*I do not own Suite Life on Deck/of Zack and Cody or any of the characters. I also do not own The Parent Trap.
The fax machine rang as a fax slithered out. A hand reached for the fax. Martin, stood in Carey's kitchen in London. He looked at the fax quizzically, then carried it into the dining room where Zack was eating dinner with his Mother and Grandfather. Martin refilled the adults' wine glasses, holding the fax behind his back as he poured.
"This is fantastic wine by the way Martin." Carey said.
"May I have a-sip?" Zack asked.
Carey offered him a sip. "I don't think you're going like it."
Zack swirled the wine confidently, passed it under his nose, then took a healthy sip. "If you ask me, the bouquet is a little too robust for a Merlot. But then again, I'm partial to the softer California grape."
Carey and his Grandfather laughed, as Martin moved next to Zack, holding the fax behind his back. Zack cocked his head to read it. The fax was a drawing of Sammy, Zack's dog, laying on the front porch of Zack's house. A cartoon bubble coming out of his mouth saying 911! Zack bent over so far to read the fax he fell off his chair right onto the floor.
"Honey, are you okay?" Carey peeked under the table.
"Had one sip too many, I guess." he stood up. "You know, Mother, I feel like I could use a bit of fresh air. Would it be okay if I stepped outside for a moment?"
"Of course. Are you okay? Would you like me to come with you?"
"No, no. I'll be fine... Just got a touch woozy, that's all." Zack wiped his mouth with his napkin and excused himself. His grandfather watched him closely as he exited the room.
Zack hurried down the picturesque street, turned a corner, spotted a phone and rushed to it. He pulled the door closed and dialed the Operator. "Yes, I'd like to make a collect-call to California, please. Area code 707 ... 78."
Cody paced, biting his nails for real now. The phone rang. He pounced on it in mid-ring. "Hello? Yes, I'll accept the charges. Zack, thank goodness you got my fax. I'm absolutely desperate."
"What's up? Why the 911?"
"Dad's getting married."
Zack laughed. "Whaddya mean, getting married?"
"I mean black tie, white gown, the whole enchilada. The wedding's in two weeks so, if there's any hope of getting Mom and Dad back together, we've got to do it fast." outside the phone booth, a man read the evening paper, waiting to use the-phone.
"Okay, Mom and I are going to the theater tonight so I'll drop the bomb on her first thing in the morning."
"Give Mom a kiss for me, willya. And Grandfather, too. And Zack, hurry."
Zack hung up and stepped out of the booth, bumping into the Man who had been waiting.
"Oh, excuse me." he said. The man turned around, reveling that it was Zack's grandfather. "Uh-oh..."
"What do you say you and I take a little stroll in the park, young man."
Zack bit his locket as his Grandfather led him into the park.
The next morning, Carey sat up in bed, in white satin pajamas, finishing a cup of coffee and a phone call to Paris. She was sketching a wedding gown on a pad as she talked. "Au, Mademoiselle. I will have the sketch to you by tomorrow. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Au revoir."
Zack appeared in the doorway, listening to his mother talk on the phone. Grandfather walked by and gave him a little nudge, pushing him into the room.
"Hi, sweetie. Come on in." she patted the bed. Zack crossed the room and climbed in next to his mother. She wrapped her arm around him. "I have to finish this sketch and Fed Ex it to Paris, then how about you and I go out to lunch and spend the rest of the day getting lost in stores?"
Zack nervously spoke. "I can't. Mom, sorry, I have to go out of town today."
"You have to go out of town?" she smiled, thinking her son was kidding. "And where may I ask are you going? Zack squirmed under the covers, entirely disappearing. "Cody?"
From under the covers he spoke. "That's where I have to go. I have to go see Cody."
She decided to play along. "I see. And where would Cody be?"
Zack's shape squirmed further under the covers. "In Napa with his father, Kurt Martin."
Suddenly, it hit her, her eyes widened and she looked up to see her father leaning in the door frame, puffing on his pipe. He nodded. Carey's eyes instantly filled with tears. She lifted the covers to see Zack, hiding, scared to death. "You're not Cody?"
"That would be correct."
"You're Zack..."
"I am." he crawled out from under covers, then with his American accent, "Cody and I met at camp and we decided to switch places. I'm sorry, but I'd never seen you and I'd dreamt of meeting you my whole life and Cody felt the exact same way about Dad, so we just sorta switched lives. I hope you're not mad because I love you so much and I just hope one day you can love me as me and not as Cody."
"Oh, honey, I've loved you your whole life." she took Zack in her arms. "Why didn't you tell me it was you all along? Zack?"
Zack spoke through teary eyes, "I was scared."
Martin stood in the doorway with Zack's grandfather, bawling hysterically. His grandfather stepped into the room, closing the door. Martin fell into Grandfather's arms, heaving. "I've never been so happy in my entire life."
Carey and Zack wiped their tears away after breaking their long hug.
"I guess you have to switch us back now, huh?"
"Legally, you belong to your father and Cody belongs to me."
"'His' and 'Hers, kids. No offense, Mom, but this arrangement really sucks."
"I agree, it totally sucks. I don't want to lose you now that we've been together."
"Well, then I guess we'll just have to fly to Napa, see Cody and Dad and work this whole thing out."
"I guess we will."
"Will you be nervous about seeing Dad again?"
"No, of course not." as if it's preposterous, Carey continued. I can handle seeing Kurt Martin after all these years. People see their ex's all the time, don't they? Not to worry, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything. Not-to-worry."
The following day, Carey was a mess. She wore a silk blouse over a slip and a few Velcro rollers just on top of her head. She paced around open luggage that was laid out on the bed behind her. Martin entered carrying freshly pressed clothes for her luggage. "I'm sorry, I can't handle this. I haven't seen or heard from Kurt Martin in over thirteen years and suddenly I'm flying halfway across the world to... I'm not mature enough for this. If the man didn't make me so nuts, I'd still be married to him." she pulled out her rollers. "We came up with this arrangement so we'd never have to see each other again." she put on her sunglasses. "Look at me, Martin, have you ever seen me like this? Don't answer that. What if he doesn't recognize me? Be honest, Martin, how old do I look? No, don't answer that either. Hey, what am I worried about? He could be fat or bald. Or both."
"Actually, Zack says his Dad's quite the hunk. And never re-married, either. Just like you, ma'am."
"Martin, it just so happens I'm not remarried by choice. I've had my opportunities for llamour. Not lately, of course. But I've had my share of gentlemen callers."
"Not lately."
"I just said that! Zack said he was a hunk, huh? He was rather dashing. He used to make me weak in the knees, if you Can imagine that." she looked in the mirror. "Is that a grey hair?" She yanked the hair out as Zack entered carrying an overnight bag.
"All set, Mom."
Carey was suddenly composed. "Good. Me too. Almost. Not quite."
"Mom, your suitcase is totally empty."
"Oh. Right. Sorry. Did you speak to your father, dear?"
Martin looked at Zack and they locked eyes for an instant, then turned to his Mom. "Uh, yeah, I just hung up with him, actually. He said he's really anxious to see you."
"He did? Anxious-nervous, like he's dreading it or anxious-excited like he's looking forward to it?"
"Anxious-excited, definitely." Again, Martin squinted at Zack, just knowing he was lying. But Zack rolled on... "He said he'll meet us tomorrow at noon at the Four Seasons in San Francisco."
"Tomorrow? My, my that's incredibly soon, isn't it? Well, honey, why don't you run downstairs and gather our tickets from your Grandfather while I finish up here?"
Zack started out as Martin followed. "Liar, Liar, pants on fire..." Martin said to Zack.
"Oh, Martin, could you come back for a moment, please?"
Zack raised his finger to his lips to 'Ssshhh' Martin, as he re-entered Carey's room.
"Martin, I have a really ridiculous, somewhat childish request to make. Martin, you know you're more than a Butler to me. You're like a lovable brother who just happens to wait on us and..." Martin nodded momentarily. "Anyway, I was wondering if..."
"- I'd accompany you to make the trip a bit easier for you?"
"Would you, Martin? I'd be forever grateful. And you don't even have to go as our butler. Just as a friend."
"Madame, I'd be honored. And as a friend, may I say..." he reached into her closet. "- if I were seeing my ex after thirteen years and I had your legs..." he pulled out a little red dress. "I'd wear this baby. You'll kill in it."
That afternoon a Limousine waited at the curb. Martin, in a black leather jacket and shades, handed the luggage off to the Limo Driver. Carey hugged her Father good-bye. Then, Zack threw his arms around his grandfather.
"Bye, Pop."
"Bye, Zack."
"You're coming to Napa for Thanksgiving, right?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Zack rose up on his tiptoes and kisses his Grandfathers cheek good-bye.
As Zack ran off, his grandfather shouted to him. "Say hello to your Father for me!"
Zack waved as he got into the limo. "I will!"
Above The Four Seasons Hotel's entrance, a clock clicked to twelve noon. Meredith walked across the lobby with her parents, a stunning couple in their early fifties. They were very young, naturally and anyone could see where she got her looks and confidence from.
Meredith checked her watch. "Okay, they'll be here any minute... Be nice, Daddy. He's everything you ever wanted for your little girl... plus millions more."
"Then you know I'll be nice." her father said.
Meredith laughed. "Okay, there he is..." her face dropped. "- with the whole motley crew."
From the front entrance, Kurt, Cody, Chessy and Sammy entered the Lobby. Meredith rushed to greet them, kissing Kurt.
"Hi, darling..." she nodded to the others. "Zack, Chessy... And Sammy, what in the world are you doing here?" she turned to Kurt. "Honey, a dog in The Four Seasons?"
"Zack begged me to bring him."
"And naturally you said 'yes'." Sammy snapped at Meredith.
"Good doggy." Chessy said to Sammy. "Meredith, these the folks..?"
"Yes! Mom... Dad... finally, you all meet." she linked arms with Kurt. "This is my fiance and the love of my life, Kurt Martin and this is his adorable Son Zack who we can all thank for bringing us together this weekend... This entire get together was his idea I'll have you know..."
"Well, how are you young man, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about you." Meredith's father said. Kurt beamed.
A taxi pulled up and Martin and Zack stepped out. Martin then reached in the backseat and helped Carey out. She was wearing dark sunglasses and was more than a little tipsy. She took a small airplane-size vodka bottle from her purse and polished it off, tossing it over her shoulder. Martin caught it before it crashed to the ground. As Zack and Martin guided Carey up the steps to the hotel...
"That was a great flight, wasn't it? So quick."
"I never saw you so... thirsty, before, ma'am." Martin said.
"- You mean you never saw me drink so much vodka before! Guess what? I've got news for you, Marty old chap... never tasted the stuff before. Not once."
"Could've fooled me, ma'am."
She turned to the doorman. "Hello, Doorman. Oh, you scared me, I thought you were real for a minute.."
"I'm in such major trouble here." Zack said to himself.
In the main lobby, Martin and Zack led Carey through the Lobby and deposited her at the Front Desk. Miraculously, Kurt and Meredith were nowhere in sight. Carey rang the bell a zillion times and Zack stopped her by placing his hand over the bell.
"Mom, you gonna be okay?"
"Absolutely. Never felt better in my life. But darling, tell me 'cause I'm a bit confused... Have we landed yet?" With that comment, Zack laid his head down on the counter.
On the other side of the Lobby is where Meredith, her folks, Kurt, Chessy, Cody and Sammy exited a dining room.
"- I'm just saying, I know it's short notice, but if they can do it, I think it would be a brilliant room for the wedding... Not too big, not too cramped... Not that I don't like the idea of getting married at the house... I do but this could be... amazing..." Meredith was rambling on.
Back on the other side of the lobby, Zack led Carey away from the front desk and toward a bank of elevators. Carey tried to hitch a ride on a passing luggage cart and Martin had to peel her off. Again, back on the other side of the lobby, Sammy sniffed like a Hound Dog on the hunt, pulling Cody away from Kurt, Meredith and Meredith's Folks. Cody held onto Sammy's leash while at the same time, holding Chessy's hand. They were dragged across the lobby as the others stayed behind.
"I've already checked us in, so why don't we go up to the rooms, freshen up, then meet for lunch?"
"Sounds good, I'm starved. Meet you back here in ten." her father said.
Meredith kissed her father on the cheek. "Perfect." she then leaned on Kurt. "Sweetheart, want to check out the Honeymoon Suite while we're here? I bet it's to die for."
Carey, Zack and Martin stepped into an open elevator. As the doors were about to close ...
"Oh, jeez..." Carey stuck out her hand and the doors popped back open. "- Forgot my purse." she rushed out of the elevator and crossed back toward the front desk just as... Sammy sniffed his way toward Zack's open elevator. Sammy looked up, seeing his favorite boy!
"Sammy!" Zack and Cody locked eyes as Sammy bolted from Cody and leaped into the elevator, paws up on Zack, licking his face. At the front desk, Carey grabbed her purse and headed back to the elevator where she joined Cody, putting her arm around him. Chessy's eyes widened and she did an immediate about-face so as not to be seen.
"Honey, you didn't have to wait for me, I could've found the room by myself. Besides ..." she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I've got to make a pit stop. Vodka makes you have to go like crazy... Go on, weeties, I'll meet you supstairs ..." Chessy took a peek at her. "I mean, upthstair... uppth... upppthst... I'll meet thyou up... thstairs!" she looked at Cody's jacket. "I like that jacket by the way. Were you wearing that the whole time on the plane?" Carey turned back and just missed colliding with a Bellhop carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. Cody slapped his forehead.
"She's drunk. She's never had more than one glass of wine in her entire life and she chooses today to show up zonked." he said to Chessy.
Chessy led Cody into an elevator. "Just do what the woman says and meet her upthstairs." Chessy and Cody got into a waiting elevator, it's doors closed and they are gone. A beat later, Kurt and Meredith strolled up to the same elevators. Meredith nibbled on Kurt's ear as an elevator arrived. They stepped inside the elevator.
"Alone at last." Meredith folded her arms around Kurt's neck. At that very moment, Kurt spotted Carey- standing directly in font of him. Kurt blinked, unable to believe his eyes. Carey smiled and gave him a little wave.
Kurt's eyes widened as Meredith, her back to Carey, continued kissing Kurt. As the elevator doors started to close, Kurt leaned further and further to his right, trying to keep his eyes on Carey. He leaned, he leaned... but the doors closed. He stood there stunned, eyes wide open.
Sorry, there isn't much twincest in this...but since we're in a hotel now and they're back together...I'll find some way for them to get naughty eventually... ;) Sorry about the name issue, I'm tired..I've been working about 42 hours a week and I'm actually reading a script and I'm getting terribly confused...so, I apologize.