Desire Ch. 52 - Hangovers and Birthdays

[itztigress3]

Chapter 52- Hangovers and Birthdays
POV: Emily / Zac
Word Count: 5276

March 14, 2010; Taylor’s birthdays

I woke up at 8:45 with a killer headache. Amanda and Casey had chosen the weekend before the wedding to throw our parties so we had the week to recover. The girls and I were at Isaac’s house, because of the added security guard and the boys were all at Taylor’s. I woke up between Amanda and Samantha, when I sat up they groaned as well.

I honestly couldn’t deny that the bachelorette party was just what I needed; a week with Amanda was also just what I needed. Both events were a welcome relief from the overload of men I had experienced for months. I climbed over Amanda and got up, stumbled to the bathroom as it was my bladder that woke me up. Instead of laying back down I went down to the kitchen to find something to relieve the headache. Nikki was standing in the kitchen fixing breakfast. She had bottles of water sitting with bottles of aspirin.

“Oh my god you are a live saver!” I exclaimed grabbing water and getting aspirin.

She smiled. “I knew you all would be hung-over and need them.” She replied.

“Oh Jesus, no kidding! Who the hell made those Jello shots?”

“That would be my lovely husband Isaac. I am positive he made them way too strong, but really Ems you had like half the tray and then you followed that with four of Natalie’s vodka sunrise drinks. I’m shocked you didn’t pass out before the strippers arrived.”

I giggled. “I’m so not telling Zac that, he will skin me and Amanda alive.”

She smiled widely. “Honey, Zac already knew about them. Amanda literally begged him all day Thursday and he told her the only way he would agree is if he hired them himself, so he handled that.”

I took the aspirin and downed some water, digesting that information because he had been very adamant about no strippers.

“But he didn’t get strippers, did he?”

“Yes. When he gave Amanda the confirmation on them she told Isaac and he handled that aspect.”

I considered that a moment. “I surely hope there is video from his, I want to see how he handled that.”

She laughed. “Taylor was there and so was Casey, I am sure there is video or pictures or something. Isaac sent me a message about midnight that said Zac was plastered, seems the two of you really needed this.”
“We did. Hey, are we still doing a cook out for Taylor’s birthday?”

“Yes. We don’t have to be there until noon though. I’ll begin waking everyone up about 9.”

“I could head on over, I’m already up.”

She cut her eyes to me and I straightened my back some, Nikki could be just as temperamental as I could be. I’d seen a few of her angry outburst in the last few years.

“You will do no such thing; you know Zac will skin us all if you came alone. I can call and see if Casey or Aaron is awake and will come get you.”

I held up my hands. “I’ll call Aaron, he’s actually closer to you and they were going home afterwards. But, I may as well shower first.”

She smiled. “Want breakfast first?”

“Sure.”

“Hey! Toss me a few eggs in too please.” Natalie called.

Nikki smiled and added a few more for both of us; Gina was in the living room napping evidently. She finished breakfast as the three of us went to the back porch. Their backyard was not huge, but it was adequate with a pool that was enclosed for the protection of the babies. We finished our breakfast as sat there sipping cocoa. It was oddly quite with them both sitting on either side of me and I realized I’d have sisters. Christina technically was my sister-in-law as well, but she didn’t really talk to me.

“There was something I wanted to ask you two. Are you ever pissed off that I go with them a lot? Like the tours and stuff?” I asked.

Nikki looked at me from over her cup. “The first time you went no, but we didn’t know you and Zac were an item either, not until Isaac and Taylor called us and explained what was going on. I never much liked Kate because of the way she treated Zac, she was very talkative about their personal life and Zac never seemed open about that part of himself. However, the second one yes but then Isaac reminded me that you were working also. Not like it would be for Natalie and me.”

“The tours never bothered me; it was the song writing retreat that pissed me off because Taylor had never asked me if I wanted to go or anything. I pitched a holy hell fit when he got home and found out.” Natalie said.

“So did I. Is that why you argued with Zac about staying home this year? Isaac said he heard you two a couple times.” Nikki said.

It was part of the reasons that I was adamant to stay home; I had heard Ike and Tay talking about how mad they had been.

“It was one of the factors, but not the only reason. I truly didn’t think Adam would come after me with my brother there. Sadly, I don’t think Zac would have left me there alone period. I seriously think he contemplated driving and drugging me or something.” I giggled and so did they.

“Taylor said Zac was prepared to drive down and that he did ask where he could get chloroform.” Natalie said.

We giggled over that one for several minutes before it got quite again.

“You guys won’t be mad if I go with them on the promotional stuff? Zac’s not going to be comfortable leaving me at home with or without anyone.”

“No. Taylor and Isaac have already explained to us that Zac’s not leaving you alone. We understand and we agree really, he caused you to get shot and he seems to be afraid of Zac.”

“What do you mean?”

“Has he ever come near you when Zac’s around?”

I had to think about that one, because I wasn’t sure. “I don’t think so, not since Atlanta on that first tour when Zac broke his nose.”

They both smiled and it settled again, another quite moment before Natalie looked at me.

“How come you aren’t like Kate was when it comes to talking to us about everything?” Natalie asked.

I really didn’t expect the question and took several minutes to find the right answer.

“Was there anything really specific you were referring too?”

She glanced at Nikki and then back to me. “Sex mostly, when we asked last all you just said was she lied to us. But really, you don’t talk much to us about anything personal.”

“She did lie. Honestly, sometimes I want to talk about things like that but you guys have known Zac for a while and I don’t want to make it weird. Added, considering I see them all day I don’t need details of what you do behind closed doors. It’s obvious whatever they do, you like and enjoy because you’re still with them and you don’t complain.”

“You don’t complain or brag you just avoid the subjects all together.” Nikki said.

“Zac didn’t like that Kate complained to you both about their lack of a sex life, mostly because it was her fault yet she was blaming him. He didn’t like that she was so open to discussing those details with others. I saw the lists of flaws she gave him, it wasn’t nice and it wasn’t good. I mean really guys she slammed everything from his voice to lack of experience in the bedroom; she was ruthless and did a lot of self-esteem damage. I’ve tried to improve that.”

“Taylor said you wrote him a list too.”

I smiled, remembering the list I had written so long ago.

“I did, two full pages of things that he was great at, things he did well, and things I wouldn’t ever change. He keeps that list at work and when he starts to think about what she said, he reads it. He has one at home too with more private items. I’ve added to both of them. I do want to talk with you both about it, but at the same time I know Zac likes privacy and he doesn’t want me to brag about sex.”

“But you don’t brag about anything! He bought you a car for Christmas, an awesome car and you didn’t brag.” Nikki said.

I blushed some, she did have a point there was so much he did that I could brag about that had nothing to do with sex, but I didn’t.

“You could brag a little about the sex too, you don’t seem to be deprived.” Natalie said and smiled.

I giggled. “Deprived is a lose term at the moment, Dr. Nicols said no sex until after the wedding and I be damned if Zac took that to heart and won’t disobey. In a general sense our sex life is great. He’s definitely not boring or horrible; he’d adventurous and willing to try new things or places. Where Kate got that he sucked I don’t know.”

Natalie blushed a bit and I could tell she wanted to say something, but she hesitated for several minutes before she turned to me, her cheeks slightly red.

“Kate told me once not long after they got married that Zac was too big and sex hurt no matter what she did. She was drunk though, so I don’t know if she was lying or not.”

Nikki blushed some then. “I think she was telling you the truth, she mentioned that to me also and she was sober. I can’t remember what we were talking about but they were on tour and it was less than a year after they got married. She asked me about Isaac and when I questioned why, she explained that every time they had sex it hurt like hell, her exact words. She wondered if it was just Zac or if all three of them were that way. She seriously tried to give me like exact measurements of Zac and I shut her up because I did not want that information.”

I blushed I know, I could feel it all over my cheeks, ears, and my neck and they were both looking at me.

“Maybe for her he is but to me he’s fine. The only time it really hurts is if he’s rough but I don’t have any complaints in that department. Unlike Kate, I’m not going to volunteer to tell anyone the exact measurements and I won’t be asking either of you either, unless I’m drunk, if I do then just ignore it.”

“Taylor would kick my butt if I gave his exact size. We all know we’ve all measured ourselves. For the record I have a hard time with Zac and rough in the same sentence.”

I looked at her and smiled, shit I’d said too much there. “Um...I learned that particular fact very early in our relationship. I won’t detail how rough he likes it or me for that matter.”

As strange as it felt to be talking about sex with them, it felt good too. It wasn’t Amanda who really didn’t know much more than them and I couldn’t discuss sex with Christina period. So, this was nice. I found that none of us were really saying anything that gave too much detail.

“So, I gather this line is a little awkward for us all, so what about outside the bedroom. We know your sex life is great, but Kate always bitched about Zac being a complete slob and lazy as hell, saying all he did was play video games when he was at home.”

I had to laugh at that one and they both seemed confused. “I really don’t know how he was with her. He’s great with me. He cleans up, he does laundry, he’ll help me do whatever needs to be done, he makes the beds, and he even cleans bathrooms! He’s not a great cook, but he will cook and does a great breakfast. He’s great when I am sick too, because he’ll do whatever I ask.”

“Even wear the elusive nurse outfit; I would pay to see him in just the shirt.” Nikki said.

“I wouldn’t mind that one either.” Natalie replied.

It took me just a moment to find the picture and show her. “He wore it a few weeks ago when I first come home and I got a picture.”

“Nice. I can see why Isaac said he got the hell out of there.” She giggled.

“Yep. Actually Taylor was pretty naive at first until he saw how tight the pants were, he then left too. The pants, really if either of you try this particular one, buy the pants too small as well.”

They both smiled and slightly giggled.

“It’s nice to know that she lied because really Zac never seemed that lazy and he didn’t seem like he was some monk either.” Natalie said.

“He’s far from monk; our drives are pretty much the same which works out great.”

“I guess I should wake people up and get breakfast done. Emily are you just going to wait?”

“No, I’m going to call Aaron and then shower.”

“Ok.”She said.

I smiled at her. “Thank you Nikki.”

“For what?”

“Agreeing to let them do it here.”

“Honey you deserve to experience this, its part of a wedding and we only chose this weekend so you can both be fully sober when you arrived at that church.”

I actually hugged her and Natalie. “I think I’m going to enjoy having sisters.”

“I can image! I’m sure little Monroe will enjoy having you as his aunt.”

“Monroe? You guys have a name already and he? You know?”

“Yes. We found out last week and his name will be James Monroe, but we’re using his middle name.”

I smiled at her. “I like that name. So, I’m going to shower and get ready. I’ll get Amanda and Samantha up; they were in the room with me.”

“Ok.” She said.

I went back to the room, got them up and then showered. It woke me up at least and got rid of the glitter that the stripper had all over him. Aaron picked me and Natalie up at 10:30 and we went to Taylor’s, I was shocked to find the house was relatively clean. Casey was in the kitchen cooking breakfast, Taylor and Christopher were chatting about something and Craig was looking like hell warmed over.

“Craig, what is wrong with you?”

“Oh god, Isaac made Jello shots…”

“Oh I know about those. I feel you. Casey, why are you cooking?”

“It is Taylor’s birthday; he shouldn’t cook his own breakfast.”

“Truth. How did it go?” Natalie asked.

“It was fun, they surprised me with cake!” Taylor said.

I glanced around with Natalie, seeing the box but not the cake.

“Did you guys eat an entire sheet cake?” she asked.

Christopher, Craig, and Taylor giggled and Casey actually laughed.

“No. Zac carried it in and after singing he was going to sit it down and tripped over Ike’s foot and landed face first in the cake. Last time I let a drunken brother carry cake. But you know he wasn’t done, so when he gets up the other half went in my face.”

“Please tell me there is video of that!” I giggled excited for the prospect.

Casey tossed me his phone. “It’s on there!”

We huddled around his camera to see the epic cake to the face, which was hilarious as Zac looked like he was drunk. They scattered after that one but I viewed the others as more of the guys woke up. When I busted out laughing and couldn’t stop, Casey smiled.

“She found the stripper video.” He said.

Natalie looked at me confused and when I stopped laughing I showed her the video. They caught the shocked expression followed by the bright red in his face, he looked so nervous. But, when the blonde went to give him a lap dance, he went over the back of the couch to get away from her.

“Have you scared him that bad?” Natalie asked.

“No, he just…he has some weird aversion to stuff like this with other people.”

“Truth. We had to put him in the chair and stand around for the poor woman to give him a lap dance and then he looked terrified the whole time.” Craig said.

I looked at Craig. “You guys are so mean. But, speaking of Zac where is my future husband? I see all the guys but him.”

“Casey and I half carried, half dragged him to the second spare room.” Ike said.

“He was still passed out when I got up.” Craig said.

“You slept in there?”

“Me, Casey, Christopher and Zac slept in there. Actually he woke me up with an elbow to the rib.”

“Snoring woke me up.” Christopher said.

I giggled. “I’ll go get him.”

Taylor slid me a bottle of water and the bottle of aspirin. “He’ll probably need that. I tried to regulate his drinking but after about four myself it was pointless. So, I have no idea how much he actually drank.”

I picked them up and got up. “Happy Birthday Taylor.”

“Thank you.”

I went up-stairs and down to the second guest room, the door was pulled too so I carefully and quietly pushed it open. I crept in and closed the door behind me. He was sprawled in the middle of the bed still asleep. I locked the door and walked over to the bed quietly sitting the bottles down on the night stand. I snuck a quick photo because he looked so content. I considered a dozen very rude and mean ways to wake him up. Such as playing an annoying alarm or just ripping the curtains open and letting bright sunshine in or just jumping on the bed but instead I sat down and watched him sleep a few moments before I leaned over him and kissed his cheek, he didn’t move for the first several kisses, but the last time he moved as I came down and I got his lips instead of his cheek.

“Good morning.”

He smiled some and pulled me back down for another seven or eight kisses, I eventually moved and straddled him with the sheet between us.

“Not a good morning, I feel like… I’m not even sure.”

“Yeah, you apparently drank more than I did.”

“Isaac fixed a lot of mine.”

I moved my fingers along his hairline; dried icing was stuck in his hair. “You had one wild night.”

He smiled. “I heard you did too. Did you enjoy the chip-n-dale team?”

I kissed him. “I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it was you. It was entertaining but they weren’t you. I see you didn’t much like your strippers though.”

The blush came instantly and took over his face. “I’m going to kill whoever videotaped that.”

“That would be Casey. You seriously went over the back of the couch? Were you that terrified?”

He pulled me down for another kiss. “She wasn’t you and I didn’t expect them so I was terrified that you’d see the video and freak out. But, I knew they were coming to yours and what they would do.”

“Did you at least enjoy the party cake boy?”

“Fuck…what don’t you know?” he groaned.

“I saw all of Casey’s videos. But the cake wasn’t your fault really, you tripped.”

“I did, over Isaac’s foot. I really don’t want to talk about last night though.”

“Oh? What do you want to do then?”

He pulled me down and went back to kissing me, I was fine with that but eventually had to move my leg down so he just turned sideways, putting me on my left side. He kept me close to him but the sheet was still in the way. I didn’t mind the shower of kisses or being held though.

“Baby, everyone else is up. Shouldn’t you get up too?”

He nuzzled my neck and kissed me again. “I am up, just not the way you’re referring.”

I giggled. “Whose fault is that? You drag me down for a post-hangover make out session.”

“You’ve showered already. You could have waited and joined me at least.”

I kissed him again and ran my hand up the back of his head, tangling my hand in the tangled locks of his hair.

“Not helping the up situation there Emily.”

“I could do so much more.”

He groaned and laid his head back down on the pillow. I moved my hand and sat up, pulling the cover down and off him. He wasn’t kidding with the up statement and I resisted making that worse, considering boxers and a t-shirt was all he had on. He finally sat up slowly.

“I should lie back down.”

“No, you need to get up a shower will help.”

“I think my overnight bag is here.”

I got up and found his bag and he got the water and aspirin. He did opt for the shower and I sat on the sink while he got clean, tempting as it was I decided listening to Zander was important. I didn’t need to be in the hospital Saturday.

“You rarely do that, watch me shower.”

I smiled at him. “It could become a new fetish; I can sit in the tub and watch you shower at home.”

He grinned and finished getting dressed. We went back downstairs and Amanda rolled her eyes, they’d all arrived as we were upstairs.

“That took a long time.”

“He was truly passed out and I waited on him to shower too.”

She just smiled and we settled in again, Zac and I both avoided the mixed drinks, because our heads were bad enough.

“Did you invite Christina?” I asked.

“Yes. She couldn’t make it out this week, work obligations.” Amanda said.

“Oh! Video, come on I know one of you got video from last night!” Zac said.

He was shown video from the various funny things that occurred and we laughed and giggled together, over my drunken karaoke moment and the gifts which were in our car now, but he seemed concerned over the vibrator Amanda bought saying it was for when he was out of town. He leaned over and nipped my ear.

“It’s not big enough to be useful to you.”

I giggled. “It would work if I had too.”

He watched and viewed all the media items and he saved the various ones from everyone’s cameras and phones to his laptop. Those in attendance would get a burned copy after we were back.

About 1 Nikki and Isaac went and got another cake for Taylor, this time forbidding Zac to even touch it. By 2 those that were invited to the birthday party were present; everyone was hanging out and sharing stories about Taylor mostly, but even family ones. It was nice to see my brothers getting along with his family.

Ezra and Penny arrived when Zac’s parents did and Ezra seemed to attach himself to me, sitting beside me on the couch. Evidently, Taylor had not kidded when he said Ezra asked about me every day, multiple times per day and missed me. Truthfully, it felt nice that I was missed by him given I wasn’t there when he was born.

-Zac-

I hadn’t intended on getting that drunk, but the ability to not worry about Emily was nice. However, my head was still killing me and the fact that it was noisy here with so many people was not helping. But, I was happy to be surrounded by family and friends. Ezra was curled up beside Emily on the sofa, he wouldn’t leave her side and I thought it was kind of cute. I was in the kitchen getting another bottle of water hoping it would help the headache when Taylor leaned against the counter and pointed toward the living room. I looked in and found that Ezra was lying curled up on one side of Emily asleep, Everett was on the other side asleep, and Penny was sitting in her lap asleep.

“You definitely need a picture of that, have they ever done that?” I said.

“No, they haven’t. I will get one in a moment, so when are you giving us a niece or nephew? Emily is amazing with them and she’ll be a great mom.”

I wasn’t really sure how to answer him. “We elected to wait a year at least; she’s worried about Adam too.”

He smiled. “You two need to get at it soon. Ike and I are being hounded by Mom and Dad for another grandchild.”

“Hey, Mom should be content. She’s getting another grandson from Ike.”

“But I want grand babies from you Zachary Walker!” She said.

I turned and found Mom standing at the fridge, smiling at me. “Mom!”

“Not kidding Zachary, you’ll be marrying her Saturday so you can get busy after that.”

“Jeez! That’s a little soon. I don’t even know if I’m ready for kids.”

She smiled. “You are Zachary. Seriously, I’m waiting.”

She got a bottle of water and went back to the living room. I looked at Emily and she was playing with Ezra’s hair. I was kind of jealous of that, her doing that to me always made me feel better. Taylor went in and got the picture of her with them, and then he and Natalie moved the kids to their beds for the nap. I seized the moment and took the seat beside her and laid my head on her shoulder. She looked at me and smiled some.

“Really Zac?”

“My head is killing me.”

“You are seriously jealous of me playing with Ezra’s hair?”

“No…”

She moved and started rubbing the side of my head, smoothing the hair back. I really didn’t care that everyone was around us. I know for a fact Taylor and Casey took a picture, but I didn’t care about that either.

About four Ike, I, and our father went outside to grill hamburgers and hot dogs; we refused to let Taylor cook for it was his birthday. As we got the fire going Dad nudged my arm some.

“Are you ready for Saturday?”

I squeezed another half a bottle of lighter fluid on the flames and watched Ike’s eyes grow wide fearing I was going to set the house on fire or something.

“I am. I don’t feel as nervous this time.”

He smiled. “Your mother is right; we are waiting for a little mini Zac. Although, I am completely fine if you want to wait another year. I’m also very glad the mother of mini Zac will be Emily.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Kate was a nice girl, but the way she treated you was not acceptable to your mother and I. If she was that way toward you, we can’t image how she would be to children.”

I sprayed another few squirts of lighter fluid and pondered that.

“Kate was always ok with other kids. But, considering her cheating I am glad we didn’t have kids. I agree with you, the only person I ever saw when I pictured kids was Emily. Couldn’t image anyone better and she proves that with Ezra, Penny, and Everett every time she sees them.”

He smiled and took the lighter fluid. “That’s plenty Zachary.”

We set about cooking and it was nice to be with Dad, but I couldn’t help wonder how Emily handled not having a mother at all and now no father. I couldn’t fathom not having my parents, they had been supportive and encouraging with us all, even though my parents had one more than hers, our childhoods were so different. Would she want to take the route her father did and choose spankings for everything? I couldn’t ever image hitting my child the way she described being spanked by him. Then again, with the three little ones now she hardly ever popped them for anything, in fact I think she’d only ever popped Ezra once and that was after Thanksgiving, he’d ran from us twice at the mall and the second time is when she did.

“Dad.” I said.

“Yes son?”

“Did you ever spank us as little kids? I don’t remember you or mom doing it.”

“Yes, I think every one of you have gotten at least one. We didn’t really need too most of the time you all minded when we said something, sometimes though it was just testing the waters. Why?”

“Wondering, that’s all.”

He patted my shoulder and leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “She won’t be like her father Zachary; she’s already proven that just being around your younger siblings and the grandbabies. I am sure that before you have children you’ll discuss this with her. We never did what her father did, I think the most we ever did was three.”

I looked at him and smiled. “Thanks, for everything. I sometimes took for granted just how lucky we are to have parents that care about us and want what is best.”

“You can thank me with a grandbaby in a year or two.”

I smiled; they were not letting me off easy on that! Once dinner was cooked everyone sat down to eat, talk, have cake and ice cream, and generally be together. It was good to be with family, but I was glad when we went home too. Casey and Amanda rode back with us and helped unload the car as well. Emily chose the couch and since my head still hurt I laid down and stretched out, she didn’t mind my head in her lap and her hands quickly found their way into my hair. I felt relaxed then.

“You look like you want to curl up and pass out Zac.” Casey said.

“I know I want too.” Amanda said.

I glanced at him. “I think I do. I can’t get rid of the headache, although her magic fingers are helping.”

Emily giggled. “I think its bedtime. Unfortunately, I do have to work this week.”

“I think your right.” I said.

They smiled and we all went to bed, Emily curled up with me and was still moving my hair back.

“I’m glad you had a good party, I know you were worried something would happen.” She said.

“I’m glad you had fun, the videos and pictures are kind of awesome. I think you blushing over the stripper was kind of cute.”

“Just a few more days, then you can certainly say I am yours forever.”

“I love you Emily.”

“I love you, get some sleep you’ll feel better in the morning and hopefully I will too.”

“Doubtful, you and Amanda are doing final fittings and I have to be at the studio.”

“Casey is going with us, under the premise that he’s not allowed to tell you a damn thing about the dress otherwise he won’t be able to sit down.”

“You know, I think I can wait until Saturday. I won’t even ask him.”

She leaned in and kissed me and I could tell when she fell asleep, her hand stopped moving. I gently moved her hand and held it as I drifted off.