Chapter 4

Two years later they were still dating, still going to college. "Hey, Tana!" Alex said happily, ignoring Justin and giving Tana a hug. "I'm so glad you decided to stay with us during your summer break."

"It's not a break for her, she's still taking online classes," Justin said.

"Just a few to keep me ahead," Tana said.

"What about you, Justin? You taking extra classes?" Jerry asked.

"Nope, this summer is a break from college. But I will be studying something. I have to be my best for the competition," Justin said, eyeing Alex.

"Hey, we've made it a long way without things getting nasty," Jerry said. "I want to keep my family together."

Tana understood that the wizard competition often caused sibling rivalry, all of them wanting the power but only one keeping it. She didn't care one way or another. Justin didn't use magic often, and she actually liked it that way. Made things seem normal. She didn't mind when he did use it, he had made some boring nights very memorable and romantic with it. With Max reaching his eighteenth birthday the competition would happen at the end of the summer, and soon it will be over.

The summer was great. Tana felt like a member of the family. Pitching in at the sandwich shop, going out with Alex and her friend Harper, late night talks with Theresa.

"I think how you are handling this wizard stuff is great," Theresa said. "I've always been a bit against it."

Tana shrugged, "Its part of who Justin is. I guess…getting to know him beforehand helped. He isn't a wizard to me, he's just Justin. He's…quirky and nerdy and so much like me. Your son is great."

Theresa nodded, then frowned, "I'll just be glad when the competition is over. All three of them really want it. I'm afraid what will happen if Justin gets it, you know?"

Tana frowned a bit herself, "Justin seems really confident. I don't know myself, but he wants it. He's been studying and practicing really hard. I guess…I just have to wish him the best."

Theresa looked at Tana with wide eyes, "Wizards can't be with mortals, dear. It's not allowed."

Tana looked down, that had never been mentioned to her before. "Oh, yeah…well, we'll see what happens."

There were still a few weeks to go, but Tana didn't ask Justin or Alex to confirm what Theresa had said. Justin could tell that Tana was a bit down, and tried to lift her spirits. She said it was just concern over her grades, that she was unsure about one of her classes.

"Today is the day," Justin said. "I'm so nervous."

She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Good luck. You've been practicing so hard…I know how bad you want it."

"I know! This is going to be great. I wish you could watch!"

"I'll be waiting here to find out how it went. You can give me the play-by-play when you get back."

"I love you," he said, smiling wide.

"Love you, too," she said with sad enthusiasm.

Tana was there when they came back, Justin had beat Alex and Max. The siblings hugged and congratulated Justin on winning and each other on a good competition. Some hurt feelings for Max and Alex, but they accepted Justin was the better wizard.

"Tana, I did it!" he said, hugging her.

She nodded, "Yeah, you did. It's what you wanted, right?"

"Yeah! Since I knew I was a wizard!"

"Justin…" Jerry said quietly. "You are a full wizard now. Tana is a mortal."

Justin's face fell, "That shouldn't matter."

Tana slipped from his arms and left the lair, going upstairs to sit in the kitchen.

"Seriously, you didn't think about this?" Alex asked him.

"Rules can be changed," Justin countered. "Tana has known for years, she is fine with it…"

"Wizards can't be with mortals," Jerry said firmly. "It's just how it is, Justin. You have to make a choice. Either keep the power, or be with Tana."

"Hey, sweetie," Theresa said, putting a hand on Tana's shoulder.

"Hey…I, uh…I guess I should be leaving, soon," Tana muttered.

"Why?" Theresa asked. "Because Justin won?"

"Yeah. He…he never even told me that," she said angrily. "I'm happy for him, it's what he wanted. Wanted longer than he even knew me. Just…if I had known, maybe I…I don't know."

"Justin loves you, sweetie. We all do. He has a bit of an old romantic in him, though, just like Jerry," Theresa said with a smile. "I hope he makes the right choice."

"What choice?" Tana asked.

"Mom?" Justin said, walking in. "Can we have some privacy."

"Sure," Theresa said. "I better go check on Alex and Max. I'll talk to you later, Tana."

Justin sat across from Tana, taking her hand, "I'm sorry…I wasn't thinking very clearly. Caught up in the competition. This is what was bothering you, wasn't it? That…if I won, we couldn't be together."

"Yeah, it bothered me," she said. "I'm not upset, Justin. I know you want it. I am happy for you. Just…sad for myself."

"I wish you would be mad at me. I'm mad at myself," he said. "My dad originally won the competition against his siblings. But he loved my mom, so he gave away his powers so he could be with her. When I learned about that, I didn't understand it. I love magic, I love my powers."

"I know," she said, giving him a small smile.

"But I love you, too. If I have to chose between magic and you, I choose you. I gave my power to Alex."

"But…"

"I don't need magic," he said. "It was fun. I was good at it. But I'm good at a lot of things. I can find new hobbies…but I can't find another girl like you."

Fifteen years later

Tana picked up her cell phone, her face tense as she dialed the number. "Alex! Thank god you picked up. You were the only one I could think of calling."

"Oh, that doesn't sound good. What's wrong?"

"Your nephew is developing his powers. Justin is on his way but it's an hour commute…"

"Oh! This is so awesome. I'll be right over." Alex appeared in the kitchen, "Sorry it took so long. Had to change my clothes. Where is Justin Junior?"

"Mommy! Justin is chasing me!" Tana's daughter, Alexandra, squealed, running and jumping into Tana's arms.

"So cute," Alex said, taking her niece from Tana's arms and giving her a hug. "Who are you calling now?"

Tana let out a breath and started dialing on her phone again. "Your mother. I need to know how she dealt with this."

Alex laughed, "Well, at least it's only two kids."

Tana looked away, "Um…yeah, yeah, that's true."

Alex narrowed her eyes on her sister-in-law, "Oh! You and my brother…ugh! Like rabbits, my god!"