Life has gotten rather crazy for me and I don't have the time to keep up with so many stories. I am writing endings for this story and my iCarly story. I'm sorry if you were hoping for a lot more. Maybe if things calm down I will write more on them at a later date. Thank you for reading.

I have some of the best readers and reviewers. Huge thanks to all of you: LilLilgirl, zana, shilpa gupta, I-SOAR-HIGH-withmywings12 (sorry about the overload on affection), lovesPINKxx, VXSarahXV, sprstrz, CraziiCookii, stephluvvsyou (always love to read your reviews), Ellivia22 (you are right), I Like Writing Romance, gabgaws12 (Hi Danny), SusieAnna97 (yep, she is), TMI (where are the minions? Raiding the refrigerator I bet or the cookie jar), and child who is cool. Wow that was a lot of reviewers! Virtual Happy Dance Time! Lol. I'm such a goof!

*SL and its characters do not belong to me. I do own this story and the songs herein.*

Previously:

"We'll fix it." Zack promises. "Later. For now, let's join our friends and go home. I need to relax a little before I have to face your dad."

"Don't worry about him." Standing up with Zack, London places her hand reassuringly in his. "He almost always gives me what I want. It's easier than actually having to deal with me and be a parent."

"If you say so." Zack is less than confident and has a sinking feeling that grows with every passing minute.

Chapter 15

"London." A deeply masculine voice calls out to the beautiful heiress as she and Zack walk back towards their cabins to grab their bags. She turns around in surprise and squeals in excitement.

"Daddy!" London rushes up to the wall of black suit covered muscle that surrounds her father and dances on tiptoe trying to get through them. "Daddy, I'm so happy to see you… or, at least, I would be if I could get to you."

"Boys, let her through." The two guards in front part briefly and let London pass into their secure midst, then step back into formation. Zack, standing a few feet away, barely got a glimpse of silver touched hair and a bright white smile behind the guards before London disappeared into them. He can hear London's excited voice and a low murmur that must be her father but can't make out what is being said. A short while later, the front two beefy men parted and released London. The group heads off in perfect step towards the inner chambers of the ship, their eyes hidden behind identical black sunglasses.

"Daddy is going to his suite and expects us there in thirty minutes so he can meet you." With a big smile, London takes Zack's arm and drags him off to the smoothie bar. "We can get a drink while we wait."

"London." Zack's face is frozen in shock and something close to terror. "I'm meeting your father now?"

"Yep, he insisted and you don't say no to Daddy." London orders two smoothies when they sit down at the bar and turns back to Zack. Seeing his panic, she gives him a quick hug. "It's going to be fine, Zack. Trust me."

"He's not going to think I'm good enough for you." Zack mutters in defeat.

"What? Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?" London crosses her arms and glares at him in mock suspicion. "Where is all that confidence that you are known for?"

"This is different." Lowering his head into his hands, Zack tries not to freak out.

"No, it isn't." London pulls Zack's hands away and cups his face. "Daddy admires confidence in a person. A firm handshake, look him in the eye when speaking and answer swiftly and honestly. Just be yourself, not the goofy, attention-seeking person you pretend to be and you'll be fine." She kisses him softly on the forehead, then the lips. "Whatever happens, I love you. Always."

"I love you too." Zack pulls her into his arms for another hugs, feeling better with her there. They finish their drinks and walk inside to Mr. Tipton's private cabin holding hands. One of the guards standing outside the suite reports their arrival into his headset before opening the door to reveal a lavishly furnished room.

"There's my baby girl." Mr. Tiptop greets them as soon as they step inside. A handsome older gentleman with a lean frame covered in a dark gray suite approaches and wraps London in his arms. Zack studies this elusive man with the silver streaked short black hair and hazel eyes. Even without him saying a word, you can feel the command of his presence. Mr. Tipton steps away from his daughter and turns towards Zack with a hand outstretched. "This must be Zack Martin. I have heard a lot about you young man."

"Yes, sir." Zack, straightening his back, shakes the offered hand firmly and refuses to comment on what the man may have heard. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Come in and sit down." Mr. Tipton leads them over to a large mahogany desk set in the back of the room with a view of the water out a wide window. London and Zack sit in two of the three chairs set in a semi-circle in front. Zack had expected Mr. Tipton to sit behind the desk but is thrown off guard when he takes the last chair on the other side of London. "London tells me that you two are dating."

"Yes, sir." Zack smiles at London before meeting Mr. Tipton's inquisitive stare.

"I trust you will take good care of my little girl." Crossing his arms in front of him, Mr. Tipton smiles at Zack, which looks almost menacing. "She is my only child, you understand."

"I'd never let anything happen to her." Feeling a little insulted that Mr. Tipton would imply anything to the contrary, Zack's nervousness fades and his natural self-confidence returns in force. "No one hurts my girl."

"Good." Mr. Tipton nods his head approvingly.

"What? You're not going to ask me a ton of questions or threaten me or try to keep me from seeing London?" Zack raises a brow in question as he looks at the man in front of him.

"I don't think I need to." Mr. Tipton laughs. "I have gotten regular, detailed reports on you and your brother since you moved into my hotel in Boston and became friends with London. There isn't much I don't know."

"And you are still going to let me date your daughter?" Zack asks incredulously.

"Why wouldn't I?" Seeing their confused expressions, Mr. Tipton elaborates. "While you have pulled more than your share of pranks and have been known to be a lazy student, these are not your defining characteristics. Through the years you have shown yourself to be strong, loyal and deceptively intelligent. Not to mention, creative and resourceful. Since you and London started dating, both your grades and hers have shown a marked improvement. So, to answer your question, yes I am going to let you date my daughter."

"Okay then. Thank you." Unsure of how to respond beyond that, Zack remains quiet as he lets this information soak in.

Mr. Tipton stands up to end their meeting and holds out his hand to Zack again. When Zack stands and shake it, Mr. Tipton holds him in place for a moment with a steely look in his eyes. "I wouldn't ever hurt her if I were you. I know some very nasty people that you do not want to meet."

"Daddy!" London admonishes him. "No threatening my boyfriend."

"Sorry, Princess, but it's my job as your father." Mr. Tipton lets go of Zack's hand.

"It's alright, London. I think Mr. Tipton and I understand each other now." Zack smiles reassuringly at his girlfriend.

"Yes, I believe we do." Mr. Tipton escorts them to the door. "I'm afraid I have to get back to work but I want to see you both for dinner at the hotel at seven tonight." He kisses London on the cheek as she walks by. "See you then."

"Bye Daddy." Smiling, London returns the kiss and walks out.

"Goodbye sir." Zack follows her out and the door shuts behind them. They wander out onto the main deck and lean against the railing.

"Daddy really likes you, Zack." Eyes wide, London stares at the young man next to her. "I've never seen him warm up to someone so quickly."

"That was warm?" Snorting, Zack rolls his eyes.

"I'm serious. It's a good thing, too, because it makes dating you a whole lot less complicated." London sighs as she looks out over the Boston skyline. "I just wish…"

"Guys, can I talk to you for a minute?" Looking around sharply, London and Zack find Maddie standing behind them looking sheepish.

Maddie leads London and Zack over to an empty table and they sit down. Looking from one to the other, she blushes a bright red and fidgets with the edge of her shirt. "I want to apologize for earlier. It's not how a good friend is supposed to act. I should have been supportive and excited for you both. I hope you both will be able to forgive me."

"Maddie, it's okay. There isn't anything to forgive. We know it was a shock to see us together like that." London stops Maddie from continuing. "We should have told you long before this."

"No. It's your business and I had no right to freak out on you." A few tears escape from Maddie's eyes but she wipes them away impatiently. "It was part shock and part jealousy. I was a little jealous because London is getting the attention Zack used to give to me. It's irrational and petty of me since I don't actually want to date Zack. I lashed out without thinking and hurt two of the most important people in my life. You both are my best friends and I want you to be happy. If this is what makes you happy, then I support you one hundred percent. It will take me a while to get used to this though so don't be surprised if I keep giving you strange looks."

"Don't worry, Maddie. You'll always be my 'Sweet Thang,' my first love and best friend." Leaning over, Zack gives her an affectionate hug causing Maddie to smile in relief that she is forgiven.

"What about me?" London pouts teasingly at Zack.

"London," Zack takes her hand and kisses each fingertip before placing her hand on his chest underneath his own. "You are and will always be my true love, the very heart of me."

The End… of the Beginning.

Thank for reading my story and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please review and let me know what you think. If there is enough interest, I may write a sequel when I have more time.

Thanks again.

~Georgie