"Zo. Zoe, wake up." Max grinned as she slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the bright sunlight. "We need to get up." He raised his eyebrows as a smile slowly spread across her face. "What?" Leaning over, Zoe kissed him softly before answering.
"You called me Zo." She whispered against his lips. "You've not called me that since Nick died." Two months on, and it was the first time she'd been able to say his name without bursting into tears on the spot. She kissed him again, and this time he responded, gently rolling on top of her and pushing himself up on his forearms. Her hands began to roam down his chest and beyond and he pulled away, running his tongue across his teeth and delighting in the way her eyes followed it.
"Dr. Hanna, we have got guests." He bit his lip as her hands wandered beneath his boxers, her eyes fixed on his face as she did so.
"I think they might have to wait." She whispered, lifting her head to kiss him slowly. "Anyway, it's my birthday," she pouted. Grinning, he grabbed her hands and flipped them over in one swift movement, making her squeal and collapse, giggling, onto his chest. "Max!"
An hour later, Zoe made her way downstairs, wrapped in Max's shirt and a dazed smile plastered on her face. Jay, already sat on the sofa cradling a coffee, raised his eyebrows knowingly.
"Good morning." He threw a card in her direction, laughing as she swore at him. "Happy birthday you boozy cougar." The pair turned as Max entered the room, Jay rolling his eyes as he lifted Zoe onto the counter, kissing her fiercely. "Put her down, you're like a pair of teenagers." Zoe stuck her tongue out, jumping off the work top and picking up a cup of tea.
"I'll take this up to Ruth, I want to spend some time with your gorgeous son." Winking at Max, she swept out of the room.
"She is bloody fantastic." Max watched her go with an expression of pure disbelief across his face. "I swear Jay, her mouth is-" he broke off grinning as Jay shoved his fingers in his ears.
"Mate, that is something I do not need to know." He removed his fingers, lowering his voice. "So, when are you going to ask her?" He wafted his left hand at Max.
"Tonight. I want it to be special." Max grinned as Jay pretended to gag. "And she's gonna be horny as hell afterwards, I want to be able to get her upstairs ASAP."
"Mate!" Jay threw a nearby magazine at his head, the pair of them still laughing as Ruth appeared at the doorway carrying a sleeping Josh. Jay expression changed to one of complete adoration as he took in his sleepy wife and child. "Morning." He whispered, kissing Ruth softly, the pair of them cooing over their son. Max smiled at the young family before catching sight of Zoe, looking at them with something similar to longing. He beckoned her over, wrapping his arms around her.
"I never really wanted kids. All those nappies, early mornings, interrupted sex...I just don't see the appeal." Zoe grinned up at him. "Yeah, me neither." She wriggled out of his grasp, checking the time. "Shit." Ruth mock glared at her, laughing as Jay covered Josh's ears. "Sorry! We've got to start getting this place ready for this evening." Jay caught Max's eye as Zoe started listing what had to be done, waggling his left hand. Max grinned at him before smacking Zoe's bum and heading into the lounge.
That evening, the party was in full swing. Zoe had drunk far more than she had been planning, and she and Adam had started a game of catch with one of the less attractive ornaments her mother had given her. Tess was giving them disapproving looks and Jay and Cal were attempting to convince Charlie that what he really needed was another drink. Politely excusing himself, caught sight of Tess and wandered over.
"Just like old times." He nodded at Adam and Zoe, who were now giggling over the shattered remains of a lime green vase. Tess nodded, smiling reluctantly.
"I'm glad she's back." Charlie glanced at his friend, understanding exactly what she meant. After a moment's comfortable silence, he looked around, scanning the room for Max.
"You haven't seen our favourite porter have you?" Tess shook her head, peering through the room before pointing over to where Max was stood, chatting nervously to Jay. "What on earth is he doing?" Charlie was answered a second later when Jay stood, swaying slightly, on the drinks table, tapping a glass.
"Speech, speech!" The room slowly quietened as everyone turned, slightly bemused, towards a drunk Jay and an anxious Max. Jay beamed at the room, basking in the attention. "I would like to raise a glass to everyone's favourite forty-going-on-twenty year old." He swung a drunken arm towards Zoe, who was gesticulating at him from Adam's arms. "Zoe, you are a completely liability and we all love you for it." He raised his glass. "To Zoe!" The room echoed him, but before they could return to the party, Jay tapped his glass again. "One more thing. Our young friend Max has something to say." He looked expectantly at Max who cleared his throat, his usual confidence returning as he approached Zoe. Grinning at her perplexed expression, he pulled out a small velvet box and with a flourish got down on one knee. The entire room was holding their breath as they watched Zoe sober up faster than she'd ever done in her life.
"Max, what are you doing?" She hissed, grinning despite herself.
"I never did repay you for that cigarette." He winked at her and cleared his throat, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I love you Zo. And I'm fairly sure you love me, so I was wondering if you'd do me the honour-" he broke off as Zoe hauled him to his feet, kissing him so hard he nearly toppled back over. When they finally broke apart, amongst the cheers and wolf whistles from the room, Max whispered "I'll take that as a yes then." Zoe grinned before turning to the rest of the party.
"Thank you all so much for coming. Stay as long as you want, Charlie you're in charge." She glanced at Max, licking her lips. "I'm afraid I've got something that needs seeing to. Urgently." With that, she disappeared upstairs, Max mouthing "Horny as hell," to Jay before following her. When they reached the privacy of the hall, Zoe turned to Max.
"Best birthday present ever."
FINISHED! Thank you so much to everyone that read the story, hope you enjoyed the ending! Please R&R for a final time, it'd be lovely! X