I made a promise to finish Worth It before the end of 2015 but last week I smashed my laptop and can't afford to get it fixed for quite a while. Georgy-Girl and I are currently writing this new story and I decided to post it to make up for the fact that I can't post anything else. We hope you like it! Please leave a review, thank you x

Chapter One:

By the time Zoe woke up it was mid-morning. She rolled over to find the other side of the bed both cold and empty and remembered that Max had gently woken her hours previously to tell her he was going to work. He'd softly kissed the side of her head before pulling the duvet back up around her body. Before he'd left the room her breathing had already evened out as sleep washed over her.

Zoe stretched out, a small groan escaping her lips, as she sat up. "Shower Zoe" she mumbled to herself, harshly rubbing her eyes as she tried to wake herself up. As she stood her grumbling stomach meant she diverted from the bathroom and headed straight to the kitchen. The consultant smiled as her gaze landed upon the kitchen island. A now cold cup of coffee was laid out next to a bowl of cereal needing milk and a stack of vitamins Max had purchased for her.

'Morning sleepyhead. I'll be back just after 4pm.

There's salmon in the fridge for lunch, I read that it's good if you're trying to get pregnant. Have a good day.

I love you,

Max'

A smile pinched at the corner of her lips as she read Max's note. She quickly bored the coffee down the sink before filling her mug with water. One by one she took the vitamins and supplements that Max had so carefully picked out for her. They'd been trying for a baby for over half a year now and her husband was doing everything in his power to increase their chances and lessen Zoe's stress. Whilst Zoe found the entire situation both stressful and worrying, she trusted Max completely and was so grateful that he was looking after her. She quickly text him to say thank you before grabbing the milk from the fridge and chomping through her cereal. Half way through however she started to feel nauseous and when it hadn't passed by the time she'd both showered and done her make-up, the consultant started to get excited.

She promised never to do pregnancy tests without Max. She had a habit of getting upset when they continued to come back as negative but Max just told her it was because he wanted to be there when the good news came. With a shaky hand she took the test from her bedside cabinet and hurried into the bathroom, rubbing her stomach hopefully.

When Max returned from work that afternoon it was to a very quiet house. "Zoe?" He called out as he walked through the hallway of their apartment, kicking off his shoes as he did so. "Zo?" He called again when she didn't respond. He walked into the living room expecting to find her curled up on the sofa taking an afternoon nap but when he wasn't there, he grew concerned. "Zo?" He called for the third time as he found both the kitchen and the bathroom empty.

Walking into their bedroom he was relieved to find Zoe sprawled out on the bed. He assumed she was asleep and was ready to turn around as not to wake her until he heard a soft snivelling.

"Zoe?" He asked softly, pacing towards the bed and crouching by her side. She turned her head to Max, craving his comfort. His heart sunk when he saw her red, bloodshot eyes and tearstained cheeks. "What's happened?" He asked, carefully reaching out to brush the tears from her cheeks. He followed Zoe's gaze to the pregnancy test which lay on the bedside cabinet. It's negative result made Zoe dissolve into tears for the second time that day. "Oh Zoe" Max whispered sadly.

Clambering onto the bed Max quickly wrapped his arms around Zoe, engulfing her in a tight hug. She instantly settled into him, burying her head into his chest as her tears turned into heavy sobs. He held her as she cried, placing soft kisses on her hair, his fingers tangled in her hair.

"I told you not to do them without me" Max reminded her gently as she began to calm down. She looked up at him with watery eyes, attempting to apologise. Max shook his head with a soft smile. "I'm not angry" he told her honestly although he could tell from the look in her eyes that she didn't believe him.

"I'm sorry" she offered quietly, her gaze falling upon a loose thread in her jeans. "I was feeling sick all morning and I just got excited" Zoe told him honestly. Max nodded supportively.

"And how are you feeling now?" The porter asked gently.

"Really sick" Zoe admitted, scrunching up her nose.

"Okay" Max mumbled into her hair. He started to rub soothing circles into her stomach and she visibly relaxed.

"I'm sorry" she whispered again. Max's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"About what?"

Zoe gestured to the pregnancy test and Max felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. Extending a hand he lifted her chin so she was looking at him.

"Listen to me Zo, this is not your fault" he told her adamantly. "You do not need to apologise for this. Do you understand me?" There was a harshness to his tone that Zoe had never heard before and it startled her slightly. She nodded even though she was sure that this was her fault. Max then smiled before placing a soft kiss to her lips.

They fell into a comfortable silence. Max carefully ran his fingers through Zoe's hair, occasionally dropping to place kisses to her cheek.

"It will happen you know" Max reminded her quietly. "When its right, it will happen" Zoe nodded even though she was struggling to believe him. "Until then you're more than enough" Max added with a smile. Zoe managed a weak smile in return. "I love you"

"I love you too" she replied honestly, ignoring the tears that were once again welling in her eyes.

"I'm going to start on some dinner. It might make you feel less sick but if you don't want it you can just leave it. Are you going to come through?" Max asked, standing to his feet and holding a hand out towards Zoe.

"In a minute" she replied softly. Max nodded. She waited until he left the room before dissolving into tears once more.

When Zoe didn't come through for her tea Max grew worried. Walking back through to the bedroom Max was surprised to Zoe curled up on the bed having eventually cried herself to sleep.

"Oh Zo" Max whispered sadly. Bending down to kiss her forehead he carefully pulled the duvet up over her sleeping body. "Sleep well" he added softly. Picking up the pregnancy test from the bedside table Max took it into the kitchen before throwing it into the bin with force and a heavy sigh.

He ate his own dinner without tasting it. He'd decided a long time ago that he'd be okay with having no children, but Zoe had been so desperate he agreed to start trying. Now, though he tried to hide it, every negative test seemed to drain some of the happiness from him. After cleaning up, Max too went to bed. He pulled the covers up around his chin, and then somehow his hand found it's way to rest on Zoe's middle. Then, for the first time since he was young, Max prayed.