A/N: Hey guys! There was some confusion on what the Cousin's powers are, so here's a reminder of ages, fathers, and powers:

Ages: Corrine is 18. Melinda and Katelyn are both 17, but about 6 months apart (Melinda is older). Rebecca is 15. I know this might not work well, and might be odd considering they are all in the same French class. I can't explain the logic behind it, but they have to be close in age to all go to high school, and to have significant roles and voices in the fic. Again, use your imagination, like with the living arrangements.

Fathers: Corinne is Prue and Andy's daughter. In this version, Andy is alive and knows about the Charmed Ones and their powers. Melinda is, obviously, Leo and Piper's daughter. Katelyn is Phoebe and Cole's daughter. In this version, Cole was around a lot longer and was only vanquished after they had a daughter together. Rebecca belongs to Paige, as you know by now, and her father is Unknown. He left them when Rebecca was three, and Paige never talks about him. He was non-magical, though.

Powers: Corrine inherited her mother's telekinesis. Melinda can freeze, just like Piper, as well as orb. Katelyn inherited Cole's demonic powers, and can shimmer because of this; but, like Phoebe in her early years, she does not have an active power otherwise. Rebecca has the full powers of a Whitelighter. She can orb, levitate (Leo did this in the Angel of Destiny episode in season 4), and heal. Since her father is mortal, and Paige is half-witch and half-whitelighter, it seems practical to give Rebecca these powers. That way, she is both a member of The Power of Four, as well as a sort of Whitelighter-in-training.

I hope that clears things up! Let me know if you have more questions.

RandyOrtonxWifexx: I figured it was much needed!

CharmedOpal: No worries! Even as a Guest, I still can tell when it's you, haha. Does the above help with your question about powers? It will also be better explained in this chapter, as well as subsequent chapters.

lizardmomma: I figured bonding and crying were needed at this point! Glad you're enjoying!

So the first part of this chapter goes along with the theme of the last few chapters: Everyone coming to terms with the events of the last few weeks, etc. The second half is mostly filler (As Willow would say, for my Buffy fans out there! Lol) but it was necessary. It's a slightly shorter chapter than usual for me, but next chapter "should" pick up again. Now that all the logistics are dealt with, I can move on to the core of the story. So please bare with me!

...

Paige paced the attic. She had needed to get away, and she hadn't known where else to go. She had wandered upstairs, in search of a quiet place. For some reason, it had felt as if something was calling to her, directing her to the attic. The door had been closed, but when Paige had touched the handle, the door had opened easily, as if someone wanted her to be there.

She glanced at the Book of Shadows every once in awhile, but never stopped pacing. Each time she learned something new about her destiny as a Charmed One, she felt as if her head would explode. It was information overload, and she just needed a break, a minute to be alone and catch her breath.

The attic had a calming effect on her despite her memories from the last time she had been in here. She finally stopped pacing and stared at the circles of candles, still in place from when Piper and Phoebe had called Patty. Mom. Patty was her mom. She had met her mom. So far, that was the greatest gift magic could give her – though, Paige knew, the consequences of such magical gifts were far greater than the rewards.

Paige paced again, her thoughts racing, her body on edge. The calming effect of the attic seemed to dim, as her mind focused more and more on magic, and what it would mean for her and Rebecca. The demon attack tonight had proved that she and her daughter were no longer safe. Paige had opened some kind of door when she had helped Piper and Phoebe vanquish that Shax demon. There was no going back.

"Paige."

Paige jumped, eyes widening. She backed up, slowly, as if the person who had spoken would pounce, the way a tiger did once it had eyed its prey.

"How are you here?" Paige blurted, giving Patty a wide berth. "No one summoned you... Isn't that how it works? You need to be summoned?"

Patty smiled gently, remaining within the circle of candles so as not to startle Paige. "I know it's a lot to take in-."

"Everyone keeps saying that," Paige interrupted, shaking her head. "But do any of you actually understand what that means? This is just all... It's too much. I believe it, I believe it all – I mean, do I have a choice, after what I've seen? But that does not mean I have to like it, any of it. Especially after what Leo told us about the girls. I didn't ask for this for myself and I certainly would never wish it upon Rebecca."

Paige gasped, taking a breathe after her long rant. She began to pace nervously again, refusing to look Patty in the eye.

"Paige, I understand how you're feeling," Patty finally spoke. "Believe me, I wish I could have kept you and raised you as my daughter. I wish you had grown up with your sisters, and discovered your heritage with them." Patty paused, swallowing back her tears. "But everything happens for a reason. Magic happens for a reason. I believe that with every fiber of my being. Please, trust me when I say that this is all meant to be. You were meant to find your sisters, and Rebecca was meant to be united with her cousins."

"Yeah?" Paige snapped, stopping and crossing her arms, glaring at Patty. "Well what if I say I don't believe that? What if I don't want Rebecca fighting demons for the rest of her life?"

Patty frowned, unsure what to say to her long-lost daughter. Words could not begin to comfort her.

Paige sighed, looking defeated. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't be taking this out on you. I'm just... scared," she admitted.

"This is meant to be," Patty repeated, emphasizing each word. "I know you don't believe that, but this is the way it was supposed to happen. I know you've come home at an... unfortunate time, but you were always meant to come home. Believe in that, if you cannot believe in anything else."

"Will... Will Rebecca be okay?" Paige asked hesitantly.

Patty frowned. "I can't see the future, sweetheart. But she's a Halliwell. I'm sure she'll be just fine."

This, beyond anything else, finally convinced Paige. Relief showed on her face.

"Thank you," she said to Patty, smiling kindly, with love for her mother.

Patty nodded. "Anytime you need me..." And with that, she disappeared in a wash of golden lights.

Paige stood there for a long time after she was gone, staring at the place she had been, silent tears slipping down her face.

...

TWO MONTHS LATER

It had been two months since Prue's death; two months since the discovery of the fourth sister, Paige; two months since the revelation that Corrine, Melinda, Katelyn, and Rebecca were meant to be the Next Generation of Halliwell Witches.

It had taken some getting used to, and some adjustments had been necessary. Piper and Phoebe had ended up doing a Magical Manor Expansion, with the idea that it wasn't personal gain; they needed everyone under one roof, didn't they? The Manor was where they were the strongest.

Of course, convincing Paige of that had been difficult. After all the upheavals in their lives, she hadn't wanted to rock the boat any more than it already had been. Rebecca was still adjusting to the idea of being a witch and of having cousins. The house they lived in wasn't much, but Rebecca had grown up in it, and Paige had been hesitant when, only five weeks into everything, Piper and Phoebe had approached her with the idea of moving in with them.

But Paige had relented when Piper and Phoebe explained that they were stronger at the Manor, and stronger together; that they would be better able to protect the girls from demon attacks, as well as protect themselves.

It was a rough transition, with chaos as well as heartache, especially when Paige moved into Prue's room. Corrine kept herself locked in her own room during this transition, refusing to unlock the door or come out for anyone. She just wanted to be left alone to sulk.

Rebecca found it hard, adjusting to the new living arrangements, as well. She was still getting used to magic, and it was weird to see the Manor look completely normal from the outside, yet look super-expanded from the inside. It blew her mind every time. She was glad to have her own room, and the privacy it afforded her, though; moving into such a crowded house would have been a nightmare if not for the alone-time she could acquire with her own bedroom.

It took time for the three Halliwell Sisters and four Halliwell Cousins to fall into a routine, but eventually, they did. The sisters got up in the morning, made breakfast, and went off to work. The cousins woke up, ate breakfast, and went to school. Their normal routine - normal being relative in Halliwell Manor.

Everyday after work, Piper and Phoebe would teach Paige the Craft. And everyday after school, Phoebe would work with the Cousins, training them to use their powers, make potions, and perfect spells. Special attention was paid to Rebecca, who was having a hard time mastering her powers. Piper and Phoebe theorized that the issue stemmed from her heritage: Rebecca was one third human, one third witch, and one third Whitelighter. Though she seemed to have inherited the powers of a full Whitelighter, her unique mix of so many different things seemed to dampen her powers a little, and made the struggle that much worse for her.

Phoebe was confident she would master her powers; she was, after all, still a Halliwell. But it was just taking her a little more time. Unfortunately, they didn't have a lot of time.

Because when you were a Charmed One – future generation or not – time was always of the essence, and demons were always right around the corner.