Please ?
(The foyer. The kids trample down the stairs, followed by Piper and Paige)
Paige: Okay everybody; hold up for a second...
(Henry and Leo enter from the dining room)
Leo: (in full Uncle mode) Who's ready for a game of baseball!?
Kids: Me! Me! Me!
Leo: Excellent! My fellow coach Henry will now take role!
Henry: All right! (Points to each child in turn) We have one two three four five six seven kids ready to—(stops) Seven? (He notices Warren) Where did he come from?
As per usual, Melinda pulls Warren forward and zips through introductions without pausing to take a breath)
Melinda: This is our new friend, Philip Warren, Aunt Billie's innocent who's staying for dinner. Philip, this is my Uncle Leo and Uncle Henry.
Warren: Nice to meet you, Mr. Leo and Mr. Henry.
Leo: (a bit baffled) You too, buddy.
Henry: Same here.
Piper: Kids, why don't you go into the living room for a second?
(The kids obey. Leo and Henry go to their wives)
Henry: Okay, Melinda talks very, very fast. Who is that kid?
(Piper and Paige start to explain. Camera to the living room, where the kids are clustered by a couch)
Grace: So what do you think Warren? Do you like everybody?
Warren Uh huh. They're really nice, but...
Melinda: But what?
Warren: When do I get to meet your mommy?
(Camera back to the adults)
Henry: That's pretty cool, really. Surprise family members!
Leo: Yeah, but I'm surprised she didn't at least leave a note.
Piper: Exactly. Totally unacceptable. I think—(Grace walks over and taps her mother's arm) What, Gracie?
Grace: Mommy, where's Auntie Phoebe?
Piper: She went outside to take a phone call, honey. Why?
Grace: Because Philip wants to meet her really bad!
(The adults exchange a glance)
Piper: Well, I'm sure that she'll be in soon. Why does—
(Phoebe enters, pauses in the doorway, still talking on her cell.)
Phoebe: Yes, Elise. First thing Monday morning, I promise. Yeah... (Continues talking)
Grace: (jumps up and down) Guys! She's here! (Grace runs into the living room)
Phoebe: (noting her niece's strange behavior) Okay, see you later. Bye. (Hangs up phone, addresses the adults) What was that all about?
Paige: I'm not quite sure.
(The kids usher Warren into the foyer. He sees Phoebe and stops, staring. Camera as from Warren's view. Phoebe stands tall, light from the open door illuminating her frame, a soft breeze ruffling her skirt and playing with her long hair. Warren turns to Melinda, awestruck)
Warren: (reverently) Is she an angel?
Phoebe: (smiles) That is so sweet! (She goes and kneels in front of Warren) I'm Phoebe. What's your name?
Warren: I'm...I'm...
Melinda: (steps forward and pats his arm) Mommy, this is our new friend, Philip Warren. He's staying with us for dinner while his daddy and Aunt Billie vanquish a demon.
Phoebe: Very cool! Welcome, Philip.
(She offers her hand. Warren takes it. They shake hands. When Phoebe starts to draw away Warren impulsively holds on tighter.)
Phoebe: (kindly) Are you all right, sweetie?
(Unable to speak, Warren turns to Melinda, who speaks up)
Melinda: There's more, Mommy.
Phoebe: Okay...
Melinda: (to her aunts and uncles) We haven't told this part to you guys either. (She waits; Piper, Leo, Paige and Henry nod. She turns back to Phoebe) Mommy, Philip lives with just his daddy. He...he doesn't have a mommy.
(Small murmurs of surprise and pity come from the adults. Phoebe especially is affected. Eyes wide, she takes Warren's other hand.)
Phoebe: Oh my goodness...I'm so sorry, sweetheart. (Warren blushes, head down, trying not to cry. Phoebe squeezes his hands) I grew up without a mommy, too.
Warren: (looks up, taken aback) You did?
Phoebe: (nods) She died when I was very little...even younger than you.
Warren: (hesitant) Do...do you r'member her?
Phoebe: (sad smile) From when I was little? Only a little bit. (Gently) Do you remember your mommy?
Warren: (shakes head) I don'ts even have a picture... (His lower lip wobbles dangerously)
Phoebe: (puts Warren's little hands together, clasps them with her own) Poor baby.
(There is silence for a moment. The adults and kids watch Phoebe and Warren, transfixed. Finally, Melinda speaks up.)
Melinda: Mommy, when I founds W—(Chris coughs, Melinda catches herself) When I met Philip, I mean, I had an idea. Auntie Piper and Uncle Leo have Wy and Chris and Grace. Auntie Paige and Uncle Henry have Sammie and Livvie and lil' Henry.
Phoebe: Right, Ladybug.
Melinda: Right. But you and Daddy only have me. And since Philip doesn't have a mommy... (Pauses, throws her arm over Warren's shoulder) I want to share!
Phoebe: (startled) What?
Melinda: (to Warren) Philip, go ahead. You can do it.
Livvie: (encouragingly) Yeah, you can do it!
(The other children chime in with support. Warren takes a deep, shuddering breath. The room is once again completely silent)
Warren: (barely audible) W...will...will you...will you be my...my...will you be my pretend Mommy? (Pause) Please?
(Phoebe, mouth agape, tries to speak. No words come out. She glances at her sisters and in laws for support; they stare back helplessly. Phoebe slowly turns her gaze back on Warren. The little boy stares earnestly into her eyes, and she melts.)
Phoebe: (whisper) Of course. (Swallows, louder) Of course. Philip Warren, (she cups his face between her hands) I would be honored to be your pretend mommy.
(Melinda smiles in delight along with the rest of her cousins)
Melinda: Yay!
(The kids cheer. Piper puts her hand over her heart, looks at Leo with "aww" expression. Paige cuddles the baby then moves closer to Henry, who's barely holding in the waterworks, and gives him a comforting pat on the back.)
(A radiant smile grows on Warren's face as he watches Phoebe, who opens her arms wide. He tentatively steps closer, and she wraps him in a bear hug.)
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Thanks so much! Please R&R:-)