A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 24: Birthdays always bring unexpected but pleasant and blessed surprises

August 4, 2011

New York City, New York, United States

Zack woke up to the sound of silence. This was unusual: whenever he woke up, he would usually catch a whiff of food drifting into his room from the kitchen, sounds of argument from the living room, and most of the times, Alex Russo curled up in bed right next to him. Today, he heard nothing. The normally rambunctious Russo household was as quiet as a church during Mass.

Zack got out of bed, took a leisurely shower and put on his best clothes: his black suit, white shirt, blue tie, brown shoes and silver-grey Vacheron Constantin watch, before applying his cologne, which gave a strong scent of the sea. Today was his and Cody's 18th birthday, and their parents were taking a break from their tour to celebrate the occasion. He needed to look his best.

He stepped out of Alex's room to find the whole house was still pin-drop silent. Zack walked downstairs to find his twin brother Cody sitting at the breakfast table. Cody was also wearing his suit, which was identical to Zack, except his tie was red instead of blue and he was wearing a Hublot timepiece. Cody got up and walked over, bear hugging his brother and catching Zack off-guard.

"Happy 18th birthday, Zack." Cody said, after he pulled away, happy tears shimmering in his eyes.

"Happy 18th birthday, Cody." Zack said, smiling "Guess we're not so little anymore, huh?"

Cody smiled wistfully. "No, we're not. We're now adults. Boy, where did the time go?" he said.

Zack grinned. "Beats me." he said. His smile turned into a frown. "Where is everyone?" he asked.

Cody shrugged. "I don't know. They just left this note and told us to eat our breakfast." he said.

Zack took the note from Cody and opened it. It said, Happy 18th Birthday, Zack and Cody! We've gone to visit Professor Crumbs (wherever he is) and we'll be back when we can. Breakfast is in the fridge. Enjoy. Just please don't burn down the house (that means you, Zack.). Love, the Russo family.

Zack rolled his eyes and handed back the note to Cody, who laughed and took the breakfast of waffles and pancakes with eggs on the side and orange juice out of the fridge. The two brothers had a leisurely breakfast, reminiscing on their lives so far, recalling all of their favorite memories, both laughing and tearing up at the same time.

After finishing breakfast, they magically cleaned up. Both of them knew that their family Wizarding Competition would be held soon, and they were both using magic while they still could. Little did Zack know, Cody had other plans. The two brothers went downstairs into the restaurant and walked right into the surprise.

As soon as they walked in, thunderous applause and cheering broke out among an assembled crowd as balloons, confetti and streamers fell all around them. Zack and Cody gasped as they realized the entire restaurant was packed with their friends and family. 

They saw nearly everyone they knew: Maddie Fitzpatrick, London Tipton, Wilfred Tipton, Hannah and Alexander Bennett, Woodrow Fink, Addison Sweetwater, Maxine Montgomery, Bailey Pickett, Marion Moseby, Emma Tutwiler, Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya de La Rosa Ramirez and his wife, Francesca, Arwin Hawkhauser and his Greek cousin, Milos, Professor Crumbs, chancellor Rootie Tootietootie, the entire Wizards' Council Mason Greyback, Juliet van Heusen, Barbara Brownstein, Robert Jamisson (Bob), Timothy Wilsted (Tapeworm), Raven Baxter, Cory Baxter, Chelsea Daniels, Edward Thomas, Hannah Montana, Robby Ray Stewart, Jackson Stewart, Rico Suave, Dolly Parton (Hannah Montana's godmother), Oliver Oken and Lily Truscott. They had all arrived, from all over the world, just for this occasion.

At the front were Carey and Kurt Martin, standing with the Russo family. Siblings and relatives on both Theresa and Jerry's sides of the family had turned up to celebrate the occasion, all of them wearing their best clothes. Zack laid eyes on Alex Russo, wearing a dark-blue and white striped top, several necklaces, a bracelet, no makeup, blue sweatpants and black boots. She blew him a kiss, which he put in his pocket and blew her a kiss back, with her reciprocating his gesture.