A/N:
Thanks for your reviews and opinions on the last chapter!
We are quickly moving towards the end of this story there is only a couple of chapters left.

to the disapointed fan:
Let me begin wit saying I'm sorry the story didn't go the way you expected. I had second thoughts myself about changing the parenthood of Grace, and you asked why I did it. Well for once I wanted to try a more happy ending (none of my other stories has it). I sincerely appreaciate you took the time to write such an extensive review and I hope you still continue to read the story though.

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A sister's advice

Phoebe waited anxiously for Prue to appear. She had summoned her, but wasn't sure it would work. It hadn't worked for Piper shortly after Prue's death. To her relief Prue appeared in the middle of the candles in the attic not much later.

"Phoebe," Prue said, "Why did you call me? Did something happen to Grace?"

"No, no Grace is fine," Phoebe appeased her sister.

"So what is it then?" Prue was always going straight to the point.

Phoebe couldn't do that. "I wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you brought my baby back."

"Phoebe you already thanked me enough," Prue said stepping out of the circle and becoming solid. "I know how grateful you are."

"I was extending the family tree for Grace and...um…" Phoebe turned the parchment to show it to Prue. "Well the father is clear, but shall I write Cole Turner only or do you think I should put Belthazor down too?"

Prue looked at Phoebe unbelievingly, "That's why you called me? To help you fill out the family tree?"

"You know, Paige was mortally offended when she found out that after being a Charmed One for already one year, Piper hadn't put her on it. So I didn't want to remind her of it by putting Grace on it not even three weeks after we found out about her," Phoebe explained.

"Ok," Prue said slowly, "than I suggest you put Belthazor in brackets. Would only be fair to our descendents to let them know who mixed demon blood into our family." She looked meaningfully at Phoebe.

"Then we should put your name right next to mine," Phoebe teased, "You have the same share in Grace's existence as I have, if not more." Phoebe scribbled Belthazor next to Cole's human name.

"That's very nice of you Phoebe," Prue said impishly, looking over Phoebe's shoulder, "but I think I'll pass. It's confusing enough that you put two mothers on it already."

She pointed at the family tree showing Grace originating from Phoebe Halliwell, Linda Haughton and Cole Turner (Belthazor).

"Well, I couldn't leave out the biological mother," Phoebe defended, "and I couldn't leave out myself in our own family tree. I'm her magical mother."

"Magical mother?" Prue challenged, amused.

"I had to come up with a name for it," Phoebe added, proud with herself. She waved the parchment for that and it dried quicker.

"Whoever reads it will be very confused," Prue grinned.

Phoebe rolled up the parchment and put it back in the drawer. "It's not for public use anyway. The ones who will read it one day will understand that in the magical world almost anything is possible."

"Thanks for your help," Phoebe smiled when she stepped next to Prue.

Prue hugged her baby sister. "You're welcome. But that's not all, is it?"

"I could never get something past you," Phoebe chuckled slightly.

"You couldn't," Prue confirmed, "so?"

She pushed Phoebe a little away from her to be able to look her into the eyes, her hands on her sister's shoulders.

"I love Grace with all my heart, but…" Phoebe searched for the right words, "It makes my life much more complicated, now that I know she is my daughter."

Prue watched her sister closely. "Is it because of Cole?" With Phoebe it was always about Cole.

Phoebe nodded and entangled herself from Prue, strolling over to the window.

"Yeah...I…could have handled it, if Grace was just Piper's goddaughter. I could have avoided him. But now. He is the father of my child. How can I avoid him Prue? How can I move on when I have a connection like that to him – a baby? You know how I longedto havebaby. I don't know what to do."

Phoebe let herself fall on the couch helplessly. "I hoped you would know what to do." She lifted a hopeful glance at her oldest sister.

Prue felt flattered. Phoebe asked her help, still she asked, "Why didn't you talk with Piper or Paige?"

"They can't be objective about it. They endured too much because of him. But you…you weren't there for the worse part." Phoebe hesitated, "and you kind of had accepted him in the past."

"I understand," Prue said sympathetically. She sat herself next to her sister and took her hands in hers. "Is he pressing you to come back to him?"

If Cole was stalking her sister Prue would kick his ass, even from the heavens.

"No, not at all," Phoebe answered. Cole hadn't made any move in her direction. He acted even more distant than before. He probably had mixed feelings about it too.

Prue looked at little bit confused, "So what is the problem? Doesn't he let you participate in your daughter's life?"

"No, he was great. He even left Grace with me for some days after you told us." Phoebe realized Cole had been more than generous with her in this whole situation.

"Phoebe, do I have to try all possibilities as to why you could be upset about Cole?" Prue said a little bit impatient.

"I just don't know what to do about him, Prue," Phoebe whispered, ashamed.

Prue caught on to the tone of Phoebe's voice. It was the voice Phoebe used as a child when she asked for something she knew beforehand she wouldn't get.

"You still want him?" Prue asked, incredulous. It was more a statement than a question.

Phoebe nodded her head guiltily. "Piper and Paige can't understand that. They don't know. I didn't dare to admit it to myself for a long time," Phoebe revealed.

She was squirming at her place and playing with a cushion on her lap.

"You have been lying to our sisters?" Prue asked. Phoebe really never changed, she always had her little secrets.

"I think I lied to myself the most," Phoebe acknowledged.

"I tried to move on, really, and they tried to help me as good as they could but … I. Just. Can't. And suddenly I have a daughter with him. What am I supposed to do Prue? Cut Cole out of my heart? I tried that before – it doesn't work. Cut my sisters out of my heart? Can't I have both? Sisters and the man I love? Why do I have to make infeasible choices repeatedly? Don't I ever deserve a break?"

Phoebe had a desperate edge in her voice and was fighting for countenance.

Prue was taken aback by Phoebe's confession and the amount of her desperation. She hugged her sister to calm her down. Paige had told her that Phoebe was past Cole. Obviously that was not the case.

"Phoebe what happened to you?" she asked unbelievingly, "what happened to the Phoebe who braved me for Cole? The Phoebe who didn't waver until she convinced Piper and me to give him a chance, to let him live in our house? The Phoebe who went to save him from the underworld! When did you lose your faith in yourself and your choices?"

"The Source took everything away from me," Phoebe choked out, "My husband, my child, my dreams, my hope. Everything."

Prue was truly shaken by Phoebe's revelation. Phoebe had put up such a brave front all the time- even Prue had bought it that Phoebe was over the whole Cole/Source incident.

Phoebe swallowed hard. "When I vanquished Cole I felt like I died inside. I had to freeze myself to survive. And I couldn't let go of it when he came back. I thought I could live without him. I thought I could love someone else. I owed it to Piper and Paige to at least try."

Phoebe looked at Prue with agony in her eyes, "But I can't. He is the one for me, the only one. And the only one I can't have."

She buried her face in her hands. It was good to finally at least talk about it. Phoebe just hoped Prue wouldn't look funny at her.

"Oh Phoebe." Prue had tears in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell anybody before? You don't have to carry all the weight on your shoulders alone. That's what family is for." Prue pulled Phoebe tight to console her.

"I said I'm here to make it right, and I will," Prue promised firmly, stroking Phoebe's cheek and putting a strand behind her ear. Phoebe looked at her doubtfully. "But how?"

"Listen to me Phoebe. We all know what Cole is capable of. But we know just as well that he would never hurt you willingly. Even if I don't like to admit it, I know it is true. And your sisters know it too, deep in their hearts."

Phoebe smiled hesitantly at Prue's words, while Prue continued.

"I think we can risk having him around again. When Piper agreed to be Grace's godmother she implicitly agreed to that already. I mean now Cole has a second anchor to good- your daughter. This should be enough to make him stay on the good side permanently." Prue hoped that this was true, she didn't dare think about the consequences if it wasn't.

"What shall I do now?" Phoebe asked Prue. She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

Prue squeezed her sister's hands encouragingly. "You go and get your man." She smiled conspiratorially, "and let me handle our sisters."

Phoebe's heart stopped a beat. "You said that to me once already a long time ago." Phoebe remembered vividly how she had afterwards shown Cole for the very first time how much she really cared about him.

"And I was right then, wasn't I?" Prue boasted.

"Are you serious?" Phoebe couldn't quite believe what Prue was suggesting.

Prue nodded. "Never been more in my life," she confirmed.

"You think Piper and Paige will listen to you?" Phoebe asked, "I couldn't bear it to be torn between my sisters and Cole again."

"Just have a little faith Phoebe." Prue winked at her.

Phoebe smiled. Why was everybody talking about faith with her lately? Maybe that was a sign in itself.

Phoebe jumped to her feet. "Ok I'll go to him." She breezed with her hand through her hair and then looked down her body, "should I change?" She felt butterflies in her stomach and for the fist time saw the slight chance that everything could turn out all right.

"I don't think Cole cares what you are wearing as long as you are in his arms," Prue teased and then grimaced, "if you wear anything at all at that point."

"Prue!" Phoebe feigned offence and slapped Prue playfully on the shoulder.

Phoebe was all smiles. "I better hurry." I won't spend another second of my life without him, she thought.

Phoebe flew from the attic and Prue heard the front door slam shut no more than three seconds later. Prue smiled to herself. She had done the right thing for Phoebe. Now she had to convince her other two sisters.

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tbc