Author's Note: SOOOOO sorry that it took me forever and a day to post this chapter. We had trouble with my Internet and the guy couldn't come out for a week. This week I've been really busy, loaded with homework. Also, this week my computer died. It needed a new power supply so I didn't have a computer to use and was left fearing that all my stuff would be gone from the hard drives. Luckily, nothing was lost. I also had a little writer's block for this chapter earlier but I got back on track. To make up to my faithful readers, I made a longer chapter for you guys while I was computerless. I am so happy you guys like my story! All your wonderful reviews make me cry! Here's chapter 4! The next chapter will probably be set a month and a half later. CharmedFreak, this chapter is for you, it has a Piper and Leo moment in it.
P.S. – If anyone knows how to get the double spacing to work, I will be forever grateful. I don't like making my readers squint to read the rows of lines all squished together.
Comments to the reviewers:
Kelly: You never know what goes on inside Paige's head of hers. Maybe she thought there had been a demonic attack and Phoebe could've been lying in a pool of her own blood, dying, with no one to help her. Maybe the fumes from that potion that made her hair red got to her brain… As for going through her stuff, can you say, "Curiosity killed the cat?" Well, Paige had to think it was for Piper, why else would she have baby stuff, and hiding it? You never know…Piper could have walked in instead of Paige and then Piper would've thought they were hers. I guess it was a no win situation.
Chapter 4
Meanwhile, downstairs, Paige orbed into the kitchen with a twinkle in her eye. Too tired to cook, Piper was on the phone with the nearby Domino's. After she'd ordered the pizzas, she noticed that her baby sister was practically bursting with smiles. "What's gotten you so cheery, have you been bitten by the happy bug?" Paige answered, "No, it's not that. I found out why Phoebe hasn't been feeling well. Piper, she's pregnant!" Wide-eyed with amazement, Piper gaped at her younger sister, "This is so great! We'll be pregnant together!" "I know," Paige responded. "How did you find out, did she tell you?" "When I went to give her the aspirin, there was a bulge in her sheets. I uncovered it, finding a teddy bear and a box with a baby blanket and body suit for newborns. Naturally, I assumed that she bought them for you and told her that I wanted to go show them to you. She told me no, that she had bought them for herself. It was then that I figured out she was pregnant," Paige explained, her smile growing wider and eyes sparkling with excitement. Writing a check for the food, Piper asked, "What's the date today?" "The fifth," Paige replied.
Twenty minutes later, after the pizzas had been delivered, a little bell rang in the back of Piper's mind. Her and Paige were in the kitchen getting sodas. Phoebe had not come out of her room since Piper's little fashion show earlier. "Oh my god! How could I have been so stupid?" Piper exclaimed, finally connecting all the pieces of the puzzle together, "how could've I forgotten?" Paige asked, wondering why her eldest sister was saying those strange things, "What? What did you forget?" "Paige, Phoebe isn't pregnant. Everything fits…the crying, the baby stuff… Today she was supposed to have her baby, if she was still pregnant of course. Today was her due date, " Piper enlightened her baby sister, seeing her confused expression. "I am such an idiot! Here I am, the oldest sister, who is supposed to be taking care of you guys, and I don't even remember something as important as this," She continued, berating herself as tears flowed down her cheeks. Paige hugged her, "Sh sh. Hey, it's not your fault. I forgot too, I think everyone did, including Cole. Don't blame yourself. Besides, like you said before, it might hurt the baby if you get too upset. Calm down. I may have made it worse. I just saw the cute baby things and I thought they were for you… I was going to give away her most cherished possessions… those are probably the only things she has to remember the baby by." Now Paige was in tears and it was Piper's turn to comfort, "It's okay, you didn't know." They held each other for a few moments until Piper spoke up again, "Why don't we take some pizza up to Phoebe, she's got to be hungry by now?" Paige nodded, getting a plate then placing three slices on it. They both ascended the stairs, hesitating before one knocked on the door. "It's open," Phoebe called from inside. They went in and saw their sister curled up in the chair, gazing outside the window. "We brought you some pizza," Paige said softly, noticing that everything had been put away and the bed made. The middle sister replied, waving her hand in the direction of her bed, "I'm not hungry. Just put it on my nightstand, I'll eat it later." Phoebe was confused, why weren't her sisters happy and smiling? Her sisters thought she was pregnant, so why wouldn't they be excited about it? Too many things were going on so fast, too many emotions being felt all at once. A choked sob escaped her throat as she broke down.
Paige quickly set down the plate of food and both sisters rushed to Phoebe's side. Each hugged her as Phoebe clung to them like a scared little child. "We're so sorry Pheebs." Phoebe only cried harder, realizing that her sisters finally remembered the importance of today. Piper gathered her younger sister in her arms and, with Paige's help, moved her to the bed. Phoebe lay down whereas the two other sisters sat beside her, stroking her hair and rubbing her back. After a while, Piper and Paige lay down as well, holding their sister in a sandwich of love, Piper on her right and Paige on her left. They all understood loss, but nothing could compare to the loss of a child. Phoebe drifted off into a fitful sleep, sometimes twisting and turning, probably dreaming of when the Seer took her baby.
Hours later, it was almost dinnertime and Phoebe was still sleeping. Piper was preparing dinner and Paige was reading a magazine at the table, she'd decided to cancel her date due to the happenings in the manor.. Interrupting the silence, Paige stated, "You know, we need to tell Cole. About Pheebs, and today." Placing the spaghetti noodles in a strainer, Piper sighed, "I know. I just can't believe we all forgot. Especially me." Putting down her magazine, the youngest Halliwell asked, "Are you still blaming yourself sweetie?" When Piper nodded, she rose and embraced her in a hug, "Oh honey, just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you have to take care of us, we're all adults. Sometimes this family has to take care of you." Piper protested, "But I'm supposed to know, Paige. I've known Phoebe all her life, taken care of her. I was there when she had her heart broken over boys she liked, made her feel better when she was sick. Since Phoebe never got to know mom as a kid, I was like her mother. I accepted her with open arms when she came back from New York, but Prue wouldn't, she was still furious with her over the ordeal with Roger. We've always been there for each other. I just should have known something was wrong."
A few minutes passed and Cole shimmered in. He hung up his coat and set his briefcase down, then walked into the kitchen, "Mmm, smells fantastic Piper, what is it?" "Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread," she responded, stirring the pot of sauce. "Yum, when will it be ready? And where's Phoebe?" "It will be ready in a few minutes. Pheebs is upstairs sleeping. Please don't wake her up, she's had a hard day…" Piper trailed off, "after dinner you can take some food up to her." "Alright," Cole replied, first sneaking a bite of the sauce, when Piper turned her back to put some tomatoes on the salad. "Hey," she exclaimed, lightly hitting him on the back, "wait till dinner!" He laughed and then headed upstairs to the bathroom.
Paige was in her bedroom thinking about her sisters. It was not good for Piper to be blaming herself about her forgetfulness of this special day of Phoebe's. She decided to call Leo; he could make her feel better. "Leo," she called out softly. The familiar sound of orbing and the bluish white lights filled the room. "What is it Paige, did a demon attack," concern etched across his face. "No, but I need to talk to you." He sat on the bed, intently listening for what Paige had to say, "What about?" "Piper and Phoebe," she simply stated. "What's wrong?" "First, just wait until I finish to ask questions. Well, you see, this morning Pheebs came downstairs, claiming she had a migraine and said she wasn't feeling well. Piper sent her up to bed and gave her some soup and crackers. Then Piper and I went shopping for some maternity clothes. When we came back, Piper showed her clothes to Phoebe, but she noticed that Pheebs had tears in her eyes and thought her migraine had come back again. So Piper sent me up to give Phoebe some more aspirin. There was a bulge in her sheets and curiosity got the best of me. I uncovered the bulge and discovered that Phoebe had hidden a teddy bear and a garment box with a body suit for newborns and a baby blanket with our triquetra symbol on it. I thought she got them for Piper, for the baby. They were so cute, I wanted to show them to Piper, but Phoebe told me that she bought them for herself. When she said that, I automatically assumed that she was pregnant and hadn't told anyone yet by the way she wanted to keep the baby stuff secret and hidden. I told Piper and she was so happy that her and Pheebs would be pregnant together. A little later, it hit us that Phoebe wasn't, that today was actually her due date to give birth to her baby if she'd still been pregnant. We'd all forgotten. My point is that Piper blames and is being too hard on herself for forgetting about today. She kept saying that she should have known because she'd known Phoebe all her life and had always been there for her. She's really distraught over this Leo, and it can't be good for the baby either." Leo gently squeezed her hand for reassurance, "Thanks for telling me. I'll talk to her about it." "No problem, I just want everything to be alright." As he was heading out of Paige's room, Piper called everyone to dinner, with the exception of Phoebe.
Once the dinner was finished and the table cleared, Cole started to take a plate up to Phoebe. Piper stopped him, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder to stop him, "Cole, before you go up there, you need to know something. Pheebs has had a very hard and trying day… she's been really emotional. It's because today was supposed to be the day she gave birth to her baby…" "Jesus Christ! I forgot!" Piper responded sadly, looking down as tears started to form in her eyes, "We all forgot Cole." Trying to keep his voice down to not wake Phoebe, Cole shouted, "But I'm her husband!" "I know, just be careful with her. She's very sensitive right now; watch what you say around her. She doesn't need to be reminded of all the hurt and pain. Just hold and comfort her, she really needs you right now." Cole nodded then shimmered upstairs outside his and Phoebe's bedroom. He quietly opened the door and stared at his sleeping wife with guilt-filled eyes. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he gently rubbed her back as a finger caressed her cheek. Phoebe stirred and turned, saying softly with half open eyelids, "Cole." "I'm here sweetie. I brought you some delicious spaghetti that Piper made." He set the tray of food in her lap then changed into some more comfortable clothes. They sat in silence as she ate, Phoebe wondering if he'd remembered today and Cole wondering what he could say to comfort her without causing his wife more grief. Once finished eating, she tray aside and lay down, as did Cole. He then gathered Phoebe in his arms, tenderly kissing and hugging her, making sure to avoid her stomach, which had been a soft spot for the both of them during Phoebe's short pregnancy. He whispered in her ear, "I'm so sorry sweetie. I should have remembered." He pulled her closer to him as they both started to cry over their lost son. After a while, Phoebe's sobs quieted as she began to ponder something that had been nagging her mind for six months. "If my love was able to save Cole then why couldn't our love save our son," she asked herself. Phoebe started to cry again, this time looking up into Cole's deep blue eyes, searching for an answer, "Why couldn't we save him?" Cole was speechless, he thought and searched deep inside himself for and answer, but found none. "I don't know sweetie, " Cole softly replied.
Downstairs, Piper was washing the dishes when Leo walked in unnoticed. He sneaked up behind Piper and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck. "I love you," she responded, turning off the water faucet and setting down the plate she'd been cleaning back into the sink. He replied, his hand moving under her blouse, caressing her belly, "Mmm, me too." She turned around in his arms, kissing him sweetly on the lips. Gently leaning back, her arms encircling his neck, she titled her head slightly to the side, smiling, "What did I ever do to deserve you?" He smiled too and kissed her back, "I think it's the other way around." Her laugh echoed throughout the kitchen as Leo orbed them both into their bedroom. They kissed a little while longer on their bed the parted when Piper started gathering some pajamas and a towel. "Where do you think you're going," Leo asked, pulling her close to him once more. "I am going to go take a nice, hot, relaxing bath. Care to join me Mr. Wyatt," she returned, a smug expression on her face. He replied, a seductive look playing on his features, "I thought you'd never ask." He bent and scooped up his wife, laughing at her yelp of mock fright, and carried her into the bathroom. Leo started the run the bath, as Piper got undressed. He stared at his beautiful wife; the glow and softness of her skin, her long, silky brown hair cascading down her shoulders. He stripped himself of his clothes and gave Piper a searing kiss. They both got in the bathtub, Leo leaning against the back of the tub and Piper resting on Leo's chest in front of him. He massaged her shoulders, trying to relieve the tension in them. As she started to relax, she began to wash the both of them. He took the washcloth from her hands, "Here, let me do that." She smiled in response. After scrubbing her arms and shoulders, he gently began to wash and massage her stomach in methodical circles. Not a minute later, Leo felt a tiny flutter deriving from his wife's belly. They both looked at each other with surprised expressions. Leo asked, "Was that the first time the baby kicked?" Piper nodded, tilting her head to capture his lips with hers. The couple relaxed in the bath a bit more then got out, as the water was becoming cold. They dried each other off and redressed in their pajamas. Piper donned a green silk nightgown and Leo a pair of boxer shorts and white undershirt. Joined together at the mouth and arms encircling the other, Piper and Leo laid on the bed. Continuing their kiss, Leo carefully tugged at Piper's nightgown. Pulling away, Piper said, "No Leo. The baby…" "Will be fine. Remember, the doctor said it's okay to make love up until the last month of pregnancy," Leo responded. Getting no refusal this second time, Leo pulled the gown over Piper's head, dropping it to the floor. He pulled his boxer shorts off and slipped under the covers. Just the sight of his gorgeous wife lying there naked on the bed made his heart beat a little faster. It was amazing how after two years of marriage, their 'charming' lives, and his wife's growing pregnancy had not dulled the passion in their lives. In fact, all the struggles they had overcome, the Elders, death, and trying to have children, had only heightened their love for each other. They held one another close as they made love.
Author's Note: So how was it? Did you like it? Please review! I don't know when I'll have the next chapter out, I haven't written it yet. I hope to have it written by around this time next week, but I am making no guarantees. I have a busy week ahead of me.