Title: Nothing Gold Can Stay
Author Name: TrueLoveFan
Rating: PG-13
Warnings for: None (for this chapter)
Notes:
- The title "Nothing Gold Can Stay" comes from the poem by Robert Frost.
Disclaimer:
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of TrueLoveFan. TrueLoveFan is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Theresa was scrubbing the counter down with a sponge while Max and Marie washed the dishes. Though it would appear that Max and Marie were getting more soaked then the dishes. She shooed the two from the kitchen playfully and they disappeared into the lair. Theresa just hoped that they two didn't create as much chaos in there as they had out in the kitchen. The mother of two was a little tentative about her plan. The Russo's had taken up so much of the council time already; it didn't seem like a great idea to ask another favor of the great beings. Marie was being neglected though she couldn't just let that go. That little girl was just too wonderful. Theresa sighed, fed up with the war going on in her mind, and sat down at one of the tables to just not think for awhile.
"Max?" Marie asked slowly as she stared up at the swirls of dancing colors on the ceiling. Max had taught her many spells in her hours with the Russo and this was by far her favorite. It was so pretty!
"Yeah, 'Rie?" Max replied as he flopped down next to her on the red plush couch. He'd used so much of his magic tonight, teaching Marie his favorite spells, that he was just exhausted. He could barely keep his eyes open, but he didn't regret his decision to educate her in some magic. She told him that her father never taught any of his children a single spell; that "their magic needed no lessons" because they were full blood wizards. Mad had rolled his eyes and proceeded to teach the six-year-old every spell he thought she would like and/or could handle. It turns out Marie is a very fast learner. He'd even go so far as to say that she learned faster then Justin.
"I told them Justin and I were going out for dinner to celebrate my A on an English quiz." Max nodded, but he didn't exactly see where this was going. "We should've been home hours ago." She paused and then continued; her voice low and frightened. "They are going to be so mad!" She whispered and leaned toward him for a hug which he promptly pulled her into.
"We could take you home if you want." Max offered all the while wishing she'd say no. The very few tales of home she'd told made Max realize how good he actually had it. He didn't want to give the sweet little girl back to those horrible. They were her parents though. There was nothing to be done. She'd have to go back eventually, Justin too. That thought made him shiver in disgust and despair.
"No!" She shouted and then calmed a little. "I mean…I can't arrive home without Justin and he has to say in contact with Alex for twenty four hours." Max heard the statement underneath that despite her attempts to hide. She was afraid of what her family would do if the Russo clan showed up at their home. She raised Max's wand, because she didn't have one of her own, and made a twisty motion once with her wrist effectively changing the swirling colors into different colored stars with ease. He shot her a smile for the completion of the spell.
"Alright then. We'll just deal with that when it comes to it. Okay?" He could tell his answer didn't really satisfy her fears but she nodded anyway willing to get on this thought train with him. She yawned and he soon followed. He rolled his dramatically at being a statistic in the yawing-is-contagious game. She giggled at his over dramatic eye and the youngest two in the building stood.
"Ready for bed, miss?" He asked sticking his arm out gallantly for her to take. She giggled again; nodded, and took his arm. "I think you'll be staying in Justin's old room tonight." Marie's smile got bigger as she took in this fact. She'd get to stay in the room Justin had called his own in a house he still called home.
Marie yawned as Max and Theresa pulled the red plaid comforter up to the six-year-olds chin. Theresa gave her a small watery smile and brushed a stray lock of hair from the tiny face. Max handed her a teddy bear and Theresa gave him a confused, yet happy look. With that Max left being sure to ruffle the weary child's hair first. Theresa gazed down at Justin's little sister and sat down on the unoccupied side of the bed.
"Would you like me to tell you a story?" Marie sat up a little straighter and nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, please. Very much." Theresa smiled and snuggled into the bed a little bit.
"What story would like to hear?"Marie tilted her head in confusion. There was more than one?
"I've only heard one story. My mother read it to me the night they brought Justin home." She looked down at her hands and whispered quietly. "I think she did it so Justin would believe our family was normal. It didn't last long." Theresa put an arm around the little girl close.
"All right. How about the story of Sleeping Beauty? It's Alex favorite." Maria nodded and Theresa began telling the tale of the beautiful princess who was placed in a eternal sleep, which Marie pointed out was an awful lot Alex at the moment, by an evil witch and awoken by the kiss of her one true love.
At the end of the story Marie jumped up from the bed and ran into Alex's room. She giggled in excitement at the sight that greeted her. Alex was cuddled up into Justin's chest and Justin was wrapped around Alex as if protecting her. His arms were wrapped her waist and his legs were intertwined with hers. Even at six years old Marie knew that the two of them were adorable together. Shaking off the giggles, Marie walked over to Justin's side of the bed and shook him awake eagerly, ignoring Theresa's commands not to wake him completely.
"Justin!" She urged quietly. "You to kiss Alex! It will wake her up!" Justin turned his head so he could see his little sister out of the corner of his eye. She was serious! He opened his mouth to respond, but Theresa intercepted it.
"Sorry. I told her the story of Sleeping Beauty." Justin smiled understanding dawning in his eyes. "Come on, Marie; let's get you back to bed." Theresa grasped Marie's smaller one in her own and began pulling her out of Alex's bedroom. Marie dragged her feet, hoping to stall her inevitable departure from the room.
"But…but…I want to see Justin kiss Alex and make her wake up." Marie whined tears forming in her eyes as she attempted to tug herself free of Theresa's grip.
"I promise by tomorrow Alex will be awake and well again, Marie. Then you'll get meet her for the first time." Justin whispered over Alex's head. Marie nodded wiping her eyes to get rid of her tears and followed Theresa out of the room.
Justin watched them leave blushing at the mere thought of being the Prince Charming in Alex's fairytale. Was it a wonderful scenario? Yes. But it wasn't the truth. The princess in the fairytale loved Prince Charming and Alex didn't love him. She wouldn't wake if he kissed her. He sighed and rested his head on top of hers again unmindful of the single tear that slid down his face.
A/N: I am SO sorry this took so long to get to you, but I switch fandoms every other week and it's so hard for me to write this when my mind isn't in this show. You know?