"I can't do this Harley." Zoe sighed taking a seat inside the airport. She wasn't ready to leave Bluebell behind her. The town had grown on her. Besides her mother could afford a nurse to come take care of her. "I'm calling mom and telling her I wont be there until next month when it's time for me to come home and get ready for college." Zoe was adamant about it.

"Zoe dear are you sure about this? I'd love for you to stay longer but it's your mom that needs help." Harley wasn't pushing her away, he wanted Zoe to make the choice on her own.

"Dad I'm sure about this. I have barely spent time with you thus far into my stay, I think I may need more time for some father/daughter bonding." Zoe told him the smile on her face falling seeing the look on Harley's face. "Are you ok?" Zoe asked moving closer the few steps that were between them.

"I'm fine Zoe. I never thought I would hear you call me dad." Harley explained showcasing a huge grin. Zoe thought back to what she had just said.

"Huh I did call you dad." Zoe retook her seat in her own world. The world hadn't ended. Ethan was never there as she grew older, Harley was quick to take over fatherly duties the second he knew about her. Maybe it was time to change her major, was the main thing floating around in her mind. She pushed the thoughts away seeing Harley looking at her concerned. "You are my father and it's about time I realize that." Zoe told him getting up.

"I'll your mom when we get back home. I'm sure you'll wanna head off and find Wade." The smile on Zoe's face gave her a way. She kept telling herself she wasn't staying in Bluebell for Wade. But rather to get to know her father before it was too late. They walked out getting a cab never seeing Wade sitting there waiting, hoping they would come back out.

On the ride back into Bluebell Zoe chewed on her lip wondering if Wade would be happy to see her. What was his reaction gonna be when he saw her? She felt that staying was the right thing to do, but was it ok to let her mom suffer? Could she make a home in Bluebell? She was a city girl, she wasn't meant for a small town living. She didn't need to know her neighbors, but in the here and now she couldn't imagine her life different. She'd go off next month make her way through school to become a doctor and after that she wasn't certain which path she was gonna choose. Zoe was pulled from her own world once at home. This was home just as much as New York was.

"Wade must be at the Rammer Jammer. Go on and find him, all make that call to your mom for ya." Zoe smiled at her father and walked off in hurry. All she could think about was Wade. She swore her heart was racing from the thoughts of him rather from her practically running. She was disappointed not seeing her dads car parked at The Rammer Jammer. Zoe went to the only other place she knew Wade would go. The pond. She sat on a log for hours waiting for Wade to turn up. She wasn't leaving until dark. She wasn't giving up on him. A smile spread across her lips hearing the sound of twigs snapping getting louder and louder.

"Zoe?" Wade questioned rubbing his eyes. Zoe got up turning to face him.

"Hi Wade." Zoe spoke soft and shy her nerves getting the best of her.

"What are you doing here? You are real right?" Wade asked blinking a few times. Zoe giggled running to hug him. Wade held on fearing if he let go that she'd vanish in thin air.

"I'm real. I couldn't leave not yet." Zoe then went on to tell him exactly why she couldn't leave Bluebell yet. Though she felt it was best to leave out that it might be possible she stayed for him as well.

"Z I'm happy you stayed but your mom needs you." Wade quickly thought about his words seeing Zoe's face fall. He hadn't thought he said anything wrong.

"She doesn't care about me coming home, she only wants me there so she can get the attention she thinks she deserves." Zoe shot back pulling away from him. Wade pulled her back holding her tight so she couldn't move from his embrace.

"Just cause she doesn't care doesn't mean you don't have people who care about you Z." Wade spoke softer putting real emotions behind his words. He cared about her more than he did himself.

"Only you and my dad." Zoe bit out struggling with her tears.

"The whole town of Bluebell cares Zoe. Just look around."

"Wade all I see is you and trees." Zoe giggled seeing the frustrating look cross his face.

"Dammit Z that's not what I meant." Wade huffed raking a hand through his hair.

"It's not true ya know Wade." He shot her a look waiting for her to continue. "Lemon don't care about me. The only time she cares is when I'm leaving this place. For pete's sake I don't like George Tucker, I barely know the guy." Wade could see the whole Lemon/George thing was getting Zoe upset.

"Yea well Lemon is after all Lemon and Tucker ain't so bad." George was his friend through school the 3 of them pulling pranks.

"I guess." Zoe mumbled. "I should get home before my dad starts to worry. I only wanted you to know that I was staying longer."

"I'll walk you home Z." Wade wasn't taking no for answer grabbing her hand. He smiled as they walked through the woods back to town Zoe moving closer to him so she could feel safe. This right here in this moment felt right to both of them. Zoe let the image of her and Wade taking midnight strolls playing in her mind. Zoe kissed his cheek thanking him before walking inside. Wade smiled holding the cheek her lips were on feeling the tingling sensation spread throughout his body.