A/N: Hey!! Thanks for the reviews, guys.
Dark-Black-Shadow-Cat, That was more than one word. But I'll let it slide because I totally appreciate the compliment! Tres glad you like it and I hope you continue to like it.
svata2004, Glad you like it!
damien455, Truly glad you like it!
Kay, once again, sorry for such a long wait. With the new pup, it's crazy and I can't get online as soon or as much as I'd like to. Add homework into the mix and, well, you know. Lol. But here it is! Chapter 8. Enjoy and please review!
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"What?" Pandora cried, eyes widening. "How? I mean, I know how! But who- oh, I know who! Oh man, Payton."
"I feel responsible for our mothers' deaths . . ." Payton murmured.
"What? How could you be responsible?" Pandora asked, surprised.
Sighing, Payton quickly explained going to the doctor, then going to Rick's before coming home. When she was finished, she added, "If I had come home first, I might have been able to help them, save them, something."
"Sweetie, it was meant to be. It was their time to go, as much as we hate to think about it. The Charmed Legacy was handed to us because we're meant to be the Charmed Ones now," Pandora said gently.
"But now- my mom's dead and she doesn't even know I'm pregnant. She died worrying about me, wondering what was wrong. Now-"Payton shook her head.
"Does anyone else know?" Pandora asked.
"Just Rick. And I'm not sure I'm even still with him. We- he got angry when I told him to go home before," Payton replied glumly.
"We need to tell the others," Pandora stated. "They have a right to know."
Payton nodded. "I know. But we've only just lost our mothers. I can't bare to tell everyone this when we're all still mourning."
"But we have to," Pandora pointed out.
Payton nodded and together, they made their way back downstairs to the others.
Downstairs, everyone was where he or she had been before, minus Christian who had disappeared into another part of the manor and refused to come back.
Payton gripped Pandora's hand so tightly it hurt. But Pandora didn't say a word. She squeezed her cousin's hand as they approached the others.
"Payton has something she wants to tell everyone," Pandora said, getting everyone's attention. She nodded at Payton to speak.
"I-I didn't want to say this yet because of what's happened. But you all have right to know and . . . and you'd find out anyway, eventually," Payton began. She took a deep breath. "I-I'm-" She was cut off, however, by a knock at the front door. Sighing, she walked out of the room and when she opened the door, saw the last person she ever expected to see.
"Rick! I thought I told you to go home. This is family time right now," Payton said, surprised.
"I am family. You're carrying my child," Rick replied.
"Shh!" Payton hissed, pushing Rick backwards and stepping onto the porch. She shut the door behind her. "I've only told Pandora so far. I was about to tell the others when you came over."
Rick nodded slightly. "Look, we need to talk. There's something I have to tell you and, since you are carrying our baby, you deserve to know."
"Can't we discuss this later? I'd really like to tell my family that I'm pregnant while I still have the nerves to," Payton replied.
"Sure I guess," Rick replied with a shrug, although he didn't look happy." Well . . .see you later." He turned to leave, but Payton grabbed his arm and held him back. She pulled him to her and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry, but things have been really crazy the last couple of days, what with finding out I'm pregnant and my mom and aunts dying," Payton said, trying not to cry again. "I promise, we will talk later, no interruptions. If you want, you can wait in the kitchen and when I'm done talking to my family, we can go for a walk and we can talk then."
Rick nodded and opened the front door. "After you." He smiled sweetly at her.
Pandora smiled and entered the house. Rick followed behind, closing the door. Payton went back to the living room while Rick went past and to the kitchen to wait.
"Okay," Payton said, taking a deep breath. All eyes were on her, as if the interruption had never occurred. "I-I'm pregnant."
There was a stunned silence following this statement. But Payton felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, regardless of how her family reacted.
"So that's why you've been so bitchy lately," Phoenix remarked. She had to duck to avoid Pandora's swinging arm.
"Pregnant?' Victor echoed, seeming to be the most shocked out of everyone.
"Congratulations, Payton," Jason said, forcing a smile despite his gloomy mood.
"Pregnant??" Victor repeated, still in shock.
"Yeah, grandpa," Pandora replied. "Pregnant; with child; baby growing inside her."
Victor through his middle granddaughter an angry scowl, shutting up.
"Rick is waiting in the kitchen. He's the father, obviously. We need to talk, so we're going for a walk. We'll be back later," Payton said quickly, leaving the room before anyone could protest and leading Rick out the kitchen door.
They walked down the lawn and two blocks from the house before Rick began to speak.
"There's something you should know. I should have told you sooner but I was afraid you wouldn't want to be with me any longer if you knew."
Payton laughed. "Sorry but, well, I'm a witch! That's as crazy as it can get and you're still with me. You don't know how much that means to me, you taking my secret so well and-"
"Payton, please," Rick interrupted. "I want to be honest with you, okay? So just listen to me." He stopped walking and faced Payton, taking both her hands in his. He stared into her eyes. "Promise me that no matter what I say, you won't be mad."
"Rick, I love you. How could I be angry with you?" Payton asked, frowning.
Rick sighed. "Well, I can't count the ways."
"Just tell me already. I won't be mad. How could I? I kept my secret from you for six months, which wasn't easy by the way. I'd be a hypocrite if I got mad," Payton replied, smiling kindly.
Rick hesitated before speaking. "Payton . . . I'm a demon."