Chapter 1

I own no characters except the ones I create.

It was the last weekend in June and the last weekend before the 4th of July. Cody and Bailey had decided after they had both been accepted to Yale that it would be a good idea to head to New Haven, Connecticut to see the campus. Both of their parents thought that this sounded like a good idea. However, Cody and Bailey had an extra reason to go. They wanted to scout out the housing market for students in New Haven.

So, with that, Cody and Bailey found themselves heading out of Boston on the interstate going west at 7:00 AM that Saturday morning. They were due to be on campus for a guided tour at 10:00 AM. After mapping their journey, they realized it should take them a little over two hours to get there. But this was Cody and Bailey we're talking about. They built in extra time so that they would have plenty of time to get there.

As they drove, both had a lot on their minds. Bailey still wanted to find a time to talk to Cody about what she was feeling lately. She had started to and stopped herself at least a dozen times so far. Something always held her back though, and she didn't know what it was. She knew Cody loved her and she knew she loved Cody, so why was she so afraid to talk to him about this? Hadn't she told Woody that she knew she could talk to Cody about anything? She knew she could. She was going to. Before they headed back to Boston, she vowed she would sit Cody down and talk to him.

Cody, on the other hand, had tried to lock away the same topic the was on Bailey's mind. He had to put it out of his mind. Nothing was worth risking his relationship with Bailey over. So, Cody forced himself to think of other things. Like figuring out a potential budget for them based on their living stipends. As he drove, he ran the numbers in his mind, and what he discovered, he didn't like very much. Just paying the bare basic utilities of power, water, cell phones and wireless internet and figuring modest amounts for food and other supplies, the amount that were looking at for rent was only going to be about $600 a month. He had looked on line at places in New Haven, and based on that, he knew their options would be grim. But, Cody was determined. After having lived with Zack for fifteen years and Woody for the past two, Cody was going to find a way to have Bailey as his next roommate.

The car pulled into the parking lot of the student center right at 9:30 AM. They got out and made their way into the building. Having a little free time to waste, they head into the bookstore and just let themselves wander around for a little while. Before long, its almost ten and Cody and Bailey headed back out to meet their tour guide. For the next six hours, they get shown everything there was to see on campus including getting to sit in on some summer classes. And the whole time they explored campus, they did so hand in hand. Finally at about 4:00 PM, they returned back to the student center. As the tour had lasted a little longer that they had thought it would, they didn't have much time to look at the apartments they were going to, so they decided to do so in the morning before they headed back to Boston.

So, instead, they headed to a juice bar close to campus. It wasn't the Easy Squeezie, but it seemed nice enough. The each got themselves a drink and sat down to relax. The walking for six hours had really taken a lot of them. As they sat there, they just talked and laughed about everything they had seen that day. And unbeknownst to them, someone was observing them.

JoAnne Thomas had spent a lot of time in this juice bar. She had liven in New Haven for over forty years years. She had been a former professor at Yale and her husband still was one. Jo Thomas decided her time was better spent now being a full time grandmother. She was used to seeing young people around all the time...they were on a college campus after all. However, she couldn't help but watch Cody and Bailey. She just watched how they interacted with each other and could easily tell they were in love. It always warmed her heart to see young love, but this time it was different. For some reason, they reminded her so much of her and her husband when they went through school there. And if that wasn't enough, she noticed the embroidering on the young man's polo shirt...Seven Seas High. She shook her head. What were the odds of that? She decided to get up and go talk them. She walked up to Cody and Bailey and paused to interrupt them.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but I just had to ask the two of you something."

Cody and Bailey turn to the woman before them. Bailey nods. "Sure, what can we help you with?"

"I happened to notice his shirt says Seven Seas High...Is that the same one that is on board the S.S. Tipton?"

Cody nods. "Yes, ma'am it is. We both just finished our junior years there."

Jo smiled. "Then you probably know my niece, Emma...She's a teacher there."

Bailey looked surprised. "Miss Tutweiler?"

Jo nods. "That's her."

Cody continues. "Yes, we know her. She's taught several of our classes. She...ummm...has her own distinctive style..."

Jo laughs. "Let me guess...She can't help but talk about her lack of a personal life?"

Bailey laughs. "Yeah, that's Miss Tutweiler."

Jo shakes her head. "I'm always telling my sister to let up on her, but I'm guessing she doesn't listen."

Cody nods. "We've heard those stories as well..."

Jo sighs. "Oh well...I'm Jo Thomas by the way."

"I'm Bailey Pickett, and this is my boyfriend, Cody Martin."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thomas."

"Likewise. I could definitely tell you two were very close. So, if you two just finished your junior years of high school, what brings you to New Haven?"

"We've both already been accepted to Yale with full scholarships. We wanted to come and see the campus and get a feel for it."

Cody continues. "And we were hoping to have a chance to check out some apartments, but our tour ran a little long. So, we are going to have to wait until tomorrow to do that."

Jo raises her eyebrow. "An apartment together?"

Cody nods. "Yes, ma'am. Bailey and I are in love. We want to be able live together in college."

Jo smiles. "That's nice. It will be good to see more young love around here. To be honest, some students around here take themselves too seriously just because they're at Yale."

Bailey smiles. "That's one of the reasons we want to live together, so we can help keep the other grounded in reality."

"I can appreciate that. You know, I have to admit...you two remind me a lot of my husband and I when we were here. We both helped keep the other from getting a big head. Probably why where were able to survive it. So, where are you both from?"

"I'm from Boston and Bailey is from Kettlecorn, Kansas."

Jo smiles. "I should have known. I was from Hartford and my husband is from a small town on the Kansas and Missouri border. Well, I'll let you two know. Midwesterners and New Englanders can make great couples."

Bailey grabs Cody's hand and smiles. "We know. Of course, we both had to go to school on a cruise ship to find each other."

Jo smiles. "Just remember, the important thing is that you did. Now, you mentioned something about looking for an apartment for next year. I think I may have a solution for you..."

Cody is curious. "Yeah?"

"Yes, years ago, my husband and I sold our big house once our children were out on their own. We ended up buying a duplex that we rent out the other half to students we choose. Our current tenants are going into their final year. It would be available when you due to start here if you are interested in looking at it."

Cody looks to Bailey and then back to Jo. "Sure, we'd love to take a look at it. Are you sure the current occupants won't mind?"

"Not at all, they're actually both gone this weekend and I'm watering their plants for them. I'd be happy to show it to you right now if you like."

Bailey smiles. "What are we waiting on then?"

Cody and Bailey follow Mrs. Thomas about two blocks away to a very nice looking duplex. Both Cody and Bailey are very impressed by its exterior and are curious to see the interior. Jo unlocks the door and leads them inside. Cody and Bailey walk in and look around in awe. This place would absolutely be perfect they both think. It has two bedrooms, but the current occupants have used the second one as a home office/library. It has one and a half bathrooms. There is a very nice bathroom located between the two bedrooms with both a shower and a tub. It also has a his and her sink. The half bath is located between the kitchen/dining room area and the den. And the kitchen...Cody was taken with it. It had state of the art appliances, and he knew he could have some fun in there. And there was a nook along side the kitchen that just the right size for a table and chairs. The den was cozy and the current occupants had a couch, a love seat, a coffee table and a television.

Cody and Bailey knew this would be perfect. Not only was it just the right size for what they needed, but it was so close to campus. However, after thinking about it more, a frown came to Cody's face.

Jo noticed this. "Do you not like it?"

Cody shakes his head. "Oh no, I think its perfect. I just don't see how we can possibly afford this. It has everything we would need and is so close to campus. You could probably at least get twice what we could pay you."

Jo smiles. "You might be surprised. Like I said, my husband and I were students here once upon a time ourselves. We know what it was like to be a young couple in love here. That's the only people we rent too. You two caught my eye as the kind of people we look for. I think if you are willing, we can work something out."

Bailey smiles. "Really?"

Jo nods. "How does $400 a month sound? That would include water and electricity..."

Cody is shocked. "$400 a month?" He pauses. "Mrs. Thomas, would you mind if Bailey and I have a moment to talk about this?"

"Take your time, I need to water the plants anyways." With that, she heads to the kitchen to get the decanter and fill it with water.

Cody turns to Bailey. "This is unbelievable!"

Bailey gushes. "I know..."

"I was figuring we were only going to have about $600 a month to spend plus more for utilities. And this place is absolutely perfect. What do you think?"

"I agree. I can see it now. That would be our bedroom. We would use that one as a home office like they have. The bathroom is perfect..."

Cody smiles. "And that kitchen..."

Bailey just smiles and shakes her head. "Of course..."

"And did you notice what was off of the kitchen?"

"What?"

"A laundry room. We wouldn't have to find a laundromat..."

"Cody, I love this place...I want it."

"So do I...But do we dare go ahead and take it without talking to our parents first?"

Bailey sighs. "You're right. Maybe we can talk to Mrs. Thomas about that?"

Cody nods. "Good idea..."

Mrs. Thomas comes back into the room. "So, what do you think?"

Bailey smiles. "We love it and we would love nothing more than to call this our home here in New Haven..."

"But?"

Cody sighs. "We're afraid of saying yes without knowing whether or not our parents will agree to it. I know by the time we will be here, we'll both be 18, but we want them to support our decisions."

Jo smiles. "I completely understand. When might you know?"

Cody thinks. "Well, if you don't mind, I can take a video of it with my cell phone so we can show it to our parents. I think we can give you an answer by the end of the summer if that's okay...If you want to call your niece, I think she will vouch for us..."

"That will be just fine. I really hope it works out. You two seem just like type of people we want here, so I know we'll be able to work something out."

And with that Cody and Bailey go through the duplex again, this time capturing it on Cody's cell phone. Once they are done, they exchange numbers with Jo and promise to be in touch with her as soon as they can.

Cody and Bailey walk back to the car, both feeling on cloud nine. If their parents agree with them, they have another huge step in their future together already taken care of. Cody looks at his watch and finds its already 7:00 PM. Its time to show Bailey the surprise he had for her. Cody double checked the address he needed and began to drive closer to the shore. By now, Bailey knew something was up. She turned to Cody and asked where they were going. Cody just smiled and said she would soon see. Bailey just smiled. She knew Cody loved surprises for her.

Before long, Bailey sees Cody turn into the parking lot of a beautiful bed and breakfast right on the ocean. She turns to Cody and sees him smiling. She just shook her head again. Did he have any idea just how much she loved him. Cody parks the car and grabs both of their overnight bags. He and Bailey head inside and get the key to their room. Heading up to their room, they find a quaint yet beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the ocean. Cody turns to Bailey.

"I hope the lady is pleased..."

Bailey laughs. "She is..."

Cody smiles. "So, how does a walk on the beach sound? We can watch the sunset..."

Bailey smiles. "Perfect..." And to herself, she knew this was the opportunity she had been looking for. Before they returned back to the room, she was going to have the talk she needed with Cody.

To be Continued...