Setting: Sometime between the episodes "Love's a Witch" and "Soul Survivor."
Written: July 15, 2004
Brotherly Advice
I was sitting in the nursery, jiggling my right leg in a nervous manner, my brain whirling with possible solutions to this problem. I had never anticipated this; not one little bit. I glanced over at Wyatt, who seemed to be regarding me cautiously, waiting for me to take one step too close so he'd have a reason to put up his shield. Not that it really mattered. No one was home, and somehow I had gotten wrapped into babysitting duty.
"Well?" I said expectantly. "This is your problem too. What are we going to do?"
But Wyatt just stared at me. I groaned and sank my head into my hands. What the hell was I thinking? Wyatt wasn't even one yet; it wasn't like he was going to give me a solution to the problem. Without thinking I stood and began to pace the room, Wyatt instantly putting up his shield.
"When are you going to learn I'm here to help you?" I demanded. "I'm here to help this whole family. But do I get any thanks?" I paused and turned to face Wyatt, taking a deep breath. Okay Chris, stop babbling and start thinking, I thought to myself.
The problem was that I had never planned for this scenario. Bianca and I had thought of hundreds of details, scenarios, plans for an innumerable number of situations. But it had never occurred to me that my mother would begin dating. Never.
"It took Mom years to date, after everything that happened with Dad," I mused aloud. "In my time-line at least. You know, if things had happened the way they were supposed to." Of course, in my time-line, Dad's leaving hadn't been anything like this. And I guess I should have accounted for that difference.
But still. "Mom hates change," I said. "She never adapted to it well, and I can't imagine why she'd rush into dating now. It's only been four months since Dad became an Elder."
I stared at Wyatt, and he stared back. Being the older brother was starting to get on my nerves. As horrible as everything had turned out, Wyatt and I had had some good times when we were kids. And he had taught me one or two things when we were growing up. Granted, it had been years since he had been a real big brother to me, but I could still use some advice about now.
I sat down on the floor, Indian style. "You know, I bet it was Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Paige prodding her to get out there again," I told Wyatt. "They don't know that come February, I'm really going to need Mom to be available to get together with Dad again." Wyatt stared at me, looking a little sympathetic. Well, as sympathetic as a baby could, I guess. I sighed. What a mess this was turning out to be.
"Crashing Mom's dates for demonic or family problems is going to get old fast," I continued. "So we need a different plan. Something that seems really innocent, and doesn't suggest my involvement."
While I continued thinking out loud, Wyatt pulled himself up to a standing position, shield still up, looking across the room. And then, without warning, he orbed his teddy bear to himself, and inspiration struck me.
"Oh Wyatt," I said gleefully. "That's perfect!" I clambered to my feet and stood as close as I could to the crib without getting in the way of the shield. "Most mortals don't seem to respond well to the idea of their date being a witch, or to the idea of magic in general," I explained. "And Mom's definitely going to want her dates to like you. If they don't like you, there's no way she'll even bother with them. So all we have to do is get them to not like you!"
I rubbed my hands together in anticipation and crouched to make myself at eye-level with my brother. "Now watch this," I said, pointing to my eyes. Positive that I had his attention, I quickly orbed my eyes out, and then back in. "See Wyatt," I said. "If you can do that in front of Mom's dates, they'll run away so fast... It'll be perfect, as long as Mom doesn't find out." I grinned. "All you have to do, is concentrate on your eyes, relax, and then orb them. It's not hard at all." I repeated the action again so Wyatt could see. "Now, your turn."
It took about ten minutes, but Wyatt finally got it down perfectly. I was so thrilled I almost made the mistake of trying to pick him up while his shield was still functional. "You just have to remember," I said, "you only do that when there's a strange man around Mom, okay?"
"Hello?" I heard Paige call from downstairs. "Where is everyone?"
I smiled at Wyatt. "I have to go now," I said. "Just remember what I taught you, and we'll be all set." And I orbed downstairs to greet Paige.