Chapter 54: The Cookies

The three coughed as white flour hit them.

"Sorry! I was going to bake some cookies while we ate dinner. I didn't mean to hit you with flour."

"Oh my gosh, I still have my memories! I thought I was going to be doomed! I still remember our research on Flamel!"

"Sis, quit being a drama queen." Phoenix said. Piper gave the three pre-teens a confused look.

"It's nothing Mrs. Halliwell. Katie was practicing for the school play." Kaleb said, hoping she would buy it.

"Oh, I heard Paige saying something about opening a drama club." Piper looked at Katie to Kaleb then to Phoenix. "You three clean up. Dinner is ready and you are not eating with flour all over you."

The three of them nodded, then headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"That was close. Watch what you say, Katie! We don't want Aunt Piper to know. And when did you become the drama queen?"

"Sorry, but I thought we were goners. Having done all that research, and then having it taken away, is not what I'm looking forward to."

"Well, if we stay away from your uncles and grandfather, we won't have to worry about that."

"That is true."

"True but impossible, Uncle Leo and Grandpa Sam are whitelighters and can orb in and out. Uncle Coop can transport flare thing. They can show up out of nowhere."

"But we can see them before they can see us."

"I just want to be careful. I never had my memory wiped, and I don't plan on having it done."

"How do you know you haven't had your memory wiped? You wouldn't remember."

"Kaleb, leave her alone."

"Thanks Phoenix."

"But he has a point."

"Thanks Nix."

"Phoenix!"

"We'll worry about that later." Phoenix said.

As Kaleb went to his and Chris's room, Phoenix and Katie went into theirs. They hurried up to change their clothes and wash their faces. Once finished, the three of them met up in the hall and headed their way down to the dining room.

"I was wondering if we were going to eat or not." Henry commented, seeing his two girls and their friend entering.

"Sorry dad. Aunt Piper showered us with flour."

The adults laughed as the pre-teens took their seats.

"So, have you three found what you were looking for?" Coop asked.

The three looked at each other cautiously. They knew what answer he was looking for. Katie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, Kaleb shoveled food in his mouth, and Phoenix played with her food.

"Not really. The library had little information, but nothing that would help with my paper." Phoenix answered.

Leo eyed them, not buying what Phoenix said. The way they reacted to the question made him think otherwise.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Uncle Leo I am sure."

"Well, that's too bad. Maybe you could pick someone else that maybe easier to look up?"

Phoenix shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"When is the assignment due?" Asked Paige, not liking the way the room was feeling.

"Um… I think a week after I get back."

"Oh, so you will have some time." Her dad said, "How long does it have to be?"

"Five full parchments." Phoenix answered.

"Parchments?" Kaleb asked.

"It's like our sheets of paper."

"Oh."

"What did you find of him?" Leo asked.

"Umm…"

'What do I say? I'm already in a hole. I think he suspects.'

Feeling the tension in the room building, Phoebe changed the subject.

"So girls, your birthdays are coming up along with Christmas. What is that you would like?"

'Aunt Phoebe to the rescue! Alright!'

"I need a new mic. The one I have stopped working. Also, there is this program I can put on my computer. It acts like a recording studio."

"That sounds cool. Okay, I'll think about it. Phoenix, how about you?"

"I need more paint and easels. Also, I would like some more charcoal pencils too." Phoebe nodded and looked at Paige with a small smile.

"Just like their mother, those two." Henry said.

"Aunt Phoebe, you forgot me!" Henry Jr. whined.

"Oh, I'm sorry Henry, what would you like for Christmas?"

"I would like…." Henry Jr. racked up the list he had in his head. The adults laughed when his face became serious, as if it was life or death. "I would have to write it out. I have too much for you to remember."

"Okay. As soon as you write it, give it to me."

"Okay."

"Does anyone smell something burning?" Coop asked.

"Oh, my! It's the cookies!" Piper yelled as she rushed to the kitchen. She was paying too much attention to everyone else she forgot about the cookies she put in.

"Oh man, I was looking forward to those." Kaleb whined.

Phoenix rolled her eyes. She was glad all the attention was off of her and Flamel.

'Katie was right. We need to be more cautious.'