Heaven's Mistaken Gift

by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell

Co-written by: That70sShoLova

Chapter 17: Coming to Grips with the Truth

Cole walked into their room, seeing Melinda brushing her blonde hair. He walked up behind her.

"Hi Daddy!" she said, looking at him through the mirror. "What are you doing?"

He grabbed the brush and set it on the vanity. "Mel, we need to talk."

His tone wasn't dangerous or threatening, but yet she knew it was serious. "Okay."

He hesitated. This discussion wouldn't be easy.

Seeing her dad's hesitation, she asked in a worried tone, "Did I kill the wrong demon again? I—I didn't mean to."

He smiled. "No, this is nothing like that." He knelt beside her chair. "This is about your mom."

Her dangerous, icy-blue eyes sparkled. And he knew she wouldn't openly accept it. No, they'd have to get used to each other gradually. "What about her?" she asked, opening the drawer and pulling out the old photograph from the day she was born. The only solid proof that she even had a mom.

Cole watched how she carefully handled the photo and knew all hope wasn't lost after all. "Well, first off. Have I told you what she is? I mean, really?"

She shook her head. "No Daddy. All you've told me is her name is Phoebe. She has dark brown hair and eyes and that her sisters wouldn't like me." She thought for a moment. "What do you mean by 'what she is?' is she not human?"

Cole chuckled at his daughter's quick wit. "No, my dear, she is definitely human," he grabbed her hands, "but she is also part witch."

"Witch? Like as in broom-riding, spell casting, that kinda thing?" she asked skeptically. Cole nodded. "But if-if she's part witch and she's my mom, then am I—"

Cole nodded. "Yes, but I swapped your witch powers for demon powers a bit after you were born."

She nodded, still unsure. "Can-can you tell me more a-about her?"

He sighed. "That's what I came to talk to you about. I've told you I'm a lawyer right? That I help people to make money?" She nodded. "Well, did I tell you I have an apartment up there too?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Would you like to see it?"

"Right now?"

He nodded. She did as well and he shimmered them to a lavishly furnished apartment. All the furniture was black leather and a mantle and fireplace was to one side. He sat her on the couch and walked into the kitchen. Three to five minutes later, he returned with a plate of cookies and two glasses of milk.

"What are you doing?"

He stopped mid-bite and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you start off by telling me about my mom, which I'm still getting used to, and now this? What's really going on?"

He sat there looking quite amused. Part of Melinda was a ruthless killer, known to stab demons in the back without so much as a single word. But the other part, the part which still called him Daddy and loved to play games, was sheltered, never knowing what to expect.

She'd never really had a childhood. Always fighting demons to the death and learning to control her powers. It was sad really and Cole hoped that one day both he and Phoebe just might be able to give some of that back to her.

He knew that childishness would always be there, but the killer part was instinct and extremely dangerous.

He'd have to warn Phoebe before they met.

The thing was though, whether she was a killer or just the little girl, her voice hardly ever changed. It was her eyes that told which 'version' she was in. That was why he looked at her before he answered.

"The truth is, Mel, she summoned me."

"Summoned you? Like with a spell?"

"Yes, and the other night I had dinner with her and her family. And someday, your mother would love to meet you. Is that okay?" He knew all of this would be a shock to her.

"Yo—you mean, she really wants to?" she asked as Cole turned on the lamp beside him. "I thought she didn't…want to."

He sighed. "Come here," he said opening his arms and she crawled into them. "Yes, she does. And she's always, always loved you. She just didn't know about you until recently, that's all."

She wrapped her arms around him. "Why?"

The details surrounding her true birth were unknown and Cole intended to keep it that way. He didn't want to worry her. By all accounts, he really was her father, maybe not biologically, but it made no difference. "I don't know."

"Oh, okay," she sighed. "So is my mom a good witch then?"

"Yes, a very good witch. She and her sisters are a powerful trio."

"You mean the Charmed Ones?"

"How do you know?"

She sighed, leaning into his chest. "Demons talk."

He chuckled. "Yes they do. Hey Mel, what do you say if we start living here?"

She raised her head. "Why?"

"I—I just think it's a healthier environment. Especially at night. Plus, you could have your own room."

"Really? You mean it? Can I bring my stuff up?"

He nodded. "You certainly can."

"Maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe I wanna meet her. I mean, I do. Its just it's a lot to process in one day."

"Yes, that's true." He said as she yawned and relaxed against him. He stood up, walking to through the double doors behind him. "This will be my room, but you can rest here for now while I go down and get your things," he said, pulling the black comforter back and satin sheets and laid her in it.

Her eyes opened sleepily. "When will you be back?"

He smiled, kissing her hand. "Before you wake up." He leaned down and kissed her forehead as she drifted to sleep. The he straightened up and shimmered to below.

Later that night…

Phoebe sat on the couch trying to figure out what to do. She knew it wasn't really sane to love him without knowing him, but he'd protected her and taken care of her when she'd needed it, when she couldn't ask her sisters for help.

Piper walked downstairs. "Phoebe, what is it?" she asked sitting beside her. "You seem lost.

She sighed. "I don't know. Love is a strong word. Almost too strong."

Piper nodded. "Maybe is it, but is that how you feel. Really?"

Phoebe pursed her lips in thought, "Yeah, Piper, I think so." she turned towards her older sister, "Is love ever really sane?"

Piper shook her head and smiled, "Love is crazy. It's hard to explain it. Love is where that person...gives you all of these mixed feelings. They can deceive you, wrong you, but at the end of the day, you'll always forgive them."

Piper patted her leg, "I may not think the best of Cole, but it doesn't matter what Paige and I think. Do you love Cole?"

Phoebe braced herself. It was unpractical, idiotic, life threatening, but, "Yes."

"Then quit worrying what I think. I'll voice my opinions whether they're good or bad. And you can take the advice or leave it. But if he hurts you, he'll have me to deal with."

Cole shimmered in, causing Piper to jump.

"Can't you give me a warning?" she snapped as she stood up. "Next time you might not be so lucky." She walked out.

Cole rolled his eyes. "I've talked to Mel and—"

"And what? She wants nothing to do with me? That's great," she snapped sarcastically. "Just great!"

Cole put his hand up. "No, actually she does want to meet you. Its just… the idea will be a lot for her to get used to because, you see, to her, she's always thought—"

Phoebe looked down at her hands. "She's always thought I abandoned her," she whispered.

He took her hand. "Yes, but I managed to get the idea that you've always loved her into her head."

"You think it'll stick?"

"Hopefully. I've told her about you and she already knows who you and your sisters are because demons talk—"

She nodded. "That's understandable." She met his eyes. "So…how did she take being part witch?"

"I—I don't know. She didn't really say anything about it."

She sighed. "Probably mulling it over."

"Yes. I've told her it'll be on her terms, or I'm going to anyway. I know how much you want to meet her and get to know her, but I really think it's better—"

She pressed a finger to his lips to silence him. "That's okay."

He hesitated. This conversation, similar to telling Mel about Phoebe, wouldn't be easy. "There's something I need to tell you, before you meet Melinda," Cole said.

Phoebe turned panic-stricken. "Is it bad?"

"Melinda, she had no one during her childhood. I am like a Father to her. As far as she's concerned, I am her Father."

She glared at him. "Is this supposed to be a guilt trip? As if I don't feel bad enough."

He shook his head fiercely. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I want to warn you. She grew up as a demon Phoebe. She is ruthless, merciless, but then there is another side of her. She no doubt gets it from you. The side where she is compassionate and sweet, so childlike…its comforting."

"What are you trying to say?" Phoebe asked.

"She can switch personalities so fast, Phoebe. I just want you to be prepared."

"How fast?"

"Well, the first time, she meets you—I won't lie—she-she may try to kill you, but then she'll feel bad and apologize 10 times for it, even though you know she didn't really mean to hurt you."

"So, I'll never be safe?"

Cole sighed. "That's not what I – No. Not all the time. You just have to be on guard when you meet her, Phoebe. She grew up as a demon, keep that in mind."

Phoebe started to tear up. "I'm so sorry."

"For what?" he asked while wrapping an around her.

"For not being there for her. She had to grow up as a demon, Cole."

"That's not your fault, Phoebe. If anything, it's mine," Cole said.

She shook her head. "Don't blame yourself for my mistakes."

"Phoebe, I didn't have to raise her as a demon. She doesn't deserve it. I wish I could have hid her from The Source. She deserves a normal childhood."

"No, you did the right thing. She shouldn't have to live a childhood on the run. That would be tiring."

He shook his head. "No, I didn't. Not like I should've."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed. "It was the plan all along, for her to be this way. If I was half than man I am now back then... I should've run and tried to hide with you. Then maybe she would've had a better life."

She laughed. He raised a brow. "What?"

"I read somewhere that everyone gets two childhoods and when you start your second is up to you."

"Do you believe that?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I'd say with Melinda we've got a shot at giving her the first one she never had now."

He chuckled. "You're talking like we're married."

"Well, maybe someday—if things work out—we will be." she looked away, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm getting too far ahead of myself."

He laid her hand on her leg. "For now it is, yes, but don't count it out."

She looked at him and his eyes mirrored how she felt. Anger, hurt and pain from the fact that he was in on the plan from the beginning, but also hope. "Cole, leave."

"But Phoebe, you know I didn't have a choice if I didn't want to end up—"

"Leave!" she shouted. "You could've taken us away, you said so yourself, but you didn't even try!" It was like the full effects of the past 10 years caught up with her in that moment and, though she loved him, she couldn't help her rage. "You stole 10 years from me, Cole! Years I'll never get back! Just get the hell out!"

With a sad glance, he shimmered away.

Piper ran downstairs. "Phoebe, what's going on? What's—" but she didn't even get a chance to ask as Phoebe fell into her arms crying. She sighed, sitting with her on the couch. "Hey, sshh, it's gonna be okay." She said, rubbing her back and trying to get her to calm down.

"Paige!"

"Yeah, Pip—Phoebe, what's wrong?" she asked, sitting on the other side of her.

Piper shrugged. "She was yelling at Cole when I came downstairs."

Phoebe took a ragged breath. "He-he stole ten years from me!"

"What's that mean?" Paige asked.

With Cole

He sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He'd just moved all the furniture in their room in the Underworld to Melinda's room up here, with the exception of his king-sized bed in her room. He had no need for two in his room, or the space. He moved the bed to the far wall where her window would face the west and then he covered the mattress with silk royal purple sheets and encased the pillows as well.

Once that was finished he walked down and sat in the living room, sighing. He knew he had to tell Phoebe the truth, but he didn't think it would backfire this badly! He ran his hands over his face.

She had a point. He could've tried to hide them. He could've told her about Melinda sooner, but at what risk, his life? If he died, then what would've happened to her? Who would've taught her that the entire world isn't all bad, that good things can come from bad things?

Who would've taught her humanity? Granted, she was a demon, but she felt pain, love, comfort, sadness, guilt…all the things he did. All the things that made both of them human.

He'd kept them apart for their protection, not to hurt them! He wished everything would've been different. That she would've been born from actual love and not some scheme to take over the Underworld.

Everything would be so much easier.

"Daddy?" Melinda asked from the cracked door.

He turned around, wiping the worry from his face. "Yes sweetie?"

"Can I sleep in my room yet?" she asked as she walked over.

He nodded. "Yes, its all ready for you."

"Which room is it?"

Cole stood up, leading her by the hand to the hallway. He pointed to the door at the far end. "It's that one," he said, stooping down to her level.

"Yay!" she shrieked, running off.

He laughed and stood again. Then he walked back over to the couch, sat down, and pulled out her cell phone. He wanted—more than anything—to explain himself to her. If he explained properly, he wouldn't have a reason to apologize.

Sighing, he shoved his phone back into his pocket. She might not answer him then, but if he showed up there she had to listen.

He stood up and walked back to Melinda's room.

Stopping at the cracked door, he knocked.

"Come in," came her reply.

He pushed open the door and walked in, immediately greeted by his daughter's around his waist. He laughed. "So, you like your new room?"

"Yes, Daddy! I love it!" she said. "Will you come play with me?"

He dropped to his knees. "Not now. I need to go see your mom right now," he said as he looked at the clock above her door. "And besides, it's really late. You should be in bed." He wrapped his arms around her and sat her on her bed.

"When can I meet her?"

He smiled. He knew the childlike part of her would immediately take to Phoebe, but… "Are you sure you want to, Mel, all of you?" he raised a brow. "Come out and talk to me about this."

The little girl's smile faded to a line and her eyes turned icy. "Yes?" she asked in a firmer tone.

"What do you think about your mother? About who she is, what she is?"

The girl paced the room a few times, before stopping to look him in the eye. She formed a fireball tossing it from one hand to the other, grinning manically the entire time. "She's a witch. One of the most powerful witches of all time. That being so," she threw it up in the air, only to catch it and extinguish it, "this is very difficult for me because I have an overpowering urge to kill any witch I see."

"But she wouldn't like it. Your other self would resent you forever," her dad cut in. "Phoebe is your mother after all."

She nodded, walking over and sitting beside him again. "Yes, I know that and from her reputation she only vanquishes those who deserve it, which is each and every one who harms her or her family. It's admirable, really," she chuckled.

He nodded. "She's always looking for the good in others, Mel. I'm sorry that I didn't bring you to meet her sooner—"

She held up her hand. "I know, but its like you said, she didn't know about me until recently. Which I have a feeling—a very strong feeling—you're lying about in some way, but for my childish half, I'll let it remain how it is. But it must be pretty bad if you're lying like this."

He sighed. "Yes, but in time you both will know."

She nodded. "Now, as per your question. As far as being part witch, well, I really had no say in the matter now, did I? It was merely a coincidence. I have no witch powers that are evident, but I do, sometimes, have an urge to help the witches I kill. At least now I understand why."

He grabbed her hands. "Sometime if you want those powers back—"

"NO!" she yelled. "I am nobody's do-gooding pawn! I refuse to—"

He smiled. "I'm not saying you ever have to change, but if you want to, I have them."

Her eyes turned curious. "How? I thought when powers were switched the demon who switched them got to keep them."

"I stole them, just in case and the spell that will put them back into your body," he held up his hands. "I'm not saying you ever have to, like I said, it's up to you. But I do have your promise that you won't try to hurt her? If she is hurt, it's purely accidental?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, but I'm still not sure of anything."

"Well, your other half wants to meet her right away, so—"

She sighed. "Fine, bring her here, to the house, as I'm not sure her sisters would take it well if I went after them."

"Strictly for your mother, how do you feel about her?"

"Feel?"

"Yes, do you love her, despise her…"

"Well, I don't know yet. I kinda…not exactly despise her, but, it's just, I don't know her."

"That's your answer?"

"I love the idea of her, I suppose. The protection. Someone else to kiss me goodnight… The last one from my other half, obviously."

Cole smiled. "She'll love to hear that."

She grinned, climbing into bed. "Is tomorrow too soon?" she yawned.

"I'll ask. Goodnight, princess," he kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight Daddy!" she said, childlike side overtaking her as she fell asleep.

He sighed, walking out. Maybe this wouldn't be so horrible after all.

Phoebe sighed, closing her bedroom door and going over to sit on her bed. As much as she hated to admit it, her sisters had a good point. Cole hadn't had to raise Melinda…at all. He could've left her to any demon that wouldn't have cared for her at all, might've killed her.

And she did remember, years ago, when Cole promised to take care of them. Tearing up again, she wiped her eyes. Both of them? She wasn't even there!

A knock came from outside her door. "What is it?"

He hesitated. "Phoebe, it's me. We really need to talk. Or I need to talk and you can listen."

Silence. Eerie, bad-for-him-and-Melinda, silence.

She knew he was right, but his explanation would be a lot to take. Getting up, she walked over to the door, placing a hand on it. "Before I open this door, there's something I need to know."

He stood, patiently waiting.

"Where is Melinda?"

"She's sleeping in her new room, perfectly safe."

Opening her door, she stepped back.

"Thank you," he told her as she shut the door.

She walked over and sat back on her bed, crossing her arms. "So?"

He walked over and sat beside her. "Look, I know you're upset and angry at me—"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "I was…very upset actually, but now I realize that you took such good care of Melinda, not just for The Source, but for me as well. You didn't have to take care of her, but you kept your promise to me."

He took her hand away from his face. "Well, if I didn't, she would've become a merciless killer and nothing else. At least with me there, she has someone who she can depend on who won't turn their back."

She nodded. "Yeah, I just wish I could've been there for everything. First steps, words, vanquishes."

"I know. I wish you could've too, but I kept you two apart for your own safety, never to hurt you."

"It was because of her split personas, wasn't it? You said she had two completely different sides."

"Yes."

She looked around the room, her nerves beginning to get to her like never before. Cole noticed this and scooted closer to her. When he wrapped an arm around her, it felt like nothing had changed. She still felt the same dark sense of protection from years before and though she knew why it unnerved her slightly, she couldn't bring herself to pull away and rested her head on his shoulder.

He could feel her shaking and realized just how hard it was for her to accept everything she'd gotten back within the past hours. Gently, he picked her up and sat her in his lap. Sighing, he wished he could take everything back and do things right. Then maybe she wouldn't be so frightened of it.

Though, it was a logical reaction. He ran his hands along her spine, attempting to ease her trembles, but it didn't work. She just buried her head into his neck and tried to bury her pain with it, though she knew it wouldn't work.

After about 15 minutes, Phoebe finally stopped shaking and just held onto him. "Ha-has she thought m-more a-about b-being part w-witch?" she asked, hoping the answer would ease her mind.

He sighed, running a hand through her long hair. "She told me the truth, which was the fact that she had no say in it. But…" he cut off, knowing the next sentence wouldn't be easy for her to hear.

"But what?"

He swallowed. "She doesn't want her witch powers back, Phoebe. She doesn't want to change. She knows the good you and your sisters do and says it's admirable. Even when you kill someone, she says it's only because they threaten you or your family."

She nodded. "I understand that. It's all she's ever known, well, part of her anyway. I wouldn't force anything on her. She knows that," she pulled back and looked him in the eye, "doesn't she?"

"Yes. I taught her so much, but there are some things only her mother can."

She smiled. "Or sister, in my case. Does she…love me?"

He sucked in a breath. "She loves 'the idea of you' is how she put it. She loves how powerful you are and the protection we would bother offer her. She can't say exactly how she feels toward you until she gets to know you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but she does want to know me right? Both sides of her?"

"Yeah. And, apparently, the childlike side of her wants to be kissed goodnight, if that makes you feel better."

She smiled wider. "In other words, the little girl wants her mommy."

He nodded. "Yes, if she's willing to take the risk."

"I am. I'm more than willing. So ready."

He stood up. "Well, is tomorrow good for you? I can come take you over to my place? She doesn't feel like risking her other side in an unknown environment just yet," he answered before she had a chance to ask.

"That's all right. It should be on her terms," she said getting up beside him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she stared into his depths and fell. "Why couldn't it have been you that night?" she whispered.

He smiled. "I've asked myself that many times and still I have no answer."

She looked to the closed door, unsure of how to put her next words. Cole brought her face to his. "What?" he grinned.

"It's just, I didn't just blurt those words. I-I really do—"

Now it was his turn to put a finger to her lips. "Give it time. I don't want you jumping to emotions from years ago without thinking. You need a val—"

She enclosed the space between them, pressing her lips to his lightly. She then pulled away, dropping her arms to her sides. "Okay."

He smiled. "I'll come get you tomorrow then?"

"Perfect," she said, turning down her bed.

He hugged her from behind. "Goodnight."

She smiled. "Goodnight."

Without looking back, Phoebe climbed into bed and smiled when she heard him shimmer away…

Author's note: So what do you think?

Reviews are much appreciated. Please?

Review thanks to: That70sshowlova, HalliwellMB & BikerChick101

Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell & That70sShowLova