Sorry for the wait! Writer's Block hit again. Grams will be appearing in the next chapter or two. So, hold on if you can.

Faith – I don't really hate the name 'Perry' on its own… it was just never explained how it pertained to Chris – So, I just changed.

Calen – thanks for the 'passionate' review… It's a little scary, but welcomed non-the-less. Grams' intensions will become clear soon. And 'NO' nobody will be using Excalibur on Grams any time soon.

Please read and review – Thanks! That is, if anyone is still interested in my story.

I own nothing associated with the show. Only the idea for this story and a few characters.

Chapter 12

The manor was eerily quiet. Everyone had settled down to try and get some sleep. Wyatt returned to Magic School to be with Amie and the baby. Future Paige made a bed for herself on the couch and was snuggled in trying to read a book. With everything that had gone on. She needed some 'down time'. Unfortunately, reading wasn't working and so she placed the book on the coffee table and closed her eyes to sleep.

Leo was in with Chris. He just sat in that same sofa chair studying Chris. 'He looks so small and peaceful' Leo thought looking at Chris all curled up asleep in the center of the bed. Leo's mind was running a thousand miles a minute, and he knew he wouldn't be getting any sleep. His body had other ideas and soon he was nodding off.

In Future Paige's bedroom - Phoebe and Paige lay awake on the bed with Piper between them. Silent, drained and dazed. They wanted so much to comfort Piper – but could think of nothing to say or do that seemed adequate. So, they just laid there. Suddenly, overwhelmed by the days events, Piper began to sob. Both Phoebe and Paige turned to her and just embraced her. Eventually, they fell asleep, all three snuggled close together.

Future Paige was the first one to wake up. "5 a.m.?" she said as she read the grandfather clock.

"Still, a few hours of sleep are better than nothing." She concluded as she got up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. She folded the blankets on her make-shift bed, then orbed upstairs to check on everyone.

She gently opened the door to Chris' room – hoping that by some small miracle both he and Leo had managed to fall asleep. 'Yes!' she thought. Leo - still sitting in the sofa chair - had, in fact – fallen asleep. Chris was curled up on his right side, sound asleep as well.

"Thank God" she whispered as she closed the door as quietly as she had opened it. She proceeded down the hall to the next door and was about to open it when Piper emerged from behind it. Paige and Phoebe weren't far behind.
"Oh, Hi – Morning." she whispered to Piper.
"I was just coming to check on everyone." she added as she turned back around to walk down the hall. She stopped and looked back to the Sisters once she reached Chris' bedroom door.
"I just looked in and they are both asleep." she informed them in a hush gesture, as Piper finished slipping her jacket and pulled her long hair out from under it.
Future Paige asked her, "Do you want to go in?" Piper vigorously shook her head 'no' but didn't say anything.
Shewas curious and worried about Piper's behavior but just said,
"Okay, well I've put on some coffee. It should be ready soon."
"Why don't we go to the kitchen?" They all agreed and headed to the kitchen.

Walking into the kitchen Phoebe said "Coffee!" with great exuberance when she smelled it. She went to the cupboard and removed several coffee mugs then went about pouring four cups of the French Vanilla scented coffee.
"Did you sleep alright?
Were you too cramped?
Too warm…Not warm enough?" Future Paige asked a bit hyper.
"I was fine." replied Paige with a little yawn.
"Fine here too." added Phoebe sipping the warm beverage.
"I feel like I slept a month." offered Piper staring out the window above the sink. Each one of them eyed her knowing that this whole situation was 'more than a lot' to deal with for her. Paige and Phoebe sat down at the kitchen table with their coffee while Future Paige walked over to Piper, placed a hand on her shoulder and in a lowered voice said,

"I'm so sorry Piper." she said.
"Are you alright?" Future Paige asked feeling responsible. Piper dropped her head slightly and sighed.
"Piper?" Future Paige asked, concerned. Still not getting a response, she gave Piper's shoulder a squeeze and remained silent hoping Piper would explain.
"When Chris finally told us about Wyatt turning evil, I understood the 'concept." She stated emphatically.
"It's just – I don't think that I ever really let myself imagine it."
"Not until I saw the fear and panic in Chris' face and what he did to Wyatt." She stopped to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.
"I mean, my God Paige…what kind of mother am I?" she said.
"You are a wonderful mother Piper!" Paige assured her shaking her shoulder a little to get her attention.
"Really? Because I don't know." Piper retorted.
"Piper, Chris loves you. Always did. Always will. You know that, right?" Future Paige asked her – just to be certain. "I mean it! He loves you. They BOTH do."

"Are you afraid to see Chris now? To be near him, is that it? Because I noticed that you really didn't want to go in to see him earlier when I asked you." Future Paige asked concerned.
"No, that's not it exactly. I…I love Chris. I'm thinking about the baby. Sometimes I can't look at him without thinking about that young man asleep upstairs. And look what's happened to him." Piper sighed. She took a deep breath in and continued.
"That's what scares me. What kind of mother will I be to my baby!"
"What kind of mother am I going to be to my boys?" she said sobbing. Future Paige embraced her and stood there by the kitchen sink and just let her cry. After several minutes Piper had stopped sobbing and Future Paige said aloud,

"I was thinking I'd make my self useful. How doessome breakfast sound?" Paige said.
"Want anything special?" she asked the Sisters.
"Oh, let me, please?" Piper exclaimed wiping her face clean, then reaching for a pan and going to the refrigerator. Piper needed to stay occupied and none of them wanted to deny her.

Future Paige wasn't a fool. She knew two things for sure...one – Piper was a chef and two - she wasn't! So, she said the only thing she could.
"Sure, go ahead!" she said happy just to sit back and watch. So the next hour or so was filled by Piper cooking an enormous breakfast while the rest of them set the table and helped when asked.

At magic school…

"Hey there little man. How are you?" Wyatt asked smiling as he lifted his son up out of the cradle at the foot of the bed. Wyatt had not slept much either. He even had on the same close, and he could have used a shave.

A couple of the spare rooms at school had been made into 'bunker type' bedrooms. Every now and then the need arose for a teacher to stay there and so it was decided that some of the vacant rooms would be converted into these 'bunker' bedrooms. Even though Magic School had a beautiful layout, with nice architecture and interior décor, it was still just a school and no adult wanted to get too comfortable there for too long. So, the sleeping accommodations were nothing fancy. A bed, desk, wash basin and that was about it. Nothing more elaborate was required really.

"How is he?" a woman said sitting up from the bed stretching her arms. She was dressed in flannel pajamas.
"Oh he's just fine." Wyatt replied.
"You going back soon?" she asked him.
"Yeah, do you mind? I mean, I would love for you to meet all of them, but it's better if you didn't." he explained apologizing.
"Honey, I know Future…" she started to say "…Consequences" Wyatt finished.
"I don't want to leave you out of this! This affects us all and -" she hushed him with a kiss on the mouth then said,
"Wyatt, it's okay. I understand. You are not excluding me from anything! You are protecting us; from harm and 'Future Consequences'." "I mean – I would love to see them, but I can deal. I bet Phoebe is going crazy though, huh?" she asked with a smile and laugh. Wyatt sighed and agreed. "I guess she was always impatient." He said.

Amie added "Listen, I'll be fine. I love Chris too and if all of you can help him, then just go and do what you can." she said hugging him.
"Besides, I have this 'little guy' to keep me company." she smiled happily at her son in his father's arms.
"Not to mention a school brimming with students." she added.
"You could do me one favor though." she said.
"What?" Wyatt asked.
"I would love a bagel or something. Do you think you could manage that?" she asked shyly.
"Anything for you Amie." he replied kissing her again then placing the baby in her lap. "Well in that case…" she said seductively teasing him.

He stood up, winked at her and orbed out.

"Your Papa is such a worry-wart." she said giving Baby Chris a funny face, and blowing raspberries on his tummy. To which he giggled happily.

"Morning-GOOD GOD!" Wyatt said as he orbed into the kitchen. Looking around the kitchen at all of the food Wyatt exclaimed, "Wow, Piper, there's enough food here to feed half the kids at school." he said surprised. She gave no response, but Wyatt didn't notice this as Phoebe took the opportunity to ask,

"Why don't you bring your family for breakfast?" Apparently undaunted by all of the drama going on and with a couple of hours sleep under her, Phoebe's curiosity was strong as ever. It was more amusing than annoying at this point and Wyatt loved to give his Aunt Phoebe a hard time so – he played along.

"I was just going to grab a bagel or something for Am-my wife." he corrected himself watching Phoebe's expression carefully and smiling at her 'aw man! I almost had him that time' reaction. Future Paige smirked as well, although her heart nearly skipped at beat.

"She's got to stay at school today and asked me to bring back something." he stated with a small yawn and stretch that he was no longer able to fight off.

"So, you didn't get much sleep either?" Phoebe asked. There's never enough sleep when you have a six month old." Wyatt stated forgetting who 'exactly' he was talking to. With the exception of Piper, who was once again 'staring into space', they all just rolled there eyes at him while Paige just replied sarcastically,
"Yeah, we know." and continued to sip her coffee.
"Oh, yeah! Duh! Sorry." he replied after a beat.

"I'll put a plate together for her." Piper said, rather robotically. Wyatt did notice this but only said a strained
"Thanks" as he gave Future Paige a concerned glance.

"Are you going back to Magic School. Or are you going to hang out with your hip aunts today?" Paige asked Wyatt.
"Oh, are you kidding? I'll be back. I wouldn't miss any of this. Not that I don't think you guys are 'hip' and all."
"I just can't wait to give Great Grams a piece of my mind." He answered with great enthusiasm.
"I haven't missed anything have I?
Piper interjected, "No, you haven't", with such emotion.
"You haven't talked about what to do next?" he asked surprised.
"No" she answered sharply.
Wyatt didn't take offense. He innocently asked, "Why not?"
"Because, I am still too mad and emotional, that's why!" Piper vented. None of them remarked though they were all shocked. Not by her anger, but by her admission. If Piper Halliwell freely admitted she was too angry to act on something – that was BIG! Piper didn't even look up from her current task.
"Besides, Chris had enough to deal with yesterday, with us being here. Don't you think?" She asked rhetorically and with so much sarcasm that no one dared reply to her. The kitchen remained still for several minutes as Piper's question hung in the air.

Daring to break the silence, Wyatt asked, "Where's Leo?"
"Asleep, in Chris' room." Future Paige said relieved.
"Chris' asleep too?" "Good!" Wyatt exclaimed.

Piper finished filling a plate, "Here you go." she said handing it to him only briefly looking him in the eye.
"Thanks again. This smells so good." He said gratefully taking the plate from her and smiling.
"I'll be right back. Save some coffee for me, will you?" and with that he orbed out.

In Chris' room…

Chris' eyes fluttered for a few seconds then opened. Not yet totally awake he turned over on his back to stretch. Leo was still asleep in the sofa chair and when Chris turned he noticed him. Chris didn't freak or bolt. He just laid there studying the man. He didn't remember 'everything' that happened with the 'new arrivals' and all. Only that Piper and Leo had been there and he felt better. He looked hard at Leo. Even in his sleep – Leo looked exhausted. Chris wasn't used to having someone in his room when he woke up, but surprisingly enough, he didn't mind Leo being there.

Leo must have gotten that - someone's watching me - feeling because he began to wake up from a very sound sleep. He turned his head and scratched at his chin as he worked to open his eyes. Once he began to focus he noticed Chris laying there just looking at him.

"Hey Buddy" Leo said cautiously as he sat bolt straight up in the chair. He really wanted to move closer to his son and give him a big hug. But, he thought better of it and stayed put. Chris didn't respond. He just continued to study Leo.
"How did you sleep?" Leo asked, figuring that was an innocent enough question to start off with.
"Fine, I guess." he finally replied.
"You?" Chris asked figuring it was the right thing to do.
"I managed." Leo replied with a small smile.

Okay – so there is more to come, but that's it for now. I will hopefully update again in a day or two. Please read and review! Thanks.

Unsure of what to do or say next, Leo just sat still. After a moment, Chris sat up and rubbed his eyes.