Addison's POV

Zoey was watching a kids movie when we got back. She barely even turned around to greet us when we walked in.

"I'll heat up something for dinner." Zevon offered before heading for the kitchen.

"Thanks Dad." Zed called then turned to me, taking hold of my hips and guiding me closer to him.

"What'd you wanna do?" He asked, a smile curling his lips. I giggle and stretch up onto my top toes for a kiss that he gladly meets me halfway for. I fall back on my heels with my arms still around his neck.

"Honestly? Couch cuddles and some of Zoey's brain seasoned popcorn sounds amazing." I admit. He chuckles with an amused smile. Without any warning, he swiftly scoops me up bridal style. I squeak in surprise and tighten my hold around his neck. His features soften as our eyes connect and he gives me another gentle kiss.

"Anything my girls want, my girls get." He whispers. I stare at him, stunned by his statement.

"W-what?" I stutter. His smile softens lovingly as he walks us over to the couch.

"It's just a hunch. She'll be perfect just like you." He whispers so his little sister doesn't eavesdrop, even if she's too focused on the movie to pay any attention to us. The corners of my lips tugged up until I couldn't help but give him another kiss. How was it I got so lucky with him?

He laid me down gently on the couch before swiftly snatching the bowl of popcorn away from Zoey. She hadn't even noticed for a good 10 seconds when she reached for another bite.

"Hey!" She pouted. Zed knelt down beside me, extending the bowl out to me like it was a sacred chalice.

"You're brain flavored snack My Queen." He offered with an awful medieval accent and bowed head. I giggled and take it from his hands.

"I accept your offerings, oh Funny One." I tease playing along. He peeks up at me with a wide grin.

"Do I make you laugh My Liege?" He countered.

"Endlessly." I confirm with my nose stuck up like a prim and proper ruler. Zoey groaned loudly to interrupt our role playing.

"Why are you guys being so weird?!" She complained.

I giggle and quickly grab Zed's collar before he can give her a comeback and tug him to climb onto the couch with me. He doesn't argue and repositions us into a comfy spot. I snuggle back into him, sighing contently. He kisses the top of my head then grabs a bite of popcorn. I do the same and we watch the remainder of Zoey's movie with her in relative silence.

Zevon has even joined at some point and had Zoey on his lap in the recliner. The credits start to roll and Zoey shouts a whoop and claps frantically.

"Wasn't that movie great?! It's my new favorite!" Zoey exclaimed, directed towards me. I smile bright back at her.

"Yeah! It was great!" I agreed. Zevon lifted Zoey off him to set her on her feet so he could get back up.

"How about some dinner kids?" He offered. Zoey whooped again and Zed climbed carefully over me to help me up.

"Hungry babe?" He asked. I smile and nod.

We gather around the table while Zevon brings in the aluminum food trays. Mini meatloafs, corn, and mashed potatoes. "Dig in!" He encouraged as he sat down. Zoey was obviously thoroughly enjoying her food with quick bites and her eyes rolling back in her head blissfully.

"This is really good Pops!" Zed complimented. Zevon was also eating the food eagerly and smiled up at his son. "This, uh, wasn't too expensive was it?" Zed pressed cautiously. I knew where Zed was going. He was wondering if his dad was spending extra on foods more suitable for me to eat. Zevon is quick to swallow his bite of food and shake his head.

"What? No no! It's fine Zed! Just eat! You worry too much." He says, I can tell he's avoiding some eye contact as he says however. I set my fork down as I bite my lip in guilt and drop my gaze to my lap. Both men clearly notice my shift in mood, Zed nudges my foot with his under the table and Zevon sighs. "Ok! Ok. It was a little more than I normally spend. But it's really alright!" He assures us. I look at him in concern and guilt.

"You really don't have to change what you guys normally eat for me." I tell him. He smiled in response.

"It's a real treat for us. Think of this as an official celebratory dinner for the great news of our newest family member!" He says, making my smile back.

"Ok." I give in. Zed smiles and reaches over to grab my hand sitting on my lap for a light squeeze before we continue eating.

Zoey was first to finish with a happy sigh as she plopped back against her seat.

"That was soooo good Daddy!" She thanked. "Can I go play now?" Zevon smiled and nodded.

"Sure Princess." He dismissed her from the table. She hopped off the chair and skipped off towards the stairs.

"So," Zevon started, after finishing the last bite off his tray and pushing it away, "it's not really my business, but do you wanna talk about your argument with your parents?" He asked. It was definitely weighing heavy on my mind but I didn't think he'd have noticed. So his question surprised me.

"Oh! Um, it's ok. I can deal with them." I politely decline. Zed reaches over and takes a light hold on my hand as a display of comfort and encouragement. I look at him and can see his concern all over his face.

"You've barely eaten Addy." He voices softly. I look at my food tray and realize he's right. I've maybe eaten half my meal. I must've just been picking at it with all my thoughts racing. I suddenly feel so guilty for wasting the food he'd paid extra just to feed me, tears prick at my eyes.

"I'm not worried about that!" Zevon assured both of us. It doesn't stop my hormones from intensifying my overreactive emotions. I know I shouldn't be crying over my food but, here I am, with tears streaking my face. "Don't cry Addison! It's really ok!" He assures me, I wipe my eyes and try my best to rein in my emotions but it's not working. I just keep thinking of how he'd tried to do something nice and I went and ruined it, making me cry harder.

"Addy," Zed knelt beside me and rubbed my back comfortingly, "let's go take a breather then come back, ok?" I nod and stand, I'm completely embarrassed by my outburst and definitely need a second. "We'll be right back Dad." Zed says. Zevon nods and gets up.

"I'll wait in the living room. Take your time." He agrees.

Zed walks me up to his room and shuts the door behind us. I don't hesitate to wrap my arms around him like vices and bury my face in his shirt. He gladly holds me tight with one hand stroking my hair soothingly. It doesn't take long before my sobbing settles into sniffles and he pulls back to look at me with a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you." He apologized. I shake my head and wipe the streaks from my cheeks.

"I know you didn't mean to. I'm just being stupid." I reply sounding sad and pathetic. He took a step back away from me and I initially panic, but then he bends down so that he's at my level. He cradles my face in his hands and I stare straight into his eyes.

"Everything you're feeling is valid, Ag Garziga (My Love)." His use of Zombie Tongue showing his utmost sincerity. My breath hitches in my throat.

"Zed." I whimper. The tears return to my eyes and he stands back upright to embrace me again. I need his strong arms around me. I feel safe there. And he doesn't disappoint me. He never does. I continue to cry into his chest for what felt like an eternity when, in reality, it was only a few minutes.

"It's ok baby. I know you were just distracted. What I said came out wrong, and I never meant to hurt your feelings. I was just trying to convince you to open up about your parents. My dad could help." His words muffled by my hair as he rocked me back and forth soothingly.

"I know Zed. Thank you." I whisper into his shirt. He smiles and pulls me off him just enough to lean in to capture my lips for a soft, affectionate kiss that lingers. He slowly pulls back just centimeters from my lips.

"I love you Addy." He replied in a husky tone.

"I love you too." I breath. He's so close and I know he's willing but his dad is also waiting for us. I gulp back the saliva he'd caused to build up for my dried throat and forced myself to lean away. I can feel his displeasure that we were stopping such an intense connection but he doesn't argue since he knows my reasoning. It still feel bad though and gently cup his cheek in my hand.

"Don't be mad at me?" I ask hopefully. He sighs with a smile that shifts into a smirk.

"I would never be mad at you for not wanting to get freaky." He assures me, snaking his arms around my back. I smirk back.

"I do want to get freaky with you, but we can't. There's a difference." I counter cheekily. He snorts.

"We did it at your parents house." He whines. I giggle, stretching up on my tippy toes, he still has to meet me half way from how damn tall he his, to brush noses with him.

"Then maybe you will get lucky tonight." I compromise. His toothy grin makes my heart melt. But before he can steal another kiss, I rock back on my heels so our heights are further apart again. "But we'll have to stay quiet." I tease in a hushed whisper. He chuckles with an eye roll.

"I guess we'll have to see." He teases back, snatching me into his arms again and stealing that kiss from before. "Let's go talk some stuff out with Pops." He finally offers, taking my hand and leading me to the door.

Zevon was waiting for them in the living room like he'd said, an old black and white movie playing on the tv. He hears our footsteps down the stairs and turns to smile at us. I offer an embarrassed smile back as we sit across from his seat in the recliner on the couch.

"I'm sorry for how I acted." I immediately apologize but he shakes his head and waves me off.

"Don't be sorry! I know your emotions are on steroids right now." He chuckled. I laugh and lean against Zed's side, he wraps his arm around me waist to pull me ever-so slightly closer. "So back to my original question, do you wanna talk about the situation with your parents?" He asked. I fidget in my spot and stare down at my interlaced fingers.

"Yeah." I agreed softly. I take in a deep breath then finally lift my eyes from my lap. "They were really freaked out that I was with Zed in Containment. Even though I've been there with him before and nothing bad happened!" I complain. Zed grips my hip, my inside warm with such a supportive feeling and I know it's Zed.

"Yes, nothing happened, but your father is the Chief of Zombie Patrol. You know he's had to have seen the worst sides of zombies in the past." Zevon suggested. I think about it for a moment then nod my agreement.

"You're right. But he knows Zed! He knows he'd never hurt me!" I argue. Zevon smiles and nods.

"True, true. But even so." He tilts his head like I'm not being to fair. "You're his daughter. He always going to worry about you. Trust me, I know." He assured us with an eye roll, more directed towards my boyfriend beside me, that makes me giggle. My smile drops and I return my gaze to my lap as I pick at my fingernail.

"I know." I whisper in acknowledgment. Zed kisses my temple, I lean into it and squeeze my eyes shut tight.

"It's ok to disagree with how your parents react, but maybe you should try opening up with them a little more. Maybe about you two being mated?" Zevon drew out suggestively. Both Zed and I look at him in surprise.

"H-how did you-" Zevon cut me off with a wave.

"I knew something was up so I went to Zinnia asking questions." He said, sounding very proud of his detective work. But then he kinda deflated. "Ok, well maybe she came over and explained the whole mating thing to me last week. I don't know. Point being!" He paused to recompose and give us both a sincere supportive look. "I think your parents would have a much better understanding of your relationship, and zombies in general, if you just explained how you guys have grown together."

I know he's right. I have to tell them about the marking and how Zed and I can feel each other's emotions. I have to tell them he's my mate, for life. Maybe then, they'll trust my judgement more. I smile at Zevon and lean into Zed's side.

"Ok. We'll go talk to them tomorrow." I say, then back I backtrack as I turn to Zed. "If you wanna go with me." He laughs and hugs me fully.

"We're in this together, remember?" He teases. Zevon chuckles and pushed down the level and the recliner does what it's meant to do.

"Great! Now, if you kids'll excuse me, I have a classic movie to watch!" He told us proudly with a dramatic sigh of contentment. Zed rolled his eyes.

"You mean an old movie you've seen a million times?" He quipped. Zevon scowled ya his son as we passed to head upstairs.

"For your information, it's my favorite movie! Your mom and I used to watch it all the time when you were little!" He shouted after us. I feel a tinge of sorrow hit my heart and I squeeze Zed's hand in comfort, knowing it's the mention of his mother.

"Enjoy your movie Pops!" Zed shouted back playfully, even though I can feel his differing emotions.

We get into his room and he lets me walk in first, closing the door slowly behind him and pressing his back against it with a sigh. I'm not too far and take a few steps closer, my hands sliding over his shoulders while his find my hips. He has a small, sad smile on his lips as he looks down at me.

"You ok?" I ask softly. He nods and leans in for a kiss. It's soft and slow. Like where we left off. I know what he's trying to do. Distract himself away from thinking about his mom. And I'm his easiest option.

I don't deny his affections at first. I know he needs me right now, and pulling away might hurt his feelings further. But when his hands start to wander, I slowly remove my lips from his and press our foreheads together, looking him right in the eye.

"We gotta talk about it." I tell him gently. He sighs heavily and drops his hands to his sides in defeat.

"I don't wanna." He groans halfheartedly. He steps around me and collapses on his too-small-for-him bed. I giggle and step over his legs hanging off said bed, sitting on the edge beside his head. I pet his emerald green hair affectionately and wait till he's ready to talk. Finally, he sits up on his elbows and basically drags me further onto the bed so he can use my lap as a pillow.

"I wish she was still here." He mutters into my thighs. If I wasn't so close, I wouldn't have heard him at all since it was so muffled. I soften and comb my fingers through his hair comfortingly.

"I know baby. I do too." I admit, he peeks up at me. "I wish I could have met her. Our kids. I wish we could know the amazing woman who created you." I tell him sincerely, trying to keep it light and not upset him too much. He smiles sadly and closes his eyes.

"I can picture her dancing around the house when we told her we're pregnant. She'd love being a grandma." He says. I don't say anything and just continue playing with his hair. "You would have loved her. She was the best. And she would have loved you." I can hear the strain in his voice as tears start to slip down his face. I pull him up and he doesn't fight me.

As soon as he's sitting up, I wrap him in a tight hug and he breaks. He sobs into my shoulder and the mourning I can feel makes me cry right along with him. It takes us a bit to cry it out and settle back down. Zed strips off his cloths till he's just in his boxers and then helps me undress as well, only leaving on my panties, before we crawl under the blankets and spoon in his bed.

"Let's go visit your mom's grave tomorrow." I suggest almost in a whisper. Unsure if it's something he'd want to do. He stays silent behind me but he's quick to nod against my hair. I take it as a win and we cuddle into each other, if that's even possible, and I drift off into a dreamless sleep.