Chapter 4 Mess I Made

It was the next morning in the Martin household there wasn't a single sound other than the bacon sizzling on the frying pan from Maya making breakfast, As for the rest of the family Zack was getting ready for work, Kyleigh was still asleep running late as always, as for the newest guest in the household Zoey was in her room looking at herself in the mirror, she couldn't sleep the previous night the last two nights kept replaying in her head she went from having an amazing small family the best of friends to everything crashing around her and being around a family that didn't even want her.

She felt like she ruined their entire lives, if it wasn't for her, her father's family would be happy, it would be perfect him, his wife and his daughter, and they wouldn't even know she existed, she would be with her mother, her best friend, she would be going to NYU the next year and starting college, she had it all planned out but now she didn't know where she was going to go from here.

She was deep in thought when there was a knock on her door "come in" she said as the door opened and Zack appeared with a soft smile "hey how your night last night?"

"It was fine," she said as she faked a smile.

"Well were having breakfast this morning you are more than welcome to join us," he said with A smile on his face."

Thank you for the offer Zack but I'm not really hungry," she replied.

"Well even if you're not hungry we would like for you to sit with us, we can get to know you before I take you to enroll in school," he replied clearly not getting the hint that she just wanted to be alone.

"Sure let me change and ill come to the kitchen," she replied.

He put on a content smile and left her room to have some privacy, once the door closed she went through her clothes to find an outfit for the day and get ready meanwhile Zack walked back in the kitchen Maya looked up at him "so is going to eat breakfast with us," asked Maya.

"Yes, she will be out in a minute, she's going to get dressed," he replied.

Maya gave Zack a look which he understand and he replied "look Maya she's my daughter I missed out on almost eighteen years of her life I don't expect you all to be best friends, but her mom just died Zoey needs me right now, I don't expect you to like it right now, but I don't want her feeling like this can't be her home," he replied.

"Zack every time I see her I will be reminded of what you did, the way you broke this family," she whispered.

Zack was about to respond when they both heard footsteps as Zoey came into view she had on a pink tank top white jeans and her hair curled "hi" she said In a soft voice.

Zack smiled as he grabbed a pre prepared plate and handed it to her "here's some breakfast just in case."

She took it and sat down as Zack grabbed a plate and sat next to her, Maya grabbed her plate and sat on the opposite side of the table there was silence in the air for what seemed like forever when in reality only five minutes have passed until Kyleigh came running through "mom where is my Biology book," she asked picking up stuff and looking around.

"I think you left it in the living room honey," she replied.

She then ran in the living room and picked it up and put it in her back pack and grabbed her plate and sat down to eat with the family.

It was nothing but silence again for the four of them, Zack quickly noticed the tension between the three women so he tried to break it "So Kyleigh, Zoey is going to start school with you today are you excited?" he asked.

"I would be excited if she never showed up, we had the perfect family before she got here," Kyleigh replied.

Zack was about to respond when there was a honk that could be heard from outside and Kyleigh got her bag and went out the door, "bye mom, bye dad," she said not giving Zack a chance to respond,

Zack rolled his eyes and looked back at Zoey "I'll talk to Kyleigh when I get home from work she will not talk to you like that," he assured.

By then Zoey had lost her appetite it was clear her and her half-sister were never going to get along "thank you for the breakfast but I've lost my appetite," she said as she washed her plate and dried it and put it back up and went back in her room.

Zack shook his head at Maya "you need to talk to Kyleigh she needs to understand it is not Zoey's fault that she is here, it is not her fault that her mother died," said Zack.

"It is your fault that you slept with her, not Zoey for resulting in it, I've seen pictures of Maddie, Zoey looks like her and what is worse than that she looks like you too, If It wasn't for the fact of she is still under age she would be staying somewhere else, anywhere else," yelled Maya.

"Even if she wasn't under age I wouldn't abandon her she is my child just like Kyleigh," screamed Zack back.

"I can't deal with this right now I have work and so do you," said Maya as she grabbed her purse and went out the door.

Zack got mad and threw the cup in his hand at the refrigerator not bothering to pick it up he went to Zoey's room and knocked on her door a minute went by and he opened it finding Zoey crying on her bed Zack sat at the bottom of it "Zoe please don't cry, listen Kyleigh is just a bitch sometimes so is Maya things will get better I promise everything is going to be okay," he said.

"She slowly leaned up and dried her tears "how can you make a promise like that, everything is not fine it's all wrong," she whispered "I messed up everything for you."

"Zoe I promise you didn't mess up anything it is all my fault but I wouldn't take you back I'm glad you're my daughter and I wish I could have known about you sooner so I could have been in your life longer but I promise I don't regret you okay?" He assured giving her a hug which she hesitated at first but returned.

Zoey looked up at him with a soft smile "as time goes by it gets easier right?"

Zack put his arm around her "I will do everything in my power to make this house a home for you okay?" he replied.

She nodded "okay."

"Well I got to get you registered at school, and then I have to go to work," he said as the two of them got up Zoey went to fix her makeup and Zack looked around and she found a picture album opened on her bed to a picture of Maddie and Zoey smiling in front of a birthday cake where seven little candles were lit, he smiled at the picture seeing how happy they were, and then he frowned "I should have been a part of it, I should have been there" he thought.

Zoey then walked back in her room and smiled "I'm ready," she said grabbing her backpack.

The two left the house and got in Zack's car and he began to drive "So Zoey what do you plan to do after school do you have any plans yet?"

"Actually its funny you mention it I have got accepted into NYU the film program and my best friend Cole and I planned on moving up here and going to school up here in the fall, I have a 4.3 GPA and perfect attendance since Kindergarten," she said proudly.

"Wow that is very impressive looks like you have your entire life planned out, when I was your age I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do but I can tell you have a good head on your shoulders, and I'm sure your mother stressed how much education is important, your uncle and I both graduated from NYU" he replied.

"Yeah mom said that you and my uncle went there," she replied.

"Education is very important but I'm sure your mom told you that more than once," he replied.

"She did, and I promised myself I'd get my education and do what makes me happy, as long as I was happy that's all that mattered to her," Zoey replied and her smile faded into a frown.

Zack quickly noticed that thinking about her mother made her upset "you do know Maddie is proud of you right, I know Maddie and you must have gotten your brains from her, it seems you're an intelligent young lady who is going to go far in life and I'm happy I get to see the rest of your journey," he replied.

"I just wish she could see it," Zoey replied.

Zack pulled into the school parking lot, turned off the engine and looked at her "you believe in heaven right?" he asked.

"Yeah were Catholic," she laughed.

"Your mom will see it, she is and will always watch over you she will see it all" said Zack.

"I hope your right," she responded.

He then had something on his mind and he had to ask "Zoe did your mom ever marry anyone else?"

She shook her head back and forth "no she only loved you," she replied.

Zack's heart broke at hearing that she had died alone before he could think any more on it he looked at the time "we got to get you registered lets go," he said as the two of them got out of the car.

As the principal began to look through her record she was impressed "wow you have above a 4.0 and perfect attendance and you have taken 5 advanced classes this is impressive and already have gotten accepted into NYU that is a very nice school up here," she complimented.

"Thank you so much mam," she said smiling.

"Wow and good manners too, now how is it that you and your sister have turned out so different maybe if Kyleigh lived with you she might have top marks too," she joked.

"Zoey's mother she gets all the credit for Zoey, she raised her to be a great young lady," said Zack smiling,

Zoey didn't say anything, and then the principal spoke again "so why is it you moved here in the middle of the semester of your senior year, "she asked.

"My mother she died in a car accident, so I'm here to live with my dad since I'm only seventeen," Zoey replied.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she said sympathetically.

The principal printed out Zoey's schedule and gave it to her "you have five minutes to get from each class but I'm sure your sister can help you find where they are," she said friendly.

"Thank you so much, I'm going to get to class," she said grabbing her back pack and standing up as Zack did the same "Okay Zoey, after school ends just find your sister she gets a ride with a friend just ride with them home today, I will get home around 5 and Maya gets home around 4, I hope you have a good first day," he said giving her a hug.

The two of them walked out of the office and into the hall, Zack leaving and Zoey looking for Kayleigh, she began to look until she found her half-sister getting a book out of her locker "hey Kayleigh I'm glad I found you do you know where jumpstart college English is?'

She turned around to Zoey "yes my friend has that class," she said as a book fell out of her locker Zoey kneeled down to hand her book as she snatched it back from her "look I'm not going to be your little buddy, my friends think I'm an only child and I want to leave it that way," she said slamming her locker and walking to class.

Zoey rolled her eyes "so much for the help sis," she whispered as she looked both ways of the hall having no idea where to go and she walked the other way to find the class after a few minutes she finally found it as she walked in the class room.

Everyone stared at her which she ignored and looked around the classroom for an empty seat which she found next to a girl with long black hair who was filing her nails "hi can I sit here," she asked nicely.

"I actually prefer to sit alone," she spat putting her purse in the seat.

"Look there is obviously isn't another seat here, So I guess you will not be alone today," Zoey spat.

The girl looked up "you don't take shit from anyone you're like me, sit down," she said moving her purse.

Zoey smiled and sat down "Hi I'm Zoey Fitzpatrick" she said extending her hand.

"Lola Tipton, and yes I am the daughter of the London Tipton and the granddaughter of Wilfred Tipton," she said proudly.

"I've read about your family, I thought you lived in Boston?" Zoey asked,

"No my mom just opened up her own store out here in New York, so we moved," she said proudly "so what brings you here," she asked.

"Well my mother died and I have to live with my dad," Zoey replied.

"My dad left when I was a baby but that's okay my mom and grandfather is all I need," Lola replied.

"Wish my situation was that simple," said Zoey under her breath.

Once the bell rang the two girls stopped talking to listen to the lecture as the rest of the day went by Lola and Zoey had a few classes together and became good friends and it was the end of the school day Zoey went looking for Kyleigh and when she finally found her she ran up to her "Kyleigh, Zack said to find you and get a ride home with you," she said.

"I'm not going home, Kyleigh replied," get another ride."

Zoey grabbed Kyleigh by the arm "look listen I don't know my way around here, all I asked is for a ride home," she yelled.

"Yea don't you have your own car, oh right your mother didn't love you enough to get you one,": Kyleigh spat.

"Um my mother was a single parent, unlike you I didn't have both of mine and where was my father oh right raising you," said Zoey " do you think I chose to leave my friends and family to live with you if you think I chose this think again!" she yelled.

"You know I actually do wish your mother was alive then you would be with her and be the hell away from us," said Kyleigh getting in her face.

"Yeah I'd do anything to be away from you, Zack wants us to get along but that's not going to happen" Zoey replied.

"We have the same father but we are not sisters," said Kyleigh harshly.

Kyleigh laughed "I bet you're not even dad's she just put the first name she could think of," she whispered.

"I am Zack's he is the only one my mom has been with period and I know Zack loved her at one point" said Zoey.

"My mom is the one he chose, your mom meant nothing, your nothing but a mistake," she replied.

"I will always believe that Zack loved my mom, and that he always will nothing will ever change my mind on that," Zoey replied.

Kyleigh got mad and pushed Zoey on the floor and the two of them began hitting and punching as they screamed at each other "our lives would have been perfect without you, you ruined our entire family," screamed Kyleigh.

"Hey I was born first so technically you got in the way of my family," screamed Zoey.

"Your mom was nothing but a one night stand to him that resulted in a mistake" she replied slapping Zoey.

The two girls continued to fight for another few minutes as students gathered around them some with shocked looks on their face others with phones out recording it all "Girls!" A voice screamed looked up to see their father standing there.

The two girls stood up and eyed each other as Zack looked disappointed at them both "get in the car."

"But I'm going to Chelsea's," Kyleigh replied.

"No you're not, you both are coming home now," Zack yelled as the three of them walked to the car.

Once the doors were shut Zack was the first to speak "so anyone going to tell me what happened?"

"All I asked was for a ride home, then it turned into a insult fest and it got out of control," Zoey replied.

"So all the fighting could have been avoided if you just gave your sister a ride home, right Kyleigh?" Zack asked.

She may have your blood dad, she is not mom's therefor she is not my sister,:" Kyleigh said crossing her arms.

"Kyleigh you started the fight your grounded two weeks, no friends, no rides from or to school from friends, you will come home straight after school understand me?" he said.

"Mom won't stand for it especially in the favor of her,:" she spat.

"Enough is enough, there is not going to be yours mine and ours we are one family you understand?" he yelled.

"She is not a part of my family and never will be," said Kyleigh.

Zack pulled in to the parking lot and parked the car as the three got out and Kyleigh ran for the door "mom, dad is trying to ground me" she yelled.

Maya walked in the kitchen as she looked at the bruises on Kyleigh "oh my god what happened who would fight you?"

Kyleigh laughed "the new sister dearest," she spat.

Maya walked up to Zoey "how dare you put a hand on my daughter, you have no damn right," she said screaming in her face.

"Maya! Kyleigh is the one who started the fight not Zoey," he yelled.

"I don't care, she is older she should know better, is this how her mother raised her," spat Maya.

"Maddie has nothing to do with this, this is a fight between our daughters and we need a solution they need to get along it has to happen," he yelled.

"It can't happen… this isn't going to work out whatever you have to do, she can't live here, send her to Cody and Bailey's or someone on her mother's side of the family but she can't be here," said Maya.

"What are you saying?" yelled Zack "that everything is over?"

"You are so set on having her in your family, I just can't, its either she goes or you both go," she yelled.

"I can't turn my back on her, not now not when she's hurting like this," said Zack.

"I'm sorry Zack, I have made up my mind," she said.

"What about Kyleigh you can't forbid me from seeing her she is my daughter too," he whispered.

"She can have visitations" Maya replied.

Zack shook his head "fine" he then took off his ring "if it has to be this way then so be it" he then closed her hand with the ring.

Zoey went and got her stuff and the two left the house and got in Zack's car and the second the doors shut he looked at his daughter "look were going to be okay alright?" he said.

Zoey shook her head "maybe I shouldn't have come here," she whispered.

"No Zoe, don't say that okay, everything is going to be okay I am not going to let you down," he said as he began to drive.

A few minutes of silence went by until they pulled into a drive way, the two got out and walked up to a door and Zack knocked and the door opened to reveal his twin brother "hey Zack, hey Zoey what brings you by?" he said smiling.

"Maya kicked me out," he replied.

Cody's eyes went wide as he stepped aside and let them in not saying another word.

"What happened?" asked Cody as he motioned for the two to sit on the couch.

Zack just shook his head not saying a word and he got the hint he didn't want to talk about it in front of Zoey, Bailey then walked in the living room "did I hear Zack?" she then saw him on the couch with a teenage girl on the chair.

"Oh hi there I'm Bailey Martin and who might you be?" she asked the girl.

"Hi I'm Zoey Fizpatrick" she replied.

"Oh are you their old friend Maddie's daughter, I didn't know she got married wow its been a while since I talked to her I think I should call her and we should catch up," said Bailey happily until Zack interrupted "Bailey, Maddie is dead and this is why she is here," he said.

"Oh my god honey, I am so sorry for your loss sweetie but wait why she would be with you?" asked Bailey.

"Bailey, she is my daughter," Zack responded.

"You cheated on Maya?" Bailey said as her voice went higher.

"It's a long story Bailey I'd appreciate it if you just drop it okay?" he snapped.

Cody took a breath and got up "I'll show Zoey the guest room, it seems like she's had a tough day," he said as Zoey got up to follow him.

Zack just put his head in his hands and tears fell from his eyes meanwhile Cody showed Zoey the guest room "well here it is, you have your own bathroom and everything, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask okay?" he said kindly.

"Thank you sir," she replied as Cody shut the door and gave her privacy.

Cody walked back in the living room and motioned Zack to come back to his room so they could talk without Bailey listening in, the two walked in and sat on the bed "so when did this all happen with Maddie?" he asked.

"The night before the wedding Maddie came over to catch up, she told me she loved me, all these old emotions came busting in, we slept together, and when you called I realized what I did and I told her it meant nothing, I tried to move on like nothing happened," he whispered.

"Do you honestly think you don't love Maddie?" asked Cody.

"It didn't make sense Cody, I loved that woman starting at twelve years old, she turned me down every time then I moved on fell in love again and then she came back, my heart was torn in two but when I found out about Zoey I see so much of Maddie in her, it was like maybe I was supposed to be with Maddie or maybe a god gave a piece of her back to me, so I could have both the women I loved," he replied.

"Do you think God is punishing me, I went through girls like nothing, not caring who I hurt but now I have four important women in my life that I have hurt deeply and I feel like shit," whispered Zack.

"Do you think if you knew what you knew now, would you have been with Maddie?" Cody asked.

"I might have, but then I wouldn't have Kyleigh either way I would have lost a daughter and I already love both of them so much," he replied.

Cody didn't know what to say so he just gave him a hug "I think you truly did love Maddie," he replied.

"I think I was scared, I knew Maya wouldn't turn my back on me while Maddie had so many times, I couldn't handle her hurting me again, I guess I was protecting myself," he replied.

"You are lucky you have never loved more than one person," said Zack.

Cody thought for a minute but decided it wasn't the best time to say anything.

Cody didn't say anything he just gave Zack a long hug which Zack returned, he then heard footsteps so he let go of Zack and got up as Bailey walked in the room "dinner is ready guys," she smiled "I'll get Zoey too" she said as she walked over to the next room.

Cody then looked at Zack "remember I will always be there for you, we will get through this Zoey is my niece just as much as Kyleigh and I love her just the same okay."

Zack smiled "I appreciate it bro," he replied.

Bailey walked over to Zoey's room and opened the door "hey Zoey, dinner is …" she didn't even finish her sentence before she dropped the plate and screamed "Zack, Cody!"

"The two of them ran from Cody's room into the guest room in panic "what's wrong?" yelled Cody.

"The window is open, and she is gone," said Bailey.