A/N: Okay I know it's been like forever since I updated and I want to apologise right now and beg for forgiveness but I was totally lost in land of writers block. I really think my muse decided to take a holiday, so if any of you see a wondering muse could you send her back.
Okay now this next part in the story was originally going to be longer but I decided that it would be best to split it up, I hope you don't mind but I think I will be able to do the next part more justice this way. I will try to update as soon as I can I promise. The song in this part is How Soon is Now by Love Spit Love, hopefully you recognise it as the Charmed Theme song.
Now to thank everyone who reviewed my last update:
X3, Pink-Charmed-One, Claddagh Ring, Buffspike, Faith, Cherry7up56, The Astringent, Rhia, Succubus-69 and St Ash. St Ash the song used in part one is called Breathe No More by Evanescence. I had it written there but I re-uploaded that part to fix some mistakes and forgot to include the name of the song sorry of any trouble this has caused anyone.
"Your Aunt Phoebe told me that you're unhappy about something." Piper said looking in Chris' eyes, trying to gage his reaction. "Chris?"
Chris didn't know what to say. How could he tell his mother that he knows Leo doesn't love him, doesn't trust him? The pressure of his emotions and the intensity of his Piper's loving gaze became too much for him to bear. Chris turned to face his mother; his eyes full of tears and a sadness the likes of which Piper had never seen. "He doesn't love me." Chris finally said softly.
"Oh honey." Piper began grabbing her son tightly, "Why would you think that? Your father loves you more than anything."
"You have to say that but I know it's not true." Chris was now openly crying, he'd been bottling all his sadness, all his pain up for fifteen years and now it was all rushing out. "He thinks I'll hurting Wyatt, that I'll hurt all of you." Piper couldn't take it anymore she had to do something.
"Chris, Chris look at me. I want you to listen to me very carefully." Piper began as she turned Chris to meet her eyes. "Your father loves you, he has always loved you and he will love you." As she finished Piper placed a kiss on Chris' brow and hugged him once more. "You know I could sit here all night just hugging you." Piper's words got the reaction she was after, Chris laughed, it may have been only a slight chuckle but it was a laugh nonetheless. "I have to ask Chris, why do you think Leo doesn't love you? Where did this come from?"
As Chris replied, he moved closer to his mother trying to bury himself as deep as he could. "He never has anytime for me. He has time to talk to everyone, to you, to Wyatt, to Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Paige, even Ness and Mel but every time I wanna talk, he leaves. He can't stand to be around me." As Chris spoke, Piper could feel the tears streaming over her checks.
Piper couldn't think, Chris believed that his father didn't love him. Her mind was racing with thoughts, some cursing Leo; others fearing what could happen to her youngest son if she didn't prove his thoughts wrong. "I wish I could show you just how much your father loves you."
"Please, can we, can we just talk about something else?" Chris whispered.
"Sure sweetie, but we need to talk about this soon." Piper replied, the sadness in her voice openly evident.
"I know, but not now, please?" Chris said as he moved closer into his mother's embrace.
Piper reluctantly agreed, her mind was also racing with questions from the events that occurred after dinner. "Okay, now tell me about Prue, Mum and Grams. How are they? What they say?"
The sun had woken Piper up hours ago but she was afraid to move in case she roused Chris. Their talk had proceeded well into the early hours of the morning. Chris, worn out from the events of the day, had passed out around three-thirty and Piper didn't have the heart to move, so they slept there, mother and son in each other's arms. Just as Piper was gently brushing the hair away from his face, Chris began to stir. "Hey, good morning birthday boy."
"Mornin'," Chris replied as he yawned. "You didn't have to stay."
"Hey it's every mother's prerogative to sleep next to her child." Piper said as both she and Chris moved to sit up. "Well now that you're awake, what do you want for your birthday breakfast? How about bacon, scrambled eggs and toast?"
"Sounds great." Chris replied with a smile. Their conversation last night had lifted Chris' spirits, even if they still hadn't covered Piper's main concern. As Piper made a move towards the door, Chris called out, "And Mum thanks for, you know, not pushing."
"That's okay but we still need to talk, so no running off today, ok?" Piper replied with a small smile. "I'm just gonna grab a quick shower then I'll get started on breakfast." And with that, Piper left the room.
As Chris heard his mother close the bathroom door he decided that he needed a shower too. Chris, not wanting to walk into the closet simply waved his hand as if calling someone over, the moment he did so a red and grey long sleeved T-shirt and a pair of grey cargo pants emerged from the closet and landed on the bed. No sooner had the clothes landed on the bed then Chris' mind voiced it's objections over using his powers for such a simple task, oddly enough the tiny voice sounded just like Piper's, "What have I told you about using your powers for personal reasons? You know the rules." Chris simply smiled and shook his head as he gathered his clothes and headed for the second bathroom.
Finally, fully refreshed and dressed, Piper headed downstairs to make a start on breakfast. As she reached the last step, Piper was greeted by a swirl of blue light. "Leo... oh Paige, it's just you." Piper's voice betrayed her delight at seeing her youngest sister materialise before her.
"Well it's nice to see you too." Paige replied with mock hurt.
"No I'm glad to see you, it's just, I thought you were Leo." Piper explained as they both walked into the kitchen. "I just wish he'd come home, we need to talk about some pretty big issues."
"Hey he might turn up later in the day. I mean it is Chris' sixteenth birthday. What father would miss his son's sixteenth?" Paige said as she started to make a cup of coffee.
"I sincerely hope you're right, coz we have a big problem to deal with and the longer we leave it the worse it's gonna get."
"Problem? What problem?" Paige asked looking over her cup of coffee.
Before she replied, Piper stuck her head around the corner to see if Chris was near by. Fortunately, she could still hear the shower running. "Chris thinks Leo doesn't love him." Piper explained in a hushed voice.
"What!" Paige exclaimed as she dropped her cup. "Oh sorry... wait, no I'm not. What do you mean Chris think Leo doesn't love him?"
Piper had known that Paige would react in this way. The idea of a parent not loving their child was something Paige had grown up with, she often wondered if her biological parents loved her or just thought of her as some burden they didn't need. Her adoptive parents, of course loved her like she was their own but the question of her 'real' parents love for her was always there. It wasn't until she found out that she had sisters did she learn that her biological parents gave her up for adoption in order to protect her against any outburst from the Elders.
"I'm not sure where Chris got the idea but apparently he believes that Leo thinks that Chris is going to hurt Wyatt and us." Piper replied casting nervous glances at the door, just in case Chris happened to walk in.
"That's ridiculous, Chris would never hurt anyone, let alone his family." Paige exclaimed, now visibly fuming with silent rage. "When Leo gets here I'm gonna..." Paige added, her silent tirade towards Leo caused her to momentarily orb out on the spot.
"Okay I'm sure Chris will appreciate your defence of him but I think we need to handle this a little more delicately."
Paige was about to respond when Chris, now showered and dressed, came bounding into the kitchen singing loudly. "...you shut your mouth, how can you say I go about things the wrong way..." As soon as he saw Piper and Paige standing there, Chris immediately stopped singing and removed his headphones. "Er..." Chris was lost for words, caught between shock and embarrassment.
"And good morning to you to mister." Paige said trying to fight back the laughter, which was on the verge of spilling out.
"Er...th...thanks." Chris replied, his face now flushed and warm.
"Breakfast will be ready in about five minutes honey." Piper told her son, who had begun to make his way over to the table. "I imagine you're here for breakfast too, huh?" Piper added looking to her sister, who had followed Chris over to the table.
"Of course, can't start the day without Piper's breakfast extravaganza." Piper simply shook her head and continued with breakfast.
"Aunt Paige where's Ness?" Chris asked, his face now back to it's normal colour.
"Well it's school holidays, she stayed up to god knows when talking on the phone to Melinda about her new power and you want to know where she is?" Paige asked mockingly. "I wouldn't expect to see her for, oh, at least four more hours." Paige continued examining her watch. All Chris could do was laugh. Vanessa was so much like her mother when she was younger. Both Piper and his Aunt Phoebe had told him stories of how Paige would go on these Wiccan rampages, trying to learn everything and anything she could, in the end, they nicknamed her 'superwitch'. Chris could imagine Vanessa staying up to all hours of the morning talking about her new power. With Vanessa now able to heal, it was only his Aunt Paige and himself who were half witch- half whitelighter without the ability to heal. Chris had always wanted to be able to heal but he never developed that power, maybe he would in time.
"Here we go. Bacon, scrambled eggs and some toast. Now eat up." Piper said as she placed two large plates in front of Chris and Paige.
"Mmm smells good and I'm starving." Paige replied while waiting for Piper to return with her own plate.
"Thanks Mum." Chris said as he dug into his breakfast.
They ate much of their breakfast in silence. Piper was silent because she was studying her son closely, just how upset was he? Was his happy exterior just an effective cover? Paige was also thinking about Chris but her thoughts were more about how much she wanted to hurt Leo for causing her nephew so much pain. Chris' silence on the other hand had nothing to do with his father, no Chris was thinking about what surprise his family had planned for him today. Every year his aunts would surprise him an extravagant present or activity. He knew his mum was in on the surprises but she never let on, even after they had pulled it on him she still pleaded ignorance. Last year was the best surprise they'd ever given him. Last year his aunts and Piper took him to New York, they did everything. They spent the day shopping for CD's, computer games, clothes; anything he wanted. Phoebe almost melted her credit card just buying Chris clothes and books. It was one of the best days in Chris' life. But what could they be planning this year?
"Hello is anyone up?" Phoebe's voice pulled everyone out of their thoughts.
"In the kitchen Pheebs." Piper called out.
Moments later Phoebe came bounding into the kitchen. "Where's the birthday boy?" Chris didn't have time to orb let alone move before his aunt had engulfed him in a giant, almost bone crunching hug. "Happy Birthday sweetie."
"Erm, thanks Aunt Phoebe but I can't breathe." Chris managed to say from under his aunt's hug.
"Oh sorry, I just got a little excited." Phoebe replied sheepishly as she let him go.
"You're telling me." Paige retorted. "So what's the reason for this super chipper mood, especially this early in the morning?"
At Paige's question, Phoebe faked a hurt expression. "What can't I just be happy that my nephew is going to be celebrating his sixteenth birthday today?"
Apparently, Phoebe placed too much emphasis on her statement, now everyone was eying her with suspicion. "Okay who are you and what have you done with the real Phoebe?" Piper asked eying her sister closely.
"What is it too much to take, me being in a good mood?" Phoebe replied.
"No, no you're allowed to be in a good mood but it's like a quarter to eight, so that combined with this exceptionally chipper mood is well, isn't you." Paige answered.
"Yeah I'd have to agree Aunt Phoebe; your record is against you on this. Early mornings don't equal a chipper aunt." Chris added.
"I can't believe you're siding with them! You're so lucky it's your birthday or I'd have to employ some of your mother's special magic to make you see the error of your ways." Phoebe said but seeing the look of disbelief on her nephew's face decided that, he might need a demonstration. Therefore, with the speed that only came from years of fighting demons she pounced on an unsuspecting Chris and started to tickle him relentlessly. "Do you surrender to my power?" Phoebe asked with a clichéd evil laugh.
"Arrrggghhh...not fair...I...I...okay, okay!" Chris blurted out between fits of laughter. After his aunt stopped and he regained his breathe he turned to Piper, "You're teaching others how to use your power to control me? That's truly evil."
Piper simply smiled back replying, "Well this is a power that must be shared with as many people as possible. The power to control my baby must be spread far and wide."
"So then," Chris began, turning his attention from his mother to Phoebe, "Aunt Phoebe where's Melinda? Is she okay?"
"Oh yeah she's fine, well I mean she must be if she can stay up until god knows when talking on the phone to your cousin. When I left she was still in bed." Phoebe replied sitting at the table.
"Sounds oddly familiar to me." Piper chimed in.
"Oh be quiet. I think we should be glad she doesn't take after me completely. I mean could you imagine it?" Phoebe replied with a slight shudder.
"Oh god yes, one of you is quiet enough thank you very much!" Paige added before Piper could respond. Chris loved it when the sisters argued like this. All he had to do was sit there and he'd get to hear stories of how much trouble they got into at his age. His Aunt Phoebe was the best one when it came to childhood misgivings.
"So would you like some breakfast or have you already eaten?" Piper asked collecting the dirty plates from the table.
"Of course I'll have some of your delicious breakfast. Why else do you think I'm here this early?" Phoebe's chipper reply came.
"And here I was thinking you where here to wish me a happy birthday." Chris retorted with mock indignation.
The rest of the morning past without incident. Around twelve-thirty Melinda and Vanessa orbed into the living room, still looking extremely tired.
"Well good morning you two. Nice of you to join us today." Phoebe exclaimed as she walked into the living room smiling brightly.
"Gah, it's too early to be this happy." Melinda retorted, falling back onto a near by chair. Vanessa followed suite.
"Well if you two had oh I don't know, gone to bed at a reasonable hour instead of talking on the phone, just out of curiosity," Phoebe retorted moving to stand behind Melinda's chair, "What time did you two get off the phone?"
"Er... well the actual time isn't what's important here. What is however is the fact that you're way too happy and why are you this happy, it's creepy?" Melinda asked trying to change the subject. Unfortunately, Phoebe had already been able to get the answer she wanted.
"You were on the phone until five o'clock!" Phoebe exclaimed, Vanessa tried to hide her amusement at Melinda's predicament but Phoebe had other ideas, "Don't think you're in anyway getting out of this. When your mother finds out about this you're gonna be so dead." Vanessa's amusement faded instantly.
"Oh Aunt Phoebe you wouldn't, you're the cool aunt remember?" Vanessa shot back, scared of what her Mum would say or do if she found out that she was on the phone for that long.
"Hey don't let Mum hear you telling Aunt Phoebe she's the cool one." Chris' voice came from the hallway. As Chris walked into the living room, everyone turned and smiled. "Well I'm glad my presence has such a positive effect on people." At Chris' comment, everyone laughed but Phoebe, Melinda and Vanessa knew, even if he didn't show it, that there was a kind of sadness attached to those words.
"So now that you're successfully distracted me from thoroughly embarrassing and quiet possibly punishing Melinda at least, do you want to do something?"
"Erm... I'd love to Aunt Phoebe but I think Mum wants to talk to me about something." Chris replied, the strength of his voice falling as he continued to speak. Phoebe didn't need her powers to know what that something was, so she decided it would probably be better if they had a little privacy therefore, she would have to get the girls to leave the Manor.
"Oh okay, well you should probably have that talk with Piper. I have a few things I need to do before tonight. Girls do you wanna come with me? We can get lunch or in your case breakfast."
"Funny Mum, you're a regular comedian but sure we'll come. I'm not one to pass up a free meal." Melinda replied with a smile, jumping from the chair as if it had become electrified.
"Paige!" Phoebe bellowed down the hallway towards the kitchen. "Come on and bring your keys, we're taking your car." Phoebe and the girls started to walk out of the living room when she turned back to Chris. "Have a great day and we'll see you later at P3 for the party, K?"
Phoebe's comment made Melinda and Vanessa stop dead in their tracks; they had forgotten that today was Chris' birthday. "Oh Chris, it completely slipped my mind. Happy Birthday!" Melinda said as she flung her arms around her cousin, engulfing him in a hug.
"Yeah sorry we forgot. Happy birthday. So did you get any cool gifts yet?" Vanessa added moving to hug Chris too.
"Hey it's cool. Things have been a little crazy lately. As for the gifts department, not yet." Chris answered smiling through the barrage of hugs.
"Okay, now I don't wanna go out, we forgot your birthday." Melinda said, her voice conveying her disappointment for forgetting his birthday.
"No, it's cool. Like I said it's been crazy lately, last night especially, besides Mum really want to talk to me, and I really can't put it off any longer, so you go and shop. You know you can't turn down a chance to go shopping, it's in your genes." At that, Phoebe chimed in.
"Hey, you're so lucky it's your birthday." Chris simply threw his hands up in defence.
"But it's true."
"Yeah I'd have to agree, Melinda shops exactly like you Pheebs, compulsively." Paige who had now joined them chimed in. "So are we going? I have like a hundred things to do and I bet you've got more." Paige continued, directing her full attention to Phoebe.
"Yeah we're leaving now." Before she left Phoebe pulled Chris close and whispered in his ear. "Make sure you talk to her and tell her everything, K? She's really worried."
"I promise. Now have fun shopping."
As everyone left Chris realised that today was the day were he'd have to talk to Piper, there were no more excuses to put it off. How was he going to do this? How would Piper take it? Deciding that he needed to do it now rather than prolong the inevitable Chris headed into the kitchen.
"Hey."
"Hey honey. How are you feeling?" Piper replied, her concern over the events of the previous night were still at the forefront of her mind.
"Fine. Erm... you said... do... do you wanna, you know have... have that talk, now?" This was going to be harder than he originally thought.
Piper wanted to talk about what she found out from Melinda and from Chris himself but she didn't want to push too hard. "If you're sure you're ready to talk," Chris simply nodded, "Okay let's go sit in the conservatory."
They sat in silence for several minutes, Piper could see Chris' mind trying to sort something out, so she sat there in silence, waiting for Chris to make the first move. "Maybe, maybe it would be easier if you asked me a question." Chris' voice was different somehow, now it made him sound so small, like a little child not her sweet sixteen-year-old son who had braved several demons last night alone.
Piper knew she needed to choose her words carefully in order to fully understand why Chris thought the things he did but no matter how she worded the question in her mind it didn't seem to be enough. As Piper looked up at her youngest son, sitting there looking so vulnerable, so scared, the question she needed came rushing out before she could even think. "Why?"
A/N 2: Okay I hope you enjoyed that. Now I was just hoping if someone could help me out with a little bit of info? Does Darryl and Shelia have any children? If so does anyone know there names and ages?
