"Seriously Dale call the Z-Patrol there's a zombie in this house!" Walter was still shouting before he noticed them, and began glaring in a mixture of anger and fear at Zed's appearance.
"Everyone, meet Zed, my boyfriend." Addison said proudly, she couldn't help smiling every time she said that word.
"Hello." Zed gave a small wave, but most of Addison's family flinched away from the movement.
"You monster, get away from us and get away from my granddaughter. Go back to where you came from." Walter shouted.
"No, Zed is just as welcome in this house as the rest of you. He's here so you can get to know him and enjoy some pie." Addison tried to be sound cheerful.
"Zombies belong behind the barrier, and from what we've heard, he should be locked up in containment forever!" Barbara shouted.
"Zed hasn't done anything wrong."
"He almost ate Bucky, and he convinced you to reveal your differences with whatever zombie voodoo to ruin our family's reputation." Barbara said.
Zed spoke up, "I told her she doesn't need to hide who she is, and she should be herself, for her sake, not to ruin her reputation, and, while maybe at first people at Seabrook were acting just like you, by now no one cares about her beautiful hair. For one thing, she wasn't just made captain of the cheer squad, she was chosen because she is an amazing cheerleader and an even better leader."
"Wow, he can speak English?" Barbara said in contempt.
"Of course he can, there's nothing stopping him from speaking English just like anyone else. Have any of you actually been near a zombie ever?"
"Of course I have and I paid for it the hard way that monster bit my ear off."
"I know that Grandpa, but have you ever talked to a zombie since the Z-bands were made? They are just like everyone else. Sure they look different, but different isn't bad."
"I promise, now I'll just talk your ear off."
"Of course it's bad, just look at you."
"That's enough." Zed shouted, "Say what you like about me, I've heard it a thousand times before, but you all need to stop bullying Addison for something she has no control over. Is she different? Yes. Is it bad in any way? Absolutely not. Addison is perfect just the way she is from her head to her toes. Addison is the most amazing person I have ever met, and I will do anything for her. Even if being different in Seabrook was seen as wrong in the past. Because everyone thought different meant zombie. In Zombietown, we embrace our differences, we let our freak flags fly. And Addison is not a freak, and I am not a monster. You are all monsters for telling her, her entire life that she was less than everyone else for being herself. That she should be ashamed and had to hide. Call me a disgusting monster but look in the mirror. Another saying we have in Zombietown, sometimes humans are the real monsters. Unfortunately, I think you've proven that's a true statement of fact."
"And if you seriously get to know Zed, he is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet, you should just see him with his sister Zoey, let us show you that zombies aren't monsters." Addison tried to keep up her calm façade.
"Missy, Dale, are you really not going to kick that thing out of your house?" Barbara asked.
"Yes, Zed is welcome at our table, how about we go back to eating before everything gets cold?" Missy suggested.
This time it ended up being Zed sitting next to Bucky since he was the only person that didn't completely flinch away as Zed brought in one more chair to sit at the table. Addison on his other side.
"Zed what would you like?" Missy asked him.
"Let me guess, us?" Walter said bitterly.
"Oh, I've already eaten plenty at home, but I would be happy to have some pie."
"Sure, dear." Missy said serving him a piece.
Zed tried to act his best, he could feel everyone's eyes on the table focused on him and Addison, so tried to act how he figured they would expect someone Seabrook perfect to act. Unfortunately, he and Addison were still holding hands under the table, so he had to try to use his fork in his left hand, with some minor clumsiness. Not that he would give up his grip on her hand for anything.
"Look at him, he can barely even eat properly, is this the first time you've used silverware brainless?" Walter asked.
"Stop insulting Zed Grandpa, of course he has." Addison glared at him.
"Why? Have you been training him to act normal or something? Because if so, you've done a remarkable job." Barbara suggested.
"He was taught great manners by his dad, Zed is always a gentleman, Zed's family is no different than ours."
"So, Zed, how did you make the football team?" Rachel asked.
"I tried out the first day of school this year, but couldn't join because zombies weren't allowed yet, but I impressed the coach a few days later and he let me join the team, and not to brag but I then helped lead us to victory for Seabrook, and zombies."
"And how did you two meet?"
"We met at school, and Zed saved me from falling at a pep rally, one thing led to another, and we couldn't ignore the pull we had for each other and we started dating."
"And you were alright with a monster dating your daughter Dale?" Walter asked.
"I was surprised and angry at first, but I have seen proof that I don't have to worry about him hurting her because he's a zombie. And have I also seen evidence that they have such a strong connection that Zed himself would never intentionally do anything to hurt Addison. I trust him just as much as any other teenage boy, so not much," Dale joked, "but I do trust him."
Zed almost choked on his pie when Dale said he trusted him, he had assumed he was still on the thinnest of ice with Addison's parents, even if they were both working to change things for zombies in general, he had assumed they were still leery of him. "Thank you, Mr. Wells."
"Of course, Zed."
Zed felt Addison give him a small squeeze and when he looked over, while her face was still down, she could see her eyes shining in happiness for him.
The conversation continued to flow in spurts, unfortunately, Zed and Addison remained the center of attention, but most of the younger cousins and a few of Addison's aunts and uncles gradually lost their hostility. The same couldn't be true for Bucky's mom, or Addison's grandparents, almost every time they spoke up included some insult against zombies or being different. Though often now, they were mostly ignored or just left in silence and the conversation would awkwardly resume.
Soon Thanksgiving dinner was over and most of the family migrated to the living room to watch football. Most of the guys in Addison's family were as die-hard football fans as Zed and Dale and they all engaged in much more lively conversation, both about the game on TV and old high school games that only they remembered. Zed even contributed his own tales of football glory. And due to limited seating, Addison didn't pause for a moment before happily sitting in Zed's lap and letting his arms snake around her. That did earn them some looks, including one from Dale that made Zed shiver, but after a few lighthearted jokes everyone shrugged it off.
Soon most of the family left to spend the night at Bucky's house, leaving just Zed, Addison, her parents, and grandparents. They had continued their hostility to Zed, but had eventually resorted to just loudly muttering between themselves since Zed had somehow managed to win over most of Addison's family with his quick wit and charming smile, even if none of them wanted to shake his hand or anything when they said goodbye. He just told himself baby steps were still progress.
Eventually, it started to get dark out and after one more football game ended. Dale asked, "Hey Zed, it's getting pretty late, do want a ride home?"
"Actually, Mr. Wells could I talk to you in the kitchen?"
"Sure Zed." Dale said confused.
They both got up and walked into the kitchen where Missy was just finishing the last of the cleaning after she had kicked everyone out to clean everything perfectly to her standards. For almost the first time all day, Zed let go of Addison's hand, but he whispered in her ear, "I'll be right back."
"What is it Zed, what do you want to talk to us about?" Dale asked.
"I know you're probably going to say no, but just hear me out. Can I stay here tonight? It's not the usual I don't want to be away from Addison, or I want to be near her or anything like that. I need to be here to keep her safe, I promise I won't go to her room or anything, I'll stay on the couch all night I swear. But I need to be here to protect her."
"Zed you don't need to protect her from anything." Missy tried to lightly chuckle.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Wells, but I know I do. All day Walter and Barbara haven't said a single positive thing to Addison, and if they're alone with her, I don't think she'll be safe here."
"Don't be ridiculous Zed, things got a little intense today, but Addison is alright now."
"Do you know why I came here today? It's because I got a call from her, and all she could choke out between her sobs was Zed I need you. That was all I needed to hear, and I was running out the door so fast, my dad had no clue what was going on. The reason I was more zombie than usual was because of my worry for Addison. When I got to her room, she was telling herself she was a freak, and for the first time ever since the homecoming game, she didn't let me touch her hair. She is still hurting inside from all the years you spent telling her she needs to hide, and I don't care if you're her parents, and Mr. Wells I know you said you trust me today, but for now I don't think I can trust you to protect Addison, so I have to do it. I need to be here for her."
"Zed, I know you only want what's best for Addison just as much as we do, but I also know my parents and they will be even worse to you and Addison if you tried to stay here while they're in the house." Missy tried to placate him.
"Pardon my language but I couldn't give a gram argh what they think right now. Addison is the only thing that matters to me. And if we're together we'll be stronger."
"I'm sorry Zed, but I should really be taking you home, I think my in-laws have had enough of zombies for one day. I think it will be better for everyone if you leave, but feel free to come back tomorrow morning if you feel the need. You can go say goodbye to Addison now." Dale started walking out to the front door.
"But Mr. Wells-"
All three stopped in their tracks as they passed the living room.
"You should be covering up your freakish ugly hair, no one will love a freak like you!"
"That isn't true." Addison was whimpering, "Zed loves me and tells me that every chance he gets."
"He's a brainless monster, he doesn't know what love is!"
"No, he isn't. And of course, he does."
"You're right it's probably part of some twisted plan of his to make you show your freakishness so that only he would dare go near you and you'd have no choice but to seek comfort in him. You can't trust him. He's just as much as a freak of nature as you are!" Walter was shouting.
Zed was straining against himself to show them what a zombie could really do to protect Addison, when he felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Dale holding him back. "Wait Zed."
"Mom, Dad!" Missy yelled at them marching into the room, "Why are you yelling at Addison?"
"She obviously doesn't listen to you anymore, we're just trying to put some sense back into her or break that hideous dead-eyed freak's spell he has her under." Barbara told her.
"That's enough, they're right, both of you are acting like monsters. Addison is a part of this family, and she deserves to make her own choices."
"But this family hates zombies, she can't love one, and this family is perfect, which she obviously isn't. If she wants to trample on everything, we've taught her and ruin our family's reputation she doesn't deserve to be part of this family!" Walter shouted back.
Missy's voice hardened. "No. Mom, Dad, because your family and it's Thanksgiving, you can still stay here tonight, but you will be leaving bright and early tomorrow. And Zed, we would love to have you spend the night."
"Missy, what are you doing?" Barbara was shocked.
"Zed is right, right now I trust him to keep Addison safe and happy much more than I trust you two. So, Zed can stay here in the living room to make sure nothing else happens tonight."
"What if he gets hungry in the middle of the night?"
"Then I'm sure he'll enjoy some leftover pie in the kitchen, he is no danger to you, and trust us, if you want to get off his bad side stop berating Addison, she is our daughter, and we love her. In spite of her differences, we do still love her. And we know Zed loves her just as much as we do."
While this exchange was going on, Zed calmed down but was still itching to cross the distance and throw himself in front of Addison to keep her safe.
Still grumbling and with belligerent glares on their faces, Barbara and Walter walked off to the guest room and pointedly slammed and locked the door.
Once they were gone, Addison and Zed ran together to meet in the middle of the room where Addison melted into Zed's arms once again. Hiding her face in his chest and letting out a few muffled sobs, her shoulders shaking in her relief that Zed was there.
"Addison, Honey we're sorry we weren't defending you today, we expected the arguments but thought they would pass like they did for us, but I guess we forgot how hard we were to convince." Missy tried to console her.
"Thank you, Mom and Dad, for letting Zed stay. Addison said muffled by Zed's chest. "Can we have some time alone? Please."
"Take all the time you need dear. Zed I'll grab you some blankets, and do you need clothes to change into?" Missy asked.
"I…uh Addison has some of my stuff here, for her, not me, but I can wear it."
"Alright you two have a good night, but Zed stays down here, and Addison stays upstairs." Dale warned them.
"Yes Mr. Wells, I won't cause any more problems tonight."
Both Missy and Dale went upstairs, and Zed whispered to Addison, "I know you're not OK right now, but will you be? What can I do for you?"
"Just keep holding me. I'm trying not to let them bother me but it's hard. I am so thankful you're still here."
"As much as I want to, I think we really do need to behave tonight, but if you need me, call me and I'll sleep beside you all night to keep you safe."
"I know you would, and I know you're right. The important thing is that everyone will be gone tomorrow, and we can get back to our normal lives with the people that really love us."
"Yeah, I promise you, you can get through this and you will be so much stronger. You know I love you, always."
"I love you too, always."
"I'll be right back with your clothes."
"About time you returned them."
"I expect them back, especially since they'll be refreshed and smelling like you again."
"Your wish is my command, my beautiful lady."
"Thank you, my handsome prince. Um, are you OK with everything they were saying about you today?"
"Unfortunately, I've heard it all before, but I would still be here for you because you need me. It takes more than two geriatric zombiephobes to scare me."
"They would either hate you even more for calling them that or impressed that you know the word geriatric."
"As long as you're happy."
"You will always make me happy. Goodnight Zed."
"Goodnight Addison."
While both still felt the need to be close to the other, they knew they couldn't sleep together this time. Zed just stared at the ceiling for a long time before finally drifting off, trying to think of a plan that would restore Addison's confidence.
Addison also lay awake in her bed, trying, but mostly failing, to control her thoughts and keep them away from the old insecurities her grandparents had ripped wide open. She fought to keep herself from crying because she knew Zed would hear her and nothing would stop him from coming up. She did not want to risk her parents blowing up again too. Addison was just lying awake for hours, wanting nothing more than for sleep to take her pain away for even a brief respite, but it continued to elude her until she finally drifted off hours later from pure exhaustion.
The next morning Zed was the first one up, but he just stayed sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone, waiting for someone else to wake up, hopefully, Addison, so he just checked his phone and while he had called Pops late last night to tell him what was going on, he now texted Eliza and Bonzo to update them.
Dale walked down the stairs first and when he saw Zed, said, "Good morning, did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Mr. Wells I did. Down here, I promise."
"I know. How about we talk in the kitchen so I can make some coffee."
"OK."
They walked in and Dale set a pot brewing.
"Zed, Missy, and I were talking last night, and we realized with everything going on the past few months we've forgotten about something important."
"What is it?"
"When we were still grounding Addison over you and taking off her wig, we were equally strong in trying to force her to accept our rules on both fronts. And we probably said a lot of things we shouldn't have said during that time. I know we apologized to you for our zombiephobia as you say. But with her hair, we only ever told Addison that there was no point in her hiding it again after she'd made sure everyone saw it out in public already. I'm sure we also called her freak too, and not to mention all the years we spent telling her she had to hide."
"I don't know what to say to you Mr. Wells, but you're right. Yesterday, it was mostly her grandparents, but they were only dragging up old wounds that you and Mrs. Wells put in place. One of the things that hurt her most was when you sounded like you had just given up on trying to hide Addison, but that you still wished she had followed your rules. That's why I refused to leave her alone with no one that I knew loved her unconditionally and never once thought being different was bad."
"I know Zed, so when she wakes up, and hopefully after Walter and Barbara are gone, we will be having a family meeting, that you are welcome to stay for to lend your support."
"Thank you sir."
"I know it takes guts to stand up to your girlfriend's parents, heck Walter and Barbara still make me nervous sometimes, but I'm glad to see you've only stood up to me for the right reasons, only when Addison needed you. So, Zed, you can feel free to call us Missy and Dale, and you don't need all this sir nonsense. Plus, from the Containment incident a few weeks ago, I know you and Addison aren't going to end anytime soon. Even though I still don't want you near her without a Z-band."
"Hopefully forever." Zed whispered before he realized what he said, "I uh mean thank you Mr.- Dale, Dale. Thank you Dale."
"No problem, how about you go upstairs and wait for Addison to wake up, you sitting by her door will probably keep those two away from her if they want to try anything, plus keep you out of their line of fire down here."
"So, what are you going to do with them today?"
"The same thing you've been doing, standing up for Addison, and if they can't accept that she's changed, we've changed, and Seabrook's changed, then they won't be able to bother her again."
"Thank you, Dale, I'm glad to know we're on a united front for once."
"Yeah, it's nice isn't it?" Dale joked. "Now go up and wait for her, I know you want to."
Zed walked quietly up the stairs and sat and waited. At one point Missy stepped over his legs and said good morning before heading downstairs. He also heard when Walter and Barbara left their room, the first thing they demanded to know was where he was. And Dale answered simply "upstairs."
Zed could hear their entire conversation, especially Walter and Barbara's loud disbelieving exclamations that they were choosing monsters and freaks over their family. Missy just told them, "You will not be seeing Addison ever again unless you choose to change your ways." Finally, they stormed out saying they were headed over to Bucky's house where their real family was.
Zed felt much calmer for the first time since he arrived yesterday once they were gone, and he was perfectly content waiting for his sleeping beauty to wake up. After about another hour he could hear soft footsteps padding around her room. Zed quickly stood up, gently knocked on the door, and whispered. "Addison it's me."
Addison ran to the door and pulled him inside before closing it again and pressing herself against him in delight. "I'm so glad you're here, I almost thought it was a dream that you were downstairs."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Honestly no, I'm pretty sure I only fell asleep at like 3 am."
"Do you want to go back to sleep?"
"No, I'm nervous though, are they still here?"
"No, your parents kicked them out, I heard everything, they won't be allowed near you until they realize how much they hurt you and are ready to apologize."
"So, is it just us?"
"Your mom and dad are still here, and whenever you're ready they want to talk to you."
"About what?" Addison asked quietly her face falling.
"They finally realized just how damaging the whole wig thing was for you, and honestly I did too. I knew they scared you into thinking being different was bad but I never thought your family would treat you like that. None of them deserve you if they can't accept you. And as for your parents that while they did officially accept us, they never apologized for how they treated you all these years. They just want a chance to talk to you, and hopefully start to make amends."
"OK, but you're still staying right?"
"Right by your side. I know I said I didn't trust you to be alone last night, but I think things will be a lot better today."
"Do you think I can trust them though, I mean, so now they finally see how much I'm hurting inside, but would that really make them change their minds about everything?"
"I think so, your dad even told me that he respects me more now, because fighting against your girlfriend's family is the bravest thing a guy can do. And he thanked me for being here for you."
"OK, now you go out and I'll freshen up quick and then we can have our talk."
Zed happily obliged but still stood just outside her door, on silent guard. After a few minutes, Addison stepped back out and they descended the stairs together and met Missy and Dale in the living room, sitting down on the couch across from them.
Missy began, "Addison we want to apologize for how we've treated you all these years. We shouldn't have forced you to hide your hair like we did. While we had good intentions, even telling ourselves it was for your own good. But that quickly turned sour the moment we started belittling you for it. We should have never acted like there was something wrong with you."
Dale continued, "We, unfortunately, saw for ourselves yesterday what we must have seemed like all these years to you. Constantly putting you down if you even mentioned anything about your hair or your wig. Telling you the most important thing about you was that you keep yourself hidden. We thought it would help keep you happy, but we see we were only hurting you."
"Can you ever forgive us Addison?" Missy asked.
"I don't know, I want to, but I don't know if I can yet. Yesterday is still too…" Addison was choked up and at a loss for words for a moment. "Recent, and if we're being honest it did hurt, if I ever thought about it too much, it would be the only thing I could think about, that no one can ever know the real me, and if they do, they'll hate me. I always told myself you love me and only want what's best for me, but there was also a voice in the back of my head whispering that you don't love me either." A tear started to streak down Addison's cheek. "The first day of school, you told me that the only way I could be successful on the cheer squad was to keep my wig on. Then everything with Zed started, and I told him about my hair the second day we met, and like our third conversation. Because something about him made me feel safe and I couldn't lie to him when he said I was perfect. Because you always told me I wasn't. Then Bucky threatened to expose my secret to keep me inline and away from Zed and the zombies. And at the Zombie Mash, we were about to kiss, when Zed pulled out a strand of my real hair and that scared me so much until he told me, for the first time ever, that…"
"It's beautiful, you're beautiful."
"Yeah that, and then everything since the homecoming game, and I was sure you didn't care about me at all, only your reputation. You eventually told me you gave up on the wig because it's useless to hide again now, and while I am beyond elated that you finally accepted Zed, I feel like you never really accepted me. So, I don't know if I can forgive you yet."
"We promise Addison, we do love you, please never doubt that, and we promise that we do accept you, we understand now that you aren't flawed. You are different, and different isn't inherently bad." Dale said.
"We should have had this conversation a lot sooner, how long have you felt like this?" Missy asked.
"I think since I was really young when I showed Bucky the first time when we were five and playing at Grandma's house and then they and later you completely freaked out, that was the first time anyone explicitly said that there was something wrong with me. Before then I thought everyone had to wear wigs like mine just like people wear clothes. And I believed I was a freak ever since. Plus, that fitting in with everyone else and being the samest person ever was the most important thing that I had to do."
"I think we can accept that it will take time for you to truly believe us but please know that we love you Addison, inside and out. You are a smart, talented, beautiful young woman, and I can tell a natural leader. You make us proud every day." Missy said.
"Thank you, Mom."
"We do love you Addison, and if there are ever moments where you feel like we don't, please tell us. We will always be willing to talk about anything you want."
"Thank you, Dad."
"And we do promise if anyone tells you otherwise, even if they're family, let us know and we promise you won't be dealing with their vitriol, it's our job as parents to protect you and we definitely failed at that yesterday, I was surprised when Zed showed up so fast, but now looking back I can see I should have expected that to happen from the beginning. Zed I am glad to know you will always be ready to protect her, even better than we can in some cases." Dale revealed.
"Also, Addison, you won't be seeing Grandpa Walter and Grandma Barbara anytime soon. We told them until they can accept your decisions, they aren't allowed anywhere near you." Missy promised.
"Thanks, Mom, but did you really say that to your parents?"
"I did, and don't blame yourself, seems they hate pretty much all of us anyway since we're all insane for trusting those 'monsters' No offense Zed."
"Non taken Missy."
Missy continued, "And Addison, that isn't your fault either, you showed us the error of our ways, they are stuck in the old way of thinking we used to have, they don't want to see the world change, but it's already changing, and thanks to you two, I don't expect it to stop anytime soon. We haven't spoken with anyone else since yesterday, but if any of them have a problem with you, then they have a problem with us and will be in the same boat as my parents."
"Thank you, Mom, I know how hard it can be to go against your parents, so thank you for standing up for me and we can all be on the same team." Addison said, standing up to hug her mom. Dale soon joined in, and Zed was still sitting on the couch, smiling at the sight.
"Come on Zed, you can join in too." Dale called to him.
So, with a wider grin on his face, Zed happily joined the group hug, all of them surrounding Addison in the center. They pulled apart and Addison led Zed into the kitchen to grab some breakfast. After yesterday of hardly eating anything, Addison was starving now that her nerves were relieved. They ate a few bowls of cereal together and tried to keep the conversation to lighter topics.
"I should probably head back home soon and check-in with Pops, but only if you're good."
"Yes, I know, he's probably worried about you. Go I'll be fine."
"Trust me, he's just as worried about you, I gave him a rough explanation last night, so he knows some of what's going on, but I won't tell him anything other than you're doing better if you don't want me too."
"It's alright I trust you, and Zevon, I never worried about what he thought of my differences since the first time I met him. He accepted me immediately, I'm pretty sure the only ones faster were you, Bree, and Zoey."
"OK, Let me know if you need anything."
"I will, and you'll let me know if you need anything too. Even if you heard it all before, yesterday had to be terrible for you too."
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt a little, but I will be fine. We will both make it through this, stronger than before."
"I know we will. Because we have each other."
"And nothing can stop us, as long as we're together."