A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 3: The strength of a family is in its loyalty to each other

December 9, 2006

New York City, New York, United States

Zack inhaled the familiar scent of the JFK International Airport as he stepped onto the escalator. Just being here brought back memories of the last time he was there. He remembered Justin's "allergies" flaring up, Max being too shocked to speak, Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jerry (close family friends and not actual relatives) crying unashamedly and Harper trying to stay strong for Alex but failing as tears streamed down her eyes like water down a river. Most of all, he remembered Alex, supposedly all cried out, having tears in her eyes at the time of their last wave and the seeing her crying once he turned back after stepping into the boarding passageway.

It had been nearly 2 years since Zack moved from "The City That Never Sleeps" to "The City on a Hill". Despite all his new friends, he preferred New York City. He was eagerly looking forward to seeing Alex again. 

Zack had spent all of his and Cody's pocket money on gifts for the Russos, something he considered worth every penny. For once, even Carey and Cody had agreed with him. Maddie and Mr. Moseby had gone further and given him free souvenirs from the Tipton Hotel gift shop to give to the Russos in addition to presents, while London had had a flash of uncharacteristic generosity and had flown the Martin family from Boston to New York on her private jet.

He smiled. He had gained a new family: Maddie, hardworking and intelligent; London, spoilt but well-intentioned; Marion Moseby, stern but loving; Arwin, goofy but kind and Esteban, eccentric and generous. All the same, he remembered some lyrics of his friend Hannah Montana's hit song: "You can change your hair, you can change your clothes, you can change your mind, that's just the way it goes; you can say goodbye, you can say hello, but you'll always find your way back home."

Carey, Zack and Cody caught sight of the Russos and Harper Finkle, standing in front of the information board. Alex was the first to turn and spot the Martins and when she saw Zack she locked eyes with him and broke into the widest smile Zack had ever seen. Her eyes gleamed, as if to say, I want to hug you so badly right now. She ran towards him, causing the rest of the group to turn and follow suit, enveloping the Martins in a hug.

Zack felt his chest warm with happiness: he felt safe, warm, loved and protected. Zack had struggled with his position in his own family: his father was always on the road; his mother was always busy, and all other relatives always gave their undivided attention and love to Cody while isolating Zack, making him feel lonely. 

These feelings were ones he had shoved down deep, in the hopes that he would never have to deal with them again: he was wrong. The feelings regularly resurfaced, and they hurt like sharp glass. He had admitted these insecurities only to Alex before he had moved to Boston; she had, characteristically, calmed him down and made him feel better about himself, causing him to feel even worse after moving to Boston.

Both families broke out of the hug at the same time, and after exchanging more than few "I missed you"s and "It's so great to see you again"s, the group split into three as they exited the airport: Carey, Theresa and Jerry exchanged stories; Harper, Justin and Cody began talking about scientific theories and experiments while Max and Alex grabbed Zack from both sides as if he were under arrest (practice for later life, Alex snarkily commented, to Zack's embarrassment and the other's amused agreement) and frog marching him to the magically expanded Cab 804.

Once they were in the back of the cab, Max hugged Zack and said: "I'm glad you're back, I missed you." to which Zack responded, "I missed you too, Max."

"What about me? Alex asked, innocently pouting, with one hand twirling her hair and moving her fingers up his arms to his shoulder.

Zack grinned and hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much." he said, before giving her a kiss on the cheek that made her blush profusely.