I do not own Hannah Montana.
Miley stood in front of the bathroom mirror in her hotel room, tediously combing her hair. They were still in Colorado. Miley didn't want to leave until Lilly as well enough to leave with them, so Robbie Ray had booked another few rooms for at the hotel.
"Miles, why you spending so much time getting ready?" Jackson asked from his seated position on one of the two twin beds in the room. "It's not like you don't go to see Lilly every single day,"
Miley reached to grab a bottle of perfume that sat on the counter beside her and lightly sprayed it on. "Today's different!" She stated anxiously, "Today's the day Lilly gets released! I want it to be perfect!"
Robbie Ray smiled at seeing his daughter so excited. "Now, Miles, you know Lilly would be just as happy to see you even if you were wearing one of your Aunt Pearl's nightgowns,"
Miley shuddered at her father's comparison. "Daddy, please. Breakfast was only an hour ago,"
She saw her father come into the reflection of the mirror and put his hand on her shoulder. He proudly beamed down at her. "I'm happy for ya, bud," He said, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Both of you girls,"
"Thanks…" Miley said warily. She hadn't told her father about her feelings for Lilly, and likewise, Lilly's feelings for her. "But what are you so happy about?"
He nodded merrily. "Friendship. It comes before everything else," His response still made it difficult for Miley to have insight on his awareness, but she knew it wouldn't be the first time something so obvious had gone right over his head. "Lilly and you have been through a lot together and there ain't nothing that's gonna come between that,"
"Thanks…" Miley repeated, glancing into the bedroom to look at Jackson. Jackson looked away, and was blushing ever so slightly. Miley knew Jackson was well aware of the situation between Lilly and her. He may have been dense about many things, but he was certainly no fool.
"H-hey, Daddy-O," Jackson interrupted, attempting to get Miley out of an awkward situation, "We're leavin' from the hospital to the airport, right? Why don't we…" He struggled momentarily, trying to think of what to say next, "…Get ahead of our game and start packin' while Miley finishes up!"
Miley sighed, relieved as her father's arm left her shoulder. "Well, I'll be Uncle Earl in an All-You-Can-Eat buffet!" His smile grew as he turned to Jackson, "The boy actual said something that was a good idea!"
Jackson laughed nervously, "I got some smarts stored away somewhere in this head of mine,"
"Jackson's right, Miles," Robbie Ray said, turning back to face Miley. "We'll go pack up and meet you back here in half an hour,"
"Okay," Miley smiled, trying not to seem uncomfortable. "See ya then!"
Robbie Ray took his daughter in his arms and squeezed her tightly. Miley hugged him back weakly, still feeling nervous. He sighed happily, and then released her. "See ya then, bud," With that, he and Jackson left the room.
Miley exhaled heavily and picked her brush back up. She continued to comb her hair, trying to make it perfect, but every time she ran her brush over one spot, another strand of hair that needed brushing caught her eye.
Finally, she gave up and walked over to lie on her bed. She stared at the ceiling and waited in silence, but she so anxious to get out and see Lilly that every passing minute seemed to drag on forever.
Still, Miley couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that had been in the back of her head since she had told off Zack. All she wanted to do was go home, and be in her state, in her city, in her house; with Lilly. But still, even that proved to have it's own problems that would eventually have to be addressed; like telling her father and Oliver, and what that would encompass. It also scared Miley; she had never had feelings this strong towards anyone before and it surprised her that she had never realized them before. And then there was Zack…
Another heavy sigh left her lips and she closed her eyes. She almost wished that she hadn't packed earlier; that way she would have had something to do. She swept away her unsettling thoughts and let her mind rest on her feelings about Lilly.
Miley blushed brightly as she remembered the feelings of Lilly's warm lips on her own. They hadn't shared a kiss since then and she hoped that Lilly still wanted to kiss her. Miley knew how ridiculous that sounded. The girl jumped into a river for her; of course she wouldn't suddenly stop caring about Miley that way! She smiled and sighed happily to herself, letting her mind venture further into imagining kissing Lilly again, and maybe, going even farther. Miley was embarrassed as she found herself aroused by the mere thought of it.
The knock at the door startled Miley and she flew off of her bed. "C-coming!" Miley quickly walked towards the door and opened it.
"Ready, Miles?" her father grinned, holding his suitcase at his side, "Grab your stuff and let's head out!"
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Miley waited for the elevator to lift off and stop moving. She could have sworn it was the slowest elevator she had ever been on. Her foot tapped anxiously as she watched the numbers above the elevator door illuminate as it passed by each floor.
Robbie Ray noticed his daughter's manic tapping and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Almost there, Miles. You excited?"
Miley detested the way he asked the question. It was like she was a little girl that he was teasing. She knew he didn't mean it like that, but it still irked her. "Yes, Daddy…" She exhaled, trying to retain her composure. He noticed how tense she was and backed off.
When the elevator reached the fifth floor dinged and started to open, Miley rushed out before the doors were even fully open. She raced to Lilly's room; she knew the way by heart.
"Lilly!" She cried happily. To her surprise, she found Lilly sitting on her bed, half naked.
Lilly had been changing out of her hospital gown and into her clothes. She had gotten her jeans on, but was in the middle of putting on her shirt. Miley stood in the doorway, blushing, and unable to look away from Lilly's slender torso that curved into her hips. Although, there was still bruising on Lilly's fractured ribs, Miley found herself captivated by the image of her friend in front of her.
Lilly had stopped and was looking up at Miley, blushing embarrassedly. "Uh… Miley…? Could you shut the door? People would be able to see in if they walked by,"
"Oh!" Miley came back to her senses and closed the door. She turned away and bit her lip nervously. "S-sorry,"
"It's okay," Lilly laughed. She finished pulling her shirt over her head carefully, as to not hurt her ribs. After she had done that, she stood up and walked over to Miley, who was still looking away, asking herself what she was thinking.
Lilly warmly wrapped her arms around Miley and sighed happily. Miley was taken aback and blinked a few time, savoring the feeling of Lilly's arms holding her close.
"Let's go home," Lilly whispered in her ear.
Miley felt tears sting her eyes. She smiled and gently put her arms around Lilly's waist to return the hug. "Yeah…" All of her anxieties and worries were gone as soon as she felt Lilly's presence surround her.
As they parted, their hands found their way into the other's warm grasp and they left the room, smiling shyly.
"Hey girls!" Robbie Ray greeted them. Lilly noticed that Miley quickly removed her hand from hers. "I'm just finishing signing theses release forms and then we can head to the airport. Jackson's waiting outside for the cab,"
"Okay," Miley nodded meekly.
He turned to Lilly, who appeared flustered. "Lilly, the nurse told me they filled your Vicodin prescription and reminded me to tell you not to forget it,"
"I have it with the rest of my stuff," Lilly assured him.
"Good," Robbie Ray smiled. "Why don't you two go on out and wait with Jackson. I'll just be a few minutes,"
Both girls nodded and began to walk towards the elevator. Lilly waited to see how Miley acted, and was bothered when she noticed Miley still acting like she had been scolded. They got into the elevator and the doors shut.
After several more second of silence, Miley reached for Lilly's hand and took it in hers. "I'm sorry, Lilly," Her voice was very timid, "I don't know… how to tell Daddy… or how he'll react. I'm scared,"
Lilly sighed. The sorrow in Miley's voice made her cringe. She squeezed Miley's hand softly. "It's okay, Miles. We'll take it slow and figure it out,"
Miley nodded, and leaned forward to shyly kiss Lilly's cheek. Lilly smiled and stroked Miley's hand with her thumb. As the elevator door opened, Miley made it a point to firmly grasp Lilly's hand; Together, they walked out of the hospital and onto the street.
Jackson had just hailed a cab; he turned his head to see the girls walk out. Miley blushed brightly as his eyes fell on their hand, and she struggled to keep herself from pulling away. She was unsuccessful.
Jackson laughed as he saw the disappointed look on Lilly's face, and the flustered look on Miley's. "Miles, relax," He grinned, "I already figured it out,"
Miley blushed even more, and crept her hand back into Lilly's. Lilly still looked perplexed and confused, but she gladly took Miley's hand.
"A-are you… okay with it?" Miley asked nervously.
Jackson cocked an eyebrow at her. "What? With you two?" He laughed again, "Yeah, sure. I mean, I sort of wondered for a while, but by now it seems pretty natural. Like, you two could have been an item this whole time and it wouldn't have made a difference,"
Miley couldn't help smiling as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She burst towards Jackson and flung his arms around him. "Oh, thank you Jackson!" Jackson was surprised by the sudden display of affection from his sister. "I love you!"
Jackson awkwardly hugged her back. "D-don't mention it…" He pulled away, "But don't make a habit of saying that. It sounds kind of weird; I don't know if I could get used to it,"
Miley wiped the tears that had succeeded in spilling from her eyes and laughed. She playfully punched him in the shoulder. "You don't have to asked twice,"
"Good gravy! He was actually able to do it!" Robbie Ray exclaimed as he walked out of the hospital.
"D-do what?" Miley seemed suspiciously anxious.
Robbie Ray dismissed her behavior and smiled. "He got a cab. I'll tell you what, Miles, I think this boy of ours is finally starting to grow up! I figured he'd get lost on his way to the elevator!"
"Jee, thanks, Pop," Jackson's tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Lilly laughed and Miley exhaled heavily with relief.
Robbie Rayy patted Jackson firmly on the back. "I'm just yankin' your chain, son. Now who's ready to get back home?"
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The low humming that rang throughout the plane was lulling Miley to sleep. She and Lilly sat on the left side of the plane. Lilly knew how much Miley loved looking out the window, so she had insisted Miley took the window seat. Robbie Ray and Jackson sat in the two seats in front of them.
Miley had nearly dozed off when she shook herself out of her stupor. She stretched out while releasing a tired sigh. After she was somewhat more awake, she glanced over at Lilly.
Lilly looked uncomfortable and almost like she was in pain. Miley leaned over close to Lilly and gently took her hand.
"Lilly, are you okay?" She whispered softly.
Lilly exhaled sharply. "Yeah. My ribs are just bothering me…"
"Did you take some of your painkillers?"
"No," Lilly shook her head, "I left them in my suitcase. It's fine, I don't need them,"
Miley frowned and stroked Lilly's hand softly. She didn't know what she could say to comfort Lilly so she dejectedly rested her head on Lilly's shoulder.
Lilly sighed and relaxed after feeling Miley's warmth against her. Miley continued to stroke Lilly's hand, and then led her fingertips up to Lilly's forearm. She lovingly caressed up and down Lilly's arm.
Not too long afterwards, Miley felt Lilly's head rest against her own and heard the sound of Lilly's soft, deep breathing. She smiled softly and continued to caress Lilly's arm. Eventually, she fell asleep, snuggling as close to Lilly as she could.
The captain announced that their descent would be in fifteen minutes over the intercom. Soon they would be back in their partly cloudy Malibu.