Vanessa woke up the next morning to the sun shining through her windows. She groaned as she felt like a brick was laying on her head. She rolled over to see Zac lying on his stomach with his face buried in the pillow. She poked him in his side, smiling when he grunted and mumbled something incoherent.
"Zaccy, I wanna snuggle," she said softly.
"Whattimeisit?" he asked, not moving his face from the pillow.
"10:30," she whispered back as she laid on her side, running her fingers over his back muscles.
"Youwannacuddle?" he asked, still not moving his head.
"Yes please," she said in a baby voice. He took a deep breath before rolling over onto his side and opening his arms with a cute smile on his face as he slowly opened his eyes. She smiled happily and cuddled up to him, resting an arm around his waist with her hand on his butt as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Anything for you, baby," he whispered as he closed his eyes once again.
"When are you going to leave?"
"Hmmm….around noon, I guess."
"Dyl is going to have an awesome time driving back with a hangover."
"Sucks for him. I'm sleeping on the way up there. My girlfriend decided to wake me up when the sun came up this morning for sex, so I'm a little tired," he whispered, teasing her.
"Oh shush. You weren't complaining when it happened," she said, squeezing his butt.
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "And I'm still not complaining. It was definitely worth it."
She giggled before kissing his cheek.
"Bro, turn down the radio," Zac said as he leaned his seat back, trying to fall asleep as the Efron brothers made the three hour drive to San Luis Obispo.
"I like this album, though. Get over it." Dylan replied.
"Dylan, if you don't turn off the radio I am going to tell Greg about you hitting on Stella and trying to hook up with her."
Zac smiled triumphantly as Dylan lowered the radio. "I hate you." Dylan said under his breath.
Zac chuckled, "Love you too, bro."
"Oww! What the fuck, dude?!" Zac said angrily as he received a punch into his side.
"We are here. Wake up," Dylan said as he turned off the car and got out. He grabbed his suitcase, along with Zac's bag and they made their way inside.
"Hi boys!" Starla said happily as they walked into the kitchen.
"Hey mom," Dylan said as he hugged her.
"Hey momma!" Zac said, kissing her cheek. She immediately began fixing them something to eat.
"Mom…..I brought my laundry home for you," Dylan said with a charming smile on his face.
Zac looked at him, shaking his head. "How about a 'hey mom, thanks for paying for my college education, I'd really really love it if you would please do my laundry."
Dylan rolled his eyes. "You don't even have room to talk, Vanessa does your laundry!"
"Yeah, because I ask nicely or because she volunteers when she sees clothes lying everywhere."
Starla rolled her eyes as the boys fussed. "Zachary? Dylan?" she said, interrupting their playful banter. Dylan and Zac instantly stopped when she used their full first names. They gulped and slowly turned to look at her.
"Yes ma'am?" they both said.
"Well I turned on the TV this morning and I see BOTH of my sons leaving a bar, then I see my youngest son flirting with someone who is potentially, one day, his future sister in law, then I see my oldest son ordering 40 chicken nuggets at McDonalds and sitting in the drive thru window taking a picture. Care to explain?"
Dylan looked at Zac with a scared look on his face.
Zac shrugged his shoulders before smiling charmingly and hugging Starla tight, "I love you, Mommy. And I don't bring my dirty laundry for you. And I gave you a daughter you never had. And I'm the cuter son."
Starla laughed at him as Dylan said "Hey!" in protest.
"I'm not mad at you, Zachary. I'm proud of you for not driving." Zac smiled in accomplishment and kissed her on the cheek before slapping Dylan on the back with a smirk on his face.
"I didn't drive either!" Dylan said, hoping she wouldn't bring up the Stella part again.
"I saw that. Which I am also proud of you for. However…..what the hell were you thinking?" she asked as she hit him across the back of his head softly.
"I'm sorry! I already apologized to her! I was drunk!"
"Drunkenness isn't a good excuse, young man. What if you would have? That would have changed everything! She is like your little sister!"
"I know! I know! I'm really sorry!"
"Don't let it happen again, young man."
"I promise it won't."
She nodded, smiling and returned to making them something to eat. Dylan looked at Zac with wide eyes, thankful that the lecture was over. Zac chuckled softly, pulling out his phone, starting a text message to "My Baby V".
"Dyl just got a Starlecture for last night."
"For the public drunkenness or the Stella thing?"
"Stella thing."
"I think it is funny. You Efron boys obviously have a thing for the Hudgens girls ; ) "
"I don't think he does, but I sure do ; ) "
"Hmmm….I wonder which one of us you like more…."
"Then one whose bed I woke up in naked this morning and the one whose name I moan during sex and the one who I have loved since I first laid eyes on her 8 years ago."
"You just turned me on and made me almost cry in one text message."
"What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."
"That you are, baby. That you are. ; ) "
"Getting naughty, are we, Hudgens?"
"Maybe. I can't help it. I'm just laying here in my bed, naked, thinking about you….naked."
"Nessa! You're killing me! I'm sitting here talking to my mom and Dylan!"
"I wish my hands felt as good as yours….."
Zac nearly choked as he read the massage. He quickly excused himself from the table and ran upstairs, speed dialing number one.
"Hellllloooo?"
"Vanessa Anne!" His scolding tone was met with a sweet giggle in response.
"I'm sorry baby. I was just messing with you. I'm actually waiting in the dentist's office."
"I'll get you back, Hudgens." He chuckled as he laid on his bed, talking to her. "You nervous?"
"You know I always am. I hate the dentist."
"You're just getting them cleaned, baby. No need to be afraid."
"I know, I know. I can't wait to come see you. I already miss you."
"I miss you too, Ness. But tomorrow is Christmas Eve!"
She giggled at his excitement, "You are so silly."
"You love me."
"Yes, I do. I gotta go, they just called my name. Love you."
"Love you too babe. MWAH!"
They hung up and Zac made his way back downstairs. Starla had just finished putting some more wrapped presents under the tree. "Sweetie, can you do me a favor and run to the grocery store and pick up a few things?" she asked Zac.
"Yeah, do you have a list?" he asked, grabbing his wallet and her car keys. She nodded, grabbing it off the counter and handing it to him.
He looked at the long list. "I'll be back….in like 12 hours," he joked.
"Ha Ha. So funny. Be careful," she said, giving him a stern look.
"I will," he said, kissing her cheek as he made his way out of the door.
Vanessa woke up to someone jumping on the bed. She opened her eyes to see her childhood room and Stella jumping on the bed, excitedly.
"Nessa! Get up! Get up! Get up! It's CHRISTMAS!" Stella said, jumping up and down. Vanessa groaned loudly as she looked over at the clock that was flashing "7:04."
"Okay, okay! Just quit jumping!" she said as she wiped her eyes, sitting up. She grabbed her phone to see a text message waiting on. She smiled, opening it.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY! I hope you have a wonderful morning and I can't wait to see you soon. No matter what presents I get today, you will always be my favorite present. I love you and I will see you soon. MWAH :-* "
She smiled widely before replying, "Merry Christmas, baby boo. I can't wait to see you. Have a good Christmas. See you soon. I love you. MWAH!"
Stella grabbed her hand, pulling her out of bed. The smell of coffee and breakfast filled the Hudgens' house as the girls ran downstairs, excitedly.
"Merry Christmas, girls!" Greg said as he hugged them both.
"Merry Christmas, Daddy," Vanessa smiled as she kissed his cheek. They all sat down to eat breakfast.
"So you are leaving around 11?" Gina asked Vanessa.
"Yeah. That way I will get there around 2. I hope traffic isn't bad. What time are you guys heading to the airport?"
"Noon," Greg replied. He, Gina, and Stella were flying to New York for the rest of Christmas and for New Year's Eve.
"You guys are going to have so much fun! Zac said it was blast and that the hotel you guys are staying at it the perfect place to be!"
"I can't wait!" Stella said. They finished eating breakfast before they all quickly made their way to the living room.
Stella turned on Christmas music as they opened presents.
Zac woke up and grabbed his phone. His wallpaper brought a sleepy smile to his face. It was the one someone took of Vanessa smiling into the camera with her arms around Zac's neck as he kissed her cheek. Seeing that it was already 6:30 in the morning, he texted Vanessa before jumping out of bed and throwing on some pajama pants. He ran out of his door just as Dylan ran out of his room, across the hall.
They smiled big at each other before sprinting down the stars with Puppy closely following them, barking in excitement. They ran into the living room to see Starla and David sitting on the couch with amused looks on their faces.
"What took you guys so long?" David teased.
Zac and Dylan laughed loudly as they sat on the floor by the Christmas tree.
"Zachary, I'm going to need you to hurry up and get the move on. I miss having little ones around on Christmas."
"If you want a little one around, I can walk around on my knees or something. That's not going to happen for awhile, mom."
"I know, I know. Wishful thinking," she teased.
"So that's why you didn't get a box of condoms in your stocking this year," Dylan joked, nudging his shoulder.
Zac shook his head, laughing. When the Efrons finished opening presents, they all went out for breakfast and took a little hike before going to the beach.
They all had a blast at the beach, just hanging out and spending quality time together. David looked down at his watch. "It's a little past 1:30, Zac. Should we head out?"
He nodded, excitedly. "Yeah, she'll be here soon." They made their way back to the car before getting in and heading back home. They pulled into the driveway and as they got out, Vanessa's black Audi pulled in. Zac smiled widely as she got out of the car. He quickly ran to her, picking her up and spinning her around as she erupted in giggles. He looked up as he stopped spinning and she leaned down, kissing him lovingly. He pulled back, smiling from ear to ear before kissing her again. He placed her on her feet and pecked her lips once more as he entwined their hands. "Merry Christmas, baby."
"Merry Christmas," she smiled back sweetly. He smiled before stepping away and grabbing her bags form the car. Dylan hugged her tightly, saying Merry Christmas before Starla and David followed suit. Starla wrapped her arm around Vanessa's shoulder as they walked into the house, deep in a conversation.
Zac took Vanessa's bag upstairs to his room before coming back downstairs to find her and Starla sitting in front of the fireplace, drinking Apple Cider while Dylan and David watched the Celtics v. Lakers basketball game on TV.
Zac smiled at Vanessa before sitting on the couch beside David and watching the game. After a little while, Starla got up to go start fixing Christmas dinner. Vanessa made her way over to where the boys were sitting and Zac patted the spot beside him, between David and Zac. She sat down and cuddled up to him as he placed his arm around her shoulders, kissing her forehead.
He stole a sip of her cider as they watched the game.
That night, everyone was heading to bed as it was getting late. Zac and Vanessa walked into Zac's room and he locked the door. He looked around and didn't see her. He heard the water running in the bathroom and figured she was taking a shower.
He removed his shirt and jeans before sitting on the bed, flipping through the channels.
"Babbbbyyyy?" Vanessa called from the bathroom.
"Yessss?" he mocked back to her. He looked to his left to see her standing in the doorway wrapped in a towel with her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, smiling.
"Do you wanna join me?" she asked sweetly.
He smiled wide before jumping up and walking to the bathroom. He pulled off his boxers before getting into the bathtub that was filled with bubbles and hot water. She dropped her towel and got in, resting between his legs. She sighed in contentment as the warm water relaxed her muscles.
He kissed her bare shoulder softly, making his way along the back of her neck and to her other shoulder. She tilted her head back, smiling at him. He looked into her eyes before placing his hand on her neck, tracing her jaw with is thumb as he kissed her soundly.
She placed her hand around his wrist, deepening the kiss. His other hand moved down her side slowly, grazing over the side of her breast as it continued to move down. His fingers splayed across her toned abdomen as he stopped moving his hand, but not his lips.
They pulled apart a few moments later, breathless. She smiled before pecking his lips once more. He grabbed the soap and began washing her body.
"You excited for Ashley's New Years Eve party?" she asked, whispering. She didn't want to break the intimate mood of the dark bathroom with candles.
"Mmmhmm," he replied, still lathering her with soap. "Who all is going?"
"Dylan, Stella, me, you…." She teased.
He moved his fingers to tickle her, but he refrained when she realized what was about to happen and began talking again.
"And Laura New, Kim Hidalgo, Selena Gomez, Brittany Snow, Mo and her husband, Lucas and his girlfriend, Corbin, Chris Warren, Ryne, Oleysa, Kaycee Stroh, Chucky, and a bunch more people. It's at her house, but I think there is like 30 or 40 people coming." She turned to look at him when he didn't say anything and she saw a sad look on his face.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, turning around to face him. He faked a small smile and shook his head. "Nothing," he said softly. She frowned and wrapped her legs around his waist, sitting in his lap and lifted his chin.
"Baby, tell me. What's bothering you?"
"I just….I guess I'm nervous. Not about seeing the cast or anything, but everyone else…they were there around you when I wasn't. What if they don't like me? What if they think you should be with Austin?" he finished quietly as he looked away, hurt clearly in his eyes.
"Hey," she said, lifting trying to turn his face to look at her. "What happened to the Zac that's confident and doesn't care what other people think?"
"I don't care what other people think…" he finally looked her in the eyes as he finished his sentence, "….except for you…those people could tell you that I'm not right for you and you made a mistake. I've lost you once, Vanessa and it was hell. I lost my best friend, my girlfriend, my everything and I also lost all my other friends."
She noticed his eyes glassing over and placed her small hands on his cheeks, wiping a tear as it fell down his cheek out of his sparkling blue eyes. "Baby, I don't care what other people think of our relationship. I have known you longer than anyone else there, besides Stellz obviously, and out of all of those people, you are by far my best friend and always have been. We grew up together Zac. When I had a bad day, I went to you. When I needed to laugh or someone to vent to, you were there. When the photo scandal happened, you were half a world a way yet you were still there for me. And when it happened again, you were there…once again. When I get good news, I want to share it with you first. When I have a bad day and feel like punching someone, I want your arms around me while I'm crying. At the end of the day, you are the one I want and the one I NEED by my side. You are my everything and if they don't like that, I don't want them in my life."
He swallowed, nodding softly.
"Can I see that beautiful smile that I love so much?" she asked with a smile on her face.
"Only if I can have a kiss first," he said with a straight face. She leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her lips, but Zac placed his hands on her back, pulling her close and igniting the kiss with passion. She kissed back and only pulled away when they needed air.
He finally smiled, his blue eyes sparkling.
"You okay?" she asked, running her hand through his hair.
He nodded and smiled. "Sorry for being a girl," he chuckled. She bit her lip and moved her hips against his gently. "Baby, I think we both know you are NOT a girl."
She smiled as he groaned softly. They both got out of the tub, drying off, not breaking eye contact. Finally she jumped into his arms and kissed him as he carried them to his bed. As he hovered over her, he looked in her eyes before making the final move to connect their bodies.
"I love you, Ness. Merry Christmas."
"I love you too, Zac."