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

Chapter 7: Happy Birthday!

*~*~*Flashback*~*~*

October 18th, 2020

Zac carried a tray containing chicken soup, ginger ale, rice crackers, and fresh box of tissues into the bedroom. He found Y/N exactly where he left her- in bed, a copy of 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' on the nightstand, and Buddy dutifully keeping watch at her side.

As soon as Zac came into the room, she immediately locked her phone and placed it on the nightstand. Zac took note of her unusual behavior but focused on the task at hand- taking care of his patient.

"Alright, I've got some soup, some crackers, and some ginger ale," he set the tray down next to her. "And..." he climbed into bed next to her, "if you can't keep this down, I really think we should consider bringing you in to see the doctor."

Opening her mouth to protest, she instead began choking back vomit and quickly darted to the bathroom. Zac's heart sank. After her first trimester, morning sickness seemed to subside but for the last several days, Y/N hadn't been feeling well and couldn't shake whatever it was.

When the sounds of her retching subsided, she called out to him, "Is that chicken soup?"

"Oh shoot, honey, I'm sorry. I forgot," he grabbed the bowl of soup off the tray. "I'll be right back," he called out to her as he covered the bowl of soup with his hand in an effort to mask the smell. Ever since her second trimester had started, even the smell of chicken would make her nauseous.

He returned moments later, having discarded all of the soup he'd made for her while she rested and found Y/N brushing her teeth. Wrapping her up from behind, he rested his hands on her tiny, but rapidly growing bump as he playfully kissed her neck and cheeks, causing her to giggle.

"You better be careful," she teased him. "You don't want whatever it is I have."

"I think it's just a stomach bug," he assured her. With her teeth thoroughly cleaned, he helped her back into bed.

"What are you doing?" she giggled again as he wiggled behind her, sitting up against the headboard, with her leaned back against him.

"Getting in a little bump time," he rested is hands on her belly and kissed along her neck.

"Did you call the restaurant to cancel our reservation?" she melted against him.

"They aren't open yet, but I will."

"I'm sorry for ruining your birthday."

"You didn't," he kissed her cheek while rubbing her belly. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well. But spending the day loving up on each other...that's the best way to spend my birthday I can think of," his head rested on her shoulder.

"Mmm," she softly moaned, relaxing against him.

"Hey, feels like someone else wants to join the party," he held his hand firmly against her belly.

"You can feel that?" she tilted her head up.

"I can," he smiled wide. A few weeks earlier he was finally able to feel the baby moving, and it made everything more real.

Their little girl was an early riser- most active in the morning, which Zac was grateful for, so Y/N could savor precious few hours of sleep while she still had the opportunity.

Taking a few crackers off the tray and handing them to her, Zac questioned, "What were you looking at on your phone earlier?"

"Nothing," she quickly replied and Zac was reminded how she couldn't even manage to tell him a little white lie.