Hey all! So, we really don't like George fathering Sofia, huh? I promise it will all be explained in a few certain chapters on how it came to be and why I went that way instead of Wade, and I hope it will make as much sense as it does in my head and that you all won't hate it and maybe come around to the idea of it all. I, honestly, didn't think you guys would dislike it as much as you have. Despite that little part of the plot, I do hope you guys stick around to see how it all plays out.
Also, I am currently writing chapter 3 and I am hoping to have it up on Thursday of this week. It all depends on if I can finish writing it today as I won't have time to do so tomorrow.
Enjoy!
Seeing Zoe with her daughter first thing back in Bluebell threw him for a loop. He thought he'd get a bit longer before running into her, but it turns out he didn't get his way. Things between them have never been as awkward as they were for that meeting, and it has nothing to do with the little girl proclaiming her love for him. He found it sweet, seeing no harm in her doing so in the little, sleepy town of Bluebell. And hearing Zoe assure her daughter that she can't say those precious three little words to strangers made him feel better. It easies part of him because he doesn't want anything to happen to that little girl. He's met her once, and yet he's finding that he cares deeply for little Sofia.
He knew that Zoe had a daughter, he's heard plenty about little Sofia from his father. He's seen her in pictures. On those days that were too dark to deal with even with a glass of alcohol to help him forget the nightmares he encountered overseas, it was the picture he carried everywhere with him of Zoe. Not just any picture of Zoe, as he's in the picture as well at their senior prom. A genuine smile would spread across his face at the memories of that night. He doesn't think of the what if's that followed that night. Doesn't see the point because it wouldn't have worked out. They needed to be out in the world and find out who they are as adults. The pictures he's seen of Sofia are such a mini Zoe. He wouldn't have known otherwise if it wasn't for the blue eyes Sofia has. It's not like he's talked to anyone else to know all these little secrets floating around. And maybe once a upon a time when he was 18 and thought he knew better, that maybe he would have been the father of any kids that Zoe had. He's learned that it was naive to think like that. With everything that's been tossed his way, he's happy that two of his friends found a moment, he's not sure the story behind it, have created such a vibrant child.
He had noticed Zoe and little Sofia walking his way, thought he could get by without Zoe noticing him, and he would have if it wouldn't have been for Sofia. It might be the best thing that happened to him, being outed by Sofia without her even knowing it. Word is going to spread like wildfire that he's back, and he doesn't want Zoe to think he was trying to ignore her. That's not the case, he just doesn't know what to say to her. Sorry. It just doesn't seem like enough. They have a lot of history, and they can't just forget and start fresh. Besides, that's not why he moved home.
He's here to stay. Nowhere else felt like home. He's tried to find a place that felt as comfortable, as cozy, as friendly and maybe just a little wacky like Bluebell, and he couldn't find it. It very well might have something to do with the people. He's stayed up to date as much as one can through Dash's blogs, through his parents, until it was just his dad, and even Jesse from time to time. It wasn't often he talked to his brother or his friends. Much like he did with Zoe, he had cut the rest of them out. It was easier, at least that's what he told himself. It had been easier on those he left behind if they didn't know the hollow man he's become after everything he's been through. He didn't want them to worry or pity him.
One of the many reasons he didn't come home for his mom's funeral. He felt like shit for missing it, but he couldn't handle it. Didn't think he'd ever be able to handle being back in Bluebell. Turns out all he needed was a little time. Heck he didn't know where he was going when he got into his car, having packed up everything that he needed in his car he took off. It wasn't until he saw the welcome to Alabama sign when he knew where it was he needed to be at.
"Hey ma," Wade said, barely above a whisper, placing the flowers on the grave. "I'm sorry," he said, holding back his tears. "I am so sorry that it's taken me this long to come home," he whispered, tossing his head back. He felt guilty for not being here sooner.
He hadn't been able to give his mom a proper goodbye. He was in the middle of a country wideband tour when she lost her battle to cancer. He refused to leave the tour. For no other reason than he just wasn't ready to believe that she was gone, and it was easier to pretend everything with his mom was okay, if he didn't think about Bluebell and his parents. Refused to talk to his dad or his brother. After the tour was over with, he left the band. Gave it all up because playing with them reminded him of everything he lost. He doesn't enjoy performing or playing his guitar, so why keep doing so?
"I should have been here. I should have gotten over myself," he sighed, closing his eyes. "It wasn't about me, it was about being here for Dad and for Jesse, it was about saying goodbye," he said, wiping the tears from his eyes, refusing to let them trail down his cheeks. "I am so sorry, Ma. I love you," he sniffled, sitting down.
He's not rushing to be anywhere. As far as he's concerned, the only one that knows he's in town is Zoe and Sofia. And he doesn't know who she's told if she has. It's not like he told her she couldn't say he was in town. He wasn't sneaking through town. Bluebell is the place he needs to be. Heck, Zoe could shout it while running through town square that he's back, it wouldn't change anything. He'd still be here at the cemetery, at his mom's grave.
"I didn't know you'd be here." He heard. Prying his eyes open, rapidly blinking to adjust to the late afternoon sun. He hadn't realized that he had fallen asleep.
"No need to apologize," he said, getting up off the hard ground, his bones popping as he stood.
Zoe smiled, placing her flowers next to Wade's. She likes to bring fresh flowers every few days to Jackie's grave. She figured Wade was headed here earlier in the afternoon when she ran into him. However, she didn't think he'd still be here, and she's not about to avoid going places just because she's afraid she'll run into her old friend.
"Have you been anywhere else?" She asked, not even sure how to talk to him anymore. She hates making small talk with him.
"Uh, nope," he told her. "Actually, I haven't told anyone I was going to be back. Moving home was more of an impulse thing, and other than you and Sofia, no one else knows," he told her.
"I can confirm that no one is gossiping about you being back. I haven't told anyone and Sofia, it's hard to say what she'll say about you, but I haven't gotten any calls, so she hasn't spilled the beans either," she informed Wade.
"She's quite the kid," Wade commented, as they started to make their way out of the cemetery.
"She's quite the character for sure," Zoe smiled. "The reason she knows you from the stories is because…"
"No need to explain, Zoe," Wade told her, cutting off her explanation. He can put it together on how she knows. Kids love stories, and he can recall the stuff they had done when they were kids and how exciting you can spin them into a story. Out of everything, he's happy to hear that she tells her daughter stories of them. Tells him that after everything they've been through and forgetting they were even friends to begin with, that she still holds stories of them as friends so close and dear to her chest.
"I do have to run and since you're back, maybe we can find a time to chat," she suggested.
"I would like that," he nodded. Making amends with Zoe might as well be his first task. It's going to be the hardest one, but the one that needs it the most. His dad and brother, as much as they didn't understand why he couldn't return home, they left him be, mostly.
"I don't know if you have a place to stay or not," she told him. Wade shook his head. He figured he'd crash in his childhood home for the night and figure out things tomorrow. "Lavon is Mayor and the Gate house is free, if you want to go see him. It's not a big deal or anything of the sort," she assured him.
"I forgot about that," Wade smiled softly. He'd come across Lavon Hayes a time or two when he was still playing ball for a living. Talked to him about a town event a month or so after Lavon had been elected Mayor, and Lavon told him that he'd have a place to stay if he ever made it back to town, whether it was for a night or longer. He really had forgotten about the offer.
"It's nice seeing you again," Zoe told him.
"It's nice seeing you, Zo," he smiled, watching as she headed towards her parents place. Though he thinks he heard something about Candice moving back to New York a few years ago, but he doesn't know the full details or if it was even true. Only time will tell in Bluebell.
He headed back through town to where he left his car. He kept his head down, wanting to be nothing more than a tourist visiting the little town. Soon enough, they'll all know he's back, but for right now, he wants to keep a low profile. Mainly because he wants to avoid answering all the questions they will have for him. And he knows they're coming.
"Be still, my beating heart," Lavon chuckled, seeing the man on the other side of his door. "Lavon Hayes needs a good old pinch," he teased.
"I'd be more than happy to pinch ya," Wade chuckled, lightly punching Lavon's shoulder. "I'm hoping that place to stay is still available," he shared, jumping right into why he's here. No reason to beat around the bush.
"You're in luck because it is," Lavon nodded. "You do share the generator with Zoe in the carriage house," he informed Wade, nodding for him to follow him. "If that's going to be a problem, we can figure something else out," he shared, not sure what the current situation is between the former friends.
"Totally fine," Wade nodded. Zoe is the one that brought it up, and if she doesn't have a problem with it, why should he?
"The generator is old and doesn't take much to blow," he told him, showing him to his new home.
"That'll be the first thing I will fix," he nodded. With Zoe having Sofia, it would be a pain to have the generator causing problems for the both of them. He's not going to live rent-free without pitching in where he can help out.