A/N: I'm just gonna do this now and cover my tracks once.
*sets out case of tissue boxes*
Yup; I'm gonna do that.
Chapter 2
Zach and Jack walked out of the tunnel from the visitor's locker room as their family anxiously waited. Caleigh ran to Zach. "Are you OK?"
Zach smiled at her, accepting her hug. "Easy babe; I've got a bitch of a knot in my shoulder muscle coming out my neck. And I'm on the ten day disabled list, compliments of Doc Lourie. And how bad they iced me up has made me stiffer than a board." He kissed her. "How are you?"
"Don't scare me like that again," Caleigh said, lightly slapping his arm, as Beth pulled Jack towards her for a hug.
"Thank Max for that babe," he smiled, kissing her cheek, looking at his dad.
"Since you didn't kick his ass," Aaron said, "I'm assuming….."
"Dad, the pitch sailed on him. I recognized it immediately. And it was his fastball; Max shouted a warning to me. That just didn't give me enough time to react." Aaron looked at him. "Dad, when Max is pissed at you, he throws at you; but never near your head. And with his normal control, he doesn't miss." Aaron gave his son the Hotchner intent look; slightly below the glare. Zach smiled. "He always throws his change-up at you when he's pissed. It's easier to dodge at 85 miles per hour than his nearly 100 mile an hour fastball. He's pissed; but he gives you a chance. And he's not going to hurt you."
Aaron smiled, pulling him into a hug as Caleigh let him go. "I'm glad you kids are getting the down time."
Zach smiled at him, releasing the hug. "I'm not going to bitch about it," he smiled, kissing Beth's cheek and giving her a hug. "I just need a hot shower to get the knot out of my neck that they put in with their fricking ice." He shook his head at Rachel, reaching to hug her. "You medical pros need to learn some things."
"Icing down that spot was the best for it Zach," Rachel smiled, moving to look at the area. "But yes, before you go to sleep tonight, take a short shower, and I mean short my son," she glared at him. "That will take out the stiffness and let you get some sleep. Warmth will make that area swell with the broken blood vessels that cause bruises. And make sure that spot stays covered tonight to keep you comfortable. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Zach looked at Tom. "Doc Laurie gave me the same sermon ten minutes ago. But I know who not to argue with." Tom smiled, nodding his head. Mike and Bub laughed.
"Wise decision," Dave said, pulling Zach into a hug.
-00CM00-
The next morning, Zach and Caleigh joined Aaron, Beth and Jack at the eight o'clock church service at the Hotchner's home church in the Annandale. Caleigh had transferred her membership from St. Andrew's to St. John's. Aaron and Beth both could tell Zach was hurting a bit as he sat down in the pew with them.
"It's good to see you two," Pastor Jon brightly smiled at the couple as he ushered out the parishioners from their pews. "Don't you have a game this afternoon with the Nationals," he asked, looking at Zach.
"I took the day off," Zach smiled, "with the Braves' blessings."
Caleigh smiled at Pastor Jon. "Lisa and Pete's daughter is being baptized today. We're Amelia's godparents."
"God's blessings on Amelia," Pastor Jon smiled to the couple. He looked at Zach. "Enjoy your day off."
I'm going to," Zach smiled.
Pastor Thiel, the second minister at the church for the growing congregation was at the back of church, also greeting parishioners, was a bit more of a sports wonk than Pastor Jon. "How's the shoulder Zach," he asked after greeting Caleigh.
Zach smiled. "You don't want to see the bruise Pastor."
"At least with the All-Star break, you won't miss that many games being on the ten day disabled list."
Zach smiled. "I think that was part of the plan Pastor. And Caleigh and I get a little down time."
Pastor Thiel smiled. "God guides our lives."
"Been in on that message for years Pastor," Zach smiled.
Thiel rubbed his upper arm. "Take care of yourself Zach."
"Thanks Pastor," Zach smiled.
-0CM00-
Pete and his family looked around the large Catholic cathedral of Father Jimmy's parish in Georgetown, carrying Amelia in her infant car seat. "Welcome to the bigs my daughter."
Zach smiled at him, rubbing his shoulder. "Go big or go home Big Dog." Pete just shook his head at Zach. Zach lightly laughed, rubbing Pete's shoulder.
"How's your neck Cob?" Pete asked, setting Amelia down in the car seat, softly loosening the straps around his sleeping daughter. He smiled; gently pulling her out to put her into a smiling Zach's arms.
"Good enough for this my friend," Zach smiled, holding Amelia close with Caleigh rubbing his back.
"You two need something like this," Lisa smiled.
"We're talking about it," Caleigh smiled back.
"You got your Master's Degree? What's there to talk about?"
"My husband's job and the days it demands," Caleigh volleyed back.
Lisa shook her head. "I hear that loves," she smiled. "It takes two to raise a child."
Dave greeted Big Pete and Marissa that shook their head at the massive Cathedral. "Our boy runs with some wonderful people," Big Pete said to Dave.
"Jimmy is honored to do this for your family," Dave smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "He's sorta vested into your family through Zach and Caleigh." He looked at Marissa. "And with size of your family, with the kids and the grandkids, you need the space," he smiled more.
The Stanlovsky family numbered nearly forty in attendance. The family, with Aaron, Beth and Jack there as well smiled as Caleigh held Amelia while Father Jimmy baptized her. Lisa's family, including Caleigh's family made those in attendance number nearly sixty.
Big Pete and Marissa shut down the restaurant that Sunday to their customers to host the family celebration. And the food Marissa had prepared along with Johnny, one of Pete's older brothers behind the bar, provided a wonderful afternoon for all involved.
Pete walked up to Father Jimmy. "How much do I owe you Father?"
Jimmy smiled. "Just make sure that quietly sleeping munchkin knows her Uncle Dave."
"He didn't," Pete snarled.
"Pete, my son," Jimmy smiled, rubbing his shoulder, "I think you need to get to know Dave better," he said. "Or talk to your best friend," he nodded at Zach.
Pete stuck out his hand. "Thank you Father Jimmy." He smiled, shaking Jimmy's hand. "We all run with some good folks don't we?"
"Yes we do kid," Jimmy said, rubbing Pete's shoulder more. "And I need to fill my plate a bit again," he smiled. He whispered. "And maybe get another beer," he winked.
"I'll join you," Pete smiled.
-00CM00-
Monday night, Aaron, Beth and Jack sat around the table eating dinner. Zach and Caleigh begged off in joining them wanting some "alone" time. Jack didn't buy in; but he got overruled. Aaron's cell buzzed on the counter. Jack rolled his eyes at Beth as Aaron moved to answer it.
"Gone again," Jack mumbled at Beth.
"Hotchner," Aaron answered. He listened and shook his head. "Zach's cell number is ….."
Beth looked at him when the call was finished. "Aaron?"
He shook his head. "Zach's friend Jake Whitten lost his battle with cancer this afternoon. Pastor Thiel wants to talk to Zach about Jake's funeral service."
Jack shook his head. "It doesn't end. Death always wins."
###
A/N: My original story was Zach getting hurt and dealing with his injury. What I didn't plan on was a young man from my church, at age 25, passing suddenly after his seven year battle with cancer. Fictionally, he and Zach would be about the same age and know each other from church.
I went to my mentor and asked if I was wrong to include this in this story. Obviously, I've changed the name. She said, "Run with it; and honor that young man's courageous fight."
I'm gonna do that.
Doc Lourie is the Atlanta Braves team doctor. As in Dr. Gary Lourie.
A change-up is a pitch that is made to look like a fastball. But is not thrown with the velocity of a fastball.