Title - The Other Side of Heaven, Part 4
Author - IceAngel8
Rating - PG-13
Disclaimer- Nothing belongs to me, sadly.
Feedback - I adore it! Something inside me gets all warm and fuzzy when I see that people have read my work, and it makes feel that I matter, among all these great writers here on fanfic.net and around the world :)
Spoilers - I don't think so... we all knew Piper's giving birth to a girl. Nobody can deny it anymore and say it's going to be a boy. If it is, then I'm going to be *really, really* pissed. Author's Notes- Sorry about the long delay but spring semester just started at school and things have been hectic. But since it's Presidents Week, I'm going to have time to write more so check back regularly for new updates! Enjoy Part 4!
~| Part Four |~
Days passed by and things started getting more hectic at the Halliwell Manor. Piper was busy all day with the baby, while Leo had been sent off on another trip for the Elders, making his wife fuming mad. She didn't understand why they couldn't allow Leo to have a couple of weeks off. For god's sake, he had an infant to help take care of! Phoebe had loads of work at the Bay Mirror, so she couldn't help out with her niece. But Paige, unemployed and happy for a distraction, decided to give Piper a break one afternoon, and went upstairs to her sister's bedroom.
"Piper?" Paige asked, keeping her voice to a quiet whisper. She didn't want to wake Melinda up, knowing it'd made Piper go ballistic and that the house was unusually quiet, for once. When Melinda was awake, everyone knew it. She was a very demanding baby, one that required 24/7 attention.
"Yes, in here, Paige." Piper's voice came from within the room. When Paige entered, she saw her sister standing by the baby's crib, looking down at her sleeping daughter. "What's up?" she asked, turning around.
"Nothing much. I thought you needed a break, so I wanted to take Lin out for a stroll outside. It's really nice out, not hot, just breezy and cool." Paige said, sitting down on Piper and Leo's queen sized bed.
Piper smiled. "How thoughtful of you, Paige," she chuckled, "Well, maybe if you can get the stroller out downstairs, I'll take Melinda out on a walk with you."
Paige's face lit up in a delighted smile and she said, "What if I take her and you get the stroller out and ready? I'm sure she won't cry with me, Piper."
"Okay, so I'll go get dressed and then everything ready downstairs and we'll go. Just make sure she doesn't wake up and start crying, I spent almost an hour trying to put her to sleep." Piper said and headed out of the room.
Paige stood up from the bed and crossed over to the small white crib where her niece lay, looking as serene as an angel. But Paige knew from experience that first impressions weren't everlasting with Melinda. She carefully wrapped her arms around the baby and lifted her, being as gentle as possible. Melinda didn't make a sound as Paige cuddled her in her arms and left the room, going downstairs.
Piper was dressed and ready by the time Paige had cautiously descended the stairs, holding Melinda in her arms. Paige handed Melinda to her mother and Piper placed her in the stroller that they'd purchased before she had given birth. Ten minutes later, the sisters were enjoying their walk down the block. It was breezy and cool, March weather in San Francisco.
"Hey, do you want to rent a couple of movies tonight, Piper?" Paige asked as they turned the corner and started down the hilly street.
Piper squinted against the sun, "Uh, Paige, I've been meaning to ask you something. Can we talk about the videos later, please?"
Paige nodded and said, "Sure. Ask away,"
Piper looked uncomfortable, deciding how to bring up the subject. "Well, um, ever since Melinda's birth I've taken time off from work…" she paused and Paige smiled at her, encouraging her to finish what she'd been saying. "I was just thinking about going back because I really miss the club. I mean, taking care of my baby is great, I love her deeply and everything. But I'm the type of person that's constantly working and that needs to be in a work environment. I can't do both at the same time, taking care of Lin and working at P3. So, I was wondering if maybe you could take care of her while I'm at P3, just for the day, only. You know, since you don't work…"
"Well, of course, I'll take care of Lin. She's my only niece, Piper!" Paige laughed and Piper smiled in relief. "I know you like working and cleaning, although I don't understand why but I'm not going to question you, so…"
Piper stopped in the middle of the street, uncaring of the passersby. She hugged Paige in relief and gratitude. "Oh, it means a lot to me, Paige. I would have asked Phoebe but you know, she's working right now at the Bay Mirror and I don't want to spoil the good luck she's been having with her column."
"I understand, Piper. You don't have to explain things to me. And I'm glad you asked because not working is great, yes, but it gets quite boring sometimes." She said, smiling widely, in usual Paige fashion.
"Well, I'm glad that's settled. We need to go grocery shopping and I was going to go later with Phoebe because she the car, but since we're already outside let's just go to the supermarket, okay? We can pick up a couple of videos and popcorn afterwards." Piper said, pushing the stroller further down the street.
Paige followed, walking beside her. "I hope you brought you're credit card because our fridge and pantry is empty." She said, laughing. "Wait, wait! How are we going to carry everything back to the house? Maybe I could orb in our shopping cart here?" Paige exclaimed and again, they stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk.
Piper sighed and ran a hand through her long, thick brown hair. "Damn it, I keep forgetting things these days! I swear if Leo were around to help with Melinda, things would be easier then, but no, he ran off to help the Elders… doesn't he know he's supposed to take care of his child? It took the two of us to create her and it will be the two of us raising her, or I'm going to do some hell of complaining." Piper ranted, her hands placed firmly on her hips in annoyance.
"Piper, come on, don't kill yourself over this. It's just one lousy shopping cart and it will be easy to get it. And you know Leo wants to be here; he loves Melinda as much as you do. He is not running away from you, Piper, he just can't be here and you have to accept it." Paige consoled with her oldest sister.
Piper sighed, her expression softening. She was only angry at her husband because she missed him and couldn't see him. Piper knew that Leo's White-lighter duty was just as important as her being part of the Charmed Ones, and sometimes their magical responsibilities had to come first. It wasn't Leo's fault that he hadn't been home since his daughter's birth and Piper felt ashamed at her past anger.
"I'm sorry, Paige. I was just… well not mad at him, more like missing him terribly and not thinking straight. That's what happened," Piper looked at Paige with relief, "Thanks for clearing things up for me, Paige, you're really a big help."
"Anytime, Piper; it's what sisters are there for. And anyway, Leo and you are like the couple of the century. You've been together for so long and have tremendous love for each other." Paige said, "Don't forget it. Now, let's move get out of the way so no can see us, and I'll orb in the shopping cart."
They moved into an empty garage that sat between two Victorian style houses and Paige made no sure no was looking at them from the house windows and the street. Not a living soul was in sight. "Okay, all clear," she said and Piper nodded. "Shopping cart!" Paige exclaimed and seconds later, the family's small blue cart appeared beside them.
Piper smiled, still amazed by Paige's power, even though she had seen her sister use it a million times before. "Do you think this qualifies as using magic for personal gain?" Paige asked staring down at the object she'd orbed in with worry.
"I think we've done enough for them that they'll excuse this very small and very stupid 'personal gain'. It's only a shopping cart, you know." Piper said, and wheeled the stroller out of the garage. She turned back to Paige with an expectant look. "We have things to do, Paige, so get a move on. And please stop fretting over the stupid shopping cart. I'm not carrying a load of bags and a stroller back to the house and neither are you without a cart."
"I wish I had you're defiance." Paige commented as she hurried over to her sister. Piper took the cart from her and placed it over the middle of Melinda's baby carriage. The cart was light so it wouldn't bother Melinda.
"Oh, you do, Paige. I think you even have more than me,"
"Really? You think so?"
"Yes, I believe you're more the rebel in the family."
Paige looked definitely pleased with her sister's answer.
~~~
After two hours of grocery shopping in Path-Mark, Paige and Piper were exhausted, hungry, and desperately wishing that they were already in their warm, comfortable home. Melinda had awoken right in the middle of their shopping and it had taken awhile before she calmed down. Piper kept thinking that she'd forgotten to buy half the groceries they needed because of the disruption her daughter had caused, but Paige had come to the rescue and orbed in the carefully written shopping list that was tacked to the refrigerator. Paige hadn't bothered to feel guility about using magic for personal again. After all, the Elders owed them, for saving plenty of innocents.
Both sisters had quickly finished their shopping, making sure that they purchased everything on the list, and then started on their way to the Manor, drained of energy. The sisters turned the last corner on their block and saw lights glowing from the Halliwell Manor down the street. Phoebe had already gotten home from the Bay Mirror by now.
"I hope Leo's back… I'm too tired to feed and bathe Melinda." Piper said, pushing the stroller. Her baby stared up at her with doe, innocent eyes and Piper felt her heart flutter with the love she felt for the tiny person she'd created with Leo.
"Me too. You know I'd take care of her and everything, Piper, but all I want right now is some food and a hot shower." Paige said, walking a small distance behind her sister. She was hauled along the heavy shopping cart, which was weighed down by dozens of bags.
"I'm going to call him right now. Someone needs to help you with that cart, it's really heavy. I think we bought too much," Piper said, turning around and frowning at the cart. "But then again, I just looked at the list and got everything from it."
"Yup," Paige agreed. "Okay, I'm calling him. Leo! Leo, come on, we need you here!" she called, and moments later, a shower of blue sparks rained down on them, shaping into the form of her sister's husband. "Finally," Paige muttered a smile on her face when Piper ran straight over to him.
They embraced each other tightly and kissed, eyes closed. Melinda immediately started up a fuss once she realized that her father had arrived, interrupting her parents passionate kissing. Leo parted from Piper and went to tend to his daughter. Melinda gurgled happily in his arms and they all chuckled. Piper watched them closely, leaning her head against Paige's shoulder.
"I love seeing them like this. It reminds me that all the trouble we went through was worth it." Piper said and Paige nodded.
Leo, holding Melinda in one arm, and pushing the stroller with the other hand, began heading down the street. Piper took the cart from Paige, saying it was only fair for her to carry it the rest of the way, and Paige followed behind her sister, lost in her thoughts. Seeing Piper and Leo with Melinda made Paige think of her past and her parents, Sam and Patty. A White-lighter and a witch just like her sister and Leo. But Melinda hadn't been the result of an affair and kept a secret, like Paige. Paige sighed inwardly, shaking her head to get rid of the sudden sadness that had enveloped her.
Melinda had everything that Paige had always wanted. She was going to be raised by a loving, caring and devoted family. There was only thing that Leo and Piper still hadn't decided on - whether to bind Melinda's powers for some time or not. Paige hoped that they'd come to their senses and let their daughter become familiar with her powers at a young age. Getting used to any kind of power, especially at an older age, was hard. Paige knew that from experience.
***
Author - IceAngel8
Rating - PG-13
Disclaimer- Nothing belongs to me, sadly.
Feedback - I adore it! Something inside me gets all warm and fuzzy when I see that people have read my work, and it makes feel that I matter, among all these great writers here on fanfic.net and around the world :)
Spoilers - I don't think so... we all knew Piper's giving birth to a girl. Nobody can deny it anymore and say it's going to be a boy. If it is, then I'm going to be *really, really* pissed. Author's Notes- Sorry about the long delay but spring semester just started at school and things have been hectic. But since it's Presidents Week, I'm going to have time to write more so check back regularly for new updates! Enjoy Part 4!
~| Part Four |~
Days passed by and things started getting more hectic at the Halliwell Manor. Piper was busy all day with the baby, while Leo had been sent off on another trip for the Elders, making his wife fuming mad. She didn't understand why they couldn't allow Leo to have a couple of weeks off. For god's sake, he had an infant to help take care of! Phoebe had loads of work at the Bay Mirror, so she couldn't help out with her niece. But Paige, unemployed and happy for a distraction, decided to give Piper a break one afternoon, and went upstairs to her sister's bedroom.
"Piper?" Paige asked, keeping her voice to a quiet whisper. She didn't want to wake Melinda up, knowing it'd made Piper go ballistic and that the house was unusually quiet, for once. When Melinda was awake, everyone knew it. She was a very demanding baby, one that required 24/7 attention.
"Yes, in here, Paige." Piper's voice came from within the room. When Paige entered, she saw her sister standing by the baby's crib, looking down at her sleeping daughter. "What's up?" she asked, turning around.
"Nothing much. I thought you needed a break, so I wanted to take Lin out for a stroll outside. It's really nice out, not hot, just breezy and cool." Paige said, sitting down on Piper and Leo's queen sized bed.
Piper smiled. "How thoughtful of you, Paige," she chuckled, "Well, maybe if you can get the stroller out downstairs, I'll take Melinda out on a walk with you."
Paige's face lit up in a delighted smile and she said, "What if I take her and you get the stroller out and ready? I'm sure she won't cry with me, Piper."
"Okay, so I'll go get dressed and then everything ready downstairs and we'll go. Just make sure she doesn't wake up and start crying, I spent almost an hour trying to put her to sleep." Piper said and headed out of the room.
Paige stood up from the bed and crossed over to the small white crib where her niece lay, looking as serene as an angel. But Paige knew from experience that first impressions weren't everlasting with Melinda. She carefully wrapped her arms around the baby and lifted her, being as gentle as possible. Melinda didn't make a sound as Paige cuddled her in her arms and left the room, going downstairs.
Piper was dressed and ready by the time Paige had cautiously descended the stairs, holding Melinda in her arms. Paige handed Melinda to her mother and Piper placed her in the stroller that they'd purchased before she had given birth. Ten minutes later, the sisters were enjoying their walk down the block. It was breezy and cool, March weather in San Francisco.
"Hey, do you want to rent a couple of movies tonight, Piper?" Paige asked as they turned the corner and started down the hilly street.
Piper squinted against the sun, "Uh, Paige, I've been meaning to ask you something. Can we talk about the videos later, please?"
Paige nodded and said, "Sure. Ask away,"
Piper looked uncomfortable, deciding how to bring up the subject. "Well, um, ever since Melinda's birth I've taken time off from work…" she paused and Paige smiled at her, encouraging her to finish what she'd been saying. "I was just thinking about going back because I really miss the club. I mean, taking care of my baby is great, I love her deeply and everything. But I'm the type of person that's constantly working and that needs to be in a work environment. I can't do both at the same time, taking care of Lin and working at P3. So, I was wondering if maybe you could take care of her while I'm at P3, just for the day, only. You know, since you don't work…"
"Well, of course, I'll take care of Lin. She's my only niece, Piper!" Paige laughed and Piper smiled in relief. "I know you like working and cleaning, although I don't understand why but I'm not going to question you, so…"
Piper stopped in the middle of the street, uncaring of the passersby. She hugged Paige in relief and gratitude. "Oh, it means a lot to me, Paige. I would have asked Phoebe but you know, she's working right now at the Bay Mirror and I don't want to spoil the good luck she's been having with her column."
"I understand, Piper. You don't have to explain things to me. And I'm glad you asked because not working is great, yes, but it gets quite boring sometimes." She said, smiling widely, in usual Paige fashion.
"Well, I'm glad that's settled. We need to go grocery shopping and I was going to go later with Phoebe because she the car, but since we're already outside let's just go to the supermarket, okay? We can pick up a couple of videos and popcorn afterwards." Piper said, pushing the stroller further down the street.
Paige followed, walking beside her. "I hope you brought you're credit card because our fridge and pantry is empty." She said, laughing. "Wait, wait! How are we going to carry everything back to the house? Maybe I could orb in our shopping cart here?" Paige exclaimed and again, they stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk.
Piper sighed and ran a hand through her long, thick brown hair. "Damn it, I keep forgetting things these days! I swear if Leo were around to help with Melinda, things would be easier then, but no, he ran off to help the Elders… doesn't he know he's supposed to take care of his child? It took the two of us to create her and it will be the two of us raising her, or I'm going to do some hell of complaining." Piper ranted, her hands placed firmly on her hips in annoyance.
"Piper, come on, don't kill yourself over this. It's just one lousy shopping cart and it will be easy to get it. And you know Leo wants to be here; he loves Melinda as much as you do. He is not running away from you, Piper, he just can't be here and you have to accept it." Paige consoled with her oldest sister.
Piper sighed, her expression softening. She was only angry at her husband because she missed him and couldn't see him. Piper knew that Leo's White-lighter duty was just as important as her being part of the Charmed Ones, and sometimes their magical responsibilities had to come first. It wasn't Leo's fault that he hadn't been home since his daughter's birth and Piper felt ashamed at her past anger.
"I'm sorry, Paige. I was just… well not mad at him, more like missing him terribly and not thinking straight. That's what happened," Piper looked at Paige with relief, "Thanks for clearing things up for me, Paige, you're really a big help."
"Anytime, Piper; it's what sisters are there for. And anyway, Leo and you are like the couple of the century. You've been together for so long and have tremendous love for each other." Paige said, "Don't forget it. Now, let's move get out of the way so no can see us, and I'll orb in the shopping cart."
They moved into an empty garage that sat between two Victorian style houses and Paige made no sure no was looking at them from the house windows and the street. Not a living soul was in sight. "Okay, all clear," she said and Piper nodded. "Shopping cart!" Paige exclaimed and seconds later, the family's small blue cart appeared beside them.
Piper smiled, still amazed by Paige's power, even though she had seen her sister use it a million times before. "Do you think this qualifies as using magic for personal gain?" Paige asked staring down at the object she'd orbed in with worry.
"I think we've done enough for them that they'll excuse this very small and very stupid 'personal gain'. It's only a shopping cart, you know." Piper said, and wheeled the stroller out of the garage. She turned back to Paige with an expectant look. "We have things to do, Paige, so get a move on. And please stop fretting over the stupid shopping cart. I'm not carrying a load of bags and a stroller back to the house and neither are you without a cart."
"I wish I had you're defiance." Paige commented as she hurried over to her sister. Piper took the cart from her and placed it over the middle of Melinda's baby carriage. The cart was light so it wouldn't bother Melinda.
"Oh, you do, Paige. I think you even have more than me,"
"Really? You think so?"
"Yes, I believe you're more the rebel in the family."
Paige looked definitely pleased with her sister's answer.
~~~
After two hours of grocery shopping in Path-Mark, Paige and Piper were exhausted, hungry, and desperately wishing that they were already in their warm, comfortable home. Melinda had awoken right in the middle of their shopping and it had taken awhile before she calmed down. Piper kept thinking that she'd forgotten to buy half the groceries they needed because of the disruption her daughter had caused, but Paige had come to the rescue and orbed in the carefully written shopping list that was tacked to the refrigerator. Paige hadn't bothered to feel guility about using magic for personal again. After all, the Elders owed them, for saving plenty of innocents.
Both sisters had quickly finished their shopping, making sure that they purchased everything on the list, and then started on their way to the Manor, drained of energy. The sisters turned the last corner on their block and saw lights glowing from the Halliwell Manor down the street. Phoebe had already gotten home from the Bay Mirror by now.
"I hope Leo's back… I'm too tired to feed and bathe Melinda." Piper said, pushing the stroller. Her baby stared up at her with doe, innocent eyes and Piper felt her heart flutter with the love she felt for the tiny person she'd created with Leo.
"Me too. You know I'd take care of her and everything, Piper, but all I want right now is some food and a hot shower." Paige said, walking a small distance behind her sister. She was hauled along the heavy shopping cart, which was weighed down by dozens of bags.
"I'm going to call him right now. Someone needs to help you with that cart, it's really heavy. I think we bought too much," Piper said, turning around and frowning at the cart. "But then again, I just looked at the list and got everything from it."
"Yup," Paige agreed. "Okay, I'm calling him. Leo! Leo, come on, we need you here!" she called, and moments later, a shower of blue sparks rained down on them, shaping into the form of her sister's husband. "Finally," Paige muttered a smile on her face when Piper ran straight over to him.
They embraced each other tightly and kissed, eyes closed. Melinda immediately started up a fuss once she realized that her father had arrived, interrupting her parents passionate kissing. Leo parted from Piper and went to tend to his daughter. Melinda gurgled happily in his arms and they all chuckled. Piper watched them closely, leaning her head against Paige's shoulder.
"I love seeing them like this. It reminds me that all the trouble we went through was worth it." Piper said and Paige nodded.
Leo, holding Melinda in one arm, and pushing the stroller with the other hand, began heading down the street. Piper took the cart from Paige, saying it was only fair for her to carry it the rest of the way, and Paige followed behind her sister, lost in her thoughts. Seeing Piper and Leo with Melinda made Paige think of her past and her parents, Sam and Patty. A White-lighter and a witch just like her sister and Leo. But Melinda hadn't been the result of an affair and kept a secret, like Paige. Paige sighed inwardly, shaking her head to get rid of the sudden sadness that had enveloped her.
Melinda had everything that Paige had always wanted. She was going to be raised by a loving, caring and devoted family. There was only thing that Leo and Piper still hadn't decided on - whether to bind Melinda's powers for some time or not. Paige hoped that they'd come to their senses and let their daughter become familiar with her powers at a young age. Getting used to any kind of power, especially at an older age, was hard. Paige knew that from experience.
***