When asked what Zac thought about the kiss, Clausen told Stephen Downie from "TV Week" that he had not really thought of Leah in a romantic way before, so it came as a bit of a surprise to him. The actor explained that they would make a good couple, as they have lots in common. Clausen said, "They are both people who have had some heartbreak and trust issues in the past. They both have good senses of humour, they're smart and they work at the same school." Downie thought Leah would be "a refreshing change" for Zac, as he tends to fall for girls that like the bad boys. After starting a relationship, Leah and Zac tried to keep it a secret out of respect for her son VJ Patterson (Matt Little), who Leah wanted to tell in her own time. However, Matt secretly filmed Leah and Zac kissing and ended up showing the footage to the students, which left VJ "humiliated". The following year, Zac decided to propose to Leah. Clausen explained, "For Zac, this proposal is about not wanting to waste any more time. He and Leah have been through so much. Leah's had two close calls, but they've weathered the worst of the storm. Now Zac wants to show her how much he loves her." As he asked VJ for his permission, he was overheard by Chris Harrington (Johnny Ruffo). Chris convinced Zac to stage an elaborate proposal during the surf carnival on the beach. Clausen said Zac initially wanted to do something simple, but he just got caught up in Chris's plans. Leah's friends led her to the beach, where she found Zac with an engagement ring asking her to be his wife. Leah turned down the proposal, but later accepted a more simple one at home. Shortly before the wedding, the police informed Zac that the body of his niece Denny Miller (Jessica-Grace Smith) had been found. Zac and Leah made the "difficult decision" to cancel the wedding. However, Evie points out that Denny would not have wanted to be the reason they did not get married, and Zac and Leah decided to hold the ceremony in the grounds of Summer Bay House. VJ walked his mother down the aisle, while Oscar, Matt and Zac's son Hunter King (Scott Lee) were Zac's groomsmen. The ceremony was interrupted by Zac's former girlfriend Charlotte King (Erika Heynatz), who "lets rip" at the guests.