Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
Author's Note: Hi!
Thank You For the Reivews.
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But as I watched I replayed her words in my head; and realized with dawning horror that I was absolutely screwed… because Piper would say something horrendous.
She always did.
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We were beginning to ice the cake when they charged into the kitchen. They'd actually waited for almost ten minutes, and I knew they'd probably been discussing whether or not they should blow me up and get it over with.
"What is going on here?" Piper said as she surveyed the kitchen, displeased that her domain had been invaded.
"Down Fido, this is my kitchen and Chris has spent a lot of time here," Mom told her simply.
"Your kitchen?" Piper sputtered.
"I'm older, that means it was mine first," Mom replied and grinned. I too smiled, it was nice to see someone put the eldest Charmed One on ear, sometimes.
"That looks sooooooooo good…" Paige said, ignoring the two Piper's, as she approached.
"You hafta give us some," Phoebe cried, "We're you're sisters…" she said, looking at Mom with wide eyes.
Mom shook her head, smiling ruefully, "This is Chris's cake. Only Chris's. In a few years I will learn the recipe and than make it for you."
"It's a new recipe?" Piper asked, suddenly curious.
"Why are you baking for Chris?" Paige questioned.
"Better yet why are you here?" Phoebe added.
Mom shrugged, sliding a look towards me.
Oh, please don't tell them.
She read the plea in my eyes, and winked at me.
"I'm here to bake Chris a cake. I'm baking for him, because that why I came; and it isn't new to me, but yeah to you it would be new."
Piper frowned, "Why would you… me… I come from the future to bake for… for Chris."
She said my name with something akin to disgust and I felt Mom tense.
Oh, please don't.
She wasn't looking at me this time, she was looking at herself… her former self; but I tried to communicate the message to her, somehow.
"I like Chris," she said simply, her tone clipped. And I nearly sighed in relief, without a word I went back to the icing.
"So we do know him?" Phoebe asked, getting closer to the cake.
Mom shifted to look at her, amusement lit her eyes, "Don't stick you're finger in that icing Phoebe," she warned.
Phoebe stopped mid-step, "How di- ugh!" she cut herself off.
"You like him!" Piper yelled, "All he does is lie to us! He's telling us Wyatt is evil!" She continued, her face flushed, "And you like him!"
Instinctively I winced.
Mom saw, and she narrowed her eyes at Piper, "Stop yelling." She said coldly, and Piper seemed startled at her tone. She stared at Mom and Mom spoke softly, "Wyatt is…" she stopped and sighed, losing her hard expression and replacing it with an infinitely sad one, "He is lost to us; corrupted. So, yes, he is evil." She finished.
"No! I won't accept that! I do not raise an evil child! I won't!"
Mom rolled her eyes, "Was I always this bull-headed?" She asked in general.
"Still are," the words slid from my lips effortlessly, and although it was the kind of thing I would have said when she was alive, I didn't mean to say it in front of the sisters.
Their eyes widened in surprise, Piper in insult, but Mom just laughed and flicked a little icing at me.
"Watch it, buddy," She said teasingly.
The smile, I found, came effortlessly too; I scooped the bit of icing off my forearm and into my mouth, "Mmmmmmmmm," I said happily. It really was good.
"Oooooh, that looks so good…" Phoebe grunted; Chris smiled at her sweetly as he finished licking the icing off his lips.
Mom shook her head ruefully at me, than looked back to Piper, "Believing me or not is up to you. Just so you know, though, I wouldn't lie to myself." And with that Mom went back to icing.
I snuck a look at Piper and smirked, she looked shocked to the core.
"So why do you like Chris?" Paige asked after a moment.
Oh please don't...
Mom looked up, not even sparing me a glance. "Well... he's loyal and determined, intelligent and brave, and he's got a great sense of humor." She grinned at me now, "Quite the catch, if I don't say so myself."
I opened my mouth but than shut it quickly; I'd been about to say Mom.
The sisters stared at her, missing my impression of a fish, and not knowing what to do with that particular bit of information.
"Did you..." Piper swallowed hard and I noticed she was suddenly very pale, "Di- did you... I... did I ca- catch him?" She said.
The implication of her words made my mouth dropped open, the spatula I'd been using slid from my fingers; a glance at Mom showed she was faring no better.
We looked at each other.
"WHAT! NO!" she cried, "ARE YOU CRAZY!" She hissed at herself.
"That is just... gross! DISGUSTING Oh god! NO! NO WAY!" I cried.
Okay, so maybe our denials shouldn't have been so strenuous... but jeez... it was gross.
"It's disgusting?" Phoebe asked, looking from one to the other.
I nodded, vigorously, "Well, uhhhhh, yeah…" I said, elongating the syllable.
"I am older than he is," Mom offered, she too realizing that we'd objected too harshly.
"Yeah, like way older," I continued, looking from to the other.
Mom smiled sweetly, "Old enough to be his mother."
I sent her a glare, now was not the time for private jokes.
"That cake looks really good," Paige stated, when the conversation lulled.
"How come it's just for Chris?" She asked.
"Because he didn't get to eat the last one I made him," Mom told them and I shut my eyes. Jeez, she really was going to ruin everything. Did she not remember what she and her sisters were like?
"What? I make him cakes on a regular basis?" Piper snapped.
Mom shrugged, ignoring the tone, "No, not cakes. Cookies, yes. But cakes usually only on special occasions."
"So Chris is actually a friend in the future," Phoebe stated.
I wish they'd all just shut-up; but no instead, they were all now gathered around the counter paying Mom their utmost attention. And Mom was eating up, letting them drag out every little detail…
"Chris is very special to us in the future," Mom replied and I sighed, at least she was trying to keep my secret.
"Special how?" Phoebe persisted.
She could really be annoying!
"Is he a friend of Wyatt's?" Paige asked.
Mom tilted her head to one side as she laid down her spatula, "As children Wyatt and Chris were very close." She stated.
That was good answer. It was the truth, but it kept my secret. I felt better suddenly. Like a weight was lifted on my shoulders. Who was I to be worrying over whether or not Mom could do this? This was Mom.
Smiling I licked the spatula; I mean Mom was good at this, she was the oldest sister and she had raised me and Wyatt… she could definitely handle and young Phoebe, Paige and herself. I really could relax, she wouldn't spill. It wasn't like she was Phoebe.
"You look pleased with yourself?" Piper said to me.
The hostility in her voice should have upset me, but it didn't—not much, anyway, Mom was here; and she'd take care of it.
I simply shrugged, "I love this cake," I told her.
Mom smiled and reached out, taking the spatula from me, "Don't do that, get a plate and a utensil like a normal person." The scolding was light though, and I grinned, "Would you get it for me please."
She rolled her eyes, "How old are you now?"
"Twenty-one."
"You sure?" She said, as she cut me a slice of cake.
I nodded.
"Is this allowed?" Piper asked, "I mean can you just stop by like this?"
Mom shrugged, arching an eyebrow at Piper, "You are going to lecture me on what's allowed?"
Piper actually flushed, "Well I thought, maybe with age I'd get better."
"Nope, but the reverse is true."
I received my plate and forked a huge piece into my mouth, "This sooooooo good!" I told her, my mouth full.
"So with age you get worse?" Paige asked.
"How long can you stay?" Phoebe questioned.
Mom looked from one to the other, and smiled gently, "I love you guys a lot, you know that right?"
Phoebe and Paige looked startled for a moment, before looking at each other, than Mom and nodding, "Yeah..."
"Good," Mom said firmly, than continued, "I don't like rules that make my life more complicated than it has to be." She said to Paige, than to Phoebe, "Not long, honey. I have to go soon."
"Why? Stay till tonight. I mean you're already here, what harm can it do?"
A very good argument, I thought, as I finished my slice of cake and began cutting another; of course Phoebe didn't know that I hadn't summoned Mom from just the future but from the spirit world too.
"I wish I could Phoebes, but I've..." she glanced at me, "I've done what I came to do."
I met her gaze as I brought the loaded fork to my mouth. It was true, she had. I didn't feel so alone anymore. She'd reminded me of what it was I was trying to save; the life I wanted to preserve.
"You came to bake for Chris?" Piper asked, skeptical.
Mom sighed, "You know, you really shouldn't be suspicious of yourself!" The words were filled with frustration.
And I chuckled a little; Piper's angry brown eyes landed on me immediately, "Is this funny to you?"
I shrugged, "You being suspicious of yourself is kinda funny." I said, hearing the slight hesitation in my voice.
Knowing that Mom could hear it too.
"How do I even know that that's me!" Piper yelled, her eyes flashing, "For all I know you could have conjured her up! This could just another lie! Because that is the only thing you ever do! Lie to us!"
The fork made a clattering noise as it hit the plate, and the cake got stuck in my throat; her words hurt. They shouldn't, I should be used to it, should be immune.
But I never was. I wanted herto like me.
I wanted to know that she could like me, love me, even if I wasn't her son.
"I wish you would just disap-"
"Would you SHUT-UP!"
Mom interrupted her, but I knew what Pipe was going to say. She wanted me to disappear.
I looked down at my plate of cake, suddenly, I didn't want it anymore. I stood up, I wanted to get out. I didn't want Mom's visit to get tarnished by Piper's words, by her hate.
"Maybe we should go…" I began softly, but Mom cut me off.
"Chris sit back down," Her words brooked no argument and I obeyed instinctively.
But Mom had just begun. She turned on herself and lashed out with a vengeance, "Listen to me you pompous, self-righteousness, suspicious little quack; If you want to yell or insult someone I suggest you direct your efforts towards me, because the next time you talk to him like that I'm going to make you regret it." her voice was livid, and absolute silence filled the kitchen when she finished.
"You can't hurt her, she's you," Phoebe stated calmly, completely convinced that this was future Piper and not some illusion.
"I didn't say I was going to hurt her, I said I was going to make her regret it," Mom clarified, her voice still angry.
I lifted my head, understanding what she was threatening, "You can't." I said, than could have kicked myself.
Very stupid thing to say.
Mom met my gaze, "I will Chris."
"Please, you promised…"
"I did no such thing," she huffed.
"Can't what?" Paige asked, looking between us.
But Mom paid her no attention, she glanced at my plate, and gentled, "Finish your cake, darling."
Ugh, Mom – darling?
My gaze clearly communicated my chagrin, but she just shrugged. I shook my head, "I think maybe it's time you went back. You weren't supposed to be here when the sisters got here…"
"If you're me, prove it," Piper interrupted me.
Mom almost growled, "You know— you're really annoying. What do you want me to say, huh? The secret ingredient to your oatmeal? Orange water. How many times Grams was married? Four. What you did with Phoebe's favorite doll after she lost a pan for your toy oven? Dug a whole and buried it."
"What?" Phoebe cried, alarmed.
But Mom continued without pausing, "What you miss most about a normal life? Being able to actually practice you're culinary skills. What you like best about Leo in bed? The way he holds you legs when-"
"OKAY! Okay," Piper cried, her face a little red, "Okay… you're me. I believe you."
Mom rolled her eyes, "Jee, that's great."
And then she wonders where I get my sarcasm from.
"You did what to my doll?" Phoebe asked, her voice low and menacing.
Piper's chin lifted, "You lost that pan on purpose."
"You kept making me eat have cooked cakes!"
"I was practicing. If you'd let me-"
"I really think we should cut this visit short," I said firmly and Mom turned to me.
"Do you really?" She asked gently, and my breath hitched.
Did I really?
No.
But I was… scared… Piper didn't like me and Mom was going to tell… I knew it. As sure as I was sitting here… I knew it.
And than Piper would like me… but because she had to; because I was her son and she had no choice… and that thought hurt.
She'd love me.
But only because she'd have to.
I shrugged, trying to hide my thoughts— but knowing, that from her it was no use.
"Oh, Chris."
I heard her say the words, and knew that they would confuse the sisters. They be able to hear the emotion behind them, but not understand. They'd hear the sadness; but they'd never be able to comprehend the depth of feeling behind the two words. They'd ask about it later— pestering me for answers, for explanation.
Mom knew better than to allow so much emotion into her voice towards me when in front of them. But I knew Mom did really care… and at the moment… neither did I.
It was time to send her back; to release her.
I'd been given more moments than I'd counted on; I'd stolen more than I should have… and to want more… that was selfish. It was time to end this visit… before it left behind more consequences.
"I don't see any other way." I said softly.
Her gaze was steady and warm; and her smile was loving. It asked me to trust her, to let her handle it, to let her tell them.
I shook my head; they couldn't know. I wouldn't be able to bear it… to have them suddenly accept me… suddenly care… when all this time I've been drowning in front of them and they hadn't bothered to glance my way.
"Chris," she called, and I looked to her, met her gaze again, "This is one of those times." The words were soft and completely meaningless to everyone in the room, but us.
My eyes slid shut, I knew now… there was nothing I could do. The memory floated into my mind unbidden… me at seven disobeying Mom's instructions because I didn't understand why she'd wanted me to do it… after the attack, Mom sitting me down and telling me that there were times in my life when I was simply going to have to trust her, to believe that she knew best even if I didn't understand why…
This is one of those times…
I sighed softly, "Finish your cake Chris," she said again, "The whole thing is yours, go on, eat."
"What times?" Paige asked, "What's going on here?"
Mom's gaze was still on me, "Come on Chris, don't let that me upset you… I apologize for my former self's behavior – I'm a real ass."
I smirked, and she winked at me.
Piper huffed, "I am not. I have reasons to be suspicious of him. I have a child to protect."
"Yes, you do, but not from Chris. Chris would never hurt Wyatt." Mom told her calmly, shifting to look at herself. I smiled as I began to eat my cake again; she was handling her former self the way she'd handle a new witch who wasn't understanding that magic was now a permanent part of her life— with tolerate condescension.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't seem like it. Of course what do I know, I'm pompous and self-righteous." Piper hissed.
"Don't forget a suspicious quack," Paige added, smiling.
Mom said nothing for a moment, just studied her former self, "You don't know even half of what you think you do," she said softly, her eyes serious.
Piper blinked a little than scowled, "I know Chris played a big part in breaking up my marriage!" She hissed.
And Mom swung around to face me so quickly, it shocked everyone… even Piper.
"You did what?" She asked, her voice velvety smooth.
Oops, I'd forgotten about that…
"Uhhhh, well… you know… this cake is really good." I said stuffing a lot of it in my mouth… a lot… so that I wouldn't have to talk.
Mom was giving me the look Wyatt and I got that time we turned the mortal babysitter into a statue made of cheese.
"Christopher," she said.
I chewed.
"Chew faster," she said.
I did, than I sighed.
"Don't be mad," I told her, smiling a little; after all she couldn't be mad… she was here to make me feel better.
Her eyes narrowed, she knew what I was thinking.
"What does she mean that you broke up her marriage? Leo and I are not married?" She asked very slowly, each word enunciated correctly.
It was terrifying.
"Well… actually… ummm… maybe we could talk about it later…"
"No Chris, talk about it now. Tell my future self how you let the Elders die when you knew was going to happen, than tricked Leo into organizing the magical world so he'd get promoted to an Elder and have to leave his family behind."
"Leo's an Elder?" Mom asked, confused.
But I was focused on Piper's version of the truth, I glared at her, "That is not what happened," I hissed, suddenly very angry. Mom was right; she didn't know half of what she was talking about.
"What did happen?" Mom asked, and I could tell she wasn't angry anymore. She probably never was, maybe irked but not angry. She trusted me.
"It was a side effect," I told her, a bit sullenly, she knew there was more. She waited, when I said nothing more, she asked, "Was the side effect planned?"
Of course.
I shrugged, "Maybe."
"See!" Piper cried indignant triumph on her face, "I knew it. He can't be trusted."
Mom sent her a withering glare, than looked back to me.
"Chris— Leo and I need to be together…" she said pointedly.
"I know that."
"Good, youabove all people should know that."
I nodded, sighing as I ate more cake. It was amazing, but these discussions were easier to have with cake.
"I assume you have the situation under control." She said and I nodded.
I didn't, but I would.
She met my gaze for a moment, than nodded too; accepting that I would.
"He has the situation under control," She told the sisters after a moment.
"He has- He has no right to mess with the situation!" Piper cried, "… he can't just go around altering people's live! It's not his business… he should just sta-"
"Oh my goodness!" Mom exclaimed, obviously aggravated, "Is she always like this?" she asked.
I nodded, "Yep, it gives me a headache."
"So… what? You watched Chris when he was little?" Phoebe asked, trying to come up for an explanation for all of what she'd heard and seen.
"Is that why you two are so close?" Paige continued.
Mom sighed, "I'm already exhausted answering all these questions. Don't you people have jobs?" She asked, than looked at me, "What year is this?"
I grinned, "2004."
Her eyes widened, "And Leo is an Elder… now…?" she asked.
I nodded, remaining silent, she frowned, "That's not good…" she murmured, "How old is Wyatt?"
"He'll be two in a few months." Paige answered.
"Chrisssss…" Mom said in a sing-song voice, "I really hope you have it under control…"
"I do… sort of…"
"That's it? I tell you that he breaks up my marriage, your marriage, and you hope he has it under control?" The sarcasm dripped from Piper's words.
Mom sighed, "I trust Chris."
"Why?" Phoebe asked.
Mom transferred her gaze to Phoebe, "Why do you trust Darryl?"
Phoebe blinked a little, "Darryl's like family," she answered.
Mom smiled pointedly.
"Chris is like family?" Phoebe asked.
I could already hear Mom saying Chris is family in my head, so I jumped up and asked of no one and everyone, "Who wants some of my cake?"
I didn't want to share my cake, but I also didn't want my secret revealed… it was the lesser of two evils.
Paige immediately jumped, "I'll get a plate!" she cried.
Phoebe too, was instantly distracted, "Get one for me too!" she cried, but I knew the distraction wouldn't last long.
Piper didn't take the bait. I knew she wouldn't. She there, watching as cut slices and heaped them onto plates.
"Oh my God…" Phoebe moaned, "This is the best thing I've ever put in my mouth…"
"What is this…" Paige asked, licking her lips, "And how about you make us another one or twenty…"
Mom laughed, even I felt myself smile.
"Sorry," she said, not in the least regretful, "Just a special for Chris…"
They to me, "You better savor that 'cause you can't have anymore," I told them, and meant it…
"So you came here, after I specifically asked you to stay away; so you could summon future me, so she'd bake for you?" Piper asked, her gaze and tone completely antagonistic.
You'd think that after the future version of herself tells her I can be trusted she'd back off. Obviously not.
"Oh my god Lady! Would you just back off!" Mom growled at her, and I winced.
"Let's not argu-" I started to say, but Mom shot me a silencing glare and my mouth snapped shut. This was not good. Mom was mad… really mad and fed up…
Oh please don't…
But I knew that she was no longer accepting my plea.
And why would she? Piper had said horrendous things— all bets were off.
Her eyes were blazing fire as she tuned back to Piper, "Chris is an exceptional young man who has risked his very existence in coming here! So YES! That's what he did! He summoned me here because he needed someone to tell him that it was going to be okay! Because he needed someone to show him a smidgen of affection and compassion after LOSING HIS FIANCEE! Because he isn't just some mindless drone sent to supposedly ruin your lives! He's a HUMAN BEING who feels and loves and needs!"
Her glare suddenly encompassed all the sisters not just Piper, "I mean for christsake, he's just a boy! And he's literally sacrificed his world to try and help you and all you do nag and accuse and hurt him. He's running himself ragged trying to save the world and you- ugh! You're just lucky I don't have my powers – I'd blow you all up, just for the heck of it!" She finished with venom, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation.
I sighed. A long, drawn out sigh, and lowered my head onto the table. There was nothing I could do now.
I suppose it was just too much to ask of her; after all it was Aunt Phoebe who could never keep a secret, but it was Mom who could never control her temper.
"Risked his very existence?" Phoebe whispered.
Piper took a step towards Mom, "Why you? Why was that someone you? Why me?"
I heard her ask, but didn't bother to lift my head; why bother? There was nothing I could do now...
Piper continued, "Why summon Wyatt's mother to comfort him? Why not summon his own-"
She cut herself off, and I could picture the pointed look Mom was giving her. I heard a gasp and figured it was Phoebe or Paige or both.
"Unless… Wyatt's Mother…" Paige whispered.
"Is his mother…" Phoebe finished.