A/N Chris and his 'family'! Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Appearing at home I saw my Mum pacing around the room, her face looked so tense she had a frown on the face and that was rare thing. The rest of the family had different conversation very quietly, but it was obvious that they were nervous too. Suddenly somebody patted me on the back. I looked at the person who now stood right by my side.

"How did it go?" Dad questioned. He still had his arm on my shoulder as if trying to encourage me.

"Well… not that bad. We had the dinner with all Halliwells, and only when they left we started talking." I answered, the last part with sarcasm. "Then, when they tried to shout at me, for the first time in my life I talked back. And you know, Dad, that felt terrific, I finally let my anger to show and now I feel like the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders."

"Do you need to come back there?

"No. And they aware that was the last time they saw me in this house as their family. I think I made it clear." I was about to say something more when Mum noticed me. Her face immediately changed and relief showed on her face, and eyes shone with happiness.

"And how long are you standing here? I'm here freaking out because my youngest son went missing several hours ago and still hasn't come back home and here he is, standing in the door and watching me. And look my dear husband is helping him to remain unnoticed. What a shame!" she laughed. The whole family was laughing too. It was what I needed at the moment. I needed to feel included in the family. When the laughter quieted down, Mum became serious. "So, what happened?"

"Well, we had dinner. When Piper's sisters came they didn't acknowledge me as usually. During the dinner, they all were talking and funny thing Piper even tried to talk to me a few times, but it didn't work. Then when everybody left, there was a big fight. During which I revealed some of my problems. And then I suggested elders to check themselves for the use of magic by them. Sorry Dad. I know I shouldn't have said it to them. But I don't want Wyatt and Paul to lose their parents because of our issues."

"Don't worry about it. I understand that you want to protect the only people in that household you care. So don't overthink it. It's not a big deal." He replied with the smile. We fall silent for a moment.

"Sooo…" Nat smiled mischievously. "Let's have a party. We still haven't eaten your birthday cake and after that we can go to the club!"

"Club with No drinking!" added Mum.

After that I had an amazing continuation of the birthday. We ate the cake, I opened the presents and laughed. We went to the club, where were lots of dancing and common friends well a lot of fun. And of course Mum was there to see if we were drinking anything we shouldn't, but I had to say that my Mum and Dad were hell of dancers. Who would think?! The sadness and the fact that I left Piper and Leo never once were remembered by me till the end of the day.

It was late at night when I was sitting in the garden and watching stars. It was my favourite past-time when I had things to think about. I heard the soft steps coming my way from the door, leading to the kitchen. I knew it was somebody of the family, because the stuff left for their homes long ago. I looked around and saw Audrey. She came to me and sat by my side.

"What do you think about?" she asked quietly, raising her head and staring at the stars."Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I don't know. I can't sleep that's all." I answered looking at the stars as well. "I have a feeling that it's not over yet. As if they are not going to let it go. But I don't get why. They always did and now… I just don't think they did."

"Chris, now you can do whatever you want and they are not going to stay in your way. And if they decide to do it, we can stop them and we WILL help you."

"I know that Drew, but I don't want you to be in the middle of it. All of you have your own lives and I don't want to be inconvenience."

"You said too many 'I don't want'. But I want to know what you WANT and only that. Chris, the last time you started thinking like you're right now, you scared us to death, almost literally. And I can see the way you sometimes glances at knives, even if you're a cook. And I'm sure you fight it with tooth and nails. And you're winning. Don't let Piper and Leo win, reverse it. Or all your life, everything you achieved after the attempt will go for nothing. And you are NOT that type of a person, who will let it happen."

I understood her words in my head, but deep in my heart I didn't want to accept them. I knew that the day's event had an impact on me. And unfortunately, not a good one. The head of a snake had been raised. The snake that once almost separated me from people I loved. And I needed to start fighting with it again.

"Audrey, you know, I'm afraid that I would go the path again. That I would try to do it with myself one more time and this time I most definitely would succeed. I don't want to lose your trust in me and I don't want to let you down. I want to be happy and part of this family. To be loved, and needed and important."

"You are, Chris." She leaned and kissed my temple. "I'm your sister, who will help you to go through it. We all would be here if that day ever comes. And trust me, Mum and Dad are watching you closely. They would notice the signs when… or rather if they appeared. So don't worry we have your back. And what comes to Halliwells one day you will have to meet them and talk and make things right. But you don't need to do it right now and by yourself. Give yourself time to make your head. You can't just end everything with people you lived with for 18 years and don't have any emotional baggage. You just can't. Don't hurry up and take as much time as you need."

"When you became that wise?" I joked. "but may be you're right. And I have to take time and straighten my head and feelings about them and me." I added more seriously.

"As to me being wise, I'm your Elder sister, so I AM wiser than you and as for the latter subject, you can relay on us. We are you family." A minute or so we stayed silent. "I think it's time to go to sleep, lil' bro." With that she stood up, stretched, bent and kissed my head. "Sleep well and Happy birthday!"

I watched her from the corner of my eyes and saw her stop by the door, turn her head at me and slightly smile. I sighed and looked at stars again. I hoped that she was right. I wished that she was right. But I wasn't sure for 100 percent. I drove away these thoughts and went to bed. I didn't know was it bad or good beginning at the end. But I knew that I was happy to fresh start and that was all that mattered. And we would solve the problems when they come.