Hey everyone!
First of all I wanted to say a huge thank you to all who read and all who reviewed. I really appreciate it and it really made me happy. Your responses encouraged me to continue the story.
I just want to remind that the story starts right after the last episode in season 3. It basically describes what I think will happen or should happen in season 4.
Again, apologize in advance for mistakes in English.
Enjoy!
"Yo big Z. what's up? Breakfast?" Lavon greeted Zoe as she entered the kitchen.
"Good morning to you too. Someone's in a good mood" she smiled and grabbed a plate.
"Lemon is coming back today"
"Right. That explains everything." Zoe murmured while chewing some pancakes.
"Hey now, don't judge"
"I'm not judging. I just hope you know what you're doing. People's hearts are in stake. My friends' hearts…"
"Trust me on this" he winked at her.
"Well thanks for breakfast Lavon. But I gotta go. See you later"
Zoe was about to get out of the kitchen when Wade entered. They were standing there for a while, just looking at each other, not saying a word. Lavon watched them carefully.
It had been a week since their kiss. They did not know how to behave, what to say or do. The two of them had had very little time to be alone together. They have met a few times in the kitchen, Rammer Jammer or just across town, they have had some casual conversations and sometimes it seemed as if nothing happened, but it was clear they both have something to say to each other. Zoe was busy that week with the practice, every night she returned to the carriage house she debated with herself whether to go talk to him and what to do. After a conversation she had had with Annabeth she decided to stop pushing. He knows how she feels and knows that she is waiting for him. It does not mean that she had stopped fighting, but she needed a little time to herself to figure out her next steps. Wade, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. He will not admit it out loud, but he certainly enjoyed her continuous efforts to get him back in recent weeks. But like her, he didn't know what to do next.
Wade was the first to break the silence.
"Hi" he smiled
"Hi" she answered back, biting her lower lip.
There was an awkward silence again.
"Oh c'mon. Seriously, you guys are being ridiculous!" Lavon said
Both Zoe and Wade were holding back a laugh.
"I really have to go. Talk to you guys later. Bye" she stepped out of the kitchen.
Wade sat on a stool, he leaned his elbows on the counter putting his palms on his head. He let out a sigh.
"Look Wade, I know I wasn't the best friend lately, but I care, a lot, and I have to tell you, I really don't get you. The girl did everything she could to prove to you that she is serious. What do you need more?" Lavon said firmly.
"It's not that easy, Lavon, and you know it."
"No , what I do know is that you're in love with her. And she is in love with you. Nobody can guarantee that you won't get hurt in the future, but it's a risk worth taking. Oh, and don't think I haven't noticed that you are enjoying the whole thing" Lavon chuckled at him.
"Well you've got to admit it is pretty entertaining" Wade grinned "but you're right, I need to figure out what I'm going to do, and do it fast." He added and walked out of the kitchen to the rammer jammer.
xxxxxxx
"good Morning Brick!" Zoe said chirpily while walking into the practice.
"Well good morning to you too, Dr. Hart. I see that you're in a good mood. I wasn't expecting to see today, I thought we had agreed you have today off.
"I know, but I called AB she said there aren't any patients this morning so I figured it is an excellent opportunity for us to talk about my working status, and I was thinking" she didn't get the chance to finish her sentence when Brick interrupted her
"Oh. Well I really don't have the time to talk about it now Zoe, I have some business to take care of and Lemon is coming back today. I was about to go out"
"Wait, what? But I really need to talk to you"
"I can't now. Sorry" and he left the practice.
Zoe sat in her office, upset. "Argh! He cannot do this to me! He's been avoiding the subject for two weeks now. Argh!" She muttered to herself. She did not want to sit and sulk alone , so she decided to go to the Rammer Jammer.
xxxxxxx
Zoe came into the Rammer Jammer , walking straight towards the bar. She sat down on a stool and sighed loudly.
Wade noticed her the moment she entered the room and poured her a glass of white wine.
"Here." He handed her the glass. "Rough day?"
"You have no idea!" She said, sipping from her glass "You know what, maybe I should open my own practice!" She drank the whole glass at once.
"Wow Doc! Easy there ..."
"What, you don't think I'm right? yes, i've made a mistake, but almost a year has passed since"
Wade leaned against the bar, closing the gap between them.
"I think you're crazy. I can't believe you're really going to give up the practice that your father left you. I always thought of you as a person who fights for what she wants" he gave her a teasing smile.
Zoe Frowned. "I'm happy to fight for the things that matter to me, but sometimes it becomes really difficult because the other side is so stubborn" she stated.
"Yes, but you have to give the other side time to react ... everyone's got their own own pace ... it doesn't mean it's not working..."
"Yeah well, if the other side at least was showing signs of something ..." she glared at him.
At this point in the conversation it was clear to both that they're not talking about the practice...
"Maybe you're too busy seeking ways to fight so you're missing the fact that the other side is trying to show signs. Or maybe the truth is that the other side no longer need convincing ... maybe he already surrendered..." he smiled softly
"Then maybe the other side has to do something!" she emphasized every word stood up and left demonstratively.
Wade just smiled to himself and looked at her as she went.
xxxxxxx
It was evening. Zoe sat on a bench in the town square with her legs folded. Suddenly she felt the presence of someone, and before she could lift her head, he was there, sitting down beside her. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Hey," he said
"Hey," she replied shyly
"What are you doing here alone?" He asked
"Thinking ..."
"About ...?"
She lowered her head. She refused to look at him in the eyes.
"I'm really trying here, Wade," she said in a whisper.
"I know." He said softly
They both sat there together, staring silently into the air. Wade decided he must be the first to say something.
"You know, the last month ... it was pretty amazing." He admitted with a smile. Zoe frowned.
"But that's still not enough..." she said, Tears filled her eyes. She really did not want to cry
"Zoe... Look at me" he said, raising her chin gently in his direction with his finger. She shivered from his touch
"Everything I told you... Don't think it was easy for me to say that. You surprised me. I didn't expect any of it. After everything we've been through ..." Wade said "and then at the wedding of Sylvie and Brando..." He took a deep breath. "We've hurt each other so much and I don't know if I can go through that again," he whispered to her.
"I know, but" Zoe started to say, but Wade stopped her.
"But I know that being without you is going to cause me more pain than I've ever felt before" he said without taking his eyes off oh her.
Tears filled her eyes again. She smiled at him and took his hand in hers. "I meant every word I said. When I see my future, Wade, I see you."
He kissed her forehead
He pulled her to him and put his arm around her, she laid her head on his chest and they just sat there for several minutes without moving, only them and their thoughts.
"Want to go for a walk?" she suggested
"Sure. Let's go" he smiled softly and took her hand while they stood up from the bench.
They comfortably walked hand in hand, in silence, down the town streets. They strolled unhurriedly without a destination.
Over the next two hours they found themselves laughing and enjoying each other's company.
When they arrived to the plantation, they stood between his house and hers. They stood facing each other,
"Oh. By the way, tomorrow be at the Rammer Jammer at 3pm." He said
"What? Why?" she asked curiously.
"Just be there Doc. Trust me" he reassured her.
She smiled at him. "Ok. I'll be there".
"So ... I had fun" he said
"Well of course you had fun. We're perfect for each other." She said half sarcastically half seriously, biting her lower lip while trying to stop herself from bursting out laughing. He rolled his eyes playfully and smiled at her.
"I love you" he said and raised his hand to stroke her cheek
She exhaled a breath she did not know she was holding in her
"I love you too"
He closed the small distance between them, his hands wrapped around her waist, her hands were behind his neck. They locked their lips in a passionate kiss. Their hearts were pounding, they broke away from each other only when they really needed air. He put his forehead on hers, their eyes were closed. They both knew that this was not just a kiss.
"Want to come in...?" She asked him
"Ummm ... Rain check?"
She frowned at first, but then smiled at him, "Okay."
"Don't worry Doc. unlike other people that we both know, I tend to keep my promises ..." He winked at her.
"Hey!" she hit him playfully on the arm. He burst out laughing. she couldn't stop smiling.
"Goodnight Wade."
"Goodnight Zoe"