Now that it was October, the air was chilly. The leaves had turned from green to orange or yellow. The hype for Halloween had begun as stores had started stocking up on costumes and spooky decorations. However, before Halloween arrived, one little Halliwell's birthday was quickly approaching. His parents were together on the couch planning out the last few details for Chris's upcoming second birthday
"Wyatt's friends are confirmed. Any word from the kids from magic camp?" Piper asked. Wyatt and Chris were both currently at the park with Paige who seemed to be spending more and more time with them. Perhaps that had something to do with the fact she was going to be a mother herself. "The twins are coming. Two can't make it, and the other five I haven't heard from their parents yet." Piper nodded in response and rubbed her baby bump. She couldn't wait to meet the newest Halliwell and later Paige's child. She didn't know the gender of her child yet but after two boys, both she and Leo secretly hoped this one was a girl. "For entertainment, I thought we could ask some of our magical friends to stop by," Leo suggested, looking down at his checklist. Piper shook her head confidently. "No, we can't. Wyatt's friends from daycare are mortal, we can't have magic around them." It was silent for a second as they both tried to think of another idea. Leo hadn't taken into account that there would be none-magical children at the party. "Couldn't we find our way around it?" Piper pondered over this. "Well, we could cast a vision spell on the parents, make them think what they're seeing is fake magic. No one would seriously believe the kids if they went blabbing." Leo looked surprised by this suggestion. "You're saying we should use magic for personal gain? On mortals?" Piper shrugged. "Is it really personal gain if it's' to ensure a fun time for our magical child?" Leo didn't know how to respond to this, at least not in a way that wouldn't risk angering his wife. "If you don't see a problem with it."
"Alright, that just leaves food and cake flavour," Piper said, looking down at the checklist in Leo's hand.
"I've already talked to the parents who've confirmed. None of their children had any food allergies."
"Right, so we should wait on that decision until the rest of the kids rsvp."
"Yes, and for the cake, you know Chris loves everything chocolate."
"Wyatt too."
"Paige sat on a bench at the park watching her little nephews play. It was windy out so the boys were both wearing their jackets, but Paige was fine in just a heavy sweater. Wyatt and Chris were happily jumping around in the leaves. Other than them, the park was quiet and empty, not too unusual for this time of year. Paige slowly drifted off into space and suddenly Wyatt and Chris were a few years older and a third little boy was running around with them. This boy was still quite little, definitely not in school yet. He was waddling all over the autumn leaves that stuck to the ground, laughing every step he made. Wyatt and Chris were gathering leaves just to throw at each other which they both found hilarious. Out of nowhere, the sound of a small child crying filled the air and Paige snapped back to reality.
"What happened?" She asked.
"He took it," Chris sobbed.
"Wyatt, give him back his leaf," Henry instructed.
Paige looked up to find her husband standing there. Wyatt handed the leaf back to Chris then ran off towards the playground, probably to go pout. Henry planted a quick kiss on his wife's lips and then sat down next to her. "I thought we were meeting for lunch," Henry reminded her. "Oh, I'm sorry honey. I went over to the manor to retrieve your wallet and they asked me to take the kids out so they could talk about Chris' birthday." Henry didn't look bothered about it. He was an easily forgiving person who quickly let things go and didn't let small things get to him. "It's fine. The boys are probably much more entertaining than I am anyway." This comment made Paige smile. "Do you think we're going to have a son?" Paige asked. "I don't think so. I'm an only child so I can't say boys really run in the family, but for you, girls definitely run in the family. Wyatt and Chris are the first boys to be born in our family line." Paige nodded. "I think it's a girl too," she replied. Henry placed his hand on Paige's stomach. "Boy or girl, this child will be very loved," he said. "Yes, they will."
It had been two days and everyone was at the manor setting up for Chris's birthday party. It was still fairly early in the morning and the boys weren't awake yet. Piper crept into her sons' bedroom and stood over the crib. Looking down at her sleeping child, she couldn't help but smile. How was it possible that her baby was already two? A pair of small arms wrapped around her waist. "Morning, Wyatt." "Morning, Mommy." Piper lifted her son into her arms and they both looked at little Chris. "Today is Chris's birthday," she told her oldest. "Really?" Piper nodded in response. "He's not a baby anymore. He's two now." Wyatt laughed. "No more baby." "Oh, no sweetheart. There are going to be new babies." "Today?" "No, not today but soon." Satisfied with his mother's answer, he didn't ask any further questions.
Meanwhile, Paige was downstairs in the living room. She was in charge of decorations and since Piper wasn't around to stop her, Paige simply orbed the decorations in place. "Streamers," Paige said as she waved her hand to the ceiling, at her command, the streamers orbed to the ceiling. "Happy birthday banner, "Paige said, waving her hand to the new location of the banner. "Party hats, "Paige said and orbed onto the table. Paige looked around the living room admiring her orbing skills.
"Personal gain," Piper teased. as she came down the stairs with a sleepy Chris in her arms and an energetic Wyatt tagging along behind.
"Damn busted."
Wyatt ran into the kitchen to see his father and Paige approached her sister. "Happy birthday." She took Chris into her arms and gave him a tight hug. Chris was still too sleepy to register anything going on around him. "Let's go say hello in the kitchen." Paige carried her nephew into the kitchen with Piper tagging along behind them. Leo, Henry, Coop, and Phoebe all turned in their direction and put bright happy smiles on their faces as they all washed the toddler a happy birthday. Chris smiled back at them and giggled but had no idea what was going on, all he understood was people were paying attention and talking to him. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Wyatt shouted at the top of his lungs. Chris squealed and kicked his legs asking to get down. His aunt let him lose and everyone watched him run over to Wyatt and climb into the chair next to him.
A knock came from the front door catching everyone's attention, and Leo looked down at his watch. "The party doesn't start for another four hours," he said. Piper shrugged it off. "Maybe it's dad or maybe it's Darryl?" Piper left the kitchen and crossed the small hall between the living room and stairs over to the front door and opened it. "Hear me out," Billie said as Piper was about to close the door in her face. Piper stood there waiting to hear what she had to say for herself. "Look, I know we're not on good terms anymore which sucks because without Christy, I don't have any family left and you guys were like family to me." Getting impatient, Piper told her to get to the point. "I know it's Chris's birthday. I brought him this. It's a truck." She held out the wrapped present in her hands but Piper didn't take it. "Please, Piper. I vanquished my own sister to save you, to save everyone. I think that earns me just the slightest bit of trust." Piper still didn't take the gift.
"Why don't you give it to him yourself."
"Really? I can come in and see him?"
"You can give him the gift and then you can leave."
Piper stepped aside to let Billie in but for a second Billie hesitated. Then she decided this was a start and getting to at least give him his gift was more than she could have asked for. So, she stepped into the house and closed the door behind her. She looked around. "Hasn't changed a bit, but I bet the boys have gotten so much bigger." Piper didn't respond as she led Billie into the kitchen. The second Billie entered the kitchen, everyone stood up and the boys looked at the adults all confused. "Chris, come here please." Chris climbed down from the chair and waddled over to his mother as Billie got down on her knees still holding the wrapped present. "Awe, you're so big now," Billie whispered to him. Piper eyed Phoebe and nudged her head towards Billie, telling her to go near Billie and get a read from her. Phoebe nodded and subtly moved closer to Billie. "I got you a present. Happy birthday." Chris smiled and took the present from her. "What do you say, Chris?" Leo asked. "Ank you." Billie smiled at him and said, "you're welcome. Would you like me to help you open it?" This was an attempt to get to stay just a minute longer. Chris nodded and handed the present back to Billie who started tearing off the blue wrapping baby. Chris joined in and in a matter of seconds, the truck was unwrapped. "WOW!" Chris stated, looking at his brand new truck. "Why don't you let me take it out of the box for you," Piper offered. Chris nodded, took the truck from Billie, and handed it to his mother. Knowing this meant she had to leave, Billie beckoned Wyatt forward. He happily ran over having fond memories of Billie. Billie scooped them both up in her arms for a quick hug. She got up and turned to Piper who hadn't started to take the truck out of the box yet. "Thank you, for letting me see them." Piper nodded and watched Billie make her way out.
"Phoebe?"
"She's sorry and feels guilty. I think we should give her another chance."
"Billie, wait."
Billie stopped mid-hallway, turned around, and walked back into the kitchen. Her blue eyes were full of hope. "Come back tonight, around eight. We'll talk," Piper instructed. A relieved smile came across Billie's face as she nodded happily. She then turned around and headed back out. This time, leaving the manor completely. "Okay, Chris, let's free this truck." Chris squealed happily and followed his mother over to the counter where she retrieved a pair of scissors from a drawer.
The second knock on the door started the party. As Leo went to answer the door, two waves of blue light occurred as Wyatt and Chris orbed themselves into the living room. Soon after a bunch of screaming toddlers ran into the living room and started kicking around the balloons with the boys, their parents followed behind. The sound of children's laughter and little feet running around quickly filled the room. The adults sat down around the couches and started conversations they were interesting to adults but extremely boring to kids. The next time Piper got up was to let in the entertainment.
Three dwarfs, two leprechauns, and one mermaid arrived. The adults continued to talk while the kids and creatures constantly used their powers having the time of their lives. Piper had made sure to cast a spell to make the mortal adults see only fake magic to avoid exposure. The mermaid poured some water on herself to make her tail appear, the kids clapped and all wanted to touch her long tail. The adult saw a grown woman in a mermaid costume. The leprechauns handed out small pouches of good luck to each child. To the adults, it looked like sand.
After the best toddler birthday party was over, the adults and Billie went to the attic. Paige orbed everyone but Phoebe and Billie out of the house, so they wouldn't be affected by the spell. Then once the spell was cast, everyone but Piper went back into the house to keep an eye on Billie while Phoebe went outside where Piper said the reversal spell on Phoebe, so only Billie had to tell the truth. Piper and Phoebe then joined Paige, Billie in the attic, while the husbands put Wyatt and Chris to bed then headed downstairs.
"Ok Billie, what side are you from now on, good or evil," Piper asked Billie
"Good, it was Christy who brought me on the dark side," Billie responded.
"OK but you thought bad was and good was bad, so are demons good or bad?" Paige asked.
"They're bad Miss Mathews, may I have snack time now," Billie teased
"That's the Billie we know she's back," Phoebe decided.
"I didn't only come here for Chris's birthday, I also came to tell you some demons are planning to get me and kill you this Halloween."
"I see and how do you know this?" Piper asked, staring into Billie's blue eyes.
"I was spying on some demons at magic school, don't worry they didn't see me, I had the invisibility spell on myself," Billie reported.
"Which demons?" Phoebe demanded to know.
"A bunch that really hate you and want me, Barbas is the leader but he said he's not attacking personally, but there are many more who will be though, they brought back a source, um I think his name was Balthazar," Billie recalled.
"Balthazar? That's the best they could do? You remember when I told you about Cole?" Phoebe said.
"Yeah he was a demon, he was… Balthazar?"
"Yep that's him, he'd never hurt me, and he wouldn't hurt my family either cause that would hurt me," Phoebe said.
That's when a swirl of black came as Cole shimmered to them in his human form.
"I'm just here to warn you," he started to say, but her couldn't help but look at Phoebe directly.
"Yeah we know demons who hate us are coming for us on Halloween, you're too late to tell us," Piper interrupted.
"Well in that case my work is done," Cole said and shimmered out.
This surprised Phoebe who never thought Cole would be able to move on from her. He probably knew she was with Coop and their wedding was just around the corner. He must know it was too late if he did still love Phoebe as she would never leave Coop. She was madly in love with her fiance and had moved on from Cole ages ago.
"So Much for a demon-free life," Piper said with a sigh.
"I do know one thing, we are going to need as much magic as we can, that includes us, Coop, Wyatt, Chris, and a bunch of our magical friends," Phoebe stated.
"You're right we have need to split up and get everything prepared, Paige, Leo you two recruit as many magical beings as you can, good ones only, Phoebe you make the potions, Coop you will write as many spells as you can to vanquish these demons, I will search the book of shadows and form a plan, henry you watch the kids, Billie you're with me, don't leave my sight, you're on probation," Piper assigned and ordered.
For the next week: potions were made, Spells were written, plans were formed, magical beings were recruited, and two boys were taken care of. The evening before Halloween, Everyone gathered in the living room.
"Ok so first thing, let's keep the pregnant women away from the battle, that means me and Paige, well come out of hiding when not many of them are left, Men you are the strongest so you will fight and hold them off, boys you will orb any sharp item at the demons ok, and women you cast as many spells as you can, any power of three demons will be taken care of at the end so don't keep trying to vanquish a demon if it's not working. Finally magical creatures you do your thing to help out" Piper ordered.
Everyone agreed so Piper dismissed the meeting and the boys practice their job by having them orb flower plots and other objects against the wall. Everyone was prepared for the Halloween of Demons. Billie was allowed to sleep in Phoebe's old room with Chris but there was an alarm on windows and doors, an alarm that never went off.
The next day everyone was waiting in their places pretending to just be running their lives, Paige and Piper, whose pregnancy was just starting to show, orbed to the basement ready to relocate themselves if needed. To test if Piper's baby had an orb shield-like Wyatt did in the womb, Paige threw a book at Piper's stomach, it turned out Piper's baby did have an orb shield, So Piper decided to join the battle while Paige orbed herself to Henry's, just close enough her white lighter side to hear if her sisters called.
The fight started, many old demons came and got vanquished again, many new demons got vanquished. Piper enjoyed being invincible when demons concentrated on her in the nursery which distracted them long enough for Wyatt and Chris to vanquish them. This oddly made piper proud of her children. One demon was so unlucky he got attacked by four fairies, five witches, and Phoebe who finally vanquished him.
Some of the demons chickened out and shimmered away, some put up a great fight and wounded some witches and Dwarfs but weren't lucky enough when they ran into Billie. Some of them got outraged and shot fireballs at Wyatt whose force field kicked in saving him, some took it out on Chris who had fun avoiding the fireball by repeatedly orbing out of the way. When a bunch of demons ganged up on little Chris, Wyatt stood beside him protecting both of them with his force field until Piper got rid of the demons for them.
Finally, only four demons were left and Paige orbed back. The sisters held hands and vanquished the demons with the power of three. One more demon popped out of nowhere and Wyatt orbed away. When Leo asked him where the demon ended up, Wyatt pointed to a picture on the kitchen wall of a pumpkin. This made him and his entire family laugh.