The Babysitter//Zach Herron

Ch 9- Birthday surprise Pt 2

Continued...

Zach and I decide to take Rosie on a 15 minute walk to the park right down the street.

He grabs his phone and we begin our journey.

Rosie stops to sniff every. single. bush. This puppy is fascinated by everything, everything.

Right when we are about to get to the park Zach gets an oovoo call, he answers it.

The other 4 boys in Zach's band...Corbyn, Jack, Jonah, and Daniel...are on the oovoo call!!

They begin harmonizing to the Happy Birthday song for me, I smile uncontrollably.

"Awwww guys, thank you so much!! You have voices sent from God above, I swear." I say after they finished singing.

They all say a quick sentence or two wishing me a happy birthday.

"Alright thanks guys, this means a lot." Zach says before ending the call.

We take a right turn and walk into the park. There is a white and red checkered picnic blanket set up right under a big oak tree with a light brown woven basket on top.

I look at Zach, "Is this for us?" I ask him.

"Surprise...part 2?" He says with a goofy smile. 

We enjoy the delicious picnic meal that Zach made, actually Im pretty sure Myta made it!!

Rosie falls asleep on the grass right next to us and sleeps peacefully for the next half hour while Zach and I relax and enjoy this time to ourselves. 

I get a text from my grandma telling me happy birthday. I explain to Zach that my grandma had been my best friend since I was young, she acted as my mother figure when my mom couldn't exactly do her job as a mother correctly.

"Whats the deal with you and your mom anyway? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Zach says with a very calm, sensitive tone.

"No no, I don't mind talking to you about it. If we are going to be in a relationship it's only fair that we both know as much about each other as possible." I say.

"So, my parents got divorced when I was young. I went back and forth between my parents every other week for as long as I can remember. My mom and I started fighting pretty frequently by at the age of 8 and it only got worse. Im talking daily arguments over stupid stuff that would escalate very quickly. I finally said enough was enough and moved in with my dad full time a little over a year ago. I grew up with my grandma living less than a mile down the road from me, so she was there for me when my mom couldn't be. My mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder...which makes a lot of sense considering she would flip moods on a dime and would get in depressions pretty often."

As I spoke, Zach just sat there looking at me with the most worrisome eyes while he rubbed my back.

"I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for you." he says quietly, "But at least you are happy with your dad now here in Texas!!" 

He manages to lift me up whenever I feel down.

"I was worried I would start to get anxiety about being so far away from home. Even though I wanted to leave my mom 100%, it still feels wrong to be 1,000 miles away from her...not just a 10 minute drive like it used to be. Being with you and your family has helped me to forget about my painful past." 

"Y/n, you are so strong for being able to put you and your feelings first in that situation. Thank you for explaining this all to me. I am so glad that you are away from that negativity, and in a place where you are truly wanted." Zach says.

"How did I get so lucky with you?" I ask, while my head is resting on his shoulder.

I feel his body shift and I lift my head up. He pauses and looks me in the eyes. 

He kisses me passionately and I know that he was asking himself the exact same thing. 

Rosie starts to wake up so Zach and I decide it's time to go back home. 

When we arrive at my house, Zach kisses me on my forehead and I thank him for an amazing day.

I just stand on my porch and watch him as he walks away, this one person has made me feel more valued and loved in a few weeks than anyone I know has in years. 

Rosie grows impatient and I decide its time to go inside the house. As we walk in, there is a big pile of dog toys along with a food and water bowl, a puppy bed, and a crate.

"I just grabbed a few things for the newest member of the family!!" my dad says excitingly.

"How did you know I got a puppy?" I ask curiously.

"Well Zach asked for my permission before he deiced to get you a puppy. He's a good kid y/n, I really like him and his family.

I smile as he puts his arm around me. Rosie begins playing with the toys the split second I put her leash down. 

"How about we grab dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in an hour or so? What do you say?"

"Sounds great!!" I exclaim. I scoop Rosie up and grab a toy and the puppy bed before heading upstairs.

I send Zach a picture of Rosie sitting in her puppy bed while she chews a pink squeaky toy.

After relaxing in my room and cuddling with my new pup, I bring her downstairs and put her in her crate with some toys and the puppy bed. My dad and I head out for dinner.

The restart was packed so we don't end up getting home till around 8:30.

I let Rosie out to pee and then bring her upstairs for the night, she is going to sleep in my bed every night if I can help it!!

Zach and I talk on the phone for an hour or so and then I fall asleep with Rosie under my left arm.

Wouldn't want to have spent my 16th birthday any other way.