A/N: Thank you for the alerts and the reviews. I appreciate them all. And to those of you just reading: I appreciate that as well. Thank you.
Chapter 3
Zach shook his head at Sela and Merrill with a smile, pulling Trev out of his highchair. Caleigh joined him with the dishcloth to clean up Trev. His chin and cheek area had portions of his solid lunch on it. "Hi gang. Welcome to Georgia and our southern home, two kids on solid food and our godsend Gabby," he smiled.
Beth walked up to Gabby who was pulling Taylor out of her highchair. "Hi you," Beth smiled, rubbing her shoulder. "It's good to finally meet you in person."
"Likewise," Gabby smiled, handing Tay to her.
Beth shook her head in disbelief at how much Tay had grown, holding her as Caleigh got her cleaned up. Zach handed Trev to Aaron. "Skype doesn't do justice to how much you've grown my lady," Beth smiled, kissing Tay.
"No it doesn't," Aaron said, smiling at his grandson reaching for grandpa's nose.
Gabby went into the kitchen and hit a button on the microwave. Forty seconds later, Aaron and Beth gave their grandchildren their bottles. After a collective burp, the twins contentedly fell asleep. Caleigh and Zach greeted their guests with deep hugs as Aaron and Beth took the kids upstairs to tuck them in for their afternoon nap.
They both got to Sela and Merrill. "This is a huge surprise," Zach smiled, pulling Sela into a hug.
Merrill hugged Caleigh. "Aaron and Beth asked us if we wanted to come along. We couldn't resist seeing the kids and your southern home." He looked at Zach. "Holy shit kid," he smiled, waving his finger around the great room.
"When you get handed lemons, make lemonade," Zach smiled. He looked at his watch. "But let's get you all settled in before I have to go to work." Merrill looked at him. "It's the job that pays the bills Merrill," Zach smiled. He and Caleigh hugged Aaron and Beth as they re-joined the group.
Dave looked at Zach. "I'm bunking in with Jack on the pull out couch. Does that make your life easier?" he smiled.
"That depends on the Dobsons," Caleigh said, looking at them.
Sela shook her head with a smile. "Your two brothers said the bedroom downstairs, including the pull out sofa bed, is the bomb."
Zach looked at her. "You all talk?" He shook his head. "Of course you do," as Sela and Merrill smiled at him. Fifteen minutes later, everyone was settled into their rooms and back in the kitchen area.
Merrill looked at Sean. "We scored," he smiled.
"I don't doubt that. I've got to share a bathroom with my big brother." Aaron rolled his eyes.
Merrill laughed. "Seriously Sean, you've got to check it out. We're next to the trophy room. It's impressive."
Zach shook his head. "Caleigh will give you all the nickel tour. But I've got to head out." He softly whistled. "Jack!"
Jack blew into the kitchen wearing sneakers and socks instead of his slides. "I'm in Zach. I just wanna hang out with you and the guys this afternoon."
Zach smiled. "Gee, why did I guess that?" he said, rubbing Jack's shoulder. "Your practice jersey and spikes are in my locker." He looked at the rest of the group. "You gonna be there tonight?"
"Dummy," Sean snarled, looking at Zach. "Part of the reason we all can down here." Merrill pointed at Sean with a smile.
"Busted bro," Jack smiled.
"Get your ass in my truck," Zach said, kissing Caleigh good-bye. He kissed Beth's cheek as well and then followed Jack into the garage. Aaron and Dave smiled at the boys as they left.
Three hours later, the group was ushered into John Schuerholz's private suite. Caleigh was at home with the twins along with Victoria, AJ and Dani who were there to help her with the twins getting their dinner. Lexie, Molly and Dani loved being around the kids.
Sean and Merrill shook their heads at each other looking around the suite. Dave winked at Aaron. "Welcome to bigs gang," he smiled at them.
Beth looked at Aaron. "Where's John?"
Aaron smiled at her. "Celebrating his anniversary with Karen on a remote Caribbean island."
"And he just lets you have his suite?" Sean asked his brother.
Aaron smiled. "Yes he does. He sorta likes your nephew. He supports this family. But honestly Sean, John does this for all of the players when they have family in town. He's that good."
Jack blew into the suite twenty minutes before game time, escorted by a staff member of the Braves. "Thanks Angie," Jack smiled at her.
"Any time Jack," she smiled, sharing a high five with him. She smiled at Beth and Aaron.
"Thanks Angie," Beth smiled.
Jason deGroom, the NL Cy Young winner the past season and Andy Minton dueled into a scoreless seventh inning. Freddie Freeman stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the seventh and promptly lined a double down the right field line on the first pitch.
Zach homered him home two pitches later. The Braves bullpen took care of the rest.
Beth drove the group home with Kim as her co-pilot.
"What a game," Merrill smiled.
"Yup," Dave smiled.
Two minutes later, Merrill said the same thing. "Yup," Dave hiccupped.
Kim smiled at Beth. "Shuddup you two," Sela snarled at her two seatmates.
Aaron and Sean were in the backseat, in not much better shape. Sean rubbed Aaron's shoulder. "Damn he's good."
"That's my son," Aaron smiled. Beth just shook her head. Kim laughed.
Zach and Jack got home in time to give the twins their nightly bottle. Beth smiled at Jack as he fed Taylor. "Did you have a good time?"
"It was awesome Beth," Jack smiled as Taylor drank her formula mixed with some cereal. "It was great to see all the guys and hang out with them. And JD and BMac are awesome," he smiled.
Zach looked at Beth, Kim and Sela. "Where are the guys?" he asked with a snicker.
"You know better," Kim growled back.
Zach laughed. "Guys' night and free beer." Sela pointed at the tip of her nose. He looked at Beth. "How polluted are they?"
"They enjoyed a good game and are tucked in," Beth smiled, winking at Sela. Beth looked at Zach. "Food for him tonight?" she said, pointing at Jack. "He's a bottomless pit lately."
Caleigh smiled. "It's called a growth spurt Beth. We've got it times two."
Zach smiled at Beth. "Single cheeseburgers, a shared large french fry and small chocolate shakes at the Golden Arches on the way home."
"Shit," Jack said.
"Watch you language mister," Beth growled.
"Beth, I've got to put up with Uncle Dave snoring."
"Shit," Zach smiled, burping Trevor. He handed Trevor to Beth. "You get him tucked in grandma," he smiled. "I've got Jack," he said kissing her cheek.
Jack expertly burped Taylor and handed her to Sela. He looked at Zach. "I've missed that," Jack smiled at his brother. Beth kissed Jack good night and took Trev upstairs. Sela followed her. The boys both shared good nights with Kim.
She looked at Zach. "You've got the house shut down?" Lexie and Molly curled up on their respective beds by the patio door.
Zach smiled at her, kissing her cheek. "You know better."
"Good night Aunt Kim," Jack said, giving her a hug.
Kim kissed his head. "Good night Jackster."
Caleigh and Zach got Jack into bed with Dave snoring away. Zach slapped his feet. "Roll over on your side Uncle Dave." Dave stirred and rolled onto his side.
Jack said his prayers. "I've missed that," Caleigh smiled at Jack, pulling the blanket up around his shoulders. "Good night Jack," she smiled, kissing his head. "Luvs ya," she smiled.
"Back at ya," Jack yawned.
Zach kissed Jack's head. "Good night bro. Love you."
"Love you too Zach," Jack yawned, falling asleep.
-00CM00-
The twins woke after six the next morning. Caleigh and Zach headed out of their bedroom and into the twins' room to see Beth and Kim already changing diapers. Beth smiled at them. "Parents' reprieve this morning. Go back to bed."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Zach yawned, rubbing his chest hair. He gently grabbed Caleigh's hand and pulled her back into their bedroom. Kim smiled at Beth.
Two hours later, the kitchen of the kids' southern home was busy. Trev and Tay were happily on the comforter in the living room with Lexie and Molly keeping a close watch. Beth and Kim were snuggled back in bed.
Sela pointed at the kids to Caleigh and Zach. "They're going to be crawling soon," she smiled. Both of them were up on their hands and knees rocking back and forth.
"I don't want to hear that," Caleigh said as she cooked breakfast for Sela, Zach and herself.
Jack blew in, showered for the day. Zach looked at him."Homework all caught up?"
Jack smiled. "I get the 'y' in Algebra now. You've got to help me with just two problems." The doorbell rang. Jack went to the door. Rashad and Miguel came in, played with the twins for a bit while meeting Molly, who immediately took to Jack's friends. The three of them sat down in the kitchen counter chairs.
"Breakfast please before I take off with the guys," Jack smiled.
Zach looked at Jack. "Homemade egg muffin with bacon is on the menu this morning."
"That works," Jack smiled. "Maybe two?"
Zach looked at Miguel and Rashad. "Maybe two more," Rashad smiled. "Breakfast was light at home." Miguel smiled his acceptance.
Zach shook his head, pulling out more eggs, bacon and cheese slices, looking at Caleigh. "When did we sign up for five bottomless pits?"
Caleigh rubbed his chest. "When their parents are my back-up when you are on the road," she smiled, kissing him.
Sela smiled at Zach. "You just got your ass plunked Cob." Miguel smiled and pointed at Zach.
"Thanks pal," Zach growled at Miguel. Rashad and Miguel shared a high five.
Sela smiled at the boys, giving Jack a hug. "Stick it to him guys."
Jack smiled at Rashad and Miguel. "This is Sela. She's way cool."
"Got that Jack," Rashad said. Miguel shyly smiled at her.
After feeding the boys, Zach got them into the garage. He looked at Jack, pointing at his bike. "Height adjustment on the seat?" Jack smiled as Zach went to his tool bench. Ten minutes later, the boys took off with Zach making sure they had their helmets on.
Zach came into the house with the rest of the crew up. He looked at his dad and smiled. "Don't give me the Hotchner glare. I'm not going to say a word. You've seen me the same way how many times?"
"Thank you and good morning son," Aaron said, taking the coffee cup Caleigh offered. "Where's Jack?", he said, hugging Zach.
"At the park with Rashad and Miguel." Aaron smiled.
Zach looked at Dave. "You're a lost cause." Dave gave him a one-finger salute back. He looked at Sean. "You rock," sharing a high five with him with his bullshit smile.
Merrill looked at Zach. Zach broadly smiled. "You've got a wife and she doesn't need my back-up."
"No she doesn't," Merrill smiled, taking the cup of coffee Sela offered him.
Zach dove in to help Caleigh and Sela cook breakfasts for the early morning sitters after their nap and the slightly hung-over guys. Beth and Kim got Trev and Tay blissfully enjoying their morning nap while they waited for their breakfast.
Sela smiled at Caleigh frying eggs on the flattop skillet as Zach toasted more English muffins. "You know I'm right about the crawlers," she said, pulling out the cooked bacon warming in the oven to help Caleigh put the breakfast sandwiches together.
Caleigh looked at her and smiled. "We know. Don't ask us if we're prepared for that." Sela rubbed her arm as Beth and Aaron smiled.
Everyone pitched in on the kitchen clean up. Sean looked at Caleigh. "I hate to ask after you've just cooked. But what's happening tonight around here with Zach having a game?"
Caleigh smiled. "And old fashioned neighborhood cook-out and potluck dinner." She pulled out a sheet of paper from a drawer of an email between her, Victoria, Moesha and Alec. "Pick your poison ladies," she smiled at Kim and Sela. "Beth and I have the fruit salad."
Kim looked at Sela. "I think we need showers and a grocery store run."
"That's a girls' date," Caleigh smiled. "I've got to pick-up the burgers I ordered. Plus the hotdogs." She looked at Dave. "Fork up thirty bucks. You're buying the hamburger and hot dogs buns and chipping in on buying the fruit."
Dave pulled out his wallet and started to pull out a Ben Franklin. "I'm pitching in on the burgers too," he smiled, taking another drink of his coffee.
"Damnit Dave," Caleigh growled. "Zach and I can afford that."
"So can I," Dave smiled as he only could do.
"The loveable ass," Sean snarked. Dave pointed at him with his Cheshire cat smile.
"Asshole," Caleigh said.
"Thank you for the reminder of my second wife," Dave smiled back. Sean snickered.
Aaron looked at Caleigh. "Go upstairs and take your shower my daughter."
"I walk away Aaron, he wins."
Dave shook his head. "It's not about winning my love," he said, pulling Caleigh to his side. "It's about me being Uncle Dave."
Caleigh kissed his cheek. "You're forgiven," taking the Franklin.
Three hours later, Zach got ready to leave for the night game. Aaron looked at him. "I've got the night off dad," he smiled. "BMac is catching tonight. I just have to be there for BP." Aaron smiled. "Have some leftovers waiting for me," he smiled, kissing Beth's cheek.
"You got it," she smiled.
Zach kissed Caleigh. "Loves ya babe."
Caleigh kissed him. "Back at you. Say good-bye to the boys." Jack, Rashad and Miguel were playing catch in the backyard while throwing around tennis balls for Lex and Molly to chase.
"Got it babe," he smiled.
-00CM00-
The neighborhood group had a wonderful cookout. They gathered around in the Great Room after dinner to watch the game. Lexie, Dani and Molly took turns chasing AJ around the house. And deeply policed her from getting into areas she shouldn't. Vic and Caleigh flew into the guest bathroom on the first floor at AJ crying. Lex had a hold onto the bottom of her shirt to keep her out of the cabinet below the sink.
Caleigh smiled at Vic, picking up AJ, chiding her daughter that Lex was right. "Zach has already installed child proof locks on all the cupboards that have cleaning supplies. Gabby kicked his butt about that."
Vic smiled. "Andy did the same thing after his mother visited just before AJ started crawling." She looked at her best friend. "But Cal," she said, nodding at Lex, "I think you've got an extra sitter."
"That we deeply love," Caleigh smiled rubbing Lex's head. "Thanks girl." Lex gave her a happy bark back.
The Braves weren't having that kind of luck. They were leading the Mets 4-1. But in the sixth inning, McCann, sliding into third base came up limping, grabbing his right hamstring.
Like past years, the Braves carried three catchers. Snit put Tyler Flowers into BMac's spot, wanting Zach to have a night off.
The next inning with Ty batting in BMac's spot, the first pitch Flowerpot took from the Mets' pitcher was a high, inside fastball that hit the soft part of Tyler's right hand near his wrist. Zach looked at Charlie Culberson at the end of the dugout. Charlie was the team's premier utility player. Charlie could play every position. Zach nodded him towards the tunnel. Charlie looked at him. "Get me warmed up. In a hurry."
"Let's do it Cob," Charlie smiled.
Greg Maddux noticed the two. "Get Ty out and get that wrist checked out Doggie." Maddux slapped his shoulder and looked at Snit. Snit nodded.
Tyler came into the dugout at the end of the inning and pleaded his case to stay in the game. Snit left him in to catch. But it became increasing aware to the staff that his right hand was hurting through the next two innings.
The Mets tied up the game in the top of the ninth inning. Flowers' spot in the batting order was coming up to lead off the inning. He came into the dugout. "Get your ass into the locker room and get that wrist ice down," Snit growled. He looked down the bench. "Cob!"
Cob walked out of the tunnel, grabbing his batting helmet out of the rack. "Yes Skip," he smiled behind Snit. Zach had been taking extra batting practice in the cage in the tunnel near the clubhouse.
"Asshole," Snit growled.
"My wife says loveable asshole Skip." Doggie smiled at him.
The group in the living room shouted as the boys in Jack's bedroom watching on his TV celebrated. "Walk it off kid," Sean proudly smiled as Zach rounded the bases, hitting the game winning homerun.
Aaron, Dave, Merrill and Sean stayed up to welcome Zach home later that night. Dave pulled a plate out of the microwave as Sean pulled out a bowl of fruit salad from the fridge.
"Thanks guys," Zach smiled, drinking a beer. He looked at his dad. "My wife and kids?" he asked, inhaling the hotdog.
Aaron smiled. "Sound asleep. Tomorrow morning, Beth and Kim will take care of the kids' breakfast. Sleep in son." Zach smiled at him, taking a bite of the hamburger, enjoying the huge bowl of fruit salad along with the baked beans on his plate.
"After that, we're all going to church with the four of you," Aaron smiled.
"And then supporting the Lawrenceville FD at their annual pancake breakfast," Sean said. "We owe." Zach shook his head.
"We do kid," Dave smiled, rubbing Zach's shoulder.
"Yes we do," Merrill added. "And helluva game Zach," he smiled. "You made Sela and my weekend with that homerun."
"Not to mention three boys," Dave smiled at Merrill. Merrill pointed at him with a smile.
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A/N: Sorry; another bit of a baseball chapter. I'm going to get you all hooked. :D
I have to say I've had two reviewers that have mentioned they've looked at "normal" baseball stuff and looked for Zach's name. *shakes head* That just blows me out of the water. One even told a co-worker that Zach Hotchner is her favorite baseball player. Wow. I can't say thank you enough.
But that said I have some explaining to do. There's some yellow highlights in my original text. JD and BMac are Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann who the Braves signed as free agents. I referenced that in a previous Zach and Caleigh story.
BP is batting practice. Walking it off like Uncle Sean said is hitting the game winner. In baseball, especially in front of the home crowd, is a big thing. You send the fans home happy. And the team happy into the clubhouse after the game.
FD is Fire Department. I don't think I have to explain that any more to you my loyal readers. Zach and Caleigh pay it back.