"Lavon Hayes loves half days!" Lavon exclaimed, lying back on the grass. It was the Wednesday before Planksgiving and the group was at Lemon's house.
"You got your pirate costume ready for tomorrow Big Z?" he asked.
"Yup! I'm excited to dress up!" Zoe replied, lying on her stomach with her head resting on her hands.
Wade, who was lying next to her on his back, leaned in close and whispered, "You should be. You're gonna look so hot, don' think I'll be able to keep my hands off you!" She blushed and threw a blade of grass at him. They hadn't had any alone time since their talk on Monday and if she was being honest, the anticipation was killing her. She was so nervous, somehow talking about taking the next step in advance made things worse than if it had happened in the moment. Wade wasn't making things any better because he kept bringing up how much he wanted to be alone with her and her stomach was in knots. She obviously wanted it to happen but that didn't make the nerves any less. She kept telling herself that it wasn't as if they were going to have sex but that didn't make it any less of a big deal. This was the most intimate she ever would have been with anyone and that was a big deal.
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and chatting in Lemon's back yard. When the sun was starting to set, Zoe and Wade got up to leave in order to get to dinner with Harley.
"Dinner with your father-in-law, Kinsella?" George teased. Wade went red and Zoe shot George a glare. Wade took her hand in his and interlaced their fingers, she gave his hand a squeeze and they left Lemon's house.
After dinner, Harley went into the office because he was on call. Once the dishes were dry, Zoe was putting the last dish away. She turned around and Wade was standing right behind her.
"You scared me, Wade!"
"Sorry, Doc," he laughed. "So, we're finally alone!" he continued, giving her a small smirk. The butterflies in her stomach went crazy. She nodded slightly. He tucked her hair behind her ear and let his hand linger but he didn't lean in to kiss her. They stared at each other for a while, the air feeling thick with tension.
"So…" she said.
"So…" he replied. They stayed quiet, looking into each other's eyes.
"I'm nervous!" they both blurted out at the same time. They both laughed and the tension eased a bit.
"Why don' we just put on a movie and see what happens. No pressure, just you know… if we both feel like it's right later then it'll happen." She nodded and they made their way to the living room. They put on a movie that both of them had seen but neither one said anything. About 10 minutes into the movie, Zoe snuggled into Wade's chest. He wrapped his arm around her and she kissed him lightly. A few minutes later, she leaned up and kissed him again, this time for a bit longer. The third time that happened, Wade cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. After a while, she ran her tongue along his bottom lip. He obliged, opening his mouth and pushed her back so that she was lying on the couch. He slid her hand up the back of her shirt, unclipping her bra. She giggled, laughing at how that had quickly become his first move. He smiled into her mouth as she giggled.
"It's been way too long since we've done this," he breathed, moving to kiss her neck. She rolled her eyes but smiled. He was such a boy.
His hand moved down her side, stopping at her hip. She moved so that she was on top of him and moved her hands to his belt. Struggling a bit because her hands were shaking, she managed to unbuckle it. Throwing his belt on to the floor, she undid his jeans. He lifted his hips to help her slide them down. When he was just in his boxers, she shifted so that she was lying next to him. He slid his hand under her skirt, his mouth never leaving hers and this time she didn't push his hand away. He slipped her underwear down to her ankles and she kicked them off. He moved his hand back up. Biting his lip in a moan, she moved her hand down his chest slowly, hesitating briefly when she reached the top of his boxers but slipping her hand in, hearing his breathe catch.
The movie was long finished and Wade and Zoe were lying on the couch, spooning. Their hands were intertwined over her chest. They were fully clothed again, Zoe scared that Harley might come home for some reason. She turned around and snuggled into his chest. She breathed him in.
"You're amazing," she said, moving her hand to cup his cheek. He smiled at her, pulling her closer.
"I know," he responded, cheekily. She shoved him and he laughed, kissing her. She pouted into the kiss and he smiled.
"There isn' a word that can describe what I think you are, Doc. Amazin' jus' doesn' cut it."
She nuzzled into his chest, suddenly embarrassed. She was falling in love with him, well no, she was already in love with him. He was everything she ever wanted and more.
"Am I makin' you shy, Doc?" he teased. She shook her head into his chest. She felt his laugh vibrate through his chest.
After 15 minutes of cuddling, Wade reluctantly got off the couch. It was almost midnight and even though Harley wouldn't be home, he didn't want to get her into trouble just in case. He didn't want to leave. The past weekend when he didn't see her for almost 3 days made him realize that he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He knew he had been falling for a long time but this weekend confirmed it for him. He didn't want to say anything just yet though. But knowing that he loved her made leaving her for the night almost painful.
They stood at the doorway for another 15 minutes, kissing and holding each other. Eventually, he let her go and walked back to his house. Of course, she was waiting for him at her window.
The next morning, Zoe was up early, excited for her first Planksgiving. Not really caring if Wade saw her changing anymore, seeing as they had now seen each other naked, she didn't bother to change in her bathroom as she had done since he had seen her dancing around her room before they were dating. Leaving the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and made her way into her bedroom. She was brushing her her hair, towel still wrapped around her, when she heard Wade wolf whistle. She turned and saw him standing by his window with a towel slung around his hips.
"Well hey there Cowboy," she said as she walked to her window.
"Definitely my favorite view!" he said, folding his arms over his chest.
"My view isn't so bad either," she responded, winking at him.
"Luckily for me, Harley's room is on the other side of the house otherwise I'd be in big trouble, his daughter tryna seduce me and all."
"Is that what I'm doing?"she asked, cheekily.
"Oh yeah, for sure. Prancing around in that tiny towel? Definitely tryna seduce me."
"And here I thought me doing this would be me seducing you," she said as she dropped her towel. His eyes widened and she saw him swallow, rubbing his hand over his mouth. She turned and walked to the bathroom. She came back out a while later, dressed and he looked disappointed when he saw her.
"Tease!" he muttered and she laughed. "You still look hot as a pirate so I win either way," he said.
"Good to know you are easy to please!" she called back to him as she walked towards her bedroom door making her way downstairs to have breakfast.
The Planksgiving festivities were in full swing and Zoe was having the best time. The Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade had nothing on this. Wade kept trying to pull her away and get her alone since her towel stunt from that morning had him all riled up. When the festival was dying down, the group headed back to Lavon's house. His parents had gone to visit his brother for the weekend so he had the house to himself. It was a warm night so they sat outside. Before sitting in her seat, Wade dragged Zoe off behind Lavon's tool shed. He pushed her up against the wall and kissed her deeply. She responded enthusiastically and ran her hands through her hair and down his back. She slipped her hands under his shirt and he did the same to her. She kissed his favorite spot under his ear and he moaned her name. He slipped one hand under her dress and she moaned loudly. Bringing his lips back to hers, they kissed passionately and she was really enjoying what he was doing, moaning his name, which only encouraged him more.
"Guys, we're gonna…" Lemon stopped talking and screamed when she saw them.
"What's wrong Lemon?" Lavon said running to where she was standing. Lavon saw them as well and covered his eyes.
Wade and Zoe pulled away quickly and stood there awkwardly.
"Uh… we're uh… gonna go," Lavon stuttered. Zoe blushed and put her head in Wade's neck.
"We better get back to them," she said reluctantly.
"Yeah, uh… I'm gonna need a minute. I'll be right there," he said awkwardly. Zoe looked at him confused and her eyes widened when she realized what he meant.
"I… I can wait with you until… you're uh… ready to go back to them?"
He blushed, "I think it'll be better if you… go… uh… will be quicker if you aren't standin' there in that sexy outfit." It was her turn to blush now. She nodded and ran off, face burning.
When Zoe got back to the group, everyone had stopped talking, a sure sign that they had been talking about her and him. A few minutes later, Wade joined the group and took Zoe's hand in his. They sat quietly for the rest of the night, too embarrassed to partake in the conversation with their friends. They went home early and walked home silently. Standing on her porch, Wade broke the silence.
"So that was… interestin'," he said, taking hold of both her hands.
"My word would have been embarrassing but let's go with interesting," she laughed.
"Still fun though," he winked. She laughed again.
"Well yes, that too."
"Good night, Doc," he said, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Night," she said, "I'll miss you." He smiled at her confession.
"I'll miss you too. Jus' think we got all day together tomorrow. I got somethin' special planned for ya!"
"Can't wait!" He kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. As the kiss got more intense, they heard someone clearing their throat. Pulling away slowly, they looked to the side, seeing Harley standing at the front door, arms crossed. Both teens blushed.
"Say good night, Wade," Harley said.
"Good night Harley, sorry about that... Night Zo, I'll see you tomorrow." He quickly ran down the porch steps and jumped the fence, going into his house. Zoe looked up at Harley, not quite meeting his gaze.
"We need to talk," Harley said motioning her inside. Zoe gulped and went to sit on the couch. Sitting there, she had a flashback of how perfect the night before had been but was quickly brought out of it when Harley entered the room.
"Now, Zoe, I can tell that you and Wade are getting serious. It's been a few months now and I… I wanted to give you some… flyers."
"Flyers for what?"
"Various birth control methods," Harley stated, using his doctor voice. Zoe's face went hot.
"Dad!" she whined.
"I want you to be safe."
"Dad! I cannot believe I'm about to say this to my father but Wade and I aren't having sex."
"Even so, I want you to be safe for when that moment comes." Zoe blushed even more.
"I don't… I don't think we will…" she said, her voice trailing.
"Zoe. I am not naïve. You might not be having sex now but it is going to happen sooner rather than later and I want you to be safe. I just became a father; I don't need to be a grandfather. I know I can't stop your relationship from progressing but I can prevent any accidents. I know this is awkward but please. Just read over the flyers tonight and let me know your choice."
Zoe reluctantly took the flyers and went up to her room, embarrassed by what had just happened. When she told Wade what had happened he laughed for about 10 minutes. While waiting for him to finish laughing, she read through the flyers.
The next morning, she went downstairs and found Harley reading the newspaper.
"Uh… Dad?"
He looked up and smiled at her.
"I read through the information you gave me."
"And?"
"I think maybe the pill would be the best option for me, even though, and I can't emphasize this enough, I am NOT having sex and I'm not planning on having sex for a while either." Her face was burning again.
"Ok, how about I give you a repeat prescription and you take it to the pharmacy and they will put it on file. I won't ask when you get your first box and you don't need to tell me but this way, I know that you will be safe when you and Wade… well yes… I don't like to think about it too much. Just remember, the pill is not effective against STD's."
"DAD! Neither of us has an STD!"
"Sweetie, I know you get angry when I bring it up but the rumors…"
"Wade never slept with any of those girls, dad. And he'll kill me for telling you that but I am so sick of everyone in this town thinking the worst of him!"
"Oh… well… ok then… uh… I am going to head off to the office. I will get breakfast at the Butterstick."
Harley walked off towards the door.
"Hey, dad?" Zoe called behind him.
"Yes, dear?"
"Thank you, it couldn't have been easy for you to give me all this information. If it happens, I'll be safe. But just know that Wade is a good guy and I really care about him and I know he cares about me too. He doesn't pressure me in any way and we are both not ready for that so you can rest easy! But… thank you for caring like you do."
"You're welcome. I'm glad he makes you happy, dear. As much as I hate saying this, I trust him and he has proved to me that he would never hurt you intentionally."
Zoe smiled as he left and she ran upstairs to get ready for her special day with Wade, excited to see what he had planned.
Author's note: So in case it wasn't clear but I think it was, the next step was Wade's (in the show) definition of first base - "A little hand up the skirt, team wins, what's the harm" - from episode 7 of season 2.
The decision to have George be the one that's always ragging on Wade is a conscious one. I feel Wade would have been like that to George when he was dating Lemon when they were younger (in the show) and now Wade is the one in the serious relationship so I chose to have him be the one that makes the comments, just as a juxtaposition to the show. I like how in the show Wade always teases George and I didn't want to lose that dynamic between them in my story.