It is 4th of July in Bluebell and everyone is gathered around Main Street waiting for the parade. Zoe is up on Harley's shoulders looking down the street for the floats.

"Here they come." She pointed and everyone followed her finger.

Everyone watched in awe as the floats went past. The Belle float being the most popular. All the girls wanting to be just like them. Lemon was up there with her mom copying every move she made.

"You want to be a Belle, Zoe?" Wade asked from the light pole he was hanging on.

"No, do I look like I want to be a Belle?" she asked looking down at him "You're going to fall." She added

"Not really, I can't see you in those dresses." He smirked "No I'm not" he also added

After the parade and a giant town BBQ, everyone gathered in town square to watch the fireworks. Everyone was sitting on blankets with snacks and drinks. Some of the kids were running around playing tag or catch. Zoe, Wade and Jesse were in the gazebos with Lemon, George, AB and Jake Nass.

"He is so cute." Lemon whispered to AB looking over at Jake.

"You think so?" AB scrunched her face trying to figure it out

"Who Jake?" Zoe asked

Lemon turned to her and smiled "Yeah."

"He is" Zoe giggled

"I don't know, I think Jesse is cuter then him."

"Eww really?" Zoe asked

"You can't judge them; Jesse and Wade are like your brothers." Lemon told her

Zoe shrugged "George is cute"

Both Lemon and AB looked at her wide eyed and with giant smiles "You like George" they both squealed

"Shhh. He's right there." Zoe said blushing and looking across the gazebos at him

"Zoe, you have never admitted to liking anyone, well except for your small crush on Jimmy Praboo."

Zoe arched her top lip up "Ugh, he was a jerk."

AB was still smiling at Zoe "I wonder if George likes you? He's always looking at you."

"Shut up, why did I even say anything?" Zoe rolled her eyes

"Hey Zoe, come here." Wade called

"Gladly" she laughed and walked over to him

"She do everything he asks?" Lemon whispered to AB

"I think so." AB laughed

The fireworks started 5 minutes later and again everyone was in awe. The kids all clapped and screamed every time one went off. They couldn't get enough of them and when it was over they were all upset.

"You ready to go Zoe? You have a big day tomorrow." Harley told her

"Yes, beach with the Kinsella's" she smiled "I can't wait."

"Aren't you going to miss me?" he joked

"Of course! But you said you're going to come visit. That will be fun."

"Yes it will be. I can't wait."

"When we get home we have to double check and make sure all your stuff is packed and you are ready to go tomorrow morning. You have to get up bright and early."

"I know but I can sleep in the car. Wade says he does."

The next morning Zoe was in the Kinsella's station wagon by 7am and by 7:10 the three of them were fast asleep in the back seat. Jackie turned around and smiled at the kids. Zoe was in the middle with Jesse and Wade's heads on each of her shoulders. She took that opportunity to take a picture.

"Must you always take pictures of the children sleeping?" Earl laughed

"Yes, it's cute and it's always a great first and last photo to the album. They look so cute leaning on Zoe too."

Earl peaked through the rearview mirror and smiled "I like her"

Jackie laughed "Well that's good, since we're taking her for almost 2 months."

"She's good for the boys too, especially Wade."

"Yes Earl, we know. You think they're going to be married. They're like brother and sister."

Earl shook his head "We'll see about that."

Once they reached the beach house Jackie woke the kids up and everyone helped unpack the car.

"Is Zoe sleeping in my room?" Wade asked

"No, Zoe is sleeping in her room." Jackie told him

"She has a room?" he asked

"Of course. The one across the hall from you."

"Oh, Will she get her name on the door like me and Jesse?" he asked and then turned to Zoe "We have our names on our door. Mama painted them on there."

Jackie laughed "Maybe"

Once they were all unpacked and settled, they walked down to the beach.

"Don't go in the water. We have to go grocery shopping and to dinner in an hour or so." Jackie told the kids

Wade and Jesse ran ahead but Zoe stayed back with Earl and Jackie.

"Thank you for taking me" she smiled up at them

"You're welcome Sweetie. We are glad you're here."

Zoe smiled up at them and then took off after Wade and Jesse.

XX

They are on week 2 of the beach vacation and it's Wade's birthday. Jackie and Zoe had gone out the day before to get supplies, decorations and a cake. Earl took Wade and Jesse fishing in the morning so the girls could set up the house.

"This is so much fun." Zoe laughed as she colored the banner while Jackie blew up balloons

"How you doing over there?" Jackie asked

"Good. No pink or purple, those are girl colors" she said in her best Wade voice

Jackie laughed "Boys"

"Yeah" Zoe agreed "Done" she smiled and held it up

"Very good. It's very colorful. I'm gonna hang it up over there. Can you grab me the tape from the drawer?"

"Yeah" Zoe smiled and hopped down from the stool. She grabbed the tape and held it up to Jackie

After that was hung, Jackie taped the balloons to the walls and brought the presents out from the closet.

"You got your present here Zo?" Jackie asked

"No, I have to get it. I'll be right back." she quickly ran up the stairs and into her room, coming back down two minutes later. "Here"

"Thank you." she smiled and then looked out the window "Oh, they're home. Everything look good or should we lock them out?"

Zoe laughed "No, let them in"

"Mama, I caught the biggest fish! It was bigger than me. I am so awesome." Wade said walking in the house

Zoe looked at him and raised one of her eyebrows "Yeah, ok"

"Who asked you?" Wade smirked

"8 years old comes with an ego I see." Jackie smiled at him and wrapped him in a hug "Happy Birthday Baby."

"Moooom, I'm not a baby anymore, I'm 8." he said pulling away from her

"You'll always be my baby and don't you forget it." she looked at Jesse "That goes for you too." She saw Zoe out of the corner of her eye looking a little out of place. "You too Missy." she said to her

Zoe immediately smiled at her and then turned to Wade "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks Z"

"Are these mine?" Earl asked looking at the gifts and Wade's head spun

"Nuh uh" Wade said "They're mine." he walked over to Earl and looked at the gifts "Can I open them?"

"Of course"

Wade opened the gift from his parents which was a new CD player. His gift from Jesse was a rock Jesse found outside the night before and then he opened Zoe's. It was a wooden picture frame with seashells glued onto it and their names and the year on it.

"This is so cool, did you make it?"

"Yes I did, Your Mama said she'll put a picture of us in it from this trip."

"I love it." he smiled and gave Zoe a hug "We have to take an awesome picture."

"Oh we will."

The rest of the day they did whatever Wade wanted. They went swimming and hung out on the beach. They went to his favorite restaurant for dinner and then came back and had cake.

"Best birthday ever." Wade said as they walked down the hallway

"It was a lot of fun" Zoe agreed

"I'm so glad you're here."

"Aww thanks Wade" she smiled and kissed him on the cheek "Good night, Happy Birthday." she then walked into her room

Wade stood there for a minute with his hand on his cheek. He stared at her closed door blinking a few times before he moved. He shook his head coming out of his trance and walked into his bedroom with a smile.

"Yep, best birthday"

A week later Jesse, Wade and Zoe were starting surf lessons. The three of them were so excited they woke up at 6am that morning. They were all downstairs sitting on the couch in their bathing suits when Jackie and Earl woke up.

"What are you three doing up so early?" Earl asked

"It's surfing day!" they all yelled

"Yes but not until 10. You have 3 hours until then. How long have y'all been up?" Earl asked

"6" Zoe answered "and we ate breakfast too. Cereal." she smiled

"Well then Jac, it looks like we can go back to bed. They can take care of themselves." Earl joked

Jackie just smiled and went into the kitchen and Zoe followed. She climbed up on a stool and looked at her.

"What's up Honey?"

"Well I did everything else but I can't get my hair up and I think it needs to be so I can see what I'm doing on the board but I can't get it as tight as you and..." she rambled on

Jackie laughed at her "Slow down little girl. Where is your hair tie?" Zoe pulled the hair tie off her wrist and handed it to Jackie. "Would you like a braid or just a pony tail?" Zoe thought for a moment. "Braid please." Jackie nodded and quickly braided her hair. "All done"

"Thanks, you're awesome" Zoe smiled and hugged her

"So are you" Jackie hugged her back. "You excited for today?"

"Yes. I just hope I don't fall off and drown."

"Oh don't say that." Jackie told her "You'll do great."

"I won't let you drown Zo." Wade told her with a smile

Zoe smiled at him "Thanks Wade, I can always count on you."

A couple hours later all 5 of them were on the beach and the kids were waiting for the class to start. Each kid had their own instructor.

"Hi Zoe, I'm Cathy. I'll be your instructor for the next couple days

"Hi Cathy" Zoe smiled

"Have you ever been here before?"

"No, this is my first summer here."

"Those your brothers?"

"No, they're my best friends but they're kind of like my brothers. I'm spending the summer with them."

"That's cool. Have you ever surfed before?"

"No, I'm excited"

The first day of lessons was mostly all on the sand. Teaching the kids how to paddle and jump up and stand on the board. For the last 1/2 hour they were allowed to go in the water and paddle around. They finished up after that and headed home.

"That was so much fun" Zoe said

"Yeah it was, my instructor is awesome!" said Wade

"Mine was alright, he was kind of mean." Jesse added

The next day they got to go in the water the whole lesson. Zoe was doing super well. She was able to jump up on the board and ride some waves. Wade watched her ride her first wave and smiled.

"Good job Zoe" he told her as they passed

"Thanks, you too."

During the last 5 minutes of class, Wade was already done with his last turn and was watching Zoe from the beach. She was jumping up on the board when she slipped and fell off the board.

Wade gasped "Zoe" he yelled and dove into the water. He swam towards where he saw her fall faster than he's ever swam before.

"Wade, come back!" Jesse called from a couple feet away but he ignored him