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"Wade,
You are probably wondering what the heck is going on here right now ... and I guess you're currently scratching the back of your neck, that's what you do in these situations. Oh, and after reading this sentence you are probably rolling your eyes. How do I know? Because I know you. Probably better than anyone else in this world. And that is why I had to do something...
First of all, calm down. This is not something bad. In fact, I wrote this letter because something good is about to happen. I'm sure you're confused now, so let me explain.
I know I was difficult to deal with in the last month. No, do not try to resist, you know it's true. I freaked out a little bit with all the planning of the wedding and baby stuff. And I lost myself in it. But you, you did everything to make it easier on me and help me. Now it's my turn to do something for you. For us.
So today I'm the one asking you... Marry me? "
XXXXXXX
Two weeks earlier
"I need you to help me plan a surprise party," she said enthusiastically
She tried all day to catch Lavon and talk to him, but to no avail. After breakfast, Wade decided to spend most of the day with her at home, but fortunately, he got a call from Rammer Jammer asking for his help so he had to go. She took the opportunity to sneak away and go talk to Lavon.
"Ah, okay. Surprise party for whom?"
"Wade and myself"
He looked at her, confused. "I'm sorry, I can't follow ..."
"Okay, fine, I want to organize a surprise wedding."
At this point he felt he really lost.
You want to organize your wedding and that it would be a surprise. You want to surprise yourself. "
"Yes."
"How exactly you plan to surprise yourself and what the hell is a surprise wedding?" Only Zoe could come up with stuff like that, he thought.
"Well, the wedding isn't really a surprise because ... Well, he proposed. Then he knows about it. But the date and everything else are the surprise. Look, after the last month, I feel like I've forgotten what is really important. All the other things around are just nonsense. I gave him a kind of hell, and we fought all the time. We talked yesterday about everything and we're fine now, and he offered to help, but he would suffer from it, and I know he will insist to help even though he hates it. I really want to do something for him. "
"Uh huh ..." He continued to listen intently
"So I reached the conclusion that there is no reason to wait until after the birth."
"So basically everything Wade will have to do is show up at the right place?" he asked
"I didn't think about all the details yet, and that's why I need your help. The only thing I know for sure is the date I want. Christmas"
"Wow Big Z! Christmas is in two weeks!"
"I know, that's why I have to start today. I will try to get you help. I'll talk with Lemon, Annabeth, George, Rose. I can help when Wade is at work. I'll talk to Brick and work less. Oh and please don't mention this to anyone; I want it to be small and intimate, only people who are close are invited.
"You know that people in town are looking forward to a great celebration"
"I know, we'll figure out a solution to that. Maybe we do a party afterwards, I don't know. But right now, this is what I want"
"I can't believe I'm collaborating with your crazy ideas"
"You're the best," she kissed his cheek. "Now I have to run, Wade is going to be back soon"
XXXXXXX
"She wants to do what!?" George couldn't believe what he was hearing
"This is the craziest, most ridiculous idea I've ever heard about. And of course it belongs to Zoe Hart" Lemon added
Annabeth stepped in immediately, "Come on, guys! Yes, this idea is not exactly normal ... but since when something here is normal? Just think about how happy they will be. Besides that, they went all nuts with the planning. And they drove us crazy too. I'm tired to serve as a buffer between them. If any of you want to continue with this situation, please. But I'm organizing a wedding! "She squealed
Lavon smiled at her.
"I'm in" George announced
"It's so typical of Dr. Hart to make Christmas be all about her" Lemon muttered out loud on purpose
"But obviously I'm in. you didn't really think that you could plan a wedding without me, right? And with only two weeks ..."
"Alright!" Lavon cheered. "So this is what we do ..."
XXXXXXX
They planned everything in detail. They had to keep it secret from everyone in town. The hardest part was to hide all from Wade.
Lemon took charge of everything; the others performed the tasks she gave them. Even Earl took part in the preparations. Everything was carefully designed according to Zoe's requests. Zoe tried to help as much as possible, but most of the time she had to stay with Wade and keep him away from the rest.
Zoe's mother, Candace, was responsible for the wedding dress. Zoe called to invite her to the wedding. The plan was that her mother will arrive two days before Christmas; Wade will think she is coming to celebrate holidays with them. Candace will bring her some dresses from New York for Zoe to choose from.
Everything went smoothly, until they ran into a small problem. It was important to Zoe that the person who is doing the ceremony is one that both she and Wade know and love. Of course the first choice was Lavon. But Zoe is half Jewish and it was also important for her to honor her Jewish side. She remembered her uncle's wedding, there were two people, one of them Jewish. She had to find someone she knows and is ready to do it. This issue finally resolved in an unexpected way.
When she went to tell Brando about the wedding, Sylvie told her that Joel is on a book tour for his new book, and is supposed to reach the south in the coming days to stay with them for the holidays. "This is it!" Zoe thought to herself. Joel is Jewish. They remained good friends. He and Wade are good friends. Yes, she knew it could be a bit strange considering their past. But she decided to try her luck. And Joel agreed. More than that, he was really happy to be a part of it. She told him about the plan and they agreed that Lavon and Joel will conduct the ceremony together.
The next step was to figure out what to do on the day itself - how to get Wade to wear a suit, how to keep him away from Zoe for the whole day, how to hide everything that they had organized already in the plantation.
A week before Lavon informed Zoe and Wade he was performing some remodeling in the plantation, so some of the area will be blocked. Of course it was a lie; everything was done to hide what they are doing.
Lavon also informed that they will be celebrating Christmas together at his house and Lemon is responsible for everything. As a part of the plan, Lemon announced that all men are obliged to wear suits. Wade hated it but he also knew that when Lemon asks, no one refuses.
The last thing was solved when Lemon asked Wade and George to buy all sorts of things for dinner that they couldn't find in Bluebell, all in an effort to distance Wade for the day.
Wade tried to talk to Zoe during the day, she answered and they spoke for a few seconds but she told him there was a medical emergency and she wouldn't be able to talk to him.
Towards evening George and Wade returned to Bluebell, each went home in order to get dressed.
XXXXXX
"George ... you need something? Thought we were going to meet at Lavon's" Wade asked as he noticed George standing at the door. he finished to dress up and was busy examining himself in the mirror.
"No, I just came to give you something" George handed him an envelope containing a letter
"A love letter? Sorry Tucker, too late" Wade smirked as he took the envelope in his hand
"Just read it" George smiled at him and left.
XXXXXXX
He put the letter on the bed and ran out of his house. He knew exactly where to go.
The entire plantation but mainly the Area adjacent to Lavon's was filled with white lights and flowers, signaling him the way to the right place. He arrived into the garden behind the house and stopped there. There she was, waiting for him, dressed in white. Joel and Lavon stood by her.
His gaze was so intense she was finding it hard to breath. She felt her heart almost bursting from her chest. Their eyes were sparkling. They shared a look that was worth more than a thousand words.
XXXXXXX
You'd think it would feel weird or maybe funny and ridiculous that he's the one walking down the aisle. But it's not. It doesn't feel weird, it is so them. Nothing with them is as it should be. But it feels right, so right.
He was always ahead of her. He always got to the next step before her. Always waiting for her to understand what he already understood long ago. He was the first to realize that there is something between them "There's something here, something between us" He told her that night, when they were stuck in the barn because of the storm. Until she realized that too. It happened again when he asked her out on a date. He was ready for a serious relationship with her. Even there, he waited until she'd get it. And she finally did, "I like you, Wade Kinsella. I really like you". Then it happened again. When he confessed his love for her. Of course, here it took her a little (or a lot) time to figure it out. Or maybe she already did, but she didn't want to admit it. One can argue about it. But now it really doesn't matter. What matters is that she got there. And she's all in. Both are all in. It's a bit symbolic now, when they are about to make it official, she is the one waiting for him down the aisle. But from now on, No one will be waiting for the other. From now on, they go together.
XXXXXXXX
So many things were going through his mind.
All of their families and close friends were there: Lavon, Lemon, George, Annabeth, Rose, Candice, Earl, Brando, Sylvie and Joel.
"Joel?" He wondered to himself. He was glad to see him. Despite the past, they became very good friends and kept in touch all this time, so he wasn't surprised to see him.
He thought it was perfect that only the people closest to them are there.
The only person who had been missing was his mom. But deep inside, he felt that she was there with him.
XXXXXX
He reached her and she held out her hand. He took her hand and squeezed lightly.
They didn't remove their eyes from each other.
She was so beautiful with her white dress that showed off her belly. She looked stunning in it.
He looks good in everything, but there is no doubt that seeing Wade in a suit was her favorite thing. (Well, to be honest, her second favorite. Wade without clothes wins everything.)
Lavon and Joel conducted the ceremony together. It was short but very emotional.
When it was Zoe and Wade's turn to talk, she stood in front of him and held both his hands in hers. She was shaking slightly.
"Um ... I hope you are not angry about it ..." she started to say but stopped once she saw the look in his eyes. It was just the complete opposite of angry.
"Exactly two years ago today, on Christmas Eve, I told you I like you. And I asked you to be my boyfriend. Many things have happened since then… and look where we are today." She tightened her grip on his hands. He felt she's nervous. He squeezed her hand to calm her down and gave her a warm smile.
"Wade, You came into my life and changed my picture. You saw me, the real me and still wanted to be with me. You are my picture."
His breath caught in his throat.
"You know it's not fair, you had time to prepare and I didn't." he smiled sheepishly as he gently stroked her hand with his thumb. He was silent for a few moments.
"I love you, Zoe". He told her simply. But this time there was something different from all the other times. He had many women in his past. But none of them made him feel like every question he had in life was answered when he looked into her eyes.
Before he could say anything else she jumped on him and pressed her lips to his for what was meant to be a soft kiss. It quickly deepened, however, as Zoe wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. She just couldn't hold it anymore. But she also wanted to help him. She knew it is not easy for him to talk about his feelings in front of everyone. She didn't mind, she knows exactly what she means to him.
"Ahem," Joel stopped them in the middle. Everyone around laughed. "We're almost finished. I promise"
"So, by the power vested in me by the State of Alabama, I now pronounce you husband and wife" Lavon declared
"Wait, not so fast" Joel placed a glass in front of Wade. "You know what to do" he added.
Wade smiled, looked at everyone and broke the glass.
"Mazel Tov!" Everyone cheered.
He leaned down and locked their lips in a passionate kiss.
Their family and friends around them wanted to congratulate them but didn't manage; the newlyweds were already lost in each other, as if they were the only ones in the world...