Sorry it took so long for the update, got a new job and they have been working me like a dog. Just for the record I have hate late Christmas shoppers. But I still am filled with the holiday spirit, here is the new chapter of my story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed, if I did I would wake up to Brian Krause every morning and spending Holly Marie Combs money. If you thought I did then you are dumber than an ostrich trying to fly.
Summary: After his near death experience, Halliwell-Wyatt family decide on a nice family dinner at the restaurant but all does not go as well as expected. Plus Melinda gets incite on how Detective Martin's life really is. Also the stalker maybe closer than they all realize.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
The Calm Before the Storm
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Leo and the boys got finished at the school to find Piper and Mel just getting back from shopping. Piper walks up to Leo and plants a kiss on his lips.
"Oh I see you are finished, hope your day was better than it was this morning" she said after she pulled away.
"Yea it was a little better, but it doesn't compare to being here with you."
"See that is what I love about you, you always know how to make a girl feel loved."
"Oh do I now" Leo smiles and pulls Piper into another passionate kiss while their children look onward.
"Do you think they know that we are still here." Chris whispered to his siblings.
"They would if Dad didn't have his tongue down Mom's throat."
"Do you think they can breathe." Melinda asked.
"Not really."
" I think I am going to be sick. replied Wyatt. As if on cue, all three kids pretend to gag which causes the parents to break away from the kiss.
"Sorry, guys we just got caught up in the moment" Leo told them as they broke away from each other.
"Yeah sorry about that, it is just that your father is incredibly hot and" Piper smirked.
"And your mother is extremely sexy. Leo replied also.
"Oh God no more, can you two get a room" Chris demanded while his parents just laughed at his outburst. "What that is so not funny, how would you feel if Grams and one of her husbands were making out in front of you."
"I would probably be more grossed out then you three. replied Piper.
Leo laughed as he looked at Piper's face when she thought about her grandmother kissing one of her husbands. "Okay, we will stop being affectionate in front of you guys if that what you really want."
All three children looked at each other and responded at the same time. "Yes please"
"Fine, so Mel what did you buy today, it seems to me that you have a lot of bags." her Dad asked her as he counted the bags in her hand.
"Not all of these are mine, most of the bags are mom's."
"I figured as much." Leo replied.
"What is that suppose to mean."
"Piper you plus shopping equals a lot of clothes."
"Well since you are complaining I guess I should take this back" Piper smiled as she showed Leo a red and black bag with a Victoria Secrets logo on the front.
"Since you put it that way, who says that I am complaining" Leo smirked as he made his way back over to Piper again.
"I thought that might change your mind" Piper replied as she lifted her head to kiss Leo again.
"Mom and Dad you promised, no more affection in front of us." Wyatt whined.
"Alright fine, we can just finish this later."
"I am so glad that they have a sound proofing spell on their bedroom" Mel whispered.
"Oh god, the images, they burn. Please no more." Chris sniped sarcastically.
Piper and Leo laughed as Leo rubbed his hands throuhg Chris's hair.
"So Mel back to you, what did you buy."
Mel pulled out some clothing from her bag. One outfit consisted of a pair of low rise jeans and a halter top shirt to show her father. Leo's eyes dropped as he realized just how low cut the outfit really was.
"This is nice but I have a question. Where is the rest of it" Leo asked sternly
"Oh Dad take a chill pill, this is the style that everyone wears nowadays"
"Yeah but everyone is not my daughter, so I don't care what everyone else wears"
"I agree with Dad" Wyatt interrupted. "You should dress more conservative, just like other girls your age"
"Oh please Wyatt, I bet if I wasn't your sister you wouldn't tell me anything like that. As a matter of fact isn't this the same shirt that Emily wore on you first date" Mel replied angrily
"Yeah but still"
"But nothing" began Piper "I think that she looked nice in it and that is why I brought it for her"
"Piper"
"Leo don't you Piper me, you had no problem with those kind of clothes when I wore them"
"Piper when you were wearing them you were a grown woman who brought her own clothing."
"Well I brought these for her and I think she looks great in them."
"I just don't think that these clothes are appropriate for her to wear."
"Like I said you had no problem with me wearing clothes like them."
"But that was different."
"Different how."
"It just was."
"Oh Dad stop being so stubborn and such a sexist."
"You have been hanging out with Paige way too much." Leo smirked. "Okay fine as long as your mother approves of your wardrobe, then I have no choice but to go along"
"Dad I can't believe you let them win." Chris yelled.
"Yeah us guys are supposed to stick together." Wyatt said.
"What can I say, Halliwell women are very stubborn."
"Hey" Mel and Piper yelled at the same time.
"Well you are." Leo smirked.
"Boys why do you care, you have no problem when your dates dress like that."
"That is because they are not our little sister. She is in high school now and if she wears clothes like that, guys will want to ask her out".
"That is the point." Mel retorted.
"No the point is guys are pigheaded jerks and I don't want my little sister to be hurt by any of them."
"Wyatt, I can take care of myself, I don't need your help" Mel yelled. Then she soften her voice just a little. "But thanks for looking out for me. And I promise if they ever are jerks to me, I give you both permission to beat their ass."
"Melinda" Piper hissed.
"Sorry I mean butts." Mel smiled.
"What are we going to do with you."
"Love me unconditionally and buy me whatever I want."
"Well we will give you all the love you want but you have to earn the other stuff."
"I figured as much"
"Okay kids" Leo said. "How about we all go change and get ready for dinner."
With that everyone went their separate ways for dinner.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"So sweetie did you have fun shopping" Leo asked Piper as they laid on the bed with her head to his chest
"Yeah I did, shopping for me is therapeutic, I wish I could do it more often"
"If you did that then there would be no room for my stuff in either of the closets"
Piper hit Leo on the arm. "I do not have a lot of stuff"
"Piper you have too many clothes, and lets not get me started on your shoe obsession. You have things in there you don't even wear"
"That is because there has never been the right time to wear them" Piper replied "Anyways why are we in bed, we are supposed to be getting ready to go out"
"Yeah we were but we got sidetracked by counting all the outfits in your closet. By my count we are up to five hundred and twenty seven" Leo laughed.
"Stop making fun of me, I am going to take a shower and then get ready"
Piper and Leo both got off the bed and Piper grabbed a towel and walked to the bathroom. Leo was searching through the closest when Piper reappeared
"I never said I was taking a shower by myself" Piper said seductively
"Well would you like me to join you"
"Only if you insist"
"Oh I do insist."
Leo grabbed his own towel and followed Piper to the bathroom both with mischievous smiles on their face
"I love you" Piper told Leo as she pulled him into a passionate kiss.
"I love you too" Leo replied when he pulled away and they went and got into the shower together.
By 7:00 that evening the Wyatt's was dressed to go out for the evening but were in a heated discussion about where to go.
"I don't want Chinese food, I want Italian" Mel yelled at her brothers.
":Nobody cares what you want, I want Chinese" Chris yelled back.
"Would both of you just shut-up, you know we won't have a say so in anything because mom will chose where we go."
"He is right you know" all three children turn around to see that their parents have just came from upstairs. "It doesn't matter what you want because we are going to Halliwell Haven. Any objections" Piper asked sternly
"No mom" the children chorused
"Okay then lets go"
After fifteen minutes the family arrives at the restaurant to find that it is really busy. The manager sees Piper and goes over to talk to her.
"Piper please tell me you are here to help out tonight" asked Stephanie
"No actually I came her with my family to eat dinner. What is the problem"
"Well first one of the cooks couldn't make it tonight because a family member was in the hospital. Then one waitress couldn't make it because she called in sick, she has the flu"
"I am sorry Stephanie but I just came here to relax. Can you call anyone else to come in tonight"
"I already tired but everybody seemed to busy. The cook is nothing to worry about, it is just the serving of the food"
"Well if you need help Stephanie, my brother and I would be glad to help" Wyatt said to the young girl
"We will"
"Of course we will, that is what gentlemen do Chris" hissed Wyatt
"Well you can do it by yourself because I am here to eat food, not serve it"
"Oh please Christopher, if you would help I would be very happy", Stephanie pleaded to Chris.
"Okay, alright, but you so owe me" and with that Stephanie leans in and places a kiss on Chris's cheek and walks to the back
"Hey, I said yes too, how come she didn't give me a thank-you kiss" Wyatt whined
"Because I am the cutest, now lets go before I change my mind" Wyatt and Chris head out to the back of the restaurant to get the aprons needed for serving the food
"Goody, the gruesome twosome are gone" Melinda said as she clapped her hands together
"Mel, stop talking about your brothers that way" Piper hissed while Leo looked at his daughter and laughed
"Leo why are you laughing, this is your daughter we are talking about"
"Because that are what siblings are for, they make fun of their other ones. Don't you do the same thing to your sisters"
"Okay, but when she hits those rebellious years, she will be all yours"
"No, my princess will be a perfect angel, right Mel" Leo asked her daughter
"Yes I will for you daddy", she responded fluttering her eyelashes. "But for mom that will be a different story"
Both Mel and Leo laugh while Piper looks at both of them sternly
"That is not funny" Piper snapped as they both laughed in her face causing Piper to smirk herself at the comment.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Wyatt came back to the table to take their order and he saw Detective Martin sitting at the table by himself when he was returning to the kitchen
"Hey Mr. Martin, dining here alone" asked Wyatt.
"Yeah I am, what are you doing here."
"Well aside the fact that my mom owns the place, I had to fill in for somebody tonight. My parents are over there, maybe you could join them."
"No that is unnecessary, I wouldn't want to intrude."
"No, if I know my parents they will be okay with it."
Thomas follows Wyatt to the table where his parents are located and they look up at him wondering what he was doing.
"I know that this was supposed to be family night but Mr. Martin was here alone and I thought he might want to join you." Wyatt said.
"Of course he can join us, we wouldn't want you to eat alone after ever thing you are doing for us" Leo replied. "I mean if that is okay with Piper and Mel."
"It is fine with me, Mel."
Melinda up at her parents and then back at the detective. She doesn't know why but for some reason, she doesn't fully trust Mr. Martin. Maybe it was her fear of strangers that could be throwing her vibe off, but it was there and always buzzing when he was around. "Maybe I'm just being stupid", she thought to herself. "Um, I think it would be cool if you join us."
Thomas takes the chair beside Mel and across from Piper.
"So how are you guys feeling, I mean the after the incidents of today."
"Okay as to be expected, it is not every day some one is out to kill you." stated Leo.
"When you're a Halliwell, yeah it is", Melinda muttered under her breathe.
"I'm sorry Melinda, what did you say." asked Thomas.
"Nothing Mr. Martin, I was just talking about school."
"You don't have to call me Mr. Martin, you can call me Thomas."
"No I think I will stick to Mr. Martin", Melinda said sternly, "I mean that is polite after all."
Stephanie came back in a panic stated rambling about a current situation in the kitchen
"Piper", She grasped. "I need you help in the kitchen. One of the pipes in the sink busted and water is getting everywhere and one of the cooks are threatening to leave because he has been here to long" she finally finished.
"Oh my word, can't we have one day of peace without problems" Piper screamed.
"Not when you are a Halliwell" Leo responded trying to calm Piper down. "Look honey, I will work on the pipes and you calm down the cook. Mel will you be okay here by yourself."
"Yes I will don't worry about me so much."
"Yeah Leo, I will make sure she will be okay." Thomas offered his help.
"I can look after myself." Mel sniped getting up out of her chair but when she saw the looks her father was giving her she sat back down.
"Okay, maybe I will just wait here until your food comes and then leave."
"Thomas you don't" Piper begins.
"Yes I do, like Melinda said she doesn't need me to watch over her, and besides I have an early start tomorrow" he replied with a smile.
Piper shot one last look at her daughter and walked to the kitchen followed by her husband. Thomas watched them walk away and then his eyes were placed back on Melinda.
"Melinda do you not like me."
"No it is nothing like that but I just don't feel comfortable around you."
"And why is that."
"Because, I don't know you that is why" she replied gritting her teeth.
"Just look at me like an old friend of your mother's."
"You can't be a family friend if she doesn't know you."
"Look, you don't have to like me, you don't even know me. I am doing my best to protect her and I will always be looking out for her got it." Thomas said angrily.
"How about we just agree to disagree, I still don't like you and I probably never will. But tell me some things about yourself. Might make this night less painful."
"Alright, well I moved here from Sacramento, about two years ago where I was a private detective there. I only came out here because I wanted to find someone to fall in love with."
"You never been married."
"No I haven't been, the last girl I loved was my high school sweetheart, but we drifted apart. I haven't seen her since the summer after we graduated."
"That is kinda sad", She glances to see that he is wearing some piece of jewelry. "So I am guessing that is why you were that bracelet, unless you just like wearing jewelry."
"Yes that is why I wear the bracelet, it was a gift that I received from her and I haven't been able to take it off. Maybe someday I will."
"Yeah but don't wait too long, you just might get too old." Mel snorted.
"You know I don't know why but something tells me that you are a mini version of your mother."
"Well some people say that I look just like her when she was my age"
"You do, just without the glasses and the braces"
Mel was about to respond to that but the waitress came back with the food. So Thomas and Mel just ate in silence since they really didn't want to know anything else about each other. No matter what Mel tried to do, she still didn't fully trust Thomas but maybe that would change if they found out more about each other. About at the end of the meal Thomas looked up and noticed that Piper and Leo were at the front of the bar laughing and holding hands while talking to a customer. It was so amazing to him that two people that have been together for so long, still harbored the same love that they had for each other from day one. He always wanted love like that but it seemed that he would never find it. He didn't worry about it though, because he had a plan. His dream girl was just around the corner waiting for him to pick her up. Thomas hoped that she would return the love that he had instilled in his heart for her.
"He's lucky, you know that."
"Whom are you talking about." Melinda asked him
"Your father, your mother seems like an incredible person and he is lucking to have someone like her in his life."
"Don't worry, you probably will find one like her one day"
"I will let you in on a little secret" he motions for Melinda to come closer to him. "I think that I have already met her, I am just waiting to make my move."
"Well don't wait to long, you might try to get her but by then it will be too late. Trust me my family has had problems with relationships due to the little things like that. If you want something you just have to go get it."
"I think that I will take you up on your advice." Thomas smiled
"Well you should, I may be just 13 but I am wise beyond my years."
"I can see that."
Thomas and Melinda finish their meal and Thomas leaves when he is done. He looks up to see that Piper and Leo were also done and decided that it was time to go home.
"Did you enjoy your meal." Piper asked
"Yes I did, it was lovely. I just might come back again."
"You should, and when you come, tell them you know the owner. It will force the people here to be nice to you." Piper smiled at Thomas.
"I will do that, well Good night." Thomas said again as he kissed Piper's hand and headed out the door.
"Goodnight" all three of them said as they grabbed their own things and headed out also
Mel and her parents went there separate ways from Thomas, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. It was sad to see someone his age, still without love and knowing his last love was in high school. Maybe that is why he appeared so quiet and shy. She figured she had no right to judge him but still she couldn't shake the feeling that he couldn't be trusted
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Wyatt and Chris watched as their parents left for the evening. They decided to help close up and promised to orb home as soon as the cleanup was done. They were both tired from working and were famished. They were working so hard that they didn't even get to have dinner.
"Guess what Chris, there is some chicken parmesan at home with our names all over it."
"Cool, we need to hurry up and finish so we can go home."
"Man slow down, what is the rush" Wyatt laughed as he saw Chris power sweep the floor
"Hmm lets see. I am starving, I didn't get to spend any time with my parents, and I had to work on my night off. No Wyatt, I have no reason to be pissed off."
"Look I said that I was sorry for dragging you into this. I just thought you could use the extra money, plus you made some great tips."
"Yeah I did, but still next time you are going into this kind of situation by yourself."
Wyatt laughed at his little brother and went back to cleaning off the tables. Stephanie the waitress that asked for their help earlier came from the back to thank the guys for their help.
"Hey guys, I can't thank you enough for your help."
"Even though Chris here didn't want to do it, I was glad to help."
"That is perfectly understandable, I mean it was your night off."
"Yeah is was."
"Still, I am now in your debt. If you ever need a favor do not be afraid to ask."
"Cool" Chris replied and went back to sweeping as Wyatt went to the back to put up his cleaning cloth.
"So Chris, how much in tips did you get tonight."
"I got seventy bucks. What about you."
"I made a hundred. I got this big tip from a guy that comes in here often."
"How often."
"Well I would say about once a week. He is so weird though especially if Piper is here."
Chris put the broom down at the mention of his mother's name. "Why what does he do when my mother is here."
"Nothing bad, he just watches her."
"Watches her."
"Yeah he looks at her and watches her every move. But every time she looks in his direction he puts up his menu so she cant see his face. I don't think that she notices him or else she would have said something."
'Do you know his name" Chris asked
"No I'm sorry. I never ask because it usually becomes busy whenever he comes in. I do think that it starts with a G. Why"
"No reason, just wondering. I mean it could be any weirdo coming after my mom."
"Chris that is really sweet how overprotective you are over mom, but if you hadn't noticed she is a big girl now. I think that she can take care of herself" Stephanie laughed.
"I know" Chris said smirking back. "She's my mom you know, I worry."
"I noticed." Stephanie grabbed the trays and went back to the back just as Wyatt was coming back to the front."
"Well everything is finished you ready to go."
"Yeah I am" Chris stuttered
"What's wrong with you, did Stephanie do something."
"No, I was just thinking about something she said."
"What"
"She said that some strange guy, who's name starts with a G comes in here all the time and just stares at mom."
"Stare at her how."
"I don't know Wyatt, maybe a creepy stalker type stare."
"Calm down Chris" Wyatt responded placing his hand on Chris's shoulder trying to comfort him. "Do you think we should tell mom and dad."
"No, not yet."
"Wait why not."
"Because if mom thinks that her stalker is at her jobs, she will never come to work again. Plus she won't let dad come here either. We should investigate more before we scare them."
"Fine, but when we find out who this guy is then we will tell them."
"Okay." Chris grabs his coat and him and Wyatt head out the door. They walk to the back alley and check their surroundings to make sure that no one is watching them. With a nod to each other they both orb out hoping that they guy was talking about was just a harmless man than a murderous maniac. But by now hope was a thin veil ready to be broken at any time.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
I couldn't believe it, she didn't notice me. I was right there at her place of business and she didn't notice me. It makes me so damn angry that she still isn't mine. She
probably would have noticed me, if it hadn't been for that son of bitch husband of hers. I don't know what how that bastard keeps surviving my attempts. I mean I hit him
going eighty miles per hour in my car. I saw him get hit, I felt his body hit my windshield and then I see him next and he looks good as new. Then I send him the package. I
thought he would be dead by now but he still lives. He was at home when the bomb exploded, I saw him take it from my hired gun. And again somehow he manages to
escape it. He is taunting me, showing me the life that should be mine. I deserve everything he has, and why should he have it. He doesn't even appreciate her, doesn't take
care of her like she should be. How could she love a lie like him, he doesn't even exist forcing Piper to work to the bone to take care of him and the children. That is why she
owns two business, to take care of a piece of shit like him. He will return what was mine because he stole her away from me. I deserve that life not him, no matter, this time
will be the finally. I will have Piper again and nobody will stop me and nobody will save him. Either he can protect her from falling for me, or he will die trying. All though I
love the dying part. Time to go to put my last plan into action.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
OH the stalker is around more than we realize. Will we finally get to see who this person is or will he continue to hide in the shadows. Also, will Mel lighten up on Detective Martin now that she knows how troubling his past was or are her suspicions of him necessary to keep her family out of danger. And who is this strange man watching Piper at the restaurant. Find out on the next chapter:
An Enemy Revealed
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
You know what do do reviews and critisims are welcomed, I appreciate it all. I also will try my best to put a chapter up by the end of next week.
Merry Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Happy Holidays
Merry Kwanza
Happy Hannakuh
Happy New Year