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Wade helped Zoë climb out of the cab and then went to get the bags from the cab driver. They turned to go into the airport and Wade suddenly remembered his first experience in this airport.
"You better stay behind me so no one tramples you". Wade said as he moved Zoë behind him.
"Seriously Wade? Pregnant or not, I'm still a New Yorker and can hold my own". Zoë said aggravated.
"Ladies first". Wade waved his hand to motion her through the opened door.
"Thank you" Zoë nodded and then walked through the door with her rolling suitcase.
Wade understood Zoë's point that she could take care of herself but he couldn't handle the thought of someone bumping, hitting, or knocking down Zoë. "Lady with a baby" said Wade as he put his arms on either side of Zoë to swat people away. Zoë turned and looked at Wade with her mouth wide open. "What? I'm still behind you". Wade said daring Zoë to argue.
Zoë shook her head and proceeded to walk on through the airport while trying to ignore Wade's announcement to everyone that walked by them. She tried to check her bag but Wade wouldn't have it and told her to go sit down.
Wade came to sit beside Zoë in the waiting area. "Lavon just called. He's going to pick us up from the airport. Did you call Brick"?
Zoë started to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. "No, I didn't want the gossip mill to be in overdrive before we even got there".
"We didn't plan for this to happen and you know I would marry you in a New York minute if you would let me". Wade tried to sooth Zoë.
"I know this wasn't planned and I do know you would marry me in a New York minute". Zoë smiled at Wade's time description. "But I want you to marry me because of me and when I feel that is the case, I will be honored to become your wife".
"Mrs. Kinsella, you mean you will be honored to become Mrs. Kinsella"? Wade said making his opinion known.
"Not at all. I know you were raised in the south where the women just jump at the chance to change their last name but I worked really hard to earn my doctorate as Zoë Hart. When I tell someone that I am Dr. Zoë Hart, they know who I am. They know who my father is also. Dr. Zoë Hart will have doors opened for her in the medical field where as Dr. Zoë Kinsella will have to make them open". Zoë lowered her head. She couldn't look at Wade after her little speech.
"You're right. Kinsella doesn't carry the same amount of clout that Hart does in the medical field and that's what you need to make your career take off ". Wade said while looking at his folded hands. Just because he understood didn't mean he had to like it. He was a southern man and like other southern men he wanted his wife to take his last name. Wade chuckled at a sudden thought.
"What are you laughing at" Zoë turned towards him and looked around.
"It's just my luck. Golden boy, George Tucker the lawyer married a simple southern bell that couldn't wait to take his last name. I, Wade Kinsella the bartender will eventually marry a Yankee doctor that is appalled at the thought of taking my last name".
"I'm sure golden boy, George Tucker the lawyer wouldn't want to change his last name either". Zoë smiled at Wade.
"Oh, so I'm the simple southern bell"? Wade asked insulted.
"Your analogy, not mine". Zoë held her hands up in defense.
"Yeah, yeah". Wade noticed the people around them getting up and walking towards the gate. He stood up and then helped Zoë out of her seat.
Zoë and Wade boarded the plane and took their seats. They turned their cell phones off and then relaxed in their seats until the plane took off.
The first hour and forty-five minutes of the flight were quite uneventful. Then an elderly man three rows back started to clutch his chest. The flight attendant called for a doctor. Zoë looked at Wade because he made her sit on the inside. He moved his legs.
"Go, have fun". Wade said knowing he couldn't stop her if he wanted too.
"Thank you" said Zoë before she kissed Wade and went to help.
The flight attendant contacted the flight deck to make them aware of the situation and then came back to help Zoë by administering oxygen.
The pilot announces that they are landing in Mobile soon and turns on the fasten seat belt sign.
"I need the AED and you will have to direct passengers away from this area when the plane is unloading". Zoë said looking at another flight attendant that walked up to help. She quickly turned to get the AED. The other flight attendant was kneeling next to the elderly man's head trying to hold him still while the Plane landed.
The plane came to a stop. All available flight personnel directed the passengers away from the man and off the plane.
Wade saw the airport medical staff coming up the ramp and decided he was in the way. "Zoë, I'm going to go find Lavon and let him know what's going on. Are you going to be ok"?
"I think I'll be fine". Zoë said looking around at all the help that just arrived.
Wade nodded and left the plane. As he was walking down the ramp he thought to himself "Boring ole' Bluebell, here I come".
Wade spotted Lavon waving as he walked into the airport. He walked up to him and they gave each other a manly hug.
"Where is Zoë"? Lavon asked.
"Medical emergency" Wade replied.
"Oh, I was really looking forward to seeing Big Z". Lavon said disappointed.
"No, she is here. The medical emergency was on the plane". Wade pointed in the direction of the plane.
"Never a dull moment". Lavon laughed.
"Nope, not a one" Wade said with slight aggravation.
After a few moments, Lavon noticed Zoë's head bobbing up and down as she walked with the crowd of medical and airport personnel. He stood up with a big smile on his face. Wade stayed seated and hid his face as he waited for Lavon to see Zoë.
Zoë was only a couple of feet away when a man moved to give Lavon a perfect view.
"What happened to your stomach girl"? Lavon said loudly in shock.
"Gees, a girl puts on a couple of pounds and everyone's a critic". Zoë said pretending to be insulted while Wade was doubled over in laughter.
"No. No, ma'am. That isn't a couple of pounds and it is centrally located in the baby carrying area". Lavon said insulted by them trying to pull the wool over his eyes.
"I'm six months". Zoë conceded.
"Big Z is going to have a little z"? Lavon said with a huge smile.
"A little w, actually" Zoë said sheepishly.
"Little w"? Lavon was confused and looked at Wade for some help in understanding when it clicked. "As in a little Wade"? Lavon asked scared.
Wade stood up and smacked Lavon on the arm. "Yes. What's so bad about having a little Wade"?
Lavon placed his hand on Zoë's stomach and leaned down to talk to the unborn baby. "Child, Bluebell isn't ready for you".