A week and a half has passed by and Paige had visited Phoebe quite a lot and they had quickly become friends. Even Priscilla had expressed a love toward Paige. Paige, although sarcastic at times, was a gentle spirit who seemed to have a love about her that all three Halliwell sisters had picked up on. Especially Prue, since the two had a lot in common. Piper had found that Paige wasn't the best cook but they had related on other levels. They both cared for Phoebe and Priscilla, and as far as Piper could tell, Paige had nothing but the most pure intentions. This meant the world to Piper and she couldn't help but become friends with Paige as well.
Even though all of this was true, the three sisters had secretly met to discuss Paige and what she meant to their small family. Although it was true that none of them knew she was related to them by blood, they knew they liked her. They also knew they wanted to get to know her better. Their family had already been through so much though and the question was whether or not they could truly trust her.
9:00AM, Tuesday
Piper Halliwell was the only one currently in the manor. Prue was at work while Piper had to wait for the handyman. A Mr. Leo Wyatt, who was supposed to be very highly recommended, but to be honest Piper would have rather been at the hospital. Prue, on the other hand, was very insistent that Piper had to remain at the manor because Prue had to work a half day at work and Piper didn't currently have a job. As such, it fell on Piper to wait for Mr. Wyatt so that Prue, God bless her, could continue bringing in money. Money, as Prue put it, they all needed especially now that Phoebe and Priscilla were going to live with them.
Oh, and of course Prue and Phoebe had to point out that they needed to fix the house up so that Paige, the social services representative, would approve the living arrangements for Priscilla. Piper couldn't argue with that but then again, that was why she was the middle child. She hated taking sides and when she was ganged up on there was nothing she could do.
As Piper was contemplating everything, the doorbell rang. Piper walked out of the kitchen, where she had been baking everything she could, she walked to the door and open it. Remind me to thank Prue and Phoebe later, she thought as she caught eye of the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. She had a boyfriend though. What was his name again? OH, right…Jeremy. "May I help you?" She asked this gorgeous stranger at her door.
"Leo Wyatt, you must be Piper?" He guessed. "Huh?" She said, shaking her head, "Oh, yes, yes, I am. Please come in." She smiled as she looked him over, shutting the door behind them, "Prue left a list on the table," she said walking over to it, "Did Prue tell you about all the changes we need to have done?" "She left me a message about child-proving the house, safety gates, things like that. Also, turning one of the rooms into a child's room?" Leo said.
Piper nodded her head, "Yes, our sister and niece are going to be moving in," Piper lightly commented not wanting to go into everything that had happened to Phoebe and Priscilla. Leo nodded his head, as he looked over the list, "I believe this is doable but it will take some time. I may need to bring in others to help me with the work. It would also be helpful to have a key but that is up to you three," he said meaning the three sisters.
Piper nodded her head, only now remembering what Prue had said, "Ah, right, Prue said to give you this," she pulled out a spare key, "Prue had it made a couple days ago. I'm sorry we kept missing you. It's been a very hectic time." Leo smiled at Piper, taking the key, "Ms. Halliwell," Piper interrupted him, "Piper, please," Leo nodded his head, "Piper, you do not need to explain yourself to me. Prue didn't go into detail but I sensed whatever your family is going through is important and, to be honest, I believe nothing comes before family. I can work wonders on this house and I guarantee my work will help all of you. Trust me," he said sincerely. I do, thought Piper, who shook her head for a moment, "I better go check on my chocolate chip muffins," she said chuckling a bit uncomfortably, "If you need anything, let me know."
1:00PM
Prue had just arrived at the hospital and walked into Phoebe's room. She found Phoebe and Priscilla reading a book. "And Goldilocks said," Priscilla smiled and shouted, "This porridge is too cold!" Phoebe nodded, "She then tried the next one, but that one wasn't right either," Priscilla tilted her head to the side, "Too hot!" She shouted out while laughing, "Yep," Phoebe said and leaned closer to Priscilla, "and the next one she tried?" Priscilla seemed to think carefully, studying the picture, "Just right?" She half stated, half asked. Phoebe nodded, "Yes, that's right. You're very smart, Priscilla." Phoebe said, touching her daughter's nose, "Never forget that." Priscilla nodded her head, "Yes mommy."
Prue smiled at the scene and entered the room, "Hello," she smiled, "Aunty Prue!" Priscilla cried out as she made room on the bed, "Sit next to us! Mommy is reading a story," she half-begged. It didn't take much to get Prue to sit down. Prue looked at the book and smiled, "I love this story," she smiled at then looked to Phoebe, "So, how does it end?" Priscilla nodded her head, "Yeah, mommy, how does it end!" Phoebe chuckled and said, "Let's find out."
3:00PM
Piper was finally getting to the hospital after a day of baking and helping Leo get used to the house. She really liked him. She knew she had a boyfriend and she shouldn't be attracted to Leo but she is and she can't help it. Something about him just makes her feels more at ease. She could also feel that he liked her but he never said so. Was he married? She hoped not. That would just be weird.
The scene was so beautiful that Piper had to hold back a smile. Prue, Phoebe, and Priscilla were all cuddled together watching The Princess Bride on television. Although some parts were a little scary, it was a very good movie and perfect for younger children (if only a little sappy in some parts). Piper smirked and thought, At least it's not Kill It Before It Dies, since she knew her younger sister had seen the movie when she was younger even though their grandmother specifically forbid her to see it.
Prue looked over, "Piper," she said smiling at her sister, "We're watching The Princess Bride, come join us." Priscilla nodded her hand enthustically,"Yes, Aunt Piper!" She smiled a huge smile, "You will love it! They are running from this big mean man but they keep saying love conquers all. Do you think that's true, mommy?" Phoebe looked at her daughter and smiled, "True love always wins out," she said with such conviction that her baby girl had no choice but to believe her mommy. Piper sat next to Phoebe as the others squeezed in.
4:45PM
As Paige was entering the room, the movie was just ending. She smiled at the sisters with their niece and daughter. Paige waved to them and sat down in the chair next to the bed, "Sorry to interrupt," she said but was interrupted by Phoebe who shook her head, "You're not interrupting. I told you that you were welcome anytime and I met it." Paige grinned and asked, "Good to know the 3:00 o'clock in the morning visit will be welcomed, then." Phoebe grimaced and shook her head, "No, I get that enough from the nurses". Prue just laughed. Paige reminded her of herself and she liked that.
Paige reached into her bag and pulled out the familiar brown folder, but instead of pulling out the yellow folder this time she pulled out a royal blue one. She smiled at Phoebe, "The birth certificate is finished. Due to one not being done when Priscilla was born, I was concerned it would take some time but the courts seem to be moving rather fast." Paige shrugged, "Better to count ourselves lucky, I think."
Phoebe smiled as she took the folder from Paige and opened it. She looked at the name and nodded her head, "Perfect!" The name in bold letters read Priscilla Penny Halliwell. Prue and Phoebe's eyes widened, "Penny?" They both said at the same time, as they were previously unaware of the middle name. Phoebe choked up for a moment and nodded her head, "Priscilla, your middle name comes from Prue, Piper, and my grandmother. She was a very strong woman. I know I told you about her before but I want you to know about her," she squeezed her daughter, "She was a very strong woman and I want you to be strong too, okay?" Priscilla didn't fully understand but said, "Okay mommy." Phoebe continued, "She loved her family more than anything," she looked at her sisters and Piper continued, "She would do anything for family, Priscilla, anything. She wanted nothing more than to see us grow and be the best we could be." Prue took it from there, "She loved us more than anything."
Priscilla nodded her head, "Do you think she would have loved me?" Although Priscilla didn't fully understand death, she did know that it wasn't something people simply got up and walked away from. Unfortunately, being raised the way she was forced Priscilla to grow up faster than her mother wanted her to. Her mommy spoke up quickly, "She would have not only loved you, she would have adored you," Aunty Prue and Aunt Piper nodded their heads as well, and Aunty Prue added, "She would have spoiled you, kid," they all hugged her at the same time.
Paige had remained silent but Phoebe could tell she missed her own parents. Prue must have picked this up as well because she grabbed Paige into the hug, "And for the record, she would have loved you too. For the record, we decided to adopt you into our family, Paige." Paige just gulped and was overwhelmed, "T—T—T—thank you," Paige stuttered, "I," she shook her head and hugged them all, "Thank you." Priscilla smiled widely, "Does this mean I have another aunt?" Her mother just nodded her head, "Yes, you do." Paige was near tears and was trying to hold them in but what Priscilla said next could hardly help her case.
"I love you, Aunty Paige," she said as she wrapped her arms around her, "I really do."
Paige just balled at those words. She was missing her own family so much and even though, in the back of her mind, she knew she shouldn't get this close to them, she couldn't help it. She had always remained professional, even with her younger age; she had remained professional with everyone. Even when she wanted to kill some of those deadbeat dads, she had remained professional. The Halliwell's had stopped that though. She couldn't remain professional around them. It was as if they were family. Even though she knew they weren't related by blood, she still considered them family. She never voiced it, even to herself, but this was it. She knew it now. They were related if only by adoption, so to speak, but they were related. She was clearly one of them now. They had accepted her. It meant so much to her and she couldn't hold back the tears. In fact, they were all crying now. Even Prue.
Time: Unknown
Odin and Gideon, along with a few other Elders, had been talking in 'Elder Land', as Piper would later call it, privately when Leo orbed in. He bowed his head, "You called me?" He asked in a tone that showed he wanted to be of assistance. Odin nodded his head, "Leo," he said eyeing the young whitelighter, "We believe it may be wise, when the sisters come into full knowledge of their powers, for you to introduce yourself fully to them. We know it is not standard procedure but with the youngest, Phoebe, now having a daughter we believe it wise to do so. For a few reasons, but certainly to keep the trust you are currently building with the other two sisters. Secondly, the eldest child of a witch is the strongest. Although we are aware that the child's 'father' is human, her mother will certainly be strong and her powers, along with those of her sisters, will need to be protected. You could have done this secretly had it just been them but with Priscilla now in the picture, they will be much more alert, as they should be, and will need a more active guide to show them the way."
Leo nodded his head, "They will fear me at first. They have no knowledge of magic and certainly will not want to trust me, even with the trust I am building with them."
Although he was quiet so far, Gideon nodded his head now and spoke, "We have discussed this with their grandmother and believe she may be able to speak to them when the proper time comes. Granted she is dead now, and certainly they will not expect to see her, but," he paused, "they do trust her and will be more open to trusting someone she recommends. This situation is unfortunate, but with what Lance Ryder did to Phoebe, we will need to build trust with them immediately."
Leo nodded his head again, "The full moon is only a few weeks away. They requested I make same changes, to better fit the life of having a child. I could use some more help. Perhaps, this is a way to begin building their trust?"
Odin nodded his head, "Unfortunately, none of the Elders can go down there without risking a demonic attack; although, I would hope the source", Odin seems disgusted on having to say that title, but continues his thought, "would remember that no one can expose magic without consequences, I don't believe we could risk it."
Gideon seems to think for a moment and then says, "We could send a few additional whitelighters to assist Leo. Although I do agree we cannot risk an Elder being there, especially while the sisters are in the dark, a few whitelighters, properly disguised, should not be an issue."
Odin thought about this for a moment and then added, "The Elders are having a meeting in a few minutes. We will have a vote but I do not see an issue with this plan as long as no one uses their powers openly. I know of a few who were contractors in their past lives. That will certainly help with the jobs they have for you, Leo."
Leo nodded his head, "Thank you, Odin," he bowed, "Gideon," he bowed to Gideon as well, "I can already tell they care for Priscilla a lot. The bonds of family are already strong and anything we do to help their daughter and niece will help us build up their trust."
Odin smiled, "I hope so because we don't only need their trust as The Charmed Ones but as sisters as well. They're the best hope we have for The Greater Good and I believe they may even be more than that, I think they may be the best hope we have for the entire magical community. I can already see great things for them and I would rather the source not attempt to change them for his evil motives. Both Gideon and Leo nodded in agreement.
Odin was called away by another Elder and Gideon turned to him, smiling and placed his hand on Leo's shoulder, "I'm proud of you, Leo," he said, "when I mentored you, I always said you were meant for great things but even I never expected I'd know The Charmed One's whitelighter, let along did I expect that I'd mentor him. I'm proud of you, Leo, you have truly come a long way."
Leo bowed his head, "Thank you," he said truthfully humbled by the Elder's words. The man was another father to Leo and having his approval meant the world to him.
