Two days after school let out for the summer, it was Friday, and with that day came a very important announcement. Zed was woken up bright and early though by Zoey knocking on his door while giggling excitedly.
Zed opened his eyes groggily, he had been planning to sleep in while he could before he had to start summer workouts next week, but it seemed Zoey must have other ideas, along with… Zed strained his ears to hear behind the door while he got himself up and out of bed, he could have sworn Zoey was whispering with… but it couldn't be, could it?
After about a third round of knocking Zed finally opened the door, and to his surprise, Zoey wasn't alone. "Addison, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to surprise you! Happy Birthday Zed!" Addison and Zoey both cheered and then jumped up into his arms to surround him in matching hugs.
"Thank you so much, both of you, but seriously what are you doing here?" Zed glanced at his alarm clock, "and at 7:30 in the morning?"
"I knew you weren't coming to walk me to school since we don't have school right now, but I want to spend as much of today doing whatever you want as possible. Even though we do have the City Council meeting to go to this morning, but after that's done, we'll do whatever you want."
"All I want is to spend the day with my two favorite cheerleaders!" Zed grabbed both of them around the waist and lifted them both up once again in a massive group hug.
"Zed! You're squeezing too hard!"
"Sorry Zoey, guess I'm zombie strong!"
"Happy Birthday though, I can't wait to give you your present!"
"And I can't wait to open it up." Zed smiled at her after he let both girls free. "Are you going to give me any hints?"
"Nope!" Zoey turned around and ran downstairs at exactly the same moment Zed tried to grab her again, laughing all the way.
"She knows you too well."
"You got that right. Plus I think all her cheer practice is making her even more agile than me."
"So what do you want to do today?"
"I don't know, but since you woke me up, you might as well have breakfast with me."
"I'd be happy too. Speaking of food though, everyone's planning to go out for lunch after the meeting, and then we'll have the afternoon to do whatever you want."
"Is that so?"
"You're the birthday boy, sixteen years old. Are you going to get your license?"
"License? For what?"
"For driving?" Addison laughed at his confused expression.
"Um, zombies can't drive, plus have you ever seen a working car in Zombietown that wasn't part of the Z-patrol?"
"Oh, I guess not. I'm sorry."
"It's totally fine, We're getting the most important things out of the way first. Don't worry I'm sure I'll get a license eventually, how hard can it be?"
"Well, just to warn you, you will have to take a test first."
"No big deal, it will be just like the necklaces. Do you have yours?"
"No, I'm still fifteen for another month, but I have my learner's permit."
"Why don't you ever drive?"
"Everything in Seabrook is close enough that we can always walk just about anywhere, plus I don't have a car either, and obviously my parents have to be with me."
"Makes sense I guess, but if we ever do get to drive, we won't be able to walk to school every day next year."
"Maybe not, but I'm sure we'll make up for it somehow." Addison smiled.
They sat down in the kitchen, Zoey was already seated at the table and Zevon quickly set a plate stacked high with golden brown pancakes in front of Zed with an unlit candle on top. "Happy Birthday Zed!"
"Thanks Pops, these pancakes look delicious."
"I knew you wouldn't be wanting any of my caulibrains today. So consider that my first gift." Zevon smiled. "Sixteen years, I can't believe it. Just yesterday you were barely knee high and now I have to crane my neck to look up at you." Zevon reached out and ruffled Zed's hair.
"I know how you feel Zevon." Addison laughed.
"Pops, you don't need to get all sappy, and today's a big day not just for me remember? Are you all ready for the meeting?"
"You bet I am. A little nervous about how the humans will react, but I can't wait to see the smiles on everyone's faces. Today will change everything Zed, and its thanks to all of you guys."
"What's the meeting about?"
"You'll see Zoey." Zed promised evasively.
"Can you at least make your wish?"
"Sure." Zed pretended to blow out the unlit candle while Zoey cheered him on. Addison just laughed at the sight.
"So what did you wish for?" Zoey asked excitedly.
"I can't tell you, then it won't come true silly."
"Alright." Zoey turned her attention back to her plate.
"Addison, do you want pancakes too? I've made plenty." Zevon offered her.
"Thank you, Zevon, I'd love some."
So they all ate breakfast happily together and then after Zevon and Zoey both left the room for a moment and came back each holding a gift wrapped in shiny green paper.
"Happy birthday Zed! Open mine first!" Zoey demanded.
"Ok, ok, Zoe." Zed shot Addison a devious grin and slowly, gently began unwrapping the gift, not even tearing the paper.
"Come on Zed, just open it already!" Zoey started jumping down from her anticipation and annoyance.
"What's the magic word?"
"Pretty please with brains on top."
"Actually the magic word was abracadabra, but I'll accept your please because you're the best little sister ever." Zed then tore half the paper off with one swift jerk of his arm, revealing the box hidden beneath. One more rip and all the paper was removed and Zed looked into the box.
"Oh wow Zoey. Thank you so much!" Zed smiled at her and pulled out a large, green, insulated water bottle. Plus it was already labeled with a large silver Z sticker on one side with a Mighty Shrimp on the other.
"I came up with the idea, so you don't get too hot working and going to practices this summer."
"I'm sure I'll use it every day. Hydrate or die-drate after all." Zed promised her. "I'll probably be out in the sun more than I ever have been. Who knows maybe I'll finally get a tan."
"Somehow I doubt that." Addison laughed.
"Thank you Zoey. This is really great."
"There's something else in there too." Zoey pointed out.
Zed glanced in the box again, but it was empty, but then he shook his water bottle and heard something bouncing around inside. He popped the lid off and dumped the contents of the bottle out on the table. It was a homemade coupon book, that could be used for lots of things, like unlimited free hugs, one day of total Zoey time, one night of helping out with chores, or a movie night with Zoey.
"Thanks, Zoey, I love this even more. You're so thoughtful at giving gifts."
"You're welcome Zed, now you should open Daddy's!"
"OK, hold your horses Zoey." Zevon smiled at her and handed his gift over to Zed. This box was much smaller and lighter than Zoey's, and this time, Zed knew he wouldn't get away with wasting time anyhow. So, he quickly tore through the paper and opened the box. Inside was a new black leather wallet filled with many of the same gift cards to local restaurants that Zed had gotten for Christmas, which was a good thing since he and Addison had already used up most of them.
"Thanks, Pops. We both loved your Christmas gift so much, now we have more excuses for date nights."
"Yes, because we really needed excuses to go out together." Addison smiled at him.
"That's not all son. There's a reason I got you a new wallet you know."
"Why?"
"Well, beyond what today's meeting is going to be about, I already had my own idea to implement when I found out I was going to be on the city council. I've been talking with Dale and Missy and over this summer we'll get rid of all the travel and the driving restrictions. So, hopefully, Zed, now that you're sixteen, you'll get to be one of the first zombies with a driver's license."
"You really mean it Pops?"
"I do, trust me I can't wait to get behind the wheel for the first time either. Just don't expect a new car, I expect you to work for something like that."
"I completely understand Pops, thanks so much."
"I just hope this day keeps getting better and better," Zevon replied back.
"I don't know how it could."
"I'm sure you'll see," Zevon said, smiling to himself when Zoey grabbed Zed and Addison's attention once more.
They finished eating a delicious breakfast together before Zevon headed back upstairs to his room to change into his best suit for the city council meeting, it was a bit old and dark gray but Zoey, Zed, and Addison all reassured him that he looked great. The three in the know were nervously excited for the meeting as they walked to City Hall together, while Zoey asked them a million questions about why they had to go on such an important day as Zed's birthday, but they were still tight-lipped not spilling any secrets.
Most of the town's population, humans, zombies, and werewolves were all gathered together to hear what their leaders had to say.
Zed and the rest of his friends were all seated in the front row, they all had a part to play today as well, mostly to show everyone that their plan will work, and most likely answer all the crowd's questions. Zoey was also sitting with them, along with her wolf friend Willow, even after only missing each other for a day of no school they were already excitedly catching up with each other while the rest of the crowd took their seats.
When it was time to begin, Missy walked up to the podium front and center and banged her gavel to call the meeting to order. "Thank you everyone for coming today. We have some very important news to share that will be affecting all of Seabrook, and like many of the changes we have made in the last year, we all hope it will be for the better. So without further ado, I'll allow Councilman Zevon Necrodopolis to step forward. Zevon?"
Zevon calmly walked up to the podium. "Thank you, Mayor Wells. Now before I begin, I just want to thank all my friends and neighbors that have put their trust in me to help lead our town. I promise everything I do will be done in the best interests and safety of both Zombietown and Seabrook as a whole. Because I know, just as many of you know that we are all stronger together when we are united. Now, I will just say, I would appreciate it if you save all questions until after I finish explaining the whole proposal. I will be the first to admit it sounds more than a little crazy, but I have been shown clear and sufficient evidence that it will work for all of us."
"Many of you who know them won't be surprised, but this is Zed, Bonzo, and Eliza's idea. Please remember that they have already won the support of both the Z-Patrol and the rest of this council. So now we want to share it with everyone and hopefully, start to implement it as soon as possible. Enough of my rambling though, the newest change we want to make is to replace our Z-bands with moonstones from our new werewolf friends and neighbors."
This announcement of course earned an uproar from the crowd, both humans and zombies alike bursting with questions. After calm and order were restored. Zevon explained many of the details but invited Zed, Bonzo, and Eliza to fill in any missing points. After that was finished, most of the crowd was still filled with questions that the rest of the city council and the teens happily answered as best as they could.
When the questions had started to die down, at this point most of the zombies looked super excited and were whispering between themselves, while the humans spread around the seats had a full spectrum of emotions from nervousness to happiness and excitement for their zombie friends and coworkers.
Now Dale stood up. "Now I will remind everyone again, as Chief of the Z-Patrol, I fully support this initiative, and all of our top doctors and scientists agree that the moonstones will keep the zombies safe and healthy, and keep humans safe as well. We will no longer have any reason to fear our neighbors on the other side of the tracks. And to prove the trust we all have in this program, Zed, Bonzo, and Eliza, please stand up again."
The three stood up again and walked to the front of the meeting room, standing tall proudly and looking out at the crowd.
"These three as we've told you came up with this plan and offered themselves to be studied and from everything we have seen from them, we know they are ready to take their Z-bands off and live their lives like they were always meant to."
Dale took out a key and unlocked and removed each of their bands. Hopefully for the last time ever. Not that he needed to do that, but he told Eliza it would look better for everyone if he unlocked it rather than her just shutting them off. Even though hers had once again secretly been offline the entire meeting.
Zed could see the emerald glow coming from their necklaces and heard the awes from the crowd. He felt his zombie rise to the surface, but by now, they were old friends that welcomed each other gladly. He could sense the crowd's emotions from hearing all their heartbeats. Most pounding hard in either fear or excitement, but he had no problems, he wasn't hungry or anything. And of course, he was even better when he locked onto Addison's heartbeat where she was sitting in the front row beaming at him with total pride on her face.
"You see?" Eliza spread her arms wide. "We are just the same as we always are, but even better on the inside. Trust me on this. The moonstones make us feel better than any of us have ever felt before. We can connect with our inner zombies, but we don't have any hunger, or anger or fear. We all feel exactly the same as we always do, just more us, more right. None of us have anything to fear now."
Many of the zombies in the crowd started clapping and cheering in awe, and eventually, most of the humans in attendance joined in the round of applause.
Winona stepped up to the podium now. "We wolves have also decided that to make things easier for everyone, in addition to providing necklaces to our zombie friends, we will also be moving the Moonstone back to Zombietown so that anyone who needs it can make use of its energy, rather than keeping it hidden in our territory. We want to share it with all of our community and keep growing stronger and more united. That will happen this summer while we decide on a place and the proper safety measures needed to keep the stone and everyone safe."
Missy walked back over to the podium and took Winona's place. "Thank you everyone for showing your support. More and more information will be made available in the coming weeks. But the main thing, for now, is starting next week, when zombies go in for their scheduled yearly Z-band checks, if they want to, they can receive a moonstone instead. Keep in mind it is completely voluntary to try a moonstone. If you want to keep your Z-band you can. Eliza Zambie and Wyatt Lykenson will then take you through a training course to help you learn to control yourself with the moonstone. It will take practice to do fully master it, you can ask these three or any of the wolves for more details."
"As we keep learning more we will release frequent updates and guidelines on what this means for all members of the Seabrook community. Also remember that all the council members, and the group of students who jumpstarted this whole plan will be available after we adjourn to speak with you all and answer any more questions you have. And finally, I want to thank the werewolves, for sharing their precious moonstones with us, especially after all our mistakes in the past. This couldn't be happening without them, and so as Mayor of Seabrook, I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I know this program will only make Seabrook safer and happier for everyone. We have no other official business and so this meeting is adjourned." Missy banged her gavel one more time.
The crowd started to disperse but many also lined up to ask the teens and the city council more questions that they had, it took at least another hour until everyone was finally ready to leave but no one minded the wait.
Zoey had listened to everything in awe and excitement the entire time, and now that it was just her friends and family remaining she finally asked the question she had had since her dad began his announcement. "Daddy? I already have a moonstone, so does that mean I can take my Z-band off?"
Zevon glanced over at Dale and Winona who both nodded. "Yes, you can my little zombie angel. Winona here even told me since you've already been wearing your necklace for a few months it's probably already adjusted itself to you. But you don't have to do this right now if you don't want to, and if it doesn't work right away that's perfectly normal. Zed, Bonzo, and Eliza have already had tons of practice, and we'll all help you every step of the way. We want you to be safe more than anything. So do you want to take it off?"
"Yes, Yes I do!" Zoey nodded enthusiastically.
"Zed?" Zevon called out.
Zed walked over and knelt next to Zoey, looking at her right in the eye. "I'm so excited you get to do this too, but listen to me Zoey."
"OK Zed." Zoey nodded.
"When you take off your Z-band at it will feel scary at first when your zombie side rushes to the surface."
"Like at containment for Z-band checks?"
"Yeah, exactly, but that should only last a moment or two. Instead of your zombie instincts taking complete control, it should feel like you can hear your zombie side just like you hear your inner voice like normal. The two halves of you won't have to fight each other, they'll work together and make you better than you've ever been before."
"Like cheerleaders working together as a team?"
"Yes, exactly like cheerleaders." Zed smiled at her. "Also remember your emotions may be stronger and you will have greater powers and senses that can also take some adjustment, just remember that you're safe here with all your friends and family. And if you need to, we can put your Z-band back on at any time.
"Don't worry Zoey. Now you can be like me and all the rest of the wolves!" Willow smiled at her from where she was standing near some of the other wolves.
"OMZ! You're right Willow! You have so many cool powers, I can't wait to see what I can do! OK, Zed. I'm ready." Zoey grabbed onto Zed's hand with her right, and he squeezed it back in reassurance.
"You're going to do great Zoey, if you're anything like your brother you're going to love this!" Addison cheered her on.
Dale walked over to her and slowly knelt down to her level while Zoey held her wrist out to him.
"Gar Gar Gaza Zoey. Just stay calm, I know you're going to do great." Zevon reminded her one last time. Everyone else backed away to give Zoey plenty of space.
Dale inserted the key to unlock the Z-band and took it off before he handed it over to Zed and slowly backed away himself.
Zoey could feel her emotions starting to bubble to the surface, mostly the nervousness and excitement of whether this would work or not. She could feel her muscles tensing as they filled with brand new power, and she could just barely see dark veins crawling up her arms, but a moment later, her moonstone started shining with an emerald light and the dark veins disappeared. It was just like her brother had told her. She could hear her zombie side's thoughts in her head, but they weren't angry or hungry. They were just her. She smiled widely, the only times in her life she had been without a Z-band had always been at Zombie Containment and they always terrified her, but now she felt no fear. She was just Zoey, just like she always was, just even more now.
While she glanced around the room she finally noticed her senses sharpening, smells were more intense, and while Zombies had naturally sharp ears, this was the first time she had ever been able to hear other people's heartbeats. Most beating with nervousness was giving way to happiness seeing that she was obviously doing great. She could tell the difference between the slow, steady hearts of her brother, dad, and other fellow zombies. The powerful heartbeats of the wolves, including Willow's who's, was absolutely racing with excitement, and the loudest, yet steadiest heartbeats of the humans, including Addison's family.
"Zoey, you doing good?" Zed asked, still holding her hand gently, she could tell he was a little nervous, but maintaining his calm.
"Yes, yes yes! Zed this is so amazing! I can hear everyone, and they all sound so beautiful and I feel like I can do anything!" Zoey let go of his hand and started bouncing up and down in excitement. "Is that how you feel too?"
"Exactly how I feel Zoey. I'm so happy for you. You're picking it up even faster than the three of us did. But just to check, you aren't hungry are you?"
"Of course not, we just had breakfast like an hour ago."
"Good. Just checking."
"Awwoo Zoey! That was amazing I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks Willow. What's everything you can do with your moonstone?" Zoey ran over to Willow so they could talk easier.
"It makes us faster, stronger, better senses, heals us, gives us wolf instincts" Willow listed off.
"So can I do all of that?" Zoey turned her head to ask Eliza.
"Yes, you can, but it will take lots of practice. It's ok if you want to try some things, but make sure someone is always with you to make sure you stay safe. I'm sure Willow won't mind helping you out."
"You bet I will. Want to go have a race or something now?"
"Sure! Can I Daddy?"
"Of course, you can Zoey, just be careful and don't go too far. I'm so proud of you, you're handling this like a champion." Zevon smiled down at her with relief and happiness shining in his eyes.
"Not just a champion, a champion cheerleader. From what I've seen from Zed, try to focus on your endless happiness and cheeriness, and I know you'll be completely fine."
"Thank you, Addison, Willow let's go!"
"Right behind you Zoey!" Willow and Zoey both ran out the door.
"I wonder why Zoey adjusted so well, she got everything under control in seconds, all of us needed at least a minute or two, especially the first time." Eliza wondered aloud.
"Maybe it's because she's been wearing her moonstone just as long as the rest of you. Even if the Z-band was blocking it, it was still there getting used to her body and vice versa. Or it could be because she's so young." Wyatt suggested.
"I guess that would make sense, all of us have had fifteen to sixteen years of trapping our zombies while she only had six, so maybe she's naturally not as aggressive yet. Although that means we should be getting the little kids' necklaces as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get so much done this summer, we'll put the Z-patrol out of business."
"Wouldn't that be something, just don't tell Mr. Wells that since he is sort of our boss now. I still can't believe we'll start working for the Z-Patrol next week."
"You and me both, if you had told me I would be doing any of this six months ago, I would have laughed at you, thinking you were moon blinked."
"Moon blinked?"
"Uh, it means out of your mind. There's this legend about why owls don't sleep at night that we have."
"Sounds interesting, you'll have to tell me sometime this summer."
"Don't worry I will. And we have all summer for you to tell me all your zombie stories and I'll tell you all my wolf stories."
"With all the time we're spending together I hope you don't get sick of me." Eliza joked.
"That would never happen, and I think we both know the question will be whether you get sick of me."
"Probably, but I think neither of us will have to worry too much as long as you, and the rest of the Z-Patrol can follow my orders."
"I have no problem with that, as for the Z-Patrol, who knows? You're a natural alpha."
Willow and Zoey ran back inside a few minutes later and both were still smiling with the biggest grins on their faces and laughing together. Seeing that as a good sign, Zed turned to his dad.
"So Pops, is it your turn now?" Zed once again brought the wooden box holding a necklace out of his pocket.
"No, not right now Zed." But Zevon did take the box from him and stuck it in his own pocket. "I would feel better for me, and everyone else if I did it at Containment. I'll be Eliza's first student on Monday."
"I can't wait Zevon." Eliza smiled back.
So now that Zoey was still completely fine, everyone remaining started heading out the doors. Zoey and Willow were headed back to Zombietown with Zevon for a playdate while all the teens walked to downtown Seabrook to grab a bite to eat and celebrate Zed's birthday.
At the restaurant they had their own private room to celebrate in, so they were all as loud and rambunctious as they wanted to be. They still talked about all their upcoming summer plans, but there was also lots of lighthearted teasing in Zed's honor. It almost seemed like Bonzo, Zed, and Eliza were trying to each tell the most embarrassing story the other two had been in over the years. Eliza won with a tale that left both Zed and Bonzo the closest to blushing they could get while everyone else was all but dying from laughter.
For dessert, everyone got a brownie and ice cream that they sang happy birthday to Zed over, even if he still didn't have any candles. Zed just thanked them all and they dug in some more.
After they were done eating and paid their bill, to Zed's surprise, everyone else revealed giftbags they had hidden beneath the table.
"Really guys, you didn't need to get me anything. Being here with you all is the only gift I need."
"So, you want us to take these back?" Eliza asked him.
"Well, if you already went through all the trouble…" Zed grinned back.
'This is from all of us wolves." Willa pushed a purple gift bag over to Zed's reach.
Zed pulled out all the gift paper and then reached in and felt something…furry. He glanced back down nervously at just what he was holding, but his wariness disappeared when he finally pulled it out to reveal a brown leather jacket lined with dark grey and black fur on the inside.
"We know your moonstones help you deal with the cold now, but we thought you could still use a nice jacket when the weather gets colder again," Wyatt explained.
"Plus it's another sign that you're one of us." Willa promised him.
"Thank you guys this is so cool. While Zombie Chic is obviously the best fashion trend, I wouldn't mind doing it like the werewolves do." Zed grinned back. "Too bad it's summer now, but next winter I'm sure I'll wear this every day." Zed folded the jacket back up and placed it back in the bag.
Next up Bonzo and Bree pushed their pink gift bag over to Zed.
"Cumpleanoz Zedski!"
"Happy Birthday Zed."
"Thanks again Bonzo and Bree." Zed dug through the bundles of tissue paper again to pull reveal a framed photo artfully decorated, and inside was the same picture from sitting proudly on the Prawn Wall of Fame. Plus taped to the back was another gift card, this one to Cheery On Top.
"Thanks so much you guys. Bonzo the frame looks amazing, I can't believe you perfectly matched the colors of my suit and Addison's dress. And thanks for the gift card, but I don't think I can use it this summer. It would break Coach's heart if he saw me get Froyo from there.
"Oh, I think you'll have a reason-" Bree started saying before she cut herself off. Zed glanced between Bree and Addison who were both seated to his left. Addison looked calm, but also like she was hiding something.
"What is it?"
"Oh nothing you need to worry about, I'll tell you later." Addison smiled at him, he could tell she was excited to tell him about something but he could wait.
"Whatever you say Addison."
"Here you go Z."
"Thanks, Eliza." Zed opened the next gift to find "A zombie Zed football T-shirt? He said with incredulous surprise on his face, mostly that Eliza would even look at something like this, much less buy it for his birthday."
"You always talked about them like you loved them so much. So I figured I'd feed your ego a little bit, not that you need it."
"Thanks, Eliza. What all this other stuff in here?" Zed was pulling out flyers and buttons and more out of the bag.
"A bunch of random campaign stuff we made that was still at my house for some reason. Do whatever you want with it, I don't need it cluttering up my room."
"Thanks, Eliza, you know none of this would be possible without you always at my side. Or me following your lead."
"I know Zed. Happy birthday."
"And what is this?" Zed asked as he finally made his way around the table and came back to pull Addison's gift closer to him.
"Before you do, will we need toothbrushes to get rid of all the sappy sweetness?" Eliza interrupted them.
"No don't worry Eliza." Addison laughed, "I'm saving that one for later."
"You're saving what for later?"
"You'll find out, later. This is what you get now."
"Only because I love you." Zed smiled back at her. He dug through the bag one final time to find all of his favorite snacks and candy, including Reese's, Doritos, and much more. Zed shifted through the contents excitedly until he stopped when he reached the bottom. "What's this?"
"Since you and Zoey loved the Christmas cookies so much, I thought I'd save some for a special occasion."
"Just to warn you, these will all be gone in twenty-four hours, less if Zoey finds them first."
"As long as they make you happy. Happy Birthday, Zed." Addison leaned over to give him a quick side hug.
"I'm always happy when you do that. Thank you Addison, and thank you, everyone. So we have everything taken care of here, does anyone want to hang out some more?"
"Sorry Z, Wyatt and I still need to finish getting some stuff ready for Monday," Eliza answered.
"Wynter and I need to go get Willow from your house and back to the Den. I'm sure neither her nor Zoey will want her to go." Willa chuckled lightly to herself.
"Oh, I know you got that right." Zed grinned back. "Bonzo?"
"Ziento Zedski, parrenz. More Z-bandr/lunarztone preguntaz." Bonzo tapped his necklace in emphasis. "Breezka?"
"Of course, I'd be happy to go with you." Bree smiled back at her boyfriend.
"Don't tell me you're busy too?" Last but not least, Zed turned to Addison.
"Nope, I'm all yours. Whatever you want to do today Zed, it's your day."
"I love the sound of that."
"See you two will be fine anyway, and it's probably best for all of us that we let you have your alone time. Just another present from all of us." Eliza smirked.
"Gee thanks so much. So if I don't see some of you guys later, thanks for coming out, and thank you so much for all the gifts."
They left the restaurant, and everyone started walking toward Zombietown, but after they crossed through the unity gate everyone split off to head to different houses. Zed and Addison dropped his gifts off at his house while Wynter and Willa headed to the backyard to go find Willow and Zoey.
"So what do you want to do now?" Addison asked him again once they were alone.
"Since it's my birthday and it's been a blast so far, there's only one more thing I need to truly make this the best birthday ever, even though its already been hit way out of the park."
"What's that?"
"Two words. Light Garden?"
"Two words. Let's go." Addison beamed back.