This chapter is a bit supernatural. Michael, the Angel of Death is real so I'm not sure if I can claim him.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Chapter Eleven
The Secret Still Remains
Esteban slunk into the Tipton Hotel. It was customary that after the funeral there would be a gathering at the house of the one who was closest to the departed. Esteban as well as Maddie's family figured since Maddie had spent so much time at the Tipton, that's where the gathering would be.
Inside one of the Tipton's restaurants, several dishes and drinks had been laid out. Esteban noticed that many of the people were eating, drinking, praying and consoling one another. There was no joy in what they were doing.
Esteban noticed Zack sitting on the couch in the lobby. He wore a sullen expression on his face and tears ran down his cheeks.
"I never got to tell her how much she meant to me," he said aloud.
"I know," said Esteban, taking a seat beside him. "There are so many things I wanted to tell Maddie. I wanted to ask her in a few years if she would share my life with me. I was willing to wait, if she would be mine."
Zack hugged a pillow. "I wish she was here now," he said. "I just can't believe she's dead. Where did all those bruises come from? She looked like someone had beaten her up."
"I suspect Xavier had come after her and I wasn't there to protect her," said Esteban, hanging his head in shame.
"It's not your fault," said Zack. "You keep blaming yourself. No amount of wallowing in self pity will bring her back."
"Wow, that's deep," said London, taking a seat next to her. Her usual cheerful face was gone and replaced by sadness. "If Maddie could come back, I would tell I was sorry for everything mean I did to her. Like when she got punished in school because of me, and when I lent her money and she had to do everything I said."
"I remember that," said Esteban, with a knowing look. "Mr. Moseby and I paid the rest of the money so you would leave her alone."
"Maddie told me that later," said London. "I just feel so bad. If she could come back, I would give her some of my clothes, shoes, and anything else she wanted."
"I would promise I would never called her Sweet Thang again," resolved Zack.
"And I would tell her all my secrets," said Esteban. "I would also tell her how much I love her."
Maddie&Esteban
It was almost midnight and Esteban roamed the lighted hallways of the Tipton Hotel. He didn't want to go home because he knew that he would just be haunted by the memories of the taxi plunging into the Charles River and Maddie's ghostly face. He would remember the speech he made at St. Mary's and the sounds of the priest as he prayed for Maddie's soul.
Esteban leaned against the wall and sighed heavily. He closed his eyes as an overwhelming sensation washed over him, relieving memories from the deepest chambers of his mind. Memories so closely stored with fantasy, it would be hard to imagine if they really happened. Another wave of memory assaults Esteban's senses, and he found himself being pulled back into the past.
"I can't believe it happened," he said quietly to himself. "I still remember the first time I met Maddie. The first time I sang with her. I wish I could relive that moment." At the memory of being on stage with her, Esteban gave a half-grin as he ran his hand through his dark hair. "I wish Maddie was still here."
As his last words hung in the air, Esteban heard something like a strangled cry. At first he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him. No. There it was again!
Esteban hurried down the hallway and put his ear to a door. Another cry. A slap. An angry voice. Esteban looked up at the number on the door. 613. The haunted suite.
Was there a ghost inside? Esteban doubted it.
More crying.
Something was behind that door. And Esteban had to know what it was. He tried the door. Locked.
Now what am I going to do? He asked frantically. As he tried to come up with a solution to the problem, he heard a voice from behind the door.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the soft uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there. I did not die."
Esteban gasped as he recognized the voice. His face paled as he went in search for Zack, Cody and London.
Maddie&Esteban
"Esteban, that's crazy," said Zack, sleepily, as the trio followed Esteban down the hall. "Maddie is dead. There's no way you could have heard her voice."
"It was her!" exclaimed Esteban. "I swear it!"
"I have to agree with Zack for once. You just think your heard her," said Cody.
"Oh little blonde peoples, don't you believe me?" asked Esteban.
"Esteban," said London, her voice growing grave. "Maybe I should ask Moseby to give you some time off so you can have a chance to get over your grief."
"But it was her!"
"But you saw her die, Esteban," said Zack. "You saw her buried. You spoke at her funeral. There's no way she could have come back from the dead."
"I'll prove it to you." Esteban took of the hotel key he had gotten from the night manager, Skippy. Inserting it into the door, it swung open.
The foursome walked in and looked around. It was the same way they had left it when they had played that mean prank on Zack.
"I remember this place," said Zack, as he touched the table. "Remember this is where Esteban 'talked' with that ghost lady."
"Yeah," said London. "Zack got scared out of his pants. Well, almost."
"There's no sign of Maddie," said Cody, as he searched the room.
"But she was here!" insisted Esteban. "She recited a poem about not being dead."
"I still think your mind was playing tricks on you, Esteban," said Zack, yawning. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going back to bed."
He left the room, followed by Cody and London.
"Maddie, I know your here," said Esteban. "Why won't you show yourself to me?"
"Because Maddie is not here," said a voice.
Esteban froze.
"Who it is?" he asked, nervously. "It is a ghostie?"
"No. I am the Angel of Death, Michael."
A bright light shown before him. A man wearing a white robe stood before the trembling Esteban.
"What do you want from me?" he asked. "Am I going to die?"
"No. You must help your one true love before she marries another."
"Marries another? How can that be? Maddie is dead."
"Maddie is not dead," said Michael. "She never has been."
"Then where is she?"
"You must find that our for yourself."
"But how? Won't you help me?"
"Only a little," said Michael. "You must follow me." He snapped his fingers and a black cloud appeared. Esteban got on and they floated out of the room.
"How are you going to help me?" asked Esteban.
"I can only show you the place Maddie is being held against her will. You must save her yourself."
The cloud hovered about a foot above the ground and Esteban got off. He turned around to thank Michael for his assistance, but he was gone. Shrugging, Esteban looked up at the place that towered over him. St. Andrews Catholic Church. Hurrying over to the church, he peered in one of the windows. He saw Maddie dressed in a wedding gown with Xavier at her side.
Esteban's eyes flashed as he thought about what to do. There had to be some way he could get Maddie out of there before the ceremony started. Esteban ducked into the shadows as a sleepy priest walked up the front steps and went inside. Esteban new he didn't have much time, so he would have to think fast.
Maddie&Esteban
Maddie glanced down at her wedding dress. She couldn't believe Xavier had gone so far as to force her to marry him. And she was only sixteen! Maddie felt the beautiful dress sadly. She had hoped to wear it for Esteban only. It seemed that no matter what, she would never been with him.
Maddie supposed she would never understand why Xavier chose her. Why he loved her. (If that's what you could call it.) She was not the prettiest person in this world. Sure she had lovely blonde hair and hazel eyes, but Maddie viewed herself to be less attractive then say, London Tipton. London was always making comments on how horrible Maddie's clothes looked and how she was "much prettier" then her. If that was even remotely true (which it wasn't,) what did Xavier see in her? She was not famous, not as glamorous as a super model, so what was the deal? Was it possible that Xavier really did love her?
Maddie wished that she had been sigh and insecure about everything. Then maybe she would have been able to stray away from people and talk in mumbles. Maybe then Xavier wouldn't have been interested in her. Maddie then realized it wasn't her talk that Xavier had found intriguing, but her voice. Maddie had a lovely singing voice had even she would not deny it. Maddie wished she had never set foot on that stage with Esteban.
Maddie sighed as she looked over at Xavier. He had snuck into the hospital, put another girl in there by the name of Jane Doe, beaten her, and suck Maddie out to an awaiting car. All for what? Yet on top of that Xavier had forced her to attend her own funeral. He had insisted since it would be the last time Maddie would ever see Esteban again.
Thinking about all she had experienced in the last few days made Maddie sad. She missed Esteban so much! She couldn't believe that she would be doomed to a life on the stage with Xavier. Now she regretted ever going to Broadway and California with him. If she had just said no, if she had just refused him, things would be different right now. She would be in high school and then would go to college. Her grades were exceptionally high, and she had a job at the Tipton and the Cluck Bucket, and her life was particularly blessed as far as lives went. Maybe she wasn't as rich as she would be as soon as she married Xavier, but at least she would have her family, her friends, and most importantly, Esteban.
Maddie&Esteban
Esteban heard the sound of an organ. He groaned inwardly. It was too late!
Peering into the window, Esteban saw that the priest was about to speak.
"Xavier Alford and Madeline Fitzpatrick, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. A lasting and growing love is not guaranteed by any ritual. If you would have the foundation of your marriage be the devotion you have for one another, not just at this moment, but for all the days to come, then treasure the hopes and dreams that you bring here today. Establish that your love will never be blotted out by the common nor obscured by the ordinary in life. Faults will surface where now you find comfort, and admiration can be shattered by the routine of daily life. Dedication, love, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives.
"I, Xavier Alford, take you, Madeline Fitzpatrick, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us." He placed a gold ring on her finger. "Madeline, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God."
In the name of God, yeah right! Thought Esteban.
Maddie trembled as she spoke. Tears ran down her cheeks.
"I, Madeline Fitzpatrick, take you, Xavier Alford, as my friend and love—" her voice cracked. "—beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us." She put the ring on his finger. "Xavier, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you—"
"Stop!" yelled Esteban, running in. He wouldn't let Maddie go through with this!
Maddie spun around in glad surprise.
"Esteban!" She ran into his open arms. "Oh Esteban, I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you to," he said, holding her close. "There's so much I wanted to tell you."
Maddie clung to Esteban as Xavier strolled over to them.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, coldly. "You're suppose to be dead!"
"Dead?1" exclaimed Maddie. "What are you talking about?"
"The accident on the bridge," said Esteban. "It was meant for me. He wanted me to die so you would live in agony."
Maddie gasped.
"What?! You tried to kill Esteban?" She through the ring at him. "How can you do this to me, Xavier? Why?"
Xavier's face paled and he seemed at a lost for words.
"Is this true?" asked the priest. He pulled a cell phone out of the pocket of his robe and called the police.
Xavier scowled at Esteban.
"Why can't you just give up already, Ramirez? You lost."
"No he didn't," said Maddie. "The priest never said we were husband and wife. So we're not married."
The police arrived ten minutes later and arrested Xavier for kidnaping and attempted murder.
Esteban smiled and put his arm around Maddie.
"Maddie, remember that night when we sang together?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Remember how I said you were the music in me?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's because ever since I was a child I've always wanted to dance and sing, but my parents didn't approve of it. One I came to the United States, I was excepted for who I was, until I met Charlotte. That was another reason I could never go through with the marriage. She wanted me to give up dancing and singing."
Maddie looked surprised.
"I would never make you do that, Esteban."
"I know you wouldn't, Maddie. That's why I want to marry you."
Maddie's eyes widened.
"M-marry?" she asked.
"Si. Not right away, of course. Just until you have finished high school. I know you wanted to study law, but I want to share my life with you." He got down on his knees. "Would you be mine, Madeline Fitzpatrick? I love you."
Maddie smiled.
"Of course, Esteban. I would love to be your wife."
Esteban let out a happy whoop, and scooped Maddie up in his arms and spun her around, Maddie laughed as she clung to him.
"Esteban, stop!" she cried, still laughing. "You're making me dizzy."
"Oh, sorry." Esteban set her down. "I suppose I should take you home, or would you rather go to the Tipton?"
"Home," said Maddie. "I'll have a lot of explaining to do."
Maddie&Esteban
"He did WHAT?!" exclaimed Zack, as Maddie finished her story. "I can't believe Xavier tried to force marry him!"
"I know," said Maddie. "It was horrible. I'm glad Esteban came in when he did." She gave Esteban a tender smile.
"Esteban should have killed him on the spot," said Zack. "He would have decerved it."
"It's okay, Zack," said Maddie. "I haven't told you the best news yet."
"What is it?" asked London.
"Esteban has asked me to marry him and I have excepted."
Zack and Cody whooped.
"Yay you!" exclaimed London, clapping her hands. "When's the wedding going to be?"
"After I finish high school," said Maddie. "We have plenty of time to figure out all the details."
"Maddie," said London, pulling out her cell phone, "Get ready for your lemon light."
"That's lime light, London," corrected Maddie.
"Whatever," said London. "Hello What's What? Yeah, it's London Tipton. I have a new story for your magazine and I want it on the cover!"
Maddie&Esteban
"I can't believe I'm on the cover of What's What!" exclaimed Maddie. "Esteban look!" She threw the magazine at him. "It was so nice of London to call those people and put our story in the magazine."
Esteban nodded.
"She certainly has changed in the last few days."
"For the better," said Maddie. "Would you like to discuss the wedding plans after our shifts are over?"
"I'd like that."
"But before you do," said Mr. Moseby, "I want you both to sing tonight."
"Alright," agreed Maddie and Esteban. "What would you like us to sing?"
Maddie&Esteban
Music flowed through the room as Maddie and Esteban stood on stage bathed in light. Maddie began to sing.
"There's a secret about your love
That always keeps me thinking of
How we ease each others pain
Only when I feel you near
You take away my deepest fear
You put a spell on my heart
But I am not calling for any redemption
And the secret still remains
And I want you not to reveal
How you make me feel
How I have been touched by your love. . ."
Esteban squeezed Maddie's hand and smiled at her.
"So you keep the key
And I keep on playing my part
Not knowing the game
And the secret will remain
These thoughts they haunt me every night
Visions covering my mind
Cause I know you can't be far
Just the thought that you are mine
Makes cold wind shiver down my spine
You put a spell on my heart
But I am not calling for any redemption
And the secret still remains
And I want you not to reveal
How you make me feel
How I have been touched by your love. . ."
"So you keep the key
And I keep on playing my part
Not knowing the game
And the secret will remain
And the secret will remain
And the secret will remain
And the secret will remain
And the secret will remain. . ."
Okay guys, I only have one chapter left. I hope you've all enjoyed the story!