Chapter 8

Maggie Arrives

Maggie had a hard time sleeping. Tomorrow morning she was going to see Miley, Lilly and Oliver. She liked to think of the trip in those terms and not for the real reason that they were going out there. Maggie knew that this was an all or nothing attempt. That made it very scary for her. What made it even worse was her Daddy couldn't come out until the day before the surgery. Then he had to go home the next day. Maggie gave up on sleep and went into her parents' room. Maggie crawled up the middle of the bed and then her mom and dad held the covers up so she could get under them. Feeling safe, she finally fell asleep.

The next morning, Sara woke Maggie up. Jim was already up and had loaded their bags in the car. After breakfast was over, Jim took Sara and Maggie to the airport. At the airport, goodbyes were exchanged, as were hugs and kisses. Maggie and her mom found their seats and sat down getting ready for the flight. But for Maggie, it was a very short flight. As the disease progressed, she became more and more tired. That was because her cancerous white blood cells were killing of her red blood cells. Without the red blood cells to carry the life giving food and oxygen to her body, she tired easily. The bump of landing jarred her awake. She looked at her mom sleepily.

"Are we there?"

"Yes, we are dear."

"Will Miley and the others be here?"

"No, honey. They're in school right now. They'll see you when they get home. Okay?"

"Who's here to pick us up?"

"Mr. Stewart is."

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The plane started to unload twenty minutes after it landed. Robbie was waiting at the gate for them. Because she was sick and the flight crew knew it, Sara and Maggie got off first. Robbie walked up and hugged Sara when she and Maggie came out of the gangway. Next he picked Maggie up. She looked small and delicate. She had on her Hannah wig that Miley had given her. That told Robbie her hair was gone again. Maggie looked tired, so he carried her as they went to the baggage return. They waited at the return for thirty minutes before the bags came out. With the bags in hand, Robbie led them out to the limo.

"So how are things here?" Sara asked as she held Maggie.

"Miley, Lilly, and Oliver are involved with Leukemia Awareness Week Fundraiser that is being sponsored by Hannah. The winning school will get a school dance done by Hannah."

"Wow! That is some daughter you have there Robbie."

"Well she's doing it all for Maggie. Once Miley told me that Maggie was like a sister to her."

"Well, we really appreciate everything you are doing for us Robbie."

"That's what the good Lord put us on the earth for Sara. And I don't want you to spend one single cent while you and your family are here."

"But Robbie…"

"No buts. It's just like I told Jim. You guys have enough to worry about without having to worry about money right now. Okay?"

"Okay."

Robbie reached into his coat pocket and pulled at a prepaid charge card. It had her name on it. He handed it to Sara.

"Robbie, we can't…."

"You say 'thank you' and I say 'you're welcome'."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They rode in silence for a while until Robbie remembered the message from Miley he had to deliver.

"Maggie, are you awake?"

"Yes, Mr. Stewart." She had been looking out the window.

"Miley is working on a fund raiser and her group will be over to the house after school."

"Who is in her group?"

"Well, there is Miley of course and Lilly and Oliver. There is also one more person in the group. He wants to meet you. But you don't have too if you don't want too."

"Who is he, Mr. Stewart?"

"He's a TV star that goes to school with them."

"Oh really?" Sara asked. "Would we know him?"

"Do you watch Zombie High?"

"I do, Mr. Stewart. Why, is it Jake Ryan?" Maggie asked. There was some excitement in her voice.

"That's him. And if you're up to it, he would like to meet you."

"Please mommy. Please……" Maggie used the infamous puppy dog face. Robbie laughed. So did Sara.

"Yes dear. You can meet him."

"Yaaaaay….." Maggie hugged her mom.

The rest of the drive was a quiet one as Maggie thought about meeting another star. Then she had a thought.

"Mr. Stewart?"

"Yes?"

"Does he know about Miley?"

"No he doesn't. I'll tell you what a good rule of thumb is. If you're not sure if they know Miley's secret, follow Miley's, Lilly's or Oliver's lead. Okay?"

"Got it."

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They reached the house around one in the afternoon. Robbie had the limo driver bring the bags into the house and set them by the door. Then he checked to make sure he was picking up Cody, Zack, Maddie and Carey from the hotel. With that taken care of, he saw to getting Sara and Maggie settled into the guest bedroom.

"I'm hungry." Maggie said to anyone in general.

"Well, let's go downstairs and see if there is anything you want to eat." Robbie told Maggie and her mom.

Maggie went to the couch and asked to watch TV. Her mom said yes and went to help Robbie in the kitchen.

Robbie had gone to the store and bought all of Maggie's favorites. It was easy for Sara and Robbie to fix something that Maggie would eat without stopping.

With the dishes taken care of, Robbie and Sara drank coffee on the patio. Robbie was following Sara's lead. Talking when she wanted to talk, listening when she needed to unload and sitting quietly watching the waves.

After a while the limo pulled up and unload the Boston crew. Robbie called to them to come up the patio stairs. He introduced Sara to Carey, her two boys Cody and Zack, and finally Maddie. Carey joined Robbie and Sara on the patio. Zack, Cody and Maddie went inside and introduce their selves to Maggie.

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"Hi Maggie. My name is Maddie. This is Zack and his brother Cody."

"Are you friends with Miley?"

"Yes we are."

"Maddie is more of a friend with Jackson if you know what I mean." Zack told Maggie.

"The same can be said of you and Lilly, Zack." Maddie replied.

"So you go to school with them?"

"Oh no. We're from Boston. We met them when they….volunteered to work at the Leukemia Benefit at the hotel we live at." Cody answered. He wasn't sure if Maggie knew Miley was Hannah Montana, but he knew for sure his brother didn't.

"O….kay." Maggie answered. There was a slight pause as what Cody said sank in.

"You guys live in a hotel?"

"Zack and Cody do. It's part of the payment their mom gets for being the hotel's singer. I just work at the candy counter." Maddie answered.

"I GOT IT!" Zack said out of nowhere. "Your hair looks just like Hannah Montana's!"

"Come here, Zack." Maddie commanded. "That was a very insensitive thing to say!"

"What'd I say?"

"Don't you remember? She has leukemia."

"I know."

Maddie rolled her eyes.

"They use radiation and chemo to fight leukemia. They make your hair fall out."

"Oh. You mean she has a wig on?"

"Bingo."

Zack walked over to Maggie.

"I'm sorry about what I said about your hair."

"That's okay. You see, I got to meet Hannah Montana and she gave this wig to me. She said we could look alike now." Maggie smiled at her own thoughtfulness.

"If it's okay with you guys, I want to rest and watch TV. Miley is supposed to be home soon and she has Jake Ryan with her. Would you believe he wants to met me?"

Maddie smile and nodded to Maggie.

"Yes I do. We were here yesterday."

"Is Jake nice?"

"I can't say for sure. Miley seemed to remind him of a promise he made to her."

Maggie looked thoughtful at this comment but fell silent. She dozed off and on in the thirty minutes that they watched TV before Miley and the others came in the door.