Again, I own nothing sourced from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
"Max, I don't think I can do this" Cody said as he pulled out of the kiss, it hurt him so much to do so, kissing Max was the only thing that had relieved him of his pain, even if it was just for a fleeting moment. Max just looked at him, looking slightly hurt, she wanted desperately to forget her pain, and Kissing Cody was the only thing that had helped her through this pain.
"It wouldn't be right to London, I loved her Max, and being with you, I don't want to take advantage of you, you are a very special friend Max, we are both hurting" Cody's heartfelt logic was the truth, and a part of Max felt the same way, but both of them had the desire to rid themselves of the pain they felt.
"I know, it hurts to much" Max began as she began to weep "I never got to tell him how I felt, and now he's gone, it just hurts so much, and that kiss took away the pain for a moment, I just wanted that feeling to go on" Max finished as she wept more and more, Cody was now in the position of being the one to give comfort, rather than accepting it from Zack.
"I felt it too, but Max, we are both vulnerable, hurting so much, jumping into something is useless, there is nothing that's going to dull our pain, I thought knowing who committed the horrible act would help me, but it didn't, it just added anger to a pool of emotions, kissing you was an incredible experience, and felt so good and so right, but not for the right reasons, I'm sorry Max" Cody began to tear up with that heartfelt statement, it was what he believed to be the truth, his logical mind coming back into play as his guide, Cody realised that nothing would dull his pain, his pain which hurt so much.
"It's OK Cody, I understand, I feel the same way, it is a dull, horrible pain, I don't know if I'll ever get over it, but Cody, I think, together we might be able to, we've both gone through the same thing, except that you were in there" Max dully replied, she agreed with Cody, but she was so depressed. "I'll never be able to comprehend what it must have been like in there" Max continuted, looking to Cody's eyes, seeing him think about what happened in there, his expression became instantly pained and hollow, as he remembered the horrible experience.
"I can't describe it Max, I don't know how I survived, I don't know how anyone survived, truth be told, Zack saved my life, I'm sure I would have died without him, and I feel so guilty that he almost died, it's my fault he can't recognise anyone, I just hope he recovers, I don't think Zack is doing as well as he's letting on" Cody sadly responded to Max's query, it was hard to talk about what had happened with anyone, but Max had lost her secret love as well, so Cody felt he could talk to her about this, but he gave off a distinct vibe that he didn't want to talk about the specifics of the explosion so Max dropped the question, only saying
"we all deal with things in our way, the best thing we can do is all be there for each other, and to try and help each of us get through this hard time" Max's voice was filled with sincerity in that statement, she truly believed what she was saying was the best course of action, and Cody agreed with her.
"Want to go back into the room then? My chest is starting to hurt" Cody said, feeling a dull, physical pain from his chest wound, max nodded and they went back toward the room.
Maddie Fitzpatrick had just arrived at the Tipton Hotel, planning on speaking with Mr. Tipton about London's arrangements, the hotel lobby was still a depressed place, not much activity was going on, some media were camped out the front due to their interest in London's death and this had scared off some guests. Boston was also not regarded as being a particularly safe city, especially with the bombers being widely unidentified and at large, so the hotel was operating at a significantly reduced capacity. Maddie was happy at the situation however, news had begun to leak out that she was London's best friend on the internet and some pictures were beginning to circulate so the lack of people around meant Maddie could move with relative ease and lack of attention.
Maddie swiftly made her way to the 25th floor without being stopped by anyone; none of the staff which she was close to had been in the lobby and owing to the small number of guests currently residing in the hotel her lift made its way to the 25th floor without stopping.
"I'm here to see Mr. Tipton, he's expecting me" Maddie said to a bodyguard outside the door of the imperial suite
"Yes, you can go in Miss. Fitzpatrick" The burly guard responded in his monotonous voice.
Mr. Tipton was sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room, looking very weak and upset, an open bottle of scotch was on the coffee table, a glass next to it, with the last few drops of glass visible in the bottom.
As Maddie walked over toward Mr. Tipton, who had motioned for her to sit she caught a glimpse of his letter from London, lying open on a desk, Maddie knew she shouldn't but she took a quick glace at it before as she walked past:
…I wish you would have been around more, I wish you would have been my father; I wish I'd have gotten to know you better…
The words were heartbreaking, and confirmed to Maddie what she'd always thought about London's relationship with Mr. Tipton, but she had walked past now and took a seat on the second sofa, opposite Mr. Tipton.
"How are you doing Mr. Tipton?" She asked, trying to be polite, knowing he wasn't doing well, his eyes were bloodshot and his clothes ruffled, when he spoke she caught a whiff to scotch on his breath, it was an intoxicating smell which drew her in, she knew it was wrong, but she hurt so much, maybe alcohol would dull her pain.
"I'm not sure Maddie, how are you" Mr. Tipton asked dully
"I don't know either, the pain is still raw" She replied
"Would you like a drink Maddie? It's Johnny Walker Blue Label, perhaps it will help" Mr. Tipton seemed to believe it would help her.
"Alright" Maddie gave in and Mr. Tipton took another glass from a small end table and quarter filled the glass, Maddie had never drunk scotch before, it was a sharp taste, a burning sensation almost, but, in the circumstances it felt smooth and sweet somehow, like an anaesthetic to her pain, only a little though.
"Maddie, I need to know, I'm sure you've been told about London's illness now, I need to know did you know before today?" Mr. Tipton asked as Maddie took a drink
"No Sir, I had no idea, I feel so bad that I didn't know" Maddie felt awful telling him that
"Don't, noone knew it seemed" it was obvious that Mr. Tipton was trying to hide his real emotions from Maddie, his voice came out flat and emotionless, but Maddie could tell he was upset.
"I wanted to bring you here to talk about the plans for London's funeral, her Mother arrived with me this morning, she is staying at the Marriott, she couldn't bare to come here, she is happy with anything you want to plan for the funeral, but, my daughter was famous, and many fans would like a chance to say goodbye, have you read her wishes" Mr. Tipton continuted, Maddie had briefly looked over the list, London's wishes stated that a viewing was ok, if her fans wanted to see her.
"Yes, London said that will be fine, however, she wants her best, most expensive clothes and jewels on" Maddie sadly recounted from the letter.
"Of course" Mr. Tipton replied, the request was very London.
"As for the funeral, she wants the people important to her life to go to one service, and, if desired a second memorial service, this one is the very London-esk celebration" Maddie continuted, the plans she had drawn for the memorial service was absolutely quintessentially London, lots of celebrities, and jewels and fanfare, but the small, real funeral service, was a touching request, with only some people she named in the letter to be invited, namely her parents, Zack, Cody, Maddie, Mr. Moesby and some others.
"Very well, please do whatever she requested please, money is no object" Mr. Tipton said, he didn't want to hear details, it would have been too painful for him.
Maddie silently nodded to get up and began to lave
"Oh, by the way Maddie, the viewing of London's video will is going to be tomorrow, someone will contact you with the details" Mr. Tipton added as Maddie left the room, nodding to him in acknowledgement.
Well there goes another chapter, hope you're all still enjoying it, keep reading and reviewing, I love all my readers! Thanks!