The Real Lessons
We got back to the Manor just as Piper was putting dinner on the table. I tossed the paperwork on top of Bree's file in the foyer as well as my keys and purse.
"Looks good," I commented as we all sat down.
"Where's Leo?" I asked, noticing he wasn't there.
"The Elders called him up there a while ago. Not sure why," Phoebe answered. I nodded. The Elders were still a strange concept to me. From my sisters reactions they didn't like them and I took that as my cue to follow in their footsteps.
"So is everything at work ok?" Piper asked me.
"Yeah it's fine. I just had to get some stuff. We should look over it after dinner," I answered, taking a bite of roast beef.
"Ok," she answered.
"So you are going to school tomorrow?" she asked Bree.
"I guess so," she replied with a shrug.
"Good. You'll have to tell us all about it," Phoebe interjected. I smiled as we finished dinner. It felt almost natural, like we'd been doing this for years instead of a couple of days.
"Do you want some help?" Bree offered as Piper started to clear the dishes.
"Sure," she said and the pair headed into the kitchen.
"How you holding up?" Phoebe asked me as we wandered into the sun room.
"I'm doing alright. As long as I can get her out of the system and into familial custody by the end of the week I think I'll be fine…at work at least," I replied.
"This is a lot for you to take in too, isn't it," she stated as we both sat down.
"Yeah I mean I never really knew all that much about Prue. You gusy rarely talk about her," I started but stopped myself.
"It's not like you have to talk about her all the time or anything," I added quickly.
"It's ok, Paige. I know what you meant. Maybe we should talk about her more. After all we have two people in the house now that didn't really get the chance to know her. You both should have had that opportunity," she murmured.
"Thanks. That mean's a lot to me," I said, pulling her into a hug.
"Maybe one day we'll be able to summon her and we can have a huge family moment. Maybe bring Mom and Grams along too and make it a real party," she said with a laugh.
"Yeah…that'd be nice. I think Brianna would like that," I agreed.
"I have a question. Why is Brianna's last name Warren?" I asked. The question had suddenly popped into my head. I think I was starting to think about the paperwork sitting in the hallway.
"Well…Prue didn't want demons to find her. We haven't used the last name Warren in a few generations. Prue thought it would keep her safe. Besides she didn't want her to be traced back to us," Phoebe explained, looking very sad.
"She was named after some pretty powerful ancestors. Brianna shared Prue's power of telekinesis. And well…Melinda Warren is our ancestor that started this whole Charmed legacy," she explained. Man did I have a lot of family history to learn.
"I guess she and I both have a lot learn. Maybe having something else will make it easier," I sighed just as Piper and Bree walked in.
"What's going on in here?" Piper asked.
"Just waiting for you guys," Phoebe answered.
"File," I called out and the file and paperwork orbed into my hands.
"That is cool," Bree said with a smirk.
"Thank you. I'm getting better at it," I said. I was getting better at summoning things. Now if only I get the whole orbing thing down.
"So what did you need to talk to us about?" Piper asked, sitting on the arm of one of the whicker chairs.
"Well I figured you guys would want custody of Brianna," I explained. Piper and Phoebe looked at each other and back at me.
"What about you? She's your niece too. You should have custody of her too," Piper remarked. Bree's eyes lit up.
"You mean you all want me?" she asked. She sounded shocked.
"Of course we do. We're your family. We should be together. All of us," Phoebe answered, squeezing her hand.
"That means you too, Paige," Piper added.
"I don't know, Piper. I mean…it's only been a few months. I mean do you really want me to move in?" I retorted.
"Yes. Believe it or not, we're stronger together under one roof. We learned that lesson a long time ago," she responded.
"But is there enough room?" I asked, trying to count the bedrooms in my head.
"Leo and I will move into the master bedroom. You can have my room and Bree can have Prue's," she explained.
"When can I move in?" Bree questioned.
"Well how much stuff do you have to move in?" Piper asked.
"Just my suitcase," she answered, looking a little put out.
"Well I tell you what. We can move you in tonight and this weekend we'll go shopping and get you a whole bunch of new clothes," Phoebe offered and Bree nodded enthusiastically. I might have to tag along on that trip.
"So what about me?" I questioned. Boy were there a lot of questions being asked today.
"We can get Leo to help you move your stuff. You can probably just orb it here," Piper replied. I nodded. We'd have to see about that. For all I know I'd end up on some desert island.
"So about the paperwork?" I finally reminded them. Piper got a pen and began filling in the various forms. They circulated between the three of us and after about a half hour they were all filled out.
"I'll file these with the court in the morning and it should be finalized in a day or two. We might have to go before a judge to prove familial relations," I explained, putting the cap on the pen.
"I can just work from home for the next couple days," Phoebe said.
"I can get someone to cover for me at the club," Piper added.
"Great. So what do you say we go move Bree in?" I suggested and we all headed upstairs. We walked into Prue's room and Bree unzipped her suitcase. It was then that I realized how little she really had.
"What happened to all the rest of your stuff?" I asked.
"I moved around so much I figured keeping stuff wasn't worth it. I mean it is easier to pack one suitcase than three," she mumbled.
"Well you won't be going anywhere for a while. Not until college at least," I said and my sisters laughed.
"Can I look at the Book some more?' she asked abruptly once all of the contents of her suitcase had been unpacked and put into the chest of drawers.
"Sure…just don't read anything out loud. We don't want any accidental spells being cast," Phoebe told her. She headed out of the room the get the Book from the attic.
"Thanks," she said, giving me a hug.
"For what?" I asked.
"Finding my family. For wanting me," she answered. I fought back some tears as I embraced her back.
"It's my job hon," I whispered.
"And I'm glad we figured out who you were. I was getting worried that you'd never find a place to feel safe," I told her after we'd pulled apart.
"I already feel safer," she murmured just as Phoebe returned with the book. Bree took it and plopped down on the bed. I quietly followed Phoebe out of the room and into Piper's room.
"You did a really good thing today," Phoebe told me.
"I did, didn't I. I guess that's what being a social worker is all about," I remarked.
"No…it's what being a good witch is all about. Protect the innocent. You did a great job," Piper interpreted. I nodded. I guess that was important too.
"I know this is going to be a hard adjustment. Two people moving in at once so I apologize if either of you get annoyed with me," I stated off-handedly.
"We'll get through it. It's what needs to happen. I would have thought it wouldn't be so soon but with Bree in the picture, I realize it has to be now not later," Piper admitted.
"I appreciate that. So do you think I was just supposed to reunite Bree with you guys…well us?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I don't know. I mean we still need to teach her how to control her power. We were lucky to have Grams but she's gone thirteen years without any knowledge of the gift she has," Phoebe answered.
"You think a demon will come after her or anything?" I murmured. I was hoping we were just supposed to teach her how to control her power.
"Not a demon or anything…The demon," a voice said from behind us. We all spun around to see a battered looking Cole. Phoebe rushed to him immediately. Not two seconds later, Leo appeared in orbs.
"We've got trouble," he said. We all just looked at him. What was going on now?