A.N. Hello! Sorry it's taken me so long to provide you all with an update. I just sort of lost track of time. In other news, I did watch this past weeks episode and I was actually content with it. I didn't watch it live but I read people's reactions from FF and despite Wade moving on and stuff, seeing a jealous Zoe was all the reassurance I needed. We just got wait for the right time and I'm certain by the end of the season (possibly the season finale) after both have been single for awhile which will hopefully be the case then I think we'll get to see them together again. Anyway, thanks again for the reviews and I know this is kind of a filler chapter but it will bring more to the story that I have in mind. In other words, there is a purpose. LOL Anyway, enjoy! I'll try and get an update ASAP

So here I go, (So here I go)
I'm takin' a curve
but I know that I'm never alone
I think of you, until you never let me go

I feel connected, protected
It's like you're sitting right with me all the time
You hear me, you're near me,
And everything else is gonna be alright

'Cause nothin' can break this
Nothin' can break this
Nothin' can break this tie
Connected
Connected inside

-RBD

A week had passed since Wade had proposed to Zoe and they were enjoying the attention they were getting from everyone in town. Well, sort of. After only a few days they had received about ten different kinds of pies, several dozen flowers, and about 100 cards congratulating them on their engagement. Soon enough they had no room in either one of their places or their stomachs for all their gifts.

"As much as I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, I think it's about time we stop acceptin things," Wade said as he found another bouquet of flowers on his porch

"The flowers make this place smell nice," Zoe teased as Wade just gave her a look

"Oh, hey. These are from the Wilkes," Wade said, noticing the card on the bouquet

"The Wilkes?" Zoe asked, getting up from Wade's bed and reading the card

"I think it's about time you contact them, babe," Wade admitted

Zoe sighed, "Right."

The following afternoon, Zoe heard that there was a birthday party occurring at her cousin Vivian's house for her son the next day. She debated on whether she should do a pop in believing that was the only plausible way to introduce herself to the family. She knew she had neglected their previous invitations and was scared that her opening into the family was closed.

"That's got to be the most ridiculous idea you've had, Doc. And you've had bad ideas," Wade admitted as he ate one of the fries from Zoe's plate that sat at the bar of the Rammer Jammer.

"Well, I've tried calling and no one answers. I think they're avoiding me. I guess I can't blame them, maybe I should just accept the fact that I missed my opportunity," Zoe admitted in defeat

"Why don't you just knock on Vivian's door and ask her?" Wade said as if it was the most logical idea

Zoe tried to come up with a response for why she hadn't considered that, but she didn't have a reason so she just let it go.

"Fine. I'll be back," she said, getting up from her seat as Wade smiled at her as he watched her leave, finishing off the rest of her fries.

Once Zoe got the courage to knock on Vivian's door, she had no idea what she would say to her. Before she could come up with something, the door opened and she found a young boy standing in front of her.

"Hi," she greeted

"Sweetie! Whose at the door?" she heard a woman's voice approaching

Soon enough, a woman with long reddish dark hair approached her

"Hi, can I help you?" she asked, curious

"Hi, I'm Zoe. Zoe Hart," she greeted with a hopeful smile

"Honey, can you give us a minute," she said to the boy as he ran back up the stairs

"Your Harley's daughter, aren't you?" Vivian asked

"Yeah, that's me. I'm sorry to come to you so out of the blue-" Zoe began
"What are you doin' here exactly?" Vivian interrupted, a hint of anger in her voice which surprised Zoe

"Well, I uh wanted to apologize for not introducing myself to you sooner. I've realized that it's about time I start getting to know my other side of the family," Zoe explained

"Right. Well, we have been sendin you invites for the past two years all of which have been ignored," Vivian replied

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just it took me awhile to get used to living here. See, I'm from New York and as you can imagine BlueBell is quite different. It took me awhile to fit in and with being a doctor the time just sort of flew by. I'm really sorry for not getting in touch sooner, but I really would like to get to know you and the rest of the family," Zoe admitted, hoping Vivian would understand and give her another chance

Vivian took a few seconds to think it over before she finally replied

"I guess I can understand. I'm throwing a birthday party for my son tomorrow. You should come by and meet the rest of the family. I'm sure they'd love to finally meet you"

Zoe smiled with happiness

"Thank you. I'll be here," she answered

"Great. Bring whoever you'd like," she smiled

Later that night, Zoe lay in Wade's arms as she told him how it went with Vivian.

"So, I'm guessin I've got to accompany you at a kid's birthday party?" he asked once she finished

"I don't want to go by myself. I need you there," Zoe admitted

"I was only teasin, doc. I wouldn't miss it," he smiled as he kissed her on the mouth as she smiled

Once Zoe and Wade arrived at the party the following day, Zoe was a nervous wreck. She couldn't get herself to knock on the door.

"Zoe, you alright?" Wade asked

"I'm fine," Zoe lied which Wade knew right away but didn't accuse her as she took a deep breath and knocked

A few seconds later, the door opened

"Oh, hello, Zoe. Glad you could make it," Vivian greeted with a warm smile

"Of course. Here's our gift," she said, handing Vivian a medium sized box wrapped in blue wrapping paper containing a miniature doctor's training kit for kids, "Oh and before I forget this is Wade" she finished

"Wade Kinsella? I remember you," Vivian greeted with a smile

"Right, I remember you too. You had braces the last time I saw you," Wade admitted

"Well, that was a very long time ago," Vivian laughed as she led them inside and out to the backyard, "The entire Wilkes clan is pretty much here so don't be afraid to introduce yourself, Zoe. We've been waitin a long time to meet you."

With that, Vivian left Zoe and Wade alone to mingle with the rest of the Wilkes family.

"I'll get us somethin to drink," Wade told Zoe as he headed to the punch table.

Zoe stood there trying to find someone to introduce herself to but realized she didn't have to as someone approached her. It was another woman who looked like a slightly older than Vivian who approached her.

"Hello, you must be Zoe. I'm Carol. Vivian's older sister," she greeted with a warm smile

"Hi, nice to meet you," Zoe smiled

"We've been wonderin when you'd show your face to one of these things," she acknowledged

"I'm sorry it took me so long," Zoe admitted

"Don't worry about it. You're here now," she smiled and then she noticed the ring on Zoe's finger as well as Wade coming back her way, "Is that your husband?" she asked

"Oh, no. My fiancé," Zoe smiled, finding joy in getting to call him her fiancé and only then realizing that she forgot to mention that part to Vivian

"Oh, wow. Congratulations. You must be so excited" Carol smiled

"Yeah, it's been great," Zoe admitted just as Wade handed her a cup of lemonade

"Hi, I'm Wade," he greeted as Carol shook his hand

"Nice to meet you, Wade," Carol smiled and then continued, "Zoe was just telling me that your engaged. Congratulations. When's the weddin?"

"We haven't decided yet, but sometime soon," Zoe smiled as Wade looked at her and couldn't help but smile and hope that her definition of soon was accurate

"Well, if you need any help just let me know. I've been to a ton of weddings," she admitted when she suddenly heard a cry coming from one of the kids that could only be hers. "If you'll excuse me, duty calls," she said as she headed toward the crying child.

"So, still nervous?" Wade had to ask once they were alone again

"A little bit, but I still get the feeling that not everyone is entirely happy to see me," she said as she looked over a group of people who were giving her looks which implied that they were obviously talking about her.

Wade followed her eyes and noticed them too.

"Don't worry about them, alright? No one can befriend every family member, that's just crazy," Wade admitted

"I guess you're right," Zoe replied with defeat as Wade nudged her

"They'll eventually come around, doc," he comforted as she smiled as they shared a small kiss

Zoe and Wade mingled with the rest of the Wilkes family for the next two hours and Zoe couldn't be happier to have finally met some of her family. They were kind, funny, and told her stories about Harley that she would have never known. She finally felt like she belonged and was a part of something bigger. For the first time in her life, she felt like her life was complete and she couldn't help but feel happy that Wade was by her side.

Once the party had ended and Zoe and Wade were back at his place, she couldn't wait to tell him that she knew when she wanted to get married. She was smiling from ear to ear and Wade couldn't help but notice. Although he was under the impression that it had only to do with how well it went at the Wilkes party.

"I know the date," she smiled

It took Wade a few seconds to know what she was referring to and once he did raised an eyebrow and underneath his gorgeous eyes was the happiest grin as he waited for her response

"How about in the spring? Sometime in May?" she asked

"May it is," he smiled, perfectly content with having to wait only four months until their wedding

"Perfect," she smiled as they embraced in a passionate kiss, not hearing Zoe's phone vibrating from her phone as they fell onto Wade's bed.

It wasn't until the next morning when Zoe saw the message on her phone from an unfamiliar number.

Hey, Zoe.
I heard you moved to Alabama. I'll be in the area next week and I was wondering if you'd like to meet up?
Michael

"Mornin," Wade smiled as he woke up and noticed Zoe on her phone, "Everythin alright?"

"Yeah, I was just reading through my emails," she lied as she deleted the text from Michael, her ex-boyfriend of six years and someone she almost married.

"Anythin interesting?" he asked

"No, nothing at all," she said as she kissed him