A/N: Sorry, a little more baseball and a whole lot of family.
The OK Teach advised a tissue alert.
Chapter 4
Zach came down the steps a little after nine the next morning. He noticed his dad, Beth and Dave sitting at the nook counter with Caleigh standing in the kitchen. He looked into the living room. The twins were engrossed in the Animal Planet channel as usual. Logan was sitting on the floor, his nook in his mouth and an arm around Lexie. Zach shook his head at Cal. "I'm sorry I didn't get up and help with the kids this morning."
Caleigh smiled, kissing him. "I had back-up. It's all good."
"Why I slept," Zach smiled, hugging her. Zach greeted those at the counter and then nodded at the living room. "Lug Nut cutting another tooth?"
Caleigh nodded her head. "I think so. What do you want for breakfast?"
"I can make my own," Zach said. "And no, I'm not starving as usual." Caleigh raised her eyebrows looking at him. "Long story short," Zach smiled, pulling out a packet of instant oatmeal from the cupboard. "There's a sub place across the street from where we get on and off the busses." Zach put the oatmeal packet in a bowl and added the water. He stuck it in the microwave and poured himself a large glass of apple juice.
"One of the travel staff gave them a heads up," Zach continued, drinking his glass of juice. "Jack took all our orders and went across the street while we were finishing up with the press. The team had subs and chips on the plane. Delta provided the drinks. All the guys paid with a twenty. The sub shop staff got a helluva tip," Zach smiled, cutting an English muffin in two, putting it in the toaster as the microwave dinged with his cooked oatmeal.
Aaron elbowed Dave. "He confessed last night that he gave Jack his first drink of beer Tuesday night."
Beth smiled. "It took that long?"
Dave smiled. "How'd that go?" he asked, looking at Zach.
"About as well as my first one Uncle Dave," Zach grinned, adding some brown sugar and milk to his bowl of oatmeal.
"You were fourteen then," Dave smiled.
"What?" Aaron growled.
Zach grinned at his dad. "Yup," he said, taking a bite of his oatmeal. "I learned the acquired taste over the next couple of years at the cabin," Zach grinned more, winking at Dave. Aaron shook his head at Dave. Beth and Caleigh laughed at the partners. The toaster popped up the two muffin halves.
Caleigh grabbed them, putting them on a small plate and buttered them. She pulled the fridge door open. "Strawberry jam or grape jelly?"
"Jam please," Zach replied. Caleigh set the plate in front of Zach and the jam jar. Zach looked at her. "You're not going to put the jam on for me?"
"Are you four?" Caleigh zinged back. Zach grinned at her and gave her a kiss. Beth, Aaron and Dave laughed. Just then, Jack appeared, sitting down at the nook counter, putting his cell on the counter.
Dave looked at him and pointed at his cell. "How many times has that gone off already this morning?"
"It hasn't," Jack yawned. "I'm worried."
Beth rubbed his shoulder. "They know you got in late last night. And like you, maturing. They're letting you sleep in."
"I heard something about afternoon pool time o'clock yesterday when they were in the pool," Dave added.
Jack looked at his dad and Beth. "How's Rashad doing on his driver's training?"
"When we got here Monday, like always," Beth said, "it was neighborhood cookout later. I asked Mo. She said Rashad was still very nervous about doing freeway driving. Because they were nervous and that affected him. I offered your dad helping him." Zach bored a look at his dad.
"Who did you freeway drive with Zach?" Dave asked.
"Sam," Zach said. "Like Georgia, it wasn't part of the driving test. But something you have to at least be proficient with to get certified from driver's ed to take your driving test. I wasn't doing it with mom. He offered. And then dad letting me drive on the road trip when we first met Sela and Merrill."
"Which you did very well," Aaron smiled.
Jack slid off his counter chair, moving to the fridge to get some juice. "Gee, the alpha males are out this morning," he snarked.
"We can pee higher than them," Zach winked at Jack.
"Yup," Jack grinned. "We're younger." The brothers shared their homerun handshake. Aaron and Dave shook their heads as Caleigh and Beth roared with laughter.
"Sometimes I don't like the two of you," Dave said, sliding off his chair, heading to the bathroom.
"If you're doing the big job Uncle Dave, don't forget to turn on the fan," Zach smiled. He got a one-finger response back. The brothers joined the ladies laughing.
Zach looked at his dad. "Why do I think there's more of a story?"
"There is," Aaron smiled. "Rashad drove his folk's car to Truist with me while Dave drove your truck yesterday afternoon so it would be there for you."
"How'd he do dad?" Jack asked.
"He was great," Aaron smiled. "And told me it was easier without driving with his parents."
Zach smiled. "I'm still eternally grateful I was in WitPro when I was learning how to drive."
Aaron shook his head. "Thanks son," he snarked. Zach and Jack shared another high five.
-00CM00-
Zach enjoyed thirty minutes together with Jack, Rashad and Miguel after helping Caleigh get the kids' lunch and then down for naps. "Sorry guys. I gotta head out to the park."
The game that night against the Pittsburgh Pirates went into the eleventh inning, tied at three runs. Zach came up to start the bottom of the inning and launched a homerun deep into centerfield. Walk-off win for the Braves.
Kelly Crull, the Bally Sports sideline announcer, interviewed Zach on the field after the game for the Bally post-game show. Zach was pulling off his Gatorade-soaked uniform top as the camera came on. "You called game Cob," Kelly smiled. "Big win for the Braves."
Zach shook his head with his bullshit smile. "I just want to get home. Logan is cutting a molar. I want to be there to help Caleigh. The heck with those idiots," Zach grinned, pointing in the dugout, "and those still hanging out here," Zach smiled, waving at the fans around the Braves dugout.
Kelly laughed. "What is driving this team right now? You have the best record in baseball," she asked.
Zach smiled. "The team in the clubhouse. We're a tight group and we have a great coaching staff with the best skipper around."
"How was it catching Kyle Wright tonight? Ten strike outs, one walk, and two hits through seven innings," Kelly asked.
"Kyle was spot on," Zach said. "He struggled early in the season but he's ramping up. He had great control tonight of all his pitches. I had a blast calling them, mixing them up on the batters. And like always, the bullpen guys were lights out. From a catcher's perspective, this was a game I loved to call."
Kelly looked at Zach. "Your best friend and road trip roomie is pitching tomorrow night. What do you expect?"
"Minnie to bring his A-game," Zach smiled.
Kelly grinned. "Great game Zach. Get home to Caleigh and Logan."
"Thank Kelly," Zach nodded back at her with a smile, heading towards the dugout, waving at the crowd again.
Minnie brought his A-game Saturday night, pitching a complete game, giving the bullpen guys a night off. No runs, two hits and four strikeouts. He smiled at Kelly during the postgame interview. "I like my defense to do their work," he winked. "To keep them in the game," he grinned.
The Sunday afternoon finale against the Pirates was another Braves win. Max Fried pitched eight scoreless innings. Kenley Jansen closed out the game. The Braves won 3-0. Zach was home in time to enjoy BBQ ribs for dinner and his Father's Day along with his dad.
After the kids were in bed and Rashad and Miguel were home after a twilight swim, it was six-handed Cribbage in the Hotchner home. The oldsters, as Jack called his dad, Beth and Dave were taking on Zach, Caleigh and Jack. While Caleigh was dealing a hand, Zach looked at Dave. "Set your alarm for eighty-thirty tomorrow."
Dave looked at Zach, picking up his cards. "Why?"
Zach smiled. "It's a you and me road trip. We need it."
Dave looked at him. "Does that include a Rose's diner stop Zach?"
"You bet Uncle Dave," Zach grinned.
After their breakfast, Zach drove out of Gwinnet county and into Clarke county. Dave looked at Zach. "You don't think I know what is going on? I'm a profiler. I saw the looks you and Caleigh shared when you had that Saturday off. Plus Jack isn't along. And I saw those looks around the family as well this morning." He shook his head. "You found me another lab," Dave smiled.
Zach pulled into a rural farm driveway. "Nope, Uncle Dave," he grinned, parking his truck. "Charlie and Jenna have been waiting nearly nine months for me to finally get you down here," Zach grinned. "To get you another lab."
They got out of truck as a young boy, around six, sprinted past them to the dog barn. Zach introduced Dave to Charlie and Jenna as he hugged them both. Charlie smiled at Dave. "You have to hear the story," he softly smiled. "Johnny, one of my nephews, was born with a heart defect and some very minor developmental issues." He looked at Dave. "When he got older, his passion was duck hunting." Charlie shook his head. "He died in his boat last fall. With his hunting buddies, two Clarke county deputies, in the next boat. They got to him in less than a minute. Johnny was already gone."
Dave gently smiled. "But on the lake, doing what he loved."
"Yes," Charlie nodded. He pointed at the boy, coming out of the barn with a black lab and a dog bed. "That's our grandson Ryan," Charlie grinned. "And Livie." Dave looked at him. "Johnny loved watching The Waltons reruns. Her name is Olivia. But he called her Livie. She loves the water and retrieving."
"And has a heart as big as Johnny," Jenna smiled. "We know you'll give her a wonderful home."
Dave squatted down. "Hi Livie," he quietly said. Olivia melted into his arms as Dave petted her.
"I love it when a plan comes together," Zach grinned. "How old is she?" he asked.
"She's only three," Jenna said.
Dave looked at Charlie and Jenna. "How much do I owe you?"
Charlie shook his head, "We just got our payment," he softly smiled.
Dave looked at Zach and held out his hand. "Help the old guy up." Zach helped him stand. Dave pulled him into a hug. "Thanks my boy."
"Love you Uncle Dave," Zach said, squeezing him a bit tighter. When they separated, Zach looked at Ryan. "Can you put the bed in the backseat of my truck please," he smiled.
"Sure," Ryan smiled back.
"And Ryan, the box on the seat is for you," Zach smiled. Ryan came back with the box, pulling off the top, handing it to Jenna. He pushed back the tissue paper and saw a Braves uniform shirt. He pulled out the uni top, handed Jenna the bottom half of the box, and looked at it.
Jenna shook her head. "Look at the back Ryan." He turned the shirt. Ryan, Thanks for taking care of Livie for Uncle Dave it read with Zach's autograph on the back below Zach's name, in the left shoulder area, next to his number.
"Wow," Ryan grinned. "Thanks Zach."
"You're welcome," Zach grinned back while giving Livie a big rub down.
Dave looked at Charlie and Jenna. "We even now?" he smiled with wink.
"Yup," Charlie winked back.
Zach made his way back to home, stopping at the PetSmart in Lawrenceville. Dave looked at him as Zach parked the truck. "She needs a leash to get on the jet Thursday Uncle Dave."
Dave smiled. "Right. Thanks Zach." Livie pranced out of the store ten minutes later in a shoulder collar with a leash and a new toy in her mouth.
The rest of the family was anxiously awaiting Dave and Livie's arrival to the home. But they knew enough to not overwhelm her. Zach and Dave came in the door with Livie. Dave pulled off her shoulder collar. It was Logan that greeted them, crawling towards them, happily babbling at Livie. Olivia took one look, looked at Dave and Zach, and gave a happy bark.
It was game on. Meeting the kids and licking faces of munchkins at her level. Doing the butt sniffing with Lexie and Molly. By lunchtime, Livie was sleeping in the sunshine in the great room with Lex and Molly. Caleigh took a picture of the three of them and posted it to her Facebook page, updating all her followers on the new family member.
Aaron rubbed Dave's shoulder as the kids ate their lunch. "You really do need a woman in your life my friend," he smiled.
"And she doesn't know divorce lawyers," Dave snarked back. The family all laughed. An hour later, Livie proved her reputation, happily swimming with the posse in the pool.
Zach was in the pool area with the boys, in his swimming trunks, enjoying his day off. "Livie," he said, showing her the new toy. Livie swam up to him, climbed out of the pool using the steps, shook out her coat and walked up to Zach. Zach smiled, tossing the toy into the deep end of the pool. Livie dove back in, swimming towards the toy.
Miguel put his elbows on the side of the pool and looked at Dave. "She'll do," he smiled.
"Yes she will Miguel," Dave beamed back. Just then, his cell phone went off. He pulled it out of his pocket. Zach pulled up a pool chair and sat down to Dave's left. Aaron, in his swim trunks, pulled up another chair, sitting down on Dave's right side.
Dave started reading the texts. Oh Sir Rossi, Dave read. Kevin and I are so excited you have this new addition in your life.
Zach looked at his dad. "Hello? No brainer."
"Ya think kid?" Dave snarked. Beth and Caleigh joined the guys in the pool area, sitting down on their husbands' laps.
Lookin' good Rossi. Congrats! Dave read. Zach looked at his dad. "Tara or Emily," Zach asked.
"Tara," Aaron replied.
"Well done my Padawan," Dave smiled at Aaron.
Dave read the next one. I just read an article from the Harvard Review that having a pet relieves your stress by…
Zach shook his head. "I love the dude. But he is a trip."
Aaron smiled. "Yes, he is. But that mind of his is also a valuable asset to my team as well as the man."
"I get that dad."
Dave read the next one. Thanks a lot Dave. Will and the two boys are talking about getting into duck hunting. Zach and Aaron laughed. "JJ and Will still haven't got the boys a dog?" Zach asked.
Dave smiled, reading the next text. Black haired girls rule.
Zach smiled. "OK. That's all Emily. And I know what Morgan is going to say."
'Bout time you got a woman in your life again, Dave read.
Zach looked at his dad. "I rest my case," he grinned.
Caleigh stood up. "The kids are napping. I'm swimming."
"I'm going to join you," Beth smiled.
Zach looked at his dad and Dave. "It's so good to have you all here," he smiled. "I need this."
XXXXX
A/N: The Alpha Male Theory was first explained in my original Family series story. Who can pee higher in the tall grass? I loved writing that.
OK folks. Here's the deal. I've been heads down since late April with my first detour. No apologies. That Blue Bloods story screamed "write me". The second detour didn't help. But I knew I had to give you all this one.
That said, I'm on vacation again, visiting my friends out east. I'm taking a break. Yet, already trying to rack my brain for something new for Family Thanksgiving. It's not going well. However, I foreshadowed a trip to Fenway for all three Hotchner "boys" before I think about Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to writing that one shot. But give me a few weeks. I need the break.
My deepest thanks, once again, to the OK Teach for doing the proofreading.
And thank you, everyone, for the reviews, alerts and PM's about my health. Rockie is rocking and rolling again. Your support astounds and humbles me.