CHAPTER TEN

"Chris?"

"Yeah?" Chris called out. Mia was sleeping on the couch in the living room while Chris was sleeping on a sleeping bag on the floor.

"For the first time in a while… I feel good," she confessed. She turned over so she was peering over the edge of the couch and looking at her best friend. Chris turned over so he could see her as well.

"What do you mean?" he asked her.

"Having the truth out in the open," she explained. "The sisters knowing about who I am. About me and Wyatt. About Mikey. It's hard to explain, but it's like my soul feels lighter. Like I'm ready to tackle whatever challenges we have next."

"I'm glad you feel better, Mia," Chris smiled.

"I think you should tell them," she told him. "The truth will make you feel so much better, Chris. You have to admit that you felt a weight off your shoulders once Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Paige knew."

"Yeah," Chris admitted. "But I can't tell Mom. Not yet. At least not until I make sure I'm conceived."

Magda nodded.

"But after… I promise I'll tell her."

"Will you guys please stop staring at me?" Mia asked at breakfast the next morning. Piper had cooked every kind of breakfast food possible, and the sisters couldn't stop staring at her.

"We're sorry," Phoebe said, grinning. "We can't help it. You're our niece-in-law."

"My daughter-in-law," Piper said.

"You're family," Paige added.

"I'm still the same Mia as I've always been," she said, helping herself to another stack of chocolate chip pancakes. Seeing Chris's plate was empty, she loaded some onto his plate as well.

"Chris, please make them stop," she whined.

"Hey, you told them the truth, this is your burden," Chris shrugged, eating.

"Like I had much of a choice with my husband from the future barging in here like that," Mia argued. "Wyatt always did have terrible timing."

"You know, I always used to think you two… you know…" Paige said, looking between Chris and Mia.

Chris just chuckled.

"Everyone thinks that at first," Mia said. "He's my best friend. We know each other better than we know ourselves, we would do anything for each other."

"But we would never work out romantically," Chris said.

"Never ever," Mia added. "I found my true love. And Chris… well he's still looking."

"What about Bianca?" Piper asked. Mia made a face.

"Mia has never approved of Bianca," Chris explained.

"I know you love her and all," Mia started, "But you could do better. Way better."

"She hates Bianca," Chris repeated. "She tried killing her once."

"Once," Mia shrugged. "And I still maintain that she ran into my athame. If I had wanted her dead, you know she would be."

The phone rang suddenly, and Piper left the room to answer it.

"It all makes sense now," Phoebe said. "Why there's such a strong bond between you two. You're more than best friends… you guys are brother and sister."

"In-law," Chris added. "But yeah."

"Even before Wyatt and I became a thing, people were much more likely to think Chris and I were twins rather than Chris and Wyatt were brothers," Mia added.

"We were joined at the hip, through the good and the bad, ever since we were born," Chris said.

"What can I say?" Mia shrugged happily. "I was meant to take care of you and torment you. It's gotta be in my destiny somewhere."

"As much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn't be where I am without, Mia," Chris said smiling affectionately at her.

"And same with Chris," Mia said, scrunching her face up at him.

"I'm glad Wyatt marries someone we all approve of," Paige smiled at the pair.

"Especially his little brother," Phoebe added. "I know all too well the trouble that can come from marrying someone your siblings don't approve of."

Mia reached out and squeezed the empath's hand.

"You know, you guys didn't freak out as much as this when you found out I was your nephew," Chris pointed out. "Your actual, biological nephew."

"Aww, Chris's inferiority complex is showing again," Mia teased. "And they did freak out. Just more negatively than positively." Mia slid some slices of bacon onto Chris's plate, knowing they were his favorite. "It's okay though," she continued. "Even though Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Paige always spoiled me, you were always Piper's favorite."

"You guys are just so… different, now that we know the truth," Phoebe smiled at them.

"I feel different, honestly," Mia told them. "Like keeping such a big secret about my own identity was weighing me down, holding me back. Now I can focus fully on making sure Chris is born."

"Yes, speaking of," Phoebe said. "Do we have a plan?"

"I was thinking about it last night… and I know it might be a long shot, but I think I want to tell Piper the truth," Mia said.

"Mia, you and I both know we can't tell Mom that I'm her son," Chris said urgently.

"I know that," Mia said. "I don't plan to tell her the whole truth… Just enough that she doesn't give up on love. On Leo. I know she loves him still. When I saw Wyatt yesterday… it all came back. Every ounce of me still loves him, evil warlord and all. Leo hasn't done anything near as bad as our Wyatt has. There's got to be some hope there."

"Mia, you've always been a hopeless romantic," Chris pointed out. "You've only ever been with one guy, the twice-blessed, the man meant for you. It just isn't always that idealistic."

"I know, but my gut is telling me this is the right thing to do," Mia insisted. "And if worse comes to worse, you know I can clean it up."

"Clean it up?" Paige asked.

"Even though I grew up with magic, I don't always like using my powers to their full extent," Mia told them. "It's why I picked up hand-to-hand combat, and fighting with mortal weapons like knives, bow and arrows, even guns. I particularly took a liking to athames, and always have at least two on my body at all times."

"What exactly can you do with your full powers?" Phoebe asked, curious. Mia bit her lip.

"Mia's power of telepathy extends beyond just reading other people's minds," Chris answered for her. "If she really wanted to, she can manipulate their thoughts, control their actions, brainwash them, distort memories. She's a lot more powerful than she lets on."

"If I tell Piper the truth and worse comes to worse… I can just erase her memory of the conversation," Mia said. "No harm done."

"You hate using your powers like that," Chris said, lips pursed. "Especially against family. You won't even read Wyatt's mind."

"Because he's my husband, and that is beyond reproach," Mia instantly defended. "And it would just be if things go wrong. Which I really don't think they will. We've tried it your way. We're running out of time trying it Phoebe's way. Let me have my chance to try it my way."

"I think you should give her a chance, Chris," Phoebe said.

"Yeah, what's the worse that could happen?" Paige added.

Seeing he was outnumbered, Chris gave in. "Fine. You're in charge of this one, lieutenant."

While Mia wanted to talk to Piper as soon as possible, she didn't have a moment alone with her until a few days later. Piper sat on the floor of the nursery with Wyatt while Mia sat in rocking chair.

"Hey, Piper, could I talk to you about something?"

"Of course, sweetie," Piper said. Piper had surprisingly accepted Mia's identity in stride, and become much more affectionate towards the younger witch.

"Do you still love Leo?"

"Well that's a loaded question," Piper said. Mia didn't respond, so she continued. "I'll always love Leo. He's the father of my son. My husband. Nothing will ever change that."

"Then why were you seeing Greg?" Mia asked.

"Why is it that none of you liked him?" Piper asked. Again, Mia didn't respond. Piper sighed. "Because Leo has more important things to do. He's an Elder. I'm a witch on Earth. It's complicated."

"My husband is an evil warlord, terrorizing the world, and I'm in the past babysitting his one-year-old self in an effort to save him," Mia pointed out. "Trust me, I understand complicated."

"What's with all the questions, Mia?"

"For as long as I can remember, I looked up to your and Leo's relationship. My parents were happily married too, but there was just something about you and Leo. The love you shared, the dedication, the commitment you had for each other. I used to love hearing the story about how you guys went behind the Elders' backs to get married because you loved each other so much." Piper smiled at the memories.

"What is your point exactly?" Piper asked softly.

"Your love with Leo was not always perfect, but it was beautiful. And honestly, it breaks me a little inside to see you guys apart," Mia said. "You and Leo were what Wyatt and I strived to be every single day. In our own way of course."

"Maybe you guys coming back to save Wyatt changed too much," Piper said. "Maybe it was either our relationship or Wyatt's morale, but you couldn't have both."

"I don't buy it," Mia shook her head.

"And why not?"

Mia paused, trying to figure out how to word what she wanted to say. "Chris doesn't like the fact that I'm going to divulge some information about the future to you. But I honestly don't have any other way, and I have full faith in your and Leo's love."

"Mia, sweetie, spit it out."

"Piper, you have to believe that you and Leo can fight the odds and make it. You have to find that faith you have in your love," Mia said.

"Why is that?"

"Because in the future that I grew up in, Wyatt wasn't an only child."

There was silence as Piper processed her statement.

"I have another child?" Piper asked in amazement. "With Leo?" Mia smiled, but said nothing. "The next thing you're going to say is that Chris is Wyatt's little brother."

"You have to have faith in your love, Piper," Mia repeated, ignoring her last statement and hoping she wouldn't notice. "Otherwise, you could erase the very existence of Wyatt's siblings."

"Siblings? As in more than one?" Piper exclaimed.

"Please don't over think it," Mia said. "And don't ask anymore questions. It was a big risk telling you what I have so far. But after seeing Wyatt again, realizing that my love for him hasn't waned a bit… I know you must feel the same for Leo."

Piper was silent, watching Wyatt play with his blocks.

"I just wanted to let you know," Mia said, biting her lip. "I'll let you think things through."

First off, I want to say wow... thank you for the amazing feedback on the last chapter! I'd had it written for a while, and just had to tweak a few things here and there, but your reactions and reviews have meant the world to me.

Now, I know this chapter is short and uneventful, but after such an intense chapter nine, I thought we could do with a lighter chapter. But don't worry, the next update will be longer, and more things will be happening!

Again, please leave me a review and let me know what you think dears :)

And of course, the disclaimer: I own nothing. Sadly. I am but a mere fan with a far too active imagination.