Forever
Disclaimer: Don't own Charmed or its characters.
A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated. I went to LA for camp for a month, and when I came home I was only back for a few days before I went on vacation again to India to visit family. From there I went straight to Africa with 8 other families, and it was amazing. Now I'm home, but school starts in a week, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to update. Thanks so much to everyone for your reviews even though I thought the last chapter sucked. I promise all the things in the first part will be explained in later chapters. Anyway, if anyone's still reading, please review!
Halli-halliwell- lol, thanks for reviewing. Loved the last few chapters of your fic
PunkRokPixie- yeah, I thought the last chapter sucked, and I wrote it really quickly cause I wanted to give you guys something before I left for camp. Thanks so much for your review!
Cute-Kovu- lol, thanks for reviewing
Jesusfreak30- that was the idea
Heather1021- so sorry you had to wait for so long
drew fuller is the best- thanks!
This chapter begins Part II of the story, and it is set 7 years after Part I.Chapter Nine: Home
"Prue?" 24-year-old Piper called, hanging her wet coat up and putting away the umbrella dripping in her hand.
"In the kitchen," her 26-year-old sister called back.
"Oh, my god! I don't believe it. Tell me that's not our old spirit board," Piper said, spotting the spirit board on the island.
"Yeah. I found it in the basement when I was looking for the circuit tester."
Piper picked up the board and read the inscription on the back. "'To my three beautiful girls. May this give you the light to find the Shadows. The power of three will set you free. Love, mom.' We never did figure out what this inscription meant."
"We should send it to Phoebe. That girl is so in the dark, maybe a little bit of light would help," Prue suggested bitterly.
"You're always so hard on her."
"Piper, the girl has no vision, no sense of the future."
"I really think Phoebe's coming around."
"Well, as long as she doesn't come around here, I guess it's good news."
Prue left the room and Piper followed her to fin her standing in front of the utility box fiddling with the circuit breakers.
"I don't get it. I have checked everything. There's no reason why the chandelier should not be working."
"You know how we've been talking about what to do with that spare room? I think you're right. We do need a roommate," Piper said.
"Well, we could rent out the room at a reduced rate in exchange for help around the house."
"Phoebe's good with a wrench."
"Phoebe lives in New York."
"Not anymore."
"What?" Prue cried.
"She left New York. She's moving back in with us," Piper announced.
"You've got to be kidding."
"Well, I could hardly say no."
"It's her house, too. It was willed to all of us," Piper argued.
"Yeah, months ago, and we haven't seen or spoken to her since," Prue retorted.
"Well, you haven't spoken to her. I spoke to her once or twice."
"No, I haven't. Look, maybe you've forgotten why I'm so mad at her."
"No, of course not, but she had nowhere else to go. She lost her job, she's in debt."
"And this is news? How long have you known about this anyway?"
"A couple of days. Maybe a week ... or two."
"Thanks for sharing. When does she arrive?" Prue said sarcastically.
Suddenly the front door flew open and Phoebe walked in, holding up a key. "Surprise! I found the hide-a-key."
"Phoebe, welcome home!"
"Hello, Piper." The two sisters hugged and Prue crossed her arms in front of herself, turning around.
"It's so good to see you! Isn't it, Prue?"
"I'm speechless."
"Oops. I forgot about the cab," Phoebe said as the horn beeped.
"I'll get it," Piper replied, grabbing a black purse off the hallway table.
"Piper, that's my purse!"
"Thanks. I'll pay you back."
Prue looked at the backpack at Phoebe's feet. "Is that all that you brought?"
"That's all that I own. That and a bike. Look, I know that you don't want me here-"
"We're not selling Grams' house," Prue interrupted.
"Is that why you think I came back?"
"Look, the only reason Piper and I gave up our apartment and moved back here is because this house has been in our family for generations."
"No history lesson needed. I grew up here, too. So can we talk about what's really bothering you?"
"No, I'm still furious with you."
"So you'd rather have a tense reunion filled with boring chit-chat and unimportant small talk?"
"No, but otherwise we won't have anything to talk about."
"I never touched Roger," Phoebe said firmly.
"Whoa."
"I know you think otherwise, because that's what that Armani-wearing, Chardonnay-slugging trust-funder told you. But-"
"Hey! I have a great idea. Why don't I make a fabulous reunion dinner?" Piper interrupted, walking back inside.
"I'm not hungry."
"I ate on the bus."
"Ok, we'll try the group hug later."
Half an hour later Piper walked into Phoebe's room with a tray of food in her hand.
"God, I'm starving," Phoebe said as Piper sat on the bed next to her.
"Why didn't you tell Prue I was coming back?"
"And risk her changing the locks? I don't think so. Besides, you should've been the
one to tell her, not me."
"Good point, Chicken Little. It's just so hard for me to talk to her. She's always been more like a mother."
"That's not her fault. She practically had to sacrifice ..."
"Her own childhood to help raise us," Phoebe and Piper said unanimously.
Phoebe laughed, "Yeah, yeah, yeah."
"Hey, we were lucky she was so responsible. You and I had it easy. All we had to do was be there."
"Yeah, well, I don't need a mom anymore, you know? I need a sister."
"Hey," Prue said, walking into the room. She held up a blanket in her hand. "This was always the coldest room in the house."
"Thanks," Phoebe said as Prue dropped the blanket on Phoebe's bed and turned to leave, closing the door behind her.
"So how was New York?" Piper asked. She and Phoebe had talked a few times on the phone, but Phoebe never really said anything other than that she didn't have much money but she was having a pretty good time.
"I had fun. I mean, obviously I didn't have much money, but I met a bunch of really cool people."
"Any guys?" Piper asked, knowing her sister way too well.
"Actually yeah, I had a boyfriend for about two months."
Piper laughed. "You always manage to find a guy no matter where you are."
Phoebe grinned back. "Yeah, I guess I do. You know what I missed most when I was in New York?"
"What?"
"This. Talking to you."
Piper smiled and enveloped her little sister in a warm hug. "I missed it too."