Chapter 51
Again, I don't own any of these characters...well, except the ones I created
Carey and Maddie were the first to arrive at the restaurant. Looking around, they didn't see anyone else and went up to the maitre'd. After explaining they were with the Martin party, they were shown to a table set up in a private dining room. They took their seats and began their wait for everyone else to show up.
Next to arrive was Bailey and her sisters. They were shown to the table and the five ladies began to chat amongst themselves. Bobbi and Bernie excused themselves to head to the restroom and Carey joined them. Maddie took the opportunity to chat privately with Bailey.
"Sooo...I found you pajamas in Cody's room..."
Bailey, who had just taken a sip from her water glass, had to refrain from spitting it back out. Maddie laughed and continued. "Its okay, Carey explained it to me..."
Bailey just smiled. "No use trying to hide it then..."
"I was surprised though, after seeing all the lotions and everything in Cody's bathroom and finding those, I was starting to wonder about Cody..."
Bailey laughs. "That is one thing I have no doubts about..."
Maddie smiles. "Is that so?"
"Definitely. I can feel it every time he kisses me and the looks he gives me when he thinks I don't notice..."
"You sound like a smitten kitten..."
"I am...Cody is the absolute best. I could never find anyone like him in a million years...Have you heard about the anniversary surprise he had for me?"
"Well, Carey told me all about the mugger..."
Bailey smiles. "That's the part everyone remembers, but let me tell you about before..." Bailey proceeds to tell Maddie everything that happened that night and finished it by showing her the locket around Bailey's neck.
Maddie pauses. "Who would have thunk it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I just remember them from the Tipton. Zack was the ladies' man and Cody was the clueless one around girls. Now, its Cody that's in a serious relationship...I take that back, I guess I'm not really surprised.."
"Huh?"
"Well, Zack was the one who was always flirting with anything in a skirt. Trust me, I know. And he was always dragging Cody along with him on double dates. But the weird part was, not only did Cody's date seem to really like him, but so did Zack's..."
"Really? Cody never mentioned that to me..."
Maddie laughs. "Because he didn't realize it. I think the girls would have had to hit Cody over the head for him to figure it out..."
Bailey has to laugh too. "Believe me, I know exactly what you mean there..."
As they are talking, Carey, Bobbi and Bernie return to the table and they are with Maggie.
"Hey Mom, where's Daddy?"
"He wanted to take a look at the ship, he said he'd meet us here..."
Bailey nods and goes back to her conversation with Maddie. Maggie is chatting with Carey when she looks up and sees her sister, Sarah. Maggie, without saying a word, gets up and walks over towards Sarah. Sarah has begun to walk towards Maggie. Both stop right in front of each other, looking at each other, but neither saying a word. Finally, Maggie reaches out and pulls Sarah into an embrace. Sarah returns the embrace and both sisters find themselves crying. By now, everyone is watching them. Finally the two sisters break apart and still just look at each other. Finally, Maggie breaks the silence.
"Sarah..."
"Maggie..."
"I have missed you so much..."
"I've missed you too...I've missed everyone..."
"I should never have let this go on this long...I should have found you before now..."
"I should have gone back to Kettlecorn and tried to talk to the family..."
Maggie smiles. "Anytime you want to come home, you just let me know..."
"What about Dad?"
"You leave him to me. I'll try to talk some sense into his hard head. If he won't listen, then its his problem. And if he still won't talk to you, then he will be without two daughters then..."
"You would really do that?"
"Of course. Its time for the family to be one again. I've missed out on getting to see Cassie grow up. You've missed out on seeing my girls grow up. I don't want to waste any more precious time..."
Sarah smiles. "I'd like that. And if you're other girls are anything like Bailey, I'm sure I'll love them too..." Sarah turns and motions for Cassie to join her. "Cassie, I know its been several years, but this is your Aunt Maggie..."
Cassie nods. "Nice to meet you..."
Maggie can only look at Cassie. "Wow..."
Cassie looks confused. "What?"
Maggie smiles. "You are definitely your father's daughter. I can see so much of him in you..."
"Really?"
"Definitely...You have his eyes..."
Cassie smiles. "Thank you..."
Maggie tries to gather herself and looks around. "So, what are we waiting on, let's eat..."
Bailey responds. "We're still missing Daddy, Cody, Zack and Mr. Martin."
Sarah laughs. "Of course, they always say they are waiting on us to get ready and here its them that show up late..."
From behind them, "Who's late?"
Kurt walks in behind them. "I believe my watch says its 8:00 PM on the dot..."
Sarah teases him. "You're among the last to arrive..."
"We made it on time...Isn't that right, Zack?"
"That's right, Dad..."
To be Continued...
