Happy Monday! We're getting closer to the end.
Enjoy!
"Please tell me that you have the backyard ready," Zoe pleaded with her husband, grabbing the wine and scotch from the cupboard. They don't drink as much as they used to since they got older, but Zoe will have a glass of wine whereas Wade will have a glass of scotch, or a beer from time to time, they don't have it as often as they used to before kids.
"The grill is heating up as we speak," he informed his wife, walking to the fridge. "When was the last time we did this?" He asked, setting the various meats on the kitchen counter. He can't recall the last time they got together with their friends for a small dinner, having kids put a little damper on it. They tried but it didn't work out. Sure they were able to have a good time, it's more that it was rushed more than then they would have liked it to be. And other things kept them from ever making it work.
"I think Will was still in high school," Zoe replied, needing to take a moment to think about it, because she can't remember the last time they had all gotten together to have dinner, drink a little and just have fun without their kids around.
"It is oddly weird to see how much of our time they had taken up," Wade commented. He didn't mind that his life had been about his kids, he'll still do anything for them and put them first, it's the same way Zoe feels as well. You realize how open your day is when they're no longer living at home. He knows that Aurora hasn't moved out as of yet, but to have his time suddenly open with nothing planned, it's weird.
"That's what I've been saying," Zoe told him. It's going to take some time to figure out who they are as a couple with their kids grown and out of the house. She has missed spending time with her husband without being interrupted, so it's going to be nice to get back into the flow of it being just them once again.
"What is it we like doing, again?" Wade asked. "Other than each other," he said teasing his wife. Zoe rolled her eyes at her husband and went about her task to get everything set up before their friends showed up.
"Keep that up, and you'll go revisit those lonely solo days," she told him, looking to see if she had everything she needed out.
"We're not that old, Zo, we can still have a little fun," he commented, pulling his wife into his arms.
"When did I say we can't have fun?" She asked, resting her hands against his pecs. "I'll never tire of you and the way you make me feel, with whatever we're doing, Wade," she told him, standing on her toes to press her lips against his. "Behave and you choose your reward, if not I'll choose the punishment for you," she whispered against his lips.
"Reward or punishment?" Wade asked, thinking his options over. "I would like both," he smirked, pulling her into a deep, breathtaking kiss.
"I didn't think it was this kind of party," Lemon stated, placing the dessert she had made on the counter.
"Right," Wade chuckled, kissing Zoe's temple. "I'll go check the grill," he said. George, Lavon, and Jesse following him outside to let the ladies gossip to their hearts content.
"What do you need help with?" Annabeth asked, washing her hands to jump in.
"Everything," Zoe sighed, looking at her friends. "Just jump in anywhere," she told them.
Crickett, Jayseane, Lemon, Calla and AB, got to work once they all washed their hands. They found it funny after all these years they could still maneuver around the kitchen like they had never stopped for years. Even having Jayseane and Calla there to help, didn't throw a wrench in their plans.
"I have actually missed doing this," Annabeth commented, manning the stove. "I don't know why we didn't try to get this going years ago."
"We tried, but with our kids all being in various sports and activities, we couldn't work around everyone's schedule," Lemon stated. "Now that we are going to be lonely with our kids gone, we can get back into the routine of having our little dinners again," she commented.
"I, for one, agree to this," Zoe smiled, pouring wine into the glasses.
"Our personal book club, without the books,' Crickett commented.
"Exactly, we all need to have some friend time," Jayseane commented.
As the woman started to drink their wine and gossip about the on goings in Bluebell and add in a bit of bragging when it came to their kids, the guys stood around the grill, opting out to have beer instead of having scotch. They'd have some scotch to end their night.
"You're going to burn the steak," George grumbled, pushing Wade out of the way to take over the grilling duties.
"I've grilled plenty of times, I know what I am doing," Wade stated, trying to get his friend away from his grill.
"Except now," George stated, refusing to give up the reigns on the grill.
"That's one way to get out of doing the grilling," Wade joked. "Now when the food isn't cooked to the women's standards, you get the blame," Wade chuckled, taking a seat next to Lavon. "Are you doing okay?" Wade asked his friend.
"Uh yeah," Lavon nodded. "Just been thinking about some things and trying to get everything I can from different perspectives," Lavon assured him. It would be discussed later in the night when everyone was present.
"If you're sure," Wade commented, hearing the laughter coming from inside the house, the music following minutes later.
It really did seem like no time had passed since the last time they had a dinner party together. Play dates just didn't count the same way it does when you're hanging out with your friends. As the women were inside gossiping about who knows what, they guys laughed and had a ball outside busting each other's chops, Wade and Lavon letting George and Jesse bicker about who was the better man to actually man the grill. Either way he wouldn't be the one in trouble when they happened to burn the food. Though he is sure Zoe will tell him that he could have stepped in between his brother and best friend and that's exactly what he did. He doesn't need a reason for Zoe to be mad at him.
"I have something to share," Lavon said, finding a lull in the conversation. The little group gave Lavon their full attention, curious to know what he has to say. Lavon has been a little withdrawn as of lately, and he hasn't said anything and AB hasn't clued them into what's going on either. "I've been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of discussions have been going on about what I want to do when the elections for Mayor coming up again," he started to explain.
"Whatever you decide to do, we're going to support you, Lavon," Zoe told him, seeing he needed a moment. "You have been an amazing Mayor, but you need to be able to have time for yourself and AB. We can't blame you for stepping down, only you know when it's time," she finished saying.
"How'd you know that's what I was going to say, Big Z?" Lavon asked, giving her a look.
"Because it's written all over your face. You're fighting yourself on what the right move is, but only you know what that is," she stated.
"You have been in your head a bit more with the elections coming up, and after the heck of a run as Mayor that you've had, you deserve to step down and enjoy the rest of your life without stressing about how the town is going to be if you're gone for a day or two," Wade told him.
"Thank y'all for understanding," Lavon smiled, relieved that his friends got it. Now he just has to worry about the rest of Bluebell being as understanding as his friends are.
"My only question, who's going to run for Mayor?" George asked, looking around the table.
"Don't you worry about that," Lavon stated a smirk on his face. "I have it all under control, and you'll be happy with whom I have handpicked to take over for me," he shared.
"It's not your cousin Lynnly is it?" Lemon asked. "This town can't handle her level of crazy," she retorted.
"No, it's not Lynnly," AB said, shaking her head. She wouldn't let her husband pick his cousin to take over being Mayor, she loves Bluebell too much for that to happen.
"The suspense is going to kill us, so please just tell us," Crickett pouted.
"They won't stop hounding until you tell them and the second she shows up in town, they're going to figure it out," AB reasoned with her husband.
"Right you are," Lavon sighed. It can be hard to keep a secret of this magnitude a secret for long in Bluebell, they're all like a bunch of hound dogs smelling blood. "I've asked Rose, and she excitedly accepted," he shared, wearing a proud smile on his face. He couldn't think of anyone better than Rose.