"Oh damn...! Okay! Bag! We need the bag, right?! Keys! Where are my keys! And I need to get dressed and ...!"
"ZED!" Addison shouted over his rambling
"The bag is by the door and the car keys are hanging in the hook." She said, smiling in spite of herself as she shook her head endearingly at him
"Okay! Let's not panic, I'll get dressed, and I'll be right back!" He said
Addison doubled over as she was suddenly hit with a contraction
"I'd hurry because this little dude seems like he's anxious to make his appearance! She called after him.
"Oh my gosh, how exciting!" Bree squealed as she, Bonzo, Eliza, Zevon, Dale and Missy arrived at the waiting room
"Ah here we are, the moment of truth! How are you feeling?" Doctor Henley asked Addison as she examined her
"It hurts!" She exclaimed through gritted teeth
"I can order you an epidural I'd you like." She said
"No ... No I want to do this naturally if possible." She said
"Well, good news is everything is progressing just like it's supposed to, and soon you'll be ready to start pushing." Doctor Henley said with a benevolent smile.
Addison gritted her teeth and tears stung her eyes as another strong contraction hit, she gripped Zed's hand for support.
"Addy, are you sure you don't want anything for the pain?" He asked worriedly as he glanced at the doctor
"No!" She practically roared at him
"Okay, Addison, when the next contraction comes, I want you to push." Doctor Henley said
Addison nodded, and with the next contraction, she pushed.
As the hours went by, Bree and the others exchanged worried looks
"Is it supposed to take this long?" Eliza asked Missy
"Well ... Every pregnancy and labor is different, so it's hard to say for sure." Missy replied, though her expression also harbored concern.
Addison was sweaty, shaking and exhausted, after hours of pushing, she has nothing to show for it.
"Addison, your labor isn't progressing, and the baby's heart rate keeps dropping with every contraction, I'm afraid that we are going to have to do an emergency c section." Doctor Henley said
"Wait ...what?! What does that mean?!" Zed said as several nurses came rushing in.
"It means if we don't hurry, we could lose the baby ... And maybe Addison, too." Doctor Henley said seriously
The panic and the dread hit Zed so hard that his legs almost gave out. Addison's frightened voice calling his name brought him out of his sea of whirling thoughts.
She reached out her hand to him and he took it, walking alongside her bed as they wheeled her out of the delivery room and down the hall.
"Zed ... I'm scared." She said as tears leaked down her cheeks
"I know, baby." He said as he squeezed her hand.
'So am I.' He thought to himself. Who was he kidding, scared was an UNDERSTATEMENT. The very thought that he might lose the love of his life, his soulmate, not to mention their child filled him with so much fear that it almost choked him.
"I'm sorry, but we can't allow anyone beyond this point." Doctor Henley said as she stepped in front of him. He reluctantly released her hand.
"I love you!" He called after her as she was wheeled through the doors and out of sight as Eliza, Bree and the others caught up with him.
Zed felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to meet his father's gaze.
"Dad ... What if they don't make it ... I ..."
Zed's words were cut off as Zevon suddenly pulled his son to him in a tight hug. All the emotions Zed had been holding in for Addison's sake suddenly burst forth and he wept freely against his father's shoulder.
Eliza, Bree, Bonzo, Missy and Dale collectively wrapped their arms around Zed and Zevon in a many armed embrace until Zed finally pulled back from his father.
"Come on, son, let's go and sit down." Zevon said as they all put their arms around one another's shoulders and walked back to the waiting area.
No one asked questions, or asked for details about what had happened, they just merely sat with him in silent support.
"Thanks, I don't know what I'd do wirh out you guys." Zed said as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"We're family, Zed, that's what family does." Eliza said
The hours ticked by and after what seemed like an eternity, doctor Henley finally emerged, looking exhausted to talk with them, in her arms was a small, squirming bundle
"Zed, meet your son." She said as she handed the baby to him. He pulled the blanket down to reveal a lively baby boy, everything about him looked human ... Except for the thick tuft of green hair that adorned his head
Zed was filled with so many emotions at once; awe, excitement, adoration, fear, and love. His son opened his eyes and smiled at him.
"Everyone, meet Zachary Necrodopolis" He said, smiling proudly as he showed him off.
"Oh, Zed, he's perfect!" Missy said with tears in her eyes as she stroked his hair.
"How's Addy? Is she okay?" He asked as fear settled deep in the pit of his stomach.
"She is in intensive care, the labor and the c section took a lot out of her." Doctor Henley said
"Can I see her?" Zed asked
"Yes, but only for a few minutes, follow me."
Zed's breath caught in his throat, she looked so weak and pale, like she could slip away at any moment. Just the very thought of life without her filled him with immeasurable fear.
"Hey, Addy, I have someone here that wants to meet you." He said.
As of on instinct, and it probably was, Addison's eyes fluttered open at the sounds of their son's cooing.
"Hey little man." She said as she shakily reached a hand out to him
"I'm sorry I can't hold you right now, but Daddy will take good care of you until I can, okay?"
"Look at him, Addy, he's perfect!" Zed gushed.
Addison smiled weakly at him
"We do good work, don't we?" She said as she reached for his hand.
He smiled at her as he gave it a gentle squeeze
"Yeah ... Yeah we do."
True to her nature of being a fighter, and not being a quitter, Addison got stronger every day and in a few weeks, she was discharged to go home under strict orders from Doctor Henley to take it easy and no heavy lifting for the next six weeks.
"I was right, motherhood looks great on you, Addy." Bree said
"Thanks, I knew I would love being a mom, but I had no idea how much, it doesn't hurt that he's like ... The perfect baby. He's never grouchy, he already sleeps through the night, he's a great eater and only cries when he's hungry, or needs a change."
Of course you two would have like ... The perfect kid." Bree said with a laugh as the door opened and Zed walked in.
"Hey, Bree." He said as he leaned over the back of the couch and captured Addison's lips in a brief, but sensual kiss.
"How was your day?" She asked as he gently took Zachary into his arms
"And what about you, little man? Did you take good care of mommy while I was at work?" Zed said to Zachary as he joined them on the couch.
Zachary gurgled happily in reply as he reached his hands up and gripped Zed's cheeks.
"Ouch! Wow! I think he's inherited my strength!" Zed said as he gently removed Zachary's hands from his cheeks as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Bree said
"Hey, cuz! " Bucky said as he walked in, followed by Javal, Myra, and to their surprise, Isabella.
"No, no, don't you move a muscle! I'm coming to you." Isabella said as Addison made a move to stand up and greet her. She hurried over to Addison and embraced her in a warm hug.
"How's my future cheer rock star." Bucky said as he took little Zachary from Zed's arms.
Zed rolled his eyes, but chose not to grace Bucky's comment with a response.
"Whoa! You've gotten big! Before you know it, you'll be old enough to go to junior cheer camp!" Bucky said as he smirked at Zed
"I think you mean junior FOOTBALL camp." He corrected, unable to help himself.
"Oh my God, guys, don't start this AGAIN." Addison interjected, laughing.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see what HE chooses." Zed replied
"Yeah and you're gonna be eating your words when he chooses cheer." Bucky retorted
"That's funny, I was just going to say that you're gonna be eating YOUR words when he chooses football." Zed countered.
"This has been a thing since I found out I was pregnant." Addison explained as she rolled her eyes, Isabella laughed
"What matters is that he's surrounded by people who love him." She said
"That he is." Addison replied with a smile.
This wasn't at all how she saw her life going, but she couldn't be happier.
Notes: the end, but don't worry, I hope to have book two up fairly soon, thanks to all who reviewed, followed and favorited, it really means a lot to me! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Have a great day!