A Destiny Unknown
Their lives continue...together...apart...
Piper and Leo stood across from each other, sharing a small, excited smile as Penny cleared her throat. "We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one. Do you, Leo Wyatt, and Piper Halliwell, join us here of your own free will to acknowledge the eternal bond shared by both of you."
Without a moments hesitation, they both answered, their voices filled with honestly and love. "I do."
"You may face each other, join hands." Leo turns to Piper and she slips her hands into his, their eyes locking for a moment. "Uh, Leo, you may recite your vows." Penny added, nodding to Leo to begin.
Leo took a deep breath and stared into Piper's eyes, lightly brushing the back of her hands with his thumbs. "Piper, through all the tears and struggles, I always knew in my heart that we'd make it here. I promise to love and respect you from this point forward as your husband, as my wife, my lover, my friend, and my soul mate. All I am is yours."
"Piper..." Penny nodded to her granddaughter.
With her heart pounding and voice wavering, Piper began her vows. "Leo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was afraid that you were too good to be true, that maybe I didn't deserve someone so pure and beautiful and loving as you are. But here we are surrounded by the people that I love the most and I feel so proud, and so blessed to be your wife. Leo, I was born to love you and I always will." They shared a smile, a silent pull at their heartstrings by the truth in her words.
Penny cleared her throat and fought back tears of happiness. "Here before witnesses, Leo and Piper have sworn their vows towards each other. With this cord, I bind them to those vows." With a quick, fluid hand movement, Penny bound their hands together using a white rope.
"Heart to thee, body to thee, always and forever, so motet be." Through years of struggle, their love had triumphed. It knew no limits and defied all boundaries; as soul-mates were simply meant to be.
~~~
I am here now
You've got the best of me
So go ahead now
Take the rest of me
~~~
~~~
"Leo?" Piper whispered, turning her head to the side and willing her husband awake. "Leo?" She repeated, this time gently pulling at his arm.
"What is it honey?" Leo murmured, his eyes still closed and one arm hooked under his pillow.
"I think maybe you should fill the pool." Piper answered, a coy smile forming on her face.
"Hmm..." Leo agreed, his mind and body still wavering between consciousness and sleep. "What?" He jerked his eyes open suddenly, Piper's words finally infiltrating his subconscious.
"I've been in labour for exactly four hours and forty-one minutes." Piper replied, wincing as another contraction came.
"You have?" Leo asked dumbly, slipping out from under the sheets and pulling his jeans on.
Piper nodded, taking Leo's hand and rising to her feet. "Yep...Forty-two minutes now."
"Should I call the midwife yet?" He questioned, leading Piper into the lounge where an empty children's pool lay in waiting.
"No, not yet." Piper smiled, unbelievably calm and relaxed, catching Leo's hand as he rushed past her, trying to find something more helpful to do. "Deep breaths Leo." She grinned, pulling his face to hers and meeting his lips in a gentle kiss.
"And this is your what? Fifth child Piper?" Leo teased, unable to comprehend how she was so unnerved at giving birth to her first child.
"Don't tease me and just fill this pool hey?" Piper joked, holding her abdomen as another contraction pushing the infant closer to the outside world.
Fifteen minutes later, the pool was almost filled and Leo was helping Piper to settle in when yet another contraction made her double over and give a small cry of agony. "Possibly time to call the midwife." Piper gasped, slipping into the pool and closing her eyes as the water took some of her weight.
"Okay. I'll be right back." Leo pressed a kiss to her forehead and rushed to make the phone call, returning to his wife's side within minutes. "Want me to massage your back?" Piper gave an eager nod and grinned as his fingers kneaded her tight muscles. "I love you." Leo whispered into her ear.
~~~
Let me touch you
Put my hands on you
I'll kiss you
And we'll see things through
~~~
"And I love you." Piper replied, her voice broken by an increasingly painful contraction. "The midwife is how far away?" She questioned, the first hint of fear entering her expression.
"She'll be here soon."
"Ah...how soon? My water's just broke." Piper replied, rising quickly out of the water and laying on a beanbag.
"It's okay, it could be another hour or two Piper." Leo insisted, gripping her hand and smiling reassuringly.
"Then why do I want to push?" Piper asked breathlessly, staring innocently at Leo as if completely reliant on his answer.
"You do?" Piper nodded, her nails digging into Leo's hand. "Now?"
"No Leo...tomorrow! Yes now!" She exclaimed.
"Okay." Leo nodded, positioning himself between her legs. "Piper, I can see the head. Next contraction, you don't have a choice but push okay?"
"Sure." Piper forced a sarcastic smile that quickly converted to a grimace. Three contractions later, Leo held a screaming newborn in his arms; the midwife rushing in time to check both mother and child over.
"Good timing." Leo grinned at her and Piper rolled her eyes, reaching for her baby as Leo cut the umbilical cord. "She's beautiful isn't she?"
"Yes, she is. Melinda right?" Piper nodded, staring adoringly at the baby girl.
"Would we dare to tempt fate?" Leo questioned and Piper shook her head, tilting her chin up to receive a loving kiss.
~~~
Melinda ran down the long hall, her little arm reaching up to turn the doorknob to Piper and Leo's room. Opening it, she ran across the room, jumping full force onto the bed and waking them. "Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!"
"Mel what is it? Did you have a bad dream?" Piper questioned through the darkness, feeling Leo stir beside her.
"No!" Melinda exclaimed in a fit of giggles. "It's my birthday!"
"Oh sweetie, it's 4am. Go bad to sleep for a little while." Leo pleaded, squinting through the darkness.
"But I get presents!" Melinda insisted.
"Come and sleep for a little longer with us and you can open your presents when the sun rises." Piper murmured, lifting the covers to which Melinda crawled into, curling into the small space between Piper and Leo.
"Will the sun wake up soon Mommy?" Melinda questioned innocently.
"Just go back to sleep and the sun will be awake when you are." Piper nodded, sharing a grin with Leo.
It was 7am before Melinda woke again and she excitedly shook Piper and Leo, jumping on the bed and grinning. "Presents! Presents!"
"Presents? Why would Melinda be getting presents Daddy?" Piper teased.
"It's my birthday Mommy! I'm this many!" Melinda held out four fingers, smiling proudly.
"Well in that case, there might be something here for you." Piper leant over the side of the bed and withdrew a bag full of presents, spreading them out on the bed.
"Wow! All mine?"
"Yes Mel. They're all yours, but only if you give us a hug and a kiss first." Piper laughed, catching Melinda as she threw herself into her arms. "We love you baby, now open your presents." Piper leant her head on Leo's shoulder as they watched Melinda carefully open each and every present, her face lighting up at each surprise.
~~~
Piper ran down the stairs, clipping her hair up whilst calling for Melinda. "Melinda! Hurry please, we're going to be late!"
"Where's my blue dress Mom? I want my blue dress!"
"Melinda! We're late, why do you want your blue dress?" Piper gathered a bunch of clothes that littered their lounge in frustration.
"Cause Daddy likes it!" Melinda screamed back, verging on tears.
Piper sighed deeply, the weekly visitations becoming more of a hassle with each passing week. "I think it's in the washing Mel, take your green one."
"We're always running late." Melinda muttered as she came down the stairs dragging her backpack and shoes in hand.
Piper ignored the comment and stopped rushing for a minute, kneeling down to Melinda's height. "Do you have everything for Dad's?"
"Yes." Melinda nodded. "I don't understand why he can't just live here."
"We've talked about this Melinda. Daddy and I need to work some things out."
"It's not fair."
"I know you think it isn't fair, but we both love you very much okay?" Piper raised her eyebrows, waiting for Melinda to agree.
"Yeah." She shrugged her shoulders, wrapping her arms tightly around Piper's neck when she pulled her into a hug.
"Okay." Piper grinned. "Put those shoes on in the car, we don't want Daddy to be mad at me for being late."
They both rushed to the car, Melinda's giggles bringing a smile to Piper's face. The car ride was filled with their off-key voices singing to old songs on the radio, intermitted only by bursts of laughter. Pulling up, Melinda's expression turned serious and she turned to Piper. "Walk me in please?"
"Melinda..."
"Please Mom?"
Piper sighed deeply. "Okay, just this once." Hand in hand they walked to the door, Melinda looking at them both expectantly as Leo opened the door.
"Piper." Leo nodded surprised, his wife always waited in the car.
"Afternoon Leo."
Leo nodded, turning his attention to Melinda. "How's my girl hey?" He grinned, kissing her forehead.
"Good!" Melinda exclaimed, jumping when a loud crash was heard from inside the house. "What was that Dad?"
"It was probably nothing Mel. Come on, we'll go inside and see."
"Mom?" Melinda questioned fearfully, still gripping her hand.
"Leo?" Piper questioned and Leo produced a shrug.
"I have no idea."
'Demonic?' Piper mouthed to which Leo gave a sheepish look, glancing back into his house. "How about I come in and check it out Melinda? Would that be better?"
"Yes!" Melinda exclaimed happily, following Piper and Leo in.
They were barely through the door when a mass of men and women swamped them. A thick gas surround them and restricting their breathing and eyesight. Instinctively, Leo found Piper's hand and they gripped each other tightly, both falling to the ground unconscious, Melinda left kneeling to their side and crying hysterically. The gas cleared and with it the army of supernatural attackers and Melinda stared down at her mother and father, lying motionless together. "Mom? Dad?" She screamed, throwing herself on top of them and burying her face in Piper's shirt. "No..."
~~~
It's the cycle of our souls
Yet we try and change
And rearrange the way the story goes
That's the way the story goes
~~~
The past we can know...The sagas we can tell. But the future...Fate will rule and only time will tell...
THE END!
Their lives continue...together...apart...
Piper and Leo stood across from each other, sharing a small, excited smile as Penny cleared her throat. "We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one. Do you, Leo Wyatt, and Piper Halliwell, join us here of your own free will to acknowledge the eternal bond shared by both of you."
Without a moments hesitation, they both answered, their voices filled with honestly and love. "I do."
"You may face each other, join hands." Leo turns to Piper and she slips her hands into his, their eyes locking for a moment. "Uh, Leo, you may recite your vows." Penny added, nodding to Leo to begin.
Leo took a deep breath and stared into Piper's eyes, lightly brushing the back of her hands with his thumbs. "Piper, through all the tears and struggles, I always knew in my heart that we'd make it here. I promise to love and respect you from this point forward as your husband, as my wife, my lover, my friend, and my soul mate. All I am is yours."
"Piper..." Penny nodded to her granddaughter.
With her heart pounding and voice wavering, Piper began her vows. "Leo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was afraid that you were too good to be true, that maybe I didn't deserve someone so pure and beautiful and loving as you are. But here we are surrounded by the people that I love the most and I feel so proud, and so blessed to be your wife. Leo, I was born to love you and I always will." They shared a smile, a silent pull at their heartstrings by the truth in her words.
Penny cleared her throat and fought back tears of happiness. "Here before witnesses, Leo and Piper have sworn their vows towards each other. With this cord, I bind them to those vows." With a quick, fluid hand movement, Penny bound their hands together using a white rope.
"Heart to thee, body to thee, always and forever, so motet be." Through years of struggle, their love had triumphed. It knew no limits and defied all boundaries; as soul-mates were simply meant to be.
~~~
I am here now
You've got the best of me
So go ahead now
Take the rest of me
~~~
~~~
"Leo?" Piper whispered, turning her head to the side and willing her husband awake. "Leo?" She repeated, this time gently pulling at his arm.
"What is it honey?" Leo murmured, his eyes still closed and one arm hooked under his pillow.
"I think maybe you should fill the pool." Piper answered, a coy smile forming on her face.
"Hmm..." Leo agreed, his mind and body still wavering between consciousness and sleep. "What?" He jerked his eyes open suddenly, Piper's words finally infiltrating his subconscious.
"I've been in labour for exactly four hours and forty-one minutes." Piper replied, wincing as another contraction came.
"You have?" Leo asked dumbly, slipping out from under the sheets and pulling his jeans on.
Piper nodded, taking Leo's hand and rising to her feet. "Yep...Forty-two minutes now."
"Should I call the midwife yet?" He questioned, leading Piper into the lounge where an empty children's pool lay in waiting.
"No, not yet." Piper smiled, unbelievably calm and relaxed, catching Leo's hand as he rushed past her, trying to find something more helpful to do. "Deep breaths Leo." She grinned, pulling his face to hers and meeting his lips in a gentle kiss.
"And this is your what? Fifth child Piper?" Leo teased, unable to comprehend how she was so unnerved at giving birth to her first child.
"Don't tease me and just fill this pool hey?" Piper joked, holding her abdomen as another contraction pushing the infant closer to the outside world.
Fifteen minutes later, the pool was almost filled and Leo was helping Piper to settle in when yet another contraction made her double over and give a small cry of agony. "Possibly time to call the midwife." Piper gasped, slipping into the pool and closing her eyes as the water took some of her weight.
"Okay. I'll be right back." Leo pressed a kiss to her forehead and rushed to make the phone call, returning to his wife's side within minutes. "Want me to massage your back?" Piper gave an eager nod and grinned as his fingers kneaded her tight muscles. "I love you." Leo whispered into her ear.
~~~
Let me touch you
Put my hands on you
I'll kiss you
And we'll see things through
~~~
"And I love you." Piper replied, her voice broken by an increasingly painful contraction. "The midwife is how far away?" She questioned, the first hint of fear entering her expression.
"She'll be here soon."
"Ah...how soon? My water's just broke." Piper replied, rising quickly out of the water and laying on a beanbag.
"It's okay, it could be another hour or two Piper." Leo insisted, gripping her hand and smiling reassuringly.
"Then why do I want to push?" Piper asked breathlessly, staring innocently at Leo as if completely reliant on his answer.
"You do?" Piper nodded, her nails digging into Leo's hand. "Now?"
"No Leo...tomorrow! Yes now!" She exclaimed.
"Okay." Leo nodded, positioning himself between her legs. "Piper, I can see the head. Next contraction, you don't have a choice but push okay?"
"Sure." Piper forced a sarcastic smile that quickly converted to a grimace. Three contractions later, Leo held a screaming newborn in his arms; the midwife rushing in time to check both mother and child over.
"Good timing." Leo grinned at her and Piper rolled her eyes, reaching for her baby as Leo cut the umbilical cord. "She's beautiful isn't she?"
"Yes, she is. Melinda right?" Piper nodded, staring adoringly at the baby girl.
"Would we dare to tempt fate?" Leo questioned and Piper shook her head, tilting her chin up to receive a loving kiss.
~~~
Melinda ran down the long hall, her little arm reaching up to turn the doorknob to Piper and Leo's room. Opening it, she ran across the room, jumping full force onto the bed and waking them. "Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!"
"Mel what is it? Did you have a bad dream?" Piper questioned through the darkness, feeling Leo stir beside her.
"No!" Melinda exclaimed in a fit of giggles. "It's my birthday!"
"Oh sweetie, it's 4am. Go bad to sleep for a little while." Leo pleaded, squinting through the darkness.
"But I get presents!" Melinda insisted.
"Come and sleep for a little longer with us and you can open your presents when the sun rises." Piper murmured, lifting the covers to which Melinda crawled into, curling into the small space between Piper and Leo.
"Will the sun wake up soon Mommy?" Melinda questioned innocently.
"Just go back to sleep and the sun will be awake when you are." Piper nodded, sharing a grin with Leo.
It was 7am before Melinda woke again and she excitedly shook Piper and Leo, jumping on the bed and grinning. "Presents! Presents!"
"Presents? Why would Melinda be getting presents Daddy?" Piper teased.
"It's my birthday Mommy! I'm this many!" Melinda held out four fingers, smiling proudly.
"Well in that case, there might be something here for you." Piper leant over the side of the bed and withdrew a bag full of presents, spreading them out on the bed.
"Wow! All mine?"
"Yes Mel. They're all yours, but only if you give us a hug and a kiss first." Piper laughed, catching Melinda as she threw herself into her arms. "We love you baby, now open your presents." Piper leant her head on Leo's shoulder as they watched Melinda carefully open each and every present, her face lighting up at each surprise.
~~~
Piper ran down the stairs, clipping her hair up whilst calling for Melinda. "Melinda! Hurry please, we're going to be late!"
"Where's my blue dress Mom? I want my blue dress!"
"Melinda! We're late, why do you want your blue dress?" Piper gathered a bunch of clothes that littered their lounge in frustration.
"Cause Daddy likes it!" Melinda screamed back, verging on tears.
Piper sighed deeply, the weekly visitations becoming more of a hassle with each passing week. "I think it's in the washing Mel, take your green one."
"We're always running late." Melinda muttered as she came down the stairs dragging her backpack and shoes in hand.
Piper ignored the comment and stopped rushing for a minute, kneeling down to Melinda's height. "Do you have everything for Dad's?"
"Yes." Melinda nodded. "I don't understand why he can't just live here."
"We've talked about this Melinda. Daddy and I need to work some things out."
"It's not fair."
"I know you think it isn't fair, but we both love you very much okay?" Piper raised her eyebrows, waiting for Melinda to agree.
"Yeah." She shrugged her shoulders, wrapping her arms tightly around Piper's neck when she pulled her into a hug.
"Okay." Piper grinned. "Put those shoes on in the car, we don't want Daddy to be mad at me for being late."
They both rushed to the car, Melinda's giggles bringing a smile to Piper's face. The car ride was filled with their off-key voices singing to old songs on the radio, intermitted only by bursts of laughter. Pulling up, Melinda's expression turned serious and she turned to Piper. "Walk me in please?"
"Melinda..."
"Please Mom?"
Piper sighed deeply. "Okay, just this once." Hand in hand they walked to the door, Melinda looking at them both expectantly as Leo opened the door.
"Piper." Leo nodded surprised, his wife always waited in the car.
"Afternoon Leo."
Leo nodded, turning his attention to Melinda. "How's my girl hey?" He grinned, kissing her forehead.
"Good!" Melinda exclaimed, jumping when a loud crash was heard from inside the house. "What was that Dad?"
"It was probably nothing Mel. Come on, we'll go inside and see."
"Mom?" Melinda questioned fearfully, still gripping her hand.
"Leo?" Piper questioned and Leo produced a shrug.
"I have no idea."
'Demonic?' Piper mouthed to which Leo gave a sheepish look, glancing back into his house. "How about I come in and check it out Melinda? Would that be better?"
"Yes!" Melinda exclaimed happily, following Piper and Leo in.
They were barely through the door when a mass of men and women swamped them. A thick gas surround them and restricting their breathing and eyesight. Instinctively, Leo found Piper's hand and they gripped each other tightly, both falling to the ground unconscious, Melinda left kneeling to their side and crying hysterically. The gas cleared and with it the army of supernatural attackers and Melinda stared down at her mother and father, lying motionless together. "Mom? Dad?" She screamed, throwing herself on top of them and burying her face in Piper's shirt. "No..."
~~~
It's the cycle of our souls
Yet we try and change
And rearrange the way the story goes
That's the way the story goes
~~~
The past we can know...The sagas we can tell. But the future...Fate will rule and only time will tell...
THE END!