"I can't imagine what a shock that must have been for you," Piper said to Leo after they had all returned home.
"I don't understand," said Leo. "I never knew she was pregnant. I didn't even know about him."
"And of course the Elders couldn't tell you," added Prue. "If what you say is true about Whitelighters severing all contact with the people they knew before they died."
"It's true," said Leo. "It can affect a Whitelighters' objectivity if he gets involved with them."
"So why let you know about him now?" asked Phoebe. "They must have known you'd discover who he was?"
"I'll ask them," said Leo. "I'm being summoned. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Leo orbed out of the manor leaving the sisters alone in the house.
Leo orbed into the Whitelighter realm. He had expected to see one of the Elders waiting for him. Instead a woman stood waiting for him.
"Matilda?" questioned Leo.
"Hello, Leo," said Matilda. "The Elders asked me to speak with you. They felt it might be easier coming from me instead of one of them. I'm guessing you've got a couple of questions. Questions about your latest assignment?"
"You could say that," said Leo. "Is it true?'
"Yes," said Matilda. "You wife had written you about her pregnancy. But you died before you got the letter. It was felt at the time that the best option was not to tell you since you were so new at being a Whitelighter."
"Now I can understand that," said Leo. "I'm not sure I would have then. It would have been very difficult to concentrate on my duties as a Whitelighter knowing I had a newborn son out there."
"Exactly," said Matilda. "You couldn't go back. You know we have to sever all ties when we become a Whitelighter. You were still learning that."
"So why let me know now?" asked Leo. "After sixty years? Why let me know I even have a son?"
"Leo, you're one of the best Whitelighters we have," said Matilda. "You have perhaps the most important and difficult assignment one of us can have. You're Whitelighter to the Charmed Ones.
"That's a very taxing and stressful assignment. Many Whitelighters, including older and more experienced ones, wouldn't be able to handle it. But you have discharged that duty with an exemplary record. You're quickly becoming a shining example of what it means to be a Whitelighter. We also know that you've constantly worried about what became of your family after you died. You never speak of it but we know you think about it a great deal."
"Yeah, I guess I do," said Leo.
"Well," said Matilda, "we thought it was time to reward you for all your hard work and dedication. There was talk of assigning you to the Whitelighter Council. So that you could help in choosing future Whitelighters."
"I prefer to be in the field," said Leo.
"I know that," said Matilda. "So do many on the Council and many of the Elders. And you still have your work with the Charmed Ones. Very soon they're going to need you more than they ever have before. I can't say any more than that.
"But I knew the best reward was to let you know what happened to your family. To know that they're doing well. And that they're still very proud of what you accomplished while you were still alive."
"Thank you," said Leo. "You don't know how much it means to me."
"I have an idea,' said Matilda smiling. "You understand this doesn't change anything? You cannot reestablish contact with them or even tell them who you really are?"
"I know," said Leo. "Knowing they're okay is enough."
"I can tell you this," said Matilda. "In a few years we've decided to allow you to mentor your son when he comes up here."
"Up here?" questioned Leo.
"He's very much like you," said Matilda. "He's going to make a good Whitelighter."
"Thank you," said Leo. "I appreciate it. What about Piper and the others? Is it okay if I tell them? They're going to be understandably curious."
"I don't know why not," said Matilda smiling. "It's not like you'd be giving away our secret or anything."
"Thank you again," said Leo, beaming. "Thank you very much."
On impulse, Leo leaned over and kissed Matilda on the cheek before he orbed back to Earth to give the sisters the good news.
The End
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