Chapter 34 – A New Beginning

The room was cool in the afternoon light as Zack wrestled with the urge to stay in bed. To his way of thinking it wouldn't be such a bad idea if he won. He snuggled deeper into the covers and closed his eyes. Stretching across the pillow he was surprised when he didn't find who he was looking for. Another realization suddenly struck him, for a hospital it was way too quiet.

He turned trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes when he suddenly sat up. Taking a glance around the room he was surprised to find he was back in his bed at the Tipton hotel. When had this happened he wondered as he got up and put two feet on the floor. He felt out of sorts and somewhat confused. Shrugging it off he decided it was probably just do to being groggy from too much sleep.

As he stood up he was shocked to see that he was nude. He wasn't even wearing a pair of boxers. Walking over toward the dresser he pulled open a drawer and removed a fresh pair. A few minutes later after pulling on some shorts and a t-shirt he opened the door and found Cody sitting at the kitchen table with an open book in front of him. His heart instantly melted. He was so amazing to look at and Zack took a minute to just take in the beauty that was his brother and smiled at the realization that he was all his.

Cody looked up apparently sensing that he was being watched. His eyes filled with a slight concern as he waited for Zack to say something. When he simply stared Cody got up and walked over. Before he knew what was happening Zack was by his side and had him in his arms. Cody stood stunned as his arms wrapped around the other boys shoulders.

"Zack what are you doing," he remarked a bit taken back by the sudden concern.

"Codes your walking," he replied stunned. "How?"

"What do you mean how," Cody asked. "I put my feet on the floor and began to move. Isn't that how it usually happens?"

"You can't walk. Your accident."

"My what," Cody said trying to stand up, but Zack had his arms wrapped around his waist and that was out of the question. "Are you okay?"

Zack grinned and nuzzled his neck. "Zack I told you we can't." With some work Cody managed to pull away from him and walk back over to the table not realizing Zack was standing right behind him, he turned colliding with the other boy. "Zack…" Cody was stopped when his brother pressed their lips together.

Cody pressed his palms to Zack's chest with the intent of pushing him away, but as soon as he felt those soft lips so tenderly brush against his own, he couldn't fight the urge to let the kiss continue. Cody's arms slipped around Zack's shoulders and he opened to him. When he felt Zack's tongue enter his mouth he openly sighed and pressed himself against him. Zack stopped the kiss long enough to bend over and place an arm under Cody's knees. In one fluid motion he picked him up and carried him back toward the couch. Zack's attention was back on his neck and he marveled in the sensuous touch. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he should stop this. Especially when Zack ran his fingers under his shirt, still he questioned if this would be such a bad thing. It didn't feel bad, in fact it felt incredible. But he knew what he had to do.

"Zack," Cody whispered trying not to let his hormones do the talking. "Please."

"Baby…"

"No, we have to stop," Cody said again between sighs. "Zack I mean it. Stop!"

Zack was instantly taken back. "What's wrong?"

"Try, everything," Cody mumbled as he stood up and walked back over to the table so he'd be out of arms reach. "Try the fact that we're brothers and twins. Try the fact that this would be hard for mom to take, and lastly try Maddie." He told him as he waited for an answer. When he simply looked at him like he'd grown two heads he continued.

"Maddie you remember her, right. Your girlfriend."

"Codes are you okay?" now it was Zack's turn to ask. "Maddie is…"

"Zack sorry I'm late I had some inventory to count before Moseby would let me clock out. But, at least it means overtime," Maddie smiled as she walked into the room and gave him a great big hug before seeing the pale expression on his face.

Maddie and Cody both looked worried now. Zack looked like he'd seen a ghost and could pass out at any moment. Cody walked over and stood next to his brother so if that was the case he'd be able to grab him before he hit the floor.

"Maybe you should sit down," he advised before heading over to the sink and filling a glass with water.

While he was handing the glass to him, it appeared Zack couldn't take his eyes off his girlfriend. Any other time she would have been thrilled but the look on his face at the moment was freaking her out a bit.

"Should we call Chip?"

"That guy doesn't know one end of a thermometer from another, what makes you think he'd be of any help," Cody replied never taking his eyes off Zack. "Come on man, your scaring me. Say something."

As if snapping out of his trance Zack looked to Cody and then to Maddie then back again. When it finally sank in she was in the room he must have jumped back about ten feet.

"Zack what's wrong?" Cody asked now frightened by what had just happened.

"This isn't possible," Zack muttered. "How the hell, this isn't happening."Before anyone could stop him he bolted out the door and into the elevator.

Zack rode the elevator down twenty four floors to the basement and when the doors opened to Arwin's old office he stepped off and headed inside. He needed some alone time, sometime to think and recuperate before he lost his mind. What the hell was happening to him. Nothing was making sense.

"Zack!" the older twin heard his brother call out to him but refused to answer until he figured out what was going on. He should have known better. When the bookcase to the secret room opened, he wasn't surprised. "Zack what happened?"

"Codes I…"

"You what?"

"I'm losing my mind," Zack stated rubbing his forehead as he paced back and forth.

"Dude, your scaring me," Cody told him as he walked over grabbed his wrist and lead him to a nearby chair. "Talk to me."

"You're going to think I'm crazy," he stated.

"I could never think that," Cody said. "Come on bro, try me. Tell me what's wrong."

Zack began to tell him about everything he'd experience over the past couple of years and the more he spoke the wider Cody's eyes became. It wasn't hard to understand why, he was flipping out so it made since that his brother would do the same. When he was finished Cody was about to sit down on the floor, but without another thought Zack pulled him onto his lap.

"This is…" Cody began.

"Crazy," Zack finished for him. "What was the last thing that happened before I went to sleep?"

Cody turned in his lap so they were facing each other. "I was standing in the doorway," he suddenly turned away embarrassed.

"Cody?" Zack smiled recalling his state of undress at the time.

"I was about to explain further why we couldn't be together," while speaking his eyes glazed over and his attention turned to his brothers full lips.

Without realizing what he was doing he began to rub a couple of fingers over that soft flesh. His breath hitched when Zack took a hold of his hand and placed a kiss on each fingertip. Cody closed his eyes and Zack shifted him in his lap so he could feel the mound beneath him. Cody leaped off of his lap and was now looking down at him. He couldn't mistake the look of desire and want in his brothers eyes and he knew his eyes mirrored Zack's.

"Don't pull away from me," Zack whispered. "Codes if by some miracle this is our second chance then don't fight it. I made a lot of mistakes and I plan on remedying that."

"Zack, I'm afraid."

"I'm right here," the older boy stretched out his hand and waited patiently for Cody to make up his mind. "I love you baby. I'll wait forever if you want me too. I just pray I won't have too."

The younger twin stood unsure. His palms were sweating, while his heart beat a mile a minute. So many worries went through his mind. There were so many questions that needed answers. Still, at the moment, he wasn't sure he cared to find them. For at the moment he knew where he wanted to be and with who.

"Zack," Cody sighed as he ran into his arms and in an instant he was back in his lap.

Zack took things slowly and tenderly kissed him. Unfortunately their kiss was short lived when they heard Maddie's voice calling out to Zack. Cody reluctantly got off his brothers lap just as she rounded the corner. "Codes can we have a minute?" he asked his younger brother.

"Sure, I'll be up in the suite if you need me," Cody headed for the door only to glance back one last time before fully making his exit. "Maddie you might want to take a seat for this."

"Zack I know what you are going to say," she stated. "But before you begin I feel the need to interrupt you."

"Okay."

"Zack you're wonderful. You truly are, but, I don't think this relationship is working out," Maddie said sadly. "Please, don't hate me."

For a minute Zack had to remember that he wasn't dreaming anymore and this wasn't the Maddie that almost destroyed his life. "I don't hate you. In fact I was just about to say the same thing."

"Friends?"

"The best," Zack replied pulling her in for a hug.

"I need to go. I promised mom that I would babysit the holy terror tonight. Care to walk me up?"

"Sure," Zack replied as they chatted while he followed her up to the lobby.

When they arrived at the revolving doors Zack had to take a step back when he noticed Mason and Charlie standing there. "Hey you okay?" Maddie asked him noticing the look of surprise in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm…never mind," he added not wanting to get into his dream with her.

"You remember my cousins don't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, hey guys."

"Hey, long time no see," Mason exclaimed as Charlie extended a hand. Zack shook it, smiling.

"So what brings you two by?" Maddie asked them.

"We were just getting a few odds and ends at the house before we left for Hawaii when your mom said you might appreciate a ride home," he explained. "So we hear your going to babysit Liam tonight. That's going to be fun."

"How about we change places and I head to Hawaii and you babysit."

"I have a better idea, how about we don't," he laughed.

"Liam scares me," Charlie said. "He is the pawn of the devil."

Mason looked too his brother with eyes twinkling. "I think you mean spawn, but otherwise you have it just about right little brother. But, don't worry about him. I'm here to protect you." They all smiled as Zack said his goodbyes. A minute later he watched them leave still laughing. He was glad they were happy, considering in his dream the ending was a bit different.

Again he had to wonder if it indeed was all a dream. Could he have imagined the entire thing, or dreamt it somehow. Was that even possible? Suddenly he looked across the street toward Liberty Park and the two individuals standing there gave him cause to pause. Standing there smiling under their favorite tree were himself and Cody. He waved over to the older version of himself and his twin as they waved back with smiles. Then it struck him, looks like it may not have been all a dream after all. In the next minute they were gone and he realized he couldn't wait to get back to his Cody.

Zack ran into the room and immediately took Cody into his arms. Startled at first Cody was slow to react then he didn't have a problem. Wrapping his arms around his twin he returned the kiss with enthusiasm and they both fell to the floor.

"Zack," Cody giggled when his lover touched a ticklish spot. "What about Maddie, what happened?"

"Sadly it didn't work out," he sounded serious but then Cody noticed the twinkle in his eye and the half cocked smile.

"That is a shame."

"Yeah, I think I may need a lot of TLC to get over it."

"Is that right," Cody whispered near his ear before taking the sensitive cartilage between his teeth. "I think I may be able to help with that."

"I was hoping you would."

"Is there anything you specifically want me to do?"

"Love me."

"You know I do."

"Then, never stop," Zack added before reclaiming Cody mouth in a sensuous and passionate kiss. "I love you baby, with all my heart."

"I love you too Zack, always."

AN: Well the story is officially done. I know the ending will surprise some of you but I hope it was well worth the wait. Many thanks to the readers who stuck with me throughout this little project. You are all wonderful! :)

Finally please read and review and look out for the ending to HM in the next few months. Smiles!