Me Vs Zombies [Book 1 & 2]

[Book 2] Chapter 29

[Payton's POV]

'Wed? You mean... Marriage?!' I squealed. 'Oh no! No, no, no! I don't do marriage, I can't, I'm only 22, I have a whole life ahead of me, even if it is going to be filled with killing zombies and almost killing myself multiple times.'

'Payton, think about it, a marriage is exactly what our groups need, not only is it a merging of trust, a bond between brothers but it will lift spirits, prove to both my group and yours that life goes on after the apocalypse.'

'Life does go on, you're right!' I growled stepping away as he outstretched his hand. 'I know full well how you can still do normal life stuff during the apocalypse, believe me, I did it Shakespearean style but forcing me to marry you to prove that to them is not going to change their set minds.'

'Payton, marriage was a big thing before apocalypse.'

'So? Divorce was just as big and that's not exactly a happy event. Having children is not a great idea in this day and age and looking for a job? That's almost out of the question as well. Things like that aren't found in the apocalypse, Paul, because they can no longer exist. Things like falling love, your first snow, losing your virginity, all these things are still possible because they don't require all that much time, it doesn't require jobs, or money, or witnesses, they can be achieved with one or two people.'

'Payton... You are rambling.'

'Good!' I squealed. 'I'm glad, I refuse to marry you, Paul, I don't even know you.'

'I know that, that's why I've decided we will have a date  night every Thursday night, we'll do whatever you like, within reason of course and by the time the child begins walking again, you'll want to marry me.'

'Paul, I-'

'Elizabetha, I gave you these privileges, I can take them away just as easily.'

'You're threatening me?'

'If that's what it takes.'

'I will go along with your plan then, Paul. Thursday nights till Luke's on his feet, but I can garuntee you this now, I won't want to marry you, you won't steal my heart... I have no heart to give you.'

'We shall see...' Paul chuckled as I made my way towards the door. 'But Payton, you have no choice in the matter, feelings for me when your Luke walks or not... You will be my bride.'

'What happened to nice Paul that said that I was guest and didn't have to do anything?' I snarled as I ran out the door, slamming it behind me.

I growled in anger but also in defeat, I knew that I had no choice but to marry Paul, I couldn't force my group to leave just because I don't want to marry him, how selfish would that be?

Charlotte having a baby.

Luke needing to fully recover.

No. I can't make them leave.

Daryl may be angry at the start but he doesn't have to know yet, when Luke starts moving around again, when he's moved into our room, I'll tell Daryl and Charlotte, the two most important adults in my life.

Then... I'll go along with it, I won't like it but even if Paul can be a little crazy and cruel, he is right about marriage between higher ranks being something people bonded over.

I can remember the royal wedding when I was 14, people were given the day off work and school, people crowded around Buckingham Palace to wish the happy couple good luck, it was patriotic, it was amazing.

Although the people are in shorter numbers, the principle remains the same.

God damn it.

I sighed as I made my way down the long corridors, the way from Paul's office to my room was practically burnt into my memory by now so I had no problem running and bursting into the room the second I saw it.