CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

On the way home, neither of us say a word. We don't have to. He's still in awe over watching his mother leave, probably still feeling her spirit close by, while I feel a lot of comfort just having him near me. I know a lot of his serenity comes from his being half-Elder and again I find myself thanking that other version of him for coming back and doing that.

As he drives, I work out my column in my head and we get my building, I'm almost eager to get to it, but I know I'll have to take care of all those emails first. Those I'm not looking forward to doing, but no matter what Paige said, as the oldest, I know I must.

Once inside my apartment, I give Chris a big hug and a thanks.

"Now if you need any of us, just give a holler, OK?" he asks.

I nod. "Just take care of your dad for us--I'll be OK."

"All right, but if you're not…"

I give him a sad smile. "Don't keep reminding me of your mom or I'll start crying again. Just go home, OK?"

He gives me his sad smile and then orbs home, while I head for my den where my desktop awaits me. I stare at it for a long time before taking a deep breath and turning it on. Once online, I go to my email and once more set up a message for everyone in my address book:

I'm very sorry to inform all of you that our beautiful Piper joined our parents and our sister Prue in Heaven at 6:05 tonight. It was a beautiful, peaceful crossing done on her terms, and I know all of your prayers and best wishes is what helped make it so.

So from Piper's entire family, we wish to thank you for all of your love and support. Please keep all of us in your mind and your hearts, they way we're keeping Piper in ours as we go about making final arrangements for Piper. As soon as we know anything concrete, I'll be sure to let you know.

Love,
Phoebe

After I hit the Send button, I go about the sad task of reading all of the emails. They all hurt and yet all help support me so very much. I print each and every one, determined to make a booklet out of them, so I can share them with the rest of my family, knowing how much each of the messages will mean to each of them.

When I finish, I'm surprised to realize that I'm actually hungry and I realize that I never did get supper. Going into the kitchen and opening the frig and the freezer, tears come to my eyes as I take out an aluminum foil-covered plate. While she was home last week, for the last time, Piper did something that she's done a lot since I moved out--made up some of my favorites of her recipes. As I take off the foil and stick the plate in the microwave, it just seems right to have one of those for supper now, and I think of her and miss her with every fantastically wonderful bite.

After the last bite, I return to the computer to work on my column. Already knowing what I want to write, I begin:

(Note from JustEs: What Phoebe wrote to all of her contacts, I could say the same to all of you! Thank you so VERY much for all of your prayers, concerns and love! Like Phoebe, it means SO much to me! The last chapter of My Sister's Dying will be posted tomorrow.)