Hello everyone! Okay I am so sorry that I haven't updated in forever! I've just been so busy, but I decided that my Christmas present to you guys would be a new chapter of this story! I hope you all like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Suite Life.

Well, I think that's everything," Carey said.

"It looks amazing, Carey," Bailey said with a smile.

"Thank you, sweetie," Carey said.

"She's right, Carey," Kurt said before kissing her sweetly on the cheek. Bailey grinned. She loved the relationship that Kurt and Carey shared. They argued and tended to see things differently quite often, but it was obvious that they loved each other more than anything, and they were still playful and so in tune to each other, even after so many years. It proved that two very different people could successfully have a loving and lasting relationship. She would never tell them, but Bailey looked to them for strength whenever she doubted her success with Cody because they too were so different.

"Thank you, darling. I want to have everything ready for tomorrow. Everyone will be arriving, and I want enough food for them," Carey said, checking the pudding again.

"I can't wait to see how everyone is going to fit in here," Bailey said.

"You and me both," Kurt mumbled.

Carey swatted his arm. "Oh, you'll see. It's only a couple more than usual." She looked around the tiny kitchen frantically.

It was Christmas Eve. All day Carey had been cleaning and going over things. She did not trust anyone else to do it. Bailey sat with her and Kurt in the kitchen helping her to go over the arrangements. It was her mistake for coming down for hot chocolate. "There you are, Bailey. I was…Carey are you okay?" Maya asked, coming into the room.

"Oh, she's fine, just nervous about tomorrow," Kurt explained.

"Carey, all the food is ready. The house is spotless. The rooms are in great shape. Everything will be fine. Besides, it's only family. They won't mind."

Kurt looked from Maya to his wife. "Would anyone else like some tea?"

Bailey couldn't help but laugh. Maya joined her. Carey was not as amused. "If anything goes wrong, then I'm coming after you all first."

"Fair enough," Kurt said, getting up. "Come on, Carey. You need to get some rest. We all do." He rubbed his wife's shoulders and she sighed. She got up and followed her husband upstairs.

"Goodnight, sweethearts," she said unenthusiastically.

"Goodnight," Bailey and Maya said together.

""They really are great," Bailey said.

Maya sat in the chair next to her. "Yeah, they're fantastic. They drive each other mental sometimes, but it always works out. Do your parents get along?"

"They get along very well. They knew each other for ages before dating, but I've never seen them in love like the Martin's," she explained.

"What do you mean?" Maya asked.

She shifted in her chair. She didn't talk about her life much to people and especially about her family. When she first when on the boat, her old country girl life took a distant backseat. "Well, I know they love each other, but I don't see them giggly and flirty like your Kurt and Carey."

Maya chuckled. "I'm surprised that they didn't have more kids. The Martin's always seem happy, same with my parents."

"You're lucky to have grown up in such a loving home, too," Bailey said with smile.

She didn't return it. "I reckon so, but sometimes it's wasn't so great. Living in New York, you always feel a little bit anonymous and sometimes it was nice but other times I wanted to stand out more especially since I grew up with so many older brothers."

Bailey couldn't understand how that could happen. "How so?"

Maya looked away. "I don't know. I mean everyone was always rather paired off. Me being the youngest and the only girl, I clung to mum, but still I wanted to play with my brothers. I wanted to be included. They always did their best to make sure that I was a part of things, so after I left for the boat, they were pretty upset. We always sort of stayed together."

"But you met everyone on the boat," she said.

"But everyone got to know me as the girl who fell in love with Zack way before we even got to know each other. I had a permanent mark on me before Zack even got a chance to get to know me." Maya closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. "Bailey, do you ever…get jealous?"

She frowned. "Jealous of what?"

Maya shrugged. "Of Zack and Cody and how they're one force and even one person at times."

Bailey understood completely. Yes, they were twins and she was best friends with both of them. Together they fought and laughed, but there were times when she felt out of the picture or that Zack and Cody were sharing something that she could never be a part of. Rather because they were guys or because they were brothers, they were closer than she felt she could ever be with either of them. "Yes, I do, but that's natural. I love my relationship with them, and I love their relationship with each other."

"Don't get me wrong, I do, too. I love Cody, it's obvious he is a good influence on Zack, but…sometimes…I want Zack to myself, and I don't want to be seen as fan girl or a backup. Ugh, I'm being such a bitch." Maya covered her face.

"No, no, you're not. Maya, it's okay. I know how you feel. I get that way sometimes, too," she confessed. Sometimes she did just want to talk to Cody or spend the day with him alone. There were aspects to Cody that Zack understood better than she did and no matter how many times she would nag Zack about doing something, he wouldn't, but one request from Cody and Zack was on it.

Maya uncovered her face. "Only, not about Zack, right?"

"No, not about Zack," Bailey whispered looking down.

She smiled slightly. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I think Cody feels the same way when you and Zack are together."

Bailey rolled her eyes. "He has no reason to."

She shrugged. "I can understand it. You and Zack do seem to-"

"We would be as cute together as you and Cody would be," Bailey rushed.

Maya shivered and stuck out her tongue as if tasting something disgusting. "Fine, fair enough. We should get to bed. We're starting early with the presents."

Bailey followed Maya to their room feeling excited and nervous about the next day.

Maya was right. Mrs. Martin awakened her and Maya very early in the morning. After breakfast, they opened gifts. Zack gave her a lovely new leather journal and from Maya a pretty bracelet. Bailey was nervous as Cody opened his present. It was a glass model of the solar system with each other the planets labeled.

His blue eyes lit up, and his jaw dropped. "This is awesome! It must have cost a fortune."

She shook her head even though he was absolutely right. "Oh, it wasn't that much. Do you like it?"

Cody walked over to her and hugged her and she felt the butterflies in her stomach. He smelled like the handfuls of cookies he had stuffed in his mouth at breakfast. "I love it. It's amazing. Thank you so much, Bailey."

She melted as he smiled at her. He was so gorgeous. "You're welcome, Cody,"

He rubbed his neck. "I hope you don't mind if I wait to give you your gift."

"That's fine, I need to show your dad how to work the DVD player anyway," she answered. They continued to smile at each other. They had not brought up what happened on the couch since it happened, but it didn't seem to bother either of them. In fact, being around Cody was a bit easier for Bailey.

By the middle of the morning, Zack and Cody's cousins had shown up. It was nice having the house loud with laughter and stories. Maya, Zack, Cody and Bailey decided to go out to the park for snowball fights. "Alright, the Martin's versus the guests," Cody said.

"That sounds good to me. We'll be faster and stronger without the boys on our team," Ginny said smugly. Bailey noticed Zack smile at her so affectionately. She knew that he was greatly attracted to her confidence. He could rely on her when he felt weak.

They played out in the snow for a good 2 hours before they decided to take a break. Zack and Maya eventually had their own snowball fight against each other while Bailey and Cody watched. Cody looked out into the horizon. It gave Bailey a perfect view of his face and how his skin blended in with the snow because it was so pale due to the cold. His freckles appeared colored on and his sapphire eyes popped. He looked like an angel with vibrant blonde hair as his halo. He smiled. Cody honestly had no idea how perfect he was.

He turned back to her. She quickly blushed and looked away. "Hey, do you want to go inside? I doubt that they'll miss us."

Her heart fluttered. "Okay." He smirked and led the way into the hotel. His remaining cousins and parents were in the kitchen, sipping hot drinks and talking.

"Hey, are you kids finished yet?" Kurt ased.

"Let them play, Kurt," Carey said sweetly.

"No, I think they'll be at it for a while. Bailey and I are just going to go to my room," Cody said. She tried not to blush.

Carey beamed. "Okay, Cody, your father will let you know when we'll eat dinner, right Kurt."

She nudged his shoulder. "Oh, yeah, of course, have fun," Kurt said with a wink. Bailey was not sure what thought Mr. and Mrs. Martin shared, but they both grinned widely.

"What do you think that was about?" Bailey asked as they walked into his room.

Cody shut the door. "I really don't want to know. Sit on the bed and close your eyes."

Her heart began to race. "W-what?"

He rolled his eyes. "Just do it, Bailey." She nervously took off her coat, hat, and gloves and obeyed. She sat on the bed and closed her eyes. "You don't have to be so tense," he added.

"I don't like not knowing what's going on," she said.

Cody laughed. "I know you don't." She could hear him opening his trunk and walking close to her. Zack's bed squeaked. Bailey's heart raced even more. She was usually a well-kept girl but at the moment, all she thought of was that when she opened her eyes Cody could be laying on Zack's bed waiting for her to pounce on him. She bit her lip and thanked God that Cody didn't have the power to read minds.

"Okay, you can open your eyes," he said.

She opened her eyes slowly. In front of her was a wrapped box. It didn't look like any of the other presents he had wrapped. The wrapping paper was gold with golden lace and a bow that was actually a red rose. "Is…is it mine?" she asked.

"Yes, go ahead and open it," Cody said.

She didn't really want to. It was wrapped so beautifully. She took the box and smelled the rose. It was fresh. "You did a gorgeous job with the wrapping. You're better than you led on."

He blushed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Thanks."

She gently tore the paper off. She pulled the tape off the box and took the gift out. She sat it in her lap. It was a medium-sized wooden box. The wood was dark, smooth, and shiny. She opened it and gasped. It was not just a wooden box. It was a music box. A ballerina spun slowly as soft music played. She was marvelous. She wore a white tutu and her brown hair was tied neatly in a white bow. She held her pose with a smile. The inside of the box was white velvet with a round mirror behind the ballerina. Bailey swallowed hard. She didn't know what to say. She was in shock. It was the most amazing thing that she had ever seen.

"It's a music box. You can wind it up and she'll keep spinning and the music will keep playing." Cody wound up the turner on the back of the box.

Bailey laughed. "Yes, I know."

He rubbed his neck and sat next to her. "You hate it, don't you?"

She gawked at him. "No, no, I love it. It is so incredibly beautiful, Cody, thank you."

Cody let out a low whistle. "Excellent. I was hoping that you'd like it."

Bailey examined the box. She traced her fingers over the ballerina and the velvet. It was so elegant and different from anything anyone had ever given her. She usually got practical gifts. She rarely got things of beauty or individuality. In fact, Cody was the first to ever get her something so beautiful. "Where did you get this?" she asked.

He grinned. "I told you that my dad has a garage full of things like this. I was looking through his stuff, saw this, and dad helped me clean and fix it up. It's apparently an antique. Then I asked mom and Maya if, well, girls liked these sorts of things as presents."

She was impressed and moved by all the hard work he put in. "That seems like a lot of trouble. When did you find the time?"

Cody waved a hand. "It wasn't any trouble. I did it last summer. I've had to wait this whole time to give it to you. I really want you to have this."

"Really?" she asked.

He gazed at the box. "Yeah, I saw it and I knew right away that it had to be yours. She-she reminds me of you."

Bailey chuckled. She certainly was not a professional dancer and she would never be that beautiful. "Why?"

He glanced at the ballerina and smiled before turning back to her. "Well, she's focused, she's skilled, and she's absolutely beautiful. She's just perfect...like you."

A lump clogged her throat. She could feel the burning in her eyes. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth fill her. She opened her eyes and didn't even stop the tear that escaped. "You think I'm perfect?"

Cody didn't blush. He didn't fidget. He looked her deep in the eyes. "I always have." His words were incredibly gentle and deep. Bailey looked into his eyes and everything else blurred away into nothingness. She could feel her body and the pounding of her heart, but she was not connected to it. She didn't need her heart. He kept her alive. She clutched the box tightly. She didn't know it was possible, but she fell in love with him all over again. She couldn't help it. Nothing and no one could compare to Cody. All the reasons why she wanted him and needed him in her life flooded over her.

They were silent. The only sound came from the box. It was something to focus on.

"The-the song is pretty," she whispered.

He looked at the ballerina. "Do you want to dance? We didn't get to at the ball or the one before that. Maybe this time we can actually go through with it."

"You want to dance?" she asked. She could not believe all of this was coming from Cody Martin.

His cheeks went pink. "Well, we always end up miserable when music and dancing are combined, but maybe we'll get lucky this time."

Bailey laughed. "You've got a point there." She stood up, and Cody did as well. She placed the music box on his dresser.

They stood in front of Cody's bed. She put her arms on his shoulders and he put his on her waist. They slowly swayed to the music. Her legs shook. Cody was right in front of her and she was in his arms. She was dancing with him without interruptions. She moved closer and placed her head against his chest. He held her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. He held her tightly. She listened to the strong rhythm of his heart. She had never felt safer or more relaxed in her life. Cody was her knight in shining armor. He kept all the bad feelings away. She held on to him tighter. She could not keep her emotions in. She had Cody, and she didn't want to let him go. She didn't want to lose him in any way. She couldn't imagine what she would do if he wasn't in her life.

Bailey didn't know where all the fear was coming from but it overwhelmed her. More tears fell down her cheeks. "C-Cody," she choked.

Cody held her body firmly. He held her so tightly that her feet left the ground a bit. He kissed the top of her head. "You're okay. I've got you," he whispered.

She took deep breaths and pulled herself together. Bailey was thankful that she didn't have to find words to express what she felt. He understood her without her having to explain anything. Even if he caused her pain, he was right there again to make her better. Cody Martin was her life and her reason. No matter what happened, that would never change. Bailey couldn't let it change.

She pulled away a bit. "Sorry," she said, sniffing.

He smiled gently. "It's okay, don't apologize. I know my dancing is horrible."

She swatted his arm. "Oh, it's not that at all and you happen to be a great dancer."

Cody delicately wiped her tears away with his thumb. She shivered against his touch. She wanted to take his hand and kiss it. She wanted to kiss all his fingers and slowly make her way up to his face. She wanted to snog him deeply. Forever if he asked her to. She wanted to make love on his bed while the snow gently fell outside. She wanted so many things that she couldn't have. She had to keep her focus on something else. She looked around. There was a box next to his bed.

"Hey, is that another gift?" she asked.

He sighed. "It's from Barbara."

"Aren't you going to open it?" Bailey asked.

He let go of her. "Yes, I should." He walked over to the gift and sat on the edge of his bed. He opened it slowly revealing a blue slender box. Inside was a silver bracelet. It had the word "SCIENCE" carved in.

Bailey was actually impressed. "Wow, now that must have cost a fortune."

"Yeah, it's…damn," Cody said. He ran his fingers across it stunned. Suddenly, a model of the solar system did not seem as romantic as she thought.

"Are you going to try it on?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I'm not that keen on jewelry."

Bailey knew that. Cody thought any jewelry would look out of place on his pale and freckly body. She even remembered back in sophomore year when she, Cody, and Zack were talking about one of their cousins getting married and he said he would even highly reconsider wearing a wedding band because it would look out of place. Bailey knew it had less to do with how it looked on him and more about how jewelry meant money, and Cody wasn't comfortable with expensive things. Barbara didn't know that, and Bailey did not expect her to. That would mean that she actually took the time to get to know Cody and understand him as a person. However, it was still a nice gift.

"Well, it's nice of her. She seems to really care for you." Bailey didn't know why she was talking in such a way. She had always found Barbara annoying and selfish but she was that way because she wanted Cody all to herself. Bailey could understand that. Being around him so much lately made her realize that Barbara was simply smitten by Cody. She couldn't honestly blame her for wanting Cody. Bailey wanted him, too.

Cody looked at her. "I know she does. I care about her, too. She's not as bad as everyone thinks she is."

Bailey sighed. "I know, Cody, I'm sorry." She sat next to him and took the bracelet. "She may actually love you."

He put the bracelet on his side table. "I think she does." He did not seem happy about it.

She frowned. "Why do you say it like that?"

Cody swallowed hard. "Because I don't love her."

Bailey didn't realize that she was holding her breath. She let it out in shaky puffs. She didn't know where Cody's new-found confidence was coming from. He was looking right at her again. "D-do you think you ever will?" She didn't really want to know the answer. She just wanted to keep herself busy. Cody continued to look at her. He shook his head slowly and said nothing. "Then why are you with her?" She didn't mean to make her question sound as harsh and demanding as it did, but it was something that she wanted to know. It was the cause of most of her pain and frustration.

Cody finally turned away. He looked toward the window. "I don't want to be alone anymore," he said quietly. Bailey leaned against the bedpost. She felt guilty for never telling him about how she felt. Once again, they were quiet. Bailey closed the music box. She didn't want to hear the song anymore. He turned back to her. "So, what did Moose get you?"

She rolled her eyes. "He didn't get me anything. He's far too busy to worry about getting me a Christmas gift."

"What a jerk," he mumbled. "I don't know why you bother with him."

"You're not the only one who doesn't want to be alone, Cody," she said softly. He looked as if he wanted to say something. The door opened.

"Mom says it's time to eat," Kurt said.

Cody stood up quickly. "Good, I'm starving." Bailey stood up as well and followed him downstairs.

It was hard for her to enjoy her meal or the conversation. Too much had happened in Cody's room. Her body and her mind were on overdrive. She felt so tired yet wired. After dinner, everyone wanted tea and pudding. Bailey excused herself to her room. She tossed and turned on the bed. She couldn't get to sleep. There was a knock on the door. She thought it was Maya or Zack wanting to know every detail.

"Yes," she said dryly.

The door opened. To her surprise, it was Carey. "May I come in?"

Bailey sat up. "Of course, is everything okay?"

"Yes, dear, everything is fine. I just wanted to see if you were okay. You seemed out of it at dinner," she said, sitting next to her on the bed.

"Oh, I'm fine. I guess the snowball game wore me out," she explained.

Carey gave her a look. "I've been around awhile, Bailey. I can tell by now when something is up. Did Cody give you the music box?"

"Yes, he did. It's beautiful. I love it so much," Bailey said.

Carey smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. You have no idea how fussy he was over it. He wanted it to be perfect. He was so excited about giving it to you, yet so nervous that you wouldn't like it. I don't think I've ever seen him like that over a gift for someone. What did he get Barbara?"

Bailey frowned and fiddled with her pillowcase. "Some earrings and I'm sure she'll love them."

Carey did not seem very pleased. "I'm sure she will, too. Bailey, I want to tell you something. I know my family very well. I know Cody, and I know Zack. I'm their mother, and I can tell when they truly believe in something and when it's just a cover up."

"Mrs. Martin, I don't follow you," Bailey confessed.

She took her hand. "It's going to be all right, Bailey. The pain that you are feeling will not always be here and neither will the uncertainty. Cody is a lot like his father. He's very hands on and has to see something from every angle imaginable before he can understand what's right in front of his face. He's a good boy; he just takes some time. He can be slow to warm up to something but when he does, he doesn't let it go for anything. I think he's rubbed some of that on to Zack. Poor boy is the same way."

Bailey laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She was so tired of crying. "What about me?"

Carey smiled and rubbed her cheek. "I think you're a lot stronger than you realize, and I think you're going to be just fine. You all will. It's terrible now, but don't let it ruin everything. There's plenty of dessert left and I think you should join us, when you're ready." She leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're here, Bailey. I'm glad you are in my sons' lives."

Bailey smiled and felt a bit better. "Thank you, Mrs. Martin. I'm glad I'm here, and I think I will come down for some pudding." Carey rubbed her arm, got up, and left the room. Bailey got out of bed and looked herself in the mirror. She dried her eyes fixed her hair a bit. She nodded to herself. She would be okay.

She picked up her music box and headed downstairs. She wanted to show everyone and hear Cody talk about all the effort he put into it.

Well that's the end of this chapter! I really love this chapter Cody and Bailey are starting to show each other how they feel! It's so adorable. I think the present he got her is so special, too. It shows that he really does care about her and put a lot of effort into getting that perfect for her. See? I told you Cody never loved Barbara! Soon my young readers it'll be over, don't you worry! Stay tuned for chapter 18! Thanks for reading, love you all!

-Sophie.