Hiding the Secret
Disclaimer: The Charmed characters do not belong to me. They are the creation of Constance Burge and Aaron spelling. I just borrow them for your enjoyment.
She had made her way slowly up the steps to her room. She had been able so far to hide from her sister. She couldn't believe it had been going on for nearly four years now. She couldn't believe her luck that her sister had not found out. But she looked what was in her past and looked forward to her future. A future where she knew this would soon end.
Four years earlier:
Prue tossed her bag in the front entranceway to the Manor she lived in with her Grams and two sisters. She had just finished her last day of work. Now all she had to do was wait out the last few days of summer before starting University. And in two years, Piper and her would get a place of their own. A place of piece and quiet from their youngest sister, and the ever watchful eye of their Grams.
"Piper, Phoebe." She called out for anyone but it seemed to her, she had the Manor to herself. "Great now I can get ready for my date with Andy in peace." She said to no one as she made her way through the Manor.
As she walked around the corner her heart nearly stopped.
"SURPRISE!"
She took a step back when she saw who was all in her living room. Besides her sisters, Gram's and Andy. Everyone from school was there, all the cheerleaders from the squad and nearly her whole class.
"Ok wow! What's going on?" she felt Andy's arm snake around her as he hugged drew her into a hug and gave her a warm kiss. "I thought you and I were going for dinner and dancing? Just the two of us." She looked at him disappointed that the night of the two of them had become everyone she knew.
"Don't worry. We still have tomorrow before I leave."
She smiled back at him and gave him his own kiss before breaking off and mixing in with the crowd.
Penny leaned against the doorframe at the dining room and watched her granddaughter's. One already graduated and starting university. She knew it wouldn't be long before Piper was joining her. She knew the two of them had already planned to get a place of their own as soon as Piper graduated from high school. Leaving just her and Phoebe at home. But she knew that one day they would all be back together again, under the safety of the Manor's roof. Doing what they were destined to do. Protect the innocent. But until that day, she would let them be innocent themselves and let them enjoy life as it was meant for them at that age to be enjoyed.
She felt the arms wrap around her from behind and the chin press against her shoulder, "Thanx Grams. This is the best." Prue said to her Grams. "Only one person missing. But I know she is here."
"She is always with you Prudence. Don't ever forget that." Penny reached up and gripped her granddaughter's hands in her before turning around and giving her a hug. "Now go and enjoy yourself. I'm heading up to bed. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
"Me too." Prue replied and watched as her Gram's made her way through the crowd and motioned for Phoebe to follow her.
Prue could see the disappointment in her youngest sisters face, "Grams it's ok. Let her stay a bit longer."
Grams and Phoebe both looked at Prue somewhat surprised. They both knew that it was usually Phoebe who was the last person that Prue wanted to be around with her friends. But inside Penny knew why.
"Good night my dears."
Phoebe eyed her big sister with caution before mouthing a thank you to her through the crowd.
"Great party." Piper said as she leaned against Prue as the last person left the Manor.
"It was. And thank you."
"Wasn't me."
"Oh?"
Piper cast her eyes in the direction of the sleeping youngest sister on the couch. She didn't need to say anything as she watched Prue make her way to Phoebe and gently lift her up. Even at 13 Phoebe was still small for her age. Carrying her up stairs she placed Phoebe on her bed and pulled the cover's over her. "Thank you honey."
"Your welcome Prue." Phoebe acknowledged as she rolled over and went back to sleep.
Piper sat on the steps with her cup of coffee waiting for Phoebe. First day of school always gave her the jitters. But this time it seemed different.
"Hey you." Piper looked up to met her big sister gaze. "Nervous?"
"A bit. It just feels weird knowing that you aren't going to be there."
"I haven't left the state Piper. I still live here."
"Yeah but you won't be at the same school. We've always been in the same school."
"Not when I went to junior high we weren't. Look you'll be fine."
"Prue I'm a senior with no friends."
"Piper don't be ridiculous. Look if you have any problems let me know. I still have my ways of setting those classmates of yours straight. They still know I'm your big sister even though I'm not there."
"Besides I can watch your back now Pipe." Phoebe came bounding out of the house ready for her first day. She was more ready for the gossip and what she had missed with her friend's then actual school itself.
Prue and Piper couldn't help but laugh at Phoebes antics as she started down the steps towards Pipers car.
Piper looked after Phoebe and turned to Prue. "Well I guess this is it."
"Yup. Look I'll see you tonight and fill you in on everything."
"Ok. Good luck Prue. And don't forget Phoebe has soccer practice after school. So don't get mad at her when she is late tonight."
"You too. And keep Phoebe out of trouble."
"Yeah riiight." Piper shot back over the roof of her car.
Prue stood on the steps and watched her sister's leave for school before she herself went in to get ready for her first day of university.
She made her way through the halls heading for her car after her last class. But as she placed the key in the lock, a hand knocked it aside.
"Halliwell. Been waiting for this."
She looked up at the crowd behind the girl. A girl she didn't even know.
"Can I help you."
"Maybe. But right now." She swung her fist hard into her stomach. "The game is just beginning."
She made her way up the steps to the Manor and was relieved that no one was home. She knew her sister was at work and Phoebe was at practice. She ran the hot bath water and eased herself into it letting the hot water relax her.
She had fallen to sleep on her bed and didn't even hear her sisters coming home. Making her way downstairs for dinner she followed the same routine she had every night. Only this time she was hiding sore ribs.
"So Phoebe. How was soccer practice?" Grams looked at her youngest grandchild. The dirt still on her face from her practice.
"It was great. And it was good to see all my friends too."
"Great to hear. Now go take a bath before you get that mud all over the house." Grams ordered
Prue and Piper had to laugh as Phoebe made her way up the stairs.
"She is the same now as when she was five." Prue laughed
"No way. She was cuter at it when she was five." Piper laughed, "So spill. How was the first day?"
Prue and Piper sat up talking about their first days at school.
"Girls. Come on now. Bed. Piper has an early day and so do you I believe Prue."
"We're coming Grams." Prue looked up at her grandmother. She had been though everything with them since their mother had died. And she wondered sometimes where she found the strength.
They had both made their way upstairs and towards their rooms.
She eased herself into bed as the throbbing in her ribs slowly subsided. She closed her eyes not looking forward to the next day at school.