Around Life's Bases - The Bottom Of The Second

After packing their things into the Donahue's midnight blue Suburban, Mike, Linda, Callie, Jesse, and Matt drove into the city. They were on their way to Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, for their annual two-week beach get-away. This year, because of the unfortunate circumstances, Mike and Linda gave Callie the insight and permission to have Frankie, Chris, and Greg come with them. Callie's friend Heather from softball would be joining them as usual. Now Callie could enjoy two great weeks with her friends, as well as get to know the other boys a little better before permanently attaching herself to their lives.

"Okay, we're going to make a quick stop at MickeyDee's before the long drive, so what would you guys like?" Mike took Jesse and Matt's orders while Callie walked up to the Raposo's front door and rang the bell. The pattering sound of little feet and a shrill "I GOTS IT!" greeted her as a toothy-grinned Daniella opened the door.

"Callie!" she shrieked happily as she jumped into her waiting arms.

"Nella, get down!" Greg laughed as he came into view behind her, casually dressed in khaki shorts, brown sandals, and a very sexy black beater. "Come on in."

Callie entered their living room and heard a "Hello, sweetie" coming from he rleft. She walked into the kitchen, said hello to Maryann, then ran upstairs with Greg to meet a very annoyed Frankie. "Hey you!" Frankie's face brightened and his perfect white teeth crept into that heart-melting smile as he gave her a warm hug. The three friends turned atheir attention to a distressed moan coming from Greg's bathroom.

"What's going on?" Greg asked.

"While you were gone Amanda smushed Chris's hair." Frankie rolled his eyes and glared impatiently at the door.

"Oh gawd, we're gonna be here forever," Callie whined, plopping herself onto Greg's bed, face-first into his yummy-smelling pillow.

"I'll be right back." Greg bravely barged into his bathroom and with all his strength, tore Chris away from his bottle of blue Extra-Super-Hold "Bomb" hair gel.

"No, don't take my baby away!" Chris started after him, but his attention was quickly diverted to the familiar, but beautiful girl sitting on Greg's bed.

"Callie, babe! How's it going?" He coolly walked over and put his arm around her shoulder like nothing had even happened. "Its great to see you again!" Callie quickly brushed his arm away like it was deadly contaminated, then swiftly put him in a headlock. "Charmed, I'm sure," she grinned as Frankie politely applauded her skills. "Okay Greg, he's not going anywhere." Greg shoved the gel into a nearby duffel bag.

"All set, you can let him go now." He laughed as Chris's beet-red face was released from Callie's strong grip.

"That hurt!" he pouted, his eyes narrowed at her.

"Oh you poor thing," she babied sarcastically as she kissed his cheek. "Awl betta?"

"You bet!" Chris laughed in surprise and joy. They grabbed their bags and went outside while Greg said good-bye to his mother. "A little fiesty today, are we?" Chris asked as he threw a few bags into the backseat.

"Basking in glory, actually," Callie beamed as she pointed to the gorgeous trophy Matt was holding up. "We canned Plattsburgh today, and I won MVP!"

"Congrats babe!" Chris kissed her on the cheek, while Frankie scooped her up into a big hug. Greg came outside just then, and they piled into the truck.

Mike quickly informed the rest of the guys about the four-hour trip, then asked what they wanted from McDonald's. Greg's eyes sparkled with delight as he rambled off his order.

"You're not actually going to eat all that, are you?" Callie looked sick at just the thought of it. Greg just grinned. "You bet your sweet life I am!" He glanced around and asked "Weren't there supposed to be nine of us?"

"Heather's going to meet us up there," Callie informed them.

"YES!" Jesse's hand slapped Matt's as a disappointed Chris questioningly peered through his blue-tinted sunglasses.

"What are you so happy about?" Matt gladly explained. "No Heather equals peace and quiet!" He gave a contented sigh, switched on his headphones, and turned in for a much-needed nap.