HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZED: SUNDAY

part 1

"I am soooo tired," Addison whined as they sat side by side in the Orlando airport waiting to board their plane home.

"Me too, Gorgeous. I think I'm too tired to even panic about having to fly again."

"What time are we supposed to be meeting everyone tomorrow...or rather later today?"

Zed rubbed his eyes and yawned loudly. "We're supposed to meet at Lillian's at noon."

Addison sighed and laid her head down on his shoulder. "Flight gets in at 5:30...I think I can be in bed for 6...if I have to shower before lunch, I need to be up for 11...I can make 5 hours of sleep work."

Zed silently laughed. "Sounds like a plan to me. Although I'm really hoping I can sleep through this flight."

"Are you really that worried?" she asked looking up into his eyes.

He shook his head yes. "When I had to fly down to Tampa in January I spent almost the entire flight trying not to vomit all over Coach. I was so happy when we landed that I literally kissed the ground."

"Poor baby," Addison whispered, running a comforting hand down his cheek. "Well, for your sake I hope you can sleep. It'll make the flight much quicker for you."

"I hope so too."

"Now boarding groups A & B...Orlando to Seabrook."

"Oh thank goodness," she said as she stood up and offered her hand to help pull Zed up. They walked up to the gate and presented their tickets to the flight attendant before walking down the jetway to board the plane. "Window or middle?"

"Don't think it'll make a difference," Zed said yawning again.

"Why don't you take the window seat. That way you can lean against the cool glass if you start to feel queasy."

"Sounds good," he said as he stepped into the row of seats and sat by the window. Addison took the seat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Before the flight attendants even made the pre-flight announcements, they were both sound asleep.

Zed was startled awake by a hard "bump". It took him a few moments to remember that he was on a plane and that the bump was them landing at the Seabrook airport.

"Addison..." he softly whispered as he gently shook her shoulder. "Addison...We're home, Gorgeous. Open your eyes."

Addison's eyes fluttered open. "Hey there, Handsome," she smiled sleepily up to him. "Did we really sleep the entire flight?"

"Looks that way. Sooo much better than my last plane ride."

She yawned before she could let out a quiet giggle. "I'm so glad we don't have to go get our luggage."

"You and me both."

A few minutes later the plane pulled up to the jetway. The flight crew thanked them for flying and wished them a good day before they opened the door and let the passengers begin to exit.

When they walked off the plane, Addison turned on her phone to send her parents a text. When her phone booted up, she already had one waiting for her from them. "Looks like the parental units are already here."

Zed reached out and stopped her from walking any further. "Hey," he said softly, pulling her into him. "Can I tell you goodbye right now before we're around them?"

Addison smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. "That depends on how you were planning on doing it."

Zed pretended to think for a moment. "Hmmmm...maybe something like this?" he whispered before leaning down and kissing her softly. Her hands ran up into his thick green hair, tugging slightly as she pulled him into her. A quiet moan escaped from both of them as their kisses intensified. When they pulled away for air they were both flushed and breathless.

"Thank you for surprising me for Nationals."

"Thank you for an amazing Birthday."

"We're just getting started, Handsome. I can't wait until the Mash tonight!"

Zed smiled and ran a hand down the side of her face. "I can't wait until lunch. I'm starving."

Addison giggled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Come on Zombie, my parents are waiting."

The house was still quiet when Zed walked in and sleepily climbed the stairs to his room. When he opened his bedroom door, he had to smile. Milo was curled up in the center of his bed snoring contently. He set his luggage down and pulled out his phone to snap a picture before Addison.

Z- 5:58 am: Some guard dog…
seen 5:58 am

A- 5:58 am: Oh I miss him!
seen 5:58 am

Z- 5:59 am: Want me to bring him to lunch? We can sit outside by the beach…
seen 5:59 am

A- 5:59 am: YESSSSSS! Now go cuddle our baby and get some sleep! I'll see you both at noon!
seen 6:00 am

Z- 6:00 am: Yes ma'am. I love you. I'll see you then. *muah
seen 6:00 am

A- 6:01 am: *muah I love you too!
seen 6:01 am

Zed smiled to himself as he set his phone down on his nightstand. He took his long sleeve off over his head, and took off his jeans, throwing them both into his hamper across the room. "Alright little guy, scooch over," he said quietly, moving the sleeping puppy. He laid down and pulled his blanket up. Before Milo could move to curl up next to him, Zed was already asleep again.

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Zedddddd….Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu!"

Zed's eyes shot open only to be met with a lime green cupcake dangerously close to his face. "Woah!"

"Oops!" Zoey giggled, moving the cupcake back a few feet. "Sorry about that! I was trying to keep Milo from licking it."

Zed rubbed his eyes and sat up, propping himself up on his forearms. "It's fine. Thank you, Zo. What time is it?"

"10:40. Daddy thought you'd need a shower before lunch, and...I kind of wanted to hang out with you for a little while."

"Come here you," he said as he sat up fully and pulled her in for a hug.

"Awwww…. Where's my camera when I need it?" Zevon said from the doorway.

Zed laughed. "Use your phone old man."

"Who are you calling old? I'm not the one who's an entire year older this weekend," he teased as he bent down to scoop up Milo who had been jumping at his leg.

"I see you two have bonded."

Zevon just smiled and ruffled Milo's ears. "Sorry for the wake-up. I held her back as long as I could. Happy birthday, Son."

"Thanks, Pops. And thank you for being so cool about me being gone, and for re-arranging all the plans."

"You're welcome. How was it?"

"Yeah! I want to hear ALLLLL about Disney World and about Nationals, and about all the routines, and..."

"Woah, Zo...slow down," Zed said as he reached up and patted her on the head. "First things first." He reached over and took the cupcake she had been holding while animatedly rattling off her list. "I don't want bright green frosting all over my bed if that thing goes flying." He took a bite and moaned appreciatively. "Oh man, that's a good cupcake."

"Thanks! Gloria and I made them last night!"

Zed finished it on his second bite. "Alright, let me go jump in the shower to finish waking up and then I will be more than happy to regale you of all things Disney and cheer," he said around a mouthful of cupcake.

"Come on, Zoey," Zevon said, putting Milo down. "Zed, we'll see you downstairs in a few minutes. There's still some coffee and breakfast in the kitchen."

"Thanks, Pops," he called out as his little sister and dad walked out of the room. Milo jumped up onto the bed and licked his face. "Ah! Okay, enough of that," he said as he moved the small dog away from his face and set him on the bed beside him. "Well, Milito...I guess it's time to start the day."

"I'm soooo hungry," Zed said as they pulled into the parking lot next to Lillian's Pizza by the Sea.

Gloria looked into the backseat at him. "Didn't you just have breakfast?"

Zoey and Zevon both started to laugh.

"What?"

"Gloria, Zed is ALWAYS hungry," Zoey said in between fits of giggles.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Zed smiled. "Less making fun of me and more parking. I need to unfold from back here."

Before Pops could put the car in park, Zed was already opening his door to jump out with Milo. Just as he leaned back to stretch his back out, the small puppy started barking excitedly.

"Miiiiiiiiii!" Addison exclaimed, running across the parking lot towards them. Zed held the leash tight to keep Milo from running off. When Addison was finally in front of them he dropped the leash and let him run into her arms. "Oh my little floofy puppy, I've missed you so much! I love you."

"Hi Addison, how are you. It's nice to see you, love of my life."

Addison looked up from Milo and stood up, blowing her boyfriend a kiss. "You know I love you."

Zed let out an exaggerated sigh as he draped his arm around her. "I guess…."

She rolled her eyes and stood on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. "Come on Handsome, let's go celebrate!

The five of them walked over to the side of the restaurant where the outdoor beach seating was located. Zed laughed when he saw they had decorated. He leaned over and whispered into Addison's ear, "I'm guessing Bree?"

Addison giggled and leaned her head on his shoulder as they approached their friends. "You know her well! This was all decorated when I got here."

"Bree!" Zed said as he walked up to her and wrapped her in a tight hug. "Thank you! This looks awesome!"

"Well, you know me! Any excuse to decorate for a party!"

"Seriously though, Bree," Addison said, putting Milo on the ground, "You should really think about event planning in the future."

Bree laughed and waved her off as she went to hug Zoey, Zevon, and Gloria.

"Where's Bucky?" Zed asked as he hugged Eliza.

"Asleep. He and Tracey got in a few hours ago. They're both curled up on my bed right now."

"So...What are we ordering?" Zevon asked as he sat down.

Zed looked over to Gloria. "Is pepperoni, jalapeno okay with you?"

"That sounds delicious."

"Awesome!

Okay, what do you think Pops...Three XL double pepp and jalapeno and one XL plain pepperoni?"

Zevon looked between his son and Bonzo, knowing from years and years of experience just how much the two boys could eat. "We better make it four."

With their pizza order placed, Zed and Addison told the table all about their trip to Disney the day before, and Addison and Bree answered ALL the questions that Zoey could rattle off about Nationals.

When their pizzas arrived, Zed tucked his napkin into the neck of his grey t-shirt and grabbed a fork and knife. "Oooh, you look delicious..."

Addison looked over at him and smirked. "Did you just alter our song to apply to pizza?"

"Too much?"

"Yeah."

Zed laughed and took the napkin out of his shirt and placed it on his lap before leaning over and kissing her cheek. "Girl you look delicious *kiss, Oh, I mean gorgeous."

"Please no…" Eliza said as she looked between them.

Everyone at the table began to laugh as Zed and Addison broke out into full song and dance, much to the dismay of Eliza.

After pizza, Gloria ran back to the car to grab the cupcakes she and Zoey had made the night before. With cupcakes passed out, everyone, including the other patrons and restaurant staff, joined in to sing Happy Birthday.

"Thank you guys so much," Zed said as he blew out his candle (much to Bonzo's relief).

"Present time!" Zoey shouted.

Zed pretended to roll his eyes. "If you insist."

"I do! Now, open this one!" she said, shoving a small box.

"Yes, ma'am," he laughed, carefully unwrapping the box and removing the lid. "Oh, wow, Zo...Thank you!" He held up the small silver ghost shaped pendant from the box.

"It's for the chain you got for Christmas!"

"I love it! In fact..." He undid the chain from around his neck and slid the charm on, before clasping it around his neck once more. "There!" He got up and hugged Zoey as tight as he could.

"Can't. Breathe."

"Oops, sorry," Zed laughed, loosening his grip and kissing the top of her head. He sat back down and Bonzo handed him an envelope.

"Seriously? Bonz, you know you don't have to get me anything."

"Grez zum Breezaga zou," Bonzo shrugged.

"Well, thank you Bree, but the same applies to you."

"Oh hush, it's nothing," she smiled as Zed began to open the envelope.

"Gift cards to Lillian's, Tony's, Cheery on Top, and Dream Bean?! This is so awesome. Thank you!" He said standing up to hug them both.

"Just so you know," Eliza said holding up her finger. "My present to you is throwing a mash and letting Tracey contribute to the playlist," she said with a small shudder.

"You let Tracey pick the songs?" Addison asked with her mouth hanging open.

"Not all of them, trust me!"

"I can only imagine," Zed laughed. "And thanks, E. I know it was a pain to reschedule it."

"Eh, it wasn't too bad. You called the jocks, right?"

Zed rolled his eyes. "I'll never understand what you have against the guys on the teams."

Eliza let out an exaggerated sigh. "It's not that I have an issue with any one player in particular. It's more of the jock mentality that tends to take over whenever more than two of you congregate."

"What are you talking about?"

"Za gize har zigiogs."

Zoey let out a loud laugh before quickly covering her mouth.

"We aren't THAT bad!" Zed laughed, attempting to defend his other friends.

"You are a little," Addison teased.

"Et tu, Brute?"

"Oh hush it," she said, playfully shoving his shoulder. "You know I love you and the guys. You all can just be a bit...spirited...sometimes."

"That's a nice way to say their collective I.Q. bottoms out," Eliza added.

"Alright, that's enough," Zevon said, effectively ending their banter. "Time for me to give my son his birthday present." He passed an envelope over to Zed and smiled.

Zed carefully opened the envelope and removed the card. As he read it, his eyes grew wide. "Seriously?! Like, this is for real?"

"Yeah. You've put in a lot of hard work. It's the least I can do."

"What is it?" Addison asked, trying to look over.

Zed quickly closed the card and looked over to her, poking his tongue out. "You'll see later this week."

"Zed Milo Necrodopolus?! Are you keeping secrets from me?" Addison giggled as she leaned in and started to tickle his ribcage.

"Ahhh! Don't tickle me!" he laughed, swatting her hands away with the card. "I'm not keeping secrets, I'm surprising you. You like those kinds of things, remember?"

She suddenly stopped her tickle attack and crossed her arms. "Fine. But only because I actually do like surprises."

Zed leaned over and planted a loud kiss on her cheek before he got up and hugged his father. "Thank you, Pops. I know just the one too!"

Zevon chuckled as he held him in the hug a moment longer. "I'm sure you do, Son. Happy Birthday."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am so sorry I didn't post this last week! Thank you all so much for your understanding. This time of year is crazy busy for me and I'm being pulled in a hundred different directions at the moment. So, I apologize in advance if I have to skip one of the two weekly updates between now and Christmas. With that being said, I am currently working on Thursday's update. I am REALLY hoping to post then. I hope you all enjoyed the first part of Zed's birthday celebration! Please leave a review and let me know!