While all this was wonderful, she had the most fun with Phoebe, who was put in charge of taking her cloths shopping. Phoebe had great fashion, and knew what would be perfect for a 13 year old girl. For Nancy it was like Christmas. For the past several years she had been living on hand-me-downs, and donated cloths. To have cloths personally picked out for her, was a great thrill.
The one thing Nancy didn't like was starting a full Physical Therapy program. Prue spent a lot of time finding the right program for Nancy. She need one that would be tough on Nancy, because at times Nancy was very set in her ways for a 13 year old, but she also needed to find someone who would be patient and understanding.
After looked for almost two weeks, Prue was coming down to the deadline. Nancy had to be in the program before going to court. With only a few places left on the list, Prue finally found the perfect place. Nancy went for the first session, kicking and screaming, with one week to spare. She met her therapist, and was surprised to find out her name was also Jamie, and as much as she tried to hate her, she found that she liked Jamie. After the first few sessions, Nancy stopped fighting, knowing that she wasn't going to win.
Finally the day of the court hearing arrived. The morning was filled with a lot of fear, as the girls rushed through their showers so they could spend extra time picking out just the right outfits to impress the Judge. When Prue was through she went to Nancy's room to help her get ready. Opening the door she found the room was empty, and many of Nancy's new outfits were spread across an unmade bed.
After searching the house several times, Prue walked into the kitchen and looked out the window above the sink. Breathing a sigh of relief, she noticed Nancy sitting on the back porch swing. Quickly she walked out the back door and approached Nancy.
"It's time to get ready."
She stood next to the swing, and waited for a response. Nancy was sitting with her back to Prue, and was staring out into space. Turning around she lifted her eyes to Prue, who immediately noticed that Nancy had been crying.
"Nancy what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Nancy slid over giving room for Prue to sit down next to her. Nancy was hesitant to answer, but knew she had to. Prue pulled her into a hug, and let her take a few breaths before she began to explain. Nancy put her head on Prue's shoulder, trying not to let her tears land on Prue's shirt. Without lifting her head, she spoke in a quiet, and shaky voice.
"If the judge doesn't let me stay, will I still get to see you guys?"
"What makes you think the judge will say no?"
"My life seems to be full of so many ups and downs. Just when things get good, something, or someone bad makes my world come crashing down."
"Well cheer up, maybe the bad will just be a demon attack!"
Nancy quickly pulled away from Prue, she couldn't believe that Prue had just said that. After looking into Prue's eyes, and noticing the huge smile on Prue's face, she knew she was only cracking a joke, still it was weird. How could someone joke about demons? After several more thoughts popped into Nancy's head, she too cracked a small smile.
"Nancy, we are family, and not just because we share some of the same blood. Family is what you make it out to be. Piper, Phoebe, and I have a family that is much larger then just the three of us. Of course, now it includes you, but many of our friends are as close an just as important to us, as each other. The Judge will say yes, because he will see how much we love each other, and need each other. Now come on, which of your new dresses do you want to wear?"
"Maybe the blue one. Speaking of new cloths, just to let you know, if he doesn't let me stay, I'm taking my cloths!"
Nancy flashed a devious smile, as she took off as quick as he little body would let her. She ran a little to fast for Prue's liking, but instead of yelling to slow down, Prue took off after her.
They arrived at the court house very early, found out where they needed to be, and took a seat waiting patiently for their names to be called. At exactly 1:00 someone came into the hall and yelled;
"HALLIWELL?"
The girls stood up, took each others hands, and followed him into the court room. Prue kept a strong hold of Nancy's hand as they walked to their seats and sat down. Only minutes later, Jamie entered the court room, apologizing for being late.
"I'm so sorry. I was in court with another case, and it ran long."
"No problem. We just got in here."
Prue watched as Jamie pulled out a few folders from her briefcase, placing them on the table in front of them. Just as she put her briefcase on the floor, under the table the bailiff bellowed.
"ALL RISE COURT IS NOW IN SESSION THE HONORABLE MICHAEL R. RIZZO PRESIDING."
The ladies stood as the judge's door opening. A tall man with dark brown hair, and kind brown eyes entered the room. Nancy could tell he was a man of great intelligence, and prayed that Prue was right about family. She watched in amazement as he walked over to the bailiff, took a file from him, and proceeded to his seat. The judge placed her file on his large desk, adjusted his long black robe, and then picked up his gavel. Sitting down, he pounded his gavel on the desk and took a moment to open up the file and clear his throat.
"Be seated ladies. Well let's see what we have here. Petition for custody transfer from the State of California to one Miss Prudence Halliwell. Is she present?"
"Yes Your Honor."
Prue calmly stood for a moment and then sat back down.
"Is Miss Jamie Sumner, Department of Children and Family Services present?"
"Yes Your Honor."
Jamie stood up out of her chair, but unlike Prue, she remained standing. Nancy took a deep breath, she knew this was it. Hearing what Jamie thought would make or break the judge's decision. She breathed a little sigh of relief as she saw Jamie turn her head to look at Nancy, gave her a little wink of her eye and a small smile, before turning her attention back to the judge.
"Miss Sumner, you have been observing the Halliwells for just a little over a month now. What are your findings?"
"Well Your Honor, as you can see from my report, they have complied with every request I have made. They have made all proper arrangements with regards to Nancy's health. She sees a doctor twice a week, and a physical therapist three times a week. They have also accommodated her with all the proper home requirements necessary. Of course the most important things you will not find in any report."
The judge put the file down, took off his glasses, and looked at Jamie with a questioning look.
"Explain!"
"Their house if full of a great deal of love. When you enter their home you can feel that they don't just love each other, they care about each other. Not just because they have to, but because they want to."
"I see. Thank you, be seated. Miss Halliwell. Well I guess in this case I better be more specific. Miss Prudence Halliwell."
Prue cringed, only her Grams called her Prudence, and that was usually when she was in trouble. Non the less she stood tall, and faced the judge.
"You share a home with your sisters. Is that correct?"
"Yes Your Honor."
"Is this a permanent arrangement, or temporary?"
"I don't understand Your Honor?"
"I mean, are you planning on moving out anytime soon?"
"No Your Honor. You see at first my sisters and I moved into our home to save money, and to make sure the house we grew up in stayed in the family. Our house has been in our family for generations. However now, Your Honor, we stay together because we want to. Piper and myself could move out, and take care of ourselves quite well. Even Phoebe, who lived on her own in New York for almost a year, could take care of herself, but we CHOOSE to be together."
"I understand. Do your sisters support your decision to gain custody of Nancy?"
"YES YOUR HONOR!"
Both Piper and Phoebe stood up momentarily, flashing their biggest smiles at the judge, before sitting back down.
"I see. Miss Halliwell, in your hear of hearts do you really feel that you can provide Nancy with the love and care that is necessary to raise a happy normal child?"
"Normal? What is normal to one is not normal to another. I'm not saying that our family is perfect, sure we'll make mistakes, but we'll learn from them, and become better people. I promise Your Honor that if you let Nancy have us, we will do everything to make sure she is SAFE and HAPPY."
"Thank you. Be seated. Now would the youngest Halliwell please rise?"