It was a snowy Saturday morning when Zed was startled by the doorbell. He had been lazily flipping through the channels and he almost kicked his water off the coffee table as he jumped.

He opened the door and found his Addison standing there.

"Addy! What are you doing here?" he asked as he moved aside to let her in.

"Well, I thought I would surprise my favorite Zombie family with—"

"Addison!" Zoey interrupted as she tore down the stairs.

"Munchkin!" Addison replied as she caught the little girl and spun her around.

"What are you doing here?" Zoey asked.

"That's what I'm waiting to find out!" Zed joked as he eyed the bag Addison brought. It looked like it was insulated.

"Oh yeah! Well, my parents are both at meetings this morning and since it's so chilly, I thought I'd bring some hot chocolate to share." She lifted the bag to show her point, but only saw blank faces on the two others.

"What?" she questioned unsurely. "Is that bad?"

"No!" Zed replied quickly. "Not bad at all! Well, at least, we don't think so. We've never had hot chocolate."

Now it was Addison with the blank expression. "Really?"

"Um, yeah. We don't exactly get a lot of chocolate on this side. And it's not like Pops makes anything that isn't brain flavored."

"Hey!" Zevon said with a laugh as he entered. "My palate isn't as refined as some youngins that get to eat other things at school."

He held his arms out for Addison and she happily embraced him.

Zed pouted. "You know, I'm the only one here you haven't hugged yet."

Addison rolled her eyes. "I don't see your dad and Zoey as much!"

Zed stuck his bottom lip out further. "Still…"

Zevon chuckled and let go of Addison. "Fine, go give the big baby his hug."

Addison hurried over to Zed and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her head.

"Better?" she asked.

"Much," he replied.

"Ok, ok," Zoey said. "You got your hug. Can we get to the treat now? Please?"

"Yes!" Addison said. "I brought the milk, the mix and some marshmallows!"

All three stared at her with cautious smiles.

"Ok, let's just head to the kitchen and start. Do you have 4 mugs?"

Pops ran ahead to the kitchen and pulled out the mugs. "Yep, not many, but we've got enough."

"Great! Now, do you want to microwave it or heat the milk on the stove?" Addison asked as she glanced around the room. No microwave in sight. "Ok, stove it is. Zoey, get me a pot, please?"

"Sure!" Zoey hurriedly got the utensil while Zevon got the burner going.

"Ok, I'm going to warm up the milk," Addison explained as she poured the milk carefully. She refrained from giggling as all three Necrodopolouses stared in wonder. "And once it's warm enough, we'll pour it into the mugs and put the mix in. Then, if you want the marshmallows, we'll put those in too."

"Um, gorgeous. We're gonna want the marshmallows. If we're going to do this, we're going big!" Zed said with the excitement Addison would have expected from Zoey.

"Ok, then let's get started."

Addison got a spoon and carefully stirred as the milk heated. Once it was just the right temperature, she poured it into each mug. "Now, take a packet and pour it into the milk," she said. "And stir it very gently so the powder mixes but doesn't fly out."

She demonstrated and watched as the others followed her instructions. Once everything was mixed together, she told them, "Ok, take a little sip. Slowly in case it's too hot still."

Zed took the first sip. He closed his eyes and moaned appreciatively. "Addison, what heaven have you brought us?"

Zoey went next. "Oh, that is hot! But it's soooooooo good! When do we get the marshmallows?"

"In a minute, Zo. I wanted you to just taste that first. Zevon, how about you?"

Zevon very cautiously put the mug to his mouth. He took the smallest of sips… and then took a much larger one. "Addison! That's delicious!"

Addison clapped her hands excitedly and cheered. "I'm so glad you like it! Now, let's put the little marshmallows in."

Zed put an entire handful in first. "Whoa there, handsome. Little bit. It's never going to melt like that."

"Can we just eat them instead?" Zoey said.

Addison laughed. "Sure, munchkin. Whatever works for you!"

Zoey popped one mini marshmallow in her mouth and beamed. "These are so good too!"

Zed put the rest of his handful into his mouth and Zevon chortled.

"You know, Addison, you could have warned me that you were going to sugar my kids up today!"

"Sorry, Zevon! I didn't realize this was going to be a first time thing." Addison frowned at that. "I'm actually really sorry."

"Addy, don't be sorry," Zed said, putting a hand on hers. "That's not your fault. You were awesome enough to introduce us to this! Granted, we may need to take Puppy on an extended walk later to burn this off so we sleep tonight, but do not feel sad about it. Ok? Don't kill my sugar buzz yet!"

"Ok, you got it."

"Addy, you know you'll be bringing more of this, right?" Zed said with a wink. "You actually unlocked Pops' sweet tooth. It's like a miracle!"

Zevon rolled his eyes. "It's not a miracle. It's not like I've never had non-brain foods. I forced down a burger at the block party for Dale's sake. I just don't have a taste for human food. Except this!"

"Chocolate! Uniting us all!" Addison said, lifting her mug.

"To chocolate!" Zed said, raising his as well.

"To chocolate!" they all repeated while raising the mugs.

"Well, kids," Zevon began as he stood. "I'm taking this with me to drink while I get some paperwork done." He patted Addison's shoulder. "Thank you again, Addy, for bringing this over!"

"You're so welcome, Zevon! Enjoy!"

As Zevon left, Zed quickly finished his drink. "Ok, gorgeous, when do we make more?"

"Whoa! Pace yourself, zombie! You're going to have a sugar crash if you aren't careful!"

"It would be worth it," Zed said, reaching for Addison's mug. "One sip?" he asked with those puppy dog eyes he knew she couldn't resist.

She stared him down, knowing full well she'd give in. Damn those brown eyes. "Fine, you can finish mine. But you stay away from your sister's!"

"You are the best!" he said as he happily stole her mug.

"He's your brother," she loudly whispered to Zoey.

"You had a choice," Zoey replied.

"Not listening to the haters," Zed said, smiling as he sipped.

The girls laughed and Addison spent the rest of the day with her favorite Zombies.

A week later, Zed returned home from school to a very unfamiliar smell.

"Pops? What are you doing in here?" he asked as he entered the kitchen.

"Zed? Great! You're home! I want you to try something," Zevon replied, turning from his place in front of the stove. He was holding a cake pan.

"A cake?" Zed asked. "Did you actually bake a cake?"

"Yes, I actually baked a cake. Addison's hot chocolate kinda inspired me. She's always doing for us, so I thought I would try to do something nice for her. But I want you to try it first."

"I'm the guinea pig?"

"Yep. Now, just take a little bite. I want your sister to try it too if you like it."

Zed was tentative. He didn't want to disappoint his father, but he doubted Zevon could really pull this off. He took a fork and broke off a small bite. He smiled awkwardly as he put the bite in his mouth. He waited for some strange taste, but was pleasantly surprised to actually taste a delicious chocolate cake.

"Pops! It's actually good!"

"Well… thanks?"

"I'm sorry! It's just that… well, it's not like you've ever done anything like this before. But I will gladly eat this!" He went back for another bite but was stopped by Zevon.

"Ah-ah-ah! Zoey can have a bite and then I'm going to leave the rest for dessert tonight. Go call Addison and see if she'd like to join us for dinner. You guys can make pizzas and I'll open a brains in a can for me."

"You got it, Pops!" Zed ran to his room and invited his girlfriend to dinner.

Once Zoey also gave her approval to the cake, Zevon put some ready-made frosting on the cake and hoped it was good to a human as well.

Addison came over not long after. "It worked out great," she explained as Zed took her coat. "My parents are both working late today anyway. All these law changes are really keeping them hopping and in the office. And I'd much rather have dinner with you guys instead of the pizza delivery guy."

"Me too," Zed said with a slight growl.

Addison patted him on the head. "Down, boy. Your jealousy is showing."

Zevon rolled his eyes. His son… how did Zoey say it? Had no chill.

"Anyway! It's great that you could come over. I actually have a surprise for you!" Zevon said.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yep, but it has to wait until after dinner. Why don't you kids start making the pizzas?"

Zed and Zoey were thrilled with their dinner guest. Not only did they both love her to pieces, but they got to eat different foods when she was around. Making mini-pizzas was one of their favorites.

Dinner was just as pleasant as always. Despite the obvious differences, Addison and the Necrodopolous family got along perfectly. It made everyone hope that she'd be a permanent member someday.

Finally, it was time for dessert.

Zevon got up and retrieved the cake. He put it on the table and smiled. "Now, if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it."

Addison put her hands to her mouth and gasped. "You made a cake?"

Zed leaned over to her. "For you."

The tears instantly came to Addison's eyes. "For me?"

"Addy, you do a lot for our family. This is the least I could do," Zevon said. He cut her a piece of cake and handed it over. "Like I said, if you don't like it—"

"I'm sure I'll love it!" Addison took a brave big bite. Anticipation was written on everyone's faces. Finally, she declared, "It's delicious!"

A wave of relief washed over Zevon. "I'm so glad you like it!"

Zed got a playful expression as he cut a piece for himself and Zoey. "You know what would go great with this?"

"Hot chocolate?" Zoey squealed.

"Got it in one!"

Addison laughed. "You gonna make it, Z?"

"As a matter of fact, I will. I may have practiced with the stuff you left behind."

"And there's actually some left?"

Zed scrunched his face a bit. "Well, there's enough for tonight at least."

Addison rolled her eyes, but smiled and gestured to the stove. "Ok, handsome. It's all you then."

The rest of dessert was spent laughing. Zevon couldn't help but notice the love in the eyes of his son and his girlfriend. One didn't have to be a fortune teller to see these two were meant for each other. And he couldn't wait to see where things would go with them.

He stood up then. "Ok, kids. I think I'm going to take the Pupster for his evening walk. Zoey, why don't you get your shower and into your PJs and maybe there's a movie night in your future?"

"Yay!" Zoey cried as she ran upstairs.

Addison stood up as well and hugged him tight. "Thank you so much, Zevon. This meant the world to me."

Zevon found it hard to believe a simple cake meant so much to her. He'd have to ask Zed about that later.

"You're more than welcome, Addy. And… if you'd like, you can call me Pops too."

Addison pulled back and nodded, not really able to answer him with that.

"Ok, Puppy and I will be back soon," Zevon said. He clapped Zed on the shoulder and got the dog and his leash.

Zed turned to Addison. "You ok, cheerleader?"

She sniffled her reply. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Your family is just so loving. You do such amazing things. I'm so lucky to be a part of it."

He pulled her close and put his chin on her head. "We're the lucky ones." He rubbed her back for a few moments before pulling her back to look into her eyes.

"You'll always be at home here. You know that, right?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I really do."

"Good," he whispered before bending down to kiss her softly.

When she took a breath, she looked at him with a sparkle in her eye. "You know, the couch is free and your dad and sister are currently occupied…"

"Race you there, gorgeous!"


A/N: So, there's the origin of Pops' chocolate cake that Addison (and the others) loves so much!

Folks, I just saw the Zombies dolls that are coming out and it says that Addison's last name is Wells? And Zombies 2 gave Bucky the last name Buchanan (Avengers Easter egg?). I'll use these names going forward. We'll see if I ever go back and change the last 80-some chapters. Sigh.