Phoebe stares at Eli in total shock. "Phoebe." Eli says, getting up and walking toward her. Phoebe doesn't say a word as Eli takes her hand in his. "I've missed you so much." Eli says. In complete shock, Phoebe faints in his arms, dropping the athame she was holding on the floor. Eli scoops her up into his arms, picks up her athame, and orbs out of Elena's room and into Phoebe's bedroom, where he sets her down on the bed gently. He sits down next to her and kisses her forehead, and after a few minutes Phoebe begins to stir.
"Eli? Am I dreaming?" Phoebe asks.
"No -- I'm really here. I'm sorry I frightened you; are you okay?" he asks. Phoebe reaches up and touches his face to assure herself that he's real.
"Oh Eli -- oh baby, you're really here!" Phoebe says, now crying. She throws her arms around him and hangs on to him tightly. "But how?"
"You were expecting another whitelighter, right? That would be me." Eli says. "And here -- you dropped this." he says, handing her back her athame. Phoebe looks down at it.
"The last time you gave this to me I used this to --" she begins.
"You did the right thing. It was my time." Eli says, and he kisses her.
"But how can you be a whitelighter? You were a warlock. And Lilith --"
"Lilith's powers were never in me long enough to become a part of me. When you killed me, you vanquished them -- forever. Unfortunately I had to be sacrificed along with them. I did a lot of horrible things in my life before I renounced my powers, Phoebe. And I've spent the last ten years atoning for them -- begging for forgiveness of witches I had killed, families I had destroyed and devastated. But because I renounced my powers on earth, and because I saved your entire family from Lilith, the elders made me a promise -- if I could atone for all of the wrong I had done, and prove myself worthy, I would be greatly rewarded. And I have been -- because they sent me back to you." Eli tells her.
"You're here to stay? With us?" Phoebe asks.
"Forever -- if you'll have me." Eli says. Phoebe pulls him into a kiss.
"Have you -- watched us? All this time?" Phoebe asks.
"No -- I wasn't permitted to. I didn't even know about our little girl until the elders brought me here this evening. We were only together the one time, I didn't even consider that we had --"
"Sometimes once is all it takes." Phoebe says.
"I don't even know her name." Eli says.
"Elena -- I named her after you." Phoebe says, as a tear falls down Eli's cheek.
"I want to know everything about her, I missed so much of her life. And Nick -- how is Nicholas?" Eli asks.
"He's in England. He got a scholarship to Oxford for his senior year. He comes home in two days -- he's graduating at the top of his class. You'll be so proud of him, he's really turned into an amazing young man. And he adores Elena -- spoils her rotten, he's probably gonna come home with so much stuff from England for her. He's been there the entire school year, I miss him so much. I told him we could orb him or shimmer him back for visits, but he wanted this whole experience to be 'magic-free' so I let him." Phoebe tells him. "He will be so thrilled that you're back. Everyone will."
"I can't wait to see him." Eli says. "And you -- how have you been?"
"I finished my masters -- I started my own practice, it's going really well. Just busy working and trying to raise two kids and save the world from demons and other evil." Phoebe tells him. "And missing you like crazy." she says, starting to cry again. "Elena needs you so much -- she has your powers, I don't know how to control her, and with Nick gone all year we've been at constant odds with one another. Eli, she'd hotheaded, she's stubborn, and she blinks. She got herself into a heap of trouble today. We got into a fight and a warlock tried to lure her into using her powers against me."
"What warlock?" Eli asks, clearly becoming protective.
"Rex Buckland. He tried to convince her that you knew him, that you were friends."
"Rex Buckland? That lowlife -- he's scum even among warlock standards, I can't stand that creep. Is she okay, when I went into her room she looked a bit pale." Eli says.
"Look at you, already the protective daddy -- she's fine. She had a little scare tonight, but she's okay." Phoebe tells him.
"Buckland better not come anywhere near her again. I'll kill him if he does."
"You can't kill anyone, you're a whitelighter now. That's our job -- besides, I think Cole took care of him." Phoebe says. "Oh Eli, she will just be beside herself with excitement when she finds out you've come back to us. Cole and Leo have done their best to be father figures to her, but she needs you SO much."
"The elders told me you had a big family now; I thought maybe you had --" Eli begins.
"No -- there's never been anyone else. The big family is Cole and Paige -- they're like rabbits. They just had baby number five yesterday, a little girl. You know Ben, and then they had Stella -- she and Elena were born two days apart, they're very close. Caleb is six, he's a sweet little boy, but he doesn't have very strong powers. Paige was attacked by some really nasty demons when she was pregnant with him, he used all of his powers just to fight to stay alive. He's kind of shy, and he really tries hard to fit in with the family, it's kind of rough for him. Skye is three -- she's 90 whitelighter, with just enough of her father in her to drive everyone crazy. And Sara was just born yesterday -- she's beautiful, she looks alot like Cole. And Piper and Leo have Melinda, you know her, and then Wyatt is five -- he's a handful. And that's pretty much the whole brood."
"No wonder you needed help." Eli says, laughing. "I never thought Cole would be such a family man."
"I don't think Cole did, either. But he loves it, and he loves those kids. I don't know how he and Paige do it, they run the business, which is a HUGE success by the way, raise all those kids, AND manage to fight off demons. And here I am barely handling one nine-year-old girl." Phoebe says.
"Well -- you'll have help now. Because I'm not going anywhere." Eli says, giving her a kiss. "Now, if I recall correctly -- I owe you one unforgettable wedding night. And since we're already in bed -- I was wondering if you'd like to cash in on that."
"Are you kidding? I thought you'd never ask." Phoebe says, smiling as she kisses him and starts to unbutton his shirt . . . .
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Cole walks into the kitchen, a screaming Sara in his arms. Piper is in the kitchen making breakfast. "What are you doing here?" Cole asks, looking half-asleep as he starts to make some coffee while holding the baby in one arm.
"Making you breakfast, I figured you two could use the help this morning." Piper says. "You look like hell."
"I feel like hell. This one was up screaming for three hours last night, and now she's at it again. I thought I'd bring her down here so Paige can get some sleep." Cole says.
"Let me hold her." Ben says, entering the room. Too tired to argue, Cole hands the baby over to Ben. "Come here Sara -- mommy says I'm supposed to help take care of you." After a few minutes, Sara settles down a bit.
"YOU just got a new job." Cole says. "Try to get her to go to sleep."
"Okay -- I will." Ben says, and he orbs out of the room with the baby. Cole sits down at the table and puts his head between his hands.
"I haven't had a night like this since Stella was a baby. She had colic for six months straight, remember?"
"How could I forget, you and Paige walked around like zombies for those six months, I think you survived on coffee and adrenaline. But in retrospect that all makes sense now, doesn't it?" Piper says.
"Leo told you the news, huh? How's that for karma biting you in the butt?" Cole remarks, getting up and pouring his coffee.
"You know, she'll be a teenager in a few years. Prue was hell on wheels during that time." Piper says.
"Thanks for the encouragement." Cole says sarcastically, taking a drink.
"And boy crazy like you would NOT believe." Piper says, as Cole practically chokes on his coffee.
"Okay, that's it -- I'm telling Paige that we're binding her powers and locking her in the attic until she's thirty." Cole says, just as Stella enters the kitchen.
"Hey honey -- would you like some breakfast, I made your fa-- I mean, you like French Toast, don't you?" Piper asks.
"Yeah -- it's okay." Stella says, giving Piper a strange look.
"Come here, Stella." Piper says.
"What'd I do now?" Stella asks.
"Nothing -- just come here." Piper says. Stella suspiciously walks over to Piper. Piper gives her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I just wanted to tell you how much I love you." Stella just stares at her incredulously.
"Okay -- so why are you always yelling me?" Stella asks.
"What your Aunt Piper is trying to say is that she's sorry for always being so hard on you, and she's gonna be a little bit nicer from now on, as long as you keep that promise you made to me last night about your behavior. Right, Piper?" Cole says.
"Right. Let me get that breakfast plate ready for you." Piper says.
"How about me?" Cole asks.
"I'm not your servant, get it yourself." Piper remarks, ignoring Cole.
"Is Sara gonna cry like that EVERY night? Because I'm moving in with Aunt Piper or Aunt Phoebe if she does." Stella says.
"Didn't you say you wanted her to be just like you? So far she's on the right track." Cole tells her.
"I was like that when I was a baby? And you still kept me?" Stella says.
"We would not trade you for anything in the world." Cole says, giving Stella a hug.
"Here you go, honey." Piper says, handing Stella her plate.
"This looks good. Dad, can I take it in the other room and watch TV?" Stella asks.
"Sure -- go ahead." Cole says, and Stella shimmers out of the room.
"Wow. I really thought that --" Piper begins.
"You thought what? That finding out my daughter is Prue's new incarnation would change how I feel about her? I've known that little girl since the minute Paige and I found out we were going to have her. I don't care who she was in the past -- in this life she's my little princess, and I love her." Cole says. "No one is ever going to take that away from me -- not even Prue." Ben orbs into the kitchen.
"Dad, mom wants me to bring her some breakfast, she said it smells really good and she's hungry." Ben says.
"Did you get your sister to go to sleep?" Cole asks.
"Yeah, she likes me. She's alot nicer than Skye, and she doesn't bite." Ben says.
"Here -- tell your mom I'll be up to see her in a minute." Piper says, handing Ben a plate of food, and Ben orbs out of the room. "Isn't Skye over her biting phase yet?"
"Yeah, she is -- she's moved on to stealing things now, she's learned how to orb things to herself like Paige does." Cole says. "Speaking of phases -- I'd appreciate it if you'd tell your son to stop picking on Caleb. I'm tired of him coming home from your place crying because Wyatt teased him." Piper sighs.
"Leo already had a talk with him -- I'll have him say something again. I just don't think Wyatt gets it yet." Piper says.
"Well, he better get it soon or they're not playing together anymore. Caleb struggles enough in this family as it is -- he's trying really hard, and he doesn't need to have his shortcomings rubbed in his face every five minutes by your kid." Cole tells her very defensively.
"You know what Cole? I never thought I'd say this, but -- YOU are one hell of a father." Piper says, putting her arm around him. "Have a seat, I'll make you a breakfast plate."
"Thanks -- and Piper, you're not so bad of a parent yourself." Cole says, as he sits down and Piper serves him breakfast.
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Phoebe lies in bed, awake, watching Eli as he sleeps. She smiles as she runs her fingers through his hair, and he awakens. "Hey -- good morning." Eli says, pulling her close and giving her a kiss. "What have you been doing, laying here watching me sleep all night?"
"No -- about half the night." Phoebe says. "I still can't believe you're really here. I know we need to tell everyone, but part of me just wants to keep you all to myself."
"Trust me -- you will have PLENTY of time with me all to yourself." Eli says, wrapping his arms around her. "Have you checked on Elena?"
"No -- I was just about to go do that. Let me explain to her what happened. Get dressed -- I'll call you when she's ready to meet you." Phoebe says.
"I'll be waiting right here." Eli says. Phoebe gets up, puts her robe on and goes into Elena's room. The little girl is still sound asleep. Phoebe sits down on the edge of her bed and gives her a kiss.
"I love you so much." Phoebe says to her, as Elena wakes up.
"Mommy?" she says.
"Hey, baby -- good morning. How are you feeling?" Phoebe asks.
"My stomach hurts." Elena says.
"Oh, I think you're just hungry." Phoebe says, giving her a hug. "You didn't eat anything all day yesterday, did you?" Elena shakes her head no. "Well, I'm gonna make you a nice big breakfast. How does that sound?"
"Mommy, I'm sorry I said I hated you. I don't hate you, I love you." Elena says.
"I know, honey. It's okay -- sometimes we say things in anger that we don't mean." Phoebe says. "Hey -- I have a big, BIG surprise for you. After you went to sleep last night, someone came to see us. Someone that loves you VERY much."
"Is Nicholas home early?" Elena asks excitedly.
"No, Nick will still be home in two days. This is someone VERY special. You know how Uncle Leo and Aunt Paige are whitelighters, right? And their job is to protect us so that we can do our job."
"Uncle Leo saved me last night. So did Uncle Cole." Elena says.
"Yes, they did. And you know that Aunt Paige was born part whitelighter -- but remember how I told you about Uncle Leo, how he became a whitelighter?"
"He died -- and he did good things when he was alive, and the elders let him come back as a reward. Right?" Elena says.
"That's right. Well -- there are just so many of us in the family now, and the elders thought we needed some more help, so -- we have a new whitelighter in the family. And he really wants to meet you. Elena -- it's your father." Phoebe says. Elena's face lights up with a smile.
"My daddy is a whitelighter? But you said he was a warlock, like me and Nick." Elena says.
"But he chose good, Elena. And this is his reward. Eli -- you can come in now." Phoebe calls out, and Eli orbs into the room. Elena gets an even bigger smile on her face.
"Daddy!" she cries out, and she jumps out of bed and runs into his arms. Eli picks her up and hugs her tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Oh, my precious little girl. I love you so much." Eli says, kissing her on the cheek. He takes her over to the bed and sits down with her -- Phoebe sits down next to them and he puts his arm around her.
"You look just like all the pictures mommy showed me." Elena says, clinging to him tightly. "Are you staying forever?"
"I am staying forever." Eli says. "We have SO much to catch up on -- and we will. We'll be a real family now -- you, me, your mother, and Nick."
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Nicholas steps outside at the airport, looking around. He's a very tall, handsome young man, about 6'1", with dark wavy hair and a goatee. "Mom!" Nicholas calls out, spotting Phoebe. He rushes over to her. Phoebe hugs him tightly.
"Oh, look at you -- what is that on your face?" Phoebe asks.
"A goatee. You like it?" Nicholas asks.
"No -- it covers your dimple and it makes me feel old." Phoebe says, and Nicholas just laughs.
"Where is he?" Nicholas asks.
"Right here, son." Eli says, rounding the corner with Elena holding his hand. Nicholas drops his backpack and runs to his father.
"Dad -- I love you so much." Nicholas says, crying. "You're really back for good?"
"I'm back for good." Eli says. "And I am SO proud of you, all the things Phoebe has told me about you. I always knew you were destined for great things. Look at you, you're as tall as me." Nicholas looks at Elena.
"Hey squirt -- you're taller too, you grew about two inches." Nicholas says to Elena, scooping her up in his arms.
"Is that dirt on your face?" Elena asks, touching his cheek.
"That's a goatee, silly. I take it you don't like it, either." Nicholas says, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"It's okay, I guess." Elena says.
"Well, I can't wait till we get home, because I have SO much stuff for you -- all of you. I think I bought out half of London." Nicholas says.
"Let's go home then -- today is just for the four of us -- our family." Eli says, putting his arms around both kids. Phoebe watches them, with a smile on her face, and tears start to well up in her eyes. "Oh, there she goes, crying again, I should buy stock in Kleenex at the rate she's been going through them the last few days." Eli teases.
"Shut up!" Phoebe says, smacking him lovingly in the arm. "I'm just so happy to have my whole family back. I love you guys so much -- and we're all back together now -- the four of us, just like it was meant to be." They all hug one another.
"Actually -- I think it'll be five of us soon. Oh, wait -- no, SIX." Nicholas says, putting his hand on Phoebe's stomach. "You and dad didn't waste any time, did you?"
"You mean I'm --" Phoebe begins.
"Yeah, they're being pretty adamant about not being left out of this family reunion." Nicholas tells her.
"Phoebe -- I love you so much." Eli says, kissing her on the lips and touching her belly.
"Is mommy gonna have a baby?" Elena asks excitedly. "How can you tell?"
"Two. Twins -- one is a boy, one is a girl -- and they talked to me. The same way you did before you were born." Nicholas says.
"I did?" Elena asks.
"Yup -- I was the first one to know, I was the one who told mom the news. So are we going home or are we gonna stand here all day?" Nicholas asks.
"Let's go home." Phoebe says, as Eli puts his arm around her and they start to walk away together.
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Several days later . . . . . . . .
The entire family is gathered in the living room at Phoebe and Eli's house. "Excuse me, everyone! I have an announcement!" Phoebe shouts, getting everyone to quiet down. "First of all -- I'd like to say how proud I am of Nicholas graduating at the TOP of not only his class, but he has the highest GPA of all of the graduating students this year in the San Francisco School District!" Phoebe says, and everyone proudly applauds. "And second, I know that we're all so happy to have our ENTIRE family here -- Eli, we are all so happy to have you back with us. And you are going to be a fantastic whitelighter." Phoebe gives Eli a hug. "And finally -- thanks to my wonderful son, we found out some exciting news that we want to share. Eli and I have decided to give Cole and Paige a run for their money in the family department -- we're expecting!" she says, with a big smile on her face.
"Oh, Phoebe, that's wonderful!" Paige says, sitting down with little Sara in her arms. "I was so worried Sara wouldn't have anyone her age around here to play with."
"Well -- she'll actually have two friends. We're having twins." Phoebe says happily. "A boy and a girl."
"I guess that's what the elders were talking about -- re-building the Warren family." Eli says.
"Wait a minute -- are you related to us?" Piper asks.
"I thought it was a coincidence, my last name being Warren, but -- it's not. Apparantly, there was more to the Warren family tree than you knew about. In the early 1600s, our family split -- Melinda apparantly had a brother that turned evil and became a warlock. His entire existance was banished from the family history -- but he kept the family name. I'm one of his descendants -- the last surviving one -- except for our children. The Warrens were never meant to be evil. I was the one who was sent to change that, and to reunite the two branches of the family." Eli informs them.
"So, you're telling us that -- you guys are COUSINS? Okay, that is just disgusting." Cole teases.
"We're about twenty generations removed Cole, I don't think it qualifies as incest." Phoebe remarks. "It just proves that Eli and I were meant to be -- just like you and Paige were."
"Does that mean -- I'm really related to you guys? Not just by adoption?" Nicholas asks.
"Yup -- you're really our family, Nick. Not just in name -- but by blood." Phoebe says proudly. "Oh, and by the way -- Nicholas has decided to go to Berkeley after all -- he'll be living in the dorms, but at least he'll be nearby. And once he gets his degree in psychology, he'll --"
"Actually -- I'm not going into psych, mom. I decided to go to their law school after all." Nicholas says.
"What? How much did your Uncle Cole pay you to change your mind?" Phoebe asks.
"He's not changing his mind -- he's been talking to me about this for some time. He's gonna be one hell of an attorney -- he'll be able to tell if a client is guilty or innocent right off the bat." Cole says.
"Eli -- did he tell you about this?" Phoebe asks, a bit upset.
"Honey -- whatever Nicholas wants to do with his life is fine with me -- as long as he's a good man, and as long as he's happy. If he wants to be a lawyer, good for him." Eli says. "Besides, we've got three more kids -- maybe one of them will follow in your footsteps."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Mom -- but this is really what I want. I think I could do alot of good in this career." Nicholas says.
"Well -- okay. As long as you're happy, I guess." Phoebe says, giving him a hug.
"I guess everyone gets their happy ending this time, don't they?" Paige says.
"I guess so -- I know I did." Cole says, and he reaches over to Paige and kisses her on the lips.
"Oh, GROSS!" Stella says, making a face. "Do you always have to do that in front of everyone? Why don't you just glue your lips together?" Stella says, and she stomps out of the room, as Piper and Phoebe start laughing.
"How did I NOT notice that before?" Piper says.
"Notice what? Aunt Paige and Uncle Cole always kissing each other? How could you miss it?" Elena asks.
"No, honey, not that, just -- another family surprise." Phoebe says, as all of the adults in the room laugh . . . .
THE END
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this fanfic. I'm currently working on a sequel to this story, and I will post it soon!