A/N: Well, first of all I just want to thank everyone who had read and reviewed my first story "The reason for trying", and all of your encouraging comments. I wouldn't have the courage to come out and write my first chaptered story if it wasn't for you.

I had this idea of Zoe and Wade having a baby, especially because I would just melt of the sight of him with a toddler. Now what would happen if Wade would have to raise her on his own and one day Zoe decided to come back?

I hope you enjoy it and that you find it worth reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Hart of Dixie or the insanely hot character of Wade Kinsella. It would rain on every episode if I did, trust me.

Returning & Second Chances

He got up in order to resume his daily routine. Old Ed wanted him to teach yet another new guy at the Rammer, since everyone that had worked there since he left had either sucked or not be able to cope with the pace. After that he had to open up at his place and go by to pick up some groceries. Maybe they could eat at Lavon, seeing as he would be closing late and Tansy had to drive the whole way back from Mobile.

He made breakfast and tried to be very careful not to wake her up. But like every morning, the smell of pancakes would make her come to the kitchen still wearing her pajamas and call after him. "Dad…"

It was only eleven o'clock in the morning and still his day was proving to be a real ball-buster. Two waitresses had called in sick, he had to fix one of the bar stools, close up by himself because Shelly wanted to get ready for the party and somehow manage to pick up a cake at Agnes'. Luckily Lavon had taken Ella out for the day, and Tansy was already putting everything up at their place, so he didn't have to check on them. He couldn't believe his little baby was turning 4, he still remembered the day he first held her in his arms, the way it felt to have her looking at him, so peaceful, so perfect. And now she was growing by the mile every day, becoming a funny and beautiful little girl. Every single morning she resembled her mother more and more, and it made him equally proud and sad. His mind drifted to that very same day, 4 years ago…

##

"You can do this Zoe" he said, trying to hide away the fact that he too was freaking out about the situation.

"I can't Wade. The birth is coming all messed up, I can feel it. I'm too afraid".

"Look at me, baby." He said taking her sweaty face in his hands, brushing away her tears. "You are the bravest woman I know, and I have no doubt that you can do this, because you get everything you go after. Look at me Zoe. Remember that I love you."

"Sure about that?" she said smiling to him.

"I'd be damned." he answered back giving in to his own crying.

##

In his lunch break he ran into Brick. As he saw Wade, he hurried up with a present in his hands. Swear to God, that town spoiled his little girl more than they had to.

"Wade! How's it going?"

"The usual Brick, just a little crazy back at the plantation with the party and all"

"Look, about that, I'm afraid I'm not gonna make it tonight. You see, this friend of mine is going under the knife in Mobile and he asked if I could assist in the surgery. Had to made sure he had the best doctors operating, but he still feels more comfortable in familiar hands and all, you know?"

"No problem at all Doc. I know how it is. I'll see if Tans can drop Ella tomorrow so that she can thank you for her gift" Wade said taking the present in his hands. He dropped the bag and the toy inside it felt off. He took it in his hands and shook his head in disbelief "Really Brick? A toy stethoscope?"

"Come on Wade, you know who much she likes it when she comes to visit to the office. She's been telling the whole town that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. I guess it runs in the blood" he answered with a half-smile.

"That's what I'm worried about. That it runs in the blood." Wade said more to himself than anything. He came off his daze and said "hey, sorry, it is a lovely present. I'm sure she'll love it".

Brick watched him walk away. He asked himself if Wade was ever gonna be able to get over her, or the fact that she had left him and their daughter behind for her career. He deserved it, and although he may not realized it, he had the whole town of Bluebell behind him to support them.

Damn it! He cursed his luck. His only daughter turned 4 just once and that day a group of fifteen tourists decided to hang out till late at Wade's Place. And since all his staff was helping at his house, he had no other choice but to stay until he could close up. He turned his back to the door and as he sensed another costumer coming in, he called Tansy.

"Hey baby. Yes I know! Well I would love to kick them out but they are spending a fortune and those cakes ain't gonna pay for themselves. Just tell her I'll be over any minute. Yeah I love her too." He smiled at the phone and thought about how lucky he was of having Tansy in his life. With every day he felt as if he could love her, really love her if he tried. She was wonderful with Ella, and there was no denying she loved her too. He was so caught up in his own thoughts that as he turned around he heard her before he even saw her. It felt as if he was seeing a ghost.

"Hey Wade".

It took him a moment to recover. He grabbed to the stool near him because it suddenly felt as if everything was spinning around. His mouth was so dry he was surprised he managed to make any sound at all.

"watcha doing here" he whispered.

She looked him up from those big eyes of her. If one thing was for sure, it was that he still wasn't able to resist them. That's why he looked away. Eyes on the price. And his price right now, was nothing else but the happiness of his girl.

"I said, what are you doing here Zoe Hart?" he asked again, with a tone that came out as both angry and hurt.

"I…. I … it's her birthday Wade. You really think I was going to miss it?" She finally said in a low voice.

"I don't know, you've missed the last two, wouldn't be surprised if you did it again." Her eyes filled with tears. He didn't care. He reminded himself that she had brought this upon herself. This was all her doing.

"Look I'm closing up, got to go to ..."

"A party. Yeah I figured. Everyone in town is going to it. Seems like our baby girl is well loved around here. She takes that after her dad" She half-smiled as she looked at him directly in the eyes.

"Stop it Zoe. What do you want? And where were you today?" And the three years before that, for the matter. He already knew the answer. Working, giving conferences, flighting to the most extravagant places. He may tried to hide it from everyone else, but he checked on her from time to time.

"I was at my place. Well, eehhm, the eeeh carriage house. Picking up some things. Lavon doesn't know anything, he has no clue I've been there, so don't take it out on him okay?"

The carriage house. So that must have meant she had seen all the preparations at the main house and at his place. Who knows since when she had been there… maybe she had even seen Tansy's public display of affection when he left for work that morning. Well, it didn't matter anyway. He was entitled to a life of his own, and he had nothing to feel ashamed of.

"Did you see her?" he asked in a rough voice.

"Yes. Lavon was playing catch with her by the lake at midday. She looks so pretty Wade" she chocked up. What was he supposed to do? He felt all odd and insecure, the way Zoe Hart always made him feel.

"Look, I know you have a party to get to, okay? I checked in a hotel at Mobile 'cause I am doing an operation in a couple of hours and all day I couldn't stop thinking about her birthday. I just couldn't get her out of my head since I woke up."

"Really? Really Zoe?" He went off, not caring that the last group of costumers was discreetly leaving. "You couldn't stop thinking about her TODAY? Hell, welcome to my life woman. You know, I don't think you have any idea what is like to worry all day, care all day, want to have your job done so you can go home and see her. So she was in your mind today because 4 years ago you gave birth to her? Big deal Zoe! That doesn't erase all these last years. Now that you saw she is doing well you can go as you always do and perform your little surgery. I'm sure this will all be gone by tomorrow and you can resume your precious egocentric life."

He stormed out the bar leaving the whole place open. It was Bluebell, Alabama, damn it. Who on earth was gonna steal from him, especially since almost everyone was waiting at his house? He got in the car and drove to the plantation nonstop, his mind a blur but thinking about nothing. When he parked, he could hear sounds of music and laughter and someone playing a guitar in the back. He took a moment to cool off. He was going to his daughter's birthday and he owed it to her to remain calm, to have a good time. He took several deep breaths and composed himself. For her. For the only one that matter. The only person that he lived his life for.

He couldn't sleep at all that night. A couple of guests had stayed way past Ella's bed time, and with the whole cleaning up left to do, he had the perfect excuse to get out of bed and try and occupy his mind. He knew he wasn't going to succeed. As he sat in his porch, looking at the sun rising, he reluctantly grabbed his phone and made the phone call. Her tired voice answered on the other end, and suddenly it felt as if they were back to their old routine of late or very early phone calls after each surgery.

"Hey. I'm sorry to bother you." Wade said.

"Not all" she answered "did something happened?" she asked all jumpy all the sudden.

"No, no. Actually I wanted to apologize for blowing up like that yesterday. I… I mean, she is your daughter and I get why you wanted to see her on her birthday. I really do Zoe".

Zoe chocked up. A tear streamed down her face but she managed to hide it in her voice. "It's okay, I shouldn't just barged in like that anyway." From the distance, he heard her name being called. "I'm sorry Wade, I have to go. Take care, okay?"

And just like that she was gone. Again. Who knew when they'd talk again? Last time it had been six months ago, while she was away on a conference. She had called, made small talk, and even promised she would come by. As if. Wade was done with her games. She had left and they were so much better off this way. Ella was her daughter, that was true, but he was damned if he was gonna let Zoe hurt his family ever again.

"Uncle Lavon!" Ella called up as he saw him returning from his recent trip. "What did you bring me from Tennessee?"

"Now Ella darlin', what are those manners?" Tansy looked at her with a slightly frowning face. "What did your Daddy said about talking like that?"

"It's okay Tans" the Mayor laughed. "Ella asked me to bring her some picks from there, isn't it right little missus?"

"Thanks Uncle Lavon" the little girl jumped of and hugged him as her father came in the kitchen.

"Wau, another pick for our collection sweetheart!" Wade held her up and kissed her forehead. "Now go and put it in the jar."

Lavon smiled at the image. No matter where he went, the places he saw, the cosmopolitan people he met, there was simply no more heart melting thing to see than his friend with his daughter. That girl was his entire world, and he couldn't see anything other than pure devotion in Wade's eyes. He sadden a little remembering how things had turned out the last time he had seen him look like that.

"Actually, Tansy could you take her please? I have some things I need to discuss with Wade if you don't mind"

"Sure thing. Is… is everything all right?" she asked doubtfully taking Ella's hand.

"Yes, yes, well of course it is. Is just some paper work that needs to be signed for the expansion of the bar, okay?" Lavon tried to put on his best political face and give her a smile.

"Well sure, okay." She replied not completely convinced. "Wade, I'm making my momma's old casserole recipe tonight, so could you please pick up some shrimps I ordered from Sal's".

"Alright then baby". Wade waited until Tansy and his daughter left the room to look directly at his friend and asked him. "Now, there ain't no paper work for the place and you know it. I signed all the damn papers and took them to George last week, so come on, spill it our Lavon."

"Well… ammm… Jesus, Wade this isn't easy." The Mayor was clearly disturbed. He hated being the messenger who delivered such news. "Now, I would like you to remember something. I am your friend. And I want nothing but to see you happy, and every day, when I see you with Tansy and Ella, I'm more and more hopeful you will be."

"I am happy Lavon." Wade said, almost sounding convinced. Suddenly the memory of Zoe sitting in front of him the night before came rushing through his head, and he decided not to tell Lavon.

"Now who's the liar, huh? Look, my point is that you're getting there. You love your kid. And she loves you. So does Tansy." Wade was feeling a little bit uncomfortable. Where was this conversation going? "I know how you feel about her, and I also know that finally you got your life together. So that is why it kills me to tell you this."

"Come on, for crying out loud, just say the damn thing once and for all. What's going on?" He was getting more and more annoyed with Lavon's circles.

"Zoe is back. She had a surgery last night in Mobile, she called me and-"

"I know. I saw her yesterday and talked to her today."

"You what? When, how? What do you mean you saw her yesterday?" Lavon was clearly shocked.

"she dropped by your carriage house, which just proves to you that the Mayor's home could use a little bit more security, even if it's Bluebell. She came by the bar later, just before the party." Wade plainly said, trying to hide any trace of emotions in his voice.

"wow… I didn't know anything. I'm sorry. Did she… did she asked about Ella?" He put a hand around Wade's shoulder.

"Of course she did. I just don't wanna talk about it, okay? Zoe Hart is out of our lives and that's how I intend it to remain, so can we just leave it there. Even if she's the mother of my kid." As he said it, he turned away.

"Well, you see Lavon Hayes, as your friend and Ella's grandfather, would like nothing better than to do that. The thing is, as the Mayor and the tenant of this property I can't refuse Zoe's petition, and her proper rights."

"What are you talking about Lavon?"

"Zoe asked me to move back in. Legally she is the owner of the carriage house, just as much as you own your place. She is staying Wade."

Well, there it is! Most of the other characters will appear in the next few chapters, as well as a little bit more interaction between Zoe, Wade and their daughter. (Weird, huh?) It just felt like at first we needed to understand a little bit how the resident bad-boy-turned-into-father was feeling.

I'm hoping you all take some time and tell me what you think about it, if you like the story and feel interested. The rush and anxiety I get from posting something written from me beats nothing. Thanks you all!