Hey,

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This chapter is a little bit long but I didn't want to cut it..

Here we go…

When they returned home after dinner they were both too tired to talk, so they just went to sleep. When Wade woke up the next morning she was no longer there, she went to work early. It took him a long time until he fell asleep. Yesterday's conversations echoed in his head and disturbed him greatly. He took the morning off to go to his father who asked for his help yesterday. He thought it would be a good opportunity to have a real conversation with his dad and maybe get some advice.

"You look troubled," Earl stated while he and Wade began to fix things around the house.

Wade didn't really know how to say it.

"What do you think about me marrying Zoe?" He just blurted

"I think it's time you get some sense. But I don't understand why you ask me"

"You see, me and the Doc we made such a policy of talking to each other about everything. But I can't talk to her about this issue. It's the only thing. I don't know what to do. Yesterday at dinner with the guys the subject came up, and now I'm not sure what her reaction was. It wasn't so clear"

Earl looked at him and nodded his head

"It's not that I don't want to marry her," Wade continued "It's not that I don't see myself married to her. It is also not that I'm afraid of commitment or something. I just don't know if she even wants to. I don't want her to think I'm doing this now only because of the baby and everything around. I'm not. I love her and I'm pretty sure that even without the baby it would happen, maybe not now, but some day. But now I don't want to put more pressure on her. I fear it will stress her. She should be relaxed now. I wish I knew what she wants. "He muttered to himself.

"Why not just ask her?" Earl asked. Wade raised an eyebrow. "I don't think she will say no. I see that she loves you and it's a natural step for you now, but if you want to be sure, the only thing you can do is talk to her. Marriage is serious thing, that's okay to talk about it, especially if you never talked about the subject before. "

"Yes, but I want to surprise her. I just don't know if I need to do it."

"You want to?"

"Yes, I think so" a smile covered his face for the first time today. The thought about Zoe as his wife made him happy more than he thought it would.

"There's your answer." Earl patted him on the back "Wait here a minute, I'll be right back"

Wade sat on the couch, his mind continued to wander "I wish it was the only thing we have to solve," he thought to himself. Meanwhile Earl returned with a small box in his hands.

"What is it?" Wade sneaked a curious glance

"Well, I appreciate your help today, but it's not the real reason why I asked you to come. Here, this is for you" he gave Wade the box. Wade already imagined what it contains; he took it and opened it slowly, as if he was afraid to know what really is inside. He wasn't surprised to find his mother's engagement ring lying there. He sighed. He was flooded with memories. "Dad, I can't take it," he looked as his father sat beside him on the couch.

"Yes you can, that's what I want, and more importantly, it's what your mother would've wanted. You deserve it, Wade. It's a nice ring, it would look good on the little doctor" Earl chuckled

Wade smiled. "It's perfect. Are you sure you want to give it to me?"

"I'm more certain than ever"

"Thank you." There were a few tears in his eyes. He rarely cries, but everything to do with his mother is a sensitive spot for him. He brushed them away quickly because he didn't want to upset his father. "I'm sure she will love it." He closed the box and put it in his pocket. They continued to sit on the couch for a long time. It was clear that Wade still had a lot on his mind.

"There are other things that are bothering you," It was not a question.

"Nah, that's fine. It isn't something I can't handle," he tried to calm his father. And perhaps himself. Because he knew that they still have a lot of unresolved issues - where they would live, money ... but he didn't want to burden Earl with it.

"I have to go now. I have a lot of work to do at the Rammer Jammer. Maybe you can come sometime?"

"I will. And Wade, good luck" Earl winked at his son, who smiled back at him.

After leaving, he stood outside the door and took a deep breath. He pulled out the box with the ring and just stared for a few minutes. "It's really going to happen." It felt more real than ever.

XXXXX

Zoe wasn't peaceful throughout the morning. During her lunch break, she decided to go back to the plantation. She knew that Lavon is at home now and she had to talk to him. When she arrived she found Lavon and Annabeth sitting together in the kitchen. She grinned.

"I can't tell you how happy I am to see you that way, together," she said enthusiastically.

"Thank you Big Z., But what's going on with you? You're not looking so good." Lavon was a little worried

"How do you feel? Do you want me to call Brick?" Annabeth immediately looked around for her phone to call.

"No, guys, I feel fine. It's Not it. I'm glad you're both here."

"Uh, oh. What is it?" Lavon asked. Zoe sighed.

"It's just ... with the pregnancy and all, there are so many things that we have forgotten to take care of. It just hit me all of a sudden, we're not ready. For example, where would we live? Don't get me wrong, Lavon, you know I love it that I live at your plantation and if I could I would live here forever, but it's not a place to raise a baby, at least not in the current situation. It's not practical. Both I and Wade don't even have a kitchen. "

Lavon and Annabeth listened intently and nodded.

"We don't even live together now. Yeah, we sleep together every night and hang out with each other, but we never made it official, you know what I mean? And I don't know, I think we should, don't we?" She kept talking quickly, "I don't know what we should do, buy a house? But can we find a house in Bluebell? I don't even know what Wade thinks about all this." She took a deep breath.

"And if we decide to buy a house, where will we find the money? Yeah, I am now a partner in the practice again, but my money will not be enough. Most of my savings I spent the last year with Joel and ..." She put her elbows on the counter, her hands on her head. "And yes, Wade has the Rammer Jammer and I know it's going good, but I don't know if it's enough to afford to buy a house. I have no idea how much money he has or He saved, it was not my business, I didn't care, we never talked about it. But now I have to care because we'll need a lot of money, a baby is expensive. I don't know if he thought about it or not at all ... "she lifted her head and looked at both of them.

"Sweetie, it seems that you and Wade have many things to talk about. Those things you have to figure out together, you can't do it alone. You don't need to." Annabeth approached her and stroked her back.

"I agree, Big Z. The way I know Wade, he is thinking the same, but waiting for the right time to let you know. I can't say that it doesn't sadden me that you might not be my tenants anymore, I love having you guys here, but I understand it. You know you can stay here as long as you want. If you need help, we are here. "Lavon added.

"There's something else ..." Zoe said uncertainly, this issue made her nervous.

Lavon and Annabeth looked at her.

"Ah, well, yesterday when we came to tell you the news ... you asked if we're getting married," she looked at Lavon and immediately lowered her head down.

"Yes ... and ...?" He looked at her curiously.

"Well, did you see Wade's reaction? He was pale. Is it so far-fetched to think of a wedding, someday?" She asked, weeping.

Annabeth and Lavon couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Oh, Zoe ... You know how men are when you talk about marriage," she smiled at her and they both glanced at Lavon and raised an eyebrow.

"No, no, no. I won't go into this trap of yours, I'm out of here," He got up and went into another room. They both laughed.

Zoe sighed.

"I don't know what to think AB. It's not that I expect him to ask me now, we just got back together, and I get it. It's his reaction. I wonder if he ever thinks about marriage," she said quietly

"Sweetie, if you had asked me 3 years ago if Wade Kinsella thinks about getting married I would've told you that you're crazy and laugh in your face. But today I definitely see it happening. And I'm sure it will happen. Everyone see how much he loves you. You have to understand that he just found out he was going to be a father. And this is a big scary thing and a significant step. Could be that he is not ready yet to take another significant step. But you will only know what he was thinking if you ask. "

"I can't ask him that." She Huffed.

"You can. You're just afraid to hear the answer"

"Ugh. Why does everything have to be so complicated?" Zoe whined.

XXXXXX

The days passed quickly. Zoe and Wade didn't have time to talk about the issues that bother them, they were very busy at work, and they would meet again in the evenings but were too tired to talk about serious issues.

Weekend came quickly; they packed up and flew to New York. Plan was to spend time alone on Friday-Saturday, to see the city, visit the bar and just have fun. Zoe decided to meet for brunch with Candice on Sunday. She felt the meeting with her mother would not be easy and she did not want it to ruin the weekend.

They both decided (each by himself) that they will try to ignore their concerns at the moment and they will concentrate on having fun together. They knew that they would have enough time to talk about everything once they're in Bluebell again.

Weekend was amazing for both of them. Zoe really liked the bar. Immediately at the entrance it was clear that was Wade involved there. She was proud of his work; she knew how important it was to him.

Then came Sunday. She thought all night about all kinds of excuses she could give to her mother, to avoid meeting her. But she also knew she had to do it. She was her mother after all.

It was 12pm; they were on their way towards the restaurant where they agreed to meet with Candice. Their flight leaves at 4.

"You nervous?" He asked

"No."

"You're lying?"

"Yes"

He hugged her to him and kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry, I'm with you."

When they arrived, there was tension in the air. The last time she saw Wade she slapped him. She had good reason to be angry with him, but now things have changed.

"Wade," she nodded at him.

"Mrs. Hart," he smiled at her. He wasn't going to make it more difficult for Zoe.

"Zoe, you look great. But something different. Your hair? Eyebrows?" She hugged her. Zoe hugged back. Although she and her mother had many disagreements, she knew she just wants the best for her. Still, she could not wait to be done with it.

"So Wade, I heard that you are involved in business here in New York. Good for you," Candace was trying to be positive

"Yeah, I got a chance and I had a great time"

"He's really good mom. You should go see the bar," Zoe looked at Wade and smiled at him, put her hand on his. He smiled back.

"Nice on their part to let you work from Bluebell. Did you not like New York?"

"Ah, New York is nice, but it's not really my thing ..." he stammered and looked at Zoe

"Actually Mom, we have something to tell you" Zoe interrupted the conversation. She took a deep breath. Wade squeezed her hand to reassure her.

"I'm pregnant"

Candice just looked at her in complete shock.

After a few minutes of silence she swallowed, "What are you planning to do with it?" She asked her, ignoring Wade.

"What do you mean? We're going to have the baby. And you're going to be a grandmother," Zoe sounded excited.

"You're not ready for a baby, Zoe. Where is your responsibility? Do you think it is easy to raise a baby? Your life's a mess. You're not married; you don't even have a job"

"I have a job! And I'm a partner again!" Zoe got mad.

"Good to know." Candice said bitterly

"Oh, please, not everything revolves around you! I came to tell you my exciting news, good news, and this is how you react? I had to know in advance that this would happen."

"I don't know you anymore. Six months ago you were with Joel and everything was fine, why did you let him go? And for what? For getting yourself into this situation?"

"This situation? You mean that I'm happy, I have a boyfriend that I love, I have friends who are like family, I live in a place where people respect me and love me, I have a job I love. And yes, I'm going to have a child soon. Tell me what is wrong in this situation? "

"What's wrong? Where will you stay with this baby, because if I remember right, the place you live at the moment is not exactly suitable for children. And what will you do with this child? You have to worry about his education, you sure Bluebell is the right place?"

"What's wrong with the education in Bluebell?" Zoe burst. Wade held her hand tight.

"I'm not saying there is a problem, but don't you want the child to have everything you had? All the possibilities there are in New York. Bluebell could be great for you right now, but you'll have to stop thinking only about yourself"

Zoe stared at her mother and didn't believe.

"You're trying to correct history. I don't regret that I didn't go with Harley, yes maybe I loved him., But I have no doubt that you are what you are today because of that you grew up in New York. A place where you had it all. And a father that gave you everything"

At this point, tears filled Zoe's eyes completely. She couldn't hear another word. She got up from the chair and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving Wade there in front of her mother.

Wade got up, he wanted to run after Zoe, but not before he told her what's on his mind.

"Zoe is not you, and we, we are not a Harley and you. We didn't talk yet about all the issues you mentioned, but it's none of your business. It's Zoe and mine alone. If Zoe and I decide that Bluebell is the right place to raise this child, this is what will happen. Yeah, we might not have the same fancy schools you got here in New York, but we have equally important things. What is certain is that this child will always be loved and if it's up to us and the people in town He will never be alone or lonely.

We really want your support, but if not, we'll be fine either way.

All I know is that I would be very happy if my child would have his grandmother in his life, the only one that's left. And Zoe would be happy to have her mom in her life.

He left her at the restaurant, and ran to look for Zoe.

He searched for her along the street, but she was not there. He decided to return to the hotel because he hoped she would be there. When he entered their room he saw her curled up in bed, crying. He approached her, sat down beside her, and hugged her. He wiped her tears. Her head rested on him and He stroked it. She cried for a long time without stopping.

"Hey, we should get ready, we need to leave soon ..." he whispered to her as he felt she was relaxed.

She lifted her head; he kissed her forehead and stood up to organize everything.

XXXXXX

The flight back went in complete silence. None of them said a word. The tension was in the air, each one had its own thoughts. They arrived home late at night, she ran inside and he came a few minutes later with all their stuff. When he entered he saw her lying on her back in bed with her hands covering her eyes. He sighed. He put things aside and sat down beside her.

"Zoe ..." This is the first time one of them speaks out.

"Maybe she's right," she took a deep breath.

"What?" Wade frowned

She got up and sat next to him. Her head tilted down.

"Maybe my mom was right, and I'm not ready for that." She whispered

"First of all, you're not alone in this. Secondly, yes, we have many more things to figure out and we will do it together"

She got up and began to pace the room nervously.

"No, what if we can't do it? We just got back together Wade. We don't even know how we are as a couple, then how will we know if we can be a couple and a child"

"We don't know, and we will not know until it happens, but Zoe, I love you and you love me, we're working hard on this relationship and we will continue to work on it. There's no reason not to succeed"

She wasn't convinced.

"And what if, what if I stay alone and I would have to raise him alone, I can't do it. I just can't" She looked at him desperately.

"Why would you do this alone, I told you that I am with you. And even if at some point, it doesn't work out between us, I still wouldn't leave you alone in this. This is my child too."

"So you think it won't work out between us"

"It's not what I said" He started to get annoyed

"No, you're right. It wasn't in my plans. My life was pretty much sorted and then everything changed."

"You're not serious," He looked at her in shock

"I'm very serious. nothing works out for me"

"Well, sorry I ruined your plans." He said bitterly, rising from the bed to the door. She grabbed him by the arm, "Wade wait, I didn't mean it like that"

"Oh, I think you did"

He got out and slammed the door. She sat up in bed and cried.

She did not stop crying for hours. And he did not return.