One Month Later
Leo was miserable. The elders still hadn't found the Charmed Ones a new whitelighter. Leo didn't even think they were really looking. Every time he asked them, they told him to be patient, that it took time to find a guardian for powerful witches.
When ever he was at the manor, Piper and Cole were there. They had decided to live at the penthouse, instead of trying to crowd four adults and a baby in the manor, but they were always over there.
They looked so happy together. Leo wondered what he had been thinking when he had decided he didn't love Piper anymore. He was crazy about her. He always would be. Leo decided the only reason he had fallen for Holly was because she was so much like Piper and he had been shut up with her for a month. His heart belonged to Piper. Leo was praying he would be able to win her back. He could accept the baby. He loved Piper enough that they could make it work. They had been through many obstacles before, this was just one more.
Leo knew he also had to tell Holly that things weren't working out. She was such a sweet woman, he hated hurting her, leading her on. He did care, he just didn't love her. Every time he was with her, he had to close his eyes and pretend it was Piper he was kissing and making love to. That wasn't fair to Holly, and Leo knew it.
He sighed, Paige was calling him, he knew he had to orb down there. It was hard to keep up the act in front of them. He pretended things were going great with Holly. He pretended he was happy. He didn't want to hurt Piper by letting her know how much he cared, if she knew how miserable he was, it would break her heart.
Leo rolled his sleeves up, put on his fake smile, and orbed down to his wife and her new boyfriend.
"Finally Leo, I've been calling you for ten minutes." Paige said when he orbed into the kitchen of the manor. Paige was leaning up against the counter. Piper and Cole were sitting at the bar, and Phoebe was sitting cross-legged on the floor, sipping a glass of milk.
"Sorry Paige, I was with Holly. What's up?" Leo asked, smiling at everyone but Cole.
"We had a problem Leo, I don't know if you can help, but Phoebe suggested we ask you." Paige told him.
"Sure, what is it?" Leo asked.
"We've been trying to summon Prue all night, and she won't come. We tried to switch to Grams, and she won't come either. Do you know if there is some kind of block of spirits up right now?" Piper asked Leo.
"Not that I know of. I can ask the elders, but I don't think they would have done anything. Maybe Prue and Penny are just unavailable right now. What did you need her for? Is something wrong?" Leo asked.
"Well, Prue wanted to see the nursery when it was ready, and it is. I tried calling her from the penthouse, and she didn't come. So I came here to call her, and still no Prue. So we got worried and tried Grams, but nothing." Piper said. She rested her hand on her stomach. Even though she wasn't showing yet, she was already subconsciously rubbing her tummy.
Leo felt the familiar stab to the heart. The nursery was ready. The nursery for Piper and Cole's baby, not Piper and Leo's. He sighed. "I'll ask around Piper, I'll see if they know where Prue is." Leo orbed out before anyone could say anything more.
Piper shook her head. Something was going on with Leo. She felt weird talking about the baby in front of him, but he seemed ok with her being pregnant. He told them he was truly happy. Piper had a sinking feeling that he wasn't though. It was going to make it harder to ask him for the breaking of handfast, but she knew she had to. She didn't want to be married to him anymore, she was Cole's now.
At the thought of him, Cole wrapped her hand up in his. "Ready to go home Piper?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I guess no Prue today. I'm just a little worried." she said.
"Me too. I've got to get to work though, if I don't get something accomplished, I am going to get fired." Paige said. As she walked by Piper she stopped and kissed her cheek. "She's fine Piper, I'm sure."
"I know I know. Have a good day!" Piper said. "Phoebe, we are going home. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little worried about Prue to. When I find out what kept her, I'm going to kick her ghostly butt!" Phoebe said with a smile. "Call me or shimmer over later." she said.
"Ok" Piper took Cole's hand, and he shimmered them home.
"Cole?" Piper asked once they got back to the apartment.
"Yes?" he said, still holding her hand.
"Do you think I did the nursery up to much like a girl's room. I mean, we don't know what the baby will be, and I don't want to put a little boy in a girly room.
"No, I think yellow is a safe color for a boy or girl. Piper, the room is lovely." Cole said, leaning down and kissing her. "Our baby is going to love it."
"Well, our baby will be spoiled, that's for sure. Between his aunt's and mommy and daddy." Piper said with a smile.
"There is nothing wrong with spoiling though." Cole said.
"Cole, I'm only two months pregnant, and the baby already has a train set in his room." Piper said, laughing.
"Hey, blame that on Phoebe, she's the one who had to buy it now."
They both giggled as they left the nursery and went out to the kitchen. "You hungry?" Piper asked Cole.
"A little bit, why are you?" Cole said, sitting down at the table.
"Of course I'm hungry. I could eat all the time, I'm trying to stick to a diet though. I don't want to gain a bunch of wait." Piper said, walking past the table.
Cole reached out and grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap. "Piper, even if you weighed 300 pounds, you would still be the most beautiful goddess I have ever laid eyes upon." Cole said, looking into her eyes.
"Thank you." she whispered, leaning in and kissing him. She let out a soft moan as he tongue darted in her mouth, tasting her.
"I love you." he said softly.
"I love you too Cole." she answered.
"Now, what's for lunch?" he said playfully.
Piper pretended to swat at him. She got off his lap and went over to the fridge. "There's a lot of milk, how about cereal?" she teased.
"Yum." Cole said, grinning.
Piper smiled at him. She was so happy. This is where she wants to be. This is her future.