Hey there! Sorry for the long wait… I hadn't planned on taking this long for an update. Especially considering that I'm not that fond of this chapter… or maybe that explains it. Well I had 3/4 of this chapter wrote for two weeks now but I decided to do some more research, to make this story better because I'm really not enjoying where this story was going. But I got some inspiration and hopefully this story will shape up a lil bit…

Just to make some things more clear:

-Phoebe does NOT remember her encounter with Cole… her display of emotions towards him in the last chapter were merely built up feelings that she never let out after his and their baby's death. She finally did something that she was never able to do before, which was grieve the loss of him… which would explain why she kept the box of his things in her closet.

-Leo still has his powers. He did not fall from grace… he just chose Piper over the elders.

-I kinda forgot to write Drake in, lol, sorry… truth is I never really liked him anyway, but hey, Cole was the one that brought him there so props :P… yeah, sorry to all those Drake fans out there reading, he never got a good sendoff.

If you guys still have any questions feel free to ask…

Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed... only the dvds :P

Chapter 7: Return of the Future

Piper sat gracefully in her chair at the kitchen table while feeding Chris who was squirming in his highchair, not willing to swallow any of his cereal. Wyatt sat next to her, picking at the leftover toast on his plate, which held a substantial amount of crust.

"Come on Chris," Piper whined to her son, as he once again orbed the substance in the spoon back into the bowl, "You really need to eat Hunn. And we really need to get those powers under control. Who knew you would grow into them so quickly, while I am thrilled that you are least getting the cereal into the bowl now instead of the floor," she attempted to feed the infant yet again.

Chris shook his head, Piper pouted, "Look, your brother is eating his!" She looked to her other son's plate and added, "Well most of it, which is more than we can say for you."

Chris, defeated, ungratefully accepted the cold matter that was being placed in his mouth, while most did end up on his face. Paige walked into the kitchen and immediately poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Good morning," Piper greeting, then seeing the look on her sisters face added, "or not-so-good?"

"Yeah, I didn't get much sleep. A soft sobbing noise kept me awake."

"You heard it too huh?"

"Yup. Any idea what it was about?"

"Not a clue. I heard something crash too, I was gonna check on her, but when I opened the door she was next to her bed crying. I think she wanted to be alo-" Piper stopped talking when she saw Phoebe walk into the room.

"Hey, don't let me stop you from talking 'bout me," Phoebe commented, unusually perky. She was a totally different sight than what Piper or Paige would have expected. No puffy eyes, hair perfectly done, designer clothes, and a smile planted on her face, and as far as either of her sisters could tell, it wasn't one of Phoebe's famous fake smiles.

"Sorry," Paige began to apologize, "We were just worried about you… you know, after last night."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I found some old stuff and it just brought up a lot of emotions. It helped a lot though, to get the emotions out… it felt good."

"What kind of old things did you find," Piper asked.

"Umm…" Phoebe scratched the back of her head and hesitated before stuttering the next line, "S… some of… umm… Co… Cole's old things."

Paige coughed up some of the coffee she had just swallowed, "What! I did not just hear you say that. Phoebe I thought you were over him, like years ago." She emphasized the word 'years'.

"So did I," Phoebe began, "but some part of me held on to him, to what we had. That's why I think I was prone to all the failed relationships, I never completely moved on from Cole. So I could never move on with someone new. Looking through our things last night, it was like losing him again, but this time I took the time to grieve… something I never did before. It all helped me to move on. And I know it isn't going to happen that easily, but it's a start. Part of my heart will always be with Cole, but there's a bigger part of it that I feel I can give to someone else now, and truthfully I can't wait. I can't wait to immerse myself into someone else again. I haven't felt that way in so long."

"Just don't dive too quick," Piper warned, "You could have a hard landing."

"I know," Phoebe gave her a warm smile, "I won't, but thank you so much for caring about me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Piper got up and hugged Phoebe tightly, Phoebe squeezed her right back but also motioned for Paige to join the group hug. Paige joined eagerly.

Piper collapsed on the bed, she was exhausted. Looking after two children was hard, especially when they had a habit of orbing themselves to every room of the house, expecting their mother to follow them.

Leo walked over to her as she sat up. He rested himself behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"Where are the kids?" he spoke softly.

"Paige and Phoebe said they would take them for the night. They told me that I should take a rest, that I looked exhausted."

"You do."

"Well thanks," Piper said sarcastically, "But truthfully, I feel it too. I don't think I've relaxed for at least a week. Then with almost losing you. Then Phoebe and all her Cole drama. And then taking care of the boys who refuse not to use their powers on top of that, it's been a very long week."

"Cole?"

"Don't ask. I think it's finally over now… Let's just hope so."

"You should get some sleep then, I'll just go." Leo got up and turned off the lamp as Piper nodded her head. He gently placed a kiss on Piper's forehead as she laid down. As he rose his own head, she grabbed hold of his shirt collar, causing his lips to come crashing down onto hers. He climbed on top of her and propped himself up on one arm while never breaking contact. She wrapped her arms around his head pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Soon Leo broke the passionate kiss, not knowing what had taken over, "I thought you were going to get some sleep?"

Piper replied seductively, "Suddenly not so tired," as she pulled her husband into her again.

-----

"Where's the ball, Chris? Where is it?" Paige taunted, but instead of Chris looking for the ball he orbed it into his hand.

"Not exactly what I had in mind, but successful none the less," Paige laughed and continued, "Just as long as it's your toys and not your food… or dragons for the matter." Wyatt looked in her direction, an evil grin playing on his face.

Paige then looked over at Phoebe who was sat, staring out the window of the children's nursery, "A penny for your thoughts." Paige started the conversation.

"Well first off, they say, 'A penny for your thoughts', and then they turn around and say, 'You put your two cents in'. I mean, what happens to the extra cent?"

"Phoebe, you're rambling. Now tell me what's really up."

"I don't know Paige… Truthfully, I've been thinking about that premonition I had. I mean, how long am I gonna have to wait for my life to start happening?" Phoebe pouted, "And I never got to say goodbye to Drake."

"Oh my god, Drake! I totally forgot about that! I know you guys were close… how are you dealing with it?"

"Okay I guess. We did get close but it's not like anything could have happened between us anyway. He had to leave and that was it."

Paige walked over and wrapped her arms around her sister, embracing her in a comforting hug.

"It'll be okay though. Drake enjoyed his time here, and I like to think that I helped with that. But I just don't know what to do next. I feel like I'm this whole new person and I don't have the owner's manual read yet." Phoebe whined.

Paige laughed at Phoebe's comment then said, "I'm sure you'll do alright without an owner's manual. Just remember. Keep moving forward. After so long you'll get where you want to be."

"Hey you just heard that off George Shrinks today!" Phoebe replied and began to laugh, as did Paige.

"Well they are educational programming! You have to learn something from it right?" Paige continued to laugh as she bent down to pick up Wyatt who had fallen asleep watching the television.

"Yeah, I guess so. But that's enough about my love life, or lack there of… What's going on with you and Kyle?" Phoebe raised an eyebrow as Paige grinned, yet remained silent. "Wellllll?"

'Phoebe was never the one with patience,' Paige thought as she laid Wyatt is his bed and checked on Chris, who also had fallen asleep, "It's nothing really," she insisted, "I needed help, and I knew he would come through. I didn't know who else to call for."

"Yeah, but there must have been something there, for him to come into your mind." Phoebe loved to push her sister like this. She knew that Paige still felt something for Kyle, and Phoebe didn't know why she wouldn't act on her feelings. So if Phoebe could push her in the right direction, even a little bit, it would all be worth it. Maybe it could make up for the loss of her own love life, or at least earn her some good karma.

Paige just shrugged, "Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. We never really got the chance to talk about things. Right after we found Piper and Leo he had to take care of a charge. But he said he would be back, I just have no idea when. And what would I even say to him, 'Well, seeing as though you're not dead…'"

"Just say whatever is in your heart, because there is no doubt in my mind that he feels the same way. Just go for it."

"Spoken like a true advice columnist. You know, someday you're gonna have to start listening to your own advice. You once told me that you were tired of running, that you didn't want to do it anymore. So stop running Phoebe. Go after what you want."

Phoebe looked away as a plan was beginning to develop in her mind, as were the words beginning to come together. Phoebe glanced at her sister and smiled, "Thanks Paige." She stood up and began to walk out of the room until Paige spoke up.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"After what I want," Phoebe added with a confident smile as she left the room.

"Good for you Phoebe," Paige whispered to herself.

Phoebe made her way to the attic. She had her plan completely developed in her mind and she needed to do it right at that moment. 'Hopefully I won't need the power of three,' she thought.

She grabbed two white pillar candles from the old chest, placed them on the table and lit them. She then wrote a spell on a piece of parchment and placed it over the two flames. While the parchment began to burn she chanted,

Spirit forces hear my plea
Reaching out through land and sea
Be he far, or be he near
Bring to me, my true love here

Phoebe closed her eyes and waited. She knew from experience that once things were summoned, they appeared almost instantly. Then she thought to herself, 'what if this guy doesn't know I'm magical? How do I explain all this to him? Or what if I don't even know him yet?' Okay, so she hadn't thought this part of her plan out perfectly, but it was done now and there was nothing she could do to reverse it.

She opened her eyes, yet nothing was there. 'Crap', she thought. Maybe she did need the power of three. She turned to walk through the doors of the attic but she stopped when she noticed that something was appearing in the attic. Not in a mass of swirling white lights like she would have expected, but a glowing red light. The man soon appeared fully, in a red buttoned shirt and a pair of light tan slacks, with a huge smile on his face. A man Phoebe hadn't seen in years, a man which also brought a smile to her face.

She ran into his outstretched arms and gave him a hug that was worth the five years since she had seen him last.

"Oh my God! Cupid! It's sooo great to see you!" She screamed then added with a whisper, "I missed you."

"Hi Phoebe," she spoke quietly with his eyes closed, savoring her touch, "I missed you too."

Someone else had appeared in the room as well, unseen by Phoebe, but in a swirl of white lights. Unsure of what was going on, he looked around and saw them. He stood, watching, as the love of his life affectionately wrapped her arms around another man.

You can throw the tomatoes now! Sorry... but it's just another bump in the road for Phoebe and Cole. Ohhh and just to let you guys know, this cupid is the one from season 2... i always liked him better than Coop from season 8, but thats just me...

Please review! Even the bad stuff... Hopefully i'll have another update soon.

xoxo Britt