Chapter 6 "A Lesson To Learn"
After a moment Lillie released Piper and stared at her.
Piper looked at Lillie from the ground, she didn't say anything. She just stood up while still staring at Lillie.
"I am really sorry, I never meant to say that" whispered Piper
"Monsters do not exist Ms Halliwell, we are humans without mortal boundaries... It is a shame we didn't meet in different circumstances. I'm sorry for your loss" Lillie's eyes got back to normal.
Piper gave Lillie a fake smile, she didn't feel like smiling for real.
"Thank you. Are you staying for the service?" she asked
Lillie looked at the church and said "I don't like churches Miss Halliwell" Then she left.
Piper saw Lillie leaving and went to sit down at the front row waiting for Phoebe and Leo to arrive and for the service to start.
A man dressed in a black suit and a sober tie entered the church and spotted a woman in the first row and walked towards her.
"Miss Halliwell? Do you remember me? I'm Frank Kohanek. I read the obituary in the newspaper" said the man.
Piper looked at the man
"Thank you for coming, mister Kohanek, are you staying in for the service?" Piper looked at the door and saw Phoebe walking in.
"I am sorry for arriving late, but Cole arrived and we ..." Phoebe looked at Piper who didn't seem to happy about her comment, then turned to face Frank "I don't believe we've met. I am Phoebe Halliwell" said Phoebe.
"My name is Frank Kohanek. I knew your sister for a little time. I'm sorry for your loss" he stretched out his hand.
Phoebe smiled "Thank you. Where did you know Prue from?"
"Uhm... I knew her in a strange situation; she was trying to save your sister's life from a vampire. Do you remember Ms. Halliwell?" he turned to Piper "We were in a club called The Haven" said Frank.
Piper nodded "Prue was always like that, she worried more about our lives than her own" Piper felt a tear rolling down her face.
Frank saw Piper and started feel awkward "Uhm, anyway, I just came here to show my respects" he sit in the second row.
Paige arrived when the service had already started, but once it was over, she stood up and waited in line to express her condolences to Piper
"I am sorry for your loss, I. I don't know what I can do to make it all better" Paige shrugged
Piper looked at her for a moment and then looked away. "Thank you" she whispered
She was about to let her walk away when she remembered Phoebe's premonition and what Leo had said, that girl in front of her was her sister, better said, her step-sister.
"Paige?"
Piper was about to tell her the truth, but decided not to. She was still in a lot of pain because of Prue and was not willing to replace her.
Paige who was still holding Piper's hand, turned to face the young woman standing in front of her
"Yes, miss Halliwell?" she said with a childish voice.
*Simultaneously at the Haven*
Lillie was sitting near the bar, she was holding a glass with ice looking towards the door to see if Julian appears. Suddenly she felt him and looked behind her
"What took you so long?" asked Lillie.
Julian looked at Lillie and then said "I've thinking about this situation with Joseph. I think the witches could help us destroy him"
Lillie smiled "The witches? Ha! They hate us! Specially that one called Piper. We were the reason of the death of one of her sisters. What makes you think they are going to help us?"
"That's the reason. You know Lillie; humans are too tied with their family bonds. I know you remember that and I'm sure you remember the best way to keep those bonds is revenge. We'll work together with the witches. I'm sure they can be a great help to get Joseph" said Julian.
"How are you gonna get their help?" asked Lillie
"You'll help me" Julian answered
*Back to the church*
Piper stared at Paige, she didn't want to see her anymore. It hurt to know that she was her sister, the one who was going to replace Prue. Piper turned around to see if she could spot Phoebe somewhere, she just saw Leo but she didn't want to talk to him, she was still mad. In that moment Phoebe appeared next to her.
"Phoebe, I think we should go home. I don't want to be here anymore. I am going to bring Prue back even if that is the last thing I ever do" said a very determined Piper
Phoebe took Piper's hand and said "Piper, I know this hurts, but you have to let her go. Prue died and you can't bring her back. If witches could do that, we wouldn't have lost mom or grams"
"She didn't just die. She was murdered, murdered by the same monster who was about to kill me too. I can't understand why he didn't do so" Piper burst into tears again "Phoebe, I could've saved her, but I was too busy worrying about my own pain. I should be the one who is dead not Prue. Why her? I will find a way to bring her back, I'll do anything. Even if I have to give my soul in exchange of her life ..." Piper couldn't talk anymore, she was broken in pieces.
Phoebe held Piper in her arms and pointed her heart "I know this hurts and I can't assure you that the pain will go soon, but it will disappear, Piper, it eventually will. And they are giving us a second chance, a chance to start over again with the help of that girl" Phoebe pointed at Paige "We have the power of three again"
Piper struggled to get away from Phoebe's hug and went to stand near the coffin again.
"I don't want the power of three, I don't want to be a witch, I don't want to live anymore if Prue can't be with us..." Piper stared at Prue's coffin, it was already closed, she couldn't see Prue anymore, but that didn't matter, still she began talking to her deceased sister.
"I can't believe this is the really the end. How can you leave me Prue? How dare you? Don't you see I am nothing without you? How am I supposed to live like this? And now 'they' have sent another sister. Like if anyone could take your place. Don't worry Prue, I will never love this girl like I love you"
Piper felt tears rolling down her cheek, she was sad but angry at the same time, she felt Leo's hand lying on her shoulder.
"Don't Leo!" she yelled and blew up a flower collage there was next to Prue's coffin "See those flowers? That's exactly how my heart is, lying there on the ground for everyone to step on it. I don't mind, my soul is as dead as these roses"
*Simultaneously at Julian's house*
Lillie walked to the basement looking for Daedalus. As usual, he was painting, but this time was different. He was painting the face of a woman that reminds Lillie the face of Joseph's mortal wife. Lillie stood next to Daedalus and asked "Is that Jazmin?"
"It is my vision of Jazmin. She was a beautiful woman" he looked at the painting "What's the problem, Lillie?"
"Julian wants to kill Joseph" she looked at Daedalus smiling "We'll ask the witches for help" she looked at the painting again "I have a very bad memory, tell me again, how did she die?"
The image of Jazmin appeared in his mind. She was a beautiful woman, her eyes where deep green and her hair was long and dark. The image was of a happy woman, laughing and dancing. Then the image changed. It was the same woman, same hair, same face, but she was lying in a street in a rainy day. Her eyes were open and her mouth was slightly open. A drop of blood fell on her cheek. The image opened and we see her throat was cut. Daedalus close his eyes and said "It was a long time ago. I can't remember" then he walked away from Lillie saying "I don't think the witches wanted to help you. But if they want, make sure they will destroy him for all eternity... good day, Lillie" he opened the door for her.
*Back to the church*
Leo felt really sorry for Piper; he couldn't find a way to help his wife and that made him sad.
"Piper honey, let's go home. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be a better day, I promise" Leo said.
Piper stared at Leo "Don't make promises you can't keep, Leo" she said with an angry tone "Tomorrow will be worse than today. I don't want to go home and see her empty bed. I don't want to wake up to find that the coffee hasn't been made and will never be because Prue was the only one who drank it in the morning... Leo, I don't want to go to that cold house I used to call home. Prue once told me that home would be where the heart is, and my heart's far, Leo, very far away. My heart left my body when that monster killed my sister"
Leo took Piper by the hand and orbed her to the manor against her will
"Why did you do that?" yelled Piper "I told you I didn't want to come back here, to this house where everything reminds me of Prue ..." Piper looked around the manor and decided to head into the attic.
"I'll be upstairs. Don't you there following me!" she ordered.
Phoebe arrived to the manor 10 minutes later, she opened the door and saw Leo looking up the stairs.
"Hey, why did you disappear on us like that?" asked Phoebe sounding annoyed "You could've come back to get us. Instead we had to walk here, right Paige?" Phoebe looked at Paige "Paige, this is our... uhm. Piper's husband Leo"
Piper went up to the attic and locked the door so nobody got in. She placed 4 candles on the floor and took the Book of Shadows
"I call you thee, please hear me, bring my sister ..." Piper didn't finish reading the spell when she saw a light appearing.
"Prue?" she asked with her voice full of hope "Oh it's you, Grams. What are you doing here? I called for Prue not you"
"It's nice to see you too, Piper. How are you handling it?" asked Grams
"No offense, Grams, but do I look like I am handling it at all?" said Piper in a rude tone "I am sorry. Tell me, have you had a chance to see Prue? Is she alright? Why can't I see her? Is there a way to bring her back? Can I join her?" begged Piper.
"Piper, stop with the nonsenses. You know how Phoebe would feel if you joined Prue? You are confused now. This might seem like the end of the world, but it isn't. You'll get over it" said Grams trying to soothe Piper "Prue is trying to adjust to the new situation, just like you. You are not allowed to see her because seeing her would keep her alive for you"
"But Grams, I won't be able to live without her. I miss her too much" said Piper nearly crying.
"Piper, dear. I know this is hard, especially on you who had always relied on Prue for everything. But remember what Prue told you when your mom died? she said that if you kept clinging to the past, you'd miss the beautiful sunshine in the present. And this is true, dear, you still have Phoebe, cherish your time with her. Spend time with the ones who are still alive and just keep in your heart those who aren't"
Piper smiled, for the first time in a while, she felt like smiling for real.
"Thanks, Grams. You are still a very wise woman. Say hello to Prue from me" Piper blew the candles and remained in the dark thinking about what she had just learned.
TO BE CONTINUED..
After a moment Lillie released Piper and stared at her.
Piper looked at Lillie from the ground, she didn't say anything. She just stood up while still staring at Lillie.
"I am really sorry, I never meant to say that" whispered Piper
"Monsters do not exist Ms Halliwell, we are humans without mortal boundaries... It is a shame we didn't meet in different circumstances. I'm sorry for your loss" Lillie's eyes got back to normal.
Piper gave Lillie a fake smile, she didn't feel like smiling for real.
"Thank you. Are you staying for the service?" she asked
Lillie looked at the church and said "I don't like churches Miss Halliwell" Then she left.
Piper saw Lillie leaving and went to sit down at the front row waiting for Phoebe and Leo to arrive and for the service to start.
A man dressed in a black suit and a sober tie entered the church and spotted a woman in the first row and walked towards her.
"Miss Halliwell? Do you remember me? I'm Frank Kohanek. I read the obituary in the newspaper" said the man.
Piper looked at the man
"Thank you for coming, mister Kohanek, are you staying in for the service?" Piper looked at the door and saw Phoebe walking in.
"I am sorry for arriving late, but Cole arrived and we ..." Phoebe looked at Piper who didn't seem to happy about her comment, then turned to face Frank "I don't believe we've met. I am Phoebe Halliwell" said Phoebe.
"My name is Frank Kohanek. I knew your sister for a little time. I'm sorry for your loss" he stretched out his hand.
Phoebe smiled "Thank you. Where did you know Prue from?"
"Uhm... I knew her in a strange situation; she was trying to save your sister's life from a vampire. Do you remember Ms. Halliwell?" he turned to Piper "We were in a club called The Haven" said Frank.
Piper nodded "Prue was always like that, she worried more about our lives than her own" Piper felt a tear rolling down her face.
Frank saw Piper and started feel awkward "Uhm, anyway, I just came here to show my respects" he sit in the second row.
Paige arrived when the service had already started, but once it was over, she stood up and waited in line to express her condolences to Piper
"I am sorry for your loss, I. I don't know what I can do to make it all better" Paige shrugged
Piper looked at her for a moment and then looked away. "Thank you" she whispered
She was about to let her walk away when she remembered Phoebe's premonition and what Leo had said, that girl in front of her was her sister, better said, her step-sister.
"Paige?"
Piper was about to tell her the truth, but decided not to. She was still in a lot of pain because of Prue and was not willing to replace her.
Paige who was still holding Piper's hand, turned to face the young woman standing in front of her
"Yes, miss Halliwell?" she said with a childish voice.
*Simultaneously at the Haven*
Lillie was sitting near the bar, she was holding a glass with ice looking towards the door to see if Julian appears. Suddenly she felt him and looked behind her
"What took you so long?" asked Lillie.
Julian looked at Lillie and then said "I've thinking about this situation with Joseph. I think the witches could help us destroy him"
Lillie smiled "The witches? Ha! They hate us! Specially that one called Piper. We were the reason of the death of one of her sisters. What makes you think they are going to help us?"
"That's the reason. You know Lillie; humans are too tied with their family bonds. I know you remember that and I'm sure you remember the best way to keep those bonds is revenge. We'll work together with the witches. I'm sure they can be a great help to get Joseph" said Julian.
"How are you gonna get their help?" asked Lillie
"You'll help me" Julian answered
*Back to the church*
Piper stared at Paige, she didn't want to see her anymore. It hurt to know that she was her sister, the one who was going to replace Prue. Piper turned around to see if she could spot Phoebe somewhere, she just saw Leo but she didn't want to talk to him, she was still mad. In that moment Phoebe appeared next to her.
"Phoebe, I think we should go home. I don't want to be here anymore. I am going to bring Prue back even if that is the last thing I ever do" said a very determined Piper
Phoebe took Piper's hand and said "Piper, I know this hurts, but you have to let her go. Prue died and you can't bring her back. If witches could do that, we wouldn't have lost mom or grams"
"She didn't just die. She was murdered, murdered by the same monster who was about to kill me too. I can't understand why he didn't do so" Piper burst into tears again "Phoebe, I could've saved her, but I was too busy worrying about my own pain. I should be the one who is dead not Prue. Why her? I will find a way to bring her back, I'll do anything. Even if I have to give my soul in exchange of her life ..." Piper couldn't talk anymore, she was broken in pieces.
Phoebe held Piper in her arms and pointed her heart "I know this hurts and I can't assure you that the pain will go soon, but it will disappear, Piper, it eventually will. And they are giving us a second chance, a chance to start over again with the help of that girl" Phoebe pointed at Paige "We have the power of three again"
Piper struggled to get away from Phoebe's hug and went to stand near the coffin again.
"I don't want the power of three, I don't want to be a witch, I don't want to live anymore if Prue can't be with us..." Piper stared at Prue's coffin, it was already closed, she couldn't see Prue anymore, but that didn't matter, still she began talking to her deceased sister.
"I can't believe this is the really the end. How can you leave me Prue? How dare you? Don't you see I am nothing without you? How am I supposed to live like this? And now 'they' have sent another sister. Like if anyone could take your place. Don't worry Prue, I will never love this girl like I love you"
Piper felt tears rolling down her cheek, she was sad but angry at the same time, she felt Leo's hand lying on her shoulder.
"Don't Leo!" she yelled and blew up a flower collage there was next to Prue's coffin "See those flowers? That's exactly how my heart is, lying there on the ground for everyone to step on it. I don't mind, my soul is as dead as these roses"
*Simultaneously at Julian's house*
Lillie walked to the basement looking for Daedalus. As usual, he was painting, but this time was different. He was painting the face of a woman that reminds Lillie the face of Joseph's mortal wife. Lillie stood next to Daedalus and asked "Is that Jazmin?"
"It is my vision of Jazmin. She was a beautiful woman" he looked at the painting "What's the problem, Lillie?"
"Julian wants to kill Joseph" she looked at Daedalus smiling "We'll ask the witches for help" she looked at the painting again "I have a very bad memory, tell me again, how did she die?"
The image of Jazmin appeared in his mind. She was a beautiful woman, her eyes where deep green and her hair was long and dark. The image was of a happy woman, laughing and dancing. Then the image changed. It was the same woman, same hair, same face, but she was lying in a street in a rainy day. Her eyes were open and her mouth was slightly open. A drop of blood fell on her cheek. The image opened and we see her throat was cut. Daedalus close his eyes and said "It was a long time ago. I can't remember" then he walked away from Lillie saying "I don't think the witches wanted to help you. But if they want, make sure they will destroy him for all eternity... good day, Lillie" he opened the door for her.
*Back to the church*
Leo felt really sorry for Piper; he couldn't find a way to help his wife and that made him sad.
"Piper honey, let's go home. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be a better day, I promise" Leo said.
Piper stared at Leo "Don't make promises you can't keep, Leo" she said with an angry tone "Tomorrow will be worse than today. I don't want to go home and see her empty bed. I don't want to wake up to find that the coffee hasn't been made and will never be because Prue was the only one who drank it in the morning... Leo, I don't want to go to that cold house I used to call home. Prue once told me that home would be where the heart is, and my heart's far, Leo, very far away. My heart left my body when that monster killed my sister"
Leo took Piper by the hand and orbed her to the manor against her will
"Why did you do that?" yelled Piper "I told you I didn't want to come back here, to this house where everything reminds me of Prue ..." Piper looked around the manor and decided to head into the attic.
"I'll be upstairs. Don't you there following me!" she ordered.
Phoebe arrived to the manor 10 minutes later, she opened the door and saw Leo looking up the stairs.
"Hey, why did you disappear on us like that?" asked Phoebe sounding annoyed "You could've come back to get us. Instead we had to walk here, right Paige?" Phoebe looked at Paige "Paige, this is our... uhm. Piper's husband Leo"
Piper went up to the attic and locked the door so nobody got in. She placed 4 candles on the floor and took the Book of Shadows
"I call you thee, please hear me, bring my sister ..." Piper didn't finish reading the spell when she saw a light appearing.
"Prue?" she asked with her voice full of hope "Oh it's you, Grams. What are you doing here? I called for Prue not you"
"It's nice to see you too, Piper. How are you handling it?" asked Grams
"No offense, Grams, but do I look like I am handling it at all?" said Piper in a rude tone "I am sorry. Tell me, have you had a chance to see Prue? Is she alright? Why can't I see her? Is there a way to bring her back? Can I join her?" begged Piper.
"Piper, stop with the nonsenses. You know how Phoebe would feel if you joined Prue? You are confused now. This might seem like the end of the world, but it isn't. You'll get over it" said Grams trying to soothe Piper "Prue is trying to adjust to the new situation, just like you. You are not allowed to see her because seeing her would keep her alive for you"
"But Grams, I won't be able to live without her. I miss her too much" said Piper nearly crying.
"Piper, dear. I know this is hard, especially on you who had always relied on Prue for everything. But remember what Prue told you when your mom died? she said that if you kept clinging to the past, you'd miss the beautiful sunshine in the present. And this is true, dear, you still have Phoebe, cherish your time with her. Spend time with the ones who are still alive and just keep in your heart those who aren't"
Piper smiled, for the first time in a while, she felt like smiling for real.
"Thanks, Grams. You are still a very wise woman. Say hello to Prue from me" Piper blew the candles and remained in the dark thinking about what she had just learned.
TO BE CONTINUED..