1 more month.
She just needed to wait 1 month before Baby Necropolis would finally arrive. It had been a stressful few weeks with unexpected meetings and new partnerships with companies from overseas that Bucky had worked so diligently to solidify. Which meant Addison was working some overtime, much to Zed's displeasure.
But with that extra workload popping up, they had to push back the baby shower by a couple weeks. Addison felt a kick against her hand resting atop her swollen belly and smiled.
"Yeah, we're almost to your party, Little One." She whispered, hearing a chuckle from her husband beside her. When his free hand from the steering wheel slid beside hers, she didn't even flinch.
"You might be as impatient as your mama, Little Man." Zed joked. Addison laughed at that.
"You can't blame me! I'm so excited to meet him!" She whined, throwing her head back against the plush black headrest of Zed's Mustang. He chuckled again and moved his hand down to gently squeeze her thigh.
"Trust me, I am too. I just," he paused for a long sigh, "I'm gonna miss this car." Addison giggled and laced their fingers for a reassuring squeeze.
"I told you, you don't have to get rid of the Mustang." She reminded him with a smile. He dropped his head back with his own serene, reminiscent smile.
"I know. But it'll happen eventually anyways. I wanna get a dad-mobil, trade in my tailored suits for dad jeans, maybe stop dying my hair green to let the greys grow in, the whole nine!" He exclaimed with enthusiasm. He glanced away from the road and to her briefly. "I'm just a little mind blown 'cause I get to love and spoil you and our little guy for the rest of my life. There was a time I didn't even feel like I deserved you."
Addison softened, squeezing his hand a little tighter. "I'm definitely the lucky one, Zed."
How had she gotten so lucky as to marry this wonderful man who was about to be an amazing father to her child? After everything that's happened in her life, after all her sins she's committed, all the trials and tribulations, somehow she managed to find her fresh start in him.
He was her world, her everything. But soon he might have a little competition. She smiled at the thought as her free hand rested over her belly again.
"I can't wait for you to meet your incredible daddy, Little One. He's so great, just the way he is. No changes needed." She cooed in a whisper, knowing full well that he could hear every word. "You're gonna love him almost as much as I do."
He didn't have the time to spout off a lovey dovey counter point since they were pulling up to the venue. "Look, we're here!" He announced. He gently took his hand back to safely turn the wheel and pull right up to the curb beside the door.
As soon as it was put in park, he jumped out of the car and ran to her side. Addison laughed at his fussing when he helped her get out. She had to admit the low ride of his Mustang did make it hard for her 8 month pregnant body to get out of it but he was also a little overprotective when it came to her. But in this instance, she wasn't about to complain, groaning and gripping her aching back once she was up on her feet.
Zed's hands lingered from the sound of distress. "You ok Baby?" Addison gave him a tired smile that was becoming more and more normal as each day passed.
"Zed, I'm fine! Stop worrying so much!" She scolded playfully. He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"I know, I know. Do you want me to walk you in before I move the car?" He offered but she was already waving him off.
"Go move the car! I'll see you inside!" She assured, swiftly grabbing around his neck before he could turn away to pull him down for an affectionate kiss. "But don't take too long."
"I'd never keep you waiting." He agreed. A breathless smile crossed both their faces as they parted ways.
"That was gross." Zed commented with a scrunch nose. Addison laughed and lightly elbowed his arm from her seat beside him.
"They're melted candy bars! You'll have to deal with much worse when our boy gets here." She reminded, giving her belly an affectionate rub at the mention of him.
"Ok, yeah, but he's gonna be my baby! I'll gladly change his diapers. I don't need to see what looks like a really poopy diaper for a party game!" He said, sticking out his tongue in disgust.
"Zed! Pin!" Bree exclaimed so loud everyone paused their conversations for a moment. Zed cursed under his breath since he'd just broken the sacred rule of the shower. 'Don't say baby or you lose your pin.' At the end of the shower, whoever had the most pins wins a prize. Bree was currently winning her own game as she'd stolen three pins already.
"This isn't fair!" He complained as he handed his pin over.
"All's fair in love and shower games." Bree told him smugly. Zed pouted but she wasn't fazed a bit as she took the pin.
"Ok! We have one last game to play with the proud mommy and daddy! Can you two come up here for this?" Bree asked. Zed hopped up first and offered a hand to help Addison up. She took his hand but instantly recoiled back, hands clasping around her belly. Zed was knelt down beside he the next second.
"Addy?" Zed whispered to her in worry. "What's wrong?"
"I—I think that was a contraction." She said, a little out of breath from the pain that had just constructed her stomach. She lifted her eyes to meet his, both wide with shock.
"It's time?" He asked to make sure. She nodded slowly.
"It's time." Her voice barely a whisper.
"It's time." He repeated, half out of disbelief. Then a smile started to break out across his face. "It's time!" He said more audibly and excited.
The room was silent as the words proceeded then burst into chaos. A mix of excitement and panic washing over the baby shower guests. Bree took charge, being the most recent person with experience in the room.
"Everyone stay calm! Addy, we're gonna get you to the hospital ok?" Bree assured her sweetly, but Addison was barely listening. Another contraction ripping through her torso as she gripped onto Zed for dear life.
He held her tight, whispering in her ear, "Just breath Baby. It's gonna be ok." The spell ended and she loosened her hold. Zed gently guided her to stand, tossing his keys in the direction of the wolf pack.
"Can one of you pull up the car? I'm gonna help Addy walk out." Zed asked, not even looking away from his pregnant wife.
"On it!" Willa confirmed, running ahead followed by Wynter.
Wyatt, on the other hand, came to Addison's other side, offering his arms for support. "Do you need anything? What can I do to help?" He questioned.
"Just help me get Addy to the car." Zed instructs. They walk slow, Addison having to stop halfway as another wave hit her, squeezing both men's hands with a death grip that had them fearing something would break in their appendages.
They made it outside, green mustang purring and ready to go by the front doors. "I'll take it from here. Go make sure Bree has everything under control." He told Wyatt, Willa, and Wynter. They nodded and started to head in but Zed quickly caught their attention. "And hey!" They turned back expectantly. "Thanks guys." They smiled and went inside.
Zed refocused on Addison, holding tightly onto him for support as her legs threaten to go weak once again. He carefully helps her towards the open car door.
"Come on Baby, let's get you buckled in." He cooed but Addison pulled his face to look at hers instead. Her soft, misty eyes made him stop everything.
"Zed, we're having a baby." She whispered tearfully, the softest smile gracing her lips. He breathed a laugh, smile returning.
"We're having a baby." He agreed breathily, circling his arms around her waist and planting his forehead to hers. He leaned in, lips getting only a brush before she was overcome again with pain. She hissed and gasped through it until it passed enough that she could smile up at him.
"Ok, maybe now isn't the best time." She joked weakly. Zed laughed, giving her one last squeeze before helping her into the car and rushing off to the hospital.