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Chapter 15
"Legal Agreements Vs. Love Mergers."
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"Damn it." A sweaty shirtless Cole muttered when the wallpaper fell down. The whole room was almost done, but there was this little space on the wall, near the window, which paper had been ripped and stained when Alex 'accidentally' hung a Hello Kitty in the wrong place. The room was getting better and better. Cole had been working for days to get it done as soon as possible; he had hired workers to repair walls and windows, to fix the electricity to make it all perfect in the spare room right next to the master bedroom. This room had been used to store things he didn't even recalled having, not to mention remember himself buying them; of course that there was a discussion between the Turner brother and sister about Cd's and Dvd's found on the mentioned room, which they both claimed ownership over. But everything was getting perfect. Cole insisted in getting the best of the best for everything related to this project. But it was worth, it really was, because the bedroom was getting as it was destined for a princess, and in fact it was destined for HIS little princess, Princess Prue.
The bedroom was really spaceful, it was all decorated in pink and sky blue, with Hello Kitty's wallpaper, toys and stuffed animals that matched the style and decoration everywhere. A white wood crib, a nursery, a sofa that turned into a twin bed and a rocking chair in the same style as well. The closet was filled with baby clothes and everything a little baby girl might need. In one side of the room was a very pretty stuffed board that said 'Prue' on it, that had been specially made for her.
"Prue…" he read it and lovely sighed. Who would have said that everything would change outside around; that the name that before remembered him of one of the persons he most ever disliked in his life, would now made him sigh of happiness. Being a father changed everything, and your perspective of seeing the things, he then thought. It wasn't as he hated Prue the sister, they respected each other, but that didn't mean they liked each other, and one of the things he most hated was that he couldn't do anything to her because she was Phoebe's sister. It wasn't like he was happy when she died, because he wasn't, but they never really got alone, the way he got alone with Leo, Paige and even Piper in some time. Now, at the sound of 'Prue' he smiled because he remembered his most precious and beautiful belonging, for saying it some way.
He wanted his daughter to have her own space and room, whenever she had to spend time with him, that's why he didn't hesitated on money or anything required to make the Baby's room cozy, fancy and to really make it HERS.
After a little while, Cole finally managed to put the paper on the wall before it felt down. He then stepped back and proudly starred at his work. He then looked carefully around and rubbed his forehead, he had the feeling he was forgetting something.
'What could it be?' he questioned himself mentally. He wanted everything to be perfect so badly, that's why it bothered him not to remember what the hell he was forgetting!.
Suddenly his cell phone rang interrupting his thoughts. He got his hand inside his old Jean's pocket, the only he was wearing in that moment and picked it up.
"Cole Turner."
"Cole? Hey it's me Phoebe." She said.
"Hi…" he said. He couldn't help but smile every time he listened to her voice.
"Look, I got your message, what is it that you need me to go over your place today?" she asked.
"Oh, don't worry, it's that I already got the papers where I recognize Prue and some other stuff we had agreed and I need you to sign them before tomorrow." He explained.
"Ok." She nodded. "But can't it be a little later? It's just that I'm kinda stuck in the paper right now and I got deadline today and well…" she said.
"It's totally fine, it just has to be before tomorrow. If you want me I can get them to you so you don't have to come." He offered.
"No, it's ok, I can go there, but not until I get off work." She told him.
"That's fine. I'll be here." He said.
"Thanks, bye." She hung up.
"Bye." He said and starred at the phone. Of course he still wished he and Phoebe could work things out, but he knew that wasn't possible, but at least he got to spend time with his daughter and being a part of her life. That was something really BIG for him. He'd also got to legally recognize his daughter, after the next day she'd be Prudence Turner-Halliwell, and she'd have rights over everything Cole owned and he'd have rights over decisions about her till she turned 18, but the most important for him, was that he had got to be her daddy and even the State and the law supported and recognized that.
He pocketed his cell phone again while looking around the bedroom again.
Meanwhile in the living room Alex had just got home, but she wasn't by herself, because she was getting somehow intimate with a new 'friend' she was making out with. They were all giggling and devouring each other, while walking.
"My brother is not home, let's go to my room." It was hard for her to say, since this new guy was touching her and he knew how to do it. They kept making out passionately when suddenly a furious big brother, who had heard giggles and noises broke the moment.
"What the hell are you doing Alexandra?" he said in a mad and demanding voice.
This completely brought Alex back to earth and her reaction was to break apart from the guy.
"Cole? Wh-what… why are you here? I thought you were at work…" she asked nervously.
Cole ignored her question. "Who the hell is this guy?" he then questioned her.
"He… he's… uh… he's a friend." She replied babbling, she knew she was in troubles. "He's… uh… S… uh…mm…" she tried.
"Seven." The long-haired, tattooed and pierced everywhere guy filled.
"Yes, Seven, he's a… friend from… college." She said and smiled nervously.
"W's up?" the guy barely said with a pretty street language.
"Really?" Cole said coming closer. "So… Seven, what do you do?"
"He got a band." Alex quickly intervened.
"A band?" Cole questioned eyeing him. "What kind of band?"
"A rock band. 'Arsenic's Candies'." Seven informed proudly.
If it weren't because this looser was getting in for his little sister, the name would have made him laugh, but he couldn't find this amusing. He found it upsetting.
"Listen Six…" he said in a strong voice.
"Seven. It's Seven." The guy corrected which made Cole upset even more.
"Let me ask you a little question…" he started.
'Oh, oh…' Alex thought; she saw it coming. She knew where this was going.
"What do you think about Alex?" Cole asked with a threatening look.
"She hot." Seven said with the street accent that made Cole upset so much.
"You know what happened to the last guy that said something like that?" he asked furiously starring at the long hair and numerous piercing and tattoos.
"No."
"What a coincidence. Neither does anyone else around." he sarcastically said. "I can make any guy I want scare, and the law won't go after me." He then threatened him.
"The law sucks!" the young guy complained.
Comment that Cole found insulting. "Get out of here before the law sucks even more when they don't care after finding your head separated from your body, you bastard!" he yelled and the Seven guy just made himself gone.
Then Cole turned to his little sister. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he questioned her. " We're back right on the beginning, what the hell is going on?!" he yelled her.
"I can not believe you're getting in my life!" she complained.
"Yeah, right as if anything you could have with that piece of garbage could be life!" he shouted.
"Well is my decision and my LIFE!" she yelled.
"Couldn't you find a normal guy?" he asked.
"You don't like ANY of them!" she remembered him. "You gotta let me live my life the way I want to." She stated.
"While you live under this roof, you'll have to follow my rules and advises, and I'm telling you, this guy won't work on the future." He said. "Besides, we had agreed you wouldn't bring anybody here with intentions of doing… things." He remarked.
"YOU agreed on that. I never agreed." She said calmer.
"I thought you were on the right track, but I was obviously mistaken." He complained.
She just looked down. In fact she was acting impulsively and restless again, but she was doing it as a cover for what she really felt inside. True she had been thinking of Mike. She didn't understand why, but she was so hung up on him, that she needed some rebound to get him out of her mind and that made her furious. She was mad, pretty mad because some guy occupied her mind and that could never happen to her. She sighed.
"Are you listening to me?!" her brother demanded when he noticed her deep in thoughts.
"Yeah… and you're right." She said sadly.
"You have to understand that-" he kept yelling and then cut himself. "Did you just say I was right?" he asked confused.
She just nodded in agreement.
"Ok." He nodded surprised. In fact she just said that to get him off her.
"You know, we'll talk about this later, right now…" He said pulling her by one arm. "I need you to come over here and tell me what the hell I'm forgetting." He asked as she reluctantly got in Prue's new bedroom. She still was mad, but was impossible not to react at what she was seeing.
"Cole…" she said with a little smile. "This is amazing… we've done an amazingly great work." She said smiling.
"Excuse me, we?" Cole asked. "Because I don't remember you helping."
"What? Are you kidding me?" she complained. "And who was the one downloading pictures of baby bedrooms from the Internet? Who created the whole concept? Who was the one doing the shopping?" she questioned.
"I'm the one who did the shopping and paid more than $4000 in a Sanrio Store." He pointed.
"I helped you and you know it." she said. In fact she had been a very important part of this project. She had come out with many ideas for the room, including using the store room.
"Ok, you helped me." He admitted. "So what are we forgetting?" he asked.
"Where did you put all the teddy bears I bought her?" she asked.
"In the Sofa." He replied.
"Clothes, Crib, rocking chair, playground, stroller, lamp…" she checked around. "I think we covered everything."
"I don't know…" he shook his head doubtfully.
"Ok. Good Luck. I'm off." She walked out and took her purse.
"Where are you going?" He questioned her.
"To see my niece. You can call later and check if you want." She said and left.
He sighed but smiled when he turned to the room again. He was so excited and with illusions about his baby girl in her new room. He wanted her to feel like the princess she was, and to play and sleep and just feel comfortable and happy. With those happy thoughts, he kept working on the room.
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"I'm telling you, it's totally unfair the way he treats me!." Were the first words she heard when she got home.
"He's just trying to protect you." Paige pointed. "He really cares about you. Besides, you gotta admit you've been a little… off lately." She said.
"What do you mean?" Alex questioned bitchily.
"Come on, don't try to deny it; ever since HE left you've been rather sensible… and looking for rebound." Paige remarked.
Alex looked down. It was true. "I know, but he totally passes the line." Alex insisted. "You know who I'm really sorry for?" she questioned.
Paige starred at her friend with a questioning look.
"This little gorgeous." Alex said taking baby Prue in her arms. She was just changing the subject.
Phoebe closed the door and noticed that as usual, Alex and Paige were babysitting this afternoon.
"Oh God, poor girl." Paige shook her head.
"Could you imagine how will it be like when she starts dating? I think some guys will be Belthazor's victims." Alex commented.
"That's why she'll have other girls helping her, right?" Phoebe joined the argument as she got in the sunroom and took her daughter in her arms.
"Hey girls." She greeted them as she kissed her baby in the cheek.
"Hey sis." Paige greeted.
"Hi Pheebs…" Alex said.
"So you've been in a girlie chat, uh?" Phoebe asked Prue in baby voice.
Prue just laughed a little at her mom.
"She just had her bottle, and I was about to tuck her in for her nap." Paige informed.
"Thanks. I'll tuck her in for her nap before I have to go again." Phoebe said. "So, what else is new with you, Alex?" she then asked.
"I've had better…" the half demon replied with a sigh.
"Let me guess, you fought with Cole." she guessed.
"Again…" Paige filled.
"What was it now?" Phoebe asked.
"Me and guys… the same old thing." She replied with no explanations.
"Well, he cares about you and he worries-" Phoebe started.
"No, please, save me the 'He loves you' lecture, please." She shook her head.
"Ok, just the short version. He's right because he's just trying to protect you." Phoebe told her and walked off with Prue. "Right sweetie?" she asked Prue.
Some while later, Phoebe came downstairs again. "Ok, Prue is upstairs, sleeping. I got some stuff to do, I might be back in a couple of hours or so." Phoebe said taking her car keys.
"It's ok. I got this." Paige said showing the baby monitor.
"Good." Phoebe smiled.
"Besides, we don't have anything better to do." Alex said.
"Don't you study?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah…" she nodded.
Phoebe asked because she hung up all the time with Paige at the manor or went shopping. 'How can it be that a college girl had nothing better to do?' she thought. 'God, I'm getting old.' She reproached mentally for worrying about this kind of stuff. "Ok. I gotta go." Phoebe said. "Bye."
"Bye." Both girls waved.
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"Hello? Cole?…" She called for him as she got out of the elevator.
"Right here!." He shouted from the Baby's room.
"Cole?" she questioned looking around.
Cole just got his hand out of the door and waved it. Phoebe followed the signal and got into the new room.
"Hey… Wow!" She said with a wide smile as she looked around the room.
"It's great isn't it?" he asked excited as well.
"Great? This is amazing!" she said smiling.
"Yes, I want her to have her own room, then when she gets older, we replace the crib for a bed, and well, she could adapt the bedroom to her own personality…" He said excited. He really had illusions and expectations about the life he would give his daughter.
Phoebe couldn't help but smile even more. She really found it touching the way he was setting up everything, and even more touching the happiness that she could see on his face.
"It's just… this is…" She was speechless. "Aren't you spoiling her?" she questioned him as any concerned parent.
"I don't care. Nothing is too much for my baby girl." He stated while putting his tools inside the toolbox.
"You're right." She nodded with a grin, letting aside the 'Parent Tone.' She kept starring around, trying to catch every detail. It was just perfect. She smiled again. "Cole this is just wonderful…"
"Thank you." He nodded proudly. "Although I feel like something's missing… what do you think that could be?" He asked her while rubbing his forehead.
She looked around again. "I don't know, I think everything is perfect." She said again.
"Thanks." He said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, what is it?" she asked curiously.
"Was she there? I mean at the Manor?" he questioned.
"You mean Alex?" she asked back and he nodded. "Yes, she was there, pissed. She was mumbling something… I think it rhymed with bastard brother." She joked.
"It's not funny." He said sadly.
She couldn't help but smile.
He smiled back, gently passing a hand through his hair and whipping the sweat off on the thighs of his pants. Phoebe gently followed his hand with her eyes, noticing suddenly how incredibly shirtless he was…
She took a deep breathe and sighed lightly, trying to push all those lusty thoughts out of her mind, and trying to suppress the flashes on how that same chest had been on top of her once upon a time, and how it heaved roughly when he was excited, or how good it tasted to kiss it or just run her hands over, right after a long love making session…
"So, what is it that you need me to sign?" Phoebe asked him.
"Oh, huh... just let me have a quick shower and we'll talk about this okay?" He asked. Phoebe nodded. Since she had entered the room, she was trying to concentrate on his face, not on the fact that he was shirtless, all sweaty and extremely hot.
Cole smiled at her and said: "Make yourself at home." And with that he headed to the bathroom. Phoebe watched him walk, she couldn't help but star at his very well shaped butt, which was very attractive on those jeans. Cole was just so hot; she couldn't deny it. She smiled and walked in the living room where she sat down on the couch and waited for him.
She looked around and noticed the pictures of him and Alex, she was hoping to find some of her with him but there weren't any of them. She sighed. Sometimes when she was alone, she was dreaming that they were living in the penthouse with Prue. She dreamt that they were a happy and united family, but truth was that they weren't and it made her sad.
Some minutes later, Cole got off of the bathroom wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. Phoebe couldn't help but notice the drops of water on his wet body.
'God Cole, you couldn't make things even worst.' She thought. Once again she tried to concentrate on his face, only his face.
"Is everything okay?" He asked with a smile.
'Are you naked under that towel? Of course you are.' She thought.
"Huh... yeah, everything's okay, thank you." She replied.
"Give me time to get dressed and I'll be all yours." He told her before walking in his room.
'If only that could be true.' She thought.
In a matter of time, he walked back in the living room, fully dressed this time, to Phoebe's sadness and relief.
"Ok, here." He handled her a folder. "There you have the Valid Consent where you accept she's my daughter." He explained and turned the page. "Document where I legally recognize her. Sign here." He pointed on the papers that he had already signed.
Phoebe put on her glasses. "Prudence Turner-Halliwell…" She read. She never thought she would see the two names together again. She now realized what she was doing. Now Cole would somehow be an active part of her life. He'd be hanging at the Manor to pick Prue up or off; she'd have to go to his place to do the same; he'd be there for birthdays, holidays, important days, school plays… how ironic life was, she thought. She wanted to stay away from Cole's life, and now she was signing a paper where she agreed her daughter would have his name and rights over her. But still, it was the least she could do after hiding her from him for three months. So she took a quick read at the rest of the documents, nodded and signed them. She glanced at him silently. He handled her another folder.
"Here's the Support Agreement, please check if the amount is enough". He asked.
She read and her eyes got wide. "Cole this is more than enough." She said. "Look I told you I didn't need all this, ok? I'm fine with-" she complained again, but he cut her off.
"And we already talked about this." He said passing around. "Now, you're gonna sign those papers and accept the bank account with the monthly money for my daughter, ok?"
She sighed and finally gave up. She signed the papers.
"Thank you." He said sincerely and satisfied as he took the folders and put them inside his briefcase. It really meant a lot to him and she knew it. "Ok, I think we're done here." He told her.
"Good." She nodded.
Then for some reason an uncomfortable silence filled the room. They didn't know what to do or say at the moment.
"Would you like some coffee or something to drink?" He offered breaking the silence. "No… uh… yes; I mean I can't take any coffee but I would like something to drink." She said.
"Ok. What would you like then?" he asked. "Water, juice, cocktail?" he offered.
"Juice is ok, but please nothing citric or that contains either caffeine or alcohol." She requested. "Is Apple Juice ok with you?" he asked confused.
"Yes, great." She nodded with a little smile. He turned to the kitchen and she followed him.
"What with all that drinks' protocol?" he asked to make some conversation.
"I'm still breath feeding, so anything I take my baby takes. That's why I don't take neither caffeine nor alcohol." She said making chitchat about her post birth cares.
"That's good, I don't want my baby to get intoxicated with bad stuffs." He said with a smile. "So, do you have something planned for tonight?" He asked.
"Of course." She nodded.
He tried to hide his disappointment.
"Just like every night I'll check my column and I guess I'll watch some Tv." She explained with a smile and for some reason she couldn't stop smiling when she was near him.
Cole as well tried to hide the relief after listening to this. "I meant something like…". He said.
"Something like what?" She asked back.
"Like... like a date." He tried.
"No... no, I'm not dating anyone." She replied casually. In fact she wasn't psychologically prepared to get involved into the dating game, not even talk about a new relationship. She was dedicated to her daughter now.
"What about Prue?" He asked.
"No, she's not dating anyone either." Phoebe joked.
Cole just got pale; even if she was laughing about it, it wasn't funny for him. He hadn't realized that Prue, his baby was after all a girl, and she would start dating some day.
Phoebe noticed his expression. "It's gonna happen someday…" she reminded him.
He looked away. For him as a father, she would always be his little girl.
"Come on, it's way too long for that to happen…" she said sympathetically. "Anyway… she'll probably be busy playing with her Aunties, you know like learning what make up is the best or the basic rules about guys..." She said with a smile.
Cole winced and asked: "Are you sure it's good for her to spend that much time with Alex and Paige?"
"Of course, it's good Cole, you don't have to worry about that." She replied.
"Alex and Paige?" he questioned eyeing her.
She nodded.
"Alex and Paige?!" he remarked.
"Yes, besides when she's playing with them you can see she's really happy and the girls love their baby niece so much, there is nothing to worry about." Phoebe told him.
Cole smiled and said: "I'm kinda new about this father thing."
"Really? I could swear you did that for years." She said.
They both shared another smile.
"Huh... I guess, you know... I... I'm going to watch TV as well tonight... and... and I was wondering if..." He mumbled, looking down, like a little kid asking for permission to stay out playing a little longer. "Maybe.. huh... maybe, you could stay here and watch TV, if you want to, of course. Maybe we could talk about Prue, you know I… I've missed a lot of things and I'd like you to talk to me about her, about when you were pregnant, or whatever, I've missed a lot." He proposed looking straight at her eyes now.
Phoebe thought about it for a couple of minutes. "I… I think that could be great." She told him.
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It was about 8 o'clock, almost 3 hours since she had gotten there. They were both sitting on the couch one next to the other and a movie they had caught wasn't over yet. They hadn't really talked about Prue; they've just watched a movie, together.
Phoebe yawned and Cole smiled.
"Do you want me to shimmer you back home?" He offered.
"No, thank you, I'm okay." She replied. "And I got my car so I must drive home anyway." She added.
"Okay then." Cole told her.
A moment later, he felt her resting her head on his shoulder. That was a good feeling; he liked it.
He kissed her on the top of the head and said: "You really have to go to bed."
"No... I want to watch it till the end." Phoebe protested. "I feel good here." She said, it was almost a whisper.
"I feel good too." He replied in the same tone as he reached for her hand and held it in his. They stayed like this till the end of the movie.
Once it was over, Cole looked down at Phoebe and asked: "Are you sleeping?"
Phoebe looked up at him. She smiled and shook her head no.
Cole couldn't resist but get his face closer to hers and place a light kiss on her lips. He was still holding her hand and was stroking it with his thumb. He tried to pull apart be he couldn't, it was too hard. Their faces were so close that their lips were almost touching. He hesitated an instant, keeping his eyes closed, just like Phoebe. He was wondering if he should kiss her again or not but when he felt her stroking his hand with her thumb, he took it as an invitation to go on. He kissed her again on the lips, inhaling her sweet scent. He felt she was responding to his kiss so he let her hand go and brought it to her face, caressing her cheek gently. She slowly parted her lips and teased him with her tongue till he deepened the kiss with such sweetness and passion, caressing her tongue with his. As great as the moment could be, they were exploring dangerous territory and they knew it, but neither of them wanted this moment to end up. Passion was building up between them; their kiss was becoming more and more passionate at each second.
Instinctively, her arms folded themselves around his neck and her hands were running on his hair as their passion took the best of them. They ended up laying on the couch and kissing furiously. He was on top and in some moment he started unbuttoning her blouse. Suddenly she broke apart. "No." she just said. "I don't think… I … I don't know if I… I can't do this right now." She insisted pulling apart from him and he stopped his actions.
"Sorry Phoebe I've been so…" He apologized and avoided to face her. "I hadn't realized you might not be able to... or that you might not want to... I mean you had a baby a few weeks ago, and I don't know anything about this but you probably don't feel…" He continued babbling. "I am so stupid, I mean I'm the worst-" he kept babbling quickly.
"No." she then said. "It's not that, you're not stupid." She told him softly making him look at her.
He starred at her with a questioning look.
"It's not you, it's me…" she said sitting up.
"No, baby, it's me, I understand I've been such-" He couldn't apologize enough for being such an idiot.
"No, Cole. It's me, I mean the way I look I… you don't deserve-" she started saying and then shut up herself.
"What do you mean?" he asked concerned.
"Nothing it's just that… nothing." She avoided it.
"Tell me." He insisted concerned.
"It's just that, look at me Cole." She stood up.
"I don't get it." he said with a questioning look.
"Cole I'm not the same woman I used to be; things have changed…" she started. "I'm not the same woman you could take wherever or whenever… I mean-" she tried to explain hardly finding the words.
Cole starred at her with a concerned expression. She sighed. "Look at me, Cole." She said opening her arms.
He didn't understand where this was going.
"I'm a total cow, I'm wearing awful maternity underwear, I got a puke stain on my blouse, I haven't washed or gotten my hair done in over a week and my breasts have milk leak…" she threw. She didn't feel a little bit sexy. "So, you don't deserve to be with someone like… me. That time is over for me... you go with one of those Barbie girls you can find on bars or somewhere I probabl-" she broke out. She hadn't felt this insecure before.
Cole's jaw dropped. He had never seen Phoebe being this insecure before.
"How could you say that?" He questioned standing in front of her. "I don't want anyone else." He said sincerely. "You're the ONE I want." He added.
"Cole… you don't seem to- I'm not the same person, I don't feel the same, at least…" she said. It was in fact true. She had gone through so much… she had grown, she had learned, she had loved, she had lost… how could she be the same woman she was a year before? Probably becoming a mom, a single mom, all the responsibility… the many changes; changes that might have made her loose the focus and sense of who she really was. The funny things was that she was one advising the whole city about their own inner issues and didn't even know how to deal with hers. "Cole… this would be the first time that I… uh, you know after I gave birth." She finally confessed. It might have been one of her fears at the moment.
"If you don't feel ready-" he started.
"No, no. I'm... I'm ready. I want it, just... just do it slowly." She gently requested looking at him, with all the confidence and intimacy she could feel with him.
He kissed her again, slowly at first, as she had asked and when she made him feel that she was okay, he deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against him, he only wanted to have her close to him, to feel she was really there, to make sure it wasn't just a dream. He slowly brought his hands down to her waist and slid them under her blouse, caressing her sides.
It was so great to feel his hands, his lips, his caresses, just him… they kept kissing passionately, as their passion increased. In some moment she felt him as he carried her while still kissing.
She kissed his neck as he took her to the bedroom, once there he gently laid her on the bed.
She rouged her knees and he slowly slipped up the ankle-length skirt she was wearing to reveal her tights.
He kissed every itch of her smooth skin; from head to toe. "I still can't decide what I find sexier in you right now." He whispered. "If your wider hips…" he said running his hands over her curves. "If your bigger breasts…" he said kissing them and caressing after unbuttoning her blouse.
She just kept her eyes closed and let herself enjoy the moment. She moaned with every kiss, every touch, every caress….
"The natural essence and color of your hair." He whispered as he kissed her, inhaling the scent of her hair. "The natural blush on your face…" He said with a soft smiling as he kissed every itch of her face. "Or just the simple fact that you're like this because you had our daughter…". He finally said with such passion, such pride, such love… all the the same time.
When he looked up at her, he noticed that tears were streaming down her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She replied almost weeping.
"Tell me baby." He insisted as he kissed her tears away. He didn't want her to turn away again, like not talking to him. He wanted to be confident and trust him. "You can tell me anything." He reaffirmed her he could trust him with anything and he would listen and understand.
"It's... it's just that... no one's been so gentle, loving and careful with me since so long ... I missed that." She confessed whispering. It was true. She had been alone, except the time when she had been with Jonathan, who wasn't the loving and romantic type; it was like more like screwing and then bye-bye. He didn't even care about Prue, she sadly thought.
No one had been so careful and loving in a long time; Ever she could say, besides Cole
He looked her straight in her eyes.
"I'm gonna make up for that." He finally said and they looked at each other, deep in the eyes. A look that was more than enough to reaffirm her of his love. To reaffirmed her that she wouldn't be safer, or more loved or cared than in Cole's arms.
They kissed passionately and no more words were needed. Cole ran his hands on her body, making her shiver. He was making sure to make her feel he wasn't pushing her, he only wanted her to feel loved. He kept kissing her until she showed him she wanted to go on, which she did when she started to unbutton his shirt. Once she ran her hands on his strong and muscular chest, he threw the shirt on the floor and kept kissing her. After more kisses, caresses and loving words, they helped each other to get rid of the remanding of their clothes and made love.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
They were lovingly resting in each other's arms. She was tracing invisible circles on his chest just like she had imagined earlier when she found him shirtless working on Prue's room while he was running his hands on her hair while; they stayed like that, quite. Moments like this one were just wonderful, moments when no word needed to be spoken. Only a look, a glance or a sigh was enough.
"So...?" Phoebe started, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"So…?" Cole asked back.
"Was it... huh..." She trailed off.
"Good?" Cole asked.
"Yeah... good." Phoebe repeated.
"It's been awesome." He told her. "You've been awesome." He added.
She turned in his embrace to face him and said: "Thanks."
"What for?" he questioned her.
"Because you made me feel good, loved, wanted and secured." She added, caressing his face with her hand. She rested her head on his chest, enjoying the last minutes she had to spend with him. He made her feel so many beautiful things when they were together… with him she would always feel wanted, not matter how she looked, he made her feel wanted not matter what; loved, because just one look was enough, she could feel all his love in only one look, it was an amazing feeling, of course he showed her his love in words and caresses… secure, because his arms was the place where she belonged to. "I really needed this." She added as she was listening to his heartbeat, she felt so good in his arms that she could slowly fall asleep. It'd been a long time since she had feel so good. She just wanted this feeling to last forever. "I just… I don't know… I hesitated at first…I'm not the same-" she started.
He made her look at him. "Hey, hey…" he cut her off. "Don't say that. I can say, with solid proof…" he said chuckling a little and then turned serious again, "That you're the same wonderful, passionate, amazing woman I fell in love with. You've grown up, it's true, but that's what life do to you, and well maybe that new knowledge and experience makes you think otherwise and make you feel like you lost track of who you really are." He explained.
She just listened to him with round eyes and teary eyes.
"The fact that you might be fat or have a different hair doesn't make you a different person… what you are, your essence is right here…" he said touching her heart, "And here." He gently touched her head referring to her mind. "You're still the unique Phoebe Halliwell, and you don't need me or any other guy to let you know that." He expressed sincerely.
She was speechless… there Cole making her feel incredibly good again. His words were so sincere, so sweet and so deep that they really touched her and reached her. "Thank you." Was all she could say.
"There's nothing to thank." He insisted.
"I love you." She said, with shiny wet eyes.
"I love you too…" he replied back.
They looked at each. None of them said a word for some minutes, they just enjoyed and absorbed once again the meaning of their declaration.
"Phoebe…"
"Yes?"
"I… I just… where are we?" he asked, fearing the answer. He already knew they couldn't be together, and that was like the bad thing about these kind of occasions, it gave him hope…
"Cole…" she didn't know what to say. "I love you and nothing will ever change that, but you know-"
"We can't be together." He filled.
"Why don't we just keep it where we are?" she proposed and he looked at her with questioning eyes. "Let's keep it like this. Just wonderful, beautiful, safe… let's keep our love on the Magical." She said in a not supernatural sense; their love had always been Magical. "Because if we try to make things bigger and complicated…" she added.
"We'll hurt each other." He sadly said.
"We'll hurt Prue…" she brought up. "I couldn't do that…"
"We don't want that." He softly stated.
She shook her head. "No…" she whispered. "It'd be dangerous for us and for Prue."
"She's so innocent… she doesn't deserve the pain…" Cole realized.
They both sighed. They couldn't with so much love, but they couldn't risk it all over again either.
Suddenly she glanced around and caught sight of the clock on the nightstand.
"Oh my god!" she said noticing the time. "I totally lost track of time, I was supposed to be home like 4 hours ago." She said.
"Can't you stay a while longer?" Cole asked. The last thing he wanted was for her to leave.
"Trust me, I'd love to but... they're going to wonder what I'm doing and... Alex could be home at any moment." Phoebe answered, but still she was laying comfortably on his chest. "And I have to feed Prue in like half and hour." She added.
He nodded.
"Thank you, it was great, amazing." He told her
Phoebe smiled, "Thanks and it really was amazing." She said. " But I have to go." She said sadly.
"Yeah." He nodded looking down.
She started to get up of bed, was about to start leaving when Cole said: "I love you."
After this, she turned to Cole again and bend down to him. "I love you." She had to say once again.
They kissed passionately on the lips one more time before she walked off to get dressed.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
We both hope you liked it!! Please don't forget to review!! Thanks a lot.
We want to thank all your kind reviews!!!
Chapter 15
"Legal Agreements Vs. Love Mergers."
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"Damn it." A sweaty shirtless Cole muttered when the wallpaper fell down. The whole room was almost done, but there was this little space on the wall, near the window, which paper had been ripped and stained when Alex 'accidentally' hung a Hello Kitty in the wrong place. The room was getting better and better. Cole had been working for days to get it done as soon as possible; he had hired workers to repair walls and windows, to fix the electricity to make it all perfect in the spare room right next to the master bedroom. This room had been used to store things he didn't even recalled having, not to mention remember himself buying them; of course that there was a discussion between the Turner brother and sister about Cd's and Dvd's found on the mentioned room, which they both claimed ownership over. But everything was getting perfect. Cole insisted in getting the best of the best for everything related to this project. But it was worth, it really was, because the bedroom was getting as it was destined for a princess, and in fact it was destined for HIS little princess, Princess Prue.
The bedroom was really spaceful, it was all decorated in pink and sky blue, with Hello Kitty's wallpaper, toys and stuffed animals that matched the style and decoration everywhere. A white wood crib, a nursery, a sofa that turned into a twin bed and a rocking chair in the same style as well. The closet was filled with baby clothes and everything a little baby girl might need. In one side of the room was a very pretty stuffed board that said 'Prue' on it, that had been specially made for her.
"Prue…" he read it and lovely sighed. Who would have said that everything would change outside around; that the name that before remembered him of one of the persons he most ever disliked in his life, would now made him sigh of happiness. Being a father changed everything, and your perspective of seeing the things, he then thought. It wasn't as he hated Prue the sister, they respected each other, but that didn't mean they liked each other, and one of the things he most hated was that he couldn't do anything to her because she was Phoebe's sister. It wasn't like he was happy when she died, because he wasn't, but they never really got alone, the way he got alone with Leo, Paige and even Piper in some time. Now, at the sound of 'Prue' he smiled because he remembered his most precious and beautiful belonging, for saying it some way.
He wanted his daughter to have her own space and room, whenever she had to spend time with him, that's why he didn't hesitated on money or anything required to make the Baby's room cozy, fancy and to really make it HERS.
After a little while, Cole finally managed to put the paper on the wall before it felt down. He then stepped back and proudly starred at his work. He then looked carefully around and rubbed his forehead, he had the feeling he was forgetting something.
'What could it be?' he questioned himself mentally. He wanted everything to be perfect so badly, that's why it bothered him not to remember what the hell he was forgetting!.
Suddenly his cell phone rang interrupting his thoughts. He got his hand inside his old Jean's pocket, the only he was wearing in that moment and picked it up.
"Cole Turner."
"Cole? Hey it's me Phoebe." She said.
"Hi…" he said. He couldn't help but smile every time he listened to her voice.
"Look, I got your message, what is it that you need me to go over your place today?" she asked.
"Oh, don't worry, it's that I already got the papers where I recognize Prue and some other stuff we had agreed and I need you to sign them before tomorrow." He explained.
"Ok." She nodded. "But can't it be a little later? It's just that I'm kinda stuck in the paper right now and I got deadline today and well…" she said.
"It's totally fine, it just has to be before tomorrow. If you want me I can get them to you so you don't have to come." He offered.
"No, it's ok, I can go there, but not until I get off work." She told him.
"That's fine. I'll be here." He said.
"Thanks, bye." She hung up.
"Bye." He said and starred at the phone. Of course he still wished he and Phoebe could work things out, but he knew that wasn't possible, but at least he got to spend time with his daughter and being a part of her life. That was something really BIG for him. He'd also got to legally recognize his daughter, after the next day she'd be Prudence Turner-Halliwell, and she'd have rights over everything Cole owned and he'd have rights over decisions about her till she turned 18, but the most important for him, was that he had got to be her daddy and even the State and the law supported and recognized that.
He pocketed his cell phone again while looking around the bedroom again.
Meanwhile in the living room Alex had just got home, but she wasn't by herself, because she was getting somehow intimate with a new 'friend' she was making out with. They were all giggling and devouring each other, while walking.
"My brother is not home, let's go to my room." It was hard for her to say, since this new guy was touching her and he knew how to do it. They kept making out passionately when suddenly a furious big brother, who had heard giggles and noises broke the moment.
"What the hell are you doing Alexandra?" he said in a mad and demanding voice.
This completely brought Alex back to earth and her reaction was to break apart from the guy.
"Cole? Wh-what… why are you here? I thought you were at work…" she asked nervously.
Cole ignored her question. "Who the hell is this guy?" he then questioned her.
"He… he's… uh… he's a friend." She replied babbling, she knew she was in troubles. "He's… uh… S… uh…mm…" she tried.
"Seven." The long-haired, tattooed and pierced everywhere guy filled.
"Yes, Seven, he's a… friend from… college." She said and smiled nervously.
"W's up?" the guy barely said with a pretty street language.
"Really?" Cole said coming closer. "So… Seven, what do you do?"
"He got a band." Alex quickly intervened.
"A band?" Cole questioned eyeing him. "What kind of band?"
"A rock band. 'Arsenic's Candies'." Seven informed proudly.
If it weren't because this looser was getting in for his little sister, the name would have made him laugh, but he couldn't find this amusing. He found it upsetting.
"Listen Six…" he said in a strong voice.
"Seven. It's Seven." The guy corrected which made Cole upset even more.
"Let me ask you a little question…" he started.
'Oh, oh…' Alex thought; she saw it coming. She knew where this was going.
"What do you think about Alex?" Cole asked with a threatening look.
"She hot." Seven said with the street accent that made Cole upset so much.
"You know what happened to the last guy that said something like that?" he asked furiously starring at the long hair and numerous piercing and tattoos.
"No."
"What a coincidence. Neither does anyone else around." he sarcastically said. "I can make any guy I want scare, and the law won't go after me." He then threatened him.
"The law sucks!" the young guy complained.
Comment that Cole found insulting. "Get out of here before the law sucks even more when they don't care after finding your head separated from your body, you bastard!" he yelled and the Seven guy just made himself gone.
Then Cole turned to his little sister. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he questioned her. " We're back right on the beginning, what the hell is going on?!" he yelled her.
"I can not believe you're getting in my life!" she complained.
"Yeah, right as if anything you could have with that piece of garbage could be life!" he shouted.
"Well is my decision and my LIFE!" she yelled.
"Couldn't you find a normal guy?" he asked.
"You don't like ANY of them!" she remembered him. "You gotta let me live my life the way I want to." She stated.
"While you live under this roof, you'll have to follow my rules and advises, and I'm telling you, this guy won't work on the future." He said. "Besides, we had agreed you wouldn't bring anybody here with intentions of doing… things." He remarked.
"YOU agreed on that. I never agreed." She said calmer.
"I thought you were on the right track, but I was obviously mistaken." He complained.
She just looked down. In fact she was acting impulsively and restless again, but she was doing it as a cover for what she really felt inside. True she had been thinking of Mike. She didn't understand why, but she was so hung up on him, that she needed some rebound to get him out of her mind and that made her furious. She was mad, pretty mad because some guy occupied her mind and that could never happen to her. She sighed.
"Are you listening to me?!" her brother demanded when he noticed her deep in thoughts.
"Yeah… and you're right." She said sadly.
"You have to understand that-" he kept yelling and then cut himself. "Did you just say I was right?" he asked confused.
She just nodded in agreement.
"Ok." He nodded surprised. In fact she just said that to get him off her.
"You know, we'll talk about this later, right now…" He said pulling her by one arm. "I need you to come over here and tell me what the hell I'm forgetting." He asked as she reluctantly got in Prue's new bedroom. She still was mad, but was impossible not to react at what she was seeing.
"Cole…" she said with a little smile. "This is amazing… we've done an amazingly great work." She said smiling.
"Excuse me, we?" Cole asked. "Because I don't remember you helping."
"What? Are you kidding me?" she complained. "And who was the one downloading pictures of baby bedrooms from the Internet? Who created the whole concept? Who was the one doing the shopping?" she questioned.
"I'm the one who did the shopping and paid more than $4000 in a Sanrio Store." He pointed.
"I helped you and you know it." she said. In fact she had been a very important part of this project. She had come out with many ideas for the room, including using the store room.
"Ok, you helped me." He admitted. "So what are we forgetting?" he asked.
"Where did you put all the teddy bears I bought her?" she asked.
"In the Sofa." He replied.
"Clothes, Crib, rocking chair, playground, stroller, lamp…" she checked around. "I think we covered everything."
"I don't know…" he shook his head doubtfully.
"Ok. Good Luck. I'm off." She walked out and took her purse.
"Where are you going?" He questioned her.
"To see my niece. You can call later and check if you want." She said and left.
He sighed but smiled when he turned to the room again. He was so excited and with illusions about his baby girl in her new room. He wanted her to feel like the princess she was, and to play and sleep and just feel comfortable and happy. With those happy thoughts, he kept working on the room.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"I'm telling you, it's totally unfair the way he treats me!." Were the first words she heard when she got home.
"He's just trying to protect you." Paige pointed. "He really cares about you. Besides, you gotta admit you've been a little… off lately." She said.
"What do you mean?" Alex questioned bitchily.
"Come on, don't try to deny it; ever since HE left you've been rather sensible… and looking for rebound." Paige remarked.
Alex looked down. It was true. "I know, but he totally passes the line." Alex insisted. "You know who I'm really sorry for?" she questioned.
Paige starred at her friend with a questioning look.
"This little gorgeous." Alex said taking baby Prue in her arms. She was just changing the subject.
Phoebe closed the door and noticed that as usual, Alex and Paige were babysitting this afternoon.
"Oh God, poor girl." Paige shook her head.
"Could you imagine how will it be like when she starts dating? I think some guys will be Belthazor's victims." Alex commented.
"That's why she'll have other girls helping her, right?" Phoebe joined the argument as she got in the sunroom and took her daughter in her arms.
"Hey girls." She greeted them as she kissed her baby in the cheek.
"Hey sis." Paige greeted.
"Hi Pheebs…" Alex said.
"So you've been in a girlie chat, uh?" Phoebe asked Prue in baby voice.
Prue just laughed a little at her mom.
"She just had her bottle, and I was about to tuck her in for her nap." Paige informed.
"Thanks. I'll tuck her in for her nap before I have to go again." Phoebe said. "So, what else is new with you, Alex?" she then asked.
"I've had better…" the half demon replied with a sigh.
"Let me guess, you fought with Cole." she guessed.
"Again…" Paige filled.
"What was it now?" Phoebe asked.
"Me and guys… the same old thing." She replied with no explanations.
"Well, he cares about you and he worries-" Phoebe started.
"No, please, save me the 'He loves you' lecture, please." She shook her head.
"Ok, just the short version. He's right because he's just trying to protect you." Phoebe told her and walked off with Prue. "Right sweetie?" she asked Prue.
Some while later, Phoebe came downstairs again. "Ok, Prue is upstairs, sleeping. I got some stuff to do, I might be back in a couple of hours or so." Phoebe said taking her car keys.
"It's ok. I got this." Paige said showing the baby monitor.
"Good." Phoebe smiled.
"Besides, we don't have anything better to do." Alex said.
"Don't you study?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah…" she nodded.
Phoebe asked because she hung up all the time with Paige at the manor or went shopping. 'How can it be that a college girl had nothing better to do?' she thought. 'God, I'm getting old.' She reproached mentally for worrying about this kind of stuff. "Ok. I gotta go." Phoebe said. "Bye."
"Bye." Both girls waved.
*-*-*-*-*
"Hello? Cole?…" She called for him as she got out of the elevator.
"Right here!." He shouted from the Baby's room.
"Cole?" she questioned looking around.
Cole just got his hand out of the door and waved it. Phoebe followed the signal and got into the new room.
"Hey… Wow!" She said with a wide smile as she looked around the room.
"It's great isn't it?" he asked excited as well.
"Great? This is amazing!" she said smiling.
"Yes, I want her to have her own room, then when she gets older, we replace the crib for a bed, and well, she could adapt the bedroom to her own personality…" He said excited. He really had illusions and expectations about the life he would give his daughter.
Phoebe couldn't help but smile even more. She really found it touching the way he was setting up everything, and even more touching the happiness that she could see on his face.
"It's just… this is…" She was speechless. "Aren't you spoiling her?" she questioned him as any concerned parent.
"I don't care. Nothing is too much for my baby girl." He stated while putting his tools inside the toolbox.
"You're right." She nodded with a grin, letting aside the 'Parent Tone.' She kept starring around, trying to catch every detail. It was just perfect. She smiled again. "Cole this is just wonderful…"
"Thank you." He nodded proudly. "Although I feel like something's missing… what do you think that could be?" He asked her while rubbing his forehead.
She looked around again. "I don't know, I think everything is perfect." She said again.
"Thanks." He said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, what is it?" she asked curiously.
"Was she there? I mean at the Manor?" he questioned.
"You mean Alex?" she asked back and he nodded. "Yes, she was there, pissed. She was mumbling something… I think it rhymed with bastard brother." She joked.
"It's not funny." He said sadly.
She couldn't help but smile.
He smiled back, gently passing a hand through his hair and whipping the sweat off on the thighs of his pants. Phoebe gently followed his hand with her eyes, noticing suddenly how incredibly shirtless he was…
She took a deep breathe and sighed lightly, trying to push all those lusty thoughts out of her mind, and trying to suppress the flashes on how that same chest had been on top of her once upon a time, and how it heaved roughly when he was excited, or how good it tasted to kiss it or just run her hands over, right after a long love making session…
"So, what is it that you need me to sign?" Phoebe asked him.
"Oh, huh... just let me have a quick shower and we'll talk about this okay?" He asked. Phoebe nodded. Since she had entered the room, she was trying to concentrate on his face, not on the fact that he was shirtless, all sweaty and extremely hot.
Cole smiled at her and said: "Make yourself at home." And with that he headed to the bathroom. Phoebe watched him walk, she couldn't help but star at his very well shaped butt, which was very attractive on those jeans. Cole was just so hot; she couldn't deny it. She smiled and walked in the living room where she sat down on the couch and waited for him.
She looked around and noticed the pictures of him and Alex, she was hoping to find some of her with him but there weren't any of them. She sighed. Sometimes when she was alone, she was dreaming that they were living in the penthouse with Prue. She dreamt that they were a happy and united family, but truth was that they weren't and it made her sad.
Some minutes later, Cole got off of the bathroom wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. Phoebe couldn't help but notice the drops of water on his wet body.
'God Cole, you couldn't make things even worst.' She thought. Once again she tried to concentrate on his face, only his face.
"Is everything okay?" He asked with a smile.
'Are you naked under that towel? Of course you are.' She thought.
"Huh... yeah, everything's okay, thank you." She replied.
"Give me time to get dressed and I'll be all yours." He told her before walking in his room.
'If only that could be true.' She thought.
In a matter of time, he walked back in the living room, fully dressed this time, to Phoebe's sadness and relief.
"Ok, here." He handled her a folder. "There you have the Valid Consent where you accept she's my daughter." He explained and turned the page. "Document where I legally recognize her. Sign here." He pointed on the papers that he had already signed.
Phoebe put on her glasses. "Prudence Turner-Halliwell…" She read. She never thought she would see the two names together again. She now realized what she was doing. Now Cole would somehow be an active part of her life. He'd be hanging at the Manor to pick Prue up or off; she'd have to go to his place to do the same; he'd be there for birthdays, holidays, important days, school plays… how ironic life was, she thought. She wanted to stay away from Cole's life, and now she was signing a paper where she agreed her daughter would have his name and rights over her. But still, it was the least she could do after hiding her from him for three months. So she took a quick read at the rest of the documents, nodded and signed them. She glanced at him silently. He handled her another folder.
"Here's the Support Agreement, please check if the amount is enough". He asked.
She read and her eyes got wide. "Cole this is more than enough." She said. "Look I told you I didn't need all this, ok? I'm fine with-" she complained again, but he cut her off.
"And we already talked about this." He said passing around. "Now, you're gonna sign those papers and accept the bank account with the monthly money for my daughter, ok?"
She sighed and finally gave up. She signed the papers.
"Thank you." He said sincerely and satisfied as he took the folders and put them inside his briefcase. It really meant a lot to him and she knew it. "Ok, I think we're done here." He told her.
"Good." She nodded.
Then for some reason an uncomfortable silence filled the room. They didn't know what to do or say at the moment.
"Would you like some coffee or something to drink?" He offered breaking the silence. "No… uh… yes; I mean I can't take any coffee but I would like something to drink." She said.
"Ok. What would you like then?" he asked. "Water, juice, cocktail?" he offered.
"Juice is ok, but please nothing citric or that contains either caffeine or alcohol." She requested. "Is Apple Juice ok with you?" he asked confused.
"Yes, great." She nodded with a little smile. He turned to the kitchen and she followed him.
"What with all that drinks' protocol?" he asked to make some conversation.
"I'm still breath feeding, so anything I take my baby takes. That's why I don't take neither caffeine nor alcohol." She said making chitchat about her post birth cares.
"That's good, I don't want my baby to get intoxicated with bad stuffs." He said with a smile. "So, do you have something planned for tonight?" He asked.
"Of course." She nodded.
He tried to hide his disappointment.
"Just like every night I'll check my column and I guess I'll watch some Tv." She explained with a smile and for some reason she couldn't stop smiling when she was near him.
Cole as well tried to hide the relief after listening to this. "I meant something like…". He said.
"Something like what?" She asked back.
"Like... like a date." He tried.
"No... no, I'm not dating anyone." She replied casually. In fact she wasn't psychologically prepared to get involved into the dating game, not even talk about a new relationship. She was dedicated to her daughter now.
"What about Prue?" He asked.
"No, she's not dating anyone either." Phoebe joked.
Cole just got pale; even if she was laughing about it, it wasn't funny for him. He hadn't realized that Prue, his baby was after all a girl, and she would start dating some day.
Phoebe noticed his expression. "It's gonna happen someday…" she reminded him.
He looked away. For him as a father, she would always be his little girl.
"Come on, it's way too long for that to happen…" she said sympathetically. "Anyway… she'll probably be busy playing with her Aunties, you know like learning what make up is the best or the basic rules about guys..." She said with a smile.
Cole winced and asked: "Are you sure it's good for her to spend that much time with Alex and Paige?"
"Of course, it's good Cole, you don't have to worry about that." She replied.
"Alex and Paige?" he questioned eyeing her.
She nodded.
"Alex and Paige?!" he remarked.
"Yes, besides when she's playing with them you can see she's really happy and the girls love their baby niece so much, there is nothing to worry about." Phoebe told him.
Cole smiled and said: "I'm kinda new about this father thing."
"Really? I could swear you did that for years." She said.
They both shared another smile.
"Huh... I guess, you know... I... I'm going to watch TV as well tonight... and... and I was wondering if..." He mumbled, looking down, like a little kid asking for permission to stay out playing a little longer. "Maybe.. huh... maybe, you could stay here and watch TV, if you want to, of course. Maybe we could talk about Prue, you know I… I've missed a lot of things and I'd like you to talk to me about her, about when you were pregnant, or whatever, I've missed a lot." He proposed looking straight at her eyes now.
Phoebe thought about it for a couple of minutes. "I… I think that could be great." She told him.
*-*-*-*-*-*
It was about 8 o'clock, almost 3 hours since she had gotten there. They were both sitting on the couch one next to the other and a movie they had caught wasn't over yet. They hadn't really talked about Prue; they've just watched a movie, together.
Phoebe yawned and Cole smiled.
"Do you want me to shimmer you back home?" He offered.
"No, thank you, I'm okay." She replied. "And I got my car so I must drive home anyway." She added.
"Okay then." Cole told her.
A moment later, he felt her resting her head on his shoulder. That was a good feeling; he liked it.
He kissed her on the top of the head and said: "You really have to go to bed."
"No... I want to watch it till the end." Phoebe protested. "I feel good here." She said, it was almost a whisper.
"I feel good too." He replied in the same tone as he reached for her hand and held it in his. They stayed like this till the end of the movie.
Once it was over, Cole looked down at Phoebe and asked: "Are you sleeping?"
Phoebe looked up at him. She smiled and shook her head no.
Cole couldn't resist but get his face closer to hers and place a light kiss on her lips. He was still holding her hand and was stroking it with his thumb. He tried to pull apart be he couldn't, it was too hard. Their faces were so close that their lips were almost touching. He hesitated an instant, keeping his eyes closed, just like Phoebe. He was wondering if he should kiss her again or not but when he felt her stroking his hand with her thumb, he took it as an invitation to go on. He kissed her again on the lips, inhaling her sweet scent. He felt she was responding to his kiss so he let her hand go and brought it to her face, caressing her cheek gently. She slowly parted her lips and teased him with her tongue till he deepened the kiss with such sweetness and passion, caressing her tongue with his. As great as the moment could be, they were exploring dangerous territory and they knew it, but neither of them wanted this moment to end up. Passion was building up between them; their kiss was becoming more and more passionate at each second.
Instinctively, her arms folded themselves around his neck and her hands were running on his hair as their passion took the best of them. They ended up laying on the couch and kissing furiously. He was on top and in some moment he started unbuttoning her blouse. Suddenly she broke apart. "No." she just said. "I don't think… I … I don't know if I… I can't do this right now." She insisted pulling apart from him and he stopped his actions.
"Sorry Phoebe I've been so…" He apologized and avoided to face her. "I hadn't realized you might not be able to... or that you might not want to... I mean you had a baby a few weeks ago, and I don't know anything about this but you probably don't feel…" He continued babbling. "I am so stupid, I mean I'm the worst-" he kept babbling quickly.
"No." she then said. "It's not that, you're not stupid." She told him softly making him look at her.
He starred at her with a questioning look.
"It's not you, it's me…" she said sitting up.
"No, baby, it's me, I understand I've been such-" He couldn't apologize enough for being such an idiot.
"No, Cole. It's me, I mean the way I look I… you don't deserve-" she started saying and then shut up herself.
"What do you mean?" he asked concerned.
"Nothing it's just that… nothing." She avoided it.
"Tell me." He insisted concerned.
"It's just that, look at me Cole." She stood up.
"I don't get it." he said with a questioning look.
"Cole I'm not the same woman I used to be; things have changed…" she started. "I'm not the same woman you could take wherever or whenever… I mean-" she tried to explain hardly finding the words.
Cole starred at her with a concerned expression. She sighed. "Look at me, Cole." She said opening her arms.
He didn't understand where this was going.
"I'm a total cow, I'm wearing awful maternity underwear, I got a puke stain on my blouse, I haven't washed or gotten my hair done in over a week and my breasts have milk leak…" she threw. She didn't feel a little bit sexy. "So, you don't deserve to be with someone like… me. That time is over for me... you go with one of those Barbie girls you can find on bars or somewhere I probabl-" she broke out. She hadn't felt this insecure before.
Cole's jaw dropped. He had never seen Phoebe being this insecure before.
"How could you say that?" He questioned standing in front of her. "I don't want anyone else." He said sincerely. "You're the ONE I want." He added.
"Cole… you don't seem to- I'm not the same person, I don't feel the same, at least…" she said. It was in fact true. She had gone through so much… she had grown, she had learned, she had loved, she had lost… how could she be the same woman she was a year before? Probably becoming a mom, a single mom, all the responsibility… the many changes; changes that might have made her loose the focus and sense of who she really was. The funny things was that she was one advising the whole city about their own inner issues and didn't even know how to deal with hers. "Cole… this would be the first time that I… uh, you know after I gave birth." She finally confessed. It might have been one of her fears at the moment.
"If you don't feel ready-" he started.
"No, no. I'm... I'm ready. I want it, just... just do it slowly." She gently requested looking at him, with all the confidence and intimacy she could feel with him.
He kissed her again, slowly at first, as she had asked and when she made him feel that she was okay, he deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against him, he only wanted to have her close to him, to feel she was really there, to make sure it wasn't just a dream. He slowly brought his hands down to her waist and slid them under her blouse, caressing her sides.
It was so great to feel his hands, his lips, his caresses, just him… they kept kissing passionately, as their passion increased. In some moment she felt him as he carried her while still kissing.
She kissed his neck as he took her to the bedroom, once there he gently laid her on the bed.
She rouged her knees and he slowly slipped up the ankle-length skirt she was wearing to reveal her tights.
He kissed every itch of her smooth skin; from head to toe. "I still can't decide what I find sexier in you right now." He whispered. "If your wider hips…" he said running his hands over her curves. "If your bigger breasts…" he said kissing them and caressing after unbuttoning her blouse.
She just kept her eyes closed and let herself enjoy the moment. She moaned with every kiss, every touch, every caress….
"The natural essence and color of your hair." He whispered as he kissed her, inhaling the scent of her hair. "The natural blush on your face…" He said with a soft smiling as he kissed every itch of her face. "Or just the simple fact that you're like this because you had our daughter…". He finally said with such passion, such pride, such love… all the the same time.
When he looked up at her, he noticed that tears were streaming down her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She replied almost weeping.
"Tell me baby." He insisted as he kissed her tears away. He didn't want her to turn away again, like not talking to him. He wanted to be confident and trust him. "You can tell me anything." He reaffirmed her he could trust him with anything and he would listen and understand.
"It's... it's just that... no one's been so gentle, loving and careful with me since so long ... I missed that." She confessed whispering. It was true. She had been alone, except the time when she had been with Jonathan, who wasn't the loving and romantic type; it was like more like screwing and then bye-bye. He didn't even care about Prue, she sadly thought.
No one had been so careful and loving in a long time; Ever she could say, besides Cole
He looked her straight in her eyes.
"I'm gonna make up for that." He finally said and they looked at each other, deep in the eyes. A look that was more than enough to reaffirm her of his love. To reaffirmed her that she wouldn't be safer, or more loved or cared than in Cole's arms.
They kissed passionately and no more words were needed. Cole ran his hands on her body, making her shiver. He was making sure to make her feel he wasn't pushing her, he only wanted her to feel loved. He kept kissing her until she showed him she wanted to go on, which she did when she started to unbutton his shirt. Once she ran her hands on his strong and muscular chest, he threw the shirt on the floor and kept kissing her. After more kisses, caresses and loving words, they helped each other to get rid of the remanding of their clothes and made love.
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They were lovingly resting in each other's arms. She was tracing invisible circles on his chest just like she had imagined earlier when she found him shirtless working on Prue's room while he was running his hands on her hair while; they stayed like that, quite. Moments like this one were just wonderful, moments when no word needed to be spoken. Only a look, a glance or a sigh was enough.
"So...?" Phoebe started, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"So…?" Cole asked back.
"Was it... huh..." She trailed off.
"Good?" Cole asked.
"Yeah... good." Phoebe repeated.
"It's been awesome." He told her. "You've been awesome." He added.
She turned in his embrace to face him and said: "Thanks."
"What for?" he questioned her.
"Because you made me feel good, loved, wanted and secured." She added, caressing his face with her hand. She rested her head on his chest, enjoying the last minutes she had to spend with him. He made her feel so many beautiful things when they were together… with him she would always feel wanted, not matter how she looked, he made her feel wanted not matter what; loved, because just one look was enough, she could feel all his love in only one look, it was an amazing feeling, of course he showed her his love in words and caresses… secure, because his arms was the place where she belonged to. "I really needed this." She added as she was listening to his heartbeat, she felt so good in his arms that she could slowly fall asleep. It'd been a long time since she had feel so good. She just wanted this feeling to last forever. "I just… I don't know… I hesitated at first…I'm not the same-" she started.
He made her look at him. "Hey, hey…" he cut her off. "Don't say that. I can say, with solid proof…" he said chuckling a little and then turned serious again, "That you're the same wonderful, passionate, amazing woman I fell in love with. You've grown up, it's true, but that's what life do to you, and well maybe that new knowledge and experience makes you think otherwise and make you feel like you lost track of who you really are." He explained.
She just listened to him with round eyes and teary eyes.
"The fact that you might be fat or have a different hair doesn't make you a different person… what you are, your essence is right here…" he said touching her heart, "And here." He gently touched her head referring to her mind. "You're still the unique Phoebe Halliwell, and you don't need me or any other guy to let you know that." He expressed sincerely.
She was speechless… there Cole making her feel incredibly good again. His words were so sincere, so sweet and so deep that they really touched her and reached her. "Thank you." Was all she could say.
"There's nothing to thank." He insisted.
"I love you." She said, with shiny wet eyes.
"I love you too…" he replied back.
They looked at each. None of them said a word for some minutes, they just enjoyed and absorbed once again the meaning of their declaration.
"Phoebe…"
"Yes?"
"I… I just… where are we?" he asked, fearing the answer. He already knew they couldn't be together, and that was like the bad thing about these kind of occasions, it gave him hope…
"Cole…" she didn't know what to say. "I love you and nothing will ever change that, but you know-"
"We can't be together." He filled.
"Why don't we just keep it where we are?" she proposed and he looked at her with questioning eyes. "Let's keep it like this. Just wonderful, beautiful, safe… let's keep our love on the Magical." She said in a not supernatural sense; their love had always been Magical. "Because if we try to make things bigger and complicated…" she added.
"We'll hurt each other." He sadly said.
"We'll hurt Prue…" she brought up. "I couldn't do that…"
"We don't want that." He softly stated.
She shook her head. "No…" she whispered. "It'd be dangerous for us and for Prue."
"She's so innocent… she doesn't deserve the pain…" Cole realized.
They both sighed. They couldn't with so much love, but they couldn't risk it all over again either.
Suddenly she glanced around and caught sight of the clock on the nightstand.
"Oh my god!" she said noticing the time. "I totally lost track of time, I was supposed to be home like 4 hours ago." She said.
"Can't you stay a while longer?" Cole asked. The last thing he wanted was for her to leave.
"Trust me, I'd love to but... they're going to wonder what I'm doing and... Alex could be home at any moment." Phoebe answered, but still she was laying comfortably on his chest. "And I have to feed Prue in like half and hour." She added.
He nodded.
"Thank you, it was great, amazing." He told her
Phoebe smiled, "Thanks and it really was amazing." She said. " But I have to go." She said sadly.
"Yeah." He nodded looking down.
She started to get up of bed, was about to start leaving when Cole said: "I love you."
After this, she turned to Cole again and bend down to him. "I love you." She had to say once again.
They kissed passionately on the lips one more time before she walked off to get dressed.
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