"This is Ava, my sister Beth's daughter."
"Oh, hello Ava, I'm Prue," I say.
"Hi." She says shyly.
"How old is she?"
"She's almost four years old, her birthday is in a week." He leans down to her, "You're going to be an even bigger girl soon, huh?" She nods, and holds Andy's hand. "So you're shy now?" He asks. She doesn't answer.
"She's so pretty."
"Yeah, I love her so much. She um, lives with me now." Andy said sadly, "Her mother passed away almost a year ago."
"Oh my god, that's terrible."
"Yeah, I would have stayed in Oregon longer, but I had to move back into Ava's house. I would do anything for her though, and there was that perk of seeing you again." He smiles at me.
Wow, Andy is somehow in a twisted way, in the same kind of situation as me. Except of course, that I have two teenagers to take care of. The poor guy… But Ava is so beautiful, and cute!
"I'm really sorry about your sister Andy."
"Yeah, it was hard, but I've begun to recover, and so has she."
The waitress comes over and takes drink orders; A club soda for me, some coke for Andy, and Andy already has a specially made sippy-cup for Ava.
Andy draws Ava a picture on the paper menu, and she giggles with glee. It's a ballerina, dancing, just like Phoebe.
"So Prue," Andy says while he draws, "What's been going on in your life?"
"Taking care of my sisters, that's what I've been doing." I say, trying to smile, and drawing a crown for Ava's ballerina.
"Yeah, did your grams tell you I saw her?" Andy asks.
"She tells me you visit her a lot, and I asked her why you didn't visit me, and oh, what was the word she used, scared? Were you really scared to see me, And?" I say.
"Nah, it's just a lot has changed. I didn't know if you would be okay with it."
"Uncoo Andy? Can I have my juicy now?" Ava asks sweetly, holding her chubby hands out at Andy.
"Sure, sweetheart." He hands Ava the sippy cup and looks at me intently, "So, how are your sisters?"
"They're good."
"Have you been going to school anywhere?"
"University of San Francisco."
"That's supposed to be a good school, what's your major?'
I cough a little when I say, "Art history. What about you?"
"I went to Oregon State, but I've been offered an early internship at the police station." He looks proud of himself.
"Wow, that's amazing." I say.
"Yeah. God, Prue, I missed you so much. I missed being friends with you."
"Well, we should start our friendship back up, shouldn't we?"
"Yeah, but for now, let's just be friends. I don't know if I can handle a relationship right now, you know? With Ava in my life and all." Damn, I really wanted to see if that would work.
My heart sinks heavily, "Yeah, of course I understand. I have a lot on my hands with Piper and Phoebe anyways."
"Yeah, so anyways," Andy starts up the conversation again after we landed in a ditch.
Phoebe
I watch Piper carefully put the popcorn in the microwave. She reaches on her tippy toes and puts the counter on for ten seconds. "So how was your day?"
"Okay,"
It rings and she takes out the popcorn.
"Are we crazy to be doing popcorn and movies in the afternoon?" I get the popcorn and step towards the couch.
"It's almost four thirty, not that late." She washes her hands quickly in the sink and smiles at me.
"Yeah, and Prue still isn't back. She and Andy must be having a good time."
"Are your thoughts always programmed to dirty?" Piper laughs.
"Ohhh, who said I meant for them to be dirty." I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Touché!"
"So what's the movie today, Miss Dirtay?" I ask, grabbing a handful of popcorn and shoving it into my mouth.
"Speaking of dirty, I got us Dirty Dancing, I got it especially for you. Of course, you've seen it a million times. Me being a dork, have never seen it… Hey, stop sticking your tongue out with food on it, it's gross!" I laugh and stick it out some more.
"Come on Pipe, learn to have some fun!" I hand her the bowl of popcorn.
"That's okay, I just ate, but guess what?" She leans over and tickles me. I have always been the most ticklish Halliwell, so it gives Piper and Prue an unfair advantage over me.
"S-s-stop it!" I can hardly breathe from laughing too much. Finally Piper obliges. "So where's the movie."
"I thought we could talk a little bit before it. You know?"
"Ohh god, do I get more lecturing?" I thought this was just going to be fun time, no exceptions.
"No Pheebs! I want to just talk. You sometimes forget that I'm near the same age as you."
"Well usually, you're not so quick to remind me." I say quietly.
"Phoebe, I just wanted you to know, that I'm glad for what you do for me, and that I consider you my best friend."
Whoa. I can't believe she thinks that much of me. Me, the most screwed up screw up. "Wow, Piper I don't know what to say. I'm glad you're my sister. But what do I do for you?"
"You let me hang out with all your friends because you know that I don't have any."
Oh no, she's on this kick again.
"Piper, what about Justin?"
"He doesn't count."
"Yes he does, and all my friends really like you. If only you'd speak out your mind. You care way too much about what people think of you."
"Yeah right, you probably told them to feel bad for me."
"Piper, why do you think I'd ever do that? Anyways, Willy and Ryder really do like you a lot. Don't be so hard on yourself. It makes me really sad."
"Whatever. I changed my mind about Ryder though; he seems to really respect you. How is he doing?" I can't tell her that he's been strangely different lately. He's been kind of distant. Just yesterday I saw him with bruises on his arms. When I asked him about it, he just shooed me away. God, I have to be worried about so many people in this life. "He's okay."
"What base have you gotten to?" Piper asks, looking mischievous.
I hit her with a nearby magazine, "Piper! Stop trying to change the subject!"
"Now, you're the one trying to change the subject missy!"
"Righto. Well whatever, you wanna watch the movie?" I ask her, settling down in front of the TV, and motioning Piper to sit down too.
Piper
The movie has been quite good so far, even though it's all hot sweaty bodies like gyrating, at least in my opinion. Right now I'm at the part where Penny gets an abortion, and Baby's dad helps her. It's so dramatic, I guess drama sells, but then again, so does sex. Whatever. Dancing looks so fun; I wish I could get lessons. I look at Phoebe who is chomping away at popcorn, and still entranced in the movie even though she's seen it eighty times. I wonder if the plot is still the same to her after seeing the movie that many times. I wouldn't know, I've never watched a movie more than twice. It's a good thing that I didn't get Kill it Before it Dies, which is Phoebe's all time favorite cheesy movie.
"So, Pheebs, how do you like the movie for the millionth time?" I ask her, flicking my hand in her face.
"Shhh, you're disrupting my movie time." She says, in a baby voice.
I hug her, "You're so immature."
"That's why you love me." She smiles. She looks back at the movie, the light of the television glowing on her face, turning it a ghostly blue.
"Exactly," I say, putting my head on her shoulder.
"Shhh."
Prue
I slam the door loudly behind me as I enter the hallway of the manor. I want to go up to my room and do something. I just don't know what. I run up the stairs and make a beeline for my room, shutting the door tightly behind me. Sitting on my bed, I lean against the headboard, slowly sinking and closing my eyes. It's not his fault; it's not his fault… In fact I have to be sorry for him. His sister died, I mean, I could not live if one of my sisters died. The thought alone scares me out of my mind. It would just be so much easier for me if I didn't have any feelings for him anymore. But the first time I saw his face again, my heart melted… I don't want to have feelings for him… I can't stop thinking about him and that beautiful little girl… I even found myself thinking that I wanted that little girl to be a product of Andy and me. I am so head over heals for him, but Ava isn't really his anyways. I burrow my head under the covers, and pick up a Walkman, something to drown out the thoughts of Andy, and the sounds coming from the downstairs television. The music floods into my ears and I close my eyes forcefully listening to the sounds of Phoebe's CD.
Before I know it, my eyes are drooping, and I'm falling asleep, clothes and all.
Phoebe
"God, that movie never gets old." I sigh happily, stretching out on the couch.
"It is pretty good." Piper admits, "But I don't think I could see any movie as much as you've seen Dirty Dancing."
I look down at the almost empty bowl of popcorn, "I feel like such a pig, you let me eat all of that?"
"N-no," She says, "I ate some too."
"Uh, no you didn't."
"How could you know? You were absorbed in the movie." She says, taking the bowl of popcorn into the kitchen.
It's weird though, I'm sure Piper didn't eat anything. Popcorn is like, her favorite food.
"So Prue is back, haven't heard much out of her since she slammed that door." The sink runs and Piper comes back, wiping her hands on her jeans.
"What do you think is up this time?"
"With Prue it could be anything." Piper chuckles and turns off the TV, where credits are streaming down the screen.
"Things with Andy must not have been good. Do you think he cheated on her or something?" I ask, thinking how sucky that would be. Andy has been like an older brother to me forever, I was so looking forward to having him in my life again.
"How could he have cheated on her if they weren't even going out in the first place?" Piper points out.
"Oh come on, you know what I mean."
"Sure I- She gets cut off by the doorbell.
I jump off the couch and scramble to the door. When I turn the knob and see Ryder's face, I put my hand on my hip and say, "I thought you cancelled our date for tonight."
"Well this cancellation has just been revoked." He wraps his arms around me and hugs me slowly and carefully as if I were his baby. "Besides, I don't think I could last a day without a kiss from you."
"You're so sweet." I stand up so that my mouth is aligned with his and put my lips against his. He lightly strokes my chin and brings it farther up to his mouth, and wraps me in one of the best kisses of my life. He smells like cologne and something I can't put my finger on. I break away from the kiss and put my finger on my lips, "Well, I guess if we're on tonight, you'll get more later."
"Tease," He laughs and spots Piper, "Hey Pipe!"
Piper comes over to where we're standing and for once looks happy to see him. "Hi Ryder, long time no see."
"Ah yes," He bows his head charmingly, "Couldn't wait to see you girls."
Piper
"So where are you guys going tonight?" I ask, clearing my throat and look at the happy couple.
"Movies, dinner, around." Ryder answers automatically.
"You're not gonna jump in on our date, are you Piper?" Phoebe asks, jokingly.
"Of course not," I say rolling my eyes, "A night to myself is what I need."
"You sure?" She says, and comes up to me whispering, "What about Prue?"
"I'll deal with her, you go have fun."
"Hey! No secrets!" Ryder protests.
"Oh, honey, you're jealous." She says, sticking her tongue out of him.
"What a lovely gesture to give your boyfriend." I smirk, and she sticks her tongue out at me too.
"Piper, you're too right, I think we need to share what comes around." He counts to three and we both stick our tongues out. The only difference is that Ryder gets really close to Phoebe so that his tongue is close to her face. I wonder what it feels like to have a guy you really like that close. I think I would just be embarrassed, and of course, never as confident as Phoebe.
"Well," Ryder looks at his watch, "We better get going."
"Yep," Phoebe says, and smiles as he loops his hand around the low side of her waist.
"It was really nice to see you, Piper." He says, bowing once again for me.
"You too, Ryd." Wait… What did I just call him?
"Ryd… Hmmm… I like it." Ryder laughs as he walks outside. And even as he and Phoebe drive away, I can still hear that laugh.
Now I have a night practically on my own. I really like having alone time to myself. Now I have time to curl up in the couch, and read and just relax. Of course I can't throw up tonight, because there is that possibility that Prue will see me. God no, I can't worry about that now… I need to stop and just have me time… Flopping down on the couch, I look at pictures next to it. There is one that I absolutely love, of me when I was about two, Prue is five, and mom is pregnant with Phoebe. We are all gathered around mom talking to baby Phoebe. It makes me feel like I'm part of a real family, whenever I see that picture, not some twisted anyone. I'm a part of something, and not a mixed up puzzle. There is a picture of just mom and me that I keep close to my heart. In the picture I am a small carefree baby with only a small spreading of brown hair. I'm clutching onto mom's dress as she hoists me up into the air. So many memories all frozen into one moment, a moment I cannot even remember. I wish I did though; my mother seemed like such a wonderful woman.
I can hear some shuffling from upstairs and decide to bring Prue tea as an excuse to find out what's going on. Trying not to burn myself on Prue's favorite antique teacup, I slowly make my way upstairs. "Tea service," I say knocking on the door.
Prue
I don't know what makes me do it, but I feel like I need to have a woman to woman talk, and Piper is definitely my best choice of who to talk to about Andy. Of course, she's the only one around... I summon up my most confident and clear voice, "Does that include Relationship rescuing too, or do I have to pay extra for that?"
Piper comes in dressed in a large white shirt with the word KISS on it, and baggy jeans, "Ah, what bitch would I be if I charged extra for relationship rescuing… But come to think of it, I should, I'd be a millionaire by now." She plops down on the bed next to me and hugs me, "He's not good enough for you."
Despite myself, I chuckle. "Nice try sis, but you're going to have to be trapped with me for awhile."
"Aw, shucks." She jokes, but turns serious again. "So what really is up? You slammed that door pretty loud." I hate it when she's the older sister, it makes me feel stupid, but it is true that she is more mature than me.
"I don't know, its stupid really."
"Prue, you expect me to give you some advice when I don't even know what's going on?"
I slowly explain to her about Andy's niece, which gets some resounding awwws and so's from Piper.
"Well I was expecting to start something up with Andy again. Really looking forward to it, because Andy is the most amazing guy ever." I say, while looking down at my nails and absentmindedly pick at them.
"So did he say he didn't like you anymore or something?" Piper asks me, looking at me with raised eyebrows.
"No, he just said that he didn't think we could have a relationship with so much on his plate."
She laughs, "Well then."
"Well then, what? He turned me down!"
"You didn't ask him!" She says.
"True."
"He didn't say he didn't like you, so you still have a chance. He obviously doesn't want to take it fast. Why don't you just be friends with him and see where that leads?" God, Piper is a freaking genius! "Plus," She adds, "He says he has a lot on his plate now. Well what about later? Those things on his plate are going to disappear as he eats them."
"You and your odd metaphors." I say, putting my arm around her.
"Well? What do you expect from me? A love potion? Psssh!" We both laugh at that. If only there was such a thing as a love potion.
Phoebe
Ryder chauffeurs me out of the movie theater. "Good movie." He says.
"Hot guy." I say and mentally kick myself for cheesiness.
"Pretty Woman." He kisses me and strokes down the back of my neck.
"This could go on, or it won't. Where shall we go out to dinner?" I smile at him, jumping into his hug.
"I know this great place on the bay."
"Which one?"
"The Water Lily." He says shortly.
"The Water Lily? Ryder, that is like really expensive. Are you sure you want to go there?"
"Yes!" Uh oh, he sounds aggravated. But he seems to calm as quickly as his mood came, "I would do anything for you my dear."
I give him a small smile, and we enter the car.
After we order, for once I don't have much to talk about. "How are your sisters?" Ryder asks me, searching for a topic.
"They're okay. But enough about me, how about you? What's your family like? I've never met them before." I ask, and seeing the serious look on Ryder's face, I'm treading deep.
"They're not interesting, let's not talk about them."
Stupidly, I decided to try deeper, "Ryder, you must have a family to talk about."
"I have a mother, sister, and," He pauses, "A father."
"I didn't know you had a sister, what's her name?"
"She's actually a half sister, her name is Marie, and she's eleven."
"Marie's a pretty name." I say, thinking that I wish he would tell me more.
"Yeah, it is. Marie's pretty cool."
"Cool."
"I was thinking we could go to the park after this for some real alone time." Ryder says, and grabs my hand in his. His rough fingers are stroking it softly, making me feel very loved.
"That sounds great." I say, as I put the last forkful of food in my mouth.
"Check!"