Chapter 29

Again, I don't own any of these characters

The final week of classes came and went, and Cody and Bailey were ready to head into reading week and then finals. That week, Cody and Bailey had spoken again to Ty, Beth and Tommy/Ben. They were going to meet up after finals so that Ty could handover everything to Cody that he would need for next year as well as give him any advice about leading the Skulls. That week was also their last week of working until after finals were over.

When she woke up on Saturday morning, Bailey reached over and found Cody wasn't there along side of her. She sat up and did notice that there was a single rose lying on Cody's pillow with a note attached. Reaching over to grab it, she noticed it was an artificial one. She pulled it to her and read the note.

"Happy Birthday, Bailey,

This rose is like my love for you in that neither will ever fade. And much like you, this rose will forever be beautiful.

All my love now and forever, Cody."

Bailey smiled and lifted the rose up to her nose. It was just like Cody she thought to spray it with the scent of his cologne. Of course, that wasn't all she smelled. She could smell something delicious waffling into the bedroom. Bailey quickly got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. She paused briefly as she watched Cody cooking while carrying on a conversation with Porkers at the same time.

"Porkers, you want to know something else about Bailey?"

Porkers oinked.

"She thinks she's sneaky, but we both know she's watching us..."

Bailey smiled and walked into the kitchen. Cody immediately turned and pulled her into his arms. Leaning down, he placed a kiss up on her lips. "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart..."

"Thank you, Codykins...What smells so good?"

"Your favorites of course...Chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, grits and b-a-c-o-n..."

Porkers looked up at them and oinked.

Cody leaned down to him and whispered. "Shhhh...it turkey bacon but she doesn't know that..."

Bailey just laughed. "Either is fine with me...I just want to spend my breakfast with my two favorite boys."

Cody walks over and pulls out a chair for her. "Well, have a seat and let us serve you..."

Bailey sits and Cody brings over a plate for her. "Bon Appetite, Mon Chere..."

"Uh huh...I said I wanted to have breakfast with you, so sit that cute tush down next to me!"

Cody smiled. "Yes, Dear..."

Of course, it was all delicious. And after they finished, they just sat at the table.

"So, what do you have planned for today, Codykins?"

"As I recall, its your day to be Queen. What would you like to do?"

Bailey just looked at him. "You have nothing planned?"

"A few things...Everyone is meeting us for dinner tonight at the seafood restaurant from last year. So, there's that..."

"Uh huh...I know you Cody, I know there's more..."

Cody grinned. "Let's just say we have until noon to do whatever you want..."

"Noon, huh? That gives us about three hours...Let me think."

Cody began to hum the theme from Jeopardy.

Bailey laughed. "Good one...Actually, there are a few things I would love..."

"Name them..."

"You remember how you pampered me last year...the shower, the bath and the massage?"

"Of course..."

Bailey smiled. "I want that again!"

Cody smiled. "Your wish is my command. If you wouldn't mind tending to my cohort here, I will go draw you a bath..."

"Just make sure there's room for two..."

Cody did run Bailey a hot bath and added bath gels and bubble bath. He lit some more candles and brought out his ipod so music would fill the room. Before he went and got Bailey, he went and made their bed and placed a large towel on top of it. He then returned to the kitchen.

"My Queen, your bath awaits..."

Bailey smiled and let Cody lead her to the bathroom. Her smile widened as she saw Cody had set it up exactly as the year before. She quickly undressed and indicated for Cody to do the same. Soon, Cody was lounging against the back of the tub, and Bailey was leaning against his chest.

Bailey sighed. "This feels heavenly...Can we stay in here all day?"

Cody wrapped his arms around her. "As long as you are okay with more pruning and the water eventually cooling off..."

Bailey laid her head back on his shoulder. "Then I'll just enjoy this for as long as I can..."

And they did stay in the tub until the water began to cool. Cody got out first and wrapped a towel around his waist. He then helped Bailey out and thoroughly dried her off. He then lifted her up again and carried her into their bedroom and on to the waiting towel. He grabbed the message oil, and once again he gave her a full body massage. Bailey was so relaxed that she almost fell asleep. Almost. When Cody was giving her a sensual foot rub, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

"I think its time for us both to feel good..."

Cody could only smile.

A little while later, Cody and Bailey were finally dressed for the day. Bailey smiled when she noticed him packing a picnic basket again. She hoped she knew where they were going. In the car, she noticed they were heading back to the beach, and she couldn't have been happier. Once parked, Cody lead her back to the same place as the year before. He spread out a blanket and began fixing them both a plate. Both laid back and enjoyed the relaxing picnic on the beach. And once they were done, the decided to go for a barefoot walk on the beach again.

They walked down towards a pier before heading back. They were talking about anything and everything, and Bailey wasn't paying attention to where they were going. She happened to look down and saw a bottle floating in the water.

"Look Cody! A message in a bottle!"

Cody had a funny look on his face. "Those things actually happen?"

Bailey smiled. "Maybe it was a school project somewhere to see how far it would go. Let's see what it says..."

Cody shrugged and leaned down and picked it up. "Here, you open it..."

Bailey did and pulled out the note. She unrolled it and began to read it.

"In a small town, on this day two decades ago;

A beautiful baby girl entered the world and said hello;

Myself only a month older and half a country apart;

Was finally being joined by the other half of my heart.

And though we were not to formally meet for fifteen years;

The dream of meeting you one day helped ease those tears,

And on board, that fateful day did finally arrive;

For the first time in my life, I felt truly alive.

And since that day, I have had no doubt in mind;

You are the only woman for me, a more perfect one impossible to find;

I give you myself heart, body and soul;

To make you happy my life's permanent goal.

I thank you so much for in my life all that is right;

My partner, my best friend, my lover, the most beautiful sight;

I can't wait to marry you and make you my wife;

I promise to love, honor and cherish you for the rest of my life."

Tears were forming in Bailey's eyes as she looked up at Cody. "You set that up?"

Cody smiled. "Yeah...Bails, I know its been two years, but I want to do it again..." Cody dropped to his knee and took Bailey's hand. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Bailey Anne Pickett. No matter what else happens to me in my life, the greatest honor that will ever be bestowed upon me is that you agreed to be my wife. There haven't been words written yet that can describe just how much I love you. The closest I can say is that I am yours heart, body and soul. Bailey...I ask you again...Will you marry me?"

Bailey dropped to her knee and just threw her arms around Cody's neck. Cody could feel his shoulder getting damp with tears, but he didn't care.

Emotionally, Bailey finally spoke. "Of course I will...The greatest honor I will ever be bestowed is that you chose me to be the one you want to spend your life with. Cody, you are my perfect man, and you will be my perfect husband...I love you so much..."

Cody pulled back and began to wipe away Bailey's tears. "I love you so much too..." Cody leaned in and kissed her.

Of course, they should have watched where they were kneeling. Because their kiss was interrupted by the remnants of wave soaking their pant legs. Both could do nothing but laugh.

"How about we head home and get cleaned up again?"

Bailey smiled again. "I think so...I happened to notice more pig's milk in the fridge. Have any specific plans for that?"

Cody smiled back. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see..."

Several hours and a very intense shower later, Cody and Bailey were dressed ready to go out. Before they left, Cody stopped Bailey.

"I want to give you your gift right now..."

"Okay...sounds good to me."

"You kept asking why I wanted to wait to go shop for my new suit until tomorrow. Well, this is the reason why..." Cody handed her an envelope. Bailey opened it and smiled when she saw what it was. Cody continued. "I wanted to wait so we could shop for our new interview outfits together. Bails, I promise, this was the idea I had back then..."

Bailey smiled. "I know. And I really appreciate the thought, Codykins. It is something that I will really need..."

Cody smiled too. "The trick will be to find an outfit that doesn't completely distract them by your beauty and lets them see the big brain and heart of yours..."

Bailey leaned up and kissed Cody. "The only one I ever want to distract with my beauty is you. I already know you appreciate my mind..."

"That I do...Bails, to me, you are the total package..."

"Right back at ya...Now, lets go meet our friends..."

Everyone showed up for dinner and everyone had a good time. A birthday cake with twenty candles was brought out, and everyone dug in to it. As they were sitting around afterwards, Zack, Cassie, Cody and Bailey were talking.

Zack sat back. "So, what's been new around here lately?"

Cody looked at Bailey and smiled. "Oh...Nothing too exciting..."

To be Continued...