Thank You to everyone whos has been leaving reviews, I read and enjoy them.
Sw,
Chapter Eighteen
Since Wade had to work behind the bar of the Rammer Jammer after lunch, so that's where their first family date or outing was going to be. All eyes where on them as they entered Jack was in Wade's arms waving at everyone happily. Zoe tried to pretend she didn't see all the eyes glued to her.
Thankfully there was a table empty for the little family to take, Wanda who had seen them come in was bringing over a highchair for Jack. Wanda then took their order which was ice teas and juice with two cheeseburgers, fries, and a grilled chicken patty with fries that Wade asked for a knife and fork with so he could cut it into tiny pieces for Jack to eat. She returned with their drinks right away telling Wade that she was off after he clocked in.
"You have any plans for after lunch?" Wade asked knowing it was a stupid thing to say as soon as it left his mouth. Zoe hadn't been socializing since her returned to BlueBell so she couldn't have plans with anyone.
"If you don't mind I might just set with Jack in your office if Brick doesn't call soon, that way I can asks you which times would work best" Zoe stated as she watched Jack bang his sippy cup up and down on the tabletop of his highchair.
"That's fine by me" Wade answered trying to keep his eyes off Meatball who was heading to the jukebox with money in hand. Hoping his friend wasn't going to do what he knew he was Wade rubbed the back of his head. Nope as the lyrics started up
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
Zoe hearing Unchained Melody playing laughed a little as she remembered her dream of that song playing here in the Rammer Jammer shaking her head she noticed Wade seem agitated wondering why she questioned him "Something wrong Wade?"
"No everything is fine" Wade responded giving Meatball a dirty look as he past by them towards the front entrance laughing as he went. Zoe gave him a stern I don't believe you look. "It's fine Doc, Meatball is just playing a joke on me is all"
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me
"Doing what?" Zoe asked as she listen to the lyrics almost singing along.
"Alright I'll tell ya but I don't want you're laughing or pity deal?" Wade asked giving Zoe his award winning grin.
"Deal" Zoe responded with as she held her glass of ice tea, it was kind of weird to see Wade drinking one as well because he usually had a beer in hand. But now that she thought of it since she had been back Zoe didn't think she had seen him drink one.
"After you left for New York City the town liked to tease me about waiting for your return with playing Unchained Melody on the jukebox all day long" Zoe didn't know how to reply to that so she did the only thing she could she reached over and kissed Wade on the cheek.
"Mama" Jack complained jealous of the attention she paid to his Father instead of him. "You want a kiss too little man?" Zoe asked then leaned over and kissed her baby on the forehead.
"Not cool son" Wade smirking told his baby boy "don't be jealous of Momma with Daddy" Laughing together Zoe and Wade set listening to the song.
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
"Are you?" Zoe asked remembering how upset she had been after finding out how much time had past after waking from her coma.
"I've never been anyone else, Doc just yours" Wade spoke dead serious looking into Zoe's warm brown eyes. "I'm glad you came home Zoe"
"So am I" Zoe replied back giving Wade a quick kiss on the lips to prove it then turning to kiss her baby boy on the forehead again she couldn't let Jack feel left out. Both Kinsella men had smiles on their faces as Wanda brought out their food.
They had just finished their food when Zoe's cell rung seeing it was a local number she answered it. "Dr. Hart this is Dr. Breeland"
"Hello Brick" Zoe said looking at Wade he motioned his head towards his office so she took his hint and got up and headed to his office. "So did you get in contact with the Physical Therapy office?" she asked as she got into Wade's office noticing he had followed after her with Jack in his arms.
"Yes they said they have two different days available, I faxed them over the order for therapy and was surprised to learn your insurance is still the same they ran it while I was on the phone" Brick informed her "They have openings Monday at ten am or Friday at noon. If you have a pen and paper I'll give you there number so you can call them back"
Looking around Wade's desk Zoe found a piece of paper then started looking around it for a pen not finding one she whispered to Wade. "Pen"
Wade walked behind his desk and opened the top drawn taking out a black ink pen handing it to her. He learned to hide his pens because Jack liked to chew on them if he got his little hands on them. Jack looked longingly at said pen with his little hand stretched out towards it.
"Okay I got both now" Zoe replied to Brick then she started writing the numbers he was telling her down.
"Once you get your Therapy appointment made call me back with what two days you would like to work half days on" Brick said looking forward to getting some help at the Practice.
"Okay I will thanks Brick" Zoe said then ended their call.
"So Doc what's the verdict?" Wade asked keeping Jack far away from the pen Zoe had set back on Wade's desk.
"I can have Physical Therapy on Monday's at 10 am or Fridays at noon, so which will work best for you?" Zoe asked looking at the numbers she had just written down.
Wade was thinking Mondays was the day he had to go to the Bank first thing in the mornings to deposit the Rammer Jammer's weekend take so that would not work. Fridays he usually took the night shifts and closing so that would be better. He could take Zoe himself maybe after her appointment go to lunch then come back for work.
"Fridays would be good for me Doc" Wade said "I'm free until evening, I close the Rammer Jammer then"
"Okay that will work, Brick wants to know when I want to work my two half days a week. I was thinking Thursday, but I don't know which other day would work for a babysitter" Zoe stated knowing Wade could tell her which other day of the week would be best for that.
"Tuesday is usually the day I go into work at three o'clock so I can spend time with Jack" Wade said. "On Tuesdays I will keep my schedule the same so you can work those same days without worrying about that"
"Thank You" Zoe offered with a smile knowing that Wade would do whatever he could to make returning to work easy for her.
"Why don't I take Jack out front for a few minutes give you time to make those calls you need to in peace and quiet" Wade said as Jack started saying "MaMa" over and over again each time louder then the last.
"Yeah that might be a good idea" Zoe said smiling at Jack as he kept trying to reach the ink pen on the desk and calling out "MaMa"
"Mommy will be right with you in a few minutes" Zoe said as Wade carrying Jack walked out the office door Jack waving bye to her as he went.
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It was so quiet Zoe thought as she rocked back in forth in the rocking chair in Jack's room the little boy sleeping in his crib. After getting back from the Rammer Jammer the Mother and Son pair had played in his room for over a hour before Jack had just fallen asleep playing with his toy drum set. So Zoe had laid him down in his crib and just set down to watch him sleep for a little while.
He was truly such a miracle, that Jack made it through the car accident was another miracle. So many things had went wrong in her life but Jack made up for every one of those.
If she hadn't been denied that fellowship Zoe knew she never would have taken Harley's offer of coming to work in BlueBell. If she hadn't of done that she never would have met Wade Kinsella and then Jack wouldn't be here so it all worked out in the long run. Jack owned Zoe's heart in a way Wade or any other man never could. Jack was her baby she had missed so many first with him, but Zoe was certain she would not be missing anymore.
She wanted to set there until Jack woke up but Zoe felt the call of nature so she headed downstairs to use the bathroom it was after that when she was getting herself a glass of water that she heard a knocking at the door. So going to see who was there she asked "Who is it?" before unlocking the front door. She did not want to open the door if it was her Mother.
"It's AnnaBeth Nass" AnnaBeth said through the door she barely had gotten her whole name out before the door was swung open and she found herself in a hug.
"AnnaBeth I've miss you" Zoe said after pulling out of the hug "come on in" AnnaBeth walked in to the living room smiling happy that Zoe seemed to be in such high spirits.
"I would have come by sooner but Lemon said you were still getting settled in, and George said I should wait until today something about not wanting to make you madder at him" AnnaBeth said the last laughing.
"Yeah about that I kind of over reacted to George giving Jack candy" Zoe said feeling a bit awkward talking about that with his girlfriend.
"Don't worry about that, I've told George he shouldn't be given that much candy to the little guy" AnnaBeth said laughing a little again just so happy to see her friend again after so long. "But he wouldn't listen to me"
"So how did that happen you and George?" Zoe asked as she took a seat on the couch AnnaBeth taking the seat next to her.
"Believe it or not it was all Lemon" AnnaBeth said then going into details about how Lemon wanted to date Lavon and had pushed her in George together so she wouldn't feel bad about it. At first the two didn't seem to click but after a few run-ins they just fall into a relationship together. The way she was smiling Zoe thought it was a good thing the two of them together.
"I'm happy for the two of you" Zoe said thinking about how she had either caused or been the cause of two of George's failed relationship she wanted to see him happy, as long as he stopped given her baby junk food.
"So word around town is Wade and You seem to be back together is that true?" AnnaBeth asked.
"We are taking things slow" Zoe informed her friend "we have to put Jack first. I love Wade and I know he loves me, but with everything that has happened to me I'm just not ready to jump into a serious relationship"
"Really?" AnnaBeth proclaimed "you're living with Wade are you not?"
"We're roommates and co-parenting Jack" Zoe stated knowing where this line of questioning was going. "We both agreed to take our romantic relationship slow"
"Now enough about Wade and Me, tell me how serious you and George are do you think there will be wedding bells in the near future?" Zoe asked not just asking to get the subject off herself but also because she really did want to know.
AnnaBeth turned a little red as she filled Zoe in on her and George's plans for a future which so far wasn't any talk of marriage but they had talked about him moving into her house. But decided against it because they wanted first to get a place of their own before they moved in together which was harder then it seemed with BlueBell being so small.
Zoe had left AnnaBeth alone for a few minutes to check on Jack to see if he had woke up from his nap yet. Opening his bedroom door Zoe could see Jack's little head sticking out as he stood up in his crib. "Mama" he said putting his arms up waiting her to get him out.
"Hey Baby" Zoe said as she lifted him out checking his diaper which did need a change, once she had that done she brought him downstairs handing him off to AnnaBeth as she went to wash her hands. When she returned with clean hands she stopped in her tracks just watching how good AnnaBeth was with Jack. The two were playing patty cakes together laughing it warmed Zoe heart to see her baby boy so happy.
"You think about having one of you're own soon?" Zoe asked after their game of patty cake ended.
"I would love too, but I don't think George and I are ready for that" AnnaBeth answered back not wanting to give Jack back.
"Maybe not today but Wade told me George has really been there for him helping since the beginning with Jack, just don't let him give your kids candy" Zoe laughingly said the last part.
"I know he loves Jack" AnnaBeth replied "all he talked about last night was his fear you would ban him from seeing Jack"
"I wouldn't do that" Zoe uttered feeling awful about that all over again "I might have went a bit overboard on George, I just want to be a good Mother"
"No one can blame you for that" AnnaBeth told Zoe as she let Jack down and he went running towards the kitchen.
"I think he might be thirsty" Zoe said following after her son getting him a sippy filled with milk then returning to the living room to visit with AnnaBeth.
A hour later after the two ladies talked and played with Jack, AnnaBeth left wanting to get things ready for her dinner tonight with George. So Zoe and Jack where left alone again they ended up back in his room playing with his toy drum set.
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Lavon came knocking on the Carriage house door right before six o'clock with a bag full of what Zoe hoped was something edible. All that was in the refrigerator was hot dogs which she did not really want to eat but was going to fix to make sure Jack would have dinner in him before he went to sleep for the night.
"I wish I could say I made you dinner myself" Lavon said as he walked to the kitchen bar and started pulling food containers out.
"But I didn't have time today, so instead Lemon packed up all your favorite dishes and then some from Fancie's"
"That was nice of her" Zoe said as she looked over all the food containers Lavon had not been joking their must of been ten different ones.
"Some of these are for Jack and Me as well" Lavon answered her unspoken question "You're be happy to know Lemon doesn't agree with giving Jack junk food"
"So you heard that huh?" Zoe said having a feeling her blow up at George would be following her around for quite a while. After all this was BlueBell where no one forget anything and they let you know about it.
Putting his hands up in the air in a surrender motion Lavon asks "Is it okay if I give my godson chocolate milk, or is that off the list of approved foods now as well as candy bars?"
"Lavon" Zoe whimper out then replied to his question "One sippy full of chocolate milk a day will be fine"
"Okay you're going to be one of those kind of Mother's huh?" Lavon stated not wanting a answer back just throwing it out there she was being a little ridiculous. "Can he have strawberry milk too?" the latter part he asks laughing.
"If you mean a good Mother, then yes I will be" Zoe responded with as she went back to the living room and picked up Jack who was watching tv she spied the highchair in the corner and asked Lavon "Can you move Jack's highchair over here?"
"Sure Big Z" Lavon then grabbed the highchair moving it next to the kitchen bar and stools so they could feed Jack easier while they were setting down. He took the table top part off as Zoe lifted Jack into the highchair making sure to belt him in once she finished Lavon replace the table top back on it.
"Hey Little J how have you been today?" Lavon asked his godson as Zoe went back into the kitchen returning with a wet dish rag to wipe down the highchair table top with. Zoe really was one of those Mother's it seemed, Lavon thought to himself.
"Von, Mama, Dada" Jack said explaining much of his day with his limited vocabulary.
"So you had fun today then?" Lavon asked keeping the conversation up with the toddler.
"Yes" Jack supplied then tried to grab the dish rag his Mother had just finished using to clean his highchair with.
"No it's food time Jack" Zoe said as she took away the dish rag then turning to Lavon asked "Which meal is for Jack?"
"He gets the spaghetti, but don't worry your little head Big Z it's only pasta and sauce in there, Lemon made sure of that also she already cut the noodles so there little enough for him to eat" Lavon proudly said knowing Zoe would appreciate all the trouble Lemon went through for Jack.
"That was really nice of Lemon, remind me to thank her personal when I see her next" Zoe said feeling like finally someone understood how important Jack's eating healthy was. She shouldn't have been surprised though Lemon was a Doctor's daughter and had all but raised Magnolia along with Brick. She would know how important good eating habits were.
"It warms Lavon Hayes' heart to see Lemon and you getting along so well" Lavon said smiling happy to have one of his best friends back and getting along with his love.
"I'm glad your happy Lavon and if Lemon makes you that I'm all for getting along with her" Zoe said as she opened a container finding what she assumed was Jack's spaghetti. Before she gave it to him through she took off his shirt then she put some on the highchair's table top so he could pick it up with his little hands and feed it to himself. Which he did right away smiling the whole time.
"He is going to make such a big mess" Lavon eyeing Jack said. The little guy already had red sauce all over his tiny face.
"Yeah he is" Zoe replied as she grabbed two plates for her and Lavon so they could each try some of the foods Lemon had packed.
"But this way we can enjoy our dinner, then clean Jack up after"
"I like the way you think Big Z" Lavon uttered "but I'm taking kitchen duty you get kid duty"
"Deal" Zoe said as she bite into a breadstick it tasted so good.
"So talk around BlueBell is that Wade and you are a item again" Lavon stated watching as Zoe enjoyed that breadstick maybe a little too much.
"Yeah I heard about that already from AnnaBeth she stopped by for a visit earlier. And I will tell you what I told her we are taking things slow right now" Zoe replied as she put a nice size helping of the fettuccine on her plate .
"Slow really ya think you and Wade can do slow?" Lavon asked having trouble believing the two of them could do anything slow. The sparks the two of them shared could start a fire.
"Yes we can" Zoe shouted out once she had finished eating some pasta dish that had shrimp in it "this is really good" she said the latter pointing her fork towards the container that held the shrimp dish.
"Yeah that's a new dish Lemon just started serving and it is really good" Lavon supplied getting off course of their conversation and on to his favorite topic lately Lemon. Smiling Zoe just set back eating and enjoyed hearing all about Lemon and her dreams for making Fancie's the best restaurant in Alabama.