Heaven's Mistaken Gift
by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell
Co-written by: That70sShoLova
Chapter 4: Hold my Hand
The Next Day…
Phoebe stared intently in the mirror, holding two mismatched earrings up to her earlobes. She sighed and put them down. She walked backwards and looked in her full length mirror. A little sliver of her stomach jutted out, or maybe that was just wishful thinking. She placed her hands on her stomach and sucked her gut in, and then let go, noticing the slight difference.
Piper walked into the room with a smile and a cup of coffee. "Knock knock."
Phoebe grinned and took the coffee. "Thank you!"
Piper stared at her for a moment. "That was mine."
Phoebe shrugged. "Mine now."
"What's taking you so long?" Piper questioned. "Prue's getting a little pissy, if you want her to drive, I would suggest you get that little butt of yours planted on her car seat."
"I," Phoebe sighed. She held up the two earring options, "can't decide."
"You're going to a doctor's appointment, why should you care?"
"Because," Phoebe said as if she were pointing this out for the umpteenth time, "I'm a mom now, I need to look presentable."
"I don't mean to burst that shiny little bubble of yours, Pheebs, but we don't know that yet." Piper reminded and sat on her younger sister's bed.
Phoebe looked in the mirror and touched her abdomen gently. "I know I am Piper." she whispered desperately. "I have to be."
"What's wrong Phoebe?"
Phoebe started to cry. "I must be! I have spent the last couple of days freaking out. I plan to move in with Jar, and I have to start a job to pay for her needs. I named her, for crying out loud!"
She collapsed on the floor balling. "She gives me a purpose in life. She makes me want to be a better person."
Piper crawled towards her and held the hysterical woman. They sat there until finally Piper worked ip the nerve to talk. "You named her?"
Phoebe rubbed her eyes and nodded with a bleary smile. "Yeah, Melinda."
"Melinda?" Piper asked. "Why?"
"Grams talks a lot about our ancestors. How strong our family is, 'we come from a long line of powerful bitches' Grams always says."
"I wonder why she says bitches." Piper mused.
Phoebe shrugged. "Our ancestors were extremely hormonal? But, as I was saying, Grams mentions how the Halliwell family started with one independent woman: Melinda Halliwell."
"That's sweet, Phoebe." Piper said. She helped Phoebe get up, "Now lets get you to that doctors appointment. We wouldn't want you to be late, now would we?"
"Piper," Phoebe rested her hand on her shoulder. "Will you stay with me when Prue drops me off?"
She smiled, flattered. "Of course, Phoebs."
Prue parked in front of the hospital and Piper hurried to get out of the car and help Phoebe get out.
"Oh will you relax!" Phoebe snapped. "I'm barely pregnant, back off."
Prue leaned out the window, "Give me a call when you're done!"
Piper nodded, "Gotcha!" she grabbed Phoebe's arm.
"Piper, honestly, I'm fine!"
"Oh will you shush it, this is for me." Piper gripped her arm tighter.
The doctor walked in with a bright smile. "Hello, ladies. How are you today?"
"Just peachy." Piper snapped nervously.
"Sorry about that." Phoebe apologized. "She's more nervous than I am."
He grinned. "Oh that's perfectly normal. I take it this is your guy's first baby?"
Piper shook her head swiftly. "No, no, no, no, noooo. We're sisters. I'm just here for moral support."
He blushed slightly. "I am so sorry."
Phoebe waved her hand in dismissal. "That's okay, happens all the time, isn't that right, Piper?" Phoebe asked while giving her older sister a kiss on the cheek.
His eyes widened and he turned around. "Okay, then."
The doctor snapped some gloves on and grabbed an alcohol wet wipe. He rubbed down the crook of her arm and set the cotton ball and band aid on the silver tray next to her. He smiled and grabbed the syringe and pushed the needle into her vain.
The blood gushed into the clear tube and he pulled the needle out and quickly stuck the cotton ball onto the bleeding wound and wrapped the band aid around it.
He tapped the syringe and nodded. "Okay, I will get this down to testing and call you when we get the results."
Phoebe smiled. "Thank you so much doctor!" She grabbed her older sister's hand, "C'mon baby, let's go celebrate."
He stared at them, mouth agape as they walked out of the room.
Penny sat at the dining room table with a cup of tea in her hands. The phone rang and she sighed and rubbed her eyes. She motioned with her finger and the phone flew towards her hand.
She glared towards the ceiling. "Whoever doesn't like it can come down and kiss my ass!"
She clicked the talk button and answered with a tired, "Hello?"
"Yes, uh is this, the Halliwell residence?" A man questioned.
She nodded and then realized he couldn't see her. "Yes, yes, it is. May I ask whose calling?"
"Er, yes, this is Dr. Clark and I have the test results to a Miss Phoebe Halliwell's pregnancy."
Penny straightened up and coughed. "This is her grandmother."
On the other line he rubbed her neck awkwardly. "Can you tell your granddaughters that uh, they're having a baby together..?"
Penny blinked. "Pardon?"
"Please don't make me repeat it," he pleaded, "Phoebe and Piper Halliwell are having a um, child together."
Penny glared down at the phone. "What are you talking about?"
Although he knew it was very unprofessional, in his nervousness, he hung up.
Penny gripped her tea harder and sent the phone back on its charger. "Girls!"
Phoebe and her older sisters pulled up to Jared's house. His crappy car sat in the driveway of his equally as crappy house.
Prue turned around to face the backseat. She looked at Phoebe with a grimace. "You know, it's not too late to turn back."
Phoebe glared and grabbed her bags. "This is my home now."
Piper hopped out of the front seat and grabbed a couple of boxes from the trunk.
The three sisters walked up the steps and a shiver ran down Prue's spine. "T-this place doesn't feel right."
Phoebe shrugged. "Nevertheless, this is my home now," she looked around distastefully. "No matter how crappy it is."
"Phoebe," Prue said seriously, "it's not too late."
Phoebe glared. "I've made my decision."
Prue sighed. "Fine," her face took on one of playful. "You can back out of it and admit to the poor boy that the baby's Piper's."
This time it was Piper's turn to glare. "Not funny," she set the box down and rang the doorbell. "This place gives me the creeps.
"Our next plan of action is to wait out the pregnancy and then steal the baby," Jared announced to his brothers. Or should I say Zepar. His skin was an oily black and covered his whole body like a suit, no patch of hair in sight. There were spots of white and red occasionally.
Cole sat next to him, also in his demonic form. Balthazar smiled. "Then Zepar will erase her memory and she'll be none the wiser."
Another demon, in human form, glared, his eyes the color of burning coals. "What about the sis—"
Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Zepar smiled. "That should be, Phoebe. Out! All of you, besides Balthazar."
They all shimmered out and Balthazar morphed into his human form. Zepar followed his example. He waved his hand and the beautiful house transformed into a piece of dump.
"I don't understand why I can't have a nicer house. Won't it impress the stupid witch?" Jared growled while kicked an empty beer bottle.
"Because," Cole prompted, "you're a nineteen-year-old high school dropout. You shouldn't be able to afford a nice house."
Cole pushed Jared towards the door and then he pretended to throw away some things, for example, beer bottles.
Phoebe smiled as the door swung open and Jared stood there, as perfect as ever.
"Hey, baby," he greeted and kissed her.
She smiled. "I went to get a blood test the other day."
"You did?" he asked nervously.
Prue smirked in the background. "Something wrong?"
He shook his head, "No, no. Please come in."
Piper shared a look with her older sister. "I'd uh, prefer to stay out here, thank you," she stated completely freaked out. There was something...bad about him.
Phoebe squealed. "I'm pregnant!"
His eyes lit up as he lifted her off her feet and spun around. Once he sat her on the ground, he looked to her sisters. "Are you two sure you don't want to come in? You're sure welcome," he said as he walked to the fridge and grabbed to cans of soda. He walked over, handing one to Phoebe.
Prue shook her head. "Nah, we've got some of her things in my car that we're just here to drop off."
Cole walked up to her. "Jared, where did you say you wanted her stuff put?" he asked his friend.
He thought a moment. "For now, the boxes can be stacked by the wall."
Cole nodded. "Shall we ladies?"
The older sisters nodded, though this whole thing felt awkward and walked outside.
Phoebe walked over and sat on the couch, Jared following her. "So, did you find out if it's a boy or a girl?" He noticed as she laced her fingers with his. This would be too easy.
She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "No, but I'm sure it's a little girl."
His eyebrow raised. "How do you know?"
"I just have a feeling." She noticed he wasn't too enthused. She sighed. "You don't want a little girl, do you?"
He looked at her, noticing she was close to tears. "Phoebe, what's wrong?"
She pulled away from his embrace, standing, but he pulled her back down. "Awww, come on!" He wrapped his arms around her, but she squirmed and bit him. "OW!" he yelled and she broke free.
Prue walked in, carrying a box. Phoebe saw her and ran to her, throwing her arms around her, crying. In surprise, the box she was holding hit the ugly stained carpet with a thud as she caught her. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked as she put her arms around her.
"What's going on?" Piper asked stepping in beside him. "Did he say something?"
Cole walked, setting the heavy box against the wall, he then walked over to his friend, picking him up by his shirt. "You idiot! What. Did. You. Do?" he asked.
Piper wrapped her arm around Phoebe. "What happened, sweetie?"
"I—I said I thought we were having a little girl and he said he didn't want a girl!" she cried.
"That's a lie!" Jared shouted.
Cole shoved him to the ground. "Really? REALLY? Then why is she crying?"
"Stop!" the young girl cried. "Stop fighting!"
Prue turned around, her sisters following her.
"Baby, where are you going?" Jared asked. "I didn't mean—"
Prue turned. "Piper, take Phoebe out."
"But Prue—"
"I'll be okay. Just get her out of here. The stress can't be good for the baby," she said, stroking her little sister's cheek. "He gave you a week," she whispered into her ear. "You still have two more days."
Phoebe nodded, cupping a hand over her mouth. Piper rushed her out.
"You two figure this out and call us. Until then, stay away from her." With that she turned to leave, but Jared caught her wrist.
"Hey! You don't want to leave without saying goodbye," he smirked. Prue could smell the alcohol on his breath.
She pulled back. "Let go!"
"Make me."
Cole saw the look in her eyes. Yes, they were after Phoebe's kid, but making her oldest sister their enemy wasn't a good idea. "Jared, let her go," he said, stepping between them. "They're under enough stress with Phoebe's hormones and morning sickness. It's not a good idea to make it worse."
Sighing, he released her wrist. She took a step back. "Yeah, I'm sorry, but before you go can I explain? Maybe hearing what I say from you will make her feel better."
Prue nodded. Just then, Piper stepped into the open doorway. "Uh Prue? You wouldn't have a trash bag in your trunk, would you? Phoebe's really sick."
Prue shook her head. Cole walked over to Piper. "I'll carry her in. She can use the bathroom downstairs." He looked to Jared. "Right?"
Jared nodded. "Sure. She could use the one up here too."
Cole shook his head. "I don't think she wants to be near you right now. Piper and I can care for her while you two talk."
Phoebe sat in the bathroom, Cole and Piper hovering over her shoulder. She leaned her face into the disgusting toilet bowl and the little food she ate ran up her throat and splashed in the water.
She sat back up and wiped her mouth. Piper handed her a bottle of water and she muttered a sad thank you. She wiped her tears and looked at her two friends.
"I-I don't understand," she paused to hiccup, "why he doesn't want a girl." She sighed. "Well, he is getting a daughter whether he likes it or not!"
"Phoebe," Cole said, "he does want a girl. He doesn't care what gender it is, really, he just cares if it's healthy."
"That's a loud of crap! I don't care if it's brain dead or limbless, if it has a penis, I will freak the hell out!"
"That's just your hormones speaking, silly girl," Piper said. She slid down the moldy bathroom wall and hugged her sister.
"No! I'm serious."
Cole chuckled and Phoebe glared. "Do you have something to say, Turner?"
He shut up.
"Yeah. That's what I thought."
Phoebe took a chug of the water and sighed. "I already know exactly what she'll look like. She'll have Jared's blonde hair, but my curls and big brown eyes. She'll have a dimple on her right cheek, only her right though! Her skin will be pale, but she'll have a natural rosy tint to her chubby cheeks. A couple of freckles with dust her button nose. Her hair will go to her shoulders and she'll always have a ribbon in her hair. Her favorite color will be pink and she'll love everything girly."
"You sure do have this planned out," Cole noted.
Phoebe nodded. "Oh and her name will be Melinda. If Jared tries to protest, I will rip his head off with my teeth and claw his eyes out."
Both Cole and Piper looked at her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, though they chuckled a bit too.
"For the last time: I didn't say anything to her!" Jared said.
"Then why was she crying?" Prue growled.
"Maybe because she thought I said something."
"Oh, so she's crazy now, is that it?"
"No! That's not what I meant," he protested uselessly. "I love Phoebe. She loves me too. She's just a little...hormonal is all."
Prue glared, her eyes more intimidating than a hungry tiger let loose. "If you hurt her, I will make you regret it."
Jared almost rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe he was taking this from a 20-year-old. He had a couple hundred years on her. It took all his will not to stab his pointy black claws into her heart. Somehow he had a feeling that Phoebe wouldn't be too happy about that. It was just a hunch though.
Suddenly, Phoebe walked in the room and smiled at Jared. "Prue."
Prue backed away from Jared and rolled her eyes. She motioned for Phoebe to proceed.
"Hey." Jared smiled. "You okay?"
Phoebe stared while slowly walking towards him. "Jared. I forgive you."
He bit his lip to stop from saying anything stupid. Cole sent him a warning look.
"But we're having a girl, Jared, okay?"
He nodded. "Good."
She smiled. "We'll name her Melinda."
"Okay, but I get to choose her middle name." He smirked.
Phoebe sat down next to him and placed his hand on her stomach. "What name do you have in mind?"
"Kali," Jared replied with a sly wink to Cole.
Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Why Kali?"
"It's...Hindu." he said. "Did I ever tell you that I'm part Hindu?"
She shook her head, "No, you didn't." Phoebe glared. "Why didn't you tell me? Don't you think I would want to know? We're having a baby for crying out loud and you didn't think to mention that you're Hindu?"
Piper winced. "Pheebs!" She didn't answer and continued to scream at Jared.
"Phoebe!" Prue yelled.
Phoebe looked up. "Yeah?"
"Do you want to stay with Jared tonight?" Prue asked.
Phoebe glared at her boyfriend. "No." She grabbed a box marked clothes and got her purse. "Let's go."
Piper grabbed the box from her hand and guided her down the steps. Prue sent a withering look towards the two men and took her keys out of her pocket.
Once the girls left, Cole laughed. "That could have gone better."
Jared conjured a dagger in his hand and threw it at Cole's chest. "Piss off."
Cole caught the sharp part of the dagger and tossed it at the wall, the point getting caught in the wood. He wiped the blood off his finger and laughed again.
Phoebe lay stretched out in the backseat on their way back to the Manor. It seemed like the only thing that settled her stomach was lying down, even if they were moving.
"Why didn't you want to stay with him, Phoebe?" Prue asked, looking in her rear-view mirror.
Phoebe, who was almost sleeping, opened her eyes and turned her head. "Still upset I guess."
"But you forgave him," Piper said.
She sighed. "I know, but I still don't feel right."
"You don't want to leave us?" Prue asked.
Phoebe ignored the question, closing her eyes and trying to sleep.
"You know she doesn't want to leave, Prue. She's only trying to take responsibility for her actions," Piper said, pulling down the visor and opening the mirror.
"Yeah, I know, but something doesn't feel right about just letting her leave. The house is a mess with broken beer bottles and dirty laundry almost everywhere you look."
"Yeah, but its her life."
"But it shouldn't be her life, Piper. She shouldn't be dropping out of school because of this."
Just then, Phoebe sat forward, sticking her head between them. "Who said I was dropping out?"
Prue glanced at her. "You obviously can't stay in school Phoebe."
"Why not?" she demanded a slight pout to her lips.
"First off: during the pregnancy you'll be puking left and right, missing a lot of your classes. You'll get even more snappy and hormonal. Plus, the fact that you'll be showing soon and all of your classmates will judge you."
"I can handle it, Pr-"
Prue continued as if Phoebe never spoke. "After birth, you'll be staying up all night because the baby will be crying. You'll be tired and not able to concentrate. Someone will have to watch the damn thing during the day, and that sure as hell won't be Jared. How are you supposed to have an education with all of this happening?"
Phoebe glared, her brown eyes dangerous. "Jared will be a great father! And you better not call my baby a "damn thing" again! Try, and see what happens."
Piper interrupted her two sisters. Always the peace maker she said, "Guys, come on, don't be like this. Prue, Phoebe's pregnant. You shouldn't do this to her, and all this stress isn't good for the baby."
Phoebe's back slapped against the leather seats. "Take me back to Jared's. Now."
"I am not driving all the way back to the—"
"NOW!"
Her glare turned heavy, hostile even. Her eyes turned black, even the white part and Prue gasped.
What really scared them though, was the fact that the radio caught fire.
But just as soon as it started, the flames extinguished. Prue sat in shock, her breath shallow. "You guys alright?"
Piper nodded. "Yeah."
Phoebe nodded though still pouting. "Take me back," was all she would say.
Prue turned around. "Like hell! D-Did you not just see what happened?"
Piper wrinkled her nose. "Not to mention smell the burnt interior or see the scorch mark. Phoebe, you're not going back tonight."
Prue was still scared as hell to touch the steering wheel, but she knew they needed to get home. So, her face set in a line, she turned for home.
"Why can't I go back? I'm sure it was just a fluke," Phoebe argued.
Prue stared at her in the rear-view mirror. "Did you not see what happened?" she repeated. "Or were you too hormonal?" she partially joked.
Phoebe thought a moment. She remembered seeing a red flash, then smoke coming from the radio. "Not exactly. I mean, I saw smoke and stuff, but I just figured it was a blown fuse…"
"No," Piper answered. "It caught fire." She looked back at her. "How did you not see it?"
"I—I don't know."
"Well, maybe this was what Grams meant by extraordinary happenings," Prue mused. "Which is another reason why you are not going back tonight."
Phoebe sighed, laying back down on the seat as they continued home hoping the answer was simple, but yet knowing nothing about this predicament would ever be…
Author's note: So what do you think? What'll happen next?
Reviews are much appreciated. Please?
Review thanks to: That70sshowlova, SyndiDowell & HalliwellMB
Thanks to my co-writer: That70sShowLova! You're the sweetest!
Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell & That70sShowLova