CHAPTER ELEVEN
Piper's eyes go up to Leo, a question in them. He quickly explains what's going on, and now none of us miss Piper's next message. Her eyes go straight to Wyatt, a look that says, "Remember?" and then go to Chris.
Wyatt sighs. "Mom's right, Chris. You remember the promise she gave me. She just gave you the same one."
Chris now walks so he's right next to his mother and squeezes her hand. "Mom, are you sure?" and Piper's eyes nod.
"Son?" Leo asks. "Do you want me to go, too?" and again Piper's eyes nod.
But Wyatt shakes his head. "No, Dad. You stay with Mom. I'll go with Chris." He walks up so he's on the other side of Leo and looks down at Piper. "See ya soon, Mom," and now her eyes absolutely glow with pride in her sons.
Both Wyatt and Chris hug all of us and then orb out.
Sheila looks at us questioningly.
I can't help smirking at her. "You sure you wanna know?" and she first shrugs then nods
I nod. "OK Wyatt has a charge; Bill, who's a future whitelighter, but he's not a witch and doesn't know of the existence of magic. Wyatt discussed it with Mom and Dad and Paige, even the Elders, and they all agree that it's best for him not to know, so Wyatt has to be real careful around him. Bill's an archeologist and Wyatt has been posing as his assistant and can only go when he doesn't have school. But when they go on an expedition, it usually takes at least a week, sometimes more. During that time, Wyatt has to stay totally out of touch with the family, magic-wise--we can phone him or email him, but he can't orb or anything like that, in case Bill sees him. In the same way, no one can orb to him. Well, Bill thought he might have found Atlantis!"
Sheila's eyes get very big. "Wow!"
Leo nods, taking over. "We thought it might be what helps Bill become a whitelighter. So both he and Wyatt have been very excited about it, but they were supposed to leave a week ago Friday."
Sheila nods understandingly, "That was the first time Piper was in the hospital."
Leo nods. "Every single day when Wyatt would come visit Piper here, she'd ask him whether he was excited about going, whether he had his ticket, what he was taking, when he was leaving, stuff like that. Poor Wyatt was in such a quandry! He really wanted to go and be with Bill--especially if there were demonic problems, as there has been on some of the previous expeditions, but at the same time, he didn't want to leave, because he was afraid that she, Piper, wouldn't still be here when he got back! Finally Friday came, the day Wyatt was supposed to leave. He came here and told Piper and me that he wasn't going to go; that he couldn't leave and take the chance that she wouldn't still be there when he got back. Piper got very upset, the most upset that I've ever seen her with the boys. She reminded him that Bill is his charge and his place is with him. She told him to go and have a great time and not to worry about her--that she would still be there when he got back, and so he left. Well, when he got to the site, Phoebe's email was waiting for him."
Sheila smiles, obviously also remembering my email. "Piper had improved so much that she was going to get to go home!" And Piper's eyes also shine in memory, not even needing Leo to repeat it for her.
Leo nods, also managing a smile. "Needless to say, Wyatt and Bill had a great time, especially because there were no demonic troubles, and even though they didn't find Atlantis, they found evidence of a different culture that may be even more important. And when Wyatt came home last Friday, Piper was still home, just like she promised," and now Piper's eyes glow.
Sheila nods. "I get it. This time Piper promised Chris that she'll still be here when he gets back, so he better just go do his duty."
Paige nods. "And knowing how strong-willed Piper is, you can bet your bottom dollar that she will," and when .Leo repeats that for Piper, I swear her eyes smirk!
