Chapter Ten

"Why couldn't it always be like this?"

Her voice barely more than a whisper, it took Cole a moment to realize that Phoebe had spoken. She lay nestled between his legs, snuggled back to him, while he sat stretched out on the sofa, one knee bent and leaning against the back of the sofa, the other one off the edge of the sofa with his foot flat on the floor. His fingers continued to trace imaginary designs along her belly and he kissed the top of her head before he replied, "Because we couldn't cut ourselves off from the rest of the world. That's not who we are, who we wanted to be."

Phoebe shook her head, "Then why wasn't our love strong enough to overcome everything that came our way? Why weren't we strong enough?" He didn't answer and she nuzzled her cheek against his chest, "This's what made me happy, y'know. Not the sex but --"

"No?" he interrupted in mock surprise with a kiss to her ear. He chuckled in spite of the elbow jab he received to his ribs.

"You know what I mean," she grumbled even though she couldn't help but smile thinking of the times and places she and Cole had made love. No man had ever come as close as Cole to leaving her so utterly satisfied. "Just being with you was enough," she sighed. "Like now, being in your arms, talking about nonsense like the latest trend in reality TV."

"Or not talking at all," he agreed. Sex with Phoebe was extraordinary but sometimes...sometimes they didn't have to do or say anything at all. When he thought of all the times they'd lain quietly in bed or the times they'd gone for long walks and spent hours without speaking. She could make him feel complete with a simple smile. Time was so precious and now they'd run out.

They'd spent as much time quiet as they had talking but Phoebe was greedy and wanted more time. And yet it was as if she'd completely forgotten all those things she'd kept bottled up inside wishing she could tell him if he'd been around. But the pressure of the clock ticking... "I wouldn't've let go if it could've been different," she desperately told him. "I would've tried harder."

He placed his palm flat on the spot where he felt the kick. "It was mostly me, though. I accept that now. But I tried, Phoebe, I swear I --"

"Shhh," she uttered as she twisted awkwardly to her side and looked up at him, "I know you did. Even when I was so angry and hurt, deep down I knew you'd tried. I just couldn't, didn't, take the time to explain, really explain..." She smoothed his shirt, "I'm sorry too because if I would've seen this in my future...That sounds terrible doesn't it? That I only would've tried to make it work if I'd've known for sure this would've been the result." She then pressed her hand down on top of his andwatched their hands as they rested on her belly. "I should've tried harder..."

"But I understand," he assured her. "I could say the same thing too, you know. If I'd've given you the time you wanted back in the beginning and not been so scared of losing you..."

They were quiet a few moments before Phoebe brought her hand back to his chest and placed it on his heart to feel its beat. "I'm a little..."

He began to caress her again and encouraged her to continue, "You're a little what?"

Phoebe snuggled closer and buried her face in his chest, "...Scared."

He stopped his ministrations and wrapped his arm around her expanded waistline and gave her a gentle squeeze. "You'll have Piper and Paige by your side. You won't be alone."

But it wasn't just the process of giving birth or even the prospect of being a single mother. "What about the baby's powers?" she sniffled.

Cole brushed some stray strands of hair behind her ear. "We've gone over what you might expect her to inherit from me, not to mention the ones from your side of the family." He stroked the side of her belly, "And you know that the powers aren't inherently evil." She nodded and he added with confidence, "You'll raise her right and she won't have any reason to be tempted by evil."

"But the powers might make her more susceptible," she wiped away her tears, "and with me as her mother, she --"

"Enough!" he snapped, unwilling to listen to her doubt herself again. But when she tensed from his outburst, he immediately relaxed and apologized with a kiss to the top of her head. "She'll be good with no more a susceptibility to evil than Wyatt or Chris. And you'll be a good mother to her. I wanted you to be the mother of my children, Phoebe. I believe in you because I love you."

Overwhelmed, Phoebe nuzzled his chest and murmured, "I love you." Cole's hand caressed her cheek and she leaned into it, lightly kissing the edge of his palm. But her worries returned, "What if her blood's acidic? How're we gonna explain that?"

An image of a teary-eyed little girl with long brown-hair raising a skinned elbow to be kissed came to mind and he found it hard to resist a smile at the thought of having a daughter who looked just like Phoebe. But he understood Phoebe's fears. It would be hard enough raising a child who might inherit any myriad of their combined powers. But to have one whose blood could burn anything and anyone like acid... "There are ways to transmute blood," he confided as he nudged her to a seated position. He transformed two flowers from the vase on the coffee table into a pen and pad of paper and began to write. When he was done, he ripped off the page and gave it to Phoebe. "Something I remember from when I was Source. It's a combined spell and potion and won't require performing anything evil but I'd understand if you were resistant to the idea."

Phoebe nodded but, at the moment, was only concerned for her daughter. "Will it hurt her if she's only a baby?"

"I don't know," he truthfully answered. "It's meant for full-grown demons. Leo might have an idea about the dosage. Or maybe Paige could search the school's library. There must be some texts with that type of general magical knowledge."

She nodded, put the page on the table, and rubbed her belly as she leaned back against him. "Are you sure about the names?" she asked for possibly the sixth time.

He smiled patiently and linked his fingers with hers, "I'd be proud to have any daughter, or son, should Piper be right, of mine carry those names."

"Hold me," she suddenly whispered.

Cole quickly wrapped his arms around her as his heart began to beat rapidly. He glanced at his watch and realized how quickly forty minutes had passed. "I love you, Phoebe, and I love our baby."

"Oh, Cole..." she murmured as she wrapped her arm around his waist and clung to him, "I wish...I wish..."

"I know," he quietly assured her. He carefully leaned back, pulling her with him, as he kept his arms around her. "No more talking now, just close your eyes and let me hold you." He closed his eyes too and tried to absorb every sense he could about her. But it wasn't long before she suddenly jerked in his arms and brought her knees up toward her belly. "Phoebe..."

She sucked in her breath and tried to ignore the wave of pain. She tried to concentrate on Cole's touch trying to comfort her. But it wasn't really helping, she knew her pain meant the portal was opening. And she didn't know which felt worse, the physical cramping or the emotional wrenching of knowing he was about to leave in order to maintain the course of history.

He instinctively tightened his embrace but Cole's heart now pounded against his ribcage. "Piper! Paige!" He didn't let go of Phoebe even when they came running into the room.

The cramping was beginning to worsen and Phoebe knew the portal had already opened wider. "Cole..." she whimpered.

"I have to, baby," he stated in a choked voice as he finally pried himself free from her embrace. Piper had already moved into position on the sofa to hold Phoebe so he knelt before Phoebe. But the words wouldn't come. So many things he wanted to say but, at that moment, he couldn't think of a single damned one. He wiped away tears that were streaming down her cheeks but, when she bit her lip in pain, he pressed his lips to her forehead and stayed that way a moment before he moved and pressed a kiss to her belly. He tenderly brushed his fingers against it but, before she could react, he tugged her fingers free from where they'd grabbed hold of his shirt, got to his feet and stepped out of her reach.

Paige quickly took his spot in front of Phoebe and began to massage Phoebe's belly to alleviate some of the pain.

Cole watched the portal shimmer and realized it was big enough for him. And hearing Phoebe's moans, knowing she was trying not to scream, was too much to bear and he walked into the hallway without looking back. He nodded to the inspector who stood in the doorway, "Protect their secret." Tony nodded and he stepped closer to the portal.

With Phoebe's head in her lap and Paige holding Phoebe's hands, Piper stroked Phoebe's face, neck, and shoulders. She looked away and saw Cole standing before the portal. "Cole!" He turned to her and she told him, "You did good today. Doesn't make up for everything but it did remind me why I once accepted you into our lives. Thank you for what you did at Alicia's and for saving Paige."

Paige quickly stood and spoke before she lost her nerve and before she lost her chance, "Thanks for saving me." He merely nodded and she continued, "I know you love her which's why what you did made it all the worse. But she's our sister and we love her too. And your baby will be loved and protected every bit as much as Wyatt or Chris. We'll tell her the truth about her father. The good and the bad."

He gave her a flicker of a smile, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you." But a moan from Phoebe propelled him forward. "Remind Phoebe the letter for the baby's in the top drawer next to the journal."

"The day she's born," Phoebe promised as she gasped each word, "and every birthday."

"Shhh, you'll be okay, everything'll be fine..." Piper soothed when Phoebe moaned and cradled her belly in pain. Piper looked back at Cole and softly told him, "They'll be fine...Go now..."

"Take care of them," was his last request before he stepped through the portal.

Paige watched the portal close, glanced to Tony, and knelt again before Phoebe. She tried stroking Phoebe's belly but looked to Piper in concern when Phoebe didn't stop crying in pain within minutes after the portal closed.

Both sisters continued to comfort Phoebe but Piper's own concern grew when the pain didn't seem to lessen.

"Maybe you should call an ambulance," Tony suggested.

"She should be okay now," Paige worried when she checked her watch. "Tony, why don't you go now? I'll answer any questions tomorrow. I promise."

Another wave of cramping hit her and Phoebe gasped, "Hurts..."

Piper looked up to the ceiling and called for Leo.

"Why don't I run upstairs and get him?" Tony offered.

"He's a bit higher than that," Piper uttered. "Paige, something's wrong," she whispered.

"Pi...per," Phoebe cried in a hoarse voice, "I think..."

"What, sweetie?" Piper asked as she bent forward to hear her sister better.

"She's bleeding," Tony replied instead as he indicated to the spots he saw on Phoebe's skirt. Without waiting for comment he moved quickly and gathered Phoebe into his arms, "We can't wait for Leo, wherever you think he is. C'mon, I'll drive."

"You don't understand about Leo," Paige began, "he --"

"No, he's right," Piper cut her off, "we've gotta get Phoebe to the hospital now."

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