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Morning came quickly and while her eyes were still shut; Prue could feel a weight on top of her body.
She opened her eyes to find Penny lying right on top of her abdomen; luckily she was a very petite 13 year old. Prue didn't even remember her climbing up there; once she and Piper went to sleep she was out cold.
The TV was already on and Paige was watching it. Phoebe was still asleep while Piper was helping Grams and Patty prepare breakfast.
Prue did not want to move and wake up Penny so she laid there holding on to her as she slept. It was strange to think that even with their mom and Grams right there in the other room; Penny still wanted to be near her.
She slowly wrapped her arms around Penny a little bit tighter and closed her eyes.
They hadn't been home that long and things were moving so quickly she just took a moment to reflect. She knew it wouldn't be this way forever; though she secretly hoped Penny would always want to hug and cuddle with her.
Prue didn't always admit the comfort she found in her little sisters embrace.
Phoebe began to stir on the ground Prue could hear her quietly grunt but didn't move, it was early for her but they only had two more days before mom and Grams were leaving, she knew they wanted to make the best of it.
"We made a fantastic breakfast, if I do say so myself," Grams smiled at Piper.
They set everything up outside on the back patio. All the girls sat outside while Patty and Grams asked them several questions to catch up on their lives.
"Who takes the longest to get ready?" Patty asked.
"Phoebe!" Everyone said in unison.
Phoebe rolled her eyes, "I can't even deny it!"
"Penny, this one is for you," Patty looked at her youngest, "who do you think is the best driver?" she questioned.
She watched as Penny thought for a second, "definitely Piper," she replied with a nod.
Prue opened her mouth, "What?! No way!" she exclaimed. "Prue, you drive fast!" Penny answered. Prue swatted at Penny who ducked.
Grams watched her granddaughters chatting and play bickering while answering questions; she could already see their spirits lifting just in the few hours they had been around.
"I have a question, "she spoke up. "Who has kissed the most boys?" Grams watched their expressions change to either embarrassment or disgust.
"Grams, you would ask that!" Phoebe said.
"It's between Phoebe and Prue for sure," Piper sat back.
"Phoebe taught Prue how to make out," Paige said quickly.
"Phoebe Jayne! You swore you wouldn't tell!" Prue shook her head while Paige and Phoebe were laughing hysterically and high fiving across the table.
Patty couldn't help but laugh, she knew her mother only asked that to get a rise out of the girls. They both were fully aware that Phoebe had her share of crazy boyfriends; she used to sneak out constantly while Grams was still alive. Thank goodness she grew out of that phase.
Eventually the questions ended and one by one they went inside.
Phoebe stood with Grams helping her put away the dishes she was washing by hand.
"How are you doing darling?" Grams pried hoping for a truthful response. Phoebe was staring out the window while drying a pan, "I'm okay," she stated turning away from Grams to put it away. "Are you sure?" Grams kept asking.
"I'm tired… But it's so good having you and mom here, we can catch up on our sleep later," she replied.
Grams stopped washing and turned to Phoebe, "I know this hasn't been easy," Grams said and paused when Phoebe stopped her, "no, it hasn't but the outcome could have been a lot different, I'm so glad they're home that I'm still in a state of shock. That entire time they were gone I had to be the big sister in charge of everything while protecting Penny from numerous demon attacks. I have never appreciated all that Prue and Piper do more than I do right now," Phoebe sighed, "it was hard Grams but I do know the healing will come," Grams hugged her middle granddaughter, "I'm proud of who you have become sweetheart," Grams smiled with a twinkle in her eye and handed Phoebe the last few pans to put away.
Paige walked into the sunroom to see Penny sitting quietly by herself. "Hey, what are you up to?" She asked.
"I wish they didn't have to leave," Penny responded completely ignoring the question; she continued to stare out the window.
"I know…" Paige sat down next to Penny. "I haven't really had a chance to see how you're handling this, I knew it would be hard for you to let them go," Paige replied.
Penny sighed, "It's a lot to take in," she confessed. "I know it will be difficult for Prue and Piper when they're not here."
Paige nodded, "but we will get back to normal," she replied.
There was a minute or two of silence before Penny spoke up, "but what is normal?" she asked quietly. Paige didn't know what to say to that. It was a good question, they didn't really have a normal and now everything has changed; maybe they would find out what normal feels like.
"Paige, if I ask you something will you tell me the truth?" Penny asked.
Paige instantly became worried, "of course," she stated waiting.
"Am I a burden?" she looked up to wait for a response from Paige.
"Of course not P, why would you ask that?" Paige was taken back.
"Because I'm the only kid and you guys have to take care of me and protect me from demons since I can't always fight on my own," she stared at the ground. "When Prue was upset I overheard her say she doesn't feel good enough to play the mom role… I tried to forget because I know she was sad but I couldn't," Penny looked up at Paige and wiped a tear. "When we came here I was so excited to have more big sisters and I really love them but I hate they have to give up life because of me, even you have to give up everything like college because you don't want to leave me all alone," Penny cried.
Paige was shocked; she had never heard Penny talk this way. She knew she overhead things all of the time but not something like this. She knew what to do and who would have to be the one to fix this.
Paige knew that Penny loved Prue and they connected on a different level; she wasn't going to allow that bond to be broken. "I'll be right back P, stay here," Paige got up to leave; she took a look back at Penny before running off to find Prue.
Prue was sitting at the kitchen counter putting a braid in Piper's hair when Paige came into the kitchen.
Phoebe and Grams were done with the dishes and sitting at the table doing a cross word puzzle and Patty was watching a news channel talking to Prue and Piper about how so many things had changed since she died.
"Look how different her hair looks," Patty exclaimed. Prue looked up at Paige when she came in the room, "Prue, I need you," Paige said. Everyone was now starring at her.
"Okay, I guess I'll just say it to all of you. Penny just asked me did I think she was a burden because she overheard Prue say that she didn't think she was fit to play the mother role and Prue, I need you to talk to her," Paige rattled it out quickly.
Prue stood up and Piper and Paige went to follow, "actually I think I need to this one on my own if that's okay," Prue looked at Paige for approval.
Paige stepped forward, "Prue, you have been a god send to Penny and to me. I know I was protective before but it's different now, this is how sisters work," Prue gave Paige a quick hug before going into the sun room.
Penny sat quietly starring at the ground with a tissue in hand waiting for Paige to return.
Prue stopped before she entered the room and watched her for a moment thinking about what she could possibly say to redeem what Penny had heard.
That kid had completely changed their family and frankly she probably wouldn't be standing here had it not been for her.
Prue stepped forward and Penny looked up; "Can I talk to you?" Prue asked. Penny nodded, " I had a feeling Paige was going to get you, things really are different now," Penny scooted over so that Prue could sit beside her.
"Can I tell you something?" Prue asked. Penny nodded slowly.
"When mom passed away I always felt lost. I didn't understand why it had to happen that way and we didn't know about magic yet so we had no idea what the circumstance really was; just that she drown. I always felt empty like a piece of me was missing and I struggled even though I didn't tell Piper, Phoebe, or Grams. I didn't feel like I had a purpose, Phoebe was wild and all over the place and she hated me for a long time and Piper was away at school." Penny continued to listen.
"Then we found you, this adorable little 9 year old and her sweet sister and slowly my heart started to mend. Piper finally came home, but Grams got sick and I knew I had to step up and lead the family. I was terrified mainly because I didn't want to any of you down and when we went missing, I didn't know if you were dead or alive and I was scared to death that I lost you and Pheebs. Penny, I love being a big sister. Do I wish I hadn't missed so much of your life? Yes, but we can't change that now. You're not a burden. You're one of my four favorite people on this planet. I don't know what I would do without you," Prue was tearing up.
"Then why did you say you're not fit to play the mom role?" Penny asked.
Prue thought before responding, "Even though I love being a big sister I don't always feel like I do a good job," Prue answered.
"You don't have to be perfect Prue, we will still love you anyways," Penny replied and slowly looked up at Prue.
Prue smiled; "I needed to hear that."
They looked over to see Patty coming into the room, she sat down in front of them and took both their hands. "This isn't how we planned it huh?" she looked at Prue. "It was never part of my plan to have my mom or my daughters raise my kids," she looked at Penny.
"My oldest and my youngest; I've seen your bond and even though you haven't been together forever, I watch you two and it seems as though you have." Patty reached for their hands. "Promise me you won't lose this;" she pointed between the two, "this is important; you both have helped keep this family together."
Prue wrapped her arm around Penny.
Moments later Phoebe came running into the room with Piper and Paige not far behind. They jumped onto the couch and started hugging all over their sister. Prue yelled; "Pheebs, you're crushing me!" Phoebe was covering Prue in kisses; the room erupted in laughter.
Patty stood back with Grams and they watched the girls embracing. "I hate to leave them but knowing they have this kind of bond..." Patty drifted off. "It feels good," Grams finished. "This is what were here for." They paused before joining the girls in the group hug.