Chapter 36

Again, I don't own any of these characters...well, except the ones I created

As the S.S. Tipton continued its voyage through the South Pacific, life was carrying on on deck and in the classrooms. That Friday afternoon had been deemed Emancipation Day. The bundles of joy that the class had been taking care of were now going to begin their own lives and let their parents become empty nesters. Everyone, including Woody, had grown quite attached to their "children" and were sad to see them go. Miss Tutweiler was extremely proud of her students and reminded each group that they each had a paper due to the following Monday on what they learned from parenthood.

Cody and Bailey smiled at each other. They had already finished theirs. Bailey had insisted she was the one who would do the actual typing. Cody tried to remind her that while he had a cast, he could still type. But Bailey would have none of that. Cody just shook his head as he had learned his lesson and it wasn't something worth getting into an argument over. However, Cody did put his foot down when Bailey said she was going to carry his book bag. He reminded her that all he had was a broken wrist, not broken legs. Bailey was going to argue when Cody joked he thought their "marriage" would have gone a whole lot smoother if he had just broken his arm. Bailey did have to laugh at that, and she added that getting transferred to Tokyo didn't seem like such a good idea anymore.

The only other problem they both had now was London. The story of what had happened in Tokyo had made the local papers. In turn, several other American and international papers had picked up the story. London wanted to have the first exclusive interview with the pair on Yay Me! Neither Cody nor Bailey were all that enthused about making a appearance on the show. However, London did have a trump card that she knew could convince them. She merely stated that if they agreed, she might be spending more and more nights off the ship when they were in ports. As much as neither wanted to go on air and subject themselves to London's viewers, the allure of being able to spend more nights together was too much to pass up. The three agreed that London's next webisode would include them as guests.

Bailey did have another problem though. Thinking back to the vow she made Cody the night they had been attacked, Bailey realized a problem was coming up soon that they would have to deal with...summer. They had spent the last summer apart, and it had been very difficult on them both. Bailey didn't think she could handle another summer apart. And she had vowed to them both that she wasn't going to let him out of her sight ever again. But, how could she keep that promise with him in Boston and her in Kettlecorn? Bailey knew she had to to think of something, but what?

And her problem managed to get even worse. This happened when London's father's lawyer actually showed up on ship one day. He had some papers to drop off for London, but he had another matter to attend to as well. Bailey and Cody were sitting on the sky deck when he asked if he could join them. They both were surprised but nodded.

"Its a pleasure to finally meet you both, Mr. Martin and Miss Pickett..."

Cody and Bailey looked at each other in surprise. "You know who we are?"

"Of course I do. Mr. Tipton requires me to do a full background check on all of London's friends. We've knew all about you Mr. Martin with 24 hours of you moving into the Boston Tipton. And Miss Pickett, before you had unpacked in your cabin with London, we knew all about you as well."

Cody and Bailey are shocked. "Who are you?"

"My apologies. I'm George Daniels. I'm the chief general counsel for Tipton Industries."

"What can we do for you, Mr. Daniels?"

"Well, after reading the contract that you wrote between you and Miss Tipton, I was very impressed. And when I found out it was a 16 yo boy who wrote it, I knew I had to meet you."

"Well, its an honor to meet you too, Mr. Daniels."

"Beyond that, I have an offer for you..."

"An offer?"

"What are your plans for this summer?"

Cody pauses to think. "I guess none yet. I really haven't thought that far ahead yet..."

"Excellent. I want to offer you a paid internship in my office. I think a mind like yours would be a great asset for us..."

Cody is stunned. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely." Mr. Daniels reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card and hands it to Cody. "Here, this is my card. Think it over and get back in touch with me. Now, I hate to leave so soon, but I have a helicopter to catch. It was nice finally meeting you both." With that, Mr. Daniels gets up, makes his goodbyes and is off.

Cody turns to Bailey, unable to believe what had just happened. Cody can't believe the opportunity that he was just given, but Bailey was lost in her own thoughts. He now had every reason to spend the summer in Boston. And this was an opportunity that could lead to big things for him. She knew she couldn't get in the way of that. Thoughts just kept tumbling through her mind, and she didn't even notice Cody waiving his hand in front of her face. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, she jumped. Cody asked if she was alright and she tried to say she was fine. But, Cody knew better.

"Bails...what's really going on?"

"(sighs) Its nothing Cody...My mind was just elsewhere..."

"Where?"

"It doesn't matter..."

"It does to me. Remember, I know you. I can tell something is bothering you. Tell me..."

Bailey sighed. This was the one downside of Cody knowing her so well. "I was just thinking about this summer..."

"What about it?"

"I was just thinking that soon enough, we are going to be separated again..."

"(smiles) Says who?"

"Well, you were just offered a wonderful opportunity in Boston, and I will probably be going back to Kettlecorn..."

Cody takes Bailey's hand in his own. "I haven't said yes to anything yet. And if its going to cause problems with us being together, I'll call him right now and decline..."

"I can't let you do that...That could lead to big things for your future..."

"(smiles) Bailey...you are my future."

With that, Bailey couldn't help but smile. Cody continued. "As for this summer, we'll figure it out. We always do. So, until we do, I don't want you to worry about this. Will you do that for me?"

Bailey nods. "I'll try..."

Cody smiles. "That's all I can ask. And I promise you, this will work itself out."

And Bailey did try not to worry about it. But, it still crept into her mind. That night, she was laying in bed staring at the ceiling trying to imagine just how it would work itself out. London couldn't help but notice.

"Something on your mind, Bailey?"

Bailey is about to say nothing when she decides to just get everything off her chest. She bares everything to London about her vow she made to Cody, about the offer he just got, and her fear of being separated for the summer. London just looks at Bailey.

"Sounds like an easy one to me..."

"(confused) What do you mean?"

"If Cody is going to be in Boston, then you be in Boston too..."

"And how do I do that? I doubt my parents would be in favor of that..."

"Well, you keep saying this is an opportunity Cody can't turn down. Don't you think your parents would feel the same way if you had one too?"

"(sighs) One slight problem with that. I haven't been offered a great opportunity..."

"Not with that attitude you're not..."

"What do you suggest then?"

"Get yourself one of those intern type thingies..."

"London, that's a lot easier said than done...those things are usually so competitive..."

London smiles. "Bailey, Bailey, Bailey...You have one thing that they don't..."

"Yeah?"

"Yes...Me!"

Bailey is obviously touched. "London...I appreciate that, but I couldn't ask you to do anything..."

"How badly do you want to spend the summer with Cody?"

Bailey pauses. "Tell me what you have in mind..."

"Simple...Just give me your resume, I will make sure it gets into the right hands..."

"I can do that...(thinks)...Wait, I can't do this..."

"Why not?"

"Well, there is the little issue of I have absolutely no where to live in Boston..."

London rolls her eyes. "Do I have to think of everything? I have the largest suite at the Boston Tipton...(sighs) You can stay with me..."

"Really, London? You've been trying to get me out of your room here for almost two years. Are you sure you would want me to stay with you when you don't have to?"

"Yes...I...I...I actually like having you around...You're my On Ship Maddie..."

"Awwww..." Bailey pulls London in to a hug. "How can I ever thank you?"

"You can start by stop wrinkling the rich girl..."

To be Continued...