Hey guys
Once again I want to thank everyone who read and who reviewed. It means the world to me!
Also, Thank you new followers!
This chapter is longer than the previous 2, i just couldn't stop it in the middle. I have half of the next chapter already written so I hope I'll be able to update sooner.
Hope you guys like this chapter.
Enjoy!
She woke up with a smile. For the first time in a long time she had a sense of relief. As if her heart is full again. She didn't know how to explain it. She lay in bed a few more minutes remembering everything that happened the night before. The conversation between them, the kiss, everything. She knows they haven't really talked about where it's going from here or made any decision. But everything looks much better now. She could see the light and it made her happy.
She got out of bed to get dressed, suddenly her phone beeped. She received a text message.
"Good morning Doc. I'm waiting for you in the kitchen"
She read the message and a big smile covered her face.
Meanwhile, Wade finished to make them both breakfast. Zoe went into the kitchen.
"Wow, when did you wake up to prepare all this?" She said excitedly
"Good morning" he reached close to her and gave her a gentle kiss.
"Good morning" she could not take the smile from her lips.
"So ... how did you sleep?" He asked her as he poured her coffee and she put food on their plates.
"Good. Didn't wake up once." She said proudly. "What about you?"
"Me too," he smiled at her. "What are your plans for today?" He asked.
"Well, I work in the afternoon, so I'll take advantage of the time before to do some errands and shopping. Oh, and you asked me to come to the Rammer Jammer at 3, which by the way, you still haven't told me what you're planning ...
Wade grinned. "Yeah, like I'm going to tell you. Just be there on time."
"Pfff… it's not fun with you." Zoe pouted.
"Uh ... are you sure? Because I remember last night you said something else." He teased her. He went to stand next to her. Looking up at him, she couldn't resist him. She bit her lip and then he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft at first but quickly got intensified ...
"Ahem," they heard a scratching throat. It was Lavon who was on the other side of the kitchen. They pulled away and looked at him, her arms still around his neck and his hands around her waist.
"In any other situation I'd toss you both out of here after that, but this time I'll pass because I'm glad you're back together." He declared with a grin. "You guys are back together, right?" He hesitated for a moment.
Zoe and Wade looked at each other and smiled. "We're working on it," Zoe said, pulling Wade for another kiss.
xxxxxxx
Zoe walked through the streets of the town. Her first stop was the butterstick bakery. she bought 2 cups of coffee and was on her way to George's office.
"Hi George. I brought you some coffee!" She stated happily
"Hey Zoe, I wasn't expecting on seeing you here. Huh, thanks for the coffee." He smiled "Everything OK?" He asked and watched her carefully
"Yes, why not? A friend can't come to visit her friend at work?"
"You're always welcome, but I think I know you a little..."
"Okay, okay, you win. I need your help and you can't tell me no." She stated
"What exactly do you need?"
"I need you to check what is required of me to open my own practice, here in Bluebell" she said firmly. George's eyes opened wide.
"Oh ..." he began to stammer. "What do you mean? Why do you want to open your own practice?"
"Why? You know why. I've been back here for almost a year now and my working status hasn't changed and probably not going to change."
"Are you sure this is what you want to do? You must know that the reactions would not be so good ..."
"People have to understand. I'm a damn good doctor and I'm sure it will be okay." She said.
"Okay. Give me a few days to check everything. Is there a specific place you have in mind?" He asked
"Um, not really. But I'll start looking. Thank George. Oh, and please don't tell anyone for now"
"No problem Zoe. I'll talk to you later."
She left George's office and walked towards the practice.
xxxxxxx
"Hey Zoe! Thought you were working this afternoon ..." Annabeth said
"I am, I just stopped by to say hello and talk to Brick."
"Okay, he's with a patient. Everything OK?" Annabeth asked her
"Yes yes, don't worry. Everything will be fine, I'll wait for him. "Zoe smiled. Not sure she believed herself.
Brick finished with the patient and got out of the examination room.
"Well, Dr. Hart. Got confused with your hours once again? "He laughed
"No Brick, I came to inform you that I'm going to open my own practice," she said firmly, trying to sound as much serious as she can. Annabeth made a sound of shock and put her hands over her mouth. Brick froze, said nothing and just looked at her.
"You're not going to say anything?" Zoe said hesitantly
"Good luck," he said.
Zoe was surprised by the answer. She was hurt, but didn't want them to see it, "Thank you, I'll be here at 4" she said as she walked out from the practice quickly. Zoe closed the door and tears filled her eyes. "I can't believe this is his response," she murmured to herself. She had to talk to someone. She could not talk to Annabeth and Lavon is busy with the town business . She decided to send Wade a text message.
"I told Brick I'm opening my own practice and he didn't even care. He just wished me luck" she sent him the message.
Her phone beeped.
"I'm Sorry" Zoe read the message.
"What the hell? That's it? He knows how significant this practice is for me!" She got upset.
"I don't understand what is going on with people today." She didn't want to talk to anyone, she decided to drive to Mobile and do some shopping. She hoped it would make her feel better.
xxxxxxx
It was 2. Zoe was on her way back to Bluebell. She decided go first to the carriage house to put all the bags she bought and change clothes. She wore a new dress she bought and walked towards the Rammer Jammer
She walked the streets of Bluebell and she noticed that the streets were relatively empty. "Where is everyone?" She thought to herself. "I didn't hear of a town meeting being held now, so why so empty? It's really strange".
When she was at the door she heard loud noises, much stronger than usual, especially for this time of the day.
She opened the door and suddenly heard people shouting "Surprise!" she took a step backward, her eyes opened wide. "Uh… you know it's not my birthday, right ...?" She half asked half stated. She didn't have time to say more before Tom Long jumped and put a sash around her that says "Congratulations!". She looked at it and didn't understand what was happening. She saw Wade behind the bar and he winked at her. She looked at him with a confused face.
She was amazed. The whole bar was decorated with small stethoscopes from paper, they used gloves instead of balloons and everything was decorated perfectly.
Dash DeWitt came to Zoe "We know it's not your birthday Zoe, we are here to celebrate something else!" Lemon burst suddenly and stood before her.
"Zoe Hart. You were told to get here at 3. It's 3:15 now"
"Hey Lemon. I'm glad to see you're back. How exactly you're related to that?" Zoe said and smiled genuinely. The last time she saw Lemon they were in a good place. They are not friends, but they respected each other and it wasn't so bad for both of them to be around each other.
"Well, for some reason you do well to people I love. Still I don't quite understand the reason." Zoe smiled then looked remotely at Wade. "But because it is also an important day to daddy, I'm here," she declared
"An important day to your dad, what's going on here?" Zoe was more confused than ever.
George immediately butted in and gave Zoe some documents in her hand. "Brick was supposed to be here, but he had an emergency with one of the patients so he went to the hospital," Zoe looked at George and at her hands, still didn't understand what was happening.
"What is it?" She asked
"Look." He told her. Everyone looked at her, quietly. Waiting for her to read.
"George, what is it ..." she panicked
"Zoe. This is an approval that you get your share of the Practice back. Congratulations, you're a partner again." Everyone started cheering around but Zoe didn't know how to respond. She was in the shock. Tears filled her eyes.
"Why? I don't understand ..."
"Let's leave it to my father to explain to you." Lemon said.
Zoe didn't believe. She didn't know what to do with herself. She smiled at all the people who came, moved to the bar and sat down in front of Wade.
"You knew about this?" She asked hesitantly
"I knew something ... He worked on it for a month," he said.
"Omg I can't believe it ... And I was so angry at him. Yesterday, today. Why didn't you stop me or say something?"
"First of all, you're cute when you get mad. Secondly, I couldn't tell you, he wanted to surprise you. Besides, yesterday , after your little tantrum, I talked to him and told him about your plans ... He talked with George and they knew they must speed up everything. "Wade told her
"And you made the arrangements for this?" She pointed to the party and the people.
"Nah, it was a Lemon. You see, when I called Brick yesterday, Lemon was with him in the car, he picked her up and they were on their way back to Bluebell. And you know Lemon ... she heard everything she decided we need to throw a party and when she decides something no one can say no to her. I thought it was a good idea. Brick and George felt the same. Lemon was responsible for everything."
"Wow… she did everything in less than 24 hours? Wow" Zoe was shaking her head, speechless.
"I hope you're not upset with me…" Wade asked cautiously
"What? Not at all." She gave him an assuring smile and leaned over the bar to kiss him.
"Zoe! Come here and talk to us" Rose called Zoe.
"I guess I'll go say hello to everyone."
"Have fun" he smiled.
And she did. She couldn't stop smiling. She felt a part of this town more than ever. She continued to talk with everyone and thanked everyone who came. She saw Wade and Lemon talking and smiled. She was glad that Lemon was back. She knew she was his best friend and she was happy that Wade has another person besides her to rely on.
She finished chatting with everyone and came back to the bar. Lemon saw Zoe approaching and smiled and only said to Wade "See you later, boss." Zoe heard it. "Boss? What was that?" She asked curiously.
"I'll explain later. Oh, I hope you have no plans for tonight. "
"Ummm I do have, I think."
"Oh," he said, in a disappointed tone
"Yes, my plans involve the hottest bar owner in Alabama" She winked at him
He smiled widely.
"Okay. So tonight. Dinner. Just the two of us"
"It's a date."
xxxxxxx
It was almost 4; Zoe thanked everyone again and went to the practice.
her shift went quick ,it was already 8 and she was closing the practice for the day. She was surprised to see Wade waiting for her at the door.
"Hey, you didn't have come," she went downstairs, and hugged him tight.
"I know, but I wanted"
"Is it okay if we go to Brick first? I have to talk to him." She asked
"Sure, but I think it's better you go alone. It's between the two of you."
"Are you sure, I can wait until tomorrow," she said hesitantly
"No, it is important that you do it today. It's okay Doc, I'll wait for you in the Plantation"
They kissed and went their way.
Zoe arrived to Brick and knocked on the door. The tears were already in her eyes
"Zoe. Everything's all right?" He asked, slightly alarmed
"Brick ..." She didn't know what to say. She just stood there. Brick hugged her and it made her cry more. He tried to calm her.
"Come on, we should go into the house," he told her soothingly
They sat in the living room and Zoe did not know how to start. But she knew that now it's her turn.
"Brick, I do not know what to say… I did not expect it. I…"
"I know Zoe, I'm sorry it took so long"
"No, stop. I deserved it. The way I left everything was terrible. I still can't believe this is happening, I was ready to open my own practice" she said shyly. He smiled
"I know, George told me. I wanted to do this long ago, but there were some problems with the documents and everything was delayed. We got lucky yesterday. George acted quickly and managed to arrange everything ." he sighed heavily "But Zoe, did you really think I wouldn't give you your share at the practice back?"
"I don't know ..." she said in a whisper.
"Zoe, when your father died I felt so bad, it was really hard, I didn't lose only a partner, I lost a friend, a family member. I didn't want to go through that again," he smiled at her softly. Zoe started crying again. He went to sit down next to her and hugged her again.
" i know that it wasn't easy for us to get along with each other at the beginning and even today we have disagreements, But you know you've become like a daughter to me" he told her, "I just hope that Lemon didn't hear me" he added in a whisper and Zoe laughed.
"Thanks Brick. I'll go now, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Absolutely." And then she left his house and went towards the plantation.
xxxxxxx
When she got there , she couldn't believe her eyes.
The area between the carriage house and the gate house was all lit up with candles and colored lights. She saw from afar a single table and two chairs near the pond. The table was set and there was music in the background. She saw Wade sitting on the stairs of her house and waiting for her.
"Seriously? You too are going to make me cry today?" She said with a loving smile
"No more tears today." He kissed her forehead and took her hand and they walked towards the table. Everything was perfect. They sat there for hours, talking and laughing.
"I'm afraid to go to sleep and wake up and discover it was all a dream" She took a deep breath.
"I assure you that everything is real," he said and took her hand and pulled her to him, she sat on his lap.
She put her hands around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for today." She whispered
"I did nothing, Doc." He stroked her back.
She raised her head and looked deep into his eyes.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
She pressed her lips to his for a kiss that started soft and quickly intensified. They kissed passionately for several minutes. They both wanted more. Both needed more.
Zoe moved closer to him, he held her waist tightly. "My place?" She murmured as she continued to kiss him. "Yes. Let's go." he held her hand and they walked quickly toward the carriage house.
Hours later, he was half lying half sitting up in bed, she lay in front of him, her head under his chin. His hands rested around her. She put her hands on his and stroked his palm with her thumb. They lay quietly trying to regain their breath. Zoe decided to break the silence first.
"So, what was the deal with Lemon calling you today boss?" She asked.
"Oh ... um … Well, She's the new events manager at the Rammer Jammer." Zoe frowned with confusion.
"It's only temporary until she decides what she wants to do with herself and until she gets the money to fix Fancies. George doesn't want to be involved. She won't take money from her father or borrow from me. She came back and she was pretty lost... I can't stand by and do nothing , so I decided that I must help her and I offered her the job." He sighed " The Rammer Jammer is doing very well and I could use the help. And everyone knows that she's the best party planner in the state. "
Zoe took a deep breath.
"What?" He asked, a little anxiously
"Nothing, it just reminds me of the reason I fell in for you in the first place." She explained
"And what reason is that? Wade questioned cheekily, Zoe chuckled at his curiosity.
"Your big heart" she responded. He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek.
There is no other place they would rather be right now.