Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed
Chapter 7: Conversations
Golden Gate Park , 30 minutes previously
"So I thought that the invitations could be on white card with silver writing, and that way they can reflect the table settings for the wedding breakfast, and then.." Phoebe babbled on, to a disinterested Cole who sat rocking Paloma back and forth.
"Ok"
"….which will also match the theme of peace and light and…"
"uh-huh"
Phoebe paused "and then I thought I would run down the aisle naked"
"whatever you say dear"
"Cole!"
"what?"
"You haven't been listening to a word I've said, isn't this wedding important to you?"
"Of course it is"
"Really? Because you don't sound particularly enthusiastic"
"it's just, all this organising , it's not really my thing"
"It's not mine either, but someone has to do it"
"I know, but all you seem to talk about these days is about place settings and fabric colours, that you seem to be in an enormous rush "
"A Rush? Are you trying to tell me that you don't want us to get married anymore?"
"Don't be ridiculous, I'd marry you tomorrow if I could"
Phoebe appeared to consider this "Then why don't we?"
"What?" Cole finally pulled his eyes away from Paloma
"Why don't we? We could elope, me , you , Ben and Paloma, we could go off somewhere this weekend, just the 4 of us, and get married"
"I don't think so"
"why not? You just said that it's all the planning that's getting you down"
"It is"
"well then, what's your problem?"
"Nothing.."
"Or do you not love me anymore, is that it?"
"No! Phoebe don't ever say that, you're the love of my life"
"so help me out then Cole, what on earth is stopping us from doing something crazy and driving to Vegas"
"it wouldn't be right"
"Not right? To get married in Vegas?- Cole you do know that when you get married in Vegas you are married everywhere, despite what the rumours may say"
"No it's that …"
"If this is because you're a demon then let me tell you..…"
"…it's because I'm already married",
XXX
The manor
Paige lit the last candle, stepped back, ran a hand through her hair, smoothed an imaginary crease out of her skirt and took a deep breath. She didn't know why she was so nervous, these were her parents, the two people who knew her the best out of any one. Or used to …
"Spirits from the other side
Come to me, though mortals be,
Cross now the great divide"
The familiar bright white lights filled the room, quickly disappearing to reveal Mr and Mrs Mathews.
"Paige!" They exclaimed in tandem, both quite clearly surprised to find themselves on the earthly plain once again.
"step out of the circle" Paige instructed
"wow" they goggled as they found themselves becoming corporialised.
"mum, dad" Paige flung herself into their arms, much like she had done on their previous, very fleeting visit to the past.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" her mother asked "It must be something serious for you to have brought us down here"
"It's just.." Paige felt tears build up at the sound of her mothers comforting voice "…I don't know what to do, it's all such a mess…" she hiccupped
"Come on now," her father soothed, "nothing is ever that bad, what's been going on?"
"well, how much do you know about my life, how much do you peek?"
"To be honest, not that much" her mother told her "after we came back to visit you that once, and reassured you that we loved you, and reassured ourselves that you were happy and healthy, we took a slight step back. It's not that easy for us to peek, being former mortals."
"mum" A voice interrupted the conversation. Poppy stood in the door frame, Rosie balanced on her hip
"I thought you were in your room, seeing as you are in effect grounded" Paige quickly wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"yeah, right" Poppy strolled into the room "Rosie needed her nappy changing" she handed her sister over to her mother.
"couldn't you do it just this once?"
"Nope"
"well, as you're here, you can meet your grandparents"
"mum, I know you think I am stupid, but I'm not that stupid, Grandma has brown hair for one thing, and I doubt grandpa had time to have a face transplant between when I saw him this morning and just now"
" Poppy Halliwell you would try the patience of most of the evangelical hierarchy, these are Grandma and Grandpa Matthews"
"Riiiight, nice to meet you" Poppy drawled, unenthusiastically as Mr and Mrs Mathews stared at her open mouthed. Paige wasn't sure whether they were shocked by the thought of the baby they thought had died all those years ago was in fact alive, or by the ensemble of fashion atrocities that Poppy was calling clothes for today.
The theme tune to "Friends" filled the room, 'excuse me" Poppy fished around in her pocket and retrieved her mobile " Hey Daz….."
"..and there goes the reason why I summoned you" Paige gestured toward her eldest daughters retreating back, as she tried to wrestle a squirming Rosie into a fresh nappy.
"a chip off the old block I see" Mr Matthews gave his daughter a knowing smile.
"Isn't she just" Paige grimaced.
XXX
"Yes you're quite right I did come and see you a couple of years ago" Piper glanced nervously at the hall, praying that Leo would stay out of the way until she managed to get rid of Lillian.
" you were asking questions about my first husband Leo" Lillian continued, oblivious to the discomfort of her host.
"Indeed I was" Piper agreed
"and how was the article?" Lillian enquired
"what article?"
"the one you were researching about World War II War veterans"
"oh that article, it was um, some of my best work" Piper hoped that she hadn't started to flush bright red, because she felt awfully hot.
"It's a strange coincidence that we should meet like this again, it's because of Leo that I am here" Lillian probed.
"Really?" Piper gave a high pitched laugh.
"Yes, it's funny, I always kept a small framed photograph of Leo on the wall in my house, so all the family know what he looked like. Anyway, my grandson and his wife have just moved in across the street, and on more than one occasion now they have sworn that they have seen a man who looks exactly like Leo Wyatt coming out of your house."
"That is funny.." Piper desperately tried to think of an excuse.
"hmm, but I thought I would come and see, you probably think I am very foolish"
"No..no.. I don't" Piper was a little distracted.
"I thought…"
"Piper, have you seen the baby Calpol?" Leo entered, baby Victor resting on his shoulder.
"My god, Leo?" Lillian gasped
"Yes..?" Leo replied unwittingly, not recognising his guest, who was staring at him open mouthed in shock.
"It's me" The old lady cried
"I'm sorry who…."Leo paused, and looked carefully at the woman "Lily? Is that really you?"
XXX
TBC