Hey guys!
Sorry it took me some time.
I want to really thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter! You have no idea how much it makes me happy.
And of course thanks to all the new followers and those who are still reading :)
I will try to upload the next chapter faster.
Enjoy!
She woke up in the morning with a smile on her face. Last night's events were fresh in her mind. She didn't take her eyes from the ring. She raised her hand so she could see her better. Being engaged to Wade was something she was really looking forward to. And now it's official.
He opened his eyes a few minutes later and looked at her getting excited about her new ring. She seemed happy and nothing could please him more. Their phones didn't stop ringing and beeping for the last two hours. They, of course, ignored it.
"Good morning" he whispered. She blushed slightly when she realized he was looking at her the whole time and quickly hid her hand under the blanket. He chuckled
"Good morning to you too" She came over and put her head on his chest.
"Actually, I think the morning is over ..." He picked up his phone from the nightstand and saw that it was already 12 pm. He also saw some missed calls and messages from Lavon, George and Lemon. Zoe picked up her phone also and saw a number of calls from Lavon and Annabeth. "Oops," she whispered.
"Yeah, oops. Well, I guess it is time to show ourselves to the world"
"Yes, we should ... And maybe it is also time to tell everyone?" She asked as she traced her finger on his chest
"Yeah, it's definitely time. So... how do you want us to do it?" Wade asked
"I guess we can talk with Dash and he will deliver the news to everyone. Either that, or this evening, when the Rammer Jammer would be busier, we can tell everyone. Or we can do it both ways." She smiled.
"Fine by me. Speaking about the Rammer Jammer ... breakfast?"
"Oh, God, yes please ! I'm starving." She said desperately, and he just laughed
XXXXXXXX
When they came into the bar, they couldn't believe their eyes.
The place was packed with people and everyone's eyes were focused on Dash who was standing on stage next to two ballot boxes. On one was written the word "Boy" and on the other "Girl". above was a huge sign that hung on both sides, "Baby ZADE - the big poll."
"What the ..." Zoe was almost speechless, her mouth dropped open.
"So much for us telling by ourselves ..." he murmured softly
"I don't understand ... how ... did you ..?" She looked at him
"What? No! I was with you every minute since yesterday"
"Then there is only one option left," she crossed her arms firmly
"Try 5" He turned his gaze aside and saw Annabeth Lavon and George sitting in one of the side tables.
Zoe also noticed, she pulled Wade's hand and dragged him towards her friends. Fortunately, everyone in the bar was engaged in voting that no one noticed that they came in.
XXXXXX
"I can't believe you guys! You know how important it was to me that we tell by ourselves" she sounded a little frustrated
"Oh no, you are not going to accuse us of it. We tried to tell you but I guess you were so busy that none of you bother to answer us!" George exclaimed loudly
Zoe and Wade looked at each other, both embarrassed.
"So if it wasn't you, then who was it? Lemon? Brick?" Zoe was confused
"You should blame your boyfriend," Lavon said as he hit Wade's head lightly.
"Me!?" Wade shouted, "I swear I didn't say anything!" He looked at Zoe.
"Of course you didn't say anything, dummy." Annabeth grinned. "It was enough seeing the two of you yesterday at the dance; you couldn't take your hands off her belly. You don't need to be a genius to figure it out. Several people who were there saw it and the rest you can see here ..." Annabeth pointed the mayhem that was taking place on the other side of the bar. Wade rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. Zoe just started laughing.
"Relax, I'm not mad." She held his hand tightly. "I should have known something like this would happen. And why are you just sitting here, why aren't you voting too?" She asked
"Yeah, I don't think so. We don't want to take the risk of you killing us later..." George noted.
"Well, well, well, look who decided to show up!" Lemon emphasized each word. "Oh my God! What is it?" She lifted Zoe's hand. Annabeth jumped up and squealed.
"Oooooh... I see." Lavon said with a smile. "This was the reason for your disappearance." Zoe and Wade greened.
"Congratulations, you two," he added.
"Okay, we will now move to the second part of this poll," they heard dash on the microphone; everyone turned their attention to what was happening on the other side.
"So after all of you voted on whether it's a boy or a girl. It's time to vote on the second subject.
Is the baby's name going to be "Hart" or perhaps "Kinsella?"
Zoe heard it and Gasped.
"Wait, what!?" She shouted. "Help me," She grabbed Wade's hand to help her climb the table.
"What are you doing!?" He shouted, he didn't understand what she was trying to do
"Yo, everybody! Stop what you are doing!" Everyone turned to her, surprised to see her there, and even more surprised to see her standing on the table with her hands on her hips.
"This baby" she pointed to her stomach and basically confirmed the news for everyone, "This kid is going to be a Kinsella. Because ... well ... Wade and I are getting married!" She said shrilly and held up her hand to show everyone the ring. Everyone in the bar began to clap and cheer. Zoe pulled Wade's hand, "what are you waiting for? Come up here too!" He shook his head and smiled, "Yes, ma'am." He stood on the table beside her and kissed her. Everyone's applause increased.
They spent almost two hours talking to everyone, thanking them. They answered a lot of questions. The main one was when are they planning to marry. They didn't have an answer, the engagement was new to them and they haven't had time to discuss about it yet.
Before they left the bar Dash shouted at them "by the way, the town thinks you're having a girl."
XXXXXXXX
3 weeks have passed since they got engaged. The wedding subject came up several times. Zoe said she would rather get married after the birth so she would have more time to plan everything. Wade had no problem with it. They knew they didn't want a big wedding, it's not their thing. The town square wasn't an option. Wade suggested Fancies and Zoe said that if the renovations would be completed in time, she is willing to consider it. Their house was full of wedding magazines. Speaking of the house, they still haven't found a house to buy and it started to stress them a bit, and sometimes it seemed like they have given up already. They even thought about the possibility of living in one of neighboring towns, but dropped the idea very quickly. They wanted to stay in Bluebell.
XXXXXXXXX
This morning they woke up knowing that today is an important and exciting day. They're going to find out the sex of the baby. They left the house together and got into Wade's car, on their way to the clinic in Mobile.
Zoe was reading something on her phone and laughed
"What is it?" Wade asked
"Dr. Hart and Wade were seen driving in the early morning to an unknown location. This blog thinks that maybe today is the day that we will all know the sex of the baby, "She read from Dash's blog.
"Oh, God ..."
"Yep." They both laughed.
He took her hand in his, linked their fingers together. They drove in silence for several minutes.
"So ..." She was the first to break the silence
"So ..." He replied back
"What do you prefer?" She asked
"It really doesn't matter to me, I'd be happy anyway"
"Yes, yes, but for sure you'd prefer something a little more"
"Maybe," he teased her slightly
"Well?"
"I'm not telling you"
"Argh!" She pouted and he couldn't help but laugh at her. Silence took over again.
XXXXXXXX
"A girl"
"Hmmm ..." Zoe was not focused. She fiddled with her phone.
"I hope it's a girl" he tried not to smile, but without success.
"Oh, really? And why is that?" A broad smile covered her face
"I don't know, I guess that girls are less annoying than boys"
Zoe hit his arm.
"You know, a little princess ..." he finally answered.
Her smile grew bigger, if possible
"Well, unless she'd be like her mother. In that case we are in a big trouble," he shrugged.
"Excuse me!?" She turned her face towards him
"You know the kind of girl who would sit in the middle of the road, when it's dark, get drunk from boxed wine, climb up the first car she sees and make out with the hot driver..."
"You know what, you're right. If she has my taste in men, that's not good"
She gave him a challenging look. The thought had shaken him and she noticed that.
"Yeah well, she would have to pass through me first,"
"You're cute when you're in an overprotective mode. Good luck with that," she rose a little bit and kissed his cheek. He smiled but had a slightly scared look on his face.
"Your turn"
"I really don't know," she replied. He glanced at her doubtfully
"Fine. A Boy."
"Really, why?" He was curious
"Boys love their mother more." She said proudly.
"Yes they do". He smiled but there was a slight sadness in his eyes. She knew that he remembered his mother. She held his hand tighter.
"Don't worry, he will love you too," she said after a few minutes and they both laughed together.
XXXXXXXXX
They went into the examination room. Zoe lay on the bed and Wade stood next to her.
"Hello again, good to see you," Dr. Taylor entered the room and closed the door. "So, today is the big day," She smiled at them. "Well, the first big day".
Zoe lifted her shirt and Dr. Taylor started the test. Wade took Zoe's hand in his. Both couldn't take their eyes off the screen.
"Let's see ... the baby's heart rate is good and everything looks well." Dr. Taylor noted. She continued to go through with the ultrasound device over Zoe's stomach. Zoe grinned.
"What?" Wade asked when he noticed her smiling
"I know what we're having," she looked at him excitedly
"And ...?" He asked her. He was restless
"It seems that you are getting your little princess" she whispered, tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't manage to say anything more because his lips pressed against hers softly. Dr. Taylor gave them privacy and left the room.
They parted for a brief moment, looking into each other's eyes.
He wiped her tears and rested his forehead on hers. His Eyes were shining.
"Thank you," he whispered. She brushed her lips on his.
A few minutes later, they got out of the exam room, exchanged a few words with Dr. Taylor and left the clinic.
They entered the car and he just stared at her.
"What?" She asked
A self-satisfied smirk formed on his face
"We're having a daughter. I won."
XXXXXXXX
Two more weeks passed and it seemed that they had a certain routine. Wade was working as usual at the bar, but he tried not to work at night. Zoe worked fewer hours in the practice. In her spare time she concentrated on preparations for the birth and for the wedding. She spent many days and nights making purchases online. Wade thought she was going crazy with the shopping but he didn't want to fight with her. And it was hard, because the week that followed, they didn't stop fighting. At first they fought over nothing and reconciled quickly. Most of the time it led to makeup sex, because that's what they do best. But as time went by the fights began to be more serious. He knew that her changing moods were due to the pregnancy. But it was getting harder. She wanted to go to New York to look for a wedding dress. He didn't think it was such a good idea for her to go alone, he couldn't go with her because he had to stay to take care of the bar. He also didn't understand why she was looking for a dress when it was clear that she couldn't try them on. Of course it ended in tears on her part. She felt that he didn't understand her. Then there were even more crying spells on other issues pertaining to the wedding - flowers, bridesmaids, food and more. With all he managed to cope, until now.
When he woke up in the morning he frowned as he realized that Zoe wasn't pressed up against him like she usually is in the morning. He opened his eyes and glanced around, but she was not in the bed. He lied there for a moment, wondering where she is.
He called her dozens of times but each time he reached the voicemail. He looked for her everywhere - in Lavon's kitchen, in the practice, the Rammer Jammer, the Butter Stick bakery. He asked people and no one saw her. He gave up and went back to see if maybe she went home. He went to the last place he could think about - the gate house. And there she was.
He found her sitting on the bed with a pink notebook resting on her legs. She was asleep. It looked like she cried before.
"Doc ..." He stroked her hair.
"Hey" She woke up and looked at him.
"What happened?" He sat on her bed
"Nothing"
"Zoe"
She took a deep breath.
"I can't do it."
"Do what?"
"This, the wedding"
"What?" He was confused.
"I can't do anything the way I really want to. I can't plan anything because either I don't feel well or I start crying for no reason, or suddenly everything seems ugly and not right. I won't have time for it after the birth. Now is the best time but nothing is working and I feel like I'm alone in this, you are not interested and you're not asking anything, you are always at work, "she put the notebook aside and got out of bed, she started pacing in the room from side to side.
She's not making any damn sense, he thought.
"Doc. Stop."
She stopped and looked at him with her wide brown eyes. He got up and walked towards her.
Her tears were flowing freely now.
He approached her, put his arms around her and held tight.
"I'm so ridiculous," she choked out
"Shhhh..." he tried to calm her "you were getting a little crazy, but that's okay, people had warned me before," he tried to soften the atmosphere. And it worked, she giggled.
He took her hand and they sat down on the bed again.
"I feel so silly. I know you don't care much about the Wedding organization"
"Hey, wait a minute, that's not true I do care. It's just not my thing. I know nothing about the flowers and dresses and all things needed for the wedding. Believe me, you would not want to see what I'd choose," she laughed and put her head on his shoulder. He looped his arm around her waist.
"You know that if it was up to me we would get married tomorrow. What's important to me most is that you have the wedding of your dreams. But if you need help, I'm here; I can help you with everything."
She grinned.
"It's okay, I can do it myself. I just need you by my side. I need to know you care."
"I can do that." He closed the little gap between their lips and kissed her.
"I'm hungry." she murmured against his lips
"Let's go feed you"
"Go ahead to Lavon's kitchen and I'll meet you there... I want to go home first to change clothes"
He kissed her forehead and left.
She went quickly to the bed and took her pink notebook. She had an idea in her head.
She took her phone with the other hand.
"I need your help with something." She sent Lavon a text.