This is your life Chapter 1, a charmed fanfic

As promised here is part 3 for you all to enjoy. I hope you will like it as much as the other stories. If you hadn't liked them I'm sure you wouldn't read this.

The first chapter is kind of long, I admit. But I wanted to introduce some characters and tell what everyone is up to before the stories really starts.

I once again receive help from piperspeanut on this story.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
yesterday is a promise that you've broken
don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
this is your life and today is all you've got now
yeah, and today is all you'll ever have
don't close your eyesf
don't close your eyes

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

yesterday is a kid in the corner
yesterday is dead and over

don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes

this is your life are you who you want to be
this is your life are you who you want to be

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

and you had everything to lose

by switchfoot

„Wyatt, is that you already?" a female voice could be heard from the kitchen - obviously stressed- welcoming Chris.

"No, it's just me," the twenty two year old witch called back. He tried to stuff his keys back in his bag while carrying a large black satchel and a box of cereal.

He peered inside the kitchen. Noelle decorated a cake with sugar icing; the kitchen around her was a mess. Two finished cakes stood between the used ingredients and a bowl with dough was still waiting to become something eatable.

"How is it going?" Chris asked.

"You are late which means I'm late. What took you so long?"

"I had to see John and he gave me this stupid Daily Fresh cereal account." Chris showed her the box before placing it on top of the fridge. "Oh, Chris," he imitated his boss. "You don't mind working on this important account over the weekend, do you?" He switched back to his normal voice. "No, John, what makes you think I have a life. I'd love to do it."

Noelle smiled. "If he bothers you so much why don't you quit?"

"Nah, he's not a bad guy and I like the job, just not this weekend and not that stupid cereal. Have you ever tried it? It's disgusting." Chris stole a sugar flower. "I'll get my stuff upstairs and then help you."

"Good because I need to get changed and finish Wy's present."

"I thought all this was his present," Chris said motioning at the things in the kitchen. "After the disastrous one last year"

"It was a great present. We had a lot of fun, thank you."

"Oh, right, before or after the dentist's visit."

Noelle pulled a face. "I didn't know the damn candy was that hard; Although, I should have known...after all it was supposed to be underwear."

Chris grinned and shrugged. "Hit it, girl."

She hit him on the arm.

The brunette laughed and orbed out, appearing back in the kitchen only a minute later. "So what can I do?"

The young woman cleaned her hands on a towel. "Take this dough and take those two spoons and form cookies out of it and place it on this baking sheet."

"Huh?"

"Just give it your best. I'll be upstairs, guests arrive in an hour."

"Why are you so on edge? It's not the first birthday you've celebrated, is it?"

"No. Is everything ready in the club?"

"Noelle, who is the best"

"You are." She kissed him on the cheek before leaving. "Oh and clean up a bit, will you?"

Chris sighed. "Everything," he muttered feeling pretty stupid fighting with the dough.

Why exactly was Wyatt's twenty fifth birthday was such a big event, he wasn't sure. Noelle thought though, that apart from the celebration with the family like every year, they wanted to throw a big party with their friends as well. Chris had never been a fan of big birthday parties, especially not his own but for his brother, he would close P3 for a private celebration tonight.

Things had changed in the club over the years, anyway – among other things of course.

P3 was only opened as a dance club on the weekends, Friday to Sunday and every other Thursday. The other days it was used as Chris' "gallery". He did not only store most of his pictures there, due to a lack of appropriate space in the Manor but he also did his business there, namely selling pictures.

At least, that was the intention. Unfortunately, this was going kind of slow. With the job at the JM advertising company as a freelancer plus the income through the club, Chris could live pretty well. Although he wasn't demanding as long as he could afford his utensils to paint he was fine.

Apparently, the title BFA didn't mean as much as BA because Wyatt's business was going just great. The restaurant had more guests than ever since the new sous chef had become established.

Noelle would become chef soon that was for sure. With charm and lovingness she had managed to find her place not only in the kitchen of Charmed, but also in the owner's heart.

She and Wyatt were together for over two years now and she was an inhabitant of the Manor for a bit more than a year. Although, she was no witch, magic wasn't a topic and she fit in just fine, but the family hadn't given her a hard time anyway. She was just a sweet girl and made Wyatt happy.

Chris had to admit he liked living in the Manor again after a short break when he stayed with Leo and Amber in her house and the time he spent in Italy.

There was only one thing that made him feel like the odd man out. It was whenever Noelle and Wyatt would spend a quiet night together. That meant they were cuddled up together on the sofa and ate popcorn while watching a romantic movie.

The front door was opened and closed followed by Noelle's voice shouting from upstairs to see if it was Wyatt.

"No, it's just us," Leo called back. "We'll take the cake to the kitchen."

Amber was first to arrive with Chris and two large plastic boxes. "What are you doing?" she asked wrinkling her nose.

"I'm making cookies. Why, am I doing it wrong?"

"No, but…no, do you want me to finish it?"

"I beg you."

Amber searched for a free spot to put her boxes.

"How many people do you expect?" Leo asked placing a cake on the table.

"Just the family," Chris said.

"That was a rhetorical question," his father replied. "Don't you think it's too much food?"

"No, that's alright," Amber disagreed.

Leo shrugged but guessed his partner only disagreed with him because she usually disagreed with him.

Two years ago Leo had left the Manor to move in with his partner. It had been the right time. Wyatt was done with school and getting close with his girlfriend; just as Chris had – but that seemed like an eternity ago. Still, it was a matter of fact that ever since he had moved out the relationship to his grown up sons was a lot better and Leo was happy to be with Amber and Trevor, who would move out to attend college in summer and then it'd be just the two of them.

It was about time.

"I have a nice blue envelope for Wyatt and the boring white one is for you," Leo told his youngest.

"Wyatt likes your envelopes a lot, but I don't need one. It's not my birthday. Moreover, I'm earning my own money now, dad," Chris said. He looked inside to find a few bills forming a total of seventy dollars.

"I know. I was told your latest business idea still has potential to grow, so just take it."

"It's alright. I already sold something."

His father nodded but didn't look impressed.

"It takes time to establish your-self," Amber said putting the baking sheet in the oven. "You should do some advertising."

"I think I've become an expert on that. I'll be good," the brunette said.

"Did I say anything different? Now, is the table set? I'll make some coffee."

"Don't pay attention to your dad," Amber said. "He wouldn't recognize art if it jumped him in the face. He has no idea about colors, to begin with, anyway. Or why would he choose a color resembling dysentery to paint our living room in?"

"The basement looks great in the light brown," Leo muttered.

"How about a light violet and a light green; that should look great with your furniture," Chris purposed.

"Awesome," Amber agreed. "Leo, you are no longer in charge of the re-decorating of the living room. Chris is now responsible, would you do that?"

"Sure, perfect way to pay you back for taking me in for so long."

"Anytime," Leo said with a slight smile. "You are always welcomed you know."

Chris nodded. "I do, but I don't want to live with parents anymore."

"Hey, you are all here already," Wyatt said after orbing in the kitchen.

"And we are already done with everything. I made cookies," Chris grinned. "A few at least"

"Nice, I'm sure I can guess which ones. Where's Noelle?"

"Upstairs. I'll go and pick up grandpa and your gift that…"

"You haven't bought yet," Wyatt finished his brother's sentence knowing his habit.

Chris pouted. "That I hid in his apartment for two weeks." He orbed out leaving his brother to shake his head.

"Can we do anything else?" Amber asked.

Wyatt shrugged. "I don't know. Although, it is my party I'm not the one planning it. That would be the missus. Who by the way thinks I like this, the truth is...I would have loved to just stay in tonight and relax for the first time in eleven weeks."

Wyatt could name the last day when he wasn't busy that exact as it had been the day he had the stupid idea to open a taps bar in the little shop, that had stood empty for over three months, next to the restaurant.

Ever since he had to deal with architects and administration and a new really strange Mexican cook, he could barely understand.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Leo asked. "I'm sure she would have understood."

"I know, but she wanted to...so badly and I think I'll enjoy seeing my friends and family, of course, again. I know I had neglected them for too long."

"I'm sure you will have fun, and celebrating is a way to relax as well."

The alarm on the oven beeped announcing the cookies were ready right at the same moment that Phoebe and her husband, Penny and Patty entered the Manor.

Even though Piper Halliwell was dead for almost eight years now, a party in the Manor was still dominated by food and loud conversation at the large dining table.

The food had also not only gotten more, but better because a new chef was in the family.

Although, Noelle was not officially a family member (yet) everyone had grown fond of her and her food.

Moreover, on days like this Amber showed her capability in the kitchen as well.

Therefore, two cherry pies, an apple pie and cheese cake, a dozen brownies, muffins and cookies and a fancy cake stood on the table for seventeen adults plus two toddlers. Apart from the close family Trevor, Amber's son, was a guest as well as Billie Wilson formerly Jenkins and her four year old son Jimmy and two year old daughter Joanna.

The only one missing was Prue who was attending school in Chicago and couldn't just leave without risking exposing magic. Although everyone was pretty sure she'd find an excuse and heart in for a few minutes to pick up some brownies, which were her favourite.

Patty, Penny and Junior were the only kids who still attended high school.

The twins Holly and Haley both graduated last summer simultaneously to Prue, but the two decided to stay in town. Haley went to magic school to train her powers. Her quieter sister wanted to become a doctor and therefore now was Leo's favourite niece as she was the only one showing interest in medicine.

Little Jimmy was placing Lego bricks above one another while the adults were still sitting at the table. His baby sister watched him and giggled when the last blue brick was removed through an invisible hand every time Jimmy turned around to pick up another one.

The little boy however frowned putting it back on top of his tower to see it flying off of it again.

He growled and looked at the table but no one was paying attention to him, so he marched over.

"Hey, who does that?" the four year old asked.

"What, sweetie?" his mom asked.

"My tower" He pointed towards it. "The blue brick doesn't stay on top." When he looked at it again the brick in question was orbed to its place.

Jimmy frowned but finally knew who played that trick on him. He levitated a few inches into the air, his arms crossed over his small chest.

"I know it's you, Chris," he said narrowing his eyes at his usual baby-sitter.

"It's funny," Chris countered.

"No, it's not...but you can play with me, please."

"Jimmy, we are celebrating Wyatt's birthday," Billie told her son.

"It's okay," Chris replied. "I'll play with you and your sister. I'll celebrate once more later, anyway."

Billie gave him an apologetic smile. She was really happy to still be so close to the Halliwell family. A few months ago, her husband broke off their marriage, and she was forced to go back to work fulltime while raising two little kids.

Luckily, Chris was a willing baby sitter and if he hadn't time someone else in the family was ready to do it. She really enjoyed a few hours of celebration and talking to other adults for a change. Still, she was the first to go home because Joanna started to get tired.

Phoebe, Paige, Amber and Noelle started to clean up leaving the men and kids to watch some sports on TV.

"Chris, can we go driving tomorrow?" Trevor asked during the break. The teenager was working on getting his driver's licence. Chris had already offered to be his companion because he remembered clearly how it was to drive with Leo.

"I want Chris to drive with me already," Penny said. "You promised," she told her cousin.

"Okay, don't worry...although, I don't understand why you all want to drive with me. After all, I am the one who had the deadly accident."

Everyone stared at him while Chris only bit into the last muffin. The brunette looked up.

"Sorry," he told his family. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, no, after all, it wasn't your fault," Henry said.

"Yeah, massive relief...anyway, tomorrow won't work...but; Sunday, I'll pick you up," he promised Trevor. "Then we'll pick up Penny. Sounds good?" Both teenagers in question nodded. "Good. Now I have to go to the club and prepare everything. I'll see you then, Wy."

"Yeah, we'll bring the food from the restaurant."

Chris left the living room. He took his jacket when he felt a shadow behind him.

Coop had his arms crossed over his chest and looked down at his nephew frowning. "There's something I have to ask you."

"Fire away, Uncle Coop."

"Did you attack a cupid?"

Chris looked at his uncle shocked. "No!" He sighed. "I only made him stumble so he'd back off."

"Chris, why did you do that? My friend had the order…"

"I know about cupid's orders, Uncle Coop, and I forgo. I appreciate it but I really, really have other things on my mind. And don't even start with 'you can't give up on love' because I know about that and I'm not. I just need some time for myself without committing to someone. Can you understand that?"

"It's been over a year, Chris. It won't hurt less than it does now but it's time to make a move."

"I'd appreciate it if you left that decision with me and tell the Elders if they don't I will recognize every cupid they'll send after me and if they make me angry I can't promise they'll only stumble."

Chris orbed out on his uncle who took a deep breath.

"It's too early, Uncle Coop," a voice spoke up. Holly approached her uncle taking his hand.

"It's been over a year," Coop repeated helplessly.

"There are things you can't measure in time."

Chris handed a red haired young man a bottle of beer when he spotted a well known face. Amy sat down on a bar stool and bent over the counter to kiss his cheek.

"Hi, Reverend," Chris grinned. "What can I get you?"

"Non-alcoholic, please. Where is the birthday boy?"

Chris looked around pointing towards a group of people. "The centre of attention, of course"

"It's his day. I'll go over to him in a moment."

The twenty two year old quickly mixed a fruity cocktail for his friend.

The bartender course had been a great idea. So far, people liked the drinks, he made.

He watched Amy joking with some people before she came back.

"Where's Daniel?" Chris asked.

"Daniel's…" Amy sighed. "Well, I split up with him." Chris raised his eyebrows. "He asked me to marry him."

"Didn't you confuse something? You don't split up when someone asks you to marry him."

"Since when are you the great expert" Amy took a sip from her drink. "Oh, that's delicious. He only asked me so he could sleep with me."

"Bastard"

Amy glared at him.

A perfect styled young blonde man with colourful clothes joined the two friends.

"Hey, party people." He frowned. "Wrong faces for a party, what's going on?"

"Amy ditched Daniel because he wanted to marry her."

"No, I ditched him because all he cared about was sleeping with me."

"Sweetie, I'm gay and I want to sleep with you."

Amy hit him on the arm.

"What do you want, Jus?" Chris asked. He had introduced Amy to Justin, who had studied with him at the SFAI and it seemed like they became close friends within seconds.

"Something strong because – and you don't see me complaining – I was just kicked out by my latest boyfriend. If I didn't have a job here, I'd finally leave for LA."

"I've heard that from you for four years now," Chris said.

Justin shrugged. "What can I do? I love this damn city, it's a party compared to Fargo."

"Do you have a place to stay?" Amy asked like always ready to care for everyone.

"Not yet. I brought my stuff into the staffroom of the gallery. Marc said I could stay but you know it's a bit freaky to live there when he fucks some other guy."

"Hey, mind your words. Your sitting next to a reverend," Chris chuckled.

"Thank God, I'm Catholic."

Amy laughed and held up her glass. The three friends clinked, their glasses together."

"I maybe have a solution for you." Chris spotted a tall black hair man walking towards him.

"One more," Peter ordered.

"Sure." Chris got him another beer. "Hey, Angela left you, didn't she?"

Peter glared at him. "Thanks for reminding me. It's hard enough to come home into a large but empty apartment."

"Oh, good news, Justin needs a place to stay. I was wondering…" Chris trailed off.

Peter shrugged. "Sure, why not. I have a sleeping sofa in the room formerly known as Angela's office."

"That'd be cool," Justin replied.

"You are welcomed. Now, excuse me. Those girls over there are missing something."

They all looked to the group of girls not understanding what he meant.

"Me," Peter said seeing the questioning faces of his friends.

"I think I'll go and look around as well. Think you can point me in a direction where I could have a chance?" Justin asked.

"Depends on what you mean by a chance, but I'd go over there to meet Greg." Chris pointed towards a man in his late twenties wearing a suit. "He's a waiter in the restaurant."

Justin looked at the other man frowning. "Yeah, I'm over there."

Amy laughed turning around on her chair checking out the guests.

"Just go and have fun," Chris told her. "I know you want to."

"Come with me? Or do you stay hiding behind the bar."

"I'm not hiding," Chris disagreed. "I have to work."

"Don't be ridiculous. It's a private party and everyone knows you. I'm sure if someone wants anything, they'll come to you or serve themselves."

"But I'm also constantly cleaning up so I won't have to do everything tomorrow."

Amy waved it away. "Do, what you want but I think you should come out of your shell again. It's been over a year."

"I don't live in a shell. I don't know what you are talking about."

The Afro-American girl sighed. "Try to have some fun."

Wyatt watched the scene from where he was standing with Noelle and some friends.

He sighed. It had been a tough year for his brother and everyone had used to say how great Chris was dealing with everything. Just like it was something good when people didn't show their grief, and it probably was because no one had to try to find the right words; no one had to show sympathy. Life just went on like nothing had happened.

"Come on, I'll take over serving people for a while. You go and meet someone," Wyatt said leaning over the counter.

"No, it's your party. It's part of my gift."

"Frankly, I could do with a break from telling every one what I'm up to. Sara had been asking about the paintings. Go and talk to her about it."

Chris scoffed. "Do you think I'm that stupid; I don't want to meet anyone. Moreover, if she wants to know anything about the paintings, she'll come here and ask me about it."

Wyatt sighed. "How can you be so stubborn? It's time to make a move. You can't make me believe you are happy."

"I'm perfectly happy."

A young woman climbed on one of the bar stools waving her glass. "Could I have one more?"

"Sure," Chris replied. "Back off, Wyatt...I'm busy. Enjoy your party."

"You're always busy," the freshly turned twenty five year old murmured but grabbed his bottle of beer and walked away, anyway.

"So, you are Wyatt's brother. I've seen you here before but I didn't know. You don't really look alike," the girl said.

Chris handed her the drink. "I didn't know that we had to."

She shrugged. "That's what people usually think and I'm just trying to start a conversation."

"Is that your best attempt?"

She bit her bottom lip and turned around on the bar stool jumping off of it and walked away.

Chris watched her leaving and sighed. Leave it to him to scare a girl away.

He crossed his arms over his chest watching the guests. He knew most of Wyatt's friends who now usually appeared with a girl at their side. The single girls were mainly friends of Noelle and probably only invited because Noelle had promised them that they could meet guys here. It was strange how people felt like they had to live in couples.

Peter always managed to crowed female admirers around him and he enjoyed it. Chris wasn't surprised his latest girlfriend finally had enough of him and had left. Although, they had been together for some time and even lived together, that had probably been the problem.

At least Justin had a place to live. Chris had met the young slightly egocentric man the first day he attended college and they got along great from the beginning. They used to have the same courses and even though they were seen as direct competitors by the professors, never fought. Justin was amazingly talented especially with the impressionistic style while Chris stayed with realism and pop art. Justin worked in a pretty well known gallery and visitors appreciated his guiding tours. The young man was moreover undeniable good looking.

His hair was natural blonde a bit brighter than Wyatt's but he had dark brown eyes with long dark lashes. He had an athletic body thanks to regular training sessions. He could be a movie star by his looks, but even though he originally had come to California to get a role in a Hollywood studio he never had left San Francisco once he was accepted in the SFAI. Justin was usually a happy and optimistic person but he also could be stubborn and determined. He was one, who did anything and everything to get what he wanted or who he wanted.

Still, no relationship had last longer than a few months. He wanted too much too fast.

Right now, Justin was talking to a guy but not the one Chris had recommended.

Amy stood with Wyatt and Noelle near the stage and laughed over something a friend of Wyatt had said.

Amy was Chris' best friend. He could talk to her like with no one else – not even his brother. The young African-American had finished her studies and would hold the Sunday masses in her community as well as work as a social worker trying to get kids off the streets and helping in a hospital.

Wyatt had his arm around his girlfriend's waist. It was their usual posture. They stood close to each other, Wyatt's arm around her; Noelle, who reached him to his shoulder, would lean her head with the short, dark hair against his chest right where his heart was.

Chris shook his head. Those two lovebirds, they'd learn it, too: Love means loss.

The twenty two year old let his eyes wander. He spotted a woman at the end of the stairs with long dark brown hair but when he looked up again, she was gone.

Chris sighed.

"Fantastic party," an already drunken guy yelled and Chris shook his head before pouring another girl a drink.

Wyatt, only dressed in a t-shirt and boxer shorts, walked into the kitchen of the Manor. He had drank too much alcohol at his party earlier, now a torturing thirst had driven him out of bed quietly so he wouldn't disturb his sleeping girlfriend.

Chris was sitting at the kitchen counter eating a piece of cheese cake.

"You really can still eat this?" Wyatt smirked.

"Of course, I already cleaned up the club. That made me hungry."

"Why didn't you wait until tomorrow? We'd help you."

"Technically it is tomorrow."

"Right" Wyatt emptied a glass of water in one go.

"You didn't open my present yet," Chris told him pushing the gift box towards his brother.

"How could I?" Wyatt took an album out of the box and started to turn the pages. "Wow, How long did you work on this? It's awesome."

"A year, remember I had a lot of time last year."

Wyatt gulped but didn't say anything just looked at another page. "It's perfect. I love it, but some of those things, I don't remember." He showed Chris a drawing of a baby Wyatt but an adult Chris.

"It's a memory from when I was in the past. I thought it was funnier to draw events we don't have photos of. Better days, you know."

"What's wrong with these days?"

"They are worse." Wyatt glared at him. "Sometimes"

I can't wait to read your reviews.