Piper stared in shock at the letter in her hand. No doubt it was Paige's handwriting, but she couldn't believe the things she had written. It was a reality jolt for Phoebe and herself. Maybe they hadn't treated Paige fairly, but were they really this bad?
Leo came up behind her and gently pulled the letter out of her hands. Piper had been staring at the lined paper for at least 5 minutes, not saying anything. Phoebe had just run out of the room crying. Leo didn't have a chance to read it yet. He had put Wyatt down for a nap and had come downstairs. He was interested in seeing what Paige had written.
Dear Piper and Phoebe,
These past 2 ½ years with you guys have been the best time of my life ever. I thought that living by myself at 25, with no responsibilities, or family was cool. When I first met you, I was super excited about being sisters. However, I didn't like the whole responsibility thing. But then, I learned that it was a part of life.
As I said before, in the beginning, everything was awesome. We had so much fun. I felt like I truly belonged somewhere in this world. I mean, Jesus, I had a family. I had 2 sisters, a brother-in-law, and nephew. I was in heaven.
But after awhile, it got, how should I put it? Tiring. Tiring is a good word. I had to do everything. I had to train myself. I had to do the housework. Don't get me wrong, a little housework never killed me. But when you have demon vanquishes almost every day, it gets pretty messy. And when you have no one to help, the mess gets bigger.
I understand that you have your own lives, your own problems. Piper, you've got the responsibility of being a single mom, and fighting for your husband. Phoebe, you're still getting over Cole, and your job is getting big. I get that, trust me. But, what happened to sister night. We used to watch a movie, and just talk. The most I ever get out of you guys lately is "Hi" and "Paige could you do this…"
I love you guys, but I feel closed in. Like I don't have a life anymore. I'm the scapegoat of the family. I do the shopping, the laundry, even the cooking. I make dinner for you guys all the time. Piper, you think Leo makes it, while Phoebe and Leo think Piper makes it.
One more complaint. I'm not Prue. My name is Paige Halliwell Matthews. I may look a little like Prue, but I'm not her. I can't ever be her. You won't let me be her, and I don't want to be her. I'm not a replacement either. I'm my own person. I have a birthday, a favorite color, a worst enemy, a favorite singer and a favorite TV show. Piper, when I asked you all these questions, I believe your answers were the following: Birthday – May 22nd. Color – Blue. Worst Enemy – Victor Bennett. Singer – Michelle Branch. TV Show – The Maury Show. You said that you knew me. You swore that you knew a little bit about me. I even said that you knew a little bit about me. But I was wrong, shame on me. You know absolutely nothing about me. First of all, my birthday is October 31st. My favorite color is orange. My worst enemy cannot be your dad, because I don't even really know him. My worst enemy is definitely Cole. You of all people should know that I am not a huge Michelle Branch fan. I protested when you booked her for the club. Fortunately for me, you dumped Wyatt on me as you ran out of the door, so I didn't have to hear her. My favorite group is the Wallflowers. And in the all the years that I have known you, which granted isn't long, have I ever, ever watched those dumb Jerry Springer type shows? Bewitched, Piper. Bewitched.
Phoebe, you aren't a shining angel either. I know that vanquishing Cole was tough, but get over him. He's evil, and you helped kill him. All right, you were in love with him, but then that love changed to hate, and you know it. You haven't helped much in my life either.
I miss you guys. I wish that everything was the way it used to be. Or maybe you wish it was Prue that was alive, right? Prue would never leave right? Especially on her birthday. So I'm a screw-up. I can deal with it. But the question is, can you? I guess not, since I'm gone, and you're reading this letter. I bound my powers too. I just don't want to have anything to do with magic. I'm leaving Paige Halliwell Matthews behind and starting a new life. A new name, a new address, a new start. Maybe one day we'll pass on the streets and you'll think to yourself, "She really looks familiar. Kind of like that girl who used to be our sister, but couldn't amount to much. No way. That girl looks like she's got her whole life together. She couldn't possibly be Paige." Then you'll go on your way and I'll just wish that I could be with you.
Tell Wyatt that I love him, and tell Leo not to even try to look for me. You'll never find me. I'm going to miss you guys, but I know that you'll forget me, so I'll just forget you too.
Love,
Paige Halliwell Matthews
Leo was shocked. He couldn't believe it. He had noticed that Piper and Phoebe had been recently ignoring Paige, but he didn't say anything. Now it was too late. Gazing towards the sunset, he realized the front door was open. He walked over to close and just missed stepping on a small rectangular piece of paper. He picked it up and saw that it was a picture. He remembered the picture. He had set the camera up and Paige had really liked it. He held it close to him and orbed up to Paige's room. Listening closely, he could hear Phoebe's quiet sobs through her door across the hall. He knelt down next to the right side of Paige's bed and slipped his hand between the mattresses. His hand struck a small folder, and he gently pulled it out. Inside were all the photos Paige kept. They were her favorites. He caught her looking through them and arranging them one day. She had admitted that she was going to give the finished book to Piper and Phoebe. Opening it he realized it was done. They were great photos; some Paige had taken, some even by Prue. A few were by Leo also. They were of the sister's Prue included. They were all smiling. It was Paige's pride and joy. He took it and led Phoebe into the living room where he handed the book to Piper and Phoebe. The looked through it, amazed and shocked. They loved it.
Paige closed her eyes as all the memories came back at her. She let out a sigh and started to tell Rhys her sad story.