Chapter 21: Truths

Disclaimer: I don't bloody own charmed! OK?

A/N: I have no idea what I'm on, I was trying to be all Jane Austeny and use a letter as a stylistic device (crap English literature Alevel is really getting to me lol)Anyway, it didn't work so this is just gonna be a kind of 'catch up' chapter so it might be short. I hope it makes more sense.

Thank you soo much for all your reviews over 200 I'm sooooooooooooooooo grateful!!!!!!

LeoPiper-Forever- Lol its ok, you could have said huh you'll just have to read on to find out wont you? sorry i left it so long but i been really busy! thanks!

piperleo4eva- Yours and Molly's names are really similar now... hmmm (sorry that had no point) and I already knew you were cleverer than me it just makes it worse coz ur younger! lol i couldnt have put that explanation better myself. glad I have at least one analytical reader person. U reviewed twice?

charmedangel429- Yeah I'll admit, the letter was kinda confusing but if you still dont get whats going on after this, read piperleo4evas review should explain it ok. Thanks for the review.

C.Charmed24/7- Thanks. soon enough?

Mrs Soollbean- Erm, I don't know what to say other than thank you! I can't believe that you think I'm the best author, thats definately one of the best compliments I've ever had!

Piper-Loves-Leo- I know its horrible but it did have to happen, to move the plot along more than anything else. Thank you!

Piper, feelinghelpless knew that she had to find Leo. Even though it was 4am, she was determined to find out what was going on. She had a feeling that wherever Leo was, he probably wasn't sleeping either. She picked up a sleeping Melinda, dressed her warmly and carried her out to the car. She couldn't exactly leave her in the house alone.

After looking everywhere, she decided to try her last resort- the park. There, surprisingly she found Leo sitting on the bench in their secret garden.

"Hey stranger" She whispered softly unsure of how she should act.

"How'd you find me?"

"Actually, I didn't. I needed to clear my head. I'd imagine your doing the same?" He smiled and Piper went to sit beside him but there was still distance between them.

"You guessed right. I take it you saw the letter?"

"Yeah. Still trying to make sense of it though."

"Listen, I don't know what was going through my head I'm just so scared that I'm going to lose you."

"You haven't yet have you?"

"You tell me?"

At this moment Melinda stirred and the tiny, helpless child seemed to remind her parents why they fell in love in the first place. They both knew that their love was strong and when they had decided to get married, they knew that there were going to be hard times ahead. This was just one of them. As Piper tried to comfort her baby with Leo looking on, she realised that Leo did need an explanation, maybe she had been in the wrong after all.

"Leo, I'm sorry. I guess I was just so excited about having a new job that I didn't think about what it meant for you. We're in this together, I was just being selfish." She gave her explanation. "And I've hardly seen my daughter in the past two weeks. What kind of a mother does that make me?"

"A great one" Leo said quietly. "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm still mad at you but any fool could see how much that girl loves you, and not just because she needs you as her mother." Piper smiled and looked down at the child in her arms swaying her gently.

She eventually looked back up at Leo, just wanting to put things right.

"Why don't we make a pact?" She suggested.

"Like what?" Leo questioned. Neither wanted to end here but they were still both so young and knew that if things were going to be like it was before, they would need to work at it as a couple.

"Well I've worked too hard to get this far, to give up now."

"I'm not asking you to give up your job, I know it's been your dream for as long as I've known you, it's one of the things I love about you." Leo interrupted.

"Would you let me finish?" Leo looked apologetic and sat back to listen. "OK now I have your attention, as I was saying, I will try to make more time for you and Mel and not let my work get in the way of us, but in return you have to promise to not let it get on top of you. If you feel like I am neglecting you, tell me rather than letting it all build up and end up with you walking out. How does that sound?"

"I'm in. You always did have a way with words!"

"So we OK?"

"For now but you still have loads of making up to do, two weeks worth if I'm not mistaken." He winked taking Melinda out of Piper's arms and softly kissing her forehead. "So home?"

"Actually maybe we could just sit here for a while? I haven't seen such a beautiful night in a long time." She moved closer towards Leo on the bench and placed her tired head on his strong shoulders so not to disturb Melinda in his arms.

They sat quietly until the sun was almost up. Piper had fallen asleep.

"Honey?" Leo shook her lightly trying to wake her up.

"Huh?" She moaned finally stirring.

"Sun's nearly up. We should get you home you've gotta be up for work in a few hours."

"Actually, no I don't I booked the day off. I missed you too you know!"

With that they left the garden and walked home among the falling autumn leaves and the cool breeze pushing them closer together to make sure that this time it would be different.

A/N: There ya go! Better? Hehe well review and I'll post the last chapter as soon as it's done.