December 1902

The journey was twenty-two weeks long. Several of the crew workers died during the voyage and Addison had contracted a bad case of influenza that had lasted four weeks, where she had a miraculous recovery. Aside from the weeks they spent healing from illness and injury, Zed and Addison spent most of the time cuddled together and holding on to the other for their lives.

They got to the United States just days after Christmas. It took two days for the them to get through Ellis Island—the inspectors were concerned about Zed's scarred back and he had to go in for further questioning.

They took the ferry to the mainland and then used an omnibus to get from Manhattan to the village of White Plains. They waited through the afternoon for their transportation to the American equivalent of Zombietown.

The letter Bree had given them had said to meet Eliza at a local dress shop—which was a cover for another station house. They waited several hours before the young Zombie arrived.

Zed grinned at his childhood best friend as she approached them. Eliza grinned too. "Well if it isn't Zed Necrodopolus," she greeted, then looked at Addison. "And a human. Hello there."

Addison smiled shyly. "Hi, I'm Addison."

Zed leaned forward and whispered, "Princess Addison."

"What!" Addison blushed and ducked her head down. Eliza looked between them like they were crazy, than asked, "Why on earth have you come here with the princess of Seabrook?"

Zed couldn't help the grin on his face. "We're gonna get married," he said happily.

"Drogi Z," Eliza muttered. "Your insane. You can't marry the princess."

"Why do you think we left?" Zed asked. "Would you care to take us to Zombietown?"

"Your kidding?" Zed shook his head. "I'm not helping smuggle the princess! That's insane!"

"I'm already here," Addison stated. "All you'd be doing is getting us to Zombietown, because we're both unfamiliar with this country and you've been here for years."

"And, as my best friend, I'd expect you to support me and the love of my life."

Eliza wasn't convinced though. She folded her arms and tilted her head at them. "When did you even meet each other? She's royalty and your a Zombie!"

"Would it kill you to lower your voice?" Zed whispered. "It's a story that we can tell you on the way."

"We've paid our dues," Addison pointed out. "We'd appreciate your help."

Eliza sighed and said, "This is crazy." She looked between them and sighed again. "Come on. I've got a room for you two until we can find you your own home."

Zed grinned at her. Before he could express any gratitude, Eliza turned and walked away, heading back to her carriage. The three of them climbed in and the coach—another Zombie—set the off in the direction of what Addison assumed was Zombietown.

"She looks sick," Eliza pointed out.

"I had influenza a week ago," Addison explained. "It was a…tiring journey."

"They let you in with influenza?"

"I had, as in I do not have anymore."

"Still look like you could drop dead at the snap of a finger."

Zed wrapped a protective arm around Addison, pulling her into his side. "You don't sound disappointed at all."

"I'm just saying."

Addison leaned against his shoulder and sighed. "I'm tired is all," she said. "This is going to be a major change for the both of us."

"You're going from being a princess to being just like a normal person," Eliza said with an amused smile. "I'll be nice and won't make you work yet. But you are going to need to pay off the debt for living in my home."

"We brought money," Addison said. "I took from the treasury."

"It will run out someday," Eliza stated. "I won't charge you anything for the first week, because Zed is my best friend in the entire world and I cannot do that to him. But you both will end up having to work someday."

"Thrilling," Addison said drily. She turned her head more and closed her eyes. "I'm so tired."

They sat in silence for a few moments. Addison slowly drifted off to sleep, only waking up when Eliza asked, "So if you're running away from your family, where's your family Zed?"

She felt Zed stiffen beside and opened her eyes, glancing up at him. "They were sentenced to death," he said emotionlessly.

Eliza glared at Addison who cowered into Zed's side. "It wasn't her fault," Zed defended.

"Yes it is," Addison said miserably. "She was just a child. She had her whole life ahead of her and I ruined it. I ruined everything for you."

Zed rubbed her arm affectionately. "You also made many things better. I know you feel as if it was all your fault and it slightly is but I also love you very much. I don't blame you at all."

Addison just whined in response.

"It's been five months since we left," Zed said to Eliza. "It's been a long journey. The waters were rough and there were storms. We were both healing."

"You were at risk of infection," Addison pointed out. "You refused to listen to me and didn't want to clean your wounds."

Zed grinned halfheartedly. "The point I'm making, E, is that we're both tired and we'll answer any question you have tomorrow. Or in a few days. Whichever works better."

Eliza leaned back against the seat and nodded in understanding. "Okay."

Eliza took them back to her house. She gave them one of the four upstairs rooms as their own for the time being. They slept in the bed almost immediately after arriving, cuddling together through the night. When Addison woke up in the morning, though, she was alone in the room. She laid there for as long as she could manage, collecting her bearings and waiting to see if Zed would return.

She then got out of bed and made her way down the stairs silently until she heard Zed's voice from the kitchen. "I will say it again: I've never felt the way I feel about Addison with anyone in my life."

"Well then, if you feel so strongly about her, she mustn't be…horrible," Eliza said.

Zed chuckled at that. "I think that, if you got to know her, you'd really like her," he said. "She's not how I expected her to be. She invited me into her castle and cared for me. I know she loves me in return too. It's mutual, it's wonderful."

"Yes, Yes," Eliza said with a groan. "She cried and forced the executioner to stop your punishment. You told me this not even an hour ago."

"She's just so lovely, I love her."

"When do you plan on marrying Addison?"

"As soon as I can. I wish to call her mine officially right now, but I know she's still sick and needs her rest."

"Ozzy's ordained. He can marry you two, you just need to schedule with him."

"Thank you, But I shouldn't be making these plans without Addison."

Addison figured then was a good time to enter the kitchen. The two Zombies turned and watched her as she came in and she gave them a small smile. "Good morning," she said quietly.

Eliza smiled back which surprised the only human in the room. "Would you care for some tea?"

"We're also making oatmeal," Zed added.

"And I asked Paisley to go pick up some soup for you. For your sickness." Eliza added.

"Um, thank you," Addison said.

"We were just chatting, coincidentally about you," Eliza said. She got up and moved to the tea kettle, pouring Addison a mug full of tea. "Sugar?"

"Yes please."

"What do you two want to do today?" Eliza asked. "I could show you around Zombietown. Or we could spend the day in and I could catch up on life in Seabrook from the two of you."

She handed Addison the mug and retook her seat across from Zed. Addison squeezed in next to Zed on the bench, setting her mug down. Instead of responding to what Eliza had said, Addison said, "I overheard your conversation and wouldn't mind in the slightest if you continued."

Eliza glanced at Zed and waited for confirmation from him before saying, "We were just talking about future plans for the two of you. How long do you plan on staying in America?"

"The rest of my life," Addison stated. "If I were to go back to Seabrook, I'd be forced to marry a prince from some kingdom and I'd be miserable."

"Being rich and married sounds awful," Eliza said sarcastically.

Addison ignored her and said, "I'd much rather be with Zed, here. No matter the cost."

Zed smiled and turned his head to press a soft kiss to her temple.

"This were some big costs, weren't they?" Eliza asked. "Considering what it took for you to finally decide to run away to the United States."

Addison nodded along. "I understand what you're saying. I should've made the decision sooner. Maybe then…" she took a deep breath and sighed. No matter what she had done, someone would have died. It hurt her to even think it and made her sick, but she'd rather it have been Zoey than Zed.

Addison took a long drink of her still steaming tea, then leaned against Zed's side. "This is very tasty, Eliza."

"It'll turn you into a Zombie."

In any other instance, Addison would have freaked out. Instead she just furrowed her brows and asked calmly, "What?"

"She's only kidding," Zed said with a pointed look at his best friend. "It's for a sore throat. And the steam helps with decongestion."

"Oh. Thank you."

"Addison, are you going to miss living life in the highest class?" Zed asked.

"Not as long as I get to be with you," she answered immediately. "Besides, I can cook and sew. I've always be fascinated with teaching too. In April of 1898, we visited England and I got to sit in on a lesson for the young boys and girls. It made me wish I had gone to school as I grew up."

"School was horrible," Zed stated.

Eliza shook her head and said, "You weren't very good at it is all."

"Miss Ozivia did not like me and was determined to make my life a nightmare," Zed pointed out.

Eliza and Zed both chuckled. Addison shifted awkwardly, knowing well she didn't get their jokes or humor and she probably never would.

"So pretty princess," Eliza started. "You can sew?"

Addison nodded. "I picked up on it every time Lady Lee would make me a dress and make it extra tight and small so as to impress the men I would meet. I would loosen it once she left and make it more bearable. Then it got to the point where I would just make some dresses of my own they month Lady Lee was home with pneumonia."

"Lady Lee is the worst," Zed conceded. He tilted his head to the side and on top of hers. "Don't worry, the mean lady can't hurt you anymore."

Addison giggled, then pulled her head from under his and stretched up to kiss his cheek.

"That is sickening," Eliza said dryly. "I think I may be the one who needs bed rest now."

"She just wishes she had someone like I have you."

Addison giggled and leaned against Zed. "I couldn't help but hear you discussing marriage," Addison pointed out. "And this person you called Ozzy."

"He's on old friend, a little older than us," Zed explained. "Eliza tells me he's ordained and can marry us. If you'd like, that is."

Addison smiled and looked up at him. "Are you proposing to me, Zedekiah Necrodopolus?"

"Well, I don't have a ring, or anything to offer you."

"But your love," Eliza whispered encouragingly.

"But my love," Zed added. "It's all I have, it's the only thing I can offer you."

"And it's more than enough," Addison said in a soft and nearly unheard voice.

Zed smiled at her, his face completely wistful and in love. "Will you marry me?"

It was simple and sweet and Addison felt tears slip from her eyes. They'd broken pretty much every traditional marriage right, but it didn't matter. Addison loved Zed, and Zed loved Addison.

"Yes," she said softly. "Yes, I will marry you."

Zed tilted his head down and kissed her gently. They held each other for a few minutes, then pulled apart when they heard Eliza laugh slightly. "That was very cute, and I'm being as honest as possible."

Addison smiled at the Zombie and said, "Thank you, Eliza. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to meet this 'Ozzy'."

January 1902

"Mrs. Gifford has offered to pay you if you look after her children for the day," Eliza said. "She wants you to make sure they practice their writing and she's asked if you could fix a few of Eleanor's dresses, which I said would cost a little extra. It is all your decision, but I already confirmed with them."

"Yes, I can look after them," Addison agreed. "And fix the dresses too."

Eliza smiled at her. "She has to go into town to get food for the next few days and the kids are very…high maintenance."

"Oh it's fine, I am also high maintenance," Addison joked. "I was raised in a castle after all."

"Oh I know," Eliza said. "You've been in my house for several weeks now and complain at very instant."

"No I don't!" Addison exclaimed incredulously. Eliza laughed and leaned back against her chair.

"You do, actually," Eliza said. "You never say anything to me but I can hear you telling Zed."

Addison frowned and said nothing, knowing Eliza was right. "I'm not upset, if that's what you believe," Eliza said. "I understand a little. It's hard moving to a new place and changing your lifestyle. Especially when you're downgrading from princess to a regular person."

Addison couldn't help but smile a little sadly. "I don't miss it very much," she said honestly. "It's just…I had people who would cook for me and clean and do my laundry. I didn't even bathe myself until last year. I'm just adjusting is all."

"And you're doing well," Eliza said kindly. "I could never give up my life in the castle for some guy. Especially Zed. Though he is quite handsome."

"He is, isn't he?" Addison said dreamily.

Eliza giggled at her, then stood up and moved to the stove. "I forgot to mention that Mrs. Gifford will be sending dinner over for her children and you."

"And me?"

"Yes you," Eliza assured her. "She really likes you and she told me to tell you that whatever you do with her kids have made them a lot more respectful and well mannered."

"It's the princess in me."

Zed entered the kitchen and grinned, saying, "Yes it is the princess in you."

He kissed the top of her head then sat on the bench beside her, Addison smiled and giggled. "You have no idea what we were talking about," she pointed out.

"He just wanted to be annoyingly cute," Eliza stated. "He's been like that she he was six."

Zed grinned. "She isn't very wrong. So what were you talking about? Was it me?"

"No dear," Addison told him. "The Giffords enjoy it when I watch and reach their children, and I'm doing it again today."

Zed continued to smile. Eliza returned from the stove and poured the fried potatoes in the pan into the waiting plate. "Breakfast is served," Eliza said. "Now, do tell what took you so long?"

"My back hurts, Eliza," Zed whined. "Still very sensitive, you know. I nearly died after all."

It wasn't completely true. Zed had woken up in the middle of the night sobbing and terrified, nearly screaming from the nightmare where he relived his torture. It had only happened once before, during the journey to America. And like the first time it happened, Addison had held him until he calmed down enough to stop shaking and sobbing.

That morning, after she had calmed him enough that he had gone back to sleep, she had decided to let him get a little extra sleep. The first time he had woken up from his night terror he hadn't slept right for the days following and she didn't want that to happen again.

"So I'm guessing that welding isn't quite working out for you," Eliza pointed out.

Zed shook his head. "The skin is so…stiff. It feels like I might rip it open if I bend down or stay hunched over for too long."

Addison made a face of disgust. "Zed, dear, I love you and all, but could we possibly talk about that when we're not eating?"

Zed giggled and nodded. He looked at Eliza and asked, "Any other job openings?"

"There's a rail station a town over. Several Zombies work to keep up the trains. Keep them in order and make sure everything is running properly. There's always an opening there. They may even have administrative jobs. Thing is, the omnibus leaves at exactly seven, which is in fifteen minutes."

"Well I'd better eat then," Zed said with a grin.

Addison passed him his plate. "Don't choke on your food," she warned.

Zed nodded and ate his breakfast quickly with earnest. They ate in mostly silence. Addison and Eliza were in no rush and would likely return to their meals after walking with Zed to the station, but they didn't start up a new conversation either.

Addison left the table not long after and rushed up to hers and Zed's room, searching through their mixed clothes and finding one of his nicer shirts before returning downstairs. "When you finish eating you should change into this," she told him. "People like it when you look nice, you know."

Zed grinned and nodded. "Thank you, Addison," he said. He stood from the table and wiped his hands on his napkin, then proceeded to change his shirt. "It's getting late, would you mind cleaning up for me?"

"Of course I wouldn't," she said. "You have a good day, okay? I believe in you."

"Thank you, have a good day too," Zed said. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek and then her lips. "Bye Eliza."

Eliza waved from the table, then Zed left, heading to meet with his fellow Zombies. Addison sat down across from Eliza and continued with her breakfast. "You two are very cute together," she pointed out. "Very very cute. I'm excited for your wedding, and I don't get excited about very many people and their relationships."

Addison smiled and shrugged. "I'm glad we're friends," she said. "I'm also excited to marry Zed."

April 1902

The day Addison got married was the best day in all her seventeen years of life. Which surprised her, considering it was almost completely populated by Zombies and she'd never have guessed that would happen.

Two Zombies names Mackenzie and Mitzi has helped her get ready. They choose from the dresses she managed to collect in the three months of being in America and decorated her hair with ribbons and flowers and even made her bouquet all orange blossoms.

Twins Rizzo and Zephyr had acted as the adults and given Addison away during the ceremony. Zed cried a little and Addison cried just a little less than he had. Everyone cheered when the two of them kissed and Addison never felt more happy or at peace with the world.

The festivities after we're held in the center of Zombietown. All the Zombies knew why it was such a big deal and in need of a massive celebration. And all the humans in Zombietown were happy to see the newly weds and celebrated with them.

Everyone brought food and little gifts. Addison met every Zombie there. Each of them told her stories about Zed. There were so many names and stories it made her dizzy, yet she couldn't be happier as she danced with Denzel then Zeke then Diaz and Lazlo and several other Zombies and a few humans. Of course, she eventually made her way back to her new husband.

The party lasted several hours until it was well after dark. Both Zed and Addison were exhausted and leaning on each other as everything began to settle down. Everything was calm and peaceful.

When the party ends officially and people begin shuffling back to their homes, Denzel offered to take Zed and Addison to their new home.

"I thought we were going back to Eliza's house?" Addison asked, not really directed a specific person.

Eliza walked over and shook her head. "It's the night of your wedding," she told them.

"You do know what happens tonight, right?" Denzel asked.

Addison felt her face heat up at their implications. "Yes," she said in a small voice.

Eliza laughed at misfortune. "Have fun. I'll visit you tomorrow afternoon, so be ready. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Addison mumbled.

Zed held her hand as they walked through Zombietown and chatted with Denzel. Everyone there knew Zed from growing up and, if Addison was focused on the impending task, she would have felt a little left out.

The house was small and quaint and looked completely undisturbed. There were a few houses around but not enough that it felt cramped. Denzel wished them a goodnight then continued down the street, leaving them standing outside their new home.

"My lady," Zed said. "Would you mind terribly if I carried you in?"

Addison couldn't help but smile softly at him; he wasn't even trying to ease her nerves and yet he was doing it. She nodded in response and Zed bent down and lifted her up into his arms. She couldn't help but giggle as he made a big show of carrying her in. And nearly tripping on the mess of gifts strewn around the front room.

Addison laughed at his misfortune and Zed couldn't help but grin, then giggled then full on laughed until his sides hurt and he had to put her down.

When they had both calmed down, Addison took his hand and walked through the front room and down the hallway, into the only bedroom that was furnished. She turned to face him and smiled shyly.

"Hello there," she said in a quiet voice.

"You look beautiful," Zed said immediately. He reached out for her and she stepped forward and turned around.

Zed got her message and reached up, slowly unbuttoning her dress. He pushed it down from her shoulders until the dress fell around her ankles, then began to untie the ribbon of her corset. "Do you remember the last time we did this? Zed asked, his voice thick. "Because I do." He pressed his lips to her spine, right at the top between her shoulder blades, sending a shiver through her body as the corset fell from her body.

He moved away and Addison turned to face him, reaching up to pull his dress shirt from his pants. Her hands moved over his clothing quickly, getting him undressed then taking his hand and leading him to the bed.

"Are you ready?" Zed asked.

Addison nodded, feeling her nerves settle inside. "I'm more ready than you know."