Zoe drove out of the hospital car park, Max grinning at her like a Cheshire Cat, Zoe could feel him looking at her 'why are you looking at me like that?' she asked.
'Am I not allowed to look at my beautiful lady?' Max asked.
'Lady?!' Zoe exclaimed
'Ha, yes that's a point, there are things I've seen you do that are not in anyway ladylike!' Max responded. Zoe let out one of her famous dirty laughs.
Max looked out of the window, 'Zo, you're going the wrong way, the hotel is the other way'.
'Ah, observant as ever Mr Walker! This is all part of the surprise, you'll just have to wait and see where we are going'. Zoe smiled to herself, she hoped Max would like the house they were going to look at. She'd seen it online when she had been browsing during the afternoon and instantly fallen in love with it. A four bedroom semi detached house with a beautiful garden, she knew there was only two of them but figured one room could be her dressing room and Max could have his own music room, she knew he missed playing the guitar. And one day, maybe one day...?she'd had to snap herself out of her daydream, she hadn't told Max she couldn't have children, she would have to eventually. She hadn't even told him she loved him, Max hadn't mentioned it either since his declaration in the ED, it was something that went unsaid between them, they both felt it but they weren't the emotional, lovey dovey couple that constantly told each other.
Zoe pulled up around the corner from the house.
'Why are we stopping here?' Max asked.
'Well, first of all, there's something I need to say' Zoe started.
'Uh oh' Max replied.
'It's nothing bad honestly!' Zoe reassured him. 'Ok, here goes. I know I haven't said it before and I'm pretty sure you know but I love you Max. In fact, I'm so in love with you, I can't imagine not ever being with you and I curse myself everyday for not realising it sooner and messing you about'
'Zo, you don't need to' Max began.
'Hang on, please let me finish Max'
'Yes, sorry!'
'I'm sorry for wanting to keep us a secret, I guess I was worried about what people might think and I let that fear take over, I know now that as long as we are happy that's all that's important.' Zoe finished.
Max leant over and kissed her, he couldn't believe this stunning, intelligent woman was his and now she'd said those three words, thinking of them made him laugh.
'What's so funny?' Zoe asked, pulling away from him.
'Oh nothing' Max said still laughing.
'Max, I've just poured my heart out to you and you think it's funny?' Zoe was getting mad.
'Sorry babe, no I don't think it's funny, it's just I never thought I'd see that side of you, you're normally so cool, calm and collected and don't show your emotions, never in a million years did I expect you to say you loved me' Max explained.
Zoe laughed. ' I guess that is a bit out of character, of course I love you though, I'm sorry it's taken this long to say it'.
Max smiled at her, 'don't be sorry, I'd rather you meant it'
'I absolutely do mean it, more than anything' Zoe said.
'I love you too, now, shall we head back to the hotel? That was a lovely surprise by the way' Max said.
'Surprise, oh that wasn't the surprise!' Zoe winked at him.
Max looked confused. Zoe said nothing and drove around the corner to the house. The agent was outside waiting for them, they'd been able to do a late viewing, luckily as Zoe couldn't wait, she knew perfection when she saw it.
Max still was no clearer as to why they were here. 'I don't understand?'
'It's a house Max!' Zoe exclaimed.
'I can see that but why are we here?'
Zoe began to explain 'well, I know we've struggled to spend time together with nowhere to go, it seems ridiculous to be spending all this money on a hotel. I've been thinking about buying a new house for a while and now it makes even more sense'
'I guess that makes sense, and I'll be able to come and stay over whenever I want!' Max said.
'No, Max, I don't think you're fully understanding me' Zoe looked at him, 'I want this to be our house, me and you, living together as a proper couple'.
'But Zo, I don't have any money!' Max said.
'I have, I've got the money from the sale of my old house and this is what I want to do'
'But this would be your house and I would just live there, I can't contribute anything' Max sighed.
'Listen to me Max Walker, I love you and I would do anything for you, I don't want money to be an issue, what's mine is yours, it makes sense!'
Max knew he had no choice, he could see how excited Zoe was and how stubborn she was, she was always going to earn more than him. He looked out the house, it did look amazing, even from the outside.
'Ok, let's go have a nosy!' Max said
Zoe gave him an excited look, 'yes!'
They walked over to the estate agent who held out his hand 'Hi, I'm Steve, you must be Zoe and Max' Max shook his hand. 'Shall we go and have a look? The owners are home with it being later but they're happy to have you look around and answer any questions' Steve explained.
Steve knocked on the door and an older man answered, 'Hello, do come in, I'm John, this is my wife Joan' he said introducing the lady behind him.
'I'm Max, this is Zoe' Max said. 'Lovely house you have here'
'Thank you' said John 'it's just a big too big for the two of us now, it's time to hand it over to a young couple like you two who can use it properly'
Zoe grimaced and nodded, 'please don't mention kids' she thought, that was a conversation for another day.
John and Joan said they would get out of their way and they began the tour of the house. The house had recently been redecorated to sell and was gorgeous. Zoe smiled at Max, he could see she was taken and had to admit he was too. 'It's perfect' Max whispered to Zoe. 'I know' she whispered back grabbing his hand.
They had been shown the upstairs, the master bedroom had taken their fancy straight away, the bathroom had a new suite and Zoe was already designing her dressing room.
'Shall we go downstairs and look at the kitchen?' Steve asked the couple.
'Yes, definitely' Zoe replied.
'Not that she'll be spending any time in there!' Max laughed.
'Oi!' Zoe playfully punched Max in the arm, 'I'll have you know I make a mean microwave meal!'
'Oh, wow' Zoe was mesmerised, the kitchen had a country style feel which was a different take in the rest of the now modern house. 'I love it'.
'So guys, that's the house, what do you think?' Steve asked.
Max looked at Zoe, she wanted it, there was no doubting that but he didn't want her to rush into anything.
'I think we need to discuss it in private tonight and then give you a call in the morning if that's ok?' Zoe spoke to Steve.
'No problem, we do have a viewing booked in for 11am tomorrow unless you want to put in an offer' Steve advised.
'Ok, I will contact you first thing' Zoe could barely contain herself but knew she had to be sensible.
They said their goodbyes to John and Joan and walked out to the cars with Steve. They shook hands again 'I will hopefully here from you tomorrow then' Steve said as they headed towards the car.
'Yes, thanks mate, said Max. Zoe laughed. 'What you laughing at?' Max asked.
'You, I love the way you call everyone mate even though you've just met them!' Zoe said. Max had no comeback, it was part of his nature!
'Lets get back Dr Hanna, I'm starving!' Max said. They got in the car and Zoe drove back to the hotel, they chatted about the house on the way back and they both had the same feeling, it was ideal and they both agreed they should put in an offer.
They pulled up at the hotel and went upstairs, 'will you order some room service Zo, I need to have a shower after been at work all day!' Max asked.
'Yep, on it like an Easter bonnet!' Zoe said using one of Max's famous phrases. She rolled her eyes, they were spending far too much time together! She loved it.
Half an hour later the food arrived along with the champagne Zoe had ordered as they were celebrating.
Max poured the champagne and gave a glass to Zoe, he raised his glass 'To us'
'To us, to our new house' Zoe replied. 'I love you'
'Love you too Dr' he pulled her towards him and kissed her. 'Suddenly I'm not very hungry...'