Chapter 8: it's over


She woke up in the morning, still wrapped in his strong arms, pressed against his body. The storm had cleared away, giving way to the sunny sky of Florida. Leaning her head against his chest, she let out a soft sigh of relief. She had tried so hard for so long to stay away from him. Every time something went wrong, every time she broke down, she just wanted to reach out for her phone, call him and ask him to fix her messes. She kept telling herself that she was stronger than that, kept reminding herself that should could take care of herself, she didn't need him. And now it was proved that she was wrong- and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Morning." He mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

She gasped, looking up at him in surprise. "You're awake? Didn't you sleep?"

He shrugged, smiling. He hadn't slept better in the last few years, but he woke up early when he inhaled the sweet scent of her silky hair falling on his face. Staying awake and watching her sleep peacefully was so much better!

She smiled back at him, nodding in silent understanding. She had finally figured out what she wanted, and now there was no way she was letting it go away again.

"I need to get back to Wiztech." He said sadly, sitting up and pulling back the covers. His face turned resolute after that, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm going to resign."

She looked at him incredulously, shocked beyond words at this sudden unexpected decision. "Why are you going to resign?"

His eyes softened, a smile tugging at his lips, bordering on a bright grin. "Because I want to stay with you… Plus, that's the place that started all this trouble. Better cut off the problem from the root."

She blinked, unsure if she was capable of forming words and speaking at that moment. He was giving up everything to be with her. This was not what she wanted, but maybe it was better this way. She wrapped him into a hug, wordlessly letting him know that she supported his decision.

They were together. Alongside each other. What could possibly go wrong?


3 years, 7 days before the present

"Dad's fine now. I think I can come back home in 7 more days." He assured on the phone from his Russo home at Waverly Place.

"Justin…I need to tell you something…" she trailed off on the phone, fidgeting with their photo frame in her hands. Sometimes she wondered why happiness never lasted in their lives. Maybe it was their punishment for falling in love with each other?

"Yeah?" he started feeling uneasy at the tone of her voice, the uncertainty in her words, the breathy pauses between her words. Was everything alright?

She took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and stop freaking out about his reaction. This was important, and he had every right to know. "I'mpregnant." She blurted out in one breath.

"What?" he jumped up in surprise. Suddenly his life was taking a turn to become a bad teenage movie. They had let their guards down, and now the unthinkable had happened. "Well…" he breathed, trying to recompose himself. He had made a mistake, he had screwed up, but now he was going to take responsibility for this. "That's not a… bad thing. I mean, it's our child…"

"Justin!" she snapped, furious. "Don't you understand the risk and danger?"

"Yes I do!" he snapped back. "But what else can we do?"

She inhaled sharply, pursing her lips tightly to fight back the lump rising in her throat. "I am getting an abortion!"

"What!" he jumped up again, unable to believe his ears. "Alex! You can't kill off our child!" he yelled, his voice threatening, eyes shining with livid tears.

"Yes, I Can!" she yelled back stubbornly. "And I will!" before he could argue any more, she hung up.


He sank to the chair, wiping sweat from his forehead, drinking water, and burying his face in his hands, letting the helpless tears flow. She had taken her decision, without even consulting him? How could she be so heartless? How could she think about killing off her own child?

He trembled at the thought, determined to change it and save his child, no matter what it took. He sat down with his magic note pad, ready to write down a letter and magic it to her, not in the mood to deal with her on the phone or in person.

"This is not right Alex. This is totally unfair. You took the decision without even asking me! Why did you do this? Look at what you did! You searched for every single emotion in every corner of my heart, found them, and killed them all, brutally, ruthlessly. Like the massive holocaust… I can't feel anything anymore, Alex. Nothing at all…You can't do this! You can't! Please!"


3 years before the present

He had sent the letter to her, and had been waiting for her answer rather anxiously. He packed his bags, ready to go home, talk to her face to face and convince her not to make this horrible mistake that they'd both regret all their lives. Two wrongs don't make a right, after all.

She finally called on the day he was supposed to leave for home.

"What did you decide?" he asked as soon as he answered the call.

She sniffled, wiping away her tears. "Justin, I'm sorry…"

"Shhh…." He tried to comfort her. "It's alright. I'm with you. We'll make it, I promise."

"Justin…" she shook her head vigorously, sobbing. "I already did it… I'm sorry… please don't hate me!... Justin? Justin?"

The world around him did a whirl. What did she just say? Did she just tell him she had killed their unborn child? His mind filled with regret and guilt, painting images of what could have been- a happy life with his child and his love- and what it would be instead.

I couldn't save my child…

It's over…

I'm useless…

She killed it…

She destroyed it…

It's over…

It's over…

It's over….

His heart throbbed in his chest, twisting and churning in pain and defeat. He tried to cry, but tears didn't come to his eyes. He tried to scream, but his lips wouldn't part. He tried to move, but his legs wouldn't obey. The cell phone fell from his grasp, his hands dropping limp by his side. His eyes drifted shut, his world fading into complete darkness.

And that is how he evaporated into his lifeless, emotionless, numb state.


(A/N: sorry it took so long. Send me your thoughts and reviews. Love you. Ready for the mystery to begin?)