AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M
Holiday Break
Christmas Eve
"Good morning!" Bucky announced as he walked into the hotel suite from the adjoining room while covering his eyes. "Please tell me you're clothed."
Zed startled awake. He quickly glanced to his side to see Addison still asleep. He pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. "I'm awake," he said grabbing his boxers and pulling them up as he got out of bed.
Bucky uncovered his eyes and let out a laugh. "I don't think that's your shade, dude."
Zed let out a quiet laugh. He had completely forgotten about Addison's lipstick from the previous night.
"So..." Bucky started, "E's in the shower now. We should probably get on the road in the next hour so we can get back to Seabrook with enough time to start everything for tonight."
Zed let out a loud yawn. "Sounds good. Are the adults up and about yet?"
"I doubt it," Bucky laughed. "It wouldn't surprise me if they ended up requesting late check out. I'm so glad I have the van."
"Alright, let me wake up Addie. We'll shower up and be ready to go soon."
"Oh no you don't," Bucky said with a laugh. "You two have another shower like yesterday and we'll never get out of here. There's a reason I'm over here and Eliza is in the other room. I didn't trust us to not lose track of time. And if I didn't trust us...I sure as hell don't trust the two of you."
Zed let out a laugh. "Fine. But you're buying breakfast."
"If we get out of here within the next hour I'll buy breakfast and lunch. It's cheaper than losing another bet with E….ADDIE WAKE UP!"
Addison shot up straight, the blanket falling as she did.
"Ahh! My eyes!" Bucky shouted as he closed his eyes and felt for the door.
Zed laughed to himself as he turned Bucky around and guided him out of the room. He turned around and smiled at his beautiful naked girlfriend. "Good morning, Gorgeous."
Addison bit her lip as she saw the predatory smile cross her boyfriends face.
"According to your cousin, we need to be out of here within the next hour. And we're not to shower together."
"Is that so?"
"Mmmhmm...but," he said as he knelt on the edge of the bed, "he didn't say anything about this." He laid her back down and ran his hand down the side of her face.
Addison looked up at him with heavy-lidded eyes and a mischievous smile. She grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him down to her, kissing him passionately.
As their kisses grew more and more frantic, Addison noticed that she was completely nude underneath him while he was still wearing his boxer shorts. The moment her hands slipped between them and touched his waistband, his own hands were shoving hers out of the way, desperate to comply with her obvious wishes. However, by the time he had pulled them down his hips to kick them off, the amazing sensation of her naked breasts sliding against his chest was enough to make him pause for a deep breath. He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed, opening his eyes to look at her.
"Do not move," he warned as he left the bed to retrieve a condom. He rolled it onto his hard length and resumed his previous position above her. Both of them gasped as he slowly entered her, sinking deeper, inch by solid inch. He started moving back and forth, grinding against that place inside her that she loved.
"Zed!" she cried out, and he searched her eyes. He moved again, shifting his hips and rubbing more firmly against the tight bundle of nerves there, watching her face react as her body gripped tighter around him. He shoved into her harder, making sure to drag his thick tip along that place each time he passed it.
Addison was lost. Lost in the moment, lost in the grinding friction of their bodies, lost in his unbelievable scent that was pure sex. When she began rocking into him, matching his rhythmic movements, he growled loudly and rolled over, pulling her on top of him. She raised up on her knees, leaning her hands back on his thighs and arching back, riding him roughly.
He almost lost it at the sight of her, breasts thrust forward with the most delicious rosy peaks that bounced with her motions. Zed reached up and gripped her hips, pulling her down onto his shaft harder with each upward thrust.
She began shaking then, and he could feel her growing wetter around him, dripping down his length. Zed growled deep in his chest, sitting up quickly to grab her around the shoulders and kiss her. When he felt her shuddering grow, he moved a hand back between their bodies and slid his thumb down, swirling circles around her clitoris as he thrust deeper inside her. Addison came undone, tightly clamping down on him. She moaned and screamed her release.
Zed began bucking his hips furiously, finally unable to hold on any longer. He exploded deep inside her. He cried out her name, burying his face in her neck.
When the frenzy had subsided for the both of them, he pulled her with him as he lay back on the mattress, holding her on top of him and loving the feel of her in his arms. After a moment, he rolled her to the side so that he could look down at her. "Merry Christmas Eve," he said softly. He traced the features of her face with his fingertips, rubbing his thumb slowly across her full, pouty lips. He leaned down and kissed her softly before pulling back to look deep into her crystal blue eyes.
"DON'T THINK WE CAN'T HEAR YOU! THIRTY MINUTES!" they heard Bucky shout from behind the door.
Addison let out a soft laugh. "Well, at least he waited for us to finish."
Zed laughed, leaning down he kissed her once more. "Guess we should get ready to go. You go shower, I'll pack us up."
Twenty minutes later Zed and Addison met Bucky and Eliza down in the lobby of the Four Seasons.
"I can't believe I actually won a bet for once!" Bucky laughed as they approached. "Breakfast is on me!"
"And lunch," Zed reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah...let's go."
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"So," Bucky said as he merged onto the interstate. "How did this whole Christmas Eve tradition start?"
Zed swallowed the bite of egg McMuffin he was chewing. "Well, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve in Zombie Town. We still do the Christmas morning Santa stuff, but the big get-togethers were always done on Christmas Eve."
"Because the only jobs available to Zombies for years were the ones that humans didn't want. That meant that most Zombies were forced to work Christmas day." Eliza added.
"Anyway," Zed continued, pausing briefly to take a sip of his caramel frappe. "Eliza's family and Bonzo's family always came over to my house for the evening. But, since the Inclusion Bill was passed, and better job opportunities have since become available, Christmas celebrations have kind of shifted to Christmas Day. Bonz and E still come over and we do our own Christmas thing on Christmas Eve."
"And Bree and I have been invited along since sophomore year," Addison smiled.
"Well I feel honored to finally be invited," Bucky said. "Wait a second, I thought you and Zed did Christmas on Christmas night? I distinctly remember you two sneaking off every year."
"We do," Addison smiled.
"I'm confused," Bucky said as he glanced at them in the rearview mirror.
Eliza rolled her eyes. "Jazz Hands, it's one of those Zeddison things. You know how they are."
Bucky laughed. "Let me guess, there's some cheesy romantic reason behind it."
"Hey!" Addison said, smacking his shoulder. "Romantic, yes. Cheesy, never."
"If you must know, Bartholomew, Christmas night freshman year was the night I first kissed Addie."
Bucky laughed. "You were right, baby. Definitely a Zeddison thing."
Zed let out a chuckle as he grabbed Addison's hand and placed a soft kiss on her palm, remembering their first Christmas together...
Zed took a deep breath, trying to ease his nerves. He wiped his sweaty palms onto the front of his pants before he slowly brought a hand up and knocked on the front door.
"I'll get it!" he heard Addison shout from somewhere inside the house. When the door opened, Zed was greeted by Addison's beautiful smile. "Zed!" she said as she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Addie," he whispered into her soft white hair.
"What are you doing here? Isn't it close to curfew?"
"There's a curfew extension on holidays," he said with a shrug. "And, I was wondering if you'd take a walk with me?"
Addison smiled up at him. "I'd love to. Let me grab my coat." she disappeared back inside for a brief moment before coming back outside in a powder blue pea coat. "Alright, Zombie...where to?"
They walked hand in hand through the neighborhood and into Zombie Town. A few blocks later, they had arrived at the old power plant.
"Come on in," Zed said as he held the door open for her. "I have a surprise for you." Zed led her over to the lift and up to the light garden. There sitting among the twinkling lights of the 'garden' was a dark blue plaid blanket, a thermos, and Zed's guitar.
Addison sat on the blanket and Zed handed her a mug of hot chocolate. He sat down next to her and picked up his guitar.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need (and I)
Don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hand my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you"
As he finished the song he placed his guitar down and reached for her hand. Addison brought his hand to her lips and softly placed a kiss
on his palm. She slowly moved his hand so it was resting on her cheek. Her crystal blue eyes were glistening in the soft light.
"You are so beautiful... I know we've said it in Zombie Tongue, but, I love you, Addison."
The smile that broke out across her face when he said those three small words lit up the room, far more than the lights surrounding them. "I love you too, Zed."
Zed gently pulled her face closer to him as he leaned in. Their noses brushed against each other. Slowly they closed their eyes and their lips softly met. They both smiled wide as they rested their foreheads against each other.
"I thought you'd never try again," Addison whispered.
Zed let out a small laugh. "Yeah, having the Z-Patrol barge in the first time I tried definitely scarred me." He leaned back in and kissed her again. Addison's phone suddenly started to ring.
"That's my mom's ringtone," she said with a sigh. She pulled her phone out of her coat pocket and answered it. "Hi, Mom…..Zed and I went for a walk. I told Dad…..Fine…..I'll be right there." she quickly hung up and shoved her phone back in her pocket. "Someday, Z.," she said with a sigh as she leaned in and kissed him.
"Come on, Gorgeous. I'll walk you home." Zed said, standing up and helping her to her feet.
"Thank you for putting all this together, it's beautiful."
"It's nothing compared to you," he said softly pulling her in for another kiss.
They walked hand in hand back towards her house. As they walked down her street, snow began to lightly fall around them. The moment was too perfect to pass up. Zed twirled her around and kissed her, lightly running his tongue across her bottom lip. Addison opened her mouth and deepened the kiss. Their tongues gently exploring the others for the first time.
"I love you," Zed said as they slowly pulled apart.
"I love you too," Addison smiled.
When they reached her front door, she hugged him tightly. "Thank you. This will always be my favorite Christmas ever."
Zed smiled and kissed the top of her soft hair, "I guess I'll just have to try and top it next year."
"I'm already looking forward to it."
"Merry Christmas, Gorgeous."
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Around 3 pm, Bucky pulled up to Zed's house in Zombie Town to drop Zed and Addison off.
"We'll see you two later. 6:30, right?"
"You know, it," Zed said as he high-fived Bucky. "Remember, it's tacky Christmas attire. See you guys in a few."
Zed gathered their bags from the back of the van and threw his arm around Addison as they walked up to the house.
"Pops, Zoey...we're home!" he shouted as they walked through the door. "Hi, Puppy, who's a good boy? You are. Yes, you are," he said as he bent down to pet his sister's dog that met them at the door.
"Addie!" Zoey screeched as she ran down the stairs.
"Hey, Peanut! Merry Christmas," Addison smiled as she hugged her.
"Good to see you too, Zo," he laughed as he bent over and kissed his sister's cheek.
Zevon poked his head out of the kitchen, covering the base of the phone. "Hey, you two! Welcome home. Conference call," he said motioning to the phone in his hand before he disappeared back in the kitchen.
"Daddy worked from home today," Zoey said with a shrug. "I'm going to go take Puppy for his walk. Anyone want to come?"
"You go ahead, we're going to start decorating for the party tonight."
"Okay, Daddy brought the boxes down from the attic this morning," she said as she put Puppy's leash on him. "I'll be back soon."
As Zoey took Puppy outside, Zed and Addison walked upstairs to his room. Zed put their bags down in the corner as Addison sat down on his bed and let out a loud yawn. Zed walked over and sat down next to her.
"Why don't you lie down for a little while, Gorgeous. I know you haven't slept much the last few nights."
Addison laughed softly. "I wonder why that would be?"
Zed leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Get some sleep."
"But what about the decorating?"
"I can handle it," he said kissing her lips softly. "Now, lay down so I can tuck you in."
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"What do you think, Zo? More lights or are we good?" Zed asked as he stepped off the step stool, admiring the colorful Christmas lights now hanging around the room.
"Hmm...I think the lights are good, but maybe a few more snowflakes?"
Zed let out a laugh. "You got it kiddo."
"Zed? Can I use your phone to call Zena? Daddy's been on the house phone for like the last three hours."
"Sure thing," he said as he tossed his phone to his little sister.
Zoey caught the phone and swiped the screen to unlock it. "Barf Big Bro!" she said as she pretended to gag. "It's bad enough that you and Addie are always smooching. I don't need to see a picture of you two sharing lipstick!"
Zed laughed as he walked over and hugged his little sister. "You don't like it, don't use my phone."
"Oh I'm still going to use it," she laughed. "I'll bring it back down in a minute," she said as she took off towards the stairs. As she reached the second floor, Addison was walking out of Zed's room.
"Hey Peanut," she said as Zoey cleared the last step.
Zoey looked at her and shook her head with a laugh. "I just don't get it," she said walking into her room to call her best friend.
Addison shrugged and went downstairs to find her boyfriend. When she made her way down the stairs she stopped and smiled at the sight in front of her. In the hour and a half that she had been asleep, Zed had completely decorated the small den into a winter wonderland.
"Wow, Z...Everything looks amazing!"
"Thanks. How was the nap, Gorgeous?" He said as they met in the center of the room. He brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear before leaning down and kissing her sweetly.
"I definitely needed it. I feel much better."
"Good," he said kissing her once more.
"So, what happened with Zoey? I just saw her on my way out of your room."
Zed let out a laugh. "She didn't appreciate my new phone background."
"Which would be…."
"That picture I took of us last night in the limo," he said as he smacked a loud kiss on her cheek.
Addison smiled and kissed him back. "I can't believe you put that as your background," she giggled kissing him again.
Zed's hands ran through her soft white hair, cradling the back of her head as he deepened their kiss.
The sound of someone clearing their throat brought them back to reality. They pulled apart and saw Zevon standing in the doorway.
Zed smiled as he pointed to the ceiling, "Sorry, Pops...mistletoe. I don't make the rules, I just follow them."
Zevon rolled his eyes at his son. "Mistletoe or not, let's try to bring the PDA down a notch while your sister is home."
"Fair enough," Zed said with an exaggerated sigh. He kissed Addison on the cheek and threw her a wink.
"Addison, do you mind if I steal Zed away for a moment?" Zevon asked as he walked closer to them.
"Nope, he's all yours," she smiled.
"I'll have him back down in just a minute. Zed, upstairs," he said pointing towards the second floor. Zed followed his father upstairs and into his own bedroom.
"What's up, Pops?" Zed asked as he plopped himself down on his bed.
"I know you picked the ring back up from the jewelry store before the game Friday. Please tell me you didn't propose to Addison while you were in Shoreline."
"Relax, Pops," Zed laughed. "I promise I did not. There was a brief moment when I almost did, but I had just spent the afternoon promising the Chief I would wait until after graduation...But, man...she looked so beautiful," he said with a dreamy look on his face.
"Well, if that's still the time frame, hand the ring back over."
Zed walked over to his duffle bag and pulled the small black velvet box out. He opened it and smiled.
"How'd it come out?" Zevon asked.
"Absolutely perfect," he said as he handed his father the box.
Zevon pulled the ring out and examined it. "Wow, it cleaned up really nice."
"Umm...I had it engraved while they were cleaning it," Zed said nervously. "I know it was mom's, but it's going to be Addison's…"
Zevon looked at the band closer, "Someday?"
Zed laughed. "As Eliza would say, it's a Zedddison thing."
Zevon smiled and shook his head. "I'm definitely holding on to this until after graduation."
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"Merry Christmas!" Bree said excitedly when Addison opened the door.
"Merry Christmas!" Addison replied hugging her best friend and Bonzo as they walked in. "Good timing! The food was just delivered." The three of them walked into the den to join Bucky, Eliza, Zed, Zevon, and Zoey.
They all sat around the now crowded den wearing their tackiest Christmas sweaters, listening to holiday music, and eating Chinese takeout. The conversations flowed easily between them all. Zed, Addison, Eliza, and Bucky told everyone about the ball the night before, and Bree gushed over Zed's description of Addison in her dress. Before long, dinner was cleaned up and it was time to start opening presents.
Zed stood up from his spot on the floor, "Okay before we start handing out gifts, I just want to remind everyone of the rules. Nobody spent more than $20 per person...right?" They all shook their heads in confirmation. "Good. Youngest to oldest opens. Alright, let's get started!"
"Oooh! Ours first!" Bree said standing up and moving over towards the Christmas tree. Bonzo joined her and helped hand out their gifts to everyone.
Zoey unwrapped hers first. "Oh my goodness! I love it!" she hugged the framed photo close to her chest as she stood up and ran to hug Bree and Bonzo.
"Come on, Peanut. We want to see!" Addison said. Zoey turned it around to show everyone a picture of her, Addison, and Bucky from the night of the homecoming dance enclosed in a beautifully painted picture frame. The whole room let out a collected "Awwwww."
"Bonz painted the frame," Bree gushed as she hugged him into her side.
"I love it!" Zoey said again. "Thank you!" Zoey sat back down and everyone looked to Addison.
She carefully undid the wrapping paper. "You guys!" she gushed as she ran to hug them. "This is my favorite picture!" Addison showed everyone the picture of Zed dipping her after their spotlight dance.
"Mine too!" Bree smiled. "The second I snapped it at the homecoming dance, I knew exactly what we were giving you for Christmas.
Eliza was up next. She tore into the plaid wrapping paper and smiled when she saw a picture of all of them from Halloween night at The Dock. "This is a great picture. And this frame, Bonz, is amazing. Thank you!"
"We're glad you like it, Eliza!"
Zed opened his next. "Oh wow. Bonz, Bree, I love it. This is going to look perfect next to my bed," he said holding up a picture of him and Addison at the first football game of the season. "Alright Bucky, your turn."
Bucky slowly unwrapped the gift given to him. "I didn't even know you took this picture," he said quietly while looking at a picture of him giving Eliza a piggyback ride at the beach last summer. "This was such a fun day. Thank you, Bree, thank you, Bonzo."
"Mr. Zevon, don't think we forgot about you," Bree said with a large smile.
Zevon took the plaid box from Bonzo and began to open it.
"We thought maybe you needed a picture of all your kids. Your actual kids and your 'other kids'," she said as she motioned to all of them.
Zevon wiped a stray tear from his eye as he looked at what he had been given. It was a picture of all of them from Zed's 18th birthday. "Bree, Bonzo… I'll treasure this always."
"Zeggra Gruzmaz" Bonzo smiled.
"Merry Christmas, thank you."
"Okay, we'll go next," Eliza stated as she pulled Bucky up with her to the tree and began to hand everyone envelopes. "Although I doubt we'll be able to follow up Bree and Bonzo's gifts….Everyone's getting gift cards to Lillian's from me and Cheery on Top from Bucky."
Zed let out a laugh. "It's good to see that Bucky hasn't changed your gift-giving strategy."
"You know you love getting gift cards to Lillian's every year."
Zed got up and hugged her. "Never change, E. Never change." Eliza and Bucky sat down and Addison joined Zed by the tree.
"Our turn!" Addison said with a big smile. "Peanut, you're up first!" she said as she handed Zoey a snowman wrapped box.
Zoey excitedly bounced in place as she began to unwrap it. "Yes! An SLU Cheer sweatshirt!" she shrieked as she launched herself off of the floor and hugged her brother and Addison. "I'm going to wear this like every day!"
"I'm glad you like it, Zo," Zed said as he hugged his little sister. Zoey sat back down and Bree began to unwrap her gift.
"You guys!" she gushed holding up a collection of her favorite glitter lip balms.
Eliza went next, opening a pair of decorated headphones. "Now these I like," she said as she slipped them on, testing how they fit. "I'm definitely using these for the next mash."
When Eliza was finished, Bonzo unwrapped his present from them. "Za! Granz zoug," he said, thanking them for the new sketch pad and pencils.
"Alright, cuz. You're up," Addison said. Bucky opened the envelope that Zed had handed him and let out a laugh. "Well this could have come in handy earlier today," he said as he held up a gift certificate to Zayne's tattoo shop. "Glad I didn't get another one when Eliza was getting hers."
"What did you get, Eliza? Zoey asked.
"I got a script 'B' to match Bucky's 'E'," she said smiling over to Bucky.
"You kids are crazy," Zevon said shaking his head with a laugh. "I love you all, but you're crazy."
"Alright Pops, this one's for you," Zed said as he handed him a snowman wrapped package.
Zevon unwrapped the box and smiled, holding up an SLU Dad t-shirt and bumper sticker. "These are great, you two. Thank you," he said as he stood up and hugged them.
"Merry Christmas," Addison said. "Z and I rushed over to the bookstore the second after we signed our commitment letters."
"I love them. I'm so proud of you two."
"Thanks, Pops."
"Okay, enough sappy stuff. I don't want to think about everyone leaving me yet," Zoey said with a pout.
"Alright, munchkin," Zed smiled and picked her up in a bear hug.
"You're squeezing me too hard!" she laughed.
Zed put her down and ruffled her hair. "So, what do you want to do next, Zoey?"
"Hmmm….Christmas songs?"
"You got it."
"Actually, before we all break out into song," Bucky said standing up. "I know this is my first year being included, so forgive me if I'm going about this wrong," he walked over and reached under the tree. "I just wanted to give Eliza her gift tonight instead of tomorrow around my whole family." He handed Eliza a large green wrapped box with a gold bow on top.
Eliza sat down next to the tree and carefully began to unwrap. When she pulled the lid off the box, she froze. There laying in the center was a TR-808 Drum Machine. Tears began to stream down her face. Before anyone could say anything, Eliza launched herself off of the floor and into Bucky's arms.
"Oh. My. God. I. Can't. Believe. You." she said as she kissed him in between each word.
Bucky laughed as he hugged her close. "I'm guessing you like it?"
"Like it? I love it! It's exactly what I always wanted! Oh God, please tell me you didn't spend a fortune on this? I know how much these things are!"
"Relax, I promise I did not spend a fortune," he said with a smile. "I called an old friend of mine who I thought could help out, and sure enough he could."
"You know, I think this is just one of those times I'm just going to let it go and be happy," she said as she kissed him once again.
As the evening wore on, the gang sat around and sang Christmas songs, drank eggnog, and laughed and joked together. After a particularly loud rendition of Jingle Bells, Bucky went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Addison saw her chance and followed him.
"You called Graham, didn't you," she said as quietly as possible.
"How'd you know?"
Addison rolled her eyes. "Really, Bucky? His dad is a big shot producer. Who else would have that type of connection?"
Bucky was silent for a moment. "Addie, I know what you're thinking...but he's changed. You should give him another chance," he said as he offered her a bottle of water.
Addison let out a long sigh and plastered a fake smile across her face."It's Christmas...I don't want to argue about this right now," she said as she took the bottle from him and went to re-join their friends.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Steamy wake-ups, super sweet flashbacks, Christmas traditions, and cryptic foreshadowing...what more could I possibly squeeze into a chapter! But seriously, if there's something you'd like to see in future chapters PLEASE let me know. I love suggestions! I hope you enjoyed this weeks update! Leave me a review with your thoughts (or just to say "Hi").