Chapter 3: Blue Not Brown

Cody reentered his family's suite to find his mother making bacon and eggs.

"Hi, Mom, is Zack up yet?" he asked.

"You just missed him." Carey replied. "He went downstairs just a few minutes ago." Cody shrugged and began setting the table for the three of them when the phone rang and Carey answered it.

"Hello. Yes this is Carey Martin. Oh my God. When did you..." Carey's eyes widened in shock. She collapsed into the chair behind her. "We'll be right there." she said and cut the connection. Jumping to her feet she turned to Cody. "We've got to go downstairs."

"What's going on?" Cody asked concerned.

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you. I'm not even sure I can believe it." Carey replied as she opened the door. Cody shrugged and followed his mother to the elevator.

- - -

Ever since she had set him down on his feet, Zack kept his arms wrapped around Angela's waist as if afraid she would disappear if he let go. As the two women chatted, with Angela regaling Maddie with tales from the twins' early childhood which had quickly brought a blush on Zack's face, Zack let his mind wander back through the years.

FLASHBACK

Five year old Zack and Cody were playing in the backyard under their mother's watchful eye when the phone rang. As they continued to build a sand fort, the heard the clang of pots and pans in the kitchen. They quickly ran into the kitchen to find Carey sitting on the floor with the phone laying beside her. There were tears in her eyes. Cody and Zack exchanged frightened glances.

"Mommy," Cody said quietly, "what's wrong?"

Carey looked up at her twin sons.

"Mommy." Zack repeated. There were now tears rolling down the boy's faces as well. The boys had rarely seen their mother cry and knew from bitter experience that the reason was always bad. Carey held her arms open to her twins who went over to her and snuggled down next to her on either side.

After she composed herself she kissed the boys' foreheads and took a deep breath.

"Boys, something bad has happened to Angela." Cody let out a small whimper. Zack looked scared but was managing to stay strong for his little brother.

"What mommy?" he asked.

"She got hurt...Bad." Carey said as tears once again threatened to fall. "She's in the hospital." the boys both knew the hospital was were people went to get better so if Angela was hurt that was the place for her. Still they knew the one thing that would fix the hurt better than any hospital.

"We should go." little Zack said, "We can kiss it and make it all better." It seemed logical to the boy. After all it had always worked when his mom or Angela had done it for them.

"I don't think that's a good idea sweetie." Carey said. Cody broke into large sobs and buried his face in Carey's neck. "I want my sister!" he cried. Carey tried to console him but she couldn't calm him down. Soon, Zack had given up on being strong and joined his brother in sobbing uncontrollably and begging to see Angela. Finally with a sigh she scooped both boys up and headed out to the car. Carey pulled into the hospital parking lot and walked with her two boys to the information desk where a woman looked up at her and asked.

"May I help you?"

"Angela McMahon. I was told she was admitted last night."

"Are you Carey Martin?" the woman asked.

"Yes." Carey said in surprise.

"Bill." the lady called out. A young man walked over to the desk, "This is Angela McMahon's guardian. Could you take her to intensive care please?"

"Sure." Bill said offering Carey a sympathetic smile. He walked them to where intensive care was and directed them to Angela's bed. He knew that the boys were too young to be in there but seeing that Carey was by herself and not having anyway to watch the boys he allowed them in too. Zack and Cody descended from Carey's arms and walked up to the bed where Angela was sleeping. They saw tubes running out of her body from her chest and she had a mask covering her mouth and nose.

END FLASHBACK

Zack felt himself shudder as he remembered that day. The events were still so clear in his mind that it seemed like only yesterday. Angela felt him tremble and looked down at him with concern.

"Are you ok, Zack?" she asked brushing her fingers through his long bangs. Zack smiled at her.

"I am now." he replied. Angela smiled down warmly at him when they heard the elevator open and Cody flew out. Zack reluctantly let go of her waist and took a step back as Angela turned around and caught Cody out of the air as he had leaped into her arms. Carey stepped off the elevator and just stared in shock. Placing Cody back on his feet, Angela turned to Carey and held out her arms.

"Hi, Mom." she said. Carey broke into a run and threw her arms around the young woman who returned her strong embrace. Both women had tears flowing down their faces. Zack and Cody slipped themselves into the hug as well. Maddie stood watching the scene with a smile but dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

A/N I'm not the kind of author who believes in writing for reviews. I believe in writing if you feel inspired to tell a story. That said, your opinions on how this is going would be most welcome. See ya.