C.C. McKenna
Chapter eleven
Shocking News.
"Daddy...welcome home!" Piper grabbed her father's coat and put it in the foyer's closet. "We've been eagerly waiting for you" She smiled widely and gave him a big kiss on the cheek., followed by a warm welcoming hug.
"Piper, sweetheart; how have you been?" He softly wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head; as he always did. "How's everything going around here?"
"Oh, fine dad, you know...the usual"
"Where's Prue?...and Phoebe...where's my baby?" He walked confidently to the living room, trying hard to look normal; but the truth is that he was nervously terrified.
"They'll be down here shortly; Prue is helping Phoebe getting dressed"
"Good" He rubbed his hands and cracked his fingers. "I guess Phoebe hasn't regained her eyesight yet, has she?"
"No, she hasn't; and I would really appreciate for you not to talk about that subject when she gets here" She smiled. "How about a cup of coffee?" Piper stood in front of him and offered him a seat.
"Of course sweetheart; Let's make that a cup of whiskey instead; if you don't mind" He smiled nervously. "On the rocks!"
"Of course dad" She suspiciously cocked an eyebrow. "No problem" Piper noticed her father's nervous smile and swallowed hard before clearing her throat. "I'll get that for you" She smiled.
"Dad; You're finally here" Prue spoke standing on the landing of the stairs; holding her sister's arm to guide her down to the living room.
"Girls!" Victor stood up and slowly approached his daughters. "How are you?" He hugged them both at the same time.
"Daddy" Phoebe rested her head on her father's chest and smiled babyishly.
"What is it that you wanted to tell us?.... You said it was important." Prue spoke defiantly.
"Prue...Prue...Prue, you'll never change; always straight to the point!" Victor smiled and went back to his seat, dragging Phoebe gently along with him.
Prue smiled arrogantly and rolled back her eyes. "Piper, we're ready!" She found her way to the sofa and sat down facing her father. "Well you know me; what can I say"
"Great; we are all here now" Piper handed the fancy, thick crystal glass to her father. "Jack Daniels, on the rocks" She smiled; and grabbing Phoebe's hands, she carefully placed a glass of red wine and gently closed her fingers around it. "Red for you sweetie"
"Thanks Piper" Came the soft reply.
"Sure baby" She turned to Prue and sat beside her. "Here you go big sis; white for you" Prue smiled and tasted her cup. "Thanks Pipe"
"So....we are ready" Prue glanced to her father and leaned back on the sofa.
"Ok". Victor released a big sigh and stared at his drink. "First of all, I want you to know that I didn't know myself about this until a couple of years ago; and........"
"A couple of Years?" Prue asked cagily.
"Yes; but please, let me finish" Victor tasted his cup. "I wouldn't have taken this decision if it hadn't been for" He paused for a moment and breathed deeply.
"For what dad?" Piper got up and knelt in front of him. Victor undid his tie and wiped dry the sweat from his forehead.
"I don't know where to start" He finally spoke.
"Try from the very beginning; it always works for me" Piper gently squeezed his hand and smiled weakly at him.
"After your mom died; I met this remarkable woman in New York...and we had a wonderful relationship; unfortunately it had to come to an end when she had to go back to England.
"England?" Phoebe raised her voice, staring blankly at the wall in front of her.
"Yes" Victor confirmed. She had to go back to England because of her father's illness; and I couldn't go with her because I had to keep an eye on you"
"Great!...now you're blaming us!" Prue snapped. "So what else is new?"
"Prue!....let him finish please" Piper got up and went back to her sister's side. "Please, lets just listen to what he has to say" She held her hand tightly.
"Two years ago, this....woman, got in touch with me to let me know that she was dying...cancer in her brain" He took a deep breath. "And she wanted me to know that...." He cleared his throat and finished his drink. "That I had a daughter"
"YOU WHAT?!?!?" The three sisters jumped on her feet at the same time.
"Sit down girls; I am far from over here!" Victor was now taking control of the situation; but still, none of the girls returned to their seats; they stood astonished, staring at their father, completely speechless but holding hands. "I went to London and met your...my...and met her" He obviously didn't know how to call his recently found daughter. He had to be very tactful about this subject to prevent his daughters from getting even more upset than they already were.
Prue sighed and pulled back her hair with disgust. "I can't believe this" She muttered. Piper squeezed her hand tighter.
"I know.....believe me, I do know" Piper whispered.
"Where is she?" Phoebe asked, while her heart started pounding inside her chest. She walked slowly away from her sisters, guided by her father's voice.
"I brought her to the U.S.; she's in America now" He got up and walked towards the window. "In fact, I brought her here, to San Francisco." He kept staring outside, wishing everything was said and done; but he knew it was just about to begin.
"You what?!" Phoebe dropped her glass of wine and her knees gave way.
"Phoebe!" Prue and Piper were beside her in no time. They caught her before she hit the floor and placed her on the sofa. on, talk to me!" Piper ran her fingers through her hair and gently caressed her cheek.
"I'll go get some water" Prue said nervously. "Be right back"
"How is she?" Victor got closer to his daughter and stroked back the loose hair away from her face.
"Stay away from her!" Piper warned him. "You are the reason she fainted in the first place, so don't touch her!"
"Piper; please, ... sweetheart; I didn't mean to" Victor stepped back to avoid any kind of unnecessary confrontation.
"How is she doing?" Prue entered the living room with a glass of water, some ice, and a dry cloth.
"I'm fine" Phoebe answered; Her voice barely audible. "Piper...I know who our sister is!" Phoebe sat up and grabbed her sister's arm tightly.
"What?" Prue and Piper asked at unison. "What are you talking about Phoebe?" Prue wasn't sure of her sister's condition. "Are you ok?"
"Alexia!" Phoebe shouted. "I could bet my life on it!" Phoebe closed her eyes "Oh God; Alexia is....she always....and....I,...."
"Easy baby, take it easy, breath slowly, take your time, breath for me, come on" Prue rubbed Phoebe's back and pulled her close to her chest.
Victor opened his eyes widely and nodded. There was no doubt about it; Phoebe knew it.
"Alexia...our sister?!" Phoebe thought; still trying to recover her breath. "Alexia... Bennett?!... The new British girl... our sister?!" Phoebe closed her eyes and buried her head deeper on Prue's chest...tears finally finding their way out
TBC
