Chapter 5

Brent Snitker walked up to the podium to address the Atlanta media that were seated in the pressroom of the stadium and looked at them. He was still in his uniform but wearing sneakers instead of his spikes. "Before you all start, let me say this. Zach and Andy will not be available when you get into the lockerroom." Terrance Moore, sitting in his usual front and center position, hiked an eyebrow at him.

Snitker looked at him. "Terry, you cannot tell me you didn't notice the extra number 62 on the field today." Moore smiled. "That second 62 was part of a contingent of forty people that rented a motorcoach from the DC area to be here for this game. We've got to support our young kids just coming up. The big leagues are a huge adjustment for young players. And Andy and Cob proved today they have made that adjustment. The two of them worked their fannies off in prep with Roger. Roger and I both know they watched more video than we really want to know to add to their preparation. Cob called a beautiful game and Minnie pitched what Cob called." He smiled at the group. "Plus, their fiancées are part of the group. We support them."

Moore smiled. "I think we all can live with that Brent."

Mike, the motorcoach driver pulled the bus up to the tunnel entrance and opened the bottom doors for everyone to grab their coolers. The group stood around the bus, enjoying their drinks. Sean eyed Dave, who pointed at his large cooler. Sean helped him pull it out. Sean reached in, grabbed two cold beers and walked to Aaron. "Relax brother," he smiled. "Zach isn't going to let Jack down," he said, handing Aaron a beer. He looked at John. "You want one?"

"What the hell," John smiled. "I've got a reason to celebrate," he beamed. Dave handed him a beer with a smile, opening it for him. "And there's a bathroom on the bus," he winked at Dave.

Aaron smiled as he pulled a cooler cup out of his back cargo shorts pocket, put the beer in it and cracked it open. "Holy shit," Caleigh's brother Mike laughed with his own beer in hand. "You can really relax Agent Hotchner?"

"Shut up Mike," Aaron smiled. Sean and Mike shared a high five and laughed. Aaron shook his head. "After today, keep Dave's cooler away from me. Or Beth will be driving home and I'll be a pile of crap tomorrow at work."

"Now that I hear," Dave said, polishing off his first beer and grabbing a second. The group laughed more.

"All I gotta say is this is a helluva lot cheaper than nine seventy five for a beer in the stands from the vendors," Derek smiled, draining his beer and pulling out a second.

"Word brother," Will smiled draining his beer and grabbing another as well.

Twenty minutes later, Zach's whistle that Aaron knew too well echoed through the tunnel. He, Beth and Caleigh all turned to look. The rest of the group did as well. Jack raced out of the tunnel to his dad with Zach's bat with a huge smile on his face. Both the boys were showered and in their regular clothes. Except for one item on Jack. He was still wearing his visitor Braves' jersey over his t-shirt. With autographs from the entire team on it. Zach and Andy walked up to the group, wearing dress shirts and suit pants.

Zach and Andy smiled at their ladies and pulled them into tight hugs, kissing them. Letting Caleigh go, Zach walked up to his grandfather and handed him his first homerun ball. "That's for mom grandpa," he smiled, putting the ball in his hand. "I want you and grandma to have it." Aaron proudly smiled as Beth rubbed his back.

Will just shook his head at JJ and reached into his own back pocket of his shorts. He handed his handkerchief to Garcia. JJ smiled and rubbed his arm, watching the scene. Tom was handing his to Rachel as well.

John smiled at him. "She is so proud of you right now my grandson," he said, choking back tears pulling Zach into a hug. Garcia used Will's hankie to wipe her own as Zach used his long arm span to pull Hannah into the hug as well. Caleigh rubbed Zach's back, wiping away her own tears. Sean put his arm around Dave's shoulder, sharing a smiled with him.

Releasing his grandparents, Zach looked at his dad. "Great game Zach," Aaron smiled, sticking out his hand for handshake.

"Forget that dad," Zach smiled, pulling his dad into a deep hug. He let go and looked at Aaron. "Now give me a drink of your beer."

"Guys," Merrill smiled, pulling two more beers out of Dave's cooler. "How fast can you drink?" Zach and Andy looked at each other. They clinked their beer cans together and drained them in about four gulps while taking some time with the group.

"My son in law to be," Tom joked. The group all roared with laughter.

Zach looked around at the group. "You will never, ever know how much this means to me."

"Me too," Andy smiled after sharing a hug with Beth and a handshake from Aaron and Dave.

"But we gotta head back to the clubhouse. We're flying in about two hours."

"See you tomorrow son," Aaron smiled, giving him a hug.

"Dad," Zach asked, hugging Beth.

"Are you not playing the Nationals tomorrow?"

Zach shook his head and kissed Rachel. "Can I say I don't miss that part of him?"

They all roared with laughter. "See ya tomorrow," Rachel smiled, rubbing his chest. "John got us a suite tomorrow night". Zach shook his head and kissed Caleigh again as Andy kissed Victoria. They headed back down the tunnel.

-00CM00-

Major League baseball schedulers, in infinite their wisdom looking for fans in the stadiums and TV ratings, scheduled all teams to mainly play division opponents the month of September. The regular baseball season ended October second.

The Braves were at the bottom of the National League East division with no hopes of being in the playoffs. But with their young turks up from the minor leagues that would be their future, the Braves started to send a message to the rest of their division. The Nationals, New York Mets and Miami Marlins were all in contention for a playoff spot. The young and rapidly improving Braves played spoilers with that. Their three game sweep of the Nationals the next three days, who were on top of the division, and in their home park, backed that message.

Zach got home around eight that night following the Wednesday day game in DC. He looked around the duplex at boxes packed up. He kissed and hugged Caleigh and gave Lexie a major dose of love and a play session with her ball down the duplex hall. He looked at Caleigh, waving a finger at the boxes, sending the tennis ball back down the hall for Lexie to chase. "Babe?'

Caleigh smiled. "You're off tomorrow and I'm ready to sleep in our own home tomorrow night." She put her arms around his neck. "And why Victoria and I didn't stay in DC with your series there."

Zach smiled. "Andy told me their loan on their house got approved. They sign on it tomorrow."

"At eight-thirty," she smiled. "Then they'll help us move our things into our home," she said, kissing him.

"Babe, that won't take long with what little we have." Caleigh looked at him. "I mean other than our bed, we have zero furniture." He looked around. "Or anything really."

Caleigh evilly smiled. "Guess what we're doing the rest of the day?"

Zach shook his head. "Spending a lot of money."

Caleigh hugged him. "Approved and highly supported by Jose and Kelly." She looked him in the eye. "And to quote Jose – tell that miser you can afford it." Zach shook his head and rolled his eyes. Caleigh laughed.

Zach looked at her. "Uncle Dave is not in on this plan?"

Caleigh smiled. "He told me to drain your trust fund before we dip into our checking account."

Zach smiled. "I would have taken a major hit on it with the IRS no longer being a college student making zero money with what dad gave me of Jack's Social Security check after mom died." Caleigh looked at him. "I would have to declare the trust money. What dad gave me while I was in college, I wouldn't."

Caleigh kissed him and put her arms around his shoulders. "Ya do sorta gotta love Uncle Dave," she smiled.

"Just don't tell him that," Zach smiled. Caleigh laughed.

Andy helped Zach and Caleigh move their meager belongings to their home while Victoria took care of Lexie. Zach and Caleigh had already made one run with Lexie along to check out her new home. .Zach eyed Andy, shoving the box holding their Sleep Number bed into the back of Zach's pick-up after getting the bedframe in. "You good with this Minnie?"

Andy smiled. "Our friendship has never been about money. I don't care how much more you have than me. Victoria's family has money. We're OK," he smiled. "I just expect to use you next Thursday and your truck when we move in there," Andy pointed. Their new home was on the next street on the development. They had scored the same deal as Zach and Caleigh with the builder looking to get rid of his debt.

"Deal," Zach smiled.

Once they got everything in the house, Caleigh looked at Andy. "Is Victoria OK with Lexie?"

Andy smiled. "Guess what one of her Christmas presents is going to be." Zach and Caleigh smiled. "You two go," he smiled more. "I'm gonna take two pretty ladies to the park for a walk. And bring a tennis ball along to wear out one of them."

"I like that plan," Zach smiled.

After doing a drive through at a local Golden Arches, Zach and Caleigh ate their quick lunch in the parking lot of major furniture retailer. Zach looked at Caleigh. "You sure it's this one?"

Caleigh looked at him. "I want furniture ASAP. And they're having a major end of season close out sale." They walked into the store.

Zach squeezed Caleigh's hand. "Follow my lead." He looked around the huge store and then pulled Caleigh's hand. He made a beeline to the oldest salesperson he could see. The salesperson smiled at them. "How can I help you?"

Zach looked at him. "Are you working to supplement your retirement and do you make commission?"

The sales associate looked at him. "Yes and yes. And my name is Walt," he smiled.

"Hi Walt," Zach beamed, sticking out his hand. "I'm Zach; this is my fiancée Caleigh and we're about to make your day."

Leaving the furniture store of the major shopping district of a northeast Atlanta suburb, Caleigh noticed a Target store. "Go in there Zach." He looked at her. "We can kill two birds with one stone. We can get some of essentials we need and sign up for a wedding registry. Mom has been all over me to get it done. The wedding invitations go to the printer in a week."

Zach looked at her as he pulled in and parked the truck. "I thought you already got us registered at Kohl's?"

"I did," Caleigh said. "But Target gives another option for our guests and has things we need that are cheaper than Kohl's."

While they were browsing through the store, Zach's cell buzzed in his cargo short's pocket.

"Hey dad! What's up?"

"We're on our way home from a case in Houston. Which you probably knew about."

"I talked to Beth and Jack yesterday," he smiled, putting it on speaker. "I knew you and the team were out."

"Hi Aaron," Caleigh said.

"Hi sweetheart," Aaron smiled. "My seatmate sitting across from me tells me you two are spending a lot of money," he said looking at Dave, putting his cell on speaker. The rest of the team was sleeping.

Zach winked at Caleigh. "Dad, if you knew what we spent at the furniture store, you'd shit. And then kill me. But for the record dad, we're spending Uncle Dave's money first; saves us the hit with the IRS."

The couple heard Dave laugh. "Good for you two," Dave smiled. "And well thought out."

"But dad, for the record, the bottom line of our invoice said we saved nearly six thousand dollars with their sale."

Dave smiled. "Rock on. Learned well my Jedi."

Zach rolled his eyes at Caleigh as they laughed. "I'll tell Jose that you remember his line Uncle Dave."

"Hey! I've watched Star Wars with Jack. I know Yoda." The kids laughed more.

"Now we're at Target getting things we really need. Like plates, silverware, glasses, a TV….. Malcom, one of the sales associates is following us around with a big ass cart. What he doesn't know is that will get him two tickets to Chipper Bobble Head night on Saturday." Malcom looked at Caleigh wide eyed. She smiled at him and nodded.

Aaron and Dave smiled. "Like I said, taught you well," Dave said. "You take care of those that take care of you."

"All over it Uncle Dave," Zach smiled.

"Uncle Dave," Caleigh said, "you should talk to the sixty-seven year old sales associate at the furniture store trying to supplement his retirement, getting laid off late in life." Dave beamed.

Aaron shook his head. "I know I'm going to sound condescending, but I'm proud of you two."

Zach smiled. "I had a couple good role models growing up. When are you going to be home?"

"In about an hour," Aaron said. "I just wanted to touch base with you, knowing you had a day off. How is it really going Zach?"

"It's another major adjustment dad; that I and Caleigh are making it. I can't speak for Cal, but she's already major friends with a lot of Braves' wives. For me- thank God for A.J. He's been my rock. Especially now catching every day. And I've got more bruises on my body than I've ever had in my life. When I mentioned that to A.J., he just laughed at me and said….."

"Welcome to the bigs," Aaron and Dave said finishing Zach's sentence with a laugh

"Like I said, I just wanted to say hi," Aaron smiled, "knowing what's going on. Beth, Jack and I will talk to you later tonight."

"Hey Aaron! Can you do me one favor?"

"What's that Caleigh?"

"Tell your idiot son that while doing our wedding registry, scanning my butt with the handheld doesn't work." Dave and Aaron roared with laughter.

"I love you sweetheart very much. But when he moved out, he became your problem."

"Thanks dad," Caleigh sarcastically said. Aaron and Dave laughed again.

"Shit dad," Zach said. "Her butt still won't scan." Aaron and Dave laughed more. Zach smiled. "Thanks for checking in dad. I appreciate it. Get home and get some rest."

Aaron softly smiled. "Thanks son; talk to you both later."

Between hunting out things they needed and a wedding "wish list", they spent nearly two hours at the store. But they got what they needed to start a life in their new home and hit a large grocery store to stock up their kitchen; and then Home Depot to burn up the last of the teams' original house warming gift.

Caleigh looked at Zach as they got into the truck. "No lawn mower, weed trimmer…..?"

"Not with big rookie signing contract," Zach smiled at her. Caleigh looked at him. "Think lawn service."

Caleigh smiled. "Another thing you learned from Uncle Dave.'

"Yuppppp."

Zach and Caleigh sat around their patio table, enjoying Zach's barbequed chicken on their Weber from Bobby and Pamela Cox. They were using the new dishes and silverware, along with glassware they had bought that day. The living room, while having no furniture, had a new flatscreen TV on top of the credenza that was built into one wall. It was already hooked up to DirecTV who had just left. That included a DVR. Zach looked at Caleigh, draining his glass of milk. "I'm sorry I won't be here when all the furniture gets delivered on Saturday." Lexie, after her play in the park with Andy and Victoria, along with another round of fetch with Zach while he had cooked the chicken was conked out in the house.

Caleigh smiled and kissed him. "No worries." She evilly smiled at him. "It saves the argument between us about what goes where." Zach laughed. "It will just be nice to have a dresser to put clothes in instead of pulling them out of a suitcase.

Zach looked at her. "I love you babe. But I put my own boxers in my dresser; the really small one."

"But is has the mirror attached to it," Caleigh smiled. Zach rolled his eyes. Caleigh kissed him again. "I'm a girl; I get the big one. And I'll let you gently tuck away your boxers," she smiled.

"You better," Zach smiled back.

###

A/N: I think you all know what the Golden Arches are. :D

"Chipper Bobble Head day" is the Braves honoring one of their future Hall of Fame players. Larry "Chipper" Jones with a little bobble head figurine handed out to the fans entering the stadium.

A handheld is a portable instrument that scans barcodes. The bridal couple scans the barcode of an item they want and their guests, if they chose to, pick from the list for a wedding present.