A/N: It's Christmas time! (Well, was, now it's just after midnight here.) Anyway, with this stupid hiatus, I wanted to write a little drabble. I also realized I haven't updated in a few months. I hope this fic will do me justice—it was a lot of fun to envision a proposal like this for ZW in the future…maybe by the end of the season? I'm sorry for the delay in updates; I finally had inspiration. So, consider this a late Christmas present for all the Zade shippers out there. Enjoy and thanks for reading! :) XO.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hart of Dixie or the song Marry Me.

Marry Me

…

The air was chilly—a slight breeze swayed the bare tree branches back and forth, each branch colliding with another. The town square was deserted, even if it was only eight or so in the evening, yet the gazebo was brightly lit, with candles wrapped around the columns, creating a romantic atmosphere. A table set for two with a vase filled with the brightest red roses was placed in the middle of the dome-shaped structure. Zoe smiled at the site infront of her—Wade had outdone himself, again. They had been dating for quite a while, going on four years…and each year, when Christmas rolled around, he had always planned the most perfect evening for the two. Last year was ice skating and a horse drawn carriage ride through the small and quaint town. The year before was pizza and karaoke, and the year before that was a simple movie night filled with popcorn covered in extra butter and soda drinks. A small smile tugged at Zoe's lips; she could say she was one of the happiest girls in Bluebell.

By all means, their relationship started off bumpy, but once Wade confronted her about her stubbornness and pushed her to admit how she truly felt for him, everything was pretty much smooth sailing from there. They didn't want to hide their feelings anymore; rather, they embraced them each and every day. Wade would always grab her hand when they would walk around town square, surprise her with flowers when she showed up for work, even arrive home early from the Rammer Jammer so they could catch the newest episodes of Elementary. Zoe once may have thought Wade wouldn't turn out to be the type of man she ever saw herself with…but as they grew closer and their bond grew stronger, she realized he was the exact type of man she saw herself ending up with; she sensed Wade had the same feeling, too.

Her pace quickened as the distance between her and the gazebo grew smaller.

"In a hurry?" she heard a voice from behind her ask. She chuckled lightly before reaching for his hand, and dragging him forward so his stride matched hers.

"Um, maybe?" she replied shyly. She looked over at Wade, meeting his beautiful hazel eyes…and she swore she could see a twinkle in them. "I'm just excited, that's all."

She brought him to a stop, turning to face him head on, and planted a kiss on his cheek, brushing his hair to the side. "I can't wait to see what you've got planned for tonight," she whispered, touching her forehead to his.

"I can't, either." Wade didn't have to say much for Zoe to feel the butterflies in her stomach. Anytime she was around him, she'd go weak at the knees and feel like the only girl on the planet—he truly swept her off her feet. "You cold, Doc?"

Though they had many other terms of endearments for each other, that one stuck with Wade from the first time he laid eyes on Zoe; and quite frankly, she loved it.

"A little."

Wade, without hesitation, slipped off his plaid red jacket and draped it over her small figure. Without saying another word he took her hand in his and led them towards the beautiful set up decked out right before their eyes. As they were nearing the stairs, Wade stopped and took in a deep breath. Zoe turned back towards him; she swore she saw a dab of sweat roll down his forehead…he was nervous, but why? Zoe didn't have much time to contemplate before Wade drew her close to him, his arm wrapping around her waist. She could feel his body heat warming her up, and their lips were mere inches away from each other. She watched his lips move; god, he was so damn adorable. Before Wade could utter a single word, he felt Zoe's lips on his own, meeting his softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his already tight embrace. This is where she belonged. The kiss lasted longer than either of them expected, but when Zoe pulled away, both couldn't hide the smiles that had formed on each of their faces.

"What was that for?" Wade asked, puzzled but pleased; he couldn't stop looking at the beautiful brunette he held in his arms. Zoe shrugged, laughing softly; her laugh was music to his ears.

"I don't know…I just felt like kissing you," she replied, smiling innocently.

"I won't complain," he smirked.

Zoe lightly punched him in the shoulder before glancing up at the evening sky. "So," she started, "I can't take the suspense much longer…are we eating or what?" Wade just laughed.

"It's all about food for you, ain't it?" he teased.

"No! I'm hungry, that's all."

"We could kiss some more…maybe that'll relieve you of your hunger."

She hated his teasing, yet she loved it at the same time.

"Very funny."

There was an awkward silence that fluttered through the air before Wade did the last thing Zoe expected for him to do…kneel down on one knee. He took both of her hands in his, looked into her gorgeous blue eyes, and breathed in. "I can do this," she heard him whisper. Zoe was speechless, but she couldn't help the tears that began forming in her eyes; she knew what he was about to do. It was perfect.

"Zoe," Wade started, his voice slightly cracking, "I know our relationship started off rocky, and we both dealt with an enormous amount of heartbreak, but these past few months have been the best of my life. You've challenged me to be a better person—a better man…you've seen me for me and know all of my vulnerabilities…you know how to make me smile when I feel sad or know exactly what to say when I need reassurance…you're the person that completes my world. Without you being there for me, I don't know where I'd be." He catches his breath and starts to realize just how cliché this little speech of his may sound to her; he doesn't care, but rather, continues. "And though this may sound cliché, I want you to know how much I love you. I loved you from the day we talked by that white picket fence...and I'll love you until the day we meet up above. No matter where I am, as long as you're by my side, I'll be happy."

Wade risked all the dignity he had left to look up at Zoe, analyzing her expression. He smiled when he saw the tears glistening on her cheeks; she hasn't looked more beautiful to him, dressed in that same red dress she wore when they celebrated their first Christmas together. He slowly reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small jewelry box. Wade heard a low gasp escape Zoe's lips, his heart starting to pound a mile a minute. Opening up the box, and meeting Zoe's gaze with his own, he prepares himself.

"Zoe Hart, will you—."

"Yes," she whispered, admiring the handsome man kneeling before her. Her voice was shaky and she's weak in the knees.

"You didn't let me—," Wade stated.

"Yes," she whispered again, touching his hand with hers, bringing him up so he was standing on his two feet rather than kneeling.

"Can you just let me finish?" he pleaded, a smirk etching its way across his perfect, oh so perfect lips. Zoe was inclined to say no; all she wanted to do was kiss him, but resisting that urge, she nodded.

"Zoe Hart, will you marry me?"

She couldn't stop smiling. This was finally happening…and all the heartbreak she had gone through was worth it. She knew in the end that she and Wade would be happy…and this was the perfect ending to their old story and the perfect beginning for their new one.

"Yes," she replied. Wade took the ring and slipped it on her finger, laying a gentle kiss to her hand.

"I love you, Doc."

"I love you too, Wade."

And with that, he sealed his proposal with a kiss, letting all of the love he felt for her overtake his body.

How many girls in the world can make me feel like this?

Baby I don't ever plan to find out

The more I look, the more I find the reasons why

You're the love of my life