Chapter 5
Piper took her sister's advice and soaked in a long hot bath. Leaning her head back against the rim of the basin, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. Images of Dan and herself floated through her head. Fun times, some hard ones and lastly the secrets she was constantly keeping from him. This night came into focus, with its candle light dinner and his proposal along with her reaction to it. The image sharply distorted in a blinding flash to reveal herself encircled in Leo's arms. Vividly she could feel the warmth of his lips against her and the hardness of his body pressing along the full length of her. Leo, grabbing her and throwing her to the ground keeping her from harm. Feelings of security and contentment washed over her because she could share all that she was with him. Finally she surrendered to the sweet oblivion of sleep.
The dream came almost instantly. She was in a church and it was her wedding day. Flowers and people filled the chapel. Walking down the aisle she was filled with overwhelming happiness. Never had she felt this wonderful, this fulfilled. She was drawn closer to the man in a tux standing up front. His back was to her, his image fuzzy. As she reached him, he turned sending her a smile that lit up his face. His green eyes twinkled with wonderment. "Leo." She sighed.
Piper awoke with a start, causing some of her bath water to slosh over the sides. Sitting up, her chest heaving with heavy breaths. Everything seemed so clear. All her doubts, all her confusion vanished in the wake of the dream. By letting her mind run free, she was able to see what her heart truly wanted. Not nice, normal Dan, but Leo. The man who made her feel alive and allowed her to be who she was. She had been so stubborn and foolish. Looking down at the ring on her finger she knew what she had to do. Tomorrow she would tell Dan she could not marry him. How could she when she was in love with someone else?
Her heart raced when she thought about telling Leo how she felt. To see the joy on his face and once again feel the strength of his arms around her, and his kisses which left her breathless. But first she had to tell Dan. It was only fair. She hated to hurt him, but there was no other way, she had to be honest. Feeling better than she had in a very long time, she got out of the tub and look forward to a good nights sleep. Tomorrow everything would be put to right.
It was the middle of the night and P3 had been closed for hours. A lone figure sat at the bar, needing the quiet to perform his unpleasant task. Leo couldn't sleep; instead he decided to put into motion his plans. First was packing up his meager belongings into a duffel bag. Once he completed that, he went into Piper's office to get paper and a pen. Now seated at the bar, he stared at the blank piece of paper. 'Where to start?' He asked himself. He knew leaving a letter instead of facing Piper was a coward's way out. However he honestly didn't think he could say what he needed to say to her face without breaking down. So here he sat writing to say goodbye.
His first letter was already written and sat off to the side in an envelope with Prue and Phoebe's name on it. He felt bad not saying goodbye to them in person as well, but the chance of him running into Piper would be too great. He hoped they would understand. All right, he had put this off long enough. Clutching the pen, determined to get this done, he began... Dear Piper,
The next morning dawned bright and sunny and Piper took this as a good omen. She had no illusions her meeting with Dan would not be pleasant and she was not looking forward to it, but she could not put it off. Then she could go to Leo and tell him how she felt. The last thought filling her with a warm glow.
Making her way to the kitchen, she was glad to find both her sisters there.
"Well, you look better this morning." Observed Prue. "I take it you worked everything out?"
Grabbing a steaming cup of coffee, Piper blew on it before taking that first sip. "Yes I did. I took your advice and it worked."
"Really?" Phoebe grinned in satisfaction. "What did you decide?"
"That I can't marry Dan."
Prue and Phoebe's eyes met in silent approval. Not that they had anything against the man, they just didn't think he was the one for their sister.
Piper continued on. "I mean Dan's been great, but I don't love him the way I should. I think I fell more in love with the normal life he could give instead of the man himself."
Prue nodded her head in agreement. "I think you're exactly right honey. So where do you go from here?"
"Well, I obviously have to tell Dan, which isn't going to be easy. Then I need to talk to Leo."
"Oh really?" Phoebe's eyes lit up with anticipation.
Studying her sister's coy smile Piper went on. "Yes, I need to tell him how I feel. That I love him."
"Yeah!" Phoebe grabbed her in a big hug and jumped around the room.
"Gee Pheebs, don't hold back tell Piper how you really feel." Mused a delighted Prue.
"I take it you both approve?"
"Piper, we approve of whatever makes you happy."
"Thanks Prue."
Piper was torn. On the one hand her meeting with Dan went about how she expected it to. He was hurt and angry. She tried to explain it wasn't his fault but hers. She should have been more honest in her feelings. That didn't seem to placate Dan and in the end they parted on not the greatest of terms. Piper felt bad about it, but knew it was for the best.
Now she could concentrate on what she wanted to say to Leo. She couldn't wait to see his face when she told him. Couldn't wait to begin rebuilding their relationship. Hopping out of her Jeep, she rushed inside. At first she was disappointed he wasn't immediately visible. She went and knocked on his door and got no response. Maybe he was in her office or the storeroom. When she reached her office it was empty as well. Tossing her purse on her desk she noticed two envelopes sitting by her computer. Her heart gave a little lurch as the first tingle of fear gripped her body.
Slowly, almost unwilling, she picked up the envelopes. One had Prue and Phoebe's names written across it, the other her own. The handwriting all to familiar to her. It was Leo's. With trembling fingers she turned her envelope over. She didn't want to open it, didn't want to read what was inside. Taking a steady breath she tore the seal, and carefullyunfolded the single sheet of white paper. Her heart stopped as she read the first line. Dear Piper, Oh God no. Please no she pleaded to herself then began to read through blurred eyes.
I know I'm being a coward by writing you instead of facing you. I'm sorry, but I just didn't think I could do it without falling apart. By the time you read this I will have left San Francisco. It's okay, it's what I needed to do and I'll be fine. I appreciate all you have done for me by giving me a job and a place to stay. I also know by doing that it made things awkward for Dan and you. I told you once that I was going to fight for you and I meant it. I truly believed we were meant to be together and in time you would see it too. But I guess I was wrong. Dan came to me and told me he was proposing. I didn't want to accept it at first, but when you came back and I saw the ring on your finger, well I finally got it. You were so happy celebrating with your sisters and this was what you wanted. All I've ever wanted for you was to be happy Piper. If Dan makes you happy, then you have to go for it. Now that I'm no longer in your life, you can go on with yours and me with mine. I hope you will remember me kindly and know I will never forget you.
I'll love you, always,
Leo
The piece of paper slipped from her numb fingers and floated downward as she slowly sank to the hard surface of the floor. Tears ran unchecked down her face while she curled up into a tiny ball and rocked back and forth. Her heart lay in a million pieces and her soul cold and empty.
This is how Phoebe found her when she couldn't reach Piper on her cell phone. Reading the piece of paper laying to the side, she immediately called Prue who made an appearance soon after. She too read Leo's letter as well as the one he had penned to them. It said how fortunate he had been to know them and how they would always be his family. He wanted them to never forget their destiny, for they had much more good to do and finally he asked them to forgive him for not saying goodbye in person. Hoping they would understand.
When both letters had been read Prue and Phoebe sat on the floor next to a distraught Piper, shaken by Leo's abrupt departure.
A/N: I will try to post the next chapter later this weekend. Don't want to keep you hanging too long.