(for disclaimers, etc. - see 1.)

24. Christmas with the Hart-Kinsellas
'Verse: (post-)canon / Long Live the Hart-Kinsellas
Date/Timeline: December 2023 (present day)

Nobody would ever mistake Wade for the sentimental type, at least, not most folks that met him in passing and all. Of course, those that knew him better saw through the act. His very best friends, his wife, and his kids, those were the people who were well aware that, beneath the brash exterior, Wade Kinsella was nothing but a marshmallow for those he loved most of all. Then there was that one other person who had been seeing through Wade that much longer than all the rest.

"She's on my mind too," said Earl, his hand on his son's shoulder as he appeared at his side. "Not that there's much time when she's not, but this time o' year, especially since little Evie came along..." he explained, shaking his head.

Wade glanced at his father, then followed his gaze back to where Zoe and the kids were sat by the Christmas tree, having a fine time with all the gifts they just unwrapped. Little Eve really did have a look of her grandmother about her, which was so special, and yet, sad too, since she would never meet Jacqueline Kinsella, any more than her brother, Jack, would, and he had been named for her.

"She woulda been a fine grandma," said Earl softly.

"The best, no doubt," Wade agreed, swallowing hard and taking a deep breath to get through the moment without bawling like a child. "I don't think any one of us can say we really let her down. I gotta think she's up there right now on her cloud, smiling down on all this," he said, looking to Earl with a genuine smile on his lips then.

"I like to think so." His father nodded. "She'd be glad to know I cleaned myself up, pleased as punch to see you with the pretty doctor and the little ones and all."

"And happy to know that you reconciled with your brother too," said Zoe, making them both jump as she seemed to join them out of nowhere. "You do realise that we're an hour away from Jesse arriving, and probably less than that from when Lavon and Lemon will be coming over for mimosas and the kids gift exchange?"

"Thank you, Miss Organisation 2023, but I did not forget," Wade told her smartly, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on her lips. "I happen to have the wine and orange juice both chillin', the coffee machine all set up for anybody not drinkin'," he said, tilting his head significantly towards Earl, "and the gifts for the twins and my brother all piled up on the bed in our room. Bam!" he said proudly, holding up his hand for a high-five and grinning when Zoe responded, slapping it loudly with her own hand.

"You're like Super-Husband," she said happily.

"It has been said," Wade agreed, smacking her behind playfully as she moved by him, to go to the bathroom and primp a little, no doubt.

Wade headed over to the Christmas tree, with Earl trailing behind, him sitting down on the rug with the kids while his old man dropped down into the armchair.

"You havin' a good time, you two?" he asked Jack and Eve. "Wow, look at this, you guys made out like bandits or somethin'."

"So many presents!" Eve grinned, her eyes wide. "Santa loves us, right, Jack?"

"He sure does," he told her, even as he glanced at Wade and rolled his eyes.

It was kind of a shame that his son no longer believed in all of the magic of Christmas, but at eight-and-a-half, he supposed it was to be expected. At least he kept the magic alive for his sister - that wasn't nothing.

"Okay, we are officially all set for our guests," said Zoe, returning to the scene, sitting down beside Wade and encouraging his arm around her. "You feeling okay?" she checked, obviously thinking of how rough the time of year could be for him sometimes still.

"I am doin' just fine, sweetheart," he promised anyway, giving her a squeeze. "Call me sentimental if you want, but I have everything I need for a perfect Christmas right here."

A/N: For those readers who are here purely for the Hart of Dixie/Zade fic, I hope you have enjoyed the ride :) Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, as is applicable, and I hope you will join me again in 2024 for the continuation of 'Way Down South' and other HoD/Zade fics too ;)