Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed!!!
What things could have been
A/N: I'd just like to thank all my loyal fans out there (i.e. the ones who have been following this fic from the beginning) thank you ever so much, its your reviews that have caused me to continue this fic… if it wasn't for you guys I would have given up long ago so I just want to say THANK YOU!!! MWAH!!! :: blows kisses ::
Piper awoke in a dark, dank room. It was scarcely lit by candles spread slackly round the room; she twisted her head to look around her but her neck ached. Piper pulled her throbbing legs in towards here body and attempted to stand up, but her bones and muscles screamed at her causing her such intense pain that she was forced to remain seated. She tried to get onto all fours so at least she could crawl her way out of this room but once more her muscles ached. She looked around the room hoping she was alone, there were lots of dark corners where someone could be hiding, she strained her eyes trying to see into the darkness but this just made her eyes hurt as well as her body, she looked around once more and decided that she was alone
"Paige?" she called quietly hoping not to draw any attention to herself or disturb anything that would be in the room with her, she sighed when she didn't see her sister appear in a flash of blue lights, she saw nothing but the darkness, "Paige!" she yelled louder this time not caring about disturbing anyone. Suddenly she heard the large wooden door creak open, she looked over towards it and saw a masculine figure standing at the door, "Hello?" she asked, hoping not to be answered by the forbidding voice of her husband but her wishes were to be overlooked today,
"Don't bother shouting for your sisters," said Leo, his words hung on the air like death, "They can't hear you!" He walked over to her but it wasn't like walking it was more like he was slithering over towards her. With an outstretched hand he took Piper's hand and helped her to her feet though she was reluctant at first she suddenly thought what can I possibly do down here on the floor, at least once I'm up I can freeze him and try to run or call Paige so she reached out and took Leo's hand, his skin was rough, scale like… she had never noticed this before. She stood up and threw her arms up, hoping to freeze Leo but nothing happened. She tried again, but again nothing. Leo let a sour laugh leave his lips and looked into Piper's helpless eyes, with his powerful and menacing eyes.
"Sorry honey, but this place is magic free… you can't use your powers here and your sisters can't either. Which means they can't orb in… or orb you out," he smiled shrewdly at her then took her hand and led her down a small dark corridor with a high ceiling. She hobbled along behind him, trying to free her hand from his but he held her tightly and pulled her with him. He jerked her round a sharp corner causing her to fall; she let out a squeal as she hit the ground. Her body began aching harder as she stood up once more and continued to follow him. She was not really sure why she was following him, her curiosity seemed to be getting the better of her for once… if only I could ignore him and try to get away… but I'm desperate to see where he is leading me… so she followed. After a few moments they arrived at a large wooden door, it looked very heavy and solid. Leo walked over to it and pulled on the bulky metal handle, sure enough the door opened; a big white light came from inside the room and surrounded Piper. She took in a deep breath as though she was about to dive under water. She felt Leo tugging her hand and then something unknown to her pulling her into the room, she sort of fell into the light and came out the other side unaware of where she was… yet it seemed so familiar. Leo was standing just ahead of her,
"Don't you look nice," he commented, Piper looked down at her outfit she was wearing a fitted white shirt with three quarter length sleeves and a short black skirt that sat just above her knees. Her long brown hair hung loosely at her shoulders, like it had done when she, Prue and Phoebe went ten years into the future. She was standing in front of a large house; it was painted white and had a large lawn which was neatly cut lain out in front of it. Piper looked over to Leo; he was standing smiling gaily at her, his hands in his pockets. Piper began to walk over to the house; she was no longer in pain. The bruises on her arms had healed, and she felt no pain in her legs or ribs. She looked up at the house once more, it was so different from the manor; it seemed so much bigger. It was an old Victorian place with large windows, and open looking rooms. Leo waked up behind Piper and placed his hand on her shoulder,
"Do you like it honey? I built it just for you," he said smiling down at her, and then taking her hand he led her towards the house. Suddenly a child screaming caught Piper's attention and she became less mystified with the house, she saw a young brunette girl run from the front door towards her. She had a on a pink summer dress that flew limply in the soft breeze, the girl came running up to Piper and flung her arms round Piper's leg.
"Protect me Mama!" she screamed happily, Piper looked down at the girl and then looked back to where she came from another child came running from the house. A boy, sixteen or seventeen at most, he ran towards Piper and the young girl and scooped the girl into his arms. He was dark haired also though his hair was not quite as dark as the young girls.
"Hey Mom," he called as he ran with the young girl in his arms around the lawn. Piper looked over to Leo, puzzled though not scared,
"What is all this?" she asked,
"This is what our life could have been if it wasn't for your sisters, or you witchy powers. This is what we can have, if you'll only forgive me and agree to live here with me and the kids…" his voice trailed off when he saw the look on Piper's face.
"These are our children?" she asked secretly hoping they were,
"Yes," he replied, a huge smile spreading across his face, "The young girl you won't have met, she's called Phoenix. Sort of a strange name I know but I wanted her to have name being with 'P' since its tradition. And the young man you must know, it's Wyatt, Piper," he finished seeing the look on Piper face once more, utter adoration from her children
"Phoenix?" she questioned,
"I know it's a silly name…" he began but she cut him off by placing a finger over his mouth,
"Its perfect, and Wyatt… my beautiful baby boy Wyatt," she sniffed holding back tears, he attention was drawn away from her children when a small blonde girl appeared at the front door. She was dressed in a black backless top and a short demin skirt. Her blonde hair hung at her shoulders, it rested just sitting on them. Though from a distance she looked average Piper could tell she was very pretty, she began walking towards the girl as she got closer she could see that the girl had the looks of a model. Sultry yet friendly and warm looking blue eyes, a small cherry nose and pale pink lips. She was not pale in skin colour though not completely tanned either, Piper climbed the steps and was greeted by the girl.
"Hello," she said very courteously, "You must me Mrs Halliwell, I'm Paris. Wyatt's girlfriend… how do you do?" she finished holding her hand out, Piper took her hand and shook it,
"Yes, I'm Piper… umm Mrs Halliwell, I guess if you're Wyatt's' girl friend you should call me Piper," she said smiling; she took an instant liking to the girl.
"I wouldn't dream of it," said the girl looking slightly offended, "My parents always told me to call adults by their full title unless you know them well and have their permission to call them by an informal name. But perhaps one day when I have gotten to know you better I will be able to call you Piper, if I have your permission of course," she finished and patiently awaited an answer. Piper opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Wyatt who ran towards them with Phoenix in his arms; he put her down and placed his arm round Paris's waist.
"I see you to have finally met," he said smiling, "It's a shame you couldn't meet earlier but you were away on that business trip for so long and I just found Paris one day walking past our home," The group we shortly joined by Leo, and led inside. Paris and Wyatt took Phoenix into the living room or what Piper assumed was the living room, while Piper held Leo back. This shocked Wyatt,
"It's ok," said Leo calmly, "Why don't you go and make us some lemonade or something and take it into the living room with Pairs and Phoenix," then he turned to Piper, "So what do you think, will you stay here with me?" he asked looking hopeful,
"Everything here is so perfect, it's the life I've always dreamed about… how can I ask this of you without giving anything in return?" she asked staring up at Leo, tears at the corners of her eyes,
"I ask nothing except that you live her with me," he replied,
"Then my answer," she paused, 'is yes," then she pulled Leo's head down for a kiss. Once the kiss had subsided she hugged Leo and for the first time in a long while she felt safe in her husbands embrace. They walked through to the living room where Paris and Phoenix were waiting,
"Wyatt, would you come in here for a second?" she called through to him, he came through and sat down beside Paris and Phoenix,
"I just want to say…" she began, and then looked around at her new family, "I'm home,"
A/N: I know this chapter hasn't been as dark as the last couple in fact it hasn't been as dark as the entire story but I felt I had to have it in their to move my story along… don't worry I have a plan and Piper needs this perfect life for it to work out. So please continue to review and tell me what you guys think, the next chapter will be up very soon I hope… ^_^