Destiny's Call
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that continues in The Dark Half, Family Ties, and Darkness Rising.)
CHAPTER 1: Once in a Lifetime
"What do you want to do tonight, Michael?" asked Phoebe in a relaxed voice.
Michael sighed in contentment. Ever since they had defeated the Dark Lord, demonic activity had seemingly come to an abrupt halt. Everyone was taking full advantage of the break. On this particular Sunday, Michael and Phoebe were snuggling in the solarium. Leo was in the kitchen keeping Piper company while she baked some cookies. Paige had decided to spend the day with Glen at his apartment.
"I don't have anything planned," he said. "Do you have anything in mind?"
"Well, there's this big dinner tonight downtown for the San Francisco newspapers' staff," said Phoebe. "It's a big event. They'll be media coverage, and it's definitely formal. I wanted you to go with me, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to go."
"Why would you think that?" he asked, holding her tighter.
"Well, I may be 'Ask Phoebe,' but it doesn't give me the right to parade you around at my leisure," she said.
"Honey, I never feel like that around you," said Michael, kissing the top of her head. "Besides which, we'd be parading each other. I am pretty well known myself, at least in business circles." He chuckled. "I'd love to go."
"Good," she said. Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," she said en route to the door. She opened it. "Cole!"
"Hi, Phoebe," he said, smiling. "Is Michael around?"
"Yeah, he's in the solarium," she said as he came in the house. Phoebe led Cole through the house.
"Hey, cousin," said Michael as he got up to give Cole a hug. "What brings you around?"
"Well, I was wondering if maybe you and your mom wanted to go out to lunch with me," said Cole.
"I'd have to give her a call first," said Michael. Turning to Phoebe, he said, "Honey, would you mind watching Tom for a while?" It was then that he noticed that Phoebe seemed to be frozen in place. "Honey?" he asked again. She didn't respond. Panic rose in him. "Uh, I didn't do this," he said to Cole.
"I know, neither did I," he said. They walked into the kitchen to find Piper frozen in the middle of mixing cookie dough.
"This is really, really weird," said Michael. "Who could have done this?"
"I did," said a new voice.
Michael and Cole spun around to find themselves face to face with a man with long white hair and a flowing beard. "Who are you?" Michael demanded firmly.
"I'm the Angel of Destiny, and I've come to change yours," said the man.
Michael and Cole looked at him in complete shock. "Excuse me?" said Cole.
"I've heard about you," said Michael. "Phoebe told me you once gave her and her sisters the opportunity to relinquish their magic."
"That's correct," said the Angel. "Now I've come to give the two of you the same chance."
"WHAT!" Cole and Michael exclaimed.
"The two of you have completed your shared destiny," continued the Angel.
"Wait, OUR destiny?" Michael queried.
"You and Cole were destined to defeat the Dark Lord and forever banish him from this realm," said the Angel. "Having done that, I've been authorized to make you an offer."
"Would you mind unfreezing the others?" Cole asked. "I think they deserve to hear this too."
The Angel pondered for a moment and said, "I don't think that should be a problem, but the rest of the world will remain frozen for now." A moment later, Piper started mixing cookie dough again. She looked up and saw the Angel of Destiny standing in the living room with Cole and Michael.
"What are you doing back here?" she said, surprised.
"Well, evidently, the Angel here is making us the same offer he made you," said Michael as Phoebe walked into the room. Her eyes got huge.
"Are you serious?" said Phoebe.
"Destiny is always serious," said the Angel. "Now as I was saying, I've been authorized to make you an offer. The two of you can continue as you are, virtually invincible knights of good, or..."
"Or what?" asked Cole.
"Or the two of you can relinquish your powers," said the Angel. "You'd both be regular mortals, as human as the innocents you protect."
Michael and Cole looked at each other and then at the Angel. "Would you excuse us for a moment?" said Michael. He ushered the others into the solarium.
"This is incredible," said Cole.
"Scary is more like it," said Michael. "Do you realize how vulnerable we'd be without our powers?"
"I don't know, Michael," said Cole. "I've been in the game for so long. Maybe this is my chance to get out."
"We really need to think about this, Cole. Remember, the choices we make affect the destinies of others," Michael said, looking pointedly at Phoebe. She came and wrapped her arms around him.
"Alright," said Cole. "I'll take some time to think about this."
"I don't have any problems with that," said the Angel, coming into the room, "but you don't have long to decide." The Angel vanished, and Michael and Cole felt time restart.
"We should talk," Michael said to Phoebe. They went upstairs to their room.
****
Michael and Phoebe sat down on the bed. "I need to know what you think about this, Phoebe. I can't make this decision on my own," he said.
"I know," said Phoebe. She reached to take his hand. As she did, she gasped and entered a premonition.
"What did you see, baby?" he asked after she opened her eyes again.
"I saw you, in the future," said Phoebe. "You laid flowers at my grave, and you looked the same as you do now."
"What year did the gravestone say you died?" asked Michael.
"2060," she replied. "I guess that proves that you're immortal."
"It proves more than that," said Michael. "If keeping my powers means that you live that long, then that's a good thing."
"I try not to think about my golden years that much," said Phoebe. "I told you about what happened when I met my future self."
"But that future has changed already," remarked Michael. "If not necessarily from my return, it definitely changed when I altered time. I doubt you'll be that bitter with me around." Michael put his arm around her. "I haven't come to a final decision yet. There are so many things to consider, but I'll let you know either way when I decide."
Phoebe smiled and leaned against him. "I love you, Michael, and I will always love you, no matter what decision you make."
****
Cole stood on the penthouse balcony and gazed at the San Francisco skyline, contemplating his future. There were many factors to consider, and all of them seemed of equal importance.
One the one side, Cole had been doing a lot of good since he came back from the Wasteland. He'd helped Michael and the Charmed Ones vanquish plenty of demons and, to his own surprise, he found it was much easier helping them now that he was no longer emotionally dependent on Phoebe.
On the other side, that had left a hole in Cole's heart. He ached to love and be loved again. However, he felt that his past would be a hindrance in a relationship. In addition, his powers did nothing to influence his work at the law firm, so personally, he didn't need them anymore.
Cole sighed. This was a tough decision, one with many personal consequences depending on which way he chose. As Cole walked back inside the penthouse, he wondered if the two choices he had were his only ones - to be eternal and probably never love again, or to be mortal and take his chances. He hoped that by tomorrow, he would have his answer.
****
At the same time Cole was considering his options, Michael and Phoebe were on their way to the party. "You seem excited about this," remarked Michael.
"Well, I haven't really had the chance to attend many of these things," explained Phoebe. "The demon fighting makes it almost impossible to have a social life. Now that things have calmed down, I actually have the time for it. That makes me happy."
The limo pulled into the front entrance of the hotel. A full red carpet greeting awaited Phoebe and Michael as they exited the limo, complete with photographers and reporters. Michael just grinned as the photographers practically climbed on top of each other to get a picture of the famous 'Ask Phoebe' and her husband.
Soon, they were in the grand ball room of the hotel. Phoebe introduced Michael to Elise and some of her other co-workers from the Bay Mirror. For those who had heard of the thirty-one year old entrepreneur, the man definitely matched the image of a rich businessman. Michael was handsomely dressed in a custom-tailored Italian suit, and if his manners were any indication, Phoebe Halliwell had definitely married a knight in shining armor.
While Phoebe chatted with one of her co-workers, Elise took Michael aside. "She's really something special, isn't she?" said Elise.
Michael sighed. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said, looking lovingly at his wife. Phoebe was dressed in a sleeveless black dress, her jewelry consisting of her wedding ring, a pair of gold earrings and the star necklace Michael had given to her on their anniversary. Her dark hair was braided behind her neck.
"I hope the two of you have a great life together," said Elise.
"Thanks," replied Michael. At that moment, the DJ started to play "At Last" by Etta James. "Excuse me," said Michael as he walked over to where Phoebe was. "Would you care to dance, honey?"
Phoebe smiled and said, "Of course." She excused herself and joined her husband out on the dance floor with other couples. Phoebe slipped her arms around Michael's neck while his hands caressed her lower back.
"At last...
...my love has come along."
Michael gazed down into his wife's face. Phoebe's love for him was etched there permanently. She would always love him.
"My lonely days are over...
...and life is like a song."
'What an appropriate song,' thought Phoebe as she danced with Michael. She remembered how lonely she'd been before Michael had come into her life. Now she couldn't think of being without him. They truly were soulmates.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, at last...
...the skies above are blue."
As they continued to dance, Michael thought more about the decision he had to make. He knew that giving up his powers would make him vulnerable. But what would he be vulnerable to? Not demons, they certainly wouldn't have a reason to come after him without powers.
"My heart was wrapped up in clover...
...the night I looked at you."
But then, wouldn't Phoebe be more vulnerable without him being able to protect her? And the demons might come after him to get to her, not to mention going after Tom.
"I found a dream that I could speak to...
...a dream that I can call my own."
But perhaps, none of that would happen. Maybe things would stay the way they are, with virtually no demonic activity at all, and it would be safe to be mortal.
"I found a thrill to press my cheek to...
...a thrill that I have never known."
And then all thoughts of his imminent decision vanished as Phoebe pulled his head down for a kiss.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, you smiled; you smiled...
...oh, and then, the spell was cast."
Michael lost himself in the sweet taste of her lips. This was all that mattered.
"And here we are, in heaven..."
Their love was the one thing that would remain constant.
"For you are mine...at last."
Their love was stronger than any demon.
It's sometimes said that true love only comes along once in a lifetime. Michael knew that no matter how long he lived, he would never love another woman as much as he loved Phoebe.
Phoebe reluctantly broke off the kiss and smiled up at her loving husband. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
"I love you, too," he promised.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that continues in The Dark Half, Family Ties, and Darkness Rising.)
CHAPTER 1: Once in a Lifetime
"What do you want to do tonight, Michael?" asked Phoebe in a relaxed voice.
Michael sighed in contentment. Ever since they had defeated the Dark Lord, demonic activity had seemingly come to an abrupt halt. Everyone was taking full advantage of the break. On this particular Sunday, Michael and Phoebe were snuggling in the solarium. Leo was in the kitchen keeping Piper company while she baked some cookies. Paige had decided to spend the day with Glen at his apartment.
"I don't have anything planned," he said. "Do you have anything in mind?"
"Well, there's this big dinner tonight downtown for the San Francisco newspapers' staff," said Phoebe. "It's a big event. They'll be media coverage, and it's definitely formal. I wanted you to go with me, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to go."
"Why would you think that?" he asked, holding her tighter.
"Well, I may be 'Ask Phoebe,' but it doesn't give me the right to parade you around at my leisure," she said.
"Honey, I never feel like that around you," said Michael, kissing the top of her head. "Besides which, we'd be parading each other. I am pretty well known myself, at least in business circles." He chuckled. "I'd love to go."
"Good," she said. Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," she said en route to the door. She opened it. "Cole!"
"Hi, Phoebe," he said, smiling. "Is Michael around?"
"Yeah, he's in the solarium," she said as he came in the house. Phoebe led Cole through the house.
"Hey, cousin," said Michael as he got up to give Cole a hug. "What brings you around?"
"Well, I was wondering if maybe you and your mom wanted to go out to lunch with me," said Cole.
"I'd have to give her a call first," said Michael. Turning to Phoebe, he said, "Honey, would you mind watching Tom for a while?" It was then that he noticed that Phoebe seemed to be frozen in place. "Honey?" he asked again. She didn't respond. Panic rose in him. "Uh, I didn't do this," he said to Cole.
"I know, neither did I," he said. They walked into the kitchen to find Piper frozen in the middle of mixing cookie dough.
"This is really, really weird," said Michael. "Who could have done this?"
"I did," said a new voice.
Michael and Cole spun around to find themselves face to face with a man with long white hair and a flowing beard. "Who are you?" Michael demanded firmly.
"I'm the Angel of Destiny, and I've come to change yours," said the man.
Michael and Cole looked at him in complete shock. "Excuse me?" said Cole.
"I've heard about you," said Michael. "Phoebe told me you once gave her and her sisters the opportunity to relinquish their magic."
"That's correct," said the Angel. "Now I've come to give the two of you the same chance."
"WHAT!" Cole and Michael exclaimed.
"The two of you have completed your shared destiny," continued the Angel.
"Wait, OUR destiny?" Michael queried.
"You and Cole were destined to defeat the Dark Lord and forever banish him from this realm," said the Angel. "Having done that, I've been authorized to make you an offer."
"Would you mind unfreezing the others?" Cole asked. "I think they deserve to hear this too."
The Angel pondered for a moment and said, "I don't think that should be a problem, but the rest of the world will remain frozen for now." A moment later, Piper started mixing cookie dough again. She looked up and saw the Angel of Destiny standing in the living room with Cole and Michael.
"What are you doing back here?" she said, surprised.
"Well, evidently, the Angel here is making us the same offer he made you," said Michael as Phoebe walked into the room. Her eyes got huge.
"Are you serious?" said Phoebe.
"Destiny is always serious," said the Angel. "Now as I was saying, I've been authorized to make you an offer. The two of you can continue as you are, virtually invincible knights of good, or..."
"Or what?" asked Cole.
"Or the two of you can relinquish your powers," said the Angel. "You'd both be regular mortals, as human as the innocents you protect."
Michael and Cole looked at each other and then at the Angel. "Would you excuse us for a moment?" said Michael. He ushered the others into the solarium.
"This is incredible," said Cole.
"Scary is more like it," said Michael. "Do you realize how vulnerable we'd be without our powers?"
"I don't know, Michael," said Cole. "I've been in the game for so long. Maybe this is my chance to get out."
"We really need to think about this, Cole. Remember, the choices we make affect the destinies of others," Michael said, looking pointedly at Phoebe. She came and wrapped her arms around him.
"Alright," said Cole. "I'll take some time to think about this."
"I don't have any problems with that," said the Angel, coming into the room, "but you don't have long to decide." The Angel vanished, and Michael and Cole felt time restart.
"We should talk," Michael said to Phoebe. They went upstairs to their room.
****
Michael and Phoebe sat down on the bed. "I need to know what you think about this, Phoebe. I can't make this decision on my own," he said.
"I know," said Phoebe. She reached to take his hand. As she did, she gasped and entered a premonition.
"What did you see, baby?" he asked after she opened her eyes again.
"I saw you, in the future," said Phoebe. "You laid flowers at my grave, and you looked the same as you do now."
"What year did the gravestone say you died?" asked Michael.
"2060," she replied. "I guess that proves that you're immortal."
"It proves more than that," said Michael. "If keeping my powers means that you live that long, then that's a good thing."
"I try not to think about my golden years that much," said Phoebe. "I told you about what happened when I met my future self."
"But that future has changed already," remarked Michael. "If not necessarily from my return, it definitely changed when I altered time. I doubt you'll be that bitter with me around." Michael put his arm around her. "I haven't come to a final decision yet. There are so many things to consider, but I'll let you know either way when I decide."
Phoebe smiled and leaned against him. "I love you, Michael, and I will always love you, no matter what decision you make."
****
Cole stood on the penthouse balcony and gazed at the San Francisco skyline, contemplating his future. There were many factors to consider, and all of them seemed of equal importance.
One the one side, Cole had been doing a lot of good since he came back from the Wasteland. He'd helped Michael and the Charmed Ones vanquish plenty of demons and, to his own surprise, he found it was much easier helping them now that he was no longer emotionally dependent on Phoebe.
On the other side, that had left a hole in Cole's heart. He ached to love and be loved again. However, he felt that his past would be a hindrance in a relationship. In addition, his powers did nothing to influence his work at the law firm, so personally, he didn't need them anymore.
Cole sighed. This was a tough decision, one with many personal consequences depending on which way he chose. As Cole walked back inside the penthouse, he wondered if the two choices he had were his only ones - to be eternal and probably never love again, or to be mortal and take his chances. He hoped that by tomorrow, he would have his answer.
****
At the same time Cole was considering his options, Michael and Phoebe were on their way to the party. "You seem excited about this," remarked Michael.
"Well, I haven't really had the chance to attend many of these things," explained Phoebe. "The demon fighting makes it almost impossible to have a social life. Now that things have calmed down, I actually have the time for it. That makes me happy."
The limo pulled into the front entrance of the hotel. A full red carpet greeting awaited Phoebe and Michael as they exited the limo, complete with photographers and reporters. Michael just grinned as the photographers practically climbed on top of each other to get a picture of the famous 'Ask Phoebe' and her husband.
Soon, they were in the grand ball room of the hotel. Phoebe introduced Michael to Elise and some of her other co-workers from the Bay Mirror. For those who had heard of the thirty-one year old entrepreneur, the man definitely matched the image of a rich businessman. Michael was handsomely dressed in a custom-tailored Italian suit, and if his manners were any indication, Phoebe Halliwell had definitely married a knight in shining armor.
While Phoebe chatted with one of her co-workers, Elise took Michael aside. "She's really something special, isn't she?" said Elise.
Michael sighed. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said, looking lovingly at his wife. Phoebe was dressed in a sleeveless black dress, her jewelry consisting of her wedding ring, a pair of gold earrings and the star necklace Michael had given to her on their anniversary. Her dark hair was braided behind her neck.
"I hope the two of you have a great life together," said Elise.
"Thanks," replied Michael. At that moment, the DJ started to play "At Last" by Etta James. "Excuse me," said Michael as he walked over to where Phoebe was. "Would you care to dance, honey?"
Phoebe smiled and said, "Of course." She excused herself and joined her husband out on the dance floor with other couples. Phoebe slipped her arms around Michael's neck while his hands caressed her lower back.
"At last...
...my love has come along."
Michael gazed down into his wife's face. Phoebe's love for him was etched there permanently. She would always love him.
"My lonely days are over...
...and life is like a song."
'What an appropriate song,' thought Phoebe as she danced with Michael. She remembered how lonely she'd been before Michael had come into her life. Now she couldn't think of being without him. They truly were soulmates.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, at last...
...the skies above are blue."
As they continued to dance, Michael thought more about the decision he had to make. He knew that giving up his powers would make him vulnerable. But what would he be vulnerable to? Not demons, they certainly wouldn't have a reason to come after him without powers.
"My heart was wrapped up in clover...
...the night I looked at you."
But then, wouldn't Phoebe be more vulnerable without him being able to protect her? And the demons might come after him to get to her, not to mention going after Tom.
"I found a dream that I could speak to...
...a dream that I can call my own."
But perhaps, none of that would happen. Maybe things would stay the way they are, with virtually no demonic activity at all, and it would be safe to be mortal.
"I found a thrill to press my cheek to...
...a thrill that I have never known."
And then all thoughts of his imminent decision vanished as Phoebe pulled his head down for a kiss.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, you smiled; you smiled...
...oh, and then, the spell was cast."
Michael lost himself in the sweet taste of her lips. This was all that mattered.
"And here we are, in heaven..."
Their love was the one thing that would remain constant.
"For you are mine...at last."
Their love was stronger than any demon.
It's sometimes said that true love only comes along once in a lifetime. Michael knew that no matter how long he lived, he would never love another woman as much as he loved Phoebe.
Phoebe reluctantly broke off the kiss and smiled up at her loving husband. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
"I love you, too," he promised.
TO BE CONTINUED...