Chapter 11: Trust

"So what are you going to do?" Paige asked Piper who putting Chris in his stroller.

"Me and Leo are going to take Chris and Wyatt to the park a couple of blocks from here, and we're gonna stop at Dan's to make dinner plans on the way."

"Have fun," she said. Then Leo walked in with Wyatt. "Bye guys," she said to all of them.

"Bye Aunt Paige," Wyatt said.

"Say bye to Aunt Paige, Chris," Leo said. Chris's reply was a few gurgles followed by a little laugh. Piper pushed the stroller while Leo held Wyatt's hand.

"Daddy, jump?" Wyatt asked. Leo agreed, knowing what he meant and Wyatt held onto the stroller with his free hand.

"Ready? One, two, three, jump!" Wyatt jumped as Leo pulled him up. They continued this all the way up to Dan's porch, unaware that he was watching from the front window.

"Okay guys, be quiet, make Daddy look good," Leo whispered. Piper rang the doorbell and Dan waited a few seconds before he answered it.

"Piper, Leo, kids, hi," Dan said.

"Hi," Piper spoke first, "We just wanted to come by because we read your letter and we wanted to say thank you. It must have been hard for you to tell us that you have a problem."

"Yes, it was," Dan smiled, they bought it, he couldn't believe it really worked, "and now let me say in person, I am very sorry, for acting inappropriately, for starting with you Leo, and Piper, especially for what I did to you. I was horrible, and don't even want to think about it."

"That's okay," Piper said.

"Yeah, it's alright," Leo said dryly. He still didn't really forgive him. He could tell Dan still loved Piper, and would do anything to get her back. But Leo had to be nice, because he knew she didn't want Dan to hate her. So for now he would just be friendly and be satisfied at being the one with his arm around Piper. To her surprise, Piper didn't have to tell Dan about dinner, Leo did.

"So, Dan, we thought that maybe dinner would be good. You know as long as it's okay if we bring Wyatt and Chris with us."

"Oh, of course," Dan faked a big smile, "That's why I picked this restaurant, a friend of mine went there an he said it has a kid's menu and high chairs and stuff, but it's formal with great food at the same time."

"That sounds great," Piper said, "We spoke to Phoebe and Paige and tomorrow night is a good time for both of them, and us."

"Sure, how about I meet you guys there at seven?"

"Okay, sounds good. Bye."

"Wait," Dan said, getting an idea, "Would you like to come in, for lemonade, or something?" he asked.

"Thanks," Piper answered, "but we were on our way to the park, and Wyatt's really looking forward to it, but thanks anyway." As if to prove her point, Wyatt started to impatiently pull on Leo's hand.

"See what we mean?" Leo said. "We really have to go, but we'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, the boys are getting restless; we should go, see you tomorrow." Piper agreed.

"Bye," Dan said. He was happy, but mad. It killed him to see her so happy with her life, their life. She should have his kids, not Leo's. It really surprised him how happy they were. Having the brats taken away made them even happier than before once they were returned. As they walked down the street he could see them doing that stupid counting-jumping game thing. Well tomorrow he would just get through the cuteness, and Piper would be falling in love with him all over again.

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The Manor:

"Piper, Leo, come on, it's 6:30, we have to leave in 10 minutes," Paige called up the stairs.

"I know," she said from the top of the stairs, "But me and Leo aren't dressed yet, only the boys, and I don't want to make us all late."

"Well, then me and Phoebe can go now and meet you there."

"Okay, but just say we're running late, and we'll be probably only be 5 minutes late."

"Okay, so we'll leave soon, see you there." Then without even responding Piper went back into her bedroom to change and rush Leo. As it turned out, he was already dressed and looking really good.

"Wow," was all she could say.

"Thanks, now what are you going to wear, because I know it's kid friendly place, but still, sweatpants and a spit-up stained tank top might not be right."

"Very funny, now pick burgundy dress or lavender dress?"

"You look great in both, but really sexy in the burgundy one. Wear the lavender."

"Leo, what do you think he's gonna do?"

"I don't think he's gonna do anything because I'll be there, but I don't want him looking at you like that."

"Okay, I like the lavender anyway."

"Good, then go put it on because we have to be there in 10 minutes." She started to turn around and say something when Leo interrupted.

"And your hair looks beautiful, and your makeup is perfect,"

"But-,"

"No, I'm not just saying it to make you hurry even though you should be hurrying!"

"Okay." While she put her dress on Leo went and got Chris's diaper bag. He put in some diapers, wipes, a bib, an extra bib and an 'emergency' shirt. Now as soon as Piper was ready, they could go. She came out faster than he expected. Oh god, he thought. It didn't matter what she was wearing, anyone would be crazy not to look at her, especially Dan. He tried to put his worries aside as they got into the car.

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The Restaurant:

Piper and Leo managed to arrive only five minutes late. They quickly took Wyatt and Chris out of their car seats and went inside. They spotted Phoebe and Paige and sat at the table.

"Hey, where's Dan?" Piper asked.

"Oh, he's in the bathroom." Paige replied. They quickly talked about what was going to happen that night. Leo still thought Dan was up to no good, he just didn't know why he invited them out to dinner. Piper thought he was really trying to make up for everything. Phoebe also thought he was telling the truth about being sorry. Paige agreed with Leo, he was up to no good. All four adults did agree on one thing; Dan is still in love with Piper. The two who thought he was lying, thought he was either trying to get her back or sabotage her life. Piper and Phoebe thought he was just trying to get used to all of the changes that had happened. But Piper wasn't completely naïve, she thought that he might be trying to get her back somehow; she just wasn't worried because it would never work.

"Hey guys, I'm so glad you came," Dan said when he came back from the bathroom.

Leo stood up and shook his hand, while Piper gave him a small hug. Dan took this as a sign of old feelings come back, but he didn't show it. They sat down at the round table with Wyatt and Chris in between Paige and Piper, Leo on Piper's other side, and Phoebe on Paige's other side, with Dan next to her and Leo. The evening was spent talking and eating. The Halliwell-Wyatt's had an okay time, Leo was happy because a few of the stories they told were of him and Piper, and he could see the hurt in Dan's eyes. When they talked about Dan's life, he seemed to have no relationships after Piper, or he just didn't bring them up. Phoebe noticed this and was also starting to get suspicious of Dan's intentions. Piper was the only one who still thought he was nice. Everyone else decided to trust her judgment, because they figured she knew him best.

"We should probably get going, it's late and the kids have to get to sleep." That was Piper, trying to leave, because Dan just couldn't seem to let them go.

"Yeah," Leo agreed, "We have to get up early tomorrow, we're having work done at the club."

"Oh, right," Dan nodded solemnly, "We already paid, so we could go." Everyone got up and walked outside to the parking lot. After thanking Dan for inviting them to the meal, Phoebe and Paige got into the car and headed home. Piper and Leo also thanked him, and started to put Chris in his carseat when Dan interrupted.

"Uh, what are you guys having done tomorrow? Maybe I could help."

"That's very nice Dan, but I think we got it covered, plus too many people and it will get confusing. Thanks though, bye." Unbeknownst to Dan, Piper didn't trust him completely. She was nervous about having her and Leo around him too much, and she knew Leo hated him. So with that, they put Wyatt in his seat, got in the car, waved, and drove away.

As soon as they were out of sight, Dan slammed his head against the steering wheel.

"Damnit!" What did I do wrong? He thought to himself. I was nice, I listened to all of their pathetic little stories, I said they're little spawn were cute. After all that, Piper can't trust me. Phoebe and Paige can't even trust me! If anyone's not trustworthy, it's Piper. Well, I'll just keep up my little game, in a few weeks, I'll 'run into' one of her sisters somewhere, ask them for lunch. They'll give Piper a good report, we'll all have dinner again, and soon I will have Piper. Nothing can get in my way now.

If only he knew that there was one little thing…

A/N: There you go, a little bit of a cliffhanger, I wonder what that one thing could be?

Review! Or you may never know…

XOXO