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We finished getting ready with some time to spare. We headed out to the car, turned on the music, put on our shades, and we were ready to go.
"Okay, when we get home, we're going to stop by the hospital. Leo's staying there tonight," I told Paige.
"Okay," she said with a smile. "I burned a cd for driving."
I smiled.
"Okay! Let's gooooo!"
We stopped at one gas station before hitting the interstate. We got a few bags of chips and filled up the tank. After that, we were off.
"They just wanna, they just wanna, oooh girls, they wanna have fun!" we both sang loudly, giggling through the whole song.
After a few more songs, I heard the beginning of one song that struck an old memory. I remembered driving with Prue the day she got her license. This song came on the radio, and we belted out the whole song together, laughing.
Paige and I both turned to face each other and mouthed "Let's go girls!" before cracking up.
"I'm goin' out tonight, I'm feelin' alright," I sang. "Gonna let it all hang out!"
"Wanna make some noise, really raise my voice," Paige continued it. "Yeah, I wanna scream and shout!"
We sang the rest of it through laughter and smiles.
"Whew!" I said at the end. "Being a professional singer is tough work!"
"It really is! They should pay us more!" she laughed.
By the time we were almost there, we were exhausted from laughing hysterically the whole way.
"Okay," I breathed trying to calm down. "We have to be calm and proper when we get there."
"Alright," she said, settling down too.
Prue was outside waiting for us with Phoebe.
"You are late!" she frowned.
"By like two minutes!" I returned.
"Yeah, more like fifteen," she scolded.
"Okay, sorry, geez."
"What were you two doing? You both look like your on drugs," she said, not joking at all.
"We were..." Paige began.
"Just letting our troubles go. Listening to some good music," I smiled.
"Are those chip bags? Piper, that's so unhealthy. You two spent four hours cramming junk food in your mouths?"
"Prue, what is your problem?" I said, finally getting irritated enough to say something about her attitude.
"I don't have a problem, other than you showing up late and feeding Paige that unhealthy shit!" she said before storming off.
I looked over at Paige, who shrugged.
"Well, let's go in," I sighed.
We caught up to Prue at the elevator.
"What is wrong with you?" I asked her.
"I'm sorry for yelling. I'm just so stressed about today," she said.
"Why?" I wondered.
"Because I could lose Phoebe," she said.
I hadn't thought of that.
"I don't think mom would've done that," I shook my head.
"Who the hell knows what she would do?"
We walked nervously into the office.
"Hello, ladies," greeted the woman.
"Hello, Mrs. Forester," Prue said back, shaking her hand.
We sat down.
"Upon the passing of your mother, she requested I read you her will," she said, sitting down in her own seat. "Now you are Prue, correct?"
Prue nodded.
"Your mother has left custody of 16 year old Phoebe Halliwell to you."
"Yes!" she almost screamed through her tears.
I smiled. Prue and Phoebe excitedly hugged each other.
"You will need to sign some papers," she said. "The secretary outside will give them to you and show you where to sign."
"Alright," said Prue. "Do I stay until we're all finished here?"
"No. Your mother requested I speak with Piper and Paige privately."
I found this odd. What could she possibly have put in her will that couldn't be said in front of Prue and Phoebe?
Prue nodded, looking as confused as I was, and left with Phoebe.
Mrs. Forester handed me a small, thick envelope, then handed Paige a similar one.
"Those are letters your mother wrote to you. She wishes you to know she was sober and in a sound state of mind at the time of writing them. Now, onto the custody agreement."
My heart jumped. If there was a custody agreement...
"Your mother left you full custody of 13 year old Paige Halliwell."
Tears flodded my eyes and ran down my face. Just when I thought that it couldn't of gotten better, Mrs. Forester handed me another envelope. This one was large and yellow.
"Your mother also left you her estate, her stocks, and her remaining $384,938 dollars. Also a $250,000 dollar trust account Paige's child support and education. $1000 per week is believed by your mother to be sufficient.
My heart skipped several beats. WHERE did that money come from?!
"She had that much money?! ...Wait...Her estate?" I asked. "My grandmother lives there."
She gave me a confused look.
"Your grandmother is in San Francisco Hospice. Surely you knew?"
"Hospice," I repeated slowly. "No, I didn't know."
"Grams," Paige whispered. I put my arm around her.
"Is this all? We really should go," I said softly.
"You have to go sign the papers," she said, standing up. "I'm very sorry. I assumed you knew."
I left the office with Paige. My heart hurt.
After everything that day, Prue and Phoebe went to visit Grams. Paige and I were going tomorrow. We arrived home late. After we went to the hospital to see Leo and James, who was doing a lot better, it was almost 11.
"You going to bed?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I'm going to read my letter. And probably not sleep all night."
"Same," I replied. I stepped forward and hugged her. "Goodnight, sweetie."
"Goodnight."
"I'll be in my room, if you need anything. Anything at all," I said.
"I think I just need to be alone." She smiled and walked away.
Settling down on my bed, I nervously opened the envelope. My eyes started watering up. The several sheets of folded up paper smell just like her. Nostalgia washed over me.
My Sweet Piper,
When you get this, I'll be gone. That will probably be soon. I found out of a serious problem with my liver today. I want you to know that you were right. I'm sober as I write this, and I plan to remain sober. I've realized my mistakes. I want to get help. I can barely live with myself knowing what I did to Paige, what I did to this family.
I don't want you to feel bad. You leaving didn't cause anything except the realization that I wasn't the best mother. I never took the time to get to know you, or know how much Leo meant to you. I should've realized when you left that I needed to be a better mother. But, instead, I was angry with you. I blamed you for my wrong. I'm so sorry, dear.
I'm leaving everything to you. Not because I picked favourites, but because you helped me realize my mistakes. I want to be a better person, and I have you to thank. I want this money to go to whatever dreams you and your sisters wish to chase. I want you to take care of them. I trust you will be responsible with this money, and gife appropriate amounts whenever any of your sisters need it. I want you to not have to worry about money troubles holding you back. I feel bad enough your youth was wasted because I made you feel like you had to run away.
I know you're probably wondering where the money came from. I'll tell you now, it didn't come from a good place. After you all had left, I developed a serious gambling problem. An unusual winning a streak came my way. I'm not proud that this money has come from gambling, but I do hope it can help. There was more, but I spent a ridiculous amount fixing up this old house. Which is another thing I am leaving for you.
I'm not trying to buy your forgiveness, I just want you to know that I have no resentment or bad feelings toward you. I know I said some awful things when you rescued Paige from me. I didn't mean them. I'm glad you did.
Tears were streaming down my face at this point. I was so saddened. Like, the kind of sadness that didn't hit me when I first found out that she'd died.
Be well, darling. I love you and your sisters more than you will ever know. You were all so much more than I'd ever imagined my daughters would be. You are all so beautiful and kind. I wish all of you nothing but happiness and love.
Goodbye, sweetheart.
Ps, there is a gift at the bottom of the envelope. I hope you'll remember how much I love you each and every time you look at it.
I made a quick grab for the envelope. I let the golden locket fall into my hand. The outside was a basic, beautiful, golden heart.
I opened it and saw immediately on the left side, a small picture of my mother and I when I was 12 or 13. I big smile was across my face as she kissed my cheek. The right side was engraved script.
Never stop chasing moonbeans.
Through my tears, I held the locket tightly in my hand before sitting up and putting it on.
I looked in the mirror.
For once, I didn't see a strong, responsible, tired woman.
I saw a vulnerable teenager with a broken heart.
There was a knock on my door. I turned to see Paige standing there, letter in one hand, locket in the other. Her tear-stained face matched mine.
For once, I didn't see a fun, resilliant girl.
I saw a sad, hurt little girl, with a broken heart.
"Maybe I don't want to be alone after all," she whispered.
I wrapped her in my arms, and she wrapped hers around me.
I didn't ever want to let her go. I didn't ever want her to let me go.