Family Matters The Most

Episode 1: "Family Matters More Now"

AN: I've been watching Full House on Hulu and I decided maybe I should do a story where Zack gets married to his long time girlfriend, Merliah, they have five kids together, she passes away, leaving him a single parent of their five children, Cody moves in along with Peyton, Zack's college best friend. They go on crazy adventures and go through so many emotions.

Summary- When Zack's wife, his long time first love, Merliah passes away, leaving him a single parent to their five young children, he asks his brother and college best friend to move in to help him out and help raise the kids. What happens when Zack meets Maya, a single mother of two? How will their children take the new relationship and having their parents move on?

September 6th, 2015, Zack and Merliah's home, Boston Massachusetts

6 years ago, Zack fell in love with his wife, Merliah. They were together for three months before they found out they were expecting their daughters, Everleigh Marie and Evangeline Rose Martin. They were born December 28th, 2009. They decided to get married 5 months later on May, 27th, 2010. They had finished college in 2014, just in time before the birth of their son, Watson Michael Martin. He was born on January 6th, 2015. He is now 8 months old.

Merliah and Zack were in love for 2 years before Evangeline and Everleigh were born.

Two months ago, Merliah was driving home one night and she was killed by a drunk driver. She had made it to the hospital before passing away in the hospital room. She was only 21 years old with two six year old daughters and a 8 month old son and her husband of five years. She was expecting their twin daughters, Joselyn Faith and Jessa Hope Martin, who are now 2 months old. They are still in the hospital. They were born three months early, due to Merliah being in the hospital after the car crash. Watson was 2 months old when Marliah found out she was pregnant. Life has never been the same after Merliah's death. Zack has never felt so empty without her by his side.

Zack and Cody's mother, Carey Martin had moved in to help Zack with Everleigh, Evangeline, and Watson. Joselyn and Jessa are still in the hospital, due to being born prematurely at six months.

Carey hugged her oldest son. "Honey, are you sure you don't need me to stay?"

Zachary Martin, 21, shook his head as he smiled at her. "Thanks, Mom." He sighed. "Cody and Peyton are moving in today." He smiled at her. "I really need to thank you for helping me and the kids these past two months. I have no idea how we'd make it through without you. I mean with Joselyn and Jessa still in the hospital, this whole situation is scary enough…"

Evangeline Rose Martin, Zack and Merliah's six year old daughter, ran over to her grandmother"Daddy, does Grandma really have to go back to the Tipton?"

Carey sighed. "Yes, I do, honey. I'm an hour away, okay? Where's Leigh? I wanna say goodbye to her."

Everleigh bursts into tears, running to her grandma and hugging her. "Please don't leave Grandma. I want you to stay with us..."

Carey hugged her granddaughter. "Honey, I have to go. Daddy is here, Uncle Cody and Daddy's best friend are moving in. I'm just an hour away, sweetheart."

Everleigh nodded, sniffling. "Okay."

Carey kissed her head. "I love you girls." She kissed their heads. She looked at Zack. "Merliah would be so proud of you. You are so strong." She kissed his cheek.

Zack nodded. "Thanks, Mom. I do it for our children."

Carey smiled as she walked out of the house with her stuff.

Cody walked inside a few minutes later. "Hey! Hey, Uncle Cody's here!" He dropped his bags.

Evangeline and Everleigh smiled. "Uncle Cody!" They ran to give their uncle a big hug.

Cody smiled. "My beauties! How are you?"

Everleigh sighed. "We miss our mommy, but we are gonna have to get used to seeing things change..."

Cody sighed. "I'm sorry guys." He kissed their heads and then hugged Zack. "Hey Zack, how are you doing?"

Zack sighed deeply. "Overwhelmed, so overwhelmed, but glad you're here, bro."

Cody nodded. "I understand, bro, but really I'll be glad to help you out with my nieces and nephew. You need me right now."

Zack smiled. "Good because I have to go to work soon. Peyton should be here any minute."

Just then Peyton Montinez, Zack's best friend from college arrived. "Did somebody say my name?"

Everleigh smiled. "Peyton!"

Peyton smiled. "Hey Leigh!"

Everleigh hugged him tightly. "Daddy, Pey Pey is staying with us?"

Zack nodded his head. "Yes he is sweetheart."

Peyton hugged Everleigh back. "Yes, I am, Leigh. I'm moving in with you guys."

Cody high fived him. "Nice, dude. Nice see you."

Peyton smiled highfiving him back. "You too, Cody."

Zack looked at them. "Alright, broseph, you can get the basement and Peyton, you can get the attic, I just had it redone. Merliah wanted her music studio up there but I didn't have it all done until a month before she passed."

Cody nodded. "Alright, thanks, Zack."

Everleigh ran up the stairs. "Daddy?"

Zack looked at his daughter. "Yes, baby girl?"

Everleigh smiled. "Watson is crying. Peyton needs some help before you leave for work."

Zack kissed her head. "Thanks for letting me know baby girl." He then walked over to Peyton and picked up Watson. "Hey buddy." Zack nodded as he then began to change Watson's diaper. Once he has changed him, he then picked up his son, kissed his head and gave him to Peyton. "Alright, I better leave before I'll be late for work."

Peyton nodded. "You go to work. Cody and I got the kids. We got this." He followed him downstairs. "Girls! Come say goodbye to your Dad!"

Everleigh smiled as she and Evangeline ran over, hugging Zack. "Bye, Daddy."

Everleigh giggled. "Me too."

Zack laughed. "Don't believe them, Peyton."

Peyton nodded. "Alright."

Zack kissed Watson's head. "Bye, baby boy." He headed out of the house. He looked at a photo of Merliah in his wallet. "Wish them some good luck, Mer. They're gonna neeed it."

Just then, Cody walked over to his nieces "Hey guys, what are you doing?"

Everleigh smiled. "Daddy just left so we are just about to make dinner. Who's hungry?"

Cody smiled. "I can make some pasta and my homemade sauce if anyone wants pasta tonight." He looked at Peyton. "Place Watson in his playpen. He'll go right to sleep."

Peyton nodded as he walked over to Watson's playpen and laid him down. "Alright."

Everleigh and Evangeline smiled. "Yay!"

Cody walked them into the kitchen. "Who wants to set the table?" He put out plates and forks and knifes.

Evangeline smiled. "Me." She and Everleigh started to set the table.

Peyton looked at them. "After that, go wash your hands."

The girls nodded as they finished setting the table. Once they were done they went to wash their hands. "Okay."

Peyton looked at Cody. "How is Zack doing with everything? I mean he really is in love with Merliah. They were really in love since they were 15..."

Cody sighed. "I don't know Peyton. I know Zack's really in love with her and everything but I guess he's sad and upset about her death cause she was his first love and all. And they have 2 newborns. I don't know what he's gonna do, that's why we're here."

Peyton breathed deeply. "I just know they got married at 17 years old and he was her first life. He's gonna have some rough times because the girls look just like her. Zack knows what is best for the girls. They are only six..."

Cody nodded. "Yeah and I know Zack loves the girls who also remind him of their mother."

Peyton shook his head. "I knew he loved her and will always love her. Even if he meets someone new..."

Everleigh looked at him after coming out of the bathroom. "Who meets someone new?"

Cody spoke up quickly. "Me."

Evangeline smiled. "Way to go, Uncle Cody!"

Cody smiled. "Thanks, sweetheart."

Zack's Lawyer Place

Zack's boss walked over to Zack. "Zack, I'd love for you to meet our new girl to take the phone calls and sign everyone in, Maya Bennett-Patterson."

Maya Bennett- Patterson, 21 smiled at him. "Hi, Zack. Nice to meet you."

Zack smiled. "Hi Maya. Nice to meet you."

Maya smiled at his photos on his wall and desk. "Awww. Those girls are adorable."

Zack smiled. "Thank you."

Maya questioned him. "Are they your nieces or...?"

Zack smiled. "Oh, no, they are my twin daughters, Eveeleigh and Evangeline. I have a eight month old son, Watson..." He showed her a picture of him. "That's him with...My wife, Merliah..." His face dropped a bit. "I also have 2 month old twin girls..."

Maya looked at him. "Are you okay?"

Zack sighed. "Um...My wife has recently passed away. She died 2 months ago."

Maya sighed. "Oh...I'm sorry."

Zack nodded. "Thank you. Do you want to sit for a bit? I can show you how to work the computer while we talk." He gave a small smile. "How about you?"

Maya sighed and frowned. "My husband, Quinton has passed away so I know how you feel. I have a 1 year old son, Carter and a 5 month old daughter, Caileigh."

Zack nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Maya smiled slightly. "Thank you. I'm sorry about your wife, too, Zack."

Zack smiled slightly. "Thanks, Maya."

Maya sat down in the chair in front of him. "So, how did your wife pass?"

Zack sighed. "A car crash. She was killed by a drunk driver one night. She passed away in the hospital. I was able to say goodbye but it's still hard because we have twin daughters who she only saw for a few hours before she passed..."

Maya sighed. "Oh I'm really sorry." She looked at him. "So it's just you and your kids?"

Zack shook his head. "My brother Cody and my college buddy, Peyton just moved in with us today."

Maya teared up a bit. "My husband was murdered by someone at a concert he went with some buddies 5 months ago..." She sighed. "I'm slowly getting my shit together now...He never got to meet his little girl..."

Zack sighed. "I'm really sorry, Maya."

Maya nodded her head. "Thank you, Zack."

Zack smiled. "You're welcome, Maya."

Later that night

Peyton saw Leigh and Eva walking down the stairs. "Hey, hey! What are you two doing up at midnight? Your Dad will kill me if he knows your up!"

Evangeline smiled. "Let's have a party Peyton, please?"

Peyton sighed. "Girls, I don't think that's a good idea..." He saw them give the puppy dog face. "No, no, no, that face won't work on me..."

Cody walked down the stairs. "It's 12:15am, what the heck are the girls doing up? Zack is gonna kill us. He's coming home in one hour!"

Evangeline giggled. "Daddy lets us have sandaes and pizza."

Cody shook his head. "Nice try Missy."

Peyton shrugged. "Oh come on, Cody. I mean, what's the harm?"

Cody shook his head. "Dude, if Zack finds out..."

Evangeline giggled. "I'll let you play jump rope, Uncle Cody."

Cody shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, why not? One sandae, two rounds of jump rope and that's it!" He looked at Peyton. "If Zack finds out, it's on you, dude."

Peyton frowned. "Aww how could you say no to these adorable faces?" He gestured to the twins who were pouting.

Evangeline and Everleigh both pout with the lip out. "Yeah, Uncle Cody."

Cody frowned. "I'm not falling for that."

Peyton smiled. "Dude, they deseve a night without being told what to do."

Cody sighed. "Oh alright. If Zack asks I'll just say Peyton gave them ice cream."

Peyton rolled his eyes. "Fine."

An hour later, Zack walked into the house, his eyes went wide, seeing his six year old daughters up along with his brother and best friend. "What the hell is going on here? Why are the girls up? Why is there ice cream cartons out and empty? Why does Everleigh have gym in her hair?!"

Cody turned to Peyton. "See I told you. But you were like they deserve a night without being told what to do?!" He rolled his eyes and then turned to his brother. "Honestly Zack, I would rather they sleep in bed." He shook his head.

Zack was angry. "You couldn't stop them, huh? You are just as guilty as he is!" He looked at Peyton. "Take the girls to bed and get the gym out of Leigh's hair too. Then come back downstairs. We need to talk."

Evangeline looked at him. "Actually Daddy, it's my fault. I convinced them to let us stay up they were actually against it in the first place." She turned to Cody. "You were right Uncle Cody we should have listened to you."

Zack looked at Cody. "Is that true, Cody?" He looked at Evangeline. "Evangeline Rose, you know you can't have sugar this late at night, do you know that?"

Evangeline smiled. "Oh, come on, Daddy, you always let us have sundaes and pizza before bed, remember?"

Zack sighed, breathing deeply and closes his eyes. "I know, baby..." He walked over to her, picking her up, sitting her on the couch and let her sit on his lap. "Sweetheart, yes, I did. But...Now, I can't just let you and your sister do whatever you want..."

Evangeline frowned. "Why?"

Zack looked at his brother, who nodded. "Um, well, your mother used to do the punishments and yell at me for the ice cream and junk food you kids would eat..." He sniffed. "Your mom would want me to be more strict with you, girls. It doesn't mean I don't love you, sweetie. I do, it's just she used to stay home and everything would be perfect..."

Everleigh sighed with tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry Daddy."

Evangeline nodded. "Me too."

Zack patted the couch. "Come here, Leigh."

Everleigh walked over and sat down next to him. "Yes, Daddy?"

Zack picked her up, placing her on his lap and kissed her head. "You two are just like your mom. You may not know how wonderful she is or was, but I have known your mommy since I was 14. She was just like you, Eva and Watson, Joselyn and Jessa. All of you have her personality."

Everleigh smiled. "Really?"

Evangeline smiled. "Yeah! Really?"

Zack nodded. "Yes really. You two look just like her." He kissed their heads.

Everleigh looked at him. "Will you always love her?"

Zack nodded his head. "Of course, baby girl. I'll always love her. She was my first love. Together, we brought 4 beautitful daughters and a beautitful son into the world."

Evangeline smiles happily. "Yay."

Everleigh and Evangeline smiled. "We love you, Daddy." They hugged him.

Zack kissed their heads. "I love you too, babies. Now go upstairs and go to bed. It's way past your bedtime, young ladies."

Everleigh smiled as she and Evangeline hugged Cody and Peyton before walking upstairs.

Zack looked at them before breaking down into tears.

Cody sighed walking over and hugging his brother. "Zack, I'm so sorry."

Zack wiped his cheeks. "God, it's so hard. I miss her so damn much. She's the love of my life. How am I supposed to go on without her? Watson is only 8 months old! He won't know how amazing and wonderful she was...Jessa and Joselyn are the same. They won't remember her at all!"

Cody sighed. "Zack you can still show him the home videos about what's she's like and you can tell him, Jessa and Joselyn about her when they ask you. She's still in your heart, Zack. She's looking out for you, the girls and Watson."

Zack sniffed. "I know she's watching over us and she still loves me. I know it will be rough, but I'm sure she'd want me to be happy one day, right?"

Cody nodded. "Exactly."

Peyton nodded, agreeing. "Zack, we are here for you and you are always in her heart too. I know how much she loved you."

Zack smiled slightly. "Thanks, guys."

Peyton smiled. "You're welcome."

Zack smiled. "It means a lot to me to have you guys here helping me with my children so thank you so much."

Cody smiled. "Bro, we'd do anything for you. I'd do anything for my nieces and nephew. They are amazing kids."

Zack smiled. "Yeah, they are amazing kids."

Cody looked at his brother. "How was work, bro?"

Zack smiled. "Oh it was good."

Peyton winked at him. "You're smiling like an idiot. Spill the beans."

Cody looked at his brother. "You met a girl right, Zack?"

Zack smiled, nodded his head. "Yeah. Maya. She is going through what I'm going through. She lost her husband from a gundown. She has two young children."

Cody frowned. "Oh. That's so sad..."

Peyton frowned. "I...Uh, I wouldn't mention this to the girls."

Zack's eyes went wide. "Oh my God...Yeah. They can't know. Not right now."

Cody nodded. "Yeah good idea." He sighed. "Until you get ready to tell them."

Zack shook his head. "I'm not ready to tell them. Plus, she's new and I just lost my wife. She just lost her husband. We both are in situations that aren't so well to do anything right now."

Peyton nodded, agreeing with him. "Yeah, you need to grief over Merliah right now. Although, she'd want you to be happy."

Zack breathed deeply. "I hope I can deal with all of this with five young children...Jessa and Joselyn are coming home in a few days."

Cody smiled slightly. "And, we'll be ready for the challenge, Zack."

Zack layed back on the couch, closing his eyes. "I love you, Merliah." He mumbled softly.

To be continued…

AN: New story. Based on Full House. I hope this story will be great. Thank you for following me.