Okay, I think this story is FINALLY back on track as far as chapter organization is concerned! Sorry again if there was any confusion! I really do appreciate all the feedback, even with all the "technical difficulties" of getting this fic posted.
"Come on Piper, you can do this." Leo says, as Phoebe and Paige sit on either side of her. "We're almost there, I can see the head."
"Leo, please, it hurts so much." Piper says, crying.
"I'll heal you as soon as we're done, I promise." Leo tells her.
"Come on sweetie, you can do this -- our little niece is almost here." Phoebe says, wiping her brow with a cloth.
"I want drugs -- NOW!" Piper shouts.
"You're doing fine." Paige says.
"Yeah, we'll see what you think in a few months when this is YOU lying here writhing in pain!" Piper tells her angrily.
"Come on Piper, one last push!" Leo says, and Piper lets out a loud scream as she pushes one last time. A few seconds later, a baby starts crying. "Piper -- we have a little girl." Leo says, cleaning the baby off. Piper starts to cry.
"Let me see her." Piper says, and Leo wraps the baby in a blanket and hands her to Piper. Paige steps aside as Leo sits down next to her, wrapping his arms around her. "Hi there, Melinda. Hi baby." Piper says, a calm finally coming over her voice. "She's an angel, isn't she?"
"I guess we'll find out. But probably." Leo says, kissing Piper and then Melinda. Piper starts looking nervously around the room.
"Don't worry -- Cole is standing guard for -- her." Phoebe says.
"Yeah, like Cole can do anything." Piper says.
"Hey -- we are not going to lose our little girl to any demon. Okay?" Leo says. "How are you feeling?"
"Fantastic." Piper says. "Leo, she's even more amazing than I thought she'd be."
"Well, we should probably let you two have some time alone. We'll have plenty of time later to get to know our little niece." Phoebe says, and she kisses the baby on the forehead. Paige does the same.
"I love you guys." Piper says.
"We'll be back in a bit." Paige says, and she and Phoebe go downstairs.
"Well?" Cole asks, as he waits downstairs.
"The baby is perfect. She and Piper are fine." Paige says. Cole goes over to her and gives her a hug.
"That's wonderful." Cole says, kissing her. "And just think -- in a few months, that'll be you."
"Uh, yeah, about that -- I'm starting to think a hospital and an epidural might not be a bad idea after all." Paige says.
"Oh, sure, let's do that, Paige -- and when the baby starts flying and shimmering around the delivery room, I'm sure you'll come up with some logical explanation for it." Phoebe says.
"Well, it just looks like it -- hurts." Paige says, grimacing.
"What happened to the girl who wanted seven kids?" Cole asks.
"How about we hold that thought and see how it goes with this one first." Paige admits.
"Sounds good to me." Cole says, giving her a kiss.
"So, no sign of what's-her-face, right?" Phoebe asks.
"I haven't seen anything. Have you sensed her?" Cole asks.
"No -- but that doesn't mean she's not here. I may not be able to sense her." Paige says.
"The baby needs protection for three weeks -- after that, she can't be taken because the mother/daughter bond is secure at that point and -- well, she won't want her, unless she comes of her own free will once she's older." Cole says.
"I think Leo has everything under control -- he seems to feel sure that the amulets and writings will protect her." Phoebe says.
"Let's hope so." Cole says uneasily, not sure what to think.
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A man and a young boy enter Cole and Paige's office, and Paige goes to greet them. "Hi -- I'm Paige Turner, and this is my husband Cole. You must be -- Mr. Warren." Paige says, a HUGE smile on her face as she shakes his hand. Cole can't help but notice her taking a second glance at him.
"Yes -- Elias Warren, nice to meet you. And this is my son, Nicholas." the man says, shaking Paige's hand, and then Cole's. Elias is devastatingly handsome, about 6'2" tall, dark brown hair with just the right touch of gray, deeply piercing blue-green eyes, and a small amount of stubble that only enhances his already striking features. His son is approximately eight years old, with dark hair, blue eyes, and a dimple in his cheek.
"Well -- Mr. Warren -- how can we help you?" Cole asks.
"My wife passed away over two years ago -- and her mother has stopped at nothing to take my son away from me. I've fought her every step of the way, but -- she's rich, she's powerful, and she hates me. She's finally managed to get weekend custody of Nicholas, and I don't trust her and I don't want her to be a part of my son's life." Elias tells them.
"Mr. Warren, we do adoptions here, not custody battles." Cole says.
"I know that -- I was just hoping that, given my circumstances, you'd make an exception for me." Elias says.
"Well, unfortunately Mr. Warren, the law does allow for extended family to have visitation in these circumstances, unless you can prove them unfit." Cole tells him.
"That's what she's trying to do to ME, Mr. Turner. She's never liked me -- she tried to stop her daughter from marrying me, and now she's trying to take our son. She doesn't understand him, Mr. Turner -- Nicholas has -- special gifts that she doesn't think I should be encouraging." Elias says. Nicholas has been staring intently at Paige since the conversation began. Finally, he speaks up.
"She's a witch." Nicholas turns to his father and says.
"Who, your grandmother?" Paige asks.
"No -- YOU. You're a witch." he says, then turns to his father. "But it's okay, because she's a good witch. Oh, and she thinks you're cute and is hoping that Mr. Turner didn't notice that she was staring at you."
"Let me guess -- he reads minds." Cole says, shooting Paige a bit of a jealous glare.
"Sorry about his bluntness. He hasn't quite learned yet what he should keep to himself." Elias says, a bit embarassed. "His mother had the gift of telepathy -- Nicholas has it even stronger than she did."
"So -- you know about witches?" Paige asks.
"I should -- I'm a warlock." Elias says.
"Okay, I'm sorry -- you need to leave -- NOW." Cole says, standing up.
"Don't worry, I'm not planning to hurt you. I've renounced my powers -- I've kept them dormant ever since I fell in love with Nicholas' mother. Why do you think I came to you? You of all people should know about sacrificing everything you've ever known for love. Right -- Belthazor?" Elias says.
"If you've kept your powers bound all this time, how do you know about Belthazor?" Cole asks.
"I did my homework -- I do have a few acquaintances still in the underworld who have tolerated my choices. Unfortunately, my wife died at the hands of an enemy of mine who still held a grudge against me for leaving the coven. She died in my arms -- her dying wish was for me to vow to raise Nicholas as a mortal, but to not supress his telepathic powers. My wife worked as a psychic for many police forces throughout the country. She helped many people with her powers and saw them as a gift. She wants our son to carry on that gift -- for good, like she did." Elias tells them.
"Go on." Paige says, fascinated with his story.
"Her mother never appreciated her gift. She knows nothing of me -- she still believes that my wife's death was a random robbery attack. She just didn't think I was good enough for her daughter. You see, I work for a construction company, and --" Elias tells them.
"A warlock that's a construction worker?" Paige asks.
"Yes, well -- when your only life skill is killing witches, and you suddenly decide to renounce your past mistakes for love -- you career choices are limited. Warlocks aren't all that well-known for their ivy-league degrees -- the demons are much more adept at bribing and conning their way through a higher education in the mortal world." Elias says.
"Are you implying that I --" Cole begins.
"I'm sure you worked very hard for your career, Mr. Turner. I apologize." Elias says.
"You're damn right I did." Cole says angrily.
"Okay, can we stop the peeing contest here and get on with the story. Let me guess -- your monster-in-law didn't think that a peasant construction worker was good enough for her princess daughter, right?" Paige asks.
"That's the gist of it, yes. And she knows that Nicholas has his mother's gift, and she wants to suppress it. She's trying to paint me as an unfit parent, because I work long hours and because I encourage my son's 'delusions', as she calls them. I work very hard to support my son, and to bring him up in the life that his mother wanted for him. And I need your help to keep her out of his life." Elias says.
"Nicholas --- how do you feel about visiting your grandma?" Paige asks.
"She's mean." Nicholas says. "Whenever I go to her house, she has a nanny with me most of the time. She only talks to me when she wants to boss me around. And last time I had to go visit her, she made me meet this guy -- a psycho-trist, or something like that."
"A psychiatrist?" Paige asks.
"Yeah, that's it. I didn't like him. I just want to stay with my dad." Nicholas says, and he fights back tears.
"Cole -- we have to help them." Paige says, looking at Cole.
"He's a WARLOCK, Paige. I don't help warlocks." Cole says.
"Can I talk to you for a minute? In private?" Paige asks, and they go into another room and close the door.
"NO. Absolutely not." Cole says.
"Cole -- he's a little boy. It's not his fault that he's -- different. And Elias seems sincere -- I don't get any bad vibes from him at all." Paige says.
"That's because you think he's CUTE, as his son informed me." Cole says sarcastically.
"Well, you're cute too -- especially when you're jealous." Paige teases.
"I am NOT jealous! And I am NOT taking on a warlock and his mind-reading son as clients!"
"Honey -- don't you realize that could easily be OUR boy out there? We don't know what gifts or powers he'll have. How would you feel if someone tried to tell you how to raise your son?" Paige asks, and she pauses for a moment. "I think Ben wants us to take this case."
"Okay, so every time you want to guilt me into doing something, you're going to say it's what BEN wants, is that how it's going to be now?" Cole asks.
"I would never use my son like that!" Paige says, offended. "How dare you!"
"Okay, okay -- I'm sorry." Cole says, and he kisses her on the cheek and rubs her belly. "Don't make this a habit kid, you're not always going to get your way." he says, and they go back into the room. "Mr. Warren -- we'll take your case." Cole tells him.
"Thank you so much -- I can't tell you how grateful I am." Elias says, just as Phoebe walks in.
"Hey -- are we still on for our lunch -- date?" Phoebe says, immediately eyeing Elias when she walks in, staring at him intently and smiling. "I'm sorry -- you said -- noon, right?"
"Yeah, sorry -- we're just finishing up with a client." Paige says. Elias stands up.
"Hi -- Elias Warren, nice to meet you." he says, extending his hand to Phoebe.
"Oh, hi, I'm uh -- uh --" Phobe begins.
"Phoebe." Cole says in a disgusted tone, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah -- yeah, that's it, Phoebe, right. Phoebe Halliwell. I'm sister's Paige -- I mean, I'm Paige's sister." Phoebe says awkwardly, taking in everything about him.
"Charmed." Elias says, kissing her hand.
"Uh-huh." Phoebe says, clearly mesmerized by him.
"Phebes -- Cole just has to finish up some paperwork with Elias and his SON, Nicholas -- why don't we head out to lunch and let them work?" Paige says to Phoebe, who still hasn't let go of Elias' hand.
"Yeah, that's a gorgeous idea -- I mean, GOOD." Phoebe says, finally pulling away, as Cole shakes his head in disgust. "A good idea. Lunch. Oh, and you have a son -- Nicholas -- hi, I'm Phoebe." she says, shaking Nicholas' hand. "Well, we have to go now, so we should just -- go. So, um -- bye." Phoebe says, and they leave. "Oh my god -- was I drooling?" Phoebe asks once they're outside.
"Practically." Paige says.
"Is he single?" Phoebe asks.
"Phebes, he's a warlock. Who's renounced his powers. And he is kind of cute, isn't he?" Paige asks.
"A warlock? Why can't I just be attracted to a nice, normal guy?" Phoebe asks.
"Because they're not as exciting. Come on, let's go." Paige says, and they leave. Back inside the office, Cole and Elias are finalizing some paperwork.
"So, your sister-in-law -- is she single?" Elias asks.
"Do you want me to help you get full custody of your son, or would you prefer me to play matchmaker for you? Yes, she's single, and what makes you think I'd want her dating the likes of you?" Cole asks.
"What do you care?" Elias asks.
"He likes her." Nicholas says.
"Of course I like her, she's part of my family." Cole says.
"No -- you like her the same way you like your wife." Nicholas says.
"Alright, that's the last of them." Cole says, ignoring Nicholas' last comment. "You have a court date in two weeks, I'll see you there. And feel free to call me if you have any questions."
"Thank you -- I'm sure I'll be in touch." Elias says, and he and Nicholas leave. Cole sits down at his desk after they're gone -- he looks longingly at the photo of Paige on his desk and lets out a loud sigh.
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"Phoebe, can you get that, I'm kind of busy right now. That's probably the contractor here to get started on the downstairs office remodeling." Paige shouts from upstairs as the doorbell rings. Phoebe is wearing dirty clothes and covered in paint, having just finished painting the baby's room.
"Sure, no problem!" Phoebe calls out, and she goes to the door. "You." she says.
"Miss -- Halliwell, right?" Elias says.
"Yeah -- right. And call me Phoebe." she says, smiling.
"Okay -- well, you can call me Eli then." he tells her. "That's what all of my friends call me."
"Oh -- oh my god, you must think I'm just the biggest mess. I don't normally look like this, I swear." Phoebe says.
"It's okay." Eli says, laughing. "So what are you doing here?"
"Oh, that's right, Paige said you were in construction. You're probably here to renovate the office. This is Paige and Cole's house." Phoebe tells him.
"Really? I didn't know. I just get the work orders and show up." Eli says.
"Mr. Warren -- hi." Paige says, coming downstairs. "What are you doing here?"
"He's one of the workers for your contractor." Phoebe tells her.
"Oh -- what a coincidence, huh?" Paige says.
"Look, if this is some kind of business conflict, I'll just call my boss, he knows all about my custody suit and --" Eli begins.
"Oh, no -- no conflict at all. I guess you've got the whole work order there, right?" Paige asks.
"Yeah, I'm all set -- I just need to know where to get started, my crew is outside, and we'll get to work. This is a pretty easy job, it shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks." Eli says.
"I'll show you where to go." Phoebe says, smiling at him. "Follow me." Phoebe leads him into the area designated for Paige and Cole's office.
"Thank you." Eli says.
"My pleasure." Phoebe says, smiling.
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Later that day, Phoebe is leaning against a doorway when Cole and Paige walk into the house. "What are you doing?" Cole asks.
"Watching the view." Phoebe says, smiling. Cole walks over to see what she's looking at -- she's watching Elias as he works on the house.
"We have a whole upstairs to paint and baby furniture to get moved in, and you're sitting here watching Fabio the Warlock and counting the creases in his jeans?" Cole asks.
"I'm not your servant -- I can take a break if I want to." Phoebe says.
"Hi Mr. Turner -- I'm clocking out for today. I have to go pick up my son from school." Eli says, and he looks at Phoebe. "Would you like to come with me?"
"No, she would not." Cole says.
"Actually, Cole doesn't speak for me, so YES, I would." Phoebe says, shooting Cole a nasty glare. "I'll be back later -- bye!" Phoebe says, and she leaves with Eli.
"Jealous much?" Paige asks, watching the whole scenario from across the room.
"He's a WARLOCK! You don't want Phoebe dating a warlock, do you?" Cole asks.
"I didn't want her dating a demon either, but that didn't stop her. And look how THAT turned out." Paige says. "Elias seems like a nice man."
"Sure -- he's nice now. But what about when the temptation hits? When he turns back into what he used to be? Then what happens to Phoebe?" Cole asks.
"Does that mean I should worry about YOU, too?" Paige asks.
"I'm mortal now -- he's not." Cole says.
"Well, as history has taught us -- that doesn't matter." Paige says, and she walks over to Cole. "You know, it doesn't bother me so much that you still have feelings for Phoebe -- it just bothers me when you SHOW it." Paige storms upstairs into the bedroom, slamming the door and locking it. She sits down on the bed and starts to cry.
"Paige -- Paige, come on, let's talk about this." Cole says on the other side of the door.
"Go away!" Paige shouts, as Lilith's image watches from the mirror.
"That's right dear . . . . . you get as angry as you want to be . . . ." Lilith says in a whisper to herself.