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Zoë arrived at the practice after getting a very cryptic phone call from Brick. She walked up to the door to notice the closed sign was in the window. "I'm starting to get an eerie felling about this". Zoë said as she dug in her purse for her keys.
The door opened while Zoë was still searching for her keys. She looked up very scared but then relieved when she saw Brick.
"There you are, Zoë. I was starting to worry". Brick announced as he opened the door wider for her to enter.
"You were worried? A cryptic phone call and the practice closed. You almost saw a very pregnant woman run for her life". Zoë fussed as she passed by.
"You are being dramatic, Dr. Hart". Brick scowled. "Have a seat in my office and I will explain the secrecy".
Zoë walked into Brick's office while he locked the door. She quickly scanned his desk to see if her patient file was lying there. Zoë felt fine but there could still be something wrong with the baby. Brick walked in and went straight to his desk to have a seat.
"As you know Harley left you his half of the practice". Brick started.
"I would think you would cut me some slack considering my condition, Brick". Zoë interrupted.
"What? Oh! No, this has nothing to do with you thirty percent. This is about something else that Harley left you". Brick clarified.
"Then why haven't I been given it yet"? Zoë asked.
"There was a stipulation on this item. He wanted me to wait until you were married. I am going to give it to you early and hope that Harley doesn't haunt me for it". Brick chuckled.
"Ok, what is it"? Zoë prodded.
"Wilkes Plantation" Brick answered.
"Excuse me?" Zoë asked confused.
"Harley left you his ancestral home, Wilkes Plantation". Brick clarified.
"Why are you giving it to me early?" Zoë asked after she recovered.
"I don't think Harley would want his grandson to be raised in Lavon Hayes' Carriage house when there is an estate left empty that belongs to you". Brick responded.
"Thank you. Where is Wilkes Plantation"? Zoë wondered.
"That's why I had you meet me here. I wanted to show you the plantation". Brick explained.
"Let's go then". Zoë commanded.
"After you" Brick said as he gestured for Zoë to lead the way out of his office.
Mr. and Mrs. Hart walked into the Rammer Jammer for lunch. They knew that Wade had recently purchased the bar and wanted to see the means of which Wade had to support their daughter and grandson.
"Hello Mr. and Ms. Hart". Wade greeted and dipped his head slightly.
"Hello Wade" Ms. Hart returned his greeting while Dr. Hart sat on a bar stool in silence.
Wade was not ignorant to Dr. Hart's behavior and decided to tread lightly. "What can I get you two for lunch"? Wade offered.
"I'll have a simple house salad" Ms. Hart answered.
"Ok". Wade bit his cheek to keep from saying anything else.
"What do you recommend, Wade". Mr. Hart asked.
Wade noticed his name was said the exact same way as Zoë said it; the night he found her drunk by the side of the road. The memory put a smile on his face and helped him hold his tongue. "I recommend the burger. It's classic and there isn't any red blooded American that doesn't like a burger".
"Vegetarians don't like hamburgers". Mr. Hart retorted.
"They like the veggie burger". Wade returned with a tight smile.
"I'll have one of those. It shouldn't have as much grease as the rest of the menu". Dr. Hart said as he pushed away the menu in disgust.
"Sure thing" Wade said through an even tighter smile.
Wade walked back to the kitchen and hand delivered the order to the kitchen.
"I would tell you to spit in it but they are my future in-laws". Wade told the cook as he handed him the ticket. The cook shook his head with a smile and started working on the ticket.
Brick drove past Lavon's plantation on the way to the Wilkes Plantation.
"That's Lavon's property. How close is it to here"? Zoë asked curious.
"The properties border each other". Brick answered in a matter of fact tone.
"Did Lavon know that I had a plantation sitting empty right next door while I lived in his carriage house that shared a generator with Wade"? Zoë became agitated.
"Yes, he did. He was also told of the condition and not to tell you. Also, Wade is your fiancé and the father of your child. If you did not live in Lavon's carriage house that shared a generator with Wade, things might have turned out differently". Brick warned.
"I know. I saw the movie Mr. Destiny". Zoë conceded.
Brick chuckled at Zoë's comment as he turned onto the road that led up to the main house of Wilkes Plantation.
"There it is your soon to be home sweet home". Brick announced.
Zoë looked at the house in wonder. It was almost an exact copy of Lavon's house. Brick parked the car and walked around to help Zoë get out of the car. They walked up the pathway to front of the house. Brick pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. The house had been modernized just as Lavon's house had been. There was no furniture which made the house look even bigger.
"The furniture was donated to the church. We didn't know if you would actually come down here. Removing the furniture helped with making repairs and renovations". Brick explained the absence of furniture. "The keepsakes and pictures were boxed up and stored in the back corner of the house. I didn't want the heat getting to them".
Zoë nodded her head in approval. She walked through the house until she found the boxes. There weren't very many. He was single after all. What little was here most likely belonged to previous Wilkes families. Zoë opened a box that was even with her waist. There were black and white photos in antique frames. There were also antique looking knickknacks. She reached into the box and picked up a few one by one. These items were a part of history, her history.
Brick started to feel invading and so he decided to point out the rest of the house.
"There was a carriage house in the back. It was uninhabitable. Harley had left money for the upkeep of the property. I had it tore down and replaced with a guest house".
"That was a good idea. My parents will appreciate it". Zoë said with a smile. Thinking of her parents she decided to call Wade. The phone rang three times before he picked up.
"Hey darling'" Wade answered in an exasperated tone.
"Hey, are you alright"? Zoë asked concerned.
"Your parents are here going over the bar with a fine tooth comb". Wade explained.
"I'm so sorry. I was so excited about them being here for the birth of the baby that I didn't think of the scrutiny they would put our lives under".
"I'll manage. I had to put a picture of you behind the bar for me to be reminded to behave". Wade tried to sooth Zoë.
"Awe, that is so sweet". Zoë acclaimed.
"I'm trying to be". Wade couldn't help but smile.
"I have to go but I have something to tell you when I get home. I love you". Zoë remembered Brick.
"I love you too. Bye" Wade returned to his paperwork that had previously gone ignored until today.
Brick showed Zoë around the house. Zoë walked into the kitchen and pictured Wade cooking dinner at the stove while she sat at the table feeding the baby. She pictured Wade and Lavon playing XBOX in the living room while she watched from the hallway after putting the baby to bed. Zoë couldn't help but smile at the thought of all the memories that would be made in this house.
Brick drove Zoë over to the Rammer Jammer to ride home with Wade after he was done at work. She opened the door to the bar and looked over each face for Wade. Zoë finally decided he must be in the office. She walked behind the bar and opened the office door.
"Hey you" Zoë said as she entered the office.
Wade lifted his head up to look at Zoë. "Hey yourself" Wade said with a smile.
"Are you ready for my news"? Zoë asked.
"As long as there is still just one baby in there, I think I'm ready". Wade said with a smile.
"Well, if you aren't ready" Zoë started before she turned to leave.
Wade jumped up and ran over to Zoë. He grabbed her by the arm and started choking on his words. "Twins"? was all that would come out of Wade's mouth.
"Nope" Zoë said with an evil grin.
"Not even close to funny. You scared the ever loving tar out of me". Wade scolded as he walked back to his chair behind his desk.
"I know. I'm sorry". Zoë paused until Wade acknowledges her apology. "Time for the real news, Harley left me something besides the practice. He made Brick the trustee and he decided to give it to me early. Harley left me Wilkes plantation". Zoë smiled at Wade.
"He left you what"? Wade looked up astounded.
"Wilkes Plantation" Zoë responded.
"We are going to own a plantation. Where? What shape is it in"? Wade started firing off questions.
"Yes, next to Lavon's funny enough and it's in pristine condition". Zoë fired her answers.
"That's amazing". Wade had a face splitting smile.
Zoë handed Wade the paper work for the plantation to put in the safe with the papers for the bar. Wade quickly read over the top piece of paper. It didn't escape him that the property was only in Zoë's name but that was an argument for another time when they were old and grey. He choked up a little at the thought of them being old and grey. One day one of their hearts will stop not of their own free will. Wade thought that marrying Zoë and spending the rest of his life with her meant never having to say good bye to her. Wade knew he would have to turn around and face Zoë so he took in a deep breath to calm his emotions. He laid the paperwork to the plantation on top of the paperwork for the Rammer Jammer that was in both of their names. Then closed the safe.