A/N: Hi everyone! I just wanted to stop in really quick before you start reading to dedicate this new chapter to Starlight623! You are one of my avid readers that comments on just about everything! It makes me the happiest writer in the world!
Enjoy~!
Addison's POV
"So you're dad knew?" I questioned as we walked, my hand up in front of us to stare at the gorgeous ring resting on my finger. The perfect balance of glamour and daintiness. The white gold princess band with the single carat diamond mounted between three smaller diamonds on either side. Zed shrugged.
"He's known it was coming for a while, just, not specifically today. Though I think he had a hunch." Zed smiled down at me. I smile fondly and return my ringed finger to my chest as I lean into Zed's shoulder affectionately.
"I can't wait to tell everyone. They're gonna freak!" I say with a giggle. Zed chuckles too.
"Definitely! Let's get it out to our parents first though." He suggested. I nod in agreement and we continue the rest of the walk in content silence.
XxX
Mom noticed the new piece of jewelry almost immediately, rushing us for cries and hugs. Dad shook Zed's hand and hugged me too before consoling my mother. Though I can tell my dad is more tense around us today.
My guess is because of what happened at Zed's check up. He probably watched the security cameras from the observation room and saw everything. I sigh and Zed wraps an arm around my waist for comfort. I smile up at him before we follow my parents into the dining room.
"We'll need to start planning the wedding very soon! Are you wanting to have it before the baby is born? Oh, you don't know how happy it makes me that you don't want to have the baby out of wedlock!" Mom rants excitedly. Her last statement leaving a bad taste in my mouth and Zed's light squeeze of my hand tells me I'm actually glaring.
"That's actually not the reason we came over here today. We need to talk." I correct. They look at each other in concern then nod.
"You're right. We do need to talk." Dad agrees, his firm tone makes my already simmering anger bubble up dangerously close to the edge. "Listen kids," That was it. It boiled over. But I grit my teeth to keep quiet so he can finish. "I am fully supportive of your relationship and I want both of you to be happy, but I also want you to be safe."
"That statement right there tells me you don't trust our judgement. And you still hold prejudice against Zed for his Zombieism." I accuse. Dad gapes at me.
"What are you-? How could you say-?" He stopped and closed his eyes to collect himself. When he reopened his eyes, they were softer. "No, Addison, I don't hold any prejudice against Zed or any other zombies. Not anymore." He assured me. I raise an opposing brow at him. He sighs.
"I know it's hard to see it from my perspective, but try to understand, it's much harder for me to just ignore safety procedures on a hunch." He explained.
"It's not a hunch Dad." I argue, trying my best not to sound disrespectful. "Zed has proven time and time again that his zombie would never hurt me." I glance over at him. His features displaying the slight worry I can already feel. I grab his hand and drop my eyes to the table cloth as I turn back towards my parents, not really wanting to see their reactions but I lift my eyes anyways.
"There's actually something that I haven't been completely honest about." I start.
"We haven't been honest about." Zed corrects, showing he's taking just as much blame as I am.
"What is it? Are you both alright? Is it the baby?!" Mom questions, beginning to panic. I shake my head quickly.
"No, no! The baby's fine! I'd definitely tell you immediately if anything happened." I assure her. "I think it might be easier to just show you." I pull the collar of my shirt to reveal the faint bite mark on my shoulder.
My dad jumps to his feet and leans forward for a better look.
"He bit you?!" Dad yells, his angry glare turning to Zed beside me.
"Dad calm down! It's not that simple!" I yell back.
"How is it not that simple?! How did it happen?! When?!" He interrogated.
"Dale-" Mom tried to intervene but her swatted her hand away.
"No! Tell me what happened, right now, or I will have him locked up for assault!" He threatened. My eyes widen.
"W-what?" I manage in shock. Images of my dreams and what could be of my whole future crumbling around me into darkness. Zed suddenly stands as well, glaring right back at my father.
"You can't take me away from my family." Zed growled low.
"Watch me." My dad repulsed. Zed's Z-band starts to vibrate as it works overtime to keep him level. I jumped up and grabbed Zed's arm, covering his Z-band from view with my hand.
"Zed." I whispered. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and straightened up, his anger and disgust towards my father never lamenting but he takes a deep breath to stay as calm as possible.
My mom stood and grabbed Dad's arm as well. "Let's listen to their story before jumping to conclusions." She offers. Dad looks at her for a moment, looking like they're having a silent argument, until he looks back at us.
"Fine." He agrees.
"Should we move to the couch?" She asks.
"No."
"No."
Both Zed and Dad deny firmly in unison.
If the tension weren't so high, I may have laughed. But instead, I gently coax Zed to sit back down. My mother doing the same.
"Oh kay. Let's all have an open mind and talk this out. There's no need for anyone to overreact." Mom opens the floor, directing it towards the sources of testosterone in the room. "Now, Addy Honey, I think the most important aspect that concerns us is, are you ok?" She asks.
"Of course! This happened, I think a month or so ago?" I tried to recall the time frame, but with all the anxiety and anger coursing through my brain between Zed and I, it's hard to think straight. "Point being, I've been fine. You didn't even notice!" I assure them.
"Tell me what happened." Dad demanded. Zed growled warningly beside me from his tone. I squeeze Zed's hand to keep him calm.
"I need you to trust me on this, so I'm going to be 100% honest. I'm not going to lie about anything. Not anymore." I warn.
God this is gonna suck. Telling my parents about my sexcapade with my zombie boyfriend in a school bathroom. But I have to. They have to believe me. I can't lose Zed.
His hand tightens around mine. To assure me he's still there. I take a deep breath and jump right into it.
"Zed's Zombie was taking over his consciousness, while we were at school. He rushed out of class and hid in the bathroom. Eliza and Bonzo got super worried and pulled me out of class to help. I locked the bathroom door so Eliza or Bonzo couldn't follow me. And when I got to him, he was basically full zombie. I hugged him and told him it'd be ok, and then he kissed me. One thing led to another," I looked away as the embarrassed blush covers my face. "and his zombie bit me when we climaxed."
"Oh my god." Mom grumbled, rubbing her temple.
"I'm not done." I quickly add before they can completely jump to conclusions.
"Oh great. There's more." Dad commented sarcastically. I just roll my eyes as I continue.
"So long story short, while I was being treated, Zed offered me his arm to bite into to keep from screaming while they sanitized the wound, resulting in both of us having a mark." Zed lifts his marked forearm begrudgingly as a display. "My wound was a lot deeper but healed in a matter of days!" I figured that might be a point they'd get excited over, but their expressions stayed pretty neutral as I continued.
"This ritual used to occur back when zombies were more feral. It's called marking. His zombie marked me as his mate and I marked him as mine. We're life partners." I explain.
"It was against your will and he should be arrested." Dad spat.
"It was not against my will!" I scream before anyone can say another word. "Zed was acting on instinct when I consensually had sex with him while he was zombiefied. I told him to let go! I already knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Zed years ago! I didn't need the mark to show that, but his zombie did." I turn to him and dump my heart of emotions towards him. His hard, angry exterior softens and smiled at me lovingly.
"Our connection is so strong that we feel each other's emotions. We share a link that can't be broken. So," I look at my dad challengingly, "it would literally kill us both if you forced us apart."
He stares back with a stoney expression, the seconds dragging on, but my own glare doesn't waiver. There's absolutely no way I'm letting Zed go without a fight. I need him. Our baby needs him. I can feel Zed brewing beside me as well. He would, physically, fight any Zombie Patrol Officer that tried to take him away from me too.
Finally, Dad sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. "Fine. Fine!" He exclaimed in a sarcastic surrender before leaning forward with a pointed finger at Zed and that glare. "But mark my words boy, you hurt my little girl again and I'll have you rotting in Containment faster than you can say you're sorry."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Zed glowered.
"Great!" Mom cheerfully interrupted their glaring contest. "Now that that's settled, why don't we try and enjoy our meal! And talk about wedding details!" She offers. I can still feel Zed's anger bubbling and know he needs a minute to cool down.
"Actually, would you excuse us for a minute?" I say politely.
"Of course Dear." Mom encourages.
I stand and Zed's close behind me as I pull him towards the back door for a little fresh air. I've barely closed the door before Zed is pacing and ranting in fury.
"How dare he threaten me like that! Mister High and Mighty Zombie Patrol Chief thinks he can go around locking up people and tearing families apart for things he has no clue about?! How can he not understand that I hated myself for what I did?! Like I ever meant to hurt you!" He yelled. I can feel his anger shifting into remorse.
"Zed." I whisper softly, reaching out to grab his hand. His pacing stops and he turned to me, immediately taking me into his arms and sobbing into my shoulder. I hold him tight and squeeze my eyes shut as tears threaten the corners. But I need to be strong for Zed right now.
He pulls back and plants a firm desperate kiss to my lips. I kiss him back with all the reassurance of love that he needs. We eventually separate for much needed air, between our kisses and crying, and Zed presses his forehead against mine.
"Please don't ever question how much I love you Addy." He begs. My face softens.
"Never." I promised.
XxX
When we do go back inside a few minutes later, both my parents stand and walk over to meet us halfway to the table. Mom hugs Zed while Dad hugs me.
"I'm sorry for yelling Honey." He whispers. I smile.
"It's ok Dad." I accept his apology. Mom sidesteps when we pull back and hugs me tight. Then Dad turns to Zed once Mom and I are finished.
"Knowing how you feel about my daughter, it couldn't have been easy to deal with thinking you were the one who caused her pain." He started, Zed's posture showing his shame from outside. I gently rub my hand across his back for comfort. "I apologize for threatening you and I know you would never hurt her purposefully." His face broke into a smile. "I may never fully understand, but there's a reason Addison trusts you so much. I need to trust you too. So that's what I'm going to do." He said. Zed audibly sighed in relief, causing everyone to laugh lightly.
"Thank you Sir. It means a lot coming from you." Zed said sincerely, extending a hand for a handshake.
Dad looked at his hand but didn't take it. I feel Zed's nerves buzz to life but, when my dad instead brings him in for a hug, his tension vanishes. I smile fondly as Dad pats Zed's back with a slight roughness guys tended to use when showing affection.
Suddenly, my breath hitches in my throat and I lose my balance, grabbing the wall to support myself. I hold my stomach as a wave of panic washes over me, Zed's immediately holding me against him instead.
"Addy! What's wrong?" He asks frantically. It sharp stabbing pain was already starting to subside but I'm still worried.
"I-I don't know. I just got a sharp pain." I explain, rubbing my lower belly for comfort. I turn to my mom with tears brimming the edges of my vision. "What do I do Mom?" I beg for her advice. She hurries to my side and checks my forehead for a temperature.
"Do you feel nauseous or anything else that's abnormal?" She asks. I shake my head, still freaking out. She smiles softly. "Relax Sweetie, cramps and pains are completely normal with pregnancy. It's probably nothing." I sigh in relief and look up to Zed who relaxes as well.
"Can you walk to the bathroom? Check and see if there's any blood." She instructs. "Otherwise, just get some rest. Your body's making lots of changes to accommodate that little ball of sunshine!" She teased. I giggle.
"Thanks Mom. We'll be upstairs if you need us."
Zed stays close and holds me gently to make sure I don't lose my balance again as we head up to my room. "Are you sure we shouldn't call Dr. Carter?" Zed asks softly. I smile at his deep concern.
"I trust my mom on this one. She's been through it before. If it gets to be too much, I'll call the doctor. But I have another appointment in a week anyways." I assure him, pulling him down to kiss his cheek.
XxX
Sure enough, no blood when I went to the bathroom and the pain had gone away.
"Just a little scare!" I announce as I re-enter my bedroom where Zed was waiting patiently on the mattress. He sighs in relief and draws me in for another hug, leaning down to kiss my belly.
"I don't like little scares Little One." He grumbles. I giggle and comb my fingers through his hair affectionately. Zed's the most caring and loving man I've ever met. Zombie or not. He's going to be a great father when our baby is born.
What could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie?
