A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 19: A bittersweet reunion, again

May 6, 2011

New York City, New York, United States

Zack Martin and Cody Martin stood quietly on the dock, watching as the ship that had been their home for the last 3 years, was slowly dismantled. It was heartbreaking, and the twins couldn't hold in their tears, watching the S.S. Tipton come apart right in front of them. However, they mercifully weren't around to see the entire process, as their parents and Arwin Hawkhauser pulled them away from the dock towards the waiting car. The twins got in, still looking back.

After they had sat inside, Zack and Cody realized that the car was Cab 804, the magically configured cab of the Russos. They briefly wondered why the Russos had sent the cab to pick them up, but they quickly realized why. Their parents, not realizing this, began explaining.

"Kids, your father and I have a series of concerts up and down the North-East, so you'll be staying with the Russos for the summer." Carey said, as Kurt nodded and Arwin smiled.

"Why can't we stay with Arwin?" Zack asked, causing Carey to sigh and Kurt and Arwin to grin.

"Because Arwin stays with his mother and sister, and his house is already full." Carey retorted.

"Zack, you're usually excited to stay with the Russos. What happened?" Kurt asked curiously.

The images flashed vividly in Zack's mind: Alex and him on his 16th birthday, the two of them wriggling in his bed on his 17th birthday, the note and gift she'd left him preserved perfectly to that date and now in his suitcase, him crying bitterly at her having left him so quickly, their brief encounter at his senior prom. The thought of seeing Alex Russo again made Zack shiver in severe anticipation. He suppressed his emotions, smiling innocently at his parents. "Nothing." he said.

Carey narrowed her eyes at her son. She knew Zack was lying; she'd talked to Theresa and Jerry Russo and knew about the shifting dynamics between Alex and Zack. Carey hoped, for Zack's sake, that he would be thinking with his mind and not his heart. That might be too optimistic to hope for, she knew. Carey looked at him sternly. "You better behave yourself, Zack." she said.

Zack glared at her. "Aren't you going to tell Cody anything? It's always me you scold." he said.

Kurt jumped in before Carey could respond: "Cody, remember to be good, just like Zack will."

Cody suppressed a smirk. "Of course. Me and Zack will be good. I promise, Mom, Dad." he said.

The cab pulled up outside Waverly Place. Zack and Cody stepped out of the cab and into the arms of the waiting Russos. Theresa, Jerry, Justin and Max hugged Zack and Cody, and began congratulating them on their graduation. The twins smiled and thanked them, chatting away.

Zack, Cody and the 4 Russos waved goodbye as Carey, Kurt and Arwin were transported away in Cab 804, Arwin believing the Cab was extremely efficient, not magical. The twins, along with the Russos, walked into Waverly Substation, pausing for a few moments to absorb the memories. Theresa and Jerry got back to work at the restaurant, promising to join the kids as soon as the restaurant closed. Justin and Max then took Zack and Cody into the Russo family's magical lair.

Zack's nose detected the scent of food wafting into the house. Hungrily, he along with Cody, Justin and Max, followed the scent, ending up in the living room, just outside the kitchen.

It was there Zack laid eyes on Alex Russo for the first time in nearly two months. She was rushing around the kitchen, mixing ingredients into the food that was being made by her for the rest of them. Alex was trying desperately to make chimichangas and a concha, two Mexican dishes the Russos always made perfectly, resulting in Zack and Cody developing tastes for these dishes.