(A/N: Hello all! I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Please review. Love, Ellivia22)
Disclaimer: If I owned Suite Life I'd go shopping with Brenda Song and Debby Ryan :)
Discovering Love
Chapter 11 Together At Last
Cody
"So Ms. Tutweiller told me that with all of the extra credit that I'm planning to do this year I will have no problem being Valedictorian. Best of all, my acceptance letter to Yale should arrive next semester."
"That's wonderful, dear," Mom answers absently.
She smiles at me, but I can tell by the look in her eyes that her mind is millions of miles away. Her hair is still disheveled and she has heavy bags under her eyes. She's probably thinking about Zack. Considering the circumstances, I don't blame her. Talking about whatever comes to mind is the only thing keeping me from thinking about him too. Plus I figure it would buy London some extra alone time with him. I owe it to her.
I fiddle with my empty mini cereal box, trying to think of what else to say. My mind drifts to Bailey. She told me last night that she'll be here first thing in the morning. I can't wait to see her. Once Zack wakes up, I'm going to make sure that I tell Bailey that I still love her.
I am about to tell Mom about my plans to get back together with Bailey when my head starts to ache. This doesn't bother me one bit. Along with the ache I get a warm feeling in my heart. Zack is awake.
I stand up from the cafeteria table that Mom and I are sitting at. She follows suit. I grin broadly at my mother. "He's awake."
Right when we reach the elevator lobby, the doors open, revealing Bailey. I'm so desperate to see my brother that I barely notice how beautiful she is today in her simple white dress. I want to tell her that I'm still in love with her, but now is not the time.
"Cody!" Bailey says happily. "I'm so glad to see you. I need to talk to you."
I give her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Bailey, but this isn't a good time. Zack just woke up."
Bailey smiles at me, but I can tell that she's slightly disappointed that she didn't get to say what she wanted to say. "That's wonderful."
She joins Mom and I as we enter the elevator that is going up to the second floor. I wish it would go faster. I can't wait to see my brother again.
Zack
My back leans against the hospital bed. After the doctor and nurse checked on me, they moved my bed so that I'm sitting upright. It feels so good to sit up, though the thing I want to do the most is get out of the hospital and spend some time with London.
London is sitting beside me on the edge of the bed. Her hand runs gently through my golden hair. My eyes are closed, enjoying her touch. I could definitely get used to this.
"Last night, all I could dream about was the accident," London said quietly. Her voice wavers slightly. "I was so afraid that I had lost you forever."
I open my eyes to look at my girlfriend. She's smiling, but I can still see the fright in her beautiful brown eyes. I squeeze her hand reassuringly. "I promise that I'll never scare you like that again."
"Zack!"
I grin seeing Cody, Mom, and Bailey in the doorway of my hospital room. They all look ecstatic to see me. I feel the same way. This day just keeps getting better. "Hey guys," I say cheerfully.
Before I can blink Cody's arms are around me in a tight hug. His grip is so tight that my broken ribs start to ache painfully. "Ow, Cody! My ribs!"
He pulls away immediately, then settles on the other side of London on my bed. He has a big grin on his face, his blue eyes misting a little. "Sorry. I'm just so glad that you're all right. You scared me to death."
I pat my twin reassuringly on the back. "I'm okay, Codes." I glance at London lovingly. "In fact, I'm better than okay. I'm fantastic."
Cody grins at me and gives me one last hug, which I return. Then he moves back so Mom and could hug me as well, followed by Bailey. "That was a very dangerous thing you did, Zack," Mom says, looking at me sternly. Then she smiles. "But I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks."
A small silence fills the room. I continue to gaze at London, my arm slinking around her waist. Then Bailey speaks for the first time since she came in the room. "I think I should go tell Mr. Moseby that you're okay." I notice that she looks slightly upset and her eyes flicker at Cody constantly. "I'll see you guys l-later." She chokes on the last word. Before anybody could say anything else, she's out the door.
Cody and I immediately lock eyes. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Cody and Bailey are still in love with each other. I give him a meaningful look.
Tell her
Cody nods then leaves the room after Bailey. I give London a gentle kiss, feeling the happiest than I have in days. It looks like we're not the only ones who are going to have a happy ending.
Bailey
I hurriedly make my way down the hall towards the elevators. I am consumed with a multitude of emotions. I am extremely relieved that Zack is awake, ecstatic that he and London are together, and disappointed that I never got to tell Cody that I'm still in love with him. It wasn't the right time. It still doesn't make the loneliness go away.
I press the arrow button on the wall next to the elevator with more force than I probably should have. My heart continues to ache. I just want to update Mr. Moseby on the good news then crawl under my covers until dinnertime. I press harder on the elevator button. Why is it that the elevator is taking its sweet time when I'm in a hurry?
"Bailey! Wait up!"
I turn to see Cody running to catch up with me. I smile at him. "Hey, Cody. Is everything okay?"
He reaches me. From running so hard to catch up with me, his blonde hair is all over the place. I resist the urge to smooth it down. "Everything's fine." He looks shy all of a sudden. "I just wanted to... I mean, would you like some company back to the ship?"
My heart leaps to my throat. "Sure."
As we enter the elevator I feel Cody hesitantly grab my hand. I am shocked, but don't let go. We silently ride the elevator, still holding hands. I am unsure of how I want to start what could be the most important conversation in my life. By the look on Cody's face, I can tell he's having the same problem. But is he wanting to tell me the same thing that I want to tell him?
We walk out of the hospital and down the Portuguese street in silence. To distract myself from my nerves I look at awe at the shops outside selling beautiful brightly color dresses and merchants selling hand made pottery. The city of Lisbon is even more amazing than I ever imagined.
"Take a look at this," Cody says suddenly, pointing at the jewelry that a young Portuguese woman is selling.
In the middle of the jewelry is a beautiful golden necklace. It looks remarkably like the earrings Cody bought for me in Morocco. "Wow," I say breathlessly. "It's so beautiful."
I see Cody reach in his back pocket. I feel my face reddening. "You don't have to."
He smiles at me. "I want to, Bailey." After paying the young woman, he hands me the box containing the necklace. "Think of it as a gift for rekindling our friendship."
My heart drops to my stomach at hearing the word "friendship." Does that mean that he doesn't want to be more? I give him a grateful smile, none the less. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Fifteen minutes later, Cody and I find ourselves at the pier where the S.S. Tipton is still docked. Since Zack's accident, the ship was to stay docked in Portugal until Zack is well enough to be moved to the ship infirmary. As we look at it, we realize how huge the ship is from this standpoint. I build up my courage. It's now or never. We simultaneously face each other.
"Cody.."
"Bailey..." we say at the same time.
People jostle past us, but we don't notice. All I can focus on are his sapphire eyes. "You first, " we say again in unison.
A silence falls between us as we wait for the other to say something. I open my mouth.
"I'm still in love with you, Bailey," Cody blurts out. "You're the only one I want to be with for the rest of my life. Nobody else." He adverts his eyes. "I understand if you don't feel the same way anymore, but I just needed to tell you how I feel."
A happy tear falls down my face. I am grinning so broadly that my face is starting to hurt. "I'm still in love with you, too, Cody. And now that I have you back, I'm never letting you go again."
Cody's arms wrap around my waist as mine circle around his neck. "Likewise."
I close my eyes as his lips taste mine at last. I tighten my grip and kiss back passionately. The fireworks go off in my head, and I feel as though my feet are floating away. His lips are warm and taste like peppermint. He opens his mouth and deepens the kiss. I respond automatically, my hair running through his blonde locks. All the loneliness that I've felt for months melts away almost instantly. I finally have the man of my dreams back in my arms. And this time, I'm never going to let him go again.
Last chapter is up next. Please review. Thanks :)
