The plantation was decorated with every John Deere decoration in all of Alabama. Tables were set up across the yard with balloons on every one. Zoe was running around with a check list, making sure everything was where it was supposed to be.

"Baby, what the hell?" Wade asked walking towards her. "Isn't the first birthday supposed to be the biggest?"

"This is his first birthday with us. We didn't have him for his real first. He was in a foster home where he probably didn't even have a cake. This has to be amazing."

Wade kissed her forehead. "It is amazing. Stop freaking out. How's the food coming?"

"Annabeth is awesome. She is cooking like a pro in there."

"Great and where is the little terror?"

"Uncle Lavon is in charge of him. I think he took him to the playground."

"What can I do?"

"Ummm." She looked at her list. "We need more ice if you want to keep the drinks cold. Of course it is sweltering today." She waved the list in front of her face to cause a breeze.

"I can do that. Do we need more drinks? You think we have enough?"

"Maybe another case of beer."

"You got it. What time is your Mom supposed to get here?"

Zoe looked at her phone. "Any minute now. She said she has a surprise, I don't even know what that could mean."

"You have any random relatives she could be bringing? Aunts, Uncles, Cousins?"

"No, she doesn't talk to our family. What makes you say that?"

"Just wondering since Jesse appeared out of nowhere."

"I'm so glad he did. I love Julie, she's so awesome."

"Yeah she's really sweet. I'm happy for them."

Zoe nodded. "Ok, go get the beer. I have to check on a few more things. But be back soon. I don't know what this surprise will be but I'll need you."

Wade chuckled and kissed her "Relax, this is perfect. I'll be back in ten minutes."

"Hurry." She sighed and turned towards Lavon's house. "How's it going in here?" she asked once she walked inside

"Everything is going great, stop worrying." Annabeth smiled "Lemon just brought in the cake, it's in the fridge."

"Oh good." Zoe ran over to the fridge and opened the door. "Ahh I love it. She did an amazing job."

"Well thank you." Lemon smiled walking into the kitchen.

"Cutest farm cake I have ever seen. He is going to love it."

"I even put an extra pig on there for him."

"He does love pigs." Zoe laughed "Have you heard from Lavon?"

"He texted me a bit ago asking how everything was going. They are having a blast."

"Good. Hopefully he'll take a short nap when he comes home and then be ready for his party." Lemon and Annabeth just smiled at her. "What?" she asked

"You're such a Mom, it's so cute." Lemon said

"Time for another one." AB laughed

"No, stop it. We already discussed that you are next."

"I know and we're working on it. The wedding is in 2 weeks, just relax."

"Good thing you're not cursed anymore." Zoe stuck her tongue out at Lemon

The three girls laughed as Lavon and a sleeping Wyatt walked into the house.

"He passed out on the way home." He whispered

"Perfect. Can he just sleep on the floor in your office? Since no one is at my house."

"No problem." He smiled and walked out of the room.

"So adorable." AB gushed watching Lavon walk away

"Anything else you would like for me to do?" Lemon asked

"I think everything is pretty much done actually. Wade just went to get more drinks and ice. My mother should be arriving shortly, you can deal with her."

Lemon laughed "No thanks. I'll hang around in here and help Annabeth."

"Gee thanks."

"Ok where do you want this stuff"? Wade asked walking into the house

"Coolers outside please."

"Hey Wade. Need a hand?" Lavon asked

"Yeah sure. Where's the little guy?"

"Napping."

"Awesome."

The guys went outside and Lavon helped him load everything into the cooler.

"Your women is crazy." Lavon laughed

"I know." Wade rolled his eyes. "She still refuses to do anything for her birthday tomorrow."

"Kidnap her. Candice will be here, she can watch Wyatt or you can invite her too and we'll take him."

"I'd say yes but she already has a family day planned with everyone. She literally booked up this entire weekend to avoid her birthday."

"She's ridiculous. You get her a gift?"

"Of course I did. I'll give it to her tomorrow. I know she'll accept gifts." He chuckled

"True. Well you should figure something out."

"Once today is over I can think a little clearer." Just then a black town car pulled. "Candice is here."

"I'll go get Zoe." Lavon nodded and walked back in the house

Zoe came out two seconds later. "Here we go."

Candice came out of the car and waved to Zoe and Wade. "Hi."

They waved back and walked closer to the car. A man climbed out of the back seat and followed Candice to the trunk.

"Who is that?" Wade asked

"I have no idea." Zoe said in a slight panic

"Honey, it's so good to see you." Candice hugged her when she got close enough. She then turned and hugged Wade "Hi Wade."

"Hello." He replied back and looked over at the man now standing next to Candice.

"This is Neil, I don't know if you remember him Zoe."

"Vaguely." She replied confused

"He was around a lot when you were in high school."

"Yes, hi it's nice to see you again. Are you two together or something?"

"We are, we have been for about five months now."

"Oh well that's cool. Thanks for telling me." Zoe teased her mother. "I think I liked you back then."

Neil chuckled "It's great to see you again Zoe." He turned to Wade. "Nice to meet you, I have heard a lot about you."

"I have heard nothing about you." He joked "It's great to meet you though. Welcome to Bluebell."

"Thank you, it is an adorable little town.

"Where is my grandbaby?" Candice asked

"He's napping in the house. Why don't we bring all your stuff to the gatehouse, get you guys settled in."

"Sounds good." Candice smiled

Wade and Neil picked up the bags and started walking towards the house.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Zoe asked her mom

"I didn't know how to. I was nervous you would be upset."

"Why would I be upset? I remember liking him. I think he was one of my favorites if I can remember correctly. Was he the one with the red Porsche convertible we took to the Hamptons that one summer?"

Candice laughed "Yes, that was him."

"Oh yes, I liked him. I'm happy for you Mom."

"Thank you Sweetie." Candice smiled and hugged her daughter "How are you three doing?"

"I talk to you all the time, you know how we're doing."

"You just say we're fine and then tell me what Wyatt is up to. What are you two up to?"

Zoe sighed "We're buying a house."

"You are?" Candice screamed

"Yes." She laughed "It's not that big of a deal, relax."

"That is a huge deal. Where is it?"

"Right down the road, ABs house."

"Oh very nice, I don't think I've been inside it."

"I'm sure we can show you. I love it."

"I'm so happy for you. Wedding next."

"No no, one step at a time for us. We're in no rush."

Candice just shook her head as they walked up the porch steps. "Whatever. I'll beat you to the alter at this rate."

"What? You two are getting married?" she asked in shock

"It's being discussed." Candice smiled

"Bout time you guys got here." Wade teased "We're heading back to Lavon's"

Candice put her bag in the house and then they all walked back to the main house. They walked in and everyone got reacquainted and were all introduced to Neil. They all talked for a while until the office door creaked open and they all turned to see Wyatt walk out and stare at the crowd in front of him. He rubbed his eyes and walked straight to Zoe.

"Mama" he held up his hands for her and she picked him up.

"Hi Baby boy." She kissed his head and he laid it on her chest still rubbing his eyes and yawning. "Look who's here." She pointed to Candice

Wyatt looked over and smiled "Gamma." He leaped off Zoe's lap and ran to her.

"How's Grandmas Boy?" she asked scooping him up and kissing him. "I missed you."

"Miss you." He hugged her "I two." He told her

"Tomorrow, yes. It's your birthday and Zoe's birthday." Zoe rolled her eyes. "No I did not forget young lady."

Zoe glared at Wade and he laughed. "My birthday is not important."

"Oh stop." The entire kitchen yelled at her

"Birthdays aren't that bad. If you're going to act like this Lavon Hayes will return your present."

Zoe just rolled her eyes again and looked at her watch. "Oh my gosh, the party starts in half an hour. I need to get him ready. Let's go Wyatt." She held her hand out for him and he hopped down from Candice's lap and followed Zoe out the door.

An hour later the party was in full swing. The entire town came on to the plantation. The gift table was piled high and quickly running out of room. Wyatt was loving all the attention he was getting. Zoe was standing off to the side just watching everything when Wade came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You did an amazing job." He whispered and kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you too, thank you. He's a hit."

"Yes he is. So your Mom has a boyfriend." He chuckled

"Yeah, he's really nice. I really liked him the first time she was with him. I don't remember why they broke up. Look how happy she is."

"She does look very happy."

"They want to get married."

"Wow."

"Yeah, she said she'll beat me to the alter."

Wade chuckled and tightened his grip around her. "You want to get married?"

"I like where we are Wade, we're buying a house. Let's deal with that for now."

"Ok, sounds good. Not that there is much to deal with."

"Um we need to figure out paint colors and I might want to retile a bathroom or two."

"Woah, slow down there Babe. Let's go find Wyatt."

"Ok." She giggled

"Wade." Jesse called walking into the party struggling to carry a giant box and Julie walking behind him carrying a couple smaller ones.

"What is that?" Wade asked starring at the box

"My nephews present."

"What did you get him?"

"I can't tell you." He laughed

"Zoe is going to freak out when she sees that. What are those?" he asked looking at the boxes in Julie's hand. "Hey Jule."

"Hi Wade. I went shopping." She smiled "He's my first nephew."

"He is so spoiled. You can dump that stuff over there if you can find room and then grab food, drinks, whatever. Dad is around here somewhere and I imagine Zoe is as well."

The two of them dropped the gifts by the table and then went to mingle with the town. Everyone was so happy Jesse was back and the Kinsella family was on the mend.

"It's so good to see Jesse again. And he's engaged. Those Kinsella boys really grew up good." Delma smiled at Shula.

"Yeah, I'm so proud of them."

"Hi Zoe." Julie smiled walking over to her

"Julie, hi" Zoe hugged her "I'm so glad you guys stuck around for the party."

"Jesse wouldn't have missed this. He is so happy to be back with his family."

"Wade is too. I love seeing them together." She smiled watching Jesse, Earl and Wade laughing about something across the yard.

After a while they had dinner and then cake. The party started to quiet down after the cake and it was mainly just close friends and family left.

"Should we open some gifts?" Candice asked

"Yeah, that could be fun. Poor kid has been trying to steal them all day. Zoe walked over to the pile and stopped in front of the giant box. Who is responsible for this monstrosity that will not fit in my house?" Zoe asked

"That would be Uncle Jesse and Aunt Julie." Wade laughed

"Oh no, Aunt Julie did not have anything to do with that." Julie laughed "That was all Uncle Jesse."

Wyatt ripped open that gift first and discovered his very own ride on John Deere tractor.

"Tractor." He yelled

"Oh my gosh, that is adorable." Annabeth said

"Wade will be busy putting that together tonight." George laughed

"Jess bought it, he can put it together." Wade looked at his brother. "This is awesome though, thanks."

"I saw it and I knew he had to have it."

Wyatt tore through the rest of his gifts. He got a doctor kit from Brick, a tool bench and tools from Earl and giant play kitchen from Lavon and Annabeth. Lemon got him some puzzles and books, a train set from George and a tricycle from Candice. He got a ton of clothes and toys from everyone else. After everything was cleaned up and put away Zoe and Wade were just staring at the pile of gifts in front of them.

"Oh my gosh. Where are we going to put all of this?" Zoe asked in a panic

"Just pile it in the gatehouse until we move." Wade answered "Thankfully AB will be out of there in 2 weeks and we can start putting stuff in there. It will be fine."

"Yeah I guess. He is way too spoiled. Christmas is in two months, he's getting nothing."

"Seriously." Wade chuckled "Well I'll get the guys and start moving this stuff over."

They got all the gifts to the gatehouse and by then it was late and everyone was exhausted.

"I'm going to head home, thanks for a great time guys." George smiled "Bye Wyatt, happy birthday."

"Bye Tuck." Wyatt waved

"I'm going to head out too. Bye Wy." Lemon picked up the toddler and he gave her a hug.

"Bye Aunt Lemon."

Lemon followed George out the door and everyone just watched them leave.

"Is there something going on with those two?" Jesse asked

"We have no idea, sometimes I think yes but I've asked him and he swears nothing is going on." Wade told him.

"They are always together." Annabeth chimed in

"Interesting." Jesse nodded

"You want to get him home?" Wade asked

"Yeah I think so. He has another big day tomorrow." Zoe said getting up from the couch. "Let's go Little Bear." She called

"Ok Woey." He took her hand and Wade's and they walked home.

After Wyatt was in bed they were sitting in their room just relaxing.

"What are we doing for your birthday?" Wade asked her sitting next to her on the couch

"Nothing Wade, why do we have to do anything?"

"Because I love you and birthdays are meant to be celebrated." Zoe sighed. "Baby I just want to take you out to dinner. I'm not planning some gigantic party or anything."

"Fine, just dinner, just the two of us. You got me?"

"I got you." He kissed her "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now I am going to bed, you coming?" she asked with a wink

"Yes ma'am."

The next day was filled with more birthday fun for Wyatt and Zoe. Wade got Candice to watch Wyatt at night so he could take Zoe out. Annabeth made a nice lunch for everyone to celebrate Zoe's birthday and she gratefully accepted it. It was low key and just everyone hanging out. That evening Wade and Zoe drove out to Mobile for a nice quiet dinner just the two of them.

"Thank you for making me come tonight. This is really nice. I can't remember the last time we got out like this."

"Yeah, it is nice isn't it? I'm glad you gave in."

She chuckled "We should do this more often. Lemon is constantly offering to babysit, we should take her up on that. Rose too."

"I've been saying that for months."

"Yes you have."

After dinner they went home. Candice agreed to keep Wyatt at the gatehouse so they could have the whole night to themselves.

"You ready for your present?"

"Sure." She smiled

Wade handed her a small gift bag and sat down next to her. She smiled at him before reaching in and taking out a piece of tin foil folded in half with a bow on it. She opened it to reveal a thong and her jaw dropped and she just stared at him.

"It still glows in the dark."

"Good, you can use it to light your way over to Lavon's tonight." She threw it at him and went to get up.

"Oh stop." He took her wrist and sat her back down on the couch. "I'm kidding." He kissed her and handed her a nicely wrapped box.

"Why do you still have that?" she giggled

"I don't know. What was I going to do with it?" he laughed "Open this." He pointed to the box in her hands.

She smiled and gently tore off the paper. She slowly opened the box to reveal a silver necklace with a little bear pendant hanging from it and an opal stone in his stomach. A tear rolled down Zoe's cheek. "My little bear's birthstone." She wiped the tear away and looked up at Wade. "I love this. It's perfect Wade, thank you so much." She kissed him.

"You're welcome. Happy Birthday Baby."