A/N: Thanks for the latest feedback, peops. Like I said, I figured I'd keep all the NYC carousing in the other fic, this one needs to be mostly in Bluebell as Zoe settles in to stay ;)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 17

"I just feel bad about the money. I mean, we could've come home a whole day sooner if I hadn't convinced Wade to let me show him the sights in New York. I never should've just assumed-"

"Zoe, honey, will you please calm down," Harley insisted, his hand covering hers to keep them from flapping anymore. "Now, you just need to not worry about this anymore. I have money enough and who better to spend it on that my own daughter?" he insisted with a smile. "You wanted to show Wade Kinsella the big city, and I just know he was pleased as punch to see it. Besides, I think we owed him some fun after all the trouble he went to for us, and now, everything is all figured out. All your things are here, you got a chance to tell Candice what was going on. I personally don't think it could've gone any better, could it?"

Zoe knew she really had no way to argue with him and she certainly didn't want to. It had seemed a little unbelievable to her, when she first found out about her biological father, that he could be so kind and nice and accepting, all out of nowhere, but it was true. Harley Wilkes really was such a decent person, not perfect, of course, because who was in this world? Still, he really was a generous, decent type of man, and certainly, Zoe couldn't ask for a better father. There was no way for her to just automatically call him 'Dad' or anything, but she was pretty sure she already loved him the way a person just naturally loved family. She was completely sure that he cared for her just as much, if not more so.

"I wish every little thing didn't make me wanna cry," she said then, sniffing hard in an attempt not to break down. "It's like every happy thing, every sad thing..."

"That'll pass, sweetheart," Harley promised her, squeezing the hand he held still. "Pregnancy really does play havoc on the body in so many ways, but in the end, you know, children are worth the struggle. At least, I always think so," he said with a warm and loving smile.

Zoe smiled back at him, nodding enthusiastically when he offered to make her some lunch. She was oddly hungry the last few days, but that was probably her body making up for the past few weeks when she was so nauseous all the time and hardly wanted to eat at all. Besides, the way she was starting to expand was probably taking some energy too, she noted, looking down at her stomach that was starting to stretch out her clothes a little. She really was going to have to think about changing the way she dressed for a while, putting on some baggier shirts and dresses.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to forget you're there," said Zoe softly, her arm going gently around her swelling stomach.

There wasn't really a baby in there yet, at least, nothing that looked like a person exactly. Zoe had studied all the pregnancy books since she found out she was carrying a child of her own, adding to the base knowledge she already had from a voracious interest in all things medical. Of course, no book could tell her about the specifics of her own child or her own pregnancy. The scan would help with that, the one she was going to have tomorrow morning. Technically, it should've been at twelve weeks, but with one thing and another, it had got a little delayed. At fourteen weeks now, Zoe would find out if everything was fit and healthy and normal inside in less than twenty-four hours' time. It was as nerve-wracking as it was exciting.

"You know, the thought occurs to me," said Harley as he returned to her, carrying a tray with soup, bread, and drinks for two, "with all the talk of the Holidays coming up, Christmas and everything, we're overlooking something that might be important to you," he said, frowning a little as he served up the lunch. "Isn't it Hanukkah sometime around now?"

Zoe smiled at how thoughtful he was being, even as she thanked him for her lunch.

"Technically, it started this past Sunday and runs until next Monday," she explained of the Jewish holiday, "but we really don't have to do anything special, it's fine. I'm not super-religious or anything. Honestly, it's not Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other event like that that's on my mind right now." Zoe sighed as she picked at a bread roll. "The truth is, I am so nervous about this scan tomorrow, and I know it'll all be fine," she said fast. "You explained everything, answered all my questions, I'm not actually afraid of the process or anything, because that would be crazy, but it's just... well, you know, the whole seeing the baby thing? Kind of freaks me out."

"Makes it very real all of a sudden, doesn't it?" said Harley knowingly. "You wouldn't believe the number of women I have talked to about this over the years, Zoe. Those that wanted to be mothers will all their heart, others that were set on the idea of never having a child at all. You know, everything seems to change, one way or the other, the moment an expectant mother sees their baby for the first time, even if it is in a fuzzy picture before the child is hardly a child at all."

"I think that's what bothers me," Zoe admitted, eyes on the food she had yet to eat much of so far. "I mean, right now, I feel like I'm okay with the whole pregnancy thing. It wasn't the plan, but I figure, I can deal, you know? Then I think, what if when I see the baby - when it becomes really, really real - what if I stop thinking I can do it? What if...?"

"Honey, don't do that to yourself," Harley advised her gently. "Don't live wondering 'what if?' because it never does do a person any good at all. You think I haven't done that enough myself?" he said with a sad smile. "The times I lie awake at night, wondering, 'What if I had known Candice was pregnant? What if I had been there to raise Zoe from the start? What if we had been a family here in Bluebell all together?'" He stopped and shook his head. "It wasn't to be, Zoe, and there's really no point wondering on it now. What's done is done, and personally, I like to think that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan, and even though I don't always understand exactly what that plan is, I trust in it. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to..."

"I know," Zoe assured him, noticing the worry that came into his voice as he realised, he might be offending her in some way, which he wasn't, at all. "I might be a little non-denominational in what I believe," she admitted, "but I do think somebody, somewhere has some control over this crazy world. Whoever or whatever that power is, I'm here because of it... or him... or her," she considered, frowning some when she realised she was kind of making a mess of explaining herself. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I believe I'm here for a reason, that I finally met you for a reason, that I'm having this baby for a reason," she said, smiling again by now. "Crazy as it sounds, I feel at home here, in Bluebell, with you and Wade and everybody. I actually don't think I've ever felt as at home anywhere before, not even in New York. Weird, huh?"

Harley didn't agree with her, but he did smile and encourage her to eat her soup before it got cold. Given what he already told her about believing God always had a plan for them all, Zoe supposed he didn't think it was weird at all that she felt so comfortable in Bluebell. Maybe this was just exactly where she was supposed to end up, maybe even in the condition she found herself in. That did sound crazy to Zoe, no question, but she was okay with it, for now.

"Hey, Zoe!"

She was just about to get into the car when she heard her name yelled and looked across the square to see Wade rushing towards her. It was impossible not to smile just at the sight of him, though Zoe was determined not to examine why she was always so pleased to see Wade whenever he showed up. That could only lead to no good.

"Glad I caught up to you before you left," he said as he arrived at her side. "Wanted to wish you luck, or whatever it is you say to folks who are goin' where you're goin'."

Zoe couldn't help but laugh at Wade's odd expression. She supposed there really was no set phrase or good wishes to say to someone going for their first pregnancy scan, but it was incredibly touching that Wade wanted to say the right thing in the given situation. He seemed to be happy enough to go out of his way to be so kind to her and it wasn't as if he was doing it for the reward. Nothing was going on with them beyond friendship, and given he knew she was pregnant by another man, it was hardly likely to either.

"I don't really think good luck can ever be a bad thing, so I'll take it, thanks," she said, smiling up at him. "Not that I expect there to be any problems, and Harley will be there to hold my hand, so, it's fine," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, he's just getting snacks for the journey," she explained when Wade seemed bemused as to why she was standing by the car alone. "I tend to be hungry a lot and at the weirdest times. Pregnancy issues," she said, waving her hand in some random gesture.

"Right, sure." Wade nodded, his own hands stuffed in his pockets by now as he shifted awkwardly. "Um, so, I guess I should get to work and let you go get your scan or whatever. Uh, I'll see you later?"

"Probably." Zoe nodded. "Are you at the Rammer Jammer today?"

"Yes, ma'am," he told her happily. "You thinkin' about swinging by for lunch or somethin'?"

"Promise to mix me another one of those amazing mocktails you're so good at and I'll be there," she told him with a grin.

"You got it, Zoe Hart," he told her with a wink as he started to back away. "You take care of yourself, okay?"

"You too," she told him, wondering where that particular bout of concern had come from on either of their parts, but it was nice anyway.

Before Wade had hardly turned and walked away, Harley emerged from the store with chips, cookies, and bottled water. He looked a little confused as he glanced at Zoe and that was how she came to realise she was grinning like a fool.

"Wade was here," she said, by way of explanation. "He was just wishing me good luck. Also, he was suggesting maybe we could go to the Rammer Jammer for lunch when we get back."

"I see." Harley nodded like he understood and yet he wasn't smiling quite as much as he usually was, as he and Zoe both got into the car to head to Mobile. "Zoe, I'm not so sure... Well, maybe I shouldn't say it."

"No, please," she insisted, hand on Harley's arm stopping him from starting up the car just yet. "If you have something to say, just say it. Please?"

Harley sighed as he turned in his seat to face her. "Zoe, I don't wanna be the kind of parent who pushes his nose into his daughter's business. You're nineteen years old and as independent as can be, that much is clear to me already. Of course, any help you need, I want to give it. I hope you know that."

"I do," she assured him, nodding her head.

"Then I hope you take what I'm about to say in the way that it's intended, which is to be helpful and... and with your best interest at heart. Take a care of yourself around Wade Kinsella, won't you?"

Zoe frowned at that but didn't argue at all. She did, however, require a little more explanation.

"When you say 'take care' like that, what exactly do you mean?" she checked. "I mean, he's a nice guy, you told me that yourself."

"Wade is a fine young man, I don't deny," Harley assured her, making placating gestures with his hands even now. "I won't hear a word said against him and he has proved himself a good friend to you when you really needed one. I wouldn't want you to think for a moment I was sayin' he was anythin' but a good boy, it's only... well, you know, he does have that reputation of his, with young women."

"Oh," said Zoe then, turning to look out of the windshield rather than at her father.

"I don't mean to embarrass you, sweetheart," said Harley gently, "and I'm not only sayin' this because of your pregnancy and everything, although it does make some difference, of course. It's just... well, as much as I like Wade, you are the one that matters to me the most, for obvious reasons. I would hate to see you hurt, Zoe."

She wasn't exactly sure what Harley was implying, in what way he thought she might get hurt, but she could imagine. Whether she was pregnant or not, Wade could try to seduce her and then cast her aside. Zoe didn't want to think that of her friend, but she was aware that was his reputation in town. It was kind of hard not to have heard the rumours anyway.

On top of that, she supposed Harley was thinking that maybe she was getting a little too attached to a guy that was just going to find someone of his own in time and not want to be around her so much, especially when the baby came along. After all, what normal, sane person of their age wanted to be saddled with another person's child?

"Zoe?"

"I'm fine," she insisted, forcing a smile as she turned to look at Harley then. "You know, we should really get going. I don't want to be late for my appointment."

"Okay." Harley nodded, pulling on his seatbelt and starting up the car. "You sure you're okay, Zoe?"

"Absolutely," she promised, "and thank you, for what you said. I'm glad to have you looking out for me and I appreciate you being candid about these things and not treating me like a child."

That answer seemed to please Harley and he put the car into gear, driving off towards Mobile. Zoe focused on the road ahead too and on what came next when they got to the hospital. Still, she could hardly keep her mind from wandering and thinking more about what had been said about her and Wade.

Maybe she had been foolish, ignoring feelings she knew she did have for her so-called friend, allowing herself and Wade both to be flirty and overly friendly, as if everything was so innocent and okay. Maybe that was wrong. Maybe she should think seriously on doing something about that.

To Be Continued...