Disclaimer: The Charmed Characters are the property of Aaron Spelling and Constance Burge. I just borrow them for your enjoyment and my writing addiction.

Dead Man Dating - The Box

She looked over at the box sitting on her dresser not really sure what to even imagine was inside. For as long as she could remember her baby sister always gave her a card three days late. Why now, all of a sudden did she get a gift?

She looked back at the party her sister had thrown for her that night. She hadn't expected it at all. Usually Phoebe would let it slip out that Piper is having a party for her. But even this time her youngest sister kept the secret. Had Phoebe really changed all that time she was in NYC?

Through the night she had glanced every now and then at the gift-wrapped box and then over to her sister. She always loved watching both her sisters having a good time. To her it meant they were happy. And there was nothing more important to Prue Halliwell then to see her younger sisters happy.

She had moved and picked up the box and now sat on her bed with it. She wasn't even sure why she waited to open it by itself. Maybe it was her uncertainty of what Phoebe had gotten her.

She carefully pushed the ribbon from the yellow paper before gently lifting the edge as to not tear it. Pushing back the paper, she slid the box out from one end. Lifting up the tape securing the lid she opened it up to find tissue paper.

"Probably another box in her somewhere and whatever she got me is inside a million boxes." Prue said to herself. But she saw the small envelope resting ever so gently on the top of the tissue with her name neatly written out.

Prue.

I can not count the times we fought growing up. I look back and think now they were just silly things. Things that as sisters we shouldn't have been fighting over.

I came back from NYC not really sure what I had in store for me. For us. All I wanted when I was there was you and Piper. I missed you more then I think either of us is ready to sit down and talk about. But I know one day it will come.

I remember one day I was sooo mad at you and in turn my actions caused you to be even madder at me. I can't even remember now what started it off. But I knew that my actions hurt you more then anything I probably ever did. And even at the age of seven I knew that.

What is inside this box I am hoping will make up for the years we tried to kill each other. But mostly for that one mistake I made out of anger.

I love you Prue with everything in my heart. You are and always will be my Sister, my friend, and mostly my Mother.

Love Phoebe

Prue had to brush away the tears that ran down her face. She placed the card down on her bed now wondering more then ever what was inside the box.

She brushed the tissue aside to find a travel coffee mug.

"I know how much you like you coffee."

Prue looked up to see Phoebe leaning against her doorframe.

Prue reached in and along the side of the mug was a collage of photos of the three of them over the years.

Prue placed the box down on her bed and stood up and gave Phoebe a hug, "I love it. Thank you."

Phoebe hugged her sister back but pulled back slightly, knowing what would come next. "There's more."

Prue looked back at the box wondering what else would fit inside it. But she made her way back to the box and once again moved her hand gently through the tissue paper.

As she pushed the tissue aside she felt her heart flutter as her one hand went instinctively to her mouth, covering up the gasp she knew came out.

She lifted the doll gently from the box and brushed back her black hair.

"I found her after Grams threw her out."

Prue turned and looked up at Phoebe with tears in her eyes.

"I knew that Mum had given her to you. I think that is why I broke her. I knew that was the one things you treasured most."

"But…"

"I saw Grams putting her outside one night. I felt bad after I broke it. You know me. Never could stay mad at one of you two."

"You've kept her all this time?" Prue asked wondering the amazement of her sister heart.

"Yeah. I was hoping to get her fixed, but hey I was seven. Where was I gonna get the money to fix her? I eventually forgot I even had her till I came home. I was going through some stuff and found her. That was when I got the job to help pay to get her fix."

Prue looked down at the doll her mother had given her for her 5th birthday.

"Mum gave her to me just before you were born. She figured I needed a baby of my own as well." Prue laughed between her tears, "I even named her. I was so happy I ran down and saw Grams and showed her. She asked if she had a name. I remember thinking for a bit before looking down and saying, Paula." Prue paused a moment, "I can still hear her voice. 'Another P.' as she looked up at Mum who had just walked in the kitchen."

Phoebe wasn't sure if she should stay where she was standing or move towards her sister. But inside she knew what she needed to do. She moved and sat next to her big sister. Wrapping her arms around her neck, "Happy Birthday Prue."

"Thank you Phoebe."

The two of them sat a moment in silence as Prue held on to the doll she cherished as a child and felt the loving arm of her baby sister around her waist.

Phoebe finally broke the silence, "So. Does that make up for all those years of a card three days late?" she asked though she knew the answer already.

"More then makes up for them sweetie. In fact I think you have a credit." Prue smiled, as she once again engulfed her sister in a hug. Letting her know of the love she felt.