This chapter marks the beginning of a new "section" of this story. It starts approximately five months AFTER where the previous chapter left off. Here are some character and plot notes you will need . . . . . .
Piper is due to give birth any minute now. Leo has re-gained MOST of his whitelighter powers; it turns out they re-generate themselves over time. Phoebe has resigned as "Dear Phoebe" and has temporarily taken over managing P3 while Piper prepares for motherhood; she has also returned to school to pursue her masters degree in psychology with the hope of opening her own practice. Cole and Paige have just finished moving out of Halliwell Manor; the house across the street was put up for sale, and they purchased it. They have also started their own business together, "Turner Family Services", a private local and overseas adoption agency. Paige serves as a consultant, interviewing both the expectant mothers and the potential adoptive parents, and Cole handles all of the legal aspects of the adoptions. Their agency also works in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, through which they accept some pro bono cases. They currently rent a small office space, and are working on renovating part of their new house to be their office, so that they can work from home.
"Alright, that's the last of them." Phoebe says, setting down boxes on the floor, with Cole following behind her carrying several more boxes and setting them down. "I guess unpacking everything that's left is next -- that should be fun." Phoebe says sarcastically, looking around the room.
"I can help with that." Paige says, and she stands up -- her pregnancy is clearly showing at this point.
"You. Sit. Now." Cole says, emphasizing every word. Paige sighs in disgust and sits back down.
"Geez Cole, I'm pregnant, I'm not dead." Paige says.
"Yes, and we want to keep you that way." Cole says, going over to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "How's your ankle? And why aren't you propping it up like I told you to?"
"Because Leo healed it an hour ago." Paige says.
"Well, you can never be too careful." Cole says.
"Cole, will you chill OUT. Paige just tripped and twisted her ankle when she was putting some stuff away in the kitchen. It's no big deal, it could have happened to any of us." Phoebe says.
"Oh -- no big deal. Excuse me, but are you the one with the PREGNANT WIFE to worry about? No -- you're not." Cole says. "I knew we shouldn't have moved in until AFTER the baby was born. There's just too much to do with renovating the house still, and getting this business of ours off the ground, getting moved in, getting ready for the baby --" Just then, Cole's cell phone rings. "Turner Family Services, how can I help you?" he answers, and goes with the phone into the other room.
"He is out of control." Phoebe says, sitting down next to Paige. "Remind me to take a vacation in a few months, because if he's this on edge and you've barely hit your sixth month, I hate to see what he's going to be like the closer we get to your due date."
"Can I join you?" Paige teases. "I mean, at first he was so calm about everything, but the minute the morning sickness really started hitting me and the kid started moving and kicking all the time I think it became more real to him and he started flipping out at every little thing."
"I think he just wants to be a good husband and father. The problem is, with Cole being a former demon, he takes everything to the extreme. Including this, unfortunately." Phoebe says. Cole comes back in the room.
"I have to go -- I have that client meeting we had set up this afternoon." Cole says, and goes to give Paige a kiss.
"Cole, I'm supposed to be in on that meeting too. Just give me a minute to change." Paige says, and she starts to stand up, but Cole pushes her back down.
"YOU need to stay here and rest. I'll get the paperwork end of things started, and I'll just tell them that you'll need to reschedule the consultation." Cole says. Paige starts to say something, but Cole stops her with a kiss. "Don't argue with me, okay? I don't have time. Phoebe, make sure she behaves." Cole gives Paige one more quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll pick up dinner for us on the way home. I love you." Cole says, and he rushes out the door. As soon as he's gone, Paige lets out a shrill scream of exasperation.
"Hey -- it could be worse. You could be Leo right now." Phoebe suggests.
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"Come on, come on -- get out, get out, get OUT!" Piper shouts, looking down at her VERY large belly and pacing around the room. "Leo -- she's your daughter too. Do something -- because obviously we have a little bit of mother/daughter friction here. Tell her to stop stalling and let's see some WATER BREAKING!"
"Piper -- calm down." Leo says, rubbing her shoulders while leading her to the couch. "The baby will come when she's ready to come."
"Well, I'm ready -- do I get no say in this? Two WEEKS, Leo --- I'm two WEEKS overdue! I told you, let's go to the hospital, induce labor, get this over with, but nooooooo . . . . you want a home birth, Phoebe wants a home birth, Paige wants a home birth -- have you consulted Cole to get HIS freaking opinion on the matter, too? Not that he'd even hear a word you said, because he's so focused on Paige I don't think he even bothers listening to anything else. The minute Paige so much as gets a broken fingernail he's ready to call 911. By the way, how come you don't dote on me the way Cole does to Paige? When was the last time YOU cooked me dinner or cleaned the house while I sat and lounged around doing nothing or massaged my feet, huh? You can't even keep up with a former DEMON in how to take care of your pregnant wife?"
"If I knew I could cook you dinner without you having screaming about messing up your kitchen, or do some cleaning without you barking at me about how I'm not doing it RIGHT, I'd be glad to. And honey, you know I'll be more than happy to give you a massage if that's --" Leo begins.
"Oh, don't 'honey' me." Piper says, pushing him away. "And don't touch me, either." Piper looks down at her belly. "Get out NOW!" she screams, and feels the baby kick. "Oh, don't you talk back to ME, young lady!" she yells just as Phoebe walks in. Leo walks over to Phoebe.
"Phoebe -- I'm begging you -- please, just kill me now." he says to her, exasperated.
"I would honey, but you're already dead. Sorry -- can't help you." Phoebe says. "Still no sign of labor, huh?"
"I'm starting to think this kid doesn't WANT to come out. Right now, I really don't blame her." he says, glancing over at Piper.
"I heard that!" Piper shouts.
"Hey -- Piper -- you know what I hear is one of the most simple, most effective ways to induce labor? You and Leo should just go upstairs, turn down the lights, light a few candles, and . . . . . well, you know . . . ." Phoebe says, sitting down next to Piper. Piper turns and glances at Leo.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. That's what GOT us into this mess in the first place!" Piper says.
"Hey, I'm game -- how bad can it be?" Leo says jokingly.
"Leo, I'm trying to help you here." Phoebe says through gritted teeth.
"Alright, alright -- what do you say, honey?" Leo asks, sitting down on the other side of her.
"That I'm fat and I'm bloated and I'm ugly and I'm being such a bitch that I don't even know how you could want me right now." Piper says, starting to cry.
"Hey -- you look beautiful. Of course I want you." Leo says, giving Piper a hug. "This better work." he mouths to Phoebe without Piper seeing, and orbs upstairs with Piper. Phoebe leans back on the couch and sighs.
"I am SO glad I'm single right now." she says out loud to herself.
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Cole enters the bedroom of he and Paige's new house, where Paige is hanging things up in the closet. "What are you doing?" Cole asks angrily.
"Hanging up clothes." Paige replies. Cole walks over to her, grabs her by the shoulders, and leads her over to the bed.
"YOU are supposed to be resting." Cole tells her. "I can handle putting things away, and Phoebe's been helping."
"It's not Phoebe's HOUSE, Cole, it's MINE! And I can hang up a few clothes, it's not like it's heavy lifting or anything." Paige replies, extremely frustrated. "I'm pregnant, I'm not SICK!" Cole sighs.
"Well, for you, they could be one and the same."
"Come on, Cole -- you're the one that's been all gung-ho from day one with being positive about this pregnancy. Everything's going well so far. I've been fine, the baby is fine, he's kicking and doing all the things he's supposed to be doing, and best of all there's been no sign of Li--"
"Don't say it." Cole says, interrupting her. "I've already told you, the 'L-word' is NOT permitted in this house."
"Well, you've gotta admit Cole, it's been quiet around here. Ever since we vanquished your mother, there's been no sign of -- her. Actually, there haven't been ANY demons around since then. Not that I'm complaining, but that's not a normal occurrence around here."
"It is for -- you know who. If she's decided that a house or a person or a family is under her observation -- no sane demon would come anywhere near it or them. And any who did -- well, she'd destroy them before they even had a chance to make themselves known." Cole tells her. "I know Phoebe's been working on a vanquishing potion, and she's convinced that since I'm no longer a demon it won't affect me, but -- she's still out there, Paige. Just watching -- and waiting."
"So this is what you've been so stressed about?" Paige asks. "Why didn't you tell me?" Cole sits down on the edge of the bed.
"You've got enough on your plate to worry about. I figured I could shoulder this one." Cole says.
"Well, you're NOT shouldering it -- you're nervous and paranoid ALL the time, and frankly you upset the baby when you're like that."
"How do you know?" Cole asks.
"Cole, he's inside of me, I can SENSE it. Anytime you're acting all manic about every stupid little thing, he gets upset. And that's when he starts kicking and doing somersaults and making ME sick! He doesn't like you to be all stressed -- honey, your son is SO in tune with everything you do. He really has a connection with you -- I can already tell he's looking to you for guidance, and you're gonna turn him into a neurotic mess if you keep up this way!"
"You really think this?" Cole asks.
"I don't think it, I KNOW it. And he's not the only one -- you're making ME crazy, too! There's no reason I can't put some dishes away or hang up a few clothes. And we've got a business to get off the ground, and I'm half of that business. Me missing client meetings because you're too paranoid to let me out of the house just doesn't fly with me." Cole puts his arm around Paige and gives her a kiss.
"Okay -- I'll try to ease up on the paranoia." he tells her. "But I don't want you over-doing it either, okay?"
"I won't -- I promise." Paige tells him. Cole leans back against the headboard, and Paige snuggles up against him. "You know -- we haven't talked about names yet."
"Well, I've always kind of liked the name Damian." Cole tells her.
"Uh -- wasn't that the name of the kid in that movie about the devil? Not a good idea." Paige says. "Gabriel is a nice name."
"So now we go to the angel end of the spectrum." Cole says.
"Well, that's better than naming him after the second coming of SATAN!" Paige says.
"Okay -- so those two are not an option." Cole says. Paige pauses for a moment, then looks up at Cole.
"We could name him Benjamin." she suggests.
"After my father? You'd want to do that?"
"Why not? He was a good man, right? The good side of you came from him. And I think he'd be very proud of you right now -- and proud to have his first grand-child be his namesake." Paige says.
"Did I mention how much I love you?" Cole says, kissing her on the cheek. He then leans over to put his head on Paige's belly. "You hear that, Benjamin? Your mommy is the most wonderful woman in the world. And you are my beautiful little boy -- and I can't wait to meet you." Cole kisses Paige's belly, just as the baby kicks gently.
"He heard you." Paige says, smiling. "He sure loves his daddy."
"Yeah, well I think he loves his mommy alot too -- almost as much as I do." Cole says, giving her a kiss on the lips. "He's good, Paige -- I just know it. The elders can take their theories and shove them -- our son is a good boy."
"Of course he is -- you're our special little boy, aren't you Benji?" Paige says, rubbing her belly with her hand.
"Benji? You're going to call our son BENJI?" Cole asks.
"Why not? It's a cute nickname." Paige says.
"Yeah, till he's about FIVE -- after that I hope you plan to take on a second job to pay for all the bills when he ends up in therapy." Cole says.
"See, there you go again, being paranoid." Paige says.
"I'm not being paranoid, I'm being realistic. If you really need a nickname, Ben is fine, but BENJI -- I don't think so." Cole says.
"Okay, okay -- I can live with Ben." Paige says. "By the way, how many more do you want?"
"Of what?" Cole asks.
"Kids. Because seriously, I want about seven more." Paige says. Cole gets a shocked look on his face.
"SEVEN? I've barely wrapped my mind around one, and you want SEVEN?"
"Well -- Cole, I just -- I LOVE being pregnant. I love everything about it. I don't even mind the morning sickness. Of course, we'll have to get you on some anti-anxiety meds next time around, but we know this now and we can deal with it." Paige says, as Cole starts laughing.
"I hope you're kidding." Cole says. Paige looks up at Cole.
"I just think we're gonna be great parents. And I want to keep having more kids with you." Paige says, giving him a kiss.
"Well, it is kind of fun making them." Cole says, and he kisses her back. "In fact, we can start practicing for the next one right now if you like."
"Ooooh -- I'd like that alot." Paige says, and they start kissing with intensity just as Leo orbs into the room. Cole sees him and looks up at him in anger.
"EXCUSE me, but this is a private bedroom, not a public peep show!" Cole shouts at him, as Paige quickly starts to button her blouse back up.
"Sorry -- really, I am sorry." Leo says, making a face.
"Is Piper okay?" Paige asks.
"That's why I'm here -- her water finally broke. The baby's coming!" Leo says happily.
"Well, let's go then!" Paige says excitedly, and Leo touches both of them and they orb out of the room together. The room is empty, and in the mirror on Cole and Phoebe's dresser, the image of Lilith appears, smiles wickedly, and then vanishes . . . . . .