-1Chapter 9: Everything Changes
A/N: Okay, so here's chapter uh...um...well, actually I've lost count. Lemme go back and count all the chapters. Okay, this is the 9th chapter. I think... The song is 'Everything Changes' by Staind. Love this song! Well, I know I cliffhanged you all quite a bit, and I'm really sorry about that. I know you're all wondering if Maddie's alright, so I'll shut up and let you get to the story part. And, I'm sorry if I'm putting a little less Cody/London in this story then the last, but there'll be more later.
Disclaimer: Yeah, don't own anyone except the doctor. Does anyone really read these?
Chapter Summary: Is Maddie alright? And what about the baby? And what is London hiding?
!#$&()+
"Ow!" Yelled an anguished Maddie. She'd been airlifted off of the cruise ship an hour prior. She squeezed Zack's hand tightly and threw her head back on the pillow. The doctor was fooling with her wrist at the moment, which appeared to be broken.
"Is the baby okay?" She asked, through tears.
"I'll give you an ultrasound. That should tell us," the doctor replied, pulling the machine over to Maddie's hospital bed. The doctor, who had revealed herself as Dr. Ellis, rubbed a fair amount of petroleum jelly onto Maddie's stomach and turned the machine on. Dr. Ellis rolled the receiving end over Maddie's stomach looking at the screen thoughtfully.
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
Would it matter anyway?
Would it change how you feel?
Maddie was gazing frantically at the screen. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"I believe your baby is going to be just fine, but I'm pretty sure your wrist is broken. We'll get an X-ray to be sure," Dr. Ellis explained. Maddie glanced up at Zack. He looked worn out and very worried. His eyes pretty much backed up her assumption. He gave her a small, reassuring smile, which she returned.
"I'm sorry," he told her, pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes. She gave him a confused look.
"What for? You didn't do anything," she chuckled a bit.
"Exactly. You just sort of fell, and I didn't do anything to help," he said remorsefully.
"Zack, there was nothing you could do. It all happened too fast. Plus, I shouldn't have been trying to rock climb in the first place. It was my bad judgment that landed me here, not you," she clarified, giving him a sincere smile. The doctor, who had excused herself to inform everyone else of the news, had returned with Cody, London and Carey in tow. They all rushed to her bedside with anxious, worried expressions on their faces.
"Are you all right?" Carey asked immediately, squeezing Maddie's good hand.
"I think so. My wrist just hurts really bad. They think it's broken," Maddie said, disappointedly.
"What about the baby?" Inquired London who was on the other side of her.
"The doctor says the baby's fine. They did an ultrasound," She answered, yawning a bit.
"So, is it a boy or girl?" Cody asked.
"We'll know in three months," Zack responded, not taking his eyes off of Maddie. He felt as though if he stopped watching her, something bad would happen to her.
I am the mess you chose
The closet you cannot close
The devil in you I suppose
'Cause the wounds never heal
He'd been on pins and needles ever since the whole 'Max' incident. He was worried that if he said or did the wrong thing, Maddie would never speak to him again. He would never want that to happen, so he'd just bite his tongue, hoping that it would blow over. As much as she denied it, he knew she'd never forgive him completely for what he'd done. How could she? He had let another girl kiss him with no regard to how Maddie would react.
As Zack watched Maddie sleep, these were the thoughts circling his mind.
But everything changes if I could
Turn back the years, if you could
Learn to forgive me, then I could
Learn how to feel
:Meanwhile
"Want some coffee?" Offered a tired London to an equally exhausted Cody. He smiled and took the Styrofoam cup of scolding hot coffee she had presented.
"Crazy month," he said, trying to make conversation. She gave a small laugh in agreement, remembering everything that'd happened. As she wandered through the month's events, she landed on the one where the man sitting next to her had nearly lost his life. She frowned slightly at the thought, and he questioned her expression.
"I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking," she replied candidly, snuggling closer to him on the waiting room loveseat. She glanced out at the full moon above the city of Boston. They were staying the night at the hospital, seeing as how Maddie had to. London sighed into Cody's shoulder and drifted off to sleep. How would she tell him?
Sometimes the things I say
In moments of disarray
Succumbing to the games we play
To make sure that it's real
The next morning, London and Cody awoke with a start. They were being shaken awake by Carey, who was standing next to Zack and Maddie. Maddie, who had her arm in a cast and sling, bid them a good morning and offered them a trip to the cafeteria. Cody and London were obliged, so they all boarded the elevator. The trip down to the main floor was a bit slow. The hospital elevator was not nearly as fast as the one at the Tipton. As they entered the surprisingly not packed cafeteria, they went and ordered their food and sat down at a table. The atmosphere around Cody and London was eager and a bit panicky. All of these feelings were coming from London. Unbeknownst to her, Cody realized it.
But everything changes if I could
Turn back the years, if you could
Learn to forgive me, then I could
Learn how to feel
"Something wrong?" He asked offhandedly, sipping his coffee. She shook her head but he knew she was lying.
"No, really," Cody replied, a bit more forcefully then he'd intended. She noticed it too, because she gave him a 'back off' look. Evidently, he'd misread her expression.
"There's nothing wrong, but..." she trailed off, searching for the right words.
"You can tell me," he replied, listening intently.
"I know, I'm just trying to think of how I should," she said seriously.
"You're not pregnant are you?" Cody asked very crucially, nearly choking on his food. London gave a loud gasp.
"No! It's not that...I...I just..." she faltered. But as she was about to say something, Carey approached their table.
"Ready to go?" She asked, grabbing her purse. London nodded, but Cody looked reluctant.
"We'll talk more later," he told London, flinging an arm around her as they walked back to the elevator. She gave him a smile, but secretly dreaded their future conversation.
Everything changes if I could
Turn back the years, if you could
Learn to forgive me, then I could
Learn how to feel, then we could
Stay here together, and we could
Conquer the world, If we could
Say that forever is more than just a word
When they arrived back at the hotel, Cody pulled London aside, as everyone else went back up to the suite.
"Please tell me what's going on," he pleaded with her. He desperately wanted to know what was happening.
"I guess I should tell you," she sighed, leaning against the wall.
"Please do," he replied, leaning against the wall opposite her.
"Okay. Um...You should know that..."
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
Would it matter anyway?
It wouldn't change how you feel
A/N: Okay, please don't hate me! I just love cliffhangers, but chapter nine will be up VERY soon! Ciao!