Hey guys!
First, I'm really sorry it took me two weeks to update! Life took over. But I'm here now and I hope I can update the story at a faster pace from now on.
I really want to thank again all those who read the story and especially to those who leave a review, you have no idea how much it makes me happy!
I know that not so many things happen in this chapter maybe it's kind of a filler chapter. But I had to do it to prepare for things that are coming on the next chapters.
Another thing, I know where I want to go with this story. But if someone has an idea / something he wants to happen / something you think I should add to the story - feel free to tell me in the comments or private messages.
Sorry for the mistakes in English.
I'll stop rambling now.
Enjoy! Nice weekend for everyone.
A month has passed since Wade's decision to return to Bluebell. During that month, Zoe and Wade decided to keep the news about the pregnancy to themselves; they wanted to enjoy it alone before everyone knew. Wade was still trying to get used to the idea, he had a lot of concerns on the subject, but he wanted to keep them to himself, at least for the near future.
Zoe felt the same way. She had her own concerns, but she felt it wasn't the right time to deal with them. Not yet.
They had good days and some less good days where Zoe was not feeling good and it was hard trying to hide it from everyone so no one would suspect. The only person who knew except them was Annabeth.
XXXXX
It was Monday morning. Wade woke up first. He got out of bed to get ready for the work day. He tried to be quiet but it didn't work. Zoe woke up a few minutes after.
"Good morning. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you," he whispered when he came out from the shower.
"It's okay, I wanted to get up early to see Lavon before I go to work," she smiled and held out her hand to him to come closer to her. He sat next to her in bed and kissed her.
"I wanted to talk to you about something. I have to go to New York because of the bar, so I thought I'd go this weekend and you could come with me. You'll get a chance to see the bar since you missed it last time" he said as he got dressed.
She smiled at him, "Sounds good."
"And I think it is also a good opportunity to tell your mother ..." he whispered hesitantly
"Nooooo" She put the pillow over her face and held strong
"Zoe ..." He sat down next to her and picked up the pillow
"But you know her and she will be so ..." She sighed in despair
"So we will deal with it," he reassured her
"Okay, okay. But you will be there with me every second of it. You are responsible for that, I'm not telling her alone!"
"I didn't think otherwise." He kissed her head. "I have to go now"
"Wait! If we tell my mom then we need to tell your dad also"
"Okay, we'll tell him. Sometime. Love you, bye" he said quickly, trying to escape
"Wade Kinsella! Today!" she yelled at him. He frowned.
"Okay, we can go see him in the evening"
"Good. Now you can go." He turned his way to the door, "Oh no! Wait!" she yelled again
"Now what?" He asked
"I have to tell Lavon. He is my best friend"
Wade sighed. "Yes, and I have to tell Lemon" Zoe nodded in agreement
"Oh, George," "and Tucker" they both said at once. They smiled at one another and sighed together.
"I have to tell Brick also"
"Yes it's a good idea. It would make me feel better to know that there's a doctor in the area who would have all the details"
"Hey! I'm a doctor" she smacked his arm. He frowned playfully.
"Okay, I guess you're right," she admitted.
"So let's have dinner with everyone at Lavon's house. Don't tell them what's going on, just say we need to talk to them"
"Great, I will notify Lavon."
"Great, now I really have to go," He told
"Don't forget to tell your dad we're coming," she reminded him a second before he closed the door, not giving him a chance to get away.
XXXXXX
"Good morning" Zoe exclaimed as she entered the kitchen
"Oh, look who decided to come out from her hiding place. Nice to meet you, I'm Lavon Hayes. Do I know you from somewhere?" He extended his hand to her
"Zoe Hart, your best friend in the whole world." She squeezed his hand
"You know, I could've died and you wouldn't know" he looked at her
"Okay, okay, I deserve it" ...
"What's with this mood of yours?" she asked curiously
"Annabeth doesn't want to speak to me," he sighed
"You're my best friend Lavon, but I must say I don't blame her. Especially after what happened with Lemon"
"That's the thing. If she was willing to listen to me, she would know that I've talked to Lemon and closed things out between us."
"no way ! Seriously? Why didn't you tell me anything?" she asked.
"may I remind you, You've been pretty busy lately ..." He raised an eyebrow
"I'm sorry. I'm here now, spill it" she practically begged him
"Not much to say. I needed closure. We talked and I realized that I needed it in order to move on with the one I really want"
"Annabeth " she said softly and he just nodded.
"You have to find a way to talk to her. Oh I know, I'll help you, I have tons of ideas and"
He stopped her. "No offense Zoe but your ideas are too crazy for me, but I appreciate it, I'll think of something and if I'll need help I'll let you know"
"Well Wade and I wanted to have dinner with you guys tonight. We need to talk to you."
"and you want to do it here? Fine with me, but what do you want to talk about"?
"Can't tell you. You'll have to wait until tonight. I want to invite Lemon and George." she said. "And AB also. Maybe you'd get an opportunity to clear things with her" She smiled at him and patted his back.
"now you really got me curious," he added and she was heading the door.
"Well now I really need to go. Brick will kill me if I'm late again. By the way, you're cooking. Or you could ask Annabeth to help you" she chuckled to herself.
"You're crazy. Go away." He smiled at her and she was gone.
XXXXXX
The day went fairly quickly for everyone.
Zoe told Brick about the pregnancy, he was surprised but happy for her. They agreed it would be better for her to have another doctor but she will update him all the time with all the details just in case.
Zoe was glad it went smoothly and she told him about her and Wade's plan to tell their friends in the evening. Brick promised not to tell anyone. She also invited him for dinner and he said he'd be there.
Meanwhile at the Rammer Jammer, Wade saw Lemon and George and invited them to dinner. Lemon, as usual, tried everything to get the news out of him but failed. They promised to come.
It was 4pm and Wade's phone rang. It was Zoe on the other side
"Rose!" She stated
"What?" He was confused
"I have to tell Rose"
"Zoe ..." He said helplessly
"I know, I'm sorry, but I must. I don't want her to find out with the rest of the town. She's my friend and she deserves more than that"
"Yes, you're right. After all, she's our first fan," he chuckled to himself, didn't believe he really said it.
"Exactly. I'm glad you agree with me, because I already told her and she's on her way to the bar and I wanted to prepare you before," she said quickly
"Oh, in that case, you know I told Dash"
"What ? Wade, are you crazy? People can't know, it's too soon, I am," she murmured, shouting and stopped only when she heard his laughter. "I can't believe you did that!"
"Good, because I didn't do it., But now I understand that we can tell people without consulting each other first, so I think maybe I will tell"
"No you won't. You're right, I'm sorry."
"It's OK Doc, I'm really not angry. You're allowed to tell anyone you want and I am happy that Rose knows. She can prepare herself from now to be a babysitter" she could hear his smile through the phone
"You are the best. Thank you"
"Hell yeah." They both laughed together
"Do you have a lot of work left for the day?" He asked
"Not really, everything is relatively calm today; I'll stay for another hour or so and then go home"
"Okay good. I'll see you soon" and they hung up.
XXXXX
A few minutes later, while Zoe sat in her office doing nothing, Earl came in.
"Hello Dr. Hart"
"Hey Earl, We were planning to come see you today. Is everything okay?" She was surprised
"Oh, yes, just cut my finger by accident while fixing a few things around the house and I thought I might let you look at it in case I need stitches"
"Let me see," she led him into the exam room, took his hand and checked.
"Oh Earl, you absolutely need stitches. It's been a while since I had to stitch one of the Kinsella men. You could almost say I missed that" She smiled and he smiled back. "We haven't seen you in a while, how are you?" She added
"Well, rumor has it that no one has seen you two for a long time ..." He raised an eyebrow and gave her a playful look. Zoe blushed. "I couldn't be in a better shape doc, and you can relax, I haven't been drinking again," he smiled at her.
"Well, that's great, I'm really glad to hear, especially now with the ba" She paused a moment just before she almost blurted out the news. She recovered quickly, "Well, you know, especially now that Wade is staying in Bluebell and all" she said haltingly. "Oh, is that so?" she squirmed. He looked at her with suspicion, but he preferred not to say anything.
"I can't do this. It's ridiculous" she muttered to herself. "Earl, stay here and do not move, I'll be right back" she rushed out of the room with her phone in her hand.
"Hey, I need you to come to the practice urgently, your father is here," Zoe called Wade.
"What happened? Is he all right?"
"He's okay but I won't be okay if you don't get here soon and tell him"
Wade sighed. "I'm on my way"
She went back inside.
"I hope everything is OK Zoe" Earl looked at her amused
"Why don't we move to the office? Have a little talk."
She tried not to think or talk too much to not emit unnecessary things. About ten minutes later Wade arrived.
"Oh, Son, I wasn't hurt so badly, you shouldn't have come," Earl looked at Zoe and winked at her.
"Had to see it by myself" He came over and patted his father on the back. "How's the hand?" He asked him
"What, this?" He raised his hand and showed Wade "That's nothing. Your girlfriend here did a good job."
"I'm glad. Dad, we have something to tell you ..." Wade took Zoe's hand in his. They both leaned on the table behind them, and looked at Earl. They were debating how to tell him the news. He decided to help them
"Congratulations guys. You're going to be great parents" he smiled broadly at them
"How do you know?" They both said in amazement
"Well, my dear Zoe, you don't know how to keep secrets so well ..." He approached her and stroked her arm. "And you, my son, you should see your face right now."
Wade and Zoe looked at each other and smiled with relief
"I hope you're not mad that we didn't tell you until now. We were planning to come by your house tonight and tell you. Nobody knows yet" She looked at Earl with apprehension.
"Mad? Are you crazy, I couldn't be happier. I just wish your mother could be here." He looked at Wade with a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. "I can't wait to be a grandfather and spoil my grandson or granddaughter. Of course if you let me"
"Of course we will. You'll be a big part of his or her's life." Zoe reassured him "We don't know the sex of the baby yet" Earl kissed her head and she smiled at him.
"Thanks Dad" Wade hugged him
"No, thank you guys. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have plans for tonight," Earl told them
"Oh, really?" Wade looked at him with a smile. Zoe just laughed.
"Enjoy. We'll see you soon" she told him
"Wade, come by my house when you can, I need help with a few things"
"Okay, I'll come by tomorrow"
Earl nodded and left the practice.
XXXXX
"Well, that went well!" She stated happily, he stroked her hair
"Yes, definitely. But tonight you're going alone to meet everyone'
"What, why?" she panicked slightly
"Because it seems you're getting along very well by yourself with telling people"
She rose and faced him, her hands held his hands
"I'm sorry; I got nervous and didn't know what to say. During the last month I didn't have to deal with people and suddenly to see them all ... you know what happens to me when I freak out"
"Oh, I know," he said as he kissed her neck
"So you're not mad?" She giggled, she could barely speak
"Not at all. But if it'll make you feel better, I know a way you can make up for it," he kissed her lips softly
"I'd love to, but now we have to go home, get ready for dinner. It's not polite to let our guests wait" he kept kissing her and she was breathing heavily.
"After we tell them I am sure they will understand. As a pregnant woman, you have needs that must be taken care off," he kissed her below the ear in her most sensitive spot, the way only he knows.
"And you certainly know how to do it ..." she grinned
"Just taking care of my woman, Doc ..."
She grabbed his face with both hands and locked her lips with his in a passionate kiss.
An hour later they were on their way back home.
XXXXXX
They stood at the entrance of Lavon's house, in front of the kitchen door. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. They couldn't stop kissing until they heard the door open
"Ahm" It was a Lemon. "If I knew that this was the main show for the evening, we would've made popcorn in advance. It's Nice of you to invite us and let us wait!" She stamped her foot.
"Nice to see you too Lemon" Zoe smiled at her and went into the house, pulling Wade with her.
"Finally you decided to show up. People could get sick from the stress that you have caused us" Lavon urged them to tell their news already
"So you're lucky we have two doctors here' Zoe kissed him on the cheek and led them all to sit down in the living room.
Everyone came - Lavon, Annabeth, Lemon, George and Brick. Brick and Annabeth knew but they pretended they didn't.
Zoe and Wade stood in front of them, a little embarrassed, looking at each other.
"Zoe and I have something to tell you" Wade was the first to speak
"You're getting married?" Lavon Shouted and Lemon and Annabeth quickly began to look for a ring on Zoe's finger. Wade's eyes opened wide and Zoe caught it, she laughed awkwardly "No, no. It's something else"
"Are you breaking up from each other?" Lavon asked hesitantly
Zoe and Wade frowned disapprovingly
"What, you can never know with the both of you" he said innocently
"Thank you for your trust, Lavon" Zoe glared at him but smiled after a few seconds
"Okay, what we wanted to say is" Zoe took Wade's hand in her hand, "We're going to be parents. I'm pregnant" Wade squeezed her hand softly, and a big smile covered her face
Lemon, Lavon and George just froze, mouths opened wide, they sat and stared at them.
Annabeth squealed and jumped at them happily, "I'm so excited for you guys," she hugged them both, followed by Brick. Annabeth looked back and saw that the other three are still in place, stunned.
"Why are you so shocked? Get up and congratulate them immediately!" She demanded.
They quickly came to their senses and they congratulated the couple.
XXXXX
Everyone sat down for dinner, the evening passed pleasantly.
"So, where are you going to live?" George asked
Zoe and Wade looked at each other. They haven't talked about this issue yet.
"Um ... the truth is we didn't talk about the details yet," Wade replied
"Don't worry, you still have time to think about everything," Annabeth smiled at them.
"And what are you going to do about work? Lemon raised another issue that they haven't talked about. They looked at each other again; their faces had a worried expression. Brick caught it fast and sought to reassure "Don't worry, both of you are the owners of your workplace, I'm sure it will be okay. And I hope it's clear to you that everyone in town will be happy to help you" he smiled at them and they smiled back. But the uneasiness remained.
They went on to talk about many subjects. Zoe looked so happy. Wade couldn't keep his eyes off of her. But the truth is that from the moment the questions began to rise, he was no longer concentrated in the conversation. His mind wandered to other places. Concerns that he had begun to surface. Where are they going to live? What about the money? What about work?
"You're getting married?" Lavon's question still echoed in his head.
He tried to hide his fears, at least for today, in order not to cause problems with Zoe. But he knew that they have a lot to talk about and a lot to resolve, and surely it's not going to be easy.