Chapter 55
Again, I don't own any of these characters
The next few days before New Year's we're pretty laid back...mainly because they had to be. Seems Mother Nature took Bailey's challenge literally, and another Noreaster did in fact hit Boston. But, everyone was alright as the Tipton had everything they needed. The first morning, Cody and Bailey did some online shopping for their guest bedroom furniture. Since the room wouldn't be used all that often, they decided to go with something fairly cheap. And they got a great deal on a set of a queen size bed, nightstand, dresser, and chest. They went with black thinking it would be easier to match bedding for later.
Beyond that, being snowed in, they didn't have much else to do. But, being who they were, Cody and Bailey did spend several hours working on their Biology papers. They figured the more work they did now, the more time they would have to edit later. And if they were lucky, they would have even less to do by the end of the semester. Of course, Zack made fun of them for doing school work over Christmas break.
"Geez...Do you two ever give it a rest?"
Cody rolled his eyes. "Zack, the more we get done now, the less we have to do later. And it will be the last semester of our senior years..."
"Oh please. You two wouldn't know senioritis if it bit you in the butt..."
"You're right, but we do have other things to spend our time on..."
"Like what?"
"Well, we are members of an organization that will be going through a selection process and initiation. We will be planning a move to Boston. Oh yeah, we're getting married in less than six months..."
"All I know, Codes...Is that when we get to Vegas, I'm making you cut loose..."
Bailey just shook her head and laughed. "Zack, what does it matter what Cody and I do? We enjoy what we do, why isn't that good enough?"
"Because you aren't enjoying life!"
Cody smiled. "Says who? I'm doing what I love doing, and I get to spend everyday for the rest of my life with the most beautiful woman in the world. I would say I am most definitely enjoying life..."
Bailey smiled at him. "And that goes double for me..." Bailey paused. "But, Zack does bring up a good point..."
Cody turned to her in confusion. "He does?"
"I meant about the bachelor and bachelorette parties..."
Cody nodded. "Oh yeah..."
"Where's Cassie? We might as well get our rules out of the way."
"Good idea."
Zack headed to his and Cassie's bedroom, and she came out with him. Cody and Bailey were printing off documents from their mobile printer. Once done, they hand them to Zack and Cassie who begin to read them.
"#1. No strip clubs and/or strippers..." Zack sighed. "I already knew that one, but what about Vegas shows with showgirls?"
Bailey paused. "Well...I suppose, but nothing tawdry..."
Cassie continued. "#2. No letting Cody or Bailey doing anything illegal or trying to persuade them to do so..." Cassie nodded. "Fair enough..."
Zack shook his head. "You think I would try to get my own brother arrested?"
Bailey just glared at him. "It wouldn't be you intention..."
"#3. No taking away of Cody's or Bailey's phones because they want to talk to each other."
Zack and Cassie sighed. "As long as you aren't on the phone with each other 24/7. The whole point is one last time away from the other..."
"We know, but that doesn't mean we don't want to talk with the other at all. You know, we do actually enjoy talking to each other..."
"#4. Drinking is fine, but don't let Cody or Bailey drink too much so that it is harmful to their health and well being."
Cassie nodded. "I actually agree with that one..."
Zack sighed. "Awww..."
Cody laughed. "Zack, all we mean is that neither one of us wants to end up in the hospital getting our stomachs pumped..."
"Fine..."
"#5. At all times, one person must remain relatively sober to make sure the bride/groom doesn't do anything stupid. Since you both know Cody and Bailey, you are well aware of what they would consider to be stupid. As the best man/maid of honor, that is your responsibility, but it doesn't always have to be you."
Cassie nodded. "Yet again, probably not a bad idea..."
Zack nodded. "Yeah...I'll make Woody do it..."
"#6. Finally, have a good time..."
Zack and Cassie look at each. "Alright...We've got your rules. And even though you're limiting me, we're going to have a blast, Broseph..."
Cassie nodded. "So will we..."
Bailey paused. "What are we doing for the bachelorette party anyways?"
Cassie grinned. "Its already taken care of...London and I already have a perfect plan in place..."
Bailey gulped. "London? Oh boy..."
Well, after that, Cody and Bailey were able to get back to work. In the few days they had been working and from what they had done before, both felt they were already a third of the way done with their papers. With any luck, they would be finished and have a rough draft to turn in to Professor Wainwright before spring break.
Speaking of spring break, Cody had an idea for their final college spring break. And he did some research on it and found something he thought would be perfect. However, in the back of his mind, he worried that Bailey might not think so. Finally, he decided to speak up.
"Bails?"
"Yeah, Codykins?"
"I wanted to talk to you about spring break..."
Bailey grinned. "Do you have a place picked out for us yet?"
"I think so, but I'm not sure if its something you'll like...I wanted to check with you before I did anything..."
Bailey smiled at him. "Cody, no one in this world knows me better than you. I'm sure whatever it is, I'll love it..."
Cody turned his laptop towards her. "Tell me what you think of this..."
Bailey looked at what was on the screen. "Ohh..."
Cody sighed. "I knew it...You hate it."
Bailey grinned at him again. "I was kidding, Sweetie. Actually, I think it looks perfect. You better go ahead and reserve it before I do..."
"Really?"
"Really..."
Cody smiled at her. "Consider it done."
And Cody did reserve it.
The next day was New Year's Eve. However, with the terrible weather, no one really wanted to venture out in it. So, instead, everyone had dinner at the Tipton restaurant. And they went dancing in the Tipton ballroom. And everyone had a great time.
As it neared closer and closer to midnight, Bailey just smiled as she was wrapped up in Cody's arms on the dance floor. As the night went on, they just danced with each other very slowly.
"Codykins?"
"Yeah, Sweetheart..."
"I love you."
Cody pulled back and smiled at her. "I love you too."
Bailey smiled back. "I don't care what the weather is like outside...I always have fun with you, no matter where we are..."
"I feel the same way. So, does that mean you're having fun on your final New Year's Eve as Bailey Pickett?"
Bailey nodded. "Oh yeah...And I can't wait to celebrate my first one as Bailey Martin next year..."
"I can't wait either..."
Cody and Bailey continued dancing with each other only to be interrupted by the countdown from thirty.
Cody looked into her eyes. "Happy New Years, Bails..."
Bailey looked right back. "Happy New Years, Codykins..."
And with that, they leaned in and kissed again. They didn't care that they had started early. All they knew was that it was now 2014...the year that they both had been waiting for all of their lives.
To be Continued...
