SIX

"So, you're our houseguest," said Paige sitting on the sofa next to Patricia. "We have something in common. I'm adopted, too."

"You are?" questioned Patricia. "You mean your parents didn't want you either?"

"It's not like that," said Paige. "My parents loved me very much. Just as I'm sure yours did. But at the time they thought it was best if they gave me up for adoption. They actually did it because they did love me, just as I'm sure your parents did."

"You really think so?" Patricia asked.

"I'm sure of it," said Paige. "I'm sure giving you up was the hardest thing your mother ever had to do."

"Speaking of which," said Piper, "what did you find out?"

"Well," said Paige, looking at the papers she had brought home with her, "I was able to verify that Patricia was born the same week Prue was in the hospital. But the records are incomplete. There's no indication of what Prue was in for. According to court records, Patricia was adopted about six months later by a Robert and Michelle Shelling."

"That's my mom and dad," said Patricia. "Well, my adopted mom and dad."

"They moved to Washington State about six years later," continued Paige. "I couldn't find out anything about Patricia's biological parents. Like most adoptions the records are sealed and can't be opened without a court order."

"So does that mean Prue was my mom?" Patricia asked.

"Not necessarily, honey," said Piper. "It just means she was in the hospital when you were born. Like I said, Grams told us she had pneumonia then."

"But I have her power," said Patricia. "Doesn't that prove she's my mom?"

"It might," said Leo. "But Prue wasn't the only one with the power of telekinesis. There are other witches that have it, too."

"There has to be a way to find out," said Phoebe.

"We could do a DNA test," suggested Paige. "But they take time and they aren't exactly cheap."

"We could try summoning Grams," said Phoebe. "She might be able to help us."

"And if she doesn't know anything we'd be no better of than we are now," said Piper. "Besides, I agree with Leo. I don't think Grams would have allowed one of her granddaughters to be adopted out. Not knowing she'd probably be a witch someday."

"We could try to locate this Daniel Clary," said Leo. "The man in the photograph. If he knew Prue he might know if she was ever pregnant. And if he's Patricia's father he would probably be glad to see her after all these years. If he's not at least he might know who her father is."

"Can you do that?" Patricia asked. "Can you use your powers to find him?"

"I don't think we need our powers for that," said Phoebe. "Just tell us everything you know about him and we'll go from there. He has to be somewhere. It's just a matter of tracking him down."

"In the mean time," said Piper, "I still think it's a good idea if we called your parents and let them know you're safe. I'm sure they're worried sick about you."

"You promised not to tell them where I am," said Patricia.

"I know," said Patricia. "I'm just going to let them know you're okay."

"Okay," said Patricia. "I'm sure they don't care."

"Don't ever say that," said Paige. "They're your parents and I know they love you very much. And Piper's right. They're very worried about you. Besides, you're special."

"Because I'm a witch?" Patricia asked.

"No, because you're adopted," said Paige. "Don't you know how special that makes you? Most parents have to take their kids. They don't have a choice. Now, they love their kids. There's no doubt of that. But when you're born into a family they don't have a choice who they get.

"But your parents did have a choice. Of all the children they could have picked they picked you. They went out of their way to find you and adopt you. They went through a lot of hassle to get you. And believe me, as you get older they love you more, not less."

"Really?" Patricia questioned.

"Absolutely," said Paige. "I'm sure your father's sorry about what he said and I'm sure he didn't mean it. Your parents are human and like everyone else they're going to make mistakes. But they'll never stop loving you no matter what you do. I know that from personal experience."

"Piper," said Patricia, "I guess it will be okay if you told my parents where I am. If they're really interested, I mean."

"Okay," said Piper, smiling. "I think that's a good idea."

As Piper went to make the phone call Patricia told the others everything she had discovered about Daniel Clary.

"I'd better go speak to the Elders," said Leo. "If Patricia is a witch, they need to know about it."

"Okay," said Paige. "She should be okay with us."

Patricia just watched in fascination as Leo orbed out of the living room.

"Wow!" exclaimed Patricia. "Is he a witch, too?"

"No, he's called a White Lighter," said Phoebe. "We'll explain everything to you. Come on. Let's go up to the attic. Might as well start educating you about being a witch."