Author's note: Just a quick thought before I begin writing this final part of the story. I had started writing this story years ago and then always pushed off continuing it. So many things kept coming up and then the show ended. I felt awful leaving any readers hanging and always had the best intentions to return to it. I had the whole story mapped out in my notebook. I knew exactly how I wanted it all to end. I was recently cleaning out my desk and found the notebook. I began looking through my notes and decided I should finally finish what I had started. I'd like to personally thank you for taking the time to read. It means the world!

Epilogue

-My feet hurt.

-Do you want me to carry you?

-That was my not-so-subtle way of telling you that it is customary for the groom to carry his bride across the threshold and also my feet really do hurt. These shoes are killing me.

Wade stared lovingly at his new wife.

-PICK ME UP ALREADY!

-Alright! Alright.

Wade chuckled as he scooped up his bride and carried her into the gate house. The fact that he was doing it on Christmas Eve was not lost on him. He had done this exact same move 2 years earlier. He thought that was the best moment of his life, but right now, this moment was the happiest he had ever been. Zoe was officially his forever. They were spending their first night as man and wife in the gate house because the carriage house was still under major renovation. Neither wanted to move away from Lavon and the carriage house had more potential. It would be their starter home and the perks of Lavon's kitchen being right next door was too good to pass up. Lavon was thrilled the happy couple chose to stay. He was thankful to have friends close by and he needed them now more than ever. A honeymoon to an exotic location was also not an option right now. They were saving all of their money for the reno. Wade was disappointed not to whisk Zoe away on a dream vacation, but she assured him that she didn't need any of that. She just needed him. So, for now, the gate house had to make do. When Wade and Zoe saw the transformation, they were touched. Their friends had gone all out.

-Oh my god, look at this place!

-Who needs a honeymoon when you have Lemon.

-How did they do this? They took this dingy place and...

-Hey!

-Wade, come on, even you have to admit this looks nothing like we left it. It's magical. It looks like a suite from a 5 star hotel.

Wade was done talking about linens or thread count or whatever Zoe was on about. He grabbed her and swung her over his shoulder and carried her to the bed.

-Your feet hurt Doc, let's get you off of 'em.

Wade and Zoe had decided to go slow when they reunited, but that whole plan went out the window thanks to Earl.

It was an early August morning. The heat was unbearable. The air conditioning at the practice was busted and Zoe was mad because she had begged Brick to fix it.

-It's August in Alabama, Brick.

-Calm down Zoe, I called Doug and he said we're next on the list. He'll be by later today.

-What does later mean?

-3

-Are you joking? It's 8am. We can' t have any patients come here.

-Now Zoe, don't be so dramatic

-We live on the surface of the sun!

-Glad to see you're not being dramatic.

To be honest, Brick was feeling pretty awful about the situation. He had promised Zoe he would have the air conditioning fixed by now. She had wanted to have Wade look at it, but he told her that it was his practice and he would take care of it. He didn't know why, but having Wade come by felt like he was betraying Jonah in some way. He was happy for Wade and Zoe, but Jonah was family. Thankfully, it seemed like his nephew was on the mend. He had started seeing a nice young lady from his hospital. Talking on the phone with Jonah, Brick could hear in his voice that the young man was moving on.

-How about this, we can call and reschedule our appointments for the day?

-What about walk-ins?

-I'll stay.

-No, I'll stay. I'm sorry Brick. I am being a little dramatic.

-Zoe there's no sense in both of us staying. I'm an Alabama man born and raised. This heat isn't anything I can't handle. I'll stay until Doug shows up. If I need anything, I promise I'll call.

Zoe knew he was compromising and so she accepted his kind offer. This partnership wasn't always easy and avoiding bickering with Brick was always the smart way to go. She decided to head to the Rammer Jammer for some breakfast. She found Wade behind the bar cleaning some glasses and prepping for the morning rush.

-Where is everyone?

-Too hot I guess. What are you doin' here?

Zoe pulled herself up over the bar to reach her boyfriend's lips for a quick kiss hello.

-The air conditioning is broken and so Brick sent me packing.

-Do you want me to go take a look?

-No thanks, Doug's on his way and I got a morning off.

-Do you now?

-Yep, I made Brick feel bad so he fell on his sword and I get to go home and swim in the pond.

-I have a better idea.

-What's that?

-Let's go out on the lake.

-Don't you have to stay and work?

-Nah, Wanda's coming in and by the looks of it, no one else is. I think she could handle it without me.

Wade and Zoe packed up the car and drove out to the lake. Zoe was excited because Wade had never taken her boating before. Earl was already there setting up to fish at his favorite spot.

-Hey there, what are you guys doin' on this fine mornin'

-I just thought I'd take Zoe out to spend the day on the lake.

-Would you like to join us Earl?

-Well don't mind if I do pretty lady.

The three of them enjoyed their morning swimming, lounging, and fishing on the boat. Wade even helped Zoe catch her first fish. She was over the moon. The afternoon sun was blazing and so the trio decided to call it a day. Wade had to return to the Rammer Jammer and Zoe wanted to check in on the practice. Her guilt was slowly seeping in. While they were packing up, Earl motioned to Wade. He wanted to talk to his son out of the pretty doctor's earshot.

-What's up dad?

-I have something for you.

Earl pulled out Wade's mother's engagement ring. Wade had seen it before in pictures. He always thought it was beautiful and unique. It was an antique ring with silver and gold elements with a diamond in the middle, perfect for Zoe. But when his dad pulled it out, Wade panicked.

-Put that away old man.

-Why, don't you think it's perfect?

Wade didn't know what to think. It was perfect, but was the timing perfect? He had promised Zoe they would take things slow. Things had been so great between them, he didn't want to spook her. They had only been back together for a few months. This was definitely too soon right?

-Dad, we're taking things slow. Put that ring away.

-You dumb kids. Don't know nothin'. You walk around like you have all the time in the world as if it's owed to you or somethin'. Well son, if I've learned anything in this life it's that tomorrow isn't promised. I get what slow means. Slow means safe. There are no guarantees in this world so stop wastin' time and marry the girl. Now you can take or leave this old fool's advice, either way take the ring. You will need it someday.

Wade grabbed the ring and shoved it in his pocket. He's not sure if he did it to shut the old man up or because the advice he was given was actually good for once.

Zoe had decided to take the evening shift and let Brick leave for an early dinner. The air conditioning was fixed and all was right with the world. Her phone rang and she immediately picked up when she saw it was Wade.

-Hi!

-How was the rest of your day Doc?

-Pretty good, I'm just closing up now.

-Same here, wanna meet up and walk home together?

-Sounds like a plan.

The two met up right outside the gazebo. It was a beautiful evening, the air had cooled off, and it was quiet. Wade took Zoe's hand in his and they started heading towards home. Wade suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

-What, what is it? Do you see Burt Reynolds?

-No, it's just this is the spot.

-What spot?

-Our first kiss.

-Is it? Really?

-Yup, this is where you played dixie with your butt.

-Hey you said your lips were sealed.

In that moment Wade's instincts took over and he dropped to his knee.

-Wade what are you doing?

Wade grabbed her hands and took a deep breath

-There is only one thing I am sure of in this world and that is that you are the love my life Zoe Hart. I know we agreed to take things slow, but I guess I just can't when it comes to us. I think I knew after our first kiss that you would turn my damn world upside down and I will do everything to make you just as happy as you've made me. Doc, will you marry me?

-Yes!

-Yes?

-Yes! I love you Wade.

Tears were streaming down Zoe's face as Wade slipped on the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen.

-This was my mother's

-Oh Wade, it's beautiful.

News of their engagement spread quickly. Everyone in town was thrilled for them. Lemon was especially ecstatic to accept Zoe's request to help plan her wedding.

-I promise this is the last time.

-I know it is Zoe. So what are we thinkin'?

-Well, Christmas has always been a special time of year for us.

-Zoe, that's less than 5 months away! You are killing me with these timelines.

-Lemon, I know what I want this time. I want it to me intimate. I want my dad to walk me down the aisle. I want Lavon to officiate. I want AB, Rose, and you to stand beside me. I want my mom to be sedated. But most of all I want Wade. As long as he's there, I know it will be perfect.

And it was. Their wedding day will go down as one of the most special days in Bluebell's history. Wade opened the bottle of very expensive champagne he found in their faux honeymoon suite and handed a glass to his wife.

-Cheers!

-So are we just not going to talk about the whole Lavon, AB, Lemon thing?

-You saw that too?

-Of course I saw it.

Zoe wasn't exactly sure what she saw when she caught Lavon and Lemon kissing. She was hoping it had been a mistake, but Wade confirming it made her think things were about to get complicated in Bluebell and for once she wasn't at the center of it.