Melinda Halliwell smelled her mother's cooking before she could even fully wake up. She stretched lazily as she inhaled and opened her eyes. Her mother usually bakes on the weekends but this time, it was special. Melinda was going to turn 18 soon and she couldn't wait for that big day. She sat up and quickly pulled the blankets off of her and started her way down the stairs.
Her family hasn't let her go demon hunting with her brothers; Melinda would've said it was because they were men but even her cousin's have gone along and she was left with nothing. Her mother tried not letting her feel left out by creating the potions for her older brothers and even the spells that have vanquished more demons then Chris and Wyatt's spells. It frustrated her that she was left on the side but her father promised her that her time would come. She just always assumed they meant when she turned 18.
She burst through the kitchen to see her mother, Piper Halliwell's back turned to her which Melinda honestly didn't care. She loved watching how long and smooth and effortless her mother's hair was, even when it was now starting to get silver strands. Piper tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she turned and looked up to her youngest child.
"Good morning, baby" Piper smiled, "Guess I should try to stop calling you that, huh?"
Melinda smiled, "You haven't even stopped calling Wyatt his baby name"
"I know" Piper pouted, "But I just can't believe my baby girl is turning 18"
"Yeah… about that" Melinda was about to start.
A comforting blue light appeared as it fell graciously before Wyatt appeared next to their mom. He didn't seem to notice that he ruined a moment as he took a plate and started to help himself to food.
"Excuse you" Piper said.
"What?" Wyatt asked, "Rory worked a night shift today so I figured I'd come over here to eat instead of wake her-"
Piper turned her body to Wyatt and placed her hands on her hips.
"And make her a plate when I come back" Wyatt finished.
He turned to Melinda, "Hey pipsqueak, how are you doing?"
"You need to stop calling me that" Melinda mumbled.
"Why?" Wyatt asked as he popped a grape into his mouth, "Because you're going to be the age to vote? I don't think so"
Wyatt took his plate full of food and left the room right when Leo walked in, he didn't even seem phased that the eldest son was here even though his apartment is across town. He came up to Piper and Melinda as he wrapped his arms around the two women and kissed them both on top of their heads, "My two girls"
"Morning, dad" Melinda grabbed her dad's arm and squeezed him tight, "How'd you sleep?"
"I sleep better every day knowing I don't have charges in my head" Leo answered as he looked to her mom, "And knowing I get to grow old with the woman I love"
Piper chuckled and rolled her eyes, "You say that everyday"
"Because it's true"
"I'm glad you both are here at the same time" Melinda said, "I've been meaning to ask you both something"
Piper and Leo both turned to Melinda as she felt butterflies in her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak but then Chris came out of the basement, making Melinda's shoulder's slump as the other son started serving himself a plate.
The disappointment must've been written on her face as Chris made a face to her, "Well, good morning to you too"
"What were you doing in the basement?" Piper asked.
"Drawing up a sketch on some leads" Chris said, "I slept down there as well"
"Leads?" Leo asked, "What're you talking about?"
"A new big bad is in town" Chris took a bite into his toast, "Didn't Wyatt tell you?"
"No" They both said before Piper put in, "But I'll ask him right now"
Normally, Melinda wouldn't care about demon talk, mainly because she was forbidden to go with the rest of the family but this time it piqued her interest. Maybe this was the perfect time to show her worth to her family. Melinda quickly grabbed a couple of bites of food to fill her plate and satisfy her mother if she carelessly glanced at her daughter's plate. She quickly ran into the other room as Wyatt was trying to explain himself as to why he didn't tell his parents of the new demon in town. Melinda sat down next to Wyatt as he turned to Chris and glared at him.
"Thanks, mouth!"
"No problem, I told you we should've told them earlier" Chris said nonchalantly.
"We know where his power source is" Wyatt explained, "Next we'll just go there and start kicking ass like we always do"
"Oh, it's that simple, huh?" Piper asked, "How many times do I have to tell you that you have to be prepared. Never go in there empty handed"
"Your mother's right" Leo nodded, "Maybe you should use one of Melinda's spells, it worked on the last clan of demons-"
"Or maybe I can come along"
"No!" It came to no surprise that the answer was from everyone in the room.
Melinda jumped up from her seat, "Why not? I am a Halliwell just as much as Henry and even he goes along to demon hunts-"
"He's older than you"
"He's mortal"
"Melinda we can't keep having these conversations every time there is a demon your brothers have to vanquish"
"Then why am I even in this family if I can't help fight demons?!" Melinda exploded as she orbed away, hearing her mother calling to her but she chose to continue to disappear.