{We're holding on because it's the only thing that makes us feel alive}

Mending a Wounded Soul

Chapter Six.

Cody couldn't sleep.

Every time he closes his eyes, it is almost as if someone's pulling him back to stay awake. He breathes slowly, shifting himself on the couch as his eyes trained on the ceiling above him. They didn't go to a honeymoon, London and him. After the wedding, Mr Moseby moved them to a new suite, a few more floor up from London's original floor. The subject of honeymoon did brought up at the wedding though, but before he could comment anything, London cuts him off and says that there won't be any honeymoon, because of her 'difficult pregnant condition' and the fact Mr Tipton had wanted Cody to start working as soon as possible.

Cody scrunched up his nose then, because even though that's exactly what Mr Tipton had said to him the other day, he was sure Mr Tipton wouldn't mind if he'd take a few days for his honeymoon with London. But he didn't say anything, of course, and just agreed with what London was saying.

In a way, he is glad- because honeymoon means that would leave the two of them, alone, in some place he, himself, isn't sure where at. In another way, he worries about London- he certainly didn't miss the way she cringed her nose or the pain crossing her eyes when they were asked about the honeymoon question. It tugs onto his strings of heart, it feels like something is out of place, out of order. And he doesn't like that. Never does.

It's just like some sort of a science project. When he feels like the whole procedure isn't over, it disturbs him. And it bothers him even more when he has no idea what the problem is!

Cody lets out a frustrated sigh, blinking his eyes in the dark. The glass window of the suites let some lights in, illuminating the room ever so slightly. He pulls the blanket over his chest and clasps his hands over it. Even with a little bits of alcohol still searing through his system, and the tiredness creeping up his every possible muscles, his brain still thinks. He doesn't know if it should be classify as a gift or a curse. His fingers play with the unfamiliar band around his finger, reminding him of the reality he's living.

London's sleeping in the bedroom- he knows she had been having a hard time sleeping too at first with the ruffling sounds of blanket every time she twisted and turned, but after a while, sleep must have taken over her because there's not a sound to be heard. The air is silence, yet there's a stinging feeling to it- and it feels like it's stabbing him, again and again.

And then, he hears screaming.

From London.

He sits up immediately, all thought of tiredness and sleepiness gone, and his heart stops. Her horrible screaming- it rings in the silence air, killing all sorts of quiet alive, and fills it with such sorrowfulness, painfulness, bitterness he couldn't begin to describe. He gets to his feet and rushes to the bedroom, where lies the supposed-sleeping heiress. Upon stepping at the entrance, his eyes meet with her helpless body, blanket sprawls over everywhere, creating a mess he isn't accustomed to (yet doesn't care on the moment)- she's there, eyes shut close, face as red as it could be, screaming and pleading of words he couldn't understand.

He goes over to her and holds her- his fingers gracing over her shoulders, but she pushes him away. "NO! D-don't! Don't you dare touch me, you dumbass!" she screams, before falling back -her shoulder slumps and it looks like she's trying to blend with the mattress- into her crying posture. The whimpering and the weeping and the sobbing is worse than before, just like the panic in him.

"L-London," his words are afraid, although he tries to hide it- his hands are reaching out, to her.

"NO!" She screams again- and it pierces right through him, he feels his body has been torn in half. He never witnesses the day she's so scared before, so terrified, it sends cold shivers inside of him. She cries again, her voice is breaking, "D-don't come cl-close to me... or... or I'm going t-to... call the cops! Stay away! Dammit, Francis! Why w-won't you STAY AWAY?"

"London," he starts again, his voice is stronger.

She is broken, that sad whispers plays in his head and he clenches his fist.

The messed-up heiress shakes her head again and again, muttering the same words on her lips, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no." He scoots closer over the mattress- she's hugging herself, eyes still close and stains with tears- and slowly, gently, he tries again. "London."

She hugs herself closer to her body, shaking her head harder. The muttering words of 'no's keeps repeating, like a broken disc. "London," he touches her shoulders, and she struggles, screaming again. But something roars inside of him, like barking him orders nobody could've hear- don't run away, don't run from her- and he holds her tighter. "London," the firm in his voice is there, refusing to let go of his guard- refusing to let go of her.

Her eyes suddenly spread open, and he holds his breath for a second.

She lets out a shuddering breath- and he lets him out, too, in relief- and the first thing his ears pick up from her lips is, "Cody," before she buries her head to her chest. And right there, she cries. Her body is shaking horribly and her sobbing vibrates all over him- it takes him a few seconds to slip his arms around her and gives her the support she needs. He starts to rub her back, and rock her from back and forth, 'cause it's the right thing to do (...right?).

After an hour, she's just resting her head on his chest, and his chin is just there on top of her head and the quiet night is surrounding them, and he doesn't know how to feel- but he keeps his hands where it is, neither says a word. He shifts suddenly.

She looks up, eyes swollen and tired.

He looks down, lips straight and eyes bored into hers.

"You should get some sleep now," he says, but it comes out slower in volume than he had intend to do. She shifts, but he's still holding her.

She ducks her head down, her grip loosen. "A-and how about you?"

"I'll be here," he tells her.

There's another silent, a pause. She retreats her arms and rubs her eyes. He watches her every move, even without the lights to help him see. Her raven hair falls to her face, but it doesn't seem to bother her. He observes her face once again- puffy and red. "Are you okay?" he asks, without him really noticing.

Her eyelashes flutter, and there's a small gap between her lips. "I'm... fine," she replies tiredly.

And, as strange as it may seem, a smile slips from his lips. "Get some sleep."

She smiles back lazily as a respond and lies down at the mattress, pulling the blanket over her body. Her eyes glances over to him before she lets it close and drifts herself to dreamland. He sighs, ruffling his blond hair and begins to descend from the bed. His toes touch the carpet-floor and he walks himself to the single sofa by the bed, letting his body rests against cool fabric.

He sighs, and tilts his head up to stare back at the ceiling.

Just like some sort of magic, he sleeps.

London wakes up with the sudden urge to go to the bathroom, ASAP.

It's not like it's anything new- these past few weeks of mornings had been a hell of a torture, with the most disturbing feeling swirling in her stomach and the icky taste stuck in her throat, she has no idea how she manage to survive it all still. The sight of the new bathroom has take her a while to realize she moved to a new suite, but the spreading liquid up through her windpipe makes her give the least of her care as she hunches up over the toilet bowl and vomit everything that is left in her stomach.

She hates vomiting.

To think that she first thought it's just food poisoning that it would be over as soon as she gets the proper medication, and now she has to endure this for at least 2-3 months. But, it will be worth it. She has to tell herself every day, before standing on her two feet and get on with her days. She pushes a strain of her dark hair behind her ears and gains the energy to flush all of her vomit away.

Tired and restless as she is, London crawls herself up to lean against the bathroom wall, feeling the cool marble floor underneath her touch.

She hears sounds, and she looks up- almost jumping as the sight of Cody, with hair jumbled-up together, leaning against the door frame. His eyes tells her he's still sleepy, but also alert, maybe because the sound of her puking woke him. He looks over to her, brows furrow together, voice raspy, "You okay?"

She wipes any trace of liquid from her lips with the back of her hand and hums as a respond.

"Here. Water," he comes over and hands her the clear water bottle, to which she takes without any hesitation. She opens the cap and takes a gulp, before launching back to the toilet bowl and goes back to more puking. She feels a soft warmth behind her back, patting her slowly. That soft warmth, now she recognizes it as Cody's hand, gathers all of her hair to keep it from falling into her face.

Even though it doesn't make the icky taste any less horrible, London has to admit it does help her a little.

The second-round lasts a couple of minutes longer than the first one, but the result is still the same. She feels horrible; all of the energy she once have drains away- flushes away in the toilet, into somewhere she wouldn't want to know. She sits back against the wall- only this time, Cody comes to sit next to her. Not a word passes between them, and she feels a sudden rush of yesterday night's blur images, ones she thought was just another meaningless dream, appears in her mind. She slowly turns to him, eyes wondering.

Did anything happened last night? But she couldn't find herself to say it.

He also turns to her, and their eyes meet. She's about to look away, but decides against it. This is a face she has to get used to by now- there is a nine-month process which bond them together, and more years to come if they could survive it. Cody lets out a soft breath, almost a sigh, and says, "So, we're enduring this every morning?"

She kinds of laugh, but it sounds pathetic. "Yeah," she dryly replies, but a helpless smile plasters her lips.

"Oh," he counters. "That sucks."

She rolls her eyes, "That's just the beginning," and wrong as it may seems, it feels natural to say that now. Nine (painful) month, with Cody in the picture, among every one else. She finds herself smiling at that certain image.

He scoff-laugh, "Thanks for reminding me."

She looks over to him, letting herself to laugh at that sentence of his. It's a light, quiet bubbly laughter- but a laughter nevertheless. "It's my pleasure," she responds, bowing slightly.

He smiles- a genuine one, and she feels like old times. She could feel he's thinking of saying something, but couldn't. She wouldn't blame him- like herself, he is probably trying to get used to this drastic situation either. One moment, they haven't seen each other for months, and the next, they're married, followed by sitting with one another after she pukes her stomach's content out. She blinks, gazing down at the marble floor, "It will be hard," she voices out, trying to sort out reality.

He swallows, and shakily replies with a low volume, "I know."

"But..," she grips on the water bottle at hand, watches as the plastic crinkles within her touch. "... It's going to be okay."

"It will be," he says firmly, and London feels a sudden rush of relief washes over her at the silent promise. She's smart enough to know the whole-pregnancy-thing will be hard, but like she said, in the end, it'll end up okay. Well, at least, she hopes so. As if sensing her insecurities, Cody suddenly takes her hand, and she could feel the roughness of his fingertips but the softness of his palm. He squeezes it, "It will be," he repeats, much more firm than before.

She squeezes back his gesture, leaning to rest her head on his shoulders. "Of course it is."

"I want to thank you,"

Cody whirls around quickly, shock at the sudden voice. The image of a serial killer with a wicked smile and a knife hidden from everyone's eyes gone, and he feels himself relax when it's only Mr Moseby, smiling back at him. Cody calms himself, putting a hand on his chest and looks skeptically at the elder man. Although years has pass, Mr Moseby looks just the same. Maybe older with wrinkles under his eyes and in his smiles, but other than that, he's just the same man he is when Cody had met him. Furrowing his brows in complete confusion, he voices out, "For what?"

Mr Moseby chuckles, pulling him behind the counter. They're at the lobby of the Tipton hotel and he's just wondering around when Mr Moseby has startled him. London had went somewhere to spend the day with Khun Yai while the old woman is still in town. From what she had told him, Khun Yai's flight to Thailand will be two days from today, and London had made a promise to spend most of her times with the old woman as long as she could. He turns his attention back at Mr Moseby, who couldn't stop beaming at him as if he's a gold of some sort, "For yesterday."

Cody frowns deepen- he hates it when he couldn't understand something. He's intelligent! He's supposed to know things- it'll just seems incomplete when he doesn't. "Yesterday?"

Mr Moseby's shining smiles only grows wider, and the uncomfortable creepy feeling crawls on his skin. It's just Mr Moseby, his mind speaks. Is he always this strange?

"London," Mr Moseby continues, and Cody's mind pause. "She has... been having night terrors ever since, well- ever since this problem started and I was worried sick of her conditions. She cried, and scream every night- sometimes during the days!- and it had me pace around my room for quiet some time. Honestly speaking, when you two are getting married, I thought you'd chicken away and cry for Carey if London is ever to have her night terror," Cody flickers his eyes in annoyance.

I'm not that wimpy anymore.

"But yesterday just proved me wrong," Mr Moseby sighs in happiness, the same beaming smile is still there, carves in his face beautifully.

Night terror. Cody stops, and his mind begins to think. Could the elder man be talking about the sudden screaming from London? His train of thoughts are flooded with the images of yesterday night, when he had succeeded in calming London down. It was a proud moment, if he has to admit. "Yeah, but how did you know?"

"I was there the whole time," he says. "Just behind the door, waiting for the moment I have to get in. But, thanks to you, I didn't have to."

Mr Moseby stares at him long, and hard, but with eyes of mesmerizing, or gladness. "Thank you, Cody."

Cody nods his head, and smiles back at Mr Moseby. For a moment, Cody thought he was staring back at a face of a glad, happy father- and maybe, he is. "No problem."

"And for that, I have something to give to you," the elder man says, moving away to take something from his table.

Cody follows him, curious taking the best of him. "What?"

"This," Mr Moseby turns, giving him the two piece of thick, rectangular paper in his hands. Tickets. Plane tickets. Cody lifts his chin up to meet Mr Moseby's eyes, as the elder man continues. "Your honeymoon tickets."

[Review Responds]

blueberry24- Thanks so much for reviewing it. And about who Zack should end up with... uhm, I honestly don't know myself. But I like your idea- to add the drama, Bailey could have been good to be paired with Zack. But, I want this story to focus mostly on London/Cody- although of course I will throw some Bailey drama into this. Don't worry though, I will take your idea into a consideration. And about the makeout session, I'm not sure about that though. I want their (Cody and London) relationship to start slowly, so we all could see how their love for each other grow, little by little. But I will also take that as a consideration. :D

TkeleChoG- Thanks so much for responding to this story! But um, no. There will be no eventual Bailey/Cody/London threesome. I'm afraid I am horrible at 'M' rated story. Trust me. I apologize.

XxWedon'tLetGoxX - Yup. I intend to make Zack mature over the years (and wayyy hotter, of course) with a little of casual-typical Zack-ness still within him. I hope I'm not disappointing you, though. And don't we all feel sad for Bailey? I mean, just imagine if we're in her shoes? Oh man, I won't stop crying for weeks! But like you, I want London and Cody to be together! Haha. I feel so evil towards Bailey! lol.

2007gracee- Thank you for reviewing! Spoilers; Bailey and Cody will still be friends in the end! But, of course it will be a difficult process considering their past together and these whole London problem going on- so just wait for what will happen, shall we? XD

Guest- You read my mind, dear reader. lol. Thanks for the awesome, short review!

owlhero - The quote from the previous chapter is actually from a song I was listening to. I actually have no idea who it was meant for, but I got a feeling it could relate to some of the characters. But from your perspective- yeah, I guess it could be used to both Bailey and London. Money can't buy happiness; best line ever. I totally agree with that, and I love your description of how London is a faded gray spirit of her former self. It's really sad when I have to think it that way. And about Khun Yai; I want to give the image of her as one of the strongest key of support London have during her pregnancy journey, because she's practically the only motherly-support London could have ever have. And for me, in this situation, London needs that.

Yes, I meant to put Cody in a pathetic state, if only for a little while, to show how badly this arranged marriage really affected him- and writing Zack had been wonderful, although building him as a supportive character, to me, is kind of tough. You know, because I want to make Zack 'being supportive' in his own way- like taunting her brother at first, and then he will help Cody in the end sort-of-thing. 'the worst thing London and Cody could do right now is tear each other apart', oh my god- your words totally haunt me. But you're right. Let's just hope they won't tear each other apart. And we actually have no 'real' story as to where or what happened to London's mother, right? I mean, I don't really follow Suite Life series, but I don't think they've mentioned what really happened to London's mother- all that I gather was London was raised with nannies around her and Mr Moseby. So I just guessed the poor woman died when London was very young, or something. Yes, grammar issues -my favorite part- I apologize for my horrible English (once again), but I will try to improve it. And your notes and reminders had certainly helped me.

KnivesAndPens13 - when I first read your review, I honestly didn't know if you're saying it in a sarcastic way, or really saying it because you meant it. And frankly, I still don't know until now. lol. But, I appreciate your reviewing! And if you really meant what you just said (sorry for my lack of knowledge to separate between what is being said sarcastically, or real. I am such a fool), I would be simply crazy to be in London's position! :P

Cupcake46813 - thanks for the awesome review. I'm sorry for the really late update, but I hope this chapter is okay. I will try to add more as soon as possible!

Nikki - I know right?! I just- sometimes I wonder to myself, 'why would I make Cody and London suffer?' But for a good story, I would do ANYTHING! lol. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you actually read through the story.

SorrisoD'amore - oh man, I'm so sorry I have not update this as soon as I would. I know, I deserve to be punished. Let me just walk myself to the wall and hit my head against the concrete again and again. I am such a bad author. But, I hope this chapter is okay. Do you want to know a secret? (leaning in, and looking from left to right) I'm dying to know what will happen to them during their honeymoon! Yes, I know- as the author, I should know what happens. But I don't. I'm such a crazy bastard. Anyway, thanks for the review!

Guest - oh well, I just hope you won't go around talking like that to the Bailey/Cody fans. Man, people could get vicious over a couple, you know? And trust me, you do not want to get to that path. But thanks for the lovely reviews! I hope you will still be reading this story!

So, my friends have been 'disturbing' me with pleads and begs that I should do a little Zack and Bailey behind this story- and to say the truth? I don't know if I should. I mean, I could do it- but what if I have readers who adores Cody/London, but loathe Zack and Bailey together? I mean, it could happen! But still, being a Bailey/Zack fan, myself, I am tempted to do a story of them when all of these London-pregnant-married-with-Cody thing is going on. You remember when Zack made a promise to Cody that he could take care of Bailey for him? Yeah, I am basing this story (kind of like, a spin-off from Mending a Wounded Soul) on what he promised Cody... and I decided to give to those, who'd willingly read this, to have a little sneak peek! Here you go. And everything belongs to their rightful owner(s). It's just a simple draft, though. So, no flames.

Promise, Zack and Bailey, sneak peek:

"What are you doing?"

She spins around, eyes swollen and visions blurry- but she could see enough. Blond, messy hair with slightly taller features. Zack Martin. The last she saw him was seven months ago, and even then, it felt almost like forever. Bailey feels a pang of guilt tugs her heart; how could she have dated his brother for so long but doesn't acknowledge him like she should have? But it's not like it's her fault entirely- it was clear Zack had not want any deep involvement with her relationship with Cody whatsoever...

Cody.

The guilt sweeps away, vanishes- replaces with burning of anger, fury. How could he had betrayed their love for- for- for London? She feels as though her heart has been ripped from her body and crushed within the palm of no other than the infamous Cody Martin. He had no right to do that to her- how dare he?

She hears footsteps and lifts her gaze to look back at the tall figure. Zack. She had been so lost in her thought she forgot his presence there immediately. He stands to stare at her, and for a second, she's scared. It's like, he could see right through her; all of her. All of the secrets she had been trying so hard to hide from the world- she feels so darn naked. And when you're naked in front of Zack, it's never a good thing. "Go away," she says, through her gritted teeth.

He rolls his eyes, annoyance flashes through his eyes. "You know, I should give you credit," he says, gesturing his index finger towards her- and she feels exposed. Almost the same feeling as to being accused of something. She hates that feeling. She just simply hates Zack. "If I were you, I would have think a million of ways to end my life. Maybe end Cody's. But you're here instead. Torturing yourself to see, what?- their wedding? What good does it do to ya'?"

And from those sentences of his, she could tell he's really serious. Although maybe some part of him just thinks she's plain crazy. She probably is. Bailey honestly think she could handle this- going to the wedding and showing Cody that he will not be affecting her in any way. Or at least, it'll affect him in some way. Because, you know, it would probably nice to witness Cody's suffering in his own wedding when his ex-girlfriend is there, observing him through her dangerous eyes. Obviously that attempt has back-fired when the only person who should be suffering is not him, rather herself.

And here she is, standing with Zack-goddamn-Martin.

How did she get so lucky? Bailey scoffs to herself, and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "This has nothing to do with you, Zack."

"Oh," Zack says, tilting his head to one side and looking at her with his intense eyes. She silently shudders, but acts as if it is the temperature of the night that does that to her. She watches him from the corner of her eyes, and listens as he says the words she never understands. "But it does."

Cut.

That's it. Until then. Leave your thought- should I just do the whole Zack/Bailey idea? I know, I know. I meant to do the ghost Zack/Bailey one, but I got busy. But this one, Promise, I really am considering it. But, I don't know though. Just, leave a review if you will, okay? I am so complicated sometimes, I'm frustrated. Ugh. Love you guys.