Title: A Love Cut Short

Author: Zeria

Summary: When Chris dies he returns to the Future to find that he is engaged to a perfect stranger. Meanwhile in the past Leo, Paige and Phoebe attempt to hide Chris' "Death" from Piper

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I own nothing. :(

"He is so beautiful."

Piper smiled at her ex-husband's words. Yes, baby Chris was truly a sight to behold with his chubby baby cheeks, downy tuft of brown hair, and those dark navy blue eyes that all babies seem to have until their true eye color manifests. The surprise of which eye color her son would have was non-existent though. She had seen him as an adult, and often found herself staring into his intense green eyes. They were just like his father's.

It seemed so long ago, that day when Chris Perry had magically appeared in their lives. A strange whitelighter from the future on a quest to save Wyatt. It wasn't until nine months earlier that she and the rest of the family had learned Chris Perry was actually Chris Halliwell. Wyatt's little brother.

"Piper?" Leo was staring at her a concerned look on his face. He'd been giving her that look nearly every five minutes. She supposed she couldn't be upset with him for worrying about her though. Chris' birth had hardly been smooth. Both she and the baby nearly died.

"I'm fine, Leo. Just thinking about the 'other' Chris."

All color seemed to drain out of her ex's face. Why wouldn't he look at her?

"Leo? Hey, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry adult Chris couldn't be here. I'm really going to miss him."

Piper nodded. "Me too."

When Leo had told her he had sent Chris back to the future, Piper had felt a strange wrongness in the pit of her stomach. She still got it every time Leo mentioned Chris' absence. It was as if...no, Leo would never lie to her. He was an angel...literally. She just missed her son. That had to be it. It was silly really. It wasn't as if Chris was truly gone. She was holding him, well, at least a baby version of him. Besides, she knew he had to go back eventually. It was only fair that he got to enjoy the future he helped to save.

"I should probably get going, Piper. Visiting hours are over. Plus, I want to see Wyatt, tuck him into bed, maybe just hold him for awhile."

"Give him a kiss and a hug for me?"

Leo smiled. "Of course." With that the bright blue and white lights known as orbs surrounded him and he was gone.

Piper sighed and glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "I swear, Chris, this time around we aren't going to make those mistakes. You are going to be safe, happy and loved. No more pain for you, Mister. I promise. I don't care if I have to take on the whole world. You deserve happiness."

First was pain. A sharp, burning pain in his gut. It felt like his insides were being put through a shredder. He couldn't move, couldn't really think even. All that existed was the pain. Sure he knew Leo was there asking him to hold on, but the reality was the agony he felt. The truth was the torture his body was enduring. Hold on? Yeah, sure, Dad.

Next there was the calm. Death? Well, nothing could be worse than the feeling of your guts being sliced and diced. It might actually be nice to pass on. Peaceful even. His family would be there to meet him. The mom from his time, the one he had lost when he was fourteen, she would surely be there to welcome him into the after life. He missed her so much.

A light appeared, bright, but not painfully so. It was warm and inviting. Wait. Lights that are warm and inviting are usually not a good sign. Oh, great, so he really was dead. Might as well...MOM? She was there! She was smiling and waving. Waving? It looked like she was waving goodbye. No, he wasn't going to hell was he? He had messed with the time line, even killed an innocent or two, but it was all for the greater good! He sounded like Gideon now. That psycho elder had murdered him and attempted to murder Wyatt. Maybe Chris deserved to go to hell, but why would Piper be smiling, then? No, something was going on. Something weird.

He could feel himself being pulled downward slowly away from his mother. Oh, down is bad. Down is very, very bad.

"Chris? Chris, wake up breakfast is getting cold."

Huh?

The young man cautiously opened one eye, then the other. A young girl was standing at the end of the bed her arms folded and a frown on her face. She looked so much like Pheobe, especially the big brown eyes. Wait, that couldn't be...?

"Listen, Chris, Paris went to all that trouble to make pancakes for your birthday. The least you can do is come down stares and pretend to like them."

Chris slowly sat up, glancing at his stomach to make sure the giant, bloody wound wasn't still there. Nope. Not even a scratch. What the heck is going on? Prue and Paris are alive? He isn't dead? Then...Leo did it!! He saved Wyatt! That was the only explanation. If Wyatt were never evil his cousins would all be alive, and he never would have been in the past and Gideon would have never gotten the chance to stab him! Yesssssss!!!

Prue sighed. "Okay, I know it isn't fair to have to deal with food poisoning on your birthday, but do you really want to be the one to tell Paris her cooking stinks?"

"Uh, I'll be down in a sec. Just let me get dressed and cleaned up a bit."

"Sure."

As Prue opened the door to leave, a mini-clone of Paige came rushing in and jumped up on the bed. Prue sighed again. "Pearl, haven't we all told you a billion times you are too old to be running around and jumping on beds?" When she didn't even receive so much as a look, the older girl shook her head and left.

Chris smiled to himself. His baby cousin Pearl. Wow, she wasn't a baby anymore. She looked what? Twelve, thirteen? She was the spitting image of Paige. Amazing. She had always borne a strong resemblance to her mother but this was just eerie.

"I wanted to give you your first present. That way it is the most special no matter what really great gifts the others give you." She handed him a rectangular shaped box covered in pink wrapping paper. She grinned. "I picked the wrapper special for ya."

"Thanks. Pink always has been a favorite of mine." He replied sarcastically.

He slowly peeled away the layers of wrapper until he was left with the present hidden underneath. It was a picture in a cherry wood frame. The last family photo ever taken, back when his mom was still alive. Chris looked up at his baby cousin and smiled softly. "This is the best present anyone could possibly have given me. How did you get this? I thought I threw all her photos in the fire when I found out that mom was...you know."

"Wyatt helped me." She looked down sheepishly. "We sort of used a spell. I know, I know, personal gain, but not really cause it was for you and not us. Besides, we never would have been able to get it otherwise."

Chris leaned forward pulling her into a hug. "Thanks."

As they slowly pulled apart, Pearl scrunched up her face. "We should probably get downstairs before Paris's head implodes. She's already mad because...well, uh, let's just say don't go near the homemade smoothies."

She hopped down off the bed and scooted out the door without another word.

Chris just shook his head. This was incredible. His cousins were alive and all grown up. Best of all, if they were back in the land of the living, then Bianca had to be too! The woman he loved just had to be alive. He couldn't imagine a future without her in it. When she died, he only managed to go on with his mission because of the hope he held that she would come back if he could save Wyatt. If his brother wasn't evil, he would never have killed her. It made sense that she'd be alive. And when Chris saw her again, held her again, he would know without a doubt that this life was perfect.

The young man was still pondering the possibilities when the door flung open and a very upset looking woman came rushing in carrying a big brown paper bag full what seemed to be decorations. Her long strawberry blonde curls bounced as she stormed over to the dresser drawer and threw down the bag. She turned around to face Chris, her hands on her hips. She had the most amazing blue eyes...

"You would not believe the day I have had! First the caterer called. You know what that pompous little runt said? He said he couldn't do the wedding because another couple is getting married on the exact same day and they're willing to pay him more. Can you believe the nerve of that guy? The wedding is two weeks away! How am I ever gonna find someone to take the job on such short notice? Then, the florist called. Turns out she is Robbie's Aunt. I mean how lucky can you get? My ex-fiancee's Aunt was going to be the florist, only now that she knows who I am, she won't do it. Says it will break poor Robbie's heart. He cheated on me! What heart is she referring to? Then when I was at the store picking up supplies for your party..." She paused her face turning from rage to guilt. "Oh, my god. What is wrong with me? It's your birthday and I'm sitting here bitching about my day to you. You don't need this. I'm so sorry."

Chris could only manage a weak half-smile. "Uh, no problem." He felt like adding, 'whoever you are', but thought better of it.

The red-head moved over to the bed and sat on the edge next to him, sidling her petite frame against his muscular one. "Happy birthday, baby." She leaned in and before Chris had the chance to figure out what to do, the stranger was kissing him. Passionately.

She slowly pulled away leaving Chris to just sit there staring at her. The woman, however didn't notice his dumb look of shock. She simply smiled shaking her head. "Sorry I acted like such a witch just then." Her eyes grew wide in panic. "I mean demon! Witches are good! Very nice handsome people." She bit her lower lip and grimaced. "Sorry, guess I need to learn some new figures of speech, huh?"

Chris blinked.

"Hey, Chris, you feeling ok?"

"Uh...I just...you know need a shower and to get some coffee. I'm not awake yet."

The petite woman nodded. "Ah. Well, in that case, I am going to go downstairs and talk to Emily. If I'm lucky she'll be done feeding Peyton, so I can hold the little angel. God, your niece is the most adorable little baby."

Chris blinked again. Niece? Wyatt had a daughter? Who was Emily? Wyatt's wife? The baby's mother? When did that happen? And most importantly why in the name of all that is good does this woman think they are getting married? He's engaged to Bianca! Not some stranger! Bianca! Where was Bianca? !

TBC... anyone interested?