Chapter 27
Halliwell Manor:
"Stupid, idiotic, crazy, demonic–ugh! Men are jerks!" Melinda cried angrily as she adjusted her bed to get ready to fall asleep in. with helping Chris and having that 'nice' chat with Caleb, the half witch only wants to fall asleep in her own bed without any interruptions.
"We're not all that bad," A voice said and immediately, Melinda turned around and flicked her hands out, only to have her lamp break into two. And to see her whitelighter leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.
"What is the matter with you?" Melinda yelled but then grimaced, realizing her parents are upstairs in their room. She pulled the mask angel inside her room and closed the door behind her. "What the hell? You can't just orb in like that. I could've blown you up into little whitelighter body pieces."
"But you didn't."
Melinda frowned; she is not in the mood to deal with a cryptic person right now. "What do you want…James?"
"Are you alright?"
Her eyes widen at that sudden question. "What do you mean?"
"I felt your distress earlier tonight. Are you alright?" 'James' asked her as he leaned against the wall, hiding himself in the shadows. He then realized that his charge was in her pajamas and the bed already made to go to sleep in. "Forgive me. if I knew you were preparing yourself for bed, I wouldn't have come."
Melinda waved her hand lazily, "its fine. I'm fine."
"You've been crying."
"I watched a sad movie," Melinda replied perhaps too quickly. But she could see his hazel eyes narrowing at her. "Why do you care?"
"I want to help you."
"Well, it's not a magical problem you can fix." She snapped and then, sighed as she sat on her bed. "I'm sorry. But I don't see how a whitelighter can help me with such a mundane problem especially if it involves with a teenager."
The whitelighter pulled up a chair and sat down, his knees touching the wooden part of the bed. "You would be surprised. Your emotions –"
"My powers come from my emotions," Melinda deadpanned. "You're forgetting who my dad is."
'James' chuckled. "No I didn't forget. Whitelighter don't only have to guide their charges through magical problems but also through mundane problems as you put it."
"Why do you speak as if you are from a different time?"
"Why are you changing the subject?"
Melinda smiled and shrugged at the whitelighter, "You can't blame a girl for trying. I got into a huge fight…with Caleb and now, I'm worried if our friendship is ruined. I might have said some things that pushed him too far."
"The half demon –"
"Has a name," snapped Melinda.
'James' sighed, "Cal-eb is going through something he once went through before but this time, it is the pressure of his double life causing it."
"What the hell does that mean? I don't want to apologize to him because that would mean I'm wrong and…"
The whitelighter watched as Melinda drew her knees close to her chest and rested her chin on top of her knees. It reminded the whitelighter that his charge is just a teenager.
"You're scared that whatever you said to him will cause a rift between the two of you." He said and flicked Melinda in the forehead, causing her to jerk up. "The truth isn't always wanted to be heard, but it needs to be and he will listen. Besides, I'm sure your friendship will be saved."
"How do you know? I'm not best friends with him like my brothers but he's still a friend that I don't want to lose because of my stupid mouth."
"Give it time, Melinda."
Melinda nodded her head and placed her chin back on her knees as she noticed at the corner of her eye, that her whitelighter was looking around her room. She didn't feel uncomfortable in his presence especially since he is in her room, but she needed to remind herself that she doesn't know what he looks like or what he's real name is.
"So how are you going to help me with my magical problems?"
"For now making sure you are safe from demons. The Underworld already knows about last night, so I doubt any demons would attack the daughter of a Charmed One again."
"Agues and Lukas?"
The whitelighter sighed, "Let's leave them to your demon friend. You're tired. I'll leave you to get a good night rest."
"Wait!" Melinda cried as she grabbed his wrist as he stood up from the chair. 'James' looked down at her and she could see his eyes widen in shock. "I'm having another mundane problem. I can't sleep without…I remembered last night with the demon…" She trailed off, feeling her face burn with red under his intense eyes.
"You don't need to say anymore. Get in your bed." He instructed her as he pulled the covers over her form. "Close your eyes and relax."
"You smell like apples," Melinda blurted out and felt her face turn redder when she heard him laugh. "Sorry I'm relaxing."
He waved his hand over head as a bright glow appeared and Melinda titled her head to the side. 'James' listened as Melinda's breathing went into a slow, rhythmic as her chest rise up and down.
"I hope your dreams won't haunt you tonight, young witch. I hope one day you will be able to trust me to talk about them and I hope…I can reveal my face to you." He said. He pressed his lips against her forehead, "Good night, Melinda. I will see you tomorrow."
Caleb's Apartment:
A line of clothing lined up on the bathroom floor, it wasn't until a shirt followed suit that the clothes were different. They were covered in blood. Bloody hands turned the shower knob as water sprinkling out.
"You're lying! There's something going on between the two of us and you know it."
Bloody claws lifted as the water started to wash away the evidence and the claws slowly returned to normal human nails. The human hands quickly reached for the soap and started scrubbing off more of the evidence.
"If you don't want people thinking you are like Balthazar, you need to keep that temper of yours intact."
"I know you are one of us, Caleb. You just need to fight the human emotions and don't let it corrupt you like it did with Balthazar."
"You're lying to me but most of all, you're lying to yourself."
A scream echoed in the bathroom but it changed from a human cry to an animalistic screech.
The next morning…
Wyatt and Chris's Apartment:
"Wyatt demon!" A voice cried and the eldest Halliwell quickly jumped out of his bed, ready to attack only to find Angie at his doorway, laughing.
He frowned, "Why do you do this every time?"
"Because it's always funny," Angie grinned.
Wyatt groaned as he lay on stomach and he felt the bed jolted a bit when Angie sat next to me. "What time is it?"
"Seven thirty."
"Why are you waking me up? I didn't get home until midnight."
"It's Monday,"
"That explains it," He mumbled. "So?"
"Ritual morning run," Angie said.
Wyatt groaned. They started the morning run their senior year of high school and continued it when they started college but then, Caleb and Chris would bail out of them, leaving only him and Angie. Not that he was complaining, "Fine but you need to get out if I have to change…unless you want to stay."
Angie rolled her eyes and kissed him on the cheek before leaving the room. Seconds later, Wyatt reluctantly got off his bed and change into his running clothing and shoes. He walked out of his room, raising an eyebrow at the sight of Angie humming in the kitchen. "Why are you so exuberant this Monday morning?"
Angie shrugged as she handed him a water bottle, "It's a beautiful morning. What's not to be happy about?"
"Did you get laid?"
Angie choked on her water and started coughing as Wyatt patted her on the back. She narrowed her eyes at him. "No…I did not get laid. I should –it's been a while. But that's beside the point. I'm in a good mood so don't ruin it Halliwell."
Wyatt nodded his head letting the relief wash over him at the news she told him but wanted to ignore the part that she wanted to get laid. "Okay no more sex talk then. Ready?"
Once they stepped outside of the apartment building, the two young adults started in a slow job for a few minutes until they started to run. However, Wyatt fought the urge to blast some men they passed because of the way they were looking at Angel. It was like she was a piece of meat they need to devour. He pushed the pace faster and Angie followed his lead, glancing at him for a moment with confusion. A mile and a half later, they were near the park and Angie grinned as she pinched Wyatt's arm, slowing down their pace.
"Race you there!" She yelled before dashing to the park.
"Oh no you don't!" She heard Wyatt yell behind her. Soon, he was running beside her and Angie couldn't help but grin. It was like when they were kids, always racing each other and always having fun. She playfully pushed him away but the Twice Blessed Child decided if she was going to make him fall, she was going down with him.
Angie screamed as the two fell on top of a hill and roll down, clutching each other until they stopped on the bottom. "The things I do with you," Wyatt laughed.
Angie laughed, "Admit it. You had fun and you liked it. Besides, you needed it after your hectic work schedule the last few weeks." Angie said but then realized the position they're bodies were in.
Wyatt lay on his back while Angie was on top of him, her hands touching his broad, muscular chest while his hands were on her curvy hips. Angie's knee was near somewhere Wyatt would like to stay attached. Angie's eyes widen when Wyatt's hand moved a strand of her hair away from her face but it was the fact that his hand went to caress her cheek that was causing her heart to beat fast. Wyatt's blue eyes locked with hers and he lifted his head up closer –
"Excuse me, do you mind doing that affection somewhere else?" A woman asked as she and her husband sat on the bench across from.
Immediately, Angie got off Wyatt and was positive that her face is red as an apple right now. "Sorry," She mumbled and refused to look at Wyatt. "Race you back home!"
"Ang, wait!" Wyatt yelled but she was already running –more like sprinting away from the park. "Crap."
He turned around when he heard the husband chuckle. "Let me guess, you're friends?" He asked and Wyatt nodded his head. "You better go after her and tell her how you feel before it's too late."
Wyatt looked at him confused. "Too late?"
"If you don't tell her and she thinks it was just a thing that happened then some other guy will show up." The wife explained. "And she'll feel guilty if she finds out during her relationship with another man. Tell her now. I think this is the chance you waited for."
Wyatt stared at the couple with startling confusion but smiled. "Thank you." He said and ran off.
The couple looked at each other and grinned before disappearing into a pink heart out of the park.
University:
"I don't understand why are even taking this supernatural class in the first place, Chris." A friend of Chris's said to him as they walked in the hallway of their school. "It's a bunch of crap and you're too smart to even listen to it."
"Maybe," Chris smirked. "But it's interesting and I need it to graduate. Besides, it's not just about the supernatural, there's mythology in there too." His friend rolled his eyes and waved him off as he walked to his class.
Chris shook his head. His friends at school will never understand why he takes this class and it wasn't because of the credit. He gets to learn more about magical creatures and the world in other people's literature and he doesn't have to go to Magic School all the time to look.
"Oh sorry," Chris said as he bumped into someone, causing books to fall down to the floor.
He bend down and gathered some in his arms until his hand touched another's hand and he lifted is head up to see a pair of dark brown eyes looking right at him. He stood up, with books in his arm, as he took notice of the russet skin, long straight brown hair in front of him. She looks a few years older than him by four to five years but still a beauty.
"I'm Chris," He blurted out and took his hand out.
The stranger chuckled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Chris but can I have my books back?"
Chris looked down and handed her the books back and realized that they were vintage. His eyes caught familiar titles that he read back at Magic School. "Sorry."
"No harm, no foul." She smiled and started to walk away.
"Wait! You never told me your name."
She turned around, a pleasing smirk on her face. "You didn't ask."
Chris stood there dumfounded as he watched her walk away. But his face changed into a frown when he noticed a phoenix on her wrist, it looked like a birthmark. Chris clutched his head with one hand as a blurry image appeared, he could see himself in a park or what it looks like left of a park.
"Marry me." He heard himself say.
"On one condition. You come back to me. Safely."
"Have I ever let you down before?"
Jaded green eyes shot open and looked down to see his hands were shaking…out of fear or anger? Chris closed his eyes and took a deep breath before walking inside his classroom.
He found his professor at his desk, going over notes for the class. The professor lifted his head up and smiled at Chris. "Ah! Mr. Halliwell, always here early," Professor Sanders commented.
Chris smiled at the old professor and settled down in his seat that is in the front. "Hey professor? Do you know anything about…? Never mind."
"No, no finish your question." The professor said.
"I have this friend who's been having these strange dreams lately…well they aren't dreams anymore either. It's like flashbacks of things that feel real but it can't be."
"Explain that."
"It's like…they're from a bad memory –all of them but it don't make sense because he hasn't experience them but yet it feels like he has. For example, he sees his cousin murdered in front of him and the dead bodies of two of his best friends but all three of them are very much alive right now." Chris explained as he put his elbows on the desk. "Plus, the flashbacks come and go but if they don't show up, he hears the voices instead. He feels like his head is going to split into two with all this confusing information and he doesn't know why this is happening. Nothing makes any sense anymore."
The professor went quiet as he absorbed the information one of his favorite students gave him but also noticed the black bags under his eyes and that his face looks a little pale. He cleared his throat, "When did your friend start having these dreams?"
"It's been several weeks –almost a month. He sees and hears these people from his life saying things that they will never say to him."
"Has your friend every thought of the possibility of a past life experience?"
Chris thought for a moment. It was a theory he thought of before due his family's history of past lives… "It would make sense if what he has been seeing was from a different time period. The clothing and the scenery are the same as this time period. And his other friend has been having the same type of dreams as well. But she…doesn't…"
"Does he ever believe that they are warnings?"
"Warnings of what? That his cousin is going to be stabbed in the chest by a sword and his best friend dying in his arms while her brother is a few feet away with arrows attached to his body." Chris angrily said and took a deep breath, trying to control his anger.
"Maybe it's time travel." The professor laughed, clearing the tension.
Chris narrowed his eyes at that theory but chuckled, thinking it as a ridiculous idea. His Aunt Phoebe traveled to the future and went back to the past….but Grams gave her a potion to forget anything she learned in the future. Still, it was ludicrous idea. But he can still help Angie with her dream problems. "Have you ever heard of the Angel of Life?"
The old professor smiled, "Actually, we are going to learn about it today in class." Chris frowned when his teacher mentioned her as an "it" but he can't say aloud that his best friend is in fact the Angel of Life. Students then walked inside the classroom and taking their seats. "Alright everybody! Today we are going to learn about the Angel of Life. How many of you know what that is or means?"
"A guardian angel?"
"An angel that brings people back from the dead?"
"She's a magical being that protects and inspire people. She is basically the truth form of what magic is. She is magic." Everyone stayed quiet, looking at Chris with surprise and wonder. But they shouldn't be surprise. He's the smartest kid in their class and he seems to know more about the lessons than the professor.
"Yes that is correct. However, Mr. Halliwell, how do you know it's a she?"
"Why is the Earth known as Mother Nature?"
The college professor chuckled, "Touché. Now, it is aid that the Angel of Life was created since the beginning of time or…a thousand years ago. Who knows really? But yes, it was a female…more like a protector of the people. Maybe that's how the idea of guardian angels came from. Anyways, she helps people with their dreams, their goals, make sure they keep on living their lives. However, she was created just like any other human being and like any mortal, she possess the same emotions."
"Don't tell me this is a love story?" A student groaned unhappily as everyone laughed.
"Unfortunately, it is. You see, according to the legends, she fell in love with a childhood friend and he fell in love with her." The professor said. "It wasn't until they were adults, did they learn that they were soulmates. Now, I know that in this century, the word 'soulmate' would be nothing but a fairy tale. But in the 'magical world', it means true love."
"Let me guess, they were like Romeo and Juliet." A student said.
"No! Well, the tragedy yes…in a way." He said and Chris crossed his arms wondering where the professor was going with this. He hasn't heard about this part of the Angel of Life before.
"You see, there was unrequited love with the Angel of Life, her soulmate, and his brother. The brother was the oldest and it was his right to be with her but she didn't feel the same way. So, she eloped in secret with her soulmate and consummated their marriage. What the married couple didn't know was that their souls were intertwined into one, so they could hear their thoughts and feel their emotions. But the happy marriage didn't last long and one the eldest son found out, there was a battle."
Dread and guilt filled Chris's heart as he listened on with the lecture. He could imagine how the soulmate felt betraying his brother and marrying someone he loves, who doesn't love him back. No doubt the relationship between brothers went strain but Chris couldn't shake this feeling that he's heard it before.
"The two brothers fought each other with anger, hatred, and bitterness towards each other while the Angel of Life tried to stop the fight, screaming at the top of her lungs." The professor continued and smiled, seeing that his students were interested with the way he's talking. "Then the eldest brother scratches his brother's arm with his sword and unknown to the both of them, the Angel received the same wound on her arm. Like I said before, they're soulmates and connected in more than one way. They could feel the pain and heartache emotionally and physically."
"She realized that the fight between brothers was getting too drastic and she knew that it was her fault, so she ran to them, hoping to stop before blood is shed. But before she could use her ability, she felt something punch her in her chest and saw blood on her hands. The eldest stabbed his brother near his heart and what both brothers didn't realize, not only was the Angel of Life injured from that wound, she had a miscarriage." The professor continued on as his eyes scanned the classroom. "The Angel of Life went to her beloved husband and tried everything she could to save his life but it was useless. They both died within seconds apart. The eldest, guilty for what he has, buried them together."
"So that's it? The eldest brother killed his own brother all because of a girl?"
"Isn't that where all great love stories are about? Love triangles make everything so much interesting and dramatic. But due to that their love was strong, the Angel of Life and her soulmate were bonded for all eternity. Love is just as strong as magic." The professor added.
"What do you mean by that?" Chris asked.
"They were bonded for all eternity, Mr. Halliwell. Lifetime after lifetime they were reborn to find each other. But no one knows if they were reborn. After all, there are many myths that the Angel of Life will be reborn every hundreds or thousands of years. They are soulmates."
"But how does she know?" Chris questioned and all eyes went on him. "If the Angel of Life is reborn again, how does she know he's the one? How can she tell?"
"She has that connection with him. She knows it –she feels it but can't be certain of it until they made love. Like I said before, the word 'soulmate' doesn't make sense in your generation but to me, my wife is my soulmate. She is my best friend and she's the one person in the world that knows me better than anyone else. I can't imagine having a life without her in it."
"That doesn't help Angie at all." Chris thought.
"What about her abilities?" The professor looked at Chris with curiosity at his constant questioning. He doesn't mind but still can't help but feel like his favorite student knows more than he's letting on.
"Well, she possesses the elements of life, premonitions, and in some legends she can tell when the battle of good vs. evil comes forth and she will take place in the battle. No one knows when that will be but she will save her people, magical and nonmagical." The professor explained.
"I hate what I see in my dreams. I want it to stop."
The professor looked at his clock, "What can you tell me about this story? What are your thoughts?"
"Never let a bitch get in between two brothers."
"Love is real?"
"Christopher?"
Chris looked down at his notebook and saw nothing but a blank page. "It's about two people that fall in love with each other and would do anything for one another. They would do anything to be together. They are soulmates and like you said, lifetime after lifetime they will find each other and be together again. But one will leave the other and the cycle will continue."
"What cycle?"
"If the Angel of Life dies first, her soulmate will feel like a part of him is gone. But if the soulmate dies, she will lose her powers and die. The only way they can be together for a long time if they both die of old age." Chris explained.
"You know a lot about the Angel of Life, Mr. Halliwell."
"I'm best friends with her," Chris thought but shrugged at the professor. "I read a lot."
The professor nodded his head, taking in the lie. "The cycle may continue or not. Who knows? But then again, the Angel of Life needs to be born. But just like any other complication relationship, there will always be another person stepping in and destroying what destiny is planning. Who knows? Maybe the eldest son was resurrected too."
"Destiny likes to play games."
Angie and Irina's Apartment:
Angie closed her apartment door behind her as she took several breaths from her run. She didn't know why she ran in the first place. No, that was a lie. She knows why she did but it didn't help the feeling she was getting in her chest. She couldn't imagine Wyatt…she couldn't imagine Wyatt and her…He was going to kiss her and she almost let him. Angie took a water bottle out from the fridge and sat on the couch, trying to think on what she should say to Wyatt.
"You know," Angie jumped, seeing Wyatt standing in her front of the small table in between her and the television. "I forgot how fast of runner you can be."
"You cheated. You orbed here."
"Well, I had to. You ran like cheetah, running away from the hunter and I'm no hunter." Wyatt said and took a huge gulp of water from her, ignoring her glare. "Besides, we need to talk."
"I know. I shouldn't have ran away like that and I'm sorry. That…almost kiss scared me and I –"
"Angie, wait." Wyatt interrupted, knowing that she was going to blabber away if she continued. "I need to get something off my chest…actually; it's something I should've done years ago."
He walked over the table and stood above her and Angie couldn't help but look up at him. Wyatt's hands went to her shoulders and pulled her up, their faces inches away from each other. Suddenly, she felt his hands around the back of her neck and felt his lips on hers. Angie's eyes widen as they were kissing and a minute later, pushed him away when she felt his tongue beg for an entrance. Wyatt's blue eyes caught hers and both looked away, seeing the other flustered.
"I like you!" He blurted out and Angie looked at him wide eyed. "I liked you for a while."
"How long is a while?" Angie whispered.
Wyatt cringed, "Since high school."
"Wy –w…I…why didn't you say anything?" She asked, and began thinking over the years if he showed any signs that she didn't see.
"I was scared. I mean, come on, Angie what was I supposed to say? You had boyfriends and I had girlfriends –there was never a right time."
"And today is?"
"I want to take you out on a date," Wyatt told her. He needs to say what he has to say before he loses his nerves. "I want to try to pursue a relationship with you. All I'm asking from you is a chance."
"You're asking a lot more actually." The Angel of Life thought. "Wyatt, I need time to think about this. You can't expect me to give you an answer after being bombarded by this."
"I know." Wyatt sighed and pecked her on the cheek. "I waited a long time to tell you how I feel. A few days are nothing."
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Liar."
Wyatt chuckled, "You know me so well."
"Not well enough," Angie thought as Wyatt disappeared in blue and white orbs. She groaned as she looked at her clock. "I don't need this shit right now! Like my life isn't complicated enough," She whined as she went to her room. "I need my Cupid."
High School:
Patty hid her yawn with her free hand and went back to focus on her photo. She couldn't that October was only few days to being over. Time went by fast. But being a Halliwell, it also went slow. There were so no signs for the whereabouts of Agues and Lukas and it worried the half whitelighter that the demons were planning something…evil.
"Patricia," Mrs. Wilson said, distracting her from her thoughts. Her photography teacher stood by her desk, looking over her new photos. "These are very good. You have a very large family. May goodness, your brother has grown."
"Well, I added in the people that are like family to all of us."
"Mr. Welsh is someone you consider family?" Mrs. Wilson asked. Unknowingly, a head lifted up hearing that name. His green eyes narrowed as his hands turned into fists. Patricia shrugged as her answer. Cameron has been living with them for a while and he's different than what people say about him. But she doesn't really know him. "You took a lot of photos of him."
"He surprises me. He has different looks on his face and it's so weird because he's always frowning at school." Patty told her. "But he's had a hard life."
"Keep up with the good work, Patricia." Mrs. Wilson smiled at her.
Patty smiled at her as she went back to adjusting her photos in order. Green eyes noticed that she was alone and took the opportunity. He leaned against the table, "I didn't know you know Cameron personally." The half witch turned her head and smiled to see Sean Fletcher. He was a fun person to be around with in class. Plus, he's not bad to look at with those dark green eyes of his.
"In a way," Patty shrugged. "Do you know him?"
Sean shook his head, "No, not really. But it's sad about his family. All killed in a fire and he was the only survivor. Must be hard to know why his family died while he ended up miraculously alive."
Patty frowned in confusion, "Are you saying he knew why they died?"
Sean shrugged, "I'm just wondering how he survived when there was no opening."
"Are you saying that the fire wasn't an accident?"
Sean's green eyes widen in realization. "Shit! I thought she knew. He lives with them!" He put his calm demeanor back on. "Uh, never mind. I said too much." Sean said to her and went back to his desk, feeling Patty's eyes on him. "I said too much."
Patty glanced at Sean, whose head was practically buried his photos, then grabbed her laptop from her bag and went on the web. There were countless of articles about the fire and Patty's eyes soften to see a young Cameron in a photo with his parents and there were other photos of his family members. But it didn't make sense how Sean seems to know more about him than own her dad does.
"Death changed everything and everyone," Her mom once said to her. "It can be a good change but it can also be a bad one. It just depends what you're going to do with it."
Patty continued on her little quest, not realizing Sean lifted his head up and looked guilty as he watched her. "I wish you weren't involved with this, Patty. I wish you and your family wasn't but you are. I hope my brother and I can find another way. But because of your family…family's sins always come to a price."
A/N: Comment please! Oh! I also posted a new poll for this story. Please vote too!
-DisneyRBD
PS: How do you like the little bits with Caleb? Or with Cameron's past? Btw, this chapter means that Chris is getting closer to what he's trying to figure but it doesn't mean he knows that he's remembering.
