Punishing the Innocent
I walked up the front steps, pausing at the front door. I knew Phoebe had beat me home. I just hope she wasn't in too much trouble with Grams. I slowly pushed the front door open, slinking in as quietly as I could. Apparently it wasn't quiet enough.
"Prudence Halliwell get in here this instant," Grams howled. Oh shit was I in trouble. She hadn't been this mad when I'd snuck in a few weeks ago. I set my bag down on the bottom of the stairs and headed for the sun room. Phoebe was sitting there looked scared.
"Sit," Grams ordered me. I could tell she was barely controlling her temper. I sunk into a chair next to my baby sister.
"I cannot believe you, Prue. You go around skipping school lie it doesn't matter," she accused me.
"Maybe it doesn't," I shot back.
"You missing classes is one thing but to force your sister to miss them too. That is entirely unthinkable," she continued.
"I didn't force Phoebe to do anything," I shouted, standing up. I looked at Phoebe.
"Is that what you told her? That I forced you to skip school?" I hissed.
"No," she answered meekly.
"Prudence, if I get one more call that you have skipped school or cut class...well I don't know what I'll do," Grams railed.
"I can't believe you're throwing a fit over school. We have bigger problems right now," I shouted back at her. Unintentionally Grams' favorite vase went flying, smashing against the wall.
"Like what?" she challenged, glaring at me for the vase. 'I'm pregnant,' I almost blurted. But I couldn't admit that to her...not when she should be worrying about Piper.
"Like finding the demon that hurt Piper and vanquish it's sorry as before it can hurt anyone else," I answered.
"We went to the hospital to see her," Phoebe interjected. Grams looked at her.
"What?" she asked.
"We went to the hospital to see Piper. That's why we skipped school," she explained.
"I wanted to. And Prue said she would take me," she muttered with a shrug.
"Phoebe dear, you don't have to cover for your sister," Grams said, acting as though I'd put Phoebe up to this.
"I'm not. We wouldn't have even gone if I didn't say anything this morning," Phoebe resonded, getting angry.
I couldn't deal with this bullshit anymore. Without a word I stormed upstairs, slamming the door to my room. I tossed myself on my bed and just let the frustration out. She had no right to be such a complete bitch. I clutched my pillow, my tears soaking it through but I didn't care. Life was a huge mess and it was all because of me. I slowly rolled over, staring at the ceiling. I didn't eve n realize that my hands were resting on my stomach. It was just so surreal. I knew I'd have to face Grams but not right now. She would probably disown me. I lay there a while longer before my mind grew restless.
"You can't just sit here doing nothing when Piper needs you," I scolded myself. As softly as I could I opened my door and snuck up to the attic. I pulled the Book of Shadows into my lap and began to page through it, trying to find the demon that had attacked Piper.
"What are you doing?" Grams asked, catching me off guard.
"Finding the demon that hurt Piper. And then I'm going to vanquish it," I answered, not making eye contact.
"You're not going anywhere, young lady," she said stiffly. I set the book down and finally looked at her.
"Why's that? Because I went to see Piper when you couldn't handle going yourself?" I spat.
"I know you blame me for what happened and that's fine, whatever. I get blamed for everything else that goes wrong around here. But I'm doing something about it," I continued.
"Do not take that tone with me," she ground out, clearly livid. I was about to make a remark back when there was a swirl of lights, Mom's spirit appearing.
"Patty!" Grams exclaimed, obviously shocked.
"Hello, Mother," Mom replied. She turned to look at me.
"Hi sweetheart," she said softly, becoming corporeal. She pulled me into a hug. I wasn't expecting it but I embraced her back. I couldn't let her go. I hadn't seen her in nearly ten years.
"Patty dear, what are you doing here?" Grams asked.
"To keep the two fo you from blowing up the house," she replied.
"Darling, Piper is..." Grams began but Mom cut her off.
"I know what happened to Piper, Mom. It wasn't Prue's fault," Mom interrupted.
"She just stood there and let the foul thing attack her sister," Gram accused.
"You weren't even there. You don't know what happened," I shot back.
"Ok enough! Mom, Prue is right. You weren't there. And she is trying to make thinsgs right by finding the demon," Mom interceded.
"Patty we don't even know if Piper will wake up," Grams protested. When did she become such a damn pessimist?
"She will wake up, Mom. I have to believe that," Mom retorted and looked at me.
"But your Grandmother has some valid points too. You can't keep skipping school. I know it was a good intentioned reason but you have to respect that she wants the best for ou," she stated. I nodded. I know I needed to stay in school. But it was just so hard with this secret looming over me. Grams and I looked at each other, knowing Mom was right. It wasn't going to help anyone if we argued. We could argue until next week and o one would win.
"Mom, I think you owe Phoebe an apology as well. You presupposed something that you shouldn't have," Mom said. Grams sighed and headed back downstairs. I couldn't look at her. I couldn't help but wonder if she knew my secret.
"Prue," she spoke softly. She lifted my chin to meet her gaze.
"I know you're scared right now," she murmured.
"I just want Piper to be ok," I whispered, trying to hide what I was really afraid of.
"That's not the only thing you're afraid of, Prue," she commented.
"Why is all of this happening right now?" I sighed.
"You need to know that it's not your fault, sweetie," she tried to console me.
"Yes it is, Mom. If I had used my powers none of this would be happening," I spat.
"You were disoriented and confused. There was nothing you could have done," she breathed, wrapping her arms around me protectively.
"I...I'm pregnant," I admitted to her. It felt strange saying it aloud t someone else. Sure the nurse at the hospital knew but that was different. I didn't have to see her every day. Mom stroked my hair.
"I know that honey. I've been watching over you. It is a scary thing, to know you have the life of another growing inside of you," she murmured.
"I can't tell Grams...she'd kill me," I rasped.
"She won't kill you. You just have to explain everything to her. You are strong, Prue. Don't ever forget that," she said. I just shook my head at her. It wasn't true. I couldn't handle this right now.
"You saw how she freaked out about me missing school. She'd tell me I was irresponsible and got myself knocked up," I argued.
"She would twist it to make it my fault," I mumbled.
"Your Grams loves you, Prue. Even if it doesn't seem like it all the time. She just wants the best for you girls. You can't blame her for that. And besides, you are all very special," she stated, giving my arms a squeeze.
"Yeah I know...we're the Charmed Ones...destined to protect the world from evil," I grumbled.
"You have been given such a gift," she told me.
"It feels like a curse most of the time. How are we supposed to live our lives with demons coming after us every other day," I asked.
"No one ever said being a witch was easy. You and your sisters have done amazing things and you are still so young," she breathed. I couldn't help but crack a small smile.
"You will make it through this, Prue. I have faith in you," she told me.
"Thanks, Mom. I just wish there was more I could do to help Piper," I murmured.
"You can start by telling your Grams the truth. Your emotions and all these secret are messing with your powers," Mom answered.
"And then you can go and kick some demon butt,' she said with a laugh. I had to admit talking with Mom did make me feel better.
"I will try to do what I can. I still don't think I can tell Grams the whole truth. I'm not ready for that step yet," I admitted.
"One step at a time is all that it takes," she breathed, kissing my forehead.
"I have to go sweetheart. Chin up and be strong," she told me, taking a step back, turning into a spirit again.
"Don't you want to see Phoebe?" I asked in confusion.
"I came for you Prue. She doesn't need me right now," she answered and disappeared.