Big thanks for my 5 dedicated reviewers of the previous chapter: TMI, gabgaws12, psav2005, StarfishOnTheBeach, and xAlL-tHiNgS-sUiTe-LiFe-RoCkSx. You have consistently reviewed my chapters and I really appreciate it! Thanks to all the silent readers, too.

Sadly, this is the last chapter but I am thinking of writing Cody and London's story to go with this one. What do you think?

*I don't own SL or its characters. If I did, Maya certainly wouldn't be Zack's love interest. I do own this story and the songs, however.*

Previously:

"Maddie, where are you going?" Zack asks, confused.

Maddie glances over her shoulder with a wide smile. "To get ready for bed." With that, she goes into the bathroom and changes into the comfortable shirt. Coming back into Zack's room, she finds him still sitting on the bed with the most adorable, goofy smile on his face. Maddie turns off the lights and gets under the covers. She pulls him down beside her and curls into his side with her arm around his waist. "Goodnight, Zack." She kisses him softly on the lips.

"Goodnight Sweet Thang." Zack returns the kiss and falls asleep with his love in his arms and a smile on his face.

Epilogue

"…As we head out into the world, I would like to remind each of us of the most important thing in life, above education, employment and professional success. The thing that kept us going, encouraged us and helped to get us to this point. Our loved ones, both family and friends. With that, I would like to thank my Mom, Dad, my twin brother Cody and the future Mrs. Zack Martin, my Maddie. Without you and all of my friends, I would not be standing here today as a graduate, awarded the top honors. Thank you." Zack waves to the audience as he walks off the stage to take his seat with his graduating class.

They ceremony continues and soon they start announcing the names of the graduates as each passes by receiving their diploma and handshakes from the faculty. The names are called up alphabetically, grouped by area of study. When the Engineering graduates are announced, Zack stands up with everyone in his section and walks back onto the stage. After his name is called and he has gone through the line, he hears a loud whistle off to one side of the auditorium. Stopping before going down the steps, he looks over to find a huge sign being held aloft over the front railing by several people. It reads, 'Way to go Zack!'.

The entire first two rows and half the third of that section are waving and cheering. In the first row, starting from left to right, are Mr. Moseby and Miss Tutweiler, Esteban and his wife, Arwin, his mom, his dad, Cody and London, Maddie, Bailey and Cole, and Dylan and Moira. The second row has a few surprises, it includes Woody, Addison, Marcus, Max, Bob and the rest of Maddie's sisters. The third row holds his bandmates, all screaming at the top of their lungs. Zack almost stumbles down the stairs to his seat, he is so busy staring at the group with a huge smile on his face.

After the ceremony finally ended, Zack makes a bee-line for the exit, anxious to meet up with his family and friends outside on the lawn. He gets to the agreed upon spot before anyone else and leans against a tree, but doesn't have to wait long.

"Zack!" Looking out over the gathering crowd, Zack catches a glimpse of flowing golden brown hair whipping between people heading in his direction. Recognizing the voice and hair, he opens his arms as she reaches him, ready as she leaps into them for a hug. A dazzling flash of sunlight bounces off a ring before her fingers tangle in his hair to pull him down for a quick kiss. "I am so proud of you!" Maddie whispers in his ear.

The rest of the group walk up with big smiles and lots of hugs. Everyone crowds close, enjoying being all together for the first time in a long time. With everyone talking at once, no one could be heard. Zack suddenly whistles loudly to get their attention.

"Lets head over to the hotel where London has arranged a private dining room for us." Zack says and leads the way to the parking area pulling Maddie along with him. They pile into several limos, again provided by London. When Zack tried to refuse saying she was being too generous, London just shook her head at him. She said, "Zack, I've never had any brothers except for you. Let me spoil you a little. It makes me happy." When she called him her brother, he pulled her into a fierce hug and could refuse her nothing.

At the hotel, everyone is sitting at the long, elegant dining table with Zack at the head. He looks at the people around the table with a smile. Cody stands up next to him holding a glass of wine, which he gently taps with a fork to get the group's attention.

"I know there have been times while growing up when we have questioned what will happen to Zack. I know I often joked about needing a good a job so I could afford the bail to get him out of jail." Cody chuckles as several nod their heads in agreement, especially Marion Moseby who could be heard snorting from the other end of the table.

"I can't say anything." Zack laughs. "I've often wondered how we ended up here."

"Even so," Cody smiles at his twin. "I knew Zack would surprise us all and boy did he ever by graduating at the top of his class. I couldn't be prouder of you." Cody raises his glass towards Zack. "To my brother, Zack Martin." His friends and family follow suit and sip their drinks.

The rest of the party is spent eating and catching up. Zack talks with everyone, eager to hear about their lives and plans. Most he sees fairly regularly but a for a few it's been a while.

Cody and London he sees all the time. London and Maddie share London's suite at the Boston Tipton where London is being groomed to take over the Tipton Hotel chain from her father. She, of course is a natural at it. Cody is working towards his PhD specializing in neural medicine. Already, some of his work has been revolutionizing that area of medicine. Cody proposed to London the same night that Zack proposed to Maddie. The girls immediately decided on a double wedding, which will be happening next spring.

Arwin, after his mother passed away, calmed down quite a bit. He managed to convince Carey to go out with him and, to her absolute surprise, she had a wonderful time. They have been dating for a year now. Arwin actually invented a gadget that works and sold the rights for a pretty penny. He still works at the Tipton Hotel to keep busy. As for Carey, Mr. Tipton bought out a small record label and decided to sign her, thinking it would be a big promotional boost for his hotels, too.

Kurt Martin hasn't changed much. He still tours with his band and has gotten more of a following since they re-released the first album. His music has been introduced to a whole new generation of music lovers.

Cole and Bailey having been dating since the whole Greg fiasco. They moved in together two month ago and everyone is just waiting for the engagement announcement. Bailey is in law school specializing in environmental law. Cole is finishing up his studies to become a chef.

Woody and Addison got married last year. A distant relation of Woody's left him and each of his siblings a small fortune, which Woody used to buy a pancake house. Thankfully, Addison got her degree in business management and between them, they run a decent, profitable restaurant. Addison is glowing as she shows off her baby bump to Zack. She's five months along and Woody hovers asking her every few minutes if she is okay. Addison just rolls her eyes and giggles at him.

Marion Moseby still travels the world on the S.S. Tipton with his wife, Emma Tutweiler-Moseby, who runs the sea school. Their son, Martin, will be celebrating his third birthday soon.

Marcus Little managed to resuscitated his music career after starring in his own Broadway musical based off his hit song, Retainer Baby. He's on break from touring to record his next album, It's a Little Thing called Love. Mostly, Marcus has kept up with all of his friends through email and texting so it's great to see everyone in person.

Maddie, Zack's one true love, got her Masters in English. She's working as a editor for the newspaper while she works on writing her first novel. Maddie sings with Zack's band on occasion. Tipton Records will be producing the band's first record which is due out next Fall. Zack is going to concentrate on his music for now but has his degree in structural engineering to fall back on as well as an open job offer from Tipton Industries.

At the end of the party, Zack and Maddie hug everyone goodbye and make plans to meet for breakfast in the morning with many of them. Walking out of the room arm-in-arm, Maddie lays her head on Zack's shoulder with a contented sigh. "This was a perfect day." Zack smiles down at her and kisses her forehead.

"Yeah." He gets a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Want to go explore the room London got us for tonight? She said it's the penthouse suite."

"Oh yeah." Maddie grins up at him, grabbing his hand and running for the elevator. She pulls him inside and pushes the button for the top floor. "Come here, Sweet Thang." Wrapping her hands around his neck, she pulls him down into a passionate kiss as the elevator doors close.

That concludes my story. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have writing it. Please, let me know what you think and if you would like a sequel or Cody and London's story. Review, pretty please with cherries on top! :)