How We Got Here

by Grifflekin

Disclaimer: I do not own The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. If I did, they'd have had haircuts by now.

Chapter Five:

Zack and Cody P.O.V

"Hey," Zack said, "it's 3:15 and Mom isn't home and the car is still here. It's still in the same parking space it was in this morning."

"Maybe she went food shopping," Cody said. "She'll probably be home any minute now. We may as well do our homework while we wait."

"I wonder how her interview went," Zack said as he turned on the TV, pointedly ignoring Cody's homework suggestion.

"She'll tell us when she comes in. Be ready to cheer her up when she tells us about it." Cody was always the thoughtful one.

"Hey, Codes," Zack said. "It's almost four and she isn't home yet. I'm getting hungry."

"All you can think about is your garbage gut? Aren't you the least bit worried?" Cody squeaked.

They heard the key turn in the door and it opened. Carey entered with a smile on her face and took off her coat. Both boys ran to her and were rewarded with a hug.

"Mom? What's for dinner. I'm starving," Zack said. Cody gave him a punch in the arm.

"Ouch," Zack said. "That really hurt," Zack said and attempted to hit him back.

"Boys, boys, boys stop that!" Carey said. "I can't have you two fighting. I need you to be my little men. Your attitudes have to change. Now, go sit in the kitchen—I have a lot to tell you." Carey followed the boys and sat across from them.

"Mom, how did the interview go?" Cody was always one to get to the point.

Carey's P.O.V.

"I got the job!" I said. "This is going to be a big opportunity for the three of us. I'm getting paid a good salary and all the benefits. The part that affects you two is that as a part of the deal, we get our own suite on the 23rd floor of the Tipton Hotel. All I'm telling you is that it comes with a 31 inch plasma TV." For a moment I thought that I'd given birth to two Cheshire cats. Both boys started to ask questions at once while jumping up and down in their seats.

"Before I go on," I said. "We should arrange for dinner. We wouldn't want Zack to fade away from starvation. So what will it be? Do we order pizza, or do we go out to eat?

"Out to eat," they replied in unison.

"Okay, so get your coats and let's get a move on."

We went to the little diner where I was working over the objections of my two little men who opted for the local burger emporium.

"This is a celebration and I will not do it over a greasy burger and overcooked fries," I said. I escorted them to a table and then went to the back room to speak to the boss. I explained to him the position I was in now and due to the fact that I only had ten days to get ready with rehearsals and moving, I would have to leave without giving notice. He wished me all the luck in the world and hugged me so tightly that my feet came up off of the floor.

"You know, Phill," I said. "Helen has been working part time but she really needs a full time job. She's here now. Why don't you let me tell her to take my schedule?"

"Well," the boss said. "She's no Carey Martin, but I think she'll do okay. Go ahead and tell her."

"I'm here with my sons for dinner and when she comes to the table, I'll tell her."

I went back out and saw the terrible two sitting quietly looking over the menu and chomping on bread sticks. I sat down and Helen came over to take our orders.

"What, did Phill put a crowbar into his wallet and give you a raise? How can you afford to eat here?" She asked, smiling.

"Helen," I said. "Sit for a spell. It's not busy and I have something to tell you."

She sat and I told her about my new job and that I would no longer be able to work there and that she was to take my shift starting the next day.

"Now take our orders, bring them into the kitchen, and thank the Old Goat." She took our orders and went to the back.

While I was waiting for our food to come I used the time to fill the boys in on what had to be done in the next ten days. It was a good thing that Wednesday was the last day of school before spring break. This gave us time to move and get them into the new school. I then cautioned them as to a code of behavior that they must follow because any bad behavior on their part could result in my being fired, and then where would we be? I made Mr. Moseby the ogre, telling them that he would not stand for any hooliganism in his hotel.

Helen brought out our orders and the boys were shocked to see that I'd ordered a burger deluxe after refusing to take them to the burger place. I laughed my head off.

During dinner, we discussed what I expected of them. I tried to put the fear of God and Moseby into them and all I got was a chorus of "yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Look, Mom, we know enough not to screw this up," Cody said. "Right, Zack?"

"Duh," Zack replied.

We finished our dinner, I paid the check and we left. The weather was mild and the walk back to the apartment was short.

"Okay boys," I said, "did you do your homework?" I asked this knowing full well what the answer would be.

"I did mine while we waited for you while Zack watched TV and complained about being hungry," Cody replied.

"You know," Zack said. "You disgust me."

"Cody, get ready for bed. Zack, do your homework." I said automatically. I went to the stove and put on water for tea. When it was ready, I took it to the table where Zack was seated reluctantly doing his homework, and took three sheets of his looseleaf paper. I sat down and began to make a list of what had to be done.

Tuesday:

Get car fixed. (first thing).

Dress for photos.

Get to hotel by 2:00 pm.

Get money for wardrobe

Rehearsal schedule?

Ask London and Mattie about local boutiques.

"Finished my homework, Mom," Zack said.

"Milk and cookies?" I asked.

"Ya think?"

"Go see if your brother is still up and if he wants some."

So Zack came out of the bedroom with a smiling Cody in tow. They sat at the table and I got out some sugar wafers and poured some milk into their jelly jar glasses. As soon as they finished, I kissed them on the heads, sending them off to bed with a "look at my little men; they're growing up," which elicited grunts from the Terrible Two. I just love embarrassing them. It never gets old.

A/N: Please push the little button below. It's your feedback that keeps me writing.