"No Nancy, that's not the reason."
Nancy's mother, Sarah, lifted her young daughters chin so she could look into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Well, who cares? Come on, I can't wait to see heaven. Let's go."
Brushing off what her mother had just said; Nancy grabbed both her parents by their hands, trying to pull them along.
"Nancy, we didn't come to take you with us. We just came to see you, and to explain."
"But, I don't want to be without you. It hurts too much. Please, don't leave me again."
"Nancy we have never left you."
"You could have fooled me."
"Do you know that we could see everything that you did? Do you know how hard it was to watch you get picked on at school, and then to get hit with that ball. Your father and I wanted so badly to go down there, pick you up, hold you, and give those kids a piece of our minds for hurting you."
Nancy was fighting back tears, she didn't want to talk, and she just wanted to know that she could stay with her parents. She tried to move herself away from them, covering her ears and shutting her eyes like a two year old having a tantrum.
"Come here monkey."
She uncovered her ears and looked into her fathers eyes. She couldn't resist, her father always knew what it took to bring her back to reality. Lowering her hands to her sides she walked over to her father, taking a seat in his lap.
"Dad, I've missed you calling me that."
"Listen to me. There is a reason why this happened, and normally, well, we would let you figure it out for yourself. Just this once, we're going to tell you."
Prue, Piper, and Phoebe walked over and sat down on the ground next to Paul and Sarah. Grams and Patty sat between the girls, going hands to enjoy what little time they had together.
"Nancy, this isn't your time. You four need each other; they can help you though the pain you are having."
"But I want to be with YOU. They don't NEED ME. They got along just fine before I came along, and will do so long after I'm gone."
"Nancy Leanne Halliwell! Listen to your father."
Sarah's stern voice, and the use of her daughter's full name, caused Nancy to lock eyes with her mother. Nancy almost missed the no nonsense look that her mother would give her. That look said that she better behave, or she would be in trouble later.
"Nancy, we know that you are hurting. We also know why you wanted the surgery. You figured it was the easy way out. You remember you said that there is a reason for everything?"
Nancy simply nodded her head yes. She was almost ashamed of her reason for wanting the surgery. She knew her parents must be disappointed in her reason, she could tell by their voices.
"Well, there is a reason for our deaths as well. Nancy you four were destined to be together. Together you four have a power that is far greater then even the Power of Three. I know you can tell how much your power has grown since meeting them. I know that you were shocked when you could speak to them all at once, even with your tube down your throat."
"Yea, so what. I'm sure in time that would have happened anyway."
"Nancy, you would never have been able to do that with your Mother, or I. You and your cousins have a special connection. You have a bond that is unbreakable. In time, you will learn how your gift can help them protect the innocent. You are doing so much for them already, without even knowing it."
"What are you talking about? How have I helped them?"
"Prue, I would like you to tell Phoebe what you and Piper were talking about in the car, on the way to the hospital."
Prue locked eyes with her uncle. She knew exactly what he was talking about, but expressing her feelings in public was never her strong suit. Knowing that her daughter was having trouble, Patty took hold of Prue's chin, and forced her daughter to look into her eyes.
"Prue, I know it's difficult, but it's important for you to say it. Not jut for Phoebe to hear it, or for Nancy to understand it. You need to be able to express the feelings you have inside, and not be afraid of them."
Prue turned and looked at her baby sister. At that very moment she looked as young and innocent as Nancy did. Prue's heart was breaking; her sister looked so confused and scared of what her big sister thought of her.
"I was thinking that, well that, you really have grown emotionally. I used to think you were never a serious person, and that the only thing you knew how to do was have fun. Now I know, when the chips are down, someone else can take control. I don't have to be in control all the time. I have always been so protective over you, because I thought you had poor judgment, and that it was my job to be in control. When you saw I was loosing it, you snapped me back to reality."
"It was no big deal. So you lost it, and it did freak me out a little. I've never seen you do that before, but it's kind of nice to know that you're human, and not an emotional stone."
"You did the same for Piper. I hated admitting that I lost control, but you know what? I think I won't feel like that anymore, because I know that if I'm not there, or if there is something that I can't take care of, you can. Piper has always been a responsible person; I've never had to worry about her. Now I don't have to worry about you either."
"Well you can still worry sometimes right?"
"I'm sure I still will, but not as often. I'm proud of you Phoebe."
"I don't think you've ever said that to me before. Well actually, I'm sure you have, but I don't think I ever believed you, but I do now. You need to understand Prue; I am the way I am because of you and Piper. Piper taught me how to care, and taught me that it's ok to cry, but you taught me how to be strong. Maybe that's why we butt heads so much. Everything I am is because of you guys, you guys practically raised me."
It was like Phoebe all of sudden became scared. She looked over at her Grams, who had tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Grams. You took real good care of us, but with three of us, you couldn't be there all the time. Plus, well there were just some things that I didn't feel comfortable talking to you about."
"I'm glad you did. Don't mistake these tear for hurt. I always wanted you guys to be close like you are now. For a long time I worried you never would be. I knew that the day would come when I wouldn't be there, and I felt scared that you would all just fall apart. You three took care of each other, and were there for each other."
"Well, not right away."
"No, not right away. You three are all very stubborn, but you each have your individual strengths. Prue you were always the serious one, you always would get right down to business. Piper always the peacemaker, trying to keep everyone from fighting. Phoebe you were always about fun, which is not a bad thing. You have always had the ability to bring a smile to a crying face. Over time, you have all taught each other your strengths, and now you three are one. There is nothing that you girls can't do, weather you are apart, or together."
Patty pulled her loving family into a big group hug. She may have not been a part of the girl's physical lives, but she always tried to guide them spiritually in the right directions. She never allowed herself to feel left out, and right now, there was never a prouder mother.
"Well all this is great, but what does it have to do with me?"
Pulling apart, the girls looked over at their young cousin, who was still sitting in her fathers arms, stuck to him like glue.
"I am able to tell Phoebe how I feel, because of you. That my not seem like a lot, but it is."
"I feel like a stronger, more confident person, knowing my big sister Prue, trusts me, and knows she can depend on me."
"I feel stronger knowing that they are getting along. That too may not seem like much, but believe me; it takes a lot out of a person, when they are trying to prevent a war from breaking out for almost twenty odd years."
"I really did all that?"
"You did that, and so much more. You helped Phoebe find out what she wants to do with her life. She might have discovered it eventually, but because of you, she knows now, and I've never seen her more focused."
"Thanks Prue. You helped Piper find a balance in her life. She has found a way to balance her social life, work like, and family. For once none of us feel left out."
"That did take a lot of work from me, and I'm glad that Phoebe doesn't feel neglected anymore. She may be grown, but she still needs her sisters. I also know that you have allowed Prue to feel something inside. She always thought that she wouldn't make a good mother. Phoebe and I knew that wasn't true, and now I think Prue believes it too."
"You know Nancy, I know I didn't give birth to you, but I have grown to love and care for you as if you were my own child. You have helped us through so much, in a short amount of time; please let us help you, for the rest of your life."
"I know you miss us honey. I feel your pain in my heart. Your father and I feel so much better knowing that you are surrounded by people who love and care for you, as much as we do. Do you know what would make us really happy?"
"What?"
"If you grew up to be as strong, and successful, and happy, as your cousins. They have so many things to teach you, not just about magic, but about life. They can teach you things your mother and I never could. We will always be with you, and be watching over you. In time, you will know that."
"It's time for us to go Paul."
"Yes Mother!"
Paul kissed his daughter on the forehead and stood up.
"NO! Please take me with you. I promise to be good, just don't go."
The girls hugged their Mother and Grams one more time, they didn't find it easy to leave either, but knew they would see each other again.
"We'll be seeing you girls."
"We know."
"Now go take care of your cousin, like you have always taken care of each other."
The girls walked over to Nancy and pulled her away from her parents. Nancy was screaming and crying, trying to hit the girls, to make them let go. Her parents had tears in their eyes, and didn't want to go either. They knew they had to, but it didn't make it any easier. As they walked away, it took every ounce of energy they had not to turn around and hug Nancy again. Paul took his little sisters hand, and Sarah took a hold of Grams, they each knew what the other was feeling, and drew strength from each other to keep on walking.
Nancy eventually clung to the girls, knowing there was no one else to hold onto. She felt her knees buckle, as her legs gave way. She fell to the ground, surrounded by her protective family. That's when reality set in, and she pushed herself away from them, got up, and stood in from of them defensively.
"WHY? Why did you pull me away from them?"
"We had to, it was time to physically let go. You never have to emotionally let go though."
"Nancy, I never even knew my mother until last year. That's a whole other story, but I always felt like she was with me. When I did something good, I could almost fell her patting me on the back, telling me that she was proud. Even just now, I didn't want to let go either, but you know I can still fell her holding me."
Nancy still wanted to yell at the girls. She felt that she didn't even have a chance to say goodbye again. She also knew that she wasn't ready to say goodbye even now. She looked down at the ground, noticing that her body was beginning to fade away.
"What's happening?"
Before she could get an answer, she was gone.
"Prue, where did she go?"
Before Prue could say anything, she heard someone calling their names. They each looked around, almost expecting it to be their Mom, or Grams. The voices seemed to be coming from above their heads.
"Phoebe, Prue, Piper. Wake up!"
The girls each snapped open their eyes, and were blinded by the light. After their eyes adjusted to the light, they found Megan, and Jamie standing over them.
"What…Oh Jamie, how's Nancy?"
"She just came out of surgery. She's in recovery right now. Doctor Campbell is on her way here to talk to you. We thought we would come and wake you up, before she got here. You guys had us worried, your all heavy sleepers; it took a lot to wake you up."
Megan and Jamie left the room. The girls looked at each other, none of them really sure what to say. Phoebe was trying to come up with a complete sentence, but couldn't.
"Guys, um did we just.."
"I think so."
"Prue, was that real?"
Piper walked over to a mirror, intending on fixing her hair, when she saw her eyes were all puffy and red, she had the answer to her own question.
"Never mind. It was."