November 7th 2013

Wade was sitting at home on his day off when there was a sudden knock on his door. He got up from the couch and answered.

"Hello?" he greeted a woman in her mid to late 30s in a business suit.

"Hello, I'm Kelly Branson and I'm from the Department of Family and Child Services of Georgia. Are you Wade Kinsella?"

"I am." he answered very confused "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I have a few things to discuss with you. May I come in?"

"Uh sure." he opened the door wider and moved aside to let her in.

"Did you know a Melissa Dylan?" she asked

"Um not really." he answered "Where are you from again?" he asked

"The Department of Family and Child Services." he gave her another confused look. She pulled out a picture of Melissa.

Wade looked at it and nodded "Oh Mel, yeah I know her."

She nodded "I know this may be a bit confusing but were you aware that Miss. Dylan had a son?" Wade shook his head no. "We didn't think so." she sighed "Miss. Dylan was in a car accident 2 months ago with her then 10 month old son. She unfortunately did not make it."

Wade's eyes widened and he sat down on the arm rest of the sofa. "That's horrible but what does this have to do with me?"

"We have reason to believe that you are the father of her now 1 year old son."

"No, no. I haven't seen her in almost 2 years."

"She would have gotten pregnant around February of 2012. She has your name on the baby's birth certificate and she also had it written that if something was to happen to her that you were to get the child. I know this is a lot of information and I understand it is a lot to process." She reached in her purse and took out a photo, she handed it over to Wade.

"Woah." he breathed as he looked at the photo "That's him?"

"Yes, that is Wyatt."

"He looks like...me."

"I have to agree. He just turned a couple weeks ago."

Wade nodded "So, I get him?" he asked confused

"Yes, if you want him. Since you didn't know about his existence, we will not force you to take him."

"What happens if I don't?"

"He remains in foster care until we find a suitable home for him." Wade stayed silent "We will have to do a paternity test just to make absolute proof that he is yours."

"Ok, well do that I guess. If he's mine, he's mine."

"We like to hear that. I just need to do a quick cheek swab."

Wade nodded and she did the swab.

"Now, we will be doing a full background check of you. We won't just place him with you just because you are his father. You have to be able to take care of him, have a steady income, make sure you are responsible. You can also do what we like to call a trial period. Almost like you are acting as a foster care, you take him for a few weeks and if you can't handle it or don't want it, we will take him back. You have no rights at this point, you never signed the birth certificate."

"I understand. Do you have any information on him? Copies of birth certificate or anything I can show my lawyer? Will I need a lawyer?"

"I have copies of everything right here." She handed him a folder "You can have everything looked over by your lawyer if you would like."

"Thank you. When will the paternity test results she ready?"

"2-3 days at most. I will contact you when it is in. Do you have any other questions?"

Wade just shook his head "Not right now." He mumbled

"Here is my card, you can call me anytime with any questions you may have." She stood up from the couch

Wade stood up as well and extended his hand "Thanks."

"You're welcome Mr. Kinsella. I will talk to you soon."

Wade walked her to the door and led her out onto the porch. He stood there and watched as she got in her car and drove away. He collapsed in the nearest chair and put his head in his hands. All of the sudden her heard footsteps walking past his porch and looked up.

"Hi Wade." Zoe smiled and waved. He gave her a half smirk but couldn't get any words out. "Are you ok?" she said as she finally noticed how pale he was. She rushed up the porch steps "What's the matter?" she asked. Wade just shook his head and tossed her the folder. She opened it, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped "Oh my god. Is it true?" she asked sitting down across from him

"I don't know." He finally said

"Are they doing a paternity test?" she asked and he nodded "Ok, well if he's yours do you have to take him?"

Wade looked up at her for the first time "How can I not? If he's really mine, I can't just abandon him, right?"

Zoe shrugged "I don't know." Wade leaned forward and flipped the pages to the other side revealing the picture of the baby. Zoe's breath caught in her throat and her hand flew over her mouth "He's you."

"I know" he whispered "What do I do Zoe?"

Zoe looked over at him "It's all up to you."

"Zoe." He sighed "I can't raise a baby. I don't know anything about kids. But how do I not take him and let him sit in foster care or an orphanage and let him wait to get adopted. What would you do?"

Zoe thought for a moment "If he was mine, I would want him but he's not. I can't make this decision for you."

"I know but how am I supposed to take care of a kid? The women said I can do a trial period with him but I know if I get him, I won't want to give him back. I saw that damn picture and already wanted him."

Zoe smiled "I think that's your answer Wade. You'll figure out how to take care of him, you won't be alone in this." She reached forward and touched his knee with her hand "If you decide to keep him, you know this town will be behind you 100%."

Wade nodded "But I have to raise him, not the town. Earl is my father, what a great influence I have." He rolled his eyes

"Stop that right now. You are not Earl. You are a great, responsible guy. I know that you will never let your son down."

Wade looked at her "You don't know that."

"Yes I do." She glances at the papers again and smiled "He was born on my birthday."

Wade smiled "Really?"

"Yeah, don't I feel special."

Wade chuckled "Thanks Zoe."

"I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did." He nodded "What were you doing out here anyway?"

"Hanging out with AB. I miss the plantation. That stupid motel is getting to me."

"I would imagine. So you were just wandering? Hoping to find Burt Reynolds?" he laughed

She smiled "I do miss that gator. I miss everything about this place."

"It's not the same without you." He smirked

Zoe nodded "I should get going. Call me if you want to talk."

"I will and please don't mention this to anyone yet. I don't need word spreading about this before it's even 100% confirmed."

"I won't, I promise." She stood up from the chair as did Wade. She then leaned up and gave him a hug "Everything will be fine." She said as she pulled away

He nodded "I hope so."

"I'll talk to you later." She smiled as she walked down the steps

Wade waved "Tell Joel I said hi."

Zoe nodded "Ok." She whispered