Chapter 5: Falling Down
Zack led London back to her cabin and took a seat on Bailey's bed while London laid down on hers. The second she hit the mattress she curled up into the fetal position and cried softly.
"Can I get you anything?" Zack asked.
"Could you just stay with me awhile?" London asked quietly.
"I'll stay as long as you want me to," Zack said and London attempted a smile, but it lasted only a split second.
The two of them sat in silence for awhile, but Zack didn't mind. Finally after a long pause London spoke again.
"They say a drunk driver hit her," she said so softly that Zack had to strain to hear her. "I don't understand…she never did anything wrong. Why did this happen to her?"
"I don't know what to tell you. I wish I did, but I don't understand it myself," Zack said as he got down on the floor next to London's bed so they could talk quietly to each other.
London reached her hand out and played with a few strands of hair that had fallen in front of Zack's face. Zack figured she was just trying to find something to do to get her mind off things. She was looking at him, but her eyes were unfocused and her gaze was distant.
"I hardly ever got to spend time with her. Being the only child of Wilfred Tipton meant that I spent most of my time living in his world. Mom never cared for his lifestyle and so she left. I wish I had spent more time with her, it's just not fair," London said and began to cry again.
Zack reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. He gently rubbed her arm to try and sooth her, but it didn't seem to work. There was a knock at the door so Zack got up to answer it. It was Cody, Bailey, and Woody, they had brought her some food. Zack let them in and they took a seat on Bailey's bed.
"London we brought some food. We didn't know if you were hungry or not," Bailey said.
"Thank you," London said quietly and slowly sat up.
London ate slowly, barely touching the food. Everyone let her eat in peace, only talking occasionally. After a few minutes there was another knock on the door and Zack answered. Mr. Moseby was there with some news.
"London your Father has sent the Tipton private jet out and it will be landing here in the Bahamas in a few hours. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?" Moseby asked.
London just shook her head to say no and Moseby leaned down to kiss her on the forehead and tell her he was there if she needed him. As he was leaving Moseby motioned for Zack to come with him into the hallway and Zack followed. Once they were outside and the door was closed Moseby spoke.
"Zack I wanted to thank you for looking after London. I know you care a lot about her and she will need you to be there for her. I also wanted to say that I know you've developed feelings for her. It's pretty easy to see, so my advice to you is to be careful. She's fragile right now, so don't push too hard," Moseby said quietly to Zack.
"I know, don't worry Mr. Moseby I'll take care of her," Zack said.
Moseby patted Zack on the arm and let him go back inside. Once Zack was inside London looked up quickly and the expression on her face was heart wrenching. She looked so confused and lost and when he walked in she gave him a pleading look that almost said, "Take me away from all of this."
Cody met him by the door and whispered, "When you left the room she stopped eating and started crying again. You're the one who can help her through this Zack. We're going to leave the two of you alone for awhile, I don't think she wants this many people in here at once. We'll go pack for the trip and I'll pack your stuff so you can stay with her."
"Okay, thank you," Zack whispered back.
"London we're going to go pack for the trip home, Zack is going to stay with you awhile, but if you need us please call," Bailey said and London attempted another smile.
"Thank you for the food," London said quietly.
"You're welcome," Bailey said and gave her a light hug.
Once everyone had left Zack took a seat next to London and she instantly curled up against him. She placed her head on his shoulder and wrapped her right arm around him, placing her hand on his other shoulder. Zack decided she would be more comfortable if he scooted back against the headrest and they stretched out on the bed. There he held her in his arms and let her cry.
"What do you think Heaven is like?" London asked quietly.
"Well they say the streets are made of gold, so it sounds like a place you would like," Zack said and London let out a weak chuckle. "I would imagine that it would always be sunny and cool outside."
"Do you think there will be shopping in Heaven?" London asked innocently.
"I don't know, but if there is I bet you'd never have to worry about maxing out your card," Zack said with a laugh.
"I bet Mommy is up there having a shopping spree with the angels. Maybe she can buy them something better to wear than plain old white robes," London said and Zack had to smile.
Zack lightly stroked her hair with his hand and slowly he felt her calm down. She had been trembling, but it started to fade.
"Zack I feel sleepy, is it okay if I sleep for awhile?" London asked.
"Sure, do you want me to leave?" Zack asked.
"No! Please stay," London said quickly and wrapped her arm more tightly around him.
"Okay London, I'll stay," Zack said.
London slowly drifted off to sleep, but before she did she quietly said, "I feel like I'm falling and I don't know if I'll ever stop."
"Well I'm here to catch you when you do," Zack whispered in her ear.
"You've…already…," she started to say, but she trailed off before she could finish and fell asleep.
Zack wasn't sure what she was trying to say, but he knew she was pretty tired. She snored so softly that Zack actually found it cute. Her face was right by his neck so he could feel her light breath. He had to resist the urge to kiss her, because he did not want to feel like he was taking advantage of the situation. He dared not make too much movement as not to wake her up, but he was quite content to stay where he was. He stayed there for an hour just holding her while she slept. Occasionally she made a sound in her sleep, but for the most part it was just soft snoring. After an hour or so Zack's phone vibrated and he quickly picked it up before it woke her. He had received a text from Cody that read, "We're all packed and the plane will be here in thirty minutes."
"Thanks, I'll tell London," Zack texted back.
He looked down at her and did not want to wake her, but he had no choice. He bent down and said her name a couple of times until she woke up.
"Huh? Is it morning?" she asked sleepily.
"London the plane will be here in thirty minutes. Do you need to pack anything?" Zack asked.
"No, I have clothes and stuff at home," London said without opening her eyes.
London rubbed her eyes for a few seconds and then stretched her arms out, nearly hitting Zack in the process.
"Oops, sorry," she mumbled to him.
"It's okay," Zack said with a smile.
London got up and headed for the bathroom to freshen up before they left. Zack sat up and texted Cody to tell him they were getting ready while London was busy. After a few minutes the door to the bathroom opened and London came out. Zack had his back turned to the bathroom and almost didn't hear her come out until she was standing beside him. Zack looked up and saw that she had removed her smudged makeup and was now makeup free and still just as beautiful as ever. Zack looked at her and smiled.
"Oh don't look at me I look horrible," she said and covered her face.
Zack stood up and moved her hand before saying, "No you don't. You look…beautiful."
London gave him a weak smile and bit her lip slightly as he smiled back at her. Zack reached out to pull her close for a kiss, but then he remembered what Moseby said and decided not to. For a split second London had a look of confusion, but before she could say anything Zack sat back down to put on his shoes.
"We should go meet up with the others. Is there anything you want to grab from here before we go?" Zack asked.
"No I don't need anything from here," London said, but Zack couldn't help but notice she was looking ready to cry again.
He quickly took her by the hand and said, "It's going to be okay."
Zack stood up and continued to hold her hand as they left the room. The two of them walked out to the deck where they saw a limo driver taking bags down to the car.
"There you are. We were just about to come get you," Moseby said. "London do you not have any bags?"
"I have everything I need at home. I just want to get out of here and get home," London said.
Zack walked with her down the ramp to the limo and the two of them climbed in. Cody, Bailey, and Woody were already inside. Woody looked like he had never been in a limo before and was taking in all the sights when they sat down. The second they sat down London laid her head down against Zack's shoulder and wrapped her arm around his. Woody took notice and looked a little confused.
"Hey are you two…," he started to say, but Bailey lightly elbowed him and gave him a look as if to say "Not now."
"I meant are you two ready for the trip?" Woody said finally.
London nodded and closed her eyes to relax a little. Mr. Moseby climbed into the front passenger seat and looked back at everyone.
"Everyone ready?" he asked and they all nodded.
Moseby raised the barrier between the front and back and they got underway. It didn't take long to arrive at the airport and get onto the plane. Once inside everyone looked around the lavish private jet. Each seat on the plane was a recliner with a foot rest and cup holders. In that back there was a massage table and even a Jacuzzi. In the front there were a couple of seats big enough to fit two. Zack and London took one of them and Cody and Bailey took the other one. Woody made himself comfortable in a recliner as Moseby climbed on board and said, "We will be underway shortly."
Zack looked at London who looked deep in thought. He smiled at her and she gave him the best smile she could muster back.
"It's going to be okay London," Zack said.
London just smiled and rested her head against his shoulder and tried to sleep. As she was drifting off she said, "She would have liked you."
"Your Mom?" Zack asked.
"Yeah," London said and slipped off into sleep.