"You want to have a party?" Dak said with a raised brow.
"A surprise party. For Leah." Zeke said.
"Zeke, this is Leah we're talking about. She's not gonna be too fond of it."
"I know she hates surprises, of course I do. But I want to do something nice for her. She never gets to relax much or have friends over, ever since she decided to keep Kenzie."
"And you think a party will help? Knowing she hates parties." he said with a raised brow.
"It's just to getting everyone around her to be there to show they support her."
"Wow. We have two different definitions of a party."
Zeke looked at him with a deadpanned expression. "Just, why? Why? Why do you have to be a buzz kill?"
"I'm not trying, I'm just saying the truth. And I think you shouldn't do this."
"You wouldn't do the same for Zoey?"
"If I want her to relax and let loose, I would take her somewhere. Or even run her a warm and nice bath and give her a massage as she drank some wine and I would put on a movie for her."
"I was planning on doing that after. And give her a nice piece of cheesecake."
"I swear, you're dense sometimes."
"I did nothing wrong. She thinks that she's alone and no one supports her. I just want everyone who loves and cares for her to be there and show her wrong."
"I don't know, man. But when she's mad at you, don't say I didn't warn you."
"I'm sure I'll have nothing to worry about. Though, hopefully she'll have an excuse to leave and we can put everything up."
"I don't know too much about that."
"I need to get a list of people ready, get decorations—"
"And how are you supposed to hide all that? Can't be at her place cause you two like to hop back and fourth from one another's home."
He looked at Dak with a big grin. "Dak! Dak-oo! Dak-aroo! Dakie! My main man!"
"You're not keeping the things at my place."
"Why you gotta be like that?!"
"Dude, her sister practically lives with me. And since Diana has decided to come down to Texas, she's been at my place too. And she doesn't know how to keep her mouth zipped when it comes to surprises."
"You're right about that . . . "
"Why can't you just keep it in one of your cars?"
"Cause I haven't tinted some of the windows. And she's been in all of them and she somehow leaves something she needs in one of them."
"Okay, uhm . . . What about your attic?"
"I love Leah with all my heart. But I'm not going up there. I fucking hate it up there."
"Well, shit, what are we supposed to do?"
"I think Cee might help."
"He's been busy and has been having a lot of people in and out of his home . . . But, there is someone else who might help . . . "
"Who?"
"Don't be mad—"
"No. We're not going to him."
"Dude, you know he'll help."
"And I know he has feelings for my girl. No."
"Well . . . "Dak sighed. "We'll just put it in my attic. I'm not as scared of it as you are."
"Thank you, I really appreciate it."
"And I'm really gonna regret this."
"My head has been killing me lately." Leah grumbled as she held her head.
"It's just a headache, it'll pass by." Zeke said as he sat down next to her, handing her a mug with tea in it.
"Thank you." she smiled before she blew it a little then took a drink. She hummed in satisfaction. "This warms my soul."
"Glad it does." he smiled.
She cringed a little.
"Are you okay?" he asked with a worried expression.
"Yeah, I am. My boobs just hurt."
"Is that normal?"
"For me, it kind of is. Hopefully they're not growing again, cause they're big enough. But it could just be a sign I'm getting closer to my period."
"Probably."
She scrunched her nose as she placed her mug on the coffee table. "Did you warm up some fish?"
"Yeah, I did. Do you want any?"
"No. I don't really want any at the moment."
"Okay. Does the smell bother you?"
"A little, yeah."
"I'll spray some fabreeze or something then."
"Thank you." she smiled. "I am going to feed Mack while you eat your fish."
"Sounds good to me." he smiled then gave her a kiss.
Leah smiled at him as he walked away. She stood up and inhaled sharply at the pain in her lower back. Her hand immediately went to that spot and began to try and rub it away.
"Ugh, I gotta see a chiropractor or something." she muttered.
She heard Mackenzie start crying from her room.
"Hang on, Mack, I'm coming!" she said as she began to make her way to Mackenzie's room.
She walked into the room, seeing Mackenzie standing in her crib, holding onto the railing to help her stand.
"Hey, baby. Are you hungry? I'm gonna make you your bottle real quick." Leah said as she held an empty bottle then poured water in it. She then put the powdered formula in the the bottle and shook it. "Okay, here you go." she handed the bottle to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie took the bottle and began to feed herself. Leah sat on the rocking chair and began to rub her head. Feeling her headache come back.
"Babe?" she opened her eyes and saw Zeke standing at the door. "Are you okay?"
She gave him a weak smile and nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just my head."
"You're head has been bugging you lately, are you sick again?"
"No, I don't think so. I feel fine, it's just my head and my back a little."
"Your back?"
"Yeah. Probably cause of you."
He rolled his eyes with a light smirk. "Stand up and let me see."
She stood and pulled up her shirt. She felt his fingers trace her back a little examining it.
"Your hands are cold."
"Sorry. But you have a little bruise on your back. Did you hit it against something?"
"Probably when you went to Dak's place. I was with Mack and I backed myself into the counter."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She dropped her shirt. "I didn't think that I would be getting back pains from it."
"Well, we'll put some ice on it then."
She sat back down on the rocking chair and hissed a little in pain.
"Can you get me an ice pack?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll be right back." he then walked out the room.
Mackenzie stood up in her crib again. She looked at Leah and smiled, going up and down as she babbled.
"Hey, gorgeous girl."
She laughed as she continued to go up and down.
"Here." Zeke held out a ice pack wrapped, small towel wrapped around it.
"Thank you." Leah smiled as she took it then placed it on her back.
"I got a wrap too. If you want to put that on as well."
"Yeah, let me stand up." she nodded.
She stood up, cringing as she did. She lifted her shirt. He began to wrap it around her her lower back to a little below her waist. He grabbed the ice pack and placed it under the wrap.
"There, it'll stay." he kissed her head.
"Thank you. I'm ready to sleep. My head is kicking my butt right now."
"Okay. Go lay down, I got Kenzie." he gave her a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you." she then walked away to the room.
She sat on the bed and cringed. She layed down on her side and began to close her eyes.
"Baby. Time to wake up." Zeke said softly as he shook her a little.
"Why? It's only been ten minutes." she muttered.
"More like two or three hours. And it's because I got us dinner. I can't let you sleep on an empty stomach."
"I'll come downstairs right now."
"No, I brought your food up here. I want to to relax as much as possible."
She smiled at him. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"
"Not lately, no." he joked with a smirk.
"Cause I do. A lot. God definitely choose the right man for my soulmate."
He smiled then gave her a kiss. She smiled into the kiss as her hand rested on the back of his neck. He took his lips off of hers after a few moments, resting his head on hers.
"I'm gonna get Kenzie. There's pizza on a plate next to you."
She nodded her head. He gave her a quick kiss before he walked out. Leah sat up. The smell of the pizza made her mouth water. She grabbed the slice and bit into it. She smiled as she ate it.
Why does it taste so much better at this moment? I must be pretty hungry then. Leah thought with a light chuckle.
"You must really love that pizza." Zeke laughed, Mackenzie in his arms as she ate a teething biscuit.
"It's good. I'm probably just really hungry at the moment."
"Well, I hope it satisfies you then." he said as he sat next to her, leaning back against the headboard after he sat Mackenzie in the play pin next to him.
"Oh, it for sure is."
"How's your back?"
"A little sore. But tolerable at the moment."
"Your head?"
"It's fine."
"Okay, that's good. Wanna watch something while you eat?"
"Yes. I would love that."
Zeke grabbed the remote on the nightstand and turned on the TV. He looked at Leah. "What are we watching?"
"SpongeBob!" she smiled.
He shook his head with a light smirk.
Mackenzie looked at Zeke and smiled. He looked down at Mackenzie and smiled at her.
"Whatcha doing, baby girl?" he said as he nodded his head at her.
She began to babble, holding the little bit of biscuit at him.
"Your eating? Is it good?"
She babbled as she looked down at her little piece of biscuit.
"Did you tell mom?"
She babbled again looking at Leah then back at him.
"Do you want me to get you another one?"
"Nnnn . . . Dada!" she smiled.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes. I'll go and get you your biscuit." he looked at Leah. "Do you want anything to drink?"
"Water will suffice." Leah nodded.
"Okay. I will bring a biscuit for the princess and a water for the queen." he said then got up.
Not much later, Zeke came back with the things in hand. He handed Leah the water and put down the box of biscuits next to him as he took his original spot. Mackenzie looked at him confused then babbled.
"Baby girl, you're not even done with with your first one."
She babbled again as she shook her head vigorously.
"I don't care how mad you get, no."
She babbled more as she glared at him a little.
"You're almost done with it, just finish it."
She babbled louder at him. Leah held her stomach a little as she furrowed her brows. Zeke looked at her with a worried expression. "Babe?"
She took a drink of her water. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure? Do you want me to get you any medicine?"
"I'm fine." she felt something rising in the back of her throat. "Never mind." she said quickly before she rushed up and to the bathroom.
Zeke's face fell to even more worry as he heard her puke. He quickly rushed to her and went behind her, holding her hair up.
Once she finished, she leaned against the toilet, her arm on the seat, and her head propped up with her hand. She looked at Zeke. "I think my stomach bug came back."
"You didn't throw up last time."
"I'll set a doctor's appointment later." she used her other arm to hold his hand. "Go and watch Mackenzie, I'll be out in a bit."
"Are you sure?"
"I'll be fine. It's probably just a one time thing. My body couldn't handle eating at the moment."
He placed his lips in a firm line before he kissed her forehead. He stood up, still holding her hand.
"I'm serious. I want you to see a doctor."
"I will." she smiled tiredly. "I will. I promise."
He walked away and let go of her hand once she was out of arms reach. Leah rubbed her head a little before she stood up. She flushed the toilet then went to the sink. She turned on the water and rubbed her face with it. She dried her face then she began to brush her teeth. Once she brushed her teeth, she swished mouthwash in her mouth.
She took a breath as she rubbed her head again. She walked out of the bathroom and layed on the bed. Zeke stared at her with a worried expression. She looked at him.
"Zeke?"
"You are seeing a doctor."
"I will. I'll set an appointment tomorrow. You'll be out practicing and I'll watch Mack."
"And if you end up more sick tomorrow? You were just fine not that long ago."
"I'll be fine. I'm not dying, Ezekiel."
"You don't know."
"Zeke, each day I'm one day closer to death."
"It may come as a surprise, but I'm not overly fond of talking about you dying one day."
"Well, I hate to break it to you, but it's gonna happen one day."
"That doesn't mean that I want to talk about though, Leah. You wouldn't want to hear about it if the roles were switched."
"Yeah, I wouldn't."
"Then what makes you think that I want to talk about it?"
"I don't—"
"Babe, I don't want to argue. I really don't. I just ask you to not talk about you dying. I don't like hearing about my girlfriend/love of my life dying."
"I'm sorry." Leah said gently.
"It's okay, just . . . " he trailed off before he sighed, grabbing her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers. "don't ever talk about that again, please?"
"I won't."
"I'm serious, Leah."
"As am I."
"Are you sure? I could call Dak and —"
"I'll be fine. I'm good right now." Leah smiled reassuringly, cutting Zeke off.
"And don't forget—"
"I'm gonna set an appointment in a little bit. Your gonna be late for practice, go."
"Okay, okay, I'll go." he chuckled a little. He kissed Mackenzie's forehead. "See you in a little bit, Kenzie." he gave Leah a kiss. "And I'll see you later as well, babe. I love you two."
She gave him a kiss. "And we love you, Elliott." she gave him another kiss. "Be safe." she gave him one final kiss that she let linger for a few seconds. "And try not to hurt yourself too much."
"I know the drill, babe. Bye, I love you guys."
"And we love you." she looked at Mackenzie in her arms. "Tell dada bye."
"Dada!" Mackenzie smiled.
"Bye, baby girl." he smiled.
Then he left. Leah took a breath as she walked to the living room. She placed Mackenzie on her belly for tummy time. Ace walked out of one of the guest rooms, leaving Duce and Jack Jack to sleep in there. He layed down next to Mackenzie, watching her.
Leah took her phone out of her pocket and called her doctor.
"Doctor Luna, how may I help you?" Dr. Luna said.
"Hey, Doc, it's Leah Mazarez."
"Ah, Ms. Mazarez, how are you?"
"Well, I don't know. I was hoping to make an appointment, if that's okay?"
"Well, I have an open slot for one in the afternoon, if you're open then?"
Shit, that's mine and Zeke's anniversary. It'll be fine . . . hopefully. Leah thought.
"Yes, I'll be free then."
"Okay. I'll see you then. Have a good day, Ms. Mazarez."
"You as well, Dr. Luna." Leah said before she hung up.
She took a deep breath before she released it.
God, please be on my side. Leah thought.
"I regret this." Dak panted. "Hey, let's practice then go shopping right after!" he mocked Zeke. "I regret my life!"
"Shut up, you agreed to it." Zeke panted as he bent over, his hands on his knees using it to help prop him up for support.
Dak glared at Zeke. "Fuck you."
"Can we please just put up the last things in the attic, please?"
Dak rolled his eyes as he grabbed a box. "You owe me for this."
"I've done quite a good amount of things for you that cover this."
"Name one."
Zeke raised a brow.
"Never mind, we're even."
"Semi, there's still a few favors you owe me."
"Is it also cause I egged you hard in the shoulder months back?"
"I've been holding it in for a while on payback for that shit."
" . . . Don't kill me."
"I won't. Today at least I won't."
Dak looked at Zeke with nervousness and chuckled awkwardly. "Y—You're joking, right?"
"I don't know, am I?"
"I'm gonna put this in the attic really quick then pray to god that he'll protect me."
Dak grabbed a box, held it in one arm and used his other arm to help him go up the ladder.
"What if I were to close it on you right now?"
"Don't you fucking dare. Hand me the other box."
Zeke grabbed the box, went up a few steps then handed it to Dak. "I'm just saying."
"I will fucking murder you, don't. You. Dare."
Zeke laughed as he got down. "I'm just messing with you."
"Don't say things like that." Dak said as he walked down the ladder.
"No promises." Zeke said as he watched Dak close the attic.
Dak gave him a glare.
"Boys! I made lunch!" Zoey yelled from the kitchen.
"Alright, thanks, princess!" Dak replied.
"I gotta call the wife, I'll meet you downstairs." Zeke said.
"Alright, see you down there." Dak nodded before he walked away.
Zeke took out his phone and dialed Leahs number.
"Hola, amor." Leah said.
"Hey, love. How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine, I set an appointment."
"That's good."
"Babe."
"What is it?"
"My appointment, it's on our anniversary."
"Really?"
"Yes. At one in the afternoon."
Zeke sighed.
"I know it's not what you want to hear. And the day it happens—"
"I don't care, as long as we find out what's going on and you get better."
"I don't deserve you."
"No. I don't deserve you."
"If you were here, I would kiss you."
"I can't wait till I get home then." he smiled.
"You're having lunch at Dak's?"
"Yeah. I'll be back sometime after."
"Okay—Mackenzie, uh-ah! Don't . . . No." she said in a warning tone.
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she just likes getting into things that she shouldn't."
"Well, I'll be home soon. I love you."
"I love you. Bye."
"Bye."
Zeke hung up and pocketed his phone. He then walked down stairs to see Dak eating a salad.
"Is everything good?" Dak asked.
"Yeah, she has a doctors appointment." Zeke said as he put some salad for himself in a bowl.
"Why?"
"Her body's been bothering her and she threw up. She has an appointment on our anniversary."
"I hope she's okay."
"Me too."
"Are you gonna go to the appointment with her?"
"I don't know. It's really up to Leah. The most likely outcome she'll have is me to stay home and watch Kenzie."
"Which you are gonna use to your advantage?"
"Obviously."
"Dude, she's going to the doctor and you're having a party. Think about how jacked up that sounds?"
"It's not like she's on her deathbed." he shut his eyes and shook his head, taking the thought out of his head.
"She's still not gonna like it. Sick or not."
"Well, I'm gonna eat then be on my way. I told her I was gonna be home soon."
"Alright."
"Dada! Dada!" Mackenzie smiled excitedly as she kicked her legs in her walker.
"Hey, baby girl." Zeke smiled, kneeling down and kissed her forehead. He stood up seeing Leah walk towards him. "Hey, gorgeous."
"Hi, love." Leah smiled, giving him a kiss.
"Has she said mama yet?"
"No." she sighed. "She thinks it's funny to be stubborn."
"She gets it from her mama."
"Well, she wouldn't be so stubborn if people would listen to her."
"Yeah. But I love your stubbornness."
"Oh, yeah?" she smirked as she held his hands.
"Oh, yeah." he smiled, giving her another kiss.
"Well, she actually almost crawled while you were gone."
"What?! And you didn't tell me?!"
"It was after our phone call. It was during her tummy time."
"And now she's having walker time."
"To be honest, I didn't want her to start crawling if you weren't here."
He laughed a little. "How sweet of you."
"It's very sweet of me."
"Have you threw up again or anything?"
"If I had then I wouldn't have kissed you, now would I?"
"No, you wouldn't have."
"I feel fine. I told you already. And I got that doctor's appointment to prove that I'm all good."
"Also, do you want me to come with you or?"
"I would love for you to stay home and watch Mack."
"That I can do."
"Thank you very much, kind sir." she smiled.
"For you love, anything." he smiled before he kissed her.
Leah lied awake as Zeke snored next to her. Leah took a breath as she sighed, looking up at the white ceiling above her. She turned on her side, now facing Zeke. She was able to see him in the dark, from her eyes adjusting to it, of course.
She admired him. How peaceful he looked when he slept. She moved her hand to his face. She began to stroke his cheek lightly.
Zeke stopped snoring and his eyes slowly opened. He saw Leah staring at him.
"Are you okay?" Zeke asked.
She nodded her head. "I just can't sleep."
He sighed as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into him. "Do you want to talk till you sleep?"
"No, you can go to sleep."
"I can't sleep knowing your lying awake. Is there something bothering you?"
"No. I'm fine."
"I'd like to believe you, but I can't."
"Why don't we talk about something else?" she said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Okay." he smirked. "Or, we could do something else to make you tired."
"What might that be?" she smirked biting her lip.
He rolled on top of her. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Oh, now do I? I believe you're gonna have to show me." she teased.
"No problem." he smirked and began to kiss her.
He trailed his lips down to her neck. She bit her lip, then she felt something.
"Oh, no." she said before she pushed Zeke off and ran to the bathroom.
"Leah?!" he said getting up, quickly going after her.
She threw up into the toilet. Zeke held her hair back and rubbed her back. After a few more moments, it stopped. She leaned against the toilet and looked at Zeke.
"I'm so ready for that doctor's appointment."
(This chapter is fairly short. Well, thank you for reading. I might hop back and fix some errors but, have a great day!)