Phoebe sat alone in the darkness. She was glad to be with her husband, but there was a deep feeling of guilt inside her from leaving her sisters. And for that, she they would never forgive her.
How could they be so selfish? Phoebe thought angrily about her sisters. Did they actually expect her to help them vanquish her own husband? As much as she enjoyed being queen of the Underworld she could not help but miss her sisters. Phoebe felt the baby kick inside her stomach. Her baby's kicks became stronger as it grew inside of her. Phoebe smiled to herself. He's going to be just as strong as his father.
"Phoebe?" a voice called from the doorway of their room. Phoebe turned around to see her husband standing there. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," replied Phoebe. "It was just the baby. I felt him kick."
Cole smiled at this. "He's going to be a powerful leader someday when he grows up."
Phoebe laughed at her husband. "You're thinking very far into the future. He's not even born yet."
"But he will be in two months," Cole responded.
Phoebe smiled but she still felt dreadful. Cole could sense this as well. "Are you thinking about your sisters?"
"How did you know?" Phoebe whispered in response.
"I could sense it," Cole replied. "Listen Phoebe, I know how much you miss them, but for us to be together, you have to give up the ones you love. They'll never understand how important we are to each other."
"I know," Phoebe said. "But they are still my family."
"You have a new family now, you, me and the baby. You can't turn back now, Phoebe. I thought we had an understanding about this."
"I know, Cole. I know I can't turn back now. Why are you always afraid that I'm going to leave you?"
"I just don't want to lose you Phoebe. My love for you is stronger than anything else in this world."
"I love you too, Cole," Phoebe replied as they embraced each other into passionate seduction.
XXX
In the manor, Piper and Leo sat together on the sofa alone. Paige was out on a date and had been gone for hours now. Piper still could not help but think of her lost sister, Phoebe. Ever since Prue died, she promised herself that she would do whatever it takes to protect her sisters and she failed. They had even tried to give Phoebe another chance by having her chose between her and Paige and Cole and she still chose Cole. They barely managed to escape alive that night. Now, there was no chance in turning Phoebe back. Piper knew she had lost her baby sister for good.
"Have you received a call from the doctor yet?" asked Leo, interrupting her thoughts.
Piper had been feeling ill recently. She didn't think it was anything serious, but she had learned that in this family it could be something more. She remembered back a few years ago when she had had a life-threatening illness and had nearly died from it. Luckily, Leo had healed her just in time. She smiled at him. "No, I only went to be tested yesterday. It's going to take more time for them to do all their tests. Besides, I don't think that it's anything serious."
"That's what you said last time, Piper. Remember?"
"Leo, if I have anything life-threatening, then you can just heal me."
"That's what worries me. I already tried to heal you and you still feel sick."
Piper knew that Leo meant well, but she still wished that he wouldn't worry about this now, especially when they had bigger issues to deal with such as the source of all evil and his queen.
"Piper," Leo started again. "Maybe the reason I can't heal you is because this disease is not all physical. Maybe some of it is emotional as well."
Piper knew that he was referring to Phoebe, but she really didn't want to talk about her. But Leo continued, "Piper, you can't blame yourself for what happened to Phoebe."
"Leo, I would rather not talk about it," Piper responded. "Besides, I don't think that's it. Phoebe has been gone for months and I've only been feeling this way for the last three weeks."
Leo nodded understanding. Just then Paige walked through the front door alone.
"How was your date?" Piper inquired.
"It was alright," answered Paige. "I just didn't feel the connection between us. By the way, have you heard from the doctor yet?"
"No," Piper said once again. "I wish everyone would stop worrying about me. I'm fine!"
"Piper, it's our job to worry about you," Paige said.
"Look guys, I'm telling you I feel…" before Piper could finish her sentence the phone rang. "I'll get it."
Piper walked to the phone and picked it up. "Hello?" she answered.
"Hello, Mrs. Halliwell?" the voice asked.
"This is she," Piper replied.
"Mrs. Halliwell, this is Dr. Morrison. I'm calling to give you your test results."
Piper was feeling a bit nervous now. "Do I have anything serious?"
"No," Dr. Morrison answered. "On the contrary, I actually have some wonderful news for you."
"What is it?" Piper asked. She found it impossible to imagine anything wonderful happening now; especially after all they went through with Phoebe. "Well…"
The doctor paused for a moment and then he responded, "Congratulations, Piper Halliwell, you're pregnant."