"Why does there have to be so much walking!" Addison whined. Zed chuckled softly beside her, fingers laced in one hand, while the other shoved leisurely in his pocket.
"The car's not that far. We've only been walking for five minutes." He teased.
"Yeah! After walking all over the carnival!" She cried dramatically. "Aanndd, I had to get up with little Zek at 4 AM for a feeding! Kynzlee had an accident so I had to bathe her as soon as she woke up, then Zek had a diaper blowout so I had to bathe him! I'm exhausted!" She continued. Zed couldn't help chuckling again.
"Would the most amazing wife and mother of my children like a piggy back ride to the car then?" He offered knowingly. It was definitely one of her favorite things. She instantly lit up, an expression of happiness that he'd do anything to see over and over again.
He smiled as he crouched down. Addison climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Zed gritted his teeth as he stood, lifting her up with him, to keep from making any noise of discomfort. All those years of extra weight lifting and conditioning for football has done quite a number on his back, but the light squeal of excitement coming from his beautiful passenger made him forget about the pain.
He chuckled along with her excited giggles, carrying her towards their car. He loved hearing that youthful sound even after all their years together. He was still just as crazy about her as the day he's first laid eyes on her and knowing he could still make her that happy made his heart flutter.
Then the ball of his foot caught on a horribly out of place rock, sending colossal waves of pain shooting up his spine from the extra weight he was carrying. And, even thought he caught himself before they could go tumbling to the ground, he couldn't stop the hiss that slipped past his teeth.
"Zed? Are you ok?" She asked in concern. He straightened slightly and shook his shoulders of some of the pain.
"Yeah! All good! Just, stepped on a rock. We're all good." He assured her, throwing a smile over his shoulder at her.
Though hesitant, she seemed to accept his excuse as she snuggled back against his aching spine, even planting a comforting kiss to the side of his neck. And it wasn't long till they reached the car. She hopped down and his back screamed at him for straightening up too quickly, but he kept it just under his skin for when he was alone.
Addy didn't need to know how much her beloved piggy back rides hurt his back, they made her happy! And he would gladly take all the pain in the world to keep those smiles coming.