A Special Trip:

"What bout Booboo?" Emma asked nearly in tears. Zoe sighed pulling Emma onto her lap. She hadn't said they were going to take Booboo to the shelter or that the pup was dying. Just that they had to get up early tomorrow morning and have a fun filled day at the Zoo. They hadn't had a day out like this yet and it was something that her and Emma would do once a week in New York. Spend the whole day together. Now it would be as a family. It was the first family outing of many more to come. Zoe liked to give Emma a day that was all hers. Emma loved it and Zoe loved seeing the smile that her daughter wore all day long.

"We can't bring her with, she'll be fine here with Lavon. I promise," Zoe assured her. "It'll be too hot for her to be with us all day long." Emma gave in slipping of her mom's lap, she went to play with Booboo before she had to go to bed.

"She acts like we're taking the pup away from her," Wade spoke, pulling Zoe into him.

"In a sense we are, for a day. They're best friends, but Booboo can't come to the Zoo with us and Emma needs this. With everything going on, we haven't had much time to do things with Emma. You guys were joined at the hip not that long ago and now, you've been busy during the day. She's not use to that," Zoe explained. She wasn't trying to hurt Wade's feelings, just make him understand how Emma was feeling.

Zoe may not have been trying, but she had succeeded in making Wade feel like he was turning into Earl, just without the booze. And that seemed far worse because he was sober. He had to work to make money, to buy things to finish their home. Between remodeling and working, Emma had slipped to the back of his mind until he was home. But most nights or mornings depending on the shift he worked, he was by far to exhausted to really play with her and he sat back and watched her play.

"I'm horrible father," Wade announced with defeat in his voice. Zoe sighed watching him go outside. Not only did she have a sad daughter, she had a heart-broken boyfriend to fix. She followed after Wade.

"You're not a horrible Father, Wade," Zoe tried to sooth taking his hand in both of hers.

"I'm worse than my pops," Wade said with a dry chuckle. "He was getting drunk to get rid of the pain of my Mom's death. What's my reason?" He asked letting a sigh out. He looked up at the clear sky that was being taken over by stars.

"Wade, you have a job, you have a house that you are remodeling for us. You've been busy, that doesn't make you a horrible, Father, that makes you, a working, Father." Wade closed his eyes, keeping quiet. Zoe's words did nothing to help him feel like he was super dad. No, he wasn't super dad because he didn't have the time to work, remodel a house and spend hours with Emma, like super dad would be able to do. "You're still there to comfort her, you tuck her in at night, you help her brush her teeth, you tell her bedtime stories, but more importantly, you give her all the love you have for her. You don't have to spend every waking moment with her, for her to know just how much you love her. The little things have a much bigger impact on her future than most things." Maybe Zoe had a point. She did know more about being a parent then he did.

"I guess," Wade replied. He still wasn't so sure about it.

"She's not going to remember what toys you bought her, she's gonna remember when she could cuddle on her father's lap for no reason other than she could. When she goes off in this world on her own, she'll be ok because her, Daddy loves her and she'll know that if she ever needs anything, she can count on her, Father, to protect her." Now a smile formed on his lips. He never thought of it that way. But it made sense.

"You're right, Doc. I never thought about it that way. I'm still figuring this whole fatherhood stuff out. She'll always be able to count on me." Zoe smiled relieved that Wade now saw the bigger picture. "But it doesn't hurt to spoil her every now and again."

"No, it really doesn't," Zoe agreed with him.

"We see monkeys, tigers and lion's?" Emma asked running out of the house, the screen door slamming behind her.

"We'll see them all," Wade told her lifting her up onto his lap. Emma went off on the things she wanted to see at the Zoo and in what order. Wade smiled looking at his daughter. He never knew that a kid could bring so much joy into his world. He didn't know a kid could bring so much love and life into his world, either. He didn't want to think about her growing up and dating. He'd have to keep a gun handy, just cause.

The three of them sat under the sky that had been taken over by the moon and stars. This was something that Wade could get use to. Spending his nights on the porch with his family, cuddling close together, with their pup laying at their feet.

Morning came quickly and Zoe along with Emma made their way to Lavon's.

"Don't lose her," Emma demanded, pointing her finger at Lavon. He in return chuckled.

"She'll be here waiting for you when you come back," Lavon told her.

"Thanks for this, Lavon," Zoe told him.

"It's nothing really, Lavon Hayes, is more than happy to watch Booboo. You guys go have fun," he told them practically shoving them out the door. Zoe picked Emma up and they headed to the gate house.

"That was quick," Wade commented stepping outside. "Didn't Emma go over her demands of taking care of the pup?" He asked watching Emma wiggle free and run to him.

"No she didn't. She started with not losing her and then he shoved us out the door," Zoe explained. "I think he's keeping something from the town, I'll figure it out," Zoe stated with determination.

"Alright Doc, settle your tea kettle, would ya? We have a fun filled family day at the Zoo." A grin spread across his face. Zoe smiled. Whatever was going on with Lavon could wait until a different day. Today was about spending time as a family.

The drive to Mobile wasn't a long one. Emma was bouncing in the backseat excited to see the exotic animals. Zoe had taken her to the Zoo in New York, but she couldn't remember it. She saw the pictures that were taken with her grandma Candice. This time around was going to be different and Emma couldn't contain herself. Of course she wasn't thrilled that they stopped off to get some breakfast first. She was starving, but she wanted to see the animals.

Emma loved seeing all the animals the Zoo had, especially the Monkey's and Leopard's. When it was time to head out Emma could barely keep her head up and her eyes open. The walk to the car was too much for her and she passed out on Wade's shoulder. She had her stuffed baby Leopard clenched in her little hand.

Today had not only been a good day, but a fun one.

Wade was already trying to figure out the next family day.

I'm sorry if this chapter feels a little rushed at the end. It's not meant to be. This chapter was supposed to be up yesterday, but stuff happens.

Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans, to the rest of the world have a wonderful weekend.