Harper sat crossed legged on the hospital bed and held Neave on her lap tightly while Max sat in front of them slowly waving around Neave's bunny teddyin her face. He made stupid faces and mimicked the bunny speaking by making ridiculous voices which made Neave titter at her uncle as she repeatedly tried reaching out for the toy. Harper giggled along with her 'niece' and looked down at Neave as she began to attempt to mirror Max's facial expressions. Alex observed them from the old dusty brown leather chair in the corner while they acted like everything was normal.
But she felt angry, why has this happened to her little girl? Why did she have to go out that night and why did she drink that stupid potion? Alex wanted to blame herself, everything that had happened was kind of down to her. But then again Alex had no idea she'd gone to a certified psychopath for help, in fact she wasn't even the one actually who went to Cigam for help, it was Justin. Alex internally groaned.
'What is even happening?' She thought to herself.
She instantly became overcome with emotions and tons of thoughts raced through her head, each one as important as the other. Alex had no idea which should be dealt with first, what steps she needed to take to make Neave's life as normal as possible. Alex's thoughts were then rudely interrupted when she felt a cold hand grasp her shoulder. Jumping in fright, she spun her head around only to come face to face with her mother.
"Alex honey," she whispered soothingly, "are you okay? You just seemed a little… out of it."
Alex looked around the room and saw Max and Harper watching her uncomfortably while Neave sat clawing and pulling at her face, clearly she had just discovered there was now thick fur spurting from it. Alex scrunched up her face and whined loudly.
"Sorry, was I staring?"
"Staring?" Max mocked, "I thought you were giving Harper the death glare!"
"Yeah it was a little weird Alex," Harper giggled awkwardly, "you feeling okay?"
Alex nodded, "yeah just tired and I've just got a lot on my mind."
"Oh mijha!" Theresa exclaimed embracing her daughter in a suffocating hug, "it'll be okay!"
"How? That's all everybody has said for weeks and now look what's happened!" Everyone remained silent and looked at Alex sadly, "Sorry. I'm just really confused."
"Aren't we all," scoffed Theresa rolling her eyes.
"Hey, where's Mason?" Asked Alex, "he's been gone for a while now, I'm kind of getting worried. I don't think he's taking this whole thing with Neave very well."
"I saw him on his cell in the hallway," Harper began, "he's probably still talking?"
"Really? Could you work out who he was talking to?"
Harper shook her head, "no I wasn't really listening, sorry."
"Mijha, I'm sure he'll be back soon."
With that the wooden door carefully opened, everyone slowly leaned forward in unison hoping to get a glance at the visitor. Their eyes widened as a foot entered the room and they stared intrigued by who could be entering the room, but they were soon disappointed when Jerry walked into the room chomping on a churro. They instantly all groaned loudly startling Jerry and causing him to jump slightly as he walked, triggering him to nearly drop his churro.
"What?" He slurred, sending small fragments of his churro flying out of his mouth.
"Did you call Justin?" Theresa asked as she quickly approached him.
"Well, I was going to but then I seen the cafeteria sold churro's and…"
Theresa snatched the snack from Jerry's hand and launched it into the small trash can behind him. Jerry's jaw dropped and he began to manically stutter to himself as his hands twitched and jittered around furiously. "My churro!" He bellowed loudly, "my churro!"
"Jerry enough about the stupid churro what about our son?!"
"Yeah and have you seen Mason?" Alex asked.
"I'm sure Justin will be fine!" Jerry reassured his wife, "and sorry sweetie but I've not seen Mason. I've seen his parents though," he cringed, "arguing in the relative's room. No wonder they're getting divorced I haven't seen them say a nice word to each other the whole time they've been here."
"You've seen them talk to each other?" Max whispered in amazement.
"You know before I thought I seen them sit right next to each other… on purpose!" Harper intervened.
"Guys! Can we please try to be serious!" Theresa exclaimed, "our family is in a crisis and all you guys seem to care about is food and gossiping about Mason's parents. We've more important stuff to deal with."
"You're right," Jerry said walking over and hugging his wife, "Crumbs is dead and our granddaughter has been turned in to a werewolf by an evil mastermind. We need each other now more than ever. I'll go call Justin, find out what's happening at WizTech."
"While you're there find out if that psycho is going to be punished for harming my daughter."
"Alex honey, I'm sorry but I think at the moment the cops in the wizard world are going to be more concerned about the fact that he killed Crumbs."
"But they can't let him get away with this!"
"And they won't but they've got to deal with this one step at a time. Now I'm going to call Justin and find out what's happening, okay?"
"Okay."
Mason hung up his cell and walked over to the relative's room but he soon stopped in his tracks when he heard loud yells coming from within. He rolled his eyes and grumbled tiredly before pushing the door open and walking into the room, there he found his mother and father stood in the centre of the room glaring at each other furiously. They had pressed themselves up against each other as they both snarled and clenched their fists tightly.
When Mason slammed the door shut their heads snapped towards his direction and they stepped back from each other, pretending that nothing had happened between them.
"What are you doing?" He asked angrily, "I could hear you both arguing from the other end of the corridor, do you know how embarrassing that is?"
"Mason love, we're sorry. How's the baby? What did the doctor say? Alex's dad wasn't very clear before."
"She's okay, when Alex was pregnant she took a potion and it had something called Magia in it, and basically it went through to Neave and messed up her powers and its made her a werewolf. The doctors don't think there's anything they can do so she's stuck in a werewolf form."
"Well that's not bad is it?" His dad chuckled, "by the look of your face you'd think it was the end of the world!"
"Well it's not really what I want for my daughter dad. She's one year old she's not really going to have a normal life is she?"
"What are you talking about? You come from a family of werewolves and you've had a normal life."
"Yeah Dad but I didn't change into a werewolf until I was twelve, I was able to cope with my powers and I have the ability to change back Neave doesn't." Mason collapsed back into a chair and rested his head in his hands.
"Mason love, it might not seem like it now but it'll all be okay," his mother told him as she wrapped her slender arms around him.
"Will it though? I mean what do we do when she's discharged? She wont be able to go to a normal day care or school, unless she wants to known as the hairy kid!"
Linda sat speechless, unsure of what to say to help and turned to her husband who simply shrugged his shoulders then he began to watch the dusty television hung in the corner of the room. Linda rolled her eyes and proceeded to hug Mason, "I'm sure you'll both work it out love."
"She'll be fine!" Grant bellowed, "you've been raised with a family of wolves, I'm sure you'll know what to do. Besides, this could be an opportunity for her to get to know the other side of her family."
"If that is supposed to be a dig at me Dad because you've never met her and I haven't flown her over to England to meet my cousins then it isn't working! I've given you plenty of opportunities to spend time with her and anyway none of them have considered coming to visit us here. Only when you make them for that stupid Autumn Moon feast."
"You loved that celebration before you met Alex!"
"I loved it before I realised my family were judgmental pigs!"
"Mason please!" Gasped Linda in surprise.
Mason leapt up from his seat and yelled angrily to his mother, "I'm sorry mum but its true! Ever since that year I brought Alex to the Autumn Moon feast no one on Dad's side has hardly bothered with me, they act as if I'm some stranger and none of them have even asked about Neave since she's been born and all because her mum is a wizard! It's a joke! And don't even get me started on Ana!"
"Ana?" Grant asked.
"You have got to be messing!" Mason fumed, "Anastasia. You're first granddaughter who you made me put up for adoption!"
"Oh please, if you kept that child you'd probably have a whole litter by now!"
"And your problem is? It'd just be more grandkids for you to ignore!"
"I wanted you to have a life! Be free and go to do whatever you wanted!"
"That's my choice to make Dad! If I wanted to bring up Ana I should have been allowed!"
"Right that's enough!" Linda cried stepping between her husband and son. "This is not the place, Mason don't sink to his level!"
"You're right," Mason sighed, "I'm not going to be like you. I wouldn't want Neave to have the sort of Dad I have, a massive disappointment. Now, I'm going to be with my daughter. If you can be bothered to you can come and see her."
With that Mason stormed out of the room, slamming the door violently behind him. Linda snarled at Grant who took a seat and began to relax, stretching his muscular arms behind his head her gave a sigh, "I don't see what his problem is. When he first introduced us to Alex you were just as bad, you wanted to eat her."
"Maybe I was Grant, but I seen the error of my ways. My own son was ashamed to bring his girlfriend home because of us! And as soon as Alex gave birth to Neave I knew that I didn't want to miss the chance of seeing another grandchild grow up, which is why I decided to make the effort with Alex and why I decided to get rid of you! So, I'm going to see our granddaughter, it's up to you whether you want to want to show Mason whether you care or not. But either way it wont bother me, at least then he'll see what you've been all along. A pathetic coward."
Justin burst in through the crooked doors in the hallway and stormed down towards Neave's hospital room. On the way he briskly passed his parents who stood staring at him flabbergasted, they quickly chased him up the hallway shouting manically behind him as Justin continued to march further away from them.
"Justin! JUSTIN!" His father yelled breathlessly as he attempted to run to his son. "We've been calling you! Where have you been?"
"I need to see Alex," he told them bluntly.
"But what happened at WizTech?" His mom asked curiously, "what's going to happen?"
"Mom! I need to speak to Alex!" Justin exclaimed as he sped in to Neave's room.
He shut the door in his parent's faces and rested up against it, taking long calming breaths he felt himself ease as he took in the quiet of the room. With his eyes firmly shut Justin gave a sigh and bunched his fingers in to his thick raven hair while he took a moment to enjoy the quiet.
That was until a startling voice interrupted Justin and his thoughts, "uhh! Hello!"
Justin jumped and his eyes rapidly snapped open, he looked to see Alex sat on Neave's bed with Neave curled up on her lap, glued to Alex's cell and smirking as she watched a video on the internet.
"Alex," Justin choked nervously.
"What is it nimrod, I can't take any more bad news today."
"Where's Mason?"
"Don't ask! I'm not even sure, but he better get his butt here soon or he's going to be the one who's in trouble. Now what is it? Encase you can't tell we're busy watching people cut up slime and it's weirdly satisfying…"
"Okay," Justin breathed, "but you're gonna want to sit down for this."
Alex rolled her eyes, "I'm already sat down doofus! Now spit it out!"
"Okay, I'm sorry Alex but we've been suspended from the Wizard Council."
"Oh…"
"I know, but I'm sure if we explain to them properly and explain everything in detail from the beginning then Chancellor Tootie Tootie might understand and they might let us back on."
"But what about your job?"
"I really don't know, I wasn't sure Tootie Tootie had the authority to do this until now, and all the council seem to be on his side!"
"Great!" Scoffed Alex, "just what we need right now."
"I know I'm sorry, I wish I could give you better news."
"Well, actually Justin, I need to talk to you too."
"About what?" He asked intrigued as he sat down next to his sister on the bed.
"I've been thinking…"
"Woah!" exclaimed justin, "really? Are you feeling okay? Do I need to get Dr. Butcher?"
"Shut up you twerp and listen! I've been thinking and I've decided to quit the Wizard council."
"Seriously?"
"I'm so sorry Justin, but Neave has to be my priority. I can't leave her like this. Plus, when she was born Mason missed his first year of school to help me care for her and I can't let him do that again. He's doing really well and I don't want him to give it up."
"But you're doing really well too! I feel like you're really getting through to everyone."
"Justin half of the council don't even like me, Tootie Tootie hates me working with him. It's just easier this way."
"Alex, this isn't like you to give up on something."
"I'm not giving up, I'm making a sacrifice Justin. It's what you do when you're a parent, if you ever have kids you'll understand that."
"Okay, whatever you think is best. But you'll need to release statement explaining why you're leaving your role on the Wizard Council so then-"
"I know, its already done."
"Really?"
"Yes! I've been thinking of this for a while to be honest, I've never felt welcomed there and everything that's happened with Neave has just pushed me to do it. I've wrote my statement I'll send it to you and you can get it released."
Justin nodded solemnly, "okay. Man, I didn't think it would end like this."
"I know," Alex squeezed Justin's hand reassuringly, "but it'll turn out okay for you. I just know it, and if circumstances where different then-"
"I know, you'd be right there with me."
"I'm really sorry Justin."
"Don't worry it's fine, right now you need to focus on Neave, and I'll do everything I can to help."
"Thank you Justin."
The two siblings looked towards the door as they heard a soft knock only to see Mason enter the room sheepishly. He smiled nervously before making his way towards the bed, Justin jolted in his seat as Neave was dropped on to his lap and Alex shot up as she headed for Mason.
"Where have you been?" she yelled, "I've been worried sick!"
"I'm sorry, it's a long story…"
"And who have you been on the phone too, you took forever!"
Mason's eyes widened and he mumbled nervously, "the phone?" Justin looked at Mason suspiciously as he hesitated, "oh! Yeah, my mum wanted me to ring my Grandmother to let her know how Neave's doing."
"Really? Isn't it early in the morning in England though?" Justin asked.
"She's a werewolf Justin she can stay awake all night if she needs to. But anyway how's my little princess feeling?" Mason asked as he scooped Neave up in his arms and swung her around playfully.
"Better than before," Alex told him smiling, "I don't know what drugs they're giving her but they're working."
"I'm going to leave you to it," Justin announced rising from the bed, "let me know if you need anything Alex."
"Justin!" Alex called before Justin left the room, "thank you."
"Sure sis."
The energetic theme tune bellowed from the TV as Keith Keith danced around the screen. Alex and Mason sat huddled on Neave's bed as she slept soundly between her parents. Mason rolled his eyes as the opening credit continued to roll while Alex chomped loudly on a bag of potato chips.
"Tonight! Keith Keither bellowed, "Pocket Elves riot as a spillage from a chocolate factory sends them loco!"
"I can't believe this show hasn't been cancelled yet," Mason moaned, "it's all rubbish!"
"Yeah well I heard I'm on it tonight," Alex smirked.
"You say that like it's a good thing, you do remember what happened last time you were on this show, don't you? Besides it'll only be everything going on at WizTech, it's not like it's a happy story."
"Excuse me! I've done nothing wrong and hopefully this show will make everyone believe that."
The couple quietened down as they continued to watch the TV.
"She wanted to end rumour and speculation but it seems Russo family wizard, Alex Russo, seems to have done the complete opposite!"
"Tonight the young wizard announced that she is resigning from her new role on the Wizard Council as she has revealed that she had given birth to a baby girl, over a year ago!"
"I can't believe you've quit," Mason yawned as he cosied up closer to Alex.
"Shh! Im trying to listen."
"This is shocking news to residents of the Wizard World as the pregnancy and birth of her child has been kept hidden. But even more shocking is that Alex announced that her daughter is actually ill in a statement she has released today to reveal why she has quit her job on the Wizard Council."
"The statement says;
'On September 15th 2014, 9:57 pm I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl. And as much as I am loving the experience of watching my amazing daughter grow and become her own person motherhood is also the most challenging and exhausting job someone can do. Since giving birth, I have experienced this first hand, but luckily I have had the full support of my family and loving boyfriend to help me raise my daughter to be the best person she can be.
I have also been given the opportunity to work with my brother on the Wizard Council and for the past few months I have loved working with some great colleagues. However, recently my beautiful baby has been suffering with some health issues and I have come to the decision to step down from my role on the Wizard Council.
I'm sad to be leaving this job so soon. But for now I need to focus on my little girl, she is my main priority.
I have decided to only just announce the birth of my daughter because having a family who is in the spotlight I wanted her to have some privacy and have a childhood that was as normal as possible. Also, I wanted to make people aware of why I am stepping down from my role on the council so no more rumours would be created about my brother and I about the death of our dear Professor Crumbs.
My family and I would appreciate privacy during this time and we will let you know when our baby is doing better.
Stay strong Neavie mommy loves you X.'"
"So," Keith Keith continued, "She decided to do this to stop any rumours being created. Apparently Professor Justin Vinchenso Pepe Russo and his sister are responsible for bringing Dirbyh Cigam, who has reportedly murdered the late Professor Crumbs, in to the Wizard World after being banished because of his cruel acts over a hundred years ago. Professor Russo himself has been suspended for this and we are still waiting on news about his future at WizTech but for now the question on everyone's lips is what is wrong with Alex Russo's daughter? Does she have a 'mortal illness' or is it something magic related? After all, her father is the werewolf boyfriend who attacked Chase Riprock back at the Wizard of the Year banquet in 2011."
"Great, they had to bring that up again!" Exclaimed Mason.
"Shut up!" Whined Alex.
"More on this story as it comes…"
The ending credits began to roll and Alex shut off the TV and leant her head back to rest it in the crick of Mason's neck. "So, is that what you expected?" He asked whilst taking a handful of chips from the bag.
"No! I was expecting a whole segment on how I'm just trying to be a caring mother and that I didn't mean for any of this to happen! All this saids is that I've quit the Wizard Council and that I have a secret kid!"
"Well to be fair you didn't explain everything that's happened in the statement, if you don't tell your side of it all then how is anyone supposed to know?"
"You're right, quitting the Wizard Council after being suspended makes me look guilty, and using Neave being sick as an excuse just makes me look like a coward. I need to tell my side of it all, then people will see Justin and I aren't to blame for Crumb's death."
"No Alex," sighed Mason, "I think you should just leave it. Neave's far more important, we need to get her sorted until you get even more involved in any of this. I'm sure Justin can handle everything for now."
"But Mason he could lose his job! I can barely even think about how else we might be punished, getting fired might just be the easy sentence."
"Just stop thinking of others for once will you!" Mason exclaimed, "I'm sorry but you and Neave are my priority and frankly I think we need to get Neave home and settled back in to a routine before we even think about all of this, otherwise you're just going to make things harder for yourself."
"Fine," Alex said rolling her eyes and launching her bag of chips into a small trashcan next to the bed. She looked over to the door as it creaked open and gave a heavy sigh, "great who's this gonna be?"
Mason shot a glare at Alex as someone entered the room. When Mason seen it was his mother, he shot up out of his seat and rushed over to her and stuttered nervously, "Mum? Why are you here?"
"I just wanted to check on you all before I left, if it's ok? It's just I haven't seen Neave yet and I wanted to see if she was doing alright."
"Yeah, yeah its fine. Come in," Mason lead his mother further into the room and awkwardly her and Alex smiled at each other.
Subtly, Alex held Neave closer to her as she gave a small smile to Linda. Despite the fact she had now started to make an effort with Mason and her granddaughter Alex couldn't help but weary of her Mother in Law, after all when they first met Linda did try to eat her and she couldn't risk her doing anything like that to Neave. But Alex's gut wrenched when she saw Grant, Mason's Dad, sliding in behind her Alex gripped Neave tightly and pulled her on to her lap carefully, so she didn't wake her. Grant caught Alex's glance and smirked at her sleazily, goose bumps erected on Alex's body as a cold uncomfortable shiver crossed her. When Mason saw his Dad walking boldy in to the room he stepped infront of him, blocking his path as he tried to walk to Neave.
"What made you come in here?" He asked coldly.
"What? So you argue with me, complaining I never see my only granddaughter and then when I make the effort I'm not allowed to see her?"
"She's not your only granddaughter, stop saying that."
"Well where's the other one then?" Grant scoffed.
"Dead."
"Oh," Grant looked at Mason sadly as he tilted his head and stared down at the floor, "I didn't know."
"Yeah, well why would you? It's not like you've ever cared before." Mason barged past his father brushing his shoulder hard against his. "So, what made you really come in here?"
"Like I said before I want to meet my granddaughter."
"Make it quick then," Mason sighed as he plonked himself down in the chair near Neave's hospital bed.
"Oh look at her," cooed Linda, "poor thing! Will she have to stay in here for long?"
"Hopefully not, the doctors haven't said when we can take her home," Alex told her stroking the soft hair on Neave's head, "but hopefully it'll be soon."
"Well why do they need to keep her in anyway?" scoffed Grant arragently, "this is perfectly normal!"
"Not for a one year old dad," Mason sighed as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at it uninterested until a name flashed on the screen, leaping from his seat he rushed in to the hallway, "I've got to get this," he said slamming the door behind him.
"Who was that?" Alex asked Linda, yawning as she gently rocked Neave in her arms.
"I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was my mum or one of my sisters harassing him over Neave." Alex nodded and looked down at Neave anxiously. "Hey it's okay," Linda said squeezing Alex's hand, "she's going to be fine! Now, don't you worry about her or Mason or even that grump in the corner." She gestured to Grant who was looking at the TV and paying no attention to Neave whatsoever, "I'll deal with him, believe me he wont be sticking round for long."
"Thank you," smiled Alex tearily.
"Listen love, I know we got off on the wrong foot but I'm on your side, and I would do anything for Neave and Mason, and you. If you ever need me to?"
Alex didn't speak, instead she hugged Linda carefully, not to wake Neave, Linda willingly hugged her back as relief crossed her face. However, behind them Grant glared at them furiously, his eyes burning the back of their heads his breathing became heavier while his fists clenched tightly.
Theresa rushed in to Alex and Mason's apartment slamming the door violently shut behind her. She shuffled over to the grey couch, her arms full of brown paper grocery bags all full to the brim with various products. But she stopped in her tracks when she noticed her husband and youngest son both sat slumped watching TV. A smirk crossed her face as she snuck over to them and dropped the groceries on to their torso's with a thud.
"Ahh!" They both leapt in surprise as they clutched their stomachs in pain.
"Ha!" Theresa barked down their ears before strutting off in to the kitchen area. "Come on guys! You heard what Alex said on the phone this morning, the doctor's are letting Neave come home today! So we've gotta get everything ready for them!"
"We've gotta get everything ready for them?" Max questioned as he carried the first load of groceries over to be unpacked.
This quickly earned him a clip around the ear, "knock it off! Alex and Mason are going to be too busy caring for Neave to worry about this stuff, they're gonna need us now more than ever!"
"Your mother's right," Jerry said as he walked over with the rest of the shopping, "Neave will need a lot of care now and we need to help as much as we can. C'mon lets help put these away before they get home."
Max reluctantly agreed with his parents and began upacking the groceries slowly, he sluggishly pushed the tins cans to the top of the cupboard causing them to scrape against the varnished wood as they slided backwards while his parents stocked up the refrigerator. He whistled softly to himself in an attempt to cure his new boredom but he was soon distracted when Justin burst in through the front door carrying a mountain of old tattered text books in his arms.
"I'm sorry I'm late! Is she home yet?" he panted dropping the books on the couch.
"No, you've not missed it." Jerry informed him, "now do you mind picking up those text books? Harpers been cleaning all day and you're putting dust everywhere!"
"Harper?" asked Theresa, "I asked you and Max to clean! So what have you been doing all this time?"
Jerry shrugged his shoulders and gestured to the living area, "making sure the TV works." Theresa huffed and rolled her eyes, "what? Someone had to check!"
"Unbelievable Jerry!" Theresa fumed marching over to Justin, "anyway, how's my bambino? Any news from WizTech yet?"
"No," Justin sighed, "it's just a waiting game, I've just been spending my time researching Cigam and trying to figure out what happened between him and Crumbs and why he'd want too… I just don't understand it."
"Well I don't understand Alex!" Exclaimed Theresa, "I heard on one of the Wizard Channels that she's quit the council?"
"Don't remind me!" Sighed Justin slumping on to the couch, "she says she's done it to care for Neave but she couldn't have done it at a worse time! It doesn't exactly make us look innocent!"
"I know sweetie but she does have a point, I don't see how she could keep up with such a demanding job when her baby is sick."
"I know… I just wish things were different."
"Us too hijo," Theresa said hugging him tightly.
A loud groan echoed from Neave's room and slowly, with her arms full of brooms, mops and feather dusters, Harper stumbled out tripping over her own feet. She moaned and sighed aggressively as she dumped the cleaning supplies in to a pile on the floor.
"I've… finished!" she panted, smiling to herself. "This place wasn't even dirty… but I wanted to get things perfect for when Neavie gets home!"
"When is that by the way?" Justin asked, "surely it should be soon?"
With that everyone turned as the door gradually opened and in walked Mason with Neave tightly wrapped around his neck. He carefully cradled her and adjusted the pink blanket that masked her entire body, only slightly revealing her lightly haired face as it poked through a gap in the blanket.
Exclaiming happily, everyone rushed to greet her but feeling overwhelmed by all of the sudden attention Neave buried herself in to Mason's neck and whimpered quietly.
"Come on Neavie don't be silly," he whispered to her, "you're not shy!"
"How's my little princess huh?" Jerry asked reaching out his arms for her but as Mason approached him Neave instantly recoiled herself further into Mason, mumbling to herself quietly as she squeezed her eyes shut. Mason turned to Jerry who seemed taken aback by this, even saddened by his granddaughters actions.
"I'm sorry," Mason began, "she's been a little bit off with everyone since she's not been well."
"It's fine," once again he approached Neave and smiled kindly at her, "hey! How's my baby girl?"
Neave turned to her grandfather and tightly bit on the pacifier held securely in her mouth before babbling away to herself. Jerry laughed and turned to Mason, "clearly doesn't affect how much noise she makes."
"No if anything its made her even noisier! Me and poor mummy were up all-night listening to you wasn't we missus!"
"Oh no!" Laughed Theresa taking Neave from Mason and removing the blanket, "poor mommy and daddy!"
Neave looked around startled and held out her arms to Mason as he edged his way to the door, "I'm just going to see Alex, I think she needs help with Neave's stuff."
"No I don't!" Alex happily exclaimed as she strolled into the apartment and launched herself down on to the couch."
"Well where's her bags?"
"I flashed them in to her room just as we left the hospital."
"Unbelievable," Mason sighed. He pulled his cell out of his jeans pocket as it began to ring loudly only to immediately end the call.
Alex curled up on the couch and rested her head on a near by pillow, she yawned loudly whilst her body sunk into the soft couch and she felt her heavy head lighten as her eyes started to close.
"Umm Alex?" Her mother interrupted just as Alex was about to slip into a gentle slumber. Bit by bit Alex opened her eyes and peered up only to see her mother glaring down at her angrily with Neave resting on her hip. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Alex looked up at Neave, the air from the nearby window brushed through her short fur, as condensation escaped her newly developed cringed snout. Saliva coated Neave's tongue as it brushed against sharp, ivory canines that had erupted through her soft gums; the occasional drop hitting Theresa's tanned arm. Her ears were pulled forward and she lowered her head to look at Alex while its ember eyes watched every motion she made as she sat up in her seat and gestured for her mom to pass Neave to her. Although Neave's head remained lowered she kept her nose tilted up to smell. Neave instantly shot up and peered over Alex's shoulder to watch Mason as once again his cell began to ring. Deep rumbles came from her throat when Mason read the name on the screen and he buttoned the call hastily.
Justin noticed this and eyed Mason as he shifted nervously, avoiding everyones eye contact including his own daughters.
"Listen Alex," Jerry began sitting down next to Alex and Neave. "I know this must be hard for you, I mean I know you found it difficult when Mason was stuck as a werewolf after you rescued him from the country wizards but we're all here to help you. Plus, people in the wizard world are really open minded about this kind of stuff now, she'll be okay."
"Yeah but its not people from the wizard world I'm worried about Dad…"
Jerry opened his mouth to speak when Mason's phone once again went off in his pocket, he instantly ended the call. When he looked up, he found himself locking eyes with Justin. He eyed Mason suspiciously and slowly approached him without breaking any eye contact, Mason cleared his throat and forced his phone quickly back in his pocket before fidgeting nervously as Justin stopped next to him.
"Someone's in demand."
"Yeah," Mason chuckled quietly, "unknown number. I should block it really."
With that once again Mason's cell phone loudly erupted in his pocket, Justin glared while Mason fumbled around trying to retrieve his cell from his pocket and watched as Mason stared down at the screen in panic.
"Alex love," Mason called, "I need to nip out, be back soon."
Mason then marched over to the door while answering the call, from what Justin could see Alex had hardly paid any attention to Mason leaving as she was now surrounded by her family who was all obsessing over Neave. Justin watched his family quietly, he thought about everything they'd been through together and what the future might bring for them, then a unsettling feeling emerged from within him and worrying thoughts filled his head.
He looked at Alex, cradling her baby girl, she smiled down at her and stroked her plump cheeks soothingly. Slowly, Justin pulled out his wand and flicked it down in a quick motion causing a dim blue ray of light to shoot out from the tip. In small lettering the words 'tracking Mason Greyback' appeared. Justin smiled smugly and yelled across the room, "hey Max! Can you come with me? I need help with something."