Chapter 18

6 months later

"There's no way I'm going back to school!" Piper snapped at Prue sitting on her bed, her arms crossed. Prue looked at Piper. She did need help from Willow with Paige on times like these, but her and Piper had a special bond. It was Sunday night around 8:22 on June 5. Today had been the last day of school for all the high school kids for the summer. Piper would resume going to school tomorrow along with Megan and Amy.

"Why not Piper?" Prue asked plopping down next to her sister.

"You know why," Piper said stubbornly.

"Nuh uh. Why?" Prue said smiling at Piper.

"Prue I'm being serious. Phoebe hasn't come out of her coma yet," she said, looking almost angry at Prue.

"And another thing," Piper added. "When are Willow and Oz going to leave?"

"Well," Prue started. "It never occurred to me you wanted them to leave."

"That's the whole point. I don't want them to leave. I like talking to Willow," Piper replied. "I feel safer knowing her and Oz just live around the corner." Prue nodded knowingly and held Piper's hand.

"I know that you don't want to go back knowing Phoebe hasn't come out of her coma yet, but you just have to think of better things."

"Like what?" Piper asked.

"Well," Prue started.

"For one you can think about Joey's first birthday we're going to on Saturday. Or you could think about coming home to us. OR better yet for you, you could think about how Willow, Oz, and I are going to be stuck with 2 sugar high toddlers all summer." Piper smiled.

"Okay Prue. I'm going to go to sleep now." Piper kissed her sister on the head and went to her room. Prue heard her door click a few minutes later. She sighed and contemplated the summer ahead.

"No sleep! No sleep!" tyranted Paige.

"Yes sleep, yes sleep," Willow argued with Paige.

"No Seep! No Seep!" Laci cried bouncing up and down.

"For me?" Willow asked, yawning.

"Gotta catch us first!" Paige cried and ran out of the room.

"Paigey ate! Ate for Laci!" Laci cried and took off as fast as her wobbly little legs would carry her, after Paige. Oz laughed.

"You're not helping," Willow replied grabbing Oz's wrist.

"How are we going to find them now? They already have a head start," Oz said as he followed Willow into the main hallway of the Manor.

"Simple," Willow replied, "follow me." Oz followed Willow up to Prue's room where Paige was sitting securely in Prue's lap.

"I win!" Paige cried at Willow. Prue smiled at Willow and Oz.

"I'll take her over from here," Prue said.

"Thanks," Willow took Oz by the wrist again and led him back to the main hallway.

"Well that was Paige. What about Laci?" Oz asked.

"SHH!" Willow replied putting her fingers to her lips, "listen." Oz stood perfectly still and listened for a good 2 minutes. Just as he was about to tell his girlfriend she was nuts he heard a faint giggle from somewhere on his left.

"Come on," Willow whispered. Oz followed Willow into the kitchen where she quickly turned off the lights. Immediately a little Laci came out from under the table, her pigtails lopsided on her head and a strap of her overalls loose. Willow stared at Laci with that 'there's no escaping now' face, but Laci gave in before her mother could catch her.

Instead of running again Laci held her arms out and cried "Mommy seepy now."

"Well your no fun," Oz replied sarcastically lifting Laci up. "Tomorrow I'll teach you and Paige how to play real hide-and-seek." Willow entwined her arm with Oz's as the two headed upstairs. When they got into the room they shared Oz sat Laci on the bed.

"Mommy I nees baby," Laci replied climbing off of the bed.

"Okay I'll go get her," Willow replied and left the room. Oz sat Laci back up on the bed and sat on a desk chair across from her.

"I'm not seepy da dee," Laci replied climbing back off the bed. Willow came back into the room holding a beanie baby sheep dog.

"Here's Baby Laci," Willow handed her daughter the toy, which she hugged tightly to her chest.

"Can I see?" Oz asked. Laci climbed into Oz's lap and showed him baby.

"That's your pretty doggy huh Laci?" Willow asked laying Laci's onto the bed where she got her ready for bed.

"My puppy," Laci said innocently playing with the dogs ears. Once Willow had gotten Laci into her care bear pajamas she set her into her crib and sang softly to her. Oz recognized the song as 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight. 'After Willow had sung the verse about the peaceful village she just made it up from there.

After making up a verse about Sunnydale, the ocean, and the forest she finally whispered the last of the song to her.

"Hush my baby, don't cry my baby the lion sleeps tonight." Laci was sound asleep. Willow pulled her baby blanket over her body then kissed her on the cheek. Oz lay on the bed watching his girlfriend with a sense of admiration. As she crawled into bed next to him she heard Oz laugh softly.

"What is it Oz?" Willow asked.

"It's just that...you're so shy Will. But when you and Laci are together nothing matters. It's obvious to anyone that has eyes to see that you two are inseparable. I just think your really sweet and I love you is all. And there's also something about you that's making me want to kiss you now."

"Well whatcha waiting for?" Willow smiled as Oz gave her one of the sweetest kisses she had ever received.

"Are you blushing Will?" Oz asked.

"Shut up!" Willow snapped playfully. Oz cuddled Willow and the two fell asleep.

Alright guys. I know I've said this a million times over but I will try my harderest to update more often. Promise!

Dru