Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for. . .well, almost. . .
Disclaimer: I don't own The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Chapter Seven
Time To Say Goodbye
The day of Esteban's wedding came quickly. Too quickly, for Maddie's taste. She trudged out of bed with a sullen expression on her face. She had agreed to get ready for the wedding at the Tipton. That way London could pick out the dress Maddie would wear and help her get ready. Maddie was not looking forward to the afternoon.
The hours dragged by slowly until Mrs. Fitzpatrick told her she could go and see London.
Each step seemed heavier then the last as Maddie made her way down the busy street.
This wasn't suppose to be how my sweet sixteen turned out, Maddie thought, ruefully. I was suppose to have a party and Esteban was suppose to love me. Not marry another girl. Now I'll never get him back.
London greeted Maddie as she walked into the Tipton lobby.
"Come on, Maddie," said London, cheerfully. "You should be happy."
"How can I be happy?" asked Maddie, sullenly. "I love Esteban and now he's marring another girl and will probably leave with her for France and I'll never see him again."
"Don't try to look on the downside of this," said London. "Try to think of something good. You get to sing a solo, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Then you should at least be happy about that."
"But the song is called, 'Time to Say Goodbye,' London. I don't want to say goodbye to Esteban." Tears welled in Maddie's eyes as London put a comforting arm around her friend's shoulders.
"It's okay, Maddie. Maybe something good will happen."
Maddie shook her head.
"Nothing good can come out of this, London," she said.
London shrugged as she lead Maddie to the elevator and they went up to the penthouse suite.
"I have the perfect dress for you, Maddie," said London, opening one of her many closets. She disapeared for a few minutes and then returned with a light blue V next dress. She handed it to Maddie.
"Put this on," she ordered, pointing to another closet. "You can go change in there."
"Okay," said Maddie.
After slipping on the dress, Maddie twirled around in front of the floor length mirror. London was right. She did look beautiful.
To bad Esteban won't care, she thought sadly. I wonder if he'll ever care for me again. Even like a friend.
"Maddie!" called London, knocking on the closet door. "Are you done yet?"
"Yeah," said Maddie, coming out. "What do you think?" She turned around.
"It's perfect," grinned London. "Someone would have to be stupid not to notice you."
Maddie smiled at that.
"Here's your shoes," said London, thrusting a pair of silver high heels at her. "Then your hair should be next. I'll take you to the salon where I always get mine done."
"Thanks, London," said Maddie, as she followed her friend out. "You're being so nice to me."
"I know," said London. "Yay me!"
Once at the salon, London and the hair dresser argued about what style to put Maddie's hair in. Then finally decided on something romantic, (or romantical, as London called it) and painstakingly put Maddie's hair into curls.
London held up a mirror. "What do you think?" she asked.
Maddie gasped. "I look. . .beautiful!" She admired the soft blonde curls that hung about her shoulders.
"Now your ready," said London, and the two girls headed for the limo.
One their way to the church, Maddie thought about what Charlotte had said back in December. She would never stop loving Esteban, no matter what. He needed to know that.
Taking out a small note book and pen from her purse, Maddie wrote down the words that began to fill her mind.
"Earth to Maddie," said London, waving her hand in front of Maddie's face.
Maddie blinked twice before looking up.
"What?"
"We're here," said London. "And by the looks of it, we're here just a bit early."
Getting out of the limo, Maddie quickly followed London into St. Mary's Catholic Church.
What few people were there stood talking in the foyer. Maddie looked around for Esteban, but realized he wasn't there.
MaddieXEsteban
Esteban's shoulder's sagged as he followed Charlotte into the church. He knew in his heart this wasn't the right thing. He wasn't marring for love, he was marring for what? Money? A beautiful wife? What was it? Esteban shook his head. It didn't matter. He had gotten himself into this mess and there was no getting out of it now.
Esteban peered inside the sanctuary while Charlotte went to wait somewhere else. He spotted Maddie standing on the stage talking with the piano player. Esteban knew he had invited Maddie, but he didn't know she was going to sing as well. The thought made him sad. For the past few weeks he and Charlotte talked about Esteban's vocal and dance qualities. Charlotte had told him when they married, he was to leave all that stuff behind. It wasn't fitting for the husband of the most important woman in France.
Maybe I should go talk to her, he thought. But before he could make a move, someone told him it was time to get started. Esteban hurried inside the sanctuary and sat in the first pew.
The last of the people filed in. The gentle hum of the congregation became silent and the first notes of Time To Say Goodbye began as Maddie stepped on stage.
"When I'm alone I dream of the horizon and words fail me
There is no light in a room where there is no sun
and there is no sun if you're not here with me, with me
From every window unfurls my heart the heart that you have won
Into me you've poured the light
the light that you found by the side of the road
Time to say goodbye
To places that I've never seen or experienced with you
Now I shall, I'll sail with you upon ships across the seas
Seas that exist no more
It's time to say goodbye
When you're far away I dream of the horizon and words fail me
And of course I know that you're with me, with me
You, my moon, you are with me
My sun, you're here with me with me, with me, with me
Time to say goodbye
To places that I've never seen or experienced with you
Now I shall, I'll sail with you upon ships across the seas
Seas that exist no more
It's time to say goodbye
I'll revive them with you
I'll go with you upon ships across the seas
seas that exist no more
I'll revive them with you
I'll go with you. . ."
Esteban gazed at her with admiration as the congregation clapped. Esteban expected Maddie to take her seat, but instead, she spoke.
"I want to dedicate this next song the groom, Esteban Ramirez. This song is for you." She looked straight into Esteban's eyes as she said it.
"I fell in a perfect way
Never had a choice to make
Crashed into your tidal wave
I didn't even struggle
Sailed right through you atmosphere
Closed my eyes and landed here
I didn't see the trouble
And I didn't care
I can't unlove you
Can't do that
No matter how I try
I'll never turn my back on
Someone who loved me too
I can do most anything I have to
But there's one thing I cannot change
I almost kinda like the pain
Wear your tattoo like a stain
And it will take forever
To fade away
I can't unlove you
Can't do that
No matter how I try
I'll never turn my back on
Someone who loved me too
I can do most anything I have to
But I can't unlove you, no
Why would I want to, oh
I can't unlove you
Can't do that
I'll treasure
Get through this
Why would I want to
There's always time for other dreams
Why must we erase these things
I can't unlove you
Can't do that
No matter how I try
I'll never turn my back on
Someone who loved me too
I can do most anything I have to
I can't unlove you
Can't do that
No matter how I try
I'll never turn my back on
Someone who loved me too
I can do most anything I have to
But I can't unlove you. . ."
The audience applauded and Charlotte, (who was standing in the foyer watching) scowled at her.
"Go Maddie!" yelled Zack and Cody.
"Yay you!" said London, clapping her hands.
Maddie smiled, took a bow and walked off stage.
She still loves me! thought Esteban, excitedly. She still loves me! I love her too much to let her go. I can't stop loving her just like she can't stop loving me. I know what I have to do.
The bridal march began and Charlotte walked down the isle followed by her bride's maids. She cast a triumphant look at Maddie as if to say, "I've already won, there's nothing you can do to stop this."
Charlotte met Esteban at the end of the isle and she gave him a sickening sweet smile.
"We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Charlotte Danvers and Esteban Ramirez, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one," said the minister. "They now desire to profess before all the world and God that their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.
To these two people, this marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. This 'birth of spirit' reminds us of spring, the season when all life is reborn and looms again. It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Charlotte Danvers and Esteban Ramirez be in the spring, and that it be under the open sky, where we are close to the earth and to the unity of life, the totality of living things of which we are part."
Odd, thought Maddie, He speaks as if we really are outside.
"The beliefs and thoughts about love which motivate these two people are perhaps best expressed in the words of poet Kahlil Gibran:
"You were born to be together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in your silent memory.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bondage of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not of the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping,
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together,
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in shadow."
The congregation murmured quietly. Some women sniffled.
The minister continued.
"Do you Charlotte Danvers, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take Esteban Ramirez to be your lawfully wedded husband?
"I do," said Charlotte.
"Place the ring on his finger."
She did.
"Do you Esteban Ramirez, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning form them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her to overcome them, take Charlotte Danvers to be your lawfully wedded wife?
"I—" Esteban began.
Maddie closed her eyes, waiting for the dreadful words to come.
So, what did you think of that? What will Esteban say? How will Maddie react? I'll update soon! (This chapter was fun to write! ) Vows came from although I did alter them only slightly. Time To Say Goodbye is the English translation of the song and could be slightly wrong. If so, I'm sorry.