor. "Good-bye son," he smiled, hugging Logan. He handed Logan off to Jack and pulled the twins into his arms. "I'm gonna miss you much," Zach said. "But I'll be home soon."
"With Uncle Jack?" Taylor asked.
"With Uncle Jack," Zach smiled. "And you get to fly back home with grandma, grandpa and Uncle Dave."
"And Molly," Trevor smiled.
"I'm counting on you to take care of her Trev," Jack smiled.
"Promise Uncle Jack," Trev said, hugging him.
Caleb looked out the window by the front door. "Ramón is here," he said to Zach.
Zach shared hugs with Caleigh's family and headed out the door with Jack following him, both of them with their luggage. Caleigh, carrying Logan with the twins following her, went out the door with Zach and Jack. Zach hugged Caleigh as Jack held Logan. "I love you."
Caleigh smiled. "I love you. Curl up close with me Thursday morning."
"Day game Cal on Wednesday. We should be home by midnight," Zach smiled. He pulled the twins into a mammoth huge as Ramón loaded the luggage into the trunk of the vehicle.
Aaron and Beth came out the front door across the street. "Have a good series Zach," Beth smiled.
"Take care son," Aaron added.
"Aaron, I'll take care of all the trash bins Wednesday," Tom said. Aaron smiled at him with a nod.
"Love you both," Zach smiled, waving at them. "See ya Thursday!" He looked at Tom. "Thank you," he said. Tom smiled.
"Love you both," Aaron and Beth said together as the boys got in the car.
Forty-five minutes later, Ramón pulled up the car to the security gate at the charter services at Reagan National. The guard stopped them. Ramón handed him the paperwork, clearing Zach and Jack to get on the flight. The Delta 737 charter jet was setting out in plain view. The first container of team's equipment was getting loaded into the back cargo space of the jet.
"I need to see your chauffer's license," the guard said to Ramón. Ramón looked in the rear view mirror at Zach. Zach rolled his eyes. Ramón pulled out his license. The guard took a long look and then handed it back to him. "I need ID's from your passengers."
Zach pushed the button to roll down the back window as Jack pulled out his wallet. Zach did the same. They handed the guard their ID's. The guard studied the cards closely and then handed them back in the window. "You're approved."
Ramón hit the button to close Zach's window as the security gate opened. "If you don't say it," Jack growled, looking at Zach, "I will."
"Bleeping asshole," Ramón said.
The brothers laughed. "You are a rock star Ramón," Zach smiled.
Ramón shook his head. "The paperwork should have made this easy. He was a power-hungry prick."
Jack looked at Zach and grinned. "Have Uncle Dave get Ramón to drive us from now on." Zach laughed.
Ramón drove to steps that were in place to get on the jet. He noticed the door to the jet wasn't open. He looked in the back. "Guys, I don't know what to do. That big grey trailer," he pointed at with a cord running from it to the jet, "is power for the plane. As in keeping the AC running. But that door looks closed."
Zach looked out the windshield at a uniformed Delta ground crew employee approaching the car. "Maybe he does," Zach pointed.
Ramón rolled down his window. "Hi! I'm Zeke. You got the Hotchner brothers with you?"
"Yes I do," Ramón smiled.
Zeke looked in the backseat. "Come on guys. I can get you on board," he smiled.
Ramón popped the trunk open while Zach and Jack got out with their backpacks. Jack was also carrying the bag with their subs. Zeke grabbed the luggage out of the trunk and took it over to the conveyor that got the bags up into the luggage compartment. Ramón shut the trunk lid. Jack looked at Zach. "First on, last off."
"Not in my world," Zeke smiled while Zach tipped Ramón. "Hey Tom!" Zeke shouted. "Put these three on the side so they don't get buried in the back!"
"You got it Zeke," the brothers heard.
"Thanks Ramón," Zach smiled.
"Have a good trip guys," he smiled at the brothers.
"Thank you Ramón," Jack said.
Zeke walked to the steps. "Follow me guys," he smiled. When they got to the top of the steps, Zeke stopped. "I'm originally from Atlanta," he said, looking at Zach. "Can I get a picture with you?" he asked.
"Sure," Zach grinned.
"I'll take it," Jack smiled. Zeke handed Jack his cell. Jack looked at the result. "Looks great," he smiled at Zeke. "I like the Delta logo in the background."
"Thank you both," Zeke smiled, looking at the picture. He put his cell in his pocket and pulled the plane door open. He walked on and smiled at the pilots and flight attendants that were sitting around in first class. "You've got a couple early passengers."
"Thank you Zeke," Zach smiled. Jack added his thanks.
"My pleasure guys," he said, heading back out the door. He pushed the plane door shut.
Jack took a detour to poke his head in the cockpit. Zach smiled at the flight crew. "I had the day off today. My apologies."
"I'm Mike Frost," one of the pilots said. "Welcome aboard Zach."
"Thank you," Zach smiled. "This is my brother Jack."
Frost smiled. "What a tour and sit down up there Jack?"
"No thank you," Jack smiled. "But can you tell me what side of the plane to sit on so I might get a good view of downtown coming in?"
"I'm Connor Thompson," the other pilot said. "Sit on the left side," he smiled. "We're making what we call the border run for our approach. We fly over Lake Michigan as we start our final approach. Downtown will be on the left side. And it's clear there," he smiled at Jack. "You should get a great view. Then we head towards the Wisconsin border and take a big swing around to the west to make our descent from west to east into O'Hare."
One of the flight attendants smiled at the brothers. "Go put your backpacks in your seats and then come back up here to eat your sandwiches where you have more room. I'll get you something to drink."
"Thank you Janice," Zach said, looking at her nametag. He winked at Jack. "We can leave lettuce and mayo all over the tray tables for whoever gets those seats." The crew laughed.
Zach's cell pinged with a text. He pulled out his cell from his back pocket and looked at it. "It's Minnie. They're just loading up to get on the busses now."
Frost looked at Zach. "Time guess-tament for us?"
"Between getting luggage and people on the busses and then traffic? About forty minutes," Zach said.
The brothers came back up to first class and sat down. Janice met them. "What would you like to drink?"
"A clear soda please," Jack said.
"Times two please," Zach added.
"You two needs some chips?" she asked.
Zach shook his head. "Not me. We had a huge brunch earlier. My niece, on my wife's side," he added, "was baptized this morning." Janice smiled.
Jack looked at Janice. "I wouldn't mind some please if it's not a problem." Zach shook his head.
Janice smiled at Zach. "He's growing."
"I know," Zach said.
"I've got kettle chips Jack," Janice said. "Regular or jalapeño."
"Regular please," Jack smiled. Jack nodded at Zach. "The bigger dummy will still have a couple and he can't do spice." Janice laughed and moved towards the plane's galley.
An hour later, the chartered Delta 737 sped down the runaway at Reagan International and made its turn to head towards Chicago.
Two hours later, like Connor said, Jack took pictures out the window of downtown Chicago as dusk was starting to settle in. Yet with the geography change to the US Midwest, the time zone was an hour earlier as the jet made its descent over Lake Michigan.
While their bodies said ten o'clock, the team arrived at the downtown Chicago Westin a little after nine that evening. Waiting for their room keys, Andy Minton looked at Zach and Jack. "I'm starving. Can you two help me eat a pizza?"
Zach shook his head. "I can always eat some pizza," Jack said.
A team staff member said, "Cob and Minnie."
"That's us," Andy said, raising his hand. The staff member handed him an envelope.
"Thank you," Andy said. He looked at Zach. "I know you. You'll eat some pizza."
"One piece," Zach said, as Andy opened the envelope, pulling out room keys.
Zach took a key. He pushed his suitcase toward Andy and gave Jack his backpack. "You two get to the room and order pizza. I'll head down the street to the bodega to get us a six pack of beer and a soda for you," he said, looking at Jack.
"I'm not making it half non-pepperoni," Andy said.
"Fine," Zach said, starting to head back out to the hotel door. "I can pick it off and give it to you two dummies."
Zach, Jack and Andy were settled into their room an hour later. Andy was enjoying his pizza delivery with Jack helping him. Jack looked around the room and shook his head. They had a corner room, with three beds. "I wish you two dipshits played better for the Braves so they would take care of you," he snarked. Andy flipped him off as Zach laughed and took his one piece of pizza and grabbed another beer. The three of them watched Sunday night baseball on ESPN. Jack sent his dad and Beth his wonderful pictures of the Chicago skyline he took from the plane.
Beth rolled over in bed, sleepily pulling her cell off the night table next to her. "Aaron," she said. "Wake up. Look at the pictures Jack sent."
Aaron yawned and looked. "He's learned from the best," Aaron smiled, kissing Beth's cheek. And fell back to sleep.
Beth shook her head and curled back up next to Aaron.
XXX
A/N: Remember a wedding? Brenda did some decorations for the reception. Donna was in charge of the flowers and pinned on Zach and Jack's boutonnieres.
Central Cardinals t-shirt is a reference to where Zach went to high school.
For my international readers, Jimmy John's is a cousin to Subway sandwich shops here in the US.
The story of Jack's first traveling trip with Zach is Brothers Hotchner. I probably don't have to tell most of you that. Why you humble me.