"Happy Thanksgiving again, Madam Nova! It was so wonderful having you and Spencer join our family for this holiday," Hannah's mother said, hugging Madam Nova at their front door.

"Well, thank you, Mary and Oliver, for inviting us. I haven't had a Thanksgiving meal that good in years!" Madam Nova complimented as she moved to hug Hannah's father and brothers too.

"I hope you'll consider coming back to our place for Christmas dinner too. Mary loves having company to cook for," Hannah's father added, as he opened the door and walked with them to Hannah's car.

"I would love that," Madam Nova smiled.

"But Grandma, I mean Madam Nova," Spencer corrected. "Don't forget you'll be coming home with me for Christmas this year."

Hannah smiled, loving that Spencer was as good at creating stories on the fly as she was.

"Oh, that's right," Madam Nova said as she pretended to recall the plans. She opened the door to the back seat and climbed in. "Maybe sometime after the new year, then."

"Sounds great! Hannah, you get Spencer and Madam Nova home safely," her father instructed.

"I will, Dad," Hannah agreed with a knowing smile as she closed her door and started the car. She waved to her dad and backed down the driveway to the road. She sped off towards Madam Nova's home.

"Thank you for inviting me to spend Thanksgiving with you and your family, Hannah."

"Of course!" Hannah said, waving her hand across the air as to dismiss Madam Nova's gratitude. "I didn't want you to miss a chance to spend time with Spencer once more before he heads back to Aeon on Monday night."

"Well, thank you for your consideration. I hope it won't be as long before you come back again, Spencer?" Madam Nova asked quizzically.

Hannah's ears perked, wanting to pay attention to Spencer's answer. It was the one question she was afraid to ask him herself.

Spencer shifted in his seat, to turn his stare back at Madam Nova sternly. "You know how it works, Nova."

"I don't," Hannah spoke up.

"I really didn't want to explain it now. I was hoping we could save it for the weekend and just spend today remaining thankful for the time we have left."

"Well, if I recall from my experiences over the last few weeks, it's better to just be upfront with each other," Hannah pointed out. "Please, just tell me now."

"Okay," Spencer gave in, not wanting to argue. "Once the portal reopens, and I step back through to Aeon, you will no longer be able to complete the summoning spell again successfully. Also, any attempt in trying to re-summon anyone from Aeon will destroy the mirror and cup you use. It was created as a protective measure to release the link between the summoning witch and my world. This ensures our powers and abilities are not abused by the witches and wizards of other dimensions and worlds."

Hannah drove in silence for a while, as she processed Spencer's words. Her gut started knotting up, and she knew tears weren't far behind. She was determined to stay strong and fight back her emotions. She looked in the rear-view mirror at Madam Nova. Suddenly realizing why she reacted to the code words Spencer used when they arrived at her door the first time.

"Did you try to re-summon him?" Hannah asked her.

"Many times, over many years."

"Even though you knew your cups would break and your mirrors would shatter?"

Madam Nova nodded. "I was in love with him, or the memory of him for so many years. I had to try."

When she arrived at Madam Nova's, Spencer requested that Hannah wait in the car as he walked Madam Nova to her door. Hannah didn't object in the slightest.

Hannah watched Spencer and Madam Nova talking on the front porch by the door. They then hugged each other tightly. Madam Nova kissed him on the cheek and went into her house. Hannah watched as he stared at the closed door for a minute before walking back and getting in her car.

"Now, let's go home. I could really use another slice of your mom's pumpkin pie," he said with a smile, but his eyes showed his sadness.

Hannah nodded and did a u-turn, glancing at Madam Nova's crumbling house once more, wondering if she'd ever see her again.

*****

Spencer spent his last weekend hanging out with Hannah and her family. Hannah loved watching him play video games with her brothers and playing chess with her father. He also volunteered to cook dinner for her family on Sunday night, so her mom could have a break. While he cooked, he talked to Hannah's mother about so many things. It made Hannah slightly jealous that she couldn't have the same natural relationship with her mother. She made a mental promise to be more open with her going forward and less argumentative.

Spencer made the usual Sunday dinner, spaghetti with meatballs. But he made the meatballs from scratch, as well as adding different spices and ingredients that her mother never used. The taste was so good that there weren't any words to describe the joy Hannah's taste-buds felt.

"I can never cook this meal again!" her mother exclaimed. "After having yours, Spencer, my dish will taste so bland."

Spencer chuckled and thanked her for the compliment. "The recipe is my mother's. I'd be happy to share it with you, Mrs. Huntress."

"I bet your parents will be glad to have you home," Hannah's father stated.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Huntress, and I'll be glad to be home, too," Spencer nodded. "It feels like it's been years since I've seen my sister and parents. Even though I know it's only been a blink of an eye," he added, giving a quick wink to Hannah.

"Haven't you been able to talk or FaceTime with them while you've been here?" Isaac asked while chewing on a mouth full of food.

Spencer shook his head. "No. Madam Nova's house isn't technologically up to date."

"I don't think her house is up to date on anything!" Isaac added, spitting out a little sauce from his mouth as he followed his statement with a laugh.

"Manners, Isaac!" Hannah's mother reprimanded.

Isaac gulped down his food and apologized immediately.

"I'm going to miss you," Robbie chimed in, looking at his plate and rolling a meatball around with his fork.

"Awe, thanks, little man," Spencer responded. "I'm going to miss you too. I'm going to miss all of you," Spencer added, looking at everyone around the table, and ending with his eyes locked on Hannah's.

"But you'll be coming back," Isaac stated, more than questioned. "I mean, you'll have to visit Madam Nova again, right?"

"Actually," Spencer paused for a moment. "It's been decided that Madam Nova is going to be moving in with my family. There won't be any reason for me to come back."

Everyone went sadly quiet with Spencer's words. Hannah brushed the tears out of her eyes before they could even fall from them. Not wanting to be there anymore, Hannah excused herself and left the room, leaving her plate of food barely touched.

*****

The next morning, seeing how heartbroken Hannah was, and thanks to her father's persuasive ways, her parents agreed to let her stay home that day. As long as she still took Isaac to school. She was so grateful to have a whole day alone with Spencer.

They spent the morning at the park but decided not to walk the trail again. This time they went to the playground and chased each other and played like they were a couple of carefree kids. There were a few parents and young children there, but for the most part, they had the area to themselves.

After leaving the park, they stopped by a sub shop to get a couple of sandwiches to eat at home. They ate, cuddled, and watched several episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory,' per Spencer's request. After the third episode, Spencer suggested he and Hannah test her magic one more time. He wanted to make sure he didn't leave without her at least knowing the foundations of magic.

He quizzed her on all the runes, which she got a hundred percent correct. Then he had her do a simple tarot reading, which she was able to do almost without making a mistake. Though, she still struggled with some of the reversed meanings and the order to read the cards. Lastly, he had her do a simple spell where she could change the color of the ink in her Sharpie. He was proud of her accomplishments in just a few short weeks. She had to admit, she was proud of herself too.

The day was coming to an end sooner than Hannah wanted. She rushed through dinner, which frustrated her mother. Still, she didn't complain about it and even let Hannah leave the table before anyone else was done.

Hannah wanted to spend every last moment with Spencer. She was having a tough time coming to grips with having to say goodbye to him. There were only a few hours left before the portal was going to open.

Hannah rested on her bed, with her back against the wall as her legs stretched out, with her laptop resting on them. Spencer was sitting cross-legged at the end of her bed, flipping through a Game Informer magazine.

As he finished reading an article, he glanced up at Hannah. He saw her eyes shifting excitedly from left to right as she was reading something. "What's so fascinating?"

"It says here, in a magic forum post, that there are other dimension spells available to witches. Even if the mirror spell was already used," Hannah pointed out, sounding hopeful. "That means I should be able to call on you again if you ever want to come back."

Spencer shook his head sadly. "The chances of it being me that comes back is low, Hannah. Plus, you may even end up opening a whole other dimension, and that would be a gamble I don't want you to bet on."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"Really, Hannah?"

"Well, why can't I come to Aeon with you then?" She suggested.

"Let's be rational, Hannah." He looked at her like she was going crazy. "You couldn't come to Aeon. You'd die instantly. The energy and gravity in my world would literally crush you." Spencer stood up, walked over to her window, and looked over at Eddie's house, where light was glowing from behind the closed blinds of his room window. "Trust me, if there was any way I could see you again, I would."

"Why even leave at all? How about you don't go through the portal this time and just go home next month when the full moon comes back around? I'm sure an extra month here is like a minute on your world," Hannah calculated.

"It's something like that," he confirmed, still staring out the window, but he had shifted his sight to look up at the night sky. Only the brightest stars were visible passed the radiant full moon. "Unfortunately, no matter where I am, or even if I tried to resist, the portal will reopen, and I will go home."

Tears flowed freely down Hannah's cheeks as she realized that there was not a thing that could change the inevitable. Spencer turned to face her. She noticed his eyes were watery too. Placing her laptop down on the bed, she hurried over to him, wrapping her arms under his and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Who knows," Hannah said, still hugging Spencer. "Maybe one day, another silly, wannabe witch will complete the summoning spell, and you'll come back when I'm the same age as Madam Nova is now." Hannah laughed lightly as she considered that thought.

"One could only hope I'd get that lucky."

*****

As the time closed in on one in the morning, Hannah's heart started racing as if she was about to wish Spencer a "Happy New Year". Except there was nothing happy about what was about to occur.

"You'll be okay," Spencer assured her with a kiss. "As the saying goes, time heals all wounds."

"That's it!"

"What?"

"You can take us over to the soul side and stop time again!" Hannah suggested, cursing herself for not thinking of it sooner.

"Hannah..." Spencer sighed.

Just then, Hannah's mirror turned pitch black, this time without her having to stand in front of it with a cup and a candle. Moments later, blasts of light and darkness burst into her room, just like she had seen when looking into Madam Nova's crystal ball.

"It's time," Spencer said, walking towards the mirror, holding Hannah's hand that held his back tighter than ever.

"How will I go on without you invading my thoughts anymore?" She cried.

Spencer smiled. "I'm glad you haven't lost your sense of humor."

Spencer pulled Hannah into him once more. He hugged her tightly before moving to kiss her one last time. His embrace was powerful and passionate. She responded with equal passion, while tears poured down her face, getting caught in their kiss.

Then the force of the portal began to separate Spencer from her. She held onto his hand as long as she could. Finally, their fingertips parted, and the portal closed. She was standing there, alone, with only her reflection in the mirror looking back at her.

Hannah collapsed onto her floor and cried as she'd never cried before.

*****

The next day, Hannah went through most of the day in a dark haze. She avoided talking to anyone at school for most of the day, including Jennifer and Tina.

As she was at her locker, packing up her backpack before heading home, Vice-Principal Roku approached her.

"Where's your friend?" he asked casually.

"He went back home," Hannah said, finding it difficult to speak.

"Oh. That's a shame. He was really an excellent student. Be sure to let him know, he's welcome back here whenever he comes back again."

"He won't be coming back. Ever," Hannah said as tears started flowing again.

Hannah could tell Vice-Principal Roku felt awkward seeing her cry. "Now, now, Ms. Huntress. Dry those eyes. While you may be hurting because you've lost someone you cared deeply for, just remember that love always finds its way out of the darkness."

At that moment, she needed to hear those words. She thanked him and made her way out of school. Finally, feeling hopeful that she'd get through this.

As she turned on her car, the radio blasted on. Of all things that came through at that moment, the pest control jingle, Spencer liked, started playing.

It made Hannah bob her head to the beat and smile.

......THE END...

__________________________________________________

Auther's Note:

Thank you for reading my story until the very end!

Part of me wants to create an epilogue, but I feel like I've tied up everything nicely... For the most part.

Please let me know if you feel anything further needs to be addressed and I may reconsider writing the epilogue.

I hope you've enjoyed this journey with Hannah and Spencer and all the other characters that were made with love, from a simple prompt.

I have never felt more proud as I do at this very moment!

Thank you again for your support, comments, feedback, and votes!