Chapter 9
The doors to the church were already open.
Grams and the sisters strode into the hallowed building, closely followed by their father and Andy.
The Vicar said his piece and handed the ceremony over to Penny Halliwell
'A few months ago, we lost someone dear to us.
The girls lost a mother and a friend.
I lost a daughter.
You lost the most caring and generous person you ever could've known.
I hope to God that sh…
I'm sorry.'
Grams hurriedly left the podium, returned to where the rest of her family were sat.
Soon the ceremony was over and everyone had reconvened and the Halliwell Manor.
There was soft music flowing through the crowd.
Piper went into the kitchen with one of the waste paper baskets, it was full to the brim with sodden tissues.
She emptied it and slid it into a corner of the room.
'My time to break down' she thought to herself, sinking into a chair that faced away from the back door.
There was a knock on the back door
She couldn't scramble to her feet so she called for the visitor to come in.
'Err hi,' a familiar voice spoke
Piper spun around to see the flower delivery guy at the doorway.
'I know this is improper of me, but ever since I called here this morning I haven't been able to get you out of my thoughts.' He explained bashfully
'But, why? Piper questioned rather rudely.
'I felt like I knew you, that we had some kind of a connection, and quite frankly I felt I should comfort you.' He replied defensively.
Piper just sat there in wonder.
Meanwhile
The crowd of mourners were petering out and soon after the Halliwells had reclaimed their living room.
Phoebe had started to clean up, while the rest of them just sat around, the mess that had been left behind.
She had just started tidying around her father's feet when he suddenly stood up.
'I'll be back later.' He stated blankly
'What? Where are you off to at this time?!' Prue exclaimed, she too getting to her feet.
Victor was already out the door, which slammed with a bang
'What on earth was that?' Piper yelled running into the living room, delivery boy hot on her heels.
'Oh, that was Victor, leaving us once again.' Prue replied, defeated.
'Well, I'm going for a nap.' Grams informed them.
Grams got up to the doorway and blew them all a kiss.
'So who might you be?' Andy inquired of the stranger.
'Oh, this is Leo, he delivered the flowers today.' Piper educated the audience she had acquired.
Everyone is the room exchanged a 'lolwut?' expression.
'I came to offer my condolences, I'd better be off though.' Leo said looking at his watch, which read 6:00pm
'I'll see you out' Piper suggested
She guided him towards the front door and stepped out it with him.
'Well, thank you for coming, I guess I'll be seeing you around?' She asked looking up at him hopefully
'I should like that.' Leo established
'Bye, Piper.' He continued placing a kiss on her glowing cheek.
He started to back away and then turned fully away from her, and walked along the pathway.
Piper just stood there, her hand on her cheek where he had kissed her.
She went slowly back inside and leaned against the now closed door, and sighed.