Happy Little Accidents

feet in the air

It was definitely weird being in a bar at four months pregnant. But Bob told her about the Christmas party for the squad and she wanted to be there for him. Aside from Bradley, she got along well with all the other Daggers. Especially Payback and Phoenix. In just a few short months they’d welcomed her into their makeshift family.

It was comforting to know she had people she could rely on in San Diego. Between her mommy group and the Daggers, California was starting to feel like home.

Garlands and holiday lights were hung outside the Hard Deck, making the yellow and green exterior much more festive. The weather was cool and overcast, so everyone crowded inside the bar where Christmas music played over the speakers and food and drinks were passed around. 

Zak offered to help Penny behind the bar only to be shooed away to enjoy the party. So she settled into a booth with a glass of water and a plate of snacks from the charcuterie boards and watched Bob lose to Hangman at billiards. She smiled a little. He was a gracious loser and an even more gracious winner on the rare occasion he beat Jake at his own game. 

"Don't look now," Phoenix slid into the seat across from Zak, "But Rooster and Lydia are here."

Bob told Phoenix a little about his argument with Zak and it didn’t take much for her to put the rest together. To Zak’s surprise, she called to check in and make sure Zak was alright. And she told Bob he was an idiot. 

Zak sighed and rolled her eyes. She needed to apologize to Bradley for slapping him. But she didn't really want to meet his girlfriend. 

She stole a glance across the bar.

"I said don't look!" Phoenix hissed.

Zak frowned and quickly snapped back around, chewing on a carrot. Lydia was young, petite and blonde. And wearing a tight club dress and enough makeup to make her face visible on the other side of the room. She was chatting with Jake's girlfriend Faye who seemed to only be half-way paying attention. 

"Is she even old enough to drink? She looks twelve."

Phoenix snorted, "Apparently she's twenty-five and in law school."

A shriek of laughter cut through the noise of the bar. From where she was sitting, it would be all too easy to dislike the giggly blonde. 

"Someone watched Legally Blonde a few times too many."

"Hey, don't be me." Phoenix said, "I was quick to judge you, and now we're friends. I'm sure she's… nice?"

Zak huffed, but agreed to be polite. Phoenix was right, and Legally Blonde was a great movie. If Barbie - Lydia - wanted to be a lawyer because of it, more power to her.

She and Bradley were long over. So why did it bother her so much that his new girlfriend was so… bubbly. Not to mention ten years younger than him. Though only four years younger than Zak. 

"By the way, Lenora said you can stay with them while we're underway."

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Bob didn't talk to you?" Phoenix sighed and shot a glare towards the boys, "Men."

"He said y'all would be gone for about two weeks. I figured I would pack up the rest of the apartment since the house'll be ready on the third."

"He told me he didn't want you to be alone in case you need anything."

"He's sweet like that, but I'm just pregnant. Not inept. I can still tie my own shoes. Sometimes." Zak shrugged and put a hand on her stomach, "I know I'm considered high risk, but so far everything has been a dream. Buddy's healthy and so am I. Morning sickness sucked and right now I keep getting heartburn. But we're okay."