"Oh my word! I hate writer's block! I am unfortunately a perfectionist and so, I am having a very tough time getting the wording that I want. I am working on it. It's just taking WAY LONGER than I had hoped to update and finish this part of the story. I had originally thought that there would be 3 parts, but I am having such difficulty getting over this part that it makes it hard for me to even think of the next. I hope everyone is sticking with me, but if not – I understand. I hate it when people don't update for weeks, and months, especially at a VERY exciting part in a story."

"I just felt like venting a bit, sorry for the rant."

On with the story…

Chapter 13

After several moments of Chris laying on the bed and Leo sitting on the edge of the sofa chair just looking at each other, Chris sat up. Leo's heart jumped, but his expression didn't betray his nerves.

Chris turned to survey his room. Noticing the now wilted sandwich on the nightstand Chris said robotically,

"I'm hungry."
"Do you want some breakfast? I can smell the food from here." Leo smiled happily and asked.

Chris didn't answer or look at Leo. He just sat there in the center of the bed in baggy gray sweats, like a rag doll with his legs out in front of him, arms at his sides.

"Why don't I go down and get you something to eat, huh?" Leo suggested preparing to stand.

"NO!" Chris yelped anxiously. He took a breath and continued, "I mean - I don't want you to go. I want to go too." He said with trepidation. Leo's eyes sparkled and he smiled widely.
"Sure! We'll go together, okay?" Leo replied with excitement.

Leo waited patiently then said, "You know there are quite a few people down stairs."
He didn't know what or whom Chris remembered. He only wanted to prepare him, not frighten him.
Chris closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

Opening his eyes, Chris answered, "I know. I remember", he sighed.
"Your brother might be there." Leo added feeling that saying the name 'Wyatt' would send Chris
off the deep end.

"I can deal with it." Chris stated solemnly, but sure.

After several more moments and a few more deep breaths, Chris slowly scooted himself to the foot of the bed. Leo was up from the sofa chair like a shot waiting for Chris to stand. Once he did, he turned to face Leo who cupped Chris' face in his hands and gave him an encouraging smile.

"Thank you." Leo said mildly emotionally.
Chris gave him a questioning look and shyly asked, "For what?"
"Thank you for coming into our lives…for being you…for giving me a chance." Leo said with pride.
"You are amazing. You know that?" Leo asked his grown son.

Chris revealed a little smile and his eyes got glassy. He inhaled deeply, and Leo did the same as he brushed back some of Chris' medium length hair from his face. They turned towards the door and started walking.

Leo followed closely behind, letting Chris dictate the pace. They walked through the bedroom door, into the hall, stopping briefly while Chris surveyed the surroundings. It had been a while since he'd even left his room. He needed time to find his bearings.

They reached the top of the stairs and could now hear chatter coming from the kitchen. Leo watched Chris carefully for any signs of distress, and simply waited for him to decide when he wanted to descend the staircase.

The first step was the hardest. Leo came from behind Chris and stood next to him, and they took that first step together. Unconsciously, Chris had grabbed onto Leo's forearm and was grasping it quite tightly. Leo definitely felt it, but didn't mind. He'd walk through fire for his boys any day of the week and forever if he had to.

Slowly they made there way to the landing. Chris stopped there a moment to listen to the chatter. He was counting the voices and praying that he could keep it together.

"You want me to go on ahead?" Leo almost whispered. Chris adamantly shook his head 'no'.
"Okay." Leo replied. So, they remained there on the landing both listening to the chatter in the kitchen.

"This is so good, Piper." Paige said stuffing the last forkful of her breakfast into her mouth.
"Oh yeah." Phoebe agreed.

Future Paige glanced at Piper who seemed to be coming out of her shock at bit as she had finally joined the conversation.

"You could learn to cook too you know!" she replied mock annoyingly. Actually – Piper loved cooking for her family.
"I'll clean up. You relax." Future Paige offered to Piper.
"No" Piper said.
"They can do it. And NO MAGIC! You hear me?" she ordered, pointing to Paige, Phoebe and Wyatt, who had been sipping on his third cup of coffee, put his hand up to state - I surrender - said, "Okay, fine. Come on guys. The sooner we do this the sooner it's done."

So while they cleared the dishes and began cleaning up used pots and pans, Future Paige and Piper sat at the kitchen table relaxing (as much as possible for the moment) and sipping their coffee.

Leo watched Chris hard for any reaction. Thankfully, Chris didn't flinch or falter one bit when he heard Wyatt. He just took a few more deep breaths and looked to Leo who gave him an encouraging smile.

"You ready?" Leo whispered. Chris nodded a bit and they descended the few remaining stairs and turned the corner; heading towards the kitchen.

Wyatt was so engrossed in what he was doing that he hadn't even sensed Chris was awake, let alone nearby. He and Phoebe were at the sink playing with the soap-suds. Paige was putting various things away in the refrigerator, so none of them had any idea until Piper said,

"Chris?"

WhenLeo and Chris slowly entered the kitchen. Then they all turned to look. She stood up from her chair and Chris stopped dead in his tracks! With Leo beside himhe just stood there very aware of everyone looking at him. Future Paige was so relieved to see him out of his room she couldn't stop thinking 'Thank you God! Thank you Chris!' as she did her best to hold back tears of joy. Piper and Chris exchanged looks, and she made her way towards him. No one spoke at first. Leo smiled widely at Piper as she gave him an, 'is this real?' look. Leo knew what she was thinking and nodded.

"He said he was hungry and I could smell the food cooking. So, we decided to come down and check it out." Leo stated nonchalantly. Chris couldn't help but think to himself, 'Easy for you to say.', as he gave Leo a quizzical glance.

While Chris was getting a little kick out of the looks between Piper and Leo. Wyatt was positively freaking out! He was so shocked and happy to see his brother that he hadn't orbed out the moment he noticed Chris, and for the life of him – he couldn't figure out why.

'It's too late now. I'm stuck.'
'He's going to notice me any moment.'
'Come on Wyatt – THINK!'

Wyatt was so busy having this internal conversation with himself that he hadn't noticed that Chris was – well, not freaking out. In fact he seemed very calm. Piper had taken his hand and led him to the chair she vacated. Phoebe and Paige both went about getting him something to eat, and within seconds, there were two plates 'loaded' with food on the table in front of Chris. Phoebe and Paige each looked on with a great sense of pride. As if feeding him could solve all of his problems.

"Um, guys? What are you trying to do to my son?" Piper asked with a laugh.
"What's that old saying? Starve a cold. Feed a trauma?"Phoebe replied.
"I don't think that's exactly how it goes, Phoebe." Piper said smiling.

Chris stared at the abundance of food like it was going to come alive and start talking to him. Phoebe, Leo, Piper Paige and Future Paige saw this and giggled. Without even thinking about it, Paige reached out and wrapped her arms around her nephew's neck and gave a little squeeze. It wasn't until she let go that she realized that he had returned the affection by grasping her hand and leaning into her. Her heart filled with hope at that. Piper and Leo couldn't suppress their happiness and smiled widely.

Noticing Leo hadn't gotten a plate; Future Paige moved one of the two overloaded plates to an empty seat and gently pushed Leo till he sat down.

"There, that solves one problem." She stated authoritatively.

"Thanks" he said. She placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled before stepping away. Chris and Leo began searching their plates looking for the best place to start and then dug their forks in simultaneously and began eating.

The Sister's walked back to the island and stood there watchingwith Wyatt who had calmed down a bit although he was still too nervous to make a move or sound. Phoebe was standing closest to him and kept rubbing circles on his back to calm him. He kept looking at her nervously.Several minutes passed and both Leo and Chris had eaten as much as they were going to. There had been no real conversation during that time. The sun had come up and was shining brightly through the kitchen windows. Future Paige didn't want to interrupt the moment, but she knew that Victor would be calling or maybe even coming by soon with the girls. So, she spoke up.

"Chris, Honey?" she said standing behind him her hands gently on his shoulders. "Your grandpa should be bringing the girls by any time now, unless you want me or Wyatt to go get them and take them to school."
"I don't think they should be here. Do you?" he replied sadly. "It would be good to see Grandpa, though." he sighed.
"How about if he comes by a little later, how would that be?" she asked Chris happily. He perked up a bit at that suggestion.

"Wyatt, would you take the girls to school then?" she said turning around looking him directly in the face. Chris turned his direction at that point and merely glanced at him. Wyatt nodded slowly looking at his aunt with wide eyes thinking,

'He's not freaking out?'
'We're in the same room and he's not freaking out.'
'This is so cool!'
Future Paige smiled at him as if to say 'Yes kiddo, I know this is so great.' And with that he orbed out.

Turning back around Chris looked at Leo who patted him on the hand. Piper sat down between them and just soaked in the moment.

More to come, maybe even tonight? I'm not sure…. I'm almost done with this first part, I think? I promise!

Thank you for all of your reviews. They are greatly appreciated!