Moments

Chapter 3

Summer 2011

Central Park, New York City

"What are you guys doing here?" Bailey asked as she hugged Cody close.

"Well we just couldn't stand being without our girls. So we hopped a train and got here as quick as we could," Zack explained as he gave Bailey a strange look. He just couldn't stop staring her.

"Zack what are you looking at?" She asked him before she noticed a slight look of guilt on Cody's face.

"Oh nothing Bailey," he answered her as he gave her a big hug. "I just wanted to tell you how great you looked today."

"Thanks… Zack," she said as she hugged him back cautiously. You never knew whether he was about to spring a prank on you or if he was serious. She looked over at Cody who was now smiling proudly at his big brother and it finally clicked.

"You told him?"

"Now Bailey he had to tell someone or he would have exploded. You didn't see him the last few days," Zack tried to cover for his brother, then turned grinning at Maya while they snuggled together on the grass. "Hi Babe."

"I'm sorry honey, but Zack's right. Plus he is my twin, so it makes sense that Zack is the first person I would tell," Cody explained.

"Told him what?" Woody asked them as Addison pulled him down next to her.

"It's ok Cody, I almost told the girls earlier so I can understand," Bailey empathized hugging him tight again.

"Ok what's going on you guys?" Maya asked.

"Well, you see there is another reason we are taking a year off school besides just my Daddy," Bailey started after they were all sitting in a comfortable circle.

"Yeah we wanted to tell you but we had to be sure first," Cody continued as he held Bailey's hand for support.

"Of course, and with everything happening at once it was just so overwhelming," Bailey added.

"What is it?" Addison pushed.

"Yeah just spit it out already." Woody agreed.

"Cody and Bailey are pregnant," Zack blurted.

"Zack!" Cody and Bailey yelled.

"I'm sorry but if I left it to the two of you it would be next week before you actually told them," he defended. "I guess prom was more fun than we thought, " he smirked as he dodged a swat from Cody.

Everybody just sat there on the grass in shock as they absorbed the news while the young couple blushed furiously. It was so quiet it was like the whole park had stopped and was listening in too.

"Wow congratulations you two!" Addison's outburst even louder in the quiet.

"So that's why you're both going. You're going to go help your Mom out while your waiting to have your baby?" Maya asked. "That should help take her mind off your father a little."

"Yeah that's kind of what we thought too, plus it would just be too hard to have this baby, concentrate on classes, and worry about my mom."

"Exactly, Bailey doesn't need that much stress on her while she is carrying our baby," Cody explained.

"So when are you leaving?" Addison asked the pair.

"We thought we'd leave after this trip actually. The sooner we get there the more I can do to help my Mom before I turn into a house myself." Bailey told them. "I would like to be of some help to her now."

"Honey your not going to get that big, and you won't have to worry," Cody said hesitatingly. "I'm going to be there to help too."

"Bailey keep your self in good shape," Zack teased slapping his brother on the back. "You will have to keep your boyfriend from hurting himself."

"Ha ha, Zack," Cody responded. "So what is everybody else going to be doing while we're away?"

"Well… I actually have something to tell Addison," Woody said.

"What is it Woody, did Steve do something else?" Addie asked her boyfriend worried that the family dictator had done something more to her guy. "That man is such a…"

"Addison! That's not what I was talking about," Woody interrupted. "It's about my real Dad. He asked me to come live with him and he said he would help me."

"Oh that's great Woody." Maya said grinning at Addison.

"I am so happy for you, I like your Dad." Addison said grinning back.

"Yeah, he said that I could go to work for him at the butcher's shop." Woody explained. "Then it would be easier to pay Steve back. I could also take some college courses online so I can to keep up with everyone else."

"So Addison what are your plans?" Zack asked the diminutive girl.

"I am going to Penn State, which is right around the block from Fink's Butcher Shop," she answered him with an even bigger grin on her face. "I'll be able to walk there from my dorm room."

"Yeah that will be great, oh and guess what Addie?" Woody said excitedly.

"What is it Woody?"

"My Dad sells more than just meat now. He expanded his store, and now has a whole separate room for the candy counter."

She looked like she had just died and gone to heaven. "He has?" She asked. "Do you think maybe I could get a part time job there?"

"I already asked him about that when I found out and he is expecting to hear from you as soon as you figure out your school schedule.

"Oooo I can't wait lets see I will have to figure out my schedule as soon as I get home so I can call him immediately I have so much to do I really appreciate this sweetie this is such a surpri…"

Woody interrupted her with a kiss to keep her from rambling too much longer. "I can't wait honey," he said quietly, smiling down at her after they separated. "Hey, Zack you will have to take time out of your training to come visit, we have lots of chocolate," he added with a smirk.

"Training?" Maya asked. "What are you training for babe?"

"Oh I was going to tell you. I am going to be training to be a Fire Fighter near BU," He explained. "Maybe if I do well I can even go into training to become a paramedic someday."

"A Fireman?" Maya looked a little skeptical. "Zack that's so dangerous. Are you sure?"

"Maya I'm sure, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do in life and this just seems to fit," he told her. "I will be doing something to help people and it will be something athletic so I can keep my great physique. Have to keep my girl happy," he added waggling his eyebrows.

"Ok babe if you really want this," Maya said giggling at the last part.

"Besides, I will be living right there in Bailey's old apartment."

"Oh Zack, about that…" Bailey started.

"Now Bailey, we agreed that Zack would be fine living there," Cody argued.

"Aww come on Bailey you haven't changed your mind already have you?" Zack asked worriedly.

"Well if you two would let me finish," she started as she winked at Maya. " I was going to say… I am transferring the lease over to both you and Maya."

"Maya is going to be going to school in New York, how would that work?" Woody asked.

"Yeah you won't even be around except on holidays and stuff babe," Zack agreed as he looked to his girlfriend.

Maya got up and pulled Zack to his feet. "I was going to wait til it was finished to tell you, but… I am transferring to BU," she said looking at him to see his reaction.

She got the one she wanted. Zack jumped in the air whooping and hollering. He grabbed Maya and swung her around in circles until they fell into a heap on the ground. The others just looked on smiling at the happy couple.

"Maya, you don't know how happy that makes me," Zack said pulling her back to her feet and taking a small box out of his pocket.

"Zack what is that?" Maya asked nervously.

"There is something I have been wanting to talk to you about for a couple months now. I was just so worried that we would be so far apart for so long."

"Zack, just spit it out already." Cody prodded him grinning.

"Ok ok, you just wait this is harder than you think."

"It's ok Zack, go ahead." Maya whispered.

He got down on one knee and looked up at his love staring back at him thru misty eyes. He was shaking a little, but opened the box and held it out to her.

"M-Maya I admit I used to be a player but the moment I met you that all changed. You captured my heart and I don't ever want you to let it go. You are the one I was searching for, the only one I ever want to be with from now until forever. Will you please marry me?"

He looked up into her eyes as she saw the fear and hope burning in his. She never thought that he would actually ask her this. Zack was a confirmed bachelor after all. She was so stunned she almost hesitated too long. All of a sudden she noticed a look of sadness wash over his beautiful face and that snapped her out of it.

"Oh Zack, yes. Yes I will marry you," she said throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him senseless.

When he came to he put the ring on her finger and the others surrounded them with cheers and congratulations.

The day wore on with the little group discussing their recent plans. Woody had already had his things sent to his fathers, so he and Addison decided to board a plane to Pennsylvania the following morning. The whole group went to the airport to see them off.

After they said their goodbyes the boys and Bailey decided to stick around and help Maya pack her things in preparation for Boston. They wanted to make sure everything was finished before the two couples went their separate ways.

Back in Boston

It was amazing how much junk one could accumulate over the course of eighteen years. Zack didn't think the three-bedroom apartment would be big enough to accommodate all her stuff and his, but he was willing to give it a try. He guessed he had no choice in the matter since he knew this would make her happy.

July was over too soon and it was Cody and Bailey's turn to say goodbye. By then Zack and Maya were already situated in their little apartment and looking forward to the year to come. Still the goodbyes were met with some sadness knowing they wouldn't be seeing one another within those twelve months.

"Hey bro thanks for postponing your trip," Zack said watching the ground as they walked into the airport. He glanced up at his little brother and saw him smiling at him.

"No problem Zack we're glad we could help," Cody said as they waited for their tickets. "Hey, you know what's great about the calendar?"

"What?" his brother asked.

"It's filled with holidays."

"And we expect to see both of you on all of them." Bailey smiled giving them both a hug. "That includes your Mom and Dad."

"Yeah we get it, that goes both ways you know," Zack said grinning as he hugged his brother.

"We want updates on everything that happens during your pregnancy." Maya added with one last hug to her best friend.

"You got it," Bailey said as Cody grabbed her hand pulling her toward the security checkpoint.

They both waved furiously after they made it thru the metal detecter, got their all their stuff back, and put their shoes back on. Then they disappeared in the direction of their gate as Zack and Maya watched until they were out of site.

'The End'

AN: This was fun. I enjoyed working with WH and LS on this story. I appreciate them letting me join in on their story. Hopefully we can all do it again. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. :)