|
Zac and I moved into a relationship slowly, especially during the first year. After all, Taylor and I had ended a relationship that had lasted for over two years, and it wasn’t easy getting over the other. Though we both had a long talk after his return and though we both knew that ending our relationship was the best thing that we could do, there were moments when I’d wonder if it really was the best thing. That fateful talk kept me up for many nights, just tossing and turning. And when we would see each other, it would be hard for me not to fall into the old mode of greeting him with a kiss. We knew our friendship wouldn’t be the same afterwards, but we eventually mended what needed to be mended, and we tried building back our best-friend status. During all of this, Zac was there for me. He didn’t try to immediately become my boyfriend, didn’t quickly claim me as his. There was an underlying knowledge that we would end up together, as he had told me many times, but we didn’t get together right away. Instead, he would talk me through things when I was still reeling from the ending of mine and Taylor’s relationship; he stayed with me on the phone well into the early morning and let me cry to him. He let me know time and time again that he was there for me, and he was true to his word. I knew we were officially a couple when we were at my house, in my room, just snuggled under my covers together. The boys had just finished another tour – one that I didn’t go on because of a vacation I had taken in New York with my family. However, I had gone to their New York show with a cousin of mine (who headed to the bar next door right after the show ended), but only met up with the boys briefly after the show. By this time, Taylor and I were okay with each other; the hug that he gave me definitely sealed it between us, and I no longer had to remind myself not to kiss him. We joked around with each other like old times, and it felt so good to do so. I saw Isaac and Jenn; and Jenn showed me this gigantic engagement ring that he had given her. We squealed together and jumped around, hugging and squealing and practically crying together. Zac was the last person that night that I saw; he looked tired and worn-out, but the moment he spotted me, his eyes and smile lit up the room. I had been talking with Jenn backstage, while people were still milling about, cleaning up. Zac had come from around the corner and had a towel around his neck, just finishing off a big yawn. When we locked eyes, he got this amazing smile and practically ran over to where Jenn and I were. Jenn heard the steps behind her and ducked out of the way right as Zac practically threw himself on me, causing me to stumble back. Those arms of his wrapped themselves around me and his lips found mine. “Hi there, Stranger,” I greeted him, as he brushed the hair out of my face and stared into my eyes. “I missed you.” “Oh my God, I missed you too,” he breathed, grinning all sexy. “What are you doing here?” “Coming to see you, of course.” “You were in the audience?! I was looking for you but I thought you weren’t coming …” “I stood in the back with my cousin Jacob. He says you guys are ‘cool’ but he’s not that into your music.” “Oh well, doesn’t matter.” Zac smiled and kissed me again. “Baby, I’m so glad you’re here; I’ve missed you so much.” I gave him a little squeeze. “I’ve missed you too, babe.” We ventured back to the group, letting go of each other once we were in sight. I stayed a little longer before Jacob called me, telling me that he was tired and a little drunk and needed to go home. I bade everyone goodbye, holding onto Zac just a little longer than the others, before I sprinted to the bar next door. Anyway, we were snuggled under the covers of my bed, enjoying some alone time. He had an arm wrapped around me and was telling me about the tour. He told me about how the random guys working at the venues would hit on Jess, who would flirt back until one of her brothers showed up. He told me about the fans who tried to break into the bus, and about a fan who did break in and left with one of Taylor’s boxers. “I wish you were there with me,” he said, snuggling closer to me. “I don’t know how I lived through the days and nights without you. I don’t know about you, but I can’t have sex with a phone; it’s difficult.” I laughed. “I didn’t try having sex with my phone, but I believe you.” He kissed my neck lightly. “Honeybunch, I love you.” “I love you, Sugarpie.” We were cheesy; those nicknames came from the Four Tops song “Sugarpie, Honeybunch.” “No, Trish … I don’t think you quite understand,” he said, as I turned to face him. “I really love you … I can’t really explain it … but … the way I love you … it’s deeper than anything I know, and I can’t imagine being in love with anyone else.” I didn’t say anything to that; I just drew him closer and kissed him deeply, passionately, with all of my heart and soul behind each kiss. It was then that I knew we were officially “together.” We made love with each other that night, slowly and tenderly, but passionate nonetheless. About a year after that, we went from being boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged. He did it in a way that I didn’t expect; he always did romantic things for me, so this one didn’t seem any different. We were in Southern California, dining at a little Italian restaurant by the beach. After our dinner, we went for ice cream and strolled on the sand, hand in hand, taking in the moonlight, waves, and delicious ice cream. When we were done, I started heading back to the car, but Zac pulled me back. “Baby, come here, I want you to see something,” he said, tugging me back towards the water. “What is it?” I asked. “Just, come here.” I obeyed him and followed him, trying to see what he was seeing. When I asked what it was, he just said to be patient. Finally, he stopped and turned around to face me. “What do you see?” he asked softly. I stared at him, a little confused. “… The ocean … a moon … “ “Know what I see?” “What?” I whispered, as the waves crashed near us. “I see a woman that I’ve been in love with for years. Someone who was there to help me through bad break-ups; someone who was there to comfort me when my Pop-pop died. I see a woman that, whenever I need someone, is right there before I have to say anything. She was there before ‘Hanson’ was a household name, when we became famous, and during all of our recordings. She was my first time, the first girl that I really fell for, the only person that can make me cry at the drop of a hat.” I saw Zac’s eyes glisten with tears and I felt the ones in mine start to fall. “Trish, you are more than the person I’m in love with. You’re the person that knows me inside and out and the only one that can comfort me just by touching me. I can’t imagine being with anyone else; I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. You are amazing … I want you to be the mother of my children. I want to grow old with you. I want to wake up next to you in the morning and sleep with you at night. I love you, so much … and I want to know … “ He took a deep breath and got down on one knee, reached into his pocket, and opened up a small, unmistakable box to reveal the most gorgeous ring. “…. Trisha Christine Mac, will you marry me?” I was surprised I didn’t pass out. I gasped and stared at him and the ring, but then choked out a “YES!” He smiled and slipped the ring on my finger – a perfect fit. When he stood up, I threw myself on him, crying happy tears and hugging him tightly against me. “I love you, Trish,” he whispered, hugging me tightly. “I love you, Zac,” I said. “Baby … I love you so much.”
Telling everyone of our engagement brought nothing but excited exclamations and congratulations, with a few “FINALLY!”s thrown in there. I was the most scared to tell Taylor; afterall, we had discussed marriage before, and now here I was marrying his brother. But he took it well, giving us big ol’ hugs and telling me, “Trish, you’re going to look so beautiful.” I teared up when he said this and kissed his cheek. We got married six months after our engagement. Planning a wedding was stressful and hectic, especially since we decided to have it so soon. But we pulled everything together, and in the end, it came out beautifully. As soon as I saw Zac at the end of the aisle, his hands clasped nervously in front of him, I felt that everything had finally fallen into place. When we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, the cheers were deafening. The reception was incredibly fun; Zac and I danced up a storm, took pictures with everyone; everything you do at a reception. Taylor had brought his girlfriend of three months, Haylie, as a date, and I had to admit he hadn’t looked happier than he did while he was with her. I got one dance with him, and when it was finished, he kissed my forehead and said, “I love you, okay? Don’t forget that. Oh, and if Zac gets on your nerves, give me a call and I’ll set him straight.” We spent our honeymoon on a cruise to Hawaii, which was nothing but perfect. Being with the love of my life in settings that I had only imagined was blissful. When we returned home, I had a little surprise for Zac, which was confirmed by a simple test: I was pregnant. When I told him, he looked at my stomach, leaned down, and gently kissed it. “Nice to meet you, little baby,” he said. And nine months later, we both met our beautiful daughter, whom we named Deidre Alexandra. Zac was there in the delivery room, gripping onto my hand tightly and gently coaching me through all the pushing and breathing I had to do. You should’ve seen the look on Zac’s face when the doctor’s handed him his new baby daughter. It was mixed with awe, surprise, and undying love. “Trish ... I can’t believe …” he said. “Wow.” I could go on and on about how amazing my life is; but I won’t. There aren’t enough words and definitely not enough time to express the joy I feel every single day. But I can leave you with this: what was meant to happen, happened … and even though there were rivers of tears, phone calls filled with fights, and heart-breaking decisions, it was all worth it in the end. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
|