AUTHOR'S NOTE:Just a heads up...this chapter is formatted a little different. Enjoy!

Holiday Break

IN BETWEEN

TUESDAY

The day after Christmas Addison was woken up by her phone ringing on the nightstand. Reaching over, she answered it with a sleepy yawn.

"Hello?"

"Good morning!" Bree's chipper voice greeted from the other end.

"Morning, Bree."

"Did I wake you up?"

Addison yawned again. "Yeah, but it's fine. I should probably wake up anyway. I was planning on going for a run this morning. Want to come with?"

"Of course! Do you think Zed would mind? I can never keep up with him."

"Bree, I can't keep up with Zed. One of his strides is like four of mine," she said with a small tired laugh. "Besides, he's at work today...and I could use some girly time."

"Uh oh. What happened, girl?"

"I'll tell you while we run. Meet me in front of the school in thirty?"

"See you then!"

Addison hung up and went downstairs to get a cup of coffee. As she made the corner into the kitchen she was shocked to see her mom.

"Mom! Aren't you supposed to be in the office today?" she asked as she grabbed a mug from the cabinet.

Missy smiled and took a sip from her own cup. "That place is a madhouse with all the prep for the party this weekend and with all the press camping out to see if I'm running for governor. I'm working from home where I can actually hear myself think."

"Well, I'm about to go for a run with Bree. We'll probably come back here to watch movies or something after…Would you want to join in?"

Missy thought for a moment before smiling. "You know what? I think I'll do just that. I'll call Gloria while you're out and set a few things up, and then I'm taking the rest of the day off."

Addison gave her mom a quick hug before heading back upstairs to get dressed.

Twenty minutes later Addison was standing in front of Seabrook High stretching when her best friend walked up.

"So are you going to dish now or wait until our heart rate is up?"

Addison shook her head while she set up her Fitbit. "If I start talking now I'm just going to want to go home and hide in bed all day. Let's get at least a mile in first."

"That bad, huh?" Bree cringed.

"You have no idea," she said as they started their run.

When Bree's step count alerted her that their first mile was complete, they were just approaching their favorite coffee shop.

"I'm calling it," Bree said as she started to slow.

"What? Why?" Addison said, jogging in place.

"Because I can't take the suspense anymore! Let's stop at Dream Bean. My treat."

Addison slowed and let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

They sat in a plush booth in the back corner of the coffee shop and sipped their drinks in silence for a few minutes before Bree exclaimed, "Any time you're ready!"

Addison dropped her head to the table for a second before she sat back up and took an exaggerated deep breath. "So last night Z and I went over to the light garden to exchange Christmas presents like we do every year..."

"Did he like his ring?" Bree interrupted.

Addison smiled. "He said he loves it."

"See! I told you!...sorry...continue."

Addison smiled and shook her head at Bree's exuberant outburst. "So after we exchanged presents, Zed surprised me with a second present."

"Go on..."

"He placed what I thought was a small ring box on my knee. Ugh!" she said dropping her head to the table once again and pulling the hood of her sweatshirt up. "I thought it was going to be an engagement ring."

"What was it?"

She sat up and sighed again. "It was a pair of gorgeous emerald and diamond earrings...which I love! But, he saw that I was expecting something else and he totally called me on it."

"Oh no..."

"Oh yes!"

"I was completely mortified….But then he told me that he wants to propose and that he even asked my dad. But my dad is making him wait!"

"Oh my God! I can't believe he asked the Chief already..."

"I know!"

"So then what happened?"

Addison took another sip of her coffee looking around and avoiding Bree's eyes.

Bree just smiled and shook her head. "So...I take it you had a very Merry Christmas?"

Addison smiled with a dreamy sigh, "Despite my embarrassing behavior, it really was the best."

After they finished their coffee they completed another mile run before deciding to head back to Addison's house for the day.

Missy ordered Thai take-out and the three of them sat down in the den under a pile of blankets to watch some of their favorite movies. They had already watched Footloose and were almost finished with Valley Girl.

"Have you ever noticed how epic the proms were in 80's movies?" Bree asked as she grabbed a twizzler from Addison.

"Hey! Hands off the Twizzlers!" she said with a laugh. "And I can only hope our prom will be a fraction as awesome!"

"Why don't you just have an 80's themed prom?" Missy said, stealing one of Addison's Twizzlers as well.

"First, stop swiping my candy! I swear you two are worse than Zed! Second, that's the best idea ever! What do you think, Bree?"

"I think we have our prom theme!" she said with a large smile before she grabbed another twizzler.

WEDNESDAY

Addison and Bree had been working on a new routine for nationals all morning. Even though their current routine had helped them sweep the Regional round, Addison still felt that it was missing something, she just didn't know what that "something" was. After working on it for the last four hours, she still wasn't any closer.

"I have cheer block," Addison said in a huff as she plopped herself down on the mat in the center of the gym.

"We still have a few months," Bree said sitting down next to her. "We'll figure it out….Just maybe not today."

Addison laid down on the mat and stretched out her hamstring. "I know. I just need this routine to be perfect. This is our first trip to Nationals without Bucky doing the choreography and I've already signed my letter for SLU. I just feel like I have a lot to prove."

"Addie, the routine you brought us to Regionals with, was amazing. Even if we don't change a single thing about it, we'd have a great chance at another championship. But, I get it. We'll figure it out."

"Thanks, Bree," Addison said pulling herself back up to her feet. "And thank you for working through the routine with me all morning."

"What are best friends/ co-captains for!" she said with a large smile on her face.

As they began to walk out of the school, Addison's phone rang in her coat pocket.

"Hey, Bucky! What's up?" Addison answered cheerily.

"Addison, I need a favor," he almost growled into the phone.

Addison was momentarily taken aback. "Um, sure, what's up?"

"I'm at Mini Shrimp practice and I could really use a hand."

"Absolutely...I'm just about to leave from the gym at school."

"Great, you won't even be here for fifteen minutes."

"Bucky, is everything okay? You sound aggravated or something."

"Or something. I'll see you when you get here," he said before hanging up.

"Oooooookay." Addison put her phone back in her pocket and looked at Bree. "Want to go help out with the Mini Shrimp?"

Bree frowned. "I wish I could, but I'm babysitting Aspen this afternoon while Gabby goes into the restaurant."

"Oh, I miss that little cutie!" Addison gushed. "I can't believe she's almost a year old."

"Yeah, she's gotten so big just in the last month. She was even cutting her two front teeth on Christmas day. My brother would sing that silly song to her every time she would start to fuss."

Addison laughed softly. "I can totally picture Gus doing that."

Bree smiled and hugged her best friend. "Call me later and let me know if we're still on for Friday."

Addison hugged her back. "Will do. Give that niece of yours a big hug from me."

"I will. See you later, girl." Bree said before the two of them walked off in opposite directions.

Addison walked the six blocks from the high school to the cheer gym where Mini Shrimp practice was being held. When she walked in she could hear her cousin counting loudly.

"And, five, six, seven, eight!" Bucky clapped his hands and the squad began their routine again. Bucky threw his arms up in frustration before blowing his whistle. "No! I said 'Cajun Funky Chicken!'….Addison, can you please demonstrate?" he asked when he noticed her walking in.

Addison set her stuff down and took off her jacket before walking to the front.

"Funky Chicken, Cajun style?" she asked skeptically.

"Yeah, that's what I said," he snapped before sniffling.

"Wow, okay." Addison performed the rather tricky combination for the young cheerleaders, earning a round of applause.

"That's how it's done….Let's try it again," Bucky ordered.

Addison walked around the room helping each cheerleader with minor adjustments as needed. It was a difficult sequence, but they were doing a great job.

After twenty minutes Bucky threw his hands in the air once more. "Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop...Let's just call it a day. We'll try this again next practice." He blew his captain's whistle and dismissed the squad.

As everyone gathered their things and put their winter layers back on, Addison walked over to Bucky.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said with a sniff.

"Look, they're kids, and it's not exactly an easy combo. But, they're doing a great job."

"They can do better," he said wiping at his nose.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I said I'm fine, Addison!" he snapped as he turned away from her and walked out of the gym.

Addison sighed and shook her head as she watched him walk out the door.

"Addie?"

Addison turned around to find Zoey standing behind her. "Hey, Peanut," she said giving her a big hug.

"Is Bucky mad at us?"

Addison smiled and smoothed out Zoey's ponytail. "Not at all. You guys did a great job today. That's hard stuff. In fact, did you know that that combo is what Bucky used to use at try-outs?"

"Really?" Zoey asked in disbelief.

"Yep….Say, would you be up for a trip to Cheery On Top?"

Zoey laughed. "Addie, the answer to that question is always

'yes'."

"You really are Zed's little sister," Addison said with a laugh as she and Zoey made their way out of the gym.

THURSDAY

It was a cold boring day at guard tower 4 and Zed had spent most of the morning inside monitoring the scanner, gazing out the window, and playing a game on his phone. At a quarter to noon, as he was preparing to head back out for another quick patrol ride, his phone rang. He smiled when he saw Addison's gorgeous face fill up the screen.

"There's my favorite cheerleader," he said answering the call.

"My favorite zombie. How's work going? As slow as the last few days?"

Zed let out a small laugh. "You know it, Gorgeous. What are you up to?"

"Just finished working out and I'm starving. Up for a lunch visit?"

"Hmm, food and my girlfriend...two of my favorite things. Of course, I'm up for that."

"Yay! I'll be down soon! I love you!"

"I love you too, Addie. Bye." Zed hung up and smiled wide as he grabbed the keys to the dune buggy and started out for his patrol. When he returned to the guard tower Addison was already there waiting for him. He killed the engine and ran to her, picking her up and spinning her around before he kissed her.

"Are you happy to see me or happy about lunch?" she joked when he set her back down.

"Both!" he said with a large smile as he led her up the stairs. "So, what's for lunch?"

"I packed us a picnic!" Addison said excitedly.

"Would that picnic happen to contain my favorite sandwiches?" he asked hopefully.

"Well, that depends...If your favorite sandwich is still peanut butter & jelly with marshmallow fluff, then yes."

Zed laughed and pulled her in close for a kiss. "Best. Girlfriend. Ever!"

Addison kissed him back. "How long before your next patrol run?"

"An hour," he said as he pulled a chair out for her.

Addison passed him a sandwich and a water bottle from her backpack as they both propped their feet up on the desk and watched the waves out of the window.

"It's so peaceful out here this time of year," Addison said with a tranquil smile.

"Sure is. Lot's and lot's of time to sit and think...and attempt to beat that last level that has been driving me crazy."

Addison let out a small laugh. "So what have you been thinking about all morning?"

Zed took a swig of water to get the peanut butter off the roof of his mouth. "College...life in general... "

"That's a lot to think about."

"Yup," he said popping the 'p'. "I never even thought that going to college was an option and now I'm going to a great university and get to play football. But, now I need to figure out what I want to do with my life now that I have this opportunity."

"Soooo...what have you come up with so far?" she asked, passing him a container of cut fruit.

"I'm thinking I want to go the kinesiology sports medicine route."

"Wow."

"I know, right? Medical care for zombies has gotten better over the last few years, but there are so few specialists available. Remember how hard it was for me to find someone when I sprained my ankle sophomore year?"

"Wow...Dr. Necrodopolus..." Addison said quietly, testing out the sound of it.

Zed leaned over to kiss her. "That is unless the NFL does change its Zombie policy, and I somehow manage to get drafted," he said with a laugh. "Just think, they could call me Zom Brady..."

"I love it!" Addison said with a large smile.

"What about you, Gorgeous?"

"I've been thinking about Political Science. I'm clearly not afraid to stand up for what I believe in. Why not make a career out of it."

"I bet your mom would be happy with that."

"I'm also thinking about minoring in Japanese," she said as she dug into her backpack. She grabbed a notebook and a pen and began to write.

"What are you doing?" Zed asked trying to look over to her lap.

"Writing this down."

"Writing what down?"

"Our plan!" she said with a large smile on her face. "I've told you before, no one likes an unprepared cheerleader."

Zed laughed and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Alright, crazy lady. Let's see what you've got so far."

"Well, we start with us signing our commitment letters, so...check. Then I'm planning on majoring in Poli Sci and minoring in Japanese. You'll major in kinesiology/pre-med. I'll cheer for four years, make my way up through the ranks to captain and win a national championship or four. You'll play football, be amazing as ever, win a national championship or four and be drafted into the NFL...and if not, med school."

Zed laughed again. "That is definitely a good plan."

"I think so too," she said with a satisfied smile.

"But it's missing a couple things."

"It is?"

"Yup."

"What?"

"Three words for you Gorgeous... Engagement and wedding." Zed didn't even have a chance to brace himself before Addison launched herself off of the chair and into his lap, kissing him with everything that she had.

FRIDAY

Lillian's was always crowded on Friday nights and the Friday between Christmas and New Year's was no exception. The gang had been standing around in the lobby waiting for their table to be called for the last half hour.

"Soooo hungry," Zed said as his stomach growled again.

Eliza rolled her eyes. "Maybe we would have beaten the rush if you and Addison had been on time."

Bonzo laughed and gave her a high-five.

"Oh whatever, E," you guys got here like two minutes before us," Zed quipped.

Addison shook her head and kissed his cheek. "Alright cranky Zombies, let me go see what I can do about a table." She grabbed Bree's hand and drug her up to the hostess stand. "Um, excuse me. Can you tell me how much longer until our table is ready?"

The snooty hostess barely looked up. "Twenty to thirty minutes."

"That's the same thing you said thirty-five minutes ago when we got here," Bree said.

Zed walked up to Addison and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, Gorgeous. What's the word on the table?" he asked her.

Zed's voice caught the hostesses attention. She looked up and smiled. "Hey, you're that lifeguard, aren't you?" she asked, a bit too flirtatiously for Addison's liking.

"Um, yeah," Zed replied.

"I think a table just opened up," she said with a giggle.

"Sweet! I'm starving."

Addison glared at him before she motioned for the rest of the group to come with them.

Zed grabbed her hand and held her back as the group followed the hostess to their suddenly available table. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Don't be jelly. You know you're my world."

Addison smiled and kissed his cheek. "Sorry, Z. I love you."

"I love you, too. Now let's eat!"

An hour later, after consuming two XL pepperoni jalapeno pizzas and one pepperoni pizza, they still hadn't agreed on what movie to see.

"I still think we should go see the new Avengers," Addison said as they walked out of the restaurant and towards the movie theater down the street.

"Great….Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Hiddlesworth, Tom Holland, and Benedict Cumberbatch, all in one movie!" Zed said sarcastically.

Addison laughed and kissed his cheek. "You forgot Robert Downey, Jr."

"Ah, yes. Can't forget him….My vote is still for Deadpool 2."

"Like it matters what we go see? You two are just going to make out the entire time anyway," Bucky said under his breath while brushing at his nose with his finger.

Addison looked at her cousin before hugging Zed and pulling his arm around her. Normally she would laugh a comment like that off, but with Bucky's recent behavior it just didn't have the same "joking" feel it usually did.

"Okay, so we have two votes for the Incredibles II, two votes for Avengers Infinity War, and two for Deadpool 2…so, I propose we see something completely different. What about A Quiet Place?" Bree suggested.

"Ga zurag," Bonzo said, agreeing with her.

"Sounds good to me," Zed said.

"Really? A monster movie?" Eliza said with an eye roll.

"Ease up, I'm sure Bucky would be more than happy to hold you during the scary parts," Zed laughed.

Bucky brushed his finger against his nose again. "I gotcha, baby. Don't worry."

Addison cocked her head to the side and stared at her cousin once more.

"What?" he asked, noticing her glare.

Addison shook her head and sighed. "Nothing. Let's just go see the movie."

While the boys purchased the tickets, the girls went on ahead to stand in line for concessions. As they waited Addison decided it was time to talk to Eliza.

"Um, E...have you noticed anything off lately with Bucky?"

"You mean besides the short temper and cranky attitude?" she asked sarcastically. "Nope, haven't noticed anything."

"I'm starting to get worried," Addison whispered.

Eliza looked at her with a confused look. "Why? He just sucks at being sick. But hey, I'll take it over the man-flu that Zed gets any day."

"You think he's sick?"

"Yeah. I mean, he said it's just a head cold."

"Oh."

"What do you mean, 'oh'?"

Addison panicked for a split second. "Ohhh...oh, we're up to order!" she said, relieved that they were finally next.

Eliza rolled her eyes. "Whatevs." She turned towards the counter and placed her order. After Eliza was finished, Bree ordered for her and Bonzo. Finally, it was Addison's turn.

"Hi! Can I get a large popcorn, an order of nachos, a pack of Twizzlers, a box of Reese's pieces, a box of red hots, a box of snowcaps and a large soda, please."

"Wow, that is some order," the younger teen said as he gazed at her in awe. "You're Addison, right?"

"That's me. Have we met?"

"No, but I go to Seabrook High. I'm a sophomore," he said shyly. "You're a great cheerleader, and your hair is so pretty."

Addison blushed slightly. "Thank you... I didn't catch your name."

"Chuck," he said with a large smile.

"Well, Chuck. Thank you. Maybe I'll see you around school?" she said as he placed her order on the counter.

"I hope so! Hey...are you going to need a hand with all this? It's a pretty large order for one person to carry by themselves."

"That won't be necessary," Zed replied walking up behind Addison, "most of it's mine anyway." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Thanks for ordering, Gorgeous," he said as he paid for their concessions.

Addison smiled and waved goodbye to Chuck as she walked off with Zed. Zed looked over his shoulder to see him staring dreamily after her.

"Well, he was awfully...friendly."

Addison stopped walking. "Zed Milo Necrodopolus...are you jealous?"

"Whaaat? Me? Jealous? Phesh….yeah, maybe a little," he said with a slight smile playing on his lips.

Addison giggled as she stood up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "What was it you told me earlier? Don't be jelly...You know you're my world."

Zed rolled his eyes before leaning down and kissing her. "And you, Gorgeous, are mine."

SATURDAY

"Wake up, Cuz," Addison said loudly as she walked into Bucky's room.

Bucky groaned and pulled his pillow over his head. "Why are you here?"

"Because it's a beautiful day and you're taking me out for brunch," she said very matter of factly, sitting on the edge of his bed.

Bucky took the pillow off of his face and sat up to look at her. "And why?"

"Because you and I, dear cousin, have some things to discuss. So, get dressed, I'll make us go cups, and then we're going to Flamingo."

"For someone so small you are awfully bossy," he said wiping at his nose.

Addison glared at him. "You've got fifteen minutes or I'm telling Eliza everything."

"Fine. You win. I'm getting up."

"Love you, Bucky!" Addison smiled as she hopped off the bed and went downstairs to make two cups of coffee.

Ten minutes later Bucky came down the stairs. "Alright, bossy pants. Let's go brunch."

Bucky and Addison drove to the popular beachfront brunch spot and got a table inside looking out over the water. After placing their orders Bucky decided to address the elephant in the room.

"So...as much as I love getting avocado toast with my favorite cousin, I'm assuming you have something you want to talk about?"

Addison swirled her finger through his cappuccino design. "Yup."

"Hey, I hadn't taken a picture of that yet!"

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. So, when did you 'reconnect' with Graham?"

Bucky let out a sigh. "When I found out Eliza wanted a hard to find piece of music equipment. So right after Thanksgiving? I reached out to Graham and asked if his dad could help me out."

"And that's all?" she asked, imitating him wiping at his nose.

"Addie, it's just a small cold. I've been trying to fight it off for days now."

"If you're lying to me..."

"Addie, I swear...I've been clean for over three years," he added in a whisper.

Addison reached across the table and grabbed his hand. "I know, Bucky, and I've been so proud of you. But, I'll never forgive Graham for getting you messed up with that stuff. Forgive me if I jumped to conclusions. And, I also now feel bad that I drug you out of bed."

Bucky ran a hand through his hair. "Don't feel bad. I get it. Trust... I still can't believe I put that stuff in my body. Thank God I got scared straight...literally."

"Yet another reason I love that boyfriend of mine," Addison smiled.

"Yeah, that homecoming game was a disaster, but almost being eaten by a zombie was probably the best thing that could have happened." A chill ran through his body. "And let's not forget the whole withdrawal fiasco after."

"Again, the Zombies saved your butt. You had completely destroyed the squad. If they hadn't rallied at the Cheer-Championship..."

"I still can't believe you gave me another chance after everything I put you through."

Addison gripped his hand tighter. "Bucky, that wasn't you."

"Thanks, Cuz... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot."

"How did you know?"

Addison sighed as she fidgeted with the edge of her napkin. "First day of school, when you called out my wig. That was the first time something seemed off. At the time I thought it was just you being different because we were at school, but deep down I knew you'd never do something to hurt me. You were always protective of me and my hair. And then when the Acey's came up to threaten me at lunch...that's when I knew for sure."

"I am so sorry, Addie."

"I know, Bucky. And I forgave you a long time ago. I'm still not happy about you talking to Graham though. He was supposed to be your friend. Friends don't make friends get involved in illegal substances."

"Graham spent six months in rehab. He's been clean for over a year... He apologized for a lot."

"Did he apologize for trying to shove his tongue down my throat?"

"Actually, he did…Not in those exact words, but yes, he apologized for Hawaii. He really has changed, Addie. He seems like the old Graham again. I've really missed my best friend."

Addison let out a sigh as their waitress approached with their food. When she left their table, Addison looked at Bucky once again.

"I love you, Bucky. For a long time, you were the only family member I could talk to. And because of that, I didn't tell anyone what was really going on. But, I swear to God, if I even think for a second that you're using again...I'm singing like a canary."

Bucky smiled and shook his head. "Fair enough...Now, if we're finished with the heavy, I'm going to snap a picture of my overpriced toast before I devour it."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the weird format, I just had a lot of little plot points to make and didn't want to drag them out over five chapters. So….now we know who Graham is, and why Addison doesn't like him. I thought it also helped explain why Bucky was such a jerk to Addison in the movie. Let me know what you think!

Completely un-story related...Who's heard Meg's new song?! If you haven't...go...now...go listen...Thank me later. I'm absolutely OBSESSED! Soooo goood!