Chapter 5

The painful, taunting passing of time tore at them like a sharpened blade against sensitive of skin, baiting them to react as ferocious lions ready to pounce on anything to protect the life of their cub, but yet they couldn't. For time existed in a plane closed off to them, holding the couple at it's mercy showing no signs of ever letting go. All they could do was linger outside the grey-blue double doors that kept them from their child as the race to save his life, if possible, was still raging on. The chaos in the background sounded more like the gentle whisper of a gusty wind as both Piper and Leo were lost in their respective thoughts as both the mother and father starred aimlessly at the white walls in front them with reddened eyes and sore throats where their screams had escaped their mouths an hour before.

They were in pain.

More pain then any person should feel in one life time but who ever said life was fair or that happiness was ever guaranteed to anyone?

No, both Piper and Leo had learned a long time ago that destiny had a sick sense of humor and loved to give and take, life, happiness and family at will, always leaving them with the shorter end of the stick while it laughed and reveled in the moment. And right now that same fate was threatening to destroy their lives once again and rip their newly found son straight from their arms and lead him to the door of its equally merciless friend, death. Something that he didn't deserve, something that should never thing about crossing his path at such a young age, but yet here it was, ready to take him away from parents who just a few short hours ago thought themselves to be his enemies.

ENEMY.

Some one who is your adversary, your foe, someone who hates your very being and curse the Gods for allowing you to draw breath time and time again, a lowly regard that no parent should ever hold their child in.

But in the end Piper and Leo had done just that and no amount of guilt, shame or self-loathing would ever change how much they hurt the young Halliwell and with him so close to tasting the bitter bile of death, only severed as the preverbal knife to the heart. A painful jab that Piper and Leo would suffer for days, weeks and mouths to come all of which they both deserved as they waited for the young doctor to walk through the door and deliver news that would either put a smile of hope on their faces or rock their world and shatter it down to it's very core.

"Leo" the woman called out as the man rocked back and forth beside her as if were locked away in a padded cell forced to converse with his own psyche.

She sighed slightly and blinked back the tears that fell for both her son and the diminished mental capacity of her ex-husband. She knew he wouldn't respond. He was too lost in the agony and pain that a parent feels when the life of their child is hanging in the balance and they can't do a damn thing but watch.

He was broken.

Almost as broken and wounded as their son who was fighting for his life as the odds were banning together against him. Her only hope was that neither of them would give up. Returning her gaze to the whiteness of the emergency room walls Piper allowed her mind to envision what her life would be like raising two of the most wonderful boys in the world. Her eyes seemed to regain a little of their hazel sparkle as she dreamt of the day that her children were old enough to help her out in the kitchen as they learned to enjoy the wonders of cooking and sharing important moments with family and the bonding that could take place in the most simplest of ways. She thought about what their first day of school would be like and how protective Wyatt would be of his baby brother and all the trouble that they would get into which she was sure would result in many sliver streaks.

She then allowed a hint of laughter to escape her lips making her appear as if she were certifiably insane but she didn't care. She was too lost in her own world, one where magic didn't exist and her boys were happy and safe, without the threat of evil of illness looming over their heads continuing to blanket their lives in pain and anguish. They were happy in her mind, safe and problem free.

She loved this new world.

It was a happy one where pain didn't exist and everything was perfect. If only she could stay here and allow the fantasy to replace her painful reality. Maybe if she believed in it a little more and forced her subconscious to except and embrace this new world then she would never have to leave here. She'd never had to face the heartbreak and despair ever again. Her smile grew wider as more pictures and happy moments that have yet to occur flashed before her eyes, appearing so real to the witch that she could almost reach out and touch them.

Almost.

For when she did the woman was met with nothing but cold air instead of the cheek of her youngest child in which she had out stretched her hand to touch and make the transition from fantasy to reality, but like most joyful and harmonious in life, she was not meant to partake in it.

Shirking back in defeat Piper pulled her legs into her chest as tears burned her cheek for the thousandth time that night as she rested her head on her knees and fixated her eyes on the operating room doors again, willing them to open and for once, just once give her the happy ending that both she and her husband deserved.

But when the door creaked open ever so slowly the look. The pained, sorrowful, dreadful look that was plastered over the futures of the young doctor told her other wise as he eyes begged for those same features to changed.

Longed for them to change.

To reveal hope instead of pessimism and sympathy the medical staff gives you before they say that they have done all that they could do. That the person you love is gone forever and that you would never see their smile again or hear their laugh.

But as he walked towards her in slow motion with his two nurses behind them, hiding their faces from the mother and father unable to drink in the pain in their eyes, she knew that her child's life had or was about to come to an end before it even had a chance to begin.

God no.

This couldn't be happening.

No, I have to be strong and think positive.

He's not going to say what those awful words.

God please don't let him say it.

If I've ever done anything good, if I was ever a good witch and great protector of the innocent please don't let him speak those cruel, unforgiving words. Piper thought to her self as Leo stood by her side and took her hands in his before the doctor came to a complete stop in front of them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt" He began as Piper felt her breath become lodged in her chest. He then spoke the seven words no parent ever wants to hear when one is speaking of their child.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news"

I seemed to have lost a few reviewers with the last chapter so I hope the new installment has renewed your intrest in this story. Thanks to everyone who has continued to read this story. It means a lot to me :) Thanks again I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter and like always don't forget to review!