Disclaimer: I don't own charmed or anything to do with it.
Chapter Six:
Chris woke up the next morning extremely happy. He was lying in his mommy's bed in between her and Owen. His brother was asleep on his mommy's other side and Owen and his mommy were still asleep. He had had a bad dream the night before and had woken Wyatt up about it so they both crept into their mom's room and slept the rest of the night in there. Owen had one arm around Chris and his other hand was holding Piper's, they were like a real family.
A couple of minutes after he woke up he saw someone else sneaking through his mommy's door and into the room. It turned out to be Aunt Paige.
"Happy Christmas Aunt Paige" said Chris softly when she was all the way in the room.
"Happy Christmas to you too Chrissy" she responded. Paige then pulled the camera in her hand up to her face and took a picture of the scene before her.
"Sorry, had to do that" she said "You all just look so cute together"
"Can I have one of those pictures" asked Chris
"Of course you can, I'll even get it framed for you. I'm going to go make breakfast now, come down when you're ready ok and don't wake your mommy and Owen up yet they went to bed really late"
"Ok Aunt Paige" and with that Paige left the room. Chris then unwrapped himself from Owen and crawled over the top of his mommy to where Wyatt was sleeping.
"Wyatt, Wyatt, wake up" he said shaking him. Once Wyatt opened his eyes Chris continued, "Come on Wy, get up, its Christmas" At those words Wyatt eyes went from only been opened a crack to completely opened and very wide.
"Let's wake mommy and Owen up, I wanna open presents" said Wyatt excitedly
"Aunt Paige said we can't" said Chris "Let's go have breakfast then do it ok"
"Yeah let's go" said Wyatt his excitement still there
Half an hour later Wyatt and Chris were fed and dressed and had finally convinced Paige into letting them wake the two sleepy heads up. When they arrived back at the room they paused for a second and took in the picture before them. Owen now had has arms wrapped around Piper and his chin was resting on the top of her head, while Piper head was on his chest and her left arm draped lazily across his body.
"Do you think mommy's going to marry Owen" asked Chris looking up at his brother.
"Yeah, mommy loves him" answered Wyatt confidently
"Hold on a sec k, I'll be right back" said Chris before running from the room. He returned a minute later dragging Paige along with him. "Take another picture Aunt Paige"
"You've got a good eye there Chris" she said before doing as he commanded "Now are you going to wake em up or do I have to" She said before leaving the room.
With that said Chris and Wyatt ran the rest of the way into the room and climbed up on top of the bed and started jumping on the two adults.
"Mommy, Owen, Get Up! Get Up! It's Christmas" yelled Wyatt as loud as possible and Chris soon joined in, making sure they heard him.
As soon as the yelling had started Piper and Owen's eyes had flown open startled by the noise. They both groaned and sat up.
"What are you two doing up so early" asked Piper while trying to stifle a yawn.
"It's not early mommy, it's Christmas" said Wyatt loudly
"Christmas right yeah, I knew that" she mumbled still trying to wake up.
"Get up, you two are been lazy" said Chris loudly
"Just give us a minute" Owen yawned. He then caught the still jumping Wyatt and pulled him down into the bed and then did the same to Chris.
"Can we have a presents now" asked Wyatt looking at Piper hopefully
"No not yet. You have to wait for your grandpa, we're opening them all together" said Piper. She didn't dare remind them that Leo was coming
"Grandpa's coming" asked Chris, a smile spreading across his face, "Cool, I can tell him the secret" He looked over at Owen who was shaking his head rapidly.
"What secret Chris?" Piper asked
"I can't tell you mommy, it will ruin the surprise" he answered while grinning at Owen "Come on Wyatt lets go play"
Once the boys had left the room Owen turned to Piper. "I've got to go home and get all my presents for everyone. I thought you weren't going to let me stay the night"
"Things change" she said smiling at him, "And no you don't, I got everything from there last night and dropped it off at Phoebe's before I came home"
"You're a good woman" he stated before leaning over and giving her a quick kiss just below the temple.
"Chris, take the other side. I'm going round the front" said Wyatt in a business like voice.
"K Wy, See you in a bit" answered Chris. They had been allowed to open one present each of their mom's choice and had both gotten a police set and walkie talkies which they were now using to play cops and robbers. Chris rounded the bend and decided to go down stairs and see if he could catch anyone down there.
Coming down the stairs slowly he saw his mommy walk to the front door and open it. Still been stealth, he crouched low and hid on the stairwell waiting to see who was on the other side, and once the figure walked through the doorway and into Chris's site he immediately forgot about the game.
"Grandpa" he yelled bounding down the remaining steps.
"Christopher" exclaimed the greying grandpa "Merry Christmas, how have you been?" he asked
"I'm good grandpa. Did you bring me a present" asked Chris while hugging him
"You know I did Chris" answered Victor as he bent down to pick the little boy up.
"Dad" Piper interrupted "This is Owen" she said gestering to Owen who was standing beside her.
"I've heard a lot about you" said Victor while shaking his hand "I think the first time was when Chris here told me about you saving him, he said you were awesome, a new word I think"
"Oh he said that did he" said Owen smiling at Chris "It's nice to meet you to sir" Owen returned the shake
"Call me Victor"
"Will do" he smiled his Owen smile at him, then turned to Piper "Honey I've got to go home, you left one thing their last night that I really need"
"Did I? When will you be back?" she asked
"Not long, it was just a small thing, I'll be in and out" Piper gave him a quick peck on the cheek and went into the kitchen. Owen went to say something to Chris and Victor but Chris spoke first.
"Grandpa, do you want to hear a secret"
"You know I love secret's Chris. What is it?" beside them Owen was shaking his head at Chris trying to make him keep his mouth shut. Chris glanced at him and smiled cheekily before orbing him and his grandfather out of the room.
Just then Piper returned to the scene "Where did they go and why are you still here"
"Ah. I'll tell you later" answered Owen right before running upstairs after Chris, leaving a confused Piper in his wake.
Owen looked in every room he passed for Chris and Victor and finally found them in the attic, a part of the house he had rarely been in.
"...and he's going to ask mommy tonight" was the first thing Owen heard when he stepped into the room.
"Is that so" said Victor. Owen then cleared his throat to make his presence known, "Ah Owen, my grandson was just filling me in on your plans"
"Yes well I was going to ask your permission first, like I did theirs but ah..." he trailed off
"But Chris got to me first" helped Victor, ruffling Chris's hair.
"Yeah exactly" he then turned to Chris "and you young man need to learn how to keep secrets better"
"Sorry Owen" said Chris looking up at him with his puppy dog eyes
"It's ok little buddy, I think I know how you can make it up to me" he paused for a moment then continued "Can you take me home quickly, doing that thing you do"
"Ok, I've orbed to your house before but mommy always catches me and brings me back home" said Chris "Hold my hand ok" Owen took Chris's hand then looked to Victor
"Can you not mention this to Piper, I've gotta go get the ring" he asked hopefully "Oh and if Piper asks I don't know a thing about magic" he added
"I didn't see a thing" Victor said as he walked out of the room. Before he left he turned back to Owen and smiled "You have my blessing, I think, if you don't I'll let you know"
Ten minutes later Owen and Chris were back in the attic with the ring safely inside Owen's pocket. Owen wasn't feeling the best after the orbing; it wasn't exactly how he expected it to be. Wyatt and Victor were in the attic when the got back waiting for them. Victor was laughing at the expression on Owen's face.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it" said Victor chuckling
"Really, because I have my doubts" answered Owen still slightly green in the face.
"Defiantly, I hated it until my grandsons came along and orbed me somewhere every time a gave one of them a hug" answered Victor "I got used to it"
"Now you know bout magic I'm going to show you so many cool things Owen" said Chris excitedly "Mommy wouldn't let me be..." Chris stopped talking suddenly, his eyes went wide and his whole body went still.
Next to him Wyatt's face also changed, except his lit up while Chris's went masked. Wyatt quickly orbed away, Chris knew exactly where he was off to.
"What's up Chris" asked Owen concerned. When Chris didn't look like answering his grandpa decided to speak for him.
"I'd say he just felt Leo come in" said Victor quietly
"Felt?" asked Owen, eyebrows raised
"Don't ask" Owen nodded, deciding to focus on the boy.
"Don't you want to go see your daddy Chris? He doesn't come very often you should spend time with him while you can" said Owen bending down to Chris's level.
Chris nodded slightly and took Owen and his grandpa by the hand, leading them downstairs.
"Why don't you just orb Chris" asked Victor
"Cause he'll get angry at me if I do, he always gets angry at me" said Chris softly
"But Wyatt did" said Victor matter-of-factly
"Wyatt never does anything wrong" stated Chris
Once they reached the kitchen where Chris knew Leo was situated Chris stopped them by the door, not wanting to go through.
"You'll have to tell me all about that later Wy" Leo was talking to his son with a small smile on his face while Piper looked on sadly "I've got to go now bye"
"But daddy aren't you going to talk to Chris first" said Wyatt his eyebrows creased in confusion
"I don't have time. Remember to call me anytime you need me to heal you or something ok" Wyatt nodded eyes on the floor
"Chris too?" he asked not looking up
"Chris has you to take care of him, someone needs to look after you my little twice blessed" Leo then ruffled his sons hair and began to orb away.
"Leo wait there's something I've got to..." he was gone "talk to you about" she trailed off to herself. Leo didn't know about Owen yet, he didn't even know there was an Owen. He was never around long enough for Piper to tell him and it was really starting to tick her off that he wouldn't have a proper conversation with her.
Just outside the door of the kitchen Chris was doing his best to hold in tears that were dying to roll down his cheeks. He felt Owens hand squeeze his tightly and he looked up at the man he loved deeply. Things were on Owen's face that Chris had never seen there before. First of all there was shock and outrage, but most of all there was anger, deep scathing anger. Chris was very glad that he wasn't the one who caused it.
Owen was at a loss as to what to say so he got his emotions in check and bent down, scooped the little boy into his arms and walked into the kitchen with him. As he entered Piper looked at him in surprise and she also looked very worried and had a feeling it wasn't only about he son.
"Did you see that" she asked, Owen realised what was bothering her.
"Heard" he answered "Where did he go?" he asked
"Ah, out the side door here" she said indicating the door on her left
"I can't believe him, how could he do that to Chris, say that about Chris. I know you've said he's messed up but I'd really love to put him in his place you know" said Owen, voice full of emotion.
"I know Owen, believe me when I say that" said Piper
"Don't be mad Owen, I don't like it when you're mad" Chris mumbled into Owen's shoulder.
"I'm not mad at you little buddy" said Owen soothingly. He gave Piper a last look then took a very quiet Wyatt's hand and led the boy's out of the room. He was going to have a talk with Chris to try and cheer him. Once they were gone Victor turned to Piper
"You found a good one with him Piper, hang onto him"
"I know that dad, I'm glad you approve" she said tiredly. Piper was rubbing her forehead completely sick of Leo and his departures.
"I don't know why you put up with him honey" said Victor concerned for his daughter and grandsons
"I don't have a choice, he's their father and always will be. I divorced him, not them" Piper sighed "Now can we just forgot about Leo for today and enjoy Christmas"
"So his not coming back" off her look he continued "Sure, whatever you say Piper"
The day continued well. By the time Owen and the boys returned to where the rest of the family was situated Chris and Wyatt had been cheered up and Phoebe, her husband Les and six month old daughter Patty had come over from next door and the present opening began. Piper had been a bit disappointed when she only received a card from Owen but once she read the inside where it had told her there would be a surprise later she was fine.
Wyatt and Chris got a variety of things and were very satisfied by the time they had unwrapped everything. They had each gotten one gift they weren't to sure about though, that been a piece of cloth from their mom and Owen, but when everyone else had finished unwrapping their presents the reason for the pieces of cloth became apparent. They were getting one last surprise.
Owen and Les covered their eyes with the cloth and led the two blind boys into the backyard. Chris and Wyatt stood there not having a clue what was going on. After a couple of seconds waiting Chris felt something really weird, a wet thing touched his hand.
"Wyatt, what was that" asked Chris nervously
"What was what Chris?" asked Wyatt but before Chris could answer Wyatt gave a surprised yelp. "Oh I just felt it I don't know Chris"
"Ok you two can take off your blindfolds now" said Owen trying to contain laughter. They did so immediately and came face to face with an adorable puppy dog.
"A puppy" exclaimed Chris
"Yes, he is yours and Wyatt's, you two have to look after him ok" said Piper
"Oh we'll take the best care of him, won't we Chris" answered Wyatt
"Yeah, what's his name mommy" asked Chris
"Well you two have to pick one, that can be your first job" said Piper
After much debate they finally decided on Frankie. Frankie was a beautiful yellow Labrador, with a very sweet nature. They had decided on Frankie after a character in one of their favourite story books called Franklin. Wyatt and Chris both loved this dog and he took up their time for the rest of the day.
By nightfall Wyatt and Chris were ready to proclaim that Christmas as the best they had ever had, though they did that every Christmas. They were now in their room and their mommy was reading them a story before they had to go to sleep. After much begging they had been allowed to have Frankie sleep in their room and he was now curled up on the end of Chris's bed.
On their way upstairs Owen had taken the boys aside and told them to not let Piper go downstairs until he came up to get her and they were doing their job well. Piper was just finishing her sixth story when Owen entered the room with a mysterious smile on his face.
"Boys don't you think you've had enough books for tonight" he said winking at them from behind Piper's back.
"Yeah ok" said Wyatt smiling
"Why do they listen to you" asked Piper wondering why they hadn't accepted the exact same claim which came from her two books ago.
"I'm a charming one Piper" answered Owen simply
"Oh sure you are"
"Come on lets let these two get some sleep and I might give you your surprise" Piper's eyes lit up
"Goodnight baby" she said kissing Chris's forehead. She then picked Wyatt up and took him to his bed repeating the actions. Owen said his goodnights and one very excited and one very nervous adult left the room.
"Do you wanna follow em Chris" asked Wyatt in a whisper
"Yeah I wanna see what mommy says" answered Chris also whispering
Wyatt and Chris hopped out of their beds and very quietly orbed down into the kitchen.
"Where are they" asked Chris. Wyatt closed his eyes for a second then answered
"Follow me" They crept out of the kitchen into a very dark house. Chris followed Wyatt into the lounge room where there were lots of little flickers of light. They stopped at the entry way and poked their heads around the door way.
The sight they were met with was truly beautiful. There were candles everywhere making the room glow and Owen was on bended knee staring up at Piper with hopeful eyes who sat on the couch stunned but smiling brightly but the boys didn't notice the scenery at all. All that they saw was Owen and their mommy and how happy she looked.
"Will you be my wife" they heard him ask. Piper opened her mouth to say 'Yes' but suddenly stopped.
"You hesitated" he said eyes dropping to the floor
"No Owen its not what you think, its just, well, there's a lot you don't know about me" he understood why she was worrying and silently thanked Chris and Wyatt for giving him the heads up last night. He looked back up into Pipers brown orbs and continued
"Piper, I love you. I know almost everything there is to know about you and trust me when I say that there is nothing about you that can change the fact that I love you" he spoke softly and convincingly
"But..."
"No buts Piper, it's a fact that I won't let be changed, even if you told me you were... I don't know... a goblin or something" he smiled reassuringly at her. Piper let a moment for the words to sink in and then got a look of resolve
"Then yes. Yes Owen there's nothing I want more then to be your wife" her bright smile was back and her eyes were shinning through her tears. Owen leapt up off the ground at that news, pulled Piper up with him and kissed her deeply.
After a few minutes they heard giggling coming from the side of the room and pulled apart unhappy their moment was interrupted. But the smiles immediately fixed themselves back to their features when they saw who it was.
"Sorry mommy" said Wyatt still giggling
"It's alright baby, come here" Wyatt and Chris ran to where the adults were.
"Guess what" asked Piper
"What?" Chris asked overdramatically, the boy really needed lessons in lying
"Owen and me are going to get married, he's going to be your step-daddy" said Piper not noticing Chris's slip.
"You said you weren't going to be our daddy" said Chris to Owen confused
"I'm not your daddy Chris, step-dads are different. Leo's still going to be your dad" said Owen softly. Chris's eyes which had lit up at the suggestion fell further down then they had been when Leo had said those things about him.
"I don't have a daddy" Chris mumbled tears falling out of his eyes while he walked away
"Chris..." called Piper but he kept walking "Your dad left you a present, I forgot to tell you it's on the kitchen table" Chris stopped walking at that, he summoned the present to him and orbed upstairs. Wyatt followed but not before telling Owen.
"Our daddy isn't nice to Chris like he is to me, you should be his daddy Owen, he loves you" He then orbed out after Chris.
Piper then turned to Owen with wide eyes. She was scared about what his reaction would be.
"You're not reacting, why aren't you reacting" asked Piper anxiously
"They told me last night when I asked them if they would let me marry you" he answered still staring at where Chris had orbed out from
"Why didn't you tell me" she exclaimed still looking at him with wide, Owen opened his mouth to explain but Piper held up he hand "It's not important at the moment, tell me later" Owen nodded. "Look I'll go talk with him, you go next door where I'm assuming you sent everyone and bring them back for celebrations ok" she said the smile returning to her face. Owen smiled at that too. He turned back to Piper and kissed her one last time before following out her orders.
A/N: Thankyou for all your great reviews so far, please keep them coming. And I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough about the Phoebe Les and Patty thing, this should have cleared up the speculation.