Again, I Own nothing from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
Maddie, Moesby and Esteban's trip to the executive jet terminal at Logan Airport took just over half an hour, and the mood in the car could not have been more different than the rushed, frantic drive to the hospital they had just left. On the way to Boston Medical Centre the three had just learned of Zack's rapid demise and the trip had been spent in silence, with all three just hoping Zack would be alright. Now the mood was different, although Esteban was only there was Moesby's chauffeur, he didn't have a great deal of emotional involvement in the whole situation, he hoped Zack and Cody would be alright, and he wanted to help Moesby, but Esteban couldn't understand the feelings Maddie and Moesby had. Esteban had never been as close to London as the others, but he felt good being helpful, and Moesby appreciated it, even if he didn't outwardly say it.
The mood in the car this trip was mixed, one the one hand all were happy that Zack was making progress greater than anyone could expect, but on another was the sad feelings about London which plagued them all, and there was the now very present problem of how to deal with Mr. Tipton, and on another hand entirely was the swilling of feelings Moesby had for Carey, and the confusion which came with them. Moesby couldn't help but think of the kiss, about what it meant, a part of him wanted to chalk it up to Carey's joy of Zack's recovery, but another part of him entirely hoped there had been some deep meaning to the kiss, and that something would come of it.
Maddie was so happy Zack would soon be awake, Cody had called her on her cell phone wanting to tell her the good news when she hadn't been able to go back in to see him, he had sounded so happy, and that made Maddie feel all warm inside, despite the fact that London's death was eating at her very core. Maddie was debating herself about weather or not she should pursue a relationship with Zack, she didn't even know if he wanted it anymore, but she now knew that deep down in her soul she could love Zack, more than the brotherly love she had previously felt for him, but Maddie's emotion was tempered by her realisation that, at least for the next few weeks, Zack would be needed most by Cody, and she shouldn't take him away at all, she needed them both too, and she hoped, for the time being at least, the three could find solace in each others company. Maddie's thoughts then drifted from Zack to Mr. Tipton, she had been so angry upon hearing from Moesby how he had reacted to London's death, but she was still conflicted by her promise to London to pass on her love to him, Maddie didn't know if she could do it, she didn't think London would have really loved Mr. Tipton if she had known he cared so little for her life, if she had known how truly selfish Mr. Tipton was. But Maddie eventually decided, weather the wish had been right or wrong, her best friend had given her a dying message to give on, and it would be an insult to London's memory not to pass it on.
Moesby's thoughts too had turned to Mr. Tipton, he didn't know if he could hide his contempt for the man who had so often abandoned his daughter, Moesby wondered if Mr. Tipton really loved London, he was certain in his heart that if he had, it would not have been one iota of the love Marion Moesby had for her. Moesby had no children of his own, and truth be told he didn't want any, he didn't need any, he had London, the closest thing to a daughter he needed. Moesby hoped Mr. Tipton had calmed down when they arrived, he hoped to god that the man had had a realisation that London had not been taken as an act against him, but that London had been victim to an act of unspeakable evil perpetrated against many hundreds of innocent civilians, mostly children, which made the act all the more evil and despicable.
When Maddie, Moesby and Esteban arrived at the executive terminal Mr. Tipton's jet had just landed and they stood in a line to greet him as he stepped off his plane. As usual Mr. Tipton was invisible behind a wall of Bodyguards, Maddie and Moesby in particular wanted to see his expression, they wanted some kind of indication as to his current state of mind. Just as Mr. Tipton stepped off the plane a long black limousine arrived in motorcade with two black sedans, one in front, and one behind. Mr. Tipton then motioned toward Moesby signalling for him to get into the limousine with him, Moesby moved to get into the car, but Maddie needed to talk to Mr. Tipton so she spoke up
"Mr. Tipton, I'm Maddie Fitzpatrick, I was with London when she died sir, I need to speak with you" She said
Mr. Tipton then spoke his first words of the encounter
"Get in the Limousine Maddie" he said in a powerful, but inexpressive tone. Maddie got into the Limousine followed by Mr. Tipton, without his bodyguards, who had gotten into the other cars, as well as one the front with the driver. For the first time in her life Maddie saw Mr. Tipton for real, and the look on his face made was all she could have hoped for, Mr. Tipton's eyes were red, and had large bags under them, it was obvious he had been crying, so he does have a heart she thought, it made what she had to do so much easier.
Moesby saw the same thing and whilst he was relieved to see Mr. Tipton had finally had some human feelings at the loss of his daughter, the resentment Moesby felt due to Mr. Tipton's lack of involvement in London's life remained ever present.
"Marion" Mr. Tipton began to speak, both Moesby and Maddie were surprised he had used Moesby's first name. Moesby looked toward Mr. Tipton acknowledging him as the Limousine began to move off, leaving Esteban to drive Moesby's car back to the hotel.
"Let me please apologise for my behaviour last time we spoke Marion, and Maddie I'm sure you know the despicable things I said" Mr. Tipton continued, Maddie nodded in agreement, "I was upset, London's death is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with, it is a problem that cannot be dealt with using my vast fortune, and that is hard for me to deal with" Mr. Tipton was outpouring emotion and this made Maddie's heart break, even though she had never really met Mr. Tipton before she was compelled to move over and hug him.
"We all loved London, and while she lives in our hearts she will never really be dead" she said. Maddie's words were a great comfort to Moesby and Tipton; they both knew it to be true.
"Now, Maddie, what did you want to talk to me about?" Mr. Tipton finally was able to say
"Well, when London was dying in my arms, she gave me a message, she wanted me to tell you that she loved you, it was her dying wish that you know" Maddie said, breaking into tears as she said it, Mr. Tipton broke into tears upon hearing it as well.
"Where are we going?" Moesby decided he should ask, he wanted to move the topic off London for a bit, he was hurting inside, and didn't quite know how to react to the now vastly different Mr. Tipton
"To ID London's body" Mr. Tipton replied, Maddie and Moesby's hearts sank in unison, nether of them wanted to see the body, they didn't think they could cope.
"Don't worry Maddie, Marion, I won't force you to see the body" Mr. Tipton continued, noticing their change in demeanour
"However, Maddie, I have a request of you, since you, being her friend you must have known London best?" Mr. Tipton continued
"I guess, what is it?" Maddie replied
"I'd like you to plan London's memorial service, and if you're comfortable, give a speech" Asked Mr. Tipton
"I'd be honoured" replied Maddie, smiling at Mr. Tipton, who smiled back. The Limo then pulled up outside the ME's office, where the site could not have been more heartbreaking, there was a large crowd of crying and shattered individuals, lined up, going in to ID the bodies of their own family members. It brought it home to Maddie that for all her focus on her own situation, she had lost focus that so many more people had died. Maddie noticed a sign by the entrance
"There will be a memorial service held for the victims of the Boston Mall bombing next Friday at Fenway Park" It was Thursday and Maddie made a mental note that she would be attending that service, and hopefully speaking, she also wanted to take along at least Cody, and Zack if he was well enough. Everyone then got out of the Tipton motorcade and began to move up the steps into the building, the police allowing them to bypass the line, but they were stopped in their tracks by a massive media scrum who had just noticed Mr. Tipton's arrival.
OK well there's chapter 21! hope you like it, hope you keep Reading and Reviewing. I'm moving along to set up the next part of the story, but don't worry, our stars (zack and cody) will be back in the story soon, well, Cody's been in it, but Zack will begin playing a more substansial role again soon! R&R people! love you all!