C.C. McKenna
Chapter twelve Revealing Identities.
"What are we going to do?" Phoebe asked softly.
Piper placed the bowl of cereal on the table and placed the spoon in her baby sister's hand. "We'll think of something; but first, you have to eat" She poured the cold milk on the Cheerios and sat down beside Prue. Phoebe tasted a tiny amount and returned the spoon to the bowl; of course, she did not intend to eat breakfast; but she was just trying not to add up herself to the worry list of her sisters.
"This sucks, huh?" Prue gently rubbed her temples and slowly gazed back to meet her middle sister's eyes.
"Yeah, but we can not pretend that she doesn't exist" Piper stared at the steaming cup of coffee. "I don't care if dad told us not to worry about her; I mean.... she is our sister; we are Bennett; she has our blood, our father's blood!"
"Yes, I agree!" Phoebe jumped in. "She just can't spend another day alone; she has to be with us" Phoebe sounded excited. "I knew it... I knew there was something about her; something that made me feel attracted to her" Phoebe shook her head. "I can't believe it... Lexie our sister...this is just too much... I'm so thrilled!"
"Ok, you two, calm down; we need to think about this very carefully; I mean, this is a very huge decision we have to make here" Prue took a deep breath and gently scratched the bridge of her nose with her index finger.
"I'm sorry Prue; but I think there's nothing much to think about; she is our sister and she's coming to live with us, period" Piper spoke her mind, while Phoebe covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
"But Piper, I guess we have to think thoroughly before taking a hasty decision; remember all the demon activity in the house...she'll go crazy when she finds out, ...and.. and... not to mention that she's a teenager! What are we going to do with a teenager in our house?!?!" Prue stepped away from the table and threw her hands to the air. "I don't think we are going to be able to cope with her; and she will definitely wouldn't know how to deal with us or with our demonic duties" She took a deep breath and stared at her silent sisters.
"Are you through?" Piper asked softly.
"Well...yeah, as a matter of fact, I am" Prue answered cockily; feeling confident of having knocked some sense inside her sisters' heads.
"Good!; because she's coming to live with us, and that's final" Piper got up and grabbed Phoebe's shoulders from behind. "It's two against one; right Phoebes?"
"Right!" Phoebe smiled and started eating her Cheerios. "Wow, I'm going to have a baby sister!" Prue smiled when she saw her sister's gladness; she hadn't seen her like that since the accident.
Piper smiled too and locked her brown eyes with her sister's blue ones for a moment, but Prue vanished her smile, pretending to be annoyed.
"Ok, I just hope everything turns out right" Prue muttered. "And keep that youngster away from me; I don't want to go through all the raising issues again."
"Riiiight" Piper mockingly raised an eyebrow and nodded her way out of the kitchen. "Come on, we have something to take care of" She picked up the jeep's keys as well as her purse, and grabbed her jacket on the way out.
"Wait for us!" Phoebe shouted as she unfolded her cane and carefully found her way out of the kitchen. Prue speed up the last of her coffee and quickly followed Phoebe. "Wait up, wait...Phoebes...careful" She wrapped her arms around her baby sister's waist and guided her to Piper's jeep.
-o-o-o- o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"She must be in the cafeteria, having breakfast" Phoebe walked confidently between her sisters.
"You sure?" Piper looked around the halls, trying to spot her new sister; she had only seen her once, but she remembered her face too well. "Let's go to the cafeteria then" She gently held Phoebe's forearm and turned her around to walk to the opposite side of the hall. "I believe it's that way" She smiled.
Prue shook her head annoyingly. "Will you make up your minds please!"
"Geeze Prue, chill out; we'll get there....eventually!" Phoebe smiled.
"Yeah, ok...just keep walking...just...just go; ok?" Prue snapped back and rolled her eyes.
"Take it easy Prue... relax" Piper soothed her sister. "See, we're here" She signaled the cafeteria with her free hand and took a deep breath. "Come on, let's get it over with; the sooner the better!"
The three sisters entered the cafeteria and stood at the entrance for a while. It was noisy and full, and Alexia was nowhere near to be seen.
"Great; just great!" Prue hissed. "Who exactly am I looking for?" She folded her arms in front of her. "This is silly!" Prue spread her sight in the entire cafeteria and shook her head. "I don't even know her; how does she look like?"
"There she is" Piper stared at one of the farthest tables in the room.
"Is she ok?" Phoebe asked worriedly. "I mean, ..Leslie is not bothering her, is she?
"No sweetie, she's alone"
"So that's our little sister" Prue smirked. "Come on, let's go to her" She dragged her sisters along until they reached Alexia's table; silently standing still in front of her.
"What?! Alexia looked up and quickly returned to the book she was reading. "I'm busy" She spoke without looking at them. "Please leave" She shook her head and continued her reading.
"Sorry, but we need to have a conversation" Phoebe whispered. "Its very important"
"I told you I was busy" Alexia insisted. "Please just go Phoebe, you are going to get me in trouble"
"Listen, young lady..." Prue placed both hands on the table and leaned down closer to look into her sister's eyes.
"No, I don't want to be rude, but if you don't leave, then I will." She closed her book and sipped what was left of her milk. "I'm sorry, but I have to go" She picked up her purse from the table and tossed it over her shoulder, pulling her books close to her chest. "If you all excuse me please."
"I don't think you understood what I said" Prue grabbed the girl's elbow and pulled her back to her seat. "We really need to talk Alexia, this is very important for us and for you as well"
"Listen" Alexia gently pulled her arm free from Prue's grasp; dark green and dark blue eyes locked for a moment. "I really can't stay" She sat down slowly but never released her books.
"Please Lexie... do it for me" Phoebe begged softly. "You must know that you are...."
"Phoebe..wait" Piper cut in the conversation. "Alex....can we sit down?" Piper smiled widely to the nervous girl.
"I don't...."
"Thank you!" Piper smiled while pulling out a chair. "Sit down girls" She pointed the empty chairs to Prue.
Prue nodded and pulled out a chair to help Phoebe sit down beside Alexia; she grabbed Phoebe's blind stick and folded it. "Here's the cane" She opened her sister's hand and placed it inside. "Thank you" Phoebe whispered softly.
"I don't understand why are we supposed to have a conversation" Alexia shook her head and glanced at the entrance of the cafeteria; just checking if Leslie decided to show up.
"Well, We don't know exactly where to start, but, as my sister told Victor, we'll try by the beginning" Prue spoke calmly, trying to make Alexia relax her stiff body. "We know who your mother was, and who your father is" Prue smiled weakly.
"Ok, that's it!" Alexia slammed her hand on the table and glared at Prue. "I don't know where are you planning to go with all this; but I can assure you this is not funny" She pulled back her hair and scratched the bridge of her nose. "Tell me what you really want" She whispered. "This is getting to be a little ridiculous"
Piper and Prue turned quickly to see each other's eyes; they were astounded to see their newest baby sister doing the same thing Prue did when she was annoyed or worried.
"Well,...you see,...uhm, your father..." Prue cleared her throat. "Tell her Piper" She leaned back on the chair and patted twice on Piper's back.
"Me?" Piper opened her eyes widely. "Ok,...you see sweetie,...uhm..your father is also our father" She smiled nervously.
"What!?!?" Alexia dropped the books on the table. "What kind of joke are you trying to pull on me?"
"This is no joke honey, we're very serious" Phoebe spoke sweetly. "Piper is telling the truth; we are your sisters" Phoebe stretched out her hand to touch her sister's but Alexia pulled away from the table and ran outside the cafeteria.
"Alex... please wait!" Piper shouted, but Alexia kept running away from the Halliwells. "Come on, let's follow her!" She hastily got up and started running behind her shocked sister.
Prue helped Phoebe up and grabbed her arm tightly. "Ok, Phoebes, try to walk faster now; do you think you can do it?"
"Are you kidding?" Phoebe smiled mockingly. "Just try me!"
Alexia finally stopped running and sat down on a wooden bench; She pulled her legs to her chest and buried her face on her knees. She slowly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and swallowed hard. She wanted to be strong but she failed; Piper's words still had some echo inside her head; she tightened her eyes and took a deep breath before releasing a painful cry.
"I thought you were never going to stop running" Piper gasped and stood beside Alexia, bending down her body, she grabbed her knees, trying hard to regain her breath. "Wh...at were you try...ing to do?; Gi...ve me a hea...rt attack? She spoke between sighs.
"Leave me alone!" Alexia shouted without raising her head.
"But sweetheart, you have to talk to us; you can't pretend this is not happening" Piper placed her hand on Alexia's back, but the latter pulled back her shoulder to shove it away.
"You can do whatever you want Alex, kick me, yell at me, course me, but I'm staying here, I'm not going anywhere" Piper knelt down beside her and stroke back her sister's hair; for her own surprise, the girl didn't recoil.
"Here you are!" Prue arrived gasping; and sat Phoebe beside the upset girl. "Have you calmed down?" She also knelt down before the young girl. "If you don't mind, I'd like to know why are you crying?, I mean, I think you should be happy to find out that you are not alone; that you have three sisters to look after you, to take care of you and....to love you" Prue surprised herself when she said those last words. Alexia slowly raised her head and stared at Prue, then looked the other way and stared at Piper.
"I am very confused right now; please, let me think about all these....I,.....I need time" She whispered.
"Oh, yes, you can have all the time in the world" Piper stood up. "But you'll do the thinking in our house... your house from now on; so, let's get your things; you're coming home with us"
"But...."
"No buts missy" Prue also got up and patted her head. "Come on; let's go home"
Phoebe smiled and slowly searched for her new baby sister's hand. Alexia saw Phoebe's intention and moved it closer to be easier for Phoebe to find it. "You'll be ok; I promise" Phoebe smiled and softly kissed her sister's hand. Alexia shied away but Phoebe held her tighter. "You better get used to this sweetie; 'cause us Bennett-Halliwells are way too affectionate and loving with each other" Alexia drew a weak but honest smile on her face and slowly nodded.
Piper stretched out her hand and waited patiently for her sister to grab it. Alexia finally gave in and slowly reached out to seize it. Piper smiled at her and she returned the smile; holding their gazes for a short meaningful instant. Prue smiled and grabbed the books from her baby sister's grasp. "I'll take these young lady; you go with Piper... come on Phoebes"
Tbc
Chapter twelve Revealing Identities.
"What are we going to do?" Phoebe asked softly.
Piper placed the bowl of cereal on the table and placed the spoon in her baby sister's hand. "We'll think of something; but first, you have to eat" She poured the cold milk on the Cheerios and sat down beside Prue. Phoebe tasted a tiny amount and returned the spoon to the bowl; of course, she did not intend to eat breakfast; but she was just trying not to add up herself to the worry list of her sisters.
"This sucks, huh?" Prue gently rubbed her temples and slowly gazed back to meet her middle sister's eyes.
"Yeah, but we can not pretend that she doesn't exist" Piper stared at the steaming cup of coffee. "I don't care if dad told us not to worry about her; I mean.... she is our sister; we are Bennett; she has our blood, our father's blood!"
"Yes, I agree!" Phoebe jumped in. "She just can't spend another day alone; she has to be with us" Phoebe sounded excited. "I knew it... I knew there was something about her; something that made me feel attracted to her" Phoebe shook her head. "I can't believe it... Lexie our sister...this is just too much... I'm so thrilled!"
"Ok, you two, calm down; we need to think about this very carefully; I mean, this is a very huge decision we have to make here" Prue took a deep breath and gently scratched the bridge of her nose with her index finger.
"I'm sorry Prue; but I think there's nothing much to think about; she is our sister and she's coming to live with us, period" Piper spoke her mind, while Phoebe covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
"But Piper, I guess we have to think thoroughly before taking a hasty decision; remember all the demon activity in the house...she'll go crazy when she finds out, ...and.. and... not to mention that she's a teenager! What are we going to do with a teenager in our house?!?!" Prue stepped away from the table and threw her hands to the air. "I don't think we are going to be able to cope with her; and she will definitely wouldn't know how to deal with us or with our demonic duties" She took a deep breath and stared at her silent sisters.
"Are you through?" Piper asked softly.
"Well...yeah, as a matter of fact, I am" Prue answered cockily; feeling confident of having knocked some sense inside her sisters' heads.
"Good!; because she's coming to live with us, and that's final" Piper got up and grabbed Phoebe's shoulders from behind. "It's two against one; right Phoebes?"
"Right!" Phoebe smiled and started eating her Cheerios. "Wow, I'm going to have a baby sister!" Prue smiled when she saw her sister's gladness; she hadn't seen her like that since the accident.
Piper smiled too and locked her brown eyes with her sister's blue ones for a moment, but Prue vanished her smile, pretending to be annoyed.
"Ok, I just hope everything turns out right" Prue muttered. "And keep that youngster away from me; I don't want to go through all the raising issues again."
"Riiiight" Piper mockingly raised an eyebrow and nodded her way out of the kitchen. "Come on, we have something to take care of" She picked up the jeep's keys as well as her purse, and grabbed her jacket on the way out.
"Wait for us!" Phoebe shouted as she unfolded her cane and carefully found her way out of the kitchen. Prue speed up the last of her coffee and quickly followed Phoebe. "Wait up, wait...Phoebes...careful" She wrapped her arms around her baby sister's waist and guided her to Piper's jeep.
-o-o-o- o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"She must be in the cafeteria, having breakfast" Phoebe walked confidently between her sisters.
"You sure?" Piper looked around the halls, trying to spot her new sister; she had only seen her once, but she remembered her face too well. "Let's go to the cafeteria then" She gently held Phoebe's forearm and turned her around to walk to the opposite side of the hall. "I believe it's that way" She smiled.
Prue shook her head annoyingly. "Will you make up your minds please!"
"Geeze Prue, chill out; we'll get there....eventually!" Phoebe smiled.
"Yeah, ok...just keep walking...just...just go; ok?" Prue snapped back and rolled her eyes.
"Take it easy Prue... relax" Piper soothed her sister. "See, we're here" She signaled the cafeteria with her free hand and took a deep breath. "Come on, let's get it over with; the sooner the better!"
The three sisters entered the cafeteria and stood at the entrance for a while. It was noisy and full, and Alexia was nowhere near to be seen.
"Great; just great!" Prue hissed. "Who exactly am I looking for?" She folded her arms in front of her. "This is silly!" Prue spread her sight in the entire cafeteria and shook her head. "I don't even know her; how does she look like?"
"There she is" Piper stared at one of the farthest tables in the room.
"Is she ok?" Phoebe asked worriedly. "I mean, ..Leslie is not bothering her, is she?
"No sweetie, she's alone"
"So that's our little sister" Prue smirked. "Come on, let's go to her" She dragged her sisters along until they reached Alexia's table; silently standing still in front of her.
"What?! Alexia looked up and quickly returned to the book she was reading. "I'm busy" She spoke without looking at them. "Please leave" She shook her head and continued her reading.
"Sorry, but we need to have a conversation" Phoebe whispered. "Its very important"
"I told you I was busy" Alexia insisted. "Please just go Phoebe, you are going to get me in trouble"
"Listen, young lady..." Prue placed both hands on the table and leaned down closer to look into her sister's eyes.
"No, I don't want to be rude, but if you don't leave, then I will." She closed her book and sipped what was left of her milk. "I'm sorry, but I have to go" She picked up her purse from the table and tossed it over her shoulder, pulling her books close to her chest. "If you all excuse me please."
"I don't think you understood what I said" Prue grabbed the girl's elbow and pulled her back to her seat. "We really need to talk Alexia, this is very important for us and for you as well"
"Listen" Alexia gently pulled her arm free from Prue's grasp; dark green and dark blue eyes locked for a moment. "I really can't stay" She sat down slowly but never released her books.
"Please Lexie... do it for me" Phoebe begged softly. "You must know that you are...."
"Phoebe..wait" Piper cut in the conversation. "Alex....can we sit down?" Piper smiled widely to the nervous girl.
"I don't...."
"Thank you!" Piper smiled while pulling out a chair. "Sit down girls" She pointed the empty chairs to Prue.
Prue nodded and pulled out a chair to help Phoebe sit down beside Alexia; she grabbed Phoebe's blind stick and folded it. "Here's the cane" She opened her sister's hand and placed it inside. "Thank you" Phoebe whispered softly.
"I don't understand why are we supposed to have a conversation" Alexia shook her head and glanced at the entrance of the cafeteria; just checking if Leslie decided to show up.
"Well, We don't know exactly where to start, but, as my sister told Victor, we'll try by the beginning" Prue spoke calmly, trying to make Alexia relax her stiff body. "We know who your mother was, and who your father is" Prue smiled weakly.
"Ok, that's it!" Alexia slammed her hand on the table and glared at Prue. "I don't know where are you planning to go with all this; but I can assure you this is not funny" She pulled back her hair and scratched the bridge of her nose. "Tell me what you really want" She whispered. "This is getting to be a little ridiculous"
Piper and Prue turned quickly to see each other's eyes; they were astounded to see their newest baby sister doing the same thing Prue did when she was annoyed or worried.
"Well,...you see,...uhm, your father..." Prue cleared her throat. "Tell her Piper" She leaned back on the chair and patted twice on Piper's back.
"Me?" Piper opened her eyes widely. "Ok,...you see sweetie,...uhm..your father is also our father" She smiled nervously.
"What!?!?" Alexia dropped the books on the table. "What kind of joke are you trying to pull on me?"
"This is no joke honey, we're very serious" Phoebe spoke sweetly. "Piper is telling the truth; we are your sisters" Phoebe stretched out her hand to touch her sister's but Alexia pulled away from the table and ran outside the cafeteria.
"Alex... please wait!" Piper shouted, but Alexia kept running away from the Halliwells. "Come on, let's follow her!" She hastily got up and started running behind her shocked sister.
Prue helped Phoebe up and grabbed her arm tightly. "Ok, Phoebes, try to walk faster now; do you think you can do it?"
"Are you kidding?" Phoebe smiled mockingly. "Just try me!"
Alexia finally stopped running and sat down on a wooden bench; She pulled her legs to her chest and buried her face on her knees. She slowly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and swallowed hard. She wanted to be strong but she failed; Piper's words still had some echo inside her head; she tightened her eyes and took a deep breath before releasing a painful cry.
"I thought you were never going to stop running" Piper gasped and stood beside Alexia, bending down her body, she grabbed her knees, trying hard to regain her breath. "Wh...at were you try...ing to do?; Gi...ve me a hea...rt attack? She spoke between sighs.
"Leave me alone!" Alexia shouted without raising her head.
"But sweetheart, you have to talk to us; you can't pretend this is not happening" Piper placed her hand on Alexia's back, but the latter pulled back her shoulder to shove it away.
"You can do whatever you want Alex, kick me, yell at me, course me, but I'm staying here, I'm not going anywhere" Piper knelt down beside her and stroke back her sister's hair; for her own surprise, the girl didn't recoil.
"Here you are!" Prue arrived gasping; and sat Phoebe beside the upset girl. "Have you calmed down?" She also knelt down before the young girl. "If you don't mind, I'd like to know why are you crying?, I mean, I think you should be happy to find out that you are not alone; that you have three sisters to look after you, to take care of you and....to love you" Prue surprised herself when she said those last words. Alexia slowly raised her head and stared at Prue, then looked the other way and stared at Piper.
"I am very confused right now; please, let me think about all these....I,.....I need time" She whispered.
"Oh, yes, you can have all the time in the world" Piper stood up. "But you'll do the thinking in our house... your house from now on; so, let's get your things; you're coming home with us"
"But...."
"No buts missy" Prue also got up and patted her head. "Come on; let's go home"
Phoebe smiled and slowly searched for her new baby sister's hand. Alexia saw Phoebe's intention and moved it closer to be easier for Phoebe to find it. "You'll be ok; I promise" Phoebe smiled and softly kissed her sister's hand. Alexia shied away but Phoebe held her tighter. "You better get used to this sweetie; 'cause us Bennett-Halliwells are way too affectionate and loving with each other" Alexia drew a weak but honest smile on her face and slowly nodded.
Piper stretched out her hand and waited patiently for her sister to grab it. Alexia finally gave in and slowly reached out to seize it. Piper smiled at her and she returned the smile; holding their gazes for a short meaningful instant. Prue smiled and grabbed the books from her baby sister's grasp. "I'll take these young lady; you go with Piper... come on Phoebes"
Tbc
