Chapter Three

Again, I don't own these characters except the ones I create.

Bailey, Cody and Bill met up with Jo at a small restaurant right off of campus. Normally, it was a popular college hangout, but it being summer, it was fairly empty. Jo watched them come in and smiled at them.

"Good to see you two again. I hope Bill didn't bore you two too much this morning..."

Bailey smiled. "Good to see you again too. And as Bill is going to be teaching two of our classes next semester, I think we'll refrain from saying he bored us..."

Jo laughed. "You pour souls. I wouldn't wish that on anyone..."

Bill rolls his eyes and sighs.

Jo continues. "I did talk to my niece earlier this morning. It seems some congratulations are in order..."

Bill turns to his wife. "What do you mean?"

Jo smiles. "Cody and Bailey are now engaged..."

"Well, congratulations to you both..."

Before he could continue, the waitress came over and took their orders. Bailey excused herself to run to the ladies room and Jo went with her. With the women gone, Bill turns back to Cody.

"Alright, I know that classes don't start until next month, but I'm going to teach you something today. From here on out, you need to learn the phrase 'Whatever you say, Dear'. More and more, it will be worth it to you to give in. I love my wife more than anything in the world, but you will have to learn to pick your battles..."

"I tried that before, and she got mad at me. She says she wants my opinion on everything..."

Bill laughs. "That may have been true while you were dating, but once you put that ring on her finger, all the rules changed..."

Cody was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean from here on out, you aren't going to be happy unless she is happy. You will never win an argument ever again. So, only argue about things that one, you feel passionate about and two, you know you are right. You may come out victorious in the argument, but you will still lose..."

Cody shakes his head. "I can't believe that..."

"Oh, its true. And you'll start to dread those four little words every married man hates hearing...we need to talk."

"But Bailey and I are very open and talk about everything..."

"When they say it, it doesn't mean we need to talk, it means she wants you to listen while she tells you all the ways you've been screwing up lately. So, if she says 'we need to talk', set a fire, it's easier to deal with..."

Cody sighs. "That can't be true. Bailey and I really talk and listen to each other..."

Bill smiles. "Every guy who has just got married thinks his marriage will be different. But it never is. The divorce rate is so high because more and more guys can't accept it. Do you really love her?"

"Absolutely..."

"Then go ahead and accept it now. It will make things a whole lot easier down the road..."

Bill was about to continue but Bailey and Jo returned to the table.

"So, what were you two guys talking about while we were gone?"

Bill paused. "Oh, I was just giving Cody a welcome to the club of married men..."

Jo rolled her eyes. "You didn't fill his head with rubbish did you?"

"I told him the truth..."

"Cody, forget everything he just told you. He may think he knows things, but he really doesn't..."

Cody looked back and forth between them not sure who to believe while Bailey looked to Cody in confusion as to what she had missed.

Jo continued. "So, are you two heading back to Boston this afternoon?"

Bailey snapped back to the present. "Actually, we have some shopping to do. We still have to look at bedroom furniture, bookshelves, a dining table, and living room furniture..."

Jo nods and smiles. "All courtesy of London Tipton, right?"

"Yeah. How did you know that?"

Jo laughs. "Emma turned us on to Miss Tipton's web show. We caught Cody's last episode..."

Cody sighs. "Yeah, I guess I sold my dignity that day..."

Bill shrugs. "You'll get used to it..."

Jo slaps his arm. "Stop telling him things like that!"

Bill was saved from further scolding by the waitress bringing over their food. With them eating, Bill couldn't say anything else to get him in trouble. As they were waiting for the bill, Jo turned to Cody and Bailey again.

"So, if you two have disagreements on what you like, how will you decide?"

Bill cleared his throat and shot Cody a look.

Bailey finally spoke. "We aren't sure yet. We had a bet that whoever got valedictorian between the two of us would get final the tie breaking vote in decisions, but we tied for valedictorian so we are back to square one..."

Jo smiled. "Well, I'm sure you two will figure something out...Well, we should let you two get moving on, you've both got a lot to do..."

Bailey smiles. "Thank you again for lunch and for everything else..."

"We'll see you both in a month."

Bailey and Cody get up and say goodbye. Once they get back to their vehicle, Bailey immediately turns to Cody and wants to know everything that Bill had told him. As they drove to their first destination, Cody filled Bailey on his and Bill's conversation. As they pulled into the parking lot, Bailey just looked at Cody.

"What do you think about what he said?"

"I don't want to believe it, but part of me is saying they've been married for so long that maybe there is some truth to what he said..."

"But we've talked about this before. I told you I want your opinion. I want a fiance and a husband, not a lap dog..."

"That's exactly what I told him..."

"What did he say to that?"

"He said the rules changed once I put the ring on your finger. Did they?"

Bailey paused. "I don't think so. I don't want them to."

"Neither do I...But at the same time, I would do anything to make you happy."

"I know. And what will make me happy is you sharing with me your opinions. Of course we are going to disagree from time to time, but that's only natural. But there is no one I would rather disagree with..."

Cody nods. "Same here..." He pauses and smiles. "And the best part of having arguments is making up afterwards..."

Bailey smiles too. "You're right. Bill may have been married a long time, but it doesn't mean his way is the only way. Besides, didn't we say our relationship is all our own and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks?"

"Yeah, we did. You're right. Let him do it his way, and we'll do things our own way. Its worked for us for over two years now, why try to change things now..."

"Exactly. Now, are you ready to go decide between us how we want to furnish our place?"

"Let's do it!"

Their first stop was a a nearby furniture store in Milford, CT. Cody and Bailey had already made a list of everything they needed. Once inside, they asked to see the manager and handed them the card that London had given them. He looked at it, back at Cody and Bailey and motioned one of his sales people over to them. He instructed her to write down everything they wanted and it would be taken care of. The salesgirl began leading them into the store asking where they wanted to start first.

They decided to start with the bedroom. They needed to get a mattress and box springs, so they both tested them out till they both found one they liked. Next, it was on to other bedroom furniture. Bailey mentioned to the salesgirl that their bed was brass, so if they had anything with brass, it would be nice. She immediately took them to over to a collection of a dresser with mirror, armoire and two end tables that all had brass fixtures on them. Cody and Bailey immediately loved them.

Next, it was on to dining room furniture. Since the area for the dining room table was small, they settled on a small round table with with four chairs around it. It was made of the same wood as their bedroom furniture.

Continuing on, she lead them to living room furniture. Bailey and Cody both thought a couch, loveseat and chair would be the way to go. And in selecting them, both preferred comfort over style. A couch was meant to be sat and laid on after all. And they preferred one that was deep enough for them both to lie on comfortably. In the end, the found a set they liked the looks of and was comfortable. They also chose to have the couch be a sleeper sofa in case they had company. Next, they moved on to end tables and a coffee table. They quickly settled on ones that matched the rest of their selections.

The final thing the saleslady showed them was lighting. Cody just wanted to them to emit light, so he didn't really care one way or the other. But, Bailey was able to find lamps for the living room, bedroom and home office.

Once done, the saleslady was writing up the sales slip giddily knowing the commission she was going to get was going to be nice. She asked them for the delivery date and wrote down August 15. She went back to her manager and returned a short time later with a receipt for them.

Cody and Bailey left the furniture store and returned back to New Haven before turning north to go to North Haven. When they got to the address, the found the store was similar to a Best Buy. They did the same thing as the furniture store and spoke to the manager. Again, a sales person was summoned to show them around.

Electronics wise, they didn't need as much as they did furniture. But, surprisingly enough, the first thing they looked at was more furniture...desk chairs and bookshelves. Cody and Bailey each picked out a chair they thought would suit their needs the best. Then they picked out a couple of bookshelves they thought would match their partner's desk. Of course, it was then that Cody learned that they would have to assemble them themselves. Next, it was on to small appliances. They already had most of what they needed, but they picked out a toaster, coffee maker, crock pot, iron, ironing board, and a vacuum.

Next was home entertainment. Cody and Bailey were neither big TV watchers, but decided they needed one in case of emergencies and possible educational needs. So, they selected a relatively small one , and the salesman suggested a flat screen they could hang on the wall. Cody and Bailey only shrugged and agreed. Finally, the sales person lead them to the computer section. They already had their laptops, but were talked into a nice combination laser printer/scanner/copier.

By this time, both were tired of shopping and felt they had everything they needed. The salesperson did the same as the other one and brought them out a receipt. Leaving the store, both found themselves exhausted. Both were glad London had picked up the tab as they both shuddered to think how much they had spent that day. As it was getting late, they decided to pick up some food and head on to their room.

Their last night in New Haven for the time being was spent taking it easy in their room. Both were too tired to do much besides slip into the jacuzzi tub in their room. After both relaxing and soothing their tired bodies, they both climbed into bed together for a much needed rest. The next morning, they would begin their drive back. But, everything was now set for their return in only a matter of weeks.

The End...