Zoe and Alice were chatting as they made their way outside. Alice had suggested they go outside, sensing that maybe Zoe had something important to say. Danny still wasn't back and Matt was currently out in the bush as well.
"I'm going to England." Zoe told Alice softly. "I know Matt's told you but, well I haven't given him much of a reason."
"He said." Alice replied as the two strolled slowly up to Leopards Den.
"It's my dad." Zoe admitted. "When I told him I was getting married, he kinda I dunno, sort of said congratulations and that was that. When I asked him if he'd come out he said yes but the minute I mentioned giving me away he said I should do it traditionally."
"Traditionally?" Alice questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Zoe replied rolling her eyes, "I can't take the kids out of school and Matt won't let me go alone..."
"I don't mind taking care of Sam and Beth." Alice replied with a smile. "There's plenty of room."
Zoe nodded gratefully, "I'm sorry to..."
"Zoe shut up." Alice laughed, "If anything happens and for any reason me and Danny need to leave, Caroline and Nomsa will be more than happy to step into the breach. Go out there, book a hotel and umm... ask your dad?"
Zoe laughed as they walked into the kitchen where Thabo and Liv were hugging.
"Young Love." Alice smiled as she and Zoe sat down at the table. "Love is in the air."
"Dudududududu" Zoe continued, both Alice and Zoe were in laughing as they serenaded Thabo and Liv who were staring at the pair, their expressions a mixture of concern, horror and amusement.
"I'm off to go do some work!" Liv exclaimed dramatically.
"Yes Miss Adams... we're so sorry, we won't do it again if you don't give us a detention." Zoe said imitating a small child's voice. Liv rolled her eyes and walked off. She was training to become a primary teacher and everyone seemed to enjoy pretending to be small children and misbehaving, no one more so than the natural show woman that was Zoe. Of course it was all light hearted and Liv took no offence, the family, especially Danny and Alice had made it extremely obvious how proud they all were of her.
"Ok, so when you off?" Alice asked as Thabo made his own way out leaving Zoe and Alice alone. Thabo still worked at Leopards Den and was fully trained now and had a strong partnership with Dupe.
"Couple of days... I just want to get this all sorted. It feels like I've been waiting all my life to marry that man!" Zoe laughed as she grabbed a bottle of water.
"Patience is a virtue." Alice told her nodding in a very 'wise' manner. "Although saying that I had none at all!"
"Yes Alice, I know!" Zoe laughed, "You still don't! Anyway, I best dash work to do!" Zoe smiled.
"See you later." Alice replied waving her off.
(x)
Danny rubbed the cow's head gently as he stepped out of the pen. He turned to the farmer after a young man secured the pen after him.
"She should be fine, keep flushing those wounds with salt water and keep putting the purple spray on as well. Keep her on the antibiotics as well and she should be fine. Either myself or Alice will pop back later in the week to check up on her." Danny told him.
"Thanks Danny." The farmer said, shaking Danny's hand. "See you later."
"Yep, bye." Danny smiled before walking off, as he climbed in his Jeep. He was certainly pleased to be going back home. He found visits incredibly boring on his own, he was so used to having Alice by his side, it felt totally unnatural to not have her there.
Suddenly, Danny's mobile began to ring. He frowned, quickly reading the caller display. Evan? He answered it.
"Hey Danny! You aren't around Jo'burg are you?" Evan asked.
"Not too far away why?" Danny enquired.
"Well I may have kind have missed the bus and..." Evan began.
"Don't worry, on my way!" Danny laughed.
"Thanks Danny, you are a money saver!" Evan exclaimed.
"Complete opposite to what Alice says!" Danny chuckled, "I'll be outside your uni in twenty minutes."
"Thanks!" Evan beamed.
Danny sighed and thrust the Jeep into gear. Seemed he was going to have to meet his wife a little bit longer. Still... maybe going to Jo'burg wouldn't be a bad excuse to buy her something...
(x)
Thabo had offered to go and pick the kids up from school. Alice and Matt had just operated on a zebra and it seemed slightly unfair for either of them to rush around. He sighed in relief as the kids all jumped out. He quickly helped Bethany out and carried her into the surgery where Matt was sat filling out the notes on the zebra. He turned round as he heard Beth shout 'daddy' across the animal hospital.
"Hey sweetie!" He laughed standing up as Thabo handed her to him, "You have a nice day at nursery?"
"Yeh, I painted a lion. It's on the wall." Beth told him proudly, he laughed as he proceeded to show her the small lion cubs that had arrived just the day before for treatment. They were from Nguni Lodge who had lost their vet not so long ago.
Alice had moved over to complete the notes on the zebra. She knew that Sam and Lyndon would be no doubt playing cricket or football outside and if they were together rarely came down to the animal hospital. Lyndon would come if he wasn't with Sam though. As she was signing it at the bottom, the door opened once more.
"Hey Hey." Evan smiled walking forwards, he walked over to Alice who had stood up and gave her a hug.
"Hey Evan! How was your placement?" Alice asked. He'd been working at Jo'burg zoo for the past few days as part of his zoology course. He was nearing the end of his second year and was loving every single moment of it.
"It was great." Evan smiled, "Still, I tell you now I don't wanna work in a zoo. It's so hard to see them in cages when you've lived out here."
"Yeh." Alice replied remembering when she and Danny had gone to a zoo. Neither had really enjoyed the experience and had the same thoughts as Evan. It was at such a point Danny walked in. He noticed Alice's back turned to him and so sneaked up behind her.
Alice jumped as she saw a bunch of red roses suddenly appear before her eyes. It was then she felt Danny's rumble of laughter as her back hit his chest.
"Danny." Alice's voice had softened completely and was laced with loved as she turned round, accepting the beautiful flowers that were in front of her.
"I love you." Danny whispered gazing into her eyes.
"I love you too." She replied slowly wrapping her arms around his neck. They hugged tightly before kissing one another passionately upon the lips.
A/N – There's probs gonna be a few chapters where nothing happens. Everything starts a few chapters in when Zoe actually gets in England with her dad etc.