Here is the next chapter for you. I will be out of town in Ireland until 1st of June. My first holiday in almost 2 years :-)

I hope you will enjoy this one and I will try to have a new chapter up when I'm back home.

thanks to piperspeanut and you will receive chapter 30 probably by tonight.

Chapter 29

It had been only a few weeks since Chris had moved out but still it seemed strange to bee in his old room again. He let his bag drop to the floor this was not about him. He took a deep breath and left the room, checking for his brother in the rooms upstairs first before going downstairs following the noise from the kitchen.

Wyatt stood in front of the microwave, leaning on his arms, staring at this food turning around inside.

"Hey," Chris said lamely. "You ok?"

Wyatt turned around and scoffed.

"Sorry, stupid question." The brunette sat down at the table.

The microwave beeped and the blonde took out a plate. "You hungry"

"No, thanks"

The twenty five year old nodded and sat down next to his brother.

"What can I do for you, Wy?"

"Nothing," Wyatt replied eating pasta. "You can't do anything."

Chris took a napkin and started to rip it in little pieces. "Just tell me if there is anything."

"There's nothing you can do," the blonde repeated.

"Okay." The younger brother nodded. They sat a while in silence, "I'll stay in the Manor with you, of course."

"Sure, it's your home...if you want too."

Wyatt ate a bit more than pushed the plate aside. He wasn't even hungry.

"Here, finish that."

Chris took the fork and held it in his hand a moment before placing it aside.

The silence lay heavy between the brothers. Finally, Wyatt stood up. "Clean up. I need to go to work." He crossed his arms over his chest.

The twenty two year old frowned watching his brother.

"Work?" he asked. "Wy, you don't need to go to work. Now, with everything that has happened...that can wait."

"No, it can wait. I need a new chef. I've got to think about the other employees." He rubbed his face. "I've got to organize a funeral." His voice cracked and he closed his eyes a moment. He then cleared his throat. "I need to go."

"Wyatt!" Chris held him back grabbing the sleeve of his shirt.

"I can't just sit around here doing nothing. I've got to do something."

The younger man studied his face and let him go finally.

There was no rule on the right way to grief.


Wyatt closed the door to his office behind him and leaned against it a moment taking a deep breath. It had been difficult to voice what had happened and to still sound confident and as if he had everything under control.

However there weren't any options.

The business had to keep going the best they could as the income of many people depended on it. So, all Wyatt could do as the boss was promise that if they just went on soon everything would be back to normal. And of course, he had to find a new chef as soon as possible as the second one he had couldn't do overtime for more than a week.

The young witch stepped away from the door and walked towards the closet where he kept the appliances. He took the folder with the papers of the applicants for chefs.

He sat down in his chair and opened the folder.

His gaze fell on the framed photo on his desk; Noelle smiling at him hugging a large brown teddy bear that Wyatt had gotten her at the fair that day.

He took the photo and touched her face. There was a knock on the door and Wyatt hastily put the framed picture in the top drawer.

The door opened and Leo and Victor stepped in.

"If you two are spending time together, it's obvious something is wrong. Let me guess, the loud-mouth told you what happened," he greeted them.


"I don't understand how this could have happened. I mean, you were there," Haley said.

She stood behind the armchair where her sister sat with cross legs a book on her lap.

Holly glanced back at her. "What does that mean?"

The other twin shrugged. "I'm just saying…"

"She could be right, though," Chris replied.

The two girls looked at him surprised.

"Well, yes," he insisted. "I knew she was probably hurt but I had to interrogate the demons first. Maybe if I had checked on her first. I maybe could have healed her, I don't know…"

"Exactly, you don't know," Holly interrupted him. "Whatever you did or didn't, doesn't matter right now. You need to focus on what's important now."

"What would that be?" Chris asked.

"Find the damn demons that killed her," Haley replied.

Her sister jerked around. "Nonsense," she said angrily.

"Why?"

"The important thing is that you are there for Wyatt."

"I know," the young man sighed. "I can't remember a time when my sheer presence ever helped anyone but I'll try. I sent dad and grandpa to him."

Chris stood up picking up his bag.

"Shall we check for the demons?" Haley asked.

"No, not at all...I have a clue about who is behind this. Don't get yourselves in danger. I'll take care of the demons later with Wyatt."

Holly had a concerned look on her face.

"Just because taking revenge on the demons would make you feel better, doesn't mean it'll help Wyatt."

"Sure, it'll help. It'll be fewer demons," her sister disagreed.

"But a few less demons are nothing compared to what could happen if Wyatt's powers are affected by his emotions putting both of you in danger."

"That's a good point. Better call for us for the vanquish," Haley suggested.

Chris shook his head. "No, thanks...bye, girls"


"All I'm saying is that you don't have to go on like this. Functioning like this. It's an extreme situation," Leo said to his son who had just explained to them that he would not go home to relax and calm down despite what had happened just a few hours ago.

"Yes, I do. There are people I have to think about, employees that need their pay checks. I can't close down the restaurant because I lost one chef. I have to find a new one to keep the business going. Please, you have to understand that."

Leo looked at Victor defeated.

"What your father is talking about is not the loss of a chef but about loosing your lover," Victor replied.

"I know," Wyatt ran a hand through his blonde hair. "And speaking of that I also have to arrange a funeral in Providence, which means I have to organize a flight. And do a wake here, and see who is responsible now for the expenses of her great aunt."

"We understand you are busy," his father said. "But don't think the business will make you forget. Believe me, I have been there."

"And me, too," the blonde replied angrily.

"Okay. What would you say if I cared for the restaurant, maybe make a first selection of appliers while you figure out the private related issues," Victor suggested.

The twenty five year old eyed the papers on his desk and understood he couldn't concentrate on this stuff now. It is not good to just go through the motions?

"Yes, that would be nice," he finally said.

"Good. I can start right away," Victor told him and stood up ushering his grandson out of the chair.

"We are all here to help," Leo promised.

He stood up as well and placed an arm around his son's shoulders. "Don't worry buddy. You are not alone. Just tell us what we can do."

"Thanks, dad I will be in touch. Grandpa, if there's anything, call and I'll be right back."

"I can do business. I have done it all my life."

"Right...I'll be at home."


Wyatt closed the front door behind him. For a moment he expected Noelle to exit the kitchen wearing the apron with a bikini printed on, that he had bought her one day, a spoon in her hand asking him to taste whatever she had cooked.

But no one came to welcome him.

He climbed up the stairs and found his brother in his old room making the bed.

Wyatt leaned against the door and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Chris turned around feeling the presence. "You're back."

"Obviously...after all, you sent dad and grandpa, didn't you?"

"I told them what happened and suggested they talked to you, that's all. They would have come, anyway."

"It's okay. I'm not angry. And you are going to stay here."

"As I said"

A small smile appeared on Wyatt's face. "Thanks."

"It's not a question. I've called Noelle's friend, I forgot the name but she promised to tell everyone else. I couldn't' reach Ray, though. Can I do anything else?"

"Actually, yes...clean up my old room a bit. I want to sleep there tonight."

"Can't you sleep here...this room is cleaned up."

Wyatt shrugged, as long as it wasn't' his and Noelle's bedroom. He probably wouldn't fall asleep easily, anyway. But he didn't' need to stare at the empty side of the bed all night long.

"Fine, apart from that you can call our cousins. They might want some of Noelle's clothes or make up or whatever girls like. Everything they don't take, I'm sure Amy knows enough people who can use it. I'll leave you with that."

"Absolutely"

"And search for those demons. I want to vanquish them after the funeral."

"I'm on it."

"Good but be careful. I'll take a shower and lay down a bit."

"Sure, you do that. I'll take care of everything. I'll make dinner."

Wyatt scrunched up his face.

"Good, I'll order dinner."

Chris watched his brother picking in the paper box filled with Chinese food. It was Wyatt's favourite but his face showed the absence of his mind.

They didn't talk.

Wyatt was in deep thought and Chris was at a loss for words. Everything that popped up in his mind to say to comfort his older brother seemed shallow and unmeaning.

The ringing of the phone disturbed the silence.

Wyatt stood up and got the call.

A lot of noise could be heard on the other end and then his friend Ray's excited voice.

"Wy, drop everything and come to the hospital to welcome your god daughter into this world," the young man almost screamed. "I can't believe it. She's the most beautiful baby with black hair and blue eyes. Shannon, that's her name." When he got no reply the fresh father asked. "Did you hear me? Wyatt?"

The blonde stared ahead not answering.

Chris stood up and went to his side. "What's up? What happened?" he requested concerned.

"Ray got his baby girl," Wyatt replied mechanically. He gave the phone to his brother leaving the dining room.

Chris could hear Ray's voice on the other end.

"Ray, its Chris...congratulations"

"Thanks buddy. Where's your brother?"

"Um…you didn't get my message, did you?"

"Boy, I've been at the hospital for the last 8 hours."

"Right...Ray, Noelle's dead." Chris thought there was no easy way to break the news to him, so he'd rather just simply say it.

"What?" Ray breathed. "What do you mean...How?"

"That's a long story."

"I'm not sure Wyatt will come to see the baby right now. I'll go and check on him."

"That's fine. Give him my condolences. I'll come to see him soon, promise. I'll tell Julie. Take care of him, Chris. I'll call again later."


After ending the call with Ray, Chris walked around the first floor of the Manor in search for his brother. He spotted him sitting in the garden under the marquise, which he had just finished a few days ago.

Unfortunately, it had rained then and in the end Wyatt and Noelle had never sat out here and now it was too late. The blonde sighed but looked up when he heard rustling.

"Do you want to be alone?" Chris asked.

"I don't know. Do you think Ray's angry at me? After all, his baby was born and I couldn't even be happy for him."

"Of course not. He didn't get my call before but I explained the situation to him. He's just concerned about you. No ones angry at you. You have every right to act odd."

Wyatt scoffed. "Acting odd? That's what you call it? I fucking don't know myself. I really don't know what to do, apart from the obvious."

"I understand. I really do."

"Yeah seriously, we two are quite unhappy people considering our love life."

"Probably"

The two brothers' sat a moment in silence.

"Let's go and see the little one."

"You sure"

"Yes, I am. However, isn't it crazy how close life and death lay next to each other."


Ray sat on the bed next to his wife, holding their newborn in her arms. They had the well known happy look of new parents; although, a hint of sadness lay in their eyes.

After a knock on the door, the two Halliwell brothers stepped in the room.

"Hi, you are here," Ray exclaimed surprised.

He stood up and hugged his friend.

"Sure. I need to welcome my God daughter, don't I?"

"Absolutely...however, we understand if you have other things on mind right now." The dark haired man laid a comforting arm around his friend's shoulder leading him towards the bed.

"I'm so sorry, Wyatt," Julie said tears glistering in her eyes. "I really can't believe it."

"Me neither," Wyatt softly caressed the baby's face and smiled. "And this, it's a miracle."

"Do you want to hold her?" Julie carefully laid the girl in his arms.

Wyatt turned around towards his brother. "Come on, she won't bite."

"I'm sure," Chris said but remained standing in his place.

"You maybe want to hear her name," Ray purposed.

"You told us the name already," Chris said.

"I don't think so. She's called Shannon Noelle if that's okay with you," Ray quickly added.

"It's your choice," Wyatt replied quietly.

"I always like the name," Julie said. "And it has a special meaning to us now."

"Unless, you don't like it or find it disturbing."

"No," the twenty five year old assured. "I like it."

Wyatt leaned against the door frame to his former bedroom. The last two nights he had stayed in Chris' old room. It would probably stay that way as he couldn't bear being in the bedroom he had shared with Noelle. Most of her stuff was already gone; three boxes of clothes and shoes were in Chris' car so he could take them to his friend Amy. She had already found people that were in need.

Wyatt watched his brother who sat with his back to him in front of the laptop.

"What's up?" Chris asked swirling the desk chair around.

"Do you plan to clean out this room?"

"No, actually, I don't. And where should I take this stuff to, anyway? I can't store my drawings in the attic because of demons. The basement is no option either. So, it's either downstairs – but your face tells me you don't like that – or the twins' apartment. The easiest thing would be if you stayed in my old room. There's nothing wrong with that."

"This room is larger."

"Ha, so suddenly it is larger than the other. Ever since you kicked me out of your room and I said the other was smaller you denied it," Chris said. Ever since they were kids they fought over the rooms.

"I was thinking, you could move into mine and Noelle's room."

"No, thanks"

Wyatt sighed. "Be realistic. You stay in my old room, I go into yours and the largest bedroom in the house that even has a bathroom stays empty?"

"Precisely...although, you have all your stuff there; maybe in a few weeks you will go back."

Wyatt grinned behind himself at the closed door. Maybe it was true.

"We have one empty room, anyway. Who cares, perhaps one of the cousins wants to move in with us," Chris suggested. "Patty. Or…Trevor"

"No, thanks I can only deal with one little brother," the blonde replied.

Chris grinned. He knew it was just meant as a joke, it was nice that Wyatt thought of Trevor that way as the twenty two year old already had brotherly feelings for the teenager.

"I'm going to Providence tomorrow. For the funeral," Wyatt suddenly said.

"I know. Do you want me to come with you?"

"NO, I want to do that alone.

"Okay."

"They'll have a wake in the restaurant the day after. I probably won't be there, though."

"Where are you going?"

The twenty five year old shrugged. "I'm not sure yet, but I'll be back by the weekend. You'll be able to find me if you have to."

Chris nodded.

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

The younger brother watched Wyatt leave but was stripped of his thoughts when his laptop announcing an incoming email.

He opened the mail and read it. It was from Jenascia, saying she was sorry for Wyatt's loss, sending her love. She also sent links where Chris could check out other people's online galleries as an example.

However, she'd understand if he had more pressuring issues to deal with right now.

The twenty two year old checked out the websites but found it to be nothing special. He still thanked her and wrote that despite the circumstances he already had photographed and uploaded some of his art work.

Only a second later he received a second mail with an invitation to log in on a website to chat.

He shrugged and followed the instructions. A few minutes later, he had created an account and a window opened

JenXX : Hi.

Chris frowned, a second but then decided to reply.

Chrisperry: Hi; still up this late?

JenXX : Yes. I'm working on a project. But it's boring, you?

Chrisperry: Just surfing the net

JenXX : OK. I hope Wyatt's doing better? Holly said he was acting wired.

Chrisperry: Still is. But he'll be ok. I know him.

JenXX: It must be hard, but you know what it's like. I'm sure you can help him get through this.

Chrisperry: I don't know...it's different, though. I'll try, but in the end no one can make it hurt less.

JenXX: I guess.

Chrisperry: what about you?

JenXX: What about me?

Chrisperry: You know so much about me. I know nothing about you.

JenXX: Oh, of course. Where do I start? I was born in San Diego, no siblings. When I was 14 my parents got a divorce, me and my mom moved to San Francisco to be around my grandfather. Last year my mom got a great job offer in Milwaukee. So, I decided to stay with grandpa and let her have her chance.

Chrisperry: Do you live with your grandfather?

JenXX: I have a dorm but I'm at his apartment a lot. I help him with keeping house and so on.

Chrisperry: That's awesome.

JenXX: Sometimes. I'd like to see your art. Maybe you can send me some pictures.

Chrisperry: or you could come to P3. I store most of my stuff that's finished there.

JenXX: Sure. Maybe we can discuss the layout of the website, too. I have time on Thursday, that's when my work's due. Thursday morning, I have class then but I'm free in the afternoon.

Chrisperry: Yes, that's good.

JenXX: OK, Chris, I need to go back to work. Bye.

Chrisperry: Bye, Jen.

Another window popped up and showed that Jenascia was offline.


Chris came back from the storage room of P3. He had a list on a clip board marking

a few things off.

"Bartender, a drink"

The brunette winced and let the clip board drop. He looked up into the well known face angrily.

"Why are you so jumpy, dude?" the young girl asked.

"I'm not. What are you doing here?" Chris bent to pick up his fallen item. He then walked towards the bar. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

He happily hugged his cousin.

Prue hugged him back, holding him tight a moment before taking a step backwards. "Mom called and told me what happened to Noelle. How is Wyatt doing?"

"Take your guess. He's over in Providence at the moment. But we will do a wake tomorrow in the restaurant. You'll be there, won't you?"

"Of course" Prue sat down on a bar stool and sighed. "It's awful. How could that happen?"

"Demons," Chris simply replied and shrugged.

"What demons?" she gratefully accepted the coke Chris served her when he got behind the bar.

"I know what demons. I know how to vanquish them."

"Okay, so why haven't they been vanquished yet then?"

"Because that won't solve our problem, they were usual assassin demons of the same swarm. They had orders."

"From who"

"I have a clue, our new neighbours." Chris said and explained his theory.

"Did Uncle Leo ask the Elders?"

"Yes but they stay with their opinion that no one survived. You know them; they'd never admit a mistake."

"Maybe this guy, Brandon, doesn't even understand what it means to be a witch. Maybe he doesn't know what family he was born from."

Chris nodded. "That's good. I'm glad you are here. You are the only one who understands my theories."

Prue scoffed. "You always infect me. However, if they are your neighbours why can't you find them and interrogate them a bit, I know you have your ways."

"They are gone, for weeks now. On vacation or something, that's what they said. Guess what, they took the book with them."

"The Bone Collector, Do I want to know how you found that out?"

"You probably know how."

"Hmm...You are right. It's strange. I'd suggest as long as I'm here we try our best to find them and vanquish those other demons. I so miss a good vanquish."

"Sorry those demons are for Wyatt. But I'll find you another one, but maybe you really can help."

"Maybe" Prue repeated offended.

Suddenly the heavy metal door to the club opened. Both Halliwell witches looked up and Prue instantly frowned.

"Jen"

"You know each other?" the brunette male asked.

"Chris, same school"

"Am I too early?" Jen asked checking her watch. She had a laptop bag around her shoulder and a smaller purse in her hand.

"No, no," Chris quickly assured. "Prue came by surprise. She's here for the wake."

"Right, of course" Jen remained standing a few feet away from the bar while Prue looked at her cousin questioningly.

"Well, Prue, we'll talk about this again later," the twenty two year old said. "I'll come by, promise. Right now, Jen and I have something to work on."

"Really, and what is that?"

Chris smiled at her sweetly. "Bye, Prue."

"Okay, okay. Keep your dirty little secrets,"" the young woman grinned. She hopped off the chair and patted Jen's shoulder on her way out. "I'll find out, anyway," she said.

The other girl looked uncomfortable but tried to hide it. "There's nothing to find out."

"Sure. Bye, Prue," Chris repeated.

She laughed but climbed up the stairs to exit the club without another word.

Jenascia shook her head smiling. "She's insane."

"Yep, always has been. It's in our genes."


Chris had his arms crossed in front of his chest as he watched Jen looking at his drawings that were stored in the back room of P3.

"I always looked up to Prue," the girl suddenly said.

"Why?" Chris couldn't help but ask. Of course, he adored his oldest cousin but he didn't think anyone would see her as an idol.

"Well, she is a pretty girl. Always got the best grades and was very popular. She always seems to be happy. I was quite scared of her at first," Jen smiled. "Or scared is not the right word. You know, I was like her in my old school. Then I came here and was no one. I had to compete with her. That was hard. But eventually I found out that she is just a nice girl, too. Holly introduced us."

"Yes, the twins and Prue were really close. Now that she's in college, she is barely in town."

"That's sad, but she's here now."

"Of course...and, but don't get me wrong I wished she wasn't here right now. She only comes when something happens."

Jen nodded. "I understand." She took a deep breath. "I love your pictures. I truly do. But I'm afraid for the start you'll have to choose only a few. Let's say a dozen."

"No problem. I'll show you the photos. You decide which are good enough."

"Okay and I show you the layouts."

don't forget to leave me a review on this one. I will be happy to read it when I'm back. or if you are quick even before I'll leave.