Disclaimer: Characters are owned and produced by The Disney Channel and It's A Laugh Productions. I am just borrowing them for these stories. Original characters are owned by the author of this story.

Author's Note: I am willing to bet my car that most of you would look at the title of the chapter and say "Okay. The Search For Tomorrow… catchy." but not know what it means. The Search For Tomorrow was an American soap opera that ran from 1951 to 1986, first on CBS then on NBC. I chose that title for one simple reason. Aren't we all living today, searching for tomorrow?

REQUITED

Chapter 12

The Search For Tomorrow

Saturday, April 15, 2017 – 6:30 p.m.

Main Ballroom – Tipton Hotel

Barbara and C.J.'s Reception

The pictures had been taken; the introductions had been made. The reception was well underway. It was a magical time for Barbara and C.J. It was a magical time for everyone. Not a single frown could be found inside the main ballroom of the Tipton. Love was in the air.

"Barbara Elizabeth Martin. How does that sound?" C.J. asked.

"Natural… and wonderful." Barbara answered. "This is so surreal."

"It is a wonderful day." C.J. said. "The only thing missing was… WOW!"

"What, baby?" Barbara asked.

"You only see ironic timing like this on TV and in the movies." C.J. said. "Look."

Barbara looked toward the back of the ballroom and saw what C.J. was talking about. Striding into the ballroom, dressed in a black, pinstripe suit was C.J and Cody's father, Kurt Martin.

"I'll be damned. I didn't think he'd show up." C.J. said. "Zack." C.J. tapped his arm to get his attention. "Check it out."

"Dad?" Zack said incredulously.

Several years earlier, C.J. and his father had a falling out over a lot of unresolved issues from C.J.'s youth, mainly the lack of time he spent with his sons. Kurt had kept in touch with Zack, but hadn't spoken to C.J. in close to three years. Kurt looked around before taking a seat in the back of the ballroom.

"Should I go say hello?" C.J. asked.

"You made the first move by inviting him. He made the next move by showing up." Zack said. "Ball's in your court now."

C.J. nodded, then stood up and stepped down off the dais. Before making his way back, he stopped by his mother's table. Carey was laughing and joking with Arwin and Esteban when C.J. stepped up.

"Oh! Sweetie! We were just talking about the time I was 'Plunger Girl' for the Maintenance Games…" Carey began cracking up. "I had… to carry that damned plunger around… looking like I was going… to the Ty-D-Bowl Ball!" Arwin and Esteban joined in the laughter. C.J. smiled.

"Mom." The seriousness of C.J.'s tone hushed Carey's laughter.

"What is it, Sweetie?" Carey's voice showed concern.

"Dad's here." C.J. said. "I'm gonna go say hello."

"You gonna be okay?"

"It's my wedding day. I'll be fine." C.J. said as he kissed his mother on the forehead and walked back to where his father was seated. Kurt stood up as his son approached the table.

"Congratulations, Son." Kurt said. "She's a beautiful bride." Kurt extended his hand.

"Thanks for coming." C.J. said as he shook his father's hand.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I missed a connecting flight in Baltimore."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you made it."

"Son, I want to apologize… for everything." Kurt said. "The same reason I lost your mother was the same reason I lost you. I was selfish, only thinking of myself. I'd like to think I've changed… grown up a little. I can't change what happened or give you back the time we lost… but I'm asking you to give me a chance. I missed my chance to be a father, but I would be honored if I can call you my friend."

C.J. dropped his head in thought. He then looked back at the dais and saw Barbara and Zack looking at him.

"Our children are going to need a grandfather in their lives. You think you can handle that?" C.J. said.

"Can they call me Uncle Kurt?"

"I was thinking 'Gramps' or 'Grandpapa' or 'Old Man'." C.J. joked. He then turned serious. "You didn't miss your chance to be a father. I just got married. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I still need you." C.J. stepped forward and wrapped his father up in a tight hug, which Kurt gladly returned. Up on the dais, Barbara brought her hands up to her mouth as her eyes watered. Zack smiled and nodded.

"Well… at least I can tell you what not to do." Kurt joked as they embraced.

C.J. laughed. "Come on up and say hello." Just as they were about to start up front, Kurt was tapped on the shoulder from behind. He turned to see Carey standing in front of him. She had walked up on them without notice. To his surprise she cupped his face with both hands and delivered a short but sweet kiss on the lips.

"What was that for?" Kurt asked.

"For coming through for our son on the most important day of his life." Carey said.

"Well you know… I'll be there for our grandkids birth, birthday parties, soccer games, proms…" Kurt rattled off. Carey playfully swatted at him.

"That's the only kiss you're getting out of me today so you better savor it." Carey said.

Kurt laughed and took Carey's right hand into both of his. "Right now, I think I'm gonna go say hello to Zack and my new daughter-in-law." Kurt said. "By the way Carey, you look good."

"Not so bad yourself. You should wear suits more often." Carey said before walking away.

"Oh yeah." Kurt said as he put his arm around his son as they began making their way up front. "I still got it."

London and Maddie looked around and took in all of the pomp and circumstance that was the wedding and reception. They were basking in the glow of the day, basking in the glow of their love and what was to be.

"So how long are you gonna be gone?" Maddie asked.

"Long enough to wrap up things in the Paris office – two, maybe three weeks." London answered.

"What am I going to do for three weeks without you?" Maddie said with a pout.

"Good point. Come with me." London said.

"What? Just pick up for three weeks and go to Paris?" Maddie asked. "I have a job… cases… Ray will never go for that."

London reached down to pickup her evening bag. She pulled out her purse and dialed.

"Hi Ray, It's London Tipton… Yes, we're at the wedding… She's beautiful… Look, I was hoping to have Maddie assist my legal team in Paris with some contract language. Normally, I would suggest faxing and conferencing the information but… Oh, really? (London laughed followed by a pause) Is that right? Okay. (London laughed again) I'll tell her. You too… Bye Bye."

"What did he say?" Maddie asked.

"He told me to tell you that he expects a full report when you get back and to take it easy on London, you don't have to make up for seven years all at once."

Maddie's mouth dropped open. "HE DID NOT SAY THAT!"

London chuckled. "Yes he did. Chloe told him about us. He said in the year that he's known you he hasn't seen you so relaxed and happy. He said work hard, but play hard too."

"So I guess I'm packing my bags?"

"You, my dear, are going to Paris!" London said.

Maddie started clapping and bouncing. "Yay me!"

Everyone on the dais shot a curious look at Maddie. Zack summed up everyone's thoughts in one sentence. "Oh great! Now there are two of them!"

Members of the bridal party mixed and mingled with the guests. At one point in the evening, London and Maddie made their way over to the table where Raven and Chelsea were sitting and talking to Miley Stewart.

"What are the three of you commiserating about?" Maddie asked.

"I was asking Raven if she would design my dress for the Country Music Awards and she said yes." Miley said.

"Hey, I designed a dress for Hannah Montana, so why not her alter ego?" Raven said.

"Do you miss Hannah?" London asked.

"Hannah will always be a part of me." Miley said. "But, I've started a new chapter in my life. What I don't miss are the wigs. Dang, were they itchy!"

"I didn't get to ask you Miles… how are your brother and father?" Maddie asked.

"Well… Jackson is my road manager. He's doing some logistics for a promotional tour I'm doing in a couple of weeks. I think he's in… Virginia right now." Miley said. "And my dad is at home in Malibu being… Dad."

"Miley was also telling us about a certain situation that the four of us are familiar with as well." Chelsea said. "You know the whole 'falling for the best friend' thing."

"Has the Tipton suddenly become the set of The L Word or something?" Raven asked.

"Well at least there are two straight women we know of." London said pointing to Max and Barbara. "Look at her… she looks so happy."

"I know. Reminds me of our wedding day, huh Rae?" Chelsea said.

"Mmm hmm." Raven responded with a smile and a sweet peck on the lips.

"Aww… aren't they sweet?" Maddie said.

"They are." Miley said.

"So Miles… you and Lily… what's the deal?" London said.

"That's just it. There is no deal. I want a deal but I don't know if she wants one." Miley said.

Raven offered a suggestion. "Miley. Let me pass along some advice that was given to me once…"

"THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL!" Chelsea, Maddie and London said in unison, remembering the advice that Eddie and Raven had given to them and mocking Raven's use of it again.

"Y'all act like I say that all the time." Raven said sheepishly, devolving into mumbling.

"You do, but it works." London said. "She just told me that this week and it got me Blondie here."

"Yeah." Maddie added. "Princess here didn't stand a chance once I saw what was in her heart."

"And of course Ms. Weeble Wobble over here used it on me." Chelsea said.

"I gotcha Weeble Wobble right here!" Raven joked. "Come here ya Red Dragon you!" Chelsea playfully hid behind London. "Talk to her. Tell her how you feel and lean on your friends for support."

"Hey ladies, you know what I'm thinking?" London asked with a mischievous eye.

"Road trip!" Maddie exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Raven bellowed. "A road trip to Malibu to help Miley get her woman!"

"That's So Raven." Chelsea deadpanned.

"What's with you and the 'That's So Raven' cracks?" Raven said with a raised voice. "You said that Wednesday when we got here, you said it just now. That's So Raven! That's So Raven! What's So Raven, huh? What's So Raven? What is so RAVEN, huh? What the fuck is so Raven about me, huh? What?"

Chelsea paused in horror for a second until she realized that Raven was paraphrasing a line from one of her favorite movies, Goodfellas. Chelsea, as she always did in these situations, answered with the next line from the movie.

"Get the fuck outta here! Raven!" Chelsea said. Raven cheered Chelsea's correct line. One by one, the other women recognized the reference and nodded smiling.

"I almost had her! Ya stutterin' prick ya!" Raven finished off the impromptu game of What's my Line with the line that followed Chelsea's. The other women laughed.

"You two are weird! And I love every weird bone in your bodies!" Maddie said. All of them began laughing. "Road trip it is! I've never been to Malibu."

"You mean you guys would come do that for me?" Miley asked.

"Sure we would. We've got the motive, means and opportunity. It's the perfect crime." London said. "We'll get together and hash out the details."

"So when are you leaving Miley?" Chelsea asked.

"Monday morning." Miley said.

"So are we!" Raven said.

"Us too!" Maddie said wagging her thumb back and forth between herself and London. "We should hang out tonight!"

"Wait! Where are you two going?" Raven asked.

"Maddie is flying with me to Paris while I pack up my office. I'm moving back to Boston." London said.

Chelsea and Raven squealed. "OH MY GOD! We are so happy for you! Now we'll get to hang out more often! Now you'll get to…"

"Most definitely!" Maddie said with a wicked grin.

"All of y'all are on the East Coast and I'll be stuck out in California." Miley said with a pout.

"Girl, please." Raven said. "Our parents still live in San Francisco…"

"And my step mom Brandi lives in L.A., so we'll visit a couple of times a year." London said.

"Since you're a country star, what you need to do is pack up Lily and your gee-tar and move to Nashville. Then we'll all be in the same time zone!" Maddie said.

"I might have to do that." Miley said with a chuckle.

"Well, let's meet up after the reception and we can figure out what we want to do." Raven said.

"Cool. I think we better get back up there." London said.

"You're right." Maddie said. "We'll talk to y'all later." London and Maddie stood up to go back up to the dais. "Oh! Let me use the little girls' room first."

"I'll walk with you." London said. They walked out of the ballroom and down the hall toward the restrooms. They walked past a short hallway when something London saw out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She looked down the hallway then ground to a stop. She began slapping Maddie on the arm with the back of her hand. "Maddie! Look!" She whisper-yelled.

"I have to go to the bathroom… He-llo!" Maddie said as she turned to see what London saw. "Is that Carey and Arwin…"

"Making out like there is no tomorrow!" London whispered. "Day-um!"

Just then, Marion came down the hall headed to the men's room when he saw London and Maddie stopped in the hallway.

"Well, hello ladies! And what are we looking at… OOH!" Moesby said upon seeing the make out session. The two heads in the middle of the hallway snapped around to see an audience of three staring at them. Carey let out a nervous giggle just before Moesby delivered his signature line. "Good luck with that!"

Moesby walked away followed by London and Maddie. As they stood in the hallway, Carey and Arwin heard, "WAY TO GO CAREY!" from around the corner. They both dropped their heads and let out an amused chuckle.

"I… Uh…" Carey started.

"Yeah." Arwin said.

"Look why don't we go back to the reception." Carey said. Arwin then reached in his pocket and handed Carey a room key card.

"Room 1479. I'll be there all evening. Use it if you want to. If not, then just call me in the morning." Arwin said. "Either way, breakfast is on me." Arwin then stepped to the side. "After you. I'm sure the kids are wondering where you are."

"Right." Carey said before stepping forward. Breakfast may be on you in the morning, but I'm gonna be on you tonight, buddy! Carey thought as she headed back to the ballroom.

As the reception wound down, London, Maddie, Raven, Chelsea and Miley met up and decided to just hang out in London's suite and talk. C.J. and Barbara were off on their weeklong honeymoon to Mazatlan, a wedding gift from Barbara's parents. Zack and Max went back to his place for the evening. And Carey took Arwin up on his offer of breakfast… the morning after.

Saturday, April 15, 2017 – 11:45 p.m.

Presidential Suite – Tipton Hotel

The five women changed and met up in London's suite. They were still hungry after the reception and ordered pizza. The order included Buffalo wings, celery and cheesy breadsticks with marinara sauce, just for Raven. They talked about everything from men and women to politics to sports and entertainment. The subject finally drifted to the past, present and future.

"You know, Random House called me the other day about writing a book." Miley said.

"Oh yeah?" Chelsea said.

"Yeah. An autobiography on life as Hannah Montana." Miley said.

"Are you gonna do it?" Maddie asked.

"I think so." Miley said. "There are a lot of lessons to be learned about the do's and don'ts of living life as a celebrity."

"Yeah, but Miles remember…" Raven said before starting to sing. "You get the limo out front…"

London chimed in. "Hottest styles, every shoe, every color…"

"I haven't sung this in years!" Miley said.

Maddie added this. "Yeah, when you're famous it can be kinda fun…"

Then came Chelsea's turn. "It's really you but no one ever discovers."

Miley decided to join the fun. "Who would of thought that a girl like me
Would double as a superstar…"

Everyone sang the chorus…

"YOU GET THE BEST… OF BOTH WORLDS… CHILLIN' OUT, TAKE IT SLOW… THEN YOU ROCK OUT THE SHOW! YOU GET THE BEST… OF BOTH WORLDS… MIX IT ALL TOGETHER AND YOU KNOW THAT IT'S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!"

"OH MY GOD! You guys are insane!" Miley said. All of them were laughing hysterically.

"So what are you gonna call your book?" Maddie said. "You got a title in mind?"

"Well… I was thinking about Hannah Montana: Revealed, The Best (and worst) Of Both Worlds and The Real Hannah Montana but they just don't… pop." Miley said.

"Well, let's see. Who was Hannah Montana?" Raven said.

"Limos, parties, the best food, fancy clothes…" Maddie said.

"Fancy hotels…" London said. "You know something… that's a pretty sweet life."

"I GOT IT!" Chelsea said.

Raven smirked. "This I've got to hear. She wanted to name our dog Stay. 'Come here, Stay! Come here, Stay!' I mean, poor dog would develop a complex!"

Chelsea stuck her tongue out at Raven. "Miley how about this? Are you ready?" Chelsea looked up and spread out her hands. "The That's So Sweet Life of Hannah Montana."

Miley thought about it for a minute. "Not bad. Not bad at all! Somebody could be looking at Hannah's life saying 'That's So Sweet!' But since I was always staying in hotels on tour, you could spell sweet like a hotel suite! Yeah!" Miley stood up. "The That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana!" She hugged Chelsea. "That is genius! Why didn't anybody ever think of that for a title?" Everyone in the room shrugged.

"You know I thought about writing a book too." London said. "Overcoming tragedy, rebuilding your life, becoming successful, finding true love."

"What would you call it?" Maddie asked.

"The Search For Tomorrow." London said.

"You mean like the soap opera my grandmother watched?" Raven said.

"Well that's where the name came from but I mean the idea behind it." London said. "We are all searching for the truth in our lives. We're looking for what's real, what's reliable, what's safe, what inspires us, what makes us who we are. And no matter how many answers we come up with today, we have that many more questions left unanswered."

"The Search… For Tomorrow." Miley said. "I get it."

"That is deep, London." Chelsea said. "I would so buy that book."

"Then you'll love the book I'm gonna write." Maddie said. "It's gonna be about me falling in love with London."

"That's sweet." Raven said. "What would you call it?"

Maddie smiled. "London's Britches Falling Down!" Chelsea, Miley and Raven fell out laughing.

"You know what?" London shot up out of her seat. "Come here, Blondie!" Maddie screamed and started running around the suite to the laughter of the other three. London was hot on her heels. "I'll show you britches coming down!" London screamed as she chased Maddie.

Maddie got to the room door and flung it open and took off down the hall. London gave chase and finally caught her near the elevator. Both of them were out of breath and laughing as London slipped her hands around Maddie's waist.

"Funny, Fitzpatrick. Very funny." London said with a smile.

"I love that smile." Maddie said. "I don't ever want to wake up without it again."

"If I get my way, you won't have to. And I ALWAYS get my way." London said.

"Once a princess, always a princess." Maddie said with a grin as their lips moved closer.

"And don't ever forget it." London said as their lips touched and then locked for a kiss. After breaking the kiss they both smiled. "Now let's get back to our guests."

They began walking toward the room. "My girlfriend, Madeline Fitzpatrick." London said.

"My girlfriend, London Tipton." Maddie said as they headed for the door.

"Unrequited love…PFFT!" London scoffed. "Whatever. Requited love is what we have."

Maddie began singing, taking license with Peaches and Herb's Reunited. "We're requited and it feels so good…" Then London joined her. "We're requited, cause we understood… there's one perfect fit… and Sugar, this one is it… we both are so excited… our love's requited… hey…hey." They both smiled and rubbed noses.

They stepped inside the threshold of the room door when London bellowed, "Now how are we gonna get Miley and Lily together?"

And cue the closing music…

Here I am in your life, Here you are in mine, Guess we have a suite life, most of the time. You and me, we've got the world to see, so come on down. Just me and you know what to do, so come on down. It's you and me, me and you; we've got the whole place to ourselves. You and me, we got it all for free, so come on down. This is the suite life. We've got a suite life.

Thank you for making my first Suite Life story a rousing success. At the time I am writing this, I have 100 reviews and still counting. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for each and every one of them. I will be back. You can count on it. But my first love calls… That's So Raven and in particular, Raven and Chelsea or Chrave. Thank you for accepting me into your fandom. I promise I will not be a stranger.

Now if you will excuse me, I hear my siren's call… If you can gaze into the future. (Future, future.) You might think life would be a breeze. (Life is a breeze.)…