I know it has been a long time coming but I finally have this next chapter up. I left you with a cliffhanger last chapter and I am really sorry for the delay. Thanks to the reviewers of my last chapter: shilpa gupta, zana, SusieAnna97, I-SOAR-HIGH-withmywings12, stephluvvsyou, Queen of Cartoons, CraziiCookii, child who is cool, and Ellivia22. All of you rock!

*SL and its characters do not belong to me. I do own this story and the songs herein.*

Previously:

"Oh yeah. It's just… my little men are growing up." More tears streak down her cheeks. "I'm just so happy." Carrie cries out, pulling Zack and Cody in for another big hug. Letting go, she backs away from them. "I'm going to go wait for you on the dock." Carrie walks over to the ramp, sniffling into a tissue she pulled from her purse.

"I think she took that pretty well." Zack shrugs his shoulders and watches her leave. Finally free from their mother, Cody and Zack wrap an arm around the waists of their girlfriends. The four couples discuss plans for their trip into Boston with everyone agreeing that they have to see the Tipton.

Their worries laid to rest for the moment, Zack leans down and presses his lips softly against London's. She raises her hands and gently frames his face, smiling into the kiss.

"What the heck is this?"

Chapter 14

Zack and London jump apart and look over to see who shouted and why. Standing a few feet away with her mouth hanging open is none other than Maddie Fitzpatrick… a very obviously shocked and upset Maddie Fitzpatrick. Zack and London freeze, realizing that neither had told her about their relationship. Not knowing what to say, they both remain motionless until London decides to break the silence.

"Uhh. Hi Maddie." London forces a grin and walks over to hug her best friend awkwardly.

"London." Maddie does not return the hug but stands there stiffly. "Is there something you forgot to tell me? Maybe something you should have mentioned in your last email? Possibly something to do with a certain blonde haired, blue eyed guy your lips were just recently attached to?"

"Oh." London giggles nervously and wraps a hand through Zack's arm. Even Maddie's anger can't stop the thrill London gets from tell people that he belong to her. If Zack would let her, she'd have it permanently emblazoned across every shirt he owns and tattooed on his chest. "Zack and I are dating! I've wanted to tell you for ages but wasn't sure how to bring it up."

"Sweetie." Maddie places her hands firmly on London's shoulders, pulling her away from Zack. She's talking as though she's speaking to a toddler, very slow and precise. "You do realize that he is three years younger than you, right?"

"So?" Widening her eyes, London stares at Maddie in confusion. "Age is just a number and it's not as if Zack is a child."

"So, he is still a lot younger than you." Removing her hands, Maddie crosses her arms in front of her chest and glares at London. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"Nope." Smiling, London walks back over to Zack and laces her fingers through his. "He makes me happy."

"This isn't right." Stomping closer to the couple, Maddie raises her eyebrows and flips her long blonde hair over her shoulder in riotous indignation. "He's too young for you." Making this declaration, Maddie stands there as if waiting for London to realize the error of her ways and break up with Zack on the spot.

"Don't place all your hang ups on me." London pouts and wraps her arms around Zack. Zack smiles down at London and hugs her close. "I'm not you Maddie and, when I look at Zack, I don't see a little kid. I see Zack, a handsome, intelligent and caring man."

"He isn't a man, he's Zack." The pitch of her voice rising with each word, Maddie looks Zack up and down. Her eyes widen and she looks again, a faint flush invading the skin of her cheeks. "H-he's a player who's probably going to break your heart."

"Give it up Maddie. We're together and we're staying together." Zack looks over at Maddie with a slight frown, unhappy with her assessment of him. "I'm sorry if you don't approve but it doesn't change anything. We should have told you about us before but we weren't sure how you'd react and thought it better to tell you in person."

"I can't deal with this right now." Backing away slowly, Maddie holds up her hands as if to keep them away from her. "I just can't." A tear slips quietly down her cheek as she turns and runs away, not looking back even once.

"Maddie!" Both Zack and London yell out to stop her but she is already gone.

"Damn." Zack rubs his temples with his eyes pressed closed.

"She'll be okay." London's attempt to reassure him falls flat as she worries her bottom lip with her teeth. "I hope."

"I hope so, too." Kissing London softly, Zack pulls her into his arms. "We'll find her later and try to talk to her again."

"You don't suppose…" London raises a questioning brow and her eyes widen.

"Suppose what?" Zack steps back to look London in the eyes.

"I know it sounds crazy considering how often she shot you down, but do you think she was jealous?" Zack pulls his girlfriend further away from their friends and sits down with her on a lounge chair.

"I seriously doubt that is the issue." Wrapping an arm around London's waist, Zack kisses her on the cheek. "Even if is, it doesn't change anything. I'll feel bad for causing Maddie pain but I'm not in love with her. I love you. You're my girl and I am very happy about that."

"Oh Zack." Melting a little, London cuddles into his arms. "I love you too and I hope you're right about Maddie not being jealous. I don't want to hurt her either… anymore than we apparently already have."

"We'll fix it." Zack promises. "Later. For now, let's join our friends and go home. I need to relax a little before I have to face your dad."

"Don't worry about him." Standing up with Zack, London places her hand reassuringly in his. "He almost always gives me what I want. It's easier than actually having to deal with me and be a parent."

"If you say so." Zack is less than confident and has a sinking feeling that grows with every passing minute.

I not exactly really happy with this chapter so please let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for reading and, hopefully, reviewing!