A Life Down Under (South of the Border Sequel) Zac Efron Character x Reader

Chapter 1: Catch the Wind

*Flashback*
May 1st, 2020

"Well....Mrs. Efron...what do you think?" Zac couldn't stop staring at his gorgeous wife, who was awestruck as she explored their temporary new home- a small bungalow on Belongil Beach, in Australia's quaint Byron Bay.

"I think...of all the places we've been to, this is the most magical of all."

"Mmm...I couldn't agree more," he rested his hands on her tiny waist and leaned down to kiss her.

"I'm so exhausted," she sighed. Their day had started with a 12-hour flight from LAX to Brisbane, followed by a long line at immigration due to COVID-19 protocols. Then, they had a two-hour drive from the airport to their small oasis by the sea.

"Why don't you go take a nap? I can unpack all of this," he motioned to piles of groceries they had delivered ahead of their arrival and belongs they had sent ahead to prepare for their extended stay.

"You don't want to come with me?" she playfully teased after he pulled her into him.

"I might...once I get us a little more settled," he kissed the bridge of her nose.

Y/N made her way to the primary bedroom, once again in awe of her surroundings and life she and Zac had together. She went from growing up in poverty, with parents who had no interest in being parents, to living in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, surrounded by a real family who loved her.

After sleeping for what felt like days, she changed into a simple black slip dress, and went in search of Zac. She found him outside with a fire going, a record playing, and a bottle of Cabernet.

"You look stunning," his breath hitched as she stretched out, facing the ocean with him.

"Mmm...going old school with the album choice, I see," she leaned back against his chest as Donovan's "Catch the Wind" played.

"My mom used to listen to this record all the time when I was a kid, but this song reminds me of you," he pressed gentle kisses along her bare shoulder.

"It does?"

"Yeah," Zac smirked against her warm, tan skin. "When we got married and you were walking towards me...I could just hear these chords in my head," they laid there together as the sound of a harmonica surrounded them, before Zac quietly sang the lyrics, "When rain has hung the leaves with tears, I want you near, to kill my fears, To help me to leave all my blues behind, For standin' in your heart, Is where I want to be, and long to be, ah but I may as well, try and catch the wind."

Y/N turned into him, her gorgeous eyes staring back at him, and she reminded him for the millionth time, "I love you."

"I love you too," he tightened his arms around her. "You make me so, so happy."

They stayed there, curled up together. After the album Zac was playing finished, the waves of the ocean became their soundtrack. When Y/N's watch alarm eventually went off, they were gently roused from their peaceful coexistence.

"I'll be right back," she gently pecked Zac's lips and made her way back into the house. It felt like a case of bricks settled in on Zac's stomach and he could feel her distance from him pull at his heart.

Y/N was startled as she sorted through her travel bag, searching for her birth control pills, and Zac wrapped his arms around her tightly from behind and kissed at the hollow of her neck.

"Don't take it," he whispered against the shell of her ear.

"Zac," she started to protest as she turned into him. "How much wine have you had?" she playfully teased him.

"I mean...I've had a few glasses, but that's not what this is about," he assured her. She stared back at him, unsure where to begin. "Ok, well let's get you a glass of wine, and go outside and talk about this," he rambled.

His hands shook as he nervously filled a glass very full of a wine that was meant to savor and enjoy. By the time they settled back in outside, he was practically hyperventilating. He mentally created a checklist of all the reasons she would say they couldn't start a family, and he prepared a rebuttal for each one.

Her terrible upbringing and childhood? She was nothing like her parents. Every fiber of her soul proved she could never, ever, be like them.

Their careers? Zac hadn't picked up any new film projects in over a year, since he moved in with her. She could write from anywhere. Freelance, create her own schedule. Only work on projects she was really passionate about.

Global pandemic? When would they ever have more time to spend with each other? To spend with a baby?

Away from Zac's parents and Y/N's surrogate mom and brother? They had FaceTime and plenty of time to read and learn what to expect.

She threw him for a complete curveball when she responded, "Do you really think we're ready?"

"Of course, I do," he calmly replied. "I swear...I didn't just blurt it out because I've had a few wines. Just think about it though. Our relationship has been in such a good place for the last year now. We're married. We're going to have all this free time on our hands. We may never have another opportunity to spend this much time together."

"How long have you been thinking about this?" she took a big drink of wine.

Zac nervously rubbed his hands up and down his thighs before confessing, "Well...since that day...with the test. When...you thought we might be pregnant. I know you were relieved at the time but...I was sad. I saw that test sitting out on the counter and I just...all I could think about was us, having a baby. And what an amazing mother you would be," he bit his lower lip to prevent himself from tearing up.

"I was relieved," she politely confessed. "I don't think that was the right time for us. And I think back about all the reasons why I was so scared...and how patient you were while I worked through all of that in therapy," she sighed. "And slowly, over time, I went from feeling relief to feeling...what if? And something that...my whole life, really terrified me...now seems like something I do feel ready for."

"You do?" Zac was gobsmacked.

"I do," she confirmed. "Zac, when I first met you...I never, ever thought I would be capable of love the way you and I love each other today. And I know now...what I was missing all that time, was not just someone who would love me, but someone who would be patient with me, and who would build trust with me, and who would show me that we were in this together."

He knew nothing needed to be said in that moment, so he gently kissed her lips.

"I could not ask for a more loving, kind, incredible woman to spend my life with...or...to start a family of our own with," he looked at her with hope in his eyes.

"I feel the same way about you, Zac. If you're ready...then...I'm ready."

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading along! Please don't forget to hit the like button and comment along as you read this story- it helps get this book ranked so others can see and enjoy it too!