Chapter 10

Phoebe and Piper were both sitting on the couch, hugging each other.

The time was 7:40, and phoebe finally came home.

Piper told her about what happened, and just like Piper Phoebe broke into tears.

"It's all my fault... I always make her worry so much... I hate myself!" Phoebe exclaimed.

"No, honey don't say that, it's no one's fault... We knew Grams was sick for quite a while now... The stroke was expected, just... not so soon I guess." Piper said.

Phoebe sobbed, and pulled away from Piper.

"We need to go there." Phoebe said.

"Right, let's go." Piper got up, and so did Phoebe. That was when Leo walked in from the other room.

"You girls are ready to go?" He asked.

"Leo, really, you needn't... I can take us in my car." Piper said, but in her heart hoping he would take them anyway.

"None sense, I said I'll take you, and I insist that I will." Leo said, determined.

Piper smiled thankfully.

"Alright. Thanks Leo, I really appreciate it." Piper said.

"We both do." Phoebe added.

Leo smiled, and grabbed his keys and jacket he left on the counter. Then said; "Come to my car when you are ready. Piper, do you mind if I use the phone to call my parents?"

"Go ahead Leo, its right there." Piper said, and pointed to the direction of where the phone is.

The way to the hospital was quiet and tense. Both Phoebe and Piper set in the back, holding hands.

Phoebe suddenly leaned forward, and whispered to Piper's ear; "A real gentleman you got yourself there..."

Piper smiled, and the both let out a small Giggle.

Leo heard.

"Looks like you girls are starting to cheer up..." he said, and Piper knew that Leo knew very well that they were talking about him, and she appreciated him being so mature and carrying about the situation... there are not many guys like that out there.

When they reached the hospital, they Phoebe and Piper ran out of the car, and soon enough the three sisters were sitting on both sides of Grams's bed.

"Oh, my darlings, how nice it is to see you. All those nurses are treating me like I am 90 years old." Grams complained, and all three sisters giggled.

"You scared us Grams... don't ever do that again." Phoebe said.

Grams smiled, but Piper couldn't stand looking at her.

Grams had no color on her face, and she looked at least 5 years older then she did just a few days ago.

A tear escaped Piper's eye, and she couldn't hold it back.

Grams saw it.

"Oh, Piper darling, don't you cry... I am not dead!" she managed a chuckle, but Piper just couldn't find any optimism in herself.

She wished she could be as strong as her sisters are. Piper was always the emotional one, and she just couldn't help it.

At that moment the nurse came in.

"Now, why don't you girls let your granny rest a bit..." she said.

"Don't be ridiculous! I've been sleeping for hours!" Grams exclaimed, but all three were already on their feet.

"The nurse is right Grams, you need your rest." Prue said.

Grams frowned.

"Alright then, if you insist to keep me locked in here alone." She said.

The nurse smiled lovingly.

"Well, I suppose one of the girls could stay..." she said.

"Phoebe, why don't you stay so Piper and I can have a little talk?" Prue said, and Phoebe nodded her head, then took her place on Grams's side.

Both Prue and Piper gave Grams a kiss, and walked out of the room.

"Are you ok?" Prue asked as soon as they were out.

"Sure. Did the doctor say anything else?" Piper asked, hoping to hear good news.

"He said this stroke was her first, and he doubts it is the last. Piper..." Prue's eyes begun to get watery as she spoke, "He said that things will most likely go downhill from now on."

Piper looked away, closing her eyes in sadness.

She hugged her older sister, and they stood like that hugging for a couple of minutes until Piper heard Leo's voice.

"Hi. I thought you guys might get hungry..." he said, holding three hamburgers in his hand.

Piper pulled away from Prue.

"Leo, that is so sweet of you... thank you."

Prue smiled, and then turned back to Piper.

"Listen, I'm going to go and have another word with the doctor... I'll be back soon. Ok?"

"Ok. Your hamburger will be waiting for you." Piper said, and her sister headed down her hall.

Then both Piper and Leo found themselves a seat.

"How is your Grams doing?" Leo asked, as he handed one of the hamburgers to Piper.

"Not too bad I guess. Prue just told me that the doctor said things are aught to only get worse from now on..."

"I'm really sorry. Tell me if there is anything I can do to make you feel better..." he said.

Piper smiled.

"Leo, you are doing more then enough already, and I really appreciate you being here for me." Piper told him, as he grabbed her hand in his.

"Anytime Piper, anytime."

The next few days the sisters came to visit grams all the time, and there was always someone there with her. Prue was there when the other two were at school, so Piper and Phoebe stayed there the rest of the day, switching at about seven in the evening.

On Thursday morning, Grams was finally released home, which made things much more comfortable for everyone.

Piper could tell that Grams was trying to look strong when they are around, but actually was very tired most of the time.

Weeks started passing, and Grams wasn't the woman she used to be anymore. She didn't have the happiness she always had, and the girls had each much more responsibilities then they usually did.

Leo was great too.

He was more then understanding about the whole situation, and was always there for Piper.

Their relationship grew stronger with every day, and they became inseparable.

Piper realized her life was changing. They couldn't rely on Grams to help them anymore, now it was them helping her. She was on a lot of medication, and her condition seemed pretty stable. Also, Leo was part of her life now, and no one, not even Ally Thompson, could change that fact.

A/N: the next chapter is yet to be written, but I already know how the next few chapters are going to look. One thing I will say- I am going to skip three months.