Chapter 52

Again, I don't own any of these characters

The week in Kettlecorn flew by as everyone just relaxed. The day after they arrived is when all the family finally swarmed in and wanted to know every single detail about the wedding and going to Tufts. Zack and Cassie decided to take pity on Cody and Bailey and said they were going to the Tavern to watch the UCONN game. Zack gave his brother a look when he invited them to come alone.

Bailey looked at them in confusion. "But we got them a..."

Cody clamped his hand over Bailey's mouth. "We'd love to go out with you guys..."

Bailey gave him a look of confusion. "But there is a satellite here now..."

Cody grinned. "And so is everyone wanting to ask us 200 questions..."

Bailey paused and nodded. "Oh...I gotcha...Yeah, let's go..."

So, they headed down to the tavern for the game. Again, Cody and Bailey could care less about the actual game itself, so they headed back over to the pool table again. Both just hoped they didn't run into anyone like last year when they ran into Moose and Betsy Sue. They played a few games and were just having fun when they heard a voice behind them.

"Well, I hope you two are happy!"

Both turned around. Cody saw someone he didn't recognize, but Bailey did.

She sighed. "Hello, Bear...What do you want?"

"Don't give me that! Thanks to you, Betsy Sue divorced Moose and skipped town..."

Cody spoke up. "How is that Bailey's fault? Personally, I think Betsy Sue made a smart decision..."

Bailey nodded. "I agree. She had dreams, and now, she can pursue them. Moose didn't understand that, and that's his problem...Besides, she never asked him to assault her."

"Thanks to your meddling, he's now in prison for the next three years!"

"Again, his fault, not ours..."

Bear glared at Bailey. "You just had to think you were all high and mighty and..."

Cody cut him off. "That's enough. No one speaks to my fiancee like that. I suggest you apologize to her for interrupting us and move on. If you don't, you won't like what happens..."

Bear scoffed. "What are you going to do, city slicker?"

"I'm not the one you should be worried about. Its who we know...If we have to get them involved, you won't like what happens." With that Cody turned around to head back to Bailey's side. Bear grabbed his shoulder to turn him around.

"Why you little..." But that was all he got out before Cody once again administered the Sleep of the Striking Cobra on him. Bear dropped like a sack of rocks. Immediately, someone came running over to them.

"I'm a deputy sheriff, what happened?"

Bailey immediately spoke. "Bear assaulted Cody, and Cody defended himself..."

The deputy nodded and turned to Cody. "You want to press charges?"

Cody shook his head. "Nah. I think knowing he got bested by a 'city slicker' in front of everyone is enough punishment..."

Bailey wrapped her arm around him and whispered in his ear. "Seriously, you're going to have to show me how you do that..."

Cody nodded. "Of course, Sweetie...Its probably a good idea you know an easy trick to defend yourself..." He grinned. "Just don't use it on me..."

Bailey smiled at him. "I won't...unless I need keep you in line."

The rest of the week was spent hanging around the house mainly. One day, Cody and Bailey spent the whole day at the kitchen table working on their Biology papers together. Both were so focused, that it was almost entertaining to watch them. Seeing Cody and Bailey study together was nothing knew for Zack and Cassie, so they watched TV instead. However, to Kurt, Sarah, Joe and Maggie, it was like getting a glimpse into how they worked together. And all four were impressed, especially considering they didn't understand a combined ten words Cody and Bailey had used when they described their papers.

Finally, Christmas Eve arrived and the usual routine was followed. After breakfast, the ladies and Cody almost immediately began cooking Christmas dinner. When everything was prepared and only waiting its turn in the oven, everyone relaxed. And they watched the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Well, they tried to, but the MAC versus Conference USA wasn't exciting stuff.

Soon, dinner was ready and everyone gathered around the table to eat. After sufficiently stuffing themselves, they all gathered around the Christmas tree for presents. Again, they started from youngest to oldest. Finally, it was time for the 20 year olds. Along with the usual cash and gift cards, each couple had one gift to open together. For Zack and Cassie, it was a UCONN themed combination cooler and grill for tailgating. Both grinned and said they couldn't wait to use it for games the next year. For Cody and Bailey, it was something similar. However, theirs was more of a picnic backpack. It had straps that held in plates, silverware and glasses. Further on the interior, there were two insulated sections – one to keep warm items warm and one to keep cold items cold. On one side was a rolled up picnic blanket. On the other was an insulated pocket to hold a bottle (whether it be wine or other beverages). Cody and Bailey loved it and said they would get a lot of use out of it.

Finally, it came time for their parents gifts.

"The four of us talked about this and tried to think of things you all needed or could use. And to be honest, we hit major roadblocks..."

Bailey nodded. "But we think we came up with something that could be useful for all of you..."

Cassie finished. "So, without further ado..."

Zack handed a rectangular box to to both Kurt and Sarah and Joe and Maggie.

They opened them and found inside brand new video cameras.

"We thought there would be all kinds of useful things for you to use them on, including several upcoming graduations..."

All of the adults laughed and thanked them for them. For Kurt and Sarah, they could use them to record their performances so they could go back and review them. For Joe and Maggie, it would be a good way to capture various things on the farm to keep record of.

Soon, gifts were all given and everyone got ready to head to church. After church, the four 20 year olds hugged and said goodbye to everyone and said they would see them in May for Cody and Bailey's graduation. Kurt and Sarah loaded them up and began the drive back to Wichita for the two couples red eye flight to Boston. There, Kurt and Sarah said goodbye to them.

"Don't forget, boys...We will be there for your birthdays in March. I can't wait to officially swear you two in as Martin men..."

After waiting around in the airport for a few hours, they boarded their flight for Boston. At around 8:00 AM Boston time, they arrived. Naturally, Carey and Ellie were there to welcome them home. They headed back to the Tipton, got their suite keys and proceeded to crash again. Once they woke back up later that afternoon, everyone headed back down for Wilfred Tipton's complimentary Christmas Dinner. Maddie wasn't there this year, but everyone got a chance to catch up with Esteban, Francesca, Norman and Skippy.

After dinner, everyone headed back up to Carey's suite for more presents. And like usual, there were even more gift cards and cash. Also, each of the four received a big fluffy bath towel that matched each of their bathroom color schemes. When it came turn for the gifts for the adults, Zack took over.

"Grandma, we remember you saying how much you enjoyed the spa treatment we got you a couple of years ago, so..." He handed her an envelope. "...we got you another one..."

Cody spoke up and handed her a gift basket. "And we also got you a collection of your favorite moisturizers, soaps, shampoos and other good stuff..."

Ellie smiled at them. "Thank you all. I'm sure I will enjoy all of these immensely..."

Zack turned to his Mom and Arwin. "Last year, the trip to Atlantic City was Cassie and my idea. This year, we let Cody and Bailey choose..."

Carey nodded in trepidation. "So, a trip to Vermont?"

Cody smirked. "Well, we enjoyed it immensely, but no...We've bought a long weekend in New York City for you both. A suite at the New York Tipton, tickets to a Broadway show, dinner at your choice of New York's finest restaurants, the works..."

Carey sighed in relief. "That sounds wonderful..."

Arwin nodded. "Yeah, should be fun..."

Cody turned to Zack and Cassie. "As for you two..."

Bailey spoke up. "We're returning the favor from last year..."

Zack gulped. "We got Vermont?"

Cody shook his head. "For the last time, Vermont was a lot of fun!" He sighed. 'Anyways, we didn't go with Vermont. We chose...Atlantic City. If we may suggest, save it for Cassie's birthday weekend and go away and have some fun..."

Cassie smiled. "That sounds like a great idea. Thanks, you two..."

Bailey smiled back. "Of course, we didn't forget the subscription to XM/Sirius..." She handed Cassie and envelope.

Cassie handed one right back to her and grinned. "Neither did we..."

Zack spoke up. "Now, since you two will be back in Boston this year, we're sending you to Martha's Vineyard..."

Cody smiled. "Thanks, Bro...Sounds like fun..." He turned and whispered to Bailey. "We sure aren't very original with Christmas ideas this year, are we?"

Zack spoke again. "That's all we have this year. Cassie's and my gift to ourselves is that we are saving up to go on spring break this year somewhere fun and foreign. We'll be celebrating a Merry Christmas down in Cancun..."

Cody turned to Bailey. "Hmmm...That could be fun..."

Bailey grinned. "Have you decided that's where our spring break will be?"

Cody shook his head. "Nope..." He turned to everyone else. "As for Bailey and my gifts to each other, we're buying each other something we should have a couple of years ago. We're buying each other a new bicycle so we can get to and from class easier..."

Zack rolled his eyes. "Now you get a new bike...Not when you lived with me so I could...borrow...it..."

Everyone laughed, until they were interrupted by Carey and Arwin.

"Since everyone is gathered here, Carey and I have an announcement to make..."

Carey smiled. "Arwin and I have decided to move in together..."

To be Continued...

Author's Note: Seems Debby gave another interview over the weekend. Here is the important part. "Debby didn't say very much about The Suite Life on Deck but she did talk about how she knew alot people were really freaked out about the breakup and it was very upsetting because everybody just loves Cody and Bailey and also how she absolutely adores them as a couple. Debby also said she can't wait until fans see some of the new episodes as they try to works things out and get through it." So, looks like we will be getting more and more Cailey interaction leading up to Kettlecorn. If I had to take a wild guess, I say it starts in Senior Skip Day.