A/N: Oh I'm an awful person. I haven't been thanking people who reviewed my last few chapters! So here it is: THANK YOU! You know I love you all!
…and I also didn't update when I said I would…I'm sorry!!!!
Oh by the way, this is really just a nice bonding chapter for Piper and Chris, and Piper will try once again to get Chris to talk about the avoidance. Don't worry Leo is in it too ;)
Piper cooked dinner for herself and Chris. Paige was out at the club, keeping an eye on it for Piper, and Phoebe was working late at the newspaper on some special feature for her column.
Leo had been 'Up There' for hours. Piper was getting worried about what the other Elders would do about Leo, but she didn't want to worry Chris too. He had been in an unusually good mood since Leo announced he was trying to quit. He had played with Wyatt and then after awhile, he had fallen asleep on the couch with Wyatt in his lap. Piper thought this was too adorable to pass up, so she grabbed Paige's digital camera and quickly took a picture. Of course she would have hide it from the boys in the future because it would be very difficult to explain it to them.
Chris woke up later and put his brother up in his bedroom. He watched him sleep for a moment.
"I'm going to save you. I have to," He whispered and then tiptoed out of the room.
Piper was making some pasta in the kitchen for dinner. She sat down as it was cooking and began reading a magazine, when a still-sleepy Chris ambled in, his clothes all wrinkled and his hair sticking up.
"What's so funny?" Chris asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Honey you look ridiculous," Piper laughed and reached out to smooth her son's soft hair back in to place.
Chris smiled, enjoying this attention from his mom.
"So what are you doing?" Chris asked, leaning against the counter.
"I'm making dinner. You like pasta right?" Piper stood up to check on the stove.
"Oh let me help you," Chris said, standing up and rushing to help Piper.
"It's okay, I got it," Piper said. "It's ready anyways."
They sat down to eat a few minutes later, with Wyatt in his highchair.
Piper was wondering what was going on with Leo, but she still didn't want to mention it. Chris seemed distracted from all the future burden for once, and she was enjoying seeing him so happy.
"Dad's been up there for a long time," Chris said casually, his mouth full of bread.
"Oh, honey don't talk with your mouth full!" Piper laughed and wrinkled her nose.
"Oh I'm sorry," Chris blushed and took a sip of iced tea.
Chris helped Piper with the dishes and then put Wyatt to bed. Then he headed downstairs to where Piper was watching TV.
"Hey has Leo come back?" Chris asked, hopping over the couch to sit next to Piper.
"No not yet. Are you worried?" She asked, looking over at him.
Chris sighed.
"I didn't want to worry you, but yeah, I am. I mean the Elders have so many rules. I bet they have a ton about quitting." Chris rolled his eyes.
Silence…
"I think it will be okay," Piper said after awhile.
"How can you tell?" Chris asked, without looking away from the TV.
"I don't know, I just can feel it. You know what I mean?" Piper asked.
Chris yawned,
"Yeah I do," He mumbled sleepily. He yawned again.
"Still tired sweetie?" Piper asked, reaching out to brush his hair from his eyes. "Hmm…tomorrow I'm taking you out for a haircut okay?" she murmured.
Chris flinched a little at her touch. His guard has been down all day. He had completely forgotten that he wasn't in his own time. He couldn't do it. He couldn't get close. It was too hard.
Piper's heart sank as Chris pulled away.
"Chris, you know you don't have to be afraid of being close to me. I want to know you as my son. As my baby." Piper said the last sentence in a baby voice, making Chris laugh.
Then he got serious again.
"I know. It's just hard for me. You know? It's hard to even talk about it. But I will. Soon. I promise. Just not tonight okay?" Chris began playing with the sleeves of the flannel shirt he was wearing. He had borrowed one from Leo's closet when he had spilled some sauce on the his own at dinner.
Piper smiled at her son. His dad's shirt was a few sizes too big for his skinny frame.
"That shirt is huge on you buddy," a voice said from the doorway.
Chris' eyes widened.
"Hey! What happened?" Chris jumped up from the couch, startling Piper. "Oh I'm sorry mom!" Chris apologized quickly.
Leo sighed.
"I had to basically go on trial to try and convince the other Elders to let me be a whitelighter again,"
"So are they?" Chris was getting impatient.
"They're discussing it now…again." Leo gestured at the ceiling to indicate who he was talking about.
"Please. Like they haven't had enough time already? Chris grumbled quietly. He yawned again and sort of swayed a little on the spot.
Leo reached out and steadied Chris. Piper jumped up and ran behind them.
"You okay there bud? Are you sick?" Leo put his hand on Chris' forehead, seeing if he had a fever.
Chris sort of shrank away from his parents.
"Yeah I'm fine…I'm just so tired" he sat down on the couch and laid his head on the armrest.
Piper sat down beside him and covered him with a blanket. Chris was already drifting off. She kissed his forehead and stood up.
"You go to sleep then. It's been a long day. You've been doing a lot lately," Piper took Leo's hand and led him to the kitchen so Chris could have some peace and quiet.
"So Chris felt fine right?" Piper asked, sitting down at the table.
"Yeah. I mean he felt a little warm, but I'm sure it's nothing." Leo sat down too and smiled widely.
"What is it?" Piper asked.
"It's just kind of funny, you and me worrying about our children together. It's like we're a normal family." Leo said.
"I know, but after spending a day with Chris, it just seems natural," Piper replied, smiling.
"I'm so excited, Piper…I'm going to be a daddy again!" Leo was beaming now.
"We're going to have two little boys!" Piper exclaimed.
Piper and Leo hugged, grinning like idiots for a couple of minutes. Suddenly Leo looked up, hearing a jingle from 'Up There'.
Piper noticed it too.
"Leo…what if they don't let you quit?" Piper asked sadly.
"Well then…screw them! I'm not messing up as a father or a husband anymore! " Leo said reassuringly and orbed out.
Piper went back into the living room and drifted off to sleep after about an hour when the light of orbs woke her up.
It was Phoebe and Paige coming home. They saw Chris fast asleep and quietly went upstairs after exchanging quiet good nights.
Leo came back half an hour later. He quietly tiptoed past Chris to where Piper was half-asleep on the other sofa.
"They did it Piper! I am on probation! I'm going to be a whitelighter on trial basis!" Leo whispered excitedly.
Piper didn't say anything for a moment.
"…Piper?"
Piper just leaped off the sofa and hugged Leo tightly.
They sat down on the sofa, still locked in their blissful embrace.
They stayed in each other's arms until the sunlight streamed through the window the following morning.
TBC…
Aww how cute. At least I think so. So what are your thoughts about this chapter? In the upcoming ones, Leo will probably have to prove himself as a whitelighter once again. Stupid Elders. And Piper and Chris will finally discuss their problems. Yay! Any suggestions, comments, questions? I love feedback.