In response to anyone who thinks (E) Wyatt may not have reacted that way in the eighth chapter, I apologise if you were disappointed, but I needed something to get him on side. And I think, above all else, Wyatt loves his family (in my story their loss is what pushed him over the edge and led to his slight obsession with Chris' well-being). So, the idea of growing up in a world where they are still alive would definitely appeal to him.
I just couldn't make him heartless…
Disclaimer: Am I the only writer whose heart breaks at this point every single time without fail? No, Charmed does not belong to me. You don't have to rub it in my face…
She is going to be a mother. Again. Sometime in the not-so-distant future.
Even more disconcerting, she's already met that unborn child. Entirely unknowingly.
And… treated him appallingly.
Piper's thoughts are in utter disarray, scattered and fragmented, bringer her closer and closer…
Closer to breaking point.
With one thing persistently resounding… rising doubt within her, deepening any fear of inadequacy…
How could such an innocent, lovable, sensitive child like little Chris grow up to be so hardened, so bitter? That neurotic, young white-lighter that she's complained about incessantly… Very nearly hated at one stage. How could she ever have felt that way towards her own son?
Granted, the majority of her pessimism emanated from her nagging suspicions and had Chris not been so gallingly enigmatic and guarded, she would've been inclined to be much more hospitable… But still…
Recalling all of (E) Wyatt's earlier concerns, Piper's throat closes over, and her heart quickens her chest.
With each pained thump, criticism stabs at her.
I should have prevented this… I mean, not eating…. That's positively unheard of in the Halliwell household. And he hasn't been sleeping… pushing himself too hard, testing his every limit… Good God, why didn't I notice how wan and skeletal he'd become? Thinking back, it seems so glaringly obvious.
Why did I just turn a blind eye to this? To Chris' own impulsive carelessness. Because I distrusted him? What kind of mother does that make me? What kind of person does that?
And above all else….
Why did Chris neglect his own needs so much?
At least, to that, Piper knows the answer.
it is because Chris is good. Pure and simple. Selfless through and through. Yes, he can be sarcastic and aloof and oh-so-wonderfully overbearing. But he means well. And looking back at everything he's done, at everything he's given up, even though he's never voiced it aloud, the love Chris has for his family is incredibly touching.
And even though she has no right to be, Piper feels unreservedly proud.
Without wavering, Piper calls out, "Chris!"
Her sisters - having reached the same conclusion and were busy processing it in their own way - and the two Wyatt's and, of course, other Chris, are all clearly taken aback. They had expected her to reach out to the adult Chris for answers.
"No offence, Chris," Piper murmurs, tears shinning in her eyes, "But you're not the one I need to apologise to right now."
Chris actually smiles. "None taken, Piper. Don't worry, I've been through this before. Though I guess that won't actually happen to other Chris now…" He shakes his head to ward off getting caught up in the confusion. "Anyway, whatever you say to him, you're fundamentally saying to me, too."
"Good to know."
Everyone heads to the conservatory then to allow them some privacy.
Soon after, little Chris comes tottering innocently into the kitchen, having no idea what he's getting himself into… "What is it?" he asks, looking up at her with these hugely dilated, striking green eyes that would render anyone speechless.
Piper blinks.
Okay… she is so not prepared for this. This Chris is a child. Mentally and physically at the moment. And yet, part of her is selfishly grateful she isn't confronting the… let's just say… not so tolerant version.
"Hey, sweetie," she greets him, clearing her throat and trying to keep the emotion from her voice.
She fails miserably.
Knitting his brows, little Chris says unhappily, "What's wong?"
"Just come here for a sec," Piper says, bending down and holding out her arms. Little Chris steps into the embrace without hesitation - only seeming to question it when her grip tightens and it becomes apparent that Piper is far from willing to let go.
Cradling his head with one hand, she caresses his cheek gently with her thumb, breathing in the scent of him. Marvelling in the solidity of this child. Her child.
He is real.
She hadn't known of his existence, and yet, he is very much alive and real.
And that, right there, is simply breathtaking.
"I'm so, so sorry, darling," she murmurs softly, "I'm so sorry…"
Voice muffled, he replies, "What fow? Did somefing happen?"
Cupping his chin, she tilts his head up to look at her in the eye. "Chris," she says seriously, "Do you know who I am?"
He giggles melodiously, sure that she is playing some kind of practical joke. "Hmm… wet me fink…." he says mischievously, "Da Eastew bunny?" Little Chris laughs. "No, wait. You'we… da wicked witch fwom Hansew and Gretew and you'we twying to fatten me up so you can eat me! Dat's it!"
She just about laughs, too. God, he is so sweet. And it breaks her heart all the more.
"No… Chris, I'm serious. Do you know who I am to you?"
For some reason, it is vitally important to know how this young Chris views her.
He frowns, worried now. "You'we my Mummy…" he says in confusion before repeating, "Mummy, what's wong?"
Piper beams. "Nothing, sweetie. Nothing at all." She hugs him again. "It's just that Mummy did a really bad thing and she's just really happy to have you here with her right now, okay? And she's really, really sorry. More than you can possibly imagine."
"Is it wike da time Wy Wy bwoke you'we favouwite china pwate and den wied about it?"
"Um… no," she replies, making note of that for future reference. "No, this is much worse."
"Wowse dan wying?" he asks in total disbelief, and Piper just has to laugh.
That's funny….
Who knew there was ever a time when Chris was so horrified by the prospect of deceit? And he's so damn skilled at it now.
"Yeah, even worse than lying."
"Oh," he murmurs, crestfallen. Then his face brightens. "But I fowgive you," he readily declares.
Despite herself, Piper gives a small smile. "You don't even know what I did."
"Doesn't mattew," little Chris says. "I wove you anyway."
By now Piper is full-on beaming, her heart souring. "Thanks, sweetie," she tells him, choked up. "I love you, too."
And she does. There is no way anyone could prevent a child like that from quickly sneaking inside the core of their heart. Never mind her son.
"Come on, then," Piper says, pecking little Chris on the forehead and taking him in her arms. "Let's go see what everyone else is up to."
Everyone else, as it turns out, are currently arguing about what to do with Rainbow Brian. Perhaps now isn't the best time to return…
Standing in the doorway in indecision, Piper simply takes a moment to listen.
"But if you get rid of him now then God knows what you'll change!" Adult Chris is shouting. "I'll never have him so my childhood will be changed drastically. Wyatt would never have gotten the idea to use him against me, so he probably never would have regressed me, but could've done something much worse! Far too many things will be different! This is what I keep saying! This is why I never told you anything!" He seizes a fistful of his hair in frustration. "Ever heard of future consequences?"
"Besides," (E) Wyatt pipes up. "It won't do any good. This is why I picked Rainbow Brian in the first place. Chris is far too attached to that thing. It's a vicious cycle. The more he has it, the more he remembers about his childhood, which results in further regression. The more he regresses, the more he yearns for the comfort. If you take it from him now, he'll just cry and cry and cry, until he gets it back. You all know how stubborn he is. Chris will not give in. It's why I hated that thing when I was younger. He is beyond obsessed," he says, exasperated. "I'm telling you, the only way to undo what I've done is to summon that Anno demon and strike a new deal. Even then, who's to say that as an adult, Chris will be able to let the toy go? He might be too far gone."
"How do we know you aren't just saying that to throw us off track?" Paige questions sceptically.
Everyone holds their breath, waiting… Waiting for some indication that (E) Wyatt is on board and truly is willing to help.
With a sigh, he replies coldly, "I guess you don't."
"Just tell us what we can do," Phoebe begs desperately. "What can we do to fix this?"
"You know what," (E) Wyatt replies slowly, with a half-hearted shrug. "I don't actually know."
Thanks for reading.
