"Zoe?" Max was gobsmacked.
"Hello stranger." Zoe replied. "Do I get a hug or are you going to remain open mouthed spilling my wine?!"
Max put down his glass and walked over to Zoe, giving her the tightest hug he could manage, he wasn't letting her go again.
"Max, you're going to crush me!" Zoe laughed.
He pulled away from her before kissing her hungrily.
"What are you doing here? It hasn't been three months?" Max questioned. "Please tell me you're staying?"
"Of course I'm staying. I had to come back Max. Don't get me wrong Africa was amazing, a life changing experience but there was always something at the back of my mind and I needed to see you again, I couldn't have managed another six weeks. I've spent my life working for other people, putting them first, now it's time for me. For us. If you still want to?" Zoe asked.
"Without a doubt." Max answered.
"There was another reason I came back, I would have held out another six weeks before saying yes though if it hadn't been for you." Zoe explained.
"What's that?" Max asked.
"I got a call from the new clinical lead, Connie Beauchamp? She told me she needed me to come back to Holby, she needed me to help things get back to the way they were."
"Oh, you've encountered her then?" Max laughed.
"Only by phone call, I have heard of her reputation previously though. I think I can handle her though don't you?" Zoe asked.
"Let's just say, I think you'll have met your match, she's probably worse than the reputation from what I've seen!" Max informed her.
"Oh good, glad I came home!" Zoe joked.
"So when do you start back?" Max asked.
"Well, I told her I needed a couple of weeks to settle back home first, and that one of the conditions of me coming back was that you get two weeks holiday?" Zoe told him.
"Why do I need two weeks holiday? And what did she say to that?!" Max asked.
"She wasn't happy but I don't want her thinking she can click her fingers and I'll come running." Zoe told him.
"You women, so petty at times!" Max joked.
"I guess you won't want to go on the two week all inclusive trip to the Maldives then?" Zoe looked at him with a smile.
"You're kidding me?" Max was shell shocked.
"Nope." Zoe replied.
"But Zoe, I don't have.." Max began.
"Before you start Max, I've always wanted to go to the Maldives so I'm going, you are coming too, I don't want to go through the whole money thing if that's ok? If we're going to be together you can't be constantly worrying. I want to do this, for us, just say yes?" Zoe demanded.
"You are amazing." Max told Zoe, "and you still look amazing after that long flight, when did you get back?"
"Not long before you did, why do you think Tess got you to stay out? I wanted to surprise you." Zoe answered.
"That Tess! She's always in on everything! I'm so glad you're back. Did you enjoy it though?" Max asked.
"You know what, I did. It was hard work, dangerous at times but worth it. You go out there to people who have nothing and it makes you realise just how lucky you are. There are kids dying everyday because they don't have food or water and its heartbreaking, I felt like I contributed though which is the main thing." Zoe told him.
"I'm happy, I'm very proud that you've done it as well." Max told her.
Zoe looked around her home, "you've survived then?"
"Me? Oh yeah! Takeaway every night, pub after work every night, late night parties, you name it, I've had a great time!" Max laughed. "No, seriously, I've been going crazy, I missed you so much, you were all I could think of, I was in my own missing Zoe bubble, it was hard to get out of."
"I'm back now, for good. This is where I want to be, where I need to be. Well, apart from the Maldives obviously, we fly the day after tomorrow by the way." Zoe told him.
"What's with the Maldives anyway? Why are we going on holiday? Not that I don't want to by the way!" Max asked.
"I thought we could both do with a break, Africa was constant hard work and I haven't been on holiday in so long. I also wanted to give us chance to get used to being a couple before going back to work, we get to be with each other, learn more about each other, just enjoy ourselves before everyone else knows and starts gossiping. Also, we may hate each other after two weeks so we'll need to break up!"
"Seriously?" Max questioned.
"No Max, I was clearly joking. Anyway, I'm in desperate need of a shower, and then a decent bed, I'm hoping you'll join me, on both counts? We've got a lot of making up to do." Zoe winked at him.
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Max led her to the bathroom.
A couple of hours later Zoe was laid in Max's arms, both dozing, making the most of being together again.
"Max?" Zoe asked.
"Hmm?" Max replied sleepily.
"There was another reason I came back. There was something I forgot to tell you before I left."
"What is it Zo?" Max asked.
"I love you." Zoe said before falling into a deep sleep.