Hey guys!
Thanks so much for all the reviews for the last chapter! You're amazing! Your comments are motivating me to keep writing
RedTailedHawkens –Thank you so much! I appreciate your review :) (I love your stories!)
To answer your question -
You're absolutely right; a Rabbi can't be ordained online. There are various streams of Judaism and therefore also various types of Rabbis. For example In part of them a Rabbi must be men, in part women are allowed to conduct the ceremony, and some streams allow people with certain education etc. there are many more aspects to it. When it comes to the more religious Jewish weddings, the person conducting the ceremony is a Rabbi. In this case, I guess they both aren't really religious. This, with the fact that they wanted someone close to them to do it is what led me to choose Joel. Anyway what is most important is that this person is Jewish. I hope the answer is sufficient, if you want me to elaborate more or something else - I'll be happy to answer. Thanks again!
This chapter is a little shorter. Not much going on in it. But it is necessary because it opens the door for further stories and things to happen in the next chapters.
Again, big thanks to those who take time to review. Those who are just reading - hope you're quietly enjoying it too.
Enjoy!
Bliss.
This was the best way to describe how they felt that morning.
A week passed since their wedding. They decided it wasn't a good time to go on a honeymoon. Zoe felt it was not right to leave Brick alone with the Practice especially since they knew that once she will give birth she will not work for some time. Wade was fine with it, but he also promised her that they will find time for it in the future.
During that week, they barely left the house. Except from a short time on New Year's Eve to make a toast with everyone, they didn't show their faces. They were busy with other things...
Lemon took it upon herself to take care of the Rammer Jammer during that time. The news about the wedding spread in town. People bombed Lemon Lavon and George with questions they assured everyone that Zoe and Wade will be happy to celebrate with all of them on another time. What they didn't know was that the people in town have already worked hard on their own plan – a town baby shower with everyone.
XXXXXXX
"I can't believe we return to work tomorrow ..." Zoe stretched in bed and rested her head on his chest.
"real life is calling, Doc." He stroked her hair with his fingers
"This life is much better .." She lifted her head and brushed her lips with his.
"uh ha. Marriage life is not so bad ..." he whispered into the kiss. They broke apart and lay down a few more minutes in bed quietly.
"You know what I was thinking? We didn't have a bachelor and bachelorette party"
"Uh Doc, it's a little too late for that ..." He chuckled. "Wait, you want a bachelorette party?" He paused and asked seriously
"No, I just suddenly realized that with the surprise wedding we missed a few things on the way"
He couldn't understand whether she was disappointed or not.
"Um, we can always go back ..." He didn't know why he said that.
"Is that it? Already regretting?" She gave him a challenging look
"What? No, never" She laughed at his panicked reaction and gave him a chaste kiss.
"Seriously now, do you want a party like this?" He asked hesitantly
"No, it's just a thought that passed through my mind" she dismissed his words
He knew that it really doesn't make sense. On the other hand, he didn't want to upset her and if it would make her smile, he was ready for it. Last week was amazing but occasionally she had sudden and irrational crying spells. One time it happened after Rose sent her photos she took with her phone in the wedding. Zoe thought she didn't look good in the dress and cried. Wade attributed everything to hormones and reassured her quickly in ways that only he can.
XXXXXXXX
Wade didn't waste any time and as soon as Zoe went out to meet with Lavon he called Annabeth and explained the situation. Of course she agreed to help and told him not to worry, she will handle everything. Annabeth was not surprised at his request. Everyone already become accustomed to the strange things they needed to do since Zoe got pregnant.
She sat and thought with herself what can be done. Wade told her it should be something small, inviting only Rose and possibly the Lemon. The relationship between the two have improved since he and Zoe got back together and he felt that this was another chance to maybe bring them closer. Annabeth told Lemon about it and she agreed to join, of course not before mentioning how ridiculous she thinks the idea is.
XXXXXXXX
Annabeth invited Lemon and Rose to meet her in Lavon's living room.
"I texted Zoe to meet me here, I didn't say what it is about yet. She's on her way here"
"So what's the plan?" Rose asked eagerly. She had never been at a bachelorette party.
"A stripper?" Annabeth chirped
"Eh, it's so vulgar and appalling but it's not my party, so ..." Lemon never spared her real thoughts.
"Um, why would Zoe want a male stripper when she has Wade? I doubt you'll find someone who looks better than him in the area" Rose wondered aloud. Annabeth and Lemon gasped and stared at her
"What? Yeah, I'm only 17, but that doesn't mean I'm blind"
The three of them laughed together just when Zoe opened the door and entered. She was surprised to see Rose and Lemon there.
"What's going on?" She asked. She approached them and noticed a sign hanging in the living room "Zoe's bachelorette party." "What are you doing?" She narrowed her eyes
"Well, as you can see here, we are planning your bachelorette party" Annabeth cheered enthusiastically
"Wade spoke with you" It was not a question.
"He may have mentioned something"
Zoe sighed smiling. "So ... what's the plan?" She asked, it was evident that she was excited about the idea. It's been a while since she had a chance to spend time with her girlfriends.
"You are pregnant so you can go wild, so we thought about a stripper or maybe we can go to a club"
"Rose is not even 18 years old" Zoey reminded her, "and I can't drink"
"Right"
Zoe smiled at them. "I really appreciate all of this, let's just turn this into a girls night and it will be fun. Movies, food, gossip"
"Yes, I like that idea," Annabeth pointed out and the others nodded affirmatively. "Okay, this evening. Lavon gave us the house"
XXXXXXX
After meeting with the girls, she went home to rest before the evening.
She entered and saw Wade sitting on the couch; he was busy with his video games. She came up behind him and put her arms around his neck. "Thank you" she whispered in his ear. He paused the game and put the remote aside. He rested his hands on hers. "For what?"
"You know what" Yes. He knew. He smiled and pulled her to sit beside him. They sat tight, staring at each other.
"So ... I have a bachelorette party today" she said, smiling shyly, "Does that mean you have a bachelor party?" She looked at him and bit her lower lip
"What, I don't deserve a bachelor party?" He tilted his head to the side with a smile
"You deserve everything" She moved closer and kissed him. "So what's the plan?"
He pulled her into his lap. She snuggled into him, her head on his shoulder.
"Um, I don't know yet" he smiled a mischievous smile. Her eyes suddenly widened.
She lifted her head and grabbed his shirt collar in her hand.
"No strip club"
"C'mon'. That's not fair Doc. It's not a real bachelor party without it"
She didn't know how to answer that. She looked frightened. Thoughts ran in her head until she heard Wade exploding with laughter.
"Relax. No strip club. We'll probably just go for a drink". He stroked her hair.
"Okay, good." She hid her face in his neck.
"You know, we have some time before we have to go ... And if my dear wife will not let me go to a strip club, she has to compensate me somehow ..." he whispered as he shifted his attention to her jaw line, then further down at her neck.
"Oh, yeah ... what exactly did my dear husband think about?" she whispered breathlessly
"Mmm ... You'll see"
XXXXXXXXX
After a long evening the guys came back to the plantation. They stood before Lavon's house.
"You think they've finished? The lights are on but it's relatively quiet ..." George wondered
"There are no lights in the carriage house so Zoe is for sure not there," Wade added
They opened the door and entered the house. The girls were sitting on the couch and staring at the TV screen in front of them. Zoe, Lemon and Annabeth sobbed and Rose was sitting there uncomfortably, trying to hide her face with a pillow. She was the first to notice the boys entered. "Oh, thank God you're here!"
They approached to see what was going on
"What the hell!?"
"What are you doing !"
"Nawww, Nawww, Nawww"
The three of them shouted together. They turned their backs and took a few steps back quickly. They sat on the stools in the kitchen.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Lemon snapped at them.
"What's wrong with us? I think the appropriate question is what is wrong with you!"
Wade snapped back. He was white. Looks of disgust were all over their faces
"Shut up, I want to know what to expect," Zoe grunted
After an evening of chick-flicks and food (lots of food ...) they decided to watch a documentary that accompanies pregnant women throughout the process of arriving to the delivery room until delivery - including a full documentation of the actual delivery. The boys arrived just in time for the last part - the birth itself.
"Argh, haven't you seen enough in the million years you were studying!?" Lavon was horrified
"Yes, but that was a long time ago. And it's different now." She added
"Look, it's so beautiful and moving" Annabeth pointed at the screen as she wiped her tears with her other hand.
"Yes, well, thank you really. Now we'll have nightmares forever" Wade muttered
Zoe paused the movie; she got up and went over to him. She stood in between his legs with her back to him and leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and his hands rested on her stomach.
"Well, you better prepare yourself Wade, you will see it in reality soon" Lemon looked at him softly.
Wade squirmed. "Yeah, I'm not sure about this ... I think I will wait outside"
"Ha ha. Very funny Wade Kinsella. You did it, you will bear the consequences" She squeezed his hands.
XXXXXXXX
They walked hand in hand, in silence, to their home.
"You know I'll be there, right?" Wade said almost in a whisper. He wasn't about to miss it. He wanted to reassure her.
She squeezed his hand, "I know."
XXXXXXXX
They lay in bed, curled up, bodies intertwined after another round of A + sex.
"So ... Lavon suggested we fix this house instead of buying a new one and move. Looks like its really hard for him to say goodbye to us," Wade told her as she ran her finger over his chest. She smiled.
"It doesn't sound like such a bad idea. You know that I love living here," she looked at him.
"I know. And we looked for a long time and still haven't found anything we both like"
"Yeah…" She liked the idea. "But it probably will cost a lot of money" her enthusiasm subsided a bit.
"In fact it will cost less than a new house. And don't worry about money. We have enough"
Money. It was a subject they haven't really talked about. She never felt comfortable asking him. It didn't really matter to her. But now it was inevitable.
"Yes?"
"Yes. The Rammer Jammer is doing well. I'm not saying we're millionaires and you can stop working forever," he kissed her forehead, "But it's all right. Don't worry. I'm not worried "
The truth is that Lavon's offer and Zoe's enthusiasm about it caused him a huge relief. He did not lie. Their financial situation was good with the Rammer Jammer and Zoe's part of the practice. But he also knew that they face a period with a lot of expenses so if they can save, that's great.
He's never been a spender. Even now when he has money, nothing has changed. But Zoe is quite the opposite in this matter. She didn't save on clothing, shoes and many other things. It was fine for his part; he wanted her to have everything she wants. But for that to happen He knew they needed to be more calculated.
"I have money" she whispered. He laughed.
"I know. It's okay, do not worry, we will need it too"
"Are you going to do it yourself, the renovation?"
"I don't know yet... if it takes a long time I'm not sure I can because of the Rammer Jammer, Lemon goes back to fancies soon so I can't count on with this"
"Okay."
"Are you all right?" He asked softly and lifted her to him
"Yes. I'm just excited"
"Me too"