Learning the Hard Way Chapter 8: All's Well, That End's Well, a charmed fanfic

Hi! Thanks to all of you who reviewed my story, it is much appreciated. This is the last chapter, sadly, but I might start a new story after this one. Anyways, happy reading!

"Guys...while you were having the younger versions of me visit you, I got to sit 'up there' and watch you guys," Paige started, "I was surprised at how well you handled me, and I think you guys deserve an apology." "Paige, that's not necessary, we were the ones that were wrong," Phoebe was cut off. "I think in this case, we were all wrong, but in different ways. I was too quick to assume that you guys were all out to get me, when I should have given you a chance to explain. But you guys were also wrong in assuming that I would just be okay with you bringing Prue back. I have nothing against Prue, but I think we need to discuss these kind of big decisions together, as a family." Paige told them.

Everybody stared at her in awe; she had grown so much in just a day. "Wow Paige, that was really adult of you, and we want to thank you for being so understanding and forgiving," Piper said with a hint of amazement. "So, now that that is behind us, Paige did you want to meet with Prue and Sam alone for a bit?" asked Penny. "Ya, I think I'd like that," Paige replied with a smile. Everybody else ushered into the kitchen to discuss a possible surprise for Paige, while she talked with her dad and Prue in the living room.

"I really want to hear Paige sing, I think that would be the ultimate gift for us, and maybe for her we could bring back her adoptive parents and Glen to hear her sing?" Phoebe said. "I think that would be awesome, but Paige just said that she wanted to discuss big decisions with everybody before they happened," Leo reminded them. "Yes, but Leo I think she would be thrilled to have those three here, I mean those people were a huge part of her childhood," Piper replied. "Well I think that this is a great idea, we could take Paige to P3 and surprise her with everybody there, and then we could tell her that we would all love to hear her sing. The only problem would be convincing her to get onto the stage, her teenage selves were pretty adamant about not singing," Penny told everybody.

"This is true, but I think if we brought Richard along, he could have ways to convince her," Phoebe winked. "Ew, okay Phoebe? I don't want to hear about what my baby daughter does with her boyfriends," Patty replied disgusted. Everybody laughed, and Leo orbed them up to the attic to summon her adoptive parents, while he went to find Glenn. Phoebe phoned Richard to see if he could make it to P3 that night, he, of course said that he wouldn't miss it. Phoebe told him that Leo would orb him there because they wanted him to be a surprise too.

"So Prue, how long did it take you to learn to control your powers?" Paige asked curiously. "About as long as it took you, maybe longer," laughed Prue. (AN. I don't remember how long it actually took her, so just go with what I put...lol). "Paige, you're mother and I really didn't want to give you up, and we were trying to do what was best for you at the time. If I could go back, we would have kept you," Sam said sadly. "I know, but I had amazing parents growing up, and I loved them so much, so in some ways you did me a favor," Paige told him. "How so?" Sam questioned. "Well for one, I got the chance to live with both of my parents when I was younger; I got to experience being an only child, and the perks of that; and now I get to live we three amazing sister's who I know will go to great lengths to cover my back when I need them. So you see? I have a pretty damn good life, and this was all because you wanted what was best for me," Paige smiled.

They all talked for a little while longer to get to know each other, but after a little while, they started to wonder where everybody else was. Just as they were about to go look for them, they all appeared in orbs in front of them. They were all pretty dressed up too; Piper in a black knee length skirt with a white peasant top, Phoebe in a black mini skirt with a red top, and red stiletto heels, Patty in a floor length dress, as well as Penny, and Leo in a pair of beige slacks with a solid dark blue shirt. "Wow, why are you all dressed up?" asked Prue in confusion. "Because, we are all going to P3 to celebrate!" Phoebe replied excitedly. "Celebrate what exactly?" Paige narrowed her eyes at Phoebe knowing she was a horrible liar. "Um, well...Piper?" Phoebe stumbled nervously. "You'll have to wait and see," Piper said mysteriously. It took another half hour before Paige and Prue were ready to go. Paige was wearing a red, slinky dress, and Prue was wearing a purple tank top of Piper's, and her old leather mini skirt that they had kept.

As they arrived at P3, Phoebe, and Piper started looking around nervously. Leo had found Glenn, and orbed him into the back room, and he did with Paige's adoptive parents and Richard. They had cast a spell to make it seem as though all the 'dead' people were still alive. They got a booth at the front of the club looking directly at the stage. "Excuse me for a second, I have to go to the back," Piper stated as they sat down. As Piper made her way to the back, Prue seemed very excited to be there. "I haven't been here in so long, the place looks great!" Prue exclaimed. "Hun, you've been dead," Patty laughed. Prue just smiled.

Piper squeezed passed the people that were blocking the door entrance. Glenn, Richard and the two adults were deep into conversation, not noticing Piper until she whistled. Piper gave a slight smile, and waved them towards the door. It took another few minutes before the made their way to the booth. It was laid out like it was planned. Paige was at the back of the booth, which made an easy surprise because Glenn, Richard and her mom and dad could sneak in behind her without being noticed.

The conversation had suddenly halted, and everybody was starting at Paige with anticipation. Paige smiled confused, and said "What?" "Sweetie, look behind you," Patty told her. Paige slowly turned around and let out a small scream. "Oh my God! What are you all doing here? Piper freeze the club!" Paige told her. Piper did what she was told, and froze everybody except the people that were at the table. Paige orbed out and in beside Richard. She gave a small smile, and passionately kissed him, until Glen cleared his throat beside her. Paige gave an embarrassed laugh, and enveloped Glenn and her parents in a huge hug. She didn't let go of them for a long time, and only separated to say a gracious thank you to her family and introduce everybody. "I really appreciate this, I never thought I would get to see my parents..." Paige started, but then looked toward Sam and Patty who were smiling politely, "My second set of parents again." Everybody smiled. "Paige, we have another surprise for you," Piper told her. "As you know, we spent a lot of time with your childhood selves, and all of them expressed an interest, and talent in singing. Now most of them refused to sing in front of people, but would you mind doing it for us?" Piper pleaded.

Paige shook her head and smiled. "I knew you guys wanted something from me, and nope, no way, I don't like crowds," Paige said stubbornly. "Please Paige, everybody wants you to share your talent, just do it this one time, please?" Phoebe pleaded while everybody gave her puppy dog eyes. "Yeah, come on Noogie, don't be a chicken!" Glenn teased. "I'd have to agree with Glenn here Paige, even though I don't know about the cute nickname, which by the way you'll have to explain later, I don't want you to chicken out," Richard added.

"Fine I give up, I'll sing one song, okay?" Paige stated. Piper led her up towards the stage and made the announcement. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce my baby sister Paige, in her singing debut," Piper told everybody as they all clapped. Paige stood to the side and glared at her family, but in a teasing way. Piper went up to Paige and asked her what song she wanted to sing. "It's a surprise, now go sit down, or I'll leave," Paige said mysteriously. Paige stood up in front of the microphone, and stared out into the audience. The background music started to play, and she took a nervous breath.

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I just stared out my window
Dreaming of a could-be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)

Her voice flowed into the audience, and her family was floored at how beautiful her voice was (well everybody except Glenn and her adoptive parents who had heard her a bit when she was little).

Trying not to reach out
But when I'd try to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I pray (I would pray)
I could breakaway

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I loved
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around wild indoors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway

Before Paige could even finish her last word, People from all over the club were standing up and screaming her name. There were tears in all her family's eyes, and Patty, and her adoptive parents were full out sobbing. They had all longed to hear Paige sing, and for her adoptive parents, they didn't think that they would get to hear her beautiful voice ever again. As Paige quickly maneuvered off the stage, she kept wondering what her family would say to her. She figured she needed a drink before she faced them, but then realized she didn't want to go back to that horrible place that she had been so many times before. Before Paige even got the chance to make it back to the table, she was suddenly covered in hugs and kisses. "Paige, you have an amazing gift, and I am so proud of you right now," Patty told her. "Yeah, Paige that was absolutely outstanding, you should sing more often," Prue congratulated.

"Thanks guys, this performance made me remember how much I enjoy singing, maybe I will start singing more," Paige thought out loud. "Ya, and Paige, if you do want to start performing in front of an audience, you're more than welcome to use the club, heck even if it's just a practice, I'd love to hear you sing again," Piper proposed. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll think it over," Paige replied gratefully, "Hey Richard how'd you like it?" "My girlfriend is a star" was Richard's answer. Everybody laughed. "Hey Paige, why don't we kick everybody out of the house and have a girly night?" Phoebe suggested. "I love it!" Paige said excitedly. "We, all the dead people that is, have to go as soon as we get home," Penny told them sadly. Everybody was pretty upset, but they knew that it would have happened eventually.

As they all prepared to go, Paige gave a look around the crowded attic. Her biological parents were standing beside her adoptive parents, her boyfriend was laughing with her best friend, and her three sisters were saying goodbye to Grams. It had been a while since she felt that she truly belonged somewhere, and it was time for her to stop resisting what was meant to be. A voice interrupted her thoughts. "Paige, honey we're going now, and I know that it is really hard to say goodbye, but we've been told that you can summon us whenever you want," Patty told her, "within reason that is."

"That goes for your adoptive parents, and me too," Penny added. "Thank you all for being here tonight. I love you all so much, and I'm so glad that this all worked out, because I honestly don't know what I would've done without any of you," Paige choked out between her tears. "We love you too Paige, and like we have said before, you are apart of this family whether you like it or not. You have a destiny to fulfill, but don't forget to also have some fun. You only get one chance to live, relatively speaking, live it well," Penny told her. "Oh I'll definitely be having some fun," Paige winked at Richard. Phoebe let out an "ew." As they all faded away, they heard a faint, "Blessed Be."

A few hours later, all the men were ushered out of the house, and Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige were all sprawled out on the couch, laughing and eating popcorn. "I love being back here with you guys," Prue told them. "We love having you back," Piper replied. "Paige? We haven't heard much from you, got anything to say," Phoebe questioned. They all looked towards Piper's lap where Paige's head was; they all smiled. She was sound asleep, and looking peaceful. Paige was stretched out across the three of them, with a blanket on top of her. Piper gave her a kiss of the forehead and wiped the hair out of her face. "We love you Paige," whispered Phoebe, as she to began to get droopy eyed. It didn't take long before they were asleep, content with being near each other.

Leo came home a couple hours later with a sleeping Chris and Wyatt in his arms. He took one look into the living room, and smiled at the scene before him. He shook his head slightly, and quietly whispered "Goodnight." Everything was going to be okay now; the family was finally how it should be. It took them a little longer then it should have, but that's okay Halliwell Sister's stand beside each other no matter what.

Well that's all folks! I hope ya'll enjoyed my last chapter, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I'm going to start writing another story pretty soon, so look for that to be posted. That song was "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson.