Part Three

"You okay?" Cole asked as he stood on the sidewalk behind his wife and wrapped her in his arms. The shopping bags sat at their feet. "You haven't said much and barely touched your food."

"Seems flaming's almost as bad as shimmering, I'm still a little nauseous," she answered distractedly as she continued to look at the photos plastered along the wall. "God, Cole, all those poor people."

"Let me take you home," he offered. "You've had a long day and you still have to see the Seer."

"Not yet," she quietly argued.

"You promised," he reminded her.

"I know I did," she tensely replied, "you don't have to keep reminding me."

He rubbed her arms, "I just want to make sure you and the baby are okay. He's going to be very powerful an--"

"He's?"

"Just a feeling," he hugged her tighter. "You know I'd be every bit as happy with a baby girl."

"Do I?" She turned her head slightly to glance at him, "It's not like we've really talked about this. I know you're happy but there's so much more to having a baby than --"

"Right now," he interrupted with a kiss to the top of her head, "my only concern is your health. I want you to have the best possible care."

"And there's no one better than the Seer, right?" she dryly commented.

"We've been over this, Phoebe," he warned. "I won't trust you and our child to any witch or warlock. The Seer is loyal to the Source and will do what's best for us all."

Phoebe sighed and, not wanting to argue, relaxed against him, and indicated to the wall before them, "Doesn't this affect you at all? All these pictures posted by loved ones in the hopes they'll be found. But they're not missing at all, Cole. They're dead. All these people are dead."

"A national tragedy," he acknowledged.

But it didn't sound terribly sympathetic and she pulled away from him, hugging herself. "I used to come to the plaza all the time for daytime concerts. I dated a stockbroker for a couple of weeks and we'd meet here for coffee. You even took me to the observation deck last spring during a break in my exams. But they're gone now. The Towers are gone, just like that. And all those people…People who were just going about their normal everyday routines. What if I'd been here that morning? Would that matter to you?"

"You know it would!" he retorted as he spun her around to face him. "I love you. But I was wrong in giving in to your brown eyes and taking you to this place. You're upsetting yourself over something that happened months ago and it isn't good for you or the baby." He tucked some stray locks behind her ear, "Evil happens, Phoebe. Be it demon or human-initiated, evil happens and other beings will always pay the price."

She hugged him with a tearful sigh, "I'm just glad you didn't have anything to do with this."

"What if I did?" he warily questioned as he stroked her back.

"But you didn't," she pressed her cheek to his chest. "You weren't the Source yet. You hadn't even lost Belthazor yet. And things hadn't gotten so complicated."

"Look at me, babe," he requested as he tilted her face towards his, "I can do that and far worse. And I most likely will."

"No, not rea--"

"Yes, Phoebe, really," he insisted. He caressed her cheek, "You can't continue to think of them as innocents. They are tools for us, tools to help us advance in power and strength." Phoebe's mouth opened as if to speak but she was silent and he continued, "I'm the Source and you're my Queen and together we will rule the Underworld and be the most powerful force to be reckoned with but that means --"

"Take me home, Cole," she softly interrupted, "okay? I just wanna go home."

Understanding this was a lot for her to absorb, he kissed her forehead, "Don't you want to see Kathi again?"

"Right now," she whispered, "I just wanna go home with you."

"I've got an appointment to keep," he advised with another kiss, "so why don't you take a long hot bath and relax? I'll tell the Seer to come to you later."

"Can't you skip your appointment?" she tugged on his lapels.

Cole shook his head. "This is an important time for me, Phoebe. But I promise, as soon as things settle down, I'll set aside some days to spend solely with you."

"We need a break," she nuzzled him. "It's all happening so fast."

"I know, babe, but it'll get easier, I promise," he murmured before flaming them, and their purchases, back home.

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Cole checked his watch again as he waited in his chamber. When he sensed her arrival, he didn't turn around to face her. "Well?"

"Your impatience is showing, my liege," the Seer commented.

He spun, "I don't have time for this. Just tell me how she is, how the baby is."

She lowered her eyes contritely before recapturing his gaze, "They are both healthy and strong. However, I sensed much reluctance on Phoebe's part. She's not comfortable with her new life nor with my presence."

"Given that she's one of the three most powerful witches for good of this time," he considered, "and that it's only been one day since she turned, she needs time."

"Which you may not have," the Seer warned. "You know factions form quickly and when they discover she --"

"I will deal with the factions!" he snapped. "My main concern is Phoebe. I don't want her turning to her sisters."

"Perhaps I can help," she offered. "As you know, the child will grow more powerful and more evil each week he develops. But as strong as she is, Phoebe simply isn't ready to handle that change to her system. It could damage her, possibly cause complications with the pregnancy."

Cole thought over her words and paced silently within the chamber. Finally, he came to a stop, "What do you suggest?"

"Let another host the child."

"Out of the question!"

"I'm not suggesting the child be taken completely from Phoebe. She would still be his mother," the Seer tried to appease him. "But let another act as surrogate to spare Phoebe the pain of coping with the evil within her. After some time at your side, she would adapt to her new life and be able to tolerate any future pregnancies. But right now --"

"No surrogate," Cole insisted. "Phoebe's strong, she'll handle this pregnancy."

"Do not deceive yourself, my liege. Phoebe's still tied to the world of good. It's her very nature. The coming physical and emotional changes will rip her apart. And what will happen to you then?"

"Then do something now," he demanded. "Be it spell or potion. Give her the strength she needs to safely deliver my son."

"I can create a tonic for her, one that would enhance her own dark nature. The child's evil would not be considered foreign to her system, she wouldn't fight him or her own new path."

"Good," he said, pleased by her solution. "It also means she'll be less susceptible to her sisters' influence should they fight for her."

"She would need to take it twice a day," the Seer sternly instructed. "Once before she goes to sleep so her system can best absorb it. Then again, a smaller dose, with breakfast or lunch."

"She will," he agreed. "How much time do you need to prepare this tonic?"

"Three days," she replied.

"Too much time for her to connect with her sisters," Cole argued. "Can't it be done faster?"

"If," she nearly smiled, "I were to mix in my own blood, I could have it ready in a few hours."

"Do it," he ordered. "I'll summon you when she's ready for bed."

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Phoebe peeked into the hospital room. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Phoebe!" Kathi pushed herself up in bed and set aside the novel she was reading. "What're you doing here again? Visiting hours're long over." Grinning at Cole, she added, "You don't care for rules any more than Phoebe does, huh?"

He merely smiled and ushered Phoebe into the room ahead of him. "We can't stay long," he warned his wife as Phoebe made herself comfortable on the bed next to her friend.

"I knew it," Kathi slapped at Phoebe's arm, "you never should've made this trip in your condition."

"That's what I told her," Cole sighed theatrically, "but what do I know? I'm only a man."

"But when you're right," Kathi chuckled, "you're right."

"Don't encourage him," Phoebe rolled her eyes. "I should leave this fan club and visit those beautiful babies instead."

"Not a bad idea," Cole grinned, "I'm sure Kathi can fill me in on New York Phoebe." But Phoebe blanched and he darted for her, "I was kidding." But when she silently gripped one of his arms, he worried, "Feeling sick again? Dizzy?"

Phoebe brought her other hand to her throat and nodded slowly, "Maybe it's just being in a hospital," she fibbed, knowing it was more likely due to the flaming. "First I faint there after Paige's accident and then there was that dizzy spell this afternoon and throwing up…"

"Seriously, girl," Kathi said, "go back to your hotel and get a good night's sleep. Cole, maybe you could pick up some crackers or something. It'll help with the nausea. Dry toast sometimes helps too."

"Thanks," he sincerely said as he tried to lead Phoebe away from the bed.

"Give me a minute," Phoebe slapped away Cole's hand, "we just got here and I want to spend some time with you, Kat. I'm leaving again tomorrow and with your folks and in-laws all arriving, I won't want to interrupt."

Kathi eyed her friend and suggested, "Say, Cole, why don't you go to the NICU, do some male bonding with my hubby? He could use the break, not to mention the opportunity to brag to a new audience, and I'm sure he could give you some tips regarding Phoebe and what's gonna be the start of a long nine months."

"Hey, don't forget I'm the one who traveled cross-country to see you!"

Cole laughed at his wife's annoyed reaction and kissed the top of her head, "I can take a hint. I'm going."

"So," Kathi questioned as soon as the door closed behind Cole, "what's up? What couldn't wait 'til tomorrow?"

"You're so suspicious…"

Kathi's gaze narrowed on her friend, "I saw Cole's face when he warned you about not staying long. And I know you, Pheebs. You wouldn't make this "cross-country" trip for a single day so you could only see me for a few minutes, not when your body's driving you nuts with morning sickness and hormones."

"I wouldn't?"

She reached for Phoebe's hand, "What's wrong? Is it Cole? Something about the baby?"

"It's a lot of things," Phoebe quietly replied, recalling the physical she'd just been given by the Seer. She shuddered, "Sorry, got a chill for a sec." She stood and turned to the window, "I don't know, Kat, it's like I told Cole this afternoon, things are happening so quickly. I barely have time to react when something else happens. Guess I'm a little scared."

"Pregnancy's a pretty scary business."

"It's more than that, it's -- never mind," Phoebe shook her head as she sat down again next to Kathi, "maybe, you're right and I've already gone hormonal and am overreacting and this's just the start of those lovely mood swings."

"You may be the one carrying the baby but, honey, you're not in this alone," Kathi wrapped her arm around Phoebe's shoulders and drew her close. "You've got a great support system. Take it from me, you need to learn how to lean on them, let them help you. Between Cole and your sisters you've got -- what?" She was surprised by Phoebe's tears, "Sweetie, what is it? Talk to me."

"My sisters," Phoebe sniffled. "I, we, it's so complicated…"

"Shhh, it's okay, it's just a crying jag and that's perfectly normal," Kathi stroked Phoebe's back. "Whatever you argued about with them will pass. Pregnancy can take its toll on everyone and everyone's added emotions will put you through the wringer. But you guys love each other too much to let anything come between you, especially if it's your baby."

"I miss them," Phoebe whispered. "Sounds crazy when it's only been a day but I do. I called Piper and she practically hung up on me. I don't think she'll ever come around."

Kathi hugged her friend tighter as Phoebe cried, "Shhh, it's okay, it's okay…I want you to promise me something." When it seemed as if Phoebe was listening, she continued, "I want you to promise that you will call me, any time, day or night, even if it's just to cry that Cole left the seat up."

"He doesn't do that," Phoebe hiccupped.

"He's still got the newlywed glow," Kathi teased, "give him some time." She was pleased when Phoebe chuckled and she wiped some tears from Phoebe's cheeks, "Don't worry so much about the future. Relax and enjoy this time and just take each day as it comes."

"Ladies," Cole knocked on the door as he entered, "everything okay in here?" He noticed his wife's tear-stained cheeks and quietly advised, "It's late, we should get going."

"Everything okay in the NICU?" Kathi anxiously asked.

Cole nodded with a smile, "They're beautiful girls, Kathi. He said he'd be in in a few minutes."

"I wish he'd go home and get some sleep," she sighed. "He hasn't left my side in two days and, since they've been born, if he has left me, it's been to be with them."

"He's tougher than you think," Cole acknowledged. "He's doing what any man in love with his wife and newborn would do and --"

"I think you've had enough male bonding for one evening," Phoebe quipped. She hugged her friend and kissed Kathi's cheek. "You both get some rest. I'll stop by tomorrow morning."

"No you won't," both Kathi and Cole warned before grinning and high-fiving each other.

Phoebe held her hands up in surrender, "I give up, you win."

Cole rolled his eyes, "If only it was always this easy."

Phoebe lightly slapped his stomach but smiled at her chuckling friend, "Behave or I won't send you any of those pics."

Kathi mimicked zipping her lips and agreed, "Yes, ma'am." Eyeing Cole and, licking her lips, she added, "Thank you, ma'am."

Phoebe rolled her eyes and hustled Cole towards the door as she muttering, "I've created a monster."

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