Hi guys! Thank you sooo much for reviewing! Sorry it took me awhile to update. Life's been crazy! I hope you like this chapter. No it's not over yet. You have to read more! Wahahaha! Ehem, okay.

Thanks for the reviews. Enjoy!

I have always dreamed of this

I'll admit that there was something I missed

Wondering if it is for real

Every mistake every wrong turn

Every time I lost my way

led me to this

moment of bliss tonight

with you…

-Katharine McPhee

Carey Martin was deep in conversation with Mr. Moseby about what was suitable attire to wear to a picnic, when she saw London stand up and wave at some one behind her.

"Maddie, Esteban, WE'RE OVER HERE!"

Carey turned around and smiled as she saw Maddie Fitzpatrick and Esteban Ramirez walk through the entrance of the food tent.

"Maddie, Esteban, how are you?" shouted Carey as she ran over to them.

"Good!" said Maddie beaming. She let go of Esteban's arm and hugged Carey tightly. "Oh, it's great to see you again! How are you?" Maddie asked when she pulled away.

"Oh, I'm great!" Carey answered off handedly. She looked at Maddie.

Maddie had definitely changed. She didn't look like the high school kid that used to come and ask for Carey's advice any more. She looked so mature…like a woman or something.

Standing there in her brown Capri's, light blue shirt, rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes, Maddie seemed almost to glow.

Carey turned to greet Esteban.

He also, looked different. Now the only time Carey really ever saw him before was when he was in his bellhop uniform, but even still… some thing was different.

She shook herself out of her trance.

Maybe it was just that Maddie wasn't dressing like a teenager, and Esteban had grown some facial hair, and it made them seem like adults.

But there was some thing else, and Carey still couldn't put her finger on it.

"Well, have you guys seen anyone else here that you know yet?" Carey asked.

"Yes,' answered Esteban, smiling at Maddie. 'Zack, Cody, London… Mr. Moseby." He said, nodding his head in the direction over Carey's shoulder.

Mr. Moseby walked up behind her.

"See Maddie, I told you, you would find someone you knew." Said Mr. Moseby nudging Esteban with his elbow.

Maddie blushed and looked up at Esteban smiling.

Then it hit Carey. She had never seen them so happy before.

"Well,' said Mr. Moseby in his ever-business-like tone. 'You two should go get some food before it's gone. I already saw Zack eying the dessert table."

"Okay." Said Maddie. She waved, then grabbed Esteban's hand and headed for the plates.

"Well,'

Carey could hear Moseby mumble as he watched them walk away.

'Finally."

Carey smiled. "You got that right."

CLCLCLCLCLCLCLCLCLCL

Zack watched as Maddie and Esteban filled up their plates and started to head over towards their table.

After London had hastily pulled him and Cody away from Maddie and Esteban in the park, they went into the food tent, and told Mom about London's being engaged.

After congratulations, they found a table and had, for the last fifteen minutes, been in deep discussion about the 'relationship' of Maddie and Esteban.

Which of course London and Cody, and according to them, EVERYONE knew was more than it appeared.

Zack however, never remembered them being any thing but friends. He was never jealous of Esteban, and he used to be jealous of every guy that Maddie had liked.

London said that was because Zack was young and naïve. Cody said it was because Zack was Zack.

"Now, everyone, act natural." Hissed London quickly.

Maddie and Esteban sat down across from them.

Zack realized now as he saw them both smiling and shooting blushing looks at one other, that there was indeed some thing between them.

Maddie turned to London.

She was wearing the goofy grin again.

"So what were you guys talking about?" Maddie asked as she took a bite of potato salad.

"OH NOTHING.' Said London in her 'acting natural' voice. 'WE WEREN"T TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING- MADDIE.'

Maddie caught Esteban's eye and gave him a 'oh brother' look.

He smiled knowingly.

"AT LEAST NOTHING INTERESTING. NOTHING ABOUT YOU AND ESTE-"

Cody covered her mouth quickly with his hand.

"So Esteban,' asked Zack turning towards him. 'How is your and your uncle's oil business going?"

As Esteban turned to answer Zack, Maddie felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to have any vanilla flavored gum here, would you?"

Maddie smiled and turned around.

"Hi Patrick."

"Is that a no?' teased Patrick in his whiny voice.

Maddie stood up and gave him a quick hug.

"How have you been?' Maddie asked.

"Well, really good.' Said Patrick with not a little hint of pride in his voice. 'I have started a law firm here in Boston.'

Patrick gave her a would-be-modest grin. 'But I have been so busy, I really need an assistant. I've called around to all sorts of law schools for graduates."

"Really?' asked Maddie. 'I graduated from Law school just this year."

"Really?" asked Patrick.

"I've actually just been accepted at a firm here in Boston. It looks really promising. I think I might just take them up on their offer. "

"What's the firm?" asked Patrick, sipping a margarita. 'I could tell you if it's any good."

"Its Bristow/Shrall law."

Patrick almost swallowed the paper umbrella.

"Bristow and Shrall?' he choked. 'That's my firm!"

"No way!" exclaimed Maddie.

"Yes way!' said Patrick. 'I'm Bristow."

"Wow!' said Maddie 'So are they any good?' she teased.

Patrick smiled. 'Of course they are! But why do you want to move back to Boston? Family?"

Maddie smiled and looked over at Esteban, who still in conversation with Zack. He glanced over at her and gave her a quick smile.

"Yeah, something like that."

Nope, still not over.