Prue sat on a kitchen
chair and pulled Peyton into her lap. "Mmm….it smells delicious,
Piper." "I thought you guys
would like it. There's chicken noodle soup on the stove and
grilled cheese on the table. Oh, and there's some vanilla pudding
by the pitcher of water."
"Great," Phoebe
said as she and Paige settled around the table. Piper ladled soup
into five bowls and set them on the floral place mats.
Eying Peyton's parched lips, Prue pushed a glass of water towards her. Peyton stretched out her fingers, eager for the cool refreshment. Crash! The glass skidded across the table, leaving flooded sandwiches and watered-down soup in its wake. Phoebe cut it as it flew off the edge. Peyton yelped. Prue pulled Peyton closer. "Shh," she soothed. "Piper made plenty of food, didn't you, Pipe?"
Picking up on Prue's tone, Piper said, "Oh yes. Yes. I made more than enough, Peyt. Let me just get you some more water and then I'll get everyone some more soup and grilled cheese."
Piper grabbed Peyton's now empty cup from Phoebe's hand and filled it to the brim with cold ice water. Prue took it from Piper's grasp and helped Peyton take a drink. The sisters sat in silence as they watched Prue aid Peyton in taking sip after sip until at last the glass was empty. "How about some soup now, baby? Piper makes the best chicken soup." Peyton looked apprehensively at the bowl in front of her. "Just a little," Prue wheedled. She hoped Peyton would eat some soup. One glance at the girl and anyone could tell that she was desperately in need of nourishment.
Prue scooped up a spoonful of soup, a tiny bit of steam wafting towards the ceiling. "Come on, baby, just one bite. Please?" Her eyes focused on Prue's, Peyton's lips opened to accept the liquid. "There's my girl! How about a little more?" Peyton allowed Prue to spoon feed a few more bites into her mouth before pursing her lips and burying her head in Prue's chest.
"I guess she's done," Paige said. "Shouldn't you call Leo? She looks pretty beat up."
"I will, but I want to wait until she's asleep. Could you pass me a sandwich, Piper? I'm starving."