Chapter 2

Zach and Caleigh, along with Aaron, Beth and Jack attended church the next morning at the Greystone's home church with Caleigh's family. The same church Zach and Caleigh got married in. Dave slid into the pew next to Zach as the church bell rang to start the service.

After the service, they all met up at Tom and Rachel's for brunch before the kids and Lex headed towards Atlanta. Dave looked at Zach. "Where was she during the service?" he said, nodding at Lex.

"Sleeping in the backseat of my truck," Zach said. Dave looked at him. "She had her breakfast and took her dump. It's food coma time. And it's not that warm out. Uncle Dave, you taught me too well how to take care of a dog."

Caleigh giggled. "So I shouldn't tell Uncle Dave about you and Lex's grocery store runs?"

Zach gave her the Hotchner glare, earning a laugh from Aaron and Beth.

Zach turned on Dave. "Don't you start on me; when I make a grocery store run with Lex, the AC is full blast. And then I put the windows down; but just enough so she can't jump out. And if I'm doing the grocery store, it's an in and out run."

Caleigh smiled at her mom with a wink. "Get ready for it….."

"She's the biggest hit in the parking lot," Zach smiled. "The ladies and kids gets lots of kisses," Zach smiled at Dave.

"I still haven't got used to you two and your tag team," Dave growled, waving his finger at Zach and Caleigh. Everyone laughed.

Lexie was prowling around the Greystone home on full alert. "What's up with that?" Dave asked.

"She smells Munchkin," Zach said. Dave looked at him. "Rachel's cat; and she's a hunting dog."

"I've got five to one on Munchkin," Mike snickered.

"No bet," Caleb said.

"Munchkin is probably under our bed," Rachel laughed.

"Do you mind if I shut the door before there's a confrontation?" Zach asked, looking at his mother-in-law. Rachel shook her head with a smile.

Zach went down the hallway and loudly laughed as Lex sped by him into the kitchen to Caleigh.

Lex sat down at Caleigh's feet. Zach came into the kitchen, still laughing a bit.

"Bro?" Mike asked.

"Munchkin kicked Lex's ass," Caleb said.

Zach shook his head. "All I heard was a very angry meow."

"She probably took a swipe at Lex's nose with her paw and claws out," Rachel smiled.

Caleigh looked at Lex. "No blood," she smiled. "Munchkin missed."

"Damn," Caleb said. Jack snickered.

Zach shook his head at Lex. "You are a mama's girl." Lex barked her agreement. They group all laughed.

-00CM00-

With brunch done and all the clean-up completed, Jack looked around. "This is the part I hate," he mumbled. Sarah rubbed Mike's back with a shake of her head. Mike put his arm around her.

"You're not the only one Jack," Tom said, rubbing Jack's shoulder.

Jack, growing taller with another growth spurt that now put his head at Beth's breast line, was still no match for his brother and his off season workouts with their dad and Morgan. Zach lifted him off the ground into a hug. "It sucks. I feel the same way bro." He hugged Jack who put his arms around Zach's neck. "But there's Skype. I'll try to check in every day."

Caleigh rubbed his back. "You know Lex and I will," she smiled.

"And we play the Nats in early April. I'll see you then," Zach said.

"Without spikes?"

Zach looked at him. "You know how late being a batboy gets. What comes first? That mom insisted on?"

Jack smiled, looking at Zach. "School."

"Roger that JP," Zach said, putting Jack down. He looked at his watch and then Caleigh. "It's nearly one babe. We gotta get rolling."

Aaron looked at Zach as the group headed outside to the driveway.

Lex barked. "Lexie!" Zach shouted. "Go around the house," he gestured, "and find the spot to whiz." Lex took off.

"If she ferreted out Munchkin, she'll find the Greystone male pee spot," Dave smiled.

Zach looked at Aaron. "What dad?"

"Are you doing the usual drive son?"

Zach smiled. "The Best Western in Gastonia will be home tonight. Again. But that gets us there early afternoon tomorrow. Cal and I hope we can get over to the house and see the progress they've made with our own eyes instead of crappy cell videos."

Aaron looked at him. "You two need that."

"I know dad; we're all in." Zach looked at his dad. "Honestly, I can't wait," he smiled.

Aaron pulled him into a hug. "Son, I know you're an adult with a wonderful wife. But I'm still your dad."

"I get it dad," Zach smiled, tightly hugging Aaron. Caleigh started to share good-byes with her family. "We'll check in tonight and send you vid tomorrow night of the house."

"I get it Zach. We can't wait to see it. Just like you and Caleigh."

"I love you dad." Aaron hugged him tighter.

"I love you too son," he said, letting Zach go and looking at Beth.

Zach pulled Beth into his arms as Aaron pulled Jack, wiping tears to his side. "I love you," Zach said, giving her a hug and kissing her cheek."

"I love you too," Beth said, hugging him. "Have a good season. Please take care of yourself."

"Promise loves," Zach said, kissing her cheek again. "Thank again for all you do with Jack and dad."

Beth pulled out the hug and looked at Zach, rubbing his chin hair. "No garbage about how I might take care of dad?" she evilly eyed Zach.

"TMI," Jack said. Dave roared with laughter.

"Do your damn best," Zach zinged back, kissing Beth's cheek. Beth hugged him with a laugh and let him go. Just then, Lexie loudly barked in the backyard.

Zach looked at Dave. "That's Mudg's granddaughter. She just treed a squirrel who chewed her ass about it. Lex, being a woman, is getting the last word."

"She rocks," Jack smiled.

Zach looked at Dave, shaking his head. "Someday he'll get that."

Dave shook his head. "Don't remind me," Dave sadly smiled. "I'm saying good-bye to one of my two boys." Zach pulled Dave into a hug. "Have a great season Zach. I love you."

"I love you too Uncle Dave."

Jack, wrapped in Aaron's arms standing in front of his dad, wiped away another tear. Beth rubbed his shoulder.

Zach let go of Dave and looked to the other side of the truck. Caleigh was just finishing with her family. Zach whistled for Lex as Dave shouted, "Switch!"

The families changed sides to say good-bye as Lexie sped around the corner of the Greystone home into the front yard. She took one more squat for a pee.

Zach looked at Tom. "Sorry about that," he smiled, hugging his father-in-law.

Tom smiled. "I and my lawn will live. Take care son."

"Thanks Tom," Zach said, hugging Rachel.

"Make sure she takes care of herself," Rachel whispered into Zach's ear. Zach kissed her cheek.

"You know better," he whispered back.

After the good-byes finished, Zach opened his door to the truck and then opened the back door for Lexie. "Lex, get you butt in here before you get in more trouble around here." The group all laughed as Lex sprang into the truck. Zach pulled Jack into another hug. "You still my JP?"

"As long as you're my Z-man," Jack said, hugging Zach back. Zach winked at his dad, Beth and Dave.

Aaron held out his hand. "Good luck son on your season. Keep in touch."

"You got it dad," Zac smiled, hugging him again. "Love you dad."

"Love you too son."

Caleigh hugged her mom once more and got in the truck. Zach shut the back door where Lex was and did the same as Caleigh. "We love you all," he said, getting in.

Everyone waved as Zach backed his truck out of the driveway. Jack buried his head into Beth, wiping tears.

When they got to the stop light, waiting for it to turn green, Zach looked at Caleigh. "Your mom knows." Caleigh looked at him. "She does babe."

Caleigh smiled. "And that surprises you?"

"Not really," Zach smiled. "But will she keep our secret?"

Caleigh smiled. "Yeah; she's mom. And she knows us."

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A/N: The Greystone male pee spot is from my story It's a Guy Thing.