Growing up

ANW

(A few months later)
*Alex POV*
Geoff and I have been training for American Ninja Warrior for awhile. Today is the night I'm finally competing. Peyton isn't able to come because he has to work and Chad is watching Hezekiah so Joey is with me to support me. I offered for J also but she said she had to work.
"Thank you Joey for coming with me" I say
"Hey I have nothing better to do. Plus, what type brother would I be if I wasn't here for you and I wasn't really doing anything" he asks
"A terrible one" I say
"Hey Alex you're up next" Geoff says
"Thanks." I say
I go and get ready to compete.
"The next competitor is known by many people. But not for American Ninja Warrior. She is the first female to ever play in the NFL. She plays for the Tennessee Titans. She is married to actor Peyton Meyer and has a son. She's also been training with Geoff Britten. Please welcome Alex Meyer" Matt Iselman says
I walk up and wave to everyone. People cheer for me. A lot of them are wearing my jersey. The noise for starting goes off and I start. Before I know it I'm up the warped wall.
"And she did it. She made it up the warped wall" Akbar said
I just cheer in celebration. I get down and Joey and Geoff meet up with me. Kristine Leahy comes up to me.
"I'm here with Alex Meyer who just finished the stage. Alex you almost had the fastest time tonight and it's your first time ever competing" she says
"Wow." I say
"How does it feel to be the first female to play in the NFL and almost have the fastest time ever in this round?" She asks
"Amazing. But I can't take all the credit. I had help from Geoff and my family" I say
"Geoff what is it like training with Alex and helping her" she asks
"Fun. She's really awesome and she helps me as I help her" he says
"That's great. Have a great night and Geoff will be competing shortly" she says
She walks off.
"Oh my gosh" I say
"You good" Joey asks
"Yeah I'm perfectly fine. I'm surprised I could do it" I say
"You were amazing. And honestly you're probably faster than me." Geoff says
"Only time will tell" I say
My phone rings and I pull it out. I look at my caller id and it says Chadder.
A-hey
C-hey great job sis. So proud of you. That was fast
A-thanks. How is Hezie doing
C-he's fine. Just put him to bed.
A-thanks for watching him
C-no problem. Now go enjoy yourself
A-bye
I hang up and head back over to the other two.
"Good job Alex" Joe Moravsky says
"Thanks" I say
I get congratulated by many veterans ninjas as the night goes on. Once it's over there's a few who didn't make it.
"Great job" I say to Geoff
"You too" he says
"Alex you ready" Joey asks
"Yeah night Geoff" I say
"Night Alex. Night Joey" he says
We leave and head to the car. We get in and Joey starts it. We get to my place. Joe opens my door for me.
"Thanks Joe for coming with" I say
"No problem. I was able to have some interesting conversations" he says
"Well goodnight" I say
"Night. I'll probably see you tomorrow at Chad's or something" he says
"Yeah" I say
I go inside and find Peyton on the couch dosing off. I go over and sit down next to him.
"Hey" he says
"Hey" I say
"Good job tonight you were awesome" he says
"Thanks. Why don't we go up to bed. You're getting tired" I say
"No. I'm not tired. I'm good. Let's watch a movie" he mumbles
"Come on baby lets go up to bed" I say
"I'm too lazy to walk upstairs" he mumbles
"Ugh fine stay here on the couch you lazy bum. I'll go sleep in our comfy bed and wrap myself in the blankets" I say
"Ok fine I'll come up with you" he says
"Good" I say
"Help me up" he whines
I grab his hands and pull his off the couch. We go upstairs and get in bed. As soon as his head hits the pillow he's sound asleep. I laugh silently to myself and lay down. I close my eyes and slowly drift off to sleep.
------------------*~*-------------------
*Chad POV*
I'm woken up in the morning by my nephew crying. I grab my phone and look at the time. It's only 3:30. I groan and lay back down.
"What's wrong Chad" Fallon asks
"It's so early" I whine
"Do you want me to go get him" she asks
"No I'll get him" I say
I get out of bad and go over to the pack n play. I pick Hezzie up out of it and go downstairs with him. I rock him gently as I prepare a bottle for him. Once it's done I go to the living room and sit down. I start feeding him the bottle. Once I'm done I go to the diaper bag and grab a change of clothes for him and diaper. I change him and look at my phone. It's only 5:45. No one is going to be here until 8. And knowing Joey he won't be here till 10. All of a sudden I hear little putter patters and the voices of 2 of my 3 children. The twins are up. They come downstairs and sit next to me on the couch.
"What are you two doing up so early" I ask
"Matty climbed into bed with me" Sammy says
"Chase was snoring like daddy" Matt says
"I don't snore" I say
"Sorry to say this Chad but you do" someone says
I turn towards the door and see the Grimm's standing there.
"And how would you know this Caleb" I ask
"On tours when I'm forced to share a hotel room with you so you and Joey don't kill each other" he says
"Whatever. So what are you guys doing up and here so early" I ask
"Probably same with you. Isaac woke us up at 5. We finally decided just to come over. What time did Hezekiah wake you up at" Kelsey asks
"3:30. But it's whatever." I say
"Well you're a great uncle to him" Caleb says
"I'm his only uncle" I mumble hoping no one hears
"Chad don't you dare start thinking negative" Kelsey says
"Why not" I whine
"Caleb take Hezie and Isaac while I talk with Chadwick for a while" Kelsey says
"Yes ma'am"  Caleb says
He takes Hezie from me and I follow Kelsey outback. We sit down on the porch swing.
"Chad I know you don't have your brother around and people keep on leaving you and Alex but you can't live in the past. You have to live in the present. You guys are probably the closest group of friends I've ever seen. You all are like siblings. Joey the little annoying one. Alan is the oldest responsible one. Caleb is the middle one. Has OCD. Everything has to be perfect. A little weird. Socially awkward. And you are the middle yet older protective brother. If anything happened or was about to happen to them you would protect them. Alex sees these guys as brothers too. She wants them to be seen as uncles to her kids. Everything will be okay" she says
"Thanks Kels" I say
"No problem Chad. Now let's go back inside. Your sister should be here soon" she says
We go inside to find the powells there.
"Well hello there" I say
"Uncle Chad" AJ cheers
"Yes" I ask
"Can we go jump on the trampoline" Presley asks
"Of course. As long as your father says it's alright" I say
"Daddy please" Rowe begs
"Ok go ahead" Alan says
All the kids run outside to the trampoline.
"Remind me again why I got one of those" I say
"For the kids. So they had something to waste their energy on" Fallon says
"Oh yeah" I say
Caleb hands Hezie over to me just as there's a knock on the door. I go over and answer it.
"Alex you don't have to knock. You never have" I say
"Oh well. Now give me my son"
She says
"Ok. Why don't you actually come into the house first" I say
She walks in and turns to me. I hand Hezie over to her.
"What time is it" Peyton asks
"About 9:30" Brycie says
"Crap I have work. I'm gonna be late again" he says
"Well don't just stand here. Go to work" Alex says
"Yeah yeah I'm going. See ya guys and ladies" Peyton says
He leaves and Alex goes over to the couch and sits down.
"You ok sis" I ask
"Perfectly fine" she says
"Yeah ok" I say
"Serious Chad I'm fine now shush it I'm watching Aladdin" she says
A whole new world comes on and we all start singing it. Right after it ends Joey and J walk in.
"Dang it. I missed my favorite song"'Joey says
"What" Caleb asks
"We heard you guys singing a whole new world from down the street. Joey was complaining about it" J says
"How could you hear us" I ask
"We walked here." Joey says
"Whatevs" Caleb says
"Caleb Andrew Grimm the correct word is Whatever. You better not give me anymore sass. You understand" Alex lectures
"Yes Alexandra Marie Meyers" Caleb says
"Oh Caleb when will you ever learn" Alan asks
"Why" Caleb asks
"Because Alex is capable of beating you to a pulp" Joey says
Before anyone could blink Alex and Caleb are running outside.
"Who's turn is it" Joey asks
"Yours" I say
"Yeah Joe it's yours" Alan says
"You guys actually keep track of who's turn it is" Brycie asks
"Well yeah. We have to. It happens a lot." Alan says
"Go Joe before someone and I mean Caleb gets hurt" I say
*Joey POV*
I get up from the couch and go outside. I start running until I get to the park. I get there and see Caleb pinned to the ground. I whistle and they both look at me.
"Let's go. Back to the house" I say
"Aww no" Alex says
"Yes" I say
"No. I don't have to listen to you" she says
"I can call Chad down here" I say
"I'm not afraid of him" she says
I go over to them and grab both of their ears. They stand up and I drag them back to the house and inside.
"There's a reason we don't let Joey go after them" Alan says
"It's not my fault no one takes me seriously" I say
"Joey the whole reason is because you aren't very interrogating" Alex says
"I feel loved" I say
"Don't worry Joe you are" Fallon says
"Yeah yeah" I say
"Man up" Kelsey says
"Hey Alex can you come with me somewhere? We need to talk. You too Chad" I say
"Okay" Chad says
"Alright. You all ok with Hezie" Alex asks
"Yep" they say
We go outside and start walking.
"So what did you need to talk about" Chad asks
I tell them what I need to and they think.
"Hmm I don't know. What do you think Chadwick" Alex says
"I'm not sure Alexandra this is a hard decision" Chad says
"Ugh you two make everything difficult" I say
"Ok. You can" Alex says
"Great. Now I have to go do stuff see you two later" I say
"Adios" Chad says
"Hasta pronto" Alex says
*Alex POV*
Joey walks away leaving me with my brother.
"Want to continue walking or go back" I ask
"Let's continue walking" he says
We start walking enjoying the quietness. I look over at Chad and see that something is wrong.
"Chad you ok" I ask
"I would say yes but I know that you know I'm not so no" he says
"Then what's the matter" I ask
"Just thinking. Which is leading to worrying which is leading to sadness" he says
"Well what are you thinking about" I ask
"Mom, Dad, Gabby, and Eli" he sighs
"Everything will be alright man" I say
"Do you want to know exactly what I'm thinking about" he asks
"Ok" I say
"Well you know when we were at the hospital with mom and dad and I walked out when you returned" he asks
"Yeah" I say
"Well when it was just me in there mom and dad told me to watch and take care of you. Keep you safe. To help you through all your struggles and pain. Then when Eli left the first time to go overseas he told me to watch over you and mom and dad. To keep you all safe. I promised to them I would. I didn't keep mom and dad safe. It's all my fault they're gone. I broke my promise to Eli. And then you almost died when you were with me. You got hurt multiple times. I broke their promise too. I messed up." Chad cries
"Chad you didn't mess up. You didn't break any promises. You couldn't have done anything to protect mom and dad. You were at a band meeting. And honestly you're the best brother ever. I couldn't imagine having to live with someone else. You took care of me." I say now crying also
"Thanks" he says
We hug and wipe out tears away.
"We should head back" Chad says
"Alright" I say
We turn around and head back to Chad's. We get there and go in. We get in and see everyone eating.
"You could've told us you got food" I say
"Alex Chad we got food" Caleb says
"Thanks Sherlock" Chad says
"No problem Watson" Caleb says
"Boys settle" Fallon says
"I want food" I whine
"Geesh calm down lady you have to give me time to aim for your face" J says
She chucks it and it hits my forehead.
"Thanks. You are such a wonderful friend" I say
"I know I am" she says
I sit down and eat my chicken sandwich.
"Hey Chad and Alex are you two ok? It looked like you guys were crying" Alan says
"Nope we all good here" Chad says
"We are all good but thanks for asking" I say quickly before Caleb can correct Chad
"I really hate you Alexandra" Caleb says
"Love you too Cabey" I say
I finish my sandwich and take Hezie from Chad.
"Hey" he says
"What" I ask
"I was holding him. Get your own baby to hold" he says
"Chad this is my son. You go find a baby to hold. I bet your daughter has baby dolls" I say
"No she doesn't. Chad wouldn't let her get any. He said they were evil little creatures. Worse than clowns" Fallon says
"Well it's a good thing you are ok with clowns because you're a clown" I say
"No I'm not. How many times do we have to go over this? Under ant circumstances I am not a clown" Chad whines
"Whatever" I laugh
"Wait where's Joe" J asks
"He had to go do something" Chad says
"Well what did you three talk about" Caleb asks
"That info is confidential" I say
"Well then you party poopers" Kelsey says
"Where are the kids at" I ask
"They're down in the playroom. AJ turned on a movie for them" Fallon says
"Ok" I say
We pay attention to the tv and a few minutes later Joey walks in.
"Hey J will you go on a date with me tonight" Joey asks
"Of course. Now is it fancy or naw" J asks
"Naw." Joey says
Oh gosh. What is he doing.
"Alex let's go. We have to go back to your house and your helping me get ready" J says
"Ok. Joey will you give us a ride" I ask
"Can't. I have to do something with Donnie." Joey says
"Chad" J asks
"Nope I don't want to" Chad says
"Caleb" I ask
"Too lazy. And tired" he says
"Alan please you're our last hope" j says
"Yeah I'll drop you too off. Let's go" he says
We stand up and go out to the van. I put Hezie in the back and climb into the passenger seat.
"Hey I wanted to sit up front" J says
"Nope." I say
We get to my place and get out.
"Thanks big al" I say
"No problem ladies. See you later" Alan says
We go inside and I take Hezie up to his room. I put him in the crib then go to J's room.
"Ok what should I wear" she asks
I go over to her drawers and pull out a pair of yoga pants. I then find a t-shirt and throw them at her face. She catches them and goes to the bathroom to change. I then grab her socks and her black and red converse. She comes out and puts those on.
"Choose a sweatshirt for me while I deal with my hair" she says
"Yes ma'am" I say
She starts with her hair and I go through her hoodies. After going through them I realize half of them are Joeys.
"Why do you have so many of Joeys sweatshirts" I ask
"I would get cold but forget to give him his sweatshirts" she says
"Ok then" I say
I find a black sweatshirt with J-weezy on the back and give it to her. She puts it in and she's ready to go. As soon as we get downstairs there's a knock at the door.
"Come in Joseph" I yell
Joey opens the door and comes in.
"How did you know it was me and not some serial killer" he asks
"Um well you see you're the only one who ever knocks on my door. Everyone they're pigs" I say
"True. You're the only one who knocks on my door" he says
"Ok we'll see you guys" I say
"Oh Alex Chad said that Fallon will watch Hezie and that you two are going on a brother sister date" he says
"Ok" I say
They leave and I go up to Hezie's room. I pick him up out of the crib and grab his diaper bag. I go out to my car and put him in the back. I then get in and drive the Chad's. I get there and he comes out. He picks Hezie up from his seat.
"Hey Chadwicky" I say
"Hey Alexandria" he says
"Wait so are we going to where I think we're going" I ask
"Of course" he says
We go inside and talk with Fallon for a bit then head out.
"So how you been" I ask
"Good except for the fact that my kids think that it's alright to wake up at 4 in the morning to play" he says
"Why do they wake up that early" I ask
"Who knows" he says, "how are you"
"Good. I don't wake up till 7:30 and that's because Peyton gets up to deal with Hezie" I say
"Wow you get the royalty treatment" he says
"Eh" I say
"We're here" he says
We get out and go to the front of the building. We quickly find Alan Caleb and meet up with them.
"You guys ready" I ask
"Oh yeah. Let's go" Caleb says
We go to the back gate and talk with someone there. They let us in and we follow them to the tunnel.
"Now singing the national anthem to start off the Memphis Grizzlies game is Alan Powell, Chad Graham, Caleb Grimm, and Alex Meyers" the announcer says
We walk out onto the court and stand in the front. Alan grabs his guitar and I stand in front of the keyboard. We start playing then we all start singing. We finish singing and walk off. We put our stuff away and I get a text.
J-great job singing
A-thanks. You having fun
J-yeah Joey is trying to explain the game to me
A-did you not learn anything from my basketball 101 in college
J-no
I put my phone away and walk over to the guys.
"We get seats near the court" Caleb says
"Ok" I say
We find our seats and sit down. Once the game gets to half time they start showing fans on the big screen. I look up just as it shows Joey and J. He smiles really big and gets down on one knee.