"Reese! How long is this gonna take?" Melinda Halliwell whined as she tried her hardest to sit still at her dressing table while Reese sat beside her with a brush in her hand and all her concentration focused on Melinda's make up. She carefully drew a small line of shimmering green powder across the bottom of her eyelid before dabbing into silver powder and gradually lightening the effect.
"It will take as long as it takes!" Reese explained with a sigh, obviously becoming impatient with Piper's daughter though equally amused that Melinda was so nervous over her date. She began to move her leg uneasily while chewing on her lip and Reese stopped the work on her eye make up to look up at Melinda and glare. She was an attractive girl and like Piper she had a flare for unwavering stubbornness and her spirit glittered in her chocolate brown eyes. Melinda was a relatively tall girl with a slender athletic figure from doing sport at school and wavy long brown hair that reached the small of her back. Her skin was fair like Piper's but her cheeks were always a rosy pink and her lips were full and most often smiling.
"Melinda Halliwell, stop." Reese reprimanded, using her full name and Melinda's leg stopped twitching at the no nonsense look that she was receiving and pouted.
"What if he doesn't like me?" She wondered out loud, again biting her lip nervously and clearly worried.
"He wouldn't have asked you out if he didn't like you." Reese answered simply, beginning her work again on Melinda's eyes once she had settled back in her chair and closed her lids again.
"But what if we get there and he changes his mind and he thinks I'm an idiot!" Melinda continued, her voice high strung and her nerves taking over. Reese held back a laugh and rolled her eyes before answering, "Then you blow him up."
At this Melinda started giggling as Reese finished her eye make up and couldn't help but laugh also. Both of them smiling and chuckling and generally enjoying each other's company.
"Now, hold still." Reese demanded as she plucked mascara from Melinda's night stand and unscrewed the top.
"But Mom said no mascara." Melinda explained though obviously she hadn't been happy about that decision. Reese let the corner of her mouth quirk up into a mischievous grin and raised an eyebrow before saying, "A little won't hurt. She can kill me if she wants."
Melinda only smiled and sat forward in her chair so that Reese could apply a modest amount of mascara to her lashes before sitting back and blinking quickly to get use to the feeling.
"You're becoming awfully daring since Chris asked you to marry him." Melinda said, remembering the exact moment that they had told the Halliwell family their happy news. It had been a massive affair with far too much food and the usual family squabbling, bottles of champagne and much needed girly talk between the Charmed sisters, Billie, Melinda and Reese who had overtaken the front room with cushions, chocolate and champagne, laughing and talking about the future and reminiscing over the past. It had been a wonderful night and one that Reese and Melinda especially hadn't forgotten. Since Reese had returned after her absence, herself and Piper's daughter had become closer and closer. Before Reese had left Melinda had just turned twelve years old and hadn't understood the reasons behind someone leaving who had become such a part of the family. She had thought for a long time that it had been partly her fault and that Reese hadn't wanted to be friends with her. But as she grew older and experienced more in life she soon realised that there were good reasons for Reese's disappearance and that in her own time she would return to the Halliwell family. And she had been right. Now Melinda was seventeen and her bond with Reese had grown phenomenally into something that they both wanted and needed. Someone they could confide in, someone they could trust and love as family yet still learn new things from everyday. They both knew that there friendship was stronger than anything Melinda had at school or anyone Reese had befriended over the years. In Reese's company Melinda felt safe. And not just safe from demons and dark forces but safe to share and to know she wouldn't be judged. Reese had become the big sister that Melinda had never had and she cherished that deeply. Melinda blinked softly out of her reverie as she heard Reese respond, "It could have something to do with being Piper's future daughter-in-law." Melinda couldn't help but laugh again at Reese's sarcastic attitude, noticing the expression of contentment on her face and knowing she had finally accepted that whatever was meant to be would happen and that she just needed to go with the flow so to speak.
"We're gonna be related!" Melinda chimed in with a smile as Reese brought up two different lip glosses and looked at both colours before grimacing at the deep shade of red and handing the peach gloss to Melinda.
"What was wrong with the red one!?" She asked in annoyance, obviously having been quite attached to that colour of lip gloss.
"That's the same shade of lip gloss that your Aunt Paige wears on her first dates. Not a seventeen year old daughter of a Charmed one." Reese said, her voice taking on that protective older sister tone without even realising it. She was clearly referring to Paige's rather risqué dress and nature when it came to men, though since she had married Henry that had changed just slightly but Reese had heard some stories about her past behaviour when it came to men.
"So!? Red is sexy!" Melinda retorted, her face unimpressed and she crossed her arms over her chest in a huff.
"Exactly! You're not wearing it. Peach is nice, peach is safe." Reese explained, dabbing a small amount of the gloss over Melinda's lips even as a grimace came across her face and she sighed in defeat.
"Peach it is then, I guess." Melinda muttered as Reese handed her the gloss to put in her bag before squeezing her hands comfortingly and smiling at her.
"Okay, let's go over this again. Don't under any circumstances order a salad. Guys hate chicks who eat salad. To them it isn't real food and it only makes them think you're insecure about the way you look." Reese began, her tone lecturing yet concerned, wanting Melinda to have the best possible time. She obviously really liked this guy and Reese didn't want her to be so nervous as to make a fool out of herself.
"But I am insecure about the way I look!" Melinda explained, her nerves clearly getting the better of her again. She rose from her seat and slumped down on the bed and began buckling up her heeled sandals, her face worried and anxious.
"But he doesn't need to know that. A strong, confident woman eats real food, preferably meat." Reese continued, crossing her legs Indian style and leaning forward in her chair. Melinda quirked an eyebrow at this and almost smiled as Reese continued to give her more pointers for the evening.
"Ask him questions. Even if it's as simple as what movies he likes or whether he enjoys reading. It's the easiest way to spark a conversation and a sure way to avoid awkward silences. Oh, and try not to mention anything, well, supernatural." Reese added and Melinda let out an amused laugh and replied, "Sure Reese. 'So Mel, tell me something about yourself?' 'Well, Brad, I can blow things up and freeze time!'" She mimicked, her eyebrows raised in a sarcastic fashion and Reese shook her head though her face was extremely amused.
"Trust me, it can happen. I almost told one of my dates once that rosemary was especially pungent in vanquishing potions. Luckily he had a rather warped sense of humour and was too busy trying to feel me up under the table." Reese shuddered at the thought of that rather disturbing date. Surprisingly it had ended rather abruptly with her slapping him in the face and storming off into the night. What a jerk. Melinda though, found this story to be quite amusing and burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over and holding her stomach as another wave of giggles overcame her.
"So not funny, Mel! Although I did give him a rather powerful slap in the face for that. I'm surprised he didn't fall flat on his arse. He probably still has a ringing in his ears." Reese explained, a large smile on her face as Melinda tried to control her giggles but at that comment she burst into laughter again, her sides aching and tears coming to her eyes. There was a knock at the door and Reese called, "Come in!" before turning back to Mel who was still giggling at the end of the bed, carefully wiping amused tears from her eyes and she looked up when Chris entered the room, his eyebrow raised in confusion at the amounts of laughter coming from Melinda's room.
"You guys okay in here?" He enquired, a small smirk playing across his lips.
"Oh yeah, bro. Reese was just telling me about an amusing date of hers that didn't end so well." Melinda explained, smiling at Reese who only glared back at her in annoyance.
"Oh, really?" Chris said, a tinge of mock jealousy in his tone and a 'do tell' expression crossing his face.
"Oh, yeah." Reese answered simply but didn't say any more, finally rising from her chair and grabbing Melinda's small black bag and grimacing when she saw the red lip gloss stashed haphazardly in its small depths.
"What did I say about the red gloss!" Reese argued, her hand on her hip and her other holding up the tube in question. Melinda looked sheepishly up at Reese who came over and grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet.
"But I like the red gloss!" Melinda disputed with a pout but Reese would hear nothing of it and she put the red gloss in her pocket and replaced it with the soft peach tube before handing her the bag.
"You ready?" Reese queried, avoiding Mel's outburst and she let out a nervous breath and nodded before making her way to the door with Reese and Chris in toe.
"Wait, one more thing." Reese said suddenly, stopping Mel at the top of the stairs and looking at Chris pointedly before saying, "Girl talk."
Chris rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he made his way down the stairs and into the living area below where Piper, Leo, Paige and Henry were waiting. Reese looked at the girl before her, her stance jittery and nerve racked but she looked beautiful in her green summer dress and dainty sandals and she couldn't help but smile with pride.
"No kissing." Reese said finally, her expression very serious and protective.
"Ree, I'm seventeen. I've kissed boys before and-"
"No kissing." Reese said again, cocking an eyebrow but otherwise her expression was unchanged.
"If he likes you, he'll respect that." Melinda let out a deep sigh but nodded, understanding what Reese was trying to do. If Brad really did like her and she made it obvious she didn't want to kiss him on their first date then he would respect her decision and not push the matter. Its what she needed to know and Reese knew that very well.
"Wise words from my future sister-in-law." Melinda said quietly, an excited smile coming to her lips. Reese smiled back happily and wrapped Mel in a warm sisterly hug before following her down the stairs and into the living area below where her family beamed at her proudly. Piper began snapping photographs at every turn, much to Melinda's annoyance but she let her Mom have her moment and even twirled for her as she captured another shot.
"You ready to go, sis?" Wyatt queried, coming out from the kitchen while twirling his keys around his finger. Melinda nodded and turned for the door, Wyatt following behind her before Reese stopped them with her words.
"Wyatt is taking you to the restaurant?"
"Yeah, Brad's car is in the shop so he couldn't give me a lift." Melinda explained, turning to face Reese in confusion.
"No, no, no! Wyatt can't take you!" She said, trying to reach for Wyatt's keys but he held them out of reach and asked, "Why not!?"
"Having your big brother drive you to your first date is lame!" Reese admitted and Melinda bit her lip and had to agree.
"I'm driving her because Mom told me to. She wants to make sure Melinda gets there safely." Wyatt retorted, hands crossed over his chest and his keys clutched protectively in his fists.
"Piper, I can drive her? I even promise to call you once I've dropped her off so you know she got there safe and sound. Hey, I'll even take some binoculars and sus out Brad from the car!" Reese said all at once and Piper smirked at her and folded her arms over her chest.
"Very cute, Reese." Melinda chimed in, glaring up her Reese with mock resentment.
"Just lookin' out for ya, Mel." She replied, her face breaking out into a cheeky grin.
"Take Wyatt's car. And you call me the second you get to the restaurant, got it?" Piper finally decided and Wyatt let his jaw drop in annoyance and said, "But it's my car! It's old and you have to pump the clutch and-"
"I know how to drive a stick, Wyatt. My Mum's old car was made at least six years before yours. Now, keys?" Reese retorted and Wyatt glared down at her in absolute annoyance and sighed before reluctantly giving her the keys, which only made Reese smile in triumph.
"Let's go, Mel. You don't wanna be late!" Reese said and Melinda smiled up at her, nerves and excitement again overcoming her before they waved goodbye to everyone and made there way out the door.
"I should have re-thought those binoculars." Reese said, stroking her chin as she pulled up in the restaurant car park and saw a sign for a small, softly lit Italian restaurant beside a small doorway. Melinda punched her playfully in the arm and laughed as Reese retorted, "Ow!" though she was grinning also.
"At least he chosen Italian. I'll give him points for that." Reese added, approving Brad's choice of restaurant and hoping that everything would go smoothly for Mel.
"I'm going now." Melinda said with a roll of her eyes, opening the car door and slipping out easily before slamming it shut, leaning against the open window.
"Be careful and have fun!" Reese said, again in her sisterly voice and Melinda smiled and nodded before turning to make her way into the restaurant.
"And no kissing!" Reese yelled out of her window but Mel didn't turn around only waved her off and kept walking. She smirked lightly before grabbing her cell phone from the console and dialled in the Halliwell's number. It rang twice before someone answered.
"Hey, Wy. Yeah, we got here safe and sound. He chose Italian. That's what I said!" Reese said, conversing with Wyatt briefly over the phone.
"What? I'm wearing the same damn thing I left in! You're such a sleaze!" Reese yelled into the phone in disgust then hung up before making her way back to the Halliwell manor.
And yet another chapter up! I've taken into consideration a reviewer wanting more Reese and Melinda moments, so this chapter is entirely Reese/Mel and there will be more interaction between them in the coming chapters! I've tried to incorporate a bit of "real life" chapters in the mix of demon fighting and sad/angsty stuff to balance it out but the next few chapters are going to be jam packed full of action so please stay tuned and keep those lovely comments coming :)
alae-megallen