Strength Of The World

The morning of Brian and Michelle’s wedding, Peyton woke up feeling weird. She laid in bed for a minute, just watching Zack sleep. When his eyes popped open and he looked at her, his brows furrowed. “You okay?” He asked her, leaning over to kiss her. “You have a weird look on your face.” Peyton smiled at her fiancée, “Well I love you too, Zee.” She snuggled into his chest and sighed, “I feel weird today. It’s hard to explain.” “It’s not the baby is it?” He asked concerned. “No, it’s not the baby. He’s been punching me all night.” She chuckled. “I’m probably just tired.” “Well, we’ve got a long day ahead of us. What are your plans?” Zack asked, wrapping his arms around her. “Breakfast with the girls, probably a nap sometime today. Then I have to get ready and I absolutely have to see Brian before the ceremony. It’s my duty as little sister.” She explained. “I guess we need to get up. You’ve got to be at Brian’s soon.” She pulled herself out of Zack’s arms and went to stand up. “Whoa, your belly is low today.” Zack commented. “Yeah. It’s huge too.” Peyton laughed, “I turned into a whale overnight.” “Nah. You’re gorgeous. Besides just a few more weeks and you’ll go back to normal.” He told her. “No go get ready before Michelle goes bridezilla on her sister in law.” Peyton laughed and headed for the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. She pulled her hair into a messy bun and skipped makeup, since she was getting ready with the girls later. She put on a white tunic and black leggings, and slipped her feet into some black flats. “Okay babe. I’m heading over. I’ll see you at the wedding.” She told Zack, giving him a kiss before heading for the door. “Be careful baby. I love you.” He told her, still not convinced she was okay. “I will. Love you too.” Once she stepped out the front door and onto the porch, she felt her first contraction of the day. “Nope. Not today, kid. We have to get uncle Brian married first.” She told the tiny human inside her, rubbing her belly.

She made it through breakfast without a contraction, and when she got back home to grab her dress and shoes, she felt another one come on. “Oh shit.” She sighed, “I’m gonna go into labor in the middle of the fucking wedding.” She grabbed her things and headed for the venue, she was one of the first ones to have her hair done, which was pinned into a faux hawk, and her eye makeup was super smoky with a red lip. She went ahead and put on her dress, luckily they found one in maternity size. It was a strapless dress, long and flown in a silvery-blue hue. She put on a pair of silver sandals and let Michelle know she was going to see Brian. Walking through the hallways of the venue, she has another contraction. This one made her slow down a little bit. Once she made it to the guys’ room she knocked. When Zack appeared on the other side of the door, he grinned widely. “As if you couldn’t be any more beautiful.” “Zee. We need to talk.” She whispered. Zack’s eyes bugged out of his head and he stepped into the hall, shutting the door behind him. “What is it? Did Michelle run away?” He whispered. “No! Why would she run away?” Peyton asked with a laugh. “I’m having contractions. They’re not too bad, and they’re kind of random. So I don’t think we have anything to worry about yet, but I’ll let you know if we do.” Zack nodded and swallowed hard, “Okay, we need a code word. If you go into labor and have to leave, say Thundercats.” “Thundercats?” Peyton asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah. You know, ‘Thundercats are a go.’” He shrugged. She could tell he was anxious, and she grabbed his hands. “Hey. We are going to be fine. Let’s go get Brian and Michelle hitched. It could be a false alarm, apparently that shit happens all the time.” Zack nodded in agreement, “You’re right. No sense in worrying about anything yet. Come on, I know you want to see Bri.” He said, grabbing her hand and pulling her through the door. “Look who I found outside.” He announced. Brian looked up at his pseudo-sister with a big smile on his face. “You’re glowing.” “Oh please,” she scoffed, “I’m a silver whale.” Johnny laughed hysterically, and Zack gave him a look that made him immediately stop and clear his throat. “I mean. No you don’t. You look great! Can’t even tell you’re hiding a basketball in there.” The group of men rolled their eyes at the bassist, “Johnny you’re a fucking moron.” Matt chuckled. Peyton sighed and walked over to Brian, smoothing out the collar on his shirt. “You ready big brother?” “I’ve been ready.” He said, smiling down at her. “You know you have to hold that kid in until we get back from Mexico, right? Just keep your legs closed.” Peyton laughed weakly, “I’ll do my best. I’m so happy for you. Next time it’s my turn to be the bride.” “I know. And you better believe I’ll be there for your pep talk.” He pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ear, “I love you, Peanut. Thanks for being there no matter what.” Peyton smiled softly into his shoulder, “I love you too, Bri. You know I’ll always be here.” They broke apart and she looked around the room. “Looking good, fellas. I guess I need to get back to Mich. I’ll see you guys out there.” She walked over to give Zack a kiss before leaving the room. Once she left the room Matt spoke again, “Man she’s really waddling around these days.” And the entire room burst into laughter.

Once Michelle was ready, it was time for the ceremony. Peyton walked in with Matt, who kept giving her weird looks. “What?” She hissed as they were waking down the aisle. “Nothing, but you have my arm in a death grip. Are
you okay?” Peyton loosened her grip on the man’s arm, unaware of how tight she was holding him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it. I’m fine.” She whispered. “You know I don’t believe you, right?” Matt asked her. She looked up at him with an eye roll before letting go of his arm and walking over to stand by the other bridesmaids. Zack was already standing in his spot and kept staring at her. She gave him a nod, letting him know she was fine, and he smiled at her. Once Val and Brian’s brother, Brent got into their positions, Michelle’s dad led her down the aisle and Peyton couldn’t contain her tears. The next wedding she attended would be hers, and she absolutely could not wait to marry her best friend. She and Zack looked at each other the entire time the couple said their vows, and when they had their first kiss as husband and wife Peyton cried even more. Once they were down the aisle, she paired back up with Matt and they were headed for the reception hall when she got a strong contraction. “Oh my god.” She whispered, stopping in her tracks and clutching Matt’s arm. “P? What’s going on?” He asked loudly. Val turned around and Zack was beside her in seconds. “Baby, you good?” Johnny and Lacey had approached the group and Lacey grabbed her flowers while Johnny watched her closely. “I’m fine.” She whispered. “Peyton. You are not fine. You have said that all day and we know when you’re lying. I call bullshit.” Val told her. Peyton’s head snapped up and she looked at her best friend. “I said I’m fucking fine, Valary. It was just a contraction. Happens all the time. Can we please go focus all of our attention on Brian and Michelle? I already gave the baby a pep talk about not ruining uncle Brian’s day.” The group laughed when Johnny said “Yeah because we all know how dramatic he would be if Peyton stole the show.” Zack wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they all walked into the reception hall, ready for food and dancing.

After everyone ate and the Best Man and Maid of Honor made their speeches, Brian and Michelle had their first dance. Peyton was sitting at the table, hands clutched into fists, riding out another contraction. “Peyton, do you need to go to the hospital?” Val whispered to her. The brunette shook her head. “Not yet. I’m okay for now. I just want to dance and have fun.” Val nodded and put her hand on top of one of Peyton’s fists, “If you need to go, tell me and we’ll leave right away.” Peyton smiled at her friend and nodded when Zack approached them. “Everything okay?” Val nodded and Peyton stood up. “Everything is great. Come dance with me, baby daddy.” Zack smiled and grabbed her by the hand, leading her to the dance floor. They danced for a few songs before a slow one came on, and Brian asked to cut in. “You save a dance for me, preggers?” Peyton rolled her eyes and smiled. “Of course. Anything for the groom.” “I’m gonna go steal Val away from Matt. Love you.” Zack said, quickly kissing Peyton’s cheek and walking off toward the Sanders couple. Peyton smiled and put her arm on Brian’s shoulder as they danced. “So, you gonna tell me what’s wrong with you?” He asked her in a serious tone. “Brian.” She sighed. “Don’t Brian me. You forget that I’ve known you for most of your life. I know when something is wrong.” “I’m fine. I’ve just had a few contractions today, that’s it. I promise.” She explained. “How many?” He asked. “What?” Peyton look up at him confused. “How many? How long have you been having contractions?” Brian’s tone was serious. “Don’t play this off like it’s not a big deal. I don’t care if it’s my wedding day, if you need to go to the hospital then we go.” Peyton laughed at her brother, “I’ve just had a handful of them, they’ve been super random. I don’t need to
go to the hospital, the doctor told me when my contractions are five minutes apart then I need to go to the hospital. So we’re good. Just let me enjoy your damn reception.” Brian laughed and hugged her to him. “You’re the meanest pregnant woman ever I think. I’m glad you’re here kid.” Once the song ended, Peyton decided she would sit out for a few songs and watch everyone dance. A few songs later, Zack was out on the floor dancing goofily with Lacey, while Johnny was at the table with Peyton keeping her company. “Hey, how about a dance with your favorite best friend?” She asked the bassist, who looked at her worriedly. “Are you sure you’re up to it?” “Yep. Come on Gremlin, dance with me. You and Matt are the only ones who haven’t.” She pleaded. Johnny smiled and stood up. “Come on, I want to dance with the whale.” Peyton laughed loudly and grabbed his hand so he could help her stand up. As she was getting to her feet, she felt a pop and both of them heard something splash against the floor. They immediately looked down, and then at eachother. “Thundercats?” She said to him, watching the realization appear on his face. “Oh shit! Zack! Thundercats!” Johnny shouted, which drew everyone’s attention. “Oh my god!” Michelle squealed, rushing toward her. There were a million questions going at once, everyone was talking over her. “SHUT UP!” She shouted, making her friends go quiet. She looked over at Zack, “All of our bags and the car seat are in my car. We’ll take it to the hospital. Johnny, please drive Zack’s car home. Matt, Val, please find our parents out in the crowd and let them know what’s going on. Lacey, if you wouldn’t mind picking your dumbass boyfriend up from my house I’d really appreciate it.” Everyone nodded and set off to do what they were told when Brian asked, “What about me and Michelle?” Peyton pulled them both into a hug and said “Enjoy your reception. Stop by the hospital before you head to the airport if you can. I love you too both so very much.” She looked at Brian with tears in her eyes. “This is it. I’m gonna go be a mom.” “You’re gonna be great, kiddo.” Brian told her, kissing her cheek. She and Zack said their goodbyes and snuck out the back. Once they were in the car Zack made sure she was situated before driving. “Okay,” He said nervously, “Let’s go have a baby.”

Notes