Chapter 12: Going Home

Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of the Characters

A/N: Oh my God, I finally updated! Sorry for the long wait, things have be hectic! I am going to wrap this up in the next two chapters, so I hope you enjoy them. Thanks again for reading!

Paige stared blankly ahead as she lay in her hospital bed. It had been three days since her accident and her sight had failed to return. She tried not to feel sorry for herself, telling herself that everything happens for a reason and that she was going to get through this, but the truth was, she had no idea how to live this way. How could she continue with magic when she couldn't even see? She couldn't fight demons or run magic school. Because of her, the Power of Three was in danger. Paige had to blink away tears as she heard someone approaching. She could tell by the way the person was approaching that it was her eldest sister Piper. She knew her family had been walking on eggshells around her lately, not wanting to say or do anything to upset her, so she put on a smile and forced the tears not to fall.

"Piper," Paige said as she sensed her getting closer.

"Correct. How did you know it was me?" Piper asked.

"I could just tell. What's up?"

"Well, what's up is that I just spoke with your doctor and she said that you can go home today."

Paige once again forced a fake smile. "Great," she replied. But nothing was great about going home. Going home meant that she would have to face reality. At least in the hospital she could pretend that her life would be normal again.

Piper picked up on the hesitation in Paige's voice. "Honey, don't you want to come home?" she asked.

"Sure I do. It's just..." Paige trailed off as the words were too painful to say.

"It's just what?" Piper asked, growing concerned.

"Nothing, never mind."

"No, it's not nothing. Paige, it's me. I am your big sister and I know when something is troubling you. You can talk to me and I will understand."

"I just don't know how to handle this," Paige said. "I have to go home and pretend that my life is good when all I want to do is lay in this hospital bed and die. How can I be of any worth to anyone if I can't see? I can't help you and Phoebe fight demons, I can't run magic school, I can't read Wyatt and Chris a bedtime story, I can't do anything," Paige said as the tears began to flow.

Piper grabbed her little sister and hugged her tightly. Through tears of her own she tried to explain to Paige that she was still the same person. "Paige we will love you no matter what. You don't have to be perfect to be of worth to us. I don't care if you can vanquish a demon on your own or run a school without help. You are my baby sister and I love you. And Wyatt and Chris love their aunt too. Not because you could read them a bedtime story, but because you're you. They don't care if you can see, all they care about is that you are okay."

Paige hugged Piper back. In the four years that they had known they were sisters, this was the closest they had ever been. For the first time Paige felt safe in Piper's arms and she trusted her words. She believed that Piper loved her and that she would help her no matter what.

Piper also felt the closeness. Most of all, she felt guilty that she had waited this long to let Paige know how much she loved her. She wondered why it takes a tragedy to bring people closer together. Why hadn't she told Paige that she loved her long ago? She pulled paige closer and prayed to God that her little sister would be okay.

"Hey," came a voice from the doorway. It was Phoebe. She made her way to the bed and gently kissed Paige's forehead. "I don't mean to interrupt, but Leo and Jason are going to pull the car around. Your doctor said you are free to go whenever you are ready."

Paige nodded. "I should probably get dressed."

"We'll give you a minute," Piper said. As she and Phoebe were about to exit the room Paige stopped them.

"Guys, do you think you think you could help me?"

"Of course we can," Phoebe said.

"We were just waiting for you to ask," Piper replied.

Manor

Piper, Phoebe, Leo, and Jason all helped Paige inside. They walked her over to the couch and sat her down on it. Paige was grateful for the help, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel like an invalid.

"I'll learn how to do this myself someday," Paige said with a forced laugh.

"There's no hurry, this is what sisters are for," Phoebe said plopping down on the couch next to Paige.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Piper asked.

"Actually yes," Paige replied. "Where are my nephews?"

"Magic School. I'll go get them," Leo replied. "Jason, do you want to come with me?"

"Why not," Jason said. "I've never been to a magic school." He kissed Phoebe and with that he and Leo orbed out.

Paige sighed and tried to think of something to say to take the attention away from herself. "So, how are things with you and Leo?" she asked Piper.

Piper looked a little shocked that Paige had just asked that question but she also picked up on Paige's nervousness so she answered her. "We are surprisingly good. He has been great lately."

"What about the Elders? Have they decided on a punishment for him yet?"

"No, and that's what is killing me. The longer they take, the worse the punishment will be."

"I don't think they will be too hard on him," Phoebe replied. "The Avatars tricked everyone, not just Leo. They will see that."

"I don't know. The Elders aren't too forgiving."

"I am just happy that you and Leo have found your way back to one another. The most important thing is love," Paige said.

"It is," Piper agreed.

Orbs filled the room as Leo and the boys entered. The minute Wyatt saw his Aunt Paige, his face filled with a huge smile and he ran to her.

"Looks like someone is happy to see his Auntie Paige," Piper said with a grin.

"Hey buddy," Paige said as she lifted him onto her lap. "Your Auntie Paige missed you so much. How is your brother?"

"He's good," Leo said. "But I think he missed you too." Leo knelt down and let Paige kiss Chris' forehead.

The whole family was smiling at the closeness they felt. "Welcome Home," Phoebe said to Paige as she put her arm around her.

"We missed you," Piper added.

Paige smiled. It was good to be home and be surrounded by family. But something was missing. SOMEONE was missing...Kyle.