A/N: This chapter is really just supposed to be a fluffy, kinda, "tie up any loose ends" chapter. Jenny: Really? My friend is a year older than me, so she was like an "older sister" too! lol What I meant about being on the same wave length, was just that we're thinking alike. amanda: Aw! Long review! (Did I mention that I love those? lol) Really? I have "that" much power over your emotions? I feel so powerful!....I mean, I feel so touched. ::smiles angelically:: Well, I don't really want to tell you how old I am, because I don't know who else is gonna read this (hope ya understand). But I will tell you that I'm still in High School and I have a while before I get to leave (you may have already guessed). ::blushes:: Actually, other than fanfics, I do write my own fiction....Most of them are "a work in progress". lol I would love to be a professional writer one day (my "dream job" is to write for a popular T.V. show and/or the books for a popular T.V. show). wyatt333: Yep, this will go up to 40 chapters as well. Actually, more school scenes are to come. (They are a bit Pearl & Brandon centered though.) peanut2lb: Aw! That is SO sweet of you to say. I'm really touched by that. :) (P.S. Glad you liked the title! I pride myself in trying to come up with creative ones.) Zythe: Well, I added "The Defence" to my C2, but "Children Of Another Fate" doesn't really have a lot of the sisters together, at the same time, which was kind of what I was looking for. The whole, "Power Of Four" thing. As far as the shapeshifting thing, I've always viewed that power as shapeshifting, which is why I list it that way in their powers. I have future ideas on how that power will grow for Paige, later on. Jade-eye Halliwell: Yeah, she'll tell them in this chapter. And sure, it's fine with me if you use the name. ;) Chub: No, Leo doesn't know yet and they'll be finding out in this chapter. Phyre: Thanks for your imput and awesome review. :) I will try to add more Andy, Persia/Pam, Persia/Prissy, and this chapter has some major Piper & Leo fluff.

The Blessed Ones
Chapter 31: Follow The Light

Piper was curled up in bed with major stomach pains. She sighed heavily and rested her hands over her stomach. She had told Leo and everyone else that she just wanted some time by herself and that if she needed anything, she'd yell for them. "I really don't know what I'm going to do about you." Piper said quietly, as she patted the small bump on her stomach. "You realize that this is quite a surprise. It's already cramped in the Manor, especially now with Persia here and all. We already have her sharing a room with Pam, which Pam is none the happy about." Piper felt a little kick. "Well don't tell me that. You were the one who decided to join the family now." Piper replied. She sighed again. She knew her family would be thrilled about another baby, but the budget and room wouldn't think the same way. After all, there were only 5 people with paying jobs and 12 members of the family, not counting the newest unborn member of the family. "What will we do about space, bathrooms, food, and everything? Especially bathrooms! Sheesh, the guys are already complaining that the women take too long in the bathroom and then only a few of us get hot water and soon they'll be another little girl." Piper said. Before she could say another word, she saw a swirl of white lights out of the corner of her eye. Piper turned her head around.

Patty Halliwell stood in the center of the room. "Hello, my dear."

"Mom!" Piper exclaimed, then quickly lowered her voice. "Is something wrong? Why are you here?"

Patty smiled and walked over to the side of the bed; her long white dress swished around her. She seated herself next to Piper. "I'm here because of you....And the baby."

"You know?" Piper asked.

"Of course! Everyone up there knows!" Patty replied.

"Everyone? The Elders and Leo too?" Piper asked, worriedly.

"No! I meant all of the spirits! The Elders and Leo know nothing. And I promise that The Elders aren't watching this." Patty replied, as she stroked Piper's head.

"Then how'd you get down here?" Piper asked.

"Your Grandmother has her ways and she knew that I should talk to you. So, she had a little 'discussion' with The Elders." Patty answered.

Piper grinned. "I guess The Elders must be glad that Grams never had the power to orb."

"I would have to agree with you. Unfortunately for them, Paige does and she has a spirit that is very much like my mother's." Patty said. She helped Piper sit up.

Piper laughed and rubbed her stomach. "Mom....what am I going to do?"

"You should tell them before it gets too late. If you do that, then you might be able to work something out. Where everything does fall into place." Patty said.

"Are you sure?" Piper asked.

"Of course." Patty answered.

"But there are just so many things..." Piper began.

"That'll you'll get through." Patty interrupted. "And besides, they have to know. This child has a special destiny, Piper."

"How? I thought it was just going to be 'The Blessed Ones'. But then Persia came along." Piper said.

"I'm going to let you in on a little something. There is a prophecy...." Patty said.

"Other than 'The Blessed Ones' Prophecy'?" Piper asked.

Patty nodded. "It is the prophecy of, 'The Children Of Light'. It reads: 'One of a forgotten horror and one of an unexpected love; old and young will join together..The Children Of Light.' It talks about Persia and your new daughter."

"'One of a forgotten horror'? That's Persia, isn't it? From that night that Phoebe told us about, with James?" Piper asked.

Patty nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so." She placed her hand over Piper's hand. "But that doesn't make her any less family. She and your unborn daughter have a very special future. Together, they're as powerful as The Blessed Ones."

"Wouldn't they be individually more powerful, if just the two of them are as powerful together?" Piper asked.

Patty shook her head. "No. But that's a little confusing. See, your daughter has the power to control and manipulate light; her power is called photokinesis. Light is goodness and it is very, very powerful. But light has to come from somewhere; enter energy, which Persia controls. They're like two halves of a coin. Powerful apart, but extremely powerful when joined together."

Piper partly understood. "But this luminakinesis...isn't it a witch power? My daughter is still half whitelighter."

"No, Piper. See, whitelighters have the power to create white balls of light. That is half of where Pearl gets her power. Well, your new daughter's power is like an extension of that ability. She can not only create balls of harmless light, she can create beams or shapes. She can control it! And it is similar to a laser. Her light can be harmless or very, very hot and burn things. But it isn't quite fire and it isn't quite your exploding power." Patty explained.

Piper nodded. She thought she understood what her mother was saying now. "I think I get it." Then she heard a loud knock on her bedroom door. "Umm, hold on!" Piper called.

"It looks like it's time for me to go." Patty whispered, so only Piper could hear her.

"You aren't going to stay and see everything else?" Piper asked, in a low and disappointed voice.

"Sorry dear, this was just a visit for you." Patty whispered. She stood up and gave Piper a quick hug. "Take care, sweetheart...Both of you. I love you."

"I love you too, mom." Piper whispered.

"Blessed be." Patty said, quietly.

"Blessed be." Piper whispered back.

Patty disappeared in a swirl of white lights.

Piper quickly cuddled back under her blankets. "Come in!" She called. She watched the door open and was surprised to see Phoebe and Glenn. "What a surprise."

Phoebe and Glenn walked in and quickly shut, then locked, the door behind them.

"We wanted to know how you were holdin' up." Glenn said.

"Yeah." Phoebe said, as she seated herself on the bed.

"I'm...okay." Piper half lied.

Phoebe and Glenn exchanged looks.

"There is something going on between the two of you that you're not telling me." Piper said, as she caught the exchange of looks.

"Well...." Glenn began.

"There is something you're not telling us either." Phoebe finished. She crossed her arms. "Look Piper, we know."

Piper felt a small chill. "Know what?" She asked, innocently.

"About..." Phoebe waved her hand at Piper's stomach.

"You know what." Glenn finished.

Piper thought quickly. "That I feel sick? Yeah, I know. I told everyone that." Piper said, with a roll of her eyes.

Phoebe and Glenn sighed. "We know about the baby." They finally blurted out in unison.

Piper turned red. "What?"

"Don't give us the innocent act, Piper." Phoebe said.

Piper glared at Phoebe. "How'd you find out? And more importantly, how'd he find out? Does anyone else know?" Piper asked.

"Calm down! Stress is not good for the baby!" Phoebe said.

Piper crossed her arms and waited for Phoebe to continue.

"Don't worry. I can feel that you're worried. Nobody but the two of us and you. Well, except for Pandora, but I made her promise not to say anything and she hasn't. I'd feel it, if she'd lied when I ask her about it." Phoebe said.

"Well...." Piper prompted.

"I had a premonition about the baby. On the day that Persia came here." Phoebe said.

"And then you decided to tell Glenn, of all people?" Piper asked, in an irritated voice.

"Hey!" Glenn snapped, defensively.

"I'm sorry Glenn! It's just that if Phoebe was going to find out, I didn't think she'd tell you!" Piper tried to cover.

"She didn't tell me." Glenn said.

Piper rolled her eyes. "Oh, what then? Are you going to tell me that Glenn had a premonition of it too?" Piper asked, sarcastically.

"Well actaully..." Phoebe began.

"I did." Glenn said.

Piper raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"I had a premonition of my future niece." Glenn said, as he pointed to Piper's belly.

"You're mortal." Piper said, in a disbelieving tone.

"When the whole mix up of your powers thing happened." Glenn said. "When I got all of your guys' powers. I think I hugged you and then got the premonition. Later on, when everything was back to 'normal', Phoebe told me that she thought I'd seen it. She said not to say anything. And I didn't."

"But Piper, you've been keeping it from everyone! Why?" Phoebe asked.

"Because, I don't know how to say it! We're already in the hole, with the budget and all! We have no space, especially now with Persia here!" Piper fired back.

"We'll find a way!" Phoebe promised. She took Piper's hand. "I promise! Just, please, tell everyone!" Phoebe begged.

Piper sighed.

"How far along are you?" Glenn asked.

Piper smiled and touched her belly. "About three months."

Glenn smiled. "Come on, Piper. I know you want to tell everyone."

"Where is everyone?" Piper asked.

"In the sunroom. They're all worried about you." Glenn answered.

Piper felt bad. She didn't want everyone to be worrying about her. "Well..If you two will come with me..I guess I could make the announcement." Piper said.

Phoebe turned to Glenn and held up her hand.

Glenn slapped a high five onto Phoebe's palm.

"Yes!" Phoebe and Glenn burst out in unison. Then they helped Piper out of bed.

Glenn walked to the door, and like a gentleman, he opened it for Piper and Phoebe.

"Why thank you, Glenn." Piper said, as she walked through.

"Thanks." Phoebe said, as she slid past Glenn.

"No prob." Glenn said. He shut the door behind himself and followed Piper and Phoebe.

----

"She's been actin' real strange." Pearl said.

"And she seems real sick." Phiona added.

"Maybe she needs to see the doctor?" Pearl suggested.

"Or what if it is demonic?" Phiona said.

"Girls! I'm sure noth.." Prue cut in, but stopped as she saw Piper and Phoebe. "Shhh."

Everyone turned their heads as Piper, Phoebe, and Glenn entered the room.

"What is up with this?" Prue asked, as she placed her hands on her hips. She'd been leaning against the stained glass window, catching the warm sunlight.

Leo, who was holding his youngest niece Pandora, eyed his wife with a suspicious look. "Do I smell something bad?" Leo asked.

Piper shook her head. "Not at all, honey." She seated herself in a white wicker chair and faced the rest of her family.

Pandora leaned against her Uncle Leo's arm. "Shh! Auntie Piper's got coowl stuffs to talk 'bout!" She announced, with a grin. The 3-year-old grinned from ear to ear.

The room became completely quiet.

"Well, as you all know, I've been acting a little strange lately. Look, I'm not 'sick' or anything so don't worry about that. It's just that...." Piper slowed down her speech, trying to find the right words. She placed her hand over her stomach. "We'll be expecting a new Halliwell, come October." Piper said, with a bright smile.

Leo's jaw dropped open and he couldn't believe he'd missed all the signs. After all, he'd been there through 4 Halliwell pregnancies including his first daughter.

Pandora clapped her hands like wild. "Me not gonna be da baby Halliwell no mores!" She looked at Piper's stomach. "And da baby says, 'Hi!'"

Prue covered her mouth to stop a laugh. "Sweetie, the baby can't talk yet."

"But she can tink! And we've been tinking to each other for a weal long time!" Pandora countered.

Prue, Phoebe, and Paige rushed over to Piper and surrounded her with hugs. "We're gonna be new Aunties again!" They cheered.

Cole and Glenn walked to Leo and patted him on the back. "Congratulations, again." They said, at the same time.

Leo just nodded; still shocked at the news.

After a few minutes the 3 sisters moved away so that everyone else could share in the joy.

Pearl and Phiona had joined hands and were twirling around the room.

"You're gonna be a big sissy!" Pearl yelled, joyfully. "Like Auntie Prue and Auntie Piper and Auntie Phoebe and cousin Persia!"

"And you're gonna get to be a big cousin again!" Phiona giggled.

Pam, who had been sitting on the floor next to her Uncle Leo's chair, shimmered into Piper's lap. "Congrats, Auntie Piper." She said. She wrapped her arms around Piper's waist and hugged her. "Hi, baby cousin!

Piper hugged Pam back. "Thanks, Pam. And the baby thanks you too."

"She does, she weally does!" Pandora said. She hopped down off her Uncle Leo's lap and waddled over to Piper's chair. "Happy Baby Day!" She cheered.

Persia walked over to her Aunt Piper. She patted Piper on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Piper." She reached down and scooped Pandora into her arms. She really liked the little girl.

Pandora reached up and whispered into Persia ear. "Da baby weally, weally likes you. She says dat you aw weally coowl and she likes it when you talk."

Persia smiled. "Tell her I said thank you."

"She already heaws you. She says dat youw welcome." Pandora replied.

Phoebe clapped her hands loudly. "Everyone! I think that we should clear out and leave the immediate family alone for a few minutes!"

The room got pretty quiet.

"Phoebe's right. Let's leave them alone for a few minutes. I'm sure they have quite a bit to discuss." Glenn said. He motioned for almost everyone to leave the room.

A line formed and everyone began to leave in this order: Prue, Paige, Cole, Pearl, Pam, Persia who was holding Pandora, and then Phoebe.

Glenn stopped, just before he was about to walk out. "Again, congrats to you both."

"Thanks, Glenn." Piper said.

"Anytime." Glenn said, then he exited as well.

Leo moved his chair over to Piper's and sat down. "Phiona, come here."

Phiona walked over to her father.

Leo picked Phiona up and set her on his lap. "Piper, I'm sorry. I had no idea." Leo said.

"It's okay. I know it sounds selfish, but I didn't want you to know yet. I didn't know how to tell you. I mean....I knew that everyone would be happy. But it is just so hectic right now and the budget and all.." Piper began to apologize.

Leo put his hand on his wife's cheek. "Piper. Listen to me, it's okay. It will always be okay. We'll get through this and we'll be happy! We always do!"

A few tears of joy slipped down Piper's cheeks.

"Mommy? Why are you crying?" Phiona asked.

Piper stroked Phiona's head. "They're happy tears, sweetie." Piper said.

Phiona touched Piper's belly. "Hi baby sister!" She called.

"How long have you known?" Leo asked.

"About two months and three weeks...I figured it out about a week after I got pregnant, so I'm about three months along." Piper said. She motioned for Phiona to come sit in her lap.

Leo picked Phiona up and set her down on Piper's lap. Then he walked to Piper and kissed her. "I love you. All three of my beautiful girls."

"I love you too, Leo. And Phiona. And..." Piper stopped, then placed her hand on her stomach. "My little surprise."

Phiona giggled happily. "I love you too, mommy and daddy! And little sister!"

The three embraced in a 3-way-hug.

----

Everyone else had poked their heads out of the doorway of the kitchen and tried to catch a peek. They weren't trying to be the nosey, they were all just excited. None of them could hear anything, but they could see the happy little hugging scene. "Awwww!" Filled the kitchen.

----

Piper, Leo, and Phiona didn't hear or see their family. They were so focused on each other.

Suddenly a glowing ball of white light appeared above the little group, in the sunroom. It glowed sort of dimly at first and then got brighter and brighter. Then it began to stretch and change shape, until it finally formed into the shape of a medium sized glowing white heart.

----

"Look! Above their heads!" Paige said, as she pointed to the glowing white heart.

A smile large smile formed on everyone's face.

"We always knew they'd make it." Prue said.

TO BE CONTINUED....