"So wait a minute," Mumbled Jerry through his mouth full of food, "she did what?"
"She bit another kid!" Explained Alex angrily, "you should have seen the pictures Dad, it looked a mess! So gross…" She grimaced pushing her food around her bowl staring down at it unappetising.
"I really don't know how she managed to do it," Mason intervened as he tried to feed Neave another spoonful of her dinner whilst she sat strapped in to her pink fluorescent high chair.
She dramatically swung her head from side to side squeezing her eyes tightly shut as she whined loudly. "No ah-dah, no! No!"
"Oh come on Neavie, your Nanna's cooking isn't that bad!" Joked Jerry chuckling to himself, but he was quickly silence when Theresa shot a deadly glare at him from cross the dining table.
"Very funny Jerry," she snarled, "Max! Come down, your dinners getting cold!"
"I'm coming!" Max moaned as he ran down the spiral stairs. As he approached the table he took notice of Neave who was still protesting against Mason and refusing to eat her dinner. "'Sup scout?" He asked patting her on top of her head as he made his way to his seat.
"I really wish I knew," Mason groaned. Carefully, he guided the small spoon towards Neave mouth only for her to clamp it shut and turn her head away from him, "come on darling just one spoonful for Daddy?"
"No ah-dah, no! No!" She cried pushing the spoon away whilst batting her hands in Mason's face.
"Is this normal?" He asked turning to Theresa and Jerry, "she hasn't eaten properly for days."
Theresa nodded, "yeah totally normal! If you think Neave is being bad you should hve seen these two!" She pointed her long manicured finger, referring to Max and Alex.
"Even the biting?"
Theresa and Jerry both laughed loudly, "are you kidding?" Squealed Theresa, "you should have seen what she use to do to poor Justin! Believe me if he wasn't working tonight he'd have some tales to tell you!"
"Yeah don't worry about it," said Jerry pushing away his empty bowl, "she's just starting her terrible twos a year early- just like her mom!"
Mason turned to Alex and groaned, "we're screwed…"
"Oh come on it's not that bad," Jerry reassured them rising from his seat an walking over to Mason, "wait until she's eighteen and she gets pregnant, then you'll be screwed… now why doesn't Grandpa take Neavie over to watch some TV while Daddy eats his dinner, huh?"
Jerry lifted Neave up from her seat and cuddled her into his neck as he carried her over to the lounge area. She rested her head on to his shoulder and began to rub her weary eyes, she continued to let out small whimpers from her pursed lips which Jerry attempted to soothe her as he rubbed Neave's back and gave her soft kisses on to her cheek.
Mason gave a sigh in relief, "thank you!"
"Now Neavie, what should we watch?" Jerry asked as he and Neave nestled into the snug couch, "The Gurgles?"
"Guggles," Neave whimpered in to Jerry's shoulder tearily.
Jerry continued to flick through the TV channels, squinting as he focused on reading the small text on the wide screen opposite the couch where they sat. "Or we could go online and watch Baby Shark?"
"NO!" screamed Alex, Mason and Theresa in unison.
"Man, I love that song!" Max exclaimed before shovelling a large spoonful of the thick stew in to his mouth.
"Gurgles it is then," Jerry muttered to Neave whilst pressing the play button on the control. The TV began to blare out loud energetic music and high pitched voices as Jerry watched the coloured talking shapes jump around and dance across his television screen. He scowled as the shapes all cackled together as they began to count each other and announce their colours and names.
"I am one yellow triangle!" The Gurgle announced, "there is only one of me and only three of my friends! But that makes four of us!"
"Yay!" They all cheered in unison.
"Oh brother," groaned Jerry as he quickly started to regret his decision. He then glanced down at Neave who had buried her face in to his firm shoulder. She aggressively pounded her tightly clenched fists against her head, taking a break every now and then to violently rub her eyes. Feeling suspicious of Neave's behaviour, Jerry softly placed his hand on to her forehead only to instantly feel the searing heat radiate from her pale skin.
"Hey?" He began stroking Neave's head softly, "Theresa, do we still have that thermometer? She feels kinda hot."
"Yeah, it's upstairs in the bathroom cabinet. Want me go get it?"
"No you stay there and finish your dinner," he told her as he gently placed Neave on the couch, "I'll go. Be back in a minute okay sweetie?"
"No," she jumped off of the couch and trotted after him, waggling her arms as she chased him towards the stairs. "No Gaga!"
"Neavie I'll be one minute," Jerry reassured her, picking her up in his bulky arms and giving her another hug.
Suddenly Neave clung on to Jerry tightly as nausea begqn to claw at her throat. She tried to force down the bile, but it was too late. Chunks of partially digested food spewed out of her coughing, choking mouth. Her stomach kept on contracting violently and forcing everything up and out. Her face was white and dripping bile, sweat, and tears. She lurched forward over her grandpa's arms as he quickly spun her around to avoid being covered in her vomit. The pungent stench invaded their nostrils and Neave continued to heave even though there was nothing left to go.
Everyone rapidly rose from the table and quickly rushed to the aid of Jerry and Neave. Jerry grimaced to himself as he stared at the thick seeping pile of repulsing vomit that was splattered down his grey pants, leather shoes and across the wooden floor.
"Eww! Eww! Its on me! It's on me!" He squealed in panic, holding Neave out at arm's length in an attempt to avoid any more mess finding its way on to his outfit.
Whilst being held mid way in the air Neave began to kick out her legs violently as her body shuddered and she let out a tremendous cry. She sobbed uncontrollably and reached her small fragile arms out to her mom, but Alex stood frozen to the spot unsure of what to do to help her. She remained in the same spot while she watched Mason scurry over to Neave and scoop her in to his arms with what seemed to be one quick movement. Ignoring any of the vomit that was being squished in to his clothing Mason hugged Neave tightly, trying desperately to soothe her as she blubbered hysterically in to his shoulder.
"Alex!" Yelped Theresa as Alex was quickly ripped out of her trance. "Are you going to help?"
"I don't know what to do!" She stammered, "it's just so gross, I mean… it's everywhere!"
"Unfortunately Alex this is just one of the many perks of parenting," Theresa said mockingly whilst rolling her eyes. "Now help her!"
Alex nodded as she hesitantly pulled her wand from her boot and stared at the chaos unfolding in front of her very eyes. She paused in thought as she highered her wand in to the air before moving it around in one smooth motion.
"Clean it up, wash it, scrub it down, oh no!"
In a quick puff of smoke all the mess surrounding them disappeared in to thin air and Jerry, Mason and Neave all recieved a brand new change of clothes which swiftly emerged from their dirt ridden clothes, causing the splodges of thick vomit to vanish. Everyone turned and stared at Alex as she looked at the scene wth a smug smile lurching it's way across her face. Alex's face soon changed though when she turned to see her mother glaring at her with her hands placed firmly on her hips. Alex tilted her head and glanced around the room nervously. She then gave a weak smile and sheepishly waved her hands around.
"Ta da!"
"Alex!" Groaned Theresa, "when I said 'help' I didn't mean with magic! When will you ever learn?"
"I don't see what the problem is? The pukes gone, everybody is cleaned up-"
"Yeah but Alex your not setting a good example for Neave!" Jerry interrupted as he approached Alex with his arm crossed firmly across his chest. "You need to teach her to do things for herself without turning to magic whenever you feel like it."
"Dad she's one years old, what difference does it make"
"Well did we ever let you use magic? Or Justin or Max?"
"She doesn't even have any magic yet!"
"So! Alex, that's not the point I'm trying to make. When Neave eventually gets her powers she's going to need to see that they aren't everything. What if you and Mason have more kids and Neave loses her powers to them in the wizard competition? She needs to see that you can live life without magic and she can only do that if she sees you and Mason living normally and not by using your powers for everything."
"When you put it like that…" Alex huffed in annoyance, "fine! I'll try and cut down on using magic around the baby."
"Speaking of the baby," began Mason over Neave's shrieking cries, "I'm gonna go put her down for a nap, it might help her feel better."
"I'll do it," Alex announced as she prised a hysterical Neave from Mason's arms. "At least then I can show you guys that I'm capable of caring for my sick daughter without magic!"
Alex trundled up the stair case whilst her family watched on. Feeling guilty Theresa raced after her, "oh Alex sweetie, you know we didn't mean it like that!"
"Whatever mom, I'll be back down soon."
Alex launched open her bedroom door by kicking it wide open with her foot.
"Aww crap!" She yelped as she began to hop along her bedroom floor wincing in pain. "Why did Mommy have to do that?"
Carefully, Alex laid Neave down in her crib. She rolled around clutching her head and constantly whimpering, she frantically reached up to Alex with one hand whilst beating her head forcefully with the other. Alex looked down sadly at her daughter and softly began stroking the fine hair on her head but instead of comforting her it only seemed to cause Neave even more distress.
"It's ok baby," whispered Alex softly, "you have a nap and mommy will go gt a soda and then everything will be fine! Okay? Then they'll all see I can be a good mom without magic."
Neave continued to whimpered as she restlessly rolled around in her crib. Bit by bit Alex tiptoed away descretely, hoping Neave would not react to her absence.
"Shh," she whispered softly, "go to sleep Neavie. Mommy will be back soon…"
The moment she found her was the moment she broke down. The agonising pain in her chest as her heart ripped apart, her legs weakening as she collapsed down on to the bed and her trembling hands rapidly trying to claw along the bed sheets while she scrambled her way to Neave. Alex jittered uncontrollably, she desperately tried to gather Neave in her arms and hold her close but instead she dragged Neave along the bed as lifted her over her shoulder.
She tried to shout out for help but her words became trapped in her throat. Alex then flew through her bedroom door and on to the vibrantly painted hallway and staggered towards the stairs with Neave still motionless on her shoulder. As she reached the top step Alex looked down at her family, they got on with their own business completely oblivious to what happening just a few feet away from them. Her mother and father both helped each other with the dishes while Harper watched on in disgust as Max attempted to bite his own toe nails. Alex then turned to Mason, her beautiful boyfriend, her rock, her soulmate. Minding his own business, clueless to what has happened. How would she tell him? How could she? It may have been selfish, but how was she suppose to watch him go through more heartache?
Alex took on unsteady step down the stair case, then another. She paused as she urgently tried to take just one more step. One more step to get her closer to where she needed to be. Suddenly, her father unexpectedly turned to her. He shot her a warm comforting smile, but soon Alex watched it turn in to utter horror as Jerry dropped the porcelain plate beneath him. The shattering noise echoed around the loft causing everyone to suddenly stop what they were doing and turn to Alex who had remained frozen in the stairs with Neave tightly clutched in her arms.
Everything that happened next happened so fast but to Alex who was enclosed in her own bubble it seemed that time was hardly passing at all. Her ears became muffled, making the screams and shouts of panic that came from her family soundless. Before she knew it Mason had raced towards her and snatched Neave from her arms. Alex stood helpless while she watched Mason place Neave on to the couch and kneel beside her as he shouted down her ear desperately trying to get a response.
A warm hand then placed itself upon Alex's shoulder, she turned to see Max's kind eyes and before she knew it he was guiding her down the rest of the staircase. He was trying to talk to her, she had no idea what he was saying but due to comforting smiles and tight hugs he seemed like he was trying to reassure her. She watched on as her Mom and Dad rushed over to Mason and Neave with Harper in tow, their shrieks of terror overlapped with each other so much that Alex had no idea of who was saying what. But she did get a shot of father yelling, " someone call a wiz-bulance!"
Alex stood emotionless as her family argued between each other, she tried to blink away her tears as her Mom shrieked repeatedly, "I don't know how! We don't know how!"
Then Alex felt a weight lifted off her shoulders as Max unraveled his arms from around her and raced down the stairs towards the lair. Alex remained frozen, not sure what was happening around her or what she could do to help until once again she her body being pulled back in to a tight embrace. She turned to see Harper, tears filling her dark green eyes, smiling sympathetically at her.
"It's going to be okay Alex," she told her trembling, "Max has gone to call the Wiz-bulance, helps coming soon. She's gonna be ok!"
Alex nodded lazily and averted her attention back to the couch, it was impossible to see Neave as she had been hidden behind her family as they fussed and panicked over her.
The rest was a complete blur for Alex. Before she knew it her and Mason were riding in the Wiz-bulance along with two paramedics, one of which was a very gentle fairy who spoke soothingly to both Alex and Mason. She repeatedly brushed her soft caramel locks out of her face as she cared for Neave. Waving her green glittering wand over her she made several small white machines appear which instantly attached themselves to Neave. They all let out an irritating buzz and screeching beep as the neon green lines shot back and too across the black screens. She would often glance over at Alex and Mason only to find them frozen in their seats, staring at Neave in utter disbelief.
"It's gonna be okay," she told them quietly, "she'll be okay."
Mason turned to her and nodded silently, giving her a weak smile in return for her comfort. Alex on the other hand remained fixated on her daughter's lifeless body lying on the stretcher. The constant vibrations and jolting of the wiz-bulance came to a sudden stop. Mason looked around in wonder of what was to happen next when the two large doors of the floating metal carriage they travelled in swung open revealing a small team of doctors draped in white lab coats.
The doctors remained silent as they glared at Neave whilst Mason looked to them in fear until the tall blonde male doctor stood in the Center of the group declared, "let's get her in."
With a snap of his fingers the gurney Neave lay on flew rapidly inside along with the doctors and paramedics who now had a firm grip on it. Mason instantly grabbed Alex and rushed behind them. The wide doors violently swung open and the magical creatures and beings that surrounded them quickly cleared a path which lead them to a secluded area of the hospital. More doctors and nurses surrounded Neave as they settled her on to the hospital bed as the paramedics informed them of her condition.
"Neave Roxanne Aurora Greyback, aged 1 year. Wizard/werewolf hybrid. Found this evening by her mother unconscious, heart rate eighty, oxygen levels nighty-one."
"Okay! Let's get her some oxygen and we'll start running some tests." Declared the female doctor. "We better give her something for the pain too."
"Maybe we should suddate her? Just until she's stable." Suggested the male doctor.
"Agreed."
The blonde clicked her long slender fingers and in the air above Neave's frail body formed a dense cluster of bright sparkles. Alex and Mason, who had been ushered to stand at the back of the room far away from Neave, looked up in amazement as the fragments of lights began to gracefully fall and settle on to Neave's small frame.
"This should settle her for awhile. Madison, please take Mr. Greyback and Miss Russo to the relatives room."
A petite dark haired nurse with think circled glasses quickly hurried to over to Alex and Mason before silently encouraging them to step out of the room by guiding hem with her trembling hands.
"No!" Yelled Mason, "you can't make us leave her, she's our daughter!"
"Excuse me sir," squeaked Madison, "but I'm afraid it's best if you two go and wait in the relatives room. Theres not much for you to do here, but we'll take good care of her."
Madison held the door open for the couple and looked to them sympathetically as they both reluctantly left the room. Alex looked behind her and watched the hoards of doctors and nurses surrounding Neave, they instantly began poking and prodding her with several devices that Alex thought should be used to fix a machine or to contain a manic creature, but not on her little girl. She watched blankly as the medical team talked between themselves and scurried around, all whilst masking Neave's weak body. Alex was soon distracted from her thoughts though as she felt a strong hand drop on to her shoulder. She turned to see Mason looking at her sadly before he gently guided her away.
The only sound that filled the small relatives room was that of the ticking of the hands on the old wooden grandfather clock resting in the corner of the room. Alex sat isolated from her family, alone with her thoughts as she repeated the nights events over and over in her head. Every now and then she would hear someone from her family whisper to each other, Alex would then look up to see what was happening around her but all she found was Mason constantly pacing around the room. She turned her attention to the members of her family but instead they looked away from her and bowed their heads in shame. This same routine would be repeated for the next four hours while they waited for news on Neave.
The ticking of the clock continued and bit by bit it began to drive Alex insane. The whispering, the ticking, whispering and ticking, whispering and ticking. Tick tock, tick tock.
"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!" Screamed Alex leaping up from her seat. All of her family looked up at her in complete surprise as Alex stood their seething in anger. "Why aren't they telling us anything?" She asked as her body began to tremble. "Why wont they let me see my baby!"
Hot tears burst from Alex's eyes as she fell to her knees and sobbed hysterically in to her shaking hands. Mason swiftly dropped down beside her and pulled her close to his body as he engulfed her into a suffocating hug.
"I'm scared," she whispered to Mason.
"Me too."
Everyones attention was diverted from Alex and Mason and on to the door as bit by bit it creaked open eventually revealing the male and female doctor.
"Mr. Greyback, Miss Russo if you could come through to our office please…"
Alex and Mason sat in the lightly painted office as the two doctors rattled on to them about Neave's condition. They explained what they believe had happened, what they have done to help and what the next step is to help Neave. But all of this went over Alex and Mason's heads, they were in no state to take in what either of the doctors wee saying. They couldn't even remember their names.
"We've called Doctor Butcher in and when he gets here he'll work with us on Neave's case." The male doctor told them. "It's not a case we come across often so we'll need all the help we can."
Mason nodded along blindly, hoping this meeting would come to an end so he could be reunited with his baby girl while Alex sat blatantly staring at the wall. Desperately trying to distract herself from the doctors medical report.
'This isn't happening' she repeated to herself, 'this isn't happening."
"We've ran all the tests we can for now but until we get the results then-"
"When can we see her?" Alex interrupted. "Neave. When, when can I-we see Neave?"
"Whenever you feel ready to."
Alex turned to Mason who was looking at her helplessly, "ready?"
"Ready."
Both Alex and Mason stood hand in hand gaping at the closed door infrot of them. Mason turned his attention to Alex who seemed emotionless as she stood glued to the floor, too scared to walk any further in to the unknown. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled sympathetically.
"I can go in on my own if you like. I don't mind. Why don't you go back to the relatives room and wait with the others?"
"Because I don't want to!" She spat furiously. After taking a calming breath Alex turned to look at Mason. "I can do this, it's just Neave. Theres nothing to be scared of."
"Alex, I understand though if this is too much for you. I mean she's-"
"It's just Neave!" She interrupted as she stepped forward towards the door, "it's just Neave."
Slowly Alex pushed the door open and with Mason following very closely behind they entered the room. Instantly the smell of bleach whacked them in the face as they timidly stepped in the room. The room was quiet except for the ocaasional beeping from one of the many machines set up around the bed. Alex jumped backwards and accidently hit her head against the hard beige pained wall as she looked around the room in panic.
Mason turned to her and tried to force a small smile on to his face, "it's okay."
He then edged forward towards the bed on which Neave lay weak and unconscious and looked around trying to take in all of the machinery she had been connected to by the doctors. He carefully moved his trembling hand and used it to take hold of Neave's and squeeze it tightly.
"Hello love," he whispered to her soothing as he began to use his free hand to tenderly stroke the soft hair on Neave's head.
Meanwhile, Alex remained fastened to the wall, incapable of taking the next ste towards her daughter. Mason took notice of this and turned to face her.
"Alex, are you sure your okay?"
She frantically shook her head. "No."
"Then go, we'll be fine. She'll be fine, this will all turn out to be nothing."
"No it wont. My baby's a werewolf."