Addison's POV

Insistent knocking on the front door distracts my attention from the tv. I notice how excited my mom suddenly gets from the dining room as she jumps up to answer it. Flipping off the show I was watching, I sit up on the edge of the cushion curiously. To my surprise, my cousin comes walking around the corner.

"Bucky? What are you doing here?" I ask in confusion, getting up and hugging him.

"Glad to see you too, Cous." He teases. I roll my eyes, making him chuckle. "I was talking with Aunt Missy and I think we've got a surprise for you." He explains.

"Oh yes! You are going to love it, Addison!" Mom chirps, excitedly prancing towards the stairs. Bucky steers me to follow.

I don't put up a fight, knowing if Bucky has his mind set on something it is going to happen one way or another. So I just match up the stairs to follow my mom into the bonus room, where most of our important storage things are kept.

My brows wrinkle in confusion. 'What in the world are they going to show me?' I question to myself.

Bucky halts me by the door with his hands on my shoulders, my mother skipping over to her huge antique wardrobe passed down for generations. I momentarily admire the beautiful piece of furniture that might be mine someday.

"Close your eyes, Honey~!" Mom sings. I glance back at Bucky and he gives me an expectant look so I have no choice but to oblige. I close my eyes then I hear, "No peeking," as added insult so I put my hands over my closed eyes as well. Just so they would get on with it already.

I can feel Bucky move around me towards my mom. My curiosity is through the roof. Seriously, what is this about?! I hear some rustling then my mom giggles like a schoolgirl.

"Okay, Addy-dear, open your eyes." Mom gives me the go ahead. I slowly pull my hands from my eyes and jaw instantly drops. The white dress flowing down from my mother's hands cascades into a beautiful pool of lace across the carpet before me.

I glance up from the dress to find Bucky and Mom watching me expectantly, excited smiles just itching to crack across their faces. I'm too shocked to formulate a coherent thought. I turn my attention back to the delicate looking fabric and can't stop myself from taking a step forward, gingerly taking the sleeve into my hand, and skimming my thumb across the soft lace.

My movement seems to be all the approval they needed because I'm swept up in a teary hug, dress smashed between my mother and I, and Bucky has his phone whipped out for a picture. I'm beyond confused still. I don't understand why Mom is almost crying or why Bucky is making 'a moment' out of this.

"Um? Can someone please tell me what's going on?" I finally question. Mom pulls back and wipes her eyes.

"Oh! Yes! Sorry, Honey." She apologizes, taking a single step back and holding up the dress again. "This was my wedding dress when your father and I got married!"

My brows jump, a small 'oh' leaving my lips as everything starts clicking in my brain. It all made sense now. Mom is letting me wear her dress for the wedding. The realization makes my eyes start to tear up, the happy tears matching my mother's. I surge forward and reclaim her embrace.

"Oh my god, Mom. Thank you so much." I whisper into her shoulder. Her arms tighten around my back.

"I've always dreamed you'd wear it on your special day." She sniffles. After a few moments, we pull apart again. I take the chance to examine the gown more closely. The thin layer of intricate lace covers the entire dress, scallop style detailing along the neckline and the bottom edge of the skirt. It really is a beautiful wedding gown, butterflies suddenly filling my stomach at the thought of wearing it to marry Zed.

"Ok, chop chop! We need to get you fitted!" Bucky snaps his fingers incessantly for me to get a move on. My brows knit in confusion for the millionth time in this bizarre experience.

"What are you talking about—" The words had barely left my mouth and the door bursts open with Stacey and Lacey b-lining towards me. I'm swept up and herded towards the door by the Acey girls.

I try looking back and manage to see my mom passing the dress over to Bucky, hearing her say, "I'll just be downstairs if you need me for anything." I groan, she's leaving me completely alone in the pushy hands of Bucky and his henchwomen. They take me to my room and Bucky hangs the wedding dress on my closet door.

"The tailor is only 3 minutes out, so make it quick, okay?" Bucky instructs. I frown, shooting him a glare as the Aceys start prepping the room for me to change. He had all this pre-planned. The tailor must have already been on the way before he even got to the house.

"So it didn't really matter if I liked the dress or not?" I quip in slight irritation.

"Of course it did. I just knew you'd love it!" Bucky chuckles. "But I had already told the tailor I'd pay him for gas and his inconvenience if you didn't." I can't stop the smile that curls my lips.

"Thanks Buck." I tell him sincerely. He softens and closes the door as he leaves.

"Now that it's just us girls~!" Lacey chirps.

"Strip." Stacey finishes flatly. I roll my eyes but do as I'm told.

Down to only my panties, I have a second to look at myself in the full length mirror they had moved over for me to have the best view of the dress once it's on. My hand glides over my belly bump, smile softening my features as I think about my sweet little babies growing in my womb.

But my thoughts are quickly derailed as the Aceys help me into my mother's wedding dress. It's almost surprising how seamlessly they work as a team to button the upward of a hundred buttons down the back of it. I shouldn't have expected any less since they had been on the cheer squad together for so many years under Bucky.

Teamwork was always our forte in cheer after all.

Only moments later, Bucky comes barging in with a sweet, timid looking lady, carrying a tote filled with sewing supplies, close on his heels. I almost feel bad for her since she has to deal with my overbearing cousin.

But all of that falls into the background as I finally look at myself.

I stare at my reflection in disbelief of how perfectly the gown hugs my curves. The bodice fitting as though it was made for me, the skirt flaring at just the right spot above her hips to hide her baby bump from being too prominent. I vaguely hear Bucky barking orders somewhere beside me about the length needing to be shortened, but I really don't care.

I can picture Zed's reaction when he sees me walk down the aisle in this. The fluttering in my stomach returns tenfold and I half wonder if it's butterflies or our twins kicking around from my excitement. Either way, this dress is perfect for when I make my way to the altar. To marry the man I love. My soulmate.

"—and you're positive it'll be done before the ceremony on Saturday?" Bucky's words snap me back from my daydream and I whip my head around to look him straight in the eyes with my wide ones.

"What did you just say?" I ask in shock. Bucky blinks at me in confusion for a moment, then waves me off with his hand to return his attention to the hem of the dress.

"I moved the wedding to Saturday since you have two babies on the way." He tells me, emphasizing his point. That my belly will be growing at a significantly faster rate than if I was only carrying one baby.

I turn my eyes back to the mirror to stare blankly at my reflection, mind running at a million miles a minute. Saturday. That's only four days away! There's still so much to do! So much to decide on! There's no way we can get it all done in time! My head starts to feel a little light. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder if I'm about to faint.

My phone, sitting on the nightstand, suddenly starts ringing. Lacey scurries across the room and picks it up, glancing at the screen as she brings it leisurely over to me.

"Looks like it's Lover Boy!" She chimes, passing the phone over to me. Sure enough, his name and picture is flashing back at me. I know why he's calling, I can feel his gut churning worry, and I instantly feel guilty.

"C-can I have a minute?" I plead softly. Bucky's brows furrow and he snaps his fingers for the Aceys to amscray, the poor tailor woman taking the hint as well and follows them. He helps me walk over and sit on the bed. My phone had already missed Zed's call but he was immediately calling back since he was sent to voicemail.

"Take the call. Take a breath. I'll come back so we can talk after." Bucky instructs. I offer a small nod and swipe the answer bar as he leaves.

"Zed, I—"

"Addy! What's going on?! Are you ok?! Do you need me to come get you?!" He drills for answers. I can tell he's out of breath and can hear the whistles and shouting of his teammates and coaches.

"Zed, calm down. I'm fine. Just had a surprise Bucky visit." I tell him with an eye roll. His sigh of relief on the other end on the line makes me soften. "But you're at practice, you can't be on your Z-band. You'll either get in trouble or hurt. And I don't like either option." I scold lightly, earning a breathy chuckle.

"Easier said than done. I can feel you're freaking out, Addy. Tell me what's wrong?" He asks in a quieter tone, a reminder of where he's current at.

"It's nothing dire. We'll talk when you get back, ok? Just don't get hurt in practice." He's quiet for a moment, a conflict of emotions flared in my chest.

"If you're sure." He consents in hesitation.

"I am. I'm fine, promise." I assure him sincerely but I can still feel his underlying worry. I close my eyes and focus on taking in a calming breath. A breath meant to smooth both of us, and it seems to work. I release the air from my lungs and I can vaguely hear him doing the same. I smile as the uneasy feelings evaporate.

"I love you." He says, louder than I would expect from a football player who's probably in the middle of a crowd of his friends on the sidelines.

I wonder for a moment if they'll poke fun at him for displaying his emotions so blatantly out in the open. But my heart swells with pride knowing he doesn't care if they do. He'd show he loves me no matter who was around.

"I love you too." I return softly, focusing more on showing him through our connections. My feelings for him speaking so much louder than any words could. The wave of mutual love sends my heart fluttering into my throat, tears threatening the edges of my vision as I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror still sitting in my wedding dress. "Be safe." I whisper, afraid of how my voice will sound if I speak up anymore.

"I will. See you soon, Baby." He promises to comfort me. I smile and drop the phone to my lap, tapping the end call button. I sit on my bed, letting my brain try to comprehend that I'm getting married on Saturday.

The list of everything still needing to get done starts to make my head spin but I shake those thoughts away and focus on what's important. Zed. The dress, the cake, the centerpieces. None of that matters. What does matter is my feelings for Zed. We are going to make a lasting commitment to each other. A commitment the world could understand.

The bedroom door opens slowly, Bucky peeking his head in and raises a curious brow when he sees the smile lighting my face. "I'm guessing you're feeling better?" He asks, walking over to plop down next to me on the mattress.

"Yeah," I chuckle, "but I swear, if you pop any more surprises on me I'm never going to speak to you again." I threaten, making him laugh too. He puts an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a side hug, which I gladly return.

"I promise this'll make you happy." He guarantees.

"If you say so." I tease, smiling at him when we pull apart.

"Now! Back to work! Leslie!" Bucky jumps up, calling for who I can only assume is the tailor woman. I sigh and get up to step back into my spot in front of the mirror.

This is gonna be a crazy next few days.