*beep*…*beep*
With a cool tear trickling down her face, her eyes were now opened to the sound of a ringing machine.
Lisa, with her bobbed cut hair and bangs, wiped away the stray tear with the back of her hand as she settled into the elevated bed rest. Her vision was slightly blurry, so she rubbed her eyes a few times before observing her unfamiliar surroundings. Something was off. After taking a closer look at her environment, she noticed an EKG monitor attached to her, an IV drip in her arm, and numerous other machines beeping and buzzing around her. She didn't even realize there was a breathing tube in her nose until she touched it! It certainly wasn't a typical bedroom, not like hers at home anyway. So…where was she?! Panic immediately set in as Lisa tried to make sense of where she was, causing the sound of the heart monitor to rapidly increase as her breaths became shallow. Then, she looked down and saw that her stomach was huge and round - something definitely wasn't right.
It was then that she began to freak out.
…
"So, this concludes the end of our tour, do you have any questions or concerns?" a young woman asked the new intern.
"Yeah, I have one. What's the deal with this Zack Morris guy? I've seen his name show up on a few plaques and portraits, is he famous around here or something?" the young man questioned before he glanced at a closed-door just a few feet away from them.
A sad expression appeared in the woman's green eyes, which the employee missed.
"Mr. Morris is truly a wonderful man. He's always hard-working and can brighten up a room with his likable presence. If it wasn't for his efforts and determination, we would've all lost our jobs. I'm glad he got promoted, it was well deserved." Her eyes were fixed on the same door with the title: Financial Manager on it.
"Is there by any chance you can introduce me to him? He seems like this really cool guy!" the intern's voice filled with hope and excitement.
She shook her head, "I don't think right now is a good time. You see, no one has seen him for weeks except for his assistant and the corporate bosses. At first, he used to arrive early and leave late, but now he's been working overtime and refuses to take any time off, despite being ordered by the head Director to do so. I feel bad." She zoned out, forgetting she was talking to another person.
"Why is that?" he asked, curiously.
The woman was hesitant at first, but after a few seconds, she realized he was going to find out regardless.
"I heard that his wife had been in an accident. Word on the street was that a brick fell on her head at a construction site, causing a severe concussion. She slipped into a coma soon after and it's been over a month since then," she shared in a confirming tone.
"Oh my gosh, that's awful!" the intern exclaimed in shock.
"I didn't even get to the worst part! She was six months pregnant when it happened!"
"No way!" His eyes bulged out of their sockets as his mouth dropped open.
"Yes! She was immediately rushed to the hospital. Luckily, the baby wasn't affected," she mentioned while nodding her head.
"Thank God, you scared me there for a second." He shook his head, relieved to hear some good news until his expression changed.
"Wait, but what happens if she doesn't wake up?" he asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.
Both of them glanced at the closed door and sighed deeply.
…
Sitting in his spacious cube-sized office, a 28-year-old, stubbled face Zack was typing away like there was no tomorrow.
He had completed his reports, caught up on previous executive meeting topics, developed budgets, evaluated potential risks, executed financial strategies, and so much more. He went above and beyond what was required, but he couldn't bring himself to stop until an email notification appeared on his computer screen.
I need a copy of the notes ASAP!
Harold Johnson HJthebest
Hey, Zackaroo, I totally forgot about last week's meeting with the CEO and the other executives. Can you be a pal and forward me a copy of what you guys discussed as well as your notes presentation? Thanks, you're the man, I appreciate it!
- Harold
Zack let out an annoyed sigh for that was the third time he had to cover for that incompetent, Nepo baby.
When he opened his desk drawer containing stacks of paper and documents, Zack encountered a surprise.
A silver-plated picture frame with a photo of him, his two-year-old daughter, Zoey with her thick, curly brown hair and hazel eyes, and…
Lisa.
The photo was captured more than a year ago during their family trip to Wildwood. He could still vividly recall how scared Zoey was of going into the waterpark, but by the end of the day, she didn't want to leave. He guided her gently through the shallow pools, and even took her to the lazy river which she loved. A small smile tugged at his lips as he reminisced, but it quickly disappeared when he noticed a smiling, happy Lisa. Soon after, the unspeakable memories he wished he had forgotten flooded back into his mind, erasing any trace of the smile he once had on his face.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Following a visit to the neighborhood park, Zack took Zoey to get ice cream afterward.
After spending the day together, Zack and his daughter walked back to their home hand in hand. Because of the excitement at the park and the sugar rush she got from the ice cream, Zoey started running, causing her to pull her father along. Eventually, she let go of her father's hand and continued sprinting away from him.
"Zoe-Zoe, slow down! What's the rush?" Zack chuckled.
She turned around and ran back to him.
"You're slow," she said while folding her arms.
Zack crouched down to level with her.
"Little girl, who are you calling slow?" he teased as a smile broke out on his face.
"You, Daddy," she gushed innocently.
"Oh, come here you," Zack pulled her in and began tickling her before picking her up.
She giggled and squirmed around in his arms.
"Mini-Z, you had a good day today?" he asked, admiring his beautiful daughter who resembled the likeness of him.
"M-hm." She nodded while wrapping her small arms around his neck.
"What was your favorite part about today?"
She thought about it before exclaiming, "ICE CREAM!," followed by a few giggles.
"If we go to the park again, can Mommy come too? I miss her," Zoey pouted.
Zack released a small smile as he noticed a chocolate stain near the corner of her mouth. He licked his thumb and rubbed it away.
"I miss Mommy too, but she had to work today," he informed with a smile on his face.
Just recently, Zack was on a call with his wife. He could recall her frustrated voice as she described the chaos of running around, trying to locate the client her boss assigned her to track down.
As they were approaching their brownstone apartment, Zack received an unexpected phone call.
Placing his hyper-daughter down, he picked up the phone.
"Hello," he said, as Zoey was carelessly jumping around, tugging on his other hand.
That was when he heard the most devastating, shocking news of his entire life.
…
After dropping his daughter off with their downstairs neighbor who was also her caretaker, Zack rushed to the hospital where he heard his wife was brought in.
Upon arrival, he desperately tried to search for her, frantically asking the secretaries and nurses around until he saw her unconscious body being wheeled away from him. His gaze followed the stretcher being pushed, and he felt like he was about to faint.
"Sir, are you alright?" One of the nurses tapped him on the shoulder with a concerned expression on her face.
"That's my wife-" He tried to reach her but was immediately blocked by a team of healthcare workers.
"I need to get to her," Zack said, desperately struggling to fight his way through their barrier.
"Sir, please calm down, she's going into the Operating Room," an Aide informed him.
It was nearly impossible for Zack to think straight as he panted heavily until he felt his body go weak, and then everything went black.
…
"Thanks, man, here's your tip," Zack slurred his words as he tried to offer the driver a few bucks through the passenger window.
"Zack, this is the last time you call me in the middle of the night to come and take your drunk self home. I won't do it anymore. You need to pull yourself together, man!" Anthony, his good friend and coworker, scolded him.
"Does this mean you don't want my money?" Zack said, completely ignoring what his friend had just complained about.
Feeling annoyed and frustrated, Anthony mumbled, "Goodnight," before speeding off.
As Zack stood on the sidewalk, he placed his money inside his coat pocket.
"His loss." He shrugged, before stumbling towards the apartment.
Once he safely entered the complex, Zack stood in front of Mrs. Peterson's door and began banging on it.
An older white woman appeared with an upset expression on her face.
"You reek of booze!" she snapped at him while pointing her nose away in disgust.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?! I put Zoey to sleep hours ago. I am not going to wake her up because her father wants to be an irresponsible as-"
"Are you trying to keep my daughter away from me?!" he quickly became defensive.
She scoffed while shaking her head.
"You're drunk! You'll see her when you sober up." Mrs. Peterson tried closing the door on him, but Zack wedged his foot in between, forcing it open.
"Listen, woman, you give my daughter to me right now!" he began shouting.
"Shhh, you'll wake her up-"
"You can't keep her away from me, she's all I have!" his voice softened towards the end of his slurred speech.
Mrs. Peterson calmed down as she looked at him with empathy.
It was pointless arguing with an unstable, brokenhearted man.
"Fine," she finally agreed and went to fetch Zoey.
Minutes later, Mrs. Peterson came back holding the hand of a sleepy little girl, rubbing her eyes.
"Zoey!" Zack crouched down with open arms.
She slowly walked into them and was picked up along with her Dora the Explorer backpack.
They went upstairs and once they entered their home, Zack placed her down.
"Sorry, I came back late, pumpkin." He brushed her cheek and smiled.
Zoey released a soft yawn as she rubbed her reddened eyes.
Before long, Zack guided her to the princess-themed bedroom and helped her change into her pajamas before tucking her snugly into bed
"Goodnight, Mini-Z." He kissed her forehead, but she ended up retreating away from him.
Feeling surprised and a bit hurt, Zack asked, "What's the matter?"
"Daddy, you smell bad and I don't like it," she confessed.
His heart broke a little after hearing that.
"Mommy is gone, and you keep smelling bad because of her. It hurts my nose and makes me feel sad. I don't want to be by you anymore. I want my Mommy!" Tears welled in her eyes as she sniffled.
Her words tore through Zack deep, and he softened as she spoke.
Although she was three (about to be four), Zoey was extremely intelligent for her age and was always able to pick up on the little things.
"I'm sorry." That was all he could say to her in that moment.
Hearing his own child call him out on his behavior struck a nerve inside him and punctured his heart.
It was heartbreaking.
…
Later that night, Zack was sitting on his bed, reflecting on what had occurred.
Ever since the incident, the past weeks had been a constant battle for him. Every morning, he would wake up alone in the same bed that his wife used to sleep in. And every day, he was reminded that she was lying in a hospital bed, all alone with his unborn child, not knowing what was going to happen to the both of them. Zack felt lost and didn't know how to cope, so he turned to alcohol. What started as a single bottle of beer a day soon spiraled out of his control. It became part of his routine: go to work early, stay late, get drunk at some bar, stumble home at an unreasonable hour, and repeat the next day.
But on that night alone, he felt at his lowest.
His own daughter couldn't even put up with him anymore.
Zack's mind was like a broken record as he replayed her words over and over again. Tears streamed down his cheeks in an endless cycle of despair, and he cried throughout the entire night.
…
The next day arrived faithfully at the Morris' residence.
Zack, who was now sobered up, thanks to a special kind of tea that helped with hangovers, was dressed in his business suit and all ready to go.
He had just finished packing Zoey's bag as she was busy watching Sesame Street on the TV.
"Zoe-Zoe, go get your shoes, we're leaving now," he ordered.
She turned off the TV and skipped to her bedroom to find her Converse sneakers.
Zack picked up his briefcase and coat before opening the door, but what he didn't expect on the other side was a tall, fully blond woman, standing right in front of him.
Even worse, an upset one.
"Jessie? What are you doing here?" he questioned in a slightly rude way.
"It's nice to see you too, Zack." She sarcastically smiled.
"You and I need to talk." Jessie barged right in.
"Not right now, I have to drop Zoey off and head to work-"
"Ok, then let me make this easier for you…Zoey!" Jessie called out.
Zoey ran out to the sound of her voice.
"Auntie Jessie!" She hugged and kissed her.
"Hey, Kiddo, looks like you forgot to tie your shoes." Jessie grinned.
"I don't know how to tie my shoes yet," Zoey admitted.
"Oh that's okay, let me help you." Jessie got down on one knee and tied her laces, creating two bunny ears.
"Thank you." Zoey smiled and hugged her again.
Jessie turned to Zack who looked slightly annoyed and impatient.
"Mrs. Peterson is waiting by the stairs, I'll take her out so we can talk." Jessie took Zoey's hand as well as her backpack and walked her to the door.
"Bye Sweetheart." Zack expressed a small wave.
"Bye Daddy." She waved back.
Then, she was gone, leaving the two adults alone in the heavy atmosphere.
"Was that really necessary?" Zack folded his arms.
"Was it really necessary when you came home drunk last night? Huh, Zack? Like are kidding me right now?!" she accused.
As his jaw locked and his forehead brooded, Zack mumbled, "I don't have time for this, I'm going to be late." He swerved past her but she ended up blocking his escape.
"No! You're going to listen to me unless you want to lose temporary custody of your child," she asserted.
Zack's hazel eyes cooled to a black as the veins in his neck popped out.
"Jessie!" he warned with shock and anger.
"How dare you." His voice sounded hurt.
"Anything you say will be used against you in the court of law so I suggest for you to shut up and hear what I have to say because I will send you to court, so help me God," she threatened close to his face.
After intensely glaring at one another, Zack ultimately chose to withdraw and stay silent.
He knew he would've been a fool if didn't take her threat seriously for Jessie was one of the best, youngest lawyers in the city.
"This needs to stop- I refuse to allow you to destroy yourself like this!" she screamed, but with a softness rounding her eyes.
Zack silently stared at her.
"Have you ever thought that you weren't the only one affected by this? Lisa is in a hospital bed, IN A COMA! Doctors don't even know if she'll wake up and if they could even save the baby, and you're out here drinking your problems away! Lisa would be disgusted if she knew what you've been doing this whole time. This isn't you, Zack. The Zack that I know is a sweet, loving, caring friend, husband, and father, and I need for that Zack to come back. You're not the only one with problems, you know. Your daughter needs you more than ever right now. She needs you to be strong, Zack. You have to be strong and keep your family together," Jessie passionately expressed, lovingly.
Zack looked at her with emotions running through his teary eyes.
She was right.
He had to be strong.
He had to be there for his family.
After Jessie's heart-wrenching speech, Zack felt compelled to get his life back in shape. He stopped drinking completely, started spending more time with his daughter, and even paid an overdue visit to the hospital where Lisa was staying at.
Over the past few weeks, Zack had made significant progress in bettering himself. But when he stumbled across the photograph of all three of them together, it caused him such emotional distress that he quickly shoved it back into the drawer and retrieved his meeting documents.
He decided to focus on the tasks at hand and didn't want to let any distractions ruin his productivity.
…
As Zack held onto Zoey's dangling legs resting on his shoulders, the duo went sightseeing at the Bronx Zoo.
Attempting to spend more time with his little girl, Zack decided to take a day off from work and surprise Zoey with a day trip.
"ZK (Zoey Knowelle) look! Look at the giraffes, they're so tall!" He pointed out.
"They're taller than all the other animals," Zoey mentioned with one hand on his head and the other stretched out.
"Are they your favorite animal?"
"Yes! They are big and pretty and have long necks and the babies are so cute!" she babbled on in her child-like voice.
Zack chuckled.
"First, you said lions, then bears, and now giraffes? Which is it?" he teased.
"I like all of them," she pouted, making him chuckle even more.
"You want to feed the giraffes?" he asked, tilting his head up to look at her.
"Can I!" Zoey exclaimed.
"Anything for you." A bright smile spread across his face.
After feeding the giraffes, they visited the petting Zoo, snapped many memorable photos, and ended their day watching a live show.
…
(Present day)
The time was 2:30 pm.
Zack was sitting in his office, signing off a load of documents while rearranging them in special, labeled folders.
He was working intensely hard until his personal cell rang.
"Hello," he picked up while finishing up his work.
"Good morning, Mr. Morris, this is Susan from Mount Sinai Hospital-"
Zack's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as his pen fell out of his hand.
…
Rushing through the hospital with an adrenaline burning inside him, Zack located the ICU room where his wife stayed in.
As he burst through the door, his entire face illuminated with joy at the sight of her conscious and alert body.
Right there and then, Zack wanted to break down and cry.
He couldn't believe she was actually up and alive!
He didn't know what he would have done if she hadn't made it, but all he knew in that moment was how happy he was to see her.
Upon entering the private room, Zack immediately sensed tension in the air. It was as if his wife had just gotten into an argument with the nurses and was trying to calm down. But as soon as she turned towards him, her eyes widened in shock - and then they turned completely black, taking him by surprise.
His wife looked distraught to see him, making him feel confused and a little uneasy.
Zack gulped as his smile faded away.
…
In the following week, their relationship took a turn for the worse. Lisa's behavior changed drastically after the accident. She became cold, distant, and cruel towards Zack without any real reason. She would constantly push away any sign of affection from him, barely engage in conversation, and even refuse to share the same bed as him, leaving Zack to sleep on the couch for an entire week. Lisa also became overly protective of their daughter Zoey, but at the same time, was emotionally and mentally absent from her.
She became a distant stranger to Zack.
He didn't know who she was anymore.
At first, he assumed her behavior and attitude were just temporary effects of her head injury and coma. But it quickly became clear that she had undergone a drastic change; the new Lisa was here to stay.
The whole shift was confusing, but mostly heartbreaking since he just got her back.
But in Lisa's perspective, she wasn't really back.
There was too much happening for her to take in.
As far as Zack knew, she had spent countless nights crying and just wanted to be left alone. She was overwhelmed with exhaustion, confusion, sadness, and even a sense of distrust.
Her entire reality was distorted and she didn't know what to do about it.
How could she easily transition back to her old life when she was living a completely different one?
Lisa couldn't even look at her husband the same way because every time she did, he would remind her of that horrible monster from the alternate reality, easily making her sick to the stomach, which was another issue.
She was pregnant!
Everything overwhelmed her and she couldn't think or speak clearly; she was a hot mess of emotions.
…
While the others were in bed sleeping, Zack was up watching a video on the TV screen.
It was from the year 1992, the day before graduation.
"Ok, so if there was one thing you could say to your future self, what would it be?" Zack pointed the camera at her.
"Ooh…one thing…that's a good question." She reflected on it as she bit her lip.
"I know this is more than one answer but I would have to say, 'Regardless of the difficulties you face in life and the obstacles you find impossible to overcome, you are still amazing and deserve great things, so don't give up and keep doing your thing girl.'" She did her famous sassy snap and giggled.
"That's a nice answer, Lisa, but the wrong one." He laughed.
"What?" She picked herself up from his side.
"The answer should've been 'To always love Zack and be nice to him because he is always right,'" Zack proclaimed, followed by a chuckle.
Lisa let out a playful scoff.
"Tsk, you're annoying you know that." An uncontrollable smile broke out on her face as she shook her head.
"Yeah, I know." He pulled her closer to him.
"So what about you? What would you say to your future self?" Lisa asked, curiously.
"Gee, I don't know," he breathed out.
"Oh, come on, there has to be some kind of response." Lisa grinned while taking the camera and recording him.
A small chuckle escaped his mouth as he looked into the camera.
"Maybe… 'Don't let anyone stop you from achieving success and be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished,'" he declared.
"Awww, that's so sweet." She stroked his chin.
"And also, 'You better not stop loving Lisa even when she gets on your nerves because I know she will.'" He laughed.
"Hey!" she pouted behind the cam recorder.
Suddenly, Zack's demeanor changed and he became serious.
"'But she is your entire world and you're a fool to ever let her go…so never let her go no matter what.'" He poured out an affectionate smile.
"I think I like that." She smiled in return.
"Me too." He wrapped his arm around her and snatched the cam recorder from her.
The memories were bittersweet.
They were so young and deeply in love, Zack wondered what changed between them.
How could they bring back the same love they once had for each other?
He used to enjoy being around her but now, he couldn't stand the thought of it after the rough couple of weeks they'd been having.
Regardless of the situation, Zack still loved Lisa and didn't want to give up on her.
He watched the tape multiple times, desperately searching for any clues or revelations about the situation at hand. But instead of finding any answers, he fell into a deep sleep.
…
In the Morris household, heated exchanges between the couple had become a regular event.
They fought more in a matter of days than they did in the entirety of their marriage.
Whether it was over small, trivial matters or bigger issues, they found a way to argue.
Even when they weren't near each other!
Each fight was bad on its own, but one, in particular, caused a surge of intense emotions that left them both triggered. They said hurtful things to each other, not truly meaning the harsh words they were exchanging.
"I don't even want to talk to you anymore! You have issues!" Zack criticized.
"I have issues?! You're the one who keeps harassing me every minute of the day- if I went to the doctor, if I took my vitamins, if I ate- OF COURSE I DID THESE THINGS! I'M NOT STUPID!" she yelled back.
"What's wrong with being concerned about my child?! You don't even allow me near your stomach!" he exclaimed.
"First of all, it's my child!"
"Your child? Did you create this baby yourself?" Zack sarcastically laughed, completely baffled by what he was hearing.
"Well, I'm the one carrying this baby. What about you?!" she seethed, until a sudden sharp pain shot through her head, forcing her to grab at it and grimace in pain.
Zack immediately switched his composure and quickly went to her assistance.
"Are you okay?" he asked, holding onto her arms.
Lisa squirmed away while glaring a dirty look.
"I'm fine! I just got a little headache all thanks to you!" she barked.
"Hey, you need to calm down," Zack advised, moving close to her.
"Why are you always telling me to calm down?!" Lisa got defensively angry.
"Because I don't want your stress levels to get so high. It's not good for the baby-"
"Oh! Now suddenly you know what's best for the baby! You know what, forget you- FORGET EVERYTHING!" she screamed as her eyes glared a dark hue.
Zack's hardened expression relaxed when he looked into his wife's eyes.
Although there was a cold layer to them, something behind those malicious brown eyes told a different story, one he was definitely unfamiliar with.
Something was seriously wrong with Lisa.
It was as if she was deeply hurting inside.
"I'm going to book you to go see a psychologist," Zack announced, making her mouth drop and her eyes widen.
"Are you calling me crazy?!"
"No, I'm not, but it's clear that you're unwell-"
"You're calling me crazy?! If there's anyone who's crazy- IT'S YOU! BUT I'M NOT CRAZY! OKAY! I'M NOT CRAZY!" Lisa was so overwhelmed with rage that she snatched their wedding portrait from its place on the shelf and hurled it to the ground in a fit of anger.
Pieces of glass were shattered everywhere and the only thing that remained was their photo.
Zack stared at the destructive mess in shock and disbelief.
"How…could you?" his voice broke as he continued to stare at the broken pieces of their broken marriage.
As Lisa watched her actions unfold before her, she immediately dropped to the floor, heavy with dismay.
Wearing a beautiful, white sequin gown, Lisa walked down the aisle with her father on her right arm.
All eyes were on her, especially Zack's, whose eyes were loud with admiration and love.
They couldn't believe the time was finally here when they would unite in front of their families, friends, and God.
They gathered together while breaking out into shy smiles.
"We are here on this beautiful evening to celebrate and witness the union of Zachary Morris and Lisa Turtle, soulmates with no end."
After the minister finished his formal speech, they eagerly awaited the moment when they would exchange wedding rings.
The couple looked at each other, so much emotion pouring from their eyes. Their heart beats, beating as one. Their hands gently caressing the other as they placed the rings on each other.
"Do you, Zachary Morris, take Lisa Turtle to be your lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health, till death do you apart?"
"I do." He smiled with tears in his eyes.
"And do you, Lisa Turtle, take Zachary Morris to be your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health, till death do you apart?"
"I do." She returned his smile as a few tears trickled down her warm face.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride," the minister announced.
Smiles bright as the sun, the couple sealed their union with a sweet, longing, passionate kiss.
The audience erupted with praise and celebration.
Tears of joy and gratitude filled the celebratory atmosphere as they walked down the aisle together.
…
At their wedding reception, the couple danced the night away as if they were the only two in the room.
With their foreheads pressed against each other and their hands intertwined, they swayed softly to the music.
It was such a sweet, intimate moment that neither of them wanted to forget.
…
That same night, they also shared the most beautiful, extraordinary experience when they consummated their marriage.
"You are my home."- Zack
Zack softly caressed Lisa's face, their eyes met with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"You are my heart."- Lisa
With tender gestures, they slowly undressed each other, each touch laden with affection and anticipation.
"You are my best friend."- Zack
The newlyweds shared lingering kisses and whispered promises of love, feeling the weight of their commitment deepen with every tender embrace.
"You are my companion."- Lisa
As they surrendered to their longing desires, they found themselves enveloped in a cocoon of warmth and understanding, where every touch was a silent vow and every embrace, a testament to their boundless love.
"You are my world."- Zack
She gave up everything to him. His gentle guidance, her body a canvas upon which he painted the strokes of their shared love story.
"You are my sunrise and my sunset."- Lisa
Each whispered word and tender gesture spoke volumes, weaving a narrative of trust and devotion that transcended the physical realm.
"I live and breathe you"- Zack
A sacred bond sealed in the tender exchange of breath and heartbeat.
"I promise to walk by your side forever"- Lisa
In the quiet intimacy of the night, they revealed the newfound closeness of their bond, basking in the warmth of their shared love and the promise of a lifetime together.
To cherish, to support, to love.
From this day forth, I give you everything.
Your problems are my problems.
Whatever you face, you won't have to face alone.
I'll always be there through thick and thin.
Just know, you can always count on me.
I love you more than life itself.
I love you more than anything.
As Lisa snapped out of her daze, she heard Zack's voice sounding muffled in her ears.
"Lisa." He shook her, trying to get her attention.
As she sat on her knees, Lisa turned her head towards him before looking around her surroundings.
Left feeling devastated by what she had done, Lisa quickly tried to pick up the shattered pieces.
"I can fix this-"
"Hey, you're going to cut yourself." Zack attempted to pick her up but she pushed him away.
"I just need to put this together-" she desperately pleaded, as tears dripped down her reddened face.
One of her hands got cut from the sharp glass and began bleeding.
"Lisa!" Zack jolted up to fetch a rag from the kitchen.
Then he brought it back to her, wrapping it around her bleeding hand.
"There's something wrong with me…I don't know how to fix it!" she agonized, unable to control her hyperventilation.
Zack cradled her in his arms, trying to calm her down.
"I just can't do it," she sobbed in his neck.
"It's okay, Lisa. We're going to get through this together. I promise." He brushed her hair while gently rocking her back and forth.
…
Emotional Trauma.
The car ride home was silent.
Lisa was sitting in the passenger seat lost in her own little world as she gazed outside the window.
There was a lot on her mind after having her first therapy session.
"So what brings you here today, Lisa?" A middle-aged, red-headed woman positioned her Coach glasses from the top of her head to her face.
She then opened a notepad and clicked her pen, ready to start jotting down notes.
"I feel detached from reality. Ever since I woke up from my coma, everything seemed so disoriented. Nothing feels real anymore, I barely know who I am," Lisa confessed while rubbing her pregnant belly.
The psychologist intently stared at her, intrigued by what she was hearing.
"Interesting…tell me more." She began writing down notes.
Lisa told her the whole story of what she had to go through for years, despite being in a coma for about a month, and how it was affecting her marriage and family.
Listening to her talk about her struggles made the psychologist put down her notepad and look at her with immense compassion and empathy.
The room fell into a heavy silence as the therapist took a moment to process what Lisa had shared.
"Do you feel comfortable enough in this session to share a bit of your past, like maybe your middle school or high school years?" she asked.
"That depends. What exactly do you want me to share?" Lisa responded.
The red-headed woman thought about it.
"Let's start with a simple one. Your relationship with your parents," she said.
Lisa noticed how ready her notepad and pen were and it began to make her feel a bit uneasy.
"I mean, it was fine. I loved them, they loved me. My father spoiled me a lot, and my mother taught me right from wrong but…"
"But…?" the therapist leaned forward, waiting for her to reveal a revelation.
"I don't know, maybe I might've felt like we could've spent more time together when I was younger. My mother's a surgeon and my father's a judge, so you know they work a lot, and often times I would find myself alone. I didn't have any siblings and most of my cousins lived far away," Lisa shared.
"But you had friends right? Whenever you felt alone, did you turn to them?" She crossed her legs as she interrogated.
"I guess so, but I never allowed for that to get to me, you know. I was also preoccupied in a relationship so I really wasn't that alone." Lisa casually shrugged.
"Would you like to tell me more about this relationship?" the therapist asked.
Her heart dropped to the bottom of her stomach as she could feel a guarded layer closing around her.
"Why?" she easily got defensive.
While the woman took down notes of her reluctance, she said, "Well, I feel like we're heading somewhere, but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Just know that you can and it will all be confidential. I'm here to help you, Lisa, not to judge you or anything. You said it yourself how nothing feels real to you anymore, let this session be the realist thing you have ever experienced since your coma."
Despite still feeling hesitant and guarded, Lisa looked down at her stomach as a reminder of why she was there in the first place.
If she couldn't be strong for herself, then she needed to be strong for her baby.
Soon, her heart softened and her walls crashed down.
Lisa's chest rose and fell as she inhaled a deep breath.
"His name is Eric. He was my first ever serious relationship and my first love. We've dated for about a year and things were going great between us. We did everything together. I was so in love but…he just changed on me…I don't know how it all happened, it was like this gradual change. I often blamed myself for his behavior and would try to do everything to get on good terms with him. I tried pleasing him so that he would love me like he did before but none of it was good enough for him. One day, he just up and left without saying goodbye. He left me with only a letter saying how he decided to move back to NY and that we should break up. I felt like my entire world was collapsing right in front of me and I didn't know how to stop it." Lisa got emotional.
The psychologist put her pen down and removed her glasses from her face.
"I know this is our first session and I also know that this is hard for you, but I feel like you're holding back," she indicated.
Feeling offended, Lisa's face twitched.
"What? I'm not holding back, I just told you something personal," she defended.
"No, there's more, I know there's more." The woman nodded, sympathetically.
Lisa scoffed and rolled her eyes.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"How are you going to tell me there's more to MY STORY!" she accused.
Although the therapist should have ended the conversation, she persisted, refusing to retreat back.
"What exactly are you holding back, Lisa?" she reiterated.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Lisa folded her arms.
The woman sighed, "At least think about it because this could be the exact reason why you're here sitting with me," she suggested.
Lisa's heart started to race and her breaths came out as short gasps.
Suddenly, flashbacks sped through her mind, flooding her with a surge of emotions: hurt, betrayal, unbearable agony, confusion, guilt, and sadness - no words could fully capture what she had experienced.
There were moments when he would degrade, manipulate, criticize, and despise her. Eric despised her. She could still recall how his bright green eyes would turn a chilling black during his fits of rage, and how his entire face would contort into a mean, cold expression. His pupils would dilate and become as dark as coal. He had complete control over her life: where she went, who she saw, what she wore, what she ate when they should meet, and what she did. She went along with all of it out of fear of losing the person who filled the void left by her parents. She needed him more than he needed her. Despite everything, she still loved him because there were moments when he was gentle and sweet towards her. She held onto that hope, believing she could change him back to the Eric she fell in love with, only to end up with nothing but a piece of paper.
Tears began pouring down her face as she recollected the memories.
The therapist handed her a box of tissues before taking a seat next to her.
"I wished I had broken up with him when I had the chance instead of being dragged along by that stupid, no-good relationship. He would insult and yell at me in private, if we got into an argument he would pretend that I didn't even exist, he would make things seem to be MY FAULT, and blame me, and I believed him. I spent so many nights crying because of him. He took away my dignity. He broke me down. He made me insecure. He manipulated me. He was a terrible person! Just terrible! I did everything for him and he treated me like dirt. To think I almost gave up my virginity to him makes me sick! I was miserable and even more lonely than I ever felt before! One minute he was good and the next, he was just evil! It felt like I had no one, and I was too embarrassed, and weak, and pathetic to tell anyone what was happening because honestly, I wasn't even sure what exactly was happening," Lisa broke down in her hands.
The therapist removed her hands from her face as she looked at her sincerely.
"Hey, listen to me," she wiped her tears away.
"He hurt you in ways that you couldn't identify as hurt. You're broken inside Lisa. You've always been broken. And the neglect you felt as a child may have had an effect on your need to be accepted and loved by him. Perhaps that's why you didn't realize you were broken in the relationship until he left. It took his absence for you to recognize how much he had been hurting you, but the entire time you two were together, he was causing you pain, he was hurting you. He was emotionally and verbally abusive, and it affected your ability to open up and communicate after the trauma you went through," she stated, causing Lisa to cry even harder.
The therapist placed her hands on Lisa's cheeks, her smile small but genuine.
"But the good news is, you are not unfixable. You are so strong and brave to endure such hardship, such trauma like that at a very young age, and I admire that. You've taken the first step by reaching out for help, but now you must allow yourself to truly feel those difficult emotions and memories that you've been trying to suppress for so long. I am here to assist you in releasing them, letting go of the burdens that have kept you down, and reclaiming your life back."
Lisa looked at her and nodded.
"Also, just know that you are loved and supported, Lisa. You don't have to go through this journey alone, and I will do whatever I can to help you become the woman you were meant to be even if that means extended sessions cost-free, I will help you," she said with determination in her voice.
Lisa nodded again and the woman hugged her.
Zack couldn't help but notice Lisa's distant demeanor and the slight tremble in her hand. He reached out and gently placed his hand on top of hers, causing her to look down at their hands touching. That might've been the first, genuine connection between them since they had the big fight.
"I'm proud of you for going through with this," he said, trying to make small talk.
Lisa turned and looked at him.
"I hope you don't mind, but I've booked us reservations tonight at this exclusive restaurant. I thought we could both use a night out and spend some time together." He smiled at her.
"Yeah, I'd like that," she responded.
…
In a quiet, dimly lit atmosphere, the couple sat in a cozy booth, just a few feet away from the stage that played live music.
Lisa wore a sleek black dress that accentuated her curves while remaining comfortable for her pregnancy. Zack opted for a dressy yet casual look, complete with a blazer. They ate their meals in silence, stealing shy glances at each other like high school sweethearts. Most of the time, they simply listened and swayed to the music while enjoying their food. If they did speak, it was kept to casual topics.
Shortly after, a lady went on stage with a guitar and pressed her lips against the microphone.
"Hello everybody, my name is Adele, and I'll be performing the song, One Less Bell to Answer, by the 5th dimension," she announced.
At the sound of the woman's voice, Lisa turned her head to face the stage and watch her performance.
"One less bell to answer. One less egg to fry. One less man to pick up after. I should be happy but all I do is cry."
Lisa's heart raced as she absorbed the words being sung.
"Oh, I should be happy. I only know that since he left, my life so empty."
Strangely, the words seemed to strike a chord within her, and she found herself entranced by the woman singing the song. She was immediately transported to a world of her own, where only she existed. Memories from her past, including her coma fever dream and recent therapy session, returned back to her. She was completely caught up in her thoughts until Zack snapped her out of her daze.
"Hey, you alright?" he asked, concerned.
Lisa slowly looked at him as a warm tear trickled down her face.
There, she told him everything. To think that the night was going to end in a nonconversational manner, Lisa proved that assumption wrong.
She opened up about the nightmare she had while in a coma, living a miserable existence for over ten years. It all started at her high school graduation when Zack cheated on her with Kelly. From then on, things only went downhill. However, none of it was real; she and Kelly didn't even speak or make amends until after the ceremony, and her boyfriend never kissed Kelly. She shared how alone and isolated she felt in that alternate reality where he was a terrible version of himself. She also told him about her therapy session, where her therapist made her reveal a personal secret from her past relationship with Eric. The whole experience was emotionally traumatic, and she held nothing back as she poured her heart out to Zack.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he listened to the struggles his beloved had endured. He couldn't believe it, and his heart ached with sadness.
"I'm so scared, Zack," her voice broke.
Zack stood up and went into her side of the booth.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, never wanting to let go, and cried with her.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," he kept repeating while brushing her hair with his hand.
"I can't believe any of this! How come I never knew about what Eric put you through? I would've fought for you if I had known!" He desperately tried to search her eyes as tears trickled down his face.
"I know, but I felt so trapped, Zack. It's like I couldn't even breathe, I'm sorry," she cried.
"No, no, don't be. Don't ever feel sorry. None of that was your fault, do you hear me? None of it! Don't ever think you are less because you are so much more than that. Your eyes shine with more depth, your smile carries more joy, and your heart is filled with more love. You are truly beautiful inside and out. Never forget that," Zack shared.
"I'm here for you, Lisa, and I love you so much. You won't ever be or feel alone again because you have me, Zoey, our soon-to-be child, your parents, my parents, Jessie, God, you have so many people in your life who are here for you. You are not alone in this, I promise. Everything's going to be alright." He gently caressed her face.
Lisa gazed into his eyes before her gaze drifted down to his lips. Without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, sharing a tender and passionate kiss. Lisa's hands found their way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer as her fingers tangled in his hair. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. Their lips moved in sync, igniting a fire that spread throughout their bodies.
A kiss that was long overdue.
…
Over the past few weeks, things had started to look better for the Morris family as they made a conscious effort to spend more time together. Lisa was also dedicated to attending her therapy appointments daily for at least an hour, sometimes even longer. Intimacy between Zack and Lisa also grew as they spent more one-on-one time together. On nice days, they enjoyed trips to Coney Island with its amusement park and beach, or relaxing picnics at the park. And on less pleasant days, they found fun activities indoors such as shopping at the mall, catching a movie at the theater, or simply playing traditional board games.
…
Sitting in the front row of the theater, Zack and Lisa were fortunate enough to have front-row seats for their daughter's ballet recital. The performance included dancers of varying ages, beginning with the most advanced and skilled individuals and gradually shifting to the younger cohort.
After all the other children performed, Zoey's group was up and formed a line on stage, facing the audience.
Excitement filled her parents as Zack quickly took out the camcorder and Lisa, her digital camera.
"THAT'S MY BABY GIRL! LOVE YOU, SWEETHEART!" Lisa shouted while snapping many photos of her.
Zoey was the leader of the group and when the upbeat music started, the other girls followed her steps.
Being two proud parents, Zack and Lisa were cheering her on the whole time.
The girls hopped, twirled, and brought out small ribbon twirlers near the end of the show before Zoey performed her grand finale.
She fluttered around the stage like a butterfly, did a few plies with a few jumps, and finally, landed a cartwheel.
"YAY ZOEY!" Lisa clapped loudly.
"THAT'S MY GIRL!" Zack whistled.
After the show was over, the couple gathered in the hallway, waiting for Zoey to be released from her instructor.
She finally appeared in her leotard and tutu, and they both welcomed her with open arms and bright smiles.
"We're so proud of you, Mama!" Lisa picked her up and squeezed her tight.
"Yeah, you did such a fantastic job Z, high five." Zack raised up his hand.
She tried to slap his hand but he quickly pulled away.
"Too slow, Kiddo." He winked before laughing.
"Daddy!" she whined with a smile, and he attacked her with tiny kisses all over her face.
Eventually, the family left and went to celebrate at IHOP.
Zoey sat by the window next to her mother as Zack sat across from them inside the booth.
"What do you want to drink, Mama," Lisa asked her.
"I want a chocolate milkshake," Zoey said, busy doodling on the kid's menu.
"Don't you think it's a little too late for that?" Lisa shook her head.
"Oh, lighten up, Lis, she deserves it after a great show she put on for us tonight." Zack chuckled.
"Fine, but if she has a sugar rush then you're going to be the one dealing with that." She smirked after her snarky comment.
He smirked back, "Fair," he replied before chuckling again.
They received their late-night meals and enjoyed it together.
The clock read 2 am, and the newborn baby, Zoey, was crying loudly from her crib in their cramped bedroom. That was back when they lived in a smaller apartment before Zack's promotion allowed them to move into a spacious brownstone.
It was hard being first-time parents.
Zoey was always cranky, barely receptive to eating, and didn't like sleeping. Despite being the most adorable baby in the world, she was a feisty one. Zack thought she inherited that from Lisa.
Waking up for the ninth time that night, Lisa went to the crib to hush her baby down but when she started screaming louder, she finally picked her up. Lisa thought she might've been hungry and tried to breast-feed her for about an hour but Zoey wasn't latching on.
"C'mon Zoey, we're both so tired," she desperately pleaded while moving on the rocking chair.
Couldn't sleep any longer as he felt bad, Zack got up.
"Let me have her and you just go to sleep," he said.
"But Zack, you have this important meeting tomorrow and I'm on maternity leave. If anyone should be getting some sleep it should be you," she yawned.
"This is not a negotiation, you haven't slept for days, please give her to me." He opened up his hands.
Lisa looked at Zoey and sighed before releasing her to him.
"Thank you so much," she said and returned to bed.
Zack took his crying newborn into the living room and closed the door behind him.
He turned on the TV and watched an old recording of a game show with the volume on low.
Zack entertained, comforted, and managed to calm her down. He was always the one who could get her to quiet down. That was how it was with Daddy's little girl.
"Zoe-Zoe, I need you to be on your best behavior for the next few days because your mother needs to sleep, okay." He softly kissed her on the forehead.
Eventually, they both fell asleep, with her in his arms.
Lisa woke up with the sunrise, feeling rejuvenated after what seemed like days. She quietly left the bedroom and was greeted by a beautiful sight: her husband and child were fast asleep, looking peaceful and adorable. It was a precious moment that she couldn't help but smile at.
"Hey, babe, it's time to get ready for work." She wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his cheek.
He opened his eyes and flashed a small smile.
As soon as he got up from the couch, Lisa took their quiet baby and held her gently in her arms.
"Thank you so much, Zack, I feel a lot better," she shared.
"Don't thank me, just know that I love you." He winked before heading to the bathroom.
"I love you too," she responded.
Dear Eric,
Although you may never see this, I just want to say that I'm no longer this sad, broken, lonely girl that you created, but free. I feel freer and happier than I have ever been before. I have a wonderful, loving husband, a beautiful, smart daughter, and another bundle of joy on the way. You see, I have a great life but that isn't the point of this letter. I was fifteen years old when I experienced the pain no human should ever have to endure. You hurt me and I didn't realize how much of an impact it had until I was left with a piece of paper with your handwriting on it. Now, I leave you with this piece of paper and my handwriting. All these years, I was left trapped and broken because of you. Because of what you did to me, because of how you manipulated and controlled me as if I was nothing but a useful yet useless object. I've always wondered what happened to you, what changed? You were so kind and sweet and head over heels in love with me, and then one day, you turned into someone I could barely recognize. The reason I stayed in that toxic, abusive relationship was because I thought it would all pass and I could get the old you back, but I never got you back. That might've been the worst day of my life back then but looking back on it now, I just want to thank you because you made me stronger than I ever knew I was before. If it hadn't been for your sudden departure, I wouldn't have been free from that horrible experience you put me through. I wouldn't have even discovered a love that was so pure and true, a love that I deserved. So thank you. This letter is not written in spite whatsoever but for a sense of closure and a goodbye. I forgive you, Eric, even after the hell I've gone through because of you, I forgive you. Now, you no longer have a hold over my life. All the years of resentment, bitterness, anger, sadness, guilt, loneliness, confusion, etc, are all gone because I've moved on by the grace of God.
I hope you find peace in your life.
Sincerely, Lisa Morris
…
As Zack and Lisa walked through their childhood park with swinging hands, they admired the familiar scenery around them.
They were back home in the Palisades, visiting close family and friends. Zoey spent time at her grandparents' house (Zack's parents), and also saw her other set of grandparents who were visiting as well.
"Wow, it's been so long and all of our dreams came true." He smiled at her.
She wrapped her arm around his torso and looked up at him.
"It's amazing, isn't it? I remembered we came to this park the day I gave back the necklace to you," she recalled.
"Oh, you remember that," he teased.
Lisa stuck out her tongue while uttering mocking noises.
"Hey! Of course I do! I was hurt when you made me give back the necklace that YOU gave to me," she accused, amusingly.
"I'm sorry, do you forgive me?" Zack batted his lashes like a begging puppy.
Lisa playfully shoved him aside before grabbing his arm.
"I remembered when you did the RIGHT thing and gave back the necklace. That was the night I finally admitted to myself that I had feelings for you," she said, softly.
"Well it took you long enough, I figured my feelings out way before you did," he teased again before getting serious.
"I seriously can't believe how far we have come. I thought I was going to lose you forever until you kissed me at the senior party." He mischievously shifted his eyebrows up and down.
"You were a jerk." She laughed.
"How was I a jerk?" He stopped and playfully frowned.
"Hello? You compared Kelly and I together while being jealous over her and her date." Lisa pretended to be upset.
"I felt so betrayed, but how could I stay mad at this cute face." She stroked his chin as a chuckle escaped her mouth.
"Yeah, well, at least I made it up to you when I took you to that ski resort," he said.
"True, that was fun."
They continued walking with Lisa's body wrapped underneath Zack's arm.
"I remembered on banquet night when I saw you in that red dress, my heart wanted to explode. I think that was the first time I've ever seen you in THAT way," he admitted while smirking.
"In what way?" she returned his smirk, pretending to be clueless.
He laughed.
"Seriously though, that necklace really shook things up between us, and honestly, I can't be mad." Zack warmly smiled at her.
"Yeah. That necklace sure was something else, but do you remember the beach trip and we both got matching necklaces, now that was cute," Lisa gushed.
"I wonder whatever happened to those?" he questioned.
"They're probably in the storage closet along with our other memories." She smiled.
Zack wrapped his arm around her shoulder and returned her smile.
As they walked through the park, Lisa abruptly stopped and her eyes widened.
"What happened?" Zack asked, concerned.
"I-"
He quickly moved in front of her, touching her arms.
"I think my water just broke," she announced.
…
"Ok, just keep pushing!" the OB-GYN ordered as she lay in the bed with both legs spread out.
Labor nurses and OB Techs surrounded her as well as Zack who was in a scrub, blending in with the other healthcare workers.
Sweating her edges off, Lisa tried pushing the baby out but the pain was severe after every push.
There was no time to give her an epidural shot since she was already in labor before being taken into the delivery room.
"You're doing great, babe, I could see the head!" Zack exclaimed while invading the doctor's space.
"Hey buddy, give me some space so I can do my job, alright," the OB-GYN advised.
"Sorry," Zack backed away and quickly went beside Lisa.
"It's about time you showed up next to me." She looked pissed and in pain at the same time.
"Well, I'm here now-" Zack grabbed her hand but soon realized it was a mistake.
Lisa was crushing his hand so hard that he forgot how to breathe.
"Lis- Lisa…" Zack struggled to get his words out.
"ZACKKKK!" She screamed as she felt an acute, sharp pain stab her lower end.
Adding to her already tight grip, she tightened it further.
"LISAAAA!" he screamed with her as his face turned a pale, bluish color.
They were both now screaming in the room.
"LET GO OF MY HAND, WOMAN!" He tried yanking away using his other hand.
"IF I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS THEN SO DO YOU- AHHHH!" She trapped his hand, pulling him even closer to her.
As the nurses attempted to separate the two, their parents along with Zoey busted through the doors, witnessing the chaos.
"Oh my goodness!" Zack's mother expressed with a look of shock.
One of the nurses was on the floor with a bloody nose, the other was trying to pull Zack away as he was hovering over a screaming Lisa.
"Oh, Lisa!" Judy shrieked while shoving her purse to her husband, and rushing to the scene.
"I guess I'll take Zoey outside." Zack's father grabbed her hand and departed.
"Will you two stop fooling around, the baby is almost out!" the doctor snapped, getting everyone's attention.
The tumultuous atmosphere in the room calmed down as excitement filled the air.
"Just hang in there, baby, alright. I'm right here." He brushed her hair with his sore hand.
"Thank you," she said, before screaming again.
…
It was a boy.
A handsome baby boy.
Despite Zoey stealing Zack's face, their son resembled Lisa's more.
"He is so adorable, oh my goodness! I wish I was pregnant right now, he is just too cute," Jessie awed as she held onto him in the delivery room.
The entire gang was there: Screech, Slater, Jessie, and Kelly, all witnessing a precious moment in their friends' lives.
"Hey guys, who did you assign to be Godfather to this baby?" Slater asked.
"We haven't decided yet," Zack admitted.
"Then let me make your decision easy, I'll be a great Godfather," Slater made his case.
"Lisa?" Zack looked to her for approval.
"Okay, but that means you have to be active in Luke's life," she said.
Slater pumped his fist in the air.
"Don't worry, I'll send him a gift every birthday and when he turns twenty-one, I'll take him to a strip club," Slater joked, causing Jessie and Kelly to boo him.
"I'm regretting my decision already." Lisa shook her head as a few chuckles slipped out.
"If you guys make Slater the Godfather then you have to make me the Godmother! Screech and Jessie got to be Zoey's Godparents," Kelly pleaded.
"Of course! And when Luke gets of age he can play with your son," Lisa said, getting excited while discussing future plans.
"Oh my gosh, yes!" Kelly exclaimed.
"So what are you going to name him?" Screech, the unlikely wise one, finally asked.
The room fell silent as the couple thought about it.
"Can I see him?" Lisa turned to Jessie.
With gentle hands, she passed the baby back to Lisa as Zack positioned himself by her headrest.
"Since Zack got to pick the name last time, we both agreed that I would be the one to pick out the name for the next one, so drum roll please…"
As her loved ones drew near, their faces lit up with encouragement and enthusiasm for her.
"Our son's name is going to be…Luke Gabriel Morris," she announced with a smile on her face.
Everyone agreed that the name she chose was great and took turns expressing their positive thoughts about it.
"That's a great name, Lis," Zack kissed her on the forehead before picking up his baby.
"Ah, my son, Luke, I love that." He held him in his arms while swaying him gently.
Despite the challenges and obstacles they faced, Zack and Lisa remained resilient and made it through together, ultimately achieving their happy ending.
This was especially true for Lisa, who found that life could not have been any more wonderful.
…
Final Author's Note: Heyyyy everyone! Thank you all for sticking with me through this journey as I finally depart from the fanfiction world. It's been a pleasure writing Zisa stories and I hope you guys are inspired to write a story of your own (doesn't have to be Zisa, lol). I started writing fanfiction about three years ago thanks to the encouragement of one of the Zisa writers who wrote Back to Bayside, and I loved it! What I wanted to do with this was tell a story about how two close friends are brought together by a single necklace. I wanted to touch on the intricacies of many topics as I wrote the love story of Zack and Lisa. There were many changes made from the original, rough draft copy because I wanted to tie as much as I could together (directly and indirectly). An important thing to keep in mind is that Eric played a huge role in this story despite not being visibly present at all in the story. There were many hints (subtle and non-subtle) throughout the entire story. Even the second book pointed out at the very beginning how not everything is as it seems. Zisa has been so cute and has such wasted potential, I hope I was able to show that potential in all the stories I've written, aka The Zisa Verse. There was this other story I never posted relating more to Zisa's family dynamic called, That Morris Family. If you want to check it out, just inbox me here or my email: Caiahcalixte1 . I'm always happy to share! Lastly, you can also message me if you want to know the raw, behind-the-scenes of this second story (my thought process, lol) as well as previous ideas. It dives further into the whole alternate reality and how it all connects. Anyway, it's been fun, and I hope you all enjoyed this ride.
Signed, Analise