"Thank God," Cody breathed aloud. He was just so very relieved that he had not been the cause of the deaths of so many innocent people.
"What?" asked London.
"I ... I thought I killed them all," Cody sobbed. Then the whole horrible story poured out. When he was done, London could only look at him in shock.
"Oh my gosh, Cody," said London. "You must have been going through hell! I'm so sorry that I didn't find you and clear your mind sooner."
"It's okay," Cody said, smiling. "Zack led me to you."
"Zack?" questioned London.
"Yeah ..." Cody trailed off. He told London about the dream.
"Wow, Cody, that's amazing! You know, we really were so blessed to have such good friends in our lives. You know what we should do. We should have a special ceremony. Kind of like closure, or something."
Cody's eyes widened and he nodded enthusiastically. "London! That's a terrific idea!"
Cody was again taken aback by the difference in London - now he knew that while she had always been smart, she just tended to hide it. A couple weeks ago, if someone had told him that London Tipton would say the word closure and not think that it was the science of closing a door, Cody would have laughed in their face.
London looked pleased with herself. "Do you really think my idea is good?" she asked proudly. "No one ever told me that before!"
"I think it's the best dang idea I've ever heard," said Cody truthfully. Then Cody was aware of someone coming up behind him and putting his hand on his shoulder.
He turned to see the psychiatrist. "Cody, I'm sorry, but we really have to go back now."
Cody sighed, but he knew it was good of the doctor to let him have stayed even this long. He turned to London and said, "You'll come visit me, won't you? I'm staying at the hospital just down the road from here. You have to come! We can keep on planning our special ceremony! And keep talking to each other, of course. I never want to lose contact with you."
London smiled, and Cody noticed how beautiful she was. She looked even prettier now, with no makeup and nothing done with her hair, than she ever had before. "Cody, I will most definitely come visit you! I am so glad that Zack lead you to me," she whispered in his ear, as she hugged him.
"Me too," Cody said softly, hugging her back. Then he waved a good-bye, and left with the doctor.
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That night, Cody had no trouble falling asleep. He had another dream like the one the night before. He was standing in the same white room.
Zack entered, with their mother. "Mom! Zack!" cried Cody, rushing over and hugging them both. He cried as he realized how much he missed actually being able to do this.
"Oh, Cody," murmured his mother. She was crying, too. "I miss you, honey."
"Me too, man," said Zack.
"I miss you guys, too! So much that it kills me. But today, I found someone. Guess what? I was talking to London today!" Cody cried in excitement.
"That's great!" said their mother. "Poor London. How is she holding up?"
"She was feeling pretty low," Cody admitted. "But I think I cheered her up."
Zack laughed. "Ooh, Cody!"
Cody blushed. "Oh Zack, shut up!" he laughed. "I just meant that, like me, she was really happy to see someone else who knew what she was going through."
Their mother smiled. "That's great, honey. Well, I'm sorry, but I've gotta go now. I love you, Cody. You be good. Not that you won't be. I love you."
"Love you too, Mom," murmured Cody, hugging her tightly and wishing that he didn't have to ever let go.
Then she left the room. Cody was left alone with his brother. "Well, Zack, thanks a lot for sending me to the Tipton today! Not only did I see London, but I also found out that I didn't start the fire! It was the heating system! Not me."
Zack beamed. "See, I knew it wasn't you! Now, I've got to go, too. Sorry we only have limited time for this. I love you, Codester. See you soon."
"Love you too, Zack," Cody said, hugging his brother.
That was when he woke up.
Cody sighed and huddled in his blankets. These dreams were the only contact that he had with his family. He never wanted them to end.
Then, to take his mind off missing his family, Cody began to think about the ceremony. What could he and London do, he wondered, that was good enough to commemorate the lives of the six very special people who they had lost?
Suddenly, the idea struck him. Peacefully, Cody snuggled down to sleep again. He couldn't wait to talk to London, and tell her all about it!
A/N: Hi, sorry that that chapter was kind of dull. Not the best, I know. Hopefully the next will be better. I do believe that Chapter 9 will be the last chapter, if all goes as planned. I'll be sad when this is over, because I had so much fun writing this and reading the reviews from you guys, you're all great! Thanks so much:)
