A FEW DAYS LATER

Justin and Alex were sitting on the floor playing with Hayden. Hayden suddenly stood up and shakily walked over to the kitchen counter. Justin and Alex clapped her and smiled at each other.

Xxx

Nearly a YEAR LATER

Justin and Alex were walking with Hayden, who was in her buggy to the shops. Although Hayden was 2, she hadn't yet said a word. As they were crossing the road, a huge truck came past, so fast no-one saw it, and hit Justin! Alex ran to his side, placing Hayden in her buggy on the pavement the other side of the road.

Alex: Justin!

There was no reply. Justin was completely unconscious. Alex quickly called an ambulance and then called Theresa, Max, Jerry and Harper and told them to meet her at the hospital ASAP. The ambulance came not too long after that.

Xxx

AT THE HOSPITAL

They were now tending to Justin and Alex, Max, Theresa, Jerry, Harper and Hayden in her buggy, were all sitting in the waiting room, silent tears rolling down their cheeks. (except for Hayden that is) Just then the doctor approached them. It was doctor Daniels.

Alex: Doctor Daniels.

Dr. Daniels: Alex, I had hoped not to see you here again so soon

Alex smiled weakly.

Alex: Yeah, me too.

Dr. Daniels: (in baby voice, talking about Hayden) And who is this?

Alex: This is Hayden. Mine and Justin's daughter.

Dr. Daniels: (in normal voice) She's beautiful.

Alex: Thank you.

Dr. Daniels suddenly looked very solemn.

Dr. Daniels: I'm afraid that the impact of the truck has put Justin in a coma.

All: What?

Dr. Daniels: And I'm afraid. It's unlikely he'll ever wake up. I'm sorry.

Alex: (quietly) no.

Tears violently flowed all around, making a harsh, cold, splash once they hit the ground.

Xxx

For the next two years, Alex visited Justin with Hayden every single day, so Hayden would never forget her daddy and because Alex couldn't bring herself to leave Justin's side. They had long since lost all hope that Justin would ever wake up.

Xxx

(Hayden is now 4, Alex is 22, Justin is 24, Max is 20)

Alex was sitting by Justin, with Hayden at her side at the hospital. She looked at his still face, wondering when he'd wake up, hoping he would, and knowing he wouldn't and that it was pointless to hope. Yet she dared to hope anyway. Justin's right arm flinched and his eyes flickered open.

Justin: Alex?

Alex: Justin! (to herself looking down at Hayden) And I thought miracle's only happened once in a lifetime.

A nurse rushes to the bedside.

Nurse: Well I'll be. You must have a knack for the impossible.

Alex, Hayden and Justin just smile.

JUSTIN POV

I looked at my two best girls and realised how much they'd grown. I didn't yet know how long I had been under, but by the look of them, I'm guessing it was a pretty long time. I studied my daughter. Her brown hair, now bum-length and curly. Her eyes chocolate brown like Alex's with hints of green-grey like mine. From that moment on, I realised how much I'd missed.

Alex: It's been two years Justin.

Two years, I couldn't believe it. I'd missed two years of my daughters life, I'd missed her growing up, I'd missed two years of Alex's life, I'd missed two years of… life.

Justin: Two years? No. What have I missed?

Alex: You missed Hayden's first words. You missed her first day at playgroup. You missed college. You missed both of our graduations from college. You've missed everything Justin.

Justin: What were her first words?

Alex: Where's daddy.

That really made my heart break.

Hayden: Daddy! You're awake. Are you awake for good now?

Justin smiled down at her from where he lay.

Justin: Yes, sweetheart, I'm awake for good now.

Hayden: Good, don't ever sleep for that long again ok.

I wasn't sure I could keep that promise, no matter how much I hoped I could.

Justin: Ok.

Hayden: Is daddy coming home with us now, mommy?

Alex smiled sweetly at her daughter.

Alex: Yes sweetheart, he is.

Hayden: Yay.

She came over to me and jumped on my lap, enveloping me in a hug. She really is beautiful. I can't believe I've missed so much.

NORMAL POVAlex and Justin walked home. Alex walked in the door first with a bright smile on her face. The others looked at her confused. She hadn't been this happy in two years. They realised why she was happy when they saw Justin walk in the door with Hayden following close behind him.

Theresa, Jerry, Max and Harper: Justin!

They all rush up to him and envelop him in a hug. They were all so glad he was awake. Hayden rolled her eyes and opened her mouth for a sarcastic comment.

Hayden: At least try not to squish daddy. He's not meant to be 2D.

They all laughed at her comment and smiled and everything was good again. For now.

Xxx

Alex and Justin were sitting in the living room with Hayden when Professor Crumbs literally popped into their new apartment which was next to the substation. Justin looked up.

Justin: Professor Crumbs.

Hayden: Pwoffy Cwumbs.

They all laughed at Hayden's sweet outburst.

Professor Crumbs: Justin, Alex, I have some terrible news. There are some people from the wizard world who are after you. Do you remember when you were two months pregnant and it was half way through the wizard competition?

Alex: I remember.

Hayden: Pwegnant? Mommy, what does pwegnant mean?

Justin: It means, sweetie, that Mommy was carrying you around in her tummy.

Hayden: Oh. Why doesn't she now?

Justin: You couldn't of stayed there forever, could you?

Hayden looked deep in thought thinking about it.

Hayden: No, I guess not. You're wight Daddy. As always.

Justin picked Hayden up and placed her on his lap.

Alex: Justin, maybe we should take her to Mom and dads. So we can continue this conversation.

Justin: Yeah good idea.

They walk over to the Russo Loft. They walk up to Jerry and Theresa who are sitting on the couch.

Theresa: Alex, Justin.

Alex: Heya.

Hayden jumped out of Justin's arms and ran over to Jerry and Theresa.

Hayden: Gwanma, Gwanpa. Where's uncle Max?

Jerry: He's at a dodge ball tournament sweetie.

Hayden: Oh ok then.

Justin: Mom, Dad, could you watch her while we talk to Professor Crumbs privately.

Theresa: Yeah of course.

Jerry studies their faces.

Jerry: Is it serious?

Professor Crumbs: Very.

Theresa: Jerry, you go and fill me in later. I can watch Hayden.

Jerry: Ok.

Jerry, Justin, Alex and Professor Crumbs head back to Alex and Justin's new apartment. They settle themselves down on the sofas.

Alex: We were talking about what happened half-way through the wizard competition?

Professor Crumbs: Yes. We now know who caused that rock formation and their intentions.

Justin: Seriously?

Crumbs: Yes. It appears they had heard of the pregnancy and were trying to get you to miscarry.

Jerry: Why would anyone do that?

Crumbs: You know as well as I that incest is not accepted at all in the wizard world. It is detested. And I mean detested. Even some council members seek to um eliminate little Hayden.

Justin: Just because they hate incest, doesn't give them the right to try and kill our kid.

Crumbs: It's not just that…

Jerry: What do you mean?

Crumbs: Before I get into that, let me show you a picture of the one who caused the rock formation. Her name is Cutter Rowe.

Crumbs puts a picture of her up on the wall using magic. Alex gasps.

Alex: I know her. She was the one who kicked me till I bled when I was nine months pregnant. We nearly lost Hayden…

Silent tears rolled down Alex's face.

Alex: She was also the one driving the truck that hit Justin, resulting in him being in a coma for two years.

Jerry: That bitch.

Crumbs: She wasn't aiming for Justin. She wouldn't care if she hurt him, but she wasn't aiming for him. Her goal is Hayden.

Justin: So, the truck was supposed to hit Hayden?

Crumbs: Yes. If it had, it would've hit Alex as well because she was pushing Hayden in her pushchair yes?

Alex: That's right.

Justin: Then I'm glad it hit me instead. Better me than you guys.

Alex: Justin, don't say that.

Justin: I couldn't live with myself is something happened to you or Hayden.

Alex: That's exactly how I feel. And how I felt when you were in that coma.

They smile sadly at each other and pull into each others embrace.

Jerry: Now what's this other reason why people want to kill Hayden?

Crumbs hesitates but then answers.

Crumbs: Because… (sighs) There's this prophecy sort of thing that says that a child born of a brother and sister wizard… will be the most powerful wizard in the known universe and will use their power for good or evil. If used for evil we will all be dead.

Everyone gasps.

Justin: Oh my god.

Alex: Oh my gosh. Are you saying that Hayden…?

Crumbs: She may be. Or she might not be. The prophecy may not be true.

Jerry: And that's why everyone wants to kill her?

Crumbs: Yes. Some want to get rid of the threat, some want the power for themselves and others are too terrified she will be evil so figure best not to take that chance.

Alex: She's just a kid. She's a 4 year old. She's not going to do anything.

Crumbs: I know that. Others don't.

Alex leans her head on Justin's shoulder.

Alex: god, this is so messed up. Will our lives ever be normal?

Justin wraps his arms around her.

Justin: We're not normal people.

Crumbs: They won't stop trying to kill her.

Alex: Why us?

Justin: I don't know. I honestly don't know.

Xxx

Why them? Because I'm an evil writer and I like to throw problems at them. Lol. Well, pls review. And in your review would you be so kind as to put what you want to happen. Do you want Hayden to be/not be killed. What do you want to happen with the wizards and council members who want to kill Hayden? Should Alex and Justin. Wait just about to reveal a little too much. Lol. I'll stop now. Review please.

Xxx

CHAPTER 4 : The fight begins