A/N. Thanks for the reviews. Okay, the beginning of this chapter is really boring, but there is more action towards the end, as the sisters undergo their last battle with Eef.
Also, in a few days time a will be posting a new story, called Finding Her Place. It is Piper centric, and I would really appreciate it if you could look out for it.
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Chapter 25Paige set down her large cup of coffee on the dining room table and sunk into one of the cushioned chairs. Opposite her Piper and Phoebe did the same, but Phoebe with a cup of herbal tea. Just like when Piper and Paige had been pregnant, Phoebe was restricted from caffeine. Piper placed a ceramic bowl full of fresh, home made cookies in the centre of the table and settled beside Phoebe. Immediately the pregnant witch leant forward, snatched up a cookie and stuffed it in her mouth.
Piper and Paige stared at her both completely astounded.
Phoebe noticed their eyes on her. "What?" A few crumbs tumbled from her mouth. "I have to keep my strength up. Being six-months pregnant is draining."
"Uh-huh." Came Piper's sarcastic reply.
Paige lifted her coffee cup to her nose and inhaled deeply to stop herself from grinning. Messing with a pregnant sister was not a good idea. She took a sip of the dark liquid. It was nice to drink coffee again after nine-months of spending the mornings like a zombie. During the three months since her daughter's birth she had drank as much coffee as humanly possible. "So, what's this little pow-wow about?" That morning at breakfast Piper and Phoebe agreed they needed a little gathering. Leo was with a charge, Ryan and Jason were at work and Prue and Kara were napping, leaving the three sisters to spend some quality time together.
"Well," Piper began. "I have two things to say. Both demon related."
"And I have one thing to say that's non demonic," Phoebe said.
"Who wants to go first?" Paige picked up a cookie and chewed. "Umm, peanut butter."
"I'll go first!" Phoebe offered. She wanted to get her news out the way quickly.
Piper nodded in agreement and sipped her drink.
"I'm moving out," Phoebe announced so quickly it was difficult to make out the words and cringing slightly.
"What?" Piper choked on her drink and was forced to spit some out.
"I'm moving out," Phoebe repeated.
"That's great!" Paige cried, scuttling around the table and throwing her arms around Phoebe. "Not that I won't miss you like crazy," she added quickly.
"I'll miss you too. Both of you." Phoebe took Piper's hand and squeezed it gently. "Say something Piper."
Piper, who had been staring into space, her eyes unblinking and not once looking at her sisters, turned towards them and blinked back a few tears. "When? Where?" she managed to choke out.
"Not for a few weeks, to an apartment a little way away. Oh my God, it's amazing, seriously! You can see the whole bay and the bridge from the balcony. And the kitchen is huge, full of stainless steel everything. You'd love it Piper. And the living room…" Phoebe stopped gushing, realising that her older sister was no longer misty eyed, but grinning. "What's so funny?" Phoebe asked, slightly annoyed at being cut off in her prime.
"You," Piper answered simply.
"What about me?"
"I'm gonna miss hearing you ramble."
"I do not ramble!" Phoebe protested.
"You do," Paige, who was re-seated, agreed.
"Anyway," Piper said quickly, noticing the potential for this to turn into an argument. "I've got something to say."
"You've got our full attention." Phoebe twisted in her seat so she was facing Piper head on.
"Thank you. I think we need to discuss our greatest fears. If Barbas attacks again, which he is likely to, we need to be prepared."
"But our fears change," Phoebe argued. "I mean, mine used to be losing a sister, but now…"
"What?" Piper prodded gently.
"But now it's turning evil," Phoebe admitted quietly.
"Oh sweetie," Piper said sympathetically. "You won't become evil again."
"Yeah, we wouldn't let you," Paige said with a small smile.
Phoebe returned the smile, feeling slightly better now that she had shared. "Thanks guys. What were your fears?"
Paige dropped her gaze and twiddled her thumbs. She didn't want to tell her sisters. They would think she was being stupid. Or worse. They would be so nice to her, afraid of upsetting her. She didn't want their relationship to change; it was already strong.
Piper caste a worried glance at her youngest sister, and decided she would spill first, to give Paige time to process her thoughts. "I'm terrified that Prue dies."
Phoebe wrapped a supportive arm across Piper's shoulders. "Actually, I don't think we'll have to worry about her in the future. She's gonna be pretty powerful."
"But, she's my little girl. I'd die if anything happened to her."
Phoebe's eyes slid downwards to her large stomach. She couldn't even imagine not having her baby in her life, and she wasn't even born yet. Phoebe couldn't begin to understand how worried Piper must be about her daughter. Not only was she the world's most powerful witch, meaning demons would be attacking her all her life, but she was also a little girl, susceptible to normal human fatalities. "Then she's lucky to have wonderful parents and aunts who will always look out for her."
Piper nodded. She knew that she and Leo would give their lives to save their daughter, and she suspected Phoebe and Paige would go a long way to keep her safe.
"Paige what was your fear? You were absolutely hysterical," Phoebe said.
Paige flushed red at the memory of how out of control she had been. "It was, uh, it was being left alone."
"We'd never leave you alone!" Piper gasped.
"And neither would Ryan. We all love you too much."
"I know you do," Paige said. "But, I guess since being dumped by Mom and her whitelighter, and then my adoptive parents dying, I'm just scared. I know what it feels like to be alone and abandoned. It don't want to go through it again." Paige shook her head, clearing away all the discomforting thoughts. "Piper, you had something else to say?"
"Yeah. It's to do with Eef. I think I've figured out a way to vanquish him."
"But how?" Phoebe wanted to know. "We've already tried the Power Of Three."
"I was thinking if we combined our power with Prue's, it might just work."
"That's really risky," Paige said with a frown.
"I know," Piper agreed. "And I don't like putting my daughter's life at risk. But it may be the only way to keep her safe. And Leo agrees with me."
"Okay then, it's yours and Leo's choice."
"Well done witch, you're not as stupid as you look," a voice sneered.
All three sisters jumped to their feet, well Phoebe pushed herself up slowly. They had been so engrossed in their conversation they hadn't noticed Eef flame in.
"Oh, speak of the demon," Paige quipped.
"Paige, get Prue," Piper ordered.
Paige disappeared in a swirl of lights.
"A bit risky, don't you think? Bringing the brat right into my hands?"
"She can handle herself. Besides, you haven't got to her so far," Piper shot back.
"First time for everything." Eef whipped his palm and a fireball sailed towards Piper. It struck her in the chest and sent her hurtling towards the stairs and into the banisters with such force she broke through it. Piper tumbled down a few steps as Paige orbed in with Prue.
"Piper!" Phoebe screamed. She and Paige both reached Piper and dropped beside her. Prue whimpered in distress at the sight of her injured mother.
Piper's T-shirt was blackened and singed, a gaping hole burning into her stomach. Blood dribbled from her nose and an unseen wound in her head mattered her hair. She was conscious, but barely.
"Come on Piper, we need you," Paige muttered. She slung Piper's arm over her shoulder, while still keeping hold of Prue. Another fireball flew their way, but Prue raised one chubby hand and it froze in mid air.
"Good girl," Phoebe praised. She too clung to Piper and Paige orbed them away to the attic.
"You think you can escape me?" Eef screamed before flaming after them.
When he arrived in the attic, Phoebe and Paige were propping up Piper, who was stuck in between them. Paige clutched Prue close to her, thankful that Kara was safely tucked away downstairs.
"Prepared to die?" Eef growled.
"Are you?" Paige retaliated.
"Now!" Phoebe yelled, gripping her niece's hand. It formed a link, connecting the Power Of Three with the power of the Blessed One.
Demon who has stolen light
We vanquish you with all our might
By the Blessed One and the Power Of Three we command thee
As we will it, so mote it be!
Eef cackled, and panic coursed through Phoebe's veins. It wasn't working! "Again!" Phoebe instructed.
Demon who has stolen light
We vanquish you with all our might
Glowing red and orange flames leapt up from the floor, and for a second Paige thought Eef was getting away. But the demon howled in agony and rage. The spell was taking effect.
By the Blessed One and the Power Of Three
The flamed continued to lick over Eef, reaching higher and higher, all the while the demon's agony becoming greater and greater.
As we will it, so mote it be
The Charmed Ones poured all their power into the last line of the spell, and it paid. The crackling flames sprung higher still, until Eef was completely engulfed in them. Eef gave a last blood-curdling scream and the fire burnt so brightly the sisters had to look away. The vanquishing fire burst outwards, along with a wave of energy. Immediately Prue's force field went up, made stronger and larger by her connection to the Power Of Three. When Piper, Phoebe and Paige looked forward again, there was no demon to be seen. All that was left of him was a pile of smouldering grey ash and a circular scorch mark.
Piper crumpled to the floor, finally succumbing to her injuries. Phoebe and Paige also slouched forward, completely exhausted and drained, while calling for Leo. Prue seemed totally unfazed by the accident. She orbed from her youngest aunt's embrace and reappeared on the floor at the same time Leo materialised.
"Heal!" Phoebe waved her arms, hurrying Leo along.
The angelic handyman dropped to his wife's side and Prue toddled over to her parents, her little face confused and curious. Leo positioned his hands over Piper's stomach, letting his magic do the rest.
Piper let out a gasp and sat up sharply. "Is he gone?"
"We did it," Phoebe confirmed with a delighted grin.
"Thank God." Piper leant into Leo's chest. Although weary, her heart felt as light as a feather. For the first time in eighteen months she felt free. Her precious baby was safe for the first time since that fateful night when they had encountered Eef. She was deliriously happy and felt a huge weight float from her shoulders. Eef was finally gone.