Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of its characters except the ones I make up. I do not seek to make profit out of this story.

Chris's Birthday

Chris hated being sick, especially on his sixteenth birthday. Six months ago he got his learner's permit and had meticulously logged the required number of hours. He had suffered through hours after infuriating hours of old school training methods of his dad and uncle Henry for this day. Today was the day he would get his driver's license, the first step towards independence.

The previous night, Chris had sneezed a couple of times and Piper immediately went into her over-protective mom mode and prohibited him from leaving the manor. Chris wasn't happy about it but after being suitably threatened by his mother to be confined to his room, he gave in. Chris could feel a slight headache and irritation in his throat but refused to admit it and continued his attempts to convince his mom that he was perfectly healthy and that his confinement was not only unfair but also unconstitutional. Chris had played 'tomorrow is my sixteenth birthday' card, 'You know, I never fall sick' card, 'I promised Wy to help him' card and most importantly 'Please mom, please let me go out' card with a generous serving of puppy dog eyes to convince his mother. Of course in the Halliwell household, Piper Halliwell's decisions were final and despite the fact that Piper found it increasingly difficult to ignore the pleas from her precious little peanut, she stuck to her decision. All of Chris's attempts failed miserably.

Chris was determined to prove to his mother that he was perfectly healthy. He also thought about all the ways he could make her feel guilty after he wakes up perfectly healthy the next morning. Unfortunately he woke up with a fever of 101.5 and was consequently confined to his bed by his mother.

"Aw, you poor baby," Paige said in an overly dramatic manner squeezing Chris's cheeks. Wyatt was getting late for college but couldn't help but stop a moment and appreciate the scene in front of him. He stood near the door to Chris's room and couldn't help but chuckle at Chris's obvious discomfort at the display of affection from their aunt.

"Aunt Paige is going to make everything better," Paige said referring to herself in third person. Ordinarily Chris wouldn't be bothered by it but in his current state of health, he found it extremely annoying. To top it all of nicely, Paige produced a vial of a vile looking concoction from her purse that was supposed to be the fastest working remedy for flu known in the magical and mortal worlds. It was her own recipe and She was quite proud of it. Chris had tried this particular invention before and he knew it tasted as bad as it looked. He firmly refused to drink it.

"Allow me," Wyatt said as he approached Chris. His little brother knew exactly what Wyatt intended to do and was, by now, threatening to do very unpleasant things to Wyatt should he go through with his plan. Wyatt however didn't pay attention to Chris's protests and telekinetically orbed the potion straight to his mouth with a flick of his wrist. Chris had no choice but to swallow. Paige looked at Wyatt with mock anger and muttered something about personal gain. Chris only sent a glare at his big brother that could kill.

"This will not end well for you," Chris threatened.

"You'll thank me tomorrow," Wyatt said smiling. Chris only narrowed his eyes.

"Aren't you getting late?" Paige asked her eldest nephew who glanced at his cell phone and rushed downstairs without another word.

It was late afternoon and Chris was still stuck in the bed. Piper had left Chris unattended for just a few minutes and the half elder had taken it upon himself to fetch a glass of water. The fever was weakening his body but he still insisted that he was all right. He paused for a moment at the door as he heard his mother.

"Wyatt, honey, could you call all of Chris's friends and let them know that Chris is not feeling well and that we have to postpone the party? I don't think it is a good idea anymore," Piper asked her eldest as he returned from the school.

"Piper, we can't cancel the party. Chris is already feeling sad and frustrated because he didn't get his driver's license today. I don't think I can bear to see his disappointment when he realizes there is no party," Phoebe interjected.

"More people means more chances of spreading the infection. Besides we can't have Chris exerting himself. He needs his rest. We can have the party later," Piper said with a touch of finality.

"Could this day get any better?" Chris thought to himself sarcastically and orbed to the kitchen. His orbing was a little off due to the sickness and he stumbled into a chair. Piper, Phoebe and Wyatt rushed to the kitchen.

"Christopher Perry Halliwell, what do you think you're doing out of the bed?" Piper scolded her sick but stubborn child.

"I just needed some water," Chris said sitting on a chair. The simple task had made him tired considerably.

"Why didn't you just call one of us? Let me guess, you didn't want to bother us. That's it. Wyatt, do you have any important plans for the afternoon?" Piper asked her eldest. Wyatt knew hanging out with his friends would not count as important plans so he simply shook his head.

"Good, could you please look after your brother?" Piper asked. Wyatt nodded.

"Make sure he has everything he needs. Don't let him get out of the bed," She further instructed. Chris's eyes glittered. An evil smile appeared on his face. Wyatt noticed the change in the expression on Chris's face and rolled his eyes. Chris was getting his chance to exact revenge on his big brother for force-feeding him aunt Paige's foul smelling potion. Wyatt knew this was going to be a long afternoon.

"Wy! I need some more water," Chris hollered for the fifth time during last hour. Wyatt returned with a whole carafe of water and a glass.

...

"Could I may be have some ginger ale? I'm nauseous," Chris said with the most innocent expression on his face.

...

"Wy!" Chris called.

"What?" Wyatt was sufficiently annoyed by now. Chris was proving to be the most difficult patient ever.

"I'm bored. I don't think I have the strength to read anything. Could you possibly read something to me?" Chris asked. Wyatt handed him his iPod loaded with some audio books.

...

"Wy…"Chris whined.

"What?" Wyatt asked trying very hard to control his temper.

"These books are of your choice. I don't like them" Chris complained. Wyatt waved his hand and orbed Chris downstairs on a sofa in front of the television and handed him the remote. Wyatt spent the rest of the afternoon catering to Chris's annoying requests with a fake smile on his face.

It seemed like ages before it was evening and the Halliwell family gathered in the living room to celebrate Chris's sixteenth birthday. Although the party had to be cancelled, the close family members gathered in the manor. After they had the cake, Chris opened the gifts. He thanked his parents, aunts and cousins for all the thoughtful gifts. Wyatt's was the last gift he opened.

"Is that what I think it is?" Chris asked his big brother excitedly as he picked up the keys in the small box. Wyatt didn't even have to nod. Chris, despite his weakness from the fever, literally jumped on his big brother and hugged him tightly. Just one look at the genuine happiness on Chris's face and Wyatt had already forgotten his baby brother's bratty behavior since the afternoon. Wyatt hugged him back just as tightly.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you... This is the best gift ever," He said excitedly. Phoebe and Paige watched the scene with raised eyebrows. They had never seen Chris so much excited.

"What did you give him, The Kingdom of Brunei?" Paige asked Wyatt.

"His own set of keys to my car. Or shall I say our car?" Wyatt said smiling. All the excitement had exhausted the brunette witch and Wyatt helped him to the couch.

"Now, we have to share the car till you start to earn enough to pay for the insurance and gas. After that you can have it all for yourself," Wyatt said to his little brother. Chris nodded enthusiastically. The smile was plastered on his face and Wyatt began to wonder if he was going to pull one of his facial muscles. They spent the rest of the evening watching Chris's favorite movies and playing Chris's favorite games.

"Good night kitten. And happy birthday!" Wyatt said after making sure Chris was comfortable in his bed.

"Good night Wy," Chris said. Wyatt smiled and turned to switch off the light.

"And Wy," Chris called. Wyatt turned around.

"I'm truly sorry for my obnoxious behavior today. You were trying to help me and I acted like a pain in the ass," Chris apologized to his big brother.

"Acted? Let's not be delusional. You are a constant pain in my ass. But I love you regardless," Wyatt said with a smug smirk and ducked to avoid a pillow thrown at him by Chris.

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