A/N: So, some people loved last chapter and some didn't love it so much. But that's okay. It gets better promise.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! PLEASE READ! I informed you a few chapters ago that my new laptop was on order. Well, it should be in between tomorrow and Thursday. When it comes in, I'll need to take my computer over there so they can transfer my stuff to the laptop, that includes sending my floppy discs because laptops – or mine, at least – doesn't take floppies and my stuff is getting out on CD-ROMs instead. Anyway, my point is, I'll be without my computer and floppies for 2 to 3 days and unable to update – Cries. – I'm sorry! So, probably starting tomorrow, I won't be able to update. Don't expect me back on until Friday or Saturday. Urgh! I hate it, too, guys. I mean, not being able to update? It's gonna kill me. But I have no say in the matter and I mean, the outcome is well worth it. So, yeah. In short: Probably starting tomorrow, I'll be unable to update for several days.

With that out of the way, let me thank the reviewers and then on to the chapter!

wyatt333, Glad you like it! Yes, Melinda's a little young to be an advice columnist, but it used to be Phoebe's job, so she kind of inherited it. And thanks for the info on the powers!

Jade-eye Halliwell, Glad you liked it!

No pen name, you know who you are. Lol. Glad you like it, and the Children of the Light thing!

Cornett, Lol. Glad you love it!

Matt91, Glad you liked it! And sorry to disappoint, but I think there might already be a strangling party gathering together, what with everyone who wants to strangle me.

Christine Marquez, Lol. It was supposed to be an introductive chapter, to fill everyone in on what was going on.

sWeEt-AbBy, Lol. Sorry to disappoint! But glad you like it!

Charmedluver, you're not supposed to know how the Charmed Ones died – not yet. What do you mean, not in a person format? And I feel it makes more sense to keep it as one story, because I don't know how long the spin-offs will be. I did the same thing with "Generation Charmed" and it's working really well. Sorry if it's confusing. But glad you liked it, nonetheless.

ilovedrew88, They are pretty close, hm? It's rare for siblings to get along, though I get along pretty well with my older brothers and I think Wyatt, Chris, and Melinda's relationship is almost modeled after the relationship I have with my brothers.

charmedchick4eva, Lol. Glad you liked it!

This chapter mostly focuses on Melinda, then her relationship with Wyatt and Chris. Next chapter will focus on one of the guys, and chapter 25 will focus on whichever guy I don't do first. So, I hope everyone likes it.

So please enjoy and please review!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Melinda Halliwell awoke to sun streaming into the open window. It washed over her, making her feel warm and happy and-

Hold on, the window was open? She hadn't done that. She never left the window open she-

Oh, right, she thought, laughing slightly. She was in her boyfriend's apartment, in his bed, and he was up already it seemed. She could hear the shower water pattering softly in the bathroom that connected to the bedroom.

Melinda shivered, pulling the covers up tightly. The sun felt warm, but the breeze coming in from the bay wasn't. Plus she was- er, well . . . nude.

The shower water stopped and Melinda caught a glimpse of a very pleasing scene as boyfriend climbed out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his lower body. He turned and smiled when he saw Melinda was awake. He walked to her and leaned in, kissing her – she returned the gesture.

"You're awake," he said.

"You're up early," she countered, laughing.

He chuckled. "Well, I kinda need to go to work. I'm late as it is. But I just couldn't bare to leave you all along-"

"Stop trying to kiss my ass, Scott," Melinda said jokingly. "What is it you want?"

"Well, I have a surprise for you. But you can't have it until tonight. So I was hoping you'd go to dinner with me and then I can take you to your surprise," Scott replied.

Melinda smirked. "You don't need to be a sycophant just to get me to say yes. Just ask. Though I don't mind the extra attention."

"I know you don't," Scott replied, walking to his closet. He dropped the towel and changed, then walked back to Melinda. "Now get moving. I gotta go. If you hurry, I can drive you home."

Melinda nodded, getting out from under the covers. She shivered as a breeze fluttered into the room and went to the chair by the closet where she had put her clothes the night before – a black sweater, denim skirt that was just a few inches above her knees, and black knee-high boots. She slipped into them and then gathered up the rest of her belongings.

"Ready."

Together, Scott and Melinda left the apartment and went downstairs and to the parking garage. They got into Scott's black Acura RSX and drove off.

It was early, but late for those who worked and the roads were pretty empty. They reached the Manor in about ten minutes (Scott's apartment was usually fifteen minutes away when there was traffic.)

"Thanks," Melinda smiled, kissing Scott. She pulled back, still smiling. "Have a good day at work. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Six-o-clock," Scott replied as Melinda got out of the car and shut the door. She waved good-bye and nearly skipped up the steps to Halliwell Manor, turning and watching Scott pull away. Then she pulled out her house keys and went inside.

The smell of freshly baked corn bread and pancakes wafted around her. Wyatt had cooked breakfast, she realized. He had picked up his cooking skills from Piper. Hey, someone had to know how to cook, otherwise they'd end up with take-out for every meal. Chris could make cereal and instant oatmeal and Melinda just knew the basics, like how to toast and use the microwave and stove top.

She walked to the kitchen; her heals clicking on the hard wood floor.

"Hey, gu-" Melinda stopped short in the kitchen doorway. At her arrival, both Wyatt and Chris, who had been sitting quietly at the kitchen table, jumped up.

"Where were you? You didn't call or leave a note," Wyatt said harshly.

Melinda's green eyes widened at this sudden outburst. "I was at Scott's. I spent the night."

"Melinda," Chris said, as calmly as he could, "you're only eighteen. You can't just run off with some guy and-"

"Some guy? We've been dating for two years," Melinda said, defending herself, as well as Scott.

"Still," Wyatt replied, "You might be an all-powerful god-" ("We all are", Chris mumbled) "-but that doesn't mean we don't worry. You know better than to go off without leaving a note or telling us."

"I told you I was going to dinner with Scott last night before I left," Melinda protested.

"But we were worried when you didn't come home," Chris said in reply.

"I've spent plenty of nights at Scott's without telling you and you've never freaked like this before," Melinda noted. "Is something up? Better not be, because Scott and I have plans tonight and I'm not canceling on him again. I've had to cancel on that poor guy so many times this month that I'm surprised he hasn't dumped me."

Chris and Wyatt exchanged looks.

"No-" Wyatt replied quickly.

"Everything fine," Chris added.

Melinda "You guys suck at lying. But-" she sighed. For the most part, she and the guys got along really well. She didn't want to argue with them. "But I'm sorry, okay? Can we not fight? I'm not feeling so hot right now," she added. Which wasn't a lie. She felt a little sickly and she couldn't figure out why. She just hoped it cleared up before tonight.

"Are you sick?" Wyatt asked immediately.

Melinda shook her head, smiling. "No, jut a little queasy is all. I'll be fine."

"Well, okay. Breakfast is ready. Let's sit down and eat," Wyatt said.

Together, the Children of Light sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal.