A/N: I'm following the Atlanta Braves actual schedule. They will be on the road for the Easter holiday. Hence the visit one week earlier.
Chapter 2
The texts for their upcoming road trip to Atlanta flew between the Hotchner brothers and Dave through the early month of April. They finally settled on a plan. They would make the two-day trek to Atlanta with the stop in Gastonia on Thursday. Zach had a home game that night against the Mets.
But Zach had a day off on Monday. So the six of them and Molly would make the trip back to D.C. on Tuesday in one day. The two extra surprises along on the trip agreed with the plan. Jack, missing four days of school, faithfully promised to catch up on all his school lessons before they left the Atlanta area to go back home.
The Thursday before Palm Sunday, Dave walked into the Hotchner home for a late breakfast, smiling at the crew, rolling in his luggage bag. He set it down and looked at Jack who was stuffing in the last of his pancakes Kim had made. "Let me finish Uncle Dave and I'm on top of it," Jack smiled.
Aaron beaded a glare at Dave. "What Aaron?" he smiled. "I might have done a thing."
"Damnit Dave, you know how well I handle a thing."
Dave smiled. "Aaron, you should listen to Garcia more. There is wisdom in her words."
Jack slid off his seat at the table, rinsed his plate and put it in the dishwasher. "You rock Uncle Dave," Jack smiled, grabbing Dave's bag.
"You roll Champino," Dave smiled. "Get it done."
"On it Uncle Dave," Jack smiled, flying up the steps to his room with Molly hotly on his heels.
"What the hell did you do?" Aaron asked.
"Something to make our lives simpler for this trip," Dave smiled.
Sean looked at Dave and gave him the Hotchner glare as he and Kim put their plates into the dishwasher. "I'm not feeling the love here Dave."
"Will you two tight ass Hotchner brothers relax?" Dave challenged back.
Merrill Dobson looked at Dave with an appreciative smile. "I've got your back."
"Thanks Merrill," Dave said.
Sela came into the kitchen, showered and dressed, accepting a plate of pancakes and sausages from Beth. "Thanks for letting us get a nap," she smiled.
Sean smiled at her. "Kim and I took advantage of JetBlue as well," he winked. "Just not the red-eye."
"Merrill and I both slept the two hours. The power nap we got here was gold."
Aaron blew off the side conversation. "But why does that make me think you've spent some money," he challenged at Dave.
"You know me too well my friend," Dave smiled.
"God damnit Dave," Aaron snarled.
"Aaron, I rented a Traverse, an eight passenger rig from your buddy at the Chevrolet dealership where you and Zach buy your vehicles. He gave me a helluva a deal when I told him the plan. And I can afford it."
Merrill smiled at him. "I know there's more."
"You're good," Dave pointed back at him. "We all agreed to pack light. One suitcase for each of the room sharers," he said looking at Aaron and Beth. "Jack and I are bunking together this weekend. That's what he's doing, putting his stuff into my bag. There's plenty of room in the back of the Traverse for the three bags, a medium sized cooler and a grocery bag. And I've got to say, lots of leg room for backpacks and small bags."
Jack blew back into the kitchen with Dave's luggage bag, his backpack and Molly's bed. "This too Uncle Dave?"
"Piece of cake Champino," Dave smiled.
Beth looked at Jack. "Catch up assignments in that backpack?"
"You know it," Jack smiled. "I might need Zach to help with some of the algebra." Beth and Dobsons smiled at him. Sean playfully rubbed his head.
Aaron looked at Dave. "Sure it's going to be a full crew in the vehicle. But Aaron, we're all together. It works better than two cars trying to keep up with each other in traffic."
"Make it so Number One," Jack said, taking Dave's bag to the garage.
"His plan does have merits Aaron," Sean smiled.
"Thanks for the back-up brother," Aaron growled.
Merrill looked at Aaron. "You don't want me to pile on." An hour later, the crew was on the road.
-00CM00-
With their late start but with guaranteed hotel reservations, the travelers took their time getting to Gastonia. Jack shared the backseat of the third tier of the seating rows of the vehicle with Molly sleeping on her bed underneath his legs. Sela and Beth joined him. The ladies softly chatted as Jack worked on his studies.
Merrill, Kim and Sean were in the second set of seats. Kim, curled in Sean's arm, her head on his chest, took a nap. Sean conked out as well. Merrill chatted with Aaron and Dave who, as usual, was Aaron's wingman in the front passenger seat.
Aaron took advantage of the first rest stop along the freeway. Jack got Molly out to get her to run a bit. The cooler full of water and soft drinks took a hit along with the grocery bag of snacks. Climbing back in, Dave and Sean sat in the backseat with Jack. Molly curled back up on her bed. Merrill was Aaron's co-pilot as Beth, Sela and Kim shared the second seat. The ladies had a wonderful conversation. Sean smiled at Dave looking over Jack's shoulder at his video game. "Who knew you were a gamer old man?" Sean smiled, stretching out his arm across the length of the seat top.
"Hey Sean! I taught both the boys how to game."
"Don't doubt that Dave," Sean smiled. Merrill winked at Aaron.
"I just hope you didn't teach my nephews all your games," Sean zinged back. Merrill roared with laughter.
"You're forgiven my brother," Aaron smiled as the ladies laughed.
"Busted Uncle Dave," Jack whispered.
Dave shook his head, knowing any response on his part would suck him more into Sean's trap and would get Aaron involved. He just glared at Sean. Sean and Jack just laughed more.
Two hours later, they switched seats again at the next rest stop. Jack proudly smiled at being his dad's co-pilot. Molly was curled up under his legs on her bed.
-00CM00-
The front desk staff at the Best Western in Gastonia smiled at the group walking in. "Welcome back," Anna smiled at Aaron. "We've got your usual rooms ready." Jenna, the second staff member got Merrill and Sela quickly checked into their room, handing them their keys.
Anna handed Aaron the keys for one room and looked at Dave. "Sorry big dog," she smiled, handing him the room keys for he and Jack's room. "Beth is good."
Dave looked at Beth. "I took advantage of the internet at the first rest stop. You rented the vehicle. The Hotchners have got your room for the night."
"Walk away roomie," Jack snarked.
Sean flexed his muscles. "I'm his back-up," pointing at Jack, "and kicked in on the room with my brother and his wife."
Merrill laughed. "Jack is right Dave. Walk away."
Jack tugged Dave's arm. "Come on roomie. No fighting tonight." The rest laughed.
They all as usual enjoyed the pool, hot tub and pizza night at the Best Western in Gastonia.
-00CM00-
It was an early morning for the hotel gang. They wanted to get to Atlanta before Zach had to leave to get ready for the Friday night game. After a rest stop on the leg to the Atlanta area, Jack, Beth and Dave had the "rookies" to the kids' Lawrenceville home in the second tier of seats with Sean being Aaron's co-pilot. Aaron took the turn onto Delta Queen Avenue. Sean shook his head.
Merrill smiled, putting his arm around Sela. "Nice play kid. You two did it right," he said to himself. Sela nodded her acceptance.
Aaron looked at Sean in the seat across from him. "And they had the money to do it," he smiled.
"Bring it home dad," Dave smiled, winking at Jack in the backseat along with Beth. Molly barked her excitement as Aaron parked the vehicle in the driveway of Zach and Caleigh's southern home.
Caleigh came out the front door, letting Lexie out. Merrill opened the door next to him. Molly bolted out to see her sister. Caleigh smiled at the group getting out as the dogs romped. "Welcome to our southern home."
"Holy shit girl," Sean said, shaking his head as they all stretched, getting out of the vehicle.
Caleigh beamed at Sela and Merrill. "What a great surprise! Zach will love it too. But please come inside and forget about your luggage for now. Because what is happening doesn't last long and then two kids conk out."
Aaron and Beth moved to the door with the rest following them. Caleigh waved them into the kitchen area of the home as Jack chased in the dogs. Sean and Merrill looked around at the space, shaking their heads at each other at the expanse of the home.
Caleigh smiled with a point. The twins were each sitting in a high chair. Zach and Gabby were feeding the twins peas and sweet potatoes sharing the baby food jars between them. Trev pounded his hand on the tray for more food.
Caleigh smiled at the group that assembled. "How hungry are you?" she smiled.
Beth wrapped her arm around Aaron with a proud smile, rubbing his back as Zach and Gabby shoved in more spoonfuls.
"They're my niece and nephew," Jack smiled. "They rock." Sean rubbed his shoulder smiling as the twins smiled at the familiar faces and voices.
###
A/N: Skype is a wonderful thing. :D