Through the blur of chaos and emotion, I had gotten dizzy and fallen outside the bathroom. Leo helped me up carefully.

"Are you alright, sweetie? This kind of stress can't be good for the baby," he said.

I looked at the bathroom door.

"She'll be alright," he said. We sat on the couch, and I kept my eyes on the bathroom door.

"Calm down. Just breath," he whispered, rubbing my stomach.

"I should check on her," I said shakily.

"Give her a minute," he said soothingly. "Just relax."

I took a deep breath in. I couldn't even imagine how Paige felt right now.

After almost five minutes, I couldn't take it anymore. I approached the bathroom door to knock again. I heard crying.

I opened the door slowly.

"Paige," I whispered, seeing her crying on the floor.

"She thought I hated her," she cried after a moment. "I didn't hate her, I didn't..."

"I know, sweetie," I sighed.

I sat down next to her and put an arm around her. She leaned in closer to me.

"I should have never left her," she sobbed.

I wanted to tell her she was wrong. I wanted to say "No! This wasn't your fault!". But I stayed silent.

"Shhh. It's okay, it's going to be okay," I whispered.

She cried for awhile on my shoulder. We didn't say anything more.

A knock on the door came sometime around half an hour later.

"Babe?" Leo called.

"We'll be right out," I called back softly.

He opened the door. Paige sat up and wiped her eyes.

"This is a really bad time, but the hospital just called. James is waking up. I have to go," he said.

"Oh my god!" I breathed. "Okay, go. Go now."

He nodded.

Before he closed the door, I said, "Call me."

"I will," he promised.

After he left, I turned to Paige.

"C'mon, honey. We can't stay here on the bathroom floor forever," I said softly.

She gave a small smile.

We stood up and walked out.

"I think I just need some time alone," she said.

I nodded. "You know where to find me if you need to talk, or if you're just lonely. I'm here."

"I know."

She hugged me.

"Thank you, Piper," she whispered before closing the door behind her.

I sighed and walked into my bedroom. I laid back on my bed and rested my hand on my stomach.

"I love you, baby," I whispered. It may have seemed silly to anybody else, but I did love her, or him, already.

*******************

"How are you feeling?" I said softly early the next morning.

She sat up and clicked on her lamp.

"I'm not sure," she said quietly.

I sighed. "I'm doing about the same. Did you get any sleep?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

"Me either. I checked in with Leo last night and a few minutes ago. He's still at the hospital."

"How is James?" she asked softly.

"He's awake. That's all I know," I shrugged.

A long pause followed.

"Are you hungry? Feel like doing anything?" I asked.

"No, I think I just want to stay in bed for awhile."

"Alright," I said, getting up. "I called your school to let them know everything."

"Thanks," she said quietly.

I walked out, closing her door behind me.

The second I laid on the couch to relax, the phone rang.

"Ughhhh!" I moaned, getting back up. I grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Piper, it's me," said Prue. "We have to meet with mom's lawyer. Me and you. Today. In Searchlight."

My stomach sank. I was terrified. What if mom had left it in her will for Prue to get custody of Paige? Or worse, somebody else?

"Today? I can't. That's a four hour trip just to get there! I can't leave Paige alone."

"So, Leo can watch her," she said.

"No. I can't leave her right now," I said.

"Then bring her with you!" she insisted. "We have to meet her today, at four o'clock."

That was in six hours. Whatever mom had put in her will, I had to deal with it at some point. I just knew mom would take her away from me. It would be her final revenge.

"Okay. I'll be there," I sighed and hung up.

What would I do if I had to give her up? I couldn't. Even if Prue got her, even if I moved to be near her, it wouldn't be enough. I had to think of another way.

"Paige," I called, walking into her room. "Prue and I have to meet moms lawyer at four, in Searchlight."

"That's like four hours away," she complained.

"I know, but I have to be there," I said. I took a deep breath. "I think she's going to tell us who has custody of you and Phoebe."

"What?!" she almost yelled. "You mean I might have to go live with Prue?!"

"Or somebody else," I sighed. "Who knows what mom would do to get back at me?"

"That can't happen! I'm so happy here! I don't want to leave."

"I don't want you to leave either," I said. "Don't worry. I won't let them take you away. I promise." I leaned in to hug her.

"How can you promise that?" she said helplessly.

"Just trust me," I said. "I won't let anything happen to make you unhappy, or unsafe."

She gave a smile and then sighed.

"Can I go? I'd rather not be here alone."

"Yes," I said with a smile. "We should leave in an hour or at most, one and a half. Because it's gonna take four hours, maybe more, to get there."

"Okay," she nodded. "I need to shower and get ready." She hopped up and walked out.

How did she recover so fast? Yesterday, she finds out her mother is dead, today, she's up and ready to go. I knew she wasn't truly happy or over it, but the way she could put a smile on her face and act like it was amazing.

I knew one thing for sure; I couldn't lose her.