Zombies 6

The Long Road Ahead

*Reminder* Italics= dialogue spoken in sign language

Addison stared at the monitor beside her bed, watching the line as it bounced up and down across the screen. It still hadn't completely set in that she was watching her child's heartbeat.

A knock at the door snapped Addison from her thoughts and she turned to see a nurse poking her head in.

"There are people here to see you Mrs. Necrodopolis. Shall I let them in?" The nurse asked.

"Call me Addison." Addison replied. "And yes, let them in."

The nurse nodded, opening the door wide enough for the small group to enter. Bree, Bonzo, Wyatt, Eliza, Bucky, and Ziva all crowded into the small room.

Addison was immediately smothered with hugs and questions as everyone wanted answers to what had happened.

"Alright, alright, everyone calm down." Missy said, causing the group to go quiet. "Addison has been through alot in the last few hours. I know you all have questions, but now really isn't the best time."

"Mom." Addison grabbed Missy's arm. "It's okay. I think talking would be a good distraction for me right now."

Missy's face turned serious. "Are you sure you're up for it?"

Addison nodded. "I am. And I promise of I start getting tired I'll tell you that I need a break."

Missy reluctantly backed down. "Alright, go ahead then."

Bucky immediately stepped forward, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "I think the main question we have, is are you okay?"

"Yeah," Wyatt chimed in. "How are you holding up?"

Addison looked at her family and friends. "Honestly, I'm still wrapping my head around everything. I mean, I never expected any of this."

"People usually don't when stuff like this happens." Eliza replied solemnly. "But what matters is how you choose to handle it."

"You're right." Addison nodded. "But I'd be able to handle it better if I knew how Zed was doing. No one will tell me anything."

Ziva tapped Addison's hand. "They won't tell us either. We've all been trying. Not even Zevon or Zoey have any news."

Addison frowned. "Really? They know nothing?"

"Za. (Yeah)." Bonzo sighed. "Zedka ro gast zeng. Ag goriz agro harg. (Zed is my best friend. I'm worried about him.)"

Bree patted his hand. "We're all worried Bonzo."

Addison held out her good arm, motioning Bonzo over. "Can I get a hug from the best hugger in Seabrooke?"

Bonzo's face broke into a grin as he walked over and carefully hugged her, avoiding her bad shoulder. "Zet zazig. (Of course.)"

Addison wrapped her good arm around him, hugging Bonzo as firmly as she could. It wasn't the same as hugging Zed, but it gave her great comfort none the less.

After a moment, Bonzo began to pull away, only to freeze when he noticed the monitor strapped to Addison's stomach. The blanket had been hiding it before, but now it was in clear view.

Bonzo instinctively reached out to touch it, only to pull back when he realized what he was about to do. This was Addison, not Bree, but he knew what that monitor meant. The doctor had shown him and Bree one just like it at their last appointment when they had asked questions about the process they would go through when it came time for their baby to be born.