The Return....

Chapter 22

Friday Morning came and Leo was ready to go to school, Erin had not told him who the special guest was. So that morning he grabbed a bowl of cereal, and waited for his mom and dad. Jay came out the room and turned on the coffee pot, and while he waited he finished getting dressed. Erin was on in the bedroom on the phone with the Commander explaining why they were buying pizza for and entire school. Fortunately Erin convinced him that it was apart of the community out reach, cops making peace with the local kids.

Erin: You guys ready?
Jay: Yea!
Leo: yes ma'am!
Erin: You do know it's free dress today since you have an assembly.
Leo: Dang it, can I wear my cubs jersey?
Erin: Yea, you can wear whatever you want munchkin.

Leo runs off to room to change and Erin and jay starts talking about the 3 bullies at his school.

Erin: I hope today is better for him.
Jay: I do too, that's one thing I've always said if I ever have kids I don't want them to get bullied. I don't know if I ever told you this but I was bullied in elementary and middle school, I was a scrawny little red head and the older kids always picked on me.
Erin: I never knew that, you already know I was picked on my entire life. Being bullied runs in the family.
Jay: Well I won't let it happen to our son.
Leo: I'm ready!
Erin: Alright, let's get you to school.
Jay: Nice jersey!
Leo: Thanks, uncle  Kris gave it to me.
Erin: is that the signed one?
Leo: yea!
Erin: Don't let anyone mess with our touch it, do you understand?
Leo: yes ma'am!
Erin: let's go munchkin.

Leo was dropped off at school, Erin and jay watched him walk in the building. He smiled when a group of kids walked up to him and asked him to hang out. After they left, the 3 bullies came out and started picking on him again. All morning the the bullies kept picking on Leo, when it was time for the assembly one of the bullies pulled on Leo's jersey and ripped it. Leo turned around and punched the kid in the face, the principal didn't see the bully only Leo punching him. She sent Leo to the front office, and the bullies went to the assembly.

Erin and the team were on their way to the school with the surprise. Once Erin arrived, she  happen to notice Leo sitting in the office. The principal approached her told what had happened, except she didn't know about the 3 bullies.

Erin: why did you punch him?
Leo: He kept picking on and he ripped my jersey.
Erin: did you hit before or after he ripped your jersey?
Leo: After, then when I hit him the principal only saw me.
Principal: i am sorry leo, we don't tolerate bullying at our school. You can go join your class for the assembly.
Leo: Thank you, and I am sorry.
Principal: we'll see you in the assembly, Ms.Lindsay, you and your team can use the hallway to the right to go behind the stage. Has your surprise guest arrived yet?
Erin: Yea, they are already here.

Erin tells the team to go ahead and that she will grab the surprise. Erin watched as the team bus pulled around the front of the school. There's was news cameras following the team, as much as Erin wanted this off the books it was to late. Erin greeted the team before walking them into the building, the news reporters and other camera crew followed them in to the building just to be stopped by security on the other side. Erin continued walking the team down to the theater, as everyone got situated behind the curtains the principal invited Erin to come out on stage.

Erin:  Hey guys and girls, as promised I have invited so of my closest friends here to meet you all. Can you give a huge round of applause to you World Series Champs The Chicago Cubs.
Kids: 😳😳 OH MY GOSHHHHHH
Kris: Hey guys, I'm Kris Bryant as many of you know, here's some of my teammates. Coach!
Joe: Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to be here with you all. We thought we could come hang out with you all an enjoy some pizza and meet everyone. Is that okay with you?
Kids:YESSSSSSS
Joe: okay we're gonna split up into groups, and each group will get a player.

The kids split into 6 groups, as they finish. Getting into group one Cubs player gets assigned. Leo was grouped into the same group as the kids who was bullying him. Kris got assigned to Leo's group.

Kris: okay guys, as many of you know I am a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs. Does anyone know which position I play?
Kid #1: 3rd base, and I have a question?
Kris: Correct, and what's your questions?
Kid #1: do you really know this kid? He says your like his uncle.
Kid #2: yea, he's always saying that he actually hangs out with you and the team?
Kris: you mean Leo, yes I know him, the whole team knows Leo. He really awesome, did you guys know Leo is really amazing at baseball.
Hey Rizzo, how's Leo when it comes to baseball?
Rizzo: He is beyond amazing, we should have him at practice more often.
Kid#3: how do we know your not making all of this up?
Kris: i have pictures of me and Leo when he was younger, and when he and his mom came to our team party last year after the World Series win.
Rizzo: Hey Leo, are these the guys that's always picking on you.
Leo: 😞 Yea!
Rizzo: well I'm not a big fan of bullies, so how about you three sit on the stage and watch everyone else have fun!
Kid#1: but that's not fair.
Kid#2: but..
Kris: we don't tolerate bullies, now who wants to play dodgeball?
Kids: WE DOOOO!
Kris: let's go, Leo how about you be a team captain.
Leo: Thanks uncle Kris!

The group of kids were divided into to 2 groups, and Leo got to be one of the team captains. Leo was having a great time, and making lots of new friends. Jay and Erin watched as Leo confidence went from a solid 2 to a great 8. He was now smiling and laughing, something he hasn't does much of lately. After all the games were played, everyone sat down and ate pizza together. While everyone was eating kris pulled Erin to the side so he could talk to her.

Kris: When we hung out last time, we didn't get to do our regular chat. So how does it feel being back home?
Erin: honestly it feels amazing, Leo's happier than ever.
Kris: I Can see Leo is happy, but what about you? What's up with you and jay? When we was in New York you was telling me that you wanted him back?
Erin: we're doing great, he gave me a promise ring and told me that soon this will turn into an engagement ring.
Kris: That's great an all, but are you happy?
Erin: happiest I have been in a very long time. Jay Halstead has always had my heart, he makes it skips beat just by looking at me. I couldn't ask for anything better, he's it for me.
Kris: I'm glad your happy, and here Jay comes now. Oh, and congratulations on that fancy job proud of you Erin. Hey Jay, me and the team expect and invite to your wedding😉😊.
Jay: Definitely!
Erin: Bye kris!
Jay: What was that about?
Erin: I'll tell you when get home tonight, and Leo wanted to know can he spend the night by Will?
Jay: If your okay with it, I'm okay with him going. I just have to ask will, but I'm quite sure he's going to say yes.
Erin: okay, so if Will takes Leo what are we going to do tonight?
Jay: the team was going to Molly's, but how about we go on a date tonight?
Erin: I would love that!
Adam: Hey Boss, how much longer do we have to stay here?
Erin: we can leave now if you are all ready.
Adam: we are, it's getting kinda awkward having all these kids just staring at us.
Erin: Alright guys you can start heading back to the district, I'll let the principal and Joe know that we are leaving.
Jay: I'll tell Leo we're leaving.

Both parents split up Erin went to tell the principal and Joe that they were leaving. While jay told Leo we were leaving but we will him in a few hours. Erin was waiting at the door for jay, when she turned around she saw both jay and Leo walking to her.

Erin;🤨 what are you doing Leo?
Leo: I'm going with you and dad.
Erin: no your not, your staying.
Leo: school lets out in an hour, please mommy can I just go with you and daddy🥺.
Erin: ughhhh he's using the eyes on me jay..... gosh fine leo. You know those eye won't work forever.
Leo: ☺️☺️ love you mommy.
Erin: I love you too, let's go now.

The family of three left and headed to the district. Since everyone still had to work, Leo asked to stay at the front desk with Trudy.

Erin: alright guys we caught a case, a man just report a body just washed up at the lake. Let's roll out!