Chapter 25 – A fresh new start

Are you free tonight Spiderman? Xx Zoe had just got into her office as she was running late this morning. I am but that doesn't mean I'm seeing you tonight xx It was Thursday and Zoe had decided she was going to move her things into her new place tonight rather than wait for the weekend. In all honesty she couldn't wait to have a place of her own again. Ouch, that hurt… Zoe couldn't help but laugh and put her phone away in her pocket. As soon as she put it away she felt it buzz again Guess I'll have a party on my own then xx Zoe hadn't told Max that she was moving into her new place today because she wanted to surprise him. He was making it extremely hard though and she hated him for it.

"Hey Zoe, you still want a hand tonight?" Tess walked over to her and leant against the desk. "That would be great if you could. Oh, could you keep it quiet just for today?" Tess nodded before leaving to let Charlie know they were still needed. Zoe was in charge of the ED for the day due to Connie being 'unavailable' in meetings. "Guys can I have your attention for the moment. Right I'll make this as quick and painless as possible. As you know Connie's not here today, so by all means party in your breaks but make sure that you're all on top of your games today. I know you all are normally, let's just not give her anything to complain at today. Thanks guys" Everyone dispersed and got back on with what they were doing. "Nice pep talk" Max walked past her laughing "Yeah, well it means you've got to be on top of everything too, otherwise you'll be keeping yourself entertained tonight." Zoe smirked and left Max standing there on his own.

The day was dragging and Zoe was due her lunch break any time now. Take your lunch and meet me outside in 10 xx Zoe left her room and went to let Charlie know she was going for lunch. "Charlie, if I'm needed then page me and I'll get back as quick as I can." She turned around and grabbed her keys and coat from her office before walking out of the ED towards her car. Max was already waiting outside in their smoking spot for her. "You going to stay there or are you coming?" Max was confused as he didn't know where Zoe was going but he followed her to her car anyway. "Are you going to tell me where I'm being taken against my will?" "You got in the car by free choice, so no I'm not." Zoe started driving towards her new house but didn't once hint at Max that's where they were going.

As she stopped outside Max realised where they were. "I was wandering when I was going to get the guided tour." Zoe got out of the car and made Max catch up with her. "Who said we're here for a guided tour?" Zoe grinned at Max and after she opened the door she turned around to face Max who pulled her closer and started to kiss her. She kissed him back and pulled him forwards so that she could shut the door. Zoe took Max's hand and walked him through the house "Kitchen… Living room… Some other room… Garden…" Zoe went on like this quickly pointing out various rooms that were on the way to one place in particular. They got upstairs and Max turned Zoe around "Bedroom I'm assuming" he said as he pushed her towards the door.

"Max, get up we've got to go I'm already 10 minutes late." Max was lying there laughing at Zoe who was running around getting dressed. "If you love me, you'll get the hell up and hurry up." She had Max because she knew he wouldn't refuse after saying that. They got back downstairs after a few minutes and were in the car driving back to the hospital. Zoe pulled up and checked her make-up and hair in the mirror before getting out. Max had already walked back inside and Zoe was trying to subtly walk back inside unnoticed. Luckily everyone was busy and so nobody noticed, or so she thought. Dylan walked up to Zoe after she came out of her office "Nice lunch? Oh and in future you might want to merge your break and lunch into one if that's what you plan on doing with it." Zoe threw her head into her hands on the desk while Dylan walked off.

A few hours passed and the ED had become fairly quiet. Zoe decided to find Robyn and Lofty as she needed something passed round the ED and quickly. "Robyn, can I have a quick word?" Robyn panicked as she thought she had done something wrong. "Is everything okay? Have I done something-" "No of course you haven't. I wanted to ask if you could let everyone know, Saturday 8 o'clock housewarming at mine." "I didn't know you were moving house, but yeah course I can." "Thanks Robyn, I trust you to be subtle about asking people, I'd rather patients didn't think we all just got drunk in our spare time."

It was late and the end of Zoe's shift. She walked out to the nurse's station to see almost everyone waiting there all looking at her. "Is it true?" Zoe looked confused, then shocked, then confused again until someone clarified what was meant. "Saturday night you're having a party?" Cal asked. "Oh, yeah I'm moving tonight and figured I might as well celebrate it." Everyone exchanged glances before Zoe responded "Well if you guys don't want to-" "Nope, I'm quite happy with getting drunk at the bosses, sorry ex-bosses which we still wish was bosses house." Zoe laughed at Cal's response before Max walked over. "What's all the fuss about?" "Mate you're obviously not special enough if you haven't heard already." Zoe hadn't realised Max didn't know, she assumed Robyn would have told him first. "Zoe's holding the party this Saturday which we're all invited to." Zoe smiled as everyone cheered slightly, "Oh, well I think I might already be busy but I could possibly fit it into my extremely busy schedule." He was winding her up but she wasn't going to show that. "It's alright Max, I'm sure I'll have just as much fun with Dr Knight." There were some remarks from the onlookers about Max's response but Zoe was too busy talking to Tess. "You both ready to go?" "Yup, definitely are!"

The three of them headed off back to Dylan's to get all her things. It didn't take them long to transfer all of her things from Dylan's to her car, to the new place. "Do you guys want a drink before you leave?" "That would be lovely Zoe, this place is really nice by the way" Charlie answered. "I know, I can't believe I'm finally on my own again. To my new start" Zoe raised her glass "To the old Zoe" Tess said. "And to a fresh new house which won't be so fresh after Saturday night!" Charlie laughed as they all said cheers. After a while Zoe drove them both home as she didn't want them walking back so late. When she got home she saw somebody waiting at the door. "Some warning that you were out would be great next time" Max said sounding pretty cold. "Oh, I guess I should have given you this earlier then" Zoe said as she threw a key towards him. Zoe walked up to the door and unlocked it and Max realised that it wasn't her key he had thrown to him. When Zoe looked back at him he was stood there grinning like a child in a sweet shop. "If I'd have known that was your reaction I'd have done it a lot earlier." Zoe smiled as Max came inside and kissed her "I love you Zoe Hanna" and with that he picked her up and carried her upstairs.