Heaven's Mistaken Gift
by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell
Co-written by: That70sShoLova
Chapter 3: Just as Close
Five days later…
Phoebe sat with Piper in her room packing up boxes upon boxes of her clothing, make-up and shoes.
Prue had gone out claiming that she needed time before everything with Grams took place, knowing it would be a bloodbath. She asked them not to tell Grams until they got back.
Phoebe laid on her back on her bed with her head hanging over the edge, watching as her sister folded blouses and some not-to-be-mentioned items that had black lace and put them in a box.
She sighed. "Phoebe, you should be helping me. You're the one who wants to move out."
She turned her head from the ceiling to Piper, her hands running over her visible midriff. "I don't want to move out. She's forcing me!"
"No, she's not. It's your choice."
The youngest sat up, turned, and swung her legs over the edge. "So you think I'm making a mistake?"
She shook her head. "No, I think you're trying to be a responsible adult by keeping it, but I don't think you're old enough to understand the severity of all this."
Phoebe glared, "I understand alright! I made love with my boyfriend, and now I'm having his child. I refuse to kill this child, like Grams would like, and because of that, I have to move out. What is there not to get?"
Piper sat down beside Phoebe. "You act as if this is so simple, but it's not Phoebe, it's not. You are having a baby. A beautiful baby that you will have to carry in you for 9 months."
She grabbed her hand. "I don't mean to scare you, but there could be complications. You could have a miscarriage. The baby could die, Phoebe! If he or she doesn't, you and Jared will have to take care of him or her. You will have to provide for it, feed it, cloth it, educate it, put a roof over it's head. You don't understand Phoebe! You're only 16 years old. How are you supposed to do this?" she panicked. "You're my baby sister and you shouldn't have to be under the stress of this. It's not fair. I'm not saying kill the baby. You should never hurt a child, but simply put it up for adoption."
Phoebe stared at her for a moment. "I can't," she whispered hoarsely, her voice choked with emotion. "Th—this, beautiful little baby that's growing inside of me is mine. You don't understand Piper. This is my child! I can't just give her away. What if she grows up wondering 'who's my mom? Where did I come from? Why didn't she love me? Why did she give me away?' It's not fair to her and it's not fair to Jared. He loves her too."
Piper nodded. "Okay, Phoebe. Whatever you decide I back you up 100% of the way. You're my baby sister. If you ever need help, with anything, I want you to call me. I'll be there in a moment's notice."
Phoebe wrapped her arms around the older girl. "You're the best. I love you."
"I love you too." Piper replied and then smacked her, arm. "Now help me pack your things."
Phoebe groaned, "Fine!"
As they continued to pack, Prue walked into the room and in her arms she carried an oak hope chest. She walked over, setting it on her sister's dresser.
Piper gaped. "Where did you find that?"
Phoebe walked over. "What is it?"
"This was Mom's hope chest," she said turning around to face her sisters.
Phoebe swallowed hard, trying to get the lump to disappear. She placed her shaking hand on it. "Th—this was Mom's? I don't remember it."
Piper came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her. "You were very young. It's okay."
She shook her head. "No, it's not. She was our mother and I have no memories of her!" She wiped her face with her hand. Prue caught her baby sister's expression and ran to get the trash can as Piper held her steady. It was placed at her feet just in time.
Phoebe took the towel Prue offered her, wiping her mouth while looking at her sisters in the mirror. "See Piper, that's why I can't give her up. I can't have her not know me. As much as it hurts to say, I don't want to be like Mom."
She saw Prue's eyes get teary. "Let me guess," she quipped, "Piper was trying to convince you to give the baby up for adoption?"
Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, but I can't do it. Do you hate me, Piper?"
"What? Hate you for not wanting to never know your kid just like…" she wrapped her arms around her. "Oh, Phoebe! Just like what happened to you!"
Phoebe nodded. "You never answered my question," she turned around.
Piper shook her head. "N—I—it was one option for you to be able to stay with us." She wiped her eyes. "Phoebe, I really don't want to see you leave!"
Penny had been standing outside in the hallway while the sisters talked. As much as she hated to admit it, Phoebe was right. It wasn't fair to make her give the baby up or kill it, but Phoebe was still much too young to care for the child on her own.
Without making herself noticeable, she headed up to the attic. She knew a few things she and Patty—God rest her soul—had wanted the girls to have for their kids.
Phoebe nodded. "I know. I don't really want to go either, but—" her hands rested on her stomach.
Prue placed a hand on her shoulder. "Phoebe, are you sure?"
"About what?"
"That you really are pregnant. Those tests can be wrong."
What should have caused her to smile had the opposite effect. "I know, but I just have a feeling."
"A good feeling or a bad feeling?" Piper asked.
She thought for a moment. In reality, the permanency of a kid scared the life right out of her, but, at the very same time, it gave her purpose. A sense of meaning. She looked at Piper. "Both. And how can it be wrong? I've missed 2 periods and vomit at even the smell of the best-tasting food," she argued, turning to Prue.
"It could be a nasty case of flu," Prue commented. A thought occurred to her. "Why—why are you acting like you planned this?"
"Please, tell us that isn't true Phoebe, please," Piper begged.
Phoebe turned and went to sit on the corner of her bed. "I can honestly say that no I didn't plan on or try to get pregnant, but—"
"The idea of sex was whirling around in your brain?" Prue asked.
Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, but I was so certain I took my pill. But between the drinking and trying to get warmed up it must've slipped my mind."
"Drinking?" Prue said. "Drinking! Phoebe you're not even legal yet!"
Phoebe smirked. "Oh, and you were miss 'I'm-21-going-on-15'?" she snapped. "My drinking shouldn't be a concern."
Piper sat beside her. "Well, if you are pregnant, you can't drink anymore. Otherwise it could cause horrible effects."
"Yeah, I know," she crossed her arms, "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the slightly less bad Fetal Alcohol Effects."
Prue gaped. "You were actually paying attention at that assembly? You?"
She nodded. "It was a month after and I'd missed, so I had a feeling."
Prue came to sit on the other side of her, twirling her long hair between her fingers. "You need to have a blood test to know for sure."
"She has an appointment tomorrow afternoon," Grams said, walking into the room.
Phoebe crossed her arms over her stomach. "I'm not killing my baby!"
"Yes, I had a feeling," Grams told her. "So what are you going to do?"
She looked at her feet. "Jared said I could move in with him. He—he wants to make things right."
"Do you think he will?"
She sighed. "I don't know, but I owe it to her to give it a try anyway." A light bulb suddenly came on inside her mind. "Wait, I didn't make an appointment."
Penny smiled. "No, you didn't, dear. I did. After hearing how supportive even Prue is being of this situation, I figured it was worth it to give you a chance."
"But she still has to leave?" Piper asked.
Penny had a grave look on her face. "Yes. I'm sorry Phoebe, but I don't have the time to raise you, your sisters, and your child."
For the first time since everything happened, Phoebe could actually see the age showing in their grandmother's face. Sure, they could have protested and said they weren't kids anymore, but Phoebe would still be considered one since she was the youngest. So, she bit her tongue. "I guess I do understand that."
"So…" Piper interrupted the silence, "does this mean she's banned? I mean, you are kicking her out."
Penny sighed knowing that sooner or later the child's powers would show themselves through Phoebe and, without doubt, Phoebe would panic. "No, but when things start to be really extraordinary, I want you to call me and explain them or come by."
"Extraordinary?" Phoebe asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, dear, that I can't be exactly sure of, but when it happens, you'll know." With that, she left the room…
Author's note: So what do you think? What'll happen next?
Reviews are much appreciated. Please?
Review thanks to: That70sshowlova, SyndiDowell & Ren Victoria
Thanks to my co-writer: That70sShowLova! You're the sweetest!
Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell & That70sShowLova