Day 17: Not So Merry and Bright

After Zander's first birthday, Missy and Dale had stayed with the daughter and her family instead of going home to Seabrook. There weren't too many changes to their everyday routine, except the times when Zed would get a death glare from one of his wife's parents when he was getting 'too affectionate' with her. His wife. In their house.

"I mean, Addy, I love your parents, but when are they going home?" Zed stressed on night in mid December.

Addison was in the bathroom while Zed was getting changed, everyone in the house already asleep. She turned to look at her husband, walking to stand in the doorframe.

"Soon," Addison said.

"Does soon have a date? I wanna know when I can stop looking over my shoulder for the freaking chief of zombie patrol who happens to be my father-in-law."

Addison sighed, walking over. "They'll be gone soon," she repeated. "Like, after Christmas."

Zed blanched. "After Christmas? That's...that's more than a week from now!"

"My mom may have started a tiny, minuscule, barely even noticeable fire at home. And the department of health and safety deemed the house unlivable until it gets renovated. And, I figured if I avoided sharing, you'd wait it out until they left."

"So you told your parents they could stay here until their house was renovated?"

"They're going to Bucky's on the twenty-seventh," Addison said. "They just wanted to spend Christmas with us! Don't be mad." She gave him a pout and Zed sighed.

"Adds, I would be less mad if you had told me when you first found out," he said.

"I know but—"

"Don't make excuses," he interrupted and she immediately clamped up. "It's already happening. I'll just...deal with it, I guess."

Addison nodded, understanding. "Okay, I get it."

Zed rubbed his nose. "I'm gonna go to bed. Need my energy to deal with your parents for ten more days." He rolled his eyes and turned, climbing into bed.

Addison watched him get situated and turn away from her, holding in a sigh. She should have told him, she knew. But Zed and her parents weren't on the best terms—sure, they tolerated each other for her sake, and always tried to get along, but it was pretty obvious that both Missy and Dale had reservations toward the zombie, which turned Zed off from socializing with them. But they were her parents and she was their only child and they were in need, hoe could she deny them?

She turned and went back into the bathroom, finishing up her nightly routine (brushing her teeth). She shut off the room light and heard the bed groan, most likely because Zed was turning so he wouldn't have to face her.

Addison laid there for several still minutes, listening to Zed's breathing. He wasn't sleeping yet, she could tell by the sharp intakes of air. She turned over and poked his back. He hummed in response and she said, "You shouldn't go to bed mad, we gotta talk this out."

He turned over to face her. "There's not much else to it," he said.

"Babe, I know I screwed up, and I should have told you, and I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Adds," he said. "It's not like we could kick them out now. I'll just think of ways to avoid being home."

"No, I'll get them out. You shouldn't have to avoid being in your own home."

"Addy—"

"I'll send them Christmas shopping. That'll keep them busy for a few hours."

"Addison—"

"And I'll send them on a fancy dinner date. Oh! I think my cousins are in Seabrook, maybe they can go visit!"

Zed laughed, making her abruptly stop. "Gosh, okay! Can we go to bed now?"

"Are you still mad?"

"I'm...less mad."

Addison grinned. "I'll take that."