A/N: Thanks to all those who left reviews on the previous chapter, and any other chapter(s) throughout the run of this fic. This is where we wrap this puppy up! Yes, I know, I probably could have carried on and rewritten the rest of the season or even the rest of the series, but I'd done all I wanted to do with this particular 'verse/storyline and I have others I want to explore, so like I said, this is where we wrap this one up. Hope y'all like the ending! :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 26

"I feel bad that I haven't been around so much in the last couple of months, but things just got so crazy, I've barely had a minute to think. Wade says you'll forgive me, because that's just the kind of person you are. Even though I barely met you, I think he's probably right," said Zoe, smiling softly as her fingers ran over the writing on Harley Wilkes' gravestone.

"Anyway, lots of news to share!" she said then, moving back to sit down on the bench and really get into her tales from around Bluebell. "So, Wade and I are still together, which seems to surprise everybody. We've had our ups and downs already, don't get me wrong.

"I thought things were going to get bad when his brother, Jesse, showed up, but we handled it okay. That guy can be just about as charming as Wade when he puts his mind to it, but he doesn't seem to care as much about his brother or his father as he should. Earl was pretty upset to see his boys fighting, but they figured things out in the end. Jesse went off with his tail between his legs and Wade was able to make his father see that they were better off without him coming around too often.

"In better news, it wasn't too long after that when Earl came to me and asked if I could help him get clean and sober. Apparently, he's tried before and mostly failed, but the closest he ever came to making it was when you helped him. I really hope I can do as good a job as you did and that maybe this time he can stay on the wagon. I know it will mean so much to Wade if he can.

"Speaking of Wade, after he won the cocktail making contest, he also managed to get the $5,000 prize for the Bluebell Battle. Well, actually, we got the prize, but I let him take all the money. He's going to need it for this new bar he wants to open. Honestly, he is just so excited. Lavon found a property for him and we're all going to pitch in getting it fixed up. It's on the other side of town to the Rammer Jammer and it's going to be a little different in style, so I don't think there will be any problems. Wally doesn't seem to mind the competition too much, which I know makes Wade happy too.

"Oh, and on the day of the battle, poor Rose developed appendicitis, but thankfully, I spotted it early. It was scary for a little while, but she's doing just fine now. Then not long after that I had Annabeth into the office with all the symptoms of a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy. Obviously, I ran a test, and when I told her the good news, she just started crying all over the place, which was a shock, because everybody knows how much AB wants to be a mother. Turns out her no-good husband, Jake, had left her and run off with a waitress from Baton Rouge!

"Of course, Bluebell being Bluebell, everybody has rallied around to be supportive, and actually, just yesterday, AB was telling me how she's happy with the way things turned out. She always wanted a baby, but her relationship with Jake hasn't been in great shape for a while now. I don't think she really misses him and she is just so thrilled to know she has a little one on the way, I couldn't be happier for her.

"What else? Oh, well, Lavon and Lemon are really making things work between them, in spite of the 'scandal'. Even George seems to have gotten over the news of the affair and is moving on with his life. I actually think it's good for him to be out from under Lemon's thumb. He seems like a whole new George Tucker these past few weeks. He got a motorcycle, took a road trip down to New Orleans like he always wanted, all kinds of things. I'm just happy that he's happy. Honestly, I'm happy that they're all so happy.

"Well, I guess that's all my news, except to say again how great it is to meet all of your-, I mean, our family members. The Wilkes are amazing people, and I should know, since I officially am one these days," she concluded with a smile, even as tears filled her eyes. "I think my only regret is that I can't share all the happiness in my life with you in person, but I want to thank you, Harley... Dad," she said softly, swallowing hard. "I wouldn't be here in Bluebell if not for you. I wouldn't have found my calling as a GP, or made all these amazing friends that I love as much as family, and... and I wouldn't have fallen in love, with the most incredible man, who is just perfect for me. Believe me, I didn't realise he was when we first met, but now, I wouldn't ever want to be without him."

"Well, that works out pretty well, doc." Zoe tipped her head back to find Wade standing behind the bench. "'Cause I wouldn't want to be without you either, Zoe Wilkes."

She smiled at that, leaned up as Wade leaned down and gladly accepted his kiss. He moved around to join her on the bench then, picking up her hand in his own and squeezing.

"You doin' okay?" he asked her gently.

"More than okay," she assured him. "I was just catching him up on everything that's been going on around here lately," she explained, tilting her head towards Harley's gravestone. "I know it's a little strange..."

"It's really not," Wade told her with real understanding. "You want me to go, let you finish up?"

"No, I'm all done," Zoe promised, taking a deep, cleansing breath and smiling across at him. "And I'm not sad, not really. Actually, in so many ways, I don't think I've ever been happier."

"Yeah, me too." Wade smiled back at her, gently moving her hair back over her shoulder. "You know, my life got a whole lot better the day I picked you up off the side of the road."

"My life too," she confirmed without hesitation, leaning in to kiss his lips. "Come on, cowboy, let's go see how the contractors are getting along with your bar."

"I'm with you, Zoe Wilkes," he agreed, as they got up, and headed off to the site of 'Wade's Place', hand-in-hand and smiling widely.

The End