Sorry for the slower updates, I'm currently travelling around Ireland and trying to find wifi is a nightmare! However; here is chapter seven. I hope you're still enjoying this! x

Chapter Seven:

In the end, Max and Zoe had taken Tess' advice and gone for a long walk around the local park. It was nice to just talk, enjoy the sunshine and feel comforted by the other's company. It was also nice to know that however nervous or anxious they were feeling, there was someone else who felt exactly the same way. By the time seven o'clock rolled around a strange sense of calm had washed over them both. When the doorbell rang Max had answered it, Zoe hanging just that little bit behind him.

"Hello, you must be Max and Zoe?" An older lady smiled, holding her hand out to greet them. "I'm Jane, nice to meet you"

"And you" Max had smiled, shaking her hand. Zoe once again hung back, her nerves beginning to make a last minute reappearance. Max led Jane into the lounge and offered her a cup of tea. She gratefully accepted and Max quickly disappeared off to make it. Zoe's heart began to hammer against her chest as she took a seat in the armchair opposite Jane.

"So Zoe, what do you do?" Jane asked, trying to pass her questioning off as polite conversation. She could sense Zoe's nerves and attempted to try and settle her qualms.

"I'm a doctor" Zoe replied "A consultant" She added quickly in an attempt to correct herself. "At Holby City Emergency Department"

"Wow. That's very impressive" Jane replied. "And Max? Is he a doctor too?"

"He's a porter" Zoe replied quietly, almost waiting for Jane's expression to fall and for her to scribble furiously into a notebook. When she didn't, Zoe relaxed visibly.

"And how long have you been together?"

"About two years. We've been married a year" The consultant replied politely, cursing how long Max took to make a cup of tea. Luckily, the open plan lay out of the living room and kitchen meant that she could still see him which slightly put her at ease. When he finally joined them he sat on the arm of the chair next to Zoe, a loose arm around her shoulders. Jane smiled softly, she liked them already.

"Can I ask why you have chosen to look into adoption?" Zoe and Max exchanged a glance. He noticed her expression fall and gently squeezed her shoulder.

"We can't have children" Max replied simply, careful to say 'we' and not Zoe specifically. He never wanted her to feel blamed or at fault.

"Well I'm glad you've chosen to adopt" Jane smiled softly. "I really think you would be lovely parents". The trio talked for a long while about all aspects of their lives. Jane asked about what type of child they would like to adopt. They hadn't really discussed it before but both shared a preference for a baby or younger child. Jane explained that there was a waiting list for new-borns and that the process may be slightly longer if they wanted a younger child. Max and Zoe nodded, it would be worth it for their perfect future Max had said.

Jane had stayed for a good hour when she finally announced that it was time to leave the couple in peace. She promised to keep in touch as she would need references and promptly left. As soon as Max closed the front door Zoe practically fell into his arms with relief. He rubbed her back softly, he was so proud of her.

"That went so well" Max mumbled into her hair, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. Zoe leaned up to kiss his lips. He responded by deepening the kiss before resting his forehead upon hers. "I'm so proud of you Zo, I know how nervous you were" Zoe didn't reply but smiled gently. They stood in silence for a long moment until Max's shoulder began to feel damp. "Hey, what's wrong?" His voice was the softest that Zoe had ever known it. The consultant looked up, her eyes stained with tears.

"I just can't believe we might finally be getting our own family" She admitted, her voice barely audible but her lips were curled into a smile. Max bent down to kiss her lips. "I love you" She admitted sincerely, her eyes glittering in the dark lighting of the hallway.

"I love you too" Max whispered before gently wiping the tear tracks of her cheeks with his thumb.