Heaven's Mistaken Gift
by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell
Co-written by: That70sShoLova
Chapter 5: Bits of Truth be in Your Lies
"I'm telling you," Phoebe said as the door flew open in the Halliwell Manor, "it was a damn fluke!"
Her sisters followed her. "Phoebe, wait," Piper pleaded as her little sister reached the stairs.
She turned around, dropping the box on the floor. "What?" she practically snapped.
"At least tell Grams."
"Why Prue? So she can kick me out faster?"
"Phoebe, nobody said it was your fault," Prue said as Phoebe leaned on the banister. "Look, I won't even make you pay for—"
"Aha! You do think I did it!" she shouted and made to go up the steps, but Prue grabbed her wrist.
"Wait!" Prue said. "No, I don't think you did it." She sighed. "Even if I did, there'd be no way for you to pay me back for who knows how long."
"Girls, what's the matter?" Grams asked, drying her hands on a dishtowel as she walked into the room.
"The radio in Prue's car caught on fire," Phoebe said, wrenching her wrist free, "and she thinks I did it!"
"What? There's no way that could happen," the woman countered. "You girls aren't hurt, are you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, Grams, we're fine," Piper answered. "We're just a bit on edge after that."
"I would think so," she answered.
"Grams, I think I'd better go lay down for a bit. I'm not feeling so—" she couldn't finish the thought as she collapsed.
"Phoebe!" they yelled.
"Prue, carry her to the couch," Grams ordered while she left the room.
She nodded and Piper helped her lift her and carry her to the couch.
"You okay?" she asked Prue.
Prue nodded. "Ye—yeah. I'm just—I mean, I didn't think she would—"
"It's normal," Grams assured. "Phoebe looked to be under a lot of stress from the ordeal, so her body's defenses took over," she said, sitting next to Phoebe as she dabbed a cool cloth to her face.
Prue was shaking and it wasn't out of rage, for once. She'd never seen Phoebe just pass out before. She ran a hand over her face, sitting behind their grandmother. "I-is she gonna be okay?"
Penny stood up, handing Prue the bowel of water and damp cloth. "Yes, Prue, she'll be fine. Dehydration was probably another cause as well. Keep wiping her face. I'll be back in a minute." With that, she walked upstairs.
Penny made sure none of her granddaughters were following her as she grabbed the key from her pocket and unlocked the attic. She quickly shut the door and relocked it, panic rising in her throat.
She grabbed a couple of candles from a shelf and set them on the ground in a circle. Next, she pressed a lighter to the first candle, and used the flaming wick to light the other four.
She took a step back and rubbed her bleary eyes, sighing heavily. She walked over to the heavy, half empty, thick green book. She set a hand to her family symbol, feeling the thrumming magic of her many strong ancestors.
"Help me," she whispered to them, pleaded.
She lifted her hands above the book, her fingers tickling slightly as the power pulsed through her body. Her telekinesis opened the pages breezily, her eyes skimming quickly until she came across the page she was scouting out.
She reread the pages in her head and looked towards the circular rug where the candles sat inflamed casting an eerie dark glow across the dusty attic.
"Hear these words, hear my cry,
Spirit from the other side.
Come to me, I summon thee,
Cross now the great divide.
Beloved spirit, Patty,
We seek your guidance
Commune with us
And move amongst us."
A swirl of white orbs tinkled in the encased circle of the candles. The flames flickered and burned out, their use not needed anymore.
Penny's one and only daughter, appeared from the magic. She looked around the attic, confused, and got a look at her nervous and frantic mother.
"Mom?" she questioned, "What's wrong?"
"Patty, something happened today while the girls were driving back from Phoebe's boyfriend's house," she stated.
"Ph-Phoebe's boyfriend? Why would they all go to his house?" she asked.
Penny sighed sadly, realizing that she hadn't told her daughter that her daughter was going to be having her own daughter.
"This Jason fellow got her pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Patty shouted. "My baby is merely a child, and she's pregnant? How could you let this happen? She's not ready for this! She's only 16."
She glared, a fire in her eyes. "This was not my fault! She wouldn't even be in the predicament if you hadn't idiotically gotten yourself killed for that stupid Whitelighter Sam!" Penny hissed his name is if he were the Source himself.
"I didn't die for Sam! I died by killing a demon to protect my daughters and mortals. Unlike you."
The older stressed woman turned around, pacing so she wouldn't do something stupid in her anger. "This fighting isn't helping anyone, especially not Phoebe."
Patty nodded and sat down on her dead relative's couch. She rubbed her temples, feeling as much stress as her mother. "You didn't answer my question, mother, why were they all at this Jason's house?"
"I—" Penny hesitated and let out a heavy sad sigh. "I kicked her out. I gave her a choice. I knew that she would be unfit as a mother, so I said she could either have an abortion or leave."
Patty glared, "History really does repeat itself, doesn't it? If I recall correctly, you did the same thing to me when I confided in you about being pregnant with Victor's child."
"Who's Victor?" Penny asked, not recalling that name.
"The father of my children, mother!" she paused. "Well, besides, you know."
"Oh, yes, Nick."
"Mom," Patty warned.
She waved her hand in dismissal, "Oh you know who I mean! Any who, Phoebe obviously chose to stay with the child and moved in with Josh."
"I thought you said his name was Jason?" Patty questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"The boy's name doesn't matter! What matters is that he did something to upset Phoebe and she decided to come home. On the way home, the radio caught fire."
Patty's head shot up in alarm. "Fire? That's not possible. Phoebe's powers are bound, and even if they weren't, she doesn't have that power. No one in this family has this power, except great aunt Pearl, who only had the power because her demonic boyfriend fed her a potion."
Penny nodded. "Exactly. That's what I thought, so how in God's name could the thing have burst into flames?"
The dead girl's eyes widened in panic. "The only possible way could be if-if...Phoebe's boyfriend was a demon, and therefore the baby being demonic."
The grandmother of four gasped. "O-oh no!"
The clomping of feet up the stairs traveled through the creaky attic door. Penny cursed.
"You must go." She pushed her daughter inside the circle and re-lit the candle's quickly. "Now!"
Patty nodded and smiled sadly. "Love you!" she cried before the white orbs consumed her and carried her off back to the afterlife.
"Grams?" Piper yelled. "Are you okay?"
Penny rushed to the attic door and opened it, coming face to face with her middle grandchild. "Hello, darling." She turned to lock the door and smiled nervously.
"What were you doing up there?" Piper asked as Penny ushered her down the stairs.
"Getting some ingredients for tea to calm your sister down," she lied.
"You keep food products in the attic?"
Penny shook her head. "It's just some spices that your mother had up there ages ago. She packed them away in a box. She got them from China. Do you remember when you went to China, sweetheart?"
"No," Piper said.
"Oh, well it was wonderful, you were so excited," she smiled as she recalled the distant memory. It was as if it was another lifetime ago.
"Piper, I need to go the kitchen and make your sister the tea and when Phoebe wakes up, make sure your sisters don't bicker."
Piper rolled her eyes. "Nothing unusual there."
Penny smiled and they parted ways. She set a pot of water on the stove and set a couple of tea bags dangling on the side of the pot.
"Leo," she whispered.
It took a moment, but in a flutter of blue and white dots he appeared with questions in his eyes.
Penny rubbed her head. "I need to ask a favor."
"Anything," he smiled.
She couldn't help but smirk. "You shouldn't say that so quickly, young man."
He blushed. "Sorry, Penny. What do you need?"
"It's P-"
"Piper?" He cut her off, worry lines etched in his face.
"Phoebe," she corrected, another smirk adorning her lips. "I need you to keep an eye on her and her boyfriend. She might be in danger."
Leo nodded. "Okay, message received." With that, a goodbye was said and he orbed out.
About fifteen minutes later, she assumed Phoebe was awake as Penny heard feet running in the direction of the bathroom. She also saw someone's shadow carrying a trash can, followed by Phoebe's sickness.
She sighed, pouring a cup of herbal tea for the young girl and setting the tea kettle back on the stove. If only this was going to get easier as time went on.
Penny walked into the bathroom and leaned in the entryway. Phoebe's head rested on her arm that lay on the toilet seat. Piper sat next to her, pressing a damp washcloth to her head.
"Phoebe?" Penny called and walked in the bathroom.
Phoebe looked up at her weakly and smiled although it looked more like a grimace in her state of pain. "Hi Grams."
Penny helped her get up and walked her to the living room where she could lay down. Piper walked behind them the washcloth and wastebasket in hand.
"I made you some tea." Penny told her.
"Thanks, but I really don't feel like eating or drinking anything when I know I'll see it an hour or so later," she told her.
Grams sat beside Phoebe, who was sitting up and resting her head in her hands. "This will help. I know you don't feel great, but this should keep your sickness away," her grandmother pressed on.
"What's in it? It smells...fresh."
Then, Prue came down the stairs with a pillow and blanket. "Ah, I recognize that smell. Grams used to make it for Mom."
Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "And it worked?" she asked, taking the cup in her hands.
Prue covered her up. "Every time," she smiled. "Now drink."
Phoebe made a sarcastic repeat of her sister's order, but drank it just the same.
The hot liquid poured down her throat, somewhat soothing her empty stomach. (She was to afraid of eating anything, knowing it would end up crawling her throat). The tea had a somewhat cinnamon taste to it and she moaned.
"It's good," Phoebe nodded. "Really good." She smiled suddenly, "I bet the baby likes it too," she rubbed her stomach. "She's not a Halliwell if she doesn't."
Penny laughed and stated, "Phoebe, it's not too late. You don't have to move in with Jason."
"Jason?" Phoebe asked. "It's Jared."
Penny rolled her eyes. "Doesn't matter. The point is that I want you to stay here Phoebe. You don't have to leave."
She pursed her lips. "Would I still have to get an abortion?"
"No. But adoption. Definitely." Penny informed her. She wouldn't have that possible half demon in her home.
"No," the girl stated, wrapping her arms protectively around her baby. "I won't give her up! I can't!"
"What do you mean?" Grams asked, taking the cup from her. "I'm sure someone would consider your baby a blessing and be able to raise it in a stable environment."
Phoebe sighed. "I already explained this to them," she gestured to her older sisters. "Do I have to explain it to you too?"
"Yes. If you can give me a valid reason, I'll still consider being a—a gr—grea—"
"Great-grandmother?" Prue asked.
"Yes that. I'll still be an active part of the child's life."
Phoebe sighed. "I can't have her not know me, Grams. What if she grows up wondering who I am or why I didn't want her?" she chocked a bit at this last reason. "What if she wonders why I didn't love her? I can't do that!" She saw Prue sit on the other side of her. She looked into her big sister's eyes and she nodded. "I can't have my baby not know me like…like I don't know Mom." She finished the explanation crying.
Grams stood up, gesturing for Piper to sit in front of her, which she did. "Phoebe, listen to me, please," she pleaded. "I understand where you're coming from, darling, believe me, I do, but you're still a baby yourself."
Phoebe nodded. "I know, but maybe this will be the one thing that finally makes me be a better person. For some reason, I know it will Grams. I just…I do."
She sighed. The resolution in her granddaughter's eyes was something even Penny Halliwell knew she couldn't bargain with. She stood up and walked upstairs, needing time to think.
Phoebe sat forward and grabbed the teacup. "I wonder if Grams made more of this?" she asked with a smile. "It's really good."
Prue took the cup from her and walked toward the kitchen. "I'll bet she made a huge pot of it, knowing her. Would you like some too, Piper? I'm planning on getting some too."
Piper nodded. "Sure."
Phoebe sighed, laying against her sister. "I wish I did remember, but other times I'm kinda glad I don't."
"Why? I would think that would make you feel worse?"
"I just feel like since I don't remember her, I have nothing to miss."
Prue walked back out. "That's not true."
Phoebe sighed. "If you say so. I don't really want to talk about it."
Piper hugged her sister's shoulders, "Phoebe, right now everything might seem bad, but it can only get better."
"How so?" Phoebe questioned, "I'm pregnant, my own Grandmother doesn't want me, and I'm starting to think even Jared doesn't want me. How can things possibly get better?"
Piper nodded. "Valid point. But, think about this, how could things get worse?"
The pregnant woman rubbed her relatively flat stomach. "Melinda dies."
Prue sat on the other side of Phoebe, setting the tray of tea on the table. "You can't think like that. We'll protect her, Pheebs, we'll all protect her."
Phoebe collapsed her head dramatically on her oldest sister's shoulder. "If you say so, Prue," she repeated, "If you say so."
She brushed way a stray tear. The lonely single tear built up from all of the pain she's had to deal with, not just recently but from a lifetime.
Pain from losing her mother, then her father walking out and then rejection of her grandmother. Also the what ifs. Jared hating her, her daughter hating her, her daughter dying.
"I just have a bad feeling about this brewing in the pit of my stomach." She mumbled to both her sisters. She shot up, back erect with a hand clenched over her mouth.
"Or maybe it's just morning sickness." Piper retorted sarcastically. She rushed up to her sister with the trash can in hand, in case she couldn't make it to the bathroom.
Phoebe tried to stand up, but doubled over in pain and luckily over the trash can as she clutched her bare stomach and vomited. For some reason, it hurt much more than it ever had before.
When she finished, she wiped her face with her hand. "GRAMS!" she screeched.
Prue spit out her tea, spilling the cup onto her lap. "Ouch!" she said, wiping up the steaming liquid with a towel.
"I'll be right back! Don't move Prue!" Piper said, running into the kitchen.
Penny walked down the stairs. "What is it?" she asked as she walked over. "Prue, you'd better change clothes and ice that, dear, before the burn gets any more serious."
Prue nodded, but continued to look as Phoebe's hand. It was stained in blood.
"Here you go, Prue," Piper said, handing her an ice pack in a towel.
The oldest sister nodded. "What's going on? Why—why is that blood?"
"I-I-" Phoebe started but was interrupted by a scream. "Get me to the damn hospital!"
Piper helped her sister stand upright, tears streamed down both their faces. "Grams, go get the car started, or Prue. Just somebody!"
Prue completely disregarded her burning lap and hopped up on her feet running to the kitchen to grab her keys.
Penny took Phoebe from Piper and guided her towards the car, Piper holding the trashcan all the way.
Phoebe lay weakly in the hospital bed, her forehead pale and clammy. She lolled her head to the side to look at her sister and grandmother. She smiled, but it was a smile full of sadness and pain.
"Hey," she muttered. "Told you so."
Prue glared. "Now is not the time for jokes!"
Dr. Clark walked in the room, papers and Phoebe's chart in front of his face.
Phoebe laughed mentally, suddenly happy and clutched Piper's hand. "So doctor? What's the news?"
The man set the chart down and looked at the two sisters awkwardly. "Oh," he coughed, "yes. You're fine. The baby's fine. We honestly have no clue where the blood came from. You're perfectly healthy, and so is your child."
Piper grabbed her hand back and glared at her younger sister. "Leave the poor man alone," she hissed.
He smiled or tried to anyway. "You're free to leave. If there are more complications though, come back here immediately."
Phoebe clutched the clothes that sat next to her and swung her legs over her bed. "Okay, doctor, thank you." She grabbed Piper's arm and walked towards the door. "C'mon baby."
Prue rolled her eyes and followed her younger sisters.
"Thank you Dr. Clark," Penny said and picked up her purse.
"Mrs. Halliwell?" the doctor called.
She turned around. "Yes?"
"Phoebe should have an ultrasound soon. You can make an appointment in the lobby."
She smiled, in relief and thanks. "Yes doctor."
Zepar sat around the table, his fellow demons sitting around him. "Things did not go quite as planned when she brought her things over the other day."
A demon with bumpy red-orange skin and tiny horns protruding from his skull spoke up. "What did you do, Zepar?"
Before he could explain, the phone rang, and he almost gasped in relief. He morphed into his human form and asked. "Hello?"
"Jared?" Phoebe questioned. "Hey, look, we need to talk."
"One sec, baby," he told her. He covered his hand over the speaker and glared at the demons. "Out!" he hissed. "Back, sorry, Cole wanted to know who I was talking to."
The demons shimmered out, few sending him a withering glare.
Balthazar morphed into his human form also called. "Hey, Phoebe!"
On the other line she smiled slightly. "Tell him I said hi." She paused for a moment while Jared said hi for her. "Listen, Jared, I went to the hospital the today..."
After a couple of minutes Jared hung up with an "I love you" and threw the phone across the room.
"What did she say?" Cole asked with a tiny smirk.
"Complications. She vomited earlier today and blood spewed out," he growled. "Her body is fighting against the baby."
"But she doesn't have her powers yet," Cole said. "How can her body know the child is evil?"
He sighed, sitting on the ratty couch, Cole beside him. "I don't know. Maybe its her instincts, or maybe not. Either way, her life is in grave danger."
"You say you don't care, but you're acting like you do."
His eyes went black. "Only for the child's sake. If Phoebe dies before hand, the child will die as well."
"Which means that when she moves in tomorrow, her sisters will be checking in on her regularly. Are you going to have an explanation for the abnormal happenings," he asked.
He nodded. "I'll figure something out." Then he stood up and looked at him. "Look, I get it okay? I can't have a nicer house, but I've got to have quality furniture. At least a couple things, for Phoebe's comfort."
Cole sighed. Although with a baby coming he could use it to his advantage. "I think I can make that happen." He pulled out his cell phone. "Hi Mom, how are you? Good. Yeah, I'm great! Hey, listen, I've got a couple friends who really need new furniture. For what?"
Jared rolled his eyes. He had no idea why Cole really kept his teenage human form, but the reasons weren't his concern, as long as the mother to his demonic spawn would be kept happy.
Cole continued to talk. "Yeah, she's 3 months along! So, do we still have that storehouse near the bay? Great! And the lock is the same? Excellent! Okay, I will. I love you too!" He closed the phone with a click, eyes turning to fire and then to normal again.
"So?" Jared asked.
Cole grinned. "All set. We can even pick a few things up tonight if we want."
"Good, but I think I'll wait. Phoebe's gonna want to help. Especially for Melinda's room." Jared walked to the fridge, grabbing two beers.
Cole chuckled. "Yeah. Brilliant middle name choice by the way. They'll never give it a second thought."
Jared sat back down, handing one to him. "Yeah. Kali 'is one of the manifestations and cult titles of the wife of Shiva and mother goddess Devi, especially in her malevolent role as a goddess of death and destruction, depicted as black, red-eyed, blood-stained, and wearing a necklace of skulls.' Of course I'm no expert."
"Either way, it works."
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