TEN
Patricia's parents sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Michelle Shelling was still slightly shaken from Leo's orbing. Robert Shelling appeared to be more composed although he did seem a bit unnerved.
"So, let me get this straight," Robert said. "You're all witches? And Patricia is, too? That's why she's able to do the things she can do?"
"Yes," said Piper. "I know this is kind of a lot to take in. And with practice she'll be able to control her powers. She's doing very well all ready."
"Momma, I'm really sorry," said Patricia. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I know that, honey," said Michelle, hugging her daughter. "We just didn't now what was going on, that's all. Now that they've explained it we can learn how to deal with it."
"Patricia, why did you run away?" Robert asked. "We've always been able to talk things over before."
"You never thought I was a freak before," said Patricia. "When you said I was a freak I thought you didn't love me any more."
"Honey, I never called you a freak," said Robert. "I would never do that. What I said was that what happened was freaky. I never meant that about you."
"Patricia," said Michelle, "don't ever think we don't love you. We couldn't love you any more if you were our own flesh and blood. Maybe we should have told you earlier that you were adopted. That was a mistake. But that doesn't mean we love you any less."
"See, I told you," Paige said to Patricia. "Being adopted makes you special. And you'll always be special."
"I guess you're right," said Patricia. "I was just curious about my real parents, that's all."
"Hey," said Paige, noticing a slight look of pain on Robert and Michelle's face, "they are your real parents. Being a mom is more than just giving birth. It's being there every day through the bad times as well as the good times. Don't ever think they aren't your real parents simply because you're adopted. Nothing could be further from the truth."
"Speaking of Patricia's biological mother," said Phoebe, "we were hoping you might know something about her. Patricia seems to think our sister, Prue, might have been her mother. And I gotta admit it does kind of look that way."
"Is that where Patricia got her powers?" Robert asked.
"Probably," said Piper. "Witches inherit their powers from their mothers. We can trace our lineage back more than three hundred years to Melinda Warren."
"Well, I do know her biological mother's name wasn't Prue," said Michelle. "It was Margaret. Apparently she had been ill for some time. She died when Patricia was born. We dealt with Patricia's grandmother for the adoption. She had custody after Patricia's mother died. As I recall she was the only relative Patricia had."
"What about the father?" Leo asked.
"Neither her mother nor her grandmother ever said anything about her father," said Robert. "To be honest, we really didn't care much. We aren't able to have children of our own. After I got out of the navy we decided to adopt. Our attorney located Patricia's mother when she was about six months pregnant. She knew she didn't have long to live and she was only interested in seeing that Patricia got a good home. She was a Godsend to us and we've never regretted it."
"So that means I'm not your niece," said Patricia.
"Looks that way, sweetie," said Phoebe. "I'm sorry. But look at it this way. You're a sister witch. That's something at least."
"Well, it's been a really long day," said Piper. "I think we could all use some sleep. I suggest we get a good night's sleep and discuss what to do next in the morning."
"That sounds like a good idea," said Robert. "Is there a hotel nearby?"
"Nonsense," said Paige. "We have room right here."
"Besides you're safer here," said Piper, "at least until we can take care of that warlock that's after Patricia. Phoebe, will you get them some bedding?"
"Sure," said Phoebe. "Come on. I'll show you to your room."
Phoebe got the bedding and showed the family to their room for the night.
"You should be pretty comfortable in here," Phoebe said. "In the morning we'll start…."
Suddenly the warlock blinked in behind Robert. Holding an athame to the man's throat the warlock smiled.
"If anyone makes a sound, I'll cut his throat," said the warlock.