This is the last chapter. Huge thank you to everyone.
"Who would have thought this would be where we ended up?" Wade asked, coming to sit next to his wife, pulling her on his lap. Zoe smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I wasn't, that was for sure. I wanted out of this place the second I stepped foot in Bluebell. I wasn't looking for anything. I didn't even want a friend, let alone a boyfriend." She took his hand in her own. "But I'm happy that I had found love and so much more," she whispered.
"I'm sorry that everything had been taken away from you as my father. I didn't know it was that important since we weren't all that close to begin with," she told him softly, her eyes casted down.
"I was upset, Zoe. But now," he sighed. "I've had time to think about it and it was best for the two of you. I'm your father but I can't replace Ethan. He was your father through all the important times in your life. It would have been strange and awkward if you had a big wedding. You guys are happy and that's what counts. I am happy for you, Zoe. Just please wait before you make me a grandpa." Zoe smiled hearing that. She had no plans of having any kids. Not until after college and after she was established as a doctor.
"Do you got her or do you want me to get her?" Zoe asked, hearing the soft cries carry down the hall.
"I've got her," he replied, dropping a kiss to her forehead. Zoe leaned back on the bed. The last few years had been hard on them. After things worked out with Harley, school, football and internships got in the way, leaving very few hours for them.
But they had made it work.
"Mommy, I hungry." Zoe smiled reaching for their 10 month old baby girl. Wade handed her over scurrying to get his baby girl some food.
With graduation behind them by a week, Zoe was getting settled in at the practice to work along side Brick and Harley. Wade was still taking things hard. Video games and his band with Meatball were top priority when Zoe was at work.
"I'm pregnant!" Zoe announced, storming into the gatehouse. Their home for the time being.
"What?" Wade asked, dropping the controller in his hands. "Pregnant?" He asked, his face turning white. Those words were ones he wasn't ready to hear for a few more years. He glanced up to see Zoe nodding her head. "If this is some sick joke..."
"It's not," Zoe told him defensively, her hands going to her stomach. "I have no reason to joke about this, Wade. In 6 and a half months we're going to be parents." It may not have been ideal, but he was going to be a father. It was time to get his life sorted out. It was time to grow up. He was making a quick list of the things he needed to do. They needed a house, he needed to give silly dreams up and get a real job, for starters.
"Ok, we're gonna be parents." The words felt surreal to him. But the grin he wore, showed just how excited he was about this. If he did anything to screw the child up, Zoe would be there to fix him or her.
"You feeding miss Chloe?" Zoe asked, placing their daughter in her seat at the table. Wade nodded sitting down with the baby food and a spoon. Zoe smiled watching Wade in daddy mode. It was cute and amazing all in one. But there was more to it and that feeling made her want another baby.
"What?" Wade asked, feeling his wife's gaze on him.
"You are incredible," she whispered, walking up behind him, her arms resting on his shoulders. "I love you." She whispered into his ear.
"I remember a time I was hard to deal with," he sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered. He didn't think he would ever be able to make it up to her. He had thought for sure that she would leave him, despite saying she wouldn't.
"You have no reason to be sorry, Wade. It's over and done with. We got through it, stronger because of it," Zoe assured him.
"What happened?" Zoe asked rushing into the hospital room with her scrubs on. She had just finished her rounds when she was informed that her husband was getting prepped for surgery.
"Everything!" He snapped, glaring at Zoe like it was her fault this happened. "You weren't at my game, Zoe."
"I know and I tried, but no one would trade shifts with me. Now what happened?" She asked, feeling a mix of emotions.
"You weren't there," he accused once more. Having enough she snatched the papers and read what was wrong herself.
"ACL tear and a broken femur." She shook her head, thankful she didn't have to witness it first hand.
"This wouldn't have happened, if you were there." He was looking for a fight and she wouldn't be the one to cave in. "Leave me alone, Zoe," he hissed. Zoe walked to the door, tears in her eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere," she told him, disappearing through the door. She sat in the chair that was placed outside his room. She rested her head against the wall, closing her eyes. It was going to be hell the next few months, maybe longer. It was hard to say if he would ever step on a football field again.
"I love you," Wade told her, resting his hands on hers. Zoe kissed the top of his head. She wouldn't change her life for anything. She wanted the bad parts just as much as she loved and cherished the good times. All because she surrendered her feelings. She let love win. It was the best thing she could have ever done.