Patterns of eternity
In loving memory of my Dad who died of lung cancer earlier this year after a 7 month battle with the fatal disease that kills so many people every day. Rest in paradise, Dad. I love you! ⋆ November 10th, 1947 - ✝July 13th, 2011.
This story takes place roughly 17 years after the Ultimate Battle.
Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed.
"Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies, then it's a hard initiation into adulthood when someone we love and trust leaves us forever..."
- Edna St. Vincent Millay & Hay
Life had indeed been good for the Wyatt family for the longest time since the ultimate battle in 2006. All members of the family were close to one another because Piper Halliwell – once the middle sister now oldest following Prue's death in 2001 had always made sure to be very involved with her kids and husband.
Sometimes tragedy strikes. It happens every day somewhere around the world and yet you're always so unprepared when it comes to your own family. You think nothing will ever happen to you or your family. Yesterday, Christopher and his siblings Wyatt and Melinda only had homework, girlfriends and life in all general to worry about. Today, their worries lie with an ill parent who might not make it.
19-year-old Christopher Perry Halliwell had spent most of his morning and lunch in town when he received a much dreaded phone call. One he believed he would never have to answer or deal with. Wyatt aged 20 was at work and Melinda aged 16 at school all leading very different lives. Wyatt had recently moved out and into his own apartment with a roomie and Chris was on his way out, too. Melinda lived at the Manor with her parents but had recently discovered the perks of being the youngest sibling when she got Wyatt's old room. Everything changed that day in December when they learned of their Mom's diagnosis and poor prognosis.
Piper and Leo left the Manor exactly 45 minutes before the appointment at the hospital. The ride to the destination was quiet. They held hands as they walked to the entrance at the hospital and went inside to sign Piper in. It only took a few moments for the doctor to call Piper's name. "Please follow me this way" he said kindly as he walked towards one of the exam rooms. "Feel free to sit down" the doctor said in a professional manner as he himself sat down only for a short moment before standing up and turning the x-ray light box on studying the x-rays of Piper's chest. Piper looked at the x-ray and noticed the dark spots clearly visible, but said nothing. Instead, the doctor coughed a few times then his eyes looked directly at Piper and Leo "Cancer is an abnormal, continual multiplying of cells. The cells divide uncontrollably and may grow into tissue or spread to distant parts of the body." He began and continued just seconds later "The mass of cancer cells will eventually become large enough to produce tumors that can be detected. These tumors can be benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not cancerous and can be removed and will most likely not come back – this is the good kind. A malignant tumor is cancerous and can invade and damage nearby tissue and organs – it's a bad kind. Your tumor is the bad kind" the doctor said looking at Piper.
Piper said nothing as she tried coming to terms with the fact that her cancer was malignant. Leo stared at the doctor in disbelief. "What does that mean?" The doctor looked at Leo as if he was an idiot. "It means the tumor is malignant. Another doctor will come in here and talk to you in a moment to explain what happens next" he said, standing up and rushed out of the room. Piper was sure she had seen a hint of remorse considering she had been going for tests so many times and this doctor had never figured it out. A female doctor knocked on the door and walked into the room. "My name's Amy." She said, her eyes quickly scanning the file in her hand. "You've just been diagnosed, I see. We'll need to perform a Bone Marrow Biopsy to find out the appropriate treatment. If you'll follow me this way, please" the Doctor stood up and began walking towards the door until she realized neither Piper nor Leo were following and remained seated.
Piper looked at the doctor with a confused expression, and then finally spoke up. "I can't deal with this today. I can't have this done today. I am sorry, but we're going to have to reschedule all of this" Piper spoke in a soft but serious tone of voice as Amy walked back to her seat and looked at Piper and Leo. Piper took Leo's hand in hers then looked at the doctor. "How do you want me to tell my Dad? my kids? my sisters?" Amy shrugged and stood up once again. "I'm sorry but I'll just get a nurse to reschedule the Bone Marrow Biopsy" and with that, she opened the door and motioned for Piper and Leo to follow. They just stood in the hallway. Piper was in shock but remained calm. Leo on the other hand, not so much. A young nurse nearby walked over and led Piper and Leo away from the crowded hallway mumbling something about them not being able to stay there and ushered them into a doctor's office. Piper hugged Leo and looked at the nurse "So what happens now?" "I suggest you go home and have an emergency meeting with your family. Do you have kids?" "Yes, two boys and a girl. My oldest is 20 and the other two teenagers" Piper glanced sideways as she was still trying hard to decide how to tell her kids that she had cancer. The nurse nodded "Well, they have to know. You can't keep this from them. I know this is all very hard to take in right now but you can't let this crucial news destroy you. You simply can't let it" It was Leo's turn to nod but was not sure whether he agreed or not. He knew his wife had cancer but maybe it was too soon to break it to the kids? What if it wasn't that bad? There were treatments…there was still hope for a perfect future in which he'd get the chance to grow old with his beautiful wife. The nurse made arrangements for them to come back the following day. On the way home in the car, Piper and Leo discussed how to break it to the rest of the family but it was a task near impossible and they disagreed several times on what was best and what was not. Piper climbed out of the car and looked at Leo "I'm going to work" she mumbled then walked into the building of her restaurant and continued where she left of as if she was back to her normal self. Little did she know that nothing was going get back to what it was.