Wizards of Waverly Place
I've got a secret
Part Twenty-One: Day Twenty-One
It was October 22, 2010, the twenty-first day in the year in the life of the Russo's, and everybody was definitely looking up, for now that Alex had returned to the house, the surgery could be done, and Jerry had a chance of surviving. Despite everything that had happened to them in the past three weeks, they all felt a feeling of assurance, and that all their troubles were coming to an end.
It was early at the house, and each person in the group was working hard in preparing to leave for the hospital. While all the others were upstairs readying, Juliet stopped Mason in the living room. "Mason, I want to talk to you." She said nervously.
"Sure, what is it?" He asked.
"Well, it's just, now that, Mr. Russo is going to be alright, and, nobody wants to hurt Alex or James, and there don't seem to be any problems that the family can't solve on their own, well, do you think we're really needed here anymore?" She asked.
"Hu, now that you mention it, I guess not. Maybe we should, leave the house, I mean, I don't want to burden them, after all they've done." Stated Mason.
"Ya, I mean, the only reason we moved in here was to help James, and now that he doesn't need our help, there's just no reason for us to stay here." Stated Juliet.
"You're right, we should tell them today, after Mr. Russo's surgery." Stated Mason.
"Ya, but wait, where are you going to go? I mean, you don't have a family, or a home, nothing." Said Juliet.
"I don't know, I'll find something, I always do." Stated Mason.
"No, I mean, we've been through a lot, I can't just let you stay on the streets after all this. There's plenty of room at my house, you can stay with me." Said Juliet in an assuring voice.
"What, I mean, we barely know each other, the only reason we came back into contact is because of Alex and James, I don't know." Said Mason.
"Ha, we knew each other for three months, we did everything for each other, and to be honest, I never stopped thinking about you." Said Juliet.
"Hu, I never stopped thinking about you either." Said Mason in a relieved voice.
"And, ever since we moved in here together, I've started thinking more and more about those good times we had, and, I just can't remember why we ever broke up." Said Juliet.
"I don't remember either, it was so long ago, uh..." Started Mason.
"I remember, it was because, your family left the town, because you were hunted by the Wizard Council, so we decided staying together wouldn't be fair to either of us." Stated Juliet.
"That's right, we didn't break up, we were just, apart." Said Mason.
"We're together now." Said Juliet as she moved closer to him.
"I guess we are, but, I'm seeing Alex, and, I really care about her." Said Mason.
"Ya, and, I'm with James, and he really likes me. I should never have brought it up." Said Juliet as she began to leave.
"No, it's nice to know, that we're there for each other, and that if anything ever, happens, that we're here for each other." Said Mason.
"You're right, I'm glad of it too, but, Alex and James don't have to know about this, do they?" Asked Juliet.
"No, I guess not." Said Mason.
"Guess not about what?" Asked Theresa as she walked in.
"Nothing, just, nothing." Said Juliet nervously.
"Okay." Said Theresa as she walked on.
"Alright, I think we're almost ready, ha honey." Said James as he kissed Juliet.
"Ya, hi, honey." Said Juliet as she hugged him, uneasily.
"James, I'm so glad that your dad is going to be okay, and it's all thanks to you." Said Mason.
"Thanks Mason, but we could never have gotten through any of this without you two, so, thanks a lot for staying with us all this time." Said James.
"Ya, uh, James, we were thinking, I mean, things here seem like they're getting better, and well, it seems like you guys can handle things on your own now, so, Mason and I were thinking about moving out." Said Juliet.
"What, why?" Asked Theresa.
"Well, we moved here to help you with Ray, and, all those other things, and, now that it's all taken care of, I don't think it'd do any good if we stayed here." Said Mason.
"Now, listen, you and Juliet have been here through all of this, and, you've contributed so much to our family, well, we consider you our family, just as much as anybody else here. So, if you want to stay, you can stay." Said Theresa.
"Okay, thanks, Mrs. Russo." Said Mason.
"We're really glad you want us to stay here, I mean, you're a great family, and I hope we can be with you as long as possible." Said Juliet.
"Glad to hear it, hurry up." Said Theresa.
"So, looks like we're staying here." Said Juliet.
"Ya, looks like it." Said Mason.
They looked forward, away from each other. "Fu!" They sighed.
"Okay, you had me get up early, after sleeping in a chair for five days, are we going to do this or what?" Asked Alex in a frustrated voice.
"Ya, we're leaving, Max, come on!" Yelled Theresa.
"Alright, I'm coming." Said Max as he ran down the stairs. "Alex, I'm really glad you're back."
"Ya whatever, so, Mason, are we still, I mean, together, like you said we were?" Asked Alex.
"Uh, sure Alex, why not?" Asked Mason.
"Thanks Mason." Said Alex as she kissed him.
"Alright, let's get to the hospital." Said Theresa as she headed out the door.
"Uh, I never got to thank you, for, coming, and getting me out of that were house, I mean, if it weren't for you, I'd be dead now." Said Alex to James.
"No problem Alex, I'd do anything for you." Said James.
"Um, I know you told me, but, I'm still going to think of you as my brother, I mean, you've done so much for me, and, no matter what some tests say, I still care about you." Said Alex.
"Thanks Alex, let's go." Said James as he and Alex headed out for the car.
"Well, we'd better get going." Said Mason.
"Ya, come on." Said Juliet. She then kissed Mason, quickly, and out of nowhere. "Ah." Said the two as they stared into each other's eyes. They looked and saw Max was still there. "You didn't just see that!" Yelled Juliet.
"Okay." Said Max as he ran out the door.
In the car to the hospital, Theresa was driving, and Alex was asking a lot of questions. "So, since I left, Ju-James, your mob is off, you're not messing with that movie anymore?" Asked Alex.
"No, after we met them when they kidnapped Dad, they agreed to improve on their movie. I agreed to call off the mob to save Dad." Stated James.
"And Ray, he never came back, not after what I told him?" She asked.
"No, since we got back to the house from saving dad and escaping that crazy murder guy he's never come back, I guess whatever you told him was convincing." Stated Juliet.
"No not really, that guy was an idiot." Said Alex. "So, you found out that Justin isn't really Justin, or your son?" Asked Alex.
"That's right." Said Theresa.
"Some outside magical force caused you to give birth to Ju-James, and your real son is still out there, but you can't find where, right?" Asked Alex.
"That's what Aslam said." Said Theresa.
"So, now that you know you're an only child, you became a full wizard, and your father is that, Ignaceous Dodreick, the famous wizard?" Asked Alex.
"That's right." Said James.
"And, you said, that his grave showed a vision of the mobsters kidnapping me, and gave some sort of magic dust to take their minds?" Asked Alex.
"That's what he told us." Said Max.
"Alright, so, I need to do a surgery, to give dad, part of my brain, and people only need half of it to survive, and he lost both halves in that torture chamber?" Asked Alex.
"Ya, that's pretty much it." Said Juliet.
"Well, why me, why couldn't Max do it?" Asked Alex.
"Because he's too young, the doctor said that a transplant from somebody under fifteen would only make his condition worse, that's why we needed to find you." Said Mason.
"Wow, I was just thinking, that, everybody would be better off without me, but, knowing this, I guess I'm worth something after all." Said Alex.
"Yes you are Alex, everybody has some use to them." Stated Theresa.
"Except for Max, he's no good for anything." Said Alex.
"Ha, I was there, at the studio, the torture chamber, I'm good for things." Said Max.
"Whatever, uh, just come back from that stupid mob were house and right away I have to do some surgery, how long are things like this going to go on?" She asked.
"Not for much longer, once this surgery is done, dad's okay, then there won't be any problems, and we can all get on with our lives." Stated James.
"Alright, well, all things considered, it is nice to be back. This, family may not be perfect, but being together is much better than on my own." Said Alex.
"Thanks Alex, we're here, come on." Said Theresa as they all left the car.
In the hospital, they were all sitting around, waiting for the doctor to bring Alex in. "Mason, when do you think we should tell her?" Asked Juliet.
"What, about, the kiss?" Asked Mason.
"No, about, us dating all that time ago? When should we tell her?" Asked Juliet.
"Well, I don't think any time soon, I mean, this surgery is going to be hard on her, and, I don't think it's that dire that she knows." Said Mason.
"You're right, we should, just wait, and, when the time is right, then we can tell her." Said Juliet.
"Sounds good to me." Said Mason.
"And, about the kiss, well, nobody has to know about that, it can be, our little secret." Said Juliet quietly.
"Alright, the doctor said Alex would be out soon to do the surgery, so, we have to stay calm and supportive." Said James in a frantic voice as he walked in.
"Alright, calm down, I'm sure everything will go fine." Said Theresa. "I mean, things don't always go so smoothly for us, but the doctor said the chance of failure is very slim, so, just stay calm."
"Okay." Said James as he sat down next to Max. "Hu." Sighed the two.
"James, Max, don't worry, I'm sure Alex and Mr. Russo will be fine, and, if anything goes wrong, we'll be here to help, we always will." Said Mason.
"That's right, the two of us." Said Juliet.
"Great, it's nice to know, you're here for us, because, we'll always be there for you." Said Max.
"Ya, thanks." Said Juliet. The two went back to their seat, nervous.
"Alright, the surgeon will be back soon to bring you in to the operating room." Said the doctor as he wheeled Alex, on a gurney, into the waiting room.
"Alright." Said Alex.
"Alex, thank you so much for doing this, and remember, whatever happens, I love you." Said Theresa.
"Thanks mom, don't worry, I'll be fine." Assured Alex.
"Ya, Alex, good luck, we're here for you." Said Juliet.
"If anything goes wrong, we'll be here, but don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine." Said Mason.
"Thanks guys, Mason, if, I don't make it out alright, I want you to know, I really care about you, I always have, even though I may not show it all the time." Said Alex.
"Thanks Alex, and, I really care about you too, good luck." Said Mason as he kissed her.
"Thanks." Said Alex.
"Alex, thanks for doing this, you, have no idea how much it means to all of us, and, I know, what they've all said, but, I still love you as a sister, I wouldn't want anybody besides you." Stated James.
"Thanks, and, you've been a great brother too, it's been a great sixteen years, and, I love you." Said Alex.
"I love you." Said James as he hugged Alex.
Max walked over to her, slowly. Alex turned to look at him. "Uh, Alex, I know, we don't talk much, and, I know it won't mean much, but, I love you, and I really hope you'll be okay, 'cause I love you, really missed you. I love you, Alex." Said Max tentatively.
There was a pause. "I love you too Max." They hugged each other. "And, maybe we don't spend that much time together, but, don't worry, I'll try to be a better sister, 'cause, you're a great little brother." Said Alex sweetly.
"Thanks, Alex, I… thanks." Said Max as he hugged her again.
"Ms. Russo, we're ready." Said the doctor.
"Good luck, Alex." Said Theresa.
"Thanks, bye guys." Said Alex as the doctor wheeled her into the operating room.
"Bye, Alex, good luck." Said everybody.
"Come on, let's go." Said Theresa as she headed for the car. The rest followed.
"Yep, no matter what, we'll be here, the two of us." Said Mason.
"Together." Said Juliet. The two hugged each other.
"Come on!" Yelled Theresa.
"Coming." Said Juliet. She took Mason's hand, and they walked off, together.
It was later, three o'clock p.m, and the house, James was sitting just on the inside of the terrace, and Theresa walked up to him. "Ha." Said James.
"Hi." Said Theresa.
"I can't believe it all worked out, Dad's gonna be okay, and for once, we don't have any worries." Said James.
"I know, we can finally be a family, no matter what's happened, that's what we are, and nothing is going to change that." Said Theresa.
"That's right." Said James.
"Uh, James, I found the watch last night, I stayed up all night looking for it, and I finally got it." Said Theresa.
"Hu, thanks mom, it was, so long ago, and so much has happened that I almost forgot about it." Stated James.
"Ya, James, this watch, is, well, it's the last thing, that, we ever had, before, you know, I found out, you weren't my real son." Said Theresa.
"Ya, I guess so." Said James.
"So, when I go in today, and turn this watch into the police station, that'll be it, all that's left of Justin Russo will be gone with that watch, this is it." Said Theresa as she held up the watch.
"Well, I suppose you're right, after that." Said James.
"James, all I could think of, for the past three weeks, was having some purpose in my life, well, I think I found it. A purpose, isn't just one thing, it should be, doing at least one good thing for each person, and, I guess this is mine, for you, or, the old you. James, this is my purpose, you helped me realize that, thank you." Said Theresa.
"Thanks mom, and, even after this is over, I'll still think of you as my mom, because, you've always been there for me, especially now." Said James.
"Thank you James." Said Theresa.
"And, I'm gonna be there for you too. You did this for me, and, I'm going to help you, I'm going to, help you find your real son. He's out there, somewhere, it won't be easy, but, I'll do it, for you, for dad, Alex, and Max, you all deserve to know him, I'll help you." Said James.
"Thanks James, we'll be right there beside, you, we'll find him. Because, when all of us stick together, we can do just about anything." Said Theresa.
"Thanks mom." Said James as he hugged her.
"Ha, how's it going?" Asked Max.
"Alright, just fine." Said James.
"Mom, does this mean dad's gonna be okay?" Asked Max.
"Yes Max, I think he'll be just fine." Said Theresa.
"Good." Said Max. Theresa hugged him, and James joined in.
"Juliet and Mason looked in from the stair case. "They look so happy." Said Juliet.
"They should be, after all this time, things are finally going their way, it's a great thing." Said Mason.
"So, when should we tell them about us?" Asked Juliet.
"I don't see any rush, until, we break up with James and Alex, this can be our own secret, and, when that time comes, we can be together again, only this time, there won't be anything to stop us." Said Mason.
"Ya, when it comes, but until then, we have to keep it shut up. Finally, there's nothing wrong in this house, and, we realize, we're meant to be with each other, and not them, and we can't do anything about it, why can't things ever be easy for us?" Asked Juliet.
"Well, we're one of them, for now, and, until the day we move out, we always will be, so things won't be easy. We'll just have to, stay strong, get through it, and, remember, we're here, together." Said Mason.
"I know, we'll remember." Said Juliet. Her and Mason kissed again.
Later that day, at the police station, and officer was sitting at his desk, reading a book when the door was opened into the main hall. He looked up, and it was Theresa. She walked up to his desk, and dropped the golden watch on the table. He recognized it as the million dollar watch, that had been stolen, ten days ago. He looked up at her in confusion. "Uh..." He started to ask her, but she just turned her back and left. He just sat there, in deep confusion.
"Hu." Sighed Theresa as she left the station, with a look of tiredness, but also of relief.
It was seven o'clock that night, and everybody was sitting around as usual, reading or doing whatever. They were all at peace, and Kramer walked in, carrying a single duffel bag. "Well, it's been a great time, but, I think it's time for me to go." Said Kramer.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Asked Juliet.
"Ya, the mob's gone, I don't have anything to worry about." Said Kramer.
"Well, you don't have to go, you could stay here, if you want." Suggested Theresa.
"Na, I gotta get back, to my apartment, Jerry'll miss me, so will George, Elaine, it's where I belong, but being here was great, it's just, time for me to go." Said Kramer.
"Okay, if you say so." Said James.
"It's been a pleasure Mr. Kramer." Said Mason as they shook hands. "I hope we'll meet again."
"I'm sure we will, uh, I still never got your name." Said Kramer.
"That's alright." Said Mason.
"By Kramer." Said Max as he shook his hand.
"See ya, Max, I'll never forget all the good times we had, the police chases, the murder attempts, all of it, I'll miss you." Said Kramer.
"I'll miss you, but, are you sure you'll be able to go back to your apartment, won't somebody have rented it out?" Asked Max.
"Nope, it'll be right there waiting for me." Said Kramer. "Well, see you all."
"Bye Kramer." Said all of them.
"Oh, I lost the necklace." Said Kramer as he stopped in the doorway.
"Ah." Said the group.
"Ah, no big deal, see ya." He said as he left.
"He was a strange man." Said James.
"Ya, we're all kind of strange." Said Theresa.
The phone rang. "Hello?" Said Max. "It's the hospital."
"Hu!" Said the group.
"It's the surgeon, he says the surgery went great, and Alex and dad will be able to come home tonight." Said Max.
"Yes!" Said the group. They all went to hug each other. James kissed Juliet, and she hugged Mason.
"This is great, after all this time, things are finally at a rest." Said Mason.
"Ya, I know, this family may not always be so easy to live with, but, it's moments like this, that make you realize how great it really is, and, it makes you happy to be alive." Said Theresa.
"You're right." Said Juliet with her arm around Mason.
"To our family." Said James as he held up his glass.
"To our family." Said the group as they all put up their glasses.
And so, as we leave the Russo's, and this twenty-first day, three weeks to the day when it all started, we leave them with no fears, no remorse, or any doubt about the next days of their lives. After all these days of struggling, hardship and pain, things are finally at a standstill, and hopes for the future can be made. Life may not be an easy ride, but it has a way of working out, so at certain moments, there are no worries, and we realize that life's a gift, and should be cherished every minute of every day, for its gifts, it's perfection, and for its people we love so much. There doesn't seem any reason to ask questions about tomorrow, because there are times in life, when it's better not looking at tomorrow, but right now. So I guess we'd better leave off, by looking back at the past three weeks, twenty-one days, and how so much has changed. This is the end of the first chapter in the year in the life of the Russo's, but there are many more chapters. They may not all be happy, and things will happen, sad things, and at times it will be hard to keep going, but we have to be noble, and remember that no matter what happens, that life goes on. The second chapter of this year begins with the twenty second day, and I hope you will join us for this bright, hopeful second chapter, and for all the other chapters, in the year in the life of the Russo's, "I've got a Secret."