Requited Chapter 7: Reunion, a suite life series fanfic

Disclaimer: Characters are owned and produced by The Disney Channel and It's A Laugh Productions. I am just borrowing them for these stories. Original characters are owned by the author of this story.

REQUITED

Chapter 7

Reunion

London began to gather herself as she sat on the toilet lid. Her face was still flushed, her skin was still warm to the touch, but her heart rate had begun to decelerate. It wasn't the first time she had touched herself thinking about Maddie, but it was the first time she had touched herself thinking about Maddie after being in Maddie's presence. How would she face her now? But, London thought to herself, Maddie didn't know what she did in that bathroom. For all she knows, Maddie did the same thing in her bedroom or bathroom.

But what if Maddie was in the living room or the kitchen? She could have heard what was going on. The wheels began turning in London's head. Hot dogs. That's it. I've been in the bathroom so long because the hot dog didn't agree with me! Genius! London gave herself one more once-over in the mirror before slowly opening the bathroom door. She glanced into the kitchen then the living room. Maddie was nowhere to be found. London walked over to the couch and flopped down. She leaned back and draped her left arm over her eyes. This was going to be a long evening.

Maddie sat on the floor in her bathroom contemplating what had just taken place. London was the only woman that could make her feel the way that she felt. What did London think about all of her moaning and purring? How uncomfortable did she make her best friend feel? Was London uncomfortable at all?

She let those questions linger in the air as she stood up and gathered her clothes before walking into the bedroom. After putting her clothes back on and checking herself in her full-length mirror, she walked out of her bedroom, ready to hit the mall in search of dresses for dinner with the Martins.

Maddie walked into the living room and saw the back of London's head as she sat on the sofa. As she got closer she saw that London was reclined, arm draped over her eyes, presumably in thought. She walked around to the front of the sofa just in time to see London subconsciously adjust her body. London was sound asleep.

The beautiful attorney studied her equally beautiful best friend as she slept. It was as peaceful as she had ever seen London. Thinking back to their youth, she couldn't help but smile. As she gazed upon London's face, she remembered when London had an attack of insomnia and everyone in the hotel tried to help her sleep, only to discover that a diamond that had worked its way underneath her mattress had caused her sleeplessness. Maddie silently chuckled at the absurdity of the "Princess and The Pea" situation, but that was HER London.

She remembered the unsuccessful, but funny times she attempted to work with London. Once at the Cluck Bucket and once at the boutique London opened in the hotel. Maddie could still hear London, "I'm gonna put purses over there and shoes over there!" Another warm smile crossed her lips. As she looked down at London's sleeping form she decided that she didn't have the heart to wake her. But there was still the matter of the dresses for dinner. Maddie then had an idea. She blew a kiss to London then walked into her bedroom to make a call.

London slowly came to life as she blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the late afternoon light coming in through the oversized windows of the living room. She was disoriented but could still make out the sound of pages of a book or a magazine turning. She rolled over to her left and as her eyes focused, she could make out Maddie sitting across from her thumbing through the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly. Maddie didn't notice that London had stirred until she heard her voice.

"Did I fall asleep?" London asked, groggily stretching her sleepiness away.

Maddie looked up from her magazine. "Yeah." She said softly. "You were out for about four hours."

"Four hours?" London said. Hearing the length of her nap snapped her to attention. "What time is it?"

"Going on five." Maddie said nonchalantly.

"Five o'clock! Oh my God! Maddie! We have to go to the mall, and get dresses and get ready for dinner…"

"Slow down, Princess Running Mouth. I've got all of that taken care of." Maddie said calmly.

"What are you talking about?" London said in an irritated tone.

"Go look in my bedroom." Maddie said.

Last time I was in there, it drove me into the bathroom. London thought. She stood up and stretched the remainder of her sleep away. The stretching and the sound that accompanied it captivated the live audience of one that witnessed it. Maddie watched London as she began walking toward the bedroom. Maddie stood up and followed her. What an ass she's got on her. Maddie thought as she watched London walk. I don't believe this! I'm turning into Barry Levesque!

London reached the threshold to the room and gasped. "It's beautiful! Where did you…"

"Let's just say it's a good thing that one of our best friends is a world-renowned fashion designer with her own label and a boutique that just opened in Boston." Maddie said.

"Raven?" London queried.

"You only wear designer stuff, right? So why not the best." Maddie said. Lying on the bed was a Ravenesque original, black sleeveless dress that tied around the neck and would hit London mid-thigh. Next to the dress was a pair of simple black heels. "And I thought that this would go nicely with it." Maddie held out a thin silver herringbone necklace with a single princess cut diamond pendant. "I bought it but I've only worn it once."

"I… I don't know what to say." London was in shock over the thought that Maddie put into picking her outfit. It would have been the exact outfit she would have picked. "How much do I owe you?"

"Not one red cent. This is what friends do for each other. Call it a homecoming gift." Maddie said.

London felt the onset of tears stinging her eyes. She was touched by Maddie's gesture. "This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." London whispered as tears began to fall. Maddie wiped away several of her own tears that fell. Then, as payback for London's earlier comedy show, Maddie picked this moment of poignancy to even the score.

"You're my best friend Cal!" Maddie said in her best Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights voice. "Shake and Bake!" Maddie offered her fist for London to pound just like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly did in the movie.

London chuckled between tears. "Shake and Bake." She said as she returned the fist pound. "Can I be Shake?"

Maddie thought back to the image of London walking into the bedroom. "Yeah. You can definitely be Shake. Now why don't you shower up and when you come out, I'll do your hair… unless you have a special stylist or something you want to use…"

"No." London said with a smile. "I'd love for you to do my hair."

"I put some towels on the edge of the tub for you." Maddie said.

"Thanks." London said, before suddenly grabbing Maddie and embracing her. "I love you. Thank you." They both closed their eyes and inhaled, taking in each other's scent, wishing that this embrace could lead to more. But not before the talk. They weren't ready for it yet, but they were paving the way.

"You're welcome. I love you too." Maddie smiled. "Now go." Maddie broke the embrace. "We've got less than two hours before we have to get out of here and you know how you are."

"How do you know that I haven't changed?" London said. Maddie simply raised an eyebrow and gave her a 'you're kidding, right?' look. "Right. I'm goin' right now."

"Call me if you need anything. I'll be in the living room." Maddie said.

How about your tongue as my loofah? Trixie, that's enough! "I should be able to find everything." London then cupped and lifted her breasts. "What are these again?"

Maddie began laughing. "Go take your shower, you… nutjob!" London laughed before retreating to the bathroom and closing the door. "Oh I am so in love with her it's ridiculous." Maddie mumbled to herself as she left the bedroom.

About 40 minutes later, London emerged from the bedroom. Maddie immediately felt the trip hammer inside her chest thump rapidly when she laid eyes on her.

"My God in Heaven." Maddie said. "Angels DO walk among us."

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment." London said with a wry smile.

"You should." Maddie said. "I should have gotten you an ugly dress. Nobody's gonna even notice me."

"Whatever. You're just fishing for a compliment. Well, I'm not giving you one you sexy blonde bombshell you." London deadpanned. "Now go get showered and changed."

"What about your hair?" Maddie inquired.

"I commandeered some mousse and a brush…" London held up the two items. "You can play with my hair some other time." Like the morning after. She thought.

"All right. Give me about 20 minutes." Maddie hopped up and jogged into her bedroom.

Roughly thirty minutes later, Maddie made her entrance into the living room. The only other set of jaws in the room dropped open at the first sight of her. She wore a strapless sun-kissed gold colored dress, reminiscent of Kate Hudson's dress in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, which fell several inches above the knee. She wore matching three and a half inch heels. Gold bangles and a simple gold locket necklace completed the ensemble.

"Wow." London said.

"You like?" Maddie did a quick twirl where she stood.

"Wow." London repeated.

"Kate Hudson was my inspiration. I don't look like Big Bird, do I?" Maddie worried.

"Wow." London seemed to be stuck in neutral.

"Would you stop saying 'Wow.' And say something else!" Maddie exclaimed.

It was at this moment that London's mental filter clogged and let raw truth pass through her lips.

"At this moment, you are the most breathtaking woman I have ever seen." Please tell me that I thought that and didn't just say it…

Maddie was pleasantly stunned at London's uncensored review of her appearance. Is now the time? Maddie thought. But we're going out to dinner. You can't drop a bomb like that and then go eat. AAAARRRGGGHHHH! We have got to get this timing thing down.

"Thank you." Maddie said, a crimson blush beginning to spread across her face. "I didn't feel that way until you said it." Maddie looked at her watch. "Well, we better get going."

"Not before I get a picture." London pulled out her cell phone. Maddie smiled and posed. London snapped the picture then held her hand out. Maddie took the cue and reached in her evening bag for her cell phone. London took another picture of Maddie. They then switched roles and London posed for her two pictures.

"All right. Let's roll." Maddie said. The two ladies left the apartment and hopped into Maddie's car. In the interest of hairstyle preservation, Maddie put the top up on her car before they exited the garage.

"I can't wait to see Max and Barbara and Carey." London said.

"I haven't seen Carey in almost two years." Maddie said. "She's gonna kill me for not coming to her show."

"We should do that. Go see her show." London said.

"But you live in Paris." Maddie said.

"Well… I am really thinking about coming back to the states for good."

"Really? Where are you moving? L.A? Chicago? New York?"

"Boston. I'm coming home." London announced.

Maddie's heart did cartwheels. The smile Maddie had on her face was indescribably joyous. London's insides also flipped for joy. She had contemplated coming home for over a year but spending time with Maddie cemented it. There was a chunk of her life that was missing and in this day, for the first time in seven years, she felt whole again.

"I… Where are you gonna live? The Tipton?" Maddie asked.

"No. I saw a cute building that would be perfect for me." London said.

"Where?" Maddie asked.

"42 Chauncy Street." London said.

"That's my building!" Maddie said. "You want to move into my building?"

"I'd make you an offer for your place if it wouldn't put you out on the street."

"My place doesn't say 'London Tipton'."

"It might not say 'London Tipton' but it feels like 'Londie'."

"Londie?" Maddie inquired.

"I've never had a nickname… I mean besides derogatory ones like 'Princess' or my personal favorite 'Rich Bitch'…"

"It's not derogatory when I call you 'Princess' is it?" Maddie sheepishly asked.

"No. I love it when you call me that. I just… I've always wanted a nickname."

"So you came up with Londie?"

"Yeah. I kind of like it… Londie." London said.

"It's cute. I've just always liked the way London rolls off the tongue… London." Maddie said with a little emphasis on London's name.

"Well since you put it that way, maybe I'll stick with London." London said. Was it just me or was the way she said my name beyond sexy? She thought.

They continued toward the hotel in silence for a few minutes. Maddie broke the stalemate by turning on the radio. It was tuned to her favorite station, Mix 98.5.

(Radio DJ begins to talk over beginning chords of the song)

This woman is coming to the TD Banknorth Garden on April 30th.. Beantown is the fifth stop on the North American leg of her world tour. Here's a classic from 2007. Pink. U + Ur Hand. Mix 98 point 5…

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh
Check it out
Going out
On the late night
Looking tight
Feeling nice
It's a c - - - fight
I can tell
I just know
That it's going down
Tonight
At the door we don't wait cause we know them
At the bar six shots just beginning
That's when d- - khead put his hands on me
But you see

"I haven't heard this in years!" Maddie exclaimed.

"I still have the album!" London replied.

They began to sing in unison.

I'm not here for your entertainment
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it begins
Keep your drink just give me the money
just you and your hand tonight

Ironic song given what I did earlier, huh? London thought. Maddie had a similar thought. Of all her songs, they pick this one. If that's not irony, I don't know what is. They continue rocking out to the song as they pull up to the hotel. They are so engrossed in the song that they don't notice the audience of five that is standing at the entrance watching them.

In the corner with your boys you bet up five bucks
To get at the girl that just walked in but she thinks you suck
We didn't get all dressed up just for you to see
So quit spilling your drinks on me yeah

You know who you are
High fivin, talkin s- - - , but you're going home alone arentcha?

Cause I'm not here for your entertainment
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it begins
Keep your drink just give me the money
just you and your hand tonight

The song ended. London and Maddie looked at each other. London was about to speak when thunderous applause and whistling erupted from the sidewalk. The two women slowly turned their heads toward the source of the admiration. Standing just a few feet from the car were C.J., Zachary and Carey Martin, Barbara Brownstein and Maxine Vaughn.

"I think we've embarrassed ourselves enough for one evening, what do you think?" Maddie said to London.

"Agreed. Let's go get teased about it." London said as they both nodded and hopped out of the car.

"Oh my God! You two are gorgeous! Come here!" Carey exclaimed. She hadn't seen Maddie in two years, eclipsed only by the seven years since she had seen London. She threw her arms around both of them in a python-like group hug. The women didn't mind in the least. Tears flowed from all three of them. Max and Barbara found their eyes getting misty as they watched the reunion. C.J. and Zack stood off to the side and looked at each other in mock annoyance.

London then realized that she had yet to see C.J. "C.J.!" She screamed as she threw her arms around him in an embrace. "It's so good to see you! I am so happy for you!"

"You look beautiful." C.J. said softly as to not yell in London's ear. London broke her embrace and turned to C.J.'s fiancée. "Barbara!" She threw her arms around Barbara. "It's been too long!"

Barbara looked at C.J. and Zack. They had told her about the transformation of London into a nice, thoughtful, generous person but she had a hard time believing it. But Barbara had a knack for being able to read a person. When she broke the embrace and took one look in London's eyes, she saw that the change was genuine. She also thought she saw something else. She made a mental note as London went to embrace Max. London subconsciously gave Max and extra squeeze, knowing what was in store for her on Thursday night. Maddie unwittingly did the same when she hugged Max.

The seven of them went inside and sat down at the table and began small talk.

"Are you excited yet? I know I'd be bouncing off the walls right now!" London said to Barbara.

"Every day my heart beats a little faster. It's not every day you pledge your love to the love of your life." Barbara said. Nervous shifting came from all seats at the table. Each of the six reacted to the comment in some way, either from anticipation of what was to be or lamentation of what once was.

"Do you need any help, because I would be more than happy to give you a hand." Carey said.

"Mom, all you have to do is put on the dress Barbara picked out for you and show up. She told you that." C.J. said.

"Yeah, Ms. Martin, my coordinator has it all taken care of." Barbara said.

"Enough with the Ms. Martin stuff. I told you it's Carey or Mom." Carey corrected her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. "And I am not calling you my daughter-in-law. On Saturday, you become my daughter with all the rights and privileges that come with being a Martin."

"Yeah like become her manservant when she gets sick." Zack chimed in.

"That happened one time, Zachary Curtis Martin, and you didn't want to do it then. I had to talk you out of going to the skate park." Carey shot back.

"Is that what I have to look forward to if we get married Zack?" Max asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course not, baby. You know I've changed." Zack said. "Remember when you broke your foot in your senior year? Who waited on you hand and foot at the Big East Tournament?"

A sheepish smile spread across Max's face. "You did."

"And how about after the women's Final Four in D.C. last year…"

"ZACK!" Max exclaimed then dropped her voice into a whisper as she brought her lips near Zack's ear. "Your mother is sitting here! But you did take care of me that night!" They both broke out into a giggle.

"They are so nasty." C.J. deadpanned.

"They're in love, baby." Barbara said. "Love makes you act a little silly."

"Speaking of silly…" Carey said. "What was with the mobile concert the two of you were putting on?" Carey referred to London and Maddie singing in the car as they pulled up to the hotel.

"Yeah. Y'all were rockin' it out!" Zack said.

London and Maddie looked at each other and chuckled. "Well… we got hold of a song we liked…" Maddie said

"And rode that sucker into the ground!" London finished her thought. Everyone at the table broke into laughter. Barbara, took an extra second to study the undercurrent of electric chemistry between London and Maddie before turning her attention to a tall stranger at the maitre d' stand. She leaned over to lightly nudge Carey.

"Hey Ms. – Carey… that guy at the maitre d' stand keeps eyeballing you. He's been locked on you since he walked in." Barbara said.

"Really?" Carey focused her attention on him. At that moment he was looking at his Blackberry. "He is kind of tasty." The man was about 6'1 and in the neighborhood of about 220 pounds. He was solidly built but not overly muscular. He wore a black suit with a pink dress shirt, unbuttoned at the neck. He looked up from his Blackberry and after a word from the maitre d'; he made his way into the dining room… and seemed to be headed for their table.

"Ooh, Carey! He's making a beeline toward you!" Maddie said as she glanced out of the corner of her eye. Everyone at the table decided to be nonchalant and not gawk at the man.

He approached the table and spoke in a low hushed tone. "Good evening Carey. It's good to see you again."

Carey looked up from her conversation. "Good evening. I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

"Well, as much as I watched over your sons while I worked in this place fixing things, I think I'm acquainted with you."

All conversation, which was already fabricated as they were all listening to the exchange between Carey and the man, came to a grinding halt as his words hung in the air. All eyes focused and then re-focused on the man.

"Arwin?" Carey slowly said in a disbelieving tone as she studied him. Gone were the taped glasses and the goofy facial expression. The man that stood before her had a confidence and a warm energy that radiated off of him that Carey could feel.

"Arwin Quentin Hawkhauser is the name on my birth certificate." He said softly.

Carey stood up. "Oh my… wow… uh… Arwin…" Carey opened her arms to embrace him. The rest of the table sat in stunned silence. They all had their memories of a stumbling, bumbling handyman that broke things as often as he fixed them. The man that stood before them appeared to be capable of breaking and fixing hearts, not circuitry. They broke the embrace. "You… look… amazing. I didn't recognize you."

"I get that from people I haven't seen in a while. It's a wonder what hitting the weights and undergoing a few minor cosmetic procedures can do." Arwin said. He then looked around the table. "Zack. Cody." They both stood up and individually embraced Arwin. "You two are taller than me now! Man! Y'all look great!"

"You know I flipped to ESPN the other day and saw a guy bowling that I thought looked like you, but his name was…" Zack said before Arwin interrupted.

"Quentin Hauser." Arwin said. "I use that name on the pro tour."

"So should we call you Quentin?" C.J. asked.

"No. Arwin is fine. I'm not ashamed of my name. I just looked in the mirror one day and saw Quentin."

"Just like ol' Cody here looked in the mirror and saw C.J." Zack said.

"C.J. I like that. You look like a C.J." Arwin said. "And this is Barbara? She nodded. I remember seeing you hanging around when you were younger." He extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you and congratulations. Thank you for inviting me." He then turned his attention to Max. "Maxine Vaughn. I followed B.C. when they went to the Final Four last year. You were terrific. Tough break against Maryland."

He then finally focused on the two he had yet to address. "I left the best for last." London and Maddie smiled and blushed. "You two look amazing. Can ol' Arwin get a hug?" The hopped up from the table and engaged Arwin in a group hug. "Look. I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner. I saw you all…" Arwin looked directly at a now enthralled Carey. "And just thought I'd come say hello."

"We-We'd love to have you join us." Carey's words spilled haphazardly out of her mouth. Everyone else at the table piped up and backed Carey.

"Are you sure?" Arwin asked. Everyone once again agreed. "Thank you." He said just as his phone rang. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. I'll be right back. Quentin Hauser?" He said as he walked away from the table. All female eyes at the table watched silently as he walked out of sight. They then turned back to the table.

"Were there enough sparks flying between the two of them or what?" London exclaimed. The other women looked at Carey and started giggling. "Oh man does she have it bad!"

"Come on guys! It wasn't that obvious… was it?" Carey asked.

"Yeah it was!" Maddie responded giggling. She leaned over to share a laugh and a comment with London. They cracked up laughing. Maddie put her hand on top of London's and the two of them touched foreheads as they laughed.

Barbara looked over at the two of them and had a thought cross her mind. That's what I thought. Carey's not the only one at this table that's got it bad. They are so in love with each other. I can feel it.

Lucky number seven is in the books. What do you think? Dinner continues in chapter eight. PLEASE REVIEW!