( This Chapter will be done kind of like a flashback..or really a prequel to the first chapter. someone wondered why coop and paige had gotten close. so here's a little explanation)
Paige woke up to a vague but entirely too persistent itch. She swatted clumsily at her nose. It was too early to be coordinated and she was still half asleep. She blinked fuzzily in the unusually bright lights and when she fully opened them she frowned. The ceiling was pink. Her ceiling was not pink. Henry would never allow a pink ceiling even if she'd wanted one. She hadn't. Full awake now, she had the chance to glance around. She was not in her room. Confused, she glanced beside her to the bare, tanned back of her husband. Her mouth began to gape as she noticed some very glaring distinctions that she had taken for granted. The hair was darker, longer and there was no tattoo on the right shoulderblade. A small sound escaped Paige and the figure began to stir in his sleep. She clapped a hand to her mouth almost spasmodically as she clambored off the bed but it was too late. The figure called out sleepily, "What's wrong, honey?" Paige couldn't contain her slightly hysterical squeak. She recognized that voice. Before she could respond the man turned, caught sight of Paige in a ridiculously skimpy negligee and covered his eyes. He cried out as if blinded and violently pulled the sheets up around him. Absurdly, Paige was almost offended. She looked down at herself. While the getup was definitely innapropriate to wear in front of her sister's husband, she did fill it out nicely. A strangled voice said timidly, "Paige. What the hell are you doing in my bedroom?"
Reluctantly, he dropped the covers. Paige said sternly," I don't have a clue, Coop." As he frantically searched for some clothing she moved hastily toward the closet. She recognized her surroundings now, with the help of Coop. It was their room at Pheobe's townhouse. But where the hell was Pheobe? Inside the closet she practically ripped a pair of jeans off the hanger and gasped as she looked more closely at her. They were her size. Her brand. Everything. She groped at the hangers, pulling more clothes down. All were her size and things she would have picked out. In fact, some things must have come directly from her own closet at home.As she reached for another item her eyes fell upon the engagement ring on her left hand. It was not the one Henry gave her. It was lovely, precisely what she would have picked herself, but it wan't hers. Her voice faltered as she called out to Coop. "What the hell. All this stuff in the closet is mine Coop. Where's Pheobe's stuff? " Now clad in ludicrous red pajama bottoms emblazoned with white hearts and a discarded striped shirt, Coop slid into the closet in his socked feet. He rummaged through everything with a perplexed look on his face. Paige began pacing.
"It's got to be a spell. A spell gone wrong or a joke. Is it April Fools? It has to be Pheobe." Coop gave her a withering glance. "I don't thik even Pheobe's since of humor extends itself to having her husband wake up in bed with her sister." Paige nodded. "Right. Then it's a spell. Or, somehow we're in an alternate reality or something. Right?" Coop said quickly, "Can you orb us to the manor? Maybe Piper or Leo can help. Maybe Pheobe's there." Paige took his hand then said thoughtfully, "Do you have your ring?" Coop looked down. He said somewhat sadly, "I guess it doesn't matter who I marry. I'm not a cupid anymore." Paige shut her eyes and concentrated. After a moment, familiar blue lights appeared and a ringing sensation met her ears. They reappeared in the kitchen at the manor. Paige looked around tentatively and said, "Everything looks okay. Do you see anything different?" Coop shrugged, "It looks fine but you know it a lot better than I do." Paige scowled. She liked Coop. He made Pheobe happy and that was important but she really didn't know him that well yet and the morning's events had left her feeling somewhat awkward around him. Gingerly, she stepped out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Again, everything looked the way it should. In the foyer she called out to Piper. For a moment there was silence. Then she smiled as she heard the reassuring sound of Piper's footsteps above them and Leo's voice on the stairwell. Coop gave her a grin that clearly betrayed his feelings. Surely, Piper and Leo knew what was going on.
After a moment the footsteps grew louder and Paige could clearly hear Piper's voice. When her sister appeared on the landing Paige could've kissed her. Coop looked equally grateful and Paige waited for Piper to sort everything out. Surely, she would be shocked that they's showed up together so early, and in such strange clothing. No dice.
Piper smiled beatifically and said, "Morning newlyweds! You're early. Brunch won't be ready for a while." Paige felt her stomach plummet uncomfortable as Coop's face drained of color. Piper was already breezing into the next room and it took a moment for Paige to snap to and follow. Coop hadn't moved. Paige said loudly, in a cracking voice, "Newlyweds. No, Piper. I think you've got it wrong. There's a spell. I'm with Henry". Piper turned back to face her, a quizzical look on her brow. Paige, believing she was making progress, continued in vain. "Exactly. Yes with Henry. Not Coop. Pheobe's with Coop but we can't find her. My clothes are in their closet. It's ridiculous. Someobody did a spell. Or it's and alternate universe, y'know? I'm married to Henry." Piper gazed at her sister in concern. She moved forward slowly, as if Paige was slightly mad and definitely dangerous. "You're babbling, Paige. Do you have fever? Did Coop take your temperature?" Paige groaned. "No! You don't- I'm not married to Coop. Why would he take my temperature?" Piper smiled encouragingly but called out for Leo. After a moment Leo appeared at Piper's side in haze of blue. Paige said incredulously, "You can still orb?" Leo's eyes narrowed suspiciously and he said uncertainly, "Yes?" Paige turned her attention back to Piper. SHe needed help. "Coop! Get your ass in here, man!" Piper and Leo swiveled towards the door as Coop walked into the room, a dazed look in his brown eyes. Paige turned on him. "Tell them, Coop. Tell them what happened." He said slowly, "We woke up together this morning. And all of Paige's stuff was in our house." Piper was unimpressed. "Probably because she lives there. Her stuff could be there because of that. Have you two been drinking?"
Paige shook her head in disbelief. "Are you kidding? Piper, I'm trying to tell you something's wrong. Something is not right." Coop said forcefully, "Exactly. We are not married. We are married, but to other people." Piper nodded again, clearly doing her best to humor them. "And to whom are you married?" Paige nearly shouted in her exasperation. "To Henry. That's what I'm trying to tell you, lady! And he's Pheobe's husband. Not mine". Leo looked between the two before pulling Piper away toward a corner to talk. Coop turned toward Paige. "Do you think they believe us now?" Paige scrutinized them, trying unsuccessfully to read their lips. "I don't know. But we've got to find a way to convince them." Coop looked up toward the attic. "Maybe the Book of Shadows". Paige nodded and grabbed his hand. They were about to orb when the front door swung open and the world turned upside down. Coop looked past Paige and his mouth fell open again. Paige twisted in his grip and craned her neck to follow his sight. She felt her knees give way and she swayed on the spot. THe only thing that held her upright was Coop's grip on her shoulders. There in the doorway was her husband. Her Henry. With his arm around Pheobe's waist. Paige regained her balance and tried to lunge forward but Coop held her in place. She turned furious eyes on him but he said quietly, "Just wait. We need to get to the book." She steadied herself but scowled impressively nonetheless.
Obliviously, Pheobe caught sight of them and said happily, "Hi Lovebirds! How was the honeymoon?"
TBC