Addison's POV

Kynzlee slept soundly in Zed's arms as we sit on one of the stretchers in the Zombie Safe Room. He sat contently just watching her sleep as I mindlessly played with the hair on the back of his neck with my head rested on his shoulder.

"She's so beautiful." Zed whispers. He leaned his head against mine then peaked his eyes up to look at me, a teasing grin on his lips. "Just like you." And just for good measure he adds a wink. I can't stop myself from giggling at his flirting.

"Easy there tiger, you already got me pregnant once." I tease back, using my finger to gently push his forehead off mine.

"But you were so cute when you were pregnant!" He gushes. I give him a glare and slap him playfully on the arm. He chuckles and leans back in to give me a soft kiss. "That's not a lie." He says a little more seriously, but still smiling. "You always look beautiful."

Every time he says things like that it takes my breath away. I lean in for a more passionate kiss, holding his face in my hands. But then I pull back reluctantly. Zed's brows furrow from my troubled expression. I let go of him and sit beside him, my hands folded on my lap.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" He asks nervously. I shake my head and reach up, taking Kynzlee out of his arms to lay in her car seat next to us. I sit back up and Zed is patiently waiting for me with a very concerned look on his face.

"You haven't said anything wrong. You just, you keep telling me I look beautiful but, you look, tired. And skinny. I'm a little worried." I look up to see his reaction. He looks surprised by my statement at first then it shifts to shame. "Are you taking care of yourself, Zed?" I ask.

"No." He doesn't lie to me. I wrap my arms around him immediately to selfishly comfort my own breaking heart. He gladly accepts my embrace. "I can't focus on anything other than you and Kynz. I distract myself with work and studying. How am I supposed to sleep at night without you there? And knowing you're struggling with taking care of her by yourself? I want to be there for you Addy." He spills his heart out for me. And I don't know how to pick it all back up.

I kiss his temple gently then pull back to look at him. His tired eyes look even more so. "I want you there too." I assure him. "But I need you healthy. What happens if you over work yourself and do some permanent damage? Kynzlee will need you someday." I tell him. His lip twitching upwards from my use of a certain word.

He brings a hand to cup my cheek as he softly sings, "I know it might be crazy, but did you hear the story?~" I smile and I know my eyes are sparkling.

"I think I heard it vaguely.~" I sing in reply.

"A girl and a zombie.~" He quirks an eyebrow teasingly.

"Oh tell me more boy, sounds like a fantasy,~" I run my hand up to rest on his chest, our lips getting closer. Oh how I've missed singing this song with him.

"Oh what could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie?~" Our voices harmonize so perfectly and my eyes start to water just as he kisses me softly. Our mouth moving together like our voices had, in complete synchrony. His hands finding my hips to pull me closer. It feels so right to be with him. How could my parents not see the love we share?

XxX

Normal POV

Bree went running down the hallway frantically, knowing exactly where the couple had disappeared to. She turned the corner and sighed in relief when the big metal door with big red lettering that read 'ZOMBIE SAFE ROOM' came into view.

"Guys! We have a big probl- Oh my god! I'm sooo sorry!" She burst in the door and immediately averted her eyes. Zed quickly jumps off of Addison, pulled up his pants, not even bothering to take off the condom, and adjusted his belt while Addison just frantically covered herself with a sheet.

"Holy shit Bree!" Addison cursed. "What the hell?!" Zed tossed Addy her dress and threw on his shirt.

"Um! Yeah! Big problem! Your parents are here!" Bree exclaimed in a panic. Addy's eyes go wide and her heart nearly stopped.

"Oh fuc-!" She almost screamed but Zed covered her mouth before she could be too loud. He removed his hand and held her face comfortingly.

"It's gonna be fine. Just take a deep breath." He talked her down from having an instant panic attack. "Bree, what's going on?" He asks, still stroking Addy's cheek with his thumb.

"They randomly showed up to watch the cheer practice! They were looking for you! Bucky said you just left to the restroom and to changed Kynzlee so he sent me to get you! We gotta hurry!" She rambled out.

"Damn it!" Zed curse through gritted teeth. He looks up at Addy from his kneeling position in front of her petting her hair back into place and brushing his thumb over her lip. "Hey, are you alright?" Addy looks like she's about to cry but nods quickly. Zed stands and pulls her to her feet as well, giving her a quick tight hug before leaning down for one last kiss. "I love you so much, ok?"

"I love you too." She whispers against his lips. He smiles sadly at her and then rushes to buckle Kynzlee's seat for safe keeping and lifting it to offer to Addy. Bree is bouncing anxiously by the door as Addy joins her.

"I'll talk to you soon." Zed says just before she walks out of the safe room to hurry back to the gym, leaving him alone in the Safe Room. He sighs heavily and plops down on the stretcher, head hanging low. "Fuck." He mutters in defeat.

"Geez, language." The unexpected voice makes Zed jump but quickly relaxes when he realizes who it was.

"Shut up." He continues to mutter. His best friend slowly comes up to sit beside him.

"Sorry your conjugal visit was interrupted." She proceeds to tease. Zed's face goes paler and his eyes go wide.

"How'd you-" he starts to ask in fear that they were too loud but Eliza lifted the empty condom wrapper off the floor and waves it jokingly. Zed groans and face palms.

"I swear to Z, if you don't stop E." Zed threatens. Eliza laughs and pats him hard on the back.

"I know it sucks Z, but it will work out. From what I could hear, her parents didn't suspect a thing. Just selfishly wanted to ruin Addy's time away from them." She states bitterly. Zed sighs in relief.

"That's at least good. If we get caught sneaking around, it'll be over before I can even put up a fight." Eliza's brows furrow.

"Then we'll have to be more careful." She insists. Zed sighs and nods.

"Yeah. But we need to lay low for a while. We're getting too comfortable." He scrubbed his face with his hands. "I hate to say it, but we can't see each other so often." Eliza's jaw drops.

"What do you mean?! It hasn't been 'often' enough!" She argues in disbelief that those words were even coming out of his mouth. Zed lifts a hand to calm her.

"I know! Trust me, I know!" He groans again in exasperation. "But it is for someone who has a restraining order against them." Eliza felt like crying or screaming in frustration for her friend but held it in. Instead, throwing her arm over his shoulder for a supportive half hug.

"However you wanna do this Z, I'll help where I can." She assures him. He gives her a sad smile and nods.

"Thanks E."

XxX

Addison sat up against her headboard with Kynzlee sleeping peacefully next to her, anxiously awaiting a call from Zed. It was getting late and she wondered if he wouldn't call tonight since they were almost caught.

A ping of disappointment hit her heart. She laid down with her head next to her daughter's, curling her body around her like Kynzlee was a lifeline, as the tears well in her eyes and sobs threatened to creep up her throat.

The sudden vibration on the bed behind her makes her jump. She quickly reached back and wiped her face as she answered the makeshift cellphone Eliza rigged for them.

"H-hello?" She sniffed. The line was quiet for a second before Zed finally responded.

"Addy? Is everything ok?" His voice sounds deeply concerned.

"Y-yeah! I was just," she wiped her nose with another sniff, "I thought you might not call tonight. I'm ok. I-I don't mean to worry you."

"Babe," Zed started gently, "how could I not call you after the amazing time we got to spend together?" Addy scoffs.

"Yeah, that got rudely interrupted." She said bitterly making Zed chuckle.

"Yeah, very rudely." He agreed. "But that doesn't change the fact that I cherish every second I get to spend with you and Kynz." Addy smiled.

"Yeah." She whispers her agreeance.

"Yeah?" He asks for further confirmation that she's ok.

Addy giggle lightly. "Yeah."

"Good." He sighs in relief. "I love you Addison." A chill ran down Addy's spine. He doesn't usually use her full name anymore, but it always sounds so good when it comes off his tongue.

"I love you too, Zed." She whispers.

XxX

Addison watched her back as she walked, making sure no one was watching or following her. She's learned to be extra cautious over the years. Then suddenly, she was pulled into an alleyway by the waist, a hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming.

The next thing she knew, her back was press to the brick wall and a tall, solid body against her front. Zed quickly removed his hand and kissed her lips passionately. She melted into his arms.

"Oh god Addison. I've missed you so much." He sighs as he holds her close and kisses her.

"I've missed you too Zed." She whispers between breaths. They continue like that for about a minute before he finally pulls his face from hers and looks around.

"But where's Kynzlee? Didn't you bring her?" He asks disappointment evident in his voice. Addison giggles.

"Of course I brought her. I told my parents I was going out with Bree, and I wasn't exactly lying." She said and Bree came walking around the corner with the little girl in her arms. Zed smiled wide.

"Hey Baby Girl!" Zed greeted quietly as he let Addison go to approach Bree and his daughter. The little girl look at him wearily for a moment, she was 2 and only seen him a handful of times since she was born. So she was still a little hesitant each time. Even if Addison would show her pictures and tell her stories every night, seeing him in person was different for the toddler.

"It's ok, Kynz. You know your Daddy." Addison encouraged behind Zed. At hearing the word 'Daddy' Kynzlee's face lit up and she reached for Zed. It warmed his heart.

"There's my girl!" He said hugging her tightly. "Hi Bree. Thanks for helping us out." Zed thanked her sincerely. Bree smiled at him sadly.

"Anything I can do isn't enough, but I'll do what I can!" She said. Zed nodded and turned back to grab Addison's hand.

"Come on, we don't have a lot of time." He indicated for them to follow him. "Bonzo and Eliza are going to keep watch for us just in case anyone comes by looking for you." Zed lead Addy into the small building only lit by candles to keep it looking less inhabited.

Bree went to sit up on the second floor and keep watch with Bonzo and Eliza to give the broken little family their alone time. All their friends hated this situation more and more each time they saw them reunite. Just to be ripped apart again. They could see how much pain they were in.

Zed has started a little fire in the fireplace, much to Bonzo's dismay, to keep them nice and warm while they bonded as a family. He sat on the floor with Kynzlee to show her some of the toys he had brought from her aunt Zoey to play with. Including her most prized stuffed dog Zander. Addison sat on the bench seat and watched them quietly.

"I feel bad Zed." Addison finally admitted. He looked up at her with questioning eyes. "I've ruined your life. You've quit football, you can't have a normal love life, you work your butt off to support Kynzlee and I." She paused. "I don't want this for you." Tears were brimming her lids.

This was a conversation they frequently had, but it continues to bother her no matter how many times they had it. Sometimes, she wishes she could break it off with him, to set him free of the burdens she's become to him. A soft sob escapes her.

Zed sat up from his spot on the floor next to Kynzlee and came to kneel in front of her, placing his hands on either side of her face to look her directly in the eye.

"You've done nothing but give me everything I could want in life." He whispered, glancing at the beautiful, green pigtailed, warm complexioned little girl in front of them. Then he turned back to Addy, gently cradling her cheek against his palm. "If anything, your parents have ruined my life by taking you two away from me. I love you girls more than life itself." He leaned up to gave her a soft peck on the lips. "And I'm going to get you back someday. If you can wait for me." Addison smiled sadly and nodded.

"Of course I will." She whispered. Zed smiled at her words and pulled her in to hug her close.