---Sorry it took me so long to update but I had a wedding to attend and had to finish up school shopping this week and weekend.---
A/N: I know I have another story "There Can Be Miracles" and that one I am still working on, but this story popped into mind and I just had to write. I hope you enjoy the read!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody".
Move Along – chapter six: Man of His Word
The next day came and gone hastily, Cody still in his same condition. Kurt had taken Zack with him to do some Christmas shopping and Carey had gone off by herself. She was shopping for a stuffed animal to give to Cody when she returned to the hospital when she and a man with a little girl connected eyes. Carey felt her heart leap into her mouth and she just stared at the man in front of her.
Reaching out his hand in politeness, Carey shook it in return. "Hi I'm Schuler Dixon and this my daughter Maryann. She's three."
"Carey Martin. It's a pleasure to meet you." She leaned down and shook the little girl's hand, "Hi I'm Carey."
"Hi," Maryann replied shyly, going behind her father.
Carey smiled, "Shy one you've got there."
"Yeah," Schuler voiced despondently. "She's been that way ever since her mother passed away a year ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Her mother and brother were on their way back from Daniel's soccer scrimmage and an eighteen-wheeler crashed into them."
"That's horrible."
Schuler nodded but said, "We're learning to move on. A pretty lady like you must have a family?"
"I do. I'm divorced but I'm a single mom of twin boys. Zack and Cody; they're seventeen."
"Are they here?"
Carey shook her head. "No, one's out with his father and my other son is comatose in the hospital."
"I'm sorry. What happened?"
"He got beat up at school and an aneurysm burst and now he's comatose."
"I hope he awakens for Christmas."
Carey felt herself tear up, "So do I." She choked by a sob.
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
"Daddy, hug the lady. Make her all better."
Schuler collected Carey in his arms and let her cry.
"Shh, everything will be all right."
Carey broke free from his embrace, "I'm sorry," she said embarrassed.
"Don't be. I know what it's like to see your child suffering. Went through it with Daniel. He'd fallen into a coma and he was a vegetable. Had to make the hardest decision of my life. A twelve-year-old kid across the hall was waiting for a heart transplant and my son Danny was the perfect match. I knew he was in a vegetative state and was gone – so I had the doctor perform the heart transplant. I chose death for my own son. But at least he isn't suffering anymore; he's with his mother in Heaven."
"I'm afraid Cody will soon be in that state. And it's going to kill my son Zack. They're inseparable. I don't know if I could ever pull the plug on my own son."
"I'll pray that you guys receive a Christmas miracle."
"Thanks Schuler."
"Carey, I know we've just met. But if you ever need someone to talk to who understands what you're going through, would you mind if we exchanged numbers? I'd be willing to listen to you and help you through this difficult journey."
"Certainly."
"I mean it, Carey. Whenever you need to talk, just give me a call."
"Thanks Schuler. You guys have a Merry Christmas."
"Likewise."
Carey watched Schuler and Maryann leave, and felt a piece of her fill up. Schuler was the man she'd been looking for since she and Kurt divorced. She would not let him get away.
"Hey Schuler!"
"Yes?" Schuler turned around.
"Would you like to come to the hospital with me and meet my sons and Kurt? Then we could have dinner together?"
"Umm…"
Maryann tugged on his sleeve. "I like her daddy. I want her to be my new mommy."
Schuler's eyes widened and lit up. "Sure."
"Then come with me. You can follow me in your car."
"Sounds good."
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Walking through the mall trying to find the best gifts, Zack and Kurt had a good father-son conversation.
"Hey dad?"
"Yeah Zack?"
"Do you ever wish you had a girlfriend?"
"Yes. But with my job and travelling I never would be able to keep one."
"But don't you want to know that you'll always have someone to spend the rest of your life with once your music career is over?"
"Of course I do, Zack. But trying to find someone at this moment just wouldn't work out. When the time comes I will, but not right now."
"I wonder if mom will ever find someone…"
"Knowing your mom, she won't lay eyes on anyone until Cody is recovered."
"Cody's her world," whispered the teen.
"Correction. You both are her world. Your mother would be lost without you guys. You guys are our miracles."
"Dad? Do you think Cody's gonna wake up this time?"
"I'm sure he will."
"In time for Christmas?"
"I'm not sure about that. But he will wake up."
"Do you think Cody will ever lead a normal life again?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like be able to get married, have kids, work?"
"If we help him, I think he will. Faith, Zack… You just need to have faith in him."
"I do. I just don't have faith in what God has planned for Cody."
"Just pray every night for Cody's recovery. That's all any of us can do right now."
"I love you, dad."
"Love ya too, Zacko." Kurt said ruffling his son's hair.
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Mr. Moseby looked up from the check-in desk to see Maddie and London running in.
"Mr. Moseby, we came as soon as we got your message," stated Maddie.
"Yeah, what happened?" questioned London.
"Cody was attacked yesterday at school. He's in a coma again."
"Dear God, is he gonna be all right?"
"His coma scale is seven. I just don't know, Maddie."
"Where's he at, Moseby?" asked London.
"Boston Memorial."
"Do Esteban and Arwin know?"
"Yes. I phoned them. They are visiting family for the holiday."
"Did they catch Cody's attacker?"
"Yes London. A kid named Mark Richardson. He's being charged as an adult."
"Is he convicted?"
"Yes Maddie. Three years."
"Can we go see him?"
"Afraid not. The Martins asked me to tell you that after Christmas is over, then we can come see Cody. But until then, since Cody's in critical condition and could go either way, they'd rather just immediate family be there."
"Oh," Maddie sighed dejectedly.
"Come on girls. Now that you're back on holiday break, this hotel still needs to be up and running. Off to work now, both of you."
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Carey saw that Kurt and Zack were in sitting with Cody and she quietly opened the door.
"Kurt, Zack, come here. I've got people for you to meet."
When they were outside Cody's room, the introductions began.
"Zack, Kurt, meet Schuler Dixon and his three-year-old daughter Maryann."
"Nice to meet you both."
"Hello," Kurt responded.
"They've lost a mother and son a year ago in a tragic car accident. Schuler offered to help us through this since he's been in our position with his own son."
"Yeah – I know the conditions of us meeting could be better but since they're not, I'd thought I'd offer your family my condolences and personal aid."
"Thank you sir."
"It's very nice of you, Schuler."
"Are you Zack or Cody?" came a tender little voice.
Zack gazed down at the bleached-blonde hair little girl with bright, baby blue eyes and answered, "I'm Zack. Cody's my brother, the one who's sick."
"My brother Danny was very sick too, and he went to Heaven and got all better."
Zack held in his fear, and nodded. "He's with you mommy too, right?"
"Yeah. She's all better too now. They have a new home."
"I bet they have a nice new home."
"They do. I drawded a picture of it. I dreamed about it."
"Would you like to go and see Cody now?" Carey questioned Schuler.
"Sure."
"Should Maryann stay out here?" asked Zack.
"Nah, let her come. She saw her brother before."
"I want to meet Cody too!"
When they stepped inside, the little girl exclaimed in amazement, "Wow! You two look the same!"
"We're identical twins that's why."
"Oh," came the small voice. "Cody's really sick," Maryann pointed out sadly.
"I know," Zack replied.
"Looks like Danny before Danny went away."
Zack closed his eyes, hiding his tears.
"Maryann, sweetie. Let's not talk about mommy and Danny, okay?"
"Why daddy?"
"Remember how we prayed for mommy and Danny?"
"Yes."
"Well we're going to pray for Cody that he gets all better here. We don't want him to go to his new home."
"Why?"
"Because Zack would miss him too much."
"Why? I miss mommy and Danny. But you said they are happy now."
"They are, sweetheart. But Zack and Cody are twins. If Cody goes away, Zack may go away too. And Zack doesn't want to go away right now."
"Oh. I pray Cody gets all better here, 'kay?"
"Thanks, Maryann."
"Come here, Maryann, let's go to the children's room and play. The grown-ups need to talk alone."
"Okay!"
Maryann took Zack's hand and the left the room.
"Kurt, Schuler and I wanted to tell you first and alone that he and I are dating. When met today something in our hearts just emerged and we've connected."
"You're dating? Cody needs you right now," spat Kurt.
"And I need someone too," Carey retaliated.
"You've got me!"
"No, Kurt. I need someone I can go home to at night and just feel secure with. We're not that security anymore, Kurt. Please understand."
"I don't want our dating to ruin your friendship," added Schuler.
"It won't. Take care of her," warned Kurt dangerously. He then spun around and began to walk out.
"Where are you going?" Carey called after her ex-husband.
"Have a good life, Carey!" shouted Kurt in a spiteful tone.
"What just happened?" whispered Carey in dismay.
"I think he just walked away," replied Schuler in a sorrowful whisper.
"What about the boys?"
"I don't know, Carey. I just don't know."
"Go to your daughter, Schuler, and have Zack come in here with Cody. I will be right back," Carey ordered, quickly following Kurt.
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Catching up to him in the parking lot garage, Carey exclaimed, "What the hell do you think you're doing, Kurt?"
"What's it look like? I'm leaving."
"How can you possibly even think of leaving when we have one son barely hanging onto life and the other who needs his father during this rough time? Not to mention Christmas is only two days away!"
"Zack has you. Cody doesn't even know what the hell's going on because he's just laying there oblivious to the world. And you've found yourself a new man who has a kid. What's there left for me? Nothing. I'll just go back onto the road and live my life the way I like it."
"What if Cody dies, Kurt? And you weren't there to say goodbye? What happens if Zack snaps again and no one's there to help him come back? What if you leave this time and the boys never forgive you?"
"Cody dying might just be for the best. You're going to soon run out of money with all his medical expenses. Zack needs to stop moping around in the hospital – He needs to start hanging out with his friends and start living his own life again! Carey, what I think we both need to decide is if Cody's falls back in recovery in any way, I think we should pull the plug."
"Absolutely not, Kurt. How could you possibly even consider that?"
"Carey look at this family right now! Goodness gracious woman! I gave you all the money I had saved up to help with Cody's expenses and give this family a much-needed vacation. Now I'm here, broke, and we're struggling financially once again. You aren't making any money because you're not working because you spend 24/7 here at the hospital at Cody's bedside. Zack's been spending all his time with Cody because he feels obligated to. He feels blame for everything that's happened. He spent all last year teaching Cody how to read, write, and learn vocabulary and math. He hasn't played a sport for over a year now! He only sees his friends at school. He never socializes anymore. At first you and I were only worried about how Cody's life was going to change with everything that happened. Not once did we consider Zack's life. Carey, face it – If Cody relapses in anyway, we should just let him die or live naturally. It'd be best for all of us."
Carey looked at Kurt with astonishment, and slapped him hard across the face. "I know you've been with the boys for a while now, but to even suggest that we let one of our own sons die – that just proves how irresponsible you are. Cody still has a chance. He's not brain dead or a vegetable yet. He's still there, Kurt. Be a responsible father for a change and don't walk away from your own sons when they need you the most. Do you understand why I need Schuler in my life? Hell he's some I just met today and he already wants to meet everyone and pray for Cody's survival. I need someone I can depend on and know I don't have to worry about walking away. Kurt Martin, if you walk away now, don't even think about coming back!" With that, Carey stomped off and headed back to the hospital.
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Zack sat with his brother and told him about today's events. "So you see, Cody, I think mom's found herself a boyfriend. He's great! And Maryann is a sweetheart. Something happened between mom and dad today. Schuler said they had a blow-out and dad walked away. Nothing new of course. We both thought dad might actually be changing but I guess we were wrong. Buddy, Christmas is less than two days away. You really need to start waking up soon."
"Zack?"
Zack looked up to see Schuler standing in the doorway, "Yes sir?"
"Your mom took Maryann to the ladies' room. Could I come in with you?"
"Sure," Zack spoke with no reluctance.
"Could I talk to Cody?"
"Go ahead."
Schuler ran a hand through Cody's hair and tousled it. "Hey Cody. I'm Schuler Dixon. The man your brother's been talking to you about. I have a daughter named Maryann. She's three. She thought it was so cool that you and Zack are identical twins. I had a son named Daniel. But he and his mother Jane were killed in a automobile accident coming home from a soccer game a year ago. Danny was only twelve when he died. He saved another little boy though named Ethan. Danny's heart was transplanted into Ethan and saved the boy's life. My son's a hero to Ethan. A part of Danny is still living through Ethan. Anyway… Cody, a lot of people are hurting because of you slipping into this coma. Your mom's breaking from inside, your father's just snapped, and Zack here – he's trying to put on a strong front but I can feel the fear he's enduring. With Christmas coming up, pal – Maybe you could make me a little promise, heh? Promise me you'll wake up and give your family the miracle it needs. To let me know you're willing to go through with this promise, give me some sort of sign. All right, Cody?"
Zack stared at Cody as Cody continued to lie there, unresponsive.
"Come on buddy, give me a sign," Shuler gently demanded, taking Cody's smaller hand in his.
A minute later, Zack saw Cody slightly curl his fingers weakly around Schuler's hand.
"Cody you are in there!" Zack shouted, smiling brightly.
"That a boy!" Schuler praised, squeezing Cody's hand. "Remember, wake up for Christmas. I'll leave you guys alone." Schuler said heading for the door.
"Whatever you just did, thanks." came Zack's sincere appreciation.
"No problem, kiddo." With that, Schuler left the room.
"Isn't Schuler great, Codes? He's like the father we've always wanted. I know I've just met him and all but I definitely approve of him. Can you wake up now, buddy? Please."
Zack took Cody's hand and said a silent prayer, hoping God would help Cody awake soon.
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Carey came back holding hands with Maryann.
"Is Kurt coming back?"
"I don't know, Schuler. But it's getting late, and Maryann just told me she's tired."
"We'll be back tomorrow. I want to be here for you, Zack, and Cody."
"You really don't have to."
"I want to."
"Thanks," smiled Carey.
"Oh, there's something you should know. I went in and talked with Cody and he responded to me. He slightly wrapped his fingers around my hand. It was done weakly, but that's a start."
"Oh, thank God," Carey sighed in relief.
"You've got my cell number. If anything happens at all, call me and I'll be right over."
"I will. Goodnight Schuler."
"Goodnight Carey."
The two kissed each other quickly, blushed, and went their opposite directions.
Carey entered Cody's hospital room and Zack glanced up at her.
"Where's dad, mom?"
"I don't know, Zack."
"Did he leave?"
"I don't know. He wanted to but then we had a talk in the parking garage. I left him standing there."
"What was the blow-out about?"
"Well, honey – Schuler and I are dating."
"I like him mom. I approve."
"Thanks sweetheart. Telling your father that I was dating Schuler started the blow-out. But what really brought it out was when Kurt said it'd be best for us to pull the plug on Cody so we can get on with our lives."
"No mom! We can't! He squeezed Schuler's hand. He's still in there," Zack stressed.
"I know, honey. I told your dad that I would never even consider that an option."
"Good. Thank you, mom."
"I'm sorry," came the heartfelt apology at the doorway. "I never should have even considered killing our son when he's still with us clinging to life."
"It's all right, dad. We all have to have our breakdown sometime."
"Yeah, and today was yours," added Carey.
"I might be a little uncomfortable with you dating, but I want you to find someone to love and trust, Carey. I'm sorry."
"Like we said, you're forgiven, Kurt."
The three sat silently and prayed for Cody who laid peacefully and unresponsive. Eventually, the Martin family fell asleep.
A/N: Well, what did you think? Let me know in your review! The seventh chapter is almost complete so that should be out VERY soon! Expect Chapter 7 Wednesday or Thursday! Will review all who review me. Please REVIEW! Thanks, - -Stacey- -