"All set?"

"Ready to go!" said Phillipa, racing down the manor staircase. Paige's face broke into a huge grin as she did so. "What?"

"Oh it's nothing, you just remind me so much of Phoebe when you do that." Phillipa smiled back. She loved being compared to members of her family, it made her feel like she really did belong with the Halliwells. And now that she had really mastered her powers (admittedly it had been a long slog with Leo tutoring her and many a broken window) she felt more at home in San Francisco than ever. "So are you excited? Have you got everything? Remember if it all gets too much- call me- I'm just an orb away."

"Mom! I'll be fine! It's only school- one day- I think I can handle it! And anyway- I thought I was only meant to orb when totally necessary." Phillipa raised her eyebrows, pretending to be irritated but secretly, she loved her mother fussing over her.

"Hey- how are my two favourite girls?" Henry appeared from the kitchen. He slid his hand around Paige's waist and handed her a mug of coffee. "Are we all set for the big day?"

"Yeah- Dad! I can't wait." Slinging her backpack on her shoulder, Phillipa kissed each of her parents on the cheek and sped out of the front door to where her Aunt Phoebe was waiting to give her a ride. She paused on the step, turning around to wave at her parents who stood arm in arm, beaming back at her.

"Aren't we just the luckiest people in the world." Henry smiled down at Paige. "Look at her- she's so … happy. I think that these past few months have been worth it because look at what we have."

He was right, Paige thought, it did seem perfect. But the past few months hadn't been easy at all- once the initial shock of the reunion had died down, everyone found it hard to adjust to the new situation. Phillipa had found the whole thing particularly hard to swallow and questions began to surface in her mind- she realised she needed explanations and Paige had struggled to give them. There were a few bitter weeks where blame and anger had been prominent- Phillipa suddenly realising everything she had missed out on over the past 17 years, not having a mom or dad, and this made her angry, resentful of Paige for abandoning her. Then of course there was the getting her head around the idea of her Mom and Dad being a couple again- she found it hard to understand why they couldn't have tried harder the first time around and it made her angry that everybody was so intent on playing happy families.

It was Phoebe who got them through- her words: Everything she has done is what she thought was right. All she wants is the best. For you, had comforted everybody. Phillipa could understand her mother's choices, Paige could work through the overwhelming guilt she felt and Henry could find his place in all of this (he couldn't help but feel like a spare part sometimes) and begin to build a relationship with his daughter. And, if anyone was having a rough day, Phoebe and Piper were on hand to give them a hug. But now it seemed that they were all back on track- Phillipa starting school was marker of this- they had put back the day a few months from when they originally planned so that everyone could get settled. But now everything was running smoothly, it seemed the sensible thing to do.

"Thank god for my wonderful sisters," Paige said aloud as she watched the car glide round the corner and disappear into the dazzling early morning sky.

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Ok- you can do this. You can. Jeez it only school. Come on girl you can handle New York City by yourself but you can't manage a simple day at High School? Taking a deep breath to try to release some of the 1000's of knots in her stomach, Phillipa propelled herself up the steps of her new school. Ok! Algebra- room 316. She glanced down at the timetable she'd been sent a week before. Shit – math! Great start to the day. Couldn't I get something I was actually good at just to ease me in? Man I must have only been to like 7 math lessons in my entire teen years. AAAh I'm gonna look so stupid- they'll shove me back down to the 6th grade I'm sure of it! The temptation to run was overwhelming. If I run I'll be taking 20 steps backward. Hey this isn't so bad- Art and English this afternoon. Yeah- there's where we can show them what we're made of! OK- room 316.

"You look lost. First day huh."

"Yeah. How d'ya guess?"

"Hey- nice accent- New York right! I'm Kate." Phillipa saw hand extend under her nose. Looking up she saw a girl of about her age with thick strawberry blonde hair, tied in two shoulder length plaits, and chocolate brown eyes smiling out from black, square rimmed glasses. Her skin was the same pale tone as Phillipa's but her cheeks had a healthy pink flush. She had on a black t-shirt with the slogan 'come to the darkside… we have cookies" written on it, jeans and hung around her neck, she wore a choker style pendant of green glass set in silver, hanging off a piece of black cord. She winked as Phillipa met her eye. "Care to relieve the mystery surrounding your name? the suspense is killing me."

"Oh—er-- Phillipa." Phillipa smiled. There was something in the friendly sarcasm that made her relax.

"So where are you headed this morning?"

"Algebra - 316"

"Ouch! Well I'm headed up to Bio in 324 so I can point you in the right direction and give you the guided tour on the way."

"Thanks! Wow – I can't believe someone in this place is actually talking to me- I honestly thought I'd be a complete loner for at least this semester."

"Well don't get used too it- not everyone is as nice as me." She winked again. "Come on I'll lead you to your doom." And with that she charged down the corridor, skilfully snaking between the crowds gathering around lockers and drinking fountains, and dragging Phillipa along behind her.