Chapter 14

The rain continued to pound on the windows of the manor. The weather, Piper thought, fully fitted her mood.

"Prue, I am going to take Mega-Moo and Amy home so we can all get some sleep," Buffy said. "But we'll be back around 5 or so."

"Okay," Prue said as she handed Buffy her coat she had found on a chair at the hospital. Buffy smiled and picked Amy up and held Megan's hand.

"See you later guys," Prue, Oz, Angel, Andy, and Piper said together. Paige waved.

"We better get going too, to finish our side job," Andy said, speaking for himself, Oz, and Angel. They worked in a sort of mechanic program that the school sponsered. Prue gave Andy a hug and they were gone. A few seconds later Willow came down the stairs, still gripping her sweatshirt tightly.

"Don't tell me your going to leave us too," Prue said managing a small smile.

"Oh no Prue. Laci and I are here to stay for as long as you need us. And besides, we get pretty lonely up there in our apartment," Willow said. Her matted, red hair fell into her face and she blew it aside.

"Can Paige brush hair Auntie Willow?" Paige asked shyly at Willow's feet. Willow smiled and lifted Paige.

"Sure Paige. Aunt Willow would like that very much." Willow put Paige down and she hurried up the stairs to find a brush. Piper had gone to sit at the bench that sat underneath one of the windows. She sat watching the rain and sniffling. She didn't know what she would do without Grams. And Phoebe. Her best friend.

"Don't cry baby," Willow said gently before her and Prue went into the living room. Prue folded the blankets and stacked them up in the corner where they belonged. Willow sat at the foot of the sofa and Prue sat behind her on the sofa.

"I don't know what we're going to do," Prue replied gently. "I'm so worried about Phoebe. And what about Grams? Why would she just get up and leave like that?" Prue twisted Willow's hair around her finger without paying much attention to it.

"It'll be okay Prue. I'm just as scared as you are about Phoebe and I'm sure you guys can get along okay without Grams. Buffy takes care of her little sisters," Willow said making shapes on the carpet with her finger.

"I know but Paige is only 2. How am I supposed to raise her properly? And who will take care of her when I go to school?" Prue asked. She had tears running silently down her face.

"I was really scared when I had Laci, because I figured the same thing. There was no way I could raise a baby by myself. But my mom and dad and you guys were there for me. It'll be the same now with you Prue. My mom and dad could take care of Laci and Paige if I told them what was going on," Willow said, turned around so she could face Prue. Paige came into the family room with the brush Prue used for her hair.

"O tay Prwue you have to move now so I can brush Willow's hair," Paige said trying to move Prue.

"Okay okay," Prue laughed and went and sat on the chair across the room as Paige started to brush Willow's hair. Willow and Prue talked about school and things, avoiding all conversation to the situation at hand. Paige was bored in a matter of minutes so it was on to something else. It was around 1 o'clock now.

"Prue go to park?" Paige asked. Prue shook her head.

"Maybe later Paige. It's too wet to go outside now." Paige started to cry.

"Paigey want to go to park NOW!"

Prue could feel a temper tantrum coming on. Grams always handled the tantrums. Paige sat on the ground and started screaming. Willow picked her up.

"Paige Tanner Halliwell, you settle down right now," Willow said sternly, but some how maintaining her gentleness.

"Sorry Auntie Willow," Paige said innocently.

"You go apologize to Prue," she whispered gently setting Paige on the floor. Paige ran over and hugged Prue's pant leg.

"Sorry Prwue," Paige said.

"It's alright Paigey. Why don't you go play with Piper while I talk with Auntie Willow," Prue said. Paige toddled off to go find Piper.

"That was amazing Willow. How did you do that?" Prue said facing Willow, who's soft hair dripped water on to her sweater.

"Do what?" Willow asked, almost in a thoughtful way.

"How did you handle Paige so...so well?" Prue asked. Willow shrugged.

"She's just cranky."

"You're missing the point Will," Prue sighed and took Willow into the kitchen. She wrung her hair out in the sink. The two stood there for a second and then there came a muffled wail from outside.

"What's that?" Willow asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry Will, it's probably just the neighbors dog," Prue replied thinking nothing more of the noise.

"Prue, that's no animal. Let's go see what it is," Willow said.

"You can go Willow. It's pouring rain outside." Willow sighed and drug Prue with her out the door.

The rain was pouring harder then ever, flooding the sidewalk.

"Willow you're nuts," Prue said as she followed her around the side of the house where the Halliwell's kept the trash cans. Prue had to admit though, her friends hearing was wonderful, the noise became loud and clear. Willow put a hand over her mouth to quiet herself then picked the little bundle she spotted out of the black trash can. It was a baby boy. He looked like he was barely 3 months old. His tiny hands were balled into fists and bleeding.

"Oh poor baby!" Willow said sympathetically shielding the boys face from the rain with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. He had been bundled, not very well, in a thin white cloth.

"Willow," Prue said after she had gotten over the shock. "That's a baby."

"Come on Prue, we have to get him dry," Willow said as she headed back into the kitchen.

Sorry! I know this was kind of random and all I needed was to add another baby to the mix, but it will all tie in later I promise! Thanks very much to all of my awesome reviewers.

Dru619