AN: Yeah, so you know how this was supposed to be the last chapter? It's not. You can thank SparklingCherries and Bunn2007 for pointing out a couple of things the story was lacking, which I felt really needed to be fixed, so an extra chapter. Thanks you guys-- love your honesty :)
CHAPTER 33
Balance
Chris flipped the page of the novel he was reading just as his older brother ran into the room, the door banging back into the wall. He glanced up in time to see Wyatt cringe at the black mark the knob had left on the paint. Shaking his head, he went back to reading, caught up in the story."Chris," Wyatt excitedly began, moving to sit next to his brother on the bed. "You'll never believe what I just set up."
Chris didn't bother raising his eyes. "Oh?"
"Emily and her cousin Sara. Tomorrow night."
"That's nice."
Wyatt frowned, "You aren't seeing the beauty in this. There are two of them. As in one for me and one for you."
When his younger brother failed to respond, the older snatched the book he was reading, which caused Chris to jerk into motion, reaching out for the book, but unable to quite grab it. Wyatt turned his back to his sibling and looked at the novel. "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man? What is this?"
Chris ripped the book back from his brother. "It's called classic literature. I know you wouldn't be interested since there aren't any pictures."
"Oh, that's funny," The Twice Blessed dryly commented. "I'm in stitches. Honest. Why are you reading that?"
"Emily said I'd like it."
"Speaking of my girlfriend, did you not hear a word of what I said before?"
"About her cousin? Yeah I heard."
"And?"
Chris went back to reading, "Not interested. Entertain the third wheel yourselves."
Wyatt hesitated, knowing that if he said what he wanted to say, there was a chance he'd get telekinetically thrown into a wall. Still, as the older brother, it was his job to aid his younger sibling, and the boy definitely needed somebody to say it. "Bianca's gone, Chris, but that doesn't mean you can't be happy with someone else."
That caught the other teen's attention. His green eyes flicked up to meet his brother's blue. "What?"
"Bianca. You haven't gone on a single date since she ditched town. I know that it really hurt you, man, but you can't just mope the rest of your life. It's been a year. We all thought it would be good to just give you time, but time's up."
Chris shook his head, "You're unbelievable you know that? My social life has nothing to do with Bianca leaving. She left. Big deal. I'm not heartbroken. I'm just not interested."
"You're going on this date, Chris."
"No, Wy, I'm really not."
"As your older brother– and note that Emily does back me up on this– I think it's important that you forget about Bianca and just meet a girl you can have some fun with. Get back in the saddle. Or, you're going to be miserable for a really really long time."
Chris didn't look up from his book. He turned the page, feigning to still be reading the words on the pages at this point.
Wyatt let out a sigh. "Well, if you change your mind, just let me know."
As his older brother left the room, Chris glanced up from his book. He let out a breath before gently closing the lid and setting it down on the dresser. He glanced back at the door to see if Wyatt was really gone. Once his solitude had been confirmed, he opened up his night stand drawer and lifted up a hidden compartment in the side that he'd added himself. He slipped out a small travel notebook, and opened it up to a specific date.
July 12th 2026
Bianca's Birthday.
He remembered this birthday so clearly. He'd surprised her with a home cooked meal and her favorite dessert– cheesecake with fresh strawberries. After dinner they had made love. He smiled. Twice. Then, it was off to the balcony to watch the sunset, drinking beers and holding each other. Simple, but perfect.
He turned to the back cover and pulled out a sheet of paper that had been folded into the notebook. He gently unfolded it, revealing a sketch of Bianca's profile. His lips quirked up as he stared into the perfectly sketched eye that was facing out toward the viewer, its strength and fire evident.
Chris gently ran his hand over the image before re-folding it and putting it back in place. He returned the notepad to its rightful spot as well. Then, when both were secure once more, he turned back to his book. Not quite as engrossed as he had been before his brother's intrusion.
She meant nothing.
Really.
000
Cole Turner tucked the blankets snugly around the small form of his step-daughter, Melinda, smiling at how serene she looked in her sleep. He gave her a light kiss on the forehead, then turned and exited her darkened room.
He saw his wife grinning at him from the sofa and shrugged, "What? Can't a father want to check up on his daughters?"
"Yeah, Cole, but I think five times each is sufficient," she laughed.
"Well, you never know. A demon could show up at any minute," the half-demon defended himself as he sat down next to her on the couch.
Phoebe wrapped her arms around his neck, her brown eyes sparkling with love as she softly said, "It comes so easily doesn't it?"
"What?"
"Loving them, wanting to protect them."
The former Source let out a breath. "It's absolutely terrifying. All powerful evil I can handle, but those two girls? I have no idea how to stop this feeling of. . .of. . ."
"Fear?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "What is that?"
"It's what being a parent means," his wife answered.
"Well, I don't like it."
Phoebe laughed at his pout, taking his face in her hands and bringing his lips to hers. After giving him a solid kiss, she pulled back smiling. "You, Cole Turner, will be fine. Promise."
"You, Mrs. Turner, should come with me," he replied, lifting her up into his arms as she gave a little squeal of surprise. He had just reached the door to their bedroom when there was a hard rapping on the door.
Cole frowned, setting his wife back on her feet. He moved to answer the door and was surprised to find Leo standing on the other side looking rough.
Phoebe was the one to address the distraught looking man. "Leo, what is it? Is everything okay?"
"You," Leo said, his voice tight as his eyes focused on the half-demon. "I need to talk to you."
Phoebe stepped in front of her husband, her brow furrowing in worry. "Leo, what's this about? It's late."
"I've stayed quiet for Chris' sake," Leo began. "He needed a mentor to deal with all the changes he was going through, and all the magical responsibility he was taking on, and I stepped aside because you were the one with the special link to him. The one he instantly connected with, and I didn't want my relationship with his other version to get in the way of his learning to cope with all of it. But, it's been a year, and I'm done stepping aside."
Cole frowned, "Leo, what the hell are you going on about?"
"I want my son back, Cole," the man replied.
"No one took him from you," the other argued.
"That's not true," Leo argued, his voice rising. "Every time you show up, I disappear. He has a problem– he goes to you. He needs advice– he goes to you. When he looks at you, it's with admiration and respect. My own son doesn't cast me so much as a glance. I'm not a bad father, Cole. I've done everything I could to be there for him because I didn't want things to be like they were with the other Chris. It's all for nothing though because the father he wants is you."
Cole swallowed, shaking his head helplessly, "Leo, now, I wouldn't– "
"– I'm not done," the man's voice growled.
Cole, completely taken back by the completely uncharacteristic tone, shut his mouth.
"Enough is enough. I want Chris back. You have your own family now. Spend time with them. Spoil them. Just leave me my son. Please. Because I can't compete with you. I'm not powerful. I'm not some great warrior. I don't know everything about every demon in the underworld. I'm not edgy or even cool most of the time in my son's eyes. But, I am his father. I was there the day he was born, there when he," tears clouded the man's eyes, his voice nearly breaking as he finished the thought, "died in my arms. I heard his first words and saw his first steps, and I have been there his entire life, loving him as best I can."
Phoebe opened her mouth to try and pacify the man, but he slipped open the door and was gone again, just as fast as he had arrived. She turned to her husband, "I can't believe he did that."
Cole, staring after the man, replied, "I can."
The next morning Chris awoke bleary eyed. He squeezed them shut, rubbing them roughly with the back of his hand trying to wake himself up the rest of the way. When he was done, he stretched his arms, only to catch something out of the corner of his previously blurred eyes. Turning to get a better view, his green eyes grew wide, his brows shooting up. "What the. . ."
Lying on his night stand were two tickets to see the San Francisco Giants vs. the Chicago Cubs.
He pulled them up, looking them over. They were right behind the dugout. Seats that were nearly impossible to get your hands on. Moreover, they were for this afternoon.
Chris put the tickets on his bed while he threw on a pair of jeans and a grey hooded sweatshirt. Picking them back up once he had finished dressing, he tore out of the room and flew down the stairs into the kitchen.
His mother turned to look over her shoulder at him, a large smile on her face. "Morning, Peanut. Find your surprise?"
"Uh, yeah," Chris held up the tickets. "What's this all about?"
Piper handed him a plateful of toast, "Better hurry and eat. You don't have much time before you've got to leave."
Leo came into the room, a bounce visible in his step. He moved to kiss his wife before turning to his son, a broad smile reaching from ear to ear. "So, what do you think, Buddy?"
"I'm not sure," the young man responded, slowly, his suspicious nature kicking into gear. "What's with the big surprise?"
"I thought it might be fun to take my son to a baseball game, just like my dad used to take me. You and me and Wyatt used to go all the time when you were kids, remember?"
"Yeah, but we haven't seen a game in years. And how did you get these seats?"
Leo shrugged, "Spared no expense for my son."
Chris shot a look to his mother, clearly not buying what the man was selling.
The woman just smiled a little wider before handing the witchlighter another plateful of toast. "Want more?"
"More? I haven't even touched the ones you gave me." The young man shook his head, "Okay, what is with you two today? What is this really all about?"
Leo put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I miss hanging out with my son. Is that a crime?"
"No," Chris slowly answered. He suddenly realized something. "Wait, you said son. As in singular. There's only two tickets too. Isn't Wy coming?"
"Nope," Piper responded, picking up one of the pieces of toast on his plate and putting it toward his mouth until he finally took it and bit off a piece. Satisfied she continued. "He's spending the day with me at the club. One of the bands he likes is performing tonight, so I said he could come help me with the sound check."
"So, it'll be just you and me, Buddy."
Chris let out a breath. "Okay, well, that's cool I guess."
"You guess?" Leo repeated, crestfallen not quite covering how he felt.
Just as Chris was about to answer, the door swung open and Cole came into the room, briefcase in tow. He turned straight to Piper, "So, did you set it up?"
"Yes, the safety inspector is set to be there in an hour, and he knows that I'm bringing legal representation."
"What's going on at the club?" Chris asked.
Piper waved him off, "Nothing to worry about, Peanut. Just some guy with a power trip. Cole's planning on setting him straight this afternoon."
"Oh," the boy responded, noting her raised eyebrow at his still uneaten toast. He took a bite. Barely chewing before swallowing he turned to Cole, "So, you'll never guess what I vanquished last night, Cole."
The half-demon turned to Chris, "I'm talking to your mother right now."
Chris, feeling like he had been slapped by the harsh, condescending tone, could only blink. His uncle never spoke to him like that. He took a seat at the table and decided to just finish his toast.
"What did you vanquish?" Leo asked, taking a seat next to his son.
The witchlighter frowned, "You're asking me about a vanquish? I thought you hated the idea of me going after demons."
"I did, but you're almost an adult now, and you've proven time and time again that you're a capable witch with a level head. The fact that you're my son is always going to make me worry about you, but I can't deny you your heritage. So, what did you vanquish?"
Chris, surprised by the turnaround in his father, started slowly. "Well, you know those robberies over the last couple weeks? Well, I tracked down the fact that they were all on the same sewer network, and with all the robberies being done by different employees at the bank who then suddenly turned up dead later, I figured it had to be a shape shifter of some kind."
"Right, they do love their underground hideouts," his father agreed. "Though you really found that pattern with the sewers? That's great, Chris."
"Thanks," the boy beamed. "So, anyway, once I knew what I was chasing, I made up a potion and spell and waited at the next hot-spot. I even managed to vanquish the thing in the bathroom so it wasn't on camera and no one was alerted."
"Chris, that's fantastic. I'm so proud of you."
"You're proud of me?" Chris smiled slightly. "Really?"
"Of course I'm proud of you."
The teenager ducked his head, trying to hide the red climbing into his cheeks at the praise. He'd never thought his father would appreciate hearing about a vanquish he'd done. After all, it was his dad that always flipped out before when he'd come up against demons. Then again, a lot had changed in the last year.
"Well, we should probably get going," Leo announced. "You can bring the rest of your toast with you. We'll have lunch there."
"Great, just let me go brush my teeth and clean up a bit first." Chris orbed up stairs, and for once, no one bothered to yell at him to use the stairs.
Piper smiled at her brother-in-law, "You did a good thing there."
Cole shrugged, "Kid was getting on my nerves anyway. Always asking me questions and hanging around me."
"Thank you," Leo interrupted. "For the tickets and what you just did. It means a lot, Cole."
"Yeah, well, I figure I do good things for you, you stop wanting to vanquish me." Cole stared at the spot Chris had been sitting in moments ago. "Besides, it's what he really wanted. Even if he would never admit it."
Piper shook her head, "Who'd a thought it? Cole Turner, one big softy. Now I've seen everything."
"Don't get used to it," the man sharply put in. "This is a one time only service. You want your son to respect you, Leo, you need to put in the work. I've told you how, but the rest is up to you."
Leo nodded solemnly, "I will, Cole. It's all I want in the world."
Chris and Leo didn't return from the game until late in the evening, the rest of their family fast asleep already. However, the two of them were completely wired, having just witnessed the most amazing game of their lives.
"Can you believe it? Ryan VonBecker with a Grand Slam to win the game in extra innings," Chris raved, plopping down at the table, a new baseball cap on his head. "And that fly ball for a double play in the bottom of the sixth? Incredible."
Leo grabbed two mugs down from the cupboard and started the teakettle, remembering a tradition he'd done with his boys when they were little– hot cocoa with exactly six marshmallows each. Chris demanded it was an even number. Wyatt said four was too few. Leo thought eight was too many. So, it always ended up being six.
"Behind his back," the teen went on. "I mean, it was like watching a movie. I swear, Jose Santiago is the best center fielder in the league."
"What about Marcus Hunter from the Twins?" Leo challenged, "Won the golden glove two years running now. He doesn't let anything get by him. He's flawless."
Chris rolled his eyes, "He doesn't count. He's baseball royalty. His dad won the golden glove too, remember? Tori?"
"Just because his father was good doesn't mean he would have been. It still takes a lot of work."
"Yeah, okay, but still. After today's game? I still stand by what I said."
Leo raised his hands in defeat, laughing. "Okay, okay. I won't argue."
The teakettle whistled and Leo poured two steaming cups of cocoa, counting out the marshmallows before plopping them into the nice creamy chocolate liquid. He smiled to himself before turning around and giving one of the mugs to his son.
Chris grinned at the sight of the six marshmallows floating on top of his hot chocolate. "Six. You remembered?"
"How could I forget?" the father mockingly lamented. "The great marshmallow debate of 2010."
The younger of the two chuckled. "I really have always been neurotic, huh?"
"You come by it honestly."
Chris took a gratifying sip of his drink, licking his lips. "Mmmm. Mom may be the chef, but you're still the Cocoa King, Dad."
"Well, I have to be better than your mother at something."
Chris took a deep breath. "I've been meaning to ask you, and I don't want you to take this the wrong way or anything, but I still don't get why you felt you had to do all this. I mean, why the father-son bonding trip– not that I didn't have a total blast, I did– just, it seemed sort of out of the blue."
"Guess, I just felt a little," Leo shrugged, "cut out."
"Cut out?"
The former whitelighter let out a breath, his hands covering the sides of his mug as he stared at it, unable to look into his child's eyes just then. "Of your life. What with you and Cole getting to be so close last year. I understand why. It's not that. I just sort of felt. . .like you didn't need me anymore."
Chris swallowed, staring at his father and really seeing him for the first time in his entire life. His dad looked so scared, like at any moment his own son would start rejecting him. The teen knew that his relationship with his dad hadn't been the greatest the last few years. Part of it was because the old Chris still had some unresolved issues, but these days, they weren't affecting his own opinion very much. Still, he could see where Leo would be fearful. After all, he had beaten the poor guy up in another life. All his dad wanted was his attention, and lately, Chris had been giving that attention to Cole.
"So, that's why," Leo finished. He finally looked up, "I just missed you."
"Dad," the young man started, "I'm sorry. I know Cole and I have gotten really close, but that doesn't mean you aren't still my dad. I just didn't think you were interested in the things I was interested in. Plus, the other Chris had all these issues. But, Dad," Chris leaned forward, staring the man in the eyes, "You are my father, okay? Nobody is replacing you. They couldn't."
"I know, I know."
Chris leaned back in his chair, trying to figure outthe best way to really show his dad that he did need him. "I haven't told anyone this but," he lowered his voice, his eyes staring at the table, "everyday, I still think about her."
"Bianca?"
His son nodded.
"Is that why you haven't been dating? Wyatt's worried about you, you know."
"Yeah, I know. It's just hard."
"Because you still love her. The other you, I mean?"
Chris nodded. "You have no idea what it's like to get all these memories. It's not just flashes of another life. It's their feelings, their thoughts. Every smell, touch, taste. They're more vivid when they're about her. How can I forget about her when every other day I remember something new about her? It's been a year, and I still am getting new flashes of their life together. How can I go on a date with someone else when the other me starts thinking about how Bianca's lips feel or how her eyes look in a certain light just when I meet someone I might be interested in? It's like every time I try to move on, he yanks me backward. It's the one time I can't control him."
"Understandable," Leo commented. "He loved her like I love your mom. Talking from personal experience, I'd say that's not something you'd be willing to let go no matter how many lives you live."
"Okay," the son agreed, "so what do I do about it?"
Leo could have died happy right then and there. His son was asking his advice. His little boy was finally coming to him with a problem instead of Cole. It was like a dream come true. There was hope for he and his son after all.
Putting on his old whitelighter face, he responded as best he could. "Chris, I know it's hard. It may even seem impossible, but you have to move on. Lingering on a life that wasn't yours is only going to make you miserable. She's gone, and as much as it hurts, there isn't anything you can do to get her back right now. She left for a reason, and I think you have to respect her decision. Maybe this is just the opportunity you need to discover who you are by having relationships with other women. And the other you might resist at first, but in the end you are ultimately the one in control. The more you ignore his impulses, the easier I think it will get."
Chris stared into his hot chocolate, the marshmallows were melting into white foam at the top. He took a sip, enjoying the flavor. He put down the mug and smiled up at his father, "You're right. This is my life and I need to live it my way."
"Do you feel better then?"
"Yeah, I do," Chris finished off his hot chocolate in one smooth motion. He rose from the table. "Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it."
Leo's heart melted into a puddle as his son gave him a quick hug before putting his mug in the sink and heading upstairs for some much needed sleep.
The man took a satisfied drink of his hot chocolate before letting out a contented sigh. "I'm still his Dad. . ."
tbc. . .
One more! I think...lol