Chapter 28 – Don't shut me out
It had been three weeks since Zoe and Max had gone public at her housewarming party, and things hadn't been as bad as Zoe had assumed they would be. It was Zoe's day off but Max was already at work speaking to Charlie about Zoe. "So do you really think it would be a bad idea to surprise her for her birthday?" Max desperately wanted to do something for Zoe but didn't understand why she hated it so much. "She's been through a lot Max, but it would be appreciated I know that much." Charlie turned and walked away; Max had a plan and needed it to work.
A couple of hours passed and Max had decided he would take Zoe to dinner for her birthday with a few close friends from the ED. He had already booked a table at the new restaurant just out of town, and had invited Tess, Charlie, Dylan, Rita, Ash and Linda. He decided to keep it small so that Zoe didn't feel awkward. Hey beautiful how's your day been? Xx Max didn't notice somebody walk up behind him "Carry on texting people like that and I may start getting jealous" Zoe whispered into his ear. He turned around to see Zoe stood in front of him in a tight black dress and of course heels. "What are you doing here?" Zoe turned around and began to walk away before spinning back round "Connie called me in. Something about a meeting" she said before walking towards the office she shared.
She walked in to Connie on the phone "Look, we're short staffed and if we don't get some more support then… Well what do you want me to do? I can't-" Zoe mouthed "are you okay?" to Connie who just rolled her eyes. As much as they disagreed with each other there was something about Connie which Zoe connected with. "Fine, but it's on your necks not mine!" Connie slammed down the phone before turning to Zoe. "Stressful day then?" "That doesn't even scratch the surface…"
It was almost 5 o'clock and the end of Max's shift. He knocked on the office door waiting for a response. "Hey are you coming home?" He stuck his head around the door waiting for Zoe's answer "Max, I've got to stay here and help Connie out with some paperwork. I'm probably not going to be back for a few hours so just go home, and don't worry about waiting up." Max walked into the office, "Of course I'm going to wait up for you" he said before leaning across her desk to kiss her. "I love you Dr Hanna, see you later. Don't work yourself too much" he said winking before leaving the office.
Zoe had been working through a huge pile of paperwork for Connie as she had rushed home to get to Grace. She had been having some trouble with her recently and nothing that Connie was doing seemed to be working. In her opinion Connie needed to lay off the work slightly and spend some more time with Grace, but she couldn't say this to her because all hell would break lose. Just then the phone started ringing "Hello Zoe, look I'm not going to make it back tonight. Leave that paperwork and go home otherwise you'll be there forever. I'll see you tomorrow." "Wait Connie, is everything okay at home? How's Grace?" "Everything's fine, why wouldn't it be? I'll see you tomorrow, first thing." Before Zoe could even respond Connie had put the phone down. "Thank you for caring, oh no problem Connie." She rolled her eyes before collecting her things together and heading home. She hadn't even realised how late it was, she hated to think that Max had been sitting up this whole time waiting for her.
When Zoe got home she put her bag down on the sofa and took off her heels. She walked over to the kitchen and poured herself a drink before sitting down. She hadn't realised how exhausted she was until now and decided she needed to head upstairs. After trying to be quiet going upstairs she heard Max from inside her bedroom "I said I'd wait up for you yanoe." She smiled to herself before opening the door and walking inside. She threw herself down on the bed next to Max while he put his arm around her. "Sooo, I've got a surprise for you on Friday" Max felt Zoe freeze and tense up as she obviously realised why he had done it. "Zo..."
Zoe didn't say anything until she sat up and moved away from Max. "You know I really don't understand you." Zoe stood up and turned around to face Max "You have no idea what I've had to deal with Max so don't try and lecture me!" She walked off to the bathroom "Yeah that would be because you never talk to me! Zoe it seems like no matter what I do for you, you've got a problem with it!" He turned around and followed her to the bathroom but she pushed the door shut in his face. Max heard Zoe sobbing from inside and knew she was really hurting. He leant up against the door as Zoe slid down it the other side. "Max just leave it, please" "No I won't. I don't care what it is, you need to talk to me. Help me to try and understand Zo…" Max sat down against the door just wanting to be there for her. "Please Zo, don't shut me out." It was silent for a few minutes until he heard Zoe get up, so he did the same.
Zoe walked out of the bathroom and sat down on the end of her bed. Max turned around to face her realising she was on the verge of crying again. "Zo" he moved over and sat down next to her on the bed, putting his hand on her leg to support her. "It's stupid, really stupid." Max gave her a minute before speaking again "If it's upsetting you, it can't be stupid. Look I don't care if it's the smallest thing…" Zoe looked up at him "I hate the idea of celebrating my birthday because it just brings back all the birthdays I had to spend without my father around. He never even bothered when I was a child, and then after him…" she began crying and Max pulled her into his chest "shh, it's alright." Zoe collected herself before finishing "Let's just say I haven't had the best time in the past on my birthday-" "So let me change that. Let me make it a better memory for you, with me and with people who care about you. People who want to be there for you." Max at this point was worried for Zoe because he hadn't seen her this upset over something for a long time. "It's just a meal, nothing big but please-" "Okay. I'm so sorry Max, I didn't mean to snap at you like I did." Max pulled Zoe closer to him and kissed her. "You don't have to apologise for anything. I love you Zo and always will." He smiled at her before letting her go to get sorted and ready to go to sleep.
I hope you all like this :) Let me know what you think and if there is anything you'd like to see. I have had a few people asking about the baby route again, which I'm thinking about but it won't be a for a few chapters yet :) Thank you for reading x
