"What's the matter with him?" Leo asked Paige, bouncing Chris and shushing him.
"I have no clue, I fed him and he was playing with the magnetic letters on the fridge, then I put the letters back when you called and he started, well, that. "She said gesturing to the red-faced screaming infant in Leo's arms.
"He was playing with letters?" Leo asked. "He's less than 24 hours old."
"I think he just liked the colors" Paige guessed. "Maybe he needs to be changed." She suggested. Chris screamed louder. "Do you want me to do it?" She held her arms out.
"No, it's ok, I've got it. Thanks for feeding him." Leo turned around and headed back into the nursery towards the changing table, still trying to quiet him down.
Get a grip Halliwell! Chris was trying desperately to calm himself down but it was like he was having a panic attack. Nothing he told himself was helping.
Next time I'm downstairs I'll just try again. It's not a big deal. Why did I even get so angry about in the first place? The tantrum was still going full force, even though he couldn't figure out why and his throat was starting to hurt.
The sound of a baby crying is no less awful when you're the one screaming. He thought irritatedly. The absurdity of the thought made him laugh to himself and he felt the anger and the panic start to drain away as quickly as they had come. He took a deep breath.
I really have to learn to control my temper. He realized with a laugh.
"There, that's my brave little guy." Leo praised him as he set Chris down on the changing table.
Chris was still trying to catch his breath when he realized what was happening. Should I orb back to Paige or to Phoebe? It's not like I even need to be – oh god! What the hell died and took up residence in the diaper?
The smell burned his eyes. I'm being punished. He thought. Leo knows I sent him to Valhalla and this is his way of getting back at me. No wait, I'll bet it's Paige and Phoebe for getting them stuck in that alternate reality with Gith.
He already knew there was no way his family was responsible for his
current humiliating state. His mind was just trying to distract him
from the fact that Leo was changing his diaper and powdering his butt.
I wonder if it's possible for someone to actually die of humiliation. He wondered over-dramatically.
"There, that's better isn't it?" Leo asked him as he finished securing the diaper.
Chris gave him what he hoped was a withering glare, but he doubted it looked as threatening as he intended.
Leo turned his back to go to the dresser and when he turned back around he was holding the ducky outfit. Wonderful. Just wonderful. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"You get to spend some time with your Aunt Phoebe today while I go get your mom." Leo informed him as he dressed him.
Chris only half-paid attention to his Dad's idle ramblings as he tried to figure out his next move. His best chance to communicate with someone was the hearing secret thoughts spell, but he'd have to get someone else to cast it.
I think if I orb myself to the attic, Phoebe or Paige should follow me, and then it's just a matter of getting the book to the right page.
Leo stopped talking to him and picked him up to hold him at eye level.
Chris held his breath wondering if Leo had somehow figured out one of his clues, or realized something was wrong with him.
"You know, every time I look at you I can only see him. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse, but I promise you'll never have the future he had." Leo looked like he was going to say more but instead he pulled Chris close to him and hugged him tightly.
Chris could hear Leo's
heart pounding slowly, comfortingly. He forgot his agenda for the day
and let himself relax in his dad's arms.
Even if I never see the future I changed, this is perfect, this makes it all worth it. All he wanted his whole life was to feel like his dad loved and wanted him and now he had that.
Chris didn't know how long they stayed like that but too soon he felt
Leo tense up almost imperceptibly and he recognized it as getting a
call from a charge.
Probably mom. He guessed. I'm not sure if she'll figure out the problem, but I'll try the spell with Phoebe and Paige just in case she doesn't.
Leo carried him down the hallway to Phoebe's room and deposited him in the spare bassinette Phoebe had purchased for him.
Leo kissed his forehead and Chris briefly flashed back to lying on his mom's bed dying. He saw pain in his father's eyes and wondered if he was thinking back to the same moment.
"I'll be back soon with your mom, ok? You be good for your Aunt Phoebe." Leo reluctantly walked away as Phoebe walked into her room.
"Hey Leo, did Piper call yet?" She questioned while towel drying her hair.
"Yeah, I'm on my way to get her right now, call me if anything happens to him, ok?" Leo worriedly told her.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine, go get your wife." She coaxed with a glint in her eye.
Leo relaxed a little and smiled at the mention of Piper. "Ok, I'll be back shortly." He looked once more at Chris lying innocently in the bassinette before orbing out
Phoebe took two steps towards Chris before he orbed out to the attic.
She froze. "Uh oh, I baby-sit for two seconds and I've already lost him. Paige!" She shouted running downstairs to find the sister with the sensing power.
Chris orbed into the attic onto one of the heavily-abused couches. He heard Phoebe's panicked shout and winced. Sorry Phoebe, but I'm desperate. He thought. Now all I have to do is wait for them to find me. Easy enough.
A glowing blue triquetra seared its way into the attic wall across the room, and a tall figure stepped out. Silhouetted against the portal, Chris couldn't tell who or what it was.
Chris suddenly realized the danger of being a newborn completely alone in a house that stood as a beacon to every demon on the West coast. Uh Oh.He thought worriedly.
