Thank you to all of you who have been reading and replying to my story! I've got most of it written -- I've been posting it on a Julian McMahon board and have gotten good reviews there so I decided (nervously) to venture over here and post it as well! I'm working on doing serious editing on each chapter, and will post them as they're edited. I really do appreciate the feedback, and am glad that so many are enjoying my writing!
I apologize SINCERELY for anyone who has had problems reading this story -- I posted a BUNCH of chapters yesterday, and for some reason the site wasn't posting Chapters 8-12 -- I'm trying right NOW to fix this; I hope no one got confused -- this was NOT my fault, it was something wrong on the site! Again, I am truly sorry for any confusion!
"Well -- are we going upstairs or not?" Cole asks, his arms still wrapped around Paige.
"Let's stay out here for awhile -- it's so nice and romantic." Paige says, trying to find a way to tell Cole her news.
"Speaking of romantic -- I want to take you on a honeymoon, Paige. Wherever you want to go."
"Cole, you've barely started working again and I just quit my job -- how are we gonna pay for that?" Paige asks.
"That's why I have you -- my lovely, orbing wife. I mean, since my shimmering days seem to be over -- it's up to you to get us where we need to go. So -- you name it, we'll go there. The Bermuda Triangle is always nice this time of year."
"The Bermuda Triangle?" Paige asks.
"Or maybe Transylvania -- then again, those villagers with the torches can be a real downer." he says.
"Cole, you're not helping." Paige says.
"I'm kidding -- weren't you the one who said I need to get a better sense of humor?" Cole asks. He gives her a kiss on the lips. "Seriously -- I want to see the world with you, Paige." He takes her hands in his and looks straight at her. "Tell me you love me." he says.
"Why?"
"Because I'm your husband and I'm asking you to, do I really need a reason? I want you to tell me you love me every morning, afternoon, evening -- don't ever let me forget it, Paige. Don't ever let me forget how in much in love we are right here, right now." Cole tells her. Paige looks up at him.
"I love you." she says. Cole kisses her.
"So -- how about that wedding night?" he asks.
"Oh -- yeah, that." Paige says. "Alright -- let's go inside." she says, taking his hand.
"Gee, don't sound so thrilled." Cole says sarcastically. "Don't you want to just -- you know, orb us up there?" Cole suggests.
"Cole, if we're going to be a normal couple -- maybe we shouldn't use magic for every little thing. Besides -- you know, I've always kind of had this fantasy about -- well, about being carried up the stairs by the man I marry and just have him -- ravish me once we get up there."
"Ravish you?" Cole asks, trying not to laugh.
"Yeah -- you, know like Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. It's every woman's fantasy Cole, don't you know that?"
"Really? Okay, well, in that case -- frankly, my dear -- I'd love to carry you upstairs and 'ravish' you." Cole says, and he picks Paige up in his arms and takes her into the house and up the stairs, kissing her the entire time.
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Leo orbs into Phoebe's room -- she's asleep in her bed, and Piper is sitting next to. Piper looks up at Leo. "Shhh -- she just fell asleep." Piper whispers, and goes over to Leo.
"How is she?" Leo asks, putting his arm around Piper.
"Not bad for a girl who was possessed by a man-killing demon just a few hours ago. She's really worried about the Miles situation."
"We'll handle that somehow. Darryl's not gonna let her go to jail." Leo says.
"Oh, and get this -- she now realizes that she still loves Cole, and she wants him back. Paige and Cole got married today. How's that for a shocker?" Piper says.
"Yeah -- I heard." Leo tells her.
"Well -- maybe Phoebe will put an end to Cole and Paige's ridiculous farce of a marriage." Piper says.
"I'm not too sure about that, Piper. I don't think it's anywhere NEAR over between Cole and Paige." Leo informs her.
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"Look, Paige -- it's a boy." Cole says, as he holds up his newborn son and smiles, just moments after Paige has given birth. Cole sets him down on the bed, and the infant morphs into a full-grown darklighter, complete with crossbow. He turns and aims the arrow straight at Paige.
"This is for you, mother." the darklighter says, and he shoots . . . . .
"NO!" Paige screams, bolting upright.
"Paige. Hey, it's okay, I'm right here." Cole says, sitting up and putting his arms around her. Still startled, Paige grabs on to Cole and burys her head in his chest, trembling. "Shhhh. You just had a really bad dream, that's all." Leo orbs into the room.
"Is everything -- okay in here?" he asks, looking extremely uncomfortable at seeing Paige and Cole in bed together.
"She just had a nightmare." Cole says, holding her tightly. "You okay, baby?" Paige nods her head, and looks up at Cole. "She's fine -- hey, and next time knock, okay?" he says to Leo.
"Don't worry, I will." Leo says, shaking his head in disgust as he orbs out of the room.
"Are you sure you're alright? I mean -- for some reason I get the feeling that you're not telling me something." Cole says.
"I'm just -- worried about Phoebe, that's all." Paige says, hoping he'll believe her.
"Is that what's got you so upset? I knew something was off with you last night -- you didn't do that little orbing thing that usually happens when you -- you know, unless --" Cole says.
"Unless what?" Paige asks.
"You weren't faking, were you?" Cole asks. "I mean -- you can tell me the truth, I can take it."
"Oh, come on, Cole, I wouldn't do that." Paige says.
"So we're -- okay then?" Cole asks.
"You are a perfect lover, is that what you wanted to hear?" Paige asks.
"No, but -- that'll do." Cole teases, and he kisses her on the forehead. "Go back to sleep. And don't worry about any more nightmares -- I'm right here with you to chase all the demons away."
"I'm counting on it." Paige whispers, almost to herself, with Cole not realizing just how seriously she meant it.
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"Hey -- I got you something." Leo says to Paige as he orbs into the kitchen, where Paige is making a pot of coffee. "Oh, and -- this. No, I don't think so. No caffiene." Leo takes the nearly-full pot and empties it into the sink.
"Hey!" Paige shouts, then she sighs. "This SUCKS."
"Well, you should have thought of that before you --" Leo stops himself.
"Who the hell are you, my father?" Paige gives him a dirty look, then sits down at the table and sighs, then starts to whine. "Leo, I only got about two hours of sleep last night, if that. And now you're gonna sit here and judge me, and my personal life, and then tell me I can't even have any COFFEE?"
"Yeah, that sounds about right -- but this should put your mind at ease. I went out this morning and got these for you -- now you and Piper have a matching set." Leo says, and he hands her the same amulets that he and Cole gave to Piper.
"And you expect me to wear these?" Paige asks.
"That's the idea." Leo replies.
"Leo -- how do I even know that it's really TRUE?" she asks.
"Your ability to sense hasn't been taken from you, Paige, that's part of your powers as a witch, too -- you know the truth." Leo tells her. Paige lets out an exasperated sigh, and burys her head in her hands, then looks up.
"And how on earth am I supposed to explain this to COLE?" Paige asks.
"Explain to Cole what?" Piper asks, entering the room.
"You mean you didn't TELL him?" Leo asks. "I assumed he'd be the first one you told."
"Told what?" Piper asks, becoming more curious. "Hey, what have you got there?" Piper asks.
"Nothing." Paige says, trying to hide the amulets.
"Just a little wedding gift I got for her." Leo says.
"Oh, come on, let me see." Piper says, and she pulls the amulets out of Paige's hand. Piper then looks up at Leo. "Oh no. No no no no no no no no no no no no no . . . . . . . . . these are NOT for what I think they're for -- are they?" Piper asks.
"Well . . . . . I just found out, so --" Paige begins.
"You got pregnant by a DEMON!" Piper shouts at her.
"What?" Phoebe says, entering the kitchen, stunned. "You're pregnant?"
"Phebes -- hey, good morning." Paige says, trying desperately to change the subject. She goes to give Phoebe a hug -- Phoebe stiffens and rejects her. "Phoebe, we should probably talk."
"Why don't you talk to your husband?" Phoebe says in reply.
"About what?" Cole asks, entering the kitchen. "Hey Phoebe -- how are you?" Cole asks. Phoebe doesn't say a word. Trying desperately to hide her jealousy, Phoebe simply gets a glass of water, and leaves the room in silence.
"I better go with her -- we don't need any more she-demon possessions in this house." Piper says. "Here -- I believe these are yours." Piper says, handing Paige her amulets and glaring at Cole as she leaves the room.
"What'd I do?" Cole asks.
"I think that's my cue to leave." Leo says, and he orbs out of the room.
"Cole -- honey -- I think you'd better sit down." Paige says.
"Thanks but -- I think I'll stand. What have you got there?" Cole asks, growing suspicious. Paige reluctantly shows him the amulets.
"Leo just gave them to me -- he says I need them." Paige says. Cole glances at Paige, then back at the the amulets, then at Paige again.
"I think I'll sit down." Cole says, turning a bit pale, and he sits down at the table. "Wait, what am I doing? You should be the one sitting down. When did you find out? Are you okay? Do you need anything?" he asks, getting up and forcing her to sit down. He sits down next to her and takes her hand. "How far along are you?"
"One day." Paige says.
"One DAY? How on earth do you know that -- you sense it, don't you?"
"Well -- yes, but -- Leo's the one who told me." Paige says.
"Leo?"
"WE were the big emergency with the elders yesterday. The baby was conceived yesterday morning. And then to complicate things more, we got married."
"And the elders aren't happy about it, are they?" Cole asks. Paige can no longer hold her feelings back, and she starts to cry. "Hey -- hey, it'll be alright." Cole reaches out and wipes her tears away. "We are married -- and there's nothing they can do about it."
"They already did. They stripped my powers, Cole. All of my whitelighter abilities are gone, except my sensing abilities. Apparantly the witch side of me is psychic enough that I still at least have that much."
"When did this happen?" Cole asks.
"Last night."
"Last night? You've known all this since last night, and you didn't TELL me?" Cole asks, becoming a bit upset. "How long did you plan to keep this from me?"
"I was just trying to find the right way to tell you." Paige replies.
"Well, 'Cole, I'm pregnant and I no longer have any powers' would have worked for ME." he says.
"It's more complicated than that." Paige says.
"How complicated is it to NOT keep secrets from your husband?" Cole asks angrily. This is the first time Cole has even so much as raised his voice to Paige since their relationship began. Not knowing what to say, Pagie gets up and leaves the room, very upset, with Cole following after her.
"Paige, come on wait!" Cole shouts.
"I just -- I need to be alone for awhile." Paige says. Cole grabs her arm as she's heading out the door.
"Paige, don't do this. I'm sorry I lost my temper. Look -- we can get through this together, okay? Come on -- I know this is all happening so fast, and I'm sure you're overwhelmed by everything, that's all. But we're gonna have a baby, Paige. Aren't you happy about that?" Cole asks.
"Happy? Cole, the elders said that a whitelighter and a demon can't have a baby together, because they think our baby could be a darklighter. This baby might want to KILL me, Cole -- how can I be happy about that?" Paige runs out the door, leaving Cole standing alone and in shock. Leo, Piper, and Phoebe all entered the room just in time to hear Paige tell this to Cole.
"Is this true?" Piper asks Leo.
"I'm afraid so." Leo replies. Piper walks over to Cole.
"Do you have ANY idea how angry I am with you right now?" she asks. "Cole -- forgiving you for past mistakes is one thing -- but I was against this relationship with Paige from day ONE. Do you understand WHY now?" Piper pauses for a moment. "I need to go find my sister." she says, and she leaves. Leo shoots a dirty look at Cole, then orbs out of the room. Phoebe is still standing in the middle of the room, glaring at Cole.
"So -- you gonna lecture me, too?" Cole asks.
"No." Phoebe says. She walks over to Cole, lifts up her arm, and slugs him in the jaw, with a punch so hard it throws him against the wall. "I'm gonna do that." Cole stumbles to his feet, clutching his jaw until it's healed.
"Go ahead -- hit me again. Trust me, I can take it." Cole says. "If that's what it takes to let out all of your jealousy, then by all means, do it. Better at me than with Lilith."
"JEALOUS? I'm not jealous!" Phoebe insists.
"Oh, please -- I overheard you talking to Piper last night." Cole informs her.
"You were eavesdropping on us? You bastard!" Phoebe shouts, and she kicks him in the stomach. Cole falls to the floor, then gets up again and brushes himself off.
"You know, it's too bad I'm married, you always were sexy when you were angry." Cole says, taunting her. "Come on, is that all you've got?" Phoebe rushes over to him and starts punching him repeatedly, as Cole just stands there and takes it. After a few minutes, Phoebe breaks down crying in his arms.
"I'm sorry." she says, still crying.
"Come on -- let's sit down." Cole says, putting his arm around her and leading her to the couch. "Are you done, or do you still need to get a couple more punches in?" he asks. Phoebe looks up at him.
"I'm sorry for everything, Cole. I'm sorry I doubted us. I'm sorry I kept pushing you away. I'm sorry I hurt you -- and that I didn't even try to understand or hear what you were saying to me. I should have tried to help you. It took me getting possessed myself to realize how wrong I was." Phoebe tells him, still in tears.
"You know -- if we were having this conversation about six weeks ago -- things would end up much different between us. But things change, Phoebe. When I needed you -- when I REALLY needed you the most, where were you? You were out wallowing in your own anger and fear and self-pity. And you know who was there for me? You know who was there, at the lowest point in my life, to pull me out from the brink of insanity? Not you, Phoebe -- it was Paige. Paige was the one who got me past all the pain and the hurt. So don't think this is some shallow, sex-only rebound relationship. Because it's not. I love her. I made a real commitment to her, and I am NOT going to let my residual feelings for YOU screw that up."
"Then you still love me?" Phoebe asks. Cole reaches out and touches her cheek and looks into her eyes.
"Sometimes love isn't enough." he tells her. "Now -- I need to find my wife. Are you gonna help me look for her -- or not?" Cole asks. Phoebe wipes away her tears.
"Let me go get the scrying board -- I'll be right back." Phoebe tells her, and she heads upstairs. Cole sits back on the couch and sighs, just as Elizabeth shimmers into the room.
"So -- my son, in love with two witches." Elizabeth says.
"Get out of here." Cole says through gritted teeth.
"But which one do you love MORE? I mean, obviously, you SAY you've made your choice, but -- have you really? How about we find out?" Elizabeth says, just as Paige enters the house.
"Cole, I'm so sorry about -- you." she says, looking at Elizabeth.
"Paige, get out of here. Get out, NOW!" Cole shouts, but Elizabeth quickly grabs Paige and puts her in a chokehold.
"I've got the scrying board, we should be able to -- let her go!" Phoebe shouts, halfway down the stairs. She reaches for her athame, and aims it at Elizabeth. Before she can even throw it, a woman shimmers behind Phoebe and grabs her wrists tightly, immobilizing her hands as she drops the athame. At the foot of the stairs another woman appears at the same time, and she turns into a large serpant, hissing at Phoebe, daring her to take a step forward.
"Alright, Cole -- you have just enough powers, and only enough TIME, to save one. Which witch do you REALLY love the most?" Elizabeth asks in a taunting voice.