Surreptitiously Leo orbed just down the hall from Bianca's, peering around the corner he checked for people before smoothing his shirt and walking to the door. Raising his knuckles he rapped lightly on the smooth surface then waited for the occupant. Hearing heavy sniffles his brow creased as he leant closer to the door and raised his knuckles again.
"Go away." was the half hearted response, the shuddering in her voice betraying the request.
"Bianca, sweetie, open the door." he asked kindly. Hearing no movement he sighed lightly and boldly orbed in just inside the door. Adjust his eyes to the almost complete darkness he could see that the heavy drapes had been drawn and that there was broken glass around where he was standing. Quickly he side-stepped as he continued peering down something catching his eye. Bending at the knees he picked up what looked like Bianca's engagement ring. Biting the inside of his cheek he rose just as quietly clutching the beloved possession in his tight grasp. Squinting lightly his eyes scanned the room slowly, hearing soft sniffling he looked in the direction it had come from as he took a few hesitant steps forward.
"Bianca?" he called softly not wanting to overwhelm her, walking into the lounge room his eyes continued to scan the floor. Spotting her curled up into a tiny ball at the foot of the lounge, her knees pulled up to her chest, her hands covered by the sleeves of the jacket, he smile out of concern.
"Hey." he said softly, not wanting to push conversation on her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, through heavy breaths.
"Wyatt asked me to check on you." he explained, stopping as the mere mention of his name bought tears to her eyes. "It's okay." he told her as she choked back tears of distress.
"He, he, he, betrayed me." she said softly, as if to convince herself, no to let Leo in on what was going on.
Nodding, he took a few steps forward, sitting down on the couch next to her. Gently placing his hand on her shoulder he squeezed sympathetically, feeling for a moment her confusion and despair. Slowly she rocked herself back and forth, finding little or no comfort in the action she continued it anyway. Reaching over Leo picked up the blanket next to him and draped it over her shoulders, watching her as she pulled it tighter around herself before lifting the corner to her nose and taking a deep breath. Closing her swollen, bloodshot eyes as a tear fell from the corner.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked softly, watching her as she placed her palm onto the floor and pushed herself up, making her way down the hallway and quietly closing the door behind her.
Falling back into the lounge he knew his son would be fretting, wanting any news of Bianca, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone like this. Holding out his hand he looked at the ring in his hand, cautiously picking it up between his thumb and forefinger. The slender platinum band supporting the two carat princess cut diamond through only four tiny claws. Two slender baguette diamonds either side of the main diamond making it look elegant despite it's simplicity.
(Flashback)
The ornately decorated room was bustling with friends and laughter as Chris attempted yet again to make a toast. Leo held Piper in his arms as they watched their youngest son play up to the crowd.
"Anyway so as I was saying there was a time when we all thought that Wyatt was destined of course to become the most sullen man on the face of the earth. Then being the bastard he is, he decides to come home with the most beautiful girl any of us have ever seen. No offence or anything Bianca."
Pausing his eyes twinkled mischievously as the entire room broke out into a fit of laughter. Raising his hand to quiet them down, he then placed one over his heart as if he'd been injured.
"I of course say this facetiously, it was of course Bianca. And I think that on behalf of my family we all remember that night clearly, because it was the first time I think any of us had ever seen Wyatt truly happy. Now in all seriousness, I think aunt Pheebs in her ultimate wisdom knew all along that these two were destined for great things and that they would of course bring us all together on more than one occasion. That reminds me, Wy, Have you two set the date yet? Because there's two fine fillies in the front row who want to know when they're going to get to see me again."
Grinning sheepishly he pointed to two of Bianca's friends, winking as he looked to the back of the room for his brother. The room turned and saw Wyatt slowly rocking Bianca in his arms, stooped down with his chin on his shoulder as she lent against him.
"Oh well what else is new, throw them a party and they have fun on they're own." Both Wyatt and Bianca blushed slightly as they shook their heads in unison. "Oh well, I'll just have to get your phone numbers later, don't let me forget. Back to the story at hand, anyway so I don't know exactly how long they'd been seeing each other before he finally brought her home to meet the parents, but they seemed so at ease in each others company. And you all know that even after a while for some people that's not always the case. So here we are sitting around in the lounge room when the parent's break out the big guns. Now I can't tell you for sure what happened next, mostly because I left the room quicker than you could say Roger Ramjet, but the next time I saw dear old mom and dad they seemed quite pleased with themselves."
"Watch who you're calling old, Peanut." Piper warned jokingly. The room again breaking into laughter.
"So either way, the weeks and months passed and we saw both more of Bianca and less of Wyatt. So I of course knew that uh huh my big brother had it bad for little miss thang. So it was of course no surprise to me when a few weeks ago my brother held his hand over my mouth and pinched my nose so I couldn't breath at, what was it five thirty in the morning? Just so he could wake me up and drag me out ring shopping with him. And just so you all know, he's just as picky as the most high maintenance chick. We spent almost eight hours shopping for the perfect ring." Chris let out a snore as he closed his eyes. "I mean, my God, eight hours and have you seen the size of it? It's like this big." He held his fingers up drastically under sizing it to show his despair at having been woken up so early.
"But then again it is awfully purty."
"Come on Chris, wrap it up." Wyatt said wearily.
"Uh oh, mister man is getting grumpy." Holding his bare wrist up he pretended to check the time. "And rightly so it's way past his bedtime. Bianca, if you wouldn't mind tucking him in." Laughing he ducked as both Wyatt and Bianca threw what looked to be mini quiches at him.
"I was kidding." he laughed in his defence. "So without further ado, and to stop tasty projectiles been thrown at me. Please everyone raise your glasses and join me in toasting one of the beautiful couples. Don't they just make you sick?" Trying desperately to keep a straight face he nodded at Wyatt selflessly. "To Wyatt and Bianca, may you always show us mere mortals how it's supposed to be. Here's to your future, may you always give us hope. We love you both and hope that you will always be happy."
Glasses throughout the room clinked in unison after a chorus of here, here's. Awkwardly Wyatt smiled and nuzzled lightly into Bianca's neck trying to hide his face. This setting of a chorus of aww's as Bianca squeezed his arm that was wrapped around her waist.
Leo rubbed his temples, standing shakily. Softly padding down the hallway he turned the door handle and placed his hand on the door to stop it making any noise. Poking his head around the door he saw Bianca sleeping in the middle of the bed, her knees still drawn up to her chest. Biting his top lip he closed the door behind him and let out a low, deep sigh. Hearing Piper calling for him he walked a little further down the hallway before orbing back to the manor.
"Finally." Piper said impulsively. "What did you find out."
"Nothing." he said simply, sitting down at the dinning table.
"What do you mean nothing?" she asked, confused by his nonchalance.
"She wasn't in the talking mood. I think she'll be okay, but," he paused as he held his hand out to his wife. "I found this on the floor."
Reaching out she picked up the tiny ring, turning it over in her fingers. Looking up when she saw a shadow in the corner of her eye.
"Wyatt?" she said turning around. His eyes fixed only on the ring in her fingers. Taking a deep breath and holding it in he walked closer, gently taking it from his mother. Sitting down across from his father he slid the ring onto his little finger, laughing hollowly when it didn't even go past the first knuckle. Sliding his hands forward he rested his head on the table top and closed his eyes.
"Is she okay?" he mumbled.
'She will be." his father told him reassuringly. "She's a strong girl. I'm sure she'll be fine. She's sleeping now."
Wyatt nodded as best he could with his head still on the table. Piper reaching her hands out to his and squeezing them tightly before releasing them and walking back to the bench.
"Hungry baby?" she asked trying to distract him from his thoughts. Ignoring him as he shook his head, placing a toasted cheese sandwich in front of him. Looking up he placed his chin on the table and picked at the crust of the sandwich. Then let his hands fall either side of the plate.
"Not hungry." he told her.
"You still have to eat Wyatt." she told him sternly. "When was the last time you ate."
Shrugging he moved his hand under his chin and stared across the room at nothing in particular. Piper looked at Leo and frowned slightly, trying to motivate him into doing something.
"Bianca did say one interesting thing while I was there." Leo said playing with his fingers as Wyatt sat upwards and staring expectantly over at his father. Piper also curious, sat down next to him, narrowing her eyes as Leo avoided all their gazes.
"Dad?" Wyatt asked impatiently.
"She said you betrayed her Wyatt. What does that mean?"
Sinking back into the chair, Wyatt looked over towards the laundry door, raising his hands to his head. Taking several breaths before dragging his fingers down his face. He could feel both of his parents staring at him.
"I think you both know what it means so why should I say it aloud?" he asked. "Yes I cheated on Bianca, yes I've been fighting with demon's almost every night for the last four months. And yes I've been enjoying killing them. Yes I've screwed up and yes I am a disappointment."
Slamming his chair back he stood and walked out of the room and stomped up the stairs. Piper shook her head out of sheer concern covering Leo's hand with hers.
"What are we going to do?" she asked.
"I want to go back and wait until she wakes up. See what she's going to do, what she wants to do. Make sure that she's okay."
"Good idea. We can't just abandon her."
Leo looked over at his wife, inquisitively raising one eyebrow, surprised that she had thought they would. Moving his thumb gently over the back of her fingers before lifting it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss onto them.
"So I'm going to go back, if you need me you know, just call for me." he said standing up. Smiling down at his wife he leant down slightly and lightly kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later."
"Take your time." she said seriously. Leo smiled again and once again disappeared in a veil of orbs. Placing her hands on the table and easing herself up, Piper slowly started towards the stairs.
"Mom." Chris called as he walked in the front door. "Hey, what's going on?"
"I'm going to check on your brother." she told him as he walked over and quickly kissed her cheek.
"Wy? He's here?" Chris asked a little shocked. "What happened?"
Piper just smiled at her youngest son, pushing the hair off of his forehead before leaning forwards and brushing the hairline with a kiss.
"Where have you been? You smell like," she stopped as Chris pulled back suddenly. "Christopher?"
"Just out and about. So um, Wy, he's, you know, okay?"
"Don't go changing the subject Chris, where have you been?"
"I was just checking out a few leads." he said shuffling his feet nervously. "Can I go check on my brother now?"
Quickly he brushed past his mother and ran up the stairs, slowing down before he reached Wyatt's door. Knocking lightly he pressed his ear to the door.
"Wy, can I come in?" he asked, pulling back from the door when he heard heavy footsteps coming towards the door. Offering a friendly smile as the door opened, Wyatt's appearance somewhat dishevelled as he stood back and made room for his brother to enter.
"Hey, what's going on?" Chris asked, concerned by Wyatt's lack of speech, usually he'd hit him with some quip about one of his many features. Shrugging he thought that maybe Wyatt was still harbouring a grudge from this morning. He watched Wyatt as he fell forwards onto the bed, falling next to him he looked over the edge at the photo album he was flicking through.
"Ah bad hair day for both of us." Chris jibed. Wyatt turned the page again and Chris let out a low groan. "Ugh, do you remember that day? Friday wasn't it? Bianca and god, what was her name? I think I'm losing my marbles."
"Laura." Wyatt mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Your ex-girlfriend her name was Laura, and it was a Saturday." he said as he rolled over onto his back.
"Right, Laura. Yeah she was good." he said smirking proudly as Wyatt rolled his eyes. "That was an experience and a half. We we're just like any other ordinary kids having fun at the carnival."
(Flashback)
"Chris. Come on the ferris wheel." The brunette holding his hand asked, pulling him towards the line. "Please, it'll be fun."
Wyatt laughed from behind him, one arm wrapped tightly around Bianca's shoulder, their hands interlocked resting on her arm as they followed the younger couple.
"Go on Chris, go on the ferris wheel." Wyatt insisted. "We'll wait for you down here."
Hesitantly Chris handed the tickets over to the barker, throwing a casual glance over his shoulder to look at his brother as he led Bianca over to one of the abandoned benches, sitting on the back as Bianca sat in front of him so he could wrap both arms around her now.
"Chris, c'mon." Laura said, pulling Chris up the stairs and onto the platform. Chris smiled at her and looked back over to Wyatt and Bianca, smiling as the ferris wheel kicked into gear and their carriage travelled backwards and up at the same time. Wyatt laughed as Chris' face changed slightly when he realised that on this trip he had no control over the speed or direction of his journey.
"Having fun?" he asked as Bianca snuggled into his arms.
"Yeah, it's just a little cool tonight, the forecast was a little off." she said looking up at him. Smiling as he promptly planted a short yet sweet kiss on her chin before stripping his jacket off and draping it around her shoulders and pulling her back into his arms.
"So what's up next?" he asked, whispering in her ear as if it was a secret between the two of them.
"I don't know." she whispered back, turning her head so it was tucked under his chin. "It's starting to get late though, and I can't remember what time thy close this place down."
"We've got about 20 minutes before that happens."
"Yeah, so we could go grab something to eat. You know Toni's is just up the road a little. And you guys do like your pizza."
"Great idea. And look, mention food and Peanut comes running."
The two laughed as they stood up and met Chris and Laura halfway. Wyatt stopping and trying his hardest not to laugh at Bianca as his jacket fell just below her knees.
"Okay, so how do you guys feel about getting a slice at Toni's?" he asked impatiently. Hoping they would say yes as his stomach growled in anticipation.
"Hell yeah." Chris said yanking at Laura's arm now and pulling her towards the gates. "Gots ta get food."
Wyatt rolled his eyes and took Bianca's hand before following his younger brother up the street. Laughing as he weaved in and out of the throngs of people. Keeping a firm grip on Bianca's hand he pulled her closer to him as the crowd thickened.
"Don't want to lose you in the crowd." he told her as she looked up at him. Winking before he looked back up and continued to navigate them through the horde.
"Wy." Chris yelled back pointing to the sign above him. "Want us to get seats?"
Wyatt nodded, frowning at the group of teenagers pushing and shoving as they walked past them, one bumping into him and almost causing him to lose his footing and his grip on Bianca.
"Let it go." she said softly as she ran her fingers over the back of his hand. "This kind of thing happens a lot in the real, everyday world."
Smiling he nodded and finally pushed them through a small gap and into the small crowded restaurant. Laughing as they spotted Chris with a 21" pepperoni pizza sitting in front of him and Laura as he greedily chomped down the first slice.
"Wow, don't tell the authorities we never feed him. They might take our little peanut away." Wyatt said as he tousled Chris' long dark hair, making sure that most of it landed in his eyes.
Chris rolled over onto his side and stared at Wyatt. "Wy, are we still buds?"
"Yeah Chris, we're still buds." Wyatt said looking at him out of the corner of his eye.
"Good, so why don't we go downstairs and get something to eat. I'm sure it'd make mom happier and we can talk some more."
Groaning lightly Wyatt kicked his leg out and propelled himself into a sitting position. Nodding knowing full well his brother wasn't going to leave him alone without a good enough excuse.
"Well come on then big brother. Don't let age slow you down." Chris said cheekily. Smiling as Wyatt cracked a slight smile. "Now that's what we like to see, those lovely and expensive might I add, shiny white teeth."