Thank you all so much for all the reviews and positive feedback. It is so good to be back writing Wade and Zoe again! Hope you enjoy this chapter
…
"So… how'd it go? Ooo did he cry? I hear some men cry when they find out about their first child!"
"He did not cry…"
"Did he-"
Zoe cringed as she reached over the desk to pick up a patient file "I guarantee you AB he did not one of the things you're about to suggest because… I never told him."
AB's mouth dropped in disappointment, watching Zoe flip through the pile of files even though she knew she wasn't really reading them but rather avoiding her. Zoe gave her a fake smile as she turned away and walked towards her office.
"Zoe." AB called after her "You have to tell him!"
Zoe came to an abrupt halt, swinging back to face Annabeth "No I don't… and will you please be quiet. I don't want Brick to hear us talking about this."
"And what would that be Doctor Hart?" Brick asked suspiciously as he walked out of his office. Zoe shot AB a look of disgust as Brick folded his arms. Zoe scrambled her brain to think of a reason to give to Brick.
"Eyebrows!" she spat out "… I need to leave early tomorrow for an appointment in Mobile to get my eyebrows done and I wanted to keep it as a surprise for you but now you know so…"
AB cringed as Brick looked around in awe, he thought he had finally caught up with Zoe and her questionable ways but this was a new one. Zoe painted a massive grin on her face which only irritated Brick more.
"Dr. Hart I know you are goin' through a difficult time right now regardin' your love life but please let it be known to us all that I do not and will never show interest in your… hair." Annabeth hid her laughter behind her hand as she handed Brick a paper file and watched him walk back into his office still spinning from what had just happened. Zoe lifted her hand to cover her face in embarrassment as she moved over to the desk, drawing AB into her.
Zoe lowered her voice to a full whisper to ensure Brick could not hear them "I actually have an appointment in Mobile with the OBGYN at 2pm so can you please cancel any patients I have scheduled."
"Zoe, you can't go without Wade. He'll want to be there."
"Trust me, he won't want to be there… and please stop talking about Wade."
Annabeth shook her head, continuing to whisper "What's your plan Zoe? Do you think Wade won't notice you gettin' bigger and then oh I don't know… HAVE A BABY!"
"Are you making jokes?"
"I really am not. Zoe this is not somethin' that can be fixed with antibiotics or concealer! This is his child, your child together and I really think you'll regret it in years to come if you don't deal with this properly. For the sake of your child."
Zoe hung her head, her mood suddenly altered, she looked over at Brick's office door and thankfully it remained shut "Wade made it perfectly clear that he doesn't want a future with me. What else is there left to say? Now if you excuse me, I have a patient." Annabeth groaned to herself, deep down she knew this was an issue between Wade and Zoe only but she couldn't stand by and watch Zoe suffer and Wade remain blissfully unaware. She waited until Zoe had shut her office door before picking up the office phone and quietly pressing the buttons. She waited anxiously as the call rang out in fear that Zoe would reappear.
"Lemon…" she whispered "… it's me. We need to talk."
….
"The service here is just… atrocious."
Wade rolled his eyes once he heard her voice. He turned the key in the register, threw the dishrag over his shoulder and turned around "Lemon, good mornin' to you too."
Lemon gave him a sweet smile as he prepared her usual mug of sweet tea. As Lemon watched him pour the boiling water into the mug she couldn't help but notice the resigned look on his face. She hit her fingernails against the wooden surface, her mind wandering to places of mischievous that she had never ventured to before.
"So Wade, do you have any plans tonight?"
Wade shrugged his shoulders "Workin' probably. Why?"
"Well, seen as my dear old grandmother is still in town…" Lemon threw a look of disgust in Wade's direction as he smirked "… and she is thrown' a big old Breeland dinner party for Henry and I and I would like you to come."
Wade groaned "Lemon I don't know… I mean don't get me wrong I'd love to spend an evenin' with you and your family but I-"
"Stop tryin' to come up with some stupid reason not to come so you can sit at home and mope about Zoe."
"I am not mopin' around."
"Well good. So you'll be there?"
Wade froze, his mouth stiff "Uh yeah, I guess I'll be there."
Lemon gave a smile of satisfaction "Fantastic. Dinner will be served at 7, be there at 6:30pm sharp for beverages and for the love of God wear somethin'… respectable."
Wade nodded as he lifted the heavy crate of empty bottles just as Lavon and George walked in "I gotta bring these out back, I'll see you later." Lemon hardly had time to acknowledge him once she caught sight of Lavon and George who had taken a seat near the door. She took a final sip of her tea, grabbed her bag and rushed over to them. Both men jumped at the sight of her suddenly sitting in front of them. They looked at each other in a confused way as Lemon scanned the bar for any sight of Wade. She leaned over, knocking the menu right out of Lavon's hand.
"The two of you are required at my house for a fake dinner party at 7. No excuses… and dress formal."
George groaned "Ugh Lemon again with the fake stuff, really?"
Lemon shook off his comment "If either of you like me, even remotely then you will be there. Yes?"
"Yes." They said in unison as she saw Wade in the corner of her eye.
"Good. I'll see you then." She jumped up out of her seat and paced out of the Rammer Jammer, whipping her phone out in the process and held it to her ear.
"AB, Operation baby is go…." Lemon said smiling but soon wiped it from her face as Zoe turned the corner "…. I gotta go." She placed her phone back in her bag as Zoe approached her.
" … you're here, at the Rammer Jammer." She said awkwardly as Zoe fidgeted with her fingers.
"Well I have to go in sometime right?"
"And once inside do you think you'll mention to him that you are pregnant with his child?"
Zoe scoffed "Lemon, butt out."
"No no, you're right. It is none of my business… I won't get involved. Now if you excuse me, I have a menu to plan."
Zoe didn't even register what Lemon was waffling on about as she was too nervous about walking through the doors in front of her and undoubtedly seeing Wade and having to deal with the fact that she once again could not build up the courage to tell him that she was carrying his child. She took a deep breath and walked slowly into the Rammer Jammer, hoping that Wade would be in the kitchen or taking out the trash. She was in no such luck. There he was standing at the nearest table chatting casually to George and Lavon. She examined his every detail from his messy hair to his red and white flannel shirt… suddenly she found her hand resting on her stomach yet again but the minute he looked up and their eyes locked, she pulled it away.
"Hey…" he said quietly as he approached her.
"Hi…"
"I uh, I haven't seen you in here in a while. You want somethin' to eat?"
Zoe swallowed her bubbling emotions "Uh no… just a tea to go, please."
Disappointment shot through Wade, hoping secretly she'd stay, preferably at her usual seat at the bar and they could speak more than 5 words to each other. He made his way back to the bar and boiled the kettle as she made the unconscious decision to follow him. They both stole glances at each other until eventually their eyes met resulting in a smirk from Wade, who was taking the longest time in preparing a cup of tea just so he could spend some time around her. Zoe knew full well that everyone in the bar was staring at them, wondering what possibly they could be talking about but she didn't care. All she could focus on was him.
"So…" Wade said as he handed her the takeaway cup of tea "… I was wonderin' if maybe one night you wanted to stop by and I could pour you a glass of wine from your stock I got here. Darn thing is full."
Zoe's heart fluttered, once at how cute he was when he was nervous and once more at his offer for them to spend more time together. But then she found her hand on her stomach once more and had to shut down those feelings of sheer joy and delight, she couldn't drink… she's pregnant and that led her to stressing about having not told Wade…still so she smiled politely at him and before she knew it the words had left her mouth.
"How about tonight? I'm off at 8. I could call in after."
Wade winced "I uh, I can't tonight but tomorrow definitely."
Zoe gave a forced smile, given the situation, and nodded "Great, well I gotta get back to work so I'll see you tomorrow… for wine." He smiled at her as she walked away but stopped abruptly and turned back around for Wade to see a dollar bill in her hand. He held his hand up to stop her "On the house, Doc."
All Zoe could do was smile.
…..
Wade straightened down his white button down shirt. His attempt at ironing had failed miserably but thankfully for him Lemon didn't really seem to care once he arrived at her door at 6:55pm exactly, much to her disgust. He walked into the living room to see Lavon and George standing awkwardly in the corner as AB dashed between the dining room and the kitchen.
"Wade… what are you doin' here?" George asked, even more confused as to what was going on.
"Lemon told me to be here, you know for the party for her grandmother. What are you doin' here?"
Lavon and George looked at each other "She ordered us to be here… she was very scary."
Wade nodded "Hey listen, I don't want either you of two messin' with her tonight. She is with Henry and she is happy."
"Yeah sure…" Lavon said "… so hey, we saw you and Zoe talkin' today, things finally back on track?"
Wade laughed a little as he looked down at his feet "I don't think there is anythin' that can bring me and Zoe back together."
As George opened his mouth to speak, Lemon burst into the living room with Henry on her arm. He gave a polite smile to the 3 men standing in front of him. Lemon looked back at AB who held her thumbs up. Lemon cleared her throat to get the attention of the room.
"We're now ready so if you all will make your way to the dining room. Dinner is served…." She looked at Wade "... Wade, not drinkin' tonight?"
"I wasn't really plannin'-"
"Well tough. You are. What will you have?"
"I don't presume you got any beer…"
Lemon smiled "Actually, tonight we do."
George's head shot up as he laughed "Beer... in this house? We dated for 15 years and not once have I seen anythin' other than scotch bein' served here."
Lemon rolled her eyes "Well George, tonight is a special night and Wade is gettin' beer if that is what he wants."
Wade looked over at George "Yes Tucker…" he said sarcastically "… it is a special night, for granny."
Lavon raised his head "Granny? As in Breeland? The Grandma Breeland who left for the airport last night?"
Lemon's eyes bulged as AB panicked. Wade turned around to face Lemon, he was starting to question what he was really doing here and what ulterior motives Lemon had going on. He picked at the bottle of beer as he walked into the dining room to see 7 places set at the table. Wade pulled the chair out in front of him but before he could sit Lemon redirected him to another seat, further down the table and he couldn't help but notice that the seat to his left was empty.
"So Lemon…" Wade started to ask as AB poured his bottle of beer into a glass and took the bottle away from the table "… if your grandmother isn't here, then why am I here? Why are we all here?"
Lemon and AB looked at each other "Okay fine…" Lemon sighed "… this never had anythin' to do with my grandmother..." AB looked at her, feeling like all her planning was going to waste as Lemon appeared to drop the act "… I want to welcome Henry into the community and I knew Lavon and George would never agree to come to dinner so AB suggested I invite you as a buffer." AB hid her smile behind her hand, she felt stupid for even considering Lemon would foil this plan. George and Lavon were however, less than impressed and slightly confused but Lemon gave them no time to voice their feelings.
"So Henry, Wade actually lives on Lavon's land and George, well he lives on a boat."
"That you once lived on…" George whispered to himself.
Henry nodded and smiled as he turned to Lavon and Wade "That's some lovely land you got there don't you Mr Mayor."
"I like it…" Lavon said proudly as Lemon became flustered.
"Dr. Hart also lives on his land."
"The one who works with your father?"
Lemon nodded as Wade eyed her, he didn't want to talk about Zoe- especially not to some stranger he just met. Lemon could feel the stares on the side of her face as she shot a look at AB who suddenly jumped from her seat causing everyone to drop their forks and stare at her.
"Excuse me, I just forgot that I have duck in the oven that needs checkin'…" She dashed into the kitchen with her phone hidden in her hand as Wade made a face at the thought of having to eat duck.
The next ten minutes were spent with Lemon and AB discussing various stories about the town and Wade, Lavon and George in particular. All of whom only agreed or nodded and picked at their food. That was until the doorbell rang and Lemon became giddy once more. Everyone looked around except for Lemon who had her eyes set firmly on Wade.
"Wade would you please get that."
Wade scoffed growing evermore frustrated with Lemon and whatever scheme she had planned "You want me to answer the door at your own house?"
"Well you are closest aren't you?"
"I guess…" Wade said as he pulled himself up and trudged over to the door. He knew almost immediately who he would be looking at once the door opened as from the brief glimpse of the top of her head through the small glass window in the door he knew it was her. Zoe's face fell once she saw Wade standing in front of her looking semi-formal. His outstretched arm holding the door open revealed his perfectly toned muscles. She glanced at them for a moment but soon found herself staring right into his eyes.
"Doc…"
"Wade… what are you doing at the Breeland's?"
Wade looked to his left as Zoe's eyes followed him to see the group of people all sitting around the table yet all looking in her direction.
"Oh… a party." She said to herself but Wade was eager to show her it wasn't anything he wanted to be at.
"Lemon tricked me into thinkin' this was a thing her Grandma was throwin' but it isn't… Im not sure what it is." He gave a small laugh as he watched her eyes scramble "What's the matter?" he asked as Zoe stepped into the hallway, having her body brush past his was familiar and he calmed him.
"Why did AB call me saying your Grandmother was sick and where is Brick?!" Zoe questioned Lemon from across hallway.
Lemon rolled her eyes " stop stressin'… I told AB to say that because I wanted to you to meet Henry and I knew you wouldn't come if you knew Wade was goin' to be here."
"Lemon I'm meant to be working."
"It's alright Doctor Hart I don't imagine anyone has plans of dyin' tonight. Besides, I texted Daddy and he agreed to be on call tonight, so you're out of excuses."
Zoe crossed her arms over her stomach as Wade looked down at her. She could feel his stares and once again she felt guilty for keeping this huge secret from him.
"Well don't just stand there lettin' the night air in." Lemon pushed as she stood up. Wade gave Zoe a look of assurance as he shut the door and followed her into the dining room and was not one bit surprised when Lemon directed her into the empty seat right beside him. George and Lavon looked on awkwardly as AB served Zoe up a plate of food which instantly made Zoe feel ill. Wade waited until conversation had started between others around the table before looking down at Zoe.
"I'm sorry about all this Doc, I had no idea."
Zoe tried to keep her distance from him both physically and emotionally but he was making it difficult with his gentle tone and irresistible scent "It's okay, I should have known this was a Lemon trap."
"Doctor Hart…" Lemon asked once again bringing the attention on Wade and Zoe "…Red or white?"
"Huh?"
"Wine… red or white wine?"
Zoe moved around in her seat uncomfortably knowing full well what Lemon was doing to her. She tried to think of a reason why she wasn't drinking but then she caught eye contact with Wade and smiled "I'll just have water… I'll save the wine for tomorrow." As the words left her mouth Wade blushed, feeling more comfortable around her but left Lemon frustrated.
"So Zoe, AB tells me you have an appointment to get your eyebrows done tomorrow… how nice."
Immediately George knew Lemon was up to something, not that he didn't have his suspicions prior to this but now he was sure and he cringed in sympathy for Zoe who was in the line of fire. Annabeth who was slightly surprised at the lengths Lemon was going to, watched on as Zoe froze.
"Lemon I really don't think-"
"Not now Henry."
"Yeah Lemon I don't think-"
"Lavon hush…." She persisted "… please Zoe tell us about your eyebrows and the appointment that is tomorrow."
Wade watched as Zoe sunk into her seat and suddenly his protective instinct kicked in "Lemon, I don't know what is wrong with you. Maybe you're sick or on drugs or you're finally havin' that mental breakdown you are destined to have but you need to stop!"
Lemon threw her hands in the air "You need to hear about the eyebrows more than anyone Wade!"
Wade looked at Lavon and George, hoping for some insight into Lemon's psyche but they were just as baffled as he was.
"Zoe." Lemon said sternly.
"Lemon, stop it."
"Zoe."
Zoe shook her head in disgust as she turned to Wade "Wade, can I speak to you outside please?"
Wade only delighted to get away from Lemon agreed instantly and took no time in rising from the table, following Zoe out onto the porch leaving Lemon was a satisfied smile on her face.
….
"I really have no idea what's goin' on with her, maybe she needs her dosage upped or somethin'… I don't know..." Wade said as he took a seat on the porch swing making sure the window behind them was firmly shut. Zoe gave him a fake smile and straight away he knew something was bothering her "…For what it's worth I think your eyebrows look nice."
Zoe slammed her eyes shut; she needed him to not be so sweet to her in this moment. It just made it so much harder for her to tell him this news that will turn his world upside down and she didn't want to do that to him. Despite Lemon's madness, she was right. Wade needed to know and the longer she kept it from him the worse it would be for them both. Zoe took one final breath and exhaled slowly as Wade soon became anxious.
"Zoe is everythin' okay?"
"Wade I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Look there is no easy way to say this without upsetting you or stunning you and I know no matter how many times I tell you I did not plan this it will feel like-"
"Zoe." Wade said as he placed his hand on her wrist to calm her impending frenzy "Just tell me, I promise I won't get mad."
Zoe pulled her arm away "Don't say that, don't make a promise you can't keep."
"Zoe-"
"I'm pregnant."
Wade froze. His mouth refused to move and his skin turned a shade of white that Zoe had never seen before. It was at least a minute before he blinked and even that was a struggle for him. Zoe fell back against the cushions causing the swing to move backwards as she covered her mouth with both hands. She couldn't hide her emotions much longer and as Wade remained in the same frozen position the two of them could only sit there, overcome by disbelief and fear. Wade really wanted to speak, he wanted to say something to her but he just couldn't bring his mouth to move. After moments of sitting in sheer silence, Wade finally found it in himself to angle his neck in her direction.
"So like… 2 months?"
Zoe lifted her head in shock as she wiped her face "Yeah. I thought I had that virus that was going around."
"So Lemon wasn't talkin' bout your eyebrows was she?"
Zoe bit her bottom lip "She and Annabeth know, I have an appointment with a doctor in Mobile tomorrow."
Wade nodded his head but Zoe wasn't really sure if he registered it at all.
"Look Wade, I don't know what to say to you because I don't even know what to think… but whatever you decide, I'll understand and accept."
It took every ounce of strength Zoe had in her body to lift herself from that porch swing and walk down those steps. She didn't expect Wade to follow her and he didn't, but it still stung like hell as she walked further and further away from him knowing that she had changed his life forever.
….
"Is there anyone here with you today?" The doctor asked as Zoe adjusted her body on the examination table.
"No. Just me." She answered, her eyes kept firmly on the picture on the opposite wall of a couple holding their new-born baby with massive smiles on their faces. She swallowed her tears as the doctor continued her exam.
The doctor smiled "Okay well everything looks good, I am just going to go get some gel and then we can get a scan."
Zoe took a deep breath as she nodded, she felt so uncomfortable in the hospital gown as she lay there with so many things swirling around in her mind. She took no notice when the door behind her opened once more.
"Zoe…" the voice behind her said quietly as she shot up. She didn't know how to react when she saw him standing there, his hair was a mess and it didn't look like he got more than an hour of sleep. He had his hands dug deep in his pockets as he appeared completely overwhelmed by his surroundings.
"Wade, how did you know I was here?"
"You told me last night that you had an appointment and Annabeth told me the time… Did I miss it?"
"You haven't missed anything." The doctor said as she walked causing him to jump slightly. She walked back around to Zoe's side, pulling the ultra-sound machine closer to her. Zoe lay back down on the table all the while keeping her eyes on Wade who stood a foot away from her, still extremely uncomfortable and not sure where to stand. The doctor clearly wasn't new to awkward fathers in her office as she urged Wade to stand closer to Zoe as she exposed Zoe's lower abdomen.
"This might be a bit cold." She said as she squirted the blue gel onto Zoe's golden brown skin, it made Zoe shiver but before she knew it she found Wade's hand on her shoulder. He felt her relax once their skin made contact and that gave him the confidence to step even closer to the table. The doctor pressed the transducer against Zoe's stomach which gave her a weird feeling but once she felt Wade's touch intensify she was at ease.
"Okay… let's take a look here." The doctor said as she moved the transducer across Zoe's abdomen. There was a moments silence as the doctor scanned and soon Wade began to worry. Why hadn't she found it yet? Why couldn't he see anything or hear anything? Just as his mind wandered to dark places the Doctor looked over at them and smiled, placing her baby finger on a tiny round smudge on the screen.
"There's your baby…." She flicked a switch to the left of the screen and that was when they heard it. That tiny muffled sound was like nothing either of them had ever heard before as Wade lowered himself down to be closer to Zoe, their heads almost touching as the rhythmic beats continued to fill the silence in the room. Zoe looked up to Wade who for the second time in 24 hours was left speechless in her company. As they made eye contact Wade couldn't help but let out a little laugh as Zoe smiled up at him.
"I'm so happy you're here for this…" Zoe whispered as Wade moved his hand off her shoulder and onto her hand.
"You kiddin'? I wouldn't miss this for the world."
….
So there you have it. Please let me know what you thought, thanks!