A Different Kind of Magic (Sequel to Full Circle)
By Teri AKA tessalynne
PG/ PG-13 for possible language
Phoebe/Cole
AU
Disclaimer:I do not own Charmed or any of its characters. I am uncertain whether they are the property of WB Television or Spelling Television, but either way, no copyright infringement is intended. I have borrowed them strictly for entertainment purposes and shall return them unharmed.
Author's Notes:This is a sequel to my story 'Full Circle'. You will need to read the first story to understand what is happening in this one. This takes place just after the finale for season 7 which is 3 years after 'Full Circle'; it is again my own little world, translation, Teri makes the rules. Some quick notes, Leo is human, the manor was severely damaged in a demonic battle, the Charmed Ones narrowly escaped death by faking their own deaths and are now living new lives with new identities, and Archie Finley is my creation. I hope you enjoy. My thanks to Jerry for Beta Reading this story.
Summary:Where the heart leads, magic follows.
One
"Oh, Chris," Piper laughed at the cereal covered baby babbling in his highchair "you're supposed to eat it, not wear it. Leo, would you hand me that washcloth please?"
Leo paused from placing items into his lunch box to hand Piper the washcloth and gave a rueful shake of his head. "I'm not sure he is ever going to master the art of feeding himself. There's always more on the outside than there is on the inside."
"Oh, he'll figure it out one of these days, all kids do."
Piper finished wiping the cereal off Chris's face and moved him from the highchair to his play yard in the corner of the sunny kitchen.
"So, since you are packing that lunch box, is it safe to assume that you will be lunching on the job today?" she asked her husband with a smile as she turned to finish the clean up on the chair.
"Yeah, I'm working on restoring the woodworking today and some of the refinishing gets a bit time sensitive."
"Okay, hey, try not to be too late tonight; Paige is coming for dinner and I'd like it to be the whole family."
"Not a problem, I'll be home by five."
Piper couldn't help but think that she would never get used to how wonderful that sounded. But her reverie was quickly interrupted as Wyatt entered the kitchen with his stiff-legged attempt at a run.
"Kiss, Daddy, Kiss!" he shouted excitedly, holding his arms out to Leo.
"Inside voice," Leo chided mildly as he scooped up his eldest son for a kiss and a hug. "Daddy has to get to work now. You be good for your Mommy, okay?"
"I will," he promised as he squirmed out of his father's arms. Looking toward his mother, he wrinkled his nose, "Chris messy," he declared with the absolute authority of a three-year-old.
Piper could only smile at his serious tone. "You were messy too when you were his age."
"Nu –Uh," he insisted.
"Oh, yes, you just don't remember." She tweaked his nose affectionately as she turned to deposit the soiled cloth in the sink.
"Bye everyone," Leo called out as he headed for the door, "I'll see you tonight."
"Bye," Piper responded distractedly while Wyatt began to tug at the hem of her top.
" Mo-o-om-m-my," Wyatt stretched the syllables into a whiney singsong.
"Don't whine, sweetie. What is it?"
"Auntie Phoebe cry again. She said no, but she had the clown nose. So she fibbed."
Piper sighed. If there were anything about her new life that was less than perfect, then Phoebe's dissatisfaction would be it.
"Don't you worry about it honey. Sometimes grown-ups just get a little sad. Mommy will talk to her. Mommy has to clean up this morning, so why don't you go out in the backyard and play in your sandbox or on the swings until its time for lunch."
The freedom to allow her son to play in his yard like a normal child was yet another thing that Piper deeply appreciated about their new, demon-free lives.
" 'Kay."
"And don't…slam the door," She finished under her breath as the kitchen door crashed shut behind the whirlwind that was her son.
If only Phoebe were so easy to please. That thought brought Piper to a standstill in the middle of the kitchen. Hmmm, maybe she is. It really could be that simple. Simple… The sound of the telephone interrupted her musings, but the thought had taken hold.
"Hal…Hello, Davidson residence," Piper quickly corrected her slip.
"Got to watch those slip ups girl, they could make my job even harder than it already is," said a familiar gravely voice with a chuckle.
"Archie. How are you?"
"Doing well. And y'all?"
"We're all well," Piper's thoughts strayed to Phoebe, but that wasn't a topic for the telephone. " To what do we owe the pleasure of your call?"
"Got some checks your Dad asked me to drop by and was wondering if today would be good for you?"
"Sure. Why don't you stop by about one, I'll have the boys down for their naps by then. That work for you? Good, I'll see you then, there's something I want to talk to you about anyway."
"Trouble?" Archie's concern was apparent in his tone.
"No, no trouble Archie. Just something I need you to look into for me. I'll explain when I see you." Piper wondered if she had well and truly lost her mind as she hung up the phone. Well, I haven't survived this long by ignoring my instincts, I don't think I'll start now.
With that thought she lifted Chris from his play yard and headed for the living room.
"Let's get you moved little fellow, so Mommy can get her housework done," she cooed to the smiling baby.
After she had safely deposited him in his walker, she set about her dusting and allowed herself the luxury of a wandering mind.
She hummed softly to herself and couldn't help but think, once again, that life was just about perfect. After having narrowly escaped death in the battle that almost destroyed the manor, ironically enough, by faking their deaths; Piper hadn't really been sure that anything would ever be right again. Enter Archibald Finley, federal agent extraordinaire.
When Darryl had realized that the girls had survived he had contacted Archie. They had only recently renewed their acquaintance when Darryl decided to leave the local police department for a federal position. Archie had proved amazingly open-minded for a mortal and amazingly helpful in making their new lives possible. Between him, Darryl, and their Dad they had pulled it off. They hadn't had to ask the Elders for help, though they had been told that help from that quarter would be available should there be a need.
As far as the world was concerned, the Halliwells were dead. From their ashes had risen Piper and Leo Davidson and their sons Wyatt and Chris and Paige and Phoebe Simmons. They had kept their real first names to minimize the confusion for the boys. Although Chris was a bit young for that to be a concern, at just under a year old, Wyatt was three and the things that had changed were an adjustment for him.
Piper had changed her hair color to a rather striking fox red, too bright for a true auburn, but with enough underlying brown tones to suit her well. Leo had darkened his hair to a medium brown. Phoebe had changed her short dark hair, that was so famous from her billboards, to a sun-streaked, blond reminiscent of another time in her life and had let it grow out to the middle of her back. Coupled with the few extra pounds she had added to her slender frame, Ask Phoebe was no more. Of the group, only Paige had significantly altered anything beyond her hair; she now sported long strawberry blond hair and at 5'8 was by far the tallest sister. Archie and Darryl would have liked more substantial changes, almost as much as they would have preferred them to leave San Francisco; but in the end they managed to work with what the girls were willing to do.
Victor had taken deed to the manor and P3 and Archie arranged their new identities. The family was still able to draw income from the business, but had little need of it. It seemed that their more mundane skills served them very well in their new lives.
Phoebe was working toward a psychology degree under her new name and worked as a student intern at the hospital on the crisis hotline. Paige had gone back into social work, managing the office as she too sought a degree she already had in her old life. But with the government push for privatization, she now worked for a private statewide child placement organization. Leo had taken his skills as a handyman and gone into business restoring old homes, not unlike the manor. And Piper was quite satisfied working part-time for a catering company.
Though they had refused to leave the city, they had made a compromise and changed neighborhoods. "Why leave the city," Piper snorted aloud "it's not like we had any friends to speak of." So Paige had found a small apartment and once more had her cherished privacy. Leo and Piper had found a lovely modern house in a suburb at the edge of the city, 3 bedrooms and a second master suite. Which turned out to be just perfect, since it was difficult for Phoebe to think about being on her own. She had lived with her family most of her life.
I finally got my normal life and my family. Piper broke from her thoughts reluctantly as Phoebe wandered into the room. Though she had carefully applied her make-up, Piper could see that Wyatt was right, Phoebe had been crying.
"Hey Pheebs", Piper said cheerfully, " can you keep an eye on the baby for me while I go check on Wyatt?"
"Sure, I've got a few minutes. I promised I'd work a short shift on the phone lines today, but I don't have to leave until eleven."
"Thanks, I'll be right back."
Piper returned to the living room to find Phoebe sitting quietly on the floor, playing a game of peek-a-boo with Chris. "You won't be late tonight, will you? Paige is coming for dinner."
Nope, I should be home by three. Which means I can even watch the boys while you cook," Phoebe finished with a grin.
"What, no date?" Piper teased.
"No boyfriend usually means no date, oh sister of mine."
"No boyfriend, what about…"
"Dumped him," Phoebe interrupted. "We weren't going anywhere and dating is starting to seem pretty pointless."
"Don't be silly, Phoebe. Mr. Right is out there and remember your premonition? You have to find him because you have a baby to make."
"Piper," Phoebe sighed " you have become almost insufferably cheerful you know." But she softened the comment with a small smile. "It's not like I haven't looked. I'm just starting to think that this is one of those premonitions that aren't supposed to come true. Look on the bright side, I'll be here for dinner." With that, she stood and brushed off her slacks. "Gotta go now."
Piper watched her go thoughtfully. She was more convinced than before of what her baby sister needed. I only hope I can pull this off.