CHARMED
"Destiny"
email: phebes_p3@hotmail.com
Rating: G

Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are
the property of the WB television network, except for those characters
specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction
and no infringement of copyright is intended.

* * *

"Prue? Phoebe? Anyone home?" Piper Halliwell yelled into the manor. Nobody answered her, and as she flopped down the couch, something dropped. Phoebe's purse fell open on the floor.

Guiltily, she picked it up. Phoebe has always forbidden Prue and herself to see what is inside. Very often, after taking out the money from inside the purse, Phoebe would stuff it back to the bag swiftly, without giving neither Piper nor Prue a chance to even take a peek. All Piper knew about the purse was that its black in colour. That's all. Piper often wondered what's so secretive about it. Or what's inside it.

Taking a quick glance at the door, Piper flipped open the purse. An adorable and cute little boy was grinning back at her. Piper took the photo out and realised there are some words at the back of it.

"Phoebe, this is a recent photo of Raúl Dakota Casillas on his fifth birthday. He knows that you're his mom now. Michael and I told him, we felt he has the right to know. We hope that either you, or Dustin can come and visit him someday. xx Samantha

"Piper." Flustered, she dropped everything. She raised her head and saw Phoebe standing in the doorway. Glaring at her.

"I'm.. I'm sorry! The purse opened.. and I.. " Piper was at a loss of words. Phoebe sighed and said, in a rather small voice, "It doesn't matter. You'll have to know this sooner or later."

"The note behind the photograph... " Piper said meekly, not daring enough to meet Phoebe's eyes. If she had, she would have saw that Phoebe's eyes were filled with grief.

"Yes, Piper, Raúl's my son." Phoebe replied softly.

"What son, Phoebe?" From the doorway, Prue chirped brightly.

Boy, the day gets better, doesn't it, Phoebe thought.

~*~

After settling down in the living room, Phoebe started talking while not looking at her sisters in their eyes.

"I.. I have a son. He was born in New York."

"And you didn't tell us?" Prue demanded. Piper gave her a look, while Phoebe just looked at the floor blankly.

Drawing a deep breath, blinking several times to stop the tears dropping down, she continued.

"I was afraid you won't accept me... " With that, her tears flowed down and she cried uncontrollably. At this, Piper gave her a hug, and Prue followed.

"You should have told us. We could have helped... " Piper said gently, while stroking Phoebe's hair.

"I didn't dare to..." Phoebe said, still sobbing. Prue looked at the picture of Raúl.

"He's cute," Prue commented.

"I haven't seen him since moving back here," Phoebe replied. Smiling weakly, she added, "I miss him. His smile is very dazzling."

"I'm sorry I have to ask this now, but... who's the father?" Piper asked. Phoebe looked at her hands, and then replied.

"You know him. Iker Casillas. From my freshman year."